Title:

The Complete Herbal

To which is now added, upwards of one hundred additional
herbs, with a display of their medicinal and occult
qualities physically applied to the cure of all disorders
incident to mankind: to which are now first annexed, the
English physician enlarged, and key to Physic.

Author: Nicholas Culpeper

Language: English


THE
 COMPLETE HERBAL;
TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED, UPWARDS OF

ONE HUNDRED ADDITIONAL

HERBS,
WITH A DISPLAY OF THEIR

Medicinal and Occult Qualities

PHYSICALLY APPLIED TO

THE CURE OF ALL DISORDERS INCIDENT TO

MANKIND:

TO WHICH ARE NOW FIRST ANNEXED, THE

ENGLISH PHYSICIAN
ENLARGED,
AND
 KEY TO PHYSIC.
WITH

RULES FOR COMPOUNDING MEDICINE

ACCORDING TO THE TRUE SYSTEM OF
NATURE.

FORMING A COMPLETE

FAMILY DISPENSATORY AND

NATURAL SYSTEM OF PHYSIC.
————————————
BY NICHOLAS CULPEPER, M.D.
————————————

TO WHICH IS ALSO ADDED,

UPWARDS OF FIFTY CHOICE RECEIPTS,

SELECTED FROM THE AUTHOR’S LAST LEGACY TO HIS WIFE.

A NEW EDITION,

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

AND A GENERAL INDEX.

Illustrated by Engravings of numerous British Herbs and Plants, correctly coloured from nature.
 ———————
“The Lord hath created Medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them.”—Ecc. xxxviii.
4.
———————

LONDON:
THOMAS KELLY, 17, PATERNOSTER ROW.
———
MDCCCL.
 LONDON;
A. CROSS, PRINTER, 89, PAUL STREET,
FINSBURY.
Transcriber's Note: If supported by your device, larger
versions of the plates may be seen by clicking on the plate
itself. Apologies are made for the quality of these images
taken from a very old book.
 PLATE 1.
Alexander Agrimony Alkanet
Allheal Amara Dulcis or Bitter Sweet Amaranthus
Adders Tongue Angelica Alehoof or Ground Ivy
 PLATE 2.
Garden Arrach Avens Ars smart
Basil Archangel Beets
Yellow Bedstraw White Bedstraw Water Betony
Yellow Bedstraw White Bedstraw Water Betony
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON

PLATE 3.
Bird’s Foot Bishop’s Weed Bistort or Snakeweed
 White Briony Borage Brooklime
Bucks-horn Plantain Brank Ursine Blue Bottle
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.

PLATE 4.
 PLATE 4.
Burdock Butter-bur Wall Bugloss
Bugle Camomile Carraway
Centaury Wild Carrot Celandine
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.
 PLATE 5.
Chervill Comfry Cleavers
Crabs Claws
Coltsfoot Cowslip
or Fresh water Soldier
Columbine Shrub Cinquefoil Costmary
Columbine Shrub Cinquefoil Costmary
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.

PLATE 6.
Crowfoot Cuckow Point Water Cress
Crowfoot Cuckow Point Water Cress
Cudweed Crosswort Dill
Dandelion Daisy Devils Bit

PLATE 7.
Eringo Eyebright Elecampane
 Eringo Eyebright Elecampane
Dock Dragons Dog’s Grass
Dropwort Dove’s Foot Bloody Dock
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.
 PLATE 8.
Foxglove Flower-de-luce Figwort
Fleawort Fumitory Fluellin
Fennel Flaxweed Feverfew
 PLATE 9.
Wall Hawkweed. Hart’s Tongue. Mouse-ear Hawkweed.
Gentian. Golden Rod. Galingal.
Clove Gilliflower. Groundsel. Germander.
 Clove Gilliflower. Groundsel. Germander.
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.

PLATE 10.
Longrooted Hawkweed Hearts Ease Hounds Tongue
Herb Robert Marsh Pennywort White Horehound
Henbane Truelove Hemlock
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.

PLATE 11.
 PLATE 11.
Knapweed Lady’s Mantle Ladysmock
Sea Lavender Water Lily Liquorice
Loosestrife or Willowherb Liver Wort Lily of the Valley
 PLATE 12
Lovage Lungwort Loosestrife or Wood Willowherb
Maidenhair Field Madder Marsh Mallow
Marigold Melilot Masterwort
 PLATE 13.
Mouse Ear Moon-wort Field Mouse Ear
Yellow Money-wort Black Mullein Mother-wort
Mug-wort White Mullein White Mustard
 Mug-wort White Mullein White Mustard
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.

PLATE 14.
Black Mustard Common Nightshade Deadly Nightshade
 Nep Nailwort Orpine
Cow Parsnip Rock Parsley Wild Parsnip
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.

PLATE 15.
 PLATE 15.
Pellitory of the Wall Periwinkle Pepper-wort
Pimpernel Plantain Polypody
White Poppy Corn Rose Poppy Primrose
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.
 PLATE 16.
Privet Queen of the Meadow Meadow Rue
Cress Rocket Rattle Grass Rocket Cress
Ragwort Rapture Wort Saffron
 PLATE 17.
Meadow Saxifrage Great Sanicle Samphire
Garden Scurvygrass Scabious Shepherd’s Purse
Saracen’s Confound Self-heal Burnet Saxifrage
Saracen’s Confound Self-heal Burnet Saxifrage
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.

PLATE 18.
Yellow Succory Solomon’s Seal Wild Succory
 Spignel Wood Sorrel Common Sorrel
Smallage Sow Thistle Tansy

PLATE 19.
Treacle Mustard Tustan Thorough Wax
Treacle Mustard Tustan Thorough Wax
Tooth-wort Trefoil Tormentil
Lady’s Thistle Wild Teazle Cotton Thistle

PLATE 20.
 PLATE 20.
Vervain Valerian Viper’s Bugloss
Woad Woodbine Wall Flower
Wormwood Sea Wormwood Yarrow
THOMAS KELLY, LONDON.
 CULPEPER’S
ORIGINAL 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 CONSORT
MRS. ALICE CULPEPER.
MY DEAREST,
THE works that I have published to the world (though envied by some
illiterate physicians) have merited such just applause, that thou mayest be
confident in proceeding to publish anything I leave thee, especially this master-
piece: assuring my friends and countrymen, that they will receive as much
benefit by this, as by my Dispensatory, and that incomparable piece called,
Semiotica Uranica enlarged, and English Physician.
These are the choicest secrets, which I have had many years locked up in my
own breast. I gained them by my constant practice, and by them I maintained a
continual reputation in the world, and I doubt not but the world will honour thee
for divulging them; and my fame shall continue and increase thereby, though the
period of my Life and Studies be at hand, and I must now bid all things under the
sun farewell. Farewell, my dear wife and child; farewell, Arts and Sciences,
which I so dearly loved; farewell, all worldly glories; 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.
 THE
ENGLISH PHYSICIAN
ENLARGED.
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 Bittersweet; 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 toothache, 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 afterbirth, 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 aforementioned 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.] The ordinary Avens hath many long, rough, dark green, winged
leaves, rising from the root, every one made of many leaves set on each side of
the middle rib, the largest three whereof grow at the end, and are snipped or
dented round about the edges; the other being small pieces, sometimes two and
sometimes four, standing on each side of the middle rib underneath them.
Among which do rise up divers rough or hairy stalks about two feet high,
branching forth with leaves at every joint not so long as those below, but almost
as much cut in on the edges, some into three parts, some into more. On the tops
of the branches stand small, pale, yellow flowers consisting of five leaves, like
the flowers of Cinquefoil, but large, in the middle whereof stand a small green
herb, which when the flower is fallen, grows to be round, being made of many
long greenish purple seeds, (like grains) which will stick upon your clothes. The
root consists of many brownish strings or fibres, smelling somewhat like unto
cloves, especially those which grow in the higher, hotter, and drier grounds, and
in free and clear air.
 Place.] They grow wild in many places under hedge’s sides, and by the path-
ways in fields; yet they rather delight to grow in shadowy than sunny places.
Time.] They flower in May or June for the most part, and their seed is ripe in
July at the farthest.
Government and virtues.] It is governed by Jupiter, and that gives hopes of a
wholesome healthful herb. It is good for the diseases of the chest or breast, for
pains, and stiches in the side, and to expel crude and raw humours from the belly
and stomach, by the sweet savour and warming quality. It dissolves the inward
congealed blood happening by falls or bruises, and the spitting of blood, if the
roots, either green or dry, be boiled in wine and drank; as also all manner of
inward wounds or outward, if washed or bathed therewith. The decoction also
being drank, comforts the heart, and strengthens the stomach and a cold brain,
and therefore is good in the spring times to open obstructions of the liver, and
helps the wind cholic; it also helps those that have fluxes, or are bursten, or have
a rupture; it takes away spots or marks in the face, being washed therewith. The
juice of the fresh root, or powder of the dried root, has the same effect with the
decoction. The root in the Spring-time steeped in wine, gives it a delicate savour
and taste, and being drank fasting every morning, comforts the heart, and is a
good preservative against the plague, or any other poison. It helps indigestion,
and warms a cold stomach, and opens obstructions of the liver and spleen.
It is very safe: you need have no dose prescribed; and is very fit to be kept in
every body’s house.

BALM.

THIS herb is so well known to be an inhabitant almost in every garden, that I

shall not need to write any discription thereof, although its virtues, which are
many, may not be omitted.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Jupiter, and under Cancer, and
strengthens nature much in all its actions. Let a syrup made with the juice of it
and sugar (as you shall be taught at the latter end of this book) be kept in every
gentlewoman’s house to relieve the weak stomachs and sick bodies of their poor
sickly neighbours; as also the herb kept dry in the house, that so with other
convenient simples, you may make it into an electuary with honey, according as
the disease is you shall be taught at the latter end of my book. The Arabian
physicians have extolled the virtues thereof to the skies; although the Greeks
thought it not worth mentioning. Seraphio says, it causes the mind and heart to
become merry, and revives the heart, faintings and swoonings, especially of such
who are overtaken in sleep, and drives away all troublesome cares and thoughts
out of the mind, arising from melancholy or black choler; which Avicen also
confirms. It is very good to help digestion, and open obstructions of the brain,
and hath so much purging quality in it (saith Avicen) as to expel those
melancholy vapours from the spirits and blood which are in the heart and
arteries, although it cannot do so in other parts of the body. Dioscorides says,
that the leaves steeped in wine, and the wine drank, and the leaves externally
applied, is a remedy against the stings of a scorpion, and the bitings of mad
dogs; and commends the decoction thereof for women to bathe or sit in to
procure their courses; it is good to wash aching teeth therewith, and profitable
for those that have the bloody flux. The leaves also, with a little nitre taken in
drink, are good against the surfeit of mushrooms, helps the griping pains of the
belly; and being made into an electuary, it is good for them that cannot fetch
their breath: Used with salt, it takes away wens, kernels, or hard swelling in the
flesh or throat; it cleanses foul sores, and eases pains of the gout. It is good for
the liver and spleen. A tansy or caudle made with eggs, and juice thereof while it
is young, putting to it some sugar and rose-water, is good for a woman in child-
birth, when the afterbirth is not thoroughly voided, and for their faintings upon
or in their sore travail. The herb bruised and boiled in a little wine and oil, and
laid warm on a boil, will ripen it, and break it.

BARBERRY.

THE shrub is so well known by every boy or girl that has but attained to the
age of seven years, that it needs no description.
Government and virtues.] Mars owns the shrub, and presents it to the use of
my countrymen to purge their bodies of choler. The inner rind of the Barberry-
tree boiled in white wine, and a quarter of a pint drank each morning, is an
excellent remedy to cleanse the body of choleric humours, and free it from such
diseases as choler causes, such as scabs, itch, tetters, ringworms, yellow
jaundice, boils, &c. It is excellent for hot agues, burnings, scaldings, heat of the
blood, heat of the liver, bloody-flux; for the berries are as good as the bark, and
more pleasing: they get a man a good stomach to his victuals, by strengthening
the attractive faculty which is under Mars. The hair washed with the lye made of
the tree and water, will make it turn yellow, viz. of Mars’ own colour. The fruit
and rind of the shrub, the flowers of broom and of heath, or furz, cleanse the
body of choler by sympathy, as the flowers, leaves, and bark of the peach-tree do
by antipathy, because these are under Mars, that under Venus.

BARLEY.

THE continual usefulness hereof hath made all in general so acquainted

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

GARDEN BAZIL, OR SWEET BAZIL.

Descript.] THE greater of Ordinary Bazil rises up usually with one upright
stalk, diversly branching forth on all sides, with two leaves at every joint, which
are somewhat broad and round, yet pointed, of a pale green colour, but fresh; a
little snipped about the edges, and of a strong healthy scent. The flowers are
small and white, and standing at the tops of the branches, with two small leaves
at the joints, in some places green, in others brown, after which come black seed.
The root perishes at the approach of Winter, and therefore must be new sown
every year.
Place.] It grows in gardens.
Time.] It must be sowed late, and flowers in the heart of Summer, being a
very tender plant.
Government and virtues.] This is the herb which all authors are together by
the ears about, and rail at one another (like lawyers). Galen and Dioscorides hold
it not fit to be taken inwardly; and Chrysippus rails at it with downright
Billingsgate rhetoric; Pliny, and the Arabian physicians defend it.
For my own part, I presently found that speech true:
Non nostrium inter nos tantas componere lites.
And away to Dr. Reason went I, who told me it was an herb of Mars, and under
the Scorpion, and perhaps therefore called Basilicon; and it is no marvel if it
carry a kind of virulent quality with it. Being applied to the place bitten by
venomous beasts, or stung by a wasp or hornet, it speedily draws the poison to it;
Every like draws his like. Mizaldus affirms, that, being laid to rot in horse-dung,
it will breed venomous beasts. Hilarius, a French physician, affirms upon his
own knowledge, that an acquaintance of his, by common smelling to it, had a
scorpion bred in his brain. Something is the matter; this herb and rue will not
grow together, no, nor near one another: and we know rue is as great an enemy
to poison as any that grows.
To conclude; It expels both birth and afterbirth; and as it helps the deficiency
of Venus in one kind, so it spoils all her actions in another. I dare write no more
of it.

THE BAY TREE.

THIS is so well known that it needs no description: I shall therefore only write
the virtues thereof, which are many.
Government and virtues.] I shall but only add a word or two to what my
friend has written, viz., that it is a tree of the sun, and under the celestial sign
Leo, and resists witchcraft very potently, as also all the evils old Saturn can do to
the body of man, and they are not a few; for it is the speech of one, and I am
mistaken if it were not Mizaldus, that neither witch nor devil, thunder nor
lightning, will hurt a man in the place where a Bay-tree is. Galen said, that the
leaves or bark do dry and heal very much, and the berries more than the leaves;
the bark of the root is less sharp and hot, but more bitter, and hath some
astriction withal whereby it is effectual to break the stone, and good to open
obstructions of the liver, spleen, and other inward parts, which bring the
jaundice, dropsy, &c. The berries are very effectual against all poison of
venomous creatures, and the sting of wasps and bees; as also against the
pestilence, or other infectious diseases, and therefore put into sundry treacles for
that purpose; they likewise procure women’s courses, and seven of them given
to woman in sore travail of child-birth, do cause a speedy delivery, and expel the
afterbirth, and therefore not to be taken by such as have not gone out their time,
lest they procure abortion, or cause labour too soon. They wonderfully help all
cold and rheumatic distillations from the brain to the eyes, lungs or other parts;
and being made into an electuary with honey, do help the consumption, old
coughs, shortness of breath, and thin rheums; as also the megrim. They mightily
expel the wind, and provoke urine; help the mother, and kill the worms. The
leaves also work the like effect. A bath of the decoction of leaves and berries, is
singularly good for women to sit in, that are troubled with the mother, or the
diseases thereof, or the stoppings of their courses, or for the diseases of the
bladder, pains in the bowels by wind and stoppage of the urine. A decoction
likewise of equal parts of Bay-berries, cummin seed, hyssop, origanum, and
euphorbium, with some honey, and the head bathed therewith, wonderfully helps
distillations and rheums, and settles the pallate of the mouth into its place. The
oil made of the berries is very comfortable in all cold griefs of the joints, nerves,
arteries, stomach, belly, or womb, and helps palsies, convulsions, cramp, aches,
tremblings, and numbness in any part, weariness also, and pains that come by
sore travelling. All griefs and pains proceeding from wind, either in the head,
stomach, back, belly, or womb, by anointing the parts affected therewith: And
pains in the ears are also cured by dropping in some of the oil, or by receiving
into the ears the fume of the decoction of the berries through a funnel. The oil
takes away the marks of the skin and flesh by bruises, falls, &c. and dissolves
the congealed blood in them. It helps also the itch, scabs, and weals in the skin.

BEANS.

BOTH the garden and field beans are so well known, that it saves me the
labour of writing any description of them. The virtues follow.
Government and virtues.] They are plants of Venus, and the distilled water of
the flower of garden beans is good to clean the face and skin from spots and
wrinkles, and the meal or flour of them, or the small beans doth the same. The
water distilled from the green husk, is held to be very effectual against the stone,
and to provoke urine. Bean flour is used in poultices to assuage inflammations
arising from wounds, and the swelling of women’s breasts caused by the
curdling of their milk, and represses their milk; Flour of beans and Fenugreek
mixed with honey, and applied to felons, boils, bruises, or blue marks by blows,
or the imposthumes in the kernels of the ears, helps them all, and with Rose
leaves, Frankincense and the white of an egg, being applied to the eyes, helps
them that are swollen or do water, or have received any blow upon them, if used
with wine. If a bean be parted in two, the skin being taken away, and laid on the
place where the leech hath been set that bleeds too much, stays the bleeding.
Bean flour boiled to a poultice with wine and vinegar, and some oil put thereto,
eases both pains and swelling of the privities. The husk boiled in water to the
consumption of a third part thereof, stays a lask; and the ashes of the husks,
made up with old hog’s grease, helps the old pains, contusions, and wounds of
the sinews, the sciatica and gout. The field beans have all the aforementioned
virtues as the garden beans.
Beans eaten are extremely windy meat; but if after the Dutch fashion, when
they are half boiled you husk them and then stew them (I cannot tell you how,
for I never was a cook in all my life), they are wholesome food.

FRENCH BEANS.

Descript.] THIS French or kidney Bean arises at first but with one stalk, which
afterwards divides itself into many arms or branches, but all so weak that if they
be not sustained with sticks or poles, they will be fruitless upon the ground. At
several places of these branches grow foot stalks, each with three broad round
and pointed green leaves at the end of them; towards the top comes forth divers
flowers made like to pease blossoms, of the same colour for the most part that
the fruit will be of, that is to say, white, yellow, red, blackish, or of a deep
purple, but white is the most usual; after which come long and slender flat pods,
some crooked, some straight, with a string running down the back thereof,
wherein is flattish round fruit made like a kidney; the root long, spreads with
many strings annexed to it, and perishes every year.
 There is another sort of French beans commonly growing with us in this land,
which is called the Scarlet flower Bean.
This rises with sundry branches as the other, but runs higher, to the length of
hop-poles, about which they grow twining, but turning contrary to the sun,
having foot-stalks with three leaves on each, as on the others; the flowers also
are like the other, and of a most orient scarlet colour. The Beans are larger than
the ordinary kind, of a dead purple colour turning black when ripe and dry; the
root perishes in Winter.
Government and virtues.] These also belong to Dame Venus, and being dried
and beat to powder, are as great strengtheners of the kidneys as any are; neither
is there a better remedy than it; a dram at a time taken in white wine to prevent
the stone, or to cleanse the kidneys of gravel or stoppage. The ordinary French
Beans are of an easy digestion; they move the belly, provoke urine, enlarge the
breast that is straightened with shortness of breath, engender sperm, and incite to
venery. And the scarlet coloured Beans, in regard of the glorious beauty of their
colour, being set near a quickset hedge, will much adorn the same, by climbing
up thereon, so that they may be discerned a great way, not without admiration of
the beholders at a distance. But they will go near to kill the quicksets by
cloathing them in scarlet.
 LADIES BED-STRAW.

BESIDES the common name above written, it is called Cheese-Rennet, because

it performs the same office, as also Gailion, Pettimugget, and Maiden-hair; and
by some Wild Rosemary.
Descript.] This rises up with divers small brown, and square upright stalks, a
yard high or more; sometimes branches forth into divers parts, full of joints, and
with divers very fine small leaves at every one of them, little or nothing rough at
all; at the tops of the branches grow many long tufts or branches of yellow
flowers very thick set together, from the several joints which consist of four
leaves a piece, which smell somewhat strong, but not unpleasant. The seed is
small and black like poppy seed, two for the most part joined together: The root
is reddish, with many small threads fastened to it, which take strong hold of the
ground, and creep a little: and the branches leaning a little down to the ground,
take root at the joints thereof, whereby it is easily increased.
There is another sort of Ladies Bedstraw growing frequently in England,
which bears white flowers as the other doth yellow; but the branches of this are
so weak, that unless it be sustained by the hedges, or other things near which it
grows, it will lie down to the ground; the leaves a little bigger than the former,
and the flowers not so plentiful as these; and the root hereof is also thready and
abiding.
Place.] They grow in meadow and pastures both wet and dry, and by the
hedges.
Time.] They flower in May for the most part, and the seed is ripe in July and
August.
Government and virtues.] They are both herbs of Venus, and therefore
strengthening the parts both internal and external, which she rules. The
decoction of the former of those being drank, is good to fret and break the stone,
provoke the urine, stays inward bleeding, and heals inward wounds. The herb or
flower bruised and put into the nostrils, stays their bleeding likewise; The
flowers and herbs being made into an oil, by being set in the sun, and changed
after it has stood ten or twelve days; or into an ointment being boiled in Axunga,
or sallad oil, with some wax melted therein, after it is strained; either the oil
made thereof, or the ointment, do help burnings with fire, or scalding with water.
The same also, or the decoction of the herb and flower, is good to bathe the feet
of travellers and lacquies, whose long running causes weariness and stiffness in
the sinews and joints. If the decoction be used warm, and the joints afterwards
anointed with ointment, it helps the dry scab, and the itch in children; and the
herb with the white flower is also very good for the sinews, arteries, and joints,
to comfort and strengthen them after travel, cold, and pains.

BEETS.

OF Beets there are two sorts, which are best known generally, and whereof I
shall principally treat at this time, viz. the white and red Beets and their virtues.
Descript.] The common white beet has many great leaves next the ground,
somewhat large and of a whitish green colour. The stalk is great, strong, and
ribbed, bearing great store of leaves upon it, almost to the very top of it: The
flowers grow in very long tufts, small at the end, and turning down their heads,
which are small, pale greenish, yellow, buds, giving cornered prickly seed. The
root is great, long, and hard, and when it has given seed is of no use at all.
The common red Beet differs not from the white, but only it is less, and the
leaves and the roots are somewhat red; the leaves are differently red, some only
with red stalks or veins; some of a fresh red, and others of a dark red. The root
thereof is red, spungy, and not used to be eaten.
Government and virtues.] The government of these two sorts of Beets are far
different; the red Beet being under Saturn and the white under Jupiter; therefore
take the virtues of them apart, each by itself. The white Beet much loosens the
belly, and is of a cleansing, digesting quality, and provokes urine. The juice of it
opens obstructions both of the liver and spleen, and is good for the head-ache
and swimmings therein, and turnings of the brain; and is effectual also against all
venomous creatures; and applied to the temples, stays inflammations of the eyes;
it helps burnings, being used with oil, and with a little alum put to it, is good for
St. Anthony’s fire. It is good for all wheals, pushes, blisters, and blains in the
skin: the herb boiled, and laid upon chilblains or kibes, helps them. The
decoction thereof in water and some vinegar, heals the itch, if bathed therewith;
and cleanses the head of dandruff, scurf, and dry scabs, and does much good for
fretting and running sores, ulcers, and cankers in the head, legs, or other parts,
and is much commended against baldness and shedding the hair.
The red Beet is good to stay the bloody-flux, women’s courses, and the
whites, and to help the yellow jaundice; the juice of the root put into the nostrils,
purges the head, helps the noise in the ears, and the tooth-ache; the juice snuffed
up the nose, helps a stinking breath, if the cause lie in the nose, as many times it
does, if any bruise has been there: as also want of smell coming that way.

WATER BETONY.

CALLED also Brown-wort, and in Yorkshire, Bishop’s-leaves.

Descript.] First, of the Water Betony, which rises up with square, hard,
greenish stalks, sometimes brown, set with broad dark green leaves dented about
the edges with notches somewhat resembling the leaves of the Wood Betony, but
much larger too, for the most part set at a joint. The flowers are many, set at the
tops of the stalks and branches, being round bellied and open at the brims, and
divided into two parts, the uppermost being like a hood, and the lowermost like a
hip hanging down, of a dark red colour, which passing, there comes in their
places small round heads with small points at the ends, wherein lie small and
brownish seeds; the root is a thick bush of strings and shreds, growing from the
head.
Place.] It grows by the ditch side, brooks and other water-courses, generally
through this land, and is seldom found far from the water-side.
Time.] It flowers about July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] Water Betony is an herb of Jupiter in Cancer, and is
appropriated more to wounds and hurts in the breast than Wood Betony, which
follows: It is an excellent remedy for sick hogs. It is of a cleansing quality. The
leaves bruised and applied are effectual for all old and filthy ulcers; and
especially if the juice of the leaves be boiled with a little honey, and dipped
therein, and the sores dressed therewith; as also for bruises and hurts, whether
inward or outward. The distilled water of the leaves is used for the same
purpose; as also to bathe the face and hands spotted or blemished, or discoloured
by sun burning.
I confess I do not much fancy distilled waters, I mean such waters as are
distilled cold; some virtues of the herb they may haply have (it were a strange
thing else;) but this I am confident of, that being distilled in a pewter still, as the
vulgar and apish fashion is, both chemical oil and salt is left behind unless you
burn them, and then all is spoiled, water and all, which was good for as little as
can be, by such a distillation.

WOOD BETONY.

Descript.] COMMON or Wood Betony has many leaves rising from the root,
which are somewhat broad and round at the end, roundly dented about the edges,
standing upon long foot stalks, from among which rise up small, square, slender,
but upright hairy stalks, with some leaves thereon to a piece at the joints, smaller
than the lower, whereon are set several spiked heads of flowers like Lavender,
but thicker and shorter for the most part, and of a reddish or purple colour,
spotted with white spots both in the upper and lower part. The seeds being
contained within the husks that hold the flowers, are blackish, somewhat long
and uneven. The roots are many white thready strings: the stalks perish, but the
roots with some leaves thereon, abide all the Winter. The whole plant is
somewhat small.
Place.] It grows frequently in woods, and delights in shady places.
Time.] And it flowers in July; after which the seed is quickly ripe, yet in its
prime in May.
Government and virtues.] The herb is appropriated to the planet Jupiter, and
the sign Aries. Antonius Musa, physician to the Emperor Augustus Cæsar, wrote
a peculiar book of the virtues of this herb; and among other virtues saith of it,
that it preserves the liver and bodies of men from the danger of epidemical
diseases, and from witchcraft also; it helps those that loath and cannot digest
their meat, those that have weak stomachs and sour belchings, or continual rising
in their stomachs, using it familiarly either green or dry; either the herb, or root,
or the flowers, in broth, drink, or meat, or made into conserve, syrup, water,
electuary, or powder, as every one may best frame themselves unto, or as the
time and season requires; taken any of the aforesaid ways, it helps the jaundice,
falling sickness, the palsy, convulsions, or shrinking of the sinews, the gout and
those that are inclined to dropsy, those that have continual pains in their heads,
although it turn to phrensy. The powder mixed with pure honey is no less
available for all sorts of coughs or colds, wheesing, or shortness of breath,
distillations of thin rheum upon the lungs, which causes consumptions. The
decoction made with Mead, and a little Pennyroyal, is good for those that are
troubled with putrid agues, whether quotidian, tertian, or quartan, and to draw
down and evacuate the blood and humours, that by falling into the eyes, do
hinder the sight; the decoction thereof made in wine and taken, kills the worms
in the belly, opens obstructions both of the spleen and liver; cures stitches, and
pains in the back and sides, the torments and griping pains in the bowels, and the
wind cholic; and mixed with honey purges the belly, helps to bring down
women’s courses, and is of special use for those that are troubled with the falling
down of the mother, and pains thereof, and causes an easy and speedy delivery
of women in child-birth. It helps also to break and expel the stone, either in the
bladder or kidneys. The decoction with wine gargled in the mouth, eases the
tooth-ache. It is commended against the stinging and biting of venomous
serpents, or mad dogs, being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place.
A dram of the powder of Betony taken with a little honey in some vinegar, does
wonderfully refresh those that are over wearied by travelling. It stays bleeding at
the mouth or nose, and helps those that void or spit blood, and those that are
bursten or have a rupture, and is good for such as are bruised by any fall or
otherwise. The green herb bruised, or the juice applied to any inward hurt, or
outward green wound in the head or body, will quickly heal and close it up; as
also any vein or sinews that are cut, and will draw forth any broken bone or
splinter, thorn or other things got into the flesh. It is no less profitable for old
sores or filthy ulcers, yea, tho’ they be fistulous and hollow. But some do advise
to put a little salt for this purpose, being applied with a little hog’s lard, it helps a
plague sore, and other boils and pushes. The fumes of the decoction while it is
warm, received by a funnel into the ears, eases the pains of them, destroys the
worms and cures the running sores in them. The juice dropped into them does
the same. The root of Betony is displeasing both to the taste and stomach,
whereas the leaves and flowers, by their sweet and spicy taste, are comfortable
both to meat and medicine.
These are some of the many virtues Anthony Muse, an expert physician (for
it was not the practice of Octavius Cæsar to keep fools about him), appropriates
to Betony; it is a very precious herb, that is certain, and most fitting to be kept in
a man’s house, both in syrup, conserve, oil, ointment and plaister. The flowers
are usually conserved.

THE BEECH TREE.

IN treating of this tree, you must understand, that I mean the green mast
Beech, which is by way of distinction from that other small rough sort, called in
Sussex the smaller Beech, but in Essex Horn-beam.
I suppose it is needless to describe it, being already too well known to my
countrymen.
Place.] It grows in woods amongst oaks and other trees, and in parks, forests,
and chases, to feed deer; and in other places to fatten swine.
Time.] It blooms in the end of April, or beginning of May, for the most part,
and the fruit is ripe in September.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant of Saturn, and therefore performs his
qualities and proportion in these operations. The leaves of the Beech tree are
cooling and binding, and therefore good to be applied to hot swellings to discuss
them; the nuts do much nourish such beasts as feed thereon. The water that is
found in the hollow places of decaying Beeches will cure both man and beast of
any scurf, or running tetters, if they be washed therewith; you may boil the
leaves into a poultice, or make an ointment of them when time of year serves.

BILBERRIES, CALLED BY SOME WHORTS, AND

WHORTLE-BERRIES.

Descript.] OF these I shall only speak of two sorts which are common in
England, viz. The black and red berries. And first of the black.
The small bush creeps along upon the ground, scarcely rising half a yard
high, with divers small green leaves set in the green branches, not always one
against the other, and a little dented about the edges: At the foot of the leaves
come forth small, hollow, pale, bluish coloured flowers, the brims ending at five
points, with a reddish thread in the middle, which pass into small round berries
of the bigness and colour of juniper berries, but of a purple, sweetish sharp taste;
the juice of them gives a purplish colour in their hands and lips that eat and
handle them, especially if they break them. The root grows aslope under ground,
shooting forth in sundry places as it creeps. This loses its leaves in Winter.
The Red Bilberry, or Whortle-Bush, rises up like the former, having sundry
hard leaves, like the Box-tree leaves, green and round pointed, standing on the
several branches, at the top whereof only, and not from the sides, as in the
former, come forth divers round, reddish, sappy berries, when they are ripe, of a
sharp taste. The root runs in the ground, as in the former, but the leaves of this
abide all Winter.
Place.] The first grows in forests, on the heaths, and such like barren places:
the red grows in the north parts of this land, as Lancashire, Yorkshire, &c.
Time.] They flower in March and April, and the fruit of the black is ripe in
July and August.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of Jupiter. It is a pity
they are used no more in physic than they are.
The black Bilberries are good in hot agues and to cool the heat of the liver
and stomach; they do somewhat bind the belly, and stay vomiting and loathings;
the juice of the berries made in a syrup, or the pulp made into a conserve with
sugar, is good for the purposes aforesaid, as also for an old cough, or an ulcer in
the lungs, or other diseases therein. The Red Worts are more binding, and stops
women’s courses, spitting of blood, or any other flux of blood or humours, being
used as well outwardly as inwardly.

BIFOIL OR TWABLADE.

Descript.] THIS small herb, from a root somewhat sweet, shooting downwards
many long strings, rises up a round green stalk, bare or naked next the ground
for an inch, two or three to the middle thereof as it is in age or growth; as also
from the middle upwards to the flowers, having only two broad Plaintain-like
leaves (but whiter) set at the middle of the stalk one against another, compassing
it round at the bottom of them.
Place.] It is an usual inhabitant in woods, copses, and in many places in this
land.
There is another sort grows in wet grounds and marshes, which is somewhat
different from the former. It is a smaller plant, and greener, having sometimes
three leaves; the spike of the flowers is less than the former, and the roots of this
do run or creep in the ground.
They are often used by many to good purpose for wounds, both green and
old, to consolidate or knit ruptures; and well it may, being a plant of Saturn.

THE BIRCH TREE.

Descript.] THIS grows a goodly tall straight tree, fraught with many boughs,
and slender branches bending downward: the old being covered with discoloured
chapped bark, and the younger being browner by much. The leaves at the first
breaking out are crumpled, and afterwards like the beech leaves, but smaller and
greener, and dented about the edges. It bears small short cat-skins, somewhat
like those of the hazelnut-tree, which abide on the branches a long time, until
growing ripe, they fall on the ground and their seed with them.
Place.] It usually grows in woods.
Government and virtues.] It is a tree of Venus; the juice of the leaves, while
they are young, or the distilled water of them, or the water that comes from the
tree being bored with an auger, and distilled afterwards; any of these being drank
for some days together, is available to break the stone in the kidneys and
bladder, and is good also to wash sore mouths.

BIRD’S FOOT.

THIS small herb grows not above a span high with many branches spread
upon the ground, set with many wings of small leaves. The flowers grow upon
the branches, many small ones of a pale yellow colour being set a-head together,
which afterwards turn into small jointed pods, well resembling the claw of small
birds, whence it took its name.
There is another sort of Bird’s Foot in all things like the former, but a little
larger; the flowers of a pale whitish and red colour, and the pods distinct by
joints like the other, but little more crooked; and the roots do carry many small
white knots or kernels amongst the strings.
Place.] These grow on heaths, and many open untilled places of this land.
Time.] They flower and seed in the end of Summer.
Government and virtues.] They belong to Saturn and are of a drying, binding
quality, and thereby very good to be used in wound drinks, as also to apply
outwardly for the same purpose. But the latter Bird’s Foot is found by
experience to break the stone in the back or kidneys, and drives them forth, if the
decoction thereof be taken; and it wonderfully helps the ruptures, being taken
inwardly, and outwardly applied to the place.
All sorts have best operations upon the stone, as ointments and plaisters have
upon wounds: and therefore you may make a salt of this for the stone; the way
how to do so may be found in my translation of the London Dispensatory; and it
may be I may give you it again in plainer terms at the latter end of this book.

BISHOP’S-WEED.

BESIDES the common name Bishop’s-weed, it is usually known by the Greek

name Ammi and Ammois; some call it Æthiopian Cummin-seed, and others
Cummin-royal, as also Herb William, and Bull-wort.
Descript.] Common Bishop’s-weed rises up with a round straight stalk,
sometimes as high as a man, but usually three or four feet high, beset with divers
small, long and somewhat broad leaves, cut in some places, and dented about the
edges, growing one against another, of a dark green colour, having sundry
branches on them, and at the top small umbels of white flowers, which turn into
small round seeds little bigger than Parsley seeds, of a quick hot scent and taste;
the root is white and stringy; perishing yearly, and usually rises again on its own
sowing.
Place.] It grows wild in many places in England and Wales, as between
Greenhithe and Gravesend.
Government and virtues.] It is hot and dry in the third degree, of a bitter taste,
and somewhat sharp withal; it provokes lust to purpose; I suppose Venus owns
it. It digests humours, provokes urine and women’s courses, dissolves wind, and
being taken in wine it eases pains and griping in the bowels, and is good against
the biting of serpents; it is used to good effect in those medicines which are
given to hinder the poisonous operation of Cantharides, upon the passage of the
urine: being mixed with honey and applied to black and blue marks, coming of
blows or bruises, it takes them away; and being drank or outwardly applied, it
abates a high colour, and makes it pale; and the fumes thereof taken with rosin or
raisins, cleanses the mother.

BISTORT, OR SNAKEWEED.

IT is called Snakeweed, English Serpentary, Dragon-wort, Osterick, and

Passions.
Descript.] This has a thick short knobbed root, blackish without, and
somewhat reddish within, a little crooked or turned together, of a hard astringent
taste, with divers black threads hanging therefrom, whence springs up every year
divers leaves, standing upon long footstalks, being somewhat broad and long
like a dock leaf, and a little pointed at the ends, but that it is of a blueish green
colour on the upper side, and of an ash-colour grey, and a little purplish
underneath, with divers veins therein, from among which rise up divers small
and slender stalks, two feet high, and almost naked and without leaves, or with a
very few, and narrow, bearing a spiky bush of pale-coloured flowers; which
being past, there abides small seed, like unto Sorrel seed, but greater.
There are other sorts of Bistort growing in this land, but smaller, both in
height, root, and stalks, and especially in the leaves. The root blackish without,
and somewhat whitish within; of an austere binding taste, as the former.
Place.] They grow in shadowy moist woods, and at the foot of hills, but are
chiefly nourished up in gardens. The narrow leafed Bistort grows in the north, in
Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland.
Time.] They flower about the end of May, and the seed is ripe about the
beginning of July.
Government and virtues.] It belongs to Saturn, and is in operation cold and
dry; both the leaves and roots have a powerful faculty to resist all poison. The
root, in powder, taken in drink expels the venom of the plague, the small-pox,
measels, purples, or any other infectious disease, driving it out by sweating. The
root in powder, the decoction thereof in wine being drank, stays all manner of
inward bleeding, or spitting of blood, and any fluxes in the body of either man or
woman, or vomiting. It is also very available against ruptures, or burstings, or all
bruises from falls, dissolving the congealed blood, and easing the pains that
happen thereupon; it also helps the jaundice.
The water, distilled from both leaves and roots, is a singular remedy to wash
any place bitten or stung by any venomous creature; as also for any of the
purposes before spoken of, and is very good to wash any running sores or ulcers.
The decoction of the root in wine being drank, hinders abortion or miscarriage in
child-bearing. The leaves also kill the worms in children, and is a great help to
them that cannot keep their water; if the juice of Plaintain be added thereto, and
outwardly applied, much helps the ghonorrhea, or running of the reins. A dram
of the powder of the root, taken in water thereof, wherein some red hot iron or
steel hath been quenched, is also an admirable help thereto, so as the body be
first prepared and purged from the offensive humours. The leaves, seed, or roots,
are all very good in decoction, drinks, or lotions, for inward or outward wounds,
or other sores. And the powder, strewed upon any cut or wound in a vein, stays
the immoderate bleeding thereof. The decoction of the root in water, where unto
some pomegranate peels and flowers are added, injected into the matrix, stays
the immoderate flux of the courses. The root thereof, with pelitory of Spain and
burnt alum, of each a little quantity, beaten small and into paste with some
honey, and a little piece thereof put into a hollow tooth, or held between the
teeth, if there be no hollowness in them, stays the defluction of rheum upon them
which causes pains, and helps to cleanse the head, and void much offensive
water. The distilled water is very effectual to wash sores or cankers in the nose,
or any other part; if the powder of the root be applied thereunto afterwards. It is
good also to fasten the gums, and to take away the heat and inflammations that
happen in the jaws, almonds of the throat, or mouth, if the decoction of the
leaves, roots, or seeds bruised, or the juice of them, be applied; but the roots are
most effectual to the purposes aforesaid.

ONE-BLADE.

Descript.] THIS small plant never bears more than one leaf, but only when it
rises up with its stalk, which thereon bears another, and seldom more, which are
of a blueish green colour, broad at the bottom, and pointed with many ribs or
veins like Plaintain; at the top of the stalk grows many small flowers star-
fashion, smelling somewhat sweet; after which comes small reddish berries
when they are ripe. The root small, of the bigness of a rush, lying and creeping
under the upper crust of the earth, shooting forth in divers places.
Place.] It grows in moist, shadowy, grassy places of woods, in many places
of this realm.
Time.] It flowers about May, and the berries are ripe in June, and then quickly
perishes, until the next year it springs from the same again.
Government and virtues.] It is a herb of the Sun, and therefore cordial; half a
dram, or a dram at most, of the root hereof in powder taken in wine and vinegar,
of each a little quantity, and the party presently laid to sweat, is held to be a
sovereign remedy for those that are infected with the plague, and have a sore
upon them, by expelling the poison, and defending the heart and spirit from
danger. It is also accounted a singular good wound herb, and therefore used with
other herbs in making such balms as are necessary for curing of wounds, either
green or old, and especially if the nerves be hurt.

THE BRAMBLE, OR BLACK-BERRY BUSH.

 THE BRAMBLE, OR BLACK-BERRY BUSH.

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

follows:—
Government and virtues.] It is a plant of Venus in Aries. If any ask the reason
why Venus is so prickly? Tell them it is because she is in the house of Mars. The
buds, leaves, and branches, while they are green, are of a good use in the ulcers
and putrid sores of the mouth and throat, and of the quinsey, and likewise to heal
other fresh wounds and sores; but the flowers and fruit unripe are very binding,
and so profitable for the bloody flux, lasks, and are a fit remedy for spitting of
blood. Either the decoction of the powder or of the root taken, is good to break
or drive forth gravel and the stone in the reins and kidneys. The leaves and
brambles, as well green as dry, are exceeding good lotions for sores in the
mouth, or secret parts. The decoction of them, and of the dried branches, do
much bind the belly and are good for too much flowing of women’s courses; the
berries of the flowers are a powerful remedy against the poison of the most
venomous serpents; as well drank as outwardly applied, helps the sores of the
fundament and the piles; the juice of the berries mixed with the juice of
mulberries, do bind more effectually, and helps all fretting and eating sores and
ulcers wheresoever. The distilled water of the branches, leaves, and flowers, or
of the fruit, is very pleasant in taste, and very effectual in fevers and hot
distempers of the body, head, eyes, and other parts, and for the purposes
aforesaid. The leaves boiled in lye, and the head washed therewith, heals the itch
and running sores thereof, and makes the hair black. The powder of the leaves
strewed on cankers and running ulcers, wonderfully helps to heal them. Some
use to condensate the juice of the leaves, and some the juice of the berries, to
keep for their use all the year, for the purposes aforesaid.

BLITES.

Descript.] OF these there are two sorts commonly known, viz. white and red.
The white has leaves somewhat like to Beets, but smaller, rounder and of a
whitish green colour, every one standing upon a small long footstalk: the stalk
rises up two or three feet high, with such like leaves thereon; the flowers grow at
the top in long round tufts, or clusters, wherein are contained small and round
seeds; the root is very full of threads or strings.
The red Blite is in all things like the white but that its leaves and tufted heads
are exceeding red at first, and after turn more purple.
 There are other kinds of Blites which grow different from the two former
sorts but little, but only the wild are smaller in every part.
Place.] They grow in gardens, and wild in many places in this land.
Time.] They seed in August and September.
Government and virtues.] They are all of them cooling, drying, and binding,
serving to restrain the fluxes of blood in either man or woman, especially the
red; which also stays the overflowing of the women’s reds, as the white Blites
stays the whites in women. It is an excellent secret; you cannot well fail in the
use. They are all under the dominion of Venus.
There is another sort of wild Blites like the other wild kinds, but have long
and spiky heads of greenish seeds, seeming by the thick setting together to be all
seed.
This sort the fishers are delighted with, and it is good and usual bait; for
fishes will bite fast enough at them, if you have wit enough to catch them when
they bite.

BORAGE AND BUGLOSS.

THESE are so well known to the inhabitants in every garden that I hold it
needless to describe them.
To these I may add a third sort, which is not so common, nor yet so well
known, and therefore I shall give you its name and description.
It is called Langue de Bœuf; but why then should they call one herb by the
name of Bugloss, and another by the name Langue de Bœuf? it is some question
to me, seeing one signifies Ox-tongue in Greek, and the other signifies the same
in French.
Descript.] The leaves whereof are smaller than those of Bugloss but much
rougher; the stalks rising up about a foot and a half high, and is most commonly
of a red colour; the flowers stand in scaly round heads, being composed of many
small yellow flowers not much unlike to those of Dandelion, and the seed flieth
away in down as that doth; you may easily know the flowers by their taste, for
they are very bitter.
Place.] It grows wild in many places of this land, and may be plentifully
found near London, as between Rotherhithe and Deptford, by the ditch side. Its
virtues are held to be the same with Borage and Bugloss, only this is somewhat
hotter.
Time.] They flower in June and July, and the seed is ripe shortly after.
Government and virtues.] They are all three herbs of Jupiter and under Leo,
all great cordials, and great strengtheners of nature. The leaves and roots are to
very good purpose used in putrid and pestilential fevers, to defend the heart, and
help to resist and expel the poison, or the venom of other creatures: the seed is of
the like effect; and the seed and leaves are good to increase milk in women’s
breasts; the leaves, flowers, and seed, all or any of them, are good to expel
pensiveness and melancholy; it helps to clarify the blood, and mitigate heat in
fevers. The juice made into a syrup prevails much to all the purposes aforesaid,
and is put, with other cooling, opening and cleansing herbs to open obstructions,
and help the yellow jaundice, and mixed with Fumitory, to cool, cleanse, and
temper the blood thereby; it helps the itch, ringworms and tetters, or other
spreading scabs or sores. The flowers candied or made into a conserve, are
helpful in the former cases, but are chiefly used as a cordial, and are good for
those that are weak in long sickness, and to comfort the heart and spirits of those
that are in a consumption, or troubled with often swoonings, or passions of the
heart. The distilled water is no less effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and
helps the redness and inflammations of the eyes, being washed therewith; the
herb dried is never used, but the green; yet the ashes thereof boiled in mead, or
honied water, is available against the inflammations and ulcers in the mouth or
throat, to gargle it therewith; the roots of Bugloss are effectual, being made into
a licking electuary for the cough, and to condensate thick phlegm, and the
rheumatic distillations upon the lungs.

BLUE-BOTTLE.

IT is called Syanus, I suppose from the colour of it; Hurt-sickle, because it

turns the edge of the sickles that reap the corn; Blue-blow, Corn-flower, and
Blue-bottle.
Descript.] I shall only describe that which is commonest, and in my opinion
most useful; its leaves spread upon the ground, being of a whitish green colour,
somewhat on the edges like those of Corn-Scabious, amongst which rises up a
stalk divided into divers branches, beset with long leaves of a greenish colour,
either but very little indented, or not at all; the flowers are of a blueish colour,
from whence it took its name, consisting of an innumerable company of flowers
set in a scaly head, not much unlike those of Knap-weed; the seed is smooth,
bright, and shining, wrapped up in a woolly mantle; the root perishes every year.
Place.] They grow in cornfields, amongst all sorts of corn (pease, beans, and
tares excepted.) If you please to take them up from thence, and transplant them
in your garden, especially towards the full of the moon, they will grow more
double than they are, and many times change colour.
Time.] They flower from the beginning of May, to the end of the harvest.
Government and virtues.] As they are naturally cold, dry, and binding, so
they are under the dominion of Saturn. The powder or dried leaves of the Blue-
bottle, or Corn-flower, is given with good success to those that are bruised by a
fall, or have broken a vein inwardly, and void much blood at the mouth; being
taken in the water of Plaintain, Horsetail, or the greater Confrey, it is a remedy
against the poison of the Scorpion, and resists all venoms and poison. The seed
or leaves taken in wine, is very good against the plague, and all infectious
diseases, and is very good in pestilential fevers. The juice put into fresh or green
wounds, doth quickly solder up the lips of them together, and is very effectual to
heal all ulcers and sores in the mouth. The juice dropped into the eyes takes
away the heat and inflammation of them. The distilled water of this herb, has the
same properties, and may be used for the effects aforesaid.

BRANK URSINE.

BESIDES the common name Brank-Ursine, it is also called Bear’s-breach, and

Acanthus, though I think our English names to be more proper; for the Greek
word Acanthus, signifies any thistle whatsoever.
Descript.] This thistle shoots forth very many large, thick, sad green smooth
leaves on the ground, with a very thick and juicy middle rib; the leaves are
parted with sundry deep gashes on the edges; the leaves remain a long time,
before any stalk appears, afterwards rising up a reasonable big stalk, three or
four feet high, and bravely decked with flowers from the middle of the stalk
upwards; for on the lower part of the stalk, there is neither branches nor leaf. The
flowers are hooded and gaping, being white in colour, and standing in brownish
husk, with a long small undivided leaf under each leaf; they seldom seed in our
country. Its roots are many, great and thick, blackish without and whitish within,
full of a clammy sap; a piece of them if you set it in the garden, and defend it
from the first Winter cold will grow and flourish.
Place.] They are only nursed in the gardens in England, where they will grow
very well.
Time.] It flowers in June and July.
Government and virtues.] It is an excellent plant under the dominion of the
Moon; I could wish such as are studious would labour to keep it in their gardens.
The leaves being boiled and used in clysters, is excellent good to mollify the
belly, and make the passage slippery. The decoction drank inwardly, is excellent
and good for the bloody-flux; The leaves being bruised, or rather boiled and
applied like a poultice are excellent good to unite broken bones and strengthen
joints that have been put out. The decoction of either leaves or roots being drank,
and the decoction of leaves applied to the place, is excellent good for the king’s
evil that is broken and runs; for by the influence of the moon, it revives the ends
of the veins which are relaxed. There is scarce a better remedy to be applied to
such places as are burnt with fire than this is, for it fetches out the fire, and heals
it without a scar. This is an excellent remedy for such as are bursten, being either
taken inwardly, or applied to the place. In like manner used, it helps the cramp
and the gout. It is excellently good in hectic fevers, and restores radical moisture
to such as are in consumptions.

BRIONY, OR WILD VINE.

IT is called Wild, and Wood Vine, Tamus, or Ladies’ Seal. The white is called
White Vine by some; and the black, Black Vine.
Descript.] The common White Briony grows ramping upon the hedges,
sending forth many long, rough, very tender branches at the beginning, with
many very rough, and broad leaves thereon, cut (for the most part) into five
partitions, in form very like a vine leaf, but smaller, rough, and of a whitish
hoary green colour, spreading very far, spreading and twining with his small
claspers (that come forth at the joints with the leaves) very far on whatsoever
stands next to it. At the several joints also (especially towards the top of the
branches) comes forth a long stalk bearing many whitish flowers together on a
long tuft, consisting of five small leaves a-piece, laid open like a star, after
which come the berries separated one from another, more than a cluster of
grapes, green at the first, and very red when they are thorough ripe, of no good
scent, but of a most loathsome taste provokes vomit. The root grows to be
exceeding great, with many long twines or branches going from it, of a pale
whitish colour on the outside, and more white within, and of a sharp, bitter,
loathsome taste.
Place.] It grows on banks, or under hedges, through this land; the roots lie
very deep.
Time.] It flowers in July and August, some earlier, and some later than the
other.
Government and virtues.] They are furious martial plants. The root of Briony
purges the belly with great violence, troubling the stomach and burning the liver,
and therefore not rashly to be taken; but being corrected, is very profitable for
the diseases of the head, as falling sickness, giddiness, and swimmings, by
drawing away much phlegm and rheumatic humours that oppress the head, as
also the joints and sinews; and is therefore good for palsies, convulsions,
cramps, and stitches in the sides, and the dropsy, and for provoking urine; it
cleanses the reins and kidneys from gravel and stone, by opening the
obstructions of the spleen, and consume the hardness and swelling thereof. The
decoction of the root in wine, drank once a week at going to bed, cleanses the
mother, and helps the rising thereof, expels the dead child; a dram of the root in
powder taken in white wine, brings down their courses. An electuary made of
the roots and honey, doth mightily cleanse the chest of rotten phlegm, and
wonderfully help any old strong cough, to those that are troubled with shortness
of breath, and is good for them that are bruised inwardly, to help to expel the
clotted or congealed blood. The leaves, fruit, and root do cleanse old and filthy
sores, are good against all fretting and running cankers, gangrenes, and tetters
and therefore the berries are by some country people called tetter-berries. The
root cleanses the skin wonderfully from all black and blue spots, freckles,
morphew, leprosy, foul scars, or other deformity whatsoever; also all running
scabs and manginess are healed by the powder of the dried root, or the juice
thereof, but especially by the fine white hardened juice. The distilled water of
the root works the same effects, but more weakly; the root bruised and applied of
itself to any place where the bones are broken, helps to draw them forth, as also
splinters and thorns in the flesh; and being applied with a little wine mixed
therewith, it breaks boils, and helps whitlows on the joints.—For all these latter,
beginning at sores, cancers, &c. apply it outwardly, mixing it with a little hog’s
grease, or other convenient ointment.
As for the former diseases where it must be taken inwardly, it purges very
violently, and needs an abler hand to correct it than most country people have.

BROOK LIME, OR WATER-PIMPERNEL.

Descript.] THIS sends forth from a creeping root that shoots forth strings at
every joint, as it runs, divers and sundry green stalks, round and sappy with
some branches on them, somewhat broad, round, deep green, and thick leaves set
by couples thereon; from the bottom whereof shoot forth long foot stalks, with
sundry small blue flowers on them, that consist of five small round pointed
leaves a piece.
There is another sort nothing different from the former, but that it is greater,
and the flowers of a paler green colour.
Place.] They grow in small standing waters, and usually near Water-Cresses.
Time.] And flower in June and July, giving seed the next month after.
Government and virtues.] It is a hot and biting martial plant. Brook-lime and
Water-Cresses are generally used together in diet-drink, with other things
serving to purge the blood and body from all ill humours that would destroy
health, and are helpful to the scurvy. They do all provoke urine, and help to
break the stone, and pass it away; they procure women’s courses, and expel the
dead child. Being fried with butter and vinegar, and applied warm, it helps all
manner of tumours, swellings, and inflammations.
Such drinks ought to be made of sundry herbs, according to the malady. I
shall give a plain and easy rule at the latter end of this book.

BUTCHER’S BROOM.

IT is called Ruscus, and Bruscus, Kneeholm, Kneeholly, Kneehulver, and

Pettigree.
Descript.] The first shoots that sprout from the root of Butcher’s Broom, are
thick, whitish, and short, somewhat like those of Asparagus, but greater, they
rise up to be a foot and half high, are spread into divers branches, green, and
somewhat creased with the roundness, tough and flexible, whereon are set
somewhat broad and almost round hard leaves and prickly, pointed at the end, of
a dark green colour, two at the most part set at a place, very close and near
together; about the middle of the leaf, on the back and lower side from the
middle rib, breaks forth a small whitish green flower, consisting of four small
round pointed leaves, standing upon little or no footstalk, and in the place
whereof comes a small round berry, green at the first, and red when it is ripe,
wherein are two or three white, hard, round seeds contained. The root is thick,
white and great at the head, and from thence sends forth divers thick, white,
long, tough strings.
Place.] It grows in copses, and upon heaths and waste grounds, and
oftentimes under or near the holly bushes.
Time.] It shoots forth its young buds in the Spring, and the berries are ripe
about September, the branches of leaves abiding green all the Winter.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant of Mars, being of a gallant cleansing
and opening quality. The decoction of the root made with wine opens
obstructions, provokes urine, helps to expel gravel and the stone, the stranguary
and women’s courses, also the yellow jaundice and the head-ache; and with
same honey or sugar put thereunto, cleanses the breast of phlegm, and the chest
of such clammy humours gathered therein. The decoction of the root drank, and
a poultice made of the berries and leaves applied, are effectual in knitting and
consolidating broken bones or parts out of joint. The common way of using it, is
to boil the root of it, and Parsley and Fennel and Smallage in white wine, and
drink the decoction, adding the like quantity of Grass-root to them: The more of
the root you boil, the stronger will the decoction be; it works no ill effects, yet I
hope you have wit enough to give the strongest decoction to the strongest bodies.

BROOM, AND BROOM-RAPE.

TO spend time in writing a description hereof is altogether needless, it being

so generally used by all the good housewives almost through this land to sweep
their houses with, and therefore very well known to all sorts of people.
The Broom-rape springs up in many places from the roots of the broom (but
more often in fields, as by hedge-sides and on heaths). The stalk whereof is of
the bigness of a finger or thumb, above two feet high, having a shew of leaves on
them, and many flowers at the top, of a reddish yellow colour, as also the stalks
and leaves are.
Place.] They grow in many places of this land commonly, and as commonly
spoil all the land they grow in.
Time.] They flower in the Summer months, and give their seed before Winter.
Government and virtues.] The juice or decoction of the young branches, or
seed, or the powder of the seed taken in drink purges downwards, and draws
phlegmatic and watery humours from the joints; whereby it helps the dropsy,
gout, sciatica, and pains of the hips and joints; it also provokes strong vomits,
and helps the pains of the sides, and swelling of the spleen, cleanses also the
reins or kidneys and bladder of the stone, provokes urine abundantly, and
hinders the growing again of the stone in the body. The continual use of the
powder of the leaves and seed doth cure the black jaundice. The distilled water
of the flowers is profitable for all the same purposes: it also helps surfeit, and
alters the fit of agues, if three or four ounces thereof, with as much of the water
of the lesser Centaury, and a little sugar put therein, be taken a little before the fit
comes, and the party be laid down to sweat in his bed. The oil or water that is
drawn from the end of the green sticks heated in the fire, helps the tooth-ache.
The juice of young branches made into an ointment of old hog’s grease, and
anointed, or the young branches bruised and heated in oil or hog’s grease, and
laid to the sides pained by wind, as in stitches, or the spleen, ease them in once
or twice using it. The same boiled in oil is the safest and surest medicine to kill
lice in the head or body of any; and is an especial remedy for joint aches, and
swollen knees, that come by the falling down of humours.

The BROOM RAPE also is not without its virtues.

THE decoction thereof in wine, is thought to be as effectual to void the stone

in the kidney or bladder, and to provoke urine, as the Broom itself. The juice
thereof is a singular good help to cure as well green wounds, as old and filthy
sores and malignant ulcers. The insolate oil, wherein there has been three or four
repetitions of infusion of the top stalks, with flowers strained and cleared,
cleanses the skin from all manner of spots, marks, and freckles that rise either by
the heat of the sun, or the malignity of humours. As for the Broom and Broom-
rape, Mars owns them, and is exceeding prejudicial to the liver, I suppose by
reason of the antipathy between Jupiter and Mars; therefore if the liver be
disaffected, minister none of it.

BUCK’S-HORN PLANTAIN.
 Descript.] THIS being sown of seed, rises up at first with small, long, narrow,
hairy, dark green leaves like grass, without any division or gash in them, but
those that follow are gashed in on both sides the leaves into three or four gashes,
and pointed at the ends, resembling the knags of a buck’s horn (whereof it took
its name), and being well wound round about the root upon the ground, in order
one by another, thereby resembling the form of a star, from among which rise up
divers hairy stalks, about a hand’s breadth high, bearing every one a small, long
spiky head, like to those of the common Plantain having such like bloomings and
seed after them. The root is single, long and small, with divers strings at it.
Place.] They grow in sandy grounds, as in Tothill-fields by Westminster, and
divers other places of this land.
Time.] They flower and seed in May, June, and July, and their green leaves
do in a manner abide fresh all the Winter.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Saturn, and is of a
gallant, drying, and binding quality. This boiled in wine and drank, and some of
the leaves put to the hurt place, is an excellent remedy for the biting of the viper
or adder, which I take to be one and the same. The same being also drank, helps
those that are troubled with the stone in the reins or kidneys, by cooling the heat
of the part afflicted, and strengthens them; also weak stomachs that cannot
retain, but cast up their meat. It stays all bleeding both at mouth or nose; bloody
urine or the bloody-flux, and stops the lask of the belly and bowels. The leaves
hereof bruised and laid to their sides that have an ague, suddenly ease the fits;
and the leaves and roots applied to the wrists, works the same effect. The herb
boiled in ale and wine, and given for some mornings and evenings together,
stays the distillation of hot and sharp rheums falling into the eyes from the head,
and helps all sorts of sore eyes.

BUCK’S HORN.

IT is called Hart’s-horn, Herba-stella and Herba-stellaria, Sanguinaria, Herb-

Eve, Herb-Ivy, Wort-Tresses, and Swine-Cresses.
Descript.] They have many small and weak straggled branches trailing here
and there upon the ground: The leaves are many, small and jagged, not much
unlike to those of Buck’s-horn Plantain, but much smaller, and not so hairy. The
flowers grow among the leaves in small, rough, whitish clusters; the seeds are
smaller and brownish, of a bitter taste.
 Place.] They grow in dry, barren, sandy grounds.
Time.] They flower and seed when the rest of the Plantains do.
Government and virtues.] This is also under the dominion of Saturn; the
virtues are held to be the same as Buck’s-horn Plaintain, and therefore by all
authors it is joined with it. The leaves bruised and applied to the place, stop
bleeding. The herbs bruised and applied to warts, will make them consume and
waste in a short time.

BUGLE.

BESIDES the name Bugle, it is called Middle Confound and Middle Comfrey,
Brown Bugle, and by some Sicklewort, and Herb-Carpenter; though in Essex we
call another herb by that name.
Descript.] This has larger leaves than those of the Self-heal, but else of the
same fashion, or rather longer; in some green on the upper side, and in others
more brownish, dented about the edges, somewhat hairy, as the square stalk is
also which rises up to be half a yard high sometimes, with the leaves set by
couples, from the middle almost, whereof upwards stand the flowers, together
with many smaller and browner leaves than the rest, on the stalk below set at
distance, and the stalk bare between them; among which flowers, are also small
ones of a blueish and sometimes of an ash colour, fashioned like the flowers of
Ground-ivy, after which come small, round blackish seeds. The root is composed
of many strings, and spreads upon the ground.
The white flowered Bugle differs not in form or greatness from the former,
saving that the leaves and stalks are always green, and never brown, like the
other, and the flowers thereof are white.
Place.] They grow in woods, copses, and fields, generally throughout
England, but the white flowered Bugle is not so plentiful as the former.
Time.] They flower from May until July, and in the mean time perfect their
seed. The roots and leaves next thereunto upon the ground abiding all the
Winter.
Government and virtues.] This herb belongs to Dame Venus: If the virtues of
it makes you fall in love with it (as they will if you be wise) keep a syrup of it to
take inwardly, an ointment and plaister of it to use outwardly, always by you.
 The decoction of the leaves and flowers made in wine, and taken, dissolves
the congealed blood in those that are bruised inwardly by a fall, or otherwise is
very effectual for any inward wounds, thrusts, or stabs in the body or bowels;
and it is an especial help in all wound-drinks, and for those that are liver-grown
(as they call it.) It is wonderful in curing all manner of ulcers and sores, whether
new and fresh, or old and inveterate; yea, gangrenes and fistulas also, if the
leaves bruised and applied, or their juice be used to wash and bathe the place;
and the same made into a lotion, and some honey and alum, cures all sores in the
mouth and gums, be they ever so foul, or of long continuance; and works no less
powerfully and effectually for such ulcers and sores as happen in the secret parts
of men and women. Being also taken inwardly, or outwardly applied, it helps
those that have broken any bone, or have any member out of joint. An ointment
made with the leaves of Bugle, Scabions and Sanicle, bruised and boiled in
hog’s grease, until the herbs be dry, and then strained forth into a pot for such
occasions as shall require; it is so singularly good for all sorts of hurts in the
body, that none that know its usefulness will be without it.
The truth is, I have known this herb cure some diseases of Saturn, of which I
thought good to quote one. Many times such as give themselves much to
drinking are troubled with strange fancies, strange sights in the night time, and
some with voices, as also with the disease Ephialtes, or the Mare. I take the
reason of this to be (according to Fernelius) a melancholy vapour made thin by
excessive drinking strong liquor, and, so flies up and disturbs the fancy, and
breeds imaginations like itself, viz. fearful and troublesome. Those I have known
cured by taking only two spoonfuls, of the syrup of this herb after supper two
hours, when you go to bed. But whether this does it by sympathy, or antipathy, is
some doubt in astrology. I know there is great antipathy between Saturn and
Venus in matter of procreation; yea, such a one, that the barrenness of Saturn can
be removed by none but Venus! nor the lust of Venus be repelled by none but
Saturn; but I am not of opinion this is done this way, and my reason is, because
these vapours though in quality melancholy, yet by their flying upward, seem to
be something aerial; therefore I rather think it is done by antipathy; Saturn being
exalted in Libra, in the house of Venus.

BURNET.

IT is called Sanguisorbia, Pimpinella, Bipulo, Solbegrella, &c. The common

garden Burnet is so well known, that it needs no description.—There is another
sort which is wild, the description whereof take as follows:—
 Descript.] The great wild Burnet has winged leaves arising from the roots like
the garden Burnet, but not so many; yet each of these leaves are at the least twice
as large as the other, and nicked in the same manner about the edges, of a
greyish colour on the under side; the stalks are greater, and rise higher, with
many such leaves set thereon, and greater heads at the top, of a brownish colour,
and out of them come small dark purple flowers, like the former, but greater.
The root is black and long like the other, but greater also: it has almost neither
scent nor taste therein, like the garden kind.
Place.] It first grows frequently in gardens. The wild kind grows in divers
counties of this land, especially in Huntingdon, in Northamptonshire, in the
meadows there: as also near London, by Pancras church, and by a causeway-side
in the middle of a field by Paddington.
Time.] They flower about the end of June and beginning of July, and their
seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues] This is an herb the Sun challenges dominion over,
and is a most precious herb, little inferior to Betony; the continual use of it
preserves the body in health, and the spirits in vigour; for if the Sun be the
preserver of life under God, his herbs are the best in the world to do it by. They
are accounted to be both of one property, but the lesser is more effectual because
quicker and more aromatic: It is a friend to the heart, liver, and other principal
parts of a man’s body. Two or three of the stalks, with leaves put into a cup of
wine, especially claret, are known to quicken the spirits, refresh and cheer the
heart, and drive away melancholy: It is a special help to defend the heart from
noisome vapours, and from infection of the pestilence, the juice thereof being
taken in some drink, and the party laid to sweat thereupon. They have also a
drying and an astringent quality, whereby they are available in all manner of
fluxes of blood or humours, to staunch bleedings inward or outward, lasks,
scourings, the bloody-flux, women’s too abundant flux of courses, the whites,
and the choleric belchings and castings of the stomach, and is a singular wound-
herb for all sorts of wounds, both of the head and body, either inward or
outward, for all old ulcers, running cankers, and most sores, to be used either by
the juice or decoction of the herb, or by the powder of the herb or root, or the
water of the distilled herb, or ointment by itself, or with other things to be kept.
The seed is also no less effectual both to stop fluxes, and dry up moist sores,
being taken in powder inwardly in wine, or steeled water, that is, wherein hot
rods of steel have been quenched; or the powder, or the seed mixed with the
ointments.
 THE BUTTER-BUR, OR PETASITIS.

Descript.] THIS rises up in February, with a thick stalk about a foot high,
whereon are set a few small leaves, or rather pieces, and at the top a long spiked
head; flowers of a blue or deep red colour, according to the soil where it grows,
and before the stalk with the flowers have abiden a month above ground, it will
be withered and gone, and blow away with the wind, and the leaves will begin to
spring, which being full grown, are very large and broad, being somewhat thin
and almost round, whose thick red foot stalks above a foot long, stand towards
the middle of the leaves. The lower part being divided into two round parts,
close almost one to another, and are of a pale green colour; and hairy
underneath. The root is long, and spreads underground, being in some places no
bigger than one’s finger, in others much bigger, blackish on the outside, and
whitish within, of a bitter and unpleasant taste.
Place and Time.] They grow in low and wet grounds by rivers and water
sides. Their flower (as is said) rising and decaying in February and March,
before their leaves, which appear in April.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of the Sun, and therefore is
a great strengthener of the heart, and clearer of the vital spirit. The roots thereof
are by long experience found to be very available against the plague and
pestilential fevers by provoking sweat; if the powder thereof be taken in wine, it
also resists the force of any other poison. The root hereof taken with Zedoary
and Angelica, or without them, helps the rising of the mother. The decoction of
the root in wine, is singularly good for those that wheese much, or are short-
winded. It provokes urine also, and women’s courses, and kills the flat and broad
worms in the belly. The powder of the root doth wonderfully help to dry up the
moisture of the sores that are hard to be cured, and takes away all spots and
blemishes of the skin. It were well if gentlewomen would keep this root
preserved, to help their poor neighbours. It is fit the rich should help the poor,
for the poor cannot help themselves.

THE BURDOCK.

THEY are also called Personata, and Loppy-major, great Burdock and Clod-
bur. It is so well known, even by the little boys, who pull off the burs to throw
and stick upon each other, that I shall spare to write any description of it.
 Place.] They grow plentifully by ditches and water-sides, and by the
highways almost everywhere through this land.
Government and virtues.] Venus challenges this herb for her own, and by its
leaf or seed you may draw the womb which way you please, either upwards by
applying it to the crown of the head, in case it falls out; or downwards in fits of
the mother, by applying it to the soles of the feet; or if you would stay it in its
place, apply it to the navel, and that is one good way to stay the child in it. The
Burdock leaves are cooling, moderately drying, and discussing withal, whereby
it is good for old ulcers and sores. A dram of the roots taken with Pine kernels,
helps them that spit foul, mattery, and bloody phlegm. The leaves applied to the
places troubled with the shrinking of the sinews or arteries, gives much ease.
The juice of the leaves, or rather the roots themselves, given to drink with old
wine, doth wonderfully help the biting of any serpents: And the root beaten with
a little salt, and laid on the place, suddenly eases the pain thereof, and helps
those that are bit by a mad dog. The juice of the leaves being drank with honey,
provokes urine, and remedies the pain of the bladder. The seed being drank in
wine forty days together, doth wonderfully help the sciatica. The leaves bruised
with the white of an egg, and applied to any place burnt with fire, takes out the
fire, gives sudden ease, and heals it up afterwards. The decoction of them
fomented on any fretting sore, or canker, stays the corroding quality, which must
be afterwards anointed with an ointment made of the same liquor, hog’s-grease,
nitre, and vinegar boiled together. The roots may be preserved with sugar, and
taken fasting, or at other times, for the same purposes, and for consumptions, the
stone, and the lask. The seed is much commended to break the stone, and cause
it to be expelled by urine, and is often used with other seeds and things to that
purpose.

CABBAGES AND COLEWORTS.

I SHALL spare labour in writing a description of these, since almost every one
that can but write at all, may describe them from his own knowledge, they being
generally so well known, that descriptions are altogether needless.
Place.] They are generally planted in gardens.
Time.] Their flower time is towards the middle, or end of July, and the seed is
ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] The Cabbages or Coleworts boiled gently in broth,
and eaten, do open the body, but the second decoction doth bind the body. The
juice thereof drank in wine, helps those that are bitten by an adder, and the
decoction of the flowers brings down women’s courses: Being taken with honey,
it recovers hoarseness, or loss of the voice. The often eating of them well boiled,
helps those that are entering into a consumption. The pulp of the middle ribs of
Coleworts boiled in almond milk, and made up into an electuary with honey,
being taken often, is very profitable for those that are puffy and short winded.
Being boiled twice, an old cock boiled in the broth and drank, it helps the pains
and the obstructions of the liver and spleen, and the stone in the kidneys. The
juice boiled with honey, and dropped into the corner of the eyes, clears the sight,
by consuming any film or clouds beginning to dim it; it also consumes the
cankers growing therein. They are much commended, being eaten before meat to
keep one from surfeiting, as also from being drunk with too much wine, or
quickly to make a man sober again that was drunk before. For (as they say) there
is such an antipathy or enmity between the Vine and the Coleworts, that the one
will die where the other grows. The decoction of Coleworts takes away the pain
and ache, and allays the swelling of sores and gouty legs and knees, wherein
many gross and watery humours are fallen, the place being bathed therewith
warm. It helps also old and filthy sores, being bathed therewith, and heals all
small scabs, pushes, and wheals, that break out in the skin. The ashes of
Colewort stalks mixed with old hog’s-grease, are very effectual to anoint the
sides of those that have had long pains therein, or any other place pained with
melancholy and windy humours. This was surely Chrysippus’s God, and
therefore he wrote a whole volume on them and their virtues, and that none of
the least neither, for he would be no small fool; He appropriates them to every
part of the body, and to every disease in every part: and honest old Cato (they
say) used no other physic. I know not what metal their bodies were made of; this
I am sure, Cabbages are extremely windy, whether you take them as meat or as
medicine: yea, as windy meat as can be eaten, unless you eat bag-pipes or
bellows, and they are but seldom eaten in our days; and Colewort flowers are
something more tolerable, and the wholesomer food of the two. The Moon
challenges the dominion of this herb.

THE SEA COLEWORTS.

Descript.] THIS has divers somewhat long and broad large and thick wrinkled
leaves, somewhat crumpled about the edges, and growing each upon a thick
footstalks very brittle, of a greyish green colour, from among which rises up a
strong thick stalk, two feet high and better, with some leaves thereon to the top,
where it branches forth much; and on every branch stands a large bush of pale
whitish flowers, consisting of four leaves a-piece: The root is somewhat great,
shoots forth many branches under ground, keeping the leaves green all the
Winter.
Place.] They grow in many places upon the sea-coasts, as well on the Kentish
as Essex shores; as at Lid in Kent, Colchester in Essex, and divers other places,
and in other counties of this land.
Time.] They flower and seed about the time that other kinds do.
Government and virtues.] The Moon claims the dominion of these also. The
broth, or first decoction of the Sea Colewort, doth by the sharp, nitrous, and
bitter qualities therein, open the belly, and purge the body; it cleanses and
digests more powerfully than the other kind: The seed hereof, bruised and drank,
kills worms. The leaves or the juice of them applied to sores or ulcers, cleanses
and heals them, and dissolves swellings, and takes away inflammations.
 CALAMINT, OR MOUNTAIN-MINT.

Descript.] THIS is a small herb, seldom rising above a foot high, with square
hairy, and woody stalks, and two small hoary leaves set at a joint, about the
height of Marjoram, or not much bigger, a little dented about the edges, and of a
very fierce or quick scent, as the whole herb is: The flowers stand at several
spaces of the stalk, from the middle almost upwards, which are small and gaping
like to those of the Mints, of a pale bluish colour: After which follow small,
round blackish seed. The root is small and woody, with divers small strings
spreading within the ground, and dies not, but abides many years.
Place.] It grows on heaths, and uplands, and dry grounds, in many places of
this land.
Time.] They flower in July and their seed is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Mercury, and a strong one too,
therefore excellent good in all afflictions of the brain. The decoction of the herb
being drank, brings down women’s courses, and provokes urine. It is profitable
for those that are bursten, or troubled with convulsions or cramps, with shortness
of breath, or choleric torments and pains in their bellies or stomach; it also helps
the yellow-jaundice, and stays vomiting, being taken in wine. Taken with salt
and honey, it kills all manner of worms in the body. It helps such as have the
leprosy, either taken inwardly, drinking whey after it, or the green herb
outwardly applied. It hinders conception in women, but either burned or strewed
in the chamber, it drives away venomous serpents. It takes away black and blue
marks in the face, and makes black scars become well coloured, if the green herb
(not the dry) be boiled in wine, and laid to the place, or the place washed
therewith. Being applied to the hucklebone, by continuance of time, it spends the
humours, which cause the pain of the sciatica. The juice being dropped into the
ears, kills the worms in them. The leaves boiled in wine, and drank, provoke
sweat, and open obstructions of the liver and spleen. It helps them that have a
tertian ague (the body being first purged) by taking away the cold fits. The
decoction hereof, with some sugar put thereto afterwards, is very profitable for
those that be troubled with the over-flowing of the gall, and that have an old
cough, and that are scarce able to breathe by shortness of their wind; that have
any cold distemper in their bowels, and are troubled with the hardness or the
spleen, for all which purposes, both the powder, called Diacaluminthes, and the
compound Syrup of Calamint are the most effectual. Let no women be too busy
with it, for it works very violent upon the feminine part.

CAMOMILE.

IT is so well known every where, that it is but lost time and labour to describe
it. The virtues thereof are as follow.
A decoction made of Camomile, and drank, takes away all pains and stitches
in the side. The flowers of Camomile beaten, and made up into balls with Gill,
drive away all sorts of agues, if the part grieved be anointed with that oil, taken
from the flowers, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, and
afterwards laid to sweat in his bed, and that he sweats well. This is Nechessor, an
Egyptian’s, medicine. It is profitable for all sorts of agues that come either from
phlegm, or melancholy, or from an inflammation of the bowels, being applied
when the humours causing them shall be concocted; and there is nothing more
profitable to the sides and region of the liver and spleen than it. The bathing with
a decoction of Camomile takes away weariness, eases pains, to what part of the
body soever they be applied. It comforts the sinews that are over-strained,
mollifies all swellings: It moderately comforts all parts that have need of
warmth, digests and dissolves whatsoever has need thereof, by a wonderful
speedy property. It eases all pains of the cholic and stone, and all pains and
torments of the belly, and gently provokes urine. The flowers boiled in posset-
drink provokes sweat, and helps to expel all colds, aches, and pains whatsoever,
and is an excellent help to bring down women’s courses. Syrup made of the juice
of Camomile, with the flowers, in white wine, is a remedy against the jaundice
and dropsy. The flowers boiled in lye, are good to wash the head, and comfort
both it and the brain. The oil made of the flowers of Camomile, is much used
against all hard swellings, pains or aches, shrinking of the sinews, or cramps, or
pains in the joints, or any other part of the body. Being used in clysters, it helps
to dissolve the wind and pains in the belly; anointed also, it helps stitches and
pains in the sides.
Nechessor saith, the Egyptians dedicated it to the Sun, because it cured agues,
and they were like enough to do it, for they were the arrantest apes in their
religion that I ever read of. Bachinus, Bena, and Lobel, commend the syrup
made of the juice of it and sugar, taken inwardly, to be excellent for the spleen.
Also this is certain, that it most wonderfully breaks the stone: Some take it in
syrup or decoction, others inject the juice of it into the bladder with a syringe.
My opinion is, that the salt of it, taken half a dram in the morning in a little white
or Rhenish wine, is better than either; that it is excellent for the stone, appears in
this which I have seen tried, viz., That a stone that has been taken out of the body
of a man being wrapped in Camomile, will in time dissolve, and in a little time
too.

WATER-CALTROPS.

THEY are called also Tribulus Aquaticus, Tribulus Lacusoris, Tribulus

Marinus, Caltrops, Saligos, Water Nuts, and Water Chesnuts.
Descript.] As for the greater sort of Water Caltrop it is not found here, or very
rarely. Two other sorts there are which I shall here describe. The first has a long
creeping and jointed root, sending forth tufts at each joint, from which joints rise
long, flat, slender, knotted stalks, even to the top of the water, divided towards
the top into many branches, each carrying two leaves on both sides, being about
two inches long, and half an inch broad, thin and almost transparent; they look as
though they were torn; the flowers are long, thick, and whitish, set together
almost like a bunch of grapes, which being gone, there succeed, for the most
part, sharp pointed grains all together, containing a small white kernel in them.
The second differs not much from this, save that it delights in more clean
water; its stalks are not flat, but round; its leaves are not so long, but more
pointed. As for the place we need not determine, for their name shews they grow
in water.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of the Moon, and
being made into a poultice, are excellently good for hot inflammations,
swellings, cankers, sore mouths and throats, being washed with the decoction; it
cleanses and strengthens the neck and throat, and helps those swellings which,
when people have, they say the almonds of the ears are fallen down. It is
excellently good for the rankness of the gums, a safe and present remedy for the
king’s evil. They are excellent for the stone and gravel, especially the nuts, being
dried. They also resist poison, and bitings of venomous beasts.

CAMPION, WILD.

Descript.] THE wild White Campion has many long and somewhat broad dark
green leaves lying upon the ground, and divers ribs therein, somewhat like
plantain, but somewhat hairy, broader, but not so long. The hairy stalks rise up in
the middle of them three or four feet high, and sometimes more, with divers
great white joints at several places thereon, and two such like leaves thereat up
to the top, sending forth branches at several joints also; all which bear on several
foot-stalks white flowers at the tops of them, consisting of five broad pointed
leaves, every one cut in on the end unto the middle, making them seem to be two
a-piece, smelling somewhat sweet, and each of them standing in a large green
striped hairy husk, large and round below next to the stalk. The seed is small and
greyish in the hard heads that come up afterwards. The root is white and long,
spreading divers fangs in the ground.
The Red wild Campion grows in the same manner as the White; but its leaves
are not so plainly ribbed, somewhat shorter, rounder, and more woolly in
handling. The flowers are of the same form and bigness; but in some of a pale, in
others of a bright red colour, cut in at the ends more finely, which makes the
leaves look more in number than the other. The seeds and the roots are alike, the
roots of both sorts abiding many years.
There are forty-five kinds of Campion more, those of them which are of a
physical use, having the like virtues with those above described, which I take to
be the two chief kinds.
Place.] They grow commonly through this land by fields and hedge-sides,
and ditches.
Time.] They flower in Summer, some earlier than others, and some abiding
longer than others.
Government and virtues.] They belong to Saturn, and it is found by
experience, that the decoction of the herb, either in white or red wine being
drank, doth stay inward bleedings, and applied outwardly it does the like; and
being drank, helps to expel urine, being stopped, and gravel and stone in the
reins and kidneys. Two drams of the seed drank in wine, purges the body of
choleric humours, and helps those that are stung by scorpions, or other
venomous beasts, and may be as effectual for the plague. It is of very good use
in old sores, ulcers, cankers, fistulas, and the like, to cleanse and heat them, by
consuming the moist humours falling into them and correcting the putrefaction
of humours offending them.

CARDUUS BENEDICTUS.
 IT is called Carduus Benedictus, or Blessed Thistle, or Holy Thistle. I suppose
the name was put upon it by some that had little holiness themselves.
I shall spare a labour in writing a description of this as almost every one that
can but write at all, may describe them from his own knowledge.
Time.] They flower in August, and seed not long after.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Mars, and under the sign of Aries.
Now, in handling this herb, I shall give you a rational pattern of all the rest; and
if you please to view them throughout the book, you shall, to your content, find
it true. It helps swimming and giddiness of the head, or the disease called
vertigo, because Aries is in the house of Mars. It is an excellent remedy against
the yellow jaundice and other infirmities of the gall, because Mars governs
choler. It strengthens the attractive faculty in man, and clarifies the blood,
because the one is ruled by Mars. The continual drinking the decoction of it,
helps red faces, tetters, and ring-worms, because Mars causes them. It helps the
plague, sores, boils, and itch, the bitings of mad dogs and venomous beasts, all
which infirmities are under Mars; thus you see what it doth by sympathy.
By antipathy to other planets it cures the French pox. By antipathy to Venus,
who governs it, it strengthens the memory, and cures deafness by antipathy to
Saturn, who has his fall in Aries, which rules the head. It cures quartan agues,
and other diseases of melancholy, and adust choler, by sympathy to Saturn, Mars
being exalted in Capricorn. Also provokes urine, the stopping of which is usually
caused by Mars or the Moon.

CARROTS.

GARDEN Carrots are so well known, that they need no description; but because
they are of less physical use than the wild kind (as indeed almost in all herbs the
wild are the most effectual in physic, as being more powerful in operation than
the garden kinds,) I shall therefore briefly describe the Wild Carrot.
Descript.] It grows in a manner altogether like the tame, but that the leaves
and stalks are somewhat whiter and rougher. The stalks bear large tufts of white
flowers, with a deep purple spot in the middle, which are contracted together
when the seed begins to ripen, that the middle part being hollow and low, and
the outward stalk rising high, makes the whole umbel to show like a bird’s nest.
The root small, long, and hard, and unfit for meat, being somewhat sharp and
strong.
Place.] The wild kind grows in divers parts of this land plentifully by the
field-sides, and untilled places.
Time.] They flower and seed in the end of Summer.
Government and virtues.] Wild Carrots belong to Mercury, and therefore
break wind, and remove stitches in the sides, provoke urine and women’s
courses, and helps to break and expel the stone; the seed also of the same works
the like effect, and is good for the dropsy, and those whose bellies are swelling
with wind; helps the cholic, the stone in the kidneys, and rising of the mother;
being taken in wine, or boiled in wine and taken, it helps conception. The leaves
being applied with honey to running sores or ulcers, do cleanse them.
I suppose the seeds of them perform this better than the roots; and though
Galen commended garden Carrots highly to break wind, yet experience teaches
they breed it first, and we may thank nature for expelling it, not they; the seeds
of them expel wind indeed, and so mend what the root marrs.

CARRAWAY.

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

Descript.] It bears divers stalks of fine cut leaves, lying upon the ground,
somewhat like to the leaves of carrots, but not bushing so thick, of a little quick
taste in them, from among which rises up a square stalk, not so high as the
Carrot, at whose joints are set the like leaves, but smaller and finer, and at the
top small open tufts, or umbels of white flowers, which turn into small blackish
seed, smaller than the Anniseed, and of a quicker and hotter taste. The root is
whitish, small and long, somewhat like unto a parsnip, but with more wrinkled
bark, and much less, of a little hot and quick taste, and stronger than the parsnip,
and abides after seed-time.
Place.] It is usually sown with us in gardens.
Time.] They flower in June and July, and seed quickly after.
Government and virtues.] This is also a Mercurial plant. Carraway seed has a
moderate sharp quality, whereby it breaks wind and provokes urine, which also
the herb doth. The root is better food than the parsnip; it is pleasant and
comfortable to the stomach, and helps digestion. The seed is conducing to all
cold griefs of the head and stomach, bowels, or mother, as also the wind in them,
and helps to sharpen the eye-sight. The powder of the seed put into a poultice,
takes away black and blue spots of blows and bruises. The herb itself, or with
some of the seed bruised and fried, laid hot in a bag or double cloth, to the lower
parts of the belly, eases the pains of the wind cholic.
The roots of Carraway eaten as men do parsnips, strengthen the stomach of
ancient people exceedingly, and they need not to make a whole meal of them
neither, and are fit to be planted in every garden.
Carraway comfits, once only dipped in sugar, and half a spoonful of them
eaten in the morning fasting, and as many after each meal, is a most admirable
remedy, for those that are troubled with wind.

CELANDINE.

Descript.] THIS hath divers tender, round, whitish green stalks, with greater
joints than ordinary in other herbs as it were knees, very brittle and easy to
break, from whence grow branches with large tender broad leaves, divided into
many parts, each of them cut in on the edges, set at the joint on both sides of the
branches, of a dark blueish green colour, on the upper side like Columbines, and
of a more pale blueish green underneath, full of yellow sap, when any is broken,
of a bitter taste, and strong scent. At the flowers, of four leaves a-piece, after
which come small long pods, with blackish seed therein. The root is somewhat
great at the head, shooting forth divers long roots and small strings, reddish on
the outside, and yellow within, full of yellow sap therein.
Place.] They grow in many places by old walls, hedges and way-sides in
untilled places; and being once planted in a garden, especially some shady
places, it will remain there.
Time.] They flower all the Summer, and the seed ripens in the mean time.
Government and virtues.] This is an herb of the Sun, and under the Celestial
Lion, and is one of the best cures for the eyes; for, all that know any thing in
astrology, know that the eyes are subject to the luminaries; let it then be gathered
when the Sun is in Leo, and the Moon in Aries, applying to this time; let Leo
arise, then may you make into an oil or ointment, which you please, to anoint
your sore eyes with. I can prove it doth both my own experience, and the
experience of those to whom I have taught it, that most desperate sore eyes have
been cured by this only medicine; and then, I pray, is not this far better than
endangering the eyes by the art of the needle? For if this does not absolutely take
away the film, it will so facilitate the work, that it might be done without danger.
The herb or root boiled in white Wine and drank, a few Anniseeds being boiled
therewith, opens obstructions of the liver and gall, helps the yellow jaundice; and
often using it, helps the dropsy and the itch, and those who have old sores in
their legs, or other parts of the body. The juice thereof taken fasting, is held to be
of singularly good use against the pestilence. The distilled water, with a little
sugar and a little good treacle mixed therewith (the party upon the taking being
laid down to sweat a little) has the same effect. The juice dropped into the eyes,
cleanses them from films and cloudiness which darken the sight, but it is best to
allay the sharpness of the juice with a little breast milk. It is good in all old filthy
corroding creeping ulcers wheresoever, to stay their malignity of fretting and
running, and to cause them to heal more speedily: The juice often applied to
tetters, ring-worms, or other such like spreading cankers, will quickly heal them,
and rubbed often upon warts, will take them away. The herb with the roots
bruised and bathed with oil of camomile, and applied to the navel, takes away
the griping pains of the belly and bowels, and all the pains of the mother; and
applied to women’s breasts stays the overmuch flowing of the courses. The juice
or decoction of the herb gargled between the teeth that ach, eases the pain, and
the powder of the dried root laid upon any aching, hollow or loose tooth, will
cause it to fall out. The juice mixed with some powder of brimstone is not only
good against the itch, but takes away all discolourings of the skin whatsoever:
and if it chance that in a tender body it causes any itchings or inflammations, by
bathing the place with a little vinegar it is helped.
Another ill-favoured trick have physicians got to use to the eye, and that is
worse than the needle; which is to take away the films by corroding or gnawing
medicine. That I absolutely protest against.
1. Because the tunicles of the eyes are very thin, and therefore soon eaten
asunder.
2. The callus or film that they would eat away, is seldom of an equal
thickness in every place, and then the tunicle may be eaten asunder in one place,
before the film be consumed in another, and so be a readier way to extinguish
the sight than to restore it.
It is called Chelidonium, from the Greek word Chelidon, which signifies a
swallow; because they say, that if you put out the eyes of young swallows when
they are in the nest, the old ones will recover their eyes again with this herb. This
I am confident, for I have tried it, that if we mar the very apple of their eyes with
a needle, she will recover them again; but whether with this herb or not, I know
not.
Also I have read (and it seems to be somewhat probable) that the herb, being
gathered as I shewed before, and the elements draw apart from it by art of the
alchymist, and after they are drawn apart rectified, the earthly quality, still in
rectifying them, added to the Terra damnata (as Alchymists call it) or Terra
Sacratisima (as some philosophers call it) the elements so rectified are sufficient
for the cure of all diseases, the humours offending being known and the contrary
element given: It is an experiment worth the trying, and can do no harm.

THE LESSER CELANDINE, USUALLY KNOWN BY THE NAME OF

PILEWORT AND FOGWORT.

I WONDER what ailed the ancients to give this the name Celandine, which
resembles it neather in nature nor form; it acquired the name of Pilewort from its
virtues, and it being no great matter where I set it down, so I set it down at all, I
humoured Dr. Tradition so much, as to set him down here.
Descript.] This Celandine or Pilewort (which you please) doth spread many
round pale green leaves, set on weak and trailing branches which lie upon the
ground, and are flat, smooth, and somewhat shining, and in some places (though
seldom) marked with black spots, each standing on a long foot-stalk, among
which rise small yellow flowers, consisting of nine or ten small narrow leaves,
upon slender foot-stalks, very like unto Crowsfoot, whereunto the seed also is
not unlike being many small kernels like a grain of corn sometimes twice as long
as others, of a whitish colour, with fibres at the end of them.
Place.] It grows for the most part in moist corners of fields and places that are
near water sides, yet will abide in drier ground if they be a little shady.
Time.] It flowers betimes, about March or April, is quite gone by May; so it
cannot be found till it spring again.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars, and behold here
another verification of the learning of the ancients, viz. that the virtue of an herb
may be known by its signature, as plainly appears in this; for if you dig up the
root of it, you shall perceive the perfect image of the disease which they
commonly call the piles. It is certain by good experience, that the decoction of
the leaves and roots wonderfully helps piles and hæmorrhoids, also kernels by
the ears and throat, called the king’s evil, or any other hard wens or tumours.
Here’s another secret for my countrymen and women, a couple of them
together; Pilewort made into an oil, ointment, or plaister, readily cures both the
piles, or hæmorrhoids, and the king’s evil: The very herb borne about one’s body
next the skin helps in such diseases, though it never touch the place grieved; let
poor people make much of it for those uses; with this I cured my own daughter
of the king’s evil, broke the sore, drew out a quarter of a pint of corruption,
cured without any scar at all in one week’s time.

THE ORDINARY SMALL CENTAURY.

Descript.] THIS grows up most usually but with one round and somewhat
crusted stalk, about a foot high or better, branching forth at the top into many
sprigs, and some also from the joints of the stalks below; the flowers thus stand
at the tops as it were in one umbel or tuft, are of a pale red, tending to carnation
colour, consisting of five, sometimes six small leaves, very like those of St.
John’s Wort, opening themselves in the day time and closing at night, after
which come seeds in little short husk, in forms like unto wheat corn. The leaves
are small and somewhat round; the root small and hard, perishing every year.
The whole plant is of an exceeding bitter taste.
There is another sort in all things like the former, save only it bears white
flowers.
Place.] They grow ordinarily in fields, pastures, and woods, but that with the
white flowers not so frequently as the other.
Time.] They flower in July or thereabouts, and seeds within a month after.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of the Sun, as appears
in that their flowers open and shut as the Sun, either shews or hides his face.
This herb, boiled and drank, purges choleric and gross humours, and helps the
sciatica; it opens obstructions of the liver, gall, and spleen, helps the jaundice,
and eases the pains in the sides and hardness of the spleen, used outwardly, and
is given with very good effect in agues. It helps those that have the dropsy, or the
green-sickness, being much used by the Italians in powder for that purpose. It
kill the worms in the belly, as is found by experience. The decoction thereof, viz.
the tops of the stalks, with the leaves and flowers, is good against the cholic, and
to bring down women’s courses, helps to avoid the dead birth, and eases pains of
the mother, and is very effectual in all pains of the joints, as the gout, cramps, or
convulsions. A dram of the powder taken in wine is a wonderful good help
against the biting and poison of an adder. The juice of the herb with a little
honey put to it, is good to clear the eyes from dimness, mists and clouds that
offend or hinder sight. It is singularly good both for green and fresh wounds, as
also for old ulcers and sores, to close up the one and cleanse the other, and
perfectly to cure them both, although they are hollow or fistulous; the green herb
especially, being bruised and laid thereto. The decoction thereof dropped into the
ears, cleanses them from worms, cleanses the foul ulcers and spreading scabs of
the head, and takes away all freckles, spots, and marks in the skin, being washed
with it; the herb is so safe you cannot fail in the using of it, only giving it
inwardly for inward diseases. It is very wholesome, but not very toothsome.
There is beside these, another small Centaury, which bears a yellow flower;
in all other respects it is like the former, save that the leaves are larger, and of a
darker green, and the stalks pass through the midst of them, as it does in the herb
Thorowan. They are all of them, as I told you, under the government of the Sun;
yet this, if you observe it, you shall find an excellant truth; in diseases of the
blood, use the red Centaury; if of choler, use the yellow; but if phlegm or water,
you will find the white best.

THE CHERRY-TREE.

I SUPPOSE there are few but know this tree, for its fruit’s sake; and therefore I
shall spare writing a description thereof.
Place.] For the place of its growth, it is afforded room in every orchard.
Government and virtues.] It is a tree of Venus. Cherries, as they are of
different tastes, so they are of different qualities. The sweet pass through the
stomach and the belly more speedily, but are of little nourishment; the tart or
sour are more pleasing to an hot stomach, procure appetite to meat, to help and
cut tough phlegm, and gross humours; but when these are dried, they are more
binding to the belly than when they are fresh, being cooling in hot diseases, and
welcome to the stomach, and provokes urine. The gum of the Cherry-tree,
desolved in wine is good for a cold, cough, and hoarseness of the throat; mends
the colour in the face, sharpens the eye-sight, provokes appetite, and helps to
break and expel the stone, and dissolved, the water thereof is much used to break
the stone, and to expel gravel and wind.

WINTER-CHERRIES.

Descript.] THE Winter Cherry has a running or creeping root in the ground, of
the bigness many times one’s little finger, shooting forth at several joints in
several places, whereby it quickly spreads a great compass of ground. The stalk
rises not above a yard high, whereon are set many broad and long green leaves,
somewhat like nightshades, but larger; at the joints, whereof come forth whitish
flowers made of five leaves a piece, which afterwards turn into green berries
inclosed with thin skins, which change to be reddish when they grow ripe, the
berry likewise being reddish, and as large as a cherry; wherein are contained
many flat and yellowish seeds lying within the pulp, which being gathered and
strung up, are kept all the year to be used upon occasions.
Place.] They grow not naturally in this land, but are cherished in gardens for
their virtues.
Time.] They flower not until the middle or latter end of July; and the fruit is
ripe about August, or the beginning of September.
Government and virtues.] This also is a plant of Venus. They are of great use
in physic: The leaves being cooling, may be used in inflammations, but not
opening as the berries and fruit are; which by drawing down the urine provoke it
to be voided plentifully when it is stopped or grown hot, sharp, and painful in the
passage; it is good also to expel the stone and gravel out of the reins, kidneys
and bladder, helping to dissolve the stone, and voiding it by grit or gravel sent
forth in the urine; it also helps much to cleanse inward imposthumes or ulcers in
the reins of bladder, or in those that void a bloody or foul urine. The distilled
water of the fruit, or the leaves together with them, or the berries, green or dry,
distilled with a little milk and drank morning and evening with a little sugar, is
effectual to all the purposes before specified, and especially against the heat and
sharpness of the urine. I shall only mention one way, amongst many others,
which might be used for ordering the berries, to be helpful for the urine and the
stone; which is this: Take three or four good handfuls of the berries, either green
or fresh, or dried, and having bruised them, put them into so many gallons of
beer or ale when it is new tunned up: This drink taken daily, has been found to
do much good to many, both to ease the pains, and expel urine and the stone, and
to cause the stone not to engender. The decoction of the berries in wine and
water is the most usual way; but the powder of them taken in drink is more
effectual.

CHERVIL.

IT is called Cerefolium, Mirrhis, and Mirrha, Chervil, Sweet Chervil, and

Sweet Cicely.
Descript.] The garden Chervil doth at first somewhat resemble Parsley, but
after it is better grown, the leaves are much cut in and jagged, resembling
hemlock, being a little hairy and of a whitish green colour, sometimes turning
reddish in the Summer, with the stalks also; it rises a little above half a foot high,
bearing white flowers in spiked tufts, which turn into long and round seeds
pointed at the ends, and blackish when they are ripe; of a sweet taste, but no
smell, though the herb itself smells reasonably well. The root is small and long,
and perishes every year, and must be sown a-new in spring, for seed after July
for Autumn fails.
The wild Chervil grows two or three feet high with yellow stalks and joints,
set with broader and more hairy leaves, divided into sundry parts, nicked about
the edges, and of a dark green colour, which likewise grow reddish with the
stalks; at the tops whereof stands small white tufts, of flowers, afterwards
smaller and longer seed. The root is white, hard, and enduring long. This has
little or no scent.
Place.] The first is sown in gardens for a sallad herb; the second grows wild
in many of the meadows of this land, and by the hedge sides, and on heaths.
Time.] They flower and seed early, and thereupon are sown again in the end
of Summer.
Government and virtues.] The garden Chervil being eaten, doth moderately
warm the stomach, and is a certain remedy (saith Tragus) to dissolve congealed
or clotted blood in the body, or that which is clotted by bruises, falls, &c. The
juice or distilled water thereof being drank, and the bruised leaves laid to the
place, being taken either in meat or drink, it is good to help to provoke urine, or
expel the stone in the kidneys, to send down women’s courses, and to help the
pleurisy and pricking of the sides.
The wild Chervil bruised and applied, dissolves swellings in any part, or the
marks of congealed blood by bruises or blows, in a little space.
 SWEET CHERVIL, OR SWEET CICELY.

Descript.] THIS grows very like the great hemlock, having large spread leaves
cut into divers parts, but of a fresher green colour than the Hemlock, tasting as
sweet as the Anniseed. The stalks rise up a yard high, or better, being creased or
hollow, having leaves at the joints, but lesser; and at the tops of the branched
stalks, umbels or tufts of white flowers; after which comes long crested black
shining seed, pointed at both ends, tasting quick, yet sweet and pleasant. The
root is great and white, growing deep in the ground, and spreading sundry long
branches therein, in taste and smell stronger than the leaves or seeds, and
continuing many years.
Place.] This grows in gardens.
Government and virtues.] These are all three of them of the nature of Jupiter,
and under his dominion. This whole plant, besides its pleasantness in sallads, has
its physical virtue. The root boiled, and eaten with oil and vinegar, (or without
oil) do much please and warm old and cold stomachs oppressed with wind or
phlegm, or those that have the phthisic or consumption of the lungs. The same
drank with wine is a preservation from the plague. It provokes women’s courses,
and expels the after-birth, procures an appetite to meat, and expels wind. The
juice is good to heal the ulcers of the head and face; the candied root hereof are
held as effectual as Angelica, to preserve from infection in the time of a plague,
and to warm and comfort a cold weak stomach. It is so harmless, you cannot use
it amiss.

CHESNUT TREE.

IT were as needless to describe a tree so commonly known as to tell a man he

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

EARTH CHESNUTS.

THEY are called Earth-nuts, Earth Chesnuts, Ground Nuts, Ciper-nuts, and in
Sussex Pig-nuts. A description of them were needless, for every child knows
them.
Government and virtues.] They are something hot and dry in quality, under
the dominion of Venus, they provoke lust exceedingly, and stir up to those sports
she is mistress of; the seed is excellent good to provoke urine; and so also is the
root, but it doth not perform it so forcibly as the seed doth. The root being dried
and beaten into powder, and the powder made into an electuary, is as singular a
remedy for spitting and pissing of blood, as the former Chesnut was for coughs.

CHICKWEED.

IT is so generally known to most people, that I shall not trouble you with the
description thereof, nor myself with setting forth the several kinds, since but
only two or three are considerable for their usefulness.
Place.] They are usually found in moist and watery places, by wood sides,
and elsewhere.
Time.] They flower about June, and their seed is ripe in July.
Government and virtues.] It is a fine soft pleasing herb under the dominion of
the Moon. It is found to be effectual as Purslain to all the purposes whereunto it
serves, except for meat only. The herb bruised, or the juice applied (with cloths
or sponges dipped therein) to the region of the liver, and as they dry, to have it
fresh applied, doth wonderfully temperate the heat of the liver, and is effectual
for all imposthumes and swellings whatsoever, for all redness in the face,
wheals, pushes, itch, scabs; the juice either simply used, or boiled with hog’s
grease and applied, helps cramps, convulsions, and palsy. The juice, or distilled
water, is of much good use for all heats and redness in the eyes, to drop some
thereof into them; as also into the ears, to ease pains in them; and is of good
effect to ease pains from the heat and sharpness of the blood in the piles, and
generally all pains in the body that arise of heat. It is used also in hot and
virulent ulcers and sores in the privy parts of men and women, or on the legs, or
elsewhere. The leaves boiled with marsh-mallows, and made into a poultice with
fenugreek and linseed, applied to swellings or imposthumes, ripen and break
them, or assuage the swellings and ease the pains. It helps the sinews when they
are shrunk by cramps, or otherwise, and to extend and make them pliable again
by this medicine. Boil a handful of Chickweed, and a handful of red rose leaves
dried, in a quart of muscadine, until a fourth part be consumed; then put to them
a pint of oil of trotters or sheep’s feet; let them boil a good while, still stirring
them well; which being strained, anoint the grieved place therewith, warm
against the fire, rubbing it well with one hand: and bind also some of the herb (if
you will) to the place, and, with God’s blessing, it will help it in three times
dressing.

CHICK-PEASE, OR CICERS.

Descript.] THE garden sorts whether red, black, or white, bring forth stalks a
yard long, whereon do grow many small and almost round leaves, dented about
the edges, set on both sides of a middle rib; At the joints come forth one or two
flowers, upon sharp foot stalks, pease-fashion, either white or whitish, or
purplish red, lighter or deeper, according as the pease that follow will be, that are
contained in small, thick, and short pods, wherein lie one or two pease, more
usually pointed at the lower end, and almost round at the head, yet a little
cornered or sharp; the root is small, and perishes yearly.
Place and Time.] They are sown in gardens, or fields as pease, being sown
later than pease, and gathered at the same time with them, or presently after.
Government and virtues.] They are both under the dominion of Venus. They
are less windy than beans, but nourish more; they provoke urine, and are thought
to increase sperm; they have a cleansing faculty, whereby they break the stone in
the kidneys. To drink the cream of them, being boiled in water, is the best way.
It moves the belly downwards, provokes women’s courses and urine, increases
both milk and seed. One ounce of Cicers, two ounces of French barley, and a
small handful of Marsh-mallow roots, clean washed and cut, being boiled in the
broth of a chicken, and four ounces taken in the morning, and fasting two hours
after, is a good medicine for a pain in the sides. The white Cicers are used more
for meat than medicine, yet have the same effect, and are thought more powerful
to increase milk and seed. The wild Cicers are so much more powerful than the
garden kinds, by how much they exceed them in heat and dryness; whereby they
do more open obstructions, break the stone, and have all the properties of
cutting, opening, digesting, and dissolving; and this more speedily and certainly
than the former.
CINQUEFOIL, OR FIVE-LEAVED GRASS; CALLED IN
SOME COUNTIES, FIVE-FINGERED GRASS.
Descript.] IT spreads and creeps far upon the ground, with long slender
strings like straw berries, which take root again, and shoot forth many leaves,
made of five parts, and sometimes of seven, dented about the edges, and
somewhat hard. The stalks are slender, leaning downwards and bear many small
yellow flowers thereon, with some yellow threads in the middle, standing about
a smooth green head, which, when it is ripe, is a little rough, and contains small
brownish seeds. The root is of a blackish brown colour, as big as one’s little
finger, but growing long, with some threads thereat; and by the small string it
quickly spreads over the ground.
Place.] It grows by wood sides, hedge sides, the path-way in fields, and in the
borders and corners of them almost through all this land.
Time.] It flowers in summer, some sooner, some later.
Government and virtues.] This is an herb of Jupiter, and therefore strengthens
the part of the body it rules; let Jupiter be angular and strong when it is gathered;
and if you give but a scruple (which is but twenty grains,) of it at a time, either in
white wine, or in white wine vinegar, you shall very seldom miss the cure of an
ague, be it what ague soever, in three fits, as I have often proved to the
admiration both of myself and others; let no man despise it because it is plain
and easy, the ways of God are all such. It is an especial herb used in all
inflammations and fevers, whether infectious or pestilential; or among other
herbs to cool and temper the blood and humours in the body. As also for all
lotions, gargles, infections, and the like, for sore mouths, ulcers, cancers,
fistulas, and other corrupt, foul, or running sores. The juice hereof drank, about
four ounces at a time, for certain days together, cures the quinsey and yellow
jaundice; and taken for thirty days together, cures the falling sickness. The roots
boiled in milk, and drank, is a most effectual remedy for all fluxes in man or
woman, whether the white or red, as also the bloody flux. The roots boiled in
vinegar, and the decoction thereof held in the mouth, eases the pains of the
toothach. The juice or decoction taken with a little honey, helps the hoarseness
of the throat, and is very good for the cough of the lungs. The distilled water of
both roots and leaves, is also effectual to all the purposes aforesaid; and if the
hands be often washed therein, and suffered at every time to dry in of itself
without wiping, it will in a short time help the palsy, or shaking in them. The
root boiled in vinegar, helps all knots, kernels, hard swellings, and lumps
growing in any part of the flesh, being thereto applied; as also inflammations,
and St. Anthony’s fire, all imposthumes, and painful sores with heat and
putrefaction, the shingles also, and all other sorts of running and foul scabs,
sores and itch. The same also boiled in wine, and applied to any joint full of
pain, ache, or the gout in the hands or feet, or the hip gout, called the Sciatica,
and the decoction thereof drank the while, doth cure them, and eases much pain
in the bowels. The roots are likewise effectual to help ruptures or bursting, being
used with other things available to that purpose, taken either inwardly or
outwardly, or both; as also bruises or hurts by blows, falls, or the like, and to
stay the bleeding of wounds in any parts inward or outward.
Some hold that one leaf cures a quotidian, three a tertain, and four a quartan
ague, and a hundred to one if it be not Dioscorides; for he is full of whimsies.
The truth is, I never stood so much upon the number of the leaves, nor whether I
give it in powder or decoction: If Jupiter were strong, and the Moon applying to
him, or his good aspect at the gathering, I never knew it miss the desired effect.

CIVES.

CALLED also Rush Leeks, Chives, Civet, and Sweth.

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

CLARY, OR MORE PROPERLY CLEAR-EYE.

Descript.] OUR ordinary garden Clary has four square stalks, with broad,
rough, wrinkled, whitish, or hoary green leaves somewhat evenly cut in on the
edges, and of a strong sweet scent, growing some near the ground, and some by
couples upon stalks. The flowers grow at certain distances, with two small leaves
at the joints under them, somewhat like unto the flowers of Sage, but smaller,
and of a whitish blue colour. The seed is brownish, and somewhat flat, or not so
round as the wild. The roots are blackish, and spread not far, and perish after the
seed time. It is usually sown, for it seldom rises of its own sowing.
Place.] This grows in gardens.
Time.] It flowers in June and July, some a little later than others, and their
seed is ripe in August, or thereabouts.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of the Moon. The seed put
into the eyes clears them from motes, and such like things gotten within the lids
to offend them, as also clears them from white and red spots on them. The
mucilage of the seed made with water, and applied to tumours, or swellings,
disperses and takes them away; as also draws forth splinters, thorns, or other
things gotten into the flesh. The leaves used with vinegar, either by itself, or with
a little honey, doth help boils, felons, and the hot inflammation that are gathered
by their pains, if applied before it be grown too great. The powder of the dried
root put into the nose, provokes sneezing, and thereby purges the head and brain
of much rheum and corruption. The seed or leaves taken in wine, provokes to
venery. It is of much use both for men and women that have weak backs, and
helps to strengthen the reins: used either by itself, or with other herbs conducing
to the same effect, and in tansies often. The fresh leaves dipped in a batter of
flour, eggs, and a little milk, and fried in butter, and served to the table, is not
unpleasant to any, but exceedingly profitable for those that are troubled with
weak backs, and the effects thereof. The juice of the herb put into ale or beer,
and drank, brings down women’s courses, and expels the after-birth.

WILD CLARY.

WILD Clary is most blasphemously called Christ’s Eye, because it cures

diseases of the eye. I could wish for my soul, blasphemy, ignorance, and
tyranny, were ceased among physicians, that they may be happy, and I joyful.
Descript.] It is like the other Clary, but lesser, with many stalks about a foot
and a half high. The stalks are square, and somewhat hairy; the flowers of a
bluish colour; He that knows the common Clary cannot be ignorant of this.
Place.] It grows commonly in this nation in barren places; you may find it
plentifully, if you look in the fields near Gray’s Inn, and near Chelsea.
 Time.] They flower from the beginning of June to the latter end of August.
Government and virtues.] It is something hotter and drier than the garden
Clary is, yet nevertheless under the dominion of the Moon, as well as that; the
seeds of it being beat to powder, and drank with wine, is an admirable help to
provoke lust. A decoction of the leaves being drank, warms the stomach, and it
is a wonder if it should not, the stomach being under Cancer, the house of the
Moon. Also it helps digestion, scatters congealed blood in any part of the body.
The distilled water hereof cleanses the eyes of redness, waterishness and heat: It
is a gallant remedy for dimness of sight, to take one of the seeds of it, and put
into the eyes, and there let it remain till it drops out of itself, (the pain will be
nothing to speak on,) it will cleanse the eyes of all filthy and putrified matter;
and in often repeating it, will take off a film which covers the sight: a
handsomer, safer, and easier remedy by a great deal, than to tear it off with a
needle.

CLEAVERS.

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

Descript.] The common Cleavers have divers very rough square stalks, not so
big as the top of a point, but rising up to be two or three yards high sometimes, if
it meet with any tall bushes or trees whereon it may climb, yet without any
claspers, or else much lower, and lying on the ground, full of joints, and at every
one of them shoots forth a branch, besides the leaves thereat, which are usually
six, set in a round compass like a star, or a rowel of a spur: From between the
leaves or the joints towards the tops of the branches, come forth very small white
flowers, at every end upon small thready foot-stalks, which after they have
fallen, there do shew two small round and rough seeds joined together which,
when they are ripe, grow hard and whitish, having a little hole on the side,
something like unto a navel. Both stalks, leaves, and seeds are so rough, that
they will cleave to any thing that will touch them. The root is small and thready
spreading much to the ground, but die every year.
Place.] It grows by the hedge and ditch-sides in many places of this land, and
is so troublesome an inhabitant in gardens, that it ramps upon, and is ready to
choak what ever grows near it.
Time.] It flowers in June or July, and the seed is ripe and falls again in the end
of July or August, from whence it springs up again, and not from the old roots.
 Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of the Moon. The juice of
the herb and the seed together taken in wine, helps those bitten with an adder, by
preserving the heart from the venom. It is familiarly taken in broth to keep them
lean and lank, that are apt to grow fat. The distilled water drank twice a day,
helps the yellow jaundice, and the decoction of the herb, in experience, is found
to do the same, and stays lasks and bloody-fluxes. The juice of the leaves, or
they a little bruised, and applied to any bleeding wounds, stays the bleeding. The
juice also is very good to close up the lips of green wounds, and the powder of
the dried herb strewed thereupon doth the same, and likewise helps old ulcers.
Being boiled in hog’s grease, it helps all sorts of hard swellings or kernels in the
throat, being anointed therewith. The juice dropped into the ears, takes away the
pain of them.
It is a good remedy in the Spring, eaten (being first chopped small, and boiled
well) in water-gruel, to cleanse the blood, and strengthen the liver, thereby to
keep the body in health, and fitting it for that change of season that is coming.

CLOWN’S WOODS.

Descript.] IT grows up sometimes to two or three feet high, but usually about
two feet, with square green rough stalks, but slender, joined somewhat far
asunder, and two very long, somewhat narrow, dark green leaves, bluntly dented
about the edges thereof, ending in a long point. The flowers stand towards the
tops, compassing the stalks at the joints with the leaves, and end likewise in a
spiked top, having long and much gaping hoods of a purplish red colour, with
whitish spots in them, standing in somewhat round husks, wherein afterwards
stand blackish round seeds. The root is composed of many long strings, with
some tuberous long knobs growing among them, of a pale yellowish or whitish
colour, yet some times of the year these knobby roots in many places are not
seen in this plant. This plant smells somewhat strong.
Place.] It grows in sundry counties of this land, both north and west, and
frequently by path-sides in the fields near about London, and within three or four
miles distant about it, yet it usually grows in or near ditches.
Time.] It flowers in June or July, and the seed is ripe soon after.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of the planet Saturn. It is
singularly effectual in all fresh and green wounds, and therefore bears not this
name for nought. And it is very available in staunching of blood and to dry up
the fluxes of humours in old fretting ulcers, cankers, &c. that hinder the healing
of them.
A syrup made of the juice of it, is inferior to none for inward wounds,
ruptures of veins, bloody flux, vessels broken, spitting, urining, or vomiting
blood: Ruptures are excellent and speedily, ever to admiration, cured by taking
now and then a little of the syrup, and applying an ointment or plaister of this
herb to the place. Also, if any vein be swelled or muscle, apply a plaister of this
herb to it, and if you add a little Comfrey to it, it will not be amiss. I assure thee
the herb deserves commendation, though it has gotten such a clownish name;
and whosoever reads this, (if he try it, as I have done,) will commend it; only
take notice that it is of a dry earthy quality.

COCK’S HEAD, RED FITCHING, OR MEDICK FETCH.

Descript.] THIS has divers weak but rough stalks, half a yard long, leaning
downward, but set with winged leaves, longer and more pointed than those of
Lintels, and whitish underneath; from the tops of these stalks arise up other
slender stalks, naked without leaves unto the tops, where there grow many small
flowers in manner of a spike, of a pale reddish colour with some blueness among
them; after which rise up in their places, round, rough, and somewhat flat heads.
The root is tough, and somewhat woody, yet lives and shoots a-new every year.
Place.] It grows upon hedges, and sometimes in the open fields, in divers
places of this land.
Time.] They flower all the months of July and August, and the seed ripen in
the mean while.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Venus. It has power to
rarify and digest, and therefore the green leaves bruised and laid as a plaister,
disperse knots, nodes, or kernels in the flesh; and if, when dry, it be taken in
wine, it helps the stranguary; and being anointed with oil, it provokes sweat. It is
a singular food for cattle, to cause them to give store of milk; and why then may
it not do the like, being boiled in ordinary drink, for nurses.

COLUMBINES.

THESE are so well known, growing almost in every garden, that I think I may
save the expence of time in writing a description of them.
 Time.] They flower in May, and abide not for the most part when June is past,
perfecting their seed in the mean time.
Government and virtues.] It is also an herb of Venus. The leaves of
Columbines are commonly used in lotions with good success for sore mouths
and throats. Tragus saith, that a dram of the seed taken in wine with a little
saffron, opens obstructions of the liver, and is good for the yellow jaundice, if
the party after the taking thereof be laid to sweat well in bed. The seed also taken
in wine causes a speedy delivery of women in childbirth: if one draught suffice
not, let her drink the second, and it will be effectual: The Spaniards used to eat a
piece of the root thereof in the morning fasting, many days together, to help
them when troubled with the stone in the reins or kidneys.

COLTSFOOT.

CALLED also Coughwort, Foal’s-foot, Horse-hoof, and Bull’s-foot.

Descript.] This shoots up a slender stalk, with small yellowish flowers
somewhat earlier, which fall away quickly, and after they are past, come up
somewhat round leaves, sometimes dented about the edges, much lesser, thicker,
and greener than those of butter-bur, with a little down or frieze over the green
leaf on the upper side, which may be rubbed away, and whitish or meally
underneath. The root is small and white, spreading much under ground, so that
where it takes it will hardly be driven away again, if any little piece be abiding
therein; and from thence spring fresh leaves.
Place.] It grows as well in wet grounds as in drier places.
Time.] And flowers in the end of February, the leaves begin to appear in
March.
Government and virtues.] The plant is under Venus, the fresh leaves or juice,
or a syrup thereof is good for a hot dry cough, or wheezing, and shortness of
breath. The dry leaves are best for those that have thin rheums and distillations
upon their lungs, causing a cough, for which also the dried leaves taken as
tobacco, or the root is very good. The distilled water hereof simply, or with
Elder flowers and Nightshade, is a singularly good remedy against all hot agues,
to drink two ounces at a time, and apply cloths wet therein to the head and
stomach, which also does much good, being applied to any hot swellings and
inflammations: It helps St. Anthony’s fire, and burnings, and is singularly good
to take away wheals and small pushes that arise through heat; as also the burning
heat of the piles, or privy parts, cloths wet therein being thereunto applied.

COMFREY.

THIS is a very common but a very neglected plant. It contains very great
virtues.
Descript.] The common Great Comfrey has divers very large hairy green
leaves lying on the ground, so hairy or prickly, that if they touch any tender parts
of the hands, face, or body, it will cause it to itch; the stalks that rise from among
them, being two or three feet high, hollow and cornered, is very hairy also,
having many such like leaves as grow below, but less and less up to the top: At
the joints of the stalks it is divided into many branches, with some leaves
thereon, and at the ends stand many flowers in order one above another, which
are somewhat long and hollow like the finger of a glove, of a pale whitish
colour, after which come small black seeds. The roots are great and long,
spreading great thick branches under ground, black on the outside, and whitish
within, short and easy to break, and full of glutinous or clammy juice, of little or
no taste at all.
There is another sort in all things like this, only somewhat less, and bears
flowers of a pale purple colour.
Place.] They grow by ditches and water-sides, and in divers fields that are
moist, for therein they chiefly delight to grow. The first generally through all the
land, and the other but in some places. By the leave of my authors, I know the
first grows in dry places.
Time.] They flower in June or July, and give their seed in August.
Government and virtues.] This is an herb of Saturn, and I suppose under the
sign Capricorn, cold, dry, and earthy in quality. What was spoken of Clown’s
Woundwort may be said of this. The Great Comfrey helps those that spit blood,
or make a bloody urine. The root boiled in water or wine, and the decoction
drank, helps all inward hurts, bruises, wounds, and ulcer of the lungs, and causes
the phlegm that oppresses them to be easily spit forth: It helps the defluction of
rheum from the head upon the lungs, the fluxes of blood or humours by the
belly, women’s immoderate courses, as well the reds as the whites, and the
running of the reins happening by what cause soever. A syrup made thereof is
very effectual for all those inward griefs and hurts, and the distilled water for the
same purpose also, and for outward wounds and sores in the fleshy or sinewy
part of the body whatsoever, as also to take away the fits of agues, and to allay
the sharpness of humours. A decoction of the leaves hereof is available to all the
purposes, though not so effectual as the roots. The roots being outwardly
applied, help fresh wounds or cuts immediately, being bruised and laid thereto;
and is special good for ruptures and broken bones; yea, it is said to be so
powerful to consolidate and knit together, that if they be boiled with dissevered
pieces of flesh in a pot, it will join them together again. It is good to be applied
to women’s breasts that grow sore by the abundance of milk coming into them;
also to repress the over much bleeding of the hæmorrhoids, to cool the
inflammation of the parts thereabouts, and to give ease of pains. The roots of
Comfrey taken fresh, beaten small, and spread upon leather, and laid upon any
place troubled with the gout, doth presently give ease of the pains; and applied in
the same manner, gives ease to pained joints, and profits very much for running
and moist ulcers, gangrenes, mortifications, and the like, for which it hath by
often experience been found helpful.

CORALWORT.

IT is also called by some Toothwort, Tooth Violet, Dog-Teeth Violet, and

Dentaria.
Descript.] Of the many sorts of this herb two of them may be found growing
in this nation; the first of which shoots forth one or two winged leaves, upon
long brownish foot-stalks, which are doubled down at their first coming out of
the ground; when they are fully opened they consist of seven leaves, most
commonly of a sad green colour, dented about the edges, set on both sides the
middle rib one against another, as the leaves of the ash tree; the stalk bears no
leaves on the lower half of it; the upper half bears sometimes three or four, each
consisting of five leaves, sometimes of three; on the top stand four or five
flowers upon short foot-stalks, with long husks; the flowers are very like the
flowers of Stockgilliflowers, of a pale purplish colour, consisting of four leaves
a-piece, after which come small pods, which contain the seed; the root is very
smooth, white and shining; it does not grow downwards, but creeps along under
the upper crust of the ground, and consists of divers small round knobs set
together; towards the top of the stalk there grows some single leaves, by each of
which comes a small cloven bulb, which when it is ripe, if it be set in the ground,
it will grow to be a root.
 As for the other Coralwort, which grows in this nation, it is more scarce than
this, being a very small plant, much like Crowfoot, therefore some think it to be
one of the sorts of Crowfoot. I know not where to direct you to it, therefore I
shall forbear the description.
Place.] The first grows in Mayfield in Sussex, in a wood called Highread, and
in another wood there also, called Fox-holes.
Time.] They flower from the latter end of April to the middle of May, and
before the middle of July they are gone, and not to be found.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of the Moon. It cleanses
the bladder, and provokes urine, expels gravel, and the stone; it eases pains in
the sides and bowels, is excellently good for inward wounds, especially such as
are made in the breast or lungs, by taking a dram of the powder of the root every
morning in wine; the same is excellently good for ruptures, as also to stop
fluxes; an ointment made of it is exceedingly good for wounds and ulcers, for it
soon dries up the watery humours which hinder the cure.

COSTMARY, OR ALCOST, OR BALSAM

HERB.

THIS is so frequently known to be an inhabitant in almost every garden, that I

suppose it needless to write a description thereof.
Time.] It flowers in June and July.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Jupiter. The ordinary
Costmary, as well as Maudlin, provokes urine abundantly, and moistens the
hardness of the mother; it gently purges choler and phlegm, extenuating that
which is gross, and cutting that which is tough and glutinous, cleanses that
which is foul, and hinders putrefaction and corruption; it dissolves without
attraction, opens obstructions, and helps their evil effects, and it is a wonderful
help to all sorts of dry agues. It is astringent to the stomach, and strengthens the
liver, and all the other inward parts; and taken in whey works more effectually.
Taken fasting in the morning, it is very profitable for pains in the head that are
continual, and to stay, dry up, and consume all thin rheums or distillations from
the head into the stomach, and helps much to digest raw humours that are
gathered therein. It is very profitable for those that are fallen into a continual evil
disposition of the whole body, called Cachexia, but especially in the beginning
of the disease. It is an especial friend and helps to evil, weak and cold livers. The
seed is familiarly given to children for the worms, and so is the infusion of the
flowers in white wine given them to the quantity of two ounces at a time; it
makes an excellent salve to cleanse and heal old ulcers, being boiled with oil of
olive, and Adder’s tongue with it, and after it is strained, put a little wax, rosin,
and turpentine, to bring it to a convenient body.

CUDWEED, OR COTTONWEED.

BESIDES Cudweed and Cottonweed, it is also Called Chaffweed, Dwarf

Cotton, and Petty Cotton.
Descript.] The common Cudweed rises up with one stalk sometimes, and
sometimes with two or three, thick set on all sides with small, long and narrow
whitish or woody leaves, from the middle of the stalk almost up to the top, with
every leaf stands small flowers of a dun or brownish yellow colour, or not so
yellow as others; in which herbs, after the flowers are fallen, come small seed
wrapped up, with the down therein, and is carried away with the wind; the root is
small and thready.
There are other sorts hereof, which are somewhat less than the former, not
much different, save only that the stalks and leaves are shorter, so that the
flowers are paler and more open.
Place.] They grow in dry, barren, sandy, and gravelly grounds, in most places
of this land.
Time.] They flower about July, some earlier, some later, and their seed is ripe
in August.
Government and virtues.] Venus is Lady of it. The plants are all astringent,
binding, or drying, and therefore profitable for defluctions of rheum from the
head, and to stay fluxes of blood wheresoever, the decoction being made into red
wine and drank, or the powder taken therein. It also helps the bloody-flux, and
eases the torments that come thereby, stays the immoderate courses of women,
and is also good for inward or outward wounds, hurts, and bruises, and helps
children both of bursting and the worms, and being either drank or injected, for
the disease called Tenesmus, which is an often provocation to the stool without
doing any thing. The green leaves bruised, and laid to any green wound, stays
the bleeding, and heals it up quickly. The juice of the herb taken in wine and
milk, is, as Pliny saith, a sovereign remedy against the mumps and quinsey; and
further saith, That whosoever shall so take it, shall never be troubled with that
disease again.
 COWSLIPS, OR PEAGLES.

BOTH the wild and garden Cowslips are so well known, that I neither trouble
myself nor the reader with a description of them.
Time.] They flower in April and May.
Government and virtues.] Venus lays claim to this herb as her own, and it is
under the sign Aries, and our city dames know well enough the ointment or
distilled water of it adds beauty, or at least restores it when it is lost. The flowers
are held to be more effectual than the leaves, and the roots of little use. An
ointment being made with them, takes away spots and wrinkles of the skin,
sunburning, and freckles, and adds beauty exceedingly; they remedy all
infirmities of the head coming of heat and wind, as vertigo, ephialtes, false
apparitions, phrensies, falling-sickness, palsies, convulsions, cramps, pains in the
nerves; the roots ease pains in the back and bladder, and open the passages of
urine. The leaves are good in wounds, and the flowers take away trembling. If
the flowers be not well dried, and kept in a warm place, they will soon putrefy
and look green: Have a special eye over them; If you let them see the Sun once a
month, it will do neither the Sun nor them harm.
Because they strengthen the brain and nerves, and remedy palsies, Greeks
gave them the name Paralysis. The flowers preserved or conserved, and the
quantity of a nutmeg eaten every morning, is a sufficient dose for inward
diseases; but for wounds, spots, wrinkles, and sunburnings, an ointment is made
of the leaves, and hog’s grease.

CRAB’S CLAWS.

CALLED also Water Sengreen, Knight’s Pond Water, Water House-leek, Pond
Weed, and Fresh-water Soldier.
Descript.] It has sundry long narrow leaves, with sharp prickles on the edges
of them, also very sharp pointed; the stalks which bear flowers, seldom grow so
high as the leaves, bearing a forked head, like a Crab’s Claw, out of which
comes a white flower, consisting of three leaves, with divers yellowish hairy
threads in the middle; it takes root in the mud at the bottom of the water.
Place.] It grows plentifully in the fens in Lincolnshire.
 Time.] It flowers in June, and usually from thence till August.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant under the dominion of Venus, and
therefore a great strengthener of the reins; it is excellently good for inflammation
which is commonly called St. Anthony’s Fire; it assuages inflammations, and
swellings in wounds: and an ointment made of it is excellently good to heal
them; there is scarcely a better remedy growing than this is, for such as have
bruised their kidneys, and upon that account discharge blood; a dram of the
powder of the herb taken every morning, is a very good remedy to stop the
terms.

BLACK CRESSES.

Descript.] IT has long leaves, deeply cut and jagged on both sides, not much
unlike wild mustard; the stalk small, very limber, though very tough: you may
twist them round as you may a willow before they break. The flowers are very
small and yellow, after which comes small pods, which contains the seed.
Place.] It is a common herb, grows usually by the way-side, and sometimes
upon mud walls about London, but it delights to grow most among stones and
rubbish.
Time.] It flowers in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August and
September.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant of a hot and biting nature, under the
dominion of Mars. The seed of Black Cresses strengthens the brain exceedingly,
being, in performing that office, little inferior to mustard seed, if at all; they are
excellently good to stay those rheums which may fall down from the head upon
the lungs; you may beat the seed into powder, if you please, and make it up into
an electuary with honey; so you have an excellent remedy by you, not only for
the premises, but also for the cough, yellow jaundice and sciatica. This herb
boiled into a poultice, is an excellent remedy for inflammations; both in
women’s breast, and men’s testicles.

SCIATICA CRESSES.

Descript.] THESE are of two kinds; The first rises up with a round stalk about
two feet high, spreads into divers branches, whose lower leaves are somewhat
larger than the upper, yet all of them cut or torn on the edges, somewhat like the
garden Cresses, but smaller, the flowers are small and white, growing at the tops
of branches, where afterwards grow husks with small brownish seeds therein
very strong and sharp in taste, more than the Cresses of the garden; the root is
long, white, and woody.
The other has the lower leaves whole somewhat long and broad, not torn at
all, but only somewhat deeply dented about the edges towards the ends; but
those that grow up higher are smaller. The flowers and seeds are like the former,
and so is the root likewise, and both root and seeds as sharp as it.
Place.] They grow in the way-sides in untilled places, and by the sides of old
walls.
Time.] They flower in the end of June, and their seed is ripe in July.
Government and virtues.] It is a Saturnine plant. The leaves, but especially
the root, taken fresh in Summer-time, beaten or made into a poultice or salve
with old hog’s grease, and applied to the places pained with the sciatica, to
continue thereon four hours if it be on a man, and two hours on a woman; the
place afterwards bathed with wine and oil mixed together, and then wrapped
with wool or skins, after they have sweat a little, will assuredly cure not only the
same disease in hips, knuckle-bone, or other of the joints, as gout in the hands or
feet, but all other old griefs of the head, (as inveterate rheums,) and other parts of
the body that are hard to be cured. And if of the former griefs any parts remain,
the same medicine after twenty days, is to be applied again. The same is also
effectual in the diseases of the spleen; and applied to the skin, takes away the
blemish thereof, whether they be scars, leprosy, scabs, or scurf, which although
it ulcerate the part, yet that is to be helped afterwards with a salve made of oil
and wax. Esteem this as another secret.

WATER CRESSES.

Descript.] OUR ordinary Water Cresses spread forth with many weak, hollow,
sappy stalks, shooting out fibres at the joints and upwards long winged leaves
made of sundry broad sappy almost round leaves, of a brownish colour. The
flowers are many and white standing on long footstalks after which come small
yellow seed, contained in small long pods like horns. The whole plant abides
green in the winter, and tastes somewhat hot and sharp.
Place.] They grow, for the most part, in small standing waters, yet sometimes
in small rivulets of running water.
Time.] They flower and seed in the beginning of Summer.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb under the dominion of the Moon. They
are more powerful against the scurvy, and to cleanse the blood and humours,
than Brooklime is, and serve in all the other uses in which Brooklime is
available, as to break the stone, and provoke urine and woman’s courses. The
decoction thereof cleanses ulcers, by washing them therewith. The leaves
bruised, or the juice, is good, to be applied to the face or other parts troubled
with freckles, pimples, spots, or the like, at night, and washed away in the
morning. The juice mixed with vinegar, and the fore part of the head bathed
therewith, is very good for those that are dull and drowsy, or have the lethargy.
Water-cress pottage is a good remedy to cleanse the blood in the spring, and
help headaches, and consume the gross humours winter has left behind; those
that would live in health, may use it if they please; if they will not, I cannot help
it. If any fancy not pottage, they may eat the herb as a sallad.

CROSSWORT.

THIS herb receives its name from the situation of its leaves.
Descript.] Common Crosswort grows up with square hairy brown stalks a
little above a foot high, having four small broad and pointed, hairy yet smooth
thin leaves, growing at every joint, each against other one way, which has caused
the name. Towards the tops of the stalks at the joints, with the leaves in three or
four rows downwards, stand small, pale yellow flowers, after which come small
blackish round seeds, four for the most part, set in every husk. The root is very
small, and full of fibres, or threads, taking good hold of the ground, and
spreading with the branches over a great deal of ground, which perish not in
winter, although the leaves die every year and spring again anew.
Place.] It grows in many moist grounds, well in meadows as untilled places,
about London, in Hampstead church-yard, at Wye in Kent, and sundry other
places.
Time.] It flowers from May all the Summer long, in one place or other, as
they are more open to the sun; the seed ripens soon after.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Saturn. This is a
singularly good wound herb, and is used inwardly, not only to stay bleeding of
wounds, but to consolidate them, as it doth outwardly any green wound, which it
quickly solders up, and heals. The decoction of the herb in wine, helps to
expectorate the phlegm out of the chest, and is good for obstructions in the
breast, stomach, or bowels, and helps a decayed appetite. It is also good to wash
any wound or sore with, to cleanse and heal it. The herb bruised, and then boiled
applied outwardly for certain days together, renewing it often: and in the mean
time the decoction of the herb in wine, taken inwardly every day, doth certainly
cure the rupture in any, so as it be not too inveterate; but very speedily, if it be
fresh and lately taken.

CROWFOOT.

MANY are the names this furious biting herb has obtained, almost enough to
make up a Welchman’s pedigree, if he fetch no farther than John of Gaunt, or
William the Conquerer; for it is called Frog’s-foot, from the Greek name
Barrakion: Crowfoot, Gold Knobs, Gold Cups, King’s Knob, Baffiners,
Troilflowers, Polts, Locket Gouions, and Butterflowers.
Abundance are the sorts of this herb, that to describe them all would tire the
patience of Socrates himself, but because I have not yet attained to the spirit of
Socrates, I shall but describe the most usual.
Descript.] The most common Crowfoot has many thin great leaves, cut into
divers parts, in taste biting and sharp, biting and blistering the tongue: It bears
many flowers, and those of a bright, resplendent, yellow colour. I do not
remember, that I ever saw any thing yellower. Virgins, in ancient time, used to
make powder of them to furrow bride beds; after which flowers come small
heads, some spiked and rugged like a Pine-Apple.
Place.] They grow very common every where; unless you turn your head into
a hedge you cannot but see them as you walk.
Time.] They flower in May and June, even till September.
Government and virtues.] This fiery and hot-spirited herb of Mars is no way
fit to be given inwardly, but an ointment of the leaves or flowers will draw a
blister, and may be so fitly applied to the nape of the neck to draw back rheum
from the eyes. The herb being bruised and mixed with a little mustard, draws a
blister as well, and as perfectly as Cantharides, and with far less danger to the
vessels of urine, which Cantharides naturally delight to wrong; I knew the herb
once applied to a pestilential rising that was fallen down, and it saved life even
beyond hope; it were good to keep an ointment and plaister of it, if it were but
for that.

CUCKOW-POINT.

IT is called Aron, Janus, Barba-aron, Calve’s-foot, Ramp, Starchwort,

Cuckow-point, and Wake Robin.
Descript.] This shoots forth three, four or five leaves at the most, from one
root, every one whereof is somewhat large and long, broad at the bottom next the
stalk, and forked, but ending in a point, without a cut on the edge, of a full green
colour, each standing upon a thick round stalk, of a hand-breadth long, or more,
among which, after two or three months that they begin to wither, rises up a
bare, round, whitish green stalk, spotted and streaked with purple, somewhat
higher than the leaves: At the top whereof stands a long hollow husk close at the
bottom, but open from the middle upwards, ending in a point: in the middle
whereof stands the small long pestle or clapper, smaller at the bottom than at the
top, of a dark purple colour, as the husk is on the inside, though green without;
which, after it hath so abided for some time, the husk with the clapper decays,
and the foot or bottom thereof grows to be a small long bunch of berries, green
at the first, and of a yellowish red colour when they are ripe, of the bigness of a
hazel-nut kernel, which abides thereon almost until Winter; the root is round,
and somewhat long, for the most part lying along, the leaves shooting forth at the
largest end, which, when it bears its berries, are somewhat wrinkled and loose,
another growing under it, which is solid and firm, with many small threads
hanging thereat. The whole plant is of a very sharp biting taste, pricking the
tongue as nettles do the hands, and so abides for a great while without alteration.
The root thereof was anciently used instead of starch to starch linen with.
There is another sort of Cuckow-point, with less leaves than the former, and
some times harder, having blackish spots upon them, which for the most part
abide longer green in Summer than the former, and both leaves and roots are
more sharp and fierce than it: In all things else it is like the former.
Place.] These two sorts grow frequently almost under every hedge-side in
many places of this land.
Time.] They shoot forth leaves in the Spring, and continue but until the
middle of Summer, or somewhat later; their husks appearing before the fall
away, and their fruit shewing in April.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars. Tragus reports,
that a dram weight, or more, if need be, of the spotted Wake Robin, either fresh
and green, or dried, having been eaten and taken, is a present and sure remedy
for poison and the plague. The juice of the herb taken to the quantity of a
spoonful has the same effect. But if there be a little vinegar added thereto, as
well as to the root aforesaid, it somewhat allays the sharp biting taste thereof
upon the tongue. The green leaves bruised, and laid upon any boil or plague
sore, doth wonderfully help to draw forth the poison: A dram of the powder of
the dried root taken with twice so much sugar in the form of a licking electuary,
or the green root, doth wonderfully help those that are pursy and short-winded,
as also those that have a cough; it breaks, digests, and rids away phlegm from
the stomach, chest, and lungs. The milk wherein the root as been boiled is
effectual also for the same purpose. The said powder taken in wine or other
drink, or the juice of the berries, or the powder of them, or the wine wherein they
have been boiled, provokes urine, and brings down women’s courses and purges
them effectually after child-bearing, to bring away the after-birth. Taken with
sheep’s milk, it heals the inward ulcers of the bowels. The distilled water thereof
is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid. A spoonful taken at a time heals the
itch; an ounce or more taken a time for some days together, doth help the
rupture: The leaves either green or dry, or the juice of them, doth cleanse all
manner of rotten and filthy ulcers, in what part of the body soever; and heals the
stinking sores in the nose, called Polypus. The water wherein the root has been
boiled, dropped into the eyes, cleanses them from any film or skin, cloud or
mists, which begin to hinder the sight, and helps the watering and redness of
them, or when, by some chance, they become black and blue. The root mixed
with bean-flour, and applied to the throat or jaws that are inflamed, helps them.
The juice of the berries boiled in oil of roses, or beaten into powder mixed with
the oil, and dropped into the ears, eases pains in them. The berries or the roots
beaten with the hot ox-dung, and applied, eases the pains of the gout. The leaves
and roots boiled in wine with a little oil, and applied to the piles, or the falling
down of the fundament, eases them, and so doth sitting over the hot fumes
thereof. The fresh roots bruised and distilled with a little milk, yields a most
sovereign water to cleanse the skin from scurf, freckles, spots, or blemishes
whatsoever therein.
Authors have left large commendations of this herb you see, but for my part, I
have neither spoken with Dr. Reason nor Dr. Experience about it.

CUCUMBERS.

Government and virtues.] THERE is no dispute to be made, but that they are
under the dominion of the Moon, though they are so much cried out against for
their coldness, and if they were but one degree colder they would be poison. The
best of Galenists hold them to be cold and moist in the second degree, and then
not so hot as either lettuce or purslain: They are excellently good for a hot
stomach, and hot liver; the unmeasurable use of them fills the body full of raw
humours, and so indeed the unmeasurable use of any thing else doth harm. The
face being washed with their juice, cleanses the skin, and is excellently good for
hot rheums in the eyes; the seed is excellently good to provoke urine, and
cleanses the passages thereof when they are stopped: there is not a better remedy
for ulcers in the bladder growing, than Cucumbers are; The usual course is, to
use the seeds in emulsions, as they make almond milk; but a far better way (in
my opinion) is this; When the season of the year is, take the Cucumbers and
bruise them well, and distil the water from them, and let such as are troubled
with ulcers in the bladder drink no other drink. The face being washed with the
same water, cures the reddest face that is; it is also excellently good for
sunburning, freckles, and morphew.

DAISIES.

THESE are so well known almost to every child, that I suppose it needless to
write any description of them. Take therefore the virtues of them as follows.
Government and virtues.] The herb is under the sign Cancer, and under the
dominion of Venus, and therefore excellently good for wounds in the breast, and
very fitting to be kept both in oils, ointments, and plaisters, as also in syrup. The
greater wild Daisy is a wound herb of good respect, often used in those drinks or
salves that are for wounds, either inward or outward. The juice or distilled water
of these, or the small Daisy, doth much temper the heat of choler, and refresh the
liver, and the other inward parts. A decoction made of them and drank, helps to
cure the wounds made in the hollowness of the breast. The same also cures all
ulcers and pustules in the mouth or tongue, or in the secret parts. The leaves
bruised and applied to the privities, or to any other parts that are swoln and hot,
doth dissolve it, and temper the heat. A decoction made thereof, of Wallwort and
Agrimony, and the places fomented and bathed therewith warm, gives great ease
to them that are troubled with the palsy, sciatica, or the gout. The same also
disperses and dissolves the knots or kernels that grow in the flesh of any part of
the body, and bruises and hurts that come of falls and blows; they are also used
for ruptures, and other inward burnings, with very good success. An ointment
made thereof doth wonderfully help all wounds that have inflammations about
them, or by reason of moist humours having access unto them, are kept long
from healing, and such are those, for the most part, that happen to joints of the
arms or legs. The juice of them dropped into the running eyes of any, doth much
help them.

DANDELION, VULGARLY CALLED PISS-A-BEDS.

Descript.] IT is well known to have many long and deep gashed leaves, lying
on the ground round about the head of the roots; the ends of each gash or jag, on
both sides looking downwards towards the roots; the middle rib being white,
which being broken, yields abundance of bitter milk, but the root much more;
from among the leaves, which always abide green, arise many slender, weak,
naked footstalks, every one of them bearing at the top one large yellow flower,
consisting of many rows of yellow leaves, broad at the points, and nicked in with
deep spots of yellow in the middle, which growing ripe, the green husk wherein
the flowers stood turns itself down to the stalk, and the head of down becomes as
round as a ball: with long seed underneath, bearing a part of the down on the
head of every one, which together is blown away with the wind, or may be at
once blown away with one’s mouth. The root growing downwards exceedingly
deep, which being broken off within the ground, will yet shoot forth again, and
will hardly be destroyed where it hath once taken deep root in the ground.
Place.] It grows frequently in all meadows and pasture-grounds.
Time.] It flowers in one place or other almost all the year long.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Jupiter. It is of an
opening and cleansing quality, and therefore very effectual for the obstructions
of the liver, gall and spleen, and the diseases that arise from them, as the
jaundice and hypocondriac; it opens the passages of the urine both in young and
old; powerfully cleanses imposthumes and inward ulcers in the urinary passage,
and by its drying and temperate quality doth afterwards heal them; for which
purpose the decoction of the roots or leaves in white wine, or the leaves chopped
as pot-herbs, with a few Alisanders, and boiled in their broth, are very effectual.
And whoever is drawing towards a consumption or an evil disposition of the
whole body, called Cachexia, by the use hereof for some time together, shall find
a wonderful help. It helps also to procure rest and sleep to bodies distempered by
the heat of ague fits, or otherwise: The distilled water is effectual to drink in
pestilential fevers, and to wash the sores.
You see here what virtues this common herb hath, and that is the reason the
French and Dutch so often eat them in the Spring; and now if you look a little
farther, you may see plainly without a pair of spectacles, that foreign physicians
are not so selfish as ours are, but more communicative of the virtues of plants to
people.

DARNEL.

IT is called Jam and Wray: in Sussex they call it Crop, it being a pestilent
enemy among corn.
Descript.] This has all the winter long sundry long, flat, and rough leaves,
which, when the stalk rises, which is slender and jointed, are narrower, but rough
still; on the top grows a long spike, composed of many heads set one above
another, containing two or three husks, with a sharp but short beard of awns at
the end; the seed is easily shaken out of the ear, the husk itself being somewhat
rough.
Place.] The country husbandmen do know this too well to grow among their
corn, or in the borders and pathways of the other fields that are fallow.
Government and virtues.] It is a malicious part of sullen Saturn. As it is not
without some vices, so hath it also many virtues. The meal of Darnel is very
good to stay gangrenes, and other such like fretting and eating cankers, and
putrid sores: It also cleanses the skin of all leprosies, morphews, ringworms, and
the like, if it be used with salt and raddish roots. And being used with quick
brimstone and vinegar, it dissolves knots and kernels, and breaks those that are
hard to be dissolved, being boiled in wine with pigeon’s dung and Linseed: A
decoction thereof made with water and honey, and the places bathed therewith,
is profitable for the sciatica. Darnel meal applied in a poultice draws forth
splinters and broken bones in the flesh: The red Darnel, boiled in red wine and
taken, stays the lask and all other fluxes, and women’s bloody issues; and
restrains urine that passes away too suddenly.

DILL.
 Descript.] THE common Dill grows up with seldom more than one stalk,
neither so high, nor so great usually as Fennel, being round and fewer joints
thereon, whose leaves are sadder, and somewhat long, and so like Fennel that it
deceives many, but harder in handling, and somewhat thicker, and of a strong
unpleasant scent: The tops of the stalks have four branches and smaller umbels
of yellow flowers, which turn into small seed, somewhat flatter and thinner than
Fennel seed. The root is somewhat small and woody, perishes every year after it
hath borne seed: and is also unprofitable, being never put to any use.
Place.] It is most usually sown in gardens and grounds for the purpose, and is
also found wild in many places.
Government and virtues.] Mercury has the dominion of this plant, and
therefore to be sure it strengthens the brain. The Dill being boiled and drank, is
good to ease swellings and pains; it also stays the belly and stomach from
casting. The decoction therefore helps women that are troubled with the pains
and windiness of the mother, if they sit therein. It stays the hiccough, being
boiled in wine, and but smelled unto being tied in a cloth. The seed is of more
use than the leaves, and more effectual to digest raw and vicious humours, and is
used in medicines that serve to expel wind, and the pains proceeding therefrom.
The seed, being roasted or fried, and used in oils or plasters, dissolve the
imposthumes in the fundament; and dries up all moist ulcers, especially in the
fundament; an oil made of Dill is effectual to warm or dissolve humours and
imposthumes, and the pains, and to procure rest. The decoction of Dill, be it herb
or seed (only if you boil the seed you must bruise it) in white wine, being drank,
it is a gallant expeller of wind, and provoker of the terms.

DEVIL’S-BIT.

Descript.] THIS rises up with a round green smooth stalk, about two feet high,
set with divers long and somewhat narrow, smooth, dark green leaves, somewhat
nipped about the edges, for the most part, being else all whole, and not divided at
all, or but very seldom, even to the tops of the branches, which yet are smaller
than those below, with one rib only in the middle. At the end of each branch
stands a round head of many flowers set together in the same manner, or more
neatly than Scabions, and of a bluish purple colour, which being past, there
follows seed which falls away. The root is somewhat thick, but short and
blackish, with many strings, abiding after seed time many years. This root was
longer, until the devil (as the friars say) bit away the rest of it for spite, envying
its usefulness to mankind; for sure he was not troubled with any disease for
which it is proper.
There are two other sorts hereof, in nothing unlike the former, save that the
one bears white, and the other bluish-coloured flowers.
Place.] The first grows as well in dry meadows and fields as moist, in many
places of this land: But the other two are more rare, and hard to be met with, yet
they are both found growing wild about Appledore, near Rye in Kent.
Time.] They flower not usually until August.
Government and virtues.] The plant is venereal, pleasing, and harmless. The
herb or the root (all that the devil hath left of it) being boiled in wine, and drank,
is very powerful against the plague, and all pestilential diseases or fevers,
poisons also, and the bitings of venemous beasts: It helps also those that are
inwardly bruised by any casuality, or outwardly by falls or blows, dissolving the
clotted blood; and the herb or root beaten and outwardly applied, takes away the
black and blue marks that remain in the skin. The decoction of the herb, with
honey of roses put therein, is very effectual to help the inveterate tumours and
swellings of the almonds and throat, by often gargling the mouth therewith. It
helps also to procure women’s courses, and eases all pains of the mother and to
break and discuss wind therein, and in the bowels. The powder of the root taken
in drink, drives forth the worms in the body. The juice or distilled water of the
herb, is effectual for green wounds, or old sores, and cleanses the body inwardly,
and the seed outwardly, from sores, scurf, itch, pimples, freckles, morphew, or
other deformities thereof, especially if a little vitriol be dissolved therein.

DOCK.

MANY kinds of these are so well known, that I shall not trouble you with a
description of them: My book grows big too fast.
Government and virtues.] All Docks are under Jupiter, of which the Red
Dock, which is commonly called Bloodwort, cleanses the blood, and strengthens
the liver; but the yellow Dock-root is best to be taken when either the blood or
liver is affected by choler. All of them have a kind of cooling (but not all alike)
drying quality, the sorrel being most cold, and the Bloodworts most drying. Of
the Burdock, I have spoken already by itself. The seed of most of the other
kinds, whether the gardens or fields, do stay lasks and fluxes of all sorts, the
loathing of the stomach through choler, and is helpful for those that spit blood.
The roots boiled in vinegar help the itch, scabs, and breaking out of the skin, if it
be bathed therewith. The distilled water of the herb and roots have the same
virtue, and cleanses the skin from freckles, morphews, and all other spots and
discolourings therein.
All Docks being boiled with meat, make it boil the sooner: Besides
Bloodwort is exceeding strengthening to the liver, and procures good blood,
being as wholesome a pot herb as any growing in a garden; yet such is the nicety
of our times, forsooth, that women will not put it into a pot, because it makes the
pottage black; pride and ignorance (a couple of monsters in the creation)
preferring nicety before health.

DODDER OF THYME, EPITHYMUM, AND OTHER

DODDERS.

Descript.] THIS first from seed gives roots in the ground, which shoot forth
threads or strings, grosser or finer as the property of the plant wherein it grows,
and the climate doth suffer, creeping and spreading on that plant whereon it
fastens, be it high or low. The strings have no leaves at all on them, but wind and
interlace themselves, so thick upon a small plant, that it takes away all comfort
of the sun from it; and is ready to choak or strangle it. After these strings are
risen to that height, that they may draw nourishment from that plant, they seem
to be broken off from the ground, either by the strength of their rising, or
withered by the heat of the Sun. Upon these strings are found clusters of small
heads or husks, out of which shoot forth whitish flowers, which afterwards give
small pale white coloured seed, somewhat flat, and twice as big as Poppy-seed.
It generally participates of the nature of the plant which it climbs upon; but the
Dodder of Thyme is accounted the best, and is the only true Epithymum.
Government and virtues.] All Dodders are under Saturn. Tell not me of
physicians crying up Epithymum, or that Dodder which grows upon Thyme,
(most of which comes from Hemetius in Greece, or Hybla in Sicily, because
those mountains abound with Thyme,) he is a physician indeed, that hath wit
enough to choose the Dodder according to the nature of the disease and humour
peccant. We confess, Thyme is the hottest herb it usually grows upon; and
therefore that which grows upon Thyme is hotter than that which grows upon
cold herbs; for it draws nourishment from what it grows upon, as well as from
the earth where its root is, and thus you see old Saturn is wise enough to have
two strings to his bow. This is accounted the most effectual for melancholy
diseases, and to purge black or burnt choler, which is the cause of many diseases
of the head and brain, as also for the trembling of the heart, faintings and
swoonings. It is helpful in all diseases and griefs of the spleen, and melancholy
that arises from the windiness of the hypochondria. It purges also the reins or
kidneys by urine; it opens obstructions of the gall, whereby it profits them that
have the jaundice; as also the leaves, the spleen: Purging the veins of the
choleric and phlegmatic humours, and helps children in agues, a little worm seed
being put thereto.
The other Dodders do, as I said before, participate of the nature of those
plants whereon they grow: As that which hath been found growing upon nettles
in the west-country, hath by experience been found very effectual to procure
plenty of urine where it hath been stopped or hindered. And so of the rest.
Sympathy and antipathy are two hinges upon which the whole mode of
physic turns; and that physician who minds them not, is like a door off from the
hooks, more like to do a man mischief, than to secure him. Then all the diseases
Saturn causes, this helps by sympathy, and strengthens all the parts of the body
he rules; such as be caused by Sol, it helps by antipathy. What those diseases are,
see my judgment of diseases by astrology; and if you be pleased to look at the
herb Wormwood, you shall find a rational way for it.

DOG’S-GRASS, OR COUGH GRASS.

Descript.] IT is well known, that the grass creeps far about under ground, with
long white joined roots, and small fibres almost at every joint, very sweet in
taste, as the rest of the herb is, and interlacing one another, from whence shoot
forth many fair grassy leaves, small at the ends, and cutting or sharp on the
edges. The stalks are jointed like corn, with the like leaves on them, and a large
spiked head, with a long husk in them, and hard rough seed in them. If you know
it not by this description, watch the dogs when they are sick, and they will
quickly lead you to it.
Place.] It grows commonly through this land in divers ploughed grounds to
the no small trouble of the husbandmen, as also of the gardeners, in gardens, to
weed it out, if they can; for it is a constant customer to the place it get footing in.
Government and virtues.] ’Tis under the dominion of Jupiter, and is the most
medicinal of all the Quick-grasses. Being boiled and drank, it opens obstructions
of the liver and gall, and the stopping of urine, and eases the griping pains of the
belly and inflammations; wastes the matter of the stone in the bladder, and the
ulcers thereof also. The roots bruised and applied, do consolidate wounds. The
seed doth more powerfully expel urine, and stays the lask and vomiting. The
distilled water alone, or with a little wormseed, kills the worms in children.
The way of use is to bruise the roots, and having well boiled them in white
wine, drink the decoction: ’Tis opening but not purging, very safe: ’Tis a remedy
against all diseases coming of stopping, and such are half those that are incident
to the body of man; and although a gardener be of another opinion, yet a
physician holds half an acre of them to be worth five acres of Carrots twice told
over.

DOVE’S-FOOT, OR CRANE’S-BILL.

Descript.] THIS has divers small, round, pale-green leaves, cut in about the
edges, much like mallow, standing upon long, reddish, hairy stalks lying in a
round compass upon the ground; among which rise up two or three, or more,
reddish, jointed, slender, weak, hairy stalks, with some like leaves thereon, but
smaller, and more cut in up to the tops, where grow many very small bright red
flowers of five leaves a-piece; after which follow small heads, with small short
beaks pointed forth, as all other sorts of those herbs do.
Place.] It grows in pasture grounds, and by the path-sides in many places, and
will also be in gardens.
Time.] It flowers in June, July, and August, some earlier and some later; and
the seed is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.] It is a very gentle, though martial plant. It is found
by experience to be singularly good for wind cholic, as also to expel the stone
and gravel in the kidneys. The decoction thereof in wine, is an excellent good
cure for those that have inward wounds, hurts, or bruises, both to stay the
bleeding, to dissolve and expel the congealed blood, and to heal the parts, as also
to cleanse and heal outward sores, ulcers, and fistulas; and for green wounds,
many do only bruise the herb, and apply it to the places, and it heals them
quickly. The same decoction in wine fomented to any place pained with the
gout, or to joint-aches, or pains of the sinews, gives much ease. The powder or
decoction of the herb taken for some time together, is found by experience to be
singularly good for ruptures and burstings in people, either young or old.
 DUCK’S MEAT.

THIS is so well known to swim on the tops of standing waters, as ponds,

pools, and ditches, that it is needless further to describe it.
Government and virtues.] Cancer claims the herb, and the Moon will be Lady
of it; a word is enough to a wise man. It is effectual to help inflammations, and
St. Anthony’s Fire, as also the gout, either applied by itself, or in a poultice with
Barley meal. The distilled water by some is highly esteemed against all inward
inflammations and pestilent fevers; as also to help the redness of the eyes, and
swellings of privities, and of the breasts before they be grown too much. The
fresh herb applied to the forehead, eases the pains of the headache coming of
heat.

DOWN, OR COTTON-THISTLE.

Descript.] THIS has large leaves lying on the ground, somewhat cut in, and as
it were crumpled on the edges, of a green colour on the upper side, but covered
with long hairy wool, or Cotton Down, set with most sharp and cruel pricks,
from the middle of whose head of flowers, thrust forth many purplish crimson
threads, and sometimes (although very seldom) white ones. The seed that
follows in the heads, lying in a great deal of white down, is somewhat large,
long, and round, like the seed of ladies thistle, but paler. The root is great and
thick, spreading much, yet it usually dies after seed-time.
Place.] It grows in divers ditches, banks, and in corn-fields, and highways,
generally every where throughout the land.
Time.] It flowers and bears seed about the end of Summer, when other thistles
do flower and seed.
Government and virtues.] Mars owns the plant, and manifest to the world,
that though it may hurt your finger, it will help your body; for I fancy it much for
the ensuing virtues. Pliny and Dioscorides write, That the leaves and roots
thereof taken in drink, help those that have a crick in their neck; whereby they
cannot turn their neck but their whole body must turn also (sure they do not
mean those that have got a crick in their neck by being under the hangman’s
hand.) Galen saith, that the root and leaves hereof are of a healing quality, and
good for such persons as have their bodies drawn together by some spasm or
convulsion, as it is with children that have the rickets.
 DRAGONS.

THEY are so well known to every one that plants them in their gardens, they
need no description; if not, let them look down to the lower end of the stalks, and
see how like a snake they look.
Government and virtues.] The plant is under the dominion of Mars, and
therefore it would be a wonder if it should want some obnoxious quality or
other: In all herbs of that quality, the safest way is either to distil the herb in an
alembick, in what vehicle you please, or else to press out the juice, and distil that
in a glass still, in sand. It scours and cleanses the internal parts of the body
mightily, and it clears the external parts also, being externally applied, from
freckles, morphew, and sunburning: Your best way to use it externally, is to mix
it with vinegar; an ointment of it is held to be good in wounds and ulcers; it
consumes cankers, and that flesh growing in the nostrils, which they call
Polypus: Also the distilled water being dropped into the eyes, takes away spots
there, or the pin and web, and mends the dimness of sight; it is excellently good
against pestilence and poison. Pliny and Dioscorides affirm, that no serpent will
meddle with him that carries this herb about him.

THE ELDER TREE.

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

THE DWARF-ELDER.

Descript.] THIS is but an herb every year, dying with his stalks to the ground,
and rising afresh every Spring, and is like unto the Elder both in form and
quality, rising up with square, rough, hairy stalks, four feet high, or more
sometimes. The winged leaves are somewhat narrower than the Elder, but else
like them. The flowers are white with a dash of purple, standing in umbels, very
like the Elder also, but more sweet is scent; after which come small blackish
berries, full of juice while they are fresh, wherein is small hard kernels, or seed.
The root doth creep under the upper crust of the ground, springing in divers
places, being of the bigness of one’s finger or thumb sometimes.
Place.] The Elder-tree grows in hedges, being planted there to strengthen the
fences and partitions of ground, and to hold the banks by ditches and water-
courses.
The Dwarf Elder grows wild in many places of England, where being once
gotten into a ground, it is not easily gotten forth again.
Time.] Most of the Elder Trees, flower in June, and their fruit is ripe for the
most part in August. But the Dwarf Elder, or Wallwort, flowers somewhat later,
and his fruit is not ripe until September.
Government and virtues.] Both Elder and Dwarf Tree are under the dominion
of Venus. The first shoots of the common Elder boiled like Asparagus, and the
young leaves and stalks boiled in fat broth, doth mightily carry forth phlegm and
choler. The middle or inward bark boiled in water, and given in drink, works
much more violently; and the berries, either green or dry, expel the same
humour, and are often given with good success to help the dropsy; the bark of
the root boiled in wine, or the juice thereof drank, works the same effects, but
more powerfully than either the leaves or fruit. The juice of the root taken, doth
mightily procure vomitings, and purges the watery humours of the dropsy. The
decoction of the root taken, cures the biting of an adder, and biting of mad dogs.
It mollifies the hardness of the mother, if women sit thereon, and opens their
veins, and brings down their courses: The berries boiled in wine perform the
same effect; and the hair of the head washed therewith is made black. The juice
of the green leaves applied to the hot inflammations of the eyes, assuages them;
the juice of the leaves snuffed up into the nostrils, purges the tunicles of the
brain; the juice of the berries boiled with honey and dropped into the ears, helps
the pains of them; the decoction of the berries in wine, being drank, provokes
urine; the distilled water of the flowers is of much use to clean the skin from
sunburning, freckles, morphew, or the like; and takes away the headache,
coming of a cold cause, the head being bathed therewith. The leaves or flowers
distilled in the month of May, and the legs often washed with the said distilled
water, it takes away the ulcers and sores of them. The eyes washed therewith, it
takes away the redness and bloodshot; and the hands washed morning and
evening therewith, helps the palsy, and shaking of them.
The Dwarf Elder is more powerful than the common Elder in opening and
purging choler, phlegm, and water; in helping the gout, piles, and women’s
diseases, colours the hair black, helps the inflammations of the eyes, and pains in
the ears, the biting of serpents, or mad dogs, burnings and scaldings, the wind
cholic, cholic, and stone, the difficulty of urine, the cure of old sores and
fistulous ulcers. Either leaves or bark of Elder, stripped upwards as you gather it,
causes vomiting. Also, Dr. Butler, in a manuscript of his, commends Dwarf
Elder to the sky of dropsies, viz. to drink it, being boiled in white wine; to drink
the decoction I mean, not the Elder.

THE ELM TREE.

THIS tree is so well known, growing generally in all counties of this land, that
it is needless to describe it.
Government and virtues.] It is a cold and saturnine plant. The leaves thereof
bruised and applied, heal green wounds, being bound thereon with its own bark.
The leaves or the bark used with vinegar, cures scurf and leprosy very
effectually; The decoction of the leaves, bark, or root, being bathed, heals broken
bones. The water that is found in the bladders on the leaves, while it is fresh, is
very effectual to cleanse the skin, and make it fair; and if cloaths be often wet
therein, and applied to the ruptures of children, it heals them, if they be well
bound up with a truss. The said water put into a glass, and set into the ground, or
else in dung for twenty-five days, the mouth thereof being close stopped, and the
bottom set upon a layer of ordinary salt, that the fœces may settle and water
become clear, is a singular and sovereign balm for green wounds, being used
with soft tents: The decoction of the bark of the root, fomented, mollifies hard
tumours, and the shrinking of the sinews. The roots of the Elm, boiled for a long
time in water, and the fat arising on the top thereof, being clean skimmed off,
and the place anointed therewith that is grown bald, and the hair fallen away,
will quickly restore them again. The said bark ground with brine or pickle, until
it come to the form of a poultice, and laid on the place pained with the gout,
gives great ease. The decoction of the bark in water, is excellent to bathe such
places as have been burnt with fire.

ENDIVE.

Descript.] COMMON garden Endive bears a longer and larger leaf than
Succory, and abides but one year, quickly running up to a stalk and seed, and
then perishes; it has blue flowers, and the seed of the ordinary Endive is so like
Succory seed, that it is hard to distinguish them.
Government and virtues.] It is a fine cooling, cleansing, jovial plant. The
decoction of the leaves, or the juice, or the distilled water of Endive, serve well
to cool the excessive heat of the liver and stomach, and in the hot fits of agues,
and all other inflammations in any part of the body; it cools the heat and
sharpness of the urine, and excoriation in the urinary parts. The seeds are of the
same property, or rather more powerful, and besides are available for fainting,
swoonings, and passions of the heart. Outwardly applied, they serve to temper
the sharp humours of fretting ulcers, hot tumours, swellings, and pestilential
sores; and wonderfully help not only the redness and inflammations of the eyes,
but the dimness of the sight also; they are also used to allay the pains of the gout.
You cannot use it amiss; a syrup of it is a fine cooling medicine for fevers.

ELECAMPANE.

Descript.] IT shoots forth many large leaves, long and broad, lying near the
ground, small at both ends, somewhat soft in handling of a whitish green on the
upper side, and grey underneath, each set upon a short footstalk, from among
which arise up divers great and strong hairy stalks, three or four feet high, with
some leaves thereupon, compassing them about at the lower end, and are
branched towards the tops, bearing divers great and large flowers, like those of
the corn marigold, both the border of leaves, and the middle thrum being yellow,
which turn into down, with long, small, brownish seeds amongst it, and is
carried away with the wind. The root is great and thick, branched forth divers
ways, blackish on the outside and whitish within, of a very bitter taste, and
strong, but good scent, especially when they are dried, no part else of the plant
having any smell.
Place.] It grows on moist grounds, and shadowy places oftener than in the dry
and open borders of the fields and lanes, and in other waste places, almost in
every county of this land.
Time.] It flowers in the end of June and July, and the seed is ripe in August.
The roots are gathered for use, as well in the Spring before the leaves come
forth, as in Autumn or Winter.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant under the dominion of Mercury. The
fresh roots of Elecampane preserved with sugar, or made into a syrup or
conserve, are very effectual to warm a cold windy stomach, or the pricking
therein, and stiches in the sides caused by the spleen; and to help the cough,
shortness of breath, and wheezing in the lungs. The dried root made into powder,
and mixed with sugar, and taken, serves to the same purpose, and is also
profitable for those who have their urine stopped, or the stopping of women’s
courses, the pains of the mother and the stone in the reins, kidneys, or bladder; it
resists poison, and stays the spreading of the venom of serpents, as also putrid
and pestilential fevers, and the plague itself. The roots and herbs beaten and put
into new ale or beer, and daily drank, clears, strengthens, and quickens the sight
of the eyes wonderfully. The decoction of the roots in wine, or the juice taken
therein, kills and drives forth all manner of worms in the belly, stomach, and
maw; and gargled in the mouth, or the root chewed, fastens loose teeth, and
helps to keep them from putrefaction; and being drank is good for those that spit
blood, helps to remove cramps or convulsions, gout, sciatica, pains in the joints,
applied outwardly or inwardly, and is also good for those that are bursten, or
have any inward bruise. The root boiled well in vinegar beaten afterwards, and
made into an ointment with hog’s suet, or oil of trotters is an excellent remedy
for scabs or itch in young or old; the places also bathed or washed with the
decoction doth the same; it also helps all sorts of filthy old putrid sores or
cankers whatsoever. In the roots of this herb lieth the chief effect for the
remedies aforesaid. The distilled water of the leaves and roots together, is very
profitable to cleanse the skin of the face, or other parts, from any morphew,
spots, or blemishes therein, and make it clear.

ERINGO, OR SEA-HOLLY.

Descript.] THE first leaves of our ordinary Sea-holly, are nothing so hard and
prickly as when they grow old, being almost round, and deeply dented about the
edges, hard and sharp pointed, and a little crumpled, of a bluish green colour,
every one upon a long foot stalk; but those that grow up higher with the stalk, do
as it were compass it about. The stalk itself is round and strong, yet somewhat
crested, with joints and leaves set thereat, but more divided, sharp and prickly;
and branches rising from thence, which have likewise other small branches, each
of them having several bluish round prickly heads, with many small jagged
prickly leaves under them, standing like a star, and sometimes found greenish or
whitish: The root grows wonderfully long, even to eight or ten feet in length, set
with rings and circles towards the upper part, cut smooth and without joints
down lower, brownish on the outside, and very white within, with a pith in the
middle; of a pleasant taste, but much more, being artificially preserved, and
candied with sugar.
Place.] It is found about the sea coast in almost every county of this land
which borders upon the sea.
 Time.] It flowers in the end of Summer, and gives ripe seed within a month
after.
Government and virtues.] The plant is venereal, and breeds seed exceedingly,
and strengthens the spirit procreative; it is hot and moist, and under the celestial
Balance. The decoction of the root hereof in wine, is very effectual to open
obstructions of the spleen and liver, and helps yellow jaundice, dropsy, pains of
the loins, and wind cholic, provokes urine, and expels the stone, procures
women’s courses. The continued use of the decoction for fifteen days, taken
fasting, and next to bedward, doth help the stranguary, the difficulty and
stoppage of urine, and the stone, as well as all defects of the reins and kidneys;
and if the said drink be continued longer, it is said that it cures the stone; it is
found good against the French pox. The roots bruised and applied outwardly,
help the kernels of the throat, commonly called the king’s evil; or taking
inwardly, and applied to the place stung or bitten by any serpent, heal it speedily.
If the roots be bruised, and boiled in old hog’s grease, or salted lard, and broken
bones, thorns &c. remaining in the flesh, they do not only draw them forth, but
heal up the place again, gathering new flesh where it was consumed. The juice of
the leaves dropped into the ear, helps imposthumes therein. The distilled water
of the whole herb, when the leaves and stalks are young, is profitable drank for
all the purposes aforesaid; and helps the melancholy of the heart, and is available
in quartan and quotidian agues; as also for them that have their necks drawn
awry, and cannot turn them without turning their whole body.

EYEBRIGHT.

Descript.] COMMON Eyebright is a small low herb, rising up usually but with
one blackish green stalk a span high, or not much more, spread from the bottom
into sundry branches, whereon are small and almost round yet pointed dark
green leaves, finely snipped about the edges, two always set together, and very
thick: At the joints with the leaves, from the middle upward, come forth small
white flowers, marked with purple and yellow spots, or stripes; after which
follow small round heads, with very small seed therein. The root is long, small
and thready at the end.
Place.] It grows in meadows, and grassy land.
Government and virtues.] It is under the sign of the Lion, and Sol claims
dominion over it. If the herb was but as much used as it is neglected, it would
half spoil the spectacle maker’s trade; and a man would think, that reason should
teach people to prefer the preservation of their natural before artificial
spectacles; which that they may be instructed how to do, take the virtues of
Eyebright as follows.
The juice or distilled water of Eyebright, taken inwardly in white wine or
broth, or dropped into the eyes for divers days together, helps all infirmities of
the eyes that cause dimness of sight. Some make conserve of the flowers to the
same effect. Being used any of the ways, it also helps a weak brain, or memory.
This tunned up with strong beer, that it may work together, and drank, or the
powder of the dried herb mixed with sugar, a little Mace, and Fennel seed, and
drank, or eaten in broth; or the said powder made into an electuary with sugar,
and taken, has the same powerful effect to help and restore the sight, decayed
through age; and Arnoldus de Ville Nova saith, it hath restored sight to them that
have been blind a long time before.

FERN.

Descript.] OF this there are two kinds principally to be treated of, viz. the
Male and Female. The Female grows higher than the Male, but the leaves
thereof are smaller, and more divided and dented, and of as strong a smell as the
male; the virtue of them are both alike, and therefore I shall not trouble you with
any description or distinction of them.
Place.] They grow both in heaths and in shady places near the hedge-sides in
all counties of this land.
Time.] They flower and give their seed at Midsummer.
The Female Fern is that plant which is in Sussex, called Brakes, the seed of
which some authors hold to be so rare: Such a thing there is I know, and may be
easily had upon Midsummer Eve, and for ought I know, two or three days after
it, if not more.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mercury, both Male and
Female. The roots of both these sorts of Fern being bruised and boiled in Mead,
or honeyed water, and drank, kills both the broad and long worms in the body,
and abates the swelling and hardness of the spleen. The green leaves eaten,
purge the belly of choleric and waterish humours that trouble the stomach. They
are dangerous for women with child to meddle with, by reason they cause
abortions. The roots bruised and boiled in oil, or hog’s grease, make a very
profitable ointment to heal wounds, or pricks gotten in the flesh. The powder of
them used in foul ulcers, dries up their malignant moisture, and causes their
speedier healing. Fern being burned, the smoke thereof drives away serpents,
gnats, and other noisome creatures, which in fenny countries do in the night
time, trouble and molest people lying in their beds with their faces uncovered; it
causes barrenness.

OSMOND ROYAL, OR WATER FERN.

Descript.] THIS shoots forth in Spring time (for in the Winter the leaves
perish) divers rough hard stalks, half round, and yellowish, or flat on the other
side, two feet high, having divers branches of winged yellowish green leaves on
all sides, set one against another, longer, narrower, and not nicked on the edges
as the former. From the top of some of these stalks grow forth a long bush of
small and more yellow, green, scaly aglets, set in the same manner on the stalks
as the leaves are, which are accounted the flowers and seeds. The root is rough,
thick and scabby: with a white pith in the middle, which is called the heart
thereof.
Place.] It grows on moors, bogs, and watery places, in many parts of this
land.
Time.] It is green all the summer, and the root only abides in winter.
Government and virtues.] Saturn owns the plant. This has all the virtues
mentioned in the former Ferns, and is much more effectual than they, both for
inward and outward griefs, and is accounted singularly good in wounds, bruises,
or the like. The decoction to be drank, or boiled into an ointment of oil, as a
balsam or balm, and so it is singularly good against bruises, and bones broken,
or out of joint, and gives much ease to the cholic and splenetic diseases: as also
for ruptures or burstings. The decoction of the root in white wine, provokes urine
exceedingly, and cleanses the bladder and passages of urine.

FEVERFEW OR FEATHERFEW.

Descript.] COMMON Featherfew has large, fresh, green leaves, much torn or
cut on the edges. The stalks are hard and round, set with many such like leaves,
but smaller, and at the tops stand many single flowers, upon small foot stalks,
consisting of many small white leaves standing round about a yellow thrum in
the middle. The root is somewhat hard and short, with many strong fibres about
it. The scent of the whole plant is very strong, and the taste is very bitter.
Place.] This grows wild in many places of the land, but is for the most part
nourished in gardens.
Time.] It flowers in the months of June and July.
Government and virtues.] Venus commands this herb, and has commended it
to succour her sisters (women) and to be a general strengthener of their wombs,
and remedy such infirmities as a careless midwife hath there caused if they will
but be pleased to make use of her herb boiled in white wine, and drink the
decoction; it cleanses the womb, expels the after-birth, and doth a woman all the
good she can desire of an herb. And if any grumble because they cannot get the
herb in winter, tell them, if they please, they may make a syrup of it in summer;
it is chiefly used for the disease of the mother, whether it be the strangling or
rising of the mother, or hardness, or inflammation of the same, applied
outwardly thereunto. Or a decoction of the flowers in wine, with a little Nutmeg
or Mace put therein, and drank often in a day, is an approved remedy to bring
down women’s courses speedily, and helps to expel the dead birth and after-
birth. For a woman to sit over the hot fumes of the decoction of the herb made in
water or wine, is effectual for the same; and in some cases to apply the boiled
herb warm to the privy parts. The decoction thereof made with some sugar, or
honey put thereto, is used by many with good success to help the cough and
stuffing of the chest, by colds, as also to cleanse the reins and bladder, and helps
to expel the stone in them. The powder of the herb taken in wine, with some
Oxymel, purges both choler and phlegm, and is available for those that are short
winded, and are troubled with melancholy and heaviness, or sadness of spirits. It
is very effectual for all pains in the head coming of a cold cause, the herb being
bruised and applied to the crown of the head: As also for the vertigo, that is a
running or swimming in the head. The decoction thereof drank warm, and the
herb bruised with a few corns of Bay salt, and applied to the wrists before the
coming of the ague fits, doth take them away. The distilled water takes away
freckles, and other spots and deformities in the face. The herb bruised and heated
on a tile, with some wine to moisten it, or fried with a little wine and oil in a
frying-pan, and applied warm outwardly to the places, helps the wind and cholic
in the lower part of the belly. It is an especial remedy against opium taken too
liberally.

FENNEL.
 EVERY garden affords this so plentifully, that it needs no description.
Government and virtues.] One good old fashion is not yet left off, viz. to boil
Fennel with fish; for it consumes that phlegmatic humour, which fish most
plentifully afford and annoy the body with, though few that use it know
wherefore they do it; I suppose the reason of its benefit this way is because it is
an herb of Mercury, and under Virgo, and therefore bears antipathy to Pisces.
Fennel is good to break wind, to provoke urine, and ease the pains of the stone,
and helps to break it. The leaves or seed, boiled in barley water and drank are
good for nurses, to increase their milk, and make it more wholesome for the
child. The leaves, or rather the seeds, boiled in water, stays the hiccough, and
takes away the loathings which oftentimes happen to the stomachs of sick and
feverish persons and allays the heat thereof. The seed boiled in wine and drank,
is good for those that are bitten with serpents, or have eaten poisonous herbs, or
mushrooms. The seed and the roots much more, help to open obstructions of the
liver, spleen, and gall, and thereby help the painful and windy swellings of the
spleen, and the yellow jaundice; as also the gout and cramps. The seed is of good
use in medicines to help shortness of breath and wheezing by stopping of the
lungs. It helps also to bring down the courses, and to cleanse the parts after
delivery. The roots are of most use in physic drinks, and broth that are taken to
cleanse the blood, to open obstructions of the liver, to provoke urine, and amend
the ill colour in the face after sickness, and to cause a good habit through the
body. Both leaves, seeds, and roots thereof are much used in drink or broth, to
make people more lean that are too fat. The distilled water of the whole herb, or
the condensate juice dissolved, but especially the natural juice, that in some
counties issues out hereof of its own accord, dropped into the eyes, cleanses
them from mists and films that hinder the sight. The sweet Fennel is much
weaker in physical uses than the common Fennel. The wild Fennel is stronger
and hotter than the tame, and therefore most powerful against the stone, but not
so effectual to encrease milk, because of its dryness.

SOW-FENNEL, OR HOG’S-FENNEL.

BESIDES the common name in English, Hog’s Fennel, and the Latin name
Peucidanum, is called Hoar-strange, and Hoar-strong, Sulphur-wort, and
Brimstone-wort.
Descript.] The common Sow-Fennel has divers branched stalks of thick and
somewhat long leaves, three for the most part joined together at a place, among
which arises a crested straight stalk, less than Fennel, with some joints thereon,
and leaves growing thereat, and towards the tops some branches issuing from
thence; likewise on the tops of the stalks and branches stand divers tufts of
yellow flowers, whereafter grows somewhat flat, thin, and yellowish seed,
bigger than Fennel seed. The roots grow great and deep, with many other parts
and fibres about them of a strong scent like hot brimstone, and yield forth a
yellowish milk, or clammy juice, almost like a gum.
Place.] It grows plentifully in the salt low marshes near Feversham in Kent.
Time.] It flowers plentifully in July and August.
Government and virtues.] This is also an herb of Mercury. The juice of Sow-
Fennel (saith Dioscorides, and Galen,) used with vinegar and rose water, or the
juice with a little Euphorbium put to the nose, helps those that are troubled with
the lethargy, frenzy, giddiness of the head, the falling sickness, long and
inveterate headaches, the palsy, sciatica, and the cramp, and generally all the
diseases of the sinews, used with oil and vinegar. The juice dissolved in wine, or
put into an egg, is good for a cough, or shortness of breath, and for those that are
troubled with wind in the body. It purges the belly gently, expels the hardness of
the spleen, gives ease to women that have sore travail in child-birth, and eases
the pains of the reins and bladder, and also the womb. A little of the juice
dissolved in wine, and dropped into the ears, eases much of the pains in them,
and put into a hollow tooth, eases the pain thereof. The root is less effectual to
all the aforesaid disorders; yet the powder of the root cleanses foul ulcers, being
put into them, and takes out splinters of broken bones, or other things in the
flesh, and heals them up perfectly: as also, dries up old and inveterate running
sores, and is of admirable virtue in all green wounds.

FIG-WORT, OR THROAT-WORT.

Descript.] COMMON great Fig-wort sends divers great, strong, hard, square
brown stalks, three or four feet high, whereon grow large, hard, and dark green
leaves, two at a joint, harder and larger than Nettle leaves, but not stinking; at the
tops of the stalks stand many purple flowers set in husks, which are sometimes
gaping and open, somewhat like those of Water Betony; after which come hard
round heads, with a small point in the middle, wherein lie small brownish seed.
The root is great, white, and thick, with many branches at it, growing aslope
under the upper crust of the ground, which abides many years, but keeps not his
green leaves in Winter.
 Place.] It grows frequently in moist and shadowy woods, and in the lower
parts of the fields and meadows.
Time.] It flowers about July, and the seed will be ripe about a month after the
flowers are fallen.
Government and virtues.] Some Latin authors call it Cervicaria, because it is
appropriated to the neck; and we Throat-wort, because it is appropriated to the
throat. Venus owns the herb, and the Celestial Bull will not deny it; therefore a
better remedy cannot be for the king’s evil, because the Moon that rules the
disease, is exalted there. The decoction of the herb taken inwardly, and the
bruised herb applied outwardly, dissolves clotted and congealed blood within the
body, coming by any wounds, bruise, or fall; and is no less effectual for the
king’s evil, or any other knobs, kernel, bunches, or wens growing in the flesh
wheresoever; and for the hæmorrhoids, or piles. An ointment made hereof may
be used at all times when the fresh herb is not to be had. The distilled water of
the whole plant, roots and all, is used for the same purposes, and dries up the
superfluous, virulent moisture of hollow and corroding ulcers; it takes away all
redness, spots, and freckles in the face, as also the scurf, and any foul deformity
therein, and the leprosy likewise.
 FILIPENDULA, OR DROP-WORT.

Descript.] THIS sends forth many leaves, some larger, some smaller, set on
each side of a middle rib, and each of them dented about the edges, somewhat
resembling wild Tansy, or rather Agrimony, but harder in handling; among
which rise up one or more stalks, two or three feet high, with the leaves growing
thereon, and sometimes also divided into other branches spreading at the top into
many white, sweet-smelling flowers, consisting of five leaves a-piece, with some
threads in the middle of them, standing together in a pith or umble, each upon a
small foot stalk, which after they have been blown upon a good while, do fall
away, and in their places appear small, round, chaffy heads like buttons, wherein
are the chaffy seeds set and placed. The root consists of many small, black,
tuberous pieces, fastened together by many small, long, blackish strings, which
run from one to another.
Place.] It grows in many places of this land, in the corners of dry fields and
meadows, and the hedge sides.
Time.] They flower in June and July, and their seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Venus. It effectually
opens the passages of the urine, helps the stranguary; the stone in the kidneys or
bladder, the gravel, and all other pains of the bladder and reins, by taking the
roots in powder, or a decoction of them in white wine, with a little honey. The
roots made into powder, and mixed with honey in the form of an electuary, doth
much help them whose stomachs are swollen, dissolving and breaking the wind
which was the cause thereof; and is also very effectual for all the diseases of the
lungs, as shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness of the throat, and the cough;
and to expectorate tough phlegm, or any other parts thereabout.

THE FIG-TREE.

TO give a description of a tree so well known to every body that keep it in his
garden, were needless. They prosper very well in our English gardens, yet are
fitter for medicine than for any other profit which is gotten by the fruit of them.
Government and virtues.] The tree is under the dominion of Jupiter. The milk
that issues out from the leaves or branches where they are broken off, being
dropped upon warts, takes them away. The decoction of the leaves is excellently
good to wash sore heads with: and there is scarcely a better remedy for the
leprosy than it is. It clears the face also of morphew, and the body of white scurf,
scabs, and running sores. If it be dropped into old fretting ulcers, it cleanses out
the moisture, and brings up the flesh; because you cannot have the leaves green
all the year, you may make an ointment of them whilst you can. A decoction of
the leaves being drank inwardly, or rather a syrup made of them, dissolves
congealed blood caused by bruises or falls, and helps the bloody flux. The ashes
of the wood made into an ointment with hog’s grease, helps kibes and chilblains.
The juice being put into an hollow tooth, eases pain: as also pain and noise in the
ears, being dropped into them; and deafness. An ointment made of the juice and
hog’s grease, is an excellent remedy for the bitten of mad dogs, or other
venomous beasts as most are. A syrup made of the leaves, or green fruit, is
excellently good for coughs, hoarseness, or shortness of breath, and all diseases
of the breast and lungs; it is also extremely good for the dropsy and falling
sickness. They say that the Fig Tree, as well as the Bay Tree, is never hurt by
lightning; as also, if you tie a bull, be he ever so mad, to a Fig Tree, he will
quickly become tame and gentle. As for such figs as come from beyond sea, I
have little to say, because I write not of exoticks.

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

Descript.] THIS grows like the Flower-de-luce, but it has much longer and
narrower sad green leaves, joined together in that fashion; the stalk also growing
oftentimes as high, bearing small yellow flowers shaped like the Flower-de-luce,
with three falling leaves, and other three arched that cover their bottoms; but
instead of the three upright leaves, as the Flower-de-luce has, this has only three
short pieces standing in their places, after which succeed thick and long three
square heads, containing in each part somewhat big and flat seed, like those of
the Flower-de-luce. The root is long and slender, of a pale brownish colour on
the outside, and of a horseflesh colour on the inside, with many hard fibres
thereat, and very harsh in taste.
Place.] It usually grows in watery ditches, ponds, lakes, and moor sides,
which are always overflowed with water.
Time.] It flowers in July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of the Moon. The root of
this Water-flag is very astringent, cooling, and drying; and thereby helps all
lasks and fluxes, whether of blood or humours, as bleeding at the mouth, nose, or
other parts, bloody flux, and the immoderate flux of women’s courses. The
distilled water of the whole herb, flowers and roots, is a sovereign good remedy
for watering eyes, both to be dropped into them, and to have cloths or sponges
wetted therein, and applied to the forehead: It also helps the spots and blemishes
that happen in and about the eyes, or in any other parts: The said water fomented
on swellings and hot inflammations of women’s breasts, upon cancers also, and
those spreading ulcers called Noli me tangere, do much good: It helps also foul
ulcers in the privities of man or woman; but an ointment made of the flowers is
better for those external applications.

FLAX-WEED, OR TOAD-FLAX.

Descript.] OUR common Flax-weed has divers stalks full fraught with long
and narrow ash-coloured leaves, and from the middle of them almost upward,
stored with a number of pale yellow flowers, of a strong unpleasant scent, with
deeper yellow mouths, and blackish flat seed in round heads. The root is
somewhat woody and white, especially the main downright one, with many
fibres, abiding many years, shooting forth roots every way round about, and new
branches every year.
Place.] This grows throughout this land, both by the way sides and in
meadows, as also by hedge-sides, and upon the sides of banks, and borders of
fields.
Time.] It flowers in Summer, and the seed is ripe usually before the end of
August.
Government and virtues.] Mars owns the herb: In Sussex we call it Gallwort,
and lay it in our chicken’s water to cure them of the gall; it relieves them when
they are drooping. This is frequently used to spend the abundance of those
watery humours by urine which cause the dropsy. The decoction of the herb,
both leaves and flowers, in wine, taken and drank, doth somewhat move the
belly downwards, opens obstructions of the liver, and helps the yellow jaundice;
expels poison, provokes women’s courses, drives forth the dead child, and after-
birth. The distilled water of the herb and flowers is effectual for all the same
purposes; being drank with a dram of the powder of the seeds of bark or the
roots of Wall-wort, and a little Cinnamon, for certain days together, it is held a
singular remedy for the dropsy. The juice of the herb, or the distilled water,
dropped into the eyes, is a certain remedy for all heat, inflammation, and redness
in them. The juice or water put into foul ulcers, whether they be cancerous or
fistulous, with tents rolled therein, or parts washed and injected therewith,
cleanses them thoroughly from the bottom, and heals them up safely. The same
juice or water also cleanses the skin wonderfully of all sorts of deformity, as
leprosy, morphew, scurf, wheals, pimples, or spots, applied of itself, or used
with some powder of Lupines.

FLEA-WORT.

Descript.] ORDINARY Flea-wort rises up with a stalk two feet high or more,
full of joints and branches on every side up to the top, and at every joint two
small, long and narrow whitish green leaves somewhat hairy. At the top of every
branch stand divers small, short scaly, or chaffy heads out of which come forth
small whitish yellow threads, like to those of the Plantain herbs, which are the
bloomings of flowers. The seed enclosed in these heads is small and shining
while it is fresh, very like unto fleas both for colour and bigness, but turning
black when it grows old. The root is not long, but white, hard and woody,
perishing every year, and rising again of its own seed for divers years, if it be
suffered to shed: The whole plant is somewhat whitish and hairy, smelling
somewhat like rosin.
There is another sort hereof, differing not from the former in the manner of
growing, but only that the stalk and branches being somewhat greater, do a little
more bow down to the ground: The leaves are somewhat greater, the heads
somewhat less, the seed alike; and the root and leaves abide all winter, and
perish not as the former.
Place.] The first grows only in gardens, the second plentifully in fields that
are near the sea.
Time.] They flower in July or thereabouts.
Government and virtues.] The herb is cold, and dry, and saturnine. I suppose
it obtained the name of Flea-wort, because the seeds are so like Fleas. The seeds
fried, and taken, stays the flux or lask of the belly, and the corrosions that come
by reason of hot choleric, or sharp and malignant humours, or by too much
purging of any violent medicine, as Scammony, or the like. The mucilage of the
seed made with Rose-water, and a little sugar-candy put thereto, is very good in
all hot agues and burning fevers, and other inflammations, to cool the thirst, and
lenify the dryness and roughness of the tongue and throat. It helps also
hoarseness of the voice, and diseases of the breast and lungs, caused by heat, or
sharp salt humours, and the pleurisy also. The mucilage of the seed made with
Plantain water, whereunto the yoke of an egg or two, and a little Populeon are
put, is a most safe and sure remedy to ease the sharpness, pricking, and pains of
the hæmorrhoids or piles, if it be laid on a cloth, and bound thereto. It helps all
inflammations in any part of the body, and the pains that come thereby, as the
headache and megrims, and all hot imposthumes, swellings, or breaking out of
the skin, as blains, wheals, pushes, purples, and the like, as also the joints of
those that are out of joint, the pains of the gout and sciatica, the burstings of
young children, and the swellings of the navel, applied with oil of roses and
vinegar. It is also good to heal the nipples and sore breasts of women, being
often applied thereunto. The juice of the herb with a little honey put into the ears
helps the running of them, and the worms breeding in them: The same also
mixed with hog’s grease, and applied to corrupt and filthy ulcers, cleanses them
and heals them.

FLUX-WEED.

Descript.] IT rises up with a round upright hard stalk, four or five feet high,
spread into sundry branches, whereon grow many greyish green leaves, very
finely cut and severed into a number of short and almost round parts. The
flowers are very small and yellow, growing spike fashion, after which come
small long pods, with small yellowish seed in them. The root is long and woody,
perishing every year.
There is another sort, differing in nothing, save only it has somewhat broad
leaves; they have a strong evil saviour, being smelled unto, and are of a drying
taste.
Place.] They flower wild in the fields by hedge-sides and highways, and
among rubbish and other places.
Time.] They flower and seed quickly after, namely in June and July.
Government and virtues.] This herb is saturnine also. Both the herb and seed
of Flux-weed is of excellent use to stay the flux or lask of the belly, being drank
in water wherein gads of steel heated have been often quenched; and is no less
effectual for the same purpose than Plantain or Comfrey, and to restrain any
other flux of blood in man or woman, as also to consoladate bones broken or out
of joint. The juice thereof drank in wine, or the decoction of the herb drank, doth
kill the worms in the stomach or belly, or the worms that grow in putrid and
filthy ulcers, and made into a salve doth quickly heal all old sores, how foul or
malignant soever they be. The distilled water of the herb works the same effect,
although somewhat weaker, yet it is a fair medicine, and more acceptable to be
taken. It is called Flux-weed because it cures the flux, and for its uniting broken
bones, &c. Paracelsus extols it to the skies. It is fitting that syrup, ointment, and
plaisters of it were kept in your house.

FLOWER-DE-LUCE.

IT is so well known, being nourished up in most gardens, that I shall not need
to spent time in writing a description thereof.
Time.] The flaggy kinds thereof have the most physical uses; the dwarf kinds
thereof flowers in April, the greater sorts in May.
Government and virtues.] The herb is Luner. The juice or decoction of the
green root of the flaggy kind of Flower-de-luce, with a little honey drank, doth
purge and cleanse the stomach of gross and tough phlegm, and choler therein; it
helps the jaundice and the dropsy, evacuating those humours both upwards and
downwards; and because it somewhat hurts the stomach, is not to be taken
without honey and spikenard. The same being drank, doth ease the pains and
torments of the belly and sides, the shaking of agues, the diseases of the liver
and spleen, the worms of the belly, the stone in the reins, convulsions and
cramps that come of old humours; it also helps those whose seed passes from
them unawares: It is a remedy against the bitings and stingings of venomous
creatures, being boiled in water and vinegar and drank. Boiled in water and
drank, it provokes urine, helps the cholic, brings down women’s courses; and
made up into a pessary with honey, and put up into the body, draws forth the
dead child. It is much commended against the cough, to expectorate rough
phlegm. It much eases pains in the head, and procures sleep; being put into the
nostrils it procures sneezing, and thereby purges the head of phlegm. The juice
of the root applied to the piles or hæmorrhoids, gives much ease. The decoction
of the roots gargled in the mouth, eases the toothache, and helps the stinking
breath. Oil called Oleum Irinum, if it be rightly made of the great broad flag
Flower-de-luce and not of the great bulbous blue Flower-de-luce, (as is used by
some apothecaries) and roots of the same, of the flaggy kinds, is very effectual to
warm and comfort all cold joints and sinews, as also the gout and sciatica, and
mollifies, dissolves and consumes tumours and swellings in any part of the body,
as also of the matrix; it helps the cramp, or convulsions of the sinews. The head
and temples anointed therewith, helps the catarrh or thin rheum distilled from
thence; and used upon the breast or stomach, helps to extenuate the cold tough
phlegm; it helps also the pains and noise in the ears, and the stench of the
nostrils. The root itself, either green or in powder, helps to cleanse, heal, and
incarnate wounds, and to cover the naked bones with flesh again, that ulcers
have made bare; and is also very good to cleanse and heal up fistulas and
cankers that are hard to be cured.

FLUELLIN, OR LLUELLIN.

Descript.] IT shoots forth many long branches partly lying upon the ground,
and partly standing upright, set with almost red leaves, yet a little pointed, and
sometimes more long than round, without order thereon, somewhat hairy, and of
an evil greenish white colour; at the joints all along the stalks, and with the
leaves come forth small flowers, one at a place, upon a very small short foot-
stalk, gaping somewhat like Snap-dragons, or rather like Toad-flax, with the
upper jaw of a yellow colour, and the lower of a purplish, with a small heel or
spur behind; after which come forth small round heads, containing small black
seed. The root is small and thready, dying every year, and rises itself again of its
own sowing.
There is another sort of Lluellin which has longer branches wholly trailing
upon the ground, two or three feet long, and somewhat more thin, set with leaves
thereon, upon small foot-stalks. The leaves are a little larger, and somewhat
round, and cornered sometimes in some places on the edges; but the lower part
of them being the broadest, hath on each side a small point, making it seem as if
they were ears, sometimes hairy, but not hoary, and of a better green colour than
the former. The flowers come forth like the former, but the colours therein are
more white than yellow, and the purple not so far. It is a large flower, and so are
the seed and seed-vessels. The root is like the other, and perishes every year.
Place.] They grow in divers corn fields, and in borders about them, and in
other fertile grounds about Southfleet in Kent abundantly; at Buchrite,
Hamerton, and Rickmanworth in Huntingdonshire, and in divers other places.
Time.] They are in flower about June and July, and the whole plant is dry and
withered before August be done.
Government and virtues.] It is a Lunar herb. The leaves bruised and applied
with barley meal to watering eyes that are hot and inflamed by defluxions from
the head, do very much help them, as also the fluxes of blood or humours, as the
lask, bloody flux, women’s courses, and stays all manner of bleeding at the nose,
mouth, or any other place, or that comes by any bruise or hurt, or bursting a
vein; it wonderfully helps all those inward parts that need consolidating or
strengthening, and is no less effectual both to heal and close green wounds, than
to cleanse and heal all foul or old ulcers, fretting or spreading cankers or the like.
This herb is of a fine cooling, drying quality, and an ointment or plaister of it
might do a man a courtesy that hath any hot virulent sores: ’Tis admirable for the
ulcers of the French pox; if taken inwardly, may cure the desease.

FOX-GLOVE.

Descript.] IT has many long and broad leaves lying upon the ground dented
upon the edges, a little soft or woolly, and of a hoary green colour, among which
rise up sometimes sundry stalks, but one very often, bearing such leaves thereon
from the bottom to the middle, from whence to the top it is stored with large and
long hollow reddish purple flowers, a little more long and eminent at the lower
edge, with some white spots within them, one above another with small green
leaves at every one, but all of them turning their heads one way, and hanging
downwards, having some threads also in the middle, from whence rise round
heads, pointed sharp at the ends, wherein small brown seed lies. The roots are so
many small fibres, and some greater strings among them; the flowers have no
scent, but the leaves have a bitter hot taste.
Place.] It grows on dry sandy ground for the most part, and as well on the
higher as the lower places under hedge-sides in almost every county of this land.
Time.] It seldom flowers before July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] The plant is under the dominion of Venus, being of
a gentle cleansing nature, and withal very friendly to nature. The herb is
familiarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green wound,
the leaves being but bruised and bound thereon; and the juice thereof is also used
in old sores, to cleanse, dry, and heal them. The decoction hereof made up with
some sugar or honey, is available to cleanse and purge the body both upwards
and downwards, sometimes of tough phlegm and clammy humours, and to open
obstructions of the liver and spleen. It has been found by experience to be
available for the king’s evil, the herb bruised and applied, or an ointment made
with the juice thereof, and so used; and a decoction of two handfuls thereof, with
four ounces of Polipody in ale, has been found by late experience to cure divers
of the falling sickness, that have been troubled with it above twenty years. I am
confident that an ointment of it is one of the best remedies for scabby head that
is.

FUMITORY.

Descript.] OUR common Fumitory is a tender sappy herb, sends forth from
one square, a slender weak stalk, and leaning downwards on all sides, many
branches two or three feet long, with finely cut and jagged leaves of a whitish or
rather blueish sea green colour; At the tops of the branches stand many small
flowers, as it were in a long spike one above another, made like little birds, of a
reddish purple colour, whith whitish bellies, after which come small round
husks, containing small black seeds. The root is yellow, small, and not very long,
full of juice while it is green, but quickly perishes with the ripe seed. In the corn
fields in Cornwall, it bears white flowers.
Place.] It grows in corn fields almost every where, as well as in gardens.
Time.] It flowers in May, for the most part, and the seed ripens shortly after.
Government and virtues.] Saturn owns the herb, and presents it to the world
as a cure for his own disease, and a strengthener of the parts of the body he rules.
If by my astrological judgment of diseases, from the decumbiture, you find
Saturn author of the disease, or if by direction from a nativity you fear a
saturnine disease approaching, you may by this herb prevent it in the one, and
cure it in the other, and therefore it is fit you keep a syrup of it always by you.
The juice or syrup made thereof, or the decoction made in whey by itself, with
some other purging or opening herbs and roots to cause it to work the better
(itself being but weak) is very effectual for the liver and spleen, opening the
obstructions thereof, and clarifying the blood from saltish, choleric, and adust
humours, which cause leprosy, scabs, tetters, and itches, and such like breakings-
out of the skin, and after the purgings doth strengthen all the inwards parts. It is
also good against the yellow-jaundice, and spends it by urine, which it procures
in abundance. The powder of the dried herb given for some time together, cures
melancholy, but the seed is strongest in operation for all the former diseases. The
distilled water of the herb is also of good effect in the former diseases, and
conduces much against the plague and pestilence, being taken with good treacle.
The distilled water also, with a little water and honey of roses, helps all sores of
the mouth or throat, being gargled often therewith. The juice dropped into the
eyes, clears the sight and takes away redness and other defects in them, although
it procure some pain for the present, and cause tears. Dioscorides saith it hinders
any fresh springing of hairs on the eye-lids (after they are pulled away) if the
eye-lids be anointed with the juice hereof, with Gum Arabic dissolved therein.
The juice of the Fumitory and Docks mingled with vinegar, and the places gently
washed therewith, cures all sorts of scabs, pimples, blotches, wheals, and pushes
which arise on the face or hands or any other parts of the body.

THE FURZE BUSH.

IT is as well known by this name, as it is in some counties by the name of

Gorz or Whins, that I shall not need to write any description thereof, my intent
being to teach my countrymen what they know not, rather than to tell them again
of that which is generally known before.
Place.] They are known to grow on dry barren heaths, and other waste,
gravelly or sandy grounds, in all counties of this land.
Time.] They also flower in the Summer months.
Government and virtues.] Mars owns the herb. They are hot and dry, and
open obstructions of the liver and spleen. A decoction made with the flowers
thereof hath been found effectual against the jaundice, as also to provoke urine,
and cleanse the kidneys from gravel or stone ingendered in them. Mars doth also
this by sympathy.

GARLICK.
THE offensiveness of the breath of him that hath eaten Garlick, will lead you
by the nose to the knowledge hereof, and (instead of a description) direct you to
the place where it grows in gardens, which kinds are the best, and most physical.
Government and virtues.] Mars owns this herb. This was anciently accounted
the poor man’s treacle, it being a remedy for all diseases and hurts (except those
which itself breed.) It provokes urine, and women’s courses, helps the biting of
mad dogs and other venomous creatures, kills worms in children, cuts and voids
tough phlegm, purges the head, helps the lethargy, is a good preservative against,
and a remedy for any plague, sore, or foul ulcers; takes away spots and
blemishes in the skin, eases pains in the ears, ripens and breaks imposthumes, or
other swellings. And for all those diseases the onions are as effectual. But the
Garlick hath some more peculier virtues besides the former, viz. it hath a special
quality to discuss inconveniences coming by corrupt agues or mineral vapours;
or by drinking corrupt and stinking waters; as also by taking wolf-bane, henbane,
hemlock, or other poisonous and dangerous herbs. It is also held good in
hydropick diseases, the jaundice, falling sickness, cramps, convulsions, the piles
or hæmorrhoids, or other cold diseases. Many authors quote many diseases this
is good for; but conceal its vices. Its heat is very vehement, and all vehement hot
things send up but ill-favoured vapours to the brain. In coleric men it will add
fuel to the fire; in men oppressed by melancholy, it will attenuate the humour,
and send up strong fancies, and as many strange visions to the head; therefore let
it be taken inwardly with great moderation; outwardly you may make more bold
with it.

GENTIAN, FELWORT, OR BALDMONY.

IT is confessed that Gentian, which is most used amongst us, is brought over
from beyond sea, yet we have two sorts of it growing frequently in our nation,
which, besides the reasons so frequently alledged why English herbs should be
fittest for English bodies, has been proved by the experience of divers
physicians, to be not a wit inferior in virtue to that which comes from beyond
sea, therefore be pleased to take the description of them as follows.
Descript.] The greater of the two hath many small long roots thrust down
deep into the ground, and abiding all the Winter. The stalks are sometimes more,
sometimes fewer, of a brownish green colour, which is sometimes two feet high,
if the ground be fruitful, having many long, narrow, dark green leaves, set by
couples up to the top; the flowers are long and hollow, of a purple colour, ending
in fine corners. The smaller sort which is to be found in our land, grows up with
sundry stalks, not a foot high, parted into several small branches, whereon grow
divers small leaves together, very like those of the lesser Centaury, of a whitish
green colour; on the tops of these stalks grow divers perfect blue flowers,
standing in long husks, but not so big as the other; the root is very small, and full
of threads.
Place.] The first grows in divers places of both the East and West counties,
and as well in wet as in dry grounds; as near Longfield, by Gravesend, near
Cobham in Kent, near Lillinstone in Kent, also in a chalk pit hard by a paper-
mill not far from Dartford in Kent. The second grows also in divers places in
Kent, as about Southfleet, and Longfield; upon Barton’s hills in Bedfordshire;
also not far from St. Albans, upon a piece of waste chalky ground, as you go out
by Dunstable way towards Gorhambury.
Time.] They flower in August.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of Mars, and one of
the principal herbs he is ruler of. They resist putrefactions, poison, and a more
sure remedy cannot be found to prevent the pestilence than it is; it strengthens
the stomach exceedingly, helps digestion, comforts the heart, and preserves it
against faintings and swoonings: The powder of the dry roots helps the biting of
mad dogs and venomous beasts, opens obstructions of the liver, and restores an
appetite for their meat to such as have lost it. The herb steeped in wine, and the
wine drank, refreshes such as be over-weary with traveling, and grow lame in
their joints, either by cold or evil lodgings; it helps stitches, and griping pains in
the sides; is an excellent remedy for such as are bruised by falls; it provokes
urine and the terms exceedingly, therefore let it not be given to women with
child: The same is very profitable for such as are troubled with cramps and
convulsions, to drink the decoction: Also they say it breaks the stone, and helps
ruptures most certainly: it is excellent in all cold diseases, and such as are
troubled with tough phlegm, scabs, itch, or any fretting sores and ulcers; it is an
admirable remedy to kill the worms, by taking half a dram of the powder in a
morning in any convenient liquor; the same is excellently good to be taken
inwardly for the king’s evil. It helps agues of all sorts, and the yellow jaundice,
as also the bots in cattle; when kine are bitten on the udder by any venomous
beast, do but stroke the place with the decoction of any of these, and it will
instantly heal them.

CLOVE GILLIFLOWERS.

IT is vain to describe an herb so well known.

Government and virtues.] They are gallant, fine, temperate flowers, of the
nature and under the dominion of Jupiter; yea, so temperate, that no excess,
neither in heat, cold, dryness, nor moisture, can be perceived in them; they are
great strengtheners both of the brain and heart, and will therefore serve either for
cordials or cephalics, as your occasion will serve. There is both a syrup and a
conserve made of them alone, commonly to be had at every apothecary’s. To
take now and then a little of either, strengthens nature much, in such as are in
consumptions. They are also excellently good in hot pestilent fevers, and expel
poison.

GERMANDER.
 GERMANDER.

Descript.] COMMON Germander shoots forth sundry stalks, with small and
somewhat round leaves, dented about the edges. The flowers stand at the tops of
a deep purple colour. The root is composed of divers sprigs, which shoots forth a
great way round about, quickly overspreading a garden.
Place.] It grows usually with us in gardens.
Time.] And flowers in June and July.
Government and virtues.] It is a most prevalent herb of Mercury, and
strengthens the brain and apprehension exceedingly when weak, and relieves
them when drooping. This taken with honey (saith Dioscorides) is a remedy for
coughs, hardness of the spleen and difficulty of urine, and helps those that are
fallen into a dropsy, especially at the beginning of the disease, a decoction being
made thereof when it is green, and drank. It also brings down women’s courses,
and expels the dead child. It is most effectual against the poison of all serpents,
being drank in wine, and the bruised herb outwardly applied; used with honey, it
cleanses old and foul ulcers; and made into an oil, and the eyes anointed
therewith, takes away the dimness and moistness. It is likewise good for the
pains in the sides and cramps. The decoction thereof taken for four days
together, drives away and cures both tertain and quartan agues. It is also good
against all diseases of the brain, as continual headache, falling-sickness,
melancholy, drowsiness and dullness of the spirits, convulsions and palsies. A
dram of the seed taken in powder purges by urine, and is good against the yellow
jaundice. The juice of the leaves dropped into the ears kills the worms in them.
The tops thereof, when they are in flowers, steeped twenty-four hours in a
draught of white wine, and drank, kills the worms in the belly.

STINKING GLADWIN.

Descript.] THIS is one of the kinds of Flower-de-luce, having divers leaves

arising from the roots, very like a Flower-de-luce, but that they are sharp-edged
on both sides, and thicker in the middle, of a deeper green colour narrower and
sharper pointed, and a strong ill-scent, if they be bruised between the fingers. In
the middle rises up a reasonably strong stalk, a yard high at least, bearing three
or four flowers at the top, made somewhat like the flowers of the Flower-de-
luce, with three upright leaves, of a dead purplish ash-colour, with some veins
discoloured in them; the other three do not fall down, nor are the three other
small ones so arched, nor cover the lower leaves as the Flower-de-luce doth, but
stand loose or asunder from them. After they are past, there come up three
square hard husks, opening wide into three parts when they are ripe, wherein lie
reddish seed, turns black when it hath abiden long. The root is like that of the
Flower-de-luce, but reddish on the outside, and whitish within, very sharp and
hot in the taste, of as evil a scent as the leaves.
Place.] This grows as well in upland grounds, as in moist places, woods, and
shadowy places by the sea-side in many places of this land, and is usually nursed
up in gardens.
Time.] It flowers not until July, and the seed is ripe in August or September,
yet the husks after they are ripe, opening themselves, will hold their seed with
them for two or three months, and not shed them.
Government and virtues.] It is supposed to be under the dominion of Saturn.
It is used by many country people to purge corrupt phlegm and choler, which
they do by drinking the decoction of the roots; and some to make it more gentle,
do but infuse the sliced roots in ale; and some take the leaves, which serve well
for the weaker stomach: The juice hereof put up, or snuffed up the nose, causes
sneezing, and draws from the head much corruption; and the powder thereof
doth the same. The powder thereof drank in wine, helps those that are troubled
with the cramps and convulsions, or with the gout and sciatica, and gives ease to
those that have griping pains in their body and belly, and helps those that have
the stranguary. It is given with much profit to those that have had long fluxes by
the sharp and evil quality of humours, which it stays, having first cleansed and
purged them by the drying and binding property therein. The root boiled in wine
and drank, doth effectually procure women’s courses, and used as a pessary,
works the same effect, but causes abortion in women with child. Half a dram of
the seed beaten to powder, and taken in wine, doth speedily cause one to make
water abundantly. The same taken with vinegar, dissolves the hardness and
swellings of the spleen. The root is very effectual in all wounds, especially of the
head; as also to draw forth any splinters, thorns, or broken bones, or any other
thing sticking in the flesh, without causing pains, being used with a little
verdigrease and honey, and the great Centaury root. The same boiled in vinegar,
and laid upon an eruption or swelling, doth very effectually dissolve and
consume them; yea, even the swellings of the throat called the king’s evil; the
juice of the leaves or roots heals the itch, and all running or spreading scabs,
sores, blemishes, or scars in the skin, wheresoever they be.
 GOLDEN ROD.

Descript.] THIS rises up with brownish small round stalks, two feet high, and
sometimes more, having thereon many narrow and long dark green leaves, very
seldom with any dents about the edges, or any stalks or white spots therein, yet
they are sometimes so found divided at the tops into many small branches, with
divers small yellow flowers on every one of them, all which are turned one way,
and being ripe, do turn into down, and are carried away by the wind. The root
consists of many small fibres, which grows not deep in the ground, but abides all
the winter therein, shooting forth new branches every year, the old one lying
down to the ground.
Place.] It grows in the open places of woods and copses, on both moist and
dry grounds, in many places of this land.
Time.] It flowers about the month of July.
Government and virtues.] Venus claims the herb, and therefore to be sure it
respects beauty lost. Arnoldus de Villa Nova commends it much against the
stone in the reins and kidneys, and to provoke urine in abundance, whereby also
the gravel and stone may be voided. The decoction of the herb, green or dry, or
the distilled water thereof, is very effectual for inward bruises, as also to be
outwardly applied, it stays bleeding in any part of the body, and of wounds; also
the fluxes of humours, the bloody-flux, and women’s courses; and is no less
prevalent in all ruptures or burstings, being drank inwardly, and outwardly
applied. It is a sovereign wound herb, inferior to none, both for the inward and
outward hurts; green wounds, old sores and ulcers, are quickly cured therewith.
It also is of especial use in all lotions for sores or ulcers in the mouth, throat, or
privy parts of man or woman. The decoction also helps to fasten the teeth that
are loose in the gums.

GOUT-WORT, OR HERB GERRARD.

Descript.] IT is a low herb, seldom rising half a yard high, having sundry
leaves standing on brownish green stalks by three, snipped about, and of a strong
unpleasant savour: The umbels of the flowers are white, and the seed blackish,
the root runs in the ground, quickly taking a great deal of room.
Place.] It grows by hedge and wall-sides, and often in the border and corner
of fields, and in gardens also.
 Time.] It flowers and seeds about the end of July.
Government and virtues.] Saturn rules it. Neither is it to be supposed Gout-
wort hath its name for nothing but upon experiment to heal the gout and sciatica;
as also joint-aches, and other cold griefs. The very bearing of it about one eases
the pains of the gout, and defends him that bears it from the disease.

GROMEL.

OF this I shall briefly describe their kinds, which are principally used in
physic, the virtues whereof are alike, though somewhat different in their manner
and form of growing.
Descript.] The greater Gromel grows up with slender hard and hairy stalks,
trailing and taking root in the ground, as it lies thereon, and parted into many
other small branches with hairy dark green leaves thereon. At the joints, with the
leaves, come forth very small blue flowers, and after them hard stony roundish
seed. The root is long and woody, abiding the Winter, and shoots forth fresh
stalks in the spring.
The smaller wild Gromel sends forth divers upright hard branched stalks, two
or three feet high full of joints, at every one of which grow small, long, hard, and
rough leaves like the former, but less; among which leaves come forth small
white flowers, and after them greyish round seed like the former; the root is not
very big, but with many strings thereat.
The garden Gromel as divers upright, slender, woody, hairy stalks, blown and
cressed, very little branched, with leaves like the former, and white flowers; after
which, in rough brown husks, is contained a white, hard, round seed, shining like
pearls, and greater than either the former; the root is like the first described, with
divers branches and sprigs thereat, which continues (as the first doth) all the
Winter.
Place.] The two first grow wild in barren or untilled places, and by the way
side in many places of this land. The last is a nursling in the gardens of the
curious.
Time.] They all flower from Midsummer until September sometimes, and in
the mean time the seed ripens.
Government and virtues.] The herb belongs to Dame Venus; and therefore if
Mars cause the cholic or stone, as usually he doth, if in Virgo, this is your cure.
These are accounted to be of as singular force as any herb or seed whatsoever, to
break the stone and to void it, and the gravel either in the reins or bladder, as
also to provoke urine being stopped, and to help stranguary. The seed is of
greatest use, being bruised and boiled in white wine or in broth, or the like, or
the powder of the seed taken therein. Two drams of the seed in powder taken
with women’s breast milk, is very effectual to procure a very speedy delivery to
such women as have sore pains in their travail, and cannot be delivered: The
herb itself, (when the seed is not to be had) either boiled, or the juice thereof
drank, is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, but not so powerful or speedy in
operation.

GOOSEBERRY BUSH.

CALLED also Feapberry, and in Sussex Dewberry-Bush, and in some Counties

Wineberry.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of Venus. The
berries, while they are unripe, being scalded or baked, are good to stir up a
fainting or decayed appetite, especially such whose stomachs are afflicted by
choleric humours: They are excellently good to stay longings of women with
child. You may keep them preserved with sugar all the year long. The decoction
of the leaves of the tree cools hot dwellings and inflammations; as also St.
Anthony’s fire. The ripe Gooseberries being eaten, are an excellent remedy to
allay the violent heat both of the stomach and liver. The young and tender leaves
break the stone, and expel gravel both from the kidneys and bladder. All the evil
they do to the body of man is, they are supposed to breed crudities, and by
crudities, worms.

WINTER-GREEN.

Descript.] THIS sends forth seven, eight, or nine leaves from a small brown
creeping root, every one standing upon a long foot stalk, which are almost as
broad as long, round pointed, of a sad green colour, and hard in handling, and
like the leaf of a Pear-tree; from whence arises a slender weak stalk, yet standing
upright, bearing at the top many small white sweet-smelling flowers, laid open
like a star, consisting of five round pointed leaves, with many yellow threads
standing in the middle about a green head, and a long stalk with them, which in
time grows to be the seed-vessel, which being ripe is found five square, with a
small point at it, wherein is contained seed as small as dust.
Place.] It grows seldom in fields, but frequent in the woods northwards, viz.
in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Scotland.
Time.] It flowers about June and July.
Government and virtues.] Winter-green is under the dominion of Saturn, and
is a singularly good wound herb, and an especial remedy for healing green
wounds speedily, the green leaves being bruised and applied, or the juice of
them. A salve made of the green herb stamped, or the juice boiled with hog’s
lard, or with salad oil and wax, and some turpentine added to it, is a sovereign
salve, and highly extolled by the Germans, who use it to heal all manner of
wounds and sores. The herb boiled in wine and water, and given to drink to them
that have any inward ulcers in their kidneys, or neck of the bladder, doth
wonderfully help them. It stays all fluxes, as the lask, bloody fluxes, women’s
courses, and bleeding of wounds, and takes away any inflammations rising upon
pains of the heart; it is no less helpful for foul ulcers hard to be cured; as also for
cankers or fistulas. The distilled water of the herb effectually performs the same
things.

GROUNDSEL.

Descript.] OUR common Groundsel has a round green and somewhat

brownish stalk, spreading toward the top into branches, set with long and
somewhat narrow green leaves, cut in on the edges, somewhat like the oak-
leaves, but less, and round at the end. At the tops of the branches stand many
small green heads, out of which grow several small, yellow threads or thumbs,
which are the flowers, and continue many days blown in that manner, before it
pass away into down, and with the seed is carried away in the wind. The root is
small and thready, and soon perishes, and as soon rises again of its own sowing,
so that it may be seen many months in the year both green and in flower, and
seed; for it will spring and seed twice in a year at least, if it be suffered in a
garden.
Place.] They grow almost every where, as well on tops of walls, as at the foot
amongst rubbish and untilled grounds, but especially in gardens.
Time.] It flowers, as was said before, almost every month throughout the
year.
 Government and virtues.] This herb is Venus’s mistress-piece, and is as
gallant and universal a medicine for all diseases coming of heat, in what part of
the body soever they be, as the sun shines upon; it is very safe and friendly to the
body of man: yet causes vomiting if the stomach be afflicted; if not, purging: and
it doth it with more gentleness than can be expected; it is moist, and something
cold withal, thereby causing expulsion, and repressing the heat caused by the
motion of the internal parts in purges and vomits. Lay by our learned receipts;
take so much Sena, so much Scammony, so much Colocynthis, so much infusion
of Crocus Metallorum, &c. this herb alone preserved in a syrup, in a distilled
water, or in an ointment, shall do the deed for you in all hot diseases, and, shall
do it, 1, Safely; 2, Speedily.
The decoction of this herb (saith Dioscorides) made with wine, and drank,
helps the pains of the stomach, proceeding of choler, (which it may well do by a
vomit) as daily experience shews. The juice thereof taken in drink, or the
decoction of it in ale, gently performs the same. It is good against the jaundice
and falling sickness, being taken in wine; as also against difficulty of making
water. It provokes urine, expels gravel in the reins or kidneys; a dram thereof
given in oxymel, after some walking or stirring of the body. It helps also the
sciatica, griping of the belly, the cholic, defects of the liver, and provokes
women’s courses. The fresh herb boiled and made into a poultice, applied to the
breasts of women that are swollen with pain and heat, as also the privy parts of
man or woman, the seat or fundament, or the arteries, joints, and sinews, when
they are inflamed and swollen, doth much ease them; and used with some salt,
helps to dissolve knots or kernels in any part of the body. The juice of the herb,
or as (Dioscorides saith) the leaves and flowers, with some fine Frankincense in
powder, used in wounds of the body, nerves or sinews, doth singularly help to
heal them. The distilled water of the herb performs well all the aforesaid cures,
but especially for inflammations or watering of the eyes, by reason of the
defluxion of rheum unto them.

HEART’S-EASE.

THIS is that herb which such physicians as are licensed to blaspheme by

authority, without danger of having their tongues burned through with an hot
iron, called an herb of the Trinity. It is also called by those that are more
moderate, Three Faces in a Hood, Live in Idleness, Cull me to you; and in
Sussex we call them Pancies.
 Place.] Besides those which are brought up in gardens, they grow commonly
wild in the fields, especially in such as are very barren: sometimes you may find
it on the tops of the high hills.
Time.] They flower all the Spring and Summer long.
Government and virtues.] The herb is really saturnine, something cold,
viscous, and slimy. A strong decoction of the herbs and flowers (if you will, you
may make it into syrup) is an excellent cure for the French pox, the herb being a
gallant antivenereal: and that antivenereals are the best cure for that disease, far
better and safer than to torment them with the flux, divers foreign physicians
have confessed. The spirit of it is excellently good for the convulsions in
children, as also for the falling sickness, and a gallant remedy for the
inflammation of the lungs and breasts, pleurisy, scabs, itch, &c. It is under the
celestial sign Cancer.

ARTICHOKES.

THE Latins call them Cinera, only our college calls them Artichocus.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of Venus, and
therefore it is no marvel if they provoke lust, as indeed they do, being somewhat
windy meat; and yet they stay the involuntary course of natural seed in man,
which is commonly called nocturnal pollutions. And here I care not greatly if I
quote a little of Galen’s nonsense in his treatise of the faculties of nourishment.
He saith, they contain plenty of choleric juice, (which notwithstanding I can
scarcely believe,) of which he saith is engendered melancholy juice, and of that
melancholy juice thin choleric blood. But, to proceed; this is certain, that the
decoction of the root boiled in wine, or the root bruised and distilled in wine in
an alembic, and being drank, purges by urine exceedingly.

HART’S-TONGUE.

Descript.] THIS has divers leaves arising from the root, every one severally,
which fold themselves 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 streaked on the back, athwart on both sides of the middle rib,
with small and somewhat long and brownish marks; the bottoms of the leaves
are a little bowed on each side of the middle rib, somewhat small at the end. The
root is of many black threads, folded or interlaced together.
Time.] It is green all the Winter; but new leaves spring every year.
Government and virtues.] Jupiter claims dominion over this herb, therefore it
is a singular remedy for the liver, both to strengthen it when weak, and ease it
when afflicted, you shall do well to keep it in a syrup all the year; For though
authors say it is green all the year, I scarcely believe it. Hart’s Tongue is much
commended against the hardness and stoppings of the spleen and liver, and
against the heat of the liver and stomach, and against lasks, and the bloody-flux.
The distilled water thereof is also very good against the passions of the heart,
and to stay the hiccough, to help the falling of the palate, and to stay the bleeding
of the gums, being gargled in the mouth. Dioscorides saith, it is good against the
stinging or biting of serpents. As for the use of it, my direction at the latter end
will be sufficient, and enough for those that are studious in physic, to whet their
brains upon for one year or two.

HAZEL-NUT.

HAZEL Nuts are so well known to every body, that they need no description.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of Mercury. The
parted kernels made into an electuary, or the milk drawn from the kernels with
mead or honeyed water, is very good to help an old cough; and being parched,
and a little pepper put to them and drank, digests the distillations of rheum from
the head. The dried husks and shells, to the weight of two drams, taken in red
wine, stays lasks and women’s courses, and so doth the red skin that covers the
kernels, which is more effectual to stay women’s courses.
And if this be true, as it is, then why should the vulgar so familiarly affirm,
that eating nuts causes shortness of breath, than which nothing is falser? For,
how can that which strengthens the lungs, cause shortness of breath? I confess,
the opinion is far older than I am; I knew tradition was a friend to error before,
but never that he was the father of slander; Or are men’s tongues so given to
slander one another, that they must slander Nuts too, to keep their tongues in
use? If any part of the Hazel Nut be stopping, it is the husks and shells, and no
one is so mad as to eat them unless physically; and the red skin which covers the
kernel, you may easily pull off And so thus have I made an apology for Nuts,
which cannot speak for themselves.

HAWK-WEED.
 HAWK-WEED.

THERE are several sorts of Hawk-weed, but they are similar in virtues.
Descript.] It has many large leaves lying upon the ground, much rent or torn
on the sides into gashes like Dandelion, but with greater parts, more like the
smooth Sow Thistle, from among which rises a hollow, rough stalk, two or three
feet high, branched from the middle upward, whereon are set at every joint
longer leaves, little or nothing rent or cut, bearing on them sundry pale, yellow
flowers, consisting of many small, narrow leaves, broad pointed, and nicked in at
the ends, set in a double row or more, the outermost being larger than the inner,
which form most of the Hawk-weeds (for there are many kinds of them) do hold,
which turn into down, and with the small brownish seed is blown away with the
wind. The root is long and somewhat great, with many small fibres thereat. The
whole plant is full of bitter-milk.
Place.] It grows in divers places about the field sides, and the path-ways in
dry grounds.
Time.] It flowers and flies away in the Summer months.
Government and virtues.] Saturn owns it. Hawk-weed (saith Dioscorides) is
cooling, somewhat drying and binding, and therefore good for the heat of the
stomach, and gnawings therein; for inflammations and the hot fits of agues. The
juice thereof in wine, helps digestion, discusses wind, hinders crudities abiding
in the stomach, and helps the difficulty of making water, the biting of venomous
serpents, and stinging of the scorpion, if the herb be also outwardly applied to
the place, and is very good against all other poisons. A scruple of the dried root
given in wine and vinegar, is profitable for those that have the dropsy. The
decoction of the herb taken in honey, digests the phlegm in the chest or lungs,
and with Hyssop helps the cough. The decoction thereof, and of wild Succory,
made with wine, and taken, helps the wind cholic and hardness of the spleen; it
procures rest and sleep, hinders venery and venerous dreams, cooling heats,
purges the stomach, increases blood, and helps the diseases of the reins and
bladder. Outwardly applied, it is singularly good for all the defects and diseases
of the eyes, used with some women’s milk; and used with good success in
fretting or creeping ulcers, especially in the beginning. The green leaves bruised,
and with a little salt applied to any place burnt with fire, before blisters do rise,
helps them; as also inflammations, St. Anthony’s fire, and all pushes and
eruptions, hot and salt phlegm. The same applied with meal and fair water in
manner of a poultice, to any place affected with convulsions, the cramp, and
such as are out of joint, doth give help and ease. The distilled water cleanses the
skin, and takes away freckles, spots, morphew, or wrinkles in the face.

HAWTHORN.

IT is not my intention to trouble you with a description of this tree, which is

so well known that it needs none. It is ordinarily but a hedge bush, although
being pruned and dressed, it grows to a tree of a reasonable height.
As for the Hawthorn Tree at Glastonbury, which is said to flower yearly on
Christmas-day, it rather shews the superstition of those that observe it for the
time of its flowering, than any great wonder, since the like may be found in
divers other places of this land; as in Whey-street in Romney Marsh, and near
unto Nantwich in Cheshire, by a place called White Green, where it flowers
about Christmas and May. If the weather be frosty, it flowers not until January,
or that the hard weather be over.
Government and virtues.] It is a tree of Mars. The seeds in the berries beaten
to powder being drank in wine, are held singularly good against the stone, and
are good for the dropsy. The distilled water of the flowers stay the lask. The seed
cleared from the down, bruised and boiled in wine, and drank, is good for inward
tormenting pains. If cloths or sponges be wet in the distilled water, and applied
to any place wherein thorns and splinters, or the like, do abide in the flesh, it will
notably draw them forth.
And thus you see the thorn gives a medicine for its own pricking, and so doth
almost every thing else.

HEMLOCK.

Descript.] THE common great Hemlock grows up with a green stalk, four or
five feet high, or more, full of red spots sometimes, and at the joints very large
winged leaves set at them, which are divided into many other winged leaves, one
set against the other, dented about the edges, of a sad green colour, branched
towards the top, where it is full of umbels of white flowers, and afterwards with
whitish flat seed: The root is long, white, and sometimes crooked, and hollow
within. The whole plant, and every part, has a strong, heady, and ill-savoured
scent, much offending the senses.
 Place.] It grows in all counties of this land, by walls and hedge-sides, in
waste grounds and untilled places.
Time.] It flowers and seeds in July, or thereabouts.
Government and virtues.] Saturn claims dominion over this herb, yet I
wonder why it may not be applied to the privities in a Priapism, or continual
standing of the yard, it being very beneficial to that disease; I suppose, my
author’s judgment was first upon the opposite disposition of Saturn to Venus in
those faculties, and therefore he forbade the applying of it to those parts, that it
might not cause barrenness, or spoil the spirit procreative; which if it do, yet
applied to the privities, it stops its lustful thoughts. Hemlock is exceedingly cold,
and very dangerous, especially to be taken inwardly. It may safely be applied to
inflammations, tumours, and swellings in any part of the body (save the privy
parts) as also to St. Anthony’s fire, wheals, pushes, and creeping ulcers that arise
of hot sharp humours, by cooling and repelling the heat; the leaves bruised and
laid to the brow or forehead are 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 small handful of this herb, and half so much bay salt, beaten together, and
applied to the contrary wrist of the hand, for 24 hours, doth remove it in thrice
dressing. If the root thereof be roasted under the embers, wrapped in double wet
paper, 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 through mistake eat the herb
Hemlock instead of Parsley, or the roots instead of a Parsnip (both of which it is
very like) whereby happens a kind of frenzy, or perturbation of the senses, as if
they were stupid and drunk, the remedy is (as Pliny saith) to drink of the best
and strongest pure wine, before it strikes to the heart, or Gentian put in wine, or
a draught of vinegar, wherewith Tragus doth affirm, that he cured a woman that
had eaten the root.

HEMP.

THIS is so well known to every good housewife in the country, that I shall not
need to write any description of it.
Time.] It is sown in the very end of March, or beginning of April, and is ripe
in August or September.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant of Saturn, and good for something else,
you see, than to make halters only. The seed of Hemp consumes wind, and by
too much use thereof disperses it so much that it dries up the natural seed for
procreation; yet, being boiled in milk and taken, helps 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 beginning of the
disease, if there be no ague accompanying it, for it opens obstructions of the gall,
and causes digestion of choler. The emulsion or decoction of the seed stays lasks
and continual fluxes, eases the cholic, and allays the troublesome humours in the
bowels, and stays bleeding at the mouth, nose, or other places, some of the
leaves being fried with the blood of them that bleed, and so given them to eat. It
is held very good to kill the worms in men or beasts; and the juice dropped into
the ears kills worms in them; and draws forth earwigs, or other living creatures
gotten into them. The decoction of the root allays inflammations of the head, or
any other parts: the herb itself, or the distilled water thereof doth the like. The
decoction of the root eases the pains of the gout, the hard humours of knots in
the joints, the pains and shrinking of the sinews, and the pains of the hips. The
fresh juice mixed with a little oil and butter, is good for any place that hath been
burnt with fire, being thereto applied.

HENBANE.

Descript.] OUR common Henbane has very large, thick, soft, woolly leaves,
lying on the ground, much cut in, or torn on the edges, of a dark, ill greyish
green colour; among which arise up divers thick and short stalks, two or three
feet high, spread into divers small branches, with lesser leaves on them, and
many hollow flowers, scarce appearing above the husk, and usually torn on one
side, ending in five round points, growing one above another, of a deadish
yellowish colour, somewhat paler towards the edges, with many purplish veins
therein, and of a dark, yellowish purple in the bottom of the flower, with a small
point of the same colour in the middle, each of them standing in a hard close
husk, which after the flowers are past, grow very like the husk of Asarabacca,
and somewhat sharp at the top points, wherein is contained much small seed,
very like Poppy seed, but of a dusky, greyish colour. The root is great, white,
and thick, branching forth divers ways under ground, so like a Parsnip root (but
that it is not so white) that it has deceived others. The whole plant more than the
root, has a very heavy, ill, soporiferous smell, somewhat offensive.
Place.] It commonly grows by the way-sides, and under hedge-sides and
walls.
 Time.] It flowers in July, and springs again yearly of its own seed. I doubt my
authors mistook July for June, if not for May.
Government and virtues.] I wonder how astrologers could take on them to
make this an herb of Jupiter; and yet Mizaldus, a man of a penetrating brain, was
of that opinion as well 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. Both Henbane delights most to grow in
saturnine places, and whole cart loads of it may be found near the places where
they empty the common Jakes, and scarce a ditch to be found without it growing
by it. Ergo, it is an herb of Saturn. The leaves of Henbane do cool all hot
inflammations in the eyes, or any other part of the body; and are good to assuage
all manner of swellings of the privities, or women’s breast, or elsewhere, if they
be boiled in wine, and either applied themselves, or the fomentation warm; it
also assuages the pain of the gout, the sciatica, and other pains in the joints
which arise from a hot cause. And applied with vinegar to the forehead and
temples, helps the headache and want of sleep in hot fevers. The juice of the
herb or seed, or the oil drawn from the seed, does the like. The oil of the seed is
helpful for deafness, noise, and worms in the ears, being dropped therein; the
juice of the herb or root doth the same. The decoction of the herb or seed, or
both, kills lice in man or beast. The fume of the dried herb, stalks and seed,
burned, quickly heals 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 goat’s milk, honeyed 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 Garlic taken in wine, do all help to free
them from danger, and restore them to their due temper again.
Take notice, that this herb must never be taken inwardly; outwardly, an oil
ointment, or plaister of it, is most admirable for the gout, to cool the veneral heat
of the reins in the French pox; to stop the toothache, being applied to the aching
side: to allay all inflammations, and to help the diseases before premised.

HEDGE HYSSOP.

DIVERS sorts there are of this plant; the first of which is an Italian by birth,
and only nursed up here in the gardens of the curious. Two or three sorts are
found commonly growing wild here, the description of two of which I shall give
you.
 Descript.] The first is a smooth, low plant, not a foot high, very bitter in taste,
with many square stalks, diversly branched from the bottom to the top, with
divers joints, and two small leaves at each joint, broader at the bottom than they
are at the end, a little dented about the edges, of a sad green colour, and full of
veins. The flowers stand at the joints, being of a fair purple colour, with some
white spots in them, in fashion like those of dead nettles. The seed is small and
yellow, and the roots spread much under ground.
The second seldom grows half a foot high, sending up many small branches,
whereon grow many small leaves, set one against the other, somewhat broad, but
very short. The flowers are like the flowers of the other fashion, but of a pale
reddish colour. The seeds are small and yellowish. The root spreads like the
other, neither will it yield to its fellow one ace of bitterness.
Place.] They grow in wet low grounds, and by the water-sides; the last may
be found among the bogs on Hampstead Heath.
Time.] They flower in June or July, and the seed is ripe presently after.
Government and virtues.] They are herbs of Mars, and as choleric and
churlish as he is, being most violent purges, especially of choler and phlegm. It
is not safe taking them inwardly, unless they be well rectified by the art of the
alchymist, and only the purity of them given; so used they may be very helpful
both for the dropsy, gout, and sciatica; outwardly used in ointments they kill
worms, the belly anointed with it, and are excellently good to cleanse old and
filthy ulcers.

BLACK HELLEBORE.

IT is also called Setter-wort, Setter-grass, Bear’s-foot, Christmas-herb, and

Christmas-flowers.
Descript.] It hath sundry fair green leaves rising from the root, each of them
standing about an handful high from the earth; each leaf is divided into seven,
eight, or nine parts, dented from the middle of the leaf to the point on both sides,
abiding green all the Winter; about Christmas-time, if the weather be any thing
temperate, the flowers appear upon foot stalks, also consisting of five large,
round, white leaves a-piece, which sometimes are purple towards the edges, with
many pale yellow thumbs in the middle; the seeds are divided into several cells,
like those of Columbines, save only that they are greater; the seeds are in colour
black, and in form long and round. The root consists of numberless blackish
strings all united into one head. There is another Black Hellebore, which grows
up and down in the woods very like this, but only that the leaves are smaller and
narrower, and perish in the Winter, which this doth not.
Place.] The first is maintained in gardens. The second is commonly found in
the woods in Northamptonshire.
Time.] The first flowers in December or January; the second in February or
March.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Saturn, and therefore no marvel if it
has some sullen conditions with it, and would be far safer, being purified by the
art of the alchymist than given raw. If any have taken any harm by taking it, the
common cure is to take goat’s milk: If you cannot get goat’s milk, you must
make a shift with such as you can get. The roots are very effectual against all
melancholy diseases, especially such as are of long standing, as quartan agues
and madness; it helps the falling sickness, the leprosy, both the yellow and black
jaundice, the gout, sciatica, and convulsions; and this was found out by
experience, that the root of that which grows wild in our country, works not so
churlishly as those do which are brought from beyond sea, as being maintained
by a more temperate air. The root used as a pessary, provokes the terms
exceedingly; also being beaten into powder, and strewed upon foul ulcers, it
consumes the dead flesh, and instantly heals them; nay, it will help gangrenes in
the beginning. Twenty grains taken inwardly is a sufficient dose for one time,
and let that be corrected with half so much cinnamon; country people used to
rowel their cattle with it. If a beast be troubled with a cough, or have taken any
poison, they bore a hole through the ear, and put a piece of the root in it, this will
help him in 24 hours time. Many other uses farriers put it to which I shall
forbear.
 HERB ROBERT.

THE Herb Robert is held in great estimation by farmers, who use it in diseases
of their cattle.
Descript.] It rises up with a reddish stalk two feet high, having divers leaves
thereon, upon very long and reddish footstalks, divided at the ends into three or
five divisions, each of them cut in on the edges, which sometimes turn reddish.
At the tops of the stalks come forth divers flowers made of five leaves, much
larger than the Dove’s-foot, and of a more reddish colour; after which come
black heads, as in others. The root is small and thready, and smells, as the whole
plant, very strong, almost stinking.
Place.] This grows frequently every where by the way-sides, upon ditch
banks and waste grounds wheresoever one goes.
Time.] It flowers in June and July chiefly, and the seed is ripe shortly after.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Venus. Herb Robert is
commended not only against the stone, but to stay blood, where or howsoever
flowing, it speedily heals all green wounds, and is effectual in old ulcers in the
privy parts, or elsewhere. You may persuade yourself this is true, and also
conceive a good reason for it, do but consider it is an herb of Venus, for all it
hath a man’s name.

HERB TRUE-LOVE, OR ONE-BERRY.

Descript.] ORDINARY Herb True-love has a small creeping root running under
the uppermost crust of the ground, somewhat like couch grass root, but not so
white, shooting forth stalks with leaves, some whereof carry no berries, the
others do; every stalk smooth without joints, and blackish green, rising about
half a foot high, if it bear berries, otherwise seldom so high, bearing at the top
four leaves set directly one against another, in manner of a cross or ribband tied
(as it is called in a true-loves knot,) which are each of them apart somewhat like
unto a night-shade leaf, but somewhat broader, having sometimes three leaves,
sometimes five, sometimes six, and those sometimes greater than in others, in
the middle of the four leaves rise up one small slender stalk, about an inch high,
bearing at the tops thereof one flower spread open like a star, consisting of four
small and long narrow pointed leaves of a yellowish green colour, and four
others lying between them lesser than they; in the middle whereof stands a round
dark purplish button or head, compassed about with eight small yellow mealy
threads with three colours, making it the more conspicuous, and lovely to
behold. This button or head in the middle, when the other leaves are withered,
becomes a blackish purple berry, full of juice, of the bigness of a reasonable
grape, having within it many white seeds. The whole plant is without any
manifest taste.
Place.] It grows in woods and copses, and sometimes in the corners or
borders of fields, and waste grounds in very many places of this land, and
abundantly in the woods, copses, and other places about Chislehurst 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.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns it; the leaves or berries hereof are
effectual to expel poison of all sorts, especially that of the aconites; as also, the
plague, and other pestilential disorders; Matthiolus saith, that some that have lain
long in a lingering sickness, and others that by witchcraft (as it was thought)
were become half foolish, by taking a dram of the seeds or berries hereof in
powder every day for 20 days together, were restored to their former health. The
roots in powder taken in wine eases the pains of the cholic speedily. The leaves
are very effectual as well for green wounds, as to cleanse and heal up filthy old
sores and ulcers; and is very powerful to discuss all tumours and swellings in the
privy parts, the groin, or in any part of the body, and speedily to allay all
inflammations. The juice of the leaves applied to felons, or those nails of the
hands or toes that have imposthumes or sores gathered together at the roots of
them, heals them in a short space. The herb is not to be described for the
premises, but is fit to be nourished in every good woman’s garden.

HYSSOP.

HYSSOP is so well known to be an inhabitant in every garden, that it will save

me labour in writing a description thereof. The virtues are as follow.
Government and virtues.] The herb is Jupiter’s, and the sign Cancer. It
strengthens all the parts of the body under Cancer and Jupiter; which what they
may be, is found amply described in my astrological judgment of diseases.
Dioscorides saith, that Hyssop boiled with rue and honey, and drank, helps those
that are troubled with coughs, shortness of breath, wheezing and rheumatic
distillation upon the lungs; taken also with oxymel, it purges gross humours by
stool; and with honey, kills worms in the belly; and with fresh and new figs
bruised, helps to loosen the belly, and more forcibly if the root of Flower-de-luce
and cresses be added thereto. It amends and cherishes the native colour of the
body, spoiled by the yellow jaundice; and being taken with figs and nitre, helps
the dropsy and spleen; being boiled with wine, it is good to wash inflammations,
and takes away the black and blue spots and marks that come by strokes, bruises,
or falls, being applied with warm water. It is an excellent medicine for the
quinsy, or swellings in the throat, to wash and gargle it, being boiled in figs; it
helps the tooth-ache, being boiled in vinegar and gargled therewith. The hot
vapours of the decoction taken by a funnel in at the ears, eases the inflammations
and singing noise of them. Being bruised, and salt, honey, and cummin seed put
to it, helps those that are stung by serpents. The oil thereof (the head being
anointed) kills lice, and takes away itching of the head. It helps those that have
the falling sickness, which way soever it be applied. It helps to expectorate tough
phlegm, and is effectual in all cold griefs or diseases of the chests or lungs, being
taken either in syrup or licking medicine. The green herb bruised and a little
sugar put thereto, doth quickly heal any cut or green wounds, being thereunto
applied.

HOPS.

THESE are so well known that they need no description; I mean the manured
kind, which every good husband or housewife is acquainted with.
Descript.] The wild hop grows up as the other doth, ramping upon trees or
hedges, that stand next to them, with rough branches and leaves like the former,
but it gives smaller heads, and in far less plenty than it, so that there is scarcely a
head or two seen in a year on divers of this wild kind, wherein consists the chief
difference.
Place.] They delight to grow in low moist grounds, and are found in all parts
of this land.
Time.] They spring not until April, and flower not until the latter end of June;
the heads are not gathered until the middle or latter end of September.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars. This, in physical
operations, is to open obstructions of the liver and spleen, to cleanse the blood,
to loosen the belly, to cleanse the reins from gravel, and provoke urine. The
decoction of the tops of Hops, as well of the tame as the wild, works the same
effects. In cleansing the blood they help to cure the French diseases, and all
manner of scabs, itch, and other breakings-out of the body; as also all tetters,
ringworms, and spreading sores, the morphew and all discolouring of the skin.
The decoction of the flowers and hops, do help to expel poison that any one hath
drank. Half a dram of the seed in powder taken in drink, kills worms in the body,
brings down women’s courses, and expels urine. A syrup made of the juice and
sugar, cures the yellow jaundice, eases the headache that comes of heat, and
tempers the heat of the liver and stomach, and is profitably given in long and hot
agues that rise in choler and blood. Both the wild and the manured are of one
property, and alike effectual in all the aforesaid diseases. By all these testimonies
beer appears to be better than ale.
Mars owns the plant, and then Dr. Reason will tell you how it performs these
actions.

HOREHOUND.

THERE are two kinds of Horehound, the white and the black. The black sort is
likewise called Hen-bit; but the white one is here spoken of.
Descript.] Common Horehound grows up with square hairy stalks, half a yard
or two feet high, set at the joints with two round crumpled rough leaves of a
sullen hoary green colour, of a reasonable good scent, but a very bitter taste. The
flowers are small, white, and gaping, set in a rough, hard prickly husk round
about the joints, with the leaves from the middle of the stalk upward, wherein
afterward is found small round blackish seed. The root is blackish, hard and
woody, with many strings, and abides many years.
Place.] It is found in many parts of this land, in dry grounds, and waste green
places.
Time.] It flowers in July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Mercury. A decoction of the dried
herb, with the seed, or the juice of the green herb taken with honey, is a remedy
for those that are short-winded, have a cough, or are fallen into a consumption,
either through long sickness, or thin distillations of rheum upon the lungs. It
helps to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest, being taken from the roots of
Iris or Orris. It is given to women to bring down their courses, to expel the
afterbirth, and to them that have taken poison, or are stung or bitten by
venemous serpents. The leaves used with honey, purge foul ulcers, stay running
or creeping sores, and the growing of the flesh over the nails. It also helps pains
of the sides. The juice thereof with wine and honey, helps to clear the eyesight,
and snuffed up into the nostrils, purges away the yellow-jaundice, and with a
little oil of roses dropped into the ears, eases the pains of them. Galen saith, it
opens obstructions both of the liver and spleen, and purges the breast and lungs
of phlegm: and used outwardly it both cleanses and digests. A decoction of
Horehound (saith Matthiolus) is available for those that have hard livers, and for
such as have itches and running tetters. The powder hereof taken, or the
decoction, kills worms. The green leaves bruised, and boiled in old hog’s grease
into an ointment, heals the biting of dogs, abates the swellings and pains that
come by any pricking of thorns, or such like means; and used with vinegar,
cleanses and heals tetters. There is a syrup made of Horehound to be had at the
apothecaries, very good for old coughs, to rid the tough phlegm; as also to void
cold rheums from the lungs of old folks, and for those that are asthmatic or
short-winded.

HORSETAIL.

OF that there are many kinds, but I shall not trouble you nor myself 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 thereof being nothing else but knotted rushes, some with
leaves, and some without. Take the description of the most eminent sort as
follows.
Descript.] The great Horsetail at the first springing has heads somewhat like
those of asparagus, and afterwards grow to be hard, rough, hollow stalks, jointed
at sundry places up to the top, a foot high, so made as if the lower parts were put
into the upper, where grow on each side a bush of small long rush-like hard
leaves, each part resembling a horsetail, from whence it is so called. At the tops
of the stalks come forth small catkins, like those of trees. The root creeps under
ground, having joints at sundry places.
Place.] This (as most of the other sorts hereof) grows 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.
 Government and virtues.] The herb belongs to Saturn, yet is very harmless,
and excellently good for the things following: Horsetail, the smoother rather than
the rough, and the leaves rather than the bare, is most physical. It is very
powerful to staunch bleeding either inward or outward, the juice or the decoction
thereof being drank, or the juice, decoction, or distilled water applied outwardly.
It also stays all sorts of lasks and fluxes in man or woman, and bloody urine; and
heals also not only the inward ulcers, and the excoriation of the entrails, bladder,
&c. but all other sorts of foul, moist and running ulcers, and soon solders
together the tops of green wounds. It cures all ruptures in children. The
decoction thereof in wine being drank, provokes urine, and helps the stone and
stranguary; and the distilled water thereof drank two or three times in a day, and
a small quantity at a time, also eases the bowels, and is effectual against a cough
that comes by distillations from the head. The juice or distilled water being
warmed, and hot inflammations, pustules or red wheals, and other breakings-out
in the skin, being bathed therewith, doth help them, and doth no less the swelling
heat and inflammation of the lower parts in men and women.

HOUSELEEK OR SENGREEN.

BOTH these are so well known to my countrymen, that I shall not need to
write any description of them.
Place.] It grows commonly upon walls and house-sides, and flowers in July.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Jupiter, and it is reported by
Mezaldus, to preserve what it grows upon from fire and lightning. Our ordinary
Houseleek is good for all inward heats as well as outward, and in the eyes or
other parts of the body; a posset made with the juice of Houseleek, is singularly
good in all hot agues, for it cools and tempers the blood and spirits, and
quenches the thirst; and also good to stay all hot defluctions or sharp and salt
rheums in the eyes, the juice being dropped into them, or into the ears. It helps
also other fluxes of humours in the bowels, and the immoderate courses of
women. It cools and restrains all other hot inflammations, St. Anthony’s fire,
scaldings and burnings, the shingles, fretting ulcers, cankers, tettors, ringworms,
and the like; and much eases the pains of the gout proceeding from any hot
cause. The juice also takes away worts and corns in the hands or feet, being
often bathed therewith, and the skin and leaves being laid on them afterwards. It
eases also the headache, and distempered heat of the brain in frenzies, or through
want of sleep, being applied to the temples and forehead. The leaves bruised and
laid upon the crown or seam of the head, stays bleeding at the nose very quickly.
The distilled water of the herb is profitable for all the purposes aforesaid. The
leaves being gently rubbed on any place stung with nettles or bees, doth quickly
take away the pain.

HOUND’S TONGUE.

Descript.] THE great ordinary Hound’s Tongue has many long and somewhat
narrow, soft, hairy, darkish green leaves, lying on the ground, somewhat like
unto Bugloss leaves, from among which rises up a rough hairy stalk about two
feet high, with some smaller leaves thereon, and branched at the tops into divers
parts, with a small leaf at the foot of every branch, which is somewhat long, with
many flowers set along the same, which branch is crooked or turned inwards
before it flowers, and opens by degrees as the flowers blow, which consist of
small purplish red leaves of a dead colour, rising out of the husks wherein they
stand with some threads in the middle. It has sometimes a white flower. After the
flowers are past, there comes rough flat seed, with a small pointle in the middle,
easily cleaving to any garment that it touches, and not so easily pulled off again.
The root is black, thick, and long, hard to break, and full of clammy juice,
smelling somewhat strong, of an evil scent, as the leaves also do.
Place.] It grows in moist places of this land, in waste grounds, and untilled
places, by highway sides, lanes, and hedge-sides.
Time.] It flowers about May or June, and the seed is ripe shortly after.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant under the dominion of Mercury. The
root is very effectually used in pills, as well as the decoction, or otherwise, to
stay all sharp and thin defluxions of rheum from the head into the eyes or nose,
or upon the stomach or lungs, as also for coughs and shortness of breath. The
leaves boiled in wine (saith Dioscorides, but others do rather appoint it to be
made with water, and add thereto oil and salt) molifies or opens the belly
downwards. It also helps to cure the biting of a mad dog, some of the leaves
being also applied to the wound: The leaves bruised, or the juice of them boiled
in hog’s lard, and applied, helps falling away of the hair, which comes of hot and
sharp humours; as also for any place that is scalded or burnt; the leaves bruised
and laid to any green wound doth heal it up quickly: the root baked under the
embers, wrapped in paste or wet paper, or in a wet double cloth, and thereof a
suppository made, and put up into or applied to the fundament, doth very
effectually help the painful piles or hæmorrhoids. The distilled water of the
herbs and roots is very good to all the purposes aforesaid, to be used as well
inwardly to drink, as outwardly to wash any sore place, for it heals all manner of
wounds and punctures, and those foul ulcers that arise by the French pox.
Mizaldus adds that the leaves laid under the feet, will keep the dogs from
barking at you. It is called Hound’s-tongue, because it ties the tongues of
hounds; whether true, or not, I never tried, yet I cured the biting of a mad dog
with this only medicine.

HOLLY, HOLM, OR HULVER BUSH.

FOR to describe a tree so well known is needless.

Government and virtues.] The tree is Saturnine. The berries expel wind, and
therefore are held to be profitable in the cholic. The berries have a strong faculty
with them; for if you eat a dozen of them in the morning fasting when they are
ripe and not dried, they purge the body of gross and clammy phlegm: but if you
dry the berries, and beat them into powder, they bind the body, and stop fluxes,
bloody-fluxes, and the terms in women. The bark of the tree, and also the leaves,
are excellently good, being used in fomentations for broken bones, and such
members as are out of joint. Pliny saith, the branches of the tree defend houses
from lightning, and men from witchcraft.

ST. JOHN’S WORT.

THIS is a very beautiful shrub, and is a great ornament to our meadows.

Descript.] Common St. John’s Wort shoots forth brownish, upright, hard,
round stalks, two feet high, spreading many branches from the sides up to the
tops of them, with two small leaves set one against another at every place, which
are of a deep green colour, somewhat like the leaves of the lesser Centaury, but
narrow, and full of small holes in every leaf, which cannot be so well perceived,
as when they are held up to the light; at the tops of the stalks and branches stand
yellow flowers of five leaves a-piece, with many yellow threads in the middle,
which being bruised do yield a reddish juice like blood; after which come small
round heads, wherein is contained small blackish seed smelling like rosin. The
root is hard and woody, with divers strings and fibres at it, of a brownish colour,
which abides in the ground many years, shooting anew every Spring.
Place.] This grows in woods and copses, as well those that are shady, as open
to the sun.
Time.] They flower about Midsummer and July, and their seed is ripe in the
latter end of July or August.
Government and virtues.] It is under the celestial sign Leo, and the dominion
of the Sun. It may be, if you meet a Papist, he will tell you, especially if he be a
lawyer, that St. John made it over to him by a letter of attorney. It is a singular
wound herb; boiled in wine and drank, it heals inward hurts or bruises; made
into an ointment, it open obstructions, dissolves swellings, and closes up the lips
of wounds. The decoction of the herb and flowers, especially of the seed, being
drank in wine, with the juice of knot-grass, helps all manner of vomiting and
spitting of blood, is good for those that are bitten or stung by any venomous
creature, and for those that cannot make water. Two drams of the seed of St.
John’s Wort made into powder, and drank in a little broth, doth gently expel
choler or congealed blood in the stomach. The decoction of the leaves and seeds
drank somewhat warm before the fits of agues, whether they be tertains or
quartans, alters the fits, and, by often using, doth take them quite away. The seed
is much commended, being drank for forty days together, to help the sciatica, the
falling-sickness, and the palsy.

IVY.

IT is so well known to every child almost, to grow in woods upon the trees,
and upon the stone walls of churches, houses, &c. and sometimes to grow alone
of itself, though but seldom.
Time.] It flowers not until July, and the berries are not ripe till Christmas,
when they have felt Winter frosts.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Saturn. A pugil of the
flowers, which may be about a dram, (saith Dioscorides) drank twice a day in
red wine, helps the lask, and bloody flux. It is an enemy to the nerves and
sinews, being much taken inwardly, but very helpful to them, being outwardly
applied. Pliny saith, the yellow berries are good against the jaundice; and taken
before one be set to drink hard, preserves from drunkenness, and helps those that
spit blood; and that the white berries being taken inwardly, or applied outwardly,
kills the worms in the belly. The berries are a singular remedy to prevent the
plague, as also to free them from it that have got it, by drinking the berries
thereof made into a powder, for two or three days together. They being taken in
wine, do certainly help to break the stone, provoke urine, and women’s courses.
The fresh leaves of Ivy, boiled in vinegar, and applied warm to the sides of those
that are troubled with the spleen, ache, or stitch in the sides, do give much ease:
The same applied with some Rosewater, and oil of Roses, to the temples and
forehead, eases the headache, though it be of long continuance. The fresh leaves
boiled in wine, and old filthy ulcers hard to be cured washed therewith, do
wonderfully help to cleanse them. It also quickly heals green wounds, and is
effectual to heal all burnings and scaldings, and all kinds of exulcerations
coming thereby, or by salt phlegm or humours in other parts of the body. The
juice of the berries or leaves snuffed up into the nose, purges the head and brain
of thin rheum that makes defluxions into the eyes and nose, and curing the ulcers
and stench therein; the same dropped into the ears helps the old and running
sores of them, those that are troubled with the spleen, shall find much ease by
continual drinking out of a cup made of Ivy, so as the drink may stand some
small time therein before it be drank. Cato saith, That wine put into such a cup,
will soak through it, by reason of the antipathy that is between them.
There seems to be a very great antipathy between wine and Ivy; for if one
hath got a surfeit by drinking of wine, his speediest cure is to drink a draught of
the same wine wherein a handful of Ivy leaves, being first bruised, have been
boiled.

JUNIPER BUSH.

FOR to give a description of a bush so commonly known is needless.

Place.] They grow plentifully in divers woods in Kent, Warney common near
Brentwood in Essex, upon Finchley Common without Highgate; hard by the
Newfound Wells near Dulwich, upon a Common between Mitcham and
Croydon, in the Highgate near Amersham in Buckinghamshire, and many other
places.
Time.] The berries are not ripe the first year, but continue green two Summers
and one Winter before they are ripe; at which time they are all of a black colour,
and therefore you shall always find upon the bush green berries; the berries are
ripe about the fall of the leaf.
Government and virtues.] This admirable solar shrub is scarce to be
paralleled for its virtues. The berries are hot in the third degree, and dry but in
the first, being a most admirable counter-poison, and as great a resister of the
pestilence, as any growing; they are excellent good against the biting of
venomous beasts, they provoke urine exceedingly, and therefore are very
available to dysuries and stranguaries. It is so powerful a remedy against the
dropsy, that the very lye made of the ashes of the herb being drank, cures the
disease. It provokes the terms, helps the fits of the mother, strengthens the
stomach exceedingly, and expels the wind. Indeed there is scarce a better remedy
for wind in any part of the body, or the cholic, than the chymical oil drawn from
the berries; such country people as know not how to draw the chymical oil, may
content themselves by eating ten or a dozen of the ripe berries every morning
fasting. They are admirably good for a cough, shortness of breath, and
consumption, pains in the belly, ruptures, cramps, and convulsions. They give
safe and speedy delivery to women with child, they strengthen the brain
exceedingly, help the memory, and fortify the sight by strengthening the optic
nerves; are excellently good in all sorts of agues; help the gout and sciatica, and
strengthen the limbs of the body. The ashes of the wood is a speedy remedy to
such as have the scurvy, to rub their gums with. The berries stay all fluxes, help
the hæmorrhoids or piles, and kill worms in children. A lye made of the ashes of
the wood, and the body bathed with it, cures the itch, scabs and leprosy. The
berries break the stone, procure appetite when it is lost, and are excellently good
for all palsies, and falling-sickness.

KIDNEYWORT, OR WALL PENNYROYAL, OR WALL

PENNYWORT.

Descript.] IT has many thick, flat, and round leaves growing from the root,
every one having a long footstalk, fastened underneath, about the middle of it,
and a little unevenly weaved sometimes about the edges, of a pale green colour,
and somewhat yellow on the upper side like a saucer; from among which arise
one or more tender, smooth, hollow stalks half a foot high, with two or three
small leaves thereon, usually not round as those below, but somewhat long, and
divided at the edges: the tops are somewhat divided into long branches, bearing a
number of flowers, set round about a long spike one above another, which are
hollow and like a little bell of a whitish green colour, after which come small
heads, containing very small brownish seed, which falling on the ground, will
plentifully spring up before Winter, if it have moisture. The root is round and
most usually smooth, greyish without, and white within, having small fibres at
the head of the root, and bottom of the stalk.
Place.] It grows very plentifully in many places of this land, but especially in
all the west parts thereof, upon stone and mud walls, upon rocks also, and in
stony places upon the ground, at the bottom of old trees, and sometimes on the
bodies of them that are decayed and rotten.
Time.] It usually flowers in the beginning of May, and the seed ripening
quickly after, sheds itself; so that about the end of May, usually the stalks and
leaves are withered, dry, and gone until September, then the leaves spring up
again, and so abide all winter.
Government and virtues.] Venus challenges the herb under Libra. The juice
or the distilled water being drank, is very effectual for all inflammations and
unnatural heats, to cool a fainting hot stomach, a hot liver, or the bowels: the
herb, juice, or distilled water thereof, outwardly applied, heals pimples, St.
Anthony’s fire, and other outward heats. The said juice or water helps to heal
sore kidneys, torn or fretted by the stone, or exulcerated within; it also provokes
urine, is available for the dropsy, and helps to break the stone. Being used as a
bath, or made into an ointment, it cools the painful piles or hæmorrhoidal veins.
It is no less effectual to give ease to the pains of the gout, the sciatica, and helps
the kernels or knots in the neck or throat, called the king’s evil: healing kibes
and chilblains if they be bathed with the juice, or anointed with ointment made
thereof, and some of the skin of the leaf upon them: it is also used in green
wounds to stay the blood, and to heal them quickly.

KNAPWEED.

Descript.] THE common sort hereof has many long and somewhat dark green
leaves, rising from the root, dented about the edges, and sometimes a little rent
or torn on both sides in two or three places, and somewhat hairy withal; amongst
which arises a long round stalk, four or five feet high, divided into many
branches, at the tops whereof stand great scaly green heads, and from the middle
of them thrust forth a number of dark purplish red thrumbs or threads, which
after they are withered and past, there are found divers black seeds, lying in a
great deal of down, somewhat like unto Thistle seed, but smaller; the root is
white, hard and woody, and divers fibres annexed thereunto, which perishes not,
but abides with leaves thereon all the Winter, shooting out fresh every spring.
Place.] It grows in most fields and meadows, and about their borders and
hedges, and in many waste grounds also every where.
Time.] It usually flowers in June and July, and the seed is ripe shortly after.
 Government and virtues.] Saturn challenges the herb for his own. This
Knapweed helps to stay fluxes, both of blood at the mouth or nose, or other
outward parts, and those veins that are inwardly broken, or inward wounds, as
also the fluxes of the belly; it stays distillation of thin and sharp humours from
the head upon the stomach and lungs; it is good for those that are bruised by any
fall, blows or otherwise, and is profitable for those that are bursten, and have
ruptures, by drinking the decoction of the herb and roots in wine, and applying
the same outwardly to the place. It is singularly good in all running sores,
cancerous and fistulous, drying up of the moisture, and healing them up so
gently, without sharpness; it doth the like to running sores or scabs of the head or
other parts. It is of special use for the soreness of the throat, swelling of the
uvula and jaws, and excellently good to stay bleeding, and heal up all green
wounds.

KNOTGRASS.

IT is generally known so well that it needs no description.

Place.] It grows in every county of this land by the highway sides, and by
foot-paths in fields; as also by the sides of old walls.
Time.] It springs up late in the Spring, and abides until the Winter, when all
the branches perish.
Government and virtues.] Saturn seems to me to own the herb, and yet some
hold the Sun; out of doubt ’tis Saturn. The juice of the common kind of
Knotgrass is most effectual to stay bleeding of the mouth, being drank in steeled
or red wine; and the bleeding at the nose, to be applied to the forehead or
temples, or to be squirted up into the nostrils. It is no less effectual to cool and
temper the heat of the blood and stomach, and to stay any flux of the blood and
humours, as lasks, bloody-flux, women’s courses, and running of the reins. It is
singularly good to provoke urine, help the stranguary, and allays the heat that
comes thereby; and is powerful by urine to expel the gravel or stone in the
kidneys and bladder, a dram of the powder of the herb being taken in wine for
many days together. Being boiled in wine and drank, it is profitable to those that
are stung or bitten by venemous creatures, and very effectual to stay all
defluxions of rheumatic humours upon the stomach, and kills worms in the belly
or stomach, quiets inward pains that arise from the heat, sharpness and
corruption of blood and choler. The distilled water hereof taken by itself or with
the powder of the herb or seed, is very effectual to all the purposes aforesaid,
and is accounted one of the most sovereign remedies to cool all manner of
inflammations, breaking out through heat, hot swellings and imposthumes,
gangrene and fistulous cankers, or foul filthy ulcers, being applied or put into
them; but especially for all sorts of ulcers and sores happening in the privy parts
of men and women. It helps all fresh and green wounds, and speedily heals
them. The juice dropped into the ears, cleanses them being foul, and having
running matter in them.
It is very prevalent for the premises; as also for broken joints and ruptures.

LADIES’ MANTLE.

Descript.] IT has many leaves rising from the root standing upon long hairy
footstalks, being almost round, and a little cut on the edges, into eight or ten
parts, making it seem like a star, with so many corners and points, and dented
round about, of a light green colour, somewhat hard in handling, and as it were
folded or plaited at first, and then crumpled in divers places, and a little hairy, as
the stalk is also, which rises up among them to the height of two or three feet;
and being weak, is not able to stand upright, but bended to the ground, divided at
the top into two or three small branches, with small yellowish green heads, and
flowers of a whitish colour breaking out of them; which being past, there comes
a small yellowish seed like a poppy seed: The root is somewhat long and black,
with many strings and fibres thereat.
Place.] It grows naturally in many pastures and wood sides in Hertfordshire,
Wiltshire, and Kent, and other places of this land.
Time.] It flowers in May and June, abides after seedtime green all the Winter.
Government and virtues.] Venus claims the herb as her own. Ladies’ Mantle
is very proper for those wounds that have inflammations, and is very effectual to
stay bleeding, vomitings, fluxes of all sorts, bruises by falls or otherwise, and
helps ruptures; and such women as have large breasts, causing them to grow less
and hard, being both drank and outwardly applied; the distilled water drank for
20 days together helps conception, and to retain the birth; if the women do
sometimes also sit in a bath made of the decoction of the herb. It is one of the
most singular wound herbs that is, and therefore highly prized and praised by the
Germans, who use it in all wounds inward and outward, to drink a decoction
thereof, and wash the wounds therewith, or dip tents therein, and put them into
the wounds, which wonderfully dries up all humidity of the sores, and abates
inflammations therein. It quickly heals all green wounds, not suffering any
corruption to remain behind, and cures all old sores, though fistulous and
hollow.

LAVENDER.

BEING an inhabitant almost in every garden, it is so well known, that it needs

no description.
Time.] It flowers about the end of June, and beginning of July.
Government and virtues.] Mercury owns the herb; and it carries his effects
very potently. Lavender is of a special good use for all the griefs and pains of the
head and brain that proceed of a cold cause, as the apoplexy, falling-sickness, the
dropsy, or sluggish malady, cramps, convulsions, palsies, and often faintings. It
strengthens the stomach, and frees the liver and spleen from obstructions,
provokes women’s courses, and expels the dead child and afterbirth. The flowers
of Lavender steeped in wine, helps them to make water that are stopped, or are
troubled with the wind or cholic, if the place be bathed therewith. A decoction
made with the flowers of Lavender, Horehound, Fennel and Asparagus root, and
a little Cinnamon, is very profitably used to help the falling-sickness, and the
giddiness or turning of the brain: to gargle the mouth with the decoction thereof
is good against the tooth-ache. Two spoonfuls of the distilled water of the
flowers taken, helps them that have lost their voice, as also the tremblings and
passions of the heart, and faintings and swooning, not only being drank, but
applied to the temples, or nostrils to be smelled unto; but it is not safe to use it
where the body is replete with blood and humours, because of the hot and subtile
spirits wherewith it is possessed. The chymical oil drawn from Lavender, usually
called Oil of Spike, is of so fierce and piercing a quality, that it is cautiously to
be used, some few drops being sufficient, to be given with other things, either
for inward or outward griefs.

LAVENDER-COTTON.

IT being a common garden herb, I shall forbear the description, only take
notice, that it flowers in June and July.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mercury. It resists
poison, putrefaction, and heals the biting of venomous beasts: A dram of the
powder of the dried leaves taken every morning fasting, stops the running of the
reins in men, and whites in women. The seed beaten into powder, and taken as
worm-seed, kills the worms, not only in children, but also in people of riper
years; the like doth the herb itself, being steeped in milk, and the milk drank; the
body bathed with the decoction of it, helps scabs and itch.

LADIES-SMOCK, OR CUCKOW-FLOWER.

THIS is a very pretty ornament to the sides of most meadows.

Descript.] The root is composed of many small white threads from whence
spring up divers long stalks of winged leaves, consisting of round, tender, dark,
green leaves, set one against another upon a middle rib, the greatest being at the
end, amongst which arise up divers tender, weak, round, green stalks, somewhat
streaked, with longer and smaller leaves upon them; on the tops of which stand
flowers, almost like the Stock Gilliflowers, but rounder, and not so long, of a
blushing white colour; the seed is reddish, and grows to small branches, being of
a sharp biting taste, and so has the herb.
Place.] They grow in moist places, and near to brooksides.
Time.] They flower in April and May, and the lower leaves continue green all
the Winter.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of the Moon, and
very little inferior to Water Cresses in all their operations; they are excellently
good for the scurvy, they provoke urine, and break the stone, and excellently
warm a cold and weak stomach, restoring lost appetite, and help digestion.

LETTUCE.

IT is so well known, being generally used as a Sallad-herb, that it is altogether

needless to write any description thereof.
Government and virtues.] The Moon owns them, and that is the reason they
cool and moisten what heat and dryness Mars causeth, because Mars has his fall
in Cancer; and they cool the heat because the Sun rules it, between whom and
the Moon is a reception in the generation of men, as you may see in my Guide
for Women. The juice of Lettuce mixed or boiled with Oil of Roses, applied to
the forehead and temples procures sleep, and eases the headache proceeding of
an hot cause: Being eaten boiled, it helps to loosen the belly. It helps digestion,
quenches thirst, increases milk in nurses, eases griping pains in the stomach or
bowels, that come of choler. Applied outwardly to the region of the heart, liver
or reins, or by bathing the said places with the juice of distilled water, wherein
some white Sanders, or red Roses are put; not only represses the heat and
inflammations therein, but comforts and strengthens those parts, and also
tempers the heat of urine. Galen advises old men to use it with spice; and where
spices are wanting, to add Mints, Rochet, and such like hot herbs, or else Citron
Lemon, or Orange seeds, to abate the cold of one and heat of the other. The seed
and distilled water of the Lettuce work the same effects in all things; but the use
of Lettuce is chiefly forbidden to those that are short-winded, or have any
imperfection in the lungs, or spit blood.

WATER LILY.

OF these there are two principally noted kinds, viz. the White and the Yellow.
Descript.] The White Lily has very large and thick dark green leaves lying on
the water, sustained by long and thick footstalks, that arise from a great, thick,
round, and long tuberous black root spongy or loose, with many knobs thereon,
green on the outside, but as white as snow within, consisting of divers rows of
long and somewhat thick and narrow leaves, smaller and thinner the more
inward they be, encompassing a head with many yellow threads or thrums in the
middle; where, after they are past, stand round Poppy-like heads, full of broad
oily and bitter seed.
The yellow kind is little different from the former, save only that it has fewer
leaves on the flowers, greater and more shining seed, and a whitish root, both
within and without. The root of both is somewhat sweet in taste.
Place.] They are found growing in great pools, and standing waters, and
sometimes in slow running rivers, and lesser ditches of water, in sundry places
of this land.
Time.] They flower most commonly about the end of May, and their seed is
ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] The herb is under the dominion of the Moon, and
therefore cools and moistens like the former. The leaves and flowers of the
Water Lilies are cold and moist, but the roots and seeds are cold and dry; the
leaves do cool all inflammations, both outward and inward heat of agues; and so
doth the flowers also, either by the syrup or conserve; the syrup helps much to
procure rest, and to settle the brain of frantic persons, by cooling the hot
distemperature of the head. The seed as well as the root is effectual to stay fluxes
of blood or humours, either of wounds or of the belly; but the roots are most
used, and more effectual to cool, bind, and restrain all fluxes in man or woman.
The root is likewise very good for those whose urine is hot and sharp, to be
boiled in wine and water, and the decoction drank. The distilled water of the
flowers is very effectual for all the diseases aforesaid, both inwardly taken, and
outwardly applied; and is much commended to take away freckles, spots,
sunburn, and morphew from the face, or other parts of the body. The oil made of
the flowers, as oil of Roses is made, is profitably used to cool hot tumours, and
to ease the pains, and help the sores.

LILY OF THE VALLEY.

CALLED also Conval Lily, Male Lily, and Lily Confancy.

Descript.] The root is small, and creeps far in the ground, as grass roots do.
The leaves are many, against which rises up a stalk half a foot high, with many
white flowers, like little bells with turned edges of a strong, though pleasing
smell; the berries are red, not much unlike those of Asparagus.
Place.] They grow plentifully upon Hampstead-Heath, and many other places
in this nation.
Time.] They flower in May, and the seed is ripe in September.
GOVERNMENT AND VIRTUES.] It is under the dominion of Mercury, and therefore
it strengthens the brain, recruits a weak memory, and makes it strong again: The
distilled water dropped into the eyes, helps inflammations there; as also that
infirmity which they call a pin and web. The spirit of the flowers distilled in
wine, restores lost speech, helps the palsy, and is excellently good in the
apoplexy, comforts the heart and vital spirits. Gerrard saith, that the flowers
being close stopped up in a glass, put into an ant-hill, and taken away again a
month after, ye shall find a liquor in the glass, which, being outwardly applied,
helps the gout.

WHITE LILIES.
 IT were in vain to describe a plant so commonly known in every one’s
garden; therefore I shall not tell you what they are, but what they are good for.
Government and virtues.] They are under the dominion of the Moon, and by
antipathy to Mars expel poison; they are excellently good in pestilential fevers,
the roots being bruised and boiled in wine, and the decoction drank; for it expels
the venom to the exterior parts of the body: The juice of it being tempered with
barley meal, baked, and so eaten for ordinary bread, is an excellent cure for the
dropsy: An ointment made of the root, and hog’s grease, is excellently good for
scald heads, unites the sinews when they are cut, and cleanses ulcers. The root
boiled in any convenient decoction, gives speedy delivery to women in travail,
and expels the afterbirth. The root roasted, and mixed with a little hog’s grease,
makes a gallant poultice to ripen and break plague-sores. The ointment is
excellently good for swellings in the privities, and will cure burnings and
scaldings without a scar, and trimly deck a blank place with hair.

LIQUORICE.

Descript.] OUR English Liquorice rises up with divers woody stalks, whereon
are set at several distances many narrow, long, green leaves, set together on both
sides of the stalk, and an odd one at the end, very well resembling a young ash
tree sprung up from the seed. This by many years continuance in a place without
removing, and not else, will bring forth flowers, many standing together spike
fashion, one above another upon the stalk, of the form of pease blossoms, but of
a very pale blue colour, which turn into long, somewhat flat and smooth cods,
wherein is contained a small, round, hard seed: The roots run down exceeding
deep into the ground, with divers other small roots and fibres growing with
them, and shoot out suckers from the main roots all about, whereby it is much
increased, of a brownish colour on the outside, and yellow within.
Place.] It is planted in fields and gardens, in divers places of this land, and
thereof good profit is made.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mercury. Liquorice
boiled in fair water, with some Maiden-hair and figs, makes a good drink for
those that have a dry cough or hoarseness, wheezing or shortness of breath, and
for all the griefs of the breast and lungs, phthisic or consumptions caused by the
distillation of salt humours on them. It is also good in all pains of the reins, the
stranguary, and heat of urine: The fine powder of Liquorice blown through a
quill into the eyes that have a pin and web (as they call it) or rheumatic
distillations in them, doth cleanse and help them. The juice of Liquorice is as
effectual in all the diseases of the breast and lungs, the reins and bladder, as the
decoction. The juice distilled in Rosewater, with some Gum Tragacanth, is a fine
licking medicine for hoarseness, wheezing, &c.

LIVERWORT.

THERE are, according to some botanists, upwards of three hundred different

kinds of Liverwort.
Descript.] Common Liverwort grows close, and spreads much upon the
ground in moist and shady places, with many small green leaves, or rather (as it
were) sticking flat to one another, very unevenly cut in on the edges, and
crumpled; from among which arise small slender stalks, an inch or two high at
most, bearing small star-like flowers at the top; the roots are very fine and small.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Jupiter, and under the
sign Cancer. It is a singularly good herb for all the diseases of the liver, both to
cool and cleanse it, and helps the inflammations in any part, and the yellow
jaundice likewise. Being bruised and boiled in small beer, and drank, it cools the
heat of the liver and kidneys, and helps the running of the reins in men, and the
whites in women; it is a singular remedy to stay the spreading of tetters,
ringworms, and other fretting and running sores and scabs, and is an excellent
remedy for such whose livers are corrupted by surfeits, which cause their bodies
to break out, for it fortifies the liver exceedingly, and makes it impregnable.

LOOSESTRIFE OR WILLOW-HERB.

Descript.] COMMON yellow Loosestrife grows to be four or five feet high, or

more, with great round stalks, a little crested, diversly branched from the middle
of them to the tops into great and long branches, on all which, at the joints, there
grow long and narrow leaves, but broader below, and usually two at a joint, yet
sometimes three or four, somewhat like willow leaves, smooth on the edges, and
of a fair green colour from the upper joints of the branches, and at the tops of
them also stand many yellow flowers of five leaves a-piece, with divers yellow
threads in the middle, which turn into small round heads, containing small
cornered seeds: the root creeps under ground, almost like coughgrass, but
greater, and shoots up every Spring brownish heads which afterwards grow up
into stalks. It has no scent or taste, and is only astringent.
 Place.] It grows in many places of the land in moist meadows, and by water
sides.
Time.] It flowers from June to August.
Government and virtues.] This herb is good for all manner of bleeding at the
mouth, nose, or wounds, and all fluxes of the belly, and the bloody-flux, given
either to drink or taken by clysters; it stays also the abundance of women’s
courses; it is a singular good wound-herb for green wounds, to stay the bleeding,
and quickly close together the lips of the wound, if the herb be bruised, and the
juice only applied. It is often used in gargles for sore mouths, as also for the
secret parts. The smoak hereof being bruised, drives away flies and gnats, which
in the night time molest people inhabiting near marshes, and in the fenny
countries.

LOOSESTRIFE, WITH SPIKED HEADS OF FLOWERS.

IT is likewise called Grass-polly.

Descript.] This grows with many woody square stalks, full of joints, about
three feet high at least; at every one whereof stand two long leaves, shorter,
narrower, and a greener colour than the former, and some brownish. The stalks
are branched into many long stems of spiked flowers half a foot long, growing in
bundles one above another, out of small husks, very like the spiked heads of
Lavender, each of which flowers have five round-pointed leaves of a purple
violet colour, or somewhat inclining to redness; in which husks stand small
round heads after the flowers are fallen, wherein is contained small seed. The
root creeps under ground like unto the yellow, but is greater than it, and so are
the heads of the leaves when they first appear out of the ground, and more brown
than the other.
Place.] It grows usually by rivers, and ditch-sides in wet ground, as about the
ditches at and near Lambeth, and in many places of this land.
Time.] It flowers in the months of June and July.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of the Moon, and under the sign
Cancer; neither do I know a better preserver of the sight when it is well, nor a
better cure for sore eyes than Eyebright, taken inwardly, and this used
outwardly; it is cold in quality. This herb is nothing inferior to the former, it
having not only all the virtues which the former hath, but more peculiar virtues
of its own, found out by experience; as, namely, The distilled water is a present
remedy for hurts and blows on the eyes, and for blindness, so as the Christalline
humours be not perished or hurt; and this hath been sufficiently proved true by
the experience of a man of judgment, who kept it long to himself as a great
secret. It clears the eyes of dust, or any thing gotten into them, and preserves the
sight. It is also very available against wounds and thrusts, being made into an
ointment in this manner: To every ounce of the water, add two drams of May
butter without salt, and of sugar and wax, of each as much also; let them boil
gently together. Let tents dipped into the liquor that remains after it is cold, be
put into the wounds, and the place covered with a linen cloth doubled and
anointed with the ointment; and this is also an approved medicine. It likewise
cleanses and heals all foul ulcers, and sores whatsoever, and stays their
inflammations by washing them with the water, and laying on them a green leaf
or two in the Summer, or dry leaves in the Winter. This water, gargled warm in
the mouth, and sometimes drank also, doth cure the quinsy, or king’s evil in the
throat. The said water applied warm, takes away all spots, marks, and scabs in
the skin; and a little of it drank, quenches thirst when it is extreme.

LOVAGE.

Descript.] IT has many long and green stalks of large winged leaves, divided
into many parts, like Smallage, but much larger and greater, every leaf being cut
about the edges, broadest forward, and smallest at the stalk, of a sad green
colour, smooth and shining; from among which rise up sundry strong, hollow
green stalks, five or six, sometimes seven or eight feet high, full of joints, but
lesser leaves set on them than grow below; and with them towards the tops come
forth large branches, bearing at their tops large umbels of yellow flowers, and
after them flat brownish seed. The roots grow thick, great and deep, spreading
much, and enduring long, of a brownish colour on the outside, and whitish
within. The whole plant and every part of it smelling strong, and aromatically,
and is of a hot, sharp, biting taste.
Place.] It is usually planted in gardens, where, if it be suffered, it grows huge
and great.
Time.] It flowers in the end of July, and seeds in August.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of the Sun, under the sign Taurus. If
Saturn offend the throat (as he always doth if he be occasioner of the malady,
and in Taurus is the Genesis) this is your cure. It opens, cures and digests
humours, and mightily provokes women’s courses and urine. Half a dram at a
time of the dried root in powder taken in wine, doth wonderfully warm a cold
stomach, helps digestion, and consumes all raw and superfluous moisture
therein; eases all inward gripings and pains, dissolves wind, and resists poison
and infection. It is a known and much praised remedy to drink the decoction of
the herb for any sort of ague, and to help the pains and torments of the body and
bowels coming of cold. The seed is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid
(except the last) and works more powerfully. The distilled water of the herb
helps the quinsy in the throat, if the mouth and throat be gargled and washed
therewith, and helps the pleurisy, being drank three or four times. Being dropped
into the eyes, it takes away the redness or dimness of them; it likewise takes
away spots or freckles in the face. The leaves bruised, and fried with a little
hog’s lard, and put hot to any blotch or boil, will quickly break it.

LUNGWORT.

Descript.] THIS is a kind of moss, that grows on sundry sorts of trees,

especially oaks and beeches, with broad, greyish, tough leaves diversly folded,
crumpled, and gashed in on the edges, and some spotted also with many small
spots on the upper-side. It was never seen to bear any stalk or flower at any time.
Government and virtues.] Jupiter seems to own this herb. It is of great use to
physicians to help the diseases of the lungs, and for coughs, wheezings, and
shortness of breath, which it cures both in man and beast. It is very profitable to
put into lotions that are taken to stay the moist humours that flow to ulcers, and
hinder their healing, as also to wash all other ulcers in the privy parts of a man or
woman. It is an excellent remedy boiled in beer for broken-winded horses.

MADDER.

Descript.] GARDEN Madder shoots forth many very long, weak, four-square,
reddish stalks, trailing on the ground a great way, very rough or hairy, and full of
joints: At every one of these joints come forth divers long and narrow leaves,
standing like a star about the stalks, round also and hairy, towards the tops
whereof come forth many small pale yellow flowers, after which come small
round heads, green at first, and reddish afterwards, but black when they are ripe,
wherein is contained the seed. The root is not very great, but exceeding long,
running down half a man’s length into the ground, red and very clear, while it is
fresh, spreading divers ways.
 Place.] It is only manured in gardens, or larger fields, for the profit that is
made thereof.
Time.] It flowers towards the end of Summer, and the seed is ripe quickly
after.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Mars. It hath an opening quality,
and afterwards to bind and strengthen. It is a sure remedy for the yellow
jaundice, by opening the obstructions of the liver and gall, and cleansing those
parts; it opens also the obstructions of the spleen, and diminishes the melancholy
humour. It is available for the palsy and sciatica, and effectual for bruises inward
and outward, and is therefore much used in vulnerary drinks. The root for all
those aforesaid purposes, is to be boiled in wine or water, as the cause requires,
and some honey and sugar put thereunto afterwards. The seed hereof taken in
vinegar and honey, helps the swelling and hardness of the spleen. The decoction
of the leaves and branches is a good fomentation for women that have not their
courses. The leaves and roots beaten and applied to any part that is discoloured
with freckles, morphew, the white scurf, or any such deformity of the skin,
cleanses thoroughly, and takes them away.

MAIDEN HAIR.

Descript.] OUR common Maiden-Hair doth, from a number of hard black

fibres, send forth a great many blackish shining brittle stalks, hardly a span long,
in many not half so long, on each side set very thick with small, round, dark
green leaves, and spitted on the back of them like a fern.
Place.] It grows upon old stone walls in the West parts in Kent, and divers
other places of this land; it delights likewise to grow by springs, wells, and rocky
moist and shady places, and is always green.

WALL RUE, OR, WHITE MAIDEN-HAIR.

Descript.] THIS has very fine, pale green stalks, almost as fine as hairs, set
confusedly with divers pale green leaves on every short foot stalk, somewhat
near unto the colour of garden Rue, and not much differing in form but more
diversly cut in on the edges, and thicker, smooth on the upper part, and spotted
finely underneath.
Place.] It grows in many places of this land, at Dartford, and the bridge at
Ashford in Kent, at Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, at Wolly in
Huntingtonshire, on Framlingham Castle in Suffolk, on the church walls at
Mayfield in Sussex, in Somersetshire, and divers other places of this land; and is
green in Winter as well as Summer.
Government and virtues.] Both this and the former are under the dominion of
Mercury, and so is that also which follows after, and the virtue of both are so
near alike, that though I have described them and their places of growing
severally, yet I shall in writing the virtues of them, join them both together as
follows.
The decoction of the herb Maiden-Hair being drank, helps those that are
troubled with the cough, shortness of breath, the yellow jaundice, diseases of the
spleen, stopping of urine, and helps exceedingly to break the stone in the
kidneys, (in all which diseases the Wall Rue is also very effectual.) It provokes
women’s courses, and stays both bleedings and fluxes of the stomach and belly,
especially when the herb is dry; for being green, it loosens the belly, and voids
choler and phlegm from the stomach and liver; it cleanses the lungs, and by
rectifying the blood, causes a good colour to the whole body. The herb boiled in
oil of Camomile, dissolves knots, allays swellings, and dries up moist ulcers.
The lye made thereof is singularly good to cleanse the head from scurf, and from
dry and running sores, stays the falling or shedding of the hair, and causes it to
grow thick, fair, and well coloured; for which purpose some boil it in wine,
putting some Smallage seed thereto, and afterwards some oil. The Wall Rue is as
effectual as Maiden-Hair, in all diseases of the head, or falling and recovering of
the hair again, and generally for all the aforementioned diseases: And besides,
the powder of it taken in drink for forty days together, helps the burstings in
children.

GOLDEN MAIDEN HAIR

To the former give me leave to add this, and I shall say no more but only
describe it to you, and for the virtues refer you to the former, since whatever is
said of them, may be also said of this.
Descript.] It has many small, brownish, red hairs, to make up the form of
leaves growing about the ground from the root; and in the middle of them, in
Summer, rise small stalks of the same colour, set with very fine yellowish green
hairs on them, and bearing a small gold, yellow head, less than a wheat corn,
standing in a great husk. The root is very small and thready.
 Place.] It grows in bogs and moorish places, and also on dry shady places, as
Hampstead Heath, and elsewhere.

MALLOWS AND MARSHMALLOWS.

COMMON Mallows are generally so well known that they need no description.
Our common Marshmallows have divers soft hairy white stalks, rising to be
three or four feet high, spreading forth many branches, the leaves whereof are
soft and hairy, somewhat less than the other Mallow leaves, but longer pointed,
cut (for the most part) into some few divisions, but deep. The flowers are many,
but smaller also than the other Mallows, and white, or tending to a bluish colour.
After which come such long, round cases and seeds, as in the other Mallows.
The roots are many and long, shooting from one head, of the bigness of a thumb
or finger, very pliant, tough, and being like liquorice, of a whitish yellow colour
on the outside, and more whitish within, full of a slimy juice, which being laid in
water, will thicken, as if it were a jelly.
Place.] The common Mallows grow in every county of this land. The
common Marshmallows in most of the salt marshes, from Woolwich down to the
sea, both on the Kentish and Essex shores, and in divers other places of this land.
Time.] They flower all the Summer months, even until the Winter do pull
them down.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns them both. The leaves of either of the
sorts, both specified, and the roots also boiled in wine or water, or in broth with
Parsley or Fennel roots, do help to open the body, and are very convenient in hot
agues, or other distempers of the body, to apply the leaves so boiled warm to the
belly. It not only voids hot, choleric, and other offensive humours, but eases the
pains and torments of the belly coming thereby; and are therefore used in all
clysters conducing to those purposes. The same used by nurses procures them
store of milk. The decoction of the seed of any of the common Mallows made in
milk or wine, doth marvellously help excoriations, the phthisic, pleurisy, and
other diseases of the chest and lungs, that proceed of hot causes, if it be
continued taking for some time together. The leaves and roots work the same
effects. They help much also in the excoriations of the bowels, and hardness of
the mother, and in all hot and sharp diseases thereof. The juice drank in wine, or
the decoction of them therein, do help women to a speedy and easy delivery.
Pliny saith, that whosoever takes a spoonful of any of the Mallows, shall that day
be free from all diseases that may come unto him; and that it is especially good
for the falling-sickness. The syrup also and conserve made of the flowers, are
very effectual for the same diseases, and to open the body, being costive. The
leaves bruised, and laid to the eyes with a little honey, take away the
imposthumations of them. The leaves bruised or rubbed upon any place stung
with bees, wasps, or the like, presently take away the pain, redness, and swelling
that rise thereupon. And Dioscorides saith, The decoction of the roots and leaves
helps all sorts of poison, so as the poison be presently voided by vomit. A
poultice made of the leaves boiled and bruised, with some bean or barley flower,
and oil of Roses added, is an especial remedy against all hard tumours and
inflammations, or imposthumes, or swellings of the privities, and other parts,
and eases the pains of them; as also against the hardness of the liver or spleen,
being applied to the places. The juice of Mallows boiled in old oil and applied,
takes away all roughness of the skin, as also the scurf, dandriff, or dry scabs in
the head, or other parts, if they be anointed therewith, or washed with the
decoction, and preserves the hair from falling off. It is also effectual against
scaldings and burnings, St. Anthony’s fire, and all other hot, red, and painful
swellings in any part of the body. The flowers boiled in oil or water (as every
one is disposed) whereunto a little honey and allum is put, is an excellent gargle
to wash, cleanse or heal any sore mouth or throat in a short space. If the feet be
bathed or washed with the decoction of the leaves, roots, and flowers, it helps
much the defluxions of rheum from the head; if the head be washed therewith, it
stays the falling and shedding of the hair. The green leaves (saith Pliny) beaten
with nitre, and applied, draw out thorns or prickles in the flesh.
The Marshmallows are more effectual in all the diseases before mentioned:
The leaves are likewise used to loosen the belly gently, and in decoctions or
clysters to ease all pains of the body, opening the strait passages, and making
them slippery, whereby the stone may descend the more easily and without pain,
out of the reins, kidneys, and bladder, and to ease the torturing pains thereof. But
the roots are of more special use for those purposes, as well for coughs,
hoarseness, shortness of breath and wheezings, being boiled in wine, or honeyed
water, and drank. The roots and seeds hereof boiled in wine or water, are with
good success used by them that have excoriations in the bowels, or the bloody
flux, by qualifying the violence of sharp fretting humours, easing the pains, and
healing the soreness. It is profitably taken by them that are troubled with
ruptures, cramps, or convulsions of the sinews; and boiled in white wine, for the
imposthumes by the throat, commonly called the king’s evil, and of those
kernels that rise behind the ears, and inflammations or swellings in women’s
breasts. The dried roots boiled in milk and drank, is especially good for the chin-
cough. Hippocrates used to give the decoction of the roots, or the juice thereof,
to drink, to those that are wounded, and ready to faint through loss of blood, and
applied the same, mixed with honey and rosin, to the wounds. As also, the roots
boiled in wine to those that have received any hurt by bruises, falls, or blows, or
had any bone or member out of joint, or any swelling-pain, or ache in the
muscles, sinews or arteries. The muscilage of the roots, and of Linseed and
Fenugreek put together, is much used in poultices, ointments, and plaisters, to
molify and digest all hard swellings, and the inflammation of them, and to ease
pains in any part of the body. The seed either green or dry, mixed with vinegar,
cleanses the skin of morphew, and all other discolourings being boiled therewith
in the Sun.
You may remember that not long since there was a raging disease called the
bloody-flux; the college of physicians not knowing what to make of it, called it
the inside plague, for their wits were at Ne plus ultra about it: My son was taken
with the same disease, and the excoriation of his bowels was exceeding great;
myself being in the country, was sent for up, the only thing I gave him, was
Mallows bruised and boiled both in milk and drink, in two days (the blessing of
God being upon it) it cured him. And I here, to shew my thankfulness to God, in
communicating it to his creatures, leave it to posterity.
 MAPLE TREE.

Government and virtues.] IT is under the dominion of Jupiter. The decoction

either of the leaves or bark, must needs strengthen the liver much, and so you
shall find it to do, if you use it. It is excellently good to open obstructions both of
the liver and spleen, and eases pains of the sides thence proceeding.

WIND MARJORAM.

CALLED also Origanum, Eastward Marjoram; Wild Marjoram, and Grove

Marjoram.
Descript.] Wild or field Marjoram hath a root which creeps much under
ground, which continues a long time, sending up sundry brownish, hard, square
stalks, with small dark green leaves, very like those of Sweet Marjoram, but
harder, and somewhat broader; at the top of the stalks stand tufts of flowers, of a
deep purplish red colour. The seed is small and something blacker than that of
Sweet Marjoram.
Place.] It grows plentifully in the borders of corn fields, and in some copses.
Time.] It flowers towards the latter end of the Summer.
Government and virtues.] This is also under the dominion of Mercury. It
strengthens the stomach and head much, there being scarce a better remedy
growing for such as are troubled with a sour humour in the stomach; it restores
the appetite being lost; helps the cough, and consumption of the lungs; it
cleanses the body of choler, expels poison, and remedies the infirmities of the
spleen; helps the bitings of venomous beasts, and helps such as have poisoned
themselves by eating Hemlock, Henbane, or Opium. It provokes urine and the
terms in women, helps the dropsy, and the scurvy, scabs, itch, and yellow
jaundice. The juice being dropped into the ears, helps deafness, pain and noise in
the ears. And thus much for this herb, between which and adders, there is a
deadly antipathy.

SWEET MARJORAM.

SWEET Marjoram is so well known, being an inhabitant in every garden, that it

is needless to write any description thereof, neither of the Winter Sweet
Marjoram, or Pot Marjoram.
Place.] They grow commonly in gardens; some sorts grow wild in the borders
of corn fields and pastures, in sundry places of this land; but it is not my purpose
to insist upon them. The garden kinds being most used and useful.
Time.] They flower in the end of Summer.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Mercury, and under Aries, and
therefore is an excellent remedy for the brain and other parts of the body and
mind, under the dominion of the same planet. Our common Sweet Marjoram is
warming and comfortable in cold diseases of the head, stomach, sinews, and
other parts, taken inwardly, or outwardly applied. The decoction thereof being
drank, helps all diseases of the chest which hinder the freeness of breathing, and
is also profitable for the obstructions of the liver and spleen. It helps the cold
griefs of the womb, and the windiness thereof, and the loss of speech, by
resolution of the tongue. The decoction thereof made with some Pellitory of
Spain, and long Pepper, or with a little Acorns or Origanum, being drank, is
good for those that cannot make water, and against pains and torments in the
belly; it provokes women’s courses, if it be used as a pessary. Being made into
powder, and mixed with honey, it takes away the black marks of blows, and
bruises, being thereunto applied; it is good for the inflammations and watering of
the eyes, being mixed with fine flour, and laid unto them. The juice dropped into
the ears eases the pains and singing noise in them. It is profitably put into those
ointments and salves that are warm, and comfort the outward parts, as the joints
and sinews; for swellings also, and places out of joint. The powder thereof
snuffed up into the nose provokes sneezing, and thereby purges the brain; and
chewed in the mouth, draws forth much phlegm. The oil made thereof, is very
warm and comfortable to the joints that are stiff, and the sinews that are hard, to
molify and supple them. Marjoram is much used in all odoriferous water,
powders, &c. that are for ornament or delight.

MARIGOLDS.

THESE being so plentiful in every garden, and so well known that they need no
description.
Time.] They flower all the Summer long, and sometimes in Winter, if it be
mild.
 Government and virtues.] It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. They
strengthen the heart exceedingly, and are very expulsive, and a little less
effectual in the small-pox and measles than saffron. The juice of Marigold leaves
mixed with vinegar, and any hot swelling bathed with it, instantly gives ease,
and assuages it. The flowers, either green or dried, are much used in possets,
broths, and drink, as a comforter of the heart and spirits, and to expel any
malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them. A plaister made with
the dry flowers in powder, hog’s-grease, turpentine, and rosin, applied to the
breast, strengthens and succours the heart infinitely in fevers, whether
pestilential or not.

MASTERWORT.

Descript.] COMMON Masterwort has divers stalks of winged leaves divided

into sundry parts, three for the most part standing together at a small footstalk on
both sides of the greater, and three likewise at the end of the stalk, somewhat
broad, and cut in on the edges into three or more divisions, all of them dented
about the brims, of a dark green colour, somewhat resembling the leaves of
Angelica, but that these grow lower to the ground, and on lesser stalks; among
which rise up two or three short stalks about two feet high, and slender, with
such like leaves at the joints which grow below, but with lesser and fewer
divisions, bearing umbels of white flowers, and after them thin, flat blackish
seeds, bigger than Dill seeds. The root is somewhat greater and growing rather
side-ways than down deep in the ground, shooting forth sundry heads, which
taste sharp, biting on the tongue, and is the hottest and sharpest part of the plant,
and the seed next unto it being somewhat blackish on the outside, and smelling
well.
Place.] It is usually kept in gardens with us in England.
Time.] It flowers and seeds about the end of August.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Mars. The root of Masterwort is
hotter than pepper, and very available in cold griefs and diseases both of the
stomach and body, dissolving very powerfully upwards and downwards. It is
also used in a decoction with wine against all cold rheums, distillations upon the
lungs, or shortness of breath, to be taken morning and evening. It also provokes
urine, and helps to break the stone, and expel the gravel from the kidneys;
provokes women’s courses, and expels the dead birth. It is singularly good for
strangling of the mother, and other such like feminine diseases. It is effectual
also against the dropsy, cramps, and falling sickness; for the decoction in wine
being gargled in the mouth, draws down much water and phlegm, from the brain,
purging and easing it of what oppresses it. It is of a rare quality against all sorts
of cold poison, to be taken as there is cause; it provokes sweat. But lest the taste
hereof, or of the seed (which works to the like effect, though not so powerfully)
should be too offensive, the best way is to take the water distilled both from the
herb and root. The juice hereof dropped, or tents dipped therein, and applied
either to green wounds or filthy rotten ulcers, and those that come by envenomed
weapons, doth soon cleanse and heal them. The same is also very good to help
the gout coming of a cold cause.

SWEET MAUDLIN.

Descript.] COMMON Maudlin hath somewhat long and narrow leaves, snipped
about the edges. The stalks are two feet high, bearing at the tops many yellow
flowers set round together and all of an equal height, in umbels or tufts like unto
tansy; after which follow small whitish seed, almost as big as wormseed.
Place and Time.] It grows in gardens, and flowers in June and July.
Government and virtues.] The Virtues hereof being the same with Costmary
or Alecost, I shall not make any repetition thereof, lest my book grow too big;
but rather refer you to Costmary for satisfaction.

THE MEDLAR.

Descript.] THE Tree grows near the bigness of the Quince Tree, spreading
branches reasonably large, with longer and narrower leaves than either the apple
or quince, and not dented about the edges. At the end of the sprigs stand the
flowers, made of five white, great, broad-pointed leaves, nicked in the middle
with some white threads also; after which comes the fruit, of a brownish green
colour, being ripe, bearing a crown as it were on the top, which were the five
green leaves; and being rubbed off, or fallen away, the head of the fruit is seen to
be somewhat hollow. The fruit is very harsh before it is mellowed, and has
usually five hard kernels within it. There is another kind hereof nothing differing
from the former, but that it hath some thorns on it in several places, which the
other hath not; and usually the fruit is small, and not so pleasant.
Time and Place.] They grow in this land, and flower in May for the most part,
and bear fruit in September and October.
Government and virtues.] The fruit is old Saturn’s, and sure a better medicine
he hardly hath to strengthen the retentive faculty; therefore it stays women’s
longings: The good old man cannot endure women’s minds should run a
gadding. Also a plaister made of the fruit dried before they are rotten, and other
convenient things, and applied to the reins of the back, stops miscarriage in
women with child. They are powerful to stay any fluxes of blood or humours in
men or women; the leaves also have this quality. The decoction of them is good
to gargle and wash the mouth, throat and teeth, when there is any defluxions of
blood to stay it, or of humours, which causes the pains and swellings. It is a good
bath for women, that have their courses flow too abundant: or for the piles when
they bleed too much. If a poultice or plaister be made with dried medlars, beaten
and mixed with the juice of red roses, whereunto a few cloves and nutmegs may
be added, and a little red coral also, and applied to the stomach that is given to
casting or loathing of meat, it effectually helps. The dried leaves in powder
strewed on fresh bleeding wounds restrains the blood, and heals up the wound
quickly. The medlar-stones made into powder, and drank in wine, wherein some
Parsley-roots have lain infused all night, or a little boiled, do break the stone in
the kidneys, helping to expel it.

MELLILOT, OR KING’S CLAVER.

Descript.] THIS hath many green stalks, two or three feet high, rising from a
tough, long, white root, which dies not every year, set round about at the joints
with small and somewhat long, well-smelling leaves, set three together,
unevently dented about the edges. The flowers are yellow, and well-smelling
also, made like other trefoil, but small, standing in long spikes one above
another, for an hand breadth long or better, which afterwards turn into long
crooked pods, wherein is contained flat seed, somewhat brown.
Place.] It grows plentifully in many places of this land, as in the edge of
Suffolk and in Essex, as also in Huntingdonshire, and in other places, but most
usually in corn fields, in corners of meadows.
Time.] It flowers in June and July, and is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.] Melilot, boiled in wine, and applied, mollifies all
hard tumours and inflammations that happen in the eyes, or other parts of the
body, and sometimes the yolk of a roasted egg, or fine flour, or poppy seed, or
endive, is added unto it. It helps the spreading ulcers in the head, it being washed
with a lye made thereof. It helps the pains of the stomach, being applied fresh, or
boiled with any of the aforenamed things; also, the pains of the ears, being
dropped into them; and steeped in vinegar, or rose water, it mitigates the head-
ache. The flowers of Mellilot or Camomile are much used to be put together in
clysters to expel wind, and ease pains; and also in poultices for the same
purpose, and to assuage swelling tumours in the spleen or other parts, and helps
inflammations in any part of the body. The juice dropped into the eyes, is a
singularly good medicine to take away the film or skin that clouds or dimns the
eye-sight. The head often washed with the distilled water of the herb and flower,
or a lye made therewith, is effectual for those that suddenly lose their senses; as
also to strengthen the memory, to comfort the head and brain, and to preserve
them from pain, and the apoplexy.

FRENCH AND DOG MERCURY.

Descript.] THIS rises up with a square green stalk full of joints, two feet high,
or thereabouts, with two leaves at every joint, and the branches likewise from
both sides of the stalk, set with fresh green leaves, somewhat broad and long,
about the bigness of the leaves of Bazil, finely dented about the edges; towards
the tops of the stalk and branches, come forth at every joint in the male Mercury
two small, round green heads, standing together upon a short foot stalk, which
growing ripe, are seeds, not having flowers. The female stalk is longer, spike-
fashion, set round about with small green husks, which are the flowers, made
small like bunches of grapes, which give no seed, but abiding long upon the
stalks without shedding. The root is composed of many small fibres, which
perishes every year at the first approach of Winter, and rises again of its own
sowing; and if once it is suffered to sow itself, the ground will never want
afterwards, even both sorts of it.

DOG MERCURY.

HAVING described unto you that which is called French Mercury, I come now
to shew you a description of this kind also.
Descript.] This is likewise of two kinds, male and Female, having many
stalks slender and lower than Mercury, without any branches at all upon them,
the root is set with two leaves at every joint, somewhat greater than the female,
but more pointed and full of veins, and somewhat harder in handling: of a dark
green colour, and less denied or snipped about the edges. At the joints with the
leaves come forth longer stalks than the former, with two hairy round seeds upon
them, twice as big as those of the former Mercury. The taste hereof is herby, and
the smell somewhat strong and virulent. The female has much harder leaves
standing upon longer footstalks, and the stalks are also longer; from the joints
come forth spikes of flowers like the French Female Mercury. The roots of them
both are many, and full of small fibres which run under ground, and mat
themselves very much, not perishing as the former Mercuries do, but abide the
Winter, and shoot forth new branches every year, for the old lie down to the
ground.
Place.] The male and female French Mercury are found wild in divers places
of this land, as by a village called Brookland in Rumney Marsh in Kent.
The Dog Mercury in sundry places of Kent also, and elsewhere; but the
female more seldom than the male.
Time.] They flower in the Summer months, and therein give their seed.
Government and virtues.] Mercury, they say, owns the herb, but I rather think
it is Venus’s, and I am partly confident of it too, for I never heard that Mercury
ever minded women’s business so much: I believe he minds his study more. The
decoction of the leaves of Mercury, or the juice thereof in broth, or drank with a
little sugar put to it, purges choleric and waterish humours. Hippocrates
commended it wonderfully for women’s diseases, and applied to the secret parts,
to ease the pains of the mother; and used the decoction of it, both to procure
women’s courses, and to expel the after-birth; and gave the decoction thereof
with myrrh or pepper, or used to apply the leaves outwardly against the
stranguary and diseases of the reins and bladder. He used it also for sore and
watering eyes, and for the deafness and pains in the ears, by dropping the juice
thereof into them, and bathing them afterwards in white wine. The decoction
thereof made with water and a cock chicken, is a most safe medicine against the
hot fits of agues. It also cleanses the breast and lungs of phlegm, but a little
offends the stomach. The juice or distilled water snuffed up into the nostrils,
purges the head and eyes of catarrhs and rheums. Some use to drink two or three
ounces of the distilled water, with a little sugar put to it, in the morning fasting,
to open and purge the body of gross, viscous, and melancholy humours.
Matthiolus saith, that both the seed of the male and female Mercury boiled with
Wormwood and drank, cures the yellow jaundice in a speedy manner. The leaves
or the juice rubbed upon warts, takes them away. The juice mingled with some
vinegar, helps all running scabs, tetters, ringworms, and the itch. Galen saith,
that being applied in manner of a poultice to any swelling or inflammation, it
digests the swelling, and allays the inflammation, and is therefore given in
clysters to evacuate from the belly offensive humours. The Dog Mercury,
although it be less used, yet may serve in the same manner, to the same purpose,
to purge waterish and melancholy humours.

MINT.

OF all the kinds of Mint, the Spear Mint, or Heart Mint, being most usual, I
shall only describe as follows:
Descript.] Spear Mint has divers round stalks, and long but narrowish leaves
set thereon, of a dark green colour. The flowers stand in spiked heads at the tops
of the branches, being of a pale blue colour. The smell or scent thereof is
somewhat near unto Bazil; it encreases by the root under ground as all the others
do.
Place.] It is an usual inhabitant in gardens; and because it seldom gives any
good seed, the seed is recompensed by the plentiful increase of the root, which
being once planted in a garden, will hardly be rid out again.
Time.] It flowers not until the beginning of August, for the most part.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Venus. Dioscorides saith it hath a
healing, binding and drying quality, and therefore the juice taken in vinegar,
stays bleeding: It stirs up venery, or bodily lust; two or three branches thereof
taken in the juice of four pomegranates, stays the hiccough, vomiting, and allays
the choler. It dissolves imposthumes being laid to with barley-meal. It is good to
repress the milk in women’s breasts, and for such as have swollen, flagging, or
great breasts. Applied with salt, it helps the biting of a mad dog; with mead and
honeyed water, it eases the pains of the ears, and takes away the roughness of the
tongue, being rubbed thereupon. It suffers not milk to curdle in the stomach, if
the leaves thereof be steeped or boiled in it before you drink it. Briefly it is very
profitable to the stomach. The often use hereof is a very powerful medicine to
stay women’s courses and the whites. Applied to the forehead and temples, it
eases the pains in the head, and is good to wash the heads of young children
therewith, against all manner of breakings-out, sores or scabs, therein. It is also
profitable against the poison of venomous creatures. The distilled water of Mint
is available to all the purposes aforesaid, yet more weakly. But if a spirit thereof
be rightly and chymically drawn, it is much more powerful than the herb itself.
Simeon Sethi saith, it helps a cold liver, strengthens the belly, causes digestion,
stays vomits and hiccough; it is good against the gnawing of the heart, provokes
appetite, takes away obstructions of the liver, and stirs up bodily lust; but
therefore too much must not be taken, because it makes the blood thin and
wheyish, and turns it into choler, and therefore choleric persons must abstain
from it. It is a safe medicine for the biting of a mad dog, being bruised with salt
and laid thereon. The powder of it being dried and taken after meat, helps
digestion, and those that are splenetic. Taken with wine, it helps women in their
sore travail in child-bearing. It is good against the gravel and stone in the
kidneys, and the stranguary. Being smelled unto, it is comfortable for the head
and memory. The decoction hereof gargled in the mouth, cures the gums and
mouth that are sore, and mends an ill-savoured breath; as also the Rue and
Coriander, causes the palate of the mouth to turn to its place, the decoction being
gargled and held in the mouth.
The virtues of the Wild or Horse Mint, such as grow in ditches (whose
description I purposely omitted, in regard they are well known) are serviceable
to dissolve wind in the stomach, to help the cholic, and those that are short-
winded, and are an especial remedy for those that have veneral dreams and
pollutions in the night, being outwardly applied. The juice dropped into the ears
eases the pains of them, and destroys the worms that breed therein. They are
good against the venemous biting of serpents. The juice laid on warm, helps the
king’s evil, or kernels in the throat. The decoction or distilled water helps a
stinking breath, proceeding from corruption of the teeth, and snuffed up the
nose, purges the head. Pliny saith, that eating of the leaves hath been found by
experience to cure the leprosy, applying some of them to the face, and to help
the scurf or dandriff of the head used with vinegar. They are extremely bad for
wounded people; and they say a wounded man that eats Mint, his wound will
never be cured, and that is a long day.

MISSELTO.

Descript.] THIS rises up from the branch or arm of the tree whereon it grows,
with a woody stem, putting itself into sundry branches, and they again divided
into many other smaller twigs, interlacing themselves one within another, very
much covered with a greyish green bark, having two leaves set at every joint,
and at the end likewise, which are somewhat long and narrow, small at the
bottom, but broader towards the end. At the knots or joints of the boughs and
branches grow small yellow flowers, which run into small, round, white,
transparent berries, three or four together, full of a glutinous moisture, with a
blackish seed in each of them, which was never yet known to spring, being put
into the ground, or any where else to grow.
Place.] It grows very rarely on oaks with us; but upon sundry others as well
timber as fruit trees, plentifully in woody groves, and the like, through all this
land.
Time.] It flowers in the Spring-time, but the berries are not ripe until October,
and abides on the branches all the Winter, unless the blackbirds, and other birds,
do devour them.
Government and virtues.] This is under the dominion of the Sun, I do not
question; and can also take for granted, that which grows upon oaks, participates
something of the nature of Jupiter, because an oak is one of his trees; as also that
which grows upon pear trees, and apple trees, participates something of his
nature, because he rules the tree it grows upon, having no root of its own. But
why that should have most virtues that grows upon oaks I know not, unless
because it is rarest and hardest to come by; and our college’s opinion is in this
contrary to scripture, which saith, God’s tender mercies are over all his works;
and so it is, let the college of physicians walk as contrary to him as they please,
and that is as contrary as the east to the west. Clusius affirms that which grows
upon pear trees to be as prevalent, and gives order, that it should not touch the
ground after it is gathered; and also saith, that, being hung about the neck, it
remedies witchcraft. Both the leaves and berries of Misselto do heat and dry, and
are of subtle parts; the birdlime doth molify hard knots, tumours, and
imposthumes; ripens and discusses them, and draws forth thick as well as thin
humours from the remote parts of the body, digesting and separating them. And
being mixed with equal parts of rozin and wax, doth molify the hardness of the
spleen, and helps old ulcers and sores. Being mixed with Sandaric and Orpiment,
it helps to draw off foul nails; and if quick-lime and wine lees be added
thereunto, it works the stronger. The Misselto itself of the oak (as the best) made
into powder, and given in drink to those that have the falling sickness, does
assuredly heal them, as Matthiolus saith: but it is fit to use it for forty days
together. Some have so highly esteemed it for the virtues thereof, that they have
called it Lignum Sanctiæ Crucis, Wood of the Holy Cross, believing it helps the
falling sickness, apoplexy and palsy very speedily, not only to be inwardly
taken, but to be hung at their neck. Tragus saith, that the fresh wood of any
Misselto bruised, and the juice drawn forth and dropped in the ears that have
imposthumes in them, doth help and ease them within a few days.

MONEYWORT, OR HERB TWOPENCE.

Descript.] THE common Moneywort sends forth from a small thready root
divers long, weak, and slender branches, lying and running upon the ground two
or three feet long or more, set with leaves two at a joint one against another at
equal distances, which are almost round, but pointed at the ends, smooth, and of
a good green colour. At the joints with the leaves from the middle forward come
forth at every point sometimes one yellow flower, and sometimes two, standing
each on a small footstalk, and made of five leaves, narrow-pointed at the end,
with some yellow threads in the middle, which being past, there stand in their
places small round heads of seed.
Place.] It grows plentifully in almost all places of this land, commonly in
moist grounds by hedge-sides, and in the middle of grassy fields.
Time.] They flower in June and July, and their seed is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns it. Moneywort is singularly good to
stay all fluxes in man or woman, whether they be lasks, bloody-fluxes, bleeding
inwardly or outwardly, or the weakness of the stomach that is given to casting. It
is very good also for the ulcers or excoriations of the lungs, or other inward
parts. It is exceedingly good for all wounds, either fresh or green, to heal them
speedily, and for all old ulcers that are of spreading natures. For all which
purposes the juice of the herb, or the powder drank in water wherein hot steel
hath been often quenched; or the decoction of the green herb in wine or water
drank, or used to the outward place, to wash or bathe them, or to have tents
dipped therein and put into them, are effectual.

MOONWORT.

Descript.] IT rises up usually but with one dark green, thick and flat leaf,
standing upon a short footstalk not above two fingers breadth; but when it
flowers it may be said to bear a small slender stalk about four or five inches
high, having but one leaf in the middle thereof, which is much divided on both
sides into sometimes five or seven parts on a side, sometimes more; each of
which parts is small like the middle rib, but broad forwards, pointed and round,
resembling therein a half-moon, from whence it took the name; the uppermost
parts or divisions being bigger than the lowest. The stalks rise above this leaf
two or three inches, bearing many branches of small long tongues, every one like
the spiky head of the adder’s tongue, of a brownish colour, (which, whether I
shall call them flowers, or the seed, I well know not) which, after they have
continued awhile, resolve into a mealy dust. The root is small and fibrous. This
hath sometimes divers such like leaves as are before described, with so many
branches or tops rising from one stalk, each divided from the other.
Place.] It grows on hills and heaths, yet where there is much grass, for therein
it delights to grow.
Time.] It is to be found only in April and May; for in June, when any hot
weather comes, for the most part it is withered and gone.
Government and virtues.] The Moon owns the herb. Moonwort is cold and
drying more than Adder’s Tongue, and is therefore held to be more available for
all wounds both inward and outward. The leaves boiled in red wine, and drank,
stay the immoderate flux of women’s courses, and the whites. It also stays
bleeding, vomiting, and other fluxes. It helps all blows and bruises, and to
consolidate all fractures and dislocations. It is good for ruptures, but is chiefly
used, by most with other herbs, to make oils or balsams to heal fresh or green
wounds (as I said before) either inward or outward, for which it is excellently
good.
Moonwort is an herb which (they say) will open locks, and unshoe such
horses as tread upon it: This some laugh to scorn, and those no small fools
neither; but country people, that I know, call it Unshoe the Horse. Besides I have
heard commanders say, that on White Down in Devonshire, near Tiverton, there
were found thirty horse shoes, pulled off from the feet of the Earl of Essex’s
horses, being there drawn up in a body, many of them being but newly shod, and
no reason known, which caused much admiration: the herb described usually
grows upon heaths.

MOSSES.

I SHALL not trouble the reader with a description of these, since my intent is to
speak only of two kinds, as the most principal, viz. Ground Moss and Tree Moss,
both which are very well known.
Place.] The Ground Moss grows in our moist woods, and at the bottom of
hills, in boggy grounds, and in shadowy ditches and many other such like places.
The Tree Moss grows only on trees.
Government and virtues.] All sorts of Mosses are under the dominion of
Saturn. The Ground Moss is held to be singularly good to break the stone, and to
expel and drive it forth by urine, being boiled in wine and drank. The herb being
bruised and boiled in water, and applied, eases all inflammations and pains
coming from an hot cause; and is therefore used to ease the pains of the gout.
The Tree Mosses are cooling and binding, and partake of a digesting and
molifying quality withal, as Galen saith. But each Moss partakes of the nature of
the tree from whence it is taken; therefore that of the oak is more binding, and is
of good effect to stay fluxes in man or woman; as also vomiting or bleeding, the
powder thereof being taken in wine. The decoction thereof in wine is very good
for women to be bathed in, that are troubled with the overflowing of their
courses. The same being drank, stays the stomach that is troubled with casting,
or hiccough; and, as Avicena saith, it comforts the heart. The powder thereof
taken in drink for some time together, is thought available for the dropsy. The oil
that has had fresh Moss steeped therein for a time, and afterwards boiled and
applied to the temples and forehead, marvellously eases the head-ache coming of
a hot cause; as also the distillations of hot rheums or humours in the eyes, or
other parts. The ancients much used it in their ointments and other medicines
against the lassitude, and to strengthen and comfort the sinews: For which, if it
was good then, I know no reason but it may be found so still.

MOTHERWORT.
Descript.] THIS hath a hard, square, brownish, rough, strong stalk, rising three
or four feet high at least, spreading into many branches, whereon grow leaves on
each side, with long footstalks, two at every joint, which are somewhat broad
and long, as if it were rough or crumpled, with many great veins therein of a sad
green colour, and deeply dented about the edges, and almost divided. From the
middle of the branches up to the tops of them (which are long and small) grow
the flowers round them at distances, in sharp pointed, rough, hard husks, of a
more red or purple colour than Balm or Horehound, but in the same manner or
form as the Horehound, after which come small, round, blackish seeds in great
plenty. The root sends forth a number of long strings and small fibres, taking
strong hold in the ground, of a dark yellowish or brownish colour, and abides as
the Horehound does: the smell of the one not much differs from the other.
 Place.] It grows only in gardens with us in England.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns the herb, and it is under Leo. There is
no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it, and
make a merry, chearful, blithe soul than this herb. It may be kept in a syrup or
conserve; therefore the Latins called it Cardiaca. Besides, it makes women joyful
mothers of children, and settles their wombs as they should be, therefore we call
it Motherwort. It is held to be of much use for the trembling of the heart, and
faintings and swoonings; from whence it took the name Cardiaca. The powder
thereof, to the quantity of a spoonful, drank in wine, is a wonderful help to
women in their sore travail, as also for the suffocating or risings of the mother,
and for these effects, it is likely it took the name of Motherwort with us. It also
provokes urine and women’s courses, cleanses the chest of cold phlegm,
oppressing it, kills worms in the belly. It is of good use to warm and dry up the
cold humours, to digest and disperse them that are settled in the veins, joints, and
sinews of the body, and to help cramps and convulsions.

MOUSE-EAR.

Descript.] MOUSE-EAR is a low herb, creeping upon the ground by small

strings, like the Strawberry plant, whereby it shoots forth small roots, whereat
grow, upon the ground, many small and somewhat short leaves, set in a round
form together, and very hairy, which, being broken, do give a whitish milk:
From among these leaves spring up two or three small hoary stalks about a span
high, with a few smaller leaves thereon; at the tops whereof stands usually but
one flower, consisting of many pale yellow leaves, broad at the point, and a little
dented in, set in three or four rows (the greater uppermost) very like a Dandelion
flower, and a little reddish underneath about the edges, especially if it grow in a
dry ground; which after they have stood long in flower do turn into down, which
with the seed is carried away with the wind.
Place.] It grows on ditch banks, and sometimes in ditches, if they be dry, and
in sandy grounds.
Time.] It flowers about June or July, and abides green all the Winter.
Government and virtues.] The Moon owns this herb also; and though authors
cry out upon Alchymists, for attempting to fix quicksilver by this herb and
Moonwort, a Roman would not have judged a thing by the success; if it be to be
fixed at all, it is by lunar influence. The juice thereof taken in wine, or the
decoction thereof drank, doth help the jaundice, although of long continuance, to
drink thereof morning and evening, and abstain from other drink two or three
hours after. It is a special remedy against the stone, and the tormenting pains
thereof: as also other tortures and griping pains of the bowels. The decoction
thereof with Succory and Centaury is held very effectual to help the dropsy, and
them that are inclining thereunto, and the diseases of the spleen. It stays the
fluxes of blood, either at the mouth or nose, and inward bleeding also, for it is a
singular wound herb for wounds both inward and outward: It helps the bloody
flux, and helps the abundance of women’s courses. There is a syrup made of the
juice hereof and sugar, by the apothecaries of Italy, and other places, which is of
much account with them, to be given to those that are troubled with the cough or
phthisic. The same also is singularly good for ruptures or burstings. The green
herb bruised and presently bound to any cut or wound, doth quickly solder the
lips thereof. And the juice, decoction, or powder of the dried herb is most
singular to stay the malignity of spreading and fretting cankers and ulcers
whatsoever, yea in the mouth and secret parts. The distilled water of the plant is
available in all the diseases aforesaid, and to wash outward wounds and sores, by
applying tents of cloths wet therein.

MUGWORT.

Descript.] COMMON Mugwort hath divers leaves lying upon the ground, very
much divided, or cut deeply in about the brims, somewhat like Wormwood, but
much larger, of a dark green colour on the upper side, and very hoary white
underneath. The stalks rise to be four or five feet high, having on it such like
leaves as those below, but somewhat smaller, branching forth very much
towards the top, whereon are set very small, pale, yellowish flowers like buttons,
which fall away, and after them come small seeds inclosed in round heads. The
root is long and hard, with many small fibres growing from it, whereby it takes
strong hold on the ground; but both stalks and leaves do lie down every year, and
the root shoots anew in the Spring. The whole plant is of a reasonable scent, and
is more easily propagated by the slips than the seed.
Place.] It grows plentifully in many places of this land, by the water-sides; as
also by small water courses, and in divers other places.
Time.] It flowers and seeds in the end of Summer.
Government and virtues.] This is an herb of Venus, therefore maintains the
parts of the body she rules, remedies the diseases of the parts that are under her
signs, Taurus and Libra. Mugwort is with good success put among other herbs
that are boiled for women to apply the hot decoction to draw down their courses,
to help the delivery of the birth, and expel the after-birth. As also for the
obstructions and inflammations of the mother. It breaks the stone, and opens the
urinary passages where they are stopped. The juice thereof made up with Myrrh,
and put under as a pessary, works the same effects, and so does the root also.
Being made up with hog’s grease into an ointment, it takes away wens and hard
knots and kernels that grow about the neck and throat, and eases the pains about
the neck more effectually, if some Field Daisies be put with it. The herb itself
being fresh, or the juice thereof taken, is a special remedy upon the overmuch
taking of opium. Three drams of the powder of the dried leaves taken in wine, is
a speedy and the best certain help for the sciatica. A decoction thereof made with
Camomile and Agrimony, and the place bathed therewith while it is warm, takes
away the pains of the sinews, and the cramp.

THE MULBERRY-TREE.

THIS is so well known where it grows, that it needs no description.

Time.] It bears fruit in the months of July and August.
Government and virtues.] Mercury rules the tree, therefore are its effects
variable as his are. The Mulberry is of different parts; the ripe berries, by reason
of their sweetness and slippery moisture, opening the body, and the unripe
binding it, especially when they are dried, and then they are good to stay fluxes,
lasks, and the abundance of women’s courses. The bark of the root kills the
broad worms in the body. The juice, or the syrup made of the juice of the berries,
helps all inflammations or sores in the mouth, or throat, and palate of the mouth
when it is fallen down. The juice of the leaves is a remedy against the biting of
serpents, and for those that have taken aconite. The leaves beaten with vinegar,
are good to lay on any place that is burnt with fire. A decoction made of the bark
and leaves is good to wash the mouth and teeth when they ache. If the root be a
little slit or cut, and a small hole made in the ground next thereunto, in the
Harvest-time, it will give out a certain juice, which being hardened the next day,
is of good use to help the tooth-ache, to dissolve knots, and purge the belly. The
leaves of Mulberries are said to stay bleeding at the mouth or nose, or the
bleeding of the piles, or of a wound, being bound unto the places. A branch of
the tree taken when the moon is at the full, and bound to the wrists of a woman’s
arm, whose courses come down too much, doth stay them in a short space.
 MULLEIN.

Descript.] COMMON White Mullein has many fair, large, woolly white leaves,
lying next the ground, somewhat larger than broad, pointed at the end, and as it
were dented about the edges. The stalk rises up to be four or five feet high,
covered over with such like leaves, but less, so that no stalk can be seen for the
multitude of leaves thereon up to the flowers, which come forth on all sides of
the stalk, without any branches for the most part, and are many set together in a
long spike, in some of a yellow colour, in others more pale, consisting of five
round pointed leaves, which afterwards have small round heads, wherein is small
brownish seed contained. The root is long, white, and woody, perishing after it
hath borne seed.
Place.] It grows by way-sides and lanes, in many places of this land.
Time.] It flowers in July or thereabouts.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Saturn. A small quantity
of the root given in wine, is commended by Dioscorides, against lasks and fluxes
of the belly. The decoction hereof drank, is profitable for those that are bursten,
and for cramps and convulsions, and for those that are troubled with an old
cough. The decoction thereof gargled, eases the pains of the tooth-ache. And the
oil made by the often infusion of the flowers, is of very good effect for the piles.
The decoction of the root in red wine or in water, (if there be an ague) wherein
red hot steel hath been often quenched, doth stay the bloody-flux. The same also
opens obstructions of the bladder and reins. A decoction of the leaves hereof,
and of Sage, Marjoram, and Camomile flowers, and the places bathed therewith,
that have sinews stiff with cold or cramps, doth bring them much ease and
comfort. Three ounces of the distilled water of the flowers drank morning and
evening for some days together, is said to be the most excellent remedy for the
gout. The juice of the leaves and flowers being laid upon rough warts, as also the
powder of the dried roots rubbed on, doth easily take them away, but doth no
good to smooth warts. The powder of the dried flowers is an especial remedy for
those that are troubled with the belly-ache, or the pains of the cholic. The
decoction of the root, and so likewise of the leaves, is of great effect to dissolve
the tumours, swellings, or inflammations of the throat. The seed and leaves
boiled in wine, and applied, draw forth speedily thorns or splinters gotten into
the flesh, ease the pains, and heal them also. The leaves bruised and wrapped in
double papers, and covered with hot ashes and embers to bake a while, and then
taken forth and laid warm on any blotch or boil happening in the groin or share,
doth dissolve and heal them. The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and laid on
any member that has been out of joint, and newly set again, takes away all
swelling and pain thereof.

MUSTARD.

Descript.] OUR common Mustard hath large and broad rough leaves, very
much jagged with uneven and unorderly gashes, somewhat like turnip leaves,
but less and rougher. The stalk rises to be more than a foot high, and sometimes
two feet high, being round, rough, and branched at the top, bearing such like
leaves thereon as grow below, but lesser, and less divided, and divers yellow
flowers one above another at the tops, after which come small rough pods, with
small, lank, flat ends, wherein is contained round yellowish seed, sharp, hot, and
biting upon the tongue. The root is small, long, and woody when it bears stalks,
and perishes every year.
Place.] This grows with us in gardens only, and other manured places.
Time.] It is an annual plant, flowering in July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] It is an excellent sauce for such whose blood wants
clarifying, and for weak stomachs, being an herb of Mars, but naught for
choleric people, though as good for such as are aged, or troubled with cold
diseases. Aries claims something to do with it, therefore it strengthens the heart,
and resists poison. Let such whose stomachs are so weak they cannot digest their
meat, or appetite it, take of Mustard-seed a dram, Cinnamon as much, and
having beaten them to powder, and half as much Mastich in powder, and with
gum Arabic dissolved in rose-water, make it up into troches, of which they may
take one of about half a dram weight an hour or two before meals; let old men
and women make much of this medicine, and they will either give me thanks, or
shew manifest ingratitude. Mustard seed hath the virtue of heat, discussing,
ratifying, and drawing out splinters of bones, and other things of the flesh. It is
of good effect to bring down women’s courses, for the falling-sickness or
lethargy, drowsy forgetful evil, to use it both inwardly and outwardly, to rub the
nostrils, forehead and temples, to warm and quicken the spirits; for by the fierce
sharpness it purges the brain by sneezing, and drawing down rheum and other
viscous humours, which by their distillations upon the lungs and chest, procure
coughing, and therefore, with some, honey added thereto, doth much good
therein. The decoction of the seed made in wine, and drank, provokes urine,
resists the force of poison, the malignity of mushrooms, and venom of scorpions,
or other venomous creatures, if it be taken in time; and taken before the cold fits
of agues, alters, lessens, and cures them. The seed taken either by itself, or with
other things, either in an electuary or drink, doth mightily stir up bodily lust, and
helps the spleen and pains in the sides, and gnawings in the bowels; and used as
a gargle draws up the palate of the mouth, being fallen down; and also it
dissolves the swellings about the throat, if it be outwardly applied. Being chewed
in the mouth it oftentimes helps the tooth-ache. The outward application hereof
upon the pained place of the sciatica, discusses the humours, and eases the pains,
as also the gout, and other joint aches; and is much and often used to ease pains
in the sides or loins, the shoulder, or other parts of the body, upon the plying
thereof to raise blisters, and cures the disease by drawing it to the outward parts
of the body. It is also used to help the falling off the hair. The seed bruised
mixed with honey, and applied, or made up with wax, takes away the marks and
black and blue spots of bruises, or the like, the roughness or scabbiness of the
skin, as also the leprosy, and lousy evil. It helps also the crick in the neck. The
distilled water of the herb, when it is in the flower, is much used to drink
inwardly to help in any of the diseases aforesaid, or to wash the mouth when the
palate is down, and for the disease of the throat to gargle, but outwardly also for
scabs, itch, or other the like infirmities, and cleanses the face from morphew,
spots, freckles, and other deformities.

THE HEDGE-MUSTARD.

Descript.] THIS grows up usually but with one blackish green stalk, tough,
easy to bend, but not to break, branched into divers parts, and sometimes with
divers stalks, set full of branches, whereon grow long, rough, or hard rugged
leaves, very much tore or cut on the edges in many parts, some bigger, and some
less, of a dirty green colour. The flowers are small and yellow, that grow on the
tops of the branches in long spikes, flowering by degrees; so that continuing long
in flower, the stalk will have small round cods at the bottom, growing upright
and close to the stalk, while the top flowers yet shew themselves, in which are
contained small yellow seed, sharp and strong, as the herb is also. The root
grows down slender and woody, yet abiding and springing again every year.
Place.] This grows frequently in this land, by the ways and hedge-sides, and
sometimes in the open fields.
Time.] It flowers most usually about July.
Government and virtues.] Mars owns this herb also. It is singularly good in
all the diseases of the chest and lungs, hoarseness of voice: and by the use of the
decoction thereof for a little space, those have been recovered who had utterly
lost their voice, and almost their spirits also. The juice thereof made into a syrup,
or licking medicine, with honey or sugar, is no less effectual for the same
purpose, and for all other coughs, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The same
is also profitable for those that have the jaundice, pleurisy, pains in the back and
loins, and for torments in the belly, or cholic, being also used in clysters. The
seed is held to be a special remedy against poison and venom. It is singularly
good for the sciatica, and in joint-aches, ulcers, and cankers in the mouth, throat,
or behind the ears, and no less for the hardness and swelling of the testicles, or of
women’s breasts.

NAILWORT, OR WHITLOW-GRASS.

Descript.] THIS very small and common herb hath no roots, save only a few
strings: neither doth it ever grow to be above a hand’s breadth high, the leaves
are very small, and something long, not much unlike those of Chickweed, among
which rise up divers slender stalks, bearing many white flowers one above
another, which are exceeding small; after which come small flat pouches
containing the seed, which is very small, but of a sharp taste.
Place.] It grows commonly upon old stone and brick walls, and sometimes in
gravelly grounds, especially if there be grass or moss near to shadow it.
Time.] They flower very early in the year, sometimes in January, and in
February; for before the end of April they are not to be found.
Government and virtues.] It is held to be exceedingly good for those
imposthumes in the joints, and under the nails, which they call Whitlows,
Felons, Andicorns and Nail-wheals.

NEP, OR CATMINT.

Descript.] COMMON Garden Nep shoots forth hard four-square stalks, with a
hoariness on them, a yard high or more, full of branches, bearing at every joint
two broad leaves like balm, but longer pointed, softer, white, and more hoary,
nicked about the edges, and of a strong sweet scent. The flowers grow in large
tufts at the tops of the branches, and underneath them likewise on the stalks
many together, of a whitish purple colour. The roots are composed of many long
strings or fibres, fastening themselves stronger in the ground, and abide with
green leaves thereon all the winter.
Place.] It is only nursed up in our gardens.
Time.] And it flowers in July, or thereabouts.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Venus. Nep is generally used for
women to procure their courses, being taken inwardly or outwardly, either alone,
or with other convenient herbs in a decoction to bathe them, or sit over the hot
fumes thereof; and by the frequent use thereof, it takes away barrenness, and the
wind, and pains of the mother. It is also used in pains of the head coming of any
cold cause, catarrhs, rheums, and for swimming and giddiness thereof, and is of
special use for the windiness of the stomach and belly. It is effectual for any
cramp, or cold aches, to dissolve cold and wind that afflict the place, and is used
for colds, coughs, and shortness of breath. The juice thereof drank in wine, is
profitable for those that are bruised by an accident. The green herb bruised and
applied to the fundament and lying there two or three hours, eases the pains of
the piles; the juice also being made up into an ointment, is effectual for the same
purpose. The head washed with a decoction thereof, it takes away scabs, and
may be effectual for other parts of the body also.

NETTLES.

NETTLES are so well known, that they need no description; they may be found
by feeling, in the darkest night.
Government and virtues.] This is also an herb Mars claims dominion over.
You know Mars is hot and dry, and you know as well that Winter is cold and
moist; then you may know as well the reason why Nettle-tops eaten in the Spring
consume the phlegmatic superfluities in the body of man, that the coldness and
moistness of Winter hath left behind. The roots or leaves boiled, or the juice of
either of them, or both made into an electuary with honey and sugar, is a safe
and sure medicine to open the pipes and passages of the lungs, which is the
cause of wheezing and shortness of breath, and helps to expectorate tough
phlegm, as also to raise the imposthumed pleurisy; and spend it by spitting; the
same helps the swelling of the almonds of the throat, the mouth and throat being
gargled therewith. The juice is also effectual to settle the palate of the mouth in
its place, and to heal and temper the inflammations and soreness of the mouth
and throat. The decoction of the leaves in wine, being drank, is singularly good
to provoke women’s courses, and settle the suffocation, strangling of the mother,
and all other diseases thereof; it is also applied outwardly with a little myrrh.
The same also, or the seed provokes urine, and expels the gravel and stone in the
reins or bladder, often proved to be effectual in many that have taken it. The
same kills the worms in children, eases pains in the sides, and dissolves the
windiness in the spleen, as also in the body, although others think it only
powerful to provoke venery. The juice of the leaves taken two or three days
together, stays bleeding at the mouth. The seed being drank, is a remedy against
the stinging of venomous creatures, the biting of mad dogs, the poisonous
qualities of Hemlock, Henbane, Nightshade, Mandrake, or other such like herbs
that stupify or dull the senses; as also the lethargy, especially to use it outwardly,
to rub the forehead or temples in the lethargy, and the places stung or bitten with
beasts, with a little salt. The distilled water of the herb is also effectual (though
not so powerful) for the diseases aforesaid; as for outward wounds and sores to
wash them, and to cleanse the skin from morphew, leprosy, and other
discolourings thereof. The seed or leaves bruised, and put into the nostrils, stays
the bleeding of them, and takes away the flesh growing in them called polypus.
The juice of the leaves, or the decoction of them, or of the root, is singularly
good to wash either old, rotten, or stinking sores or fistulous, and gangrenes, and
such as fretting, eating, or corroding scabs, manginess, and itch, in any part of
the body, as also green wounds, by washing them therewith, or applying the
green herb bruised thereunto, yea, although the flesh were separated from the
bones; the same applied to our wearied members, refresh them, or to place those
that have been out of joint, being first set up again, strengthens, dries, and
comforts them, as also those places troubled with aches and gouts, and the
defluxion of humours upon the joints or sinews; it eases the pains, and dries or
dissolves the defluctions. An ointment made of the juice, oil, and a little wax, is
singularly good to rub cold and benumbed members. An handful of the leaves of
green Nettles, and another of Wallwort, or Deanwort, bruised and applied simply
themselves to the gout, sciatica, or joint aches in any part, hath been found to be
an admirable help thereunto.

NIGHTSHADE.

Descript.] COMMON Nightshade hath an upright, round, green, hollow stalk,

about a foot or half a yard high, bushing forth in many branches, whereon grow
many green leaves, somewhat broad, and pointed at the ends, soft and full of
juice, somewhat like unto Bazil, but longer and a little unevenly dented about the
edges: At the tops of the stalks and branches come forth three or four more white
flowers made of five small pointed leaves a-piece, standing on a stalk together,
one above another, with yellow pointels in the middle, composed of four or five
yellow threads set together, which afterwards run into so many pendulous green
berries, of the bigness of small pease, full of green juice, and small whitish
round flat seed lying within it. The root is white, and a little woody when it hath
given flower and fruit, with many small fibres at it; The whole plant is of a
waterish insipid taste, but the juice within the berries is somewhat viscous, and
of a cooling and binding quality.
Place.] It grows wild with us under our walls, and in rubbish, the common
paths, and sides of hedges and fields, as also in our gardens here in England,
without any planting.
Time.] It lies down every year, and rises up again of its own sowing, but
springs not until the latter end of April at the soonest.
Government and virtues.] It is a cold Saturnine plant. The common
Nightshade is wholly used to cool hot inflammations either inwardly or
outwardly, being no ways dangerous to any that use it, as most of the rest of the
Nightshades are; yet it must be used moderately. The distilled water only of the
whole herb is fittest and safest to be taken inwardly: The juice also clarified and
taken, being mingled with a little vinegar, is good to wash the mouth and throat
that is inflamed: But outwardly the juice of the herb or berries, with oil of roses
and a little vinegar and ceruse laboured together in a leaden mortar, is very good
to anoint all hot inflammations in the eyes. It also doth much good for the
shingles, ringworms, and in all running, fretting and corroding ulcers, applied
thereunto. The juice dropped into the ears, eases pains thereof that arise of heat
or inflammations. And Pliny saith, it is good for hot swellings under the throat.
Have a care you mistake not the deadly Nightshade for this; if you know it not,
you may let them both alone, and take no harm, having other medicines
sufficient in the book.

THE OAK.

IT is so well known (the timber thereof being the glory and safety of this
nation by sea) that it needs no description.
Government and virtues.] Jupiter owns the tree. The leaves and bark of the
Oak, and the acorn cups, do bind and dry very much. The inner bark of the tree,
and the thin skin that covers the acorn, are most used to stay the spitting of
blood, and the bloody-flux. The decoction of that bark, and the powder of the
cups, do stay vomitings, spitting of blood, bleeding at the mouth, or other fluxes
of blood, in men or women; lasks also, and the nocturnal involuntary flux of
men. The acorn in powder taken in wine, provokes urine, and resists the poison
of venomous creatures. The decoction of acorns and the bark made in milk and
taken, resists the force of poisonous herbs and medicines, as also the virulency
of cantharides, when one by eating them hath his bladder exulcerated, and voids
bloody urine. Hippocrates saith, he used the fumes of Oak leaves to women that
were troubled with the strangling of the mother; and Galen applied them, being
bruised, to cure green wounds. The distilled water of the Oaken bud, before they
break out into leaves is good to be used either inwardly or outwardly, to assuage
inflammations, and to stop all manner of fluxes in man or woman. The same is
singularly good in pestilential and hot burning fevers; for it resists the force of
the infection, and allays the heat: It cools the heat of the liver, breaking the stone
in the kidneys, and stays women’s courses. The decoction of the leaves works
the same effects. The water that is found in the hollow places of old Oaks, is
very effectual against any foul or spreading scabs. The distilled water (or
concoction, which is better) of the leaves, is one of the best remedies that I know
of for the whites in women.

OATS,

ARE so well known that they need no description.

Government and virtues.] Oats fried with bay salt, and applied to the sides,
take away the pains of stitches and wind in the sides or the belly. A poultice
made of meal of Oats, and some oil of Bays put thereunto, helps the itch and the
leprosy, as also the fistulas of the fundament, and dissolves hard imposthumes.
The meal of Oats boiled with vinegar, and applied, takes away freckles and spots
in the face, and other parts of the body.

ONE BLADE.

Descript.] THIS small plant never bears more than one leaf, but only when it
rises up with his stalk, which thereon bears another, and seldom more, which are
of a blueish green colour, pointed, with many ribs or veins therein, like Plantain.
At the top of the stalk grow many small white flowers, star fashion, smelling
somewhat sweet; after which come small red berries, when they are ripe. The
root is small, of the bigness of a rush, lying and creeping under the upper crust of
the earth, shooting forth in divers places.
Place.] It grows in moist, shadowy and grassy places of woods, in many parts
of this land.
Time.] It flowers about May, and the berries are ripe in June, and then quickly
perishes, until the next year it springs from the same root again.
Government and virtues.] It is a precious herb of the Sun. Half a dram, or a
dram at most, in powder of the roots hereof taken in wine and vinegar, of each
equal parts, and the party laid presently to sweat thereupon, is held to be a
sovereign remedy for those that are infected with the plague, and have a sore
upon them, by expelling the poison and infection, and defending the heart and
spirits from danger. It is a singularly good wound herb, and is thereupon used
with other the like effects in many compound balms for curing of wounds, be
they fresh and green, or old and malignant, and especially if the sinews be burnt.

ORCHIS.

IT has almost as many several names attributed to the several sorts of it, as
would almost fill a sheet of paper; as dog-stones, goat-stones, fool-stones, fox-
stones, satiricon, cullians, together with many others too tedious to rehearse.
Descript.] To describe all the several sorts of it were an endless piece of
work; therefore I shall only describe the roots because they are to be used with
some discretion. They have each of them a double root within, some of them are
round, in others like a hand; these roots alter every year by course, when the one
rises and waxes full, the other waxes lank, and perishes. Now, it is that which is
full which is to be used in medicines, the other being either of no use at all, or
else, according to the humour of some, it destroys and disannuls the virtues of
the other, quite undoing what that doth.
Time.] One or other of them may be found in flower from the beginning of
April to the latter end of August.
Government and virtues.] They are hot and moist in operation, under the
dominion of Dame Venus, and provoke lust exceedingly, which, they say, the
dried and withered roots do restrain. They are held to kill worms in children; as
also, being bruised and applied to the place, to heal the king’s evil.

ONIONS.
 ONIONS.

THEY are so well known, that I need not spend time about writing a
description of them.
Government and virtues.] Mars owns them, and they have gotten this quality,
to draw any corruption to them, for if you peel one, and lay it upon a dunghill,
you shall find it rotten in half a day, by drawing putrefaction to it; then, being
bruised and applied to a plague sore, it is very probable it will do the like.
Onions are flatulent, or windy; yet they do somewhat provoke appetite, increase
thirst, ease the belly and bowels, provoke women’s courses, help the biting of a
mad dog, and of other venomous creatures, to be used with honey and rue,
increase sperm, especially the seed of them. They also kill worms in children if
they drink the water fasting wherein they have been steeped all night. Being
roasted under the embers, and eaten with honey or sugar and oil, they much
conduce to help an inveterate cough, and expectorate the cough phlegm. The
juice being snuffed up into the nostrils, purges the head, and helps the lethargy,
(yet the often eating them is said to procure pains in the head.) It hath been held
by divers country people a great preservative against infection, to eat Onions
fasting with bread and salt: As also to make a great Onion hollow, filling the
place with good treacle, and after to roast it well under the embers, which, after
taking away the outermost skin thereof, being beaten together, is a sovereign
salve for either plague or sore, or any other putrefied ulcer. The juice of Onions
is good for either scalding or burning by fire, water, or gunpowder, and used
with vinegar, takes away all blemishes, spots and marks in the skin: and dropped
in the ears, eases the pains and noise of them. Applied also with figs beaten
together, helps to ripen and break imposthumes, and other sores.
Leeks are as like them in quality, as the pome-water is like an apple: They are
a remedy against a surfeit of mushrooms, being baked under the embers and
taken, and being boiled and applied very warm, help the piles. In other things
they have the same property as the Onions, although not so effectual.

ORPINE.

Descript.] COMMON Orpine rises up with divers rough brittle stalks, thick set
with fat and fleshy leaves, without any order, and little or nothing dented about
the edges, of a green colour: The flowers are white, or whitish, growing in tufts,
after which come small chaffy husks, with seeds like dust in them. The roots are
divers thick, round, white tuberous clogs; and the plant grows not so big in some
places as in others where it is found.
Place.] It is frequent in almost every county of this land, and is cherished in
gardens with us, where it grows greater than that which is wild, and grows in
shadowy sides of fields and woods.
Time.] It flowers about July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] The Moon owns the herb, and he that knows but
her exaltaration, knows what I say is true. Orpine is seldom used in inward
medicines with us, although Tragus saith from experience in Germany, that the
distilled water thereof is profitable for gnawings or excoriations in the stomach
or bowels, or for ulcers in the lungs, liver, or other inward parts, as also in the
matrix, and helps all those diseases, being drank for certain days together. It
stays the sharpness of humours in the bloody-flux, and other fluxes in the body,
or in wounds. The root thereof also performs the like effect. It is used outwardly
to cool any heat or inflammation upon any hurt or wound, and eases the pains of
them; as, also, to heal scaldings or burnings, the juice thereof being beaten with
some green sallad oil, and anointed. The leaf bruised, and laid to any green
wound in the hand or legs, doth heal them quickly; and being bound to the
throat, much helps the quinsy; it helps also ruptures and burstenness. If you
please to make the juice thereof into a syrup with honey or sugar, you may safely
take a spoonful or two at a time, (let my author say what he will) for a quinsy,
and you shall find the medicine pleasant, and the cure speedy.
 PARSLEY.

THIS is so well known, that it needs no description.

Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mercury; is very
comfortable to the stomach; helps to provoke urine and women’s courses, to
break wind both in the stomach and bowels, and doth a little open the body, but
the root much more. It opens obstructions both of liver and spleen, and is
therefore accounted one of the five opening roots. Galen commended it against
the falling sickness, and to provoke urine mightily; especially if the roots be
boiled, and eaten like Parsnips. The seed is effectual to provoke urine and
women’s courses, to expel wind, to break the stone, and ease the pains and
torments thereof; it is also effectual against the venom of any poisonous
creature, and the danger that comes to them that have the lethargy, and is as
good against the cough. The distilled water of Parsley is a familiar medicine with
nurses to give their children when they are troubled with wind in the stomach or
belly which they call the frets; and is also much available to them that are of
great years. The leaves of Parsley laid to the eyes that are inflamed with heat, or
swollen, doth much help them, if it be used with bread or meal; and being fried
with butter, and applied to women’s breasts that are hard through the curdling of
their milk, it abates the hardness quickly; and also takes away black and blue
marks coming of bruises or falls. The juice thereof dropped into the ears with a
little wine, eases the pains. Tragus sets down an excellent medicine to help the
jaundice and falling sickness, the dropsy, and stone in the kidneys, in this
manner: Take of the seed of Parsley, Fennel, Annise and Carraways, of each an
ounce; of the roots of Parsley, Burnet, Saxifrage, and Carraways, of each an
ounce and an half; let the seeds be bruised, and the roots washed and cut small;
let them lie all night to steep in a bottle of white wine, and in the morning be
boiled in a close earthen vessel until a third part or more be wasted; which being
strained and cleared, take four ounces thereof morning and evening first and last,
abstaining from drink after it for three hours. This opens obstructions of the liver
and spleen, and expels the dropsy and jaundice by urine.

PARSLEY PIERT, OR PARSLEY BREAK STONE.

Descript.] THE root, although it be very small and thready, yet it continues
many years, from which arise many leaves lying along on the ground, each
standing upon a long small foot-stalk, the leaves as broad as a man’s nail, very
deeply dented on the edges, somewhat like a parsley-leaf, but of a very dusky
green colour. The stalks are very weak and slender, about three or four fingers in
length, set so full of leaves that they can hardly be seen, either having no foot-
stalk at all, or but very short; the flowers are so small they can hardly be seen,
and the seed as small as may be.
Place.] It is a common herb throughout the nation, and rejoices in barren,
sandy, moist places. It may be found plentifully about Hampstead Heath, Hyde
Park, and in Tothill-fields.
Time.] It may be found all the Summer-time, even from the beginning of
April to the end of October.
Government and virtues.] Its operation is very prevalent to provoke urine, and
to break the stone. It is a very good sallad herb. It were good the gentry would
pickle it up as they pickle up Samphire for their use all the Winter. I cannot
teach them how to do it; yet this I can tell them, it is a very wholesome herb.
They may also keep the herb dry, or in a syrup, if they please. You may take a
dram of the powder of it in white wine; it would bring away gravel from the
kidneys insensibly, and without pain. It also helps the stranguary.

PARSNIPS.

THE garden kind thereof is so well known (the root being commonly eaten)
that I shall not trouble you with any description of it. But the wild kind being of
more physical use, I shall in this place describe it unto you.
Descript.] The wild Parsnip differs little from the garden, but grows not so
fair and large, nor hath so many leaves, and the root is shorter, more woody, and
not so fit to be eaten, and therefore more medicinal.
Place.] The name of the first shews the place of its growth. The other grows
wild in divers places, as in the marshes in Rochester, and elsewhere, and flowers
in July; the seed being ripe about the beginning of August, the second year after
its sowing; for if they do flower the first year, the country people call them
Madneps.
Government and virtues.] The garden Parsnips are under Venus. The garden
Parsnip nourishes much, and is good and wholesome nourishment, but a little
windy, whereby it is thought to procure bodily lust; but it fastens the body much,
if much need. It is conducible to the stomach and reins, and provokes urine. But
the wild Parsnips hath a cutting, attenuating, cleansing, and opening quality
therein. It resists and helps the bitings of serpents, eases the pains and stitches in
the sides, and dissolves wind both in the stomach and bowels, which is the
cholic, and provokes urine. The root is often used, but the seed much more. The
wild being better than the tame, shews Dame Nature to be the best physician.

COW PARSNIPS.

Descript.] THIS grows with three or four large, spread winged, rough leaves,
lying often on the ground, or else raised a little from it, with long, round, hairy
foot-stalks under them, parted usually into five divisions, the two couples
standing each against the other; and one at the end, and each leaf, being almost
round, yet somewhat deeply cut in on the edges in some leaves, and not so deep
in others, of a whitish green colour, smelling somewhat strongly; among which
rises up a round, crusted, hairy stalk, two or three feet high, with a few joints and
leaves thereon, and branched at the top, where stand large umbels of white, and
sometimes reddish flowers, and after them flat, whitish, thin, winged seed, two
always joined together. The root is long and white, with two or three long strings
growing down into the ground, smelling likewise strongly and unpleasant.
Place.] It grows in moist meadows, and the borders and corners of fields, and
near ditches, through this land.
Time.] It flowers in July, and seeds in August.
Government and virtues.] Mercury hath the dominion over them. The seed
thereof, as Galen saith, is of a sharp and cutting quality, and therefore is a fit
medicine for a cough and shortness of breath, the falling sickness and jaundice.
The root is available to all the purposes aforesaid, and is also of great use to take
away the hard skin that grows on a fistula, if it be but scraped upon it. The seed
hereof being drank, cleanses the belly from tough phlegmatic matter therein,
eases them that are livergrown, women’s passions of the mother, as well being
drank as the smoke thereof received, and likewise raises such as are fallen into a
deep sleep, or have the lethargy, by burning it under their nose. The seed and
root boiled in oil, and the head rubbed therewith, helps not only those that are
fallen into a frenzy, but also the lethargy or drowsy evil, and those that have
been long troubled with the headache, if it be likewise used with Rue. It helps
also the running scab and shingles. The juice of the flowers dropped into the ears
that run and are full of matter, cleanses and heals them.

THE PEACH TREE.

 THE PEACH TREE.

Descript.] A PEACH tree grows not so great as the Apricot tree, yet spreads
branches reasonable well, from whence spring smaller reddish twigs, whereon
are set long and narrow green leaves dented about the edges. The blossoms are
greater than the plumb, and of a light purple colour; the fruit round, and
sometimes as big as a reasonable Pippin, others smaller, as also differing in
colour and taste, as russet, red, or yellow, waterish or firm, with a frize or cotton
all over, with a cleft therein like an Apricot, and a rugged, furrowed, great stone
within it, and a bitter kernel within the stone. It sooner waxes old, and decays,
than the Apricot, by much.
Place.] They are nursed in gardens and orchards through this land.
Time.] They flower in the Spring, and fructify in Autumn.
Government and virtues.] Lady Venus owns this tree, and by it opposes the ill
effects of Mars, and indeed for children and young people, nothing is better to
purge choler and the jaundice, than the leaves or flowers of this tree being made
into a syrup or conserve. Let such as delight to please their lust regard the fruit;
but such as have lost their health, and their children’s, let them regard what I say,
they may safely give two spoonfuls of the syrup at a time; it is as gentle as
Venus herself. The leaves of peaches bruised and laid on the belly, kill worms,
and so they do also being boiled in ale and drank, and open the belly likewise;
and, being dried, is a far safer medicine to discuss humours. The powder of them
strewed upon fresh bleeding wounds stays their bleeding, and closes them up.
The flowers steeped all night in a little wine standing warm, strained forth in the
morning, and drank fasting, doth gently open the belly, and move it downward.
A syrup made of them, as the syrup of roses is made, works more forcibly than
that of roses, for it provokes vomiting, and spends waterish and hydropic
humours by the continuance thereof. The flowers made into a conserve, work the
same effect. The liquor that dropped from the tree, being wounded, is given in
the decoction of Coltsfoot, to those that are troubled with a cough or shortness of
breath, by adding thereunto some sweet wine, and putting some saffron also
therein. It is good for those that are hoarse, or have lost their voice; helps all
defects of the lungs, and those that vomit and spit blood. Two drams hereof
given in the juice of lemons, or of radish, is good for them that are troubled with
the stone, the kernels of the stones do wonderfully ease the pains and wringings
of the belly through wind or sharp humours, and help to make an excellent
medicine for the stone upon all occasions, in this manner: I take fifty kernels of
peach-stones, and one hundred of the kernels of cherry-stones, a handful of elder
flowers fresh or dried, and three pints of Muscadel; set them in a close pot into a
bed of horse-dung for ten days, after which distil in a glass with a gentle fire,
and keep it for your use: You may drink upon occasion three or four ounces at a
time. The milk or cream of these kernels being drawn forth with some Vervain
water and applied to the forehead and temples, doth much help to procure rest
and sleep to sick persons wanting it. The oil drawn from the kernels, the temples
being therewith anointed, doth the like. The said oil put into clysters, eases the
pains of the wind cholic: and anointed on the lower part of the belly, doth the
like, and dropped into the ears, eases pains in them; the juice of the leaves doth
the like. Being also anointed on the forehead and temples, it helps the megrim,
and all other pains in the head. If the kernels be bruised and boiled in vinegar,
until they become thick, and applied to the head, it marvellously procures the
hair to grow again upon bald places, or where it is too thin.

THE PEAR TREE.

PEAR Trees are so well known, that they need no description.

Government and virtues.] The Tree belongs to Venus, and so doth the Apple
tree. For their physical use they are best discerned by their taste. All the sweet
and luscious sorts, whether manured or wild, do help to move the belly
downwards, more or less. Those that are hard and sour, do, on the contrary, bind
the belly as much, and the leaves do so also: Those that are moist do in some sort
cool, but harsh or wild sorts much more, and are very good in repelling
medicines; and if the wild sort be boiled with mushrooms, it makes them less
dangerous. The said Pears boiled with a little honey, help much the oppressed
stomach, as all sorts of them do, some more, some less: but the harsher sorts do
more cool and bind, serving well to be bound to green wounds, to cool and stay
the blood, and heal up the green wound without farther trouble, or inflammation,
as Galen saith he hath found by experience. The wild Pears do sooner close up
the lips of green wounds than others.
Schola Selerni advises to drink much wine after Pears, or else (say they) they
are as bad as poison; nay, and they curse the tree for it too; but if a poor man find
his stomach oppressed by eating Pears, it is but working hard, and it will do as
well as drinking wine.

PELLITORY OF SPAIN.
 COMMON Pellitory of Spain, if it be planted in our gardens, will prosper very
well; yet there is one sort growing ordinarily here wild, which I esteem to be
little inferior to the other, if at all. I shall not deny you the description of them
both.
Descript.] Common Pellitory is a very common plant, and will not be kept in
our gardens without diligent looking to. The root goes down right into the
ground bearing leaves, being long and finely cut upon the stalk, lying on the
ground, much larger than the leaves of the Camomile are. At the top it bears one
single large flower at a place, having a border of many leaves, white on the
upper side, and reddish underneath, with a yellow thrum in the middle, not
standing so close as that of Camomile.
The other common Pellitory which grows here, hath a root of a sharp biting
taste, scarcely discernible by the taste from that before described, from whence
arise divers brittle stalks, a yard high and more, with narrow leaves finely dented
about the edges, standing one above another up to the tops. The flowers are
many and white, standing in tufts like those of Yarrow, with a small yellowish
thrum in the middle. The seed is very small.
Place.] The last grows in fields by the hedge sides and paths, almost every
where.
Time.] It flowers at the latter end of June and July.
Government and virtues.] It is under the government of Mercury, and I am
persuaded it is one of the best purgers of the brain that grows. An ounce of the
juice taken in a draught of Muskadel an hour before the fit of the ague comes, it
will assuredly drive away the ague at the second or third time taken at the
farthest. Either the herb or root dried and chewed in the mouth, purges the brain
of phlegmatic humours; thereby not only easing pains in the head and teeth, but
also hinders the distilling of the brain upon the lungs and eyes, thereby
preventing coughs, phthisicks and consumption, the apoplexy and falling
sickness. It is an excellently approved remedy in the lethargy. The powder of the
herb or root being snuffed up the nostrils, procures sneezing, and eases the
headache; being made into an ointment with hog’s grease, it takes away black
and blue spots occasioned by blows or falls, and helps both the gout and sciatica.

PELLITORY OF THE WALL.

 Descript.] IT rises with brownish, red, tender, weak, clear, and almost
transparent stalks, about two feet high, upon which grow at the joints two leaves
somewhat broad and long, of a dark green colour, which afterwards turn
brownish, smooth on the edges, but rough and hairy, as the stalks are also. At the
joints with the leaves from the middle of the stalk upwards, where it spreads into
branches, stand many small, pale, purplish flowers in hairy, rough heads, or
husks, after which come small, black, rough seed, which will stick to any cloth
or garment that shall touch it. The root is somewhat long, with small fibres
thereat, of a dark reddish colour, which abides the Winter, although the stalks
and leaves perish and spring every year.
Place.] It grows wild generally through the land, about the borders of fields,
and by the sides of walls, and among rubbish. It will endure well being brought
up in gardens, and planted on the shady side, where it will spring of its own
sowing.
Time.] It flowers in June and July, and the seed is ripe soon after.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mercury. The dried
herb Pellitory made up into an electuary with honey, or the juices of the herb, or
the decoction thereof made up with sugar or honey, is a singular remedy for an
old or dry cough, the shortness of breath, and wheezing in the throat. Three
ounces of the juice thereof taken at a time, doth wonderfully help stopping of the
urine, and to expel the stone or gravel in the kidneys or bladder, and is therefore
usually put among other herbs used in clysters to mitigate pains in the back,
sides, or bowels, proceeding of wind, stopping of urine, the gravel or stone, as
aforesaid. If the bruised herb, sprinkled with some Muskadel, be warmed upon a
tile, or in a dish upon a few quick coals in a chafing-dish, and applied to the
belly, it works the same effect. The decoction of the herb being drank, eases
pains of the mother, and brings down women’s courses: It also eases those griefs
that arise from obstructions of the liver, spleen, and reins. The same decoction,
with a little honey added thereto, is good to gargle a sore throat. The juice held a
while in the mouth, eases pains in the teeth. The distilled water of the herb drank
with some sugar, works the same effects, and cleanses the skin from spots,
freckles, purples, wheals, sun-burn, morphew, &c. The juice dropped into the
ears, eases the noise in them, and takes away the pricking and shooting pains
therein: The same, or the distilled water, assuages hot and swelling
imposthumes, burnings and scaldings by fire or water; as also all other hot
tumours and inflammations, or breakings-out, of heat, being bathed often with
wet cloths dipped therein: The said juice made into a liniment with ceruss, and
oil of roses, and anointed therewith, cleanses foul rotten ulcers, and stays
spreading or creeping ulcers, and running scabs or sores in children’s heads; and
helps to stay the hair from falling off the head. The said ointment, or the herb
applied to the fundament, opens the piles, and eases their pains; and being mixed
with goats’ tallow, helps the gout. The juice is very effectual to cleanse fistulas,
and to heal them up safely; or the herb itself bruised and applied with a little salt.
It is likewise also effectual to heal any green wound; if it be bruised and bound
thereto for three days, you shall need no other medicine to heal it further. A
poultice made hereof with Mallows, and boiled in wine and wheat bran and bean
flour, and some oil put thereto, and applied warm to any bruised sinews, tendon,
or muscle, doth in a very short time restore them to their strength, taking away
the pains of the bruises, and dissolves the congealed blood coming of blows, or
falls from high places.
The juice of Pellitory of the Wall clarified and boiled in a syrup with honey,
and a spoonful of it drank every morning by such as are subject to the dropsy; if
continuing that course, though but once a week, they ever have the dropsy, let
them but come to me, and I will cure them gratis.

PENNYROYAL.

PENNYROYAL is so well known unto all, I mean the common kind, that it needs
no description.
There is a greater kind than the ordinary sort found wild with us, which so
abides, being brought into gardens, and differs not from it, but only in the
largeness of the leaves and stalks, in rising higher, and not creeping upon the
ground so much. The flowers whereof are purple, growing in rundles about the
stalks like the other.
Place.] The first, which is common in gardens, grows also in many moist and
watery places of this land.
The second is found wild in effect in divers places by the highways from
London to Colchester, and thereabouts, more abundantly than in any other
counties, and is also planted in their gardens in Essex.
Time.] They flower in the latter end of Summer, about August.
Government and virtues.] The herb is under Venus. Dioscorides saith, that
Pennyroyal makes thin tough phlegm, warms the coldness of any part whereto it
is applied, and digests raw or corrupt matter; Being boiled and drank, it provokes
women’s courses, and expels the dead child and after-birth, and stays the
disposition to vomit, being taken in water and vinegar mingled together. And
being mingled with honey and salt, it voids phlegm out of the lungs, and purges
melancholy by the stool. Drank with wine, it helps such as are bitten and stung
with venomous beasts, and applied to the nostrils with vinegar, revives those that
are fainting and swooning. Being dried and burnt, it strengthens the gums. It is
helpful to those that are troubled with the gout, being applied of itself to the
place until it was red; and applied in a plaister, it takes away spots or marks in
the face; applied with salt, it profits those that are splenetic, or livergrown. The
decoction doth help the itch, if washed therewith. The green herb bruised and put
into vinegar, cleanses foul ulcers, and takes away the marks of bruises and blows
about the eyes, and all discolourings of the face by fire, yea, and the leprosy,
being drank and outwardly applied: Boiled in wine with honey and salt, it helps
the tooth-ache. It helps the cold griefs by the joints, taking away the pains, and
warms the cold part, being fast bound to the place, after a bathing or sweating in
a hot house. Pliny adds, that Pennyroyal and Mints together, help faintings,
being put into vinegar, and smelled unto, or put into the nostrils or mouth. It
eases headaches, pains of the breast and belly, and gnawings of the stomach;
applied with honey, salt, and vinegar, it helps cramps or convulsions of the
sinews: Boiled in milk, and drank, it is effectual for the cough, and for ulcers and
sores in the mouth; drank in wine it provokes women’s courses, and expels the
dead child, and after-birth. Matthiolus saith, The decoction thereof being drank,
helps the jaundice and dropsy, all pains of the head and sinews that come of a
cold cause, and clears the eye-sight. It helps the lethargy, and applied with
barley-meal, helps burnings; and put into the ears, eases the pains of them.

MALE AND FEMALE PEONY.

Descript.] MALE Peony rises up with brownish stalks, whereon grow green
and reddish leaves, upon a stalk without any particular division in the leaf at all.
The flowers stand at the top of the stalks, consisting of five or six broad leaves,
of a fair purplish red colour, with many yellow threads in the middle standing
about the head, which after rises up to be the seed vessels, divided into two,
three, or four crooked pods like horns, which being full ripe, open and turn
themselves down backwards, shewing with them divers round, black, shining
seeds, having also many crimson grains, intermixed with black, whereby it
makes a very pretty shew. The roots are great, thick and long, spreading and
running down deep in the ground.
 The ordinary Female Peony hath as many stalks, and more leaves on them
than the Male; the leaves not so large, but nicked on the edges, some with great
and deep, others with small cuts and divisions, of a dead green colour. The
flowers are of a strong heady scent, usually smaller, and of a more purple colour
than the Male, with yellow thrums about the head, as the Male hath. The seed
vessels are like horns, as in the Male, but smaller, the seed is black, but less
shining. The root consists of many short tuberous clogs, fastened at the end of
long strings, and all from the heads of the roots, which is thick and short, and of
the like scent with the Male.
Place and Time.] They grow in gardens, and flower usually about May.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of the Sun, and under the Lion.
Physicians say, Male Peony roots are best; but Dr. Reason told me Male Peony
was best for men, and Female Peony for women, and he desires to be judged by
his brother Dr. Experience. The roots are held to be of more virtue than the seed;
next the flowers; and, last of all, the leaves. The roots of the Male Peony, fresh
gathered, having been found by experience to cure the falling sickness; but the
surest way is, besides hanging it about the neck, by which children have been
cured, to take the root of the Male Peony washed clean, and stamped somewhat
small, and laid to infuse in sack for 24 hours at the least, afterwards strain it, and
take it first and last, morning and evening, a good draught for sundry days
together, before and after a full moon: and this will also cure old persons, if the
disease be not grown too old, and past cure, especially if there be a due and
orderly preparation of the body with posset-drink made of Betony, &c. The root
is also effectual for women that are not sufficiently cleansed after child-birth,
and such as are troubled with the mother; for which likewise the black seed
beaten to powder, and given in wine, is also available. The black seed also taken
before bed-time, and in the morning, is very effectual for such as in their sleep
are troubled with the disease called Ephialtes, or Incubus, but we do commonly
call it the Night-mare: a disease which melancholy persons are subject unto: It is
also good against melancholy dreams. The distilled water or syrup made of the
flowers, works the same effects that the root and seed do, although more weakly.
The Female’s is often used for the purpose aforesaid, by reason the Male is so
scarce a plant, that it is possessed by few, and those great lovers of rarities in this
kind.

PEPPERWORT, OR DITTANDER.
 Descript.] OUR common Pepperwort sends forth somewhat long and broad
leaves, of a light blueish green colour, finely dented about the edges, and pointed
at the ends, standing upon round hard stalks, three or four feet high, spreading
many branches on all sides, and having many small white flowers at the tops of
them, after which follow small seeds in small heads. The root is slender, running
much under ground, and shooting up again in many places, and both leaves and
roots are very hot and sharp of taste, like pepper, for which cause it took the
name.
Place.] It grows naturally in many places of this land, as at Clare in Essex;
also near unto Exeter in Devonshire; upon Rochester common in Kent; in
Lancashire, and divers other places; but usually kept in gardens.
Time.] It flowers in the end of June, and in July.
Government and virtues.] Here is another martial herb for you, make much of
it. Pliny and Paulus Ægineta say, that Pepperwort is very successful for the
sciatica, or any other gout or pain in the joints, or any other inveterate grief: The
leaves hereof to be bruised, and mixed with old hog’s grease, and applied to the
place, and to continue thereon four hours in men, and two hours in women, the
place being afterwards bathed with wine and oil mixed together, and then
wrapped up with wool or skins, after they have sweat a little. It also amends the
deformities or discolourings of the skin, and helps to take away marks, scars, and
scabs, or the foul marks of burning with fire or iron. The juice hereof is by some
used to be given in ale to drink, to women with child, to procure them a speedy
delivery in travail.

PERIWINKLE.

Descript.] THE common sort hereof hath many branches trailing or running
upon the ground, shooting out small fibres at the joints as it runs, taking thereby
hold in the ground, and rooteth in divers places. At the joints of these branches
stand two small, dark-green, shining leaves, somewhat like bay leaves, but
smaller, and with them come forth also the flowers (one at a joint) standing upon
a tender foot-stalk, being somewhat long and hollow, parted at the brims,
sometimes into four, sometimes into five leaves: The most ordinary sorts are of a
pale blue colour; some are pure white, some of a dark reddish purple colour. The
root is little bigger than a rush, bushing in the ground, and creeping with his
branches far about, whereby it quickly possesses a great compass, and is
therefore most usually planted under hedges where it may have room to run.
 Place.] Those with the pale blue, and those with the white flowers, grow in
woods and orchards, by the hedge-sides, in divers places of this land; but those
with the purple flowers, in gardens only.
Time.] They flower in March and April.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns this herb, and saith, That the leaves
eaten by man and wife together, cause love between them. The Periwinkle is a
great binder, stays bleeding both at mouth and nose, if some of the leaves be
chewed. The French used it to stay women’s courses. Dioscorides, Galen, and
Ægineta, commend it against the lasks and fluxes of the belly to be drank in
wine.

ST. PETER’S WORT.

IF Superstition had not been the father of Tradition, as well as Ignorance the
Mother of Devotion, this herb, (as well as St. John’s Wort) hath found some
other name to be known by; but we may say of our forefathers, as St. Paul of the
Athenians, I perceive in many things you are too superstitious. Yet seeing it is
come to pass, that custom having got in possession, pleads prescription for the
name, I shall let it pass, and come to the description of the herb, which take as
follows.
Descript.] It rises up with square upright stalks for the most part, some
greater and higher than St. John’s Wort (and good reason too, St. Peter being the
greater apostle, (ask the Pope else;) for though God would have the saints equal,
the Pope is of another opinion,) but brown in the same manner, having two
leaves at every joint, somewhat like, but larger, than St. John’s Wort, and a little
rounder pointed, with few or no holes to be seen thereon, and having sometimes
some smaller leaves rising from the bosom of the greater, and sometimes a little
hairy also. At the tops of two stalks stand many star-like flowers, with yellow
threads in the middle, very like those of St. John’s Wort, insomuch that this is
hardly discerned from it, but only by the largeness and height, the seed being
alike also in both. The root abides long, sending forth new shoots every year.
Place.] It grows in many groves, and small low woods, in divers places of
this land, as in Kent, Huntingdon, Cambridge, and Northamptonshire; as also
near water-courses in other places.
Time.] It flowers in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August.
 Government and virtues.] There is not a straw to choose between this and St.
John’s Wort, only St. Peter must have it, lest he should want pot herbs; It is of
the same property of St. John’s Wort, but somewhat weaker, and therefore more
seldom used. Two drams of the seed taken at a time in honied water, purges
choleric humours, (as saith Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen,) and thereby helps
those that are troubled with the sciatica. The leaves are used as St. John’s Wort,
to help those places of the body that have been burnt with fire.

PIMPERNEL.

Descript.] COMMON Pimpernel hath divers weak square stalks lying on the
ground, beset all with two small and almost round leaves at every joint, one
against another, very like Chickweed, but hath no foot-stalks; for the leaves, as it
were, compase the stalk. The flowers stand singly each by themselves at them
and the stalk, consisting of five small round-pointed leaves, of a pale red colour,
tending to an orange, with so many threads in the middle, in whose places
succeed smooth round heads, wherein is contained small seed. The root is small
and fibrous, perishing every year.
Place.] It grows almost every where as well in the meadows and corn-fields,
as by the way-sides, and in gardens, arising of itself.
Time.] It flowers from May until April, and the seed ripens in the mean time,
and falls.
Government and virtues.] It is a gallant solar herb, of a cleansing attractive
quality, whereby it draws forth thorns or splinters, or other such like things
gotten into the flesh; and put up into the nostrils, purges the head; and Galen
saith also, they have a drying faculty, whereby they are good to solder the lips of
wounds, and to cleanse foul ulcers. The distilled water or juice is much esteemed
by French dames to cleanse the skin from any roughness and deformity, or
discolouring thereof; being boiled in wine and given to drink, it is a good
remedy against the plague, and other pestilential fevers, if the party after taking
it be warm in his bed, and sweat for two hours after, and use the same for twice
at least. It helps also all stingings and bitings of venomous beasts, or mad dogs,
being used inwardly, and applied outwardly. The same also opens obstructions
of the liver, and is very available against the infirmities of the reins: It provokes
urine, and helps to expel the stone and gravel out of the kidneys and bladder, and
helps much in all inward pains and ulcers. The decoction, or distilled water, is no
less effectual to be applied to all wounds that are fresh and green, or old, filthy,
fretting, and running ulcers, which it very effectually cures in a short space. A
little mixed with the juice, and dropped into the eyes, cleanses them from cloudy
mists, or thick films which grow over them, and hinder the sight. It helps the
tooth-ache, being dropped into the ear on a contrary side of the pain. It is also
effectual to ease the pains of the hæmorrhoids or piles.

GROUND PINE, OR CHAMEPITYS.

Descript.] OUR common Ground Pine grows low, seldom rising above a
hand’s breadth high, shooting forth divers small branches, set with slender,
small, long, narrow, greyish, or whitish leaves, somewhat hairy, and divided into
three parts, many bushing together at a joint, some growing scatteringly upon the
stalks, smelling somewhat strong, like unto rozin: The flowers are small, and of
a pale yellow colour, growing from the joint of the stalk all along among the
leaves; after which come small and round husks. The root is small and woody,
perishing every year.
Place.] It grows more plentifully in Kent than any other county of this land,
as namely, in many places on this side Dartford, along to Southfleet, Chatham,
and Rochester, and upon Chatham down, hard by the Beacon, and half a mile
from Rochester, in a field near a house called Selesys.
Time.] It flowers and gives seed in the Summer months.
Government and virtues.] Mars owns the herb. The decoction of Ground Pine
drank, doth wonderfully prevail against the stranguary, or any inward pains
arising from the diseases of the reins and urine, and is especially good for all
obstructions of the liver and spleen, and gently opens the body; for which
purpose they were wont in former times to make pills with the powder thereof,
and the pulp of figs. It marvellously helps all the diseases of the mother,
inwardly or outwardly applied, procuring women’s courses, and expelling the
dead child and after-birth; yea, it is so powerful upon those feminine parts, that it
is utterly forbidden for women with child, for it will cause abortion or delivery
before the time. The decoction of the herb in wine taken inwardly, or applied
outwardly, or both, for some time together, is also effectual in all pains and
diseases of the joints, as gouts, cramps, palsies, sciatica, and aches; for which
purpose the pills made with powder of Ground Pine, and of Hermodactyls with
Venice Turpentine are very effectual. The pills also, continued for some time,
are special good for those that have the dropsy, jaundice, and for griping pains of
the joints, belly, or inward parts. It helps also all diseases of the brain,
proceeding of cold and phlegmatic humours and distillations, as also for the
falling sickness. It is a special remedy for the poison of the aconites, and other
poisonous herbs, as also against the stinging of any venomous creature. It is a
good remedy for a cold cough, especially in the beginning. For all the purposes
aforesaid, the herb being tunned up in new drink and drank, is almost as
effectual, but far more acceptable to weak and dainty stomachs. The distilled
water of the herb hath the same effects, but more weakly. The conserve of the
flowers doth the like, which Matthiolus much commends against the palsy. The
green herb, or the decoction thereof, being applied, dissolves the hardness of
women’s breasts, and all other hard swellings in any other part of the body. The
green herb also applied, or the juice thereof with some honey, not only cleanses
putrid, stinking, foul, and malignant ulcers and sores of all sorts, but heals and
solders up the lips of green wounds in any part also. Let pregnant women
forbear, for it works violently upon the feminine part.

PLANTAIN.

THIS grows usually in meadows and fields, and by path sides, and is so well
known, that it needs no description.
Time.] It is in its beauty about June, and the seed ripens shortly after.
Government and virtues.] It is true, Misaldus and others, yea, almost all
astrology-physicians, hold this to be an herb of Mars, because it cures the
diseases of the head and privities, which are under the houses of Mars, Aries,
and Scorpio: The truth is, it is under the command of Venus, and cures the head
by antipathy to Mars, and the privities by sympathy to Venus; neither is there
hardly a martial disease but it cures.
The juice of Plantain clarified and drank for divers days together, either of
itself, or in other drink, prevails wonderfully against all torments or excoriations
in the intestines or bowels, helps the distillations of rheum from the head, and
stays all manner of fluxes, even women’s courses, when they flow too
abundantly. It is good to stay spitting of blood and other bleedings at the mouth,
or the making of foul and bloody water, by reason of any ulcer in the reins or
bladder, and also stays the too free bleeding of wounds. It is held an especial
remedy for those that are troubled with the phthisic, or consumption of the lungs,
or ulcers of the lungs, or coughs that come of heat. The decoction or powder of
the roots or seeds, is much more binding for all the purposes aforesaid than the
leaves. Dioscorides saith, that three roots boiled in wine and taken, helps the
tertain agues, and for the quartan agues, (but letting the number pass as fabulous)
I conceive the decoction of divers roots may be effectual. The herb (but
especially the seed) is held to be profitable against the dropsy, the falling-
sickness, the yellow jaundice, and stoppings of the liver and reins. The roots of
Plantain, and Pellitory of Spain, beaten into powder, and put into the hollow
teeth, takes away the pains of them. The clarified juice, or distilled water,
dropped into the eyes, cools the inflammations in them, and takes away the pin
and web; and dropped into the ears, eases the pains in them, and heals and
removes the heat. The same also with the juice of Houseleek is profitable against
all inflammations and breakings out of the skin, and against burnings and
scaldings by fire and water. The juice or decoction made either of itself, or other
things of the like nature, is of much use and good effect for old and hollow
ulcers that are hard to be cured, and for cankers and sores in the mouth or privy
parts of man or woman; and helps also the pains of the piles in the fundament.
The juice mixed with oil of roses, and the temples and forehead anointed
therewith, eases the pains of the head proceeding from heat, and helps lunatic
and frantic persons very much; as also the biting of serpents, or a mad dog. The
same also is profitably applied to all hot gouts in the feet or hands, especially in
the beginning. It is also good to be applied where any bone is out of joint, to
hinder inflammations, swellings, and pains that presently rise thereupon. The
powder of the dried leaves taken in drink, kills worms of the belly; and boiled in
wine, kills worms that breed in old and foul ulcers. One part of Plantain water,
and two parts of the brine of powdered beef, boiled together and clarified, is a
most sure remedy to heal all spreading scabs or itch in the head and body, all
manner of tetters, ringworms, the shingles, and all other running and fretting
sores. Briefly, the Plantains are singularly good wound herbs, to heal fresh or old
wounds or sores, either inward or outward.

PLUMS.

ARE so well known that they need no description.

Government and virtues.] All Plums are under Venus, and are like women,
some better, and some worse. As there is great diversity of kinds, so there is in
the operation of Plums, for some that are sweet moisten the stomach, and make
the belly soluble; those that are sour quench thirst more, and bind the belly; the
moist and waterish do sooner corrupt in the stomach, but the firm do nourish
more, and offend less. The dried fruit sold by the grocers under the names of
Damask Prunes, do somewhat loosen the belly, and being stewed, are often used,
both in health and sickness, to relish the mouth and stomach, to procure appetite,
and a little to open the body, allay choler, and cool the stomach. Plum-tree
leaves boiled in wine, are good to wash and gargle the mouth and throat, to dry
the flux of rheum coming to the palate, gums, or almonds of the ear. The gum of
the tree is good to break the stone. The gum or leaves boiled in vinegar, and
applied, kills tetters and ringworms. Matthiolus saith, The oil preserved out of
the kernels of the stones, as oil of almonds is made, is good against the inflamed
piles, the tumours or swellings of ulcers, hoarseness of the voice, roughness of
the tongue and throat, and likewise the pains in the ears. And that five ounces of
the said oil taken with one ounce of muskadel, drives forth the stone, and helps
the cholic.

POLYPODY OF THE OAK.

Descript.] THIS is a small herb consisting of nothing but roots and leaves,
bearing neither stalk, flower, nor seed, as it is thought. It hath three or four
leaves rising from the root, every one single by itself, of about a hand length, are
winged, consisting of many small narrow leaves cut into the middle rib, standing
on each side of the stalk, large below, and smaller up to the top, not dented nor
notched at the edges at all, as the male fern hath, of sad green colour, and
smooth on the upper side, but on the other side somewhat rough by reason of
some yellowish flowers set thereon. The root is smaller than one’s little finger,
lying aslope, or creeping along under the upper crust of the earth, brownish on
the outside and greenish within, of a sweetish harshness in taste, set with certain
rough knags on each side thereof, having also much mossiness or yellow
hairiness upon it, and some fibres underneath it, whereby it is nourished.
PLACE.] It grows as well upon old rotten stumps, or trunks of trees, as oak,
beech, hazel, willow, or any other, as in the woods under them, and upon old
mud walls, as also in mossy, stony, and gravelly places near unto wood. That
which grows upon oak is accounted the best; but the quantity thereof is scarce
sufficient for the common use.
Time.] It being always green, may be gathered for use at any time.
Government and virtues.] Polypodium of the Oak, that which grows upon the
earth is best; it is an herb of Saturn, to purge melancholy; if the humour be
otherwise, chuse your Polypodium accordingly. Meuse (who is called the
Physician’s Evangelist for the certainty of his medicines, and the truth of his
opinion) saith, That it dries up thin humours, digests thick and tough, and purges
burnt choler, and especially tough and thick phlegm, and thin phlegm also, even
from the joints, and therefore good for those that are troubled with melancholy,
or quartan agues, especially if it be taken in whey or honied water, or in barley-
water, or the broth of a chicken with Epithymum, or with Beets and Mallows. It
is good for the hardness of the spleen, and for pricking or stitches in the sides, as
also for the cholic: Some use to put to it some Fennel seeds, or Annis seeds, or
Ginger, to correct that loathing it brings to the stomach, which is more than
needs, it being a safe and gentle medicine, fit for all persons, which daily
experience confirms; and an ounce of it may be given at a time in a decoction, if
there be not Sena, or some other strong purger put with it. A dram or two of the
powder of the dried roots, taken fasting in a cup of honied water, works gently,
and for the purposes aforesaid. The distilled water both of roots and leaves, is
much commended for the quartan ague, to be taken for many days together, as
also against melancholy, or fearful and troublesome sleeps or dreams; and with
some sugar-candy dissolved therein, is good against the cough, shortness of
breath, and wheezings, and those distillations of thin rheum upon the lungs,
which cause phthisicks, and oftentimes consumptions. The fresh roots beaten
small, or the powder of the dried roots mixed with honey, and applied to the
member that is out of joint, doth much help it; and applied also to the nose, cures
the disease called Polypus, which is a piece of flesh growing therein, which in
time stops the passage of breath through that nostril; and it helps those clefts or
chops that come between the fingers or toes.

THE POPLAR TREE.

THERE are two sorts of Poplars, which are most familiar with us, viz. the Black
and White, both which I shall here describe unto you.
Descript.] The White Poplar grows great, and reasonably high, covered with
thick, smooth, white bark, especially the branches; having long leaves cut into
several divisions almost like a vine leaf, but not of so deep a green on the upper
side, and hoary white underneath, of a reasonable good scent, the whole form
representing the form of Coltsfoot. The catkins which it brings forth before the
leaves, are long, and of a faint reddish colour, which fall away, bearing seldom
good seed with them. The wood hereof is smooth, soft, and white, very finely
waved, whereby it is much esteemed.
The Black Poplar grows higher and straighter than the White, with a greyish
bark, bearing broad green leaves, somewhat like ivy leaves, not cut in on the
edges like the White, but whole and dented, ending in a point, and not white
underneath, hanging by slender long foot stalks, which with the air are
continually shaken, like as the Aspen leaves are. The catkins hereof are greater
than those of the White, composed of many round green berries, as if they were
set together in a long cluster, containing much downy matter, which being ripe,
is blown away with the wind. The clammy buds hereof, before they spread into
leaves, are gathered to make Unguentum and Populneum, and are of a yellowish
green colour, and somewhat small, sweet, but strong. The wood is smooth,
tough, and white, and easy to be cloven. On both these trees grows a sweet kind
of musk, which in former times was used to put into sweet ointments.
Place.] They grow in moist woods, and by water-sides in sundry places of
this land; yet the White is not so frequent as the other.
Time.] Their time is likewise expressed before: The catkins coming forth
before the leaves in the end of Summer.
Government and virtues.] Saturn hath dominion over both. White Poplar,
saith Galen, is of a cleansing property: The weight of an ounce in powder, of the
bark thereof, being drank, saith Dioscorides, is a remedy for those that are
troubled with the sciatica, or the stranguary. The juice of the leaves dropped
warm into the ears, eases the pains in them. The young clammy buds or eyes,
before they break out into leaves, bruised, and a little honey put to them, is a
good medicine for a dull sight. The Black Poplar is held to be more cooling than
the White, and therefore the leaves bruised with vinegar and applied, help the
gout. The seed drank in vinegar, is held good against the falling-sickness. The
water that drops from the hollow places of this tree, takes away warts, pushes,
wheals, and other the like breakings-out of the body. The young Black Poplar
buds, saith Matthiolus, are much used by women to beautify their hair, bruising
them with fresh butter, straining them after they have been kept for some time in
the sun. The ointment called Populneon, which is made of this Poplar, is
singularly good for all heat and inflammations in any part of the body, and
tempers the heat of wounds. It is much used to dry up the milk of women’s
breasts when they have weaned their children.

POPPY.

OF this I shall describe three kinds, viz. the White and Black of the Garden,
and the Erratic Wild Poppy, or Corn Rose.
 Descript.] The White Poppy hath at first four or five whitish green leaves
lying upon the ground, which rise with the stalk, compassing it at the bottom of
them, and are very large, much cut or torn on the edges, and dented also besides:
The stalk, which is usually four or five feet high, hath sometimes no branches at
the top, and usually but two or three at most, bearing every one but one head
wrapped up in a thin skin, which bows down before it is ready to blow, and then
rising, and being broken, the flowers within it spreading itself open, and
consisting of four very large, white, round leaves, with many whitish round
threads in the middle, set about a small, round, green head, having a crown, or
star-like cover at the head thereof, which growing ripe, becomes as large as a
great apple, wherein are contained a great number of small round seeds, in
several partitions or divisions next unto the shell, the middle thereof remaining
hollow, and empty. The whole plant, both leaves, stalks, and heads, while they
are fresh, young, and green, yield a milk when they are broken, of an unpleasant
bitter taste, almost ready to provoke casting, and of a strong heady smell, which
being condensed, is called Opium. The root is white and woody, perishing as
soon as it hath given ripe seed.
The Black Poppy little differs from the former, until it bears its flower, which
is somewhat less, and of a black purplish colour, but without any purple spots in
the bottom of the leaf. The head of the seed is much less than the former, and
opens itself a little round about the top, under the crown, so that the seed, which
is very black, will fall out, if one turn the head thereof downward.
The wild Poppy, or Corn Rose, hath long and narrow leaves, very much cut in
on the edges into many divisions, of a light green colour, sometimes hairy
withal. The stalk is blackish and hairy also, but not so tall as the garden kind,
having some such like leaves thereon to grow below, parted into three or four
branches sometimes, whereon grow small hairy heads bowing down before the
skin break, wherein the flower is inclosed, which when it is fully blown open, is
of a fair yellowish red or crimson colour, and in some much paler, without any
spot in the bottom of the leaves, having many black soft threads in the middle,
compassing a small green head, which when it is ripe, is not bigger than one’s
little finger’s end, wherein is contained much black seeds smaller than that of the
garden. The root perishes every year, and springs again of its own sowing. Of
this kind there is one lesser in all parts thereof, and differs in nothing else.
Place.] The garden kinds do not naturally grow wild in any place, but all are
sown in gardens where they grow.
 The Wild Poppy or Corn Rose, is plentifully enough, and many times too
much so in the corn fields of all counties through this land, and also on ditch
banks, and by hedge sides. The smaller wild kind is also found in corn fields,
and also in some other places, but not so plentifully as the former.
Time.] The garden kinds are usually sown in the spring, which then flower
about the end of May, and somewhat earlier, if they spring of their own sowing.
The wild kind flower usually from May until July, and the seed of them is
ripe soon after the flowering.
Government and virtues.] The herb is Lunar, and of the juice of it is made
opium; only for lucre of money they cheat you, and tell you it is a kind of tear, or
some such like thing, that drops from Poppies when they weep, and that is
somewhere beyond the seas, I know not where beyond the Moon. The garden
Poppy heads with seeds made into a syrup, is frequently, and to good effect used
to procure rest, and sleep, in the sick and weak, and to stay catarrhs and
defluxions of thin rheums from the head into the stomach and lungs, causing a
continual cough, the fore-runner of a consumption; it helps also hoarseness of
the throat, and when one have lost their voice, which the oil of the seed doth
likewise. The black seed boiled in wine, and drank, is said also to dry the flux of
the belly, and women’s courses. The empty shells, or poppy heads, are usually
boiled in water, and given to procure rest and sleep: so doth the leaves in the
same manner; as also if the head and temples be bathed with the decoction
warm, or with the oil of Poppies, the green leaves or the heads bruised and
applied with a little vinegar, or made into a poultice with barley-meal or hog’s
grease, cools and tempers all inflammations, as also the disease called St.
Anthony’s fire. It is generally used in treacle and mithridate, and in all other
medicines that are made to procure rest and sleep, and to ease pains in the head
as well as in other parts. It is also used to cool inflammations, agues, or frenzies,
or to stay defluxions which cause a cough, or consumptions, and also other
fluxes of the belly or women’s courses; it is also put into hollow teeth, to ease
the pain, and hath been found by experience to ease the pains of the gout.
The Wild Poppy, or Corn Rose (as Matthiolus saith) is good to prevent the
falling-sickness. The syrup made with the flower, is with good effect given to
those that have the pleurisy; and the dried flowers also, either boiled in water, or
made into powder and drank, either in the distilled water of them, or some other
drink, works the like effect. The distilled water of the flowers is held to be of
much good use against surfeits, being drank evening and morning; It is also
more cooling than any of the other Poppies, and therefore cannot but be as
effectual in hot agues, frenzies, and other inflammations either inward or
outward. Galen saith, The seed is dangerous to be used inwardly.

PURSLAIN.

GARDEN Purslain (being used as a sallad herb) is so well known that it needs
no description; I shall therefore only speak of its virtues as follows.
Government and virtues.] ’Tis an herb of the Moon. It is good to cool any
heat in the liver, blood, reins, and stomach, and in hot agues nothing better: It
stays hot and choleric fluxes of the belly, women’s courses, the whites, and
gonorrhæa, or running of the reins, the distillation from the head, and pains
therein proceeding from heat, want of sleep, or the frenzy. The seed is more
effectual than the herb, and is of singular good use to cool the heat and sharpness
of urine, venereous dreams, and the like; insomuch that the over frequent use
hereof extinguishes the heat and virtue of natural procreation. The seed bruised
and boiled in wine, and given to children, expels the worms. The juice of the
herb is held as effectual to all the purposes aforesaid; as also to stay vomitings,
and taken with some sugar or honey, helps an old and dry cough, shortness of
breath, and the phthisick, and stays immoderate thirst. The distilled water of the
herb is used by many (as the more pleasing) with a little sugar to work the same
effects. The juice also is singularly good in the inflammations and ulcers in the
secret parts of man or woman, as also the bowels and hæmorrhoids, when they
are ulcerous, or excoriations in them. The herb bruised and applied to the
forehead and temples, allays excessive heat therein, that hinders rest and sleep;
and applied to the eyes, takes away the redness and inflammation in them, and
those other parts where pushes, wheals, pimples, St. Anthony’s fire and the like,
break forth; if a little vinegar be put to it, and laid to the neck, with as much of
galls and linseed together, it takes away the pains therein, and the crick in the
neck. The juice is used with oil of roses for the same causes, or for blasting by
lightning, and burnings by gunpowder, or for women’s sore breasts, and to allay
the heat in all other sores or hurts; applied also to the navels of children that stick
forth, it helps them; it is also good for sore mouths and gums that are swollen,
and to fasten loose teeth. Camerarius saith, the distilled water used by some,
took away the pain of their teeth, when all other remedies failed, and the
thickened juice made into pills with the powder of gum Tragicanth and Arabic,
being taken, prevails much to help those that make bloody water. Applied to the
gout it eases pains thereof, and helps the hardness of the sinews, if it come not of
the cramp, or a cold cause.

PRIMROSES.

THEY are so well known, that they need no description. Of the leaves of
Primroses is made as fine a salve to heal wounds as any that I know; you shall be
taught to make salves of any herb at the latter end of the book: make this as you
are taught there, and do not (you that have any ingenuity in you) see your poor
neighbours go with wounded limbs when an halfpenny cost will heal them.

PRIVET.

Descript.] OUR common Privet is carried up with many slender branches to a

reasonable height and breadth, to cover arbours, bowers and banquetting houses,
and brought, wrought, and cut into so many forms, of men, horses, birds, &c.
which though at first supported, grows afterwards strong of itself. It bears long
and narrow green leaves by the couples, and sweet smelling white flowers in
tufts at the end of the branches, which turn into small black berries that have a
purplish juice with them, and some seeds that are flat on the one side, with a hole
or dent therein.
Place.] It grows in this land, in divers woods.
Time.] Our Privet flowers in June and July, the berries are ripe in August and
September.
Government and virtues.] The Moon is lady of this. It is little used in physic
with us in these times, more than in lotions, to wash sores and sore mouths, and
to cool inflammations, and dry up fluxes. Yet Matthiolus saith, it serves all the
uses for which Cypress, or the East Privet, is appointed by Dioscorides and
Galen. He further saith, That the oil that is made of the flowers of Privet infused
therein, and set in the Sun, is singularly good for the inflammations of wounds,
and for the headache, coming of a hot cause. There is a sweet water also distilled
from the flowers, that is good for all those diseases that need cooling and drying,
and therefore helps all fluxes of the belly or stomach, bloody-fluxes, and
women’s courses, being either drank or applied; as all those that void blood at
the mouth, or any other place, and for distillations of rheum in the eyes,
especially if it be used with them.

QUEEN OF THE MEADOWS, MEADOW SWEET, OR MEAD

 QUEEN OF THE MEADOWS, MEADOW SWEET, OR MEAD
SWEET.

Descript.] THE stalks of these are reddish, rising to be three feet high,
sometimes four or five feet, having at the joints thereof large winged leaves,
standing one above another at distances, consisting of many and somewhat broad
leaves, set on each side of a middle rib, being hard, rough, or rugged, crumpled
much like unto elm leaves, having also some smaller leaves with them (as
Agrimony hath) somewhat deeply dented about the edges, of a sad green colour
on the upper side, and greyish underneath, of a pretty sharp scent and taste,
somewhat like unto the Burnet, and a leaf hereof put into a cup of claret wine,
gives also a fine relish to it. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand many
tufts of small white flowers thrust thick together, which smell much sweeter than
the leaves; and in their places, being fallen, come crooked and cornered seed.
The root is somewhat woody, and blackish on the outside, and brownish within,
with divers great strings, and lesser fibres set thereat, of a strong scent, but
nothing so pleasant as the flowers and leaves, and perishes not, but abides many
years, shooting forth a-new every Spring.
Place.] It grows in moist meadows that lie mostly wet, or near the courses of
water.
Time.] It flowers in some places or other all the three Summer months, that is,
June, July, and August, and the seed is ripe soon after.
Government and virtues.] Venus claims dominion over the herb. It is used to
stay all manner of bleedings, fluxes, vomitings, and women’s courses, also their
whites: It is said to alter and take away the fits of the quartan agues, and to make
a merry heart, for which purpose some use the flowers, and some the leaves. It
helps speedily those that are troubled with the cholic; being boiled in wine, and
with a little honey, taken warm, it opens the belly; but boiled in red wine, and
drank, it stays the flux of the belly. Outwardly applied, it helps old ulcers that are
cankerous, or hollow fistulous, for which it is by many much commended, as
also for the sores in the mouth or secret parts. The leaves when they are full
grown, being laid on the skin, will, in a short time, raise blisters thereon, as
Tragus saith. The water thereof helps the heat and inflammation in the eyes.

THE QUINCE TREE.

Descript.] THE ordinary Quince Tree grows often to the height and bigness of
a reasonable apple tree, but more usually lower, and crooked, with a rough bark,
spreading arms, and branches far abroad. The leaves are somewhat like those of
the apple tree, but thicker, broader, and full of veins, and whiter on the under
side, not dented at all about the edges. The flowers are large and white,
sometimes dashed over with a blush. The fruit that follows is yellow, being near
ripe, and covered with a white freeze, or cotton; thick set on the younger, and
growing less as they grow to be thorough ripe, bunched out oftentimes in some
places, some being like an apple, and some a pear, of a strong heady scent, and
not durable to keep, and is sour, harsh, and of an unpleasant taste to eat fresh;
but being scalded, roasted, baked, or preserved, becomes more pleasant.
Place and Time.] It best likes to grow near ponds and water sides, and is
frequent through this land: and flowers not until the leaves be come forth. The
fruit is ripe in September or October.
Government and virtues.] Old Saturn owns the Tree. Quinces when they are
green, help all sorts of fluxes in men or women, and choleric lasks, casting, and
whatever needs astriction, more than any way prepared by fire; yet the syrup of
the juice, or the conserve, are much conducible, much of the binding quality
being consumed by the fire; if a little vinegar be added, it stirs up the languishing
appetite, and the stomach given to casting; some spices being added, comforts
and strengthens the decaying and fainting spirits, and helps the liver oppressed,
that it cannot perfect the digestion, or corrects choler and phlegm. If you would
have them purging, put honey to them instead of sugar; and if more laxative, for
choler, Rhubarb; for phlegm, Turbith; for watery humours, Scammony; but if
more forcible to bind, use the unripe Quinces, with roses and acacia, hypocistis,
and some torrified rhubarb. To take the crude juice of Quinces, is held a
preservative against the force of deadly poison; for it hath been found most
certainly true, that the very smell of a Quince hath taken away all the strength of
the poison of white Hellebore. If there be need of any outwardly binding and
cooling of hot fluxes, the oil of Quinces, or other medicines that may be made
thereof, are very available to anoint the belly or other parts therewith; it likewise
strengthens the stomach and belly, and the sinews that are loosened by sharp
humours falling on them, and restrains immoderate sweatings. The muscilage
taken from the seeds of Quinces, and boiled in a little water, is very good to cool
the heat and heal the sore breasts of women. The same, with a little sugar, is
good to lenify the harshness and hoarseness of the throat, and roughness of the
tongue. The cotton or down of Quinces boiled and applied to plague sores, heals
them up: and laid as a plaister, made up with wax, it brings hair to them that are
bald, and keeps it from falling, if it be ready to shed.

RADDISH, OR HORSE-RADDISH.

THE garden Raddish is so well known, that it needs no description.

Descript.] The Horse-Raddish hath its first leaves, that rise before Winter,
about a foot and a half long, very much cut in or torn on the edges into many
parts, of a dark green colour, with a great rib in the middle; after these have been
up a while, others follow, which are greater, rougher, broader and longer, whole
and not divided at first, but only somewhat rougher dented about the edges; the
stalks when it bears flowers (which is seldom) is great, rising up with some few
lesser leaves thereon, to three or four feet high, spreading at the top many small
branches of whitish flowers, made of four leaves a-piece; after which come
small pods, like those of Shepherd’s Purse, but seldom with any seed in them.
The root is great, long, white and rugged, shooting up divers heads of leaves,
which may be parted for increase, but it doth not creep in the ground, nor run
above ground, and is of a strong, sharp, and bitter taste almost like mustard.
Place.] It is found wild in some places, but is chiefly planted in gardens, and
joys in moist and shadowy places.
Time.] It seldom flowers, but when it doth, it is in July.
Government and virtues.] They are both under Mars. The juice of Horse-
raddish given to drink, is held to be very effectual for the scurvy. It kills the
worms in children, being drank, and also laid upon the belly. The root bruised
and laid to the place grieved with the sciatica, joint-ache, or the hard swellings of
the liver and spleen, doth wonderfully help them all. The distilled water of the
herb and root is more familiar to be taken with a little sugar for all the purposes
aforesaid.
Garden Raddishes are in wantonness by the gentry eaten as a sallad, but they
breed but scurvy humours in the stomach, and corrupt the blood, and then send
for a physician as fast as you can; this is one cause which makes the owners of
such nice palates so unhealthful; yet for such as are troubled with the gravel,
stone, or stoppage of urine, they are good physic, if the body be strong that takes
them; you may make the juice of the roots into a syrup if you please, for that use:
they purge by urine exceedingly.

RAGWORT.
 RAGWORT.

IT is called also St. James’-wort, and Stagger-wort, and Stammer-wort, and

Segrum.
Descript.] The greater common Ragwort hath many large and long, dark
green leaves lying on the ground, very much rent and torn on the sides in many
places: from among which rise up sometimes but one, and sometimes two or
three square or crested blackish or brownish stalks, three or four feet high,
sometimes branched, bearing divers such-like leaves upon them, at several
distances upon the top, where it branches forth into many stalks bearing yellow
flowers, consisting of divers leaves, set as a pale or border, with a dark yellow
thrum in the middle, which do abide a great while, but at last are turned into
down, and with the small blackish grey seed, are carried away with the wind.
The root is made of many fibres, whereby it is firmly fastened into the ground,
and abides many years.
There is another sort thereof differs from the former only in this, that it rises
not so high; the leaves are not so finely jagged, nor of so dark a green colour, but
rather somewhat whitish, soft and woolly, and the flowers usually paler.
Place.] They grow, both of them, wild in pastures, and untilled grounds in
many places, and oftentimes both in one field.
Time.] They flower in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] Ragwort is under the command of Dame Venus,
and cleanses, digests, and discusses. The decoction of the herb is good to wash
the mouth or throat that hath ulcers or sores therein: and for swellings, hardness,
or imposthumes, for it thoroughly cleanses and heals them; as also the quinsy,
and the king’s evil. It helps to stay catarrhs, thin rheums, and defluxions from
the head into the eyes, nose, or lungs. The juice is found by experience to be
singularly good to heal green wounds, and to cleanse and heal all old and filthy
ulcers in the privities, and in other parts of the body, as also inward wounds and
ulcers; stays the malignity of fretting and running cankers, and hollow fistulas,
not suffering them to spread farther. It is also much commended to help aches
and pains either in the fleshy part, or in the nerves and sinews, as also the
sciatica, or pain of the hips or knuckle-bone, to bathe the places with the
decoction of the herb, or to anoint them with an ointment made of the herb
bruised and boiled in old hog’s suet, with some Mastick and Olibanum in
powder added unto it after it is strained forth. In Sussex we call it Ragweed.
 RATTLE GRASS.

OF this there are two kinds which I shall speak of, viz. the red and yellow.
Descript.] The common Red Rattle hath sundry reddish, hollow stalks, and
sometimes green, rising from the root, lying for the most part on the ground,
some growing more upright, with many small reddish or green leaves set on both
sides of a middle rib, finely dented about the edges: The flowers stand at the tops
of the stalks and branches, of a fine purplish red colour, like small gaping hooks;
after which come blackish seed in small husks, which lying loose therein, will
rattle with shaking. The root consists of two or three small whitish strings with
some fibres thereat.
The common Yellow Rattle hath seldom above one round great stalk, rising
from the foot, about half a yard, or two feet high, and but few branches thereon,
having two long and somewhat broad leaves set at a joint, deeply cut in on the
edges, resembling the comb of a cock, broadest next to the stalk, and smaller to
the end. The flowers grow at the tops of the stalks, with some shorter leaves with
them, hooded after the same manner that the others are, but of a fair yellow
colour, or in some paler, and in some more white. The seed is contained in large
husks, and being ripe, will rattle or make a noise with lying loose in them. The
root is small and slender, perishing every year.
Place.] They grow in meadows and woods generally through this land.
Time.] They are in flower from Midsummer until August be past, sometimes.
Government and virtues.] They are both of them under the dominion of the
Moon. The Red Rattle is accounted profitable to heal up fistulas and hollow
ulcers, and to stay the flux of humours in them, as also the abundance of
women’s courses, or any other fluxes of blood, being boiled in red wine, and
drank.
The yellow Rattle, or Cock’s Comb, is held to be good for those that are
troubled with a cough, or dimness of sight, if the herb, being boiled with beans,
and some honey put thereto, be drank or dropped into the eyes. The whole seed
being put into the eyes, draws forth any skin, dimness or film, from the sight,
without trouble, or pain.

REST HARROW, OR CAMMOCK.

 REST HARROW, OR CAMMOCK.

Descript.] COMMON Rest Harrow rises up with divers rough woody twigs half
a yard or a yard high, set at the joints without order, with little roundish leaves,
sometimes more than two or three at a place, of a dark green colour, without
thorns while they are young; but afterwards armed in sundry places, with short
and sharp thorns. The flowers come forth at the tops of the twigs and branches,
whereof it is full fashioned like pease or broom blossoms, but lesser, flatter, and
somewhat closer, of a faint purplish colour; after which come small pods
containing small, flat, round seed: The root is blackish on the outside, and
whitish within, very rough, and hard to break when it is fresh and green, and as
hard as an horn when it is dried, thrusting down deep into the ground, and
spreading likewise, every piece being apt to grow again if it be left in the
ground.
Place.] It grows in many places of this land, as well in the arable as waste
ground.
Time.] It flowers about the beginning or middle of July, and the seed is ripe in
August.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars. It is singularly
good to provoke urine when it is stopped, and to break and drive forth the stone,
which the powder of the bark of the root taken in wine performs effectually.
Matthiolus saith, The same helps the disease called Herma Carnosa, the fleshy
rupture, by taking the said powder for three months together constantly, and that
it hath cured some which seemed incurable by any other means than by cutting
or burning. The decoction thereof made with some vinegar, gargled in the
mouth, eases the tooth-ache, especially when it comes of rheum; and the said
decoction is very powerful to open obstructions of the liver and spleen, and other
parts. A distilled water in Balneo Mariæ, with four pounds of the root hereof
first sliced small, and afterwards steeped in a gallon of Canary wine, is
singularly good for all the purposes aforesaid, and to cleanse the urinary
passages. The powder of the said root made into an electuary, or lozenges, with
sugar, as also the bark of the fresh roots boiled tender, and afterwards beaten to a
conserve with sugar, works the like effect. The powder of the roots strewed upon
the brims of ulcers, or mixed with any other convenient thing, and applied,
consumes the hardness, and causes them to heal the better.

ROCKET.
 IN regard the Garden Rocket is rather used as a sallad herb than to any
physical purposes, I shall omit it, and only speak of the common wild Rocket.
The description whereof take as follows.
Descript.] The common wild Rocket has longer and narrower leaves, much
more divided into slender cuts and jags on both sides the middle rib than the
garden kinds have; of a sad green colour, from among which rise up divers stalks
two or three feet high, sometimes set with the like leaves, but smaller and
smaller upwards, branched from the middle into divers stiff stalks, bearing
sundry yellow flowers on them, made of four leaves a-piece, as the others are,
which afterwards yield them small reddish seed, in small long pods, of a more
bitter and hot biting taste than the garden kinds, as the leaves are also.
Place.] It is found wild in divers places of this land.
Time.] It flowers about June or July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] The wild Rockets are forbidden to be used alone, in
regard their sharpness fumes into the head, causing aches and pains therein, and
are less hurtful to hot and choleric persons, for fear of inflaming their blood, and
therefore for such we may say a little doth but a little harm, for angry Mars rules
them, and he sometimes will be restive when he meets with fools. The wild
Rocket is more strong and effectual to increase sperm and venerous qualities,
whereunto all the seed is more effectual than the garden kind. It serves also to
help digestion, and provokes urine exceedingly. The seed is used to cure the
biting of serpents, the scorpion, and the shrew mouse, and other poisons, and
expels worms, and other noisome creatures that breed in the belly. The herb
boiled or stewed, and some sugar put thereto, helps the cough in children, being
taken often. The seed also taken in drink, takes away the ill scent of the arm-pits,
increases milk in nurses, and wastes the spleen. The seed mixed with honey, and
used on the face, cleanses the skin from morphew, and used with vinegar, takes
away freckles and redness in the face, or other parts; and with the gall of an ox,
it mends foul scars, black and blue spots, and the marks of the small-pox.

WINTER-ROCKET, OR CRESSES.

Descript.] WINTER-Rocket, or Winter-Cresses, hath divers somewhat large sad

green leaves lying upon the ground, torn or cut in divers parts, somewhat like
unto Rocket or turnip leaves, with smaller pieces next the bottom, and broad at
the ends, which so abide all the Winter (if it spring up in Autumn, when it is
used to be eaten) from among which rise up divers small round stalks, full of
branches, bearing many small yellow flowers of four leaves a-piece, after which
come small pods, with reddish seed in them. The root is somewhat stringy, and
perishes every year after the seed is ripe.
Place.] It grows of its own accord in gardens and fields, by the way-sides, in
divers places, and particularly in the next pasture to the Conduit-head behind
Gray’s Inn, that brings water to Mr. Lamb’s conduit in Holborn.
Time.] It flowers in May, seeds in June, and then perishes.
Government and virtues.] This is profitable to provoke urine, to help
stranguary, and expel gravel and stone. It is good for the scurvy, and found by
experience to be a singularly good wound herb to cleanse inward wounds; the
juice or decoction being drank, or outwardly applied to wash foul ulcers and
sores, cleansing them by sharpness, and hindering or abating the dead flesh from
growing therein, and healing them by their drying quality.

ROSES.

I HOLD it altogether needless to trouble the reader with a description of any of

these, since both the garden Roses, and the Roses of the briars are well enough
known: take therefore the virtues of them as follows; And first I shall begin with
the garden kinds.
Government and virtues.] What a pother have authors made with Roses!
What a racket have they kept? I shall add, red Roses are under Jupiter, Damask
under Venus, White under the Moon, and Provence under the King of France.
The white and red Roses are cooling and drying, and yet the white is taken to
exceed the red in both the properties, but is seldom used inwardly in any
medicine: The bitterness in the Roses when they are fresh, especially the juice,
purges choler, and watery humours; but being dried, and that heat which caused
the bitterness being consumed, they have then a binding and astringent quality:
Those also that are not full blown, do both cool and bind more than those that
are full blown, and the white Rose more than the Red. The decoction of red
Roses made with wine and used, is very good for the head-ache, and pains in the
eyes, ears, throat, and gums; as also for the fundament, the lower part of the
belly and the matrix, being bathed or put into them. The same decoction with the
Roses remaining in it, is profitably applied to the region of the heart to ease the
inflammation therein; as also St. Anthony’s fire, and other diseases of the
stomach. Being dried and beaten to powder, and taken in steeled wine or water,
it helps to stay women’s courses. The yellow threads in the middle of the Roses
(which are erroneously called the Rose Seed) being powdered and drank in the
distilled water of Quinces, stays the overflowing of women’s courses, and doth
wonderfully stay the defluctions of rheum upon the gums and teeth, preserving
them from corruption, and fastening them if they be loose, being washed and
gargled therewith, and some vinegar of Squills added thereto. The heads with the
seed being used in powder, or in a decoction, stays the lask and spitting of blood.
Red Roses do strengthen the heart, the stomach and the liver, and the retentive
faculty: They mitigate the pains that arise from heat, assuage inflammations,
procure rest and sleep, stay both whites and reds in women, the gonorrhea, or
running of the reins, and fluxes of the belly: the juice of them doth purge and
cleanse the body from choler and phlegm. The husks of the Roses, with the
beards and nails of the Roses, are binding and cooling, and the distilled water of
either of them is good for the heat and redness in the eyes, and to stay and dry up
the rheums and watering of them. Of the Red Roses are usually made many
compositions, all serving to sundry good uses, viz. Electuary of Roses, Conserve,
both moist and dry, which is more usually called Sugar of roses, Syrup of dry
Roses, and Honey of Roses. The cordial powder called Diarrhoden Abbatis, and
Aromatica Rosarum. The distilled Water of Roses, Vinegar of Roses, Ointment,
and Oil of Roses, and the Rose leaves dried, are of great use and effect. To write
at large of every one of these, would make my book smell too big, it being
sufficient for a volume of itself, to speak fully of them. But briefly, the Electuary
is purging, whereof two or three drams taken by itself in some convenient liquor,
is a purge sufficient for a weak constitution, but may be increased to six drams,
according to the strength of the patient. It purges choler without trouble, it is
good in hot fevers, and pains of the head arising from hot choleric humours, and
heat in the eyes, the jaundice also, and joint-aches proceeding of hot humours.
The moist Conserve is of much use, both binding and cordial; for until it be
about two years old, it is more binding than cordial, and after that, more cordial
than binding. Some of the younger Conserve taken with mithridate mixed
together, is good for those that are troubled with distillations of rheum from the
brain to the nose, and defluctions of rheum into the eyes; as also for fluxes and
lasks of the belly; and being mixed with the powder of mastich, is very good for
the gonorrhea, and for the looseness of the humours in the body. The old
Conserve mixed with Aromaticum Rosarum, is a very good cordial against
faintings, swoonings, weakness, and tremblings of the heart, strengthens, both it
and a weak stomach, helps digestion, stays casting, and is a very good
preservative in the time of infection. The dry Conserve, which is called the
Sugar of Roses, is a very good cordial to strengthen the heart and spirits; as also
to stay defluctions. The syrup of dried red Roses strengthens a stomach given to
casting, cools an over-heated liver, and the blood in agues, comforts the heart,
and resists putrefaction and infection, and helps to stay lasks and fluxes. Honey
of Roses is much used in gargles and lotions to wash sores, either in the mouth,
throat, or other parts, both to cleanse and heal them, and to stay the fluxes of
humours falling upon them. It is also used in clysters both to cool and cleanse.
The cordial powders, called Diarrhoden Abbatis and Aromaticum Rosarum, do
comfort and strengthen the heart and stomach, procure an appetite, help
digestion, stay vomiting, and are very good for those that have slippery bowels,
to strengthen them, and to dry up their moisture. Red Rose-water is well known,
and of familiar use on all occasions, and better than Damask Rose-water, being
cooling and cordial, refreshing, quickening the weak and faint spirits, used either
in meats or broths, to wash the temples, to smell at the nose, or to smell the
sweet vapours thereof out of a perfuming pot, or cast into a hot fire shovel. It is
also of much good use against the redness and inflammations of the eyes to
bathe them therewith, and the temples of the head; as also against pain and ache,
for which purpose also Vinegar of Roses is of much good use, and to procure
rest and sleep, if some thereof, and Rose-water together, be used to smell unto,
or the nose and temples moistened therewith, but more usually to moisten a
piece of a red Rose-cake, cut for the purpose, and heated between a double
folded cloth, with a little beaten nutmeg, and poppy-seed strewed on the side that
must lie next to the forehead and temples, and bound so thereto all night. The
ointment of Roses is much used against heat and inflammations in the head, to
anoint the forehead and temples, and being mixt with Unguentum Populneum, to
procure rest: it is also used for the heat of the liver, the back and reins, and to
cool and heal pushes, wheals, and other red pimples rising in the face or other
parts. Oil of Roses is not only used by itself to cool any hot swellings or
inflammations, and to bind and stay fluxes of humours unto sores, but is also put
into ointments and plaisters that are cooling and binding, and restraining the flux
of humours. The dried leaves of the red Roses are used both inwardly and
outwardly, both cooling, binding, and cordial, for with them are made both
Aromaticum, Rosarum, Diarrhoden Abbatis, and Saccharum Rosarum, each of
whose properties are before declared. Rose leaves and mint, heated and applied
outwardly to the stomach, stays castings, and very much strengthen a weak
stomach; and applied as a fomentation to the region of the liver and heart, do
much cool and temper them, and also serve instead of a Rose-cake (as is said
before) to quiet the over-hot spirits, and cause rest and sleep. The syrup of
Damask Roses is both simple and compound, and made with Agaric. The simple
solutive syrup is a familiar, safe, gentle and easy medicine, purging choler, taken
from one ounce to three or four, yet this is remarkable herein, that the distilled
water of this syrup should notably bind the belly. The syrup with Agaric is more
strong and effectual, for one ounce thereof by itself will open the body more
than the other, and works as much on phlegm as choler. The compound syrup is
more forcible in working on melancholic humours; and available against the
leprosy, itch, tetters, &c. and the French disease: Also honey of Roses solutive is
made of the same infusions that the syrup is made of, and therefore works the
same effect, both opening and purging, but is oftener given to phlegmatic than
choleric persons, and is more used in clysters than in potions, as the syrup made
with sugar is. The conserve and preserved leaves of those Roses are also
operative in gently opening the belly.
The simple water of Damask Roses is chiefly used for fumes to sweeten
things, as the dried leaves thereof to make sweet powders, and fill sweet bags;
and little use they are put to in physic, although they have some purging quality;
the wild Roses also are few or none of them used in physic, but are generally
held to come near the nature of the manured Roses. The fruit of the wild briar,
which are called Hips, being thoroughly ripe, and made into a conserve with
sugar, besides the pleasantness of the taste, doth gently bind the belly, and stay
defluctions from the head upon the stomach, drying up the moisture thereof, and
helps digestion. The pulp of the hips dried into a hard consistence, like to the
juice of the liquorice, or so dried that it may be made into powder and taken into
drink, stays speedily the whites in women. The briar ball is often used, being
made into powder and drank, to break the stone, to provoke urine when it is
stopped, and to ease and help the cholic; some appoint it to be burnt, and then
taken for the same purpose. In the middle of the balls are often found certain
white worms, which being dried and made into powder, and some of it drank, is
found by experience of many to kill and drive forth the worms of the belly.

ROSA SOLIS, OR SUN DEW.

IT is likewise called Red-rot, and Youth-wort.

Descript.] It hath, divers small, round, hollow leaves somewhat greenish, but
full of certain red hairs, which make them seem red, every one standing upon his
own footstalk, reddish, hairy likewise. The leaves are continually moist in the
hottest day, yea, the hotter the sun shines on them, the moister they are, with a
sliminess that will rope (as we say,) the small hairs always holding the moisture.
Among these leaves rise up slender stalks, reddish also, three or four fingers
high, bearing divers small white knobs one above another, which are flowers;
after which in the heads are contained small seeds. The root is a few small hairs.
Place.] It grows usually in bogs and wet places, and sometimes in moist
woods.
Time.] It flowers in June, and the leaves are then fittest to be gathered.
Government and virtues.] The Sun rules it, and it is under the sign Cancer.
Rose Solis is accounted good to help those that have a salt rheum distilling on
their lungs, which breeds a consumption, and therefore the distilled water thereof
in wine is held fit and profitable for such to drink, which water will be of a good
yellow colour. The same water is held to be good for all other diseases of the
lungs, as phthisicks, wheezings, shortness of breath, or the cough; as also to heal
the ulcers that happen in the lungs; and it comforts the heart and fainting spirits.
The leaves, outwardly applied to the skin will raise blisters, which has caused
some to think it dangerous to be taken inwardly; but there are other things which
will also draw blisters, yet nothing dangerous to be taken inwardly. There is an
usual drink made thereof with aqua vitæ and spices frequently, and without any
offence or danger, but to good purpose used in qualms and passions of the heart.

ROSEMARY.

OUR garden Rosemary is so well known, that I need not describe it.
Time.] It flowers in April and May with us, sometimes again in August.
Government and virtues.] The Sun claims privilege in it, and it is under the
celestial Ram. It is an herb of as great use with us in these days as any
whatsoever, not only for physical but civil purposes. The physical use of it
(being my present task) is very much used both for inward and outward diseases,
for by the warming and comforting heat thereof it helps all cold diseases, both of
the head, stomach, liver, and belly. The decoction thereof in wine, helps the cold
distillations of rheum into the eyes, and all other cold diseases of the head and
brain, as the giddiness or swimmings therein, drowsiness or dullness of the mind
and senses like a stupidness, the dumb palsy, or loss of speech, the lethargy, and
fallen-sickness, to be both drank, and the temples bathed therewith. It helps the
pains in the gums and teeth, by rheum falling into them, not by putrefaction,
causing an evil smell from them, or a stinking breath. It helps a weak memory,
and quickens the senses. It is very comfortable to the stomach in all the cold
griefs thereof, helps both retention of meat, and digestion, the decoction or
powder being taken in wine. It is a remedy for the windiness in the stomach,
bowels, and spleen, and expels it powerfully. It helps those that are liver-grown,
by opening the obstructions thereof. It helps dim eyes, and procures a clear sight,
the flowers thereof being taken all the while it is flowering every morning
fasting, with bread and salt. Both Dioscorides and Galen say, That if a decoction
be made thereof with water, and they that have the yellow jaundice exercise their
bodies directly after the taking thereof, it will certainly cure them. The flowers
and conserve made of them, are singularly good to comfort the heart, and to
expel the contagion of the pestilence; to burn the herb in houses and chambers,
corrects the air in them. Both the flowers and leaves are very profitable for
women that are troubled with the whites, if they be daily taken. The dried leaves
shred small, and taken in a pipe, as tobacco is taken, helps those that have any
cough, phthisic, or consumption, by warming and drying the thin distillations
which cause those diseases. The leaves are very much used in bathings; and
made into ointments or oil, are singularly good to help cold benumbed joints,
sinews, or members. The chymical oil drawn from the leaves and flowers, is a
sovereign help for all the diseases aforesaid, to touch the temples and nostrils
with two or three drops for all the diseases of the head and brain spoken of
before; as also to take one drop, two, or three, as the case requires, for the inward
griefs: Yet must it be done with discretion, for it is very quick and piercing, and
therefore but a little must be taken at a time. There is also another oil made by
insolation in this manner: Take what quantity you will of the flowers, and put
them into a strong glass close stopped, tie a fine linen cloth over the mouth, and
turn the mouth down into another strong glass, which being set in the sun, an oil
will distil down into the lower glass, to be preserved as precious for divers uses,
both inward and outward, as a sovereign balm to heal the disease before-
mentioned, to clear dim sights, and to take away spots, marks, and scars in the
skin.

RHUBARB, OR REPHONTIC.

DO not start, and say, This grows you know not how far off: and then ask me,
How it comes to pass that I bring it among our English simples? For though the
name may speak it foreign, yet it grows with us in England, and that frequent
enough in our gardens; and when you have thoroughly pursued its virtues, you
will conclude it nothing inferior to that which is brought out of China, and by
that time this hath been as much used as that hath been, the name which the
other hath gotten will be eclipsed by the fame of this; take therefore a description
at large of it as follows:
Descript.] At the first appearing out of the ground, when the winter is past, it
hath a great round brownish head, rising from the middle or sides of the root,
which opens itself into sundry leaves one after another, very much crumpled or
folded together at the first, and brownish: but afterwards it spreads itself, and
becomes smooth, very large and almost round, every one standing on a brownish
stalk of the thickness of a man’s thumb, when they are grown to their fulness,
and most of them two feet and more in length, especially when they grow in any
moist or good ground; and the stalk of the leaf, from the bottom thereof to the
leaf itself, being also two feet, the breadth thereof from edge to edge, in the
broadest place, being also two feet, of a sad or dark green colour, of a fine tart or
sourish taste, much more pleasant than the garden or wood sorrel. From among
these rise up some, but not every year, strong thick stalks, not growing so high as
the Patience, or garden Dock, with such round leaves as grow below, but small
at every joint up to the top, and among the flowers, which are white, spreading
forth into many branches, consisting of five or six small leaves a-piece, hardly to
be discerned from the white threads in the middle, and seeming to be all threads,
after which come brownish three square seeds, like unto other Docks, but larger,
whereby it may be plainly known to be a Dock. The root grows in time to be
very great, with divers and sundry great spreading branches from it, of a dark
brownish or reddish colour on the outside, having a pale yellow skin under it,
which covers the inner substance or root, which rind and skin being pared away,
the root appears of so fresh and lively a colour, with fresh coloured veins
running through it, that the choicest of that Rhubarb that is brought us from
beyond the seas cannot excel it, which root, if it be dried carefully, and as it
ought (which must be in our country by the gentle heat of a fire, in regard the
sun is not hot enough here to do it, and every piece kept from touching one
another) will hold its colour almost as well as when it is fresh, and has been
approved of, and commended by those who have oftentimes used them.
Place.] It grows in gardens, and flowers about the beginning and middle of
June, and the seed is ripe in July.
Time.] The roots that are to be dried and kept all the year following, are not to
be taken up before the stalk and leaves be quite turned red and gone, and that is
not until the middle or end of October, and if they be taken a little before the
leaves do spring, or when they are sprung up, the roots will not have half so
good a colour in them.
 I have given the precedence unto this, because in virtues also it hath the pre-
eminence. I come now to describe unto you that which is called Patience, or
Monk’s Rhubarb; and the next unto that, the great round-leaved Dock, or
Bastard Rhubarb, for the one of these may happily supply in the absence of the
other, being not much unlike in their virtues, only one more powerful and
efficacious than the other. And lastly, shall shew you the virtues of all the three
sorts.

GARDEN-PATIENCE, OR MONK’S RHUBARB.

Descript.] THIS is a Dock bearing the name of Rhubarb for some purging
quality therein, and grows up with large tall stalks, set with somewhat broad and
long, fair, green leaves, not dented at all. The tops of the stalks being divided
into many small branches, bear reddish or purplish flowers, and three-square
seed, like unto other Docks. The root is long, great and yellow, like unto the wild
Docks, but a little redder; and if it be a little dried, shews less store of
discoloured veins than the other does when it is dry.

GREAT ROUND-LEAVED DOCK, OR BASTARD RHUBARB.

Descript.] THIS has divers large, round, thin yellowish green leaves rising
from the root, a little waved about the edges, every one standing upon a
reasonably thick and long brownish footstalk, from among which rises up a
pretty big stalk, about two feet high, with some such high leaves growing
thereon, but smaller; at the top whereof stand in a long spike many small
brownish flowers, which turn into a hard three square shining brown seed, like
the garden Patience before described. The root grows greater than that, with
many branches or great fibres thereat, yellow on the outside, and somewhat pale;
yellow within, with some discoloured veins like to the Rhubarb which is first
described, but much less than it, especially when it is dry.
Place and Time.] These also grow in gardens, and flower and seed at or near
the same time that our true Rhubarb doth, viz. they flower in June, and the seed
is ripe in July.
Government and virtues.] Mars claims predominancy over all these
wholesome herbs: You cry out upon him for an unfortunate, when God created
him for your good (only he is angry with fools.) What dishonour is this, not to
Mars, but to God himself. A dram of the dried root of Monk’s Rhubarb, with a
scruple of Ginger made into powder, and taken fasting in a draught or mess of
warm broth, purges choler and phlegm downwards very gently and safely
without danger. The seed thereof contrary doth bind the belly, and helps to stay
any sort of lasks or bloody-flux. The distilled water thereof is very profitably
used to heal scabs; also foul ulcerous sores, and to allay the inflammation of
them; the juice of the leaves or roots or the decoction of them in vinegar, is used
as the most effectual remedy to heal scabs and running sores.
The Bastard Rhubarb hath all the properties of the Monk’s Rhubarb, but more
effectual for both inward and outward diseases. The decoction thereof without
vinegar dropped into the ears, takes away the pains; gargled in the mouth, takes
away the tooth ache; and being drank, heals the jaundice. The seed thereof taken,
eases the gnawing and griping pains of the stomach, and takes away the loathing
thereof unto meat. The root thereof helps the ruggedness of the nails, and being
boiled in wine helps the swelling of the throat, commonly called the king’s evil,
as also the swellings of the kernels of the ears. It helps them that are troubled
with the stone, provokes urine, and helps the dimness of the sight. The roots of
this Bastard Rhubarb are used in opening and purging diet-drinks, with other
things, to open the liver, and to cleanse and cool the blood.
The properties of that which is called the English Rhubarb are the same with
the former, but much more effectual, and hath all the properties of the true
Italian Rhubarbs, except the force in purging, wherein it is but of half the
strength thereof, and therefore a double quantity must be used: it likewise hath
not that bitterness and astriction; in other things it works almost in an equal
quantity, which are these: It purges the body of choler and phlegm, being either
taken of itself, made into powder, and drank in a draught of white wine, or
steeped therein all night, and taken fasting, or put among other purges, as shall
be thought convenient, cleansing the stomach, liver, and blood, opening
obstructions, and helping those griefs that come thereof, as the jaundice, dropsy,
swelling of the spleen, tertain and daily agues, and pricking pains of the sides;
and also stays spitting of blood. The powder taken with cassia dissolved, and
washed Venice turpentine, cleanses the reins and strengthens them afterwards,
and is very effectual to stay the gonorrhea. It is also given for the pains and
swellings in the head, for those that are troubled with melancholy, and helps the
sciatica, gout, and the cramp. The powder of the Rhubarb taken with a little
mummia and madder roots in some red wine, dissolves clotted blood in the
body, happening by any fall or bruise, and helps burstings and broken parts, as
well inward as outward. The oil likewise wherein it hath been boiled, works the
like effects being anointed. It is used to heal those ulcers that happen in the eyes
or eyelids, being steeped and strained; as also to assuage the swellings and
inflammations; and applied with honey, boiled in wine, it takes away all blue
spots or marks that happen therein. Whey or white wine are the best liquors to
steep it in, and thereby it works more effectual in opening obstructions, and
purging the stomach and liver. Many do use a little Indian Spikenard as the best
corrector thereof.

MEADOW-RUE.

Descript.] MEADOW-RUE rises up with a yellow stringy root, much spreading

in the ground, shooting forth new sprouts round about, with many herby green
stalks, two feet high, crested all the length of them, set with joints here and there,
and many large leaves on them, above as well as below, being divided into
smaller leaves, nicked or dented in the fore part of them, of a red green colour on
the upper-side, and pale green underneath; Toward the top of the stalk there
shoots forth divers short branches, on every one whereof stand two, three or four
small heads, or buttons, which breaking the skin that incloses them, shoots forth
a tuft of pale greenish yellow threads, which falling away, there come in their
places small three-cornered cods, wherein is contained small, long and round
seed. The whole plant has a strong unpleasant scent.
Place.] It grows in many places of this land, in the borders of moist meadows,
and ditch-sides.
Time.] It flowers about July, or the beginning of August.
Government and virtues.] Dioscorides saith, That this herb bruised and
applied, perfectly heals old sores, and the distilled water of the herb and flowers
doth the like. It is used by some among other pot-herbs to open the body, and
make it soluble; but the roots washed clean, and boiled in ale and drank,
provokes to stool more than the leaves, but yet very gently. The root boiled in
water, and the places of the body most troubled with vermin and lice washed
therewith while it is warm, destroys them utterly. In Italy it is good against the
plague, and in Saxony against the jaundice, as Camerarius saith.

GARDEN-RUE.

GARDEN-RUE is so well known by this name, and the name Herb of Grace, that
I shall not need to write any farther description of it, but shall shew you the
virtue of it, as follows.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. It provokes
urine and women’s courses, being taken either in meat or drink. The seed thereof
taken in wine, is an antidote against all dangerous medicines or deadly poisons.
The leaves taken either by themselves, or with figs and walnuts, is called
Mithridate’s counter-poison against the plague, and causes all venomous things
to become harmless; being often taken in meat and drink, it abates venery. A
decoction thereof with some dried dill leaves and flowers, eases all pains and
torments, inwardly to be drank, and outwardly to be applied warm to the place
grieved. The same being drank, helps the pains both of the chest and sides, as
also coughs and hardness of breathing, the inflammations of the lungs, and the
tormenting pains of the sciatica and the joints, being anointed, or laid to the
places; as also the shaking fits of agues, to take a draught before the fit comes.
Being boiled or infused in oil, it is good to help the wind cholic, the hardness
and windiness of the mother, and frees women from the strangling or suffocation
thereof, if the share and the parts thereabouts be anointed therewith. It kills and
drives forth the worms of the belly, if it be drank after it is boiled in wine to the
half, with a little honey; it helps the gout or pains in the joints, hands, feet or
knees, applied thereunto; and with figs it helps the dropsy, being bathed
therewith: Being bruised and put into the nostrils, it stays the bleeding thereof. It
takes away wheals and pimples, if being bruised with a few myrtle leaves, it be
made up with wax, and applied. It cures the morphew, and takes away all sorts
of warts, if boiled in wine with some pepper and nitre, and the place rubbed
therewith, and with almond and honey helps the dry scabs, or any tetter or
ringworm. The juice thereof warmed in a pomegranate shell or rind, and dropped
into the ears, helps the pains of them. The juice of it and fennel, with a little
honey, and the gall of a cock put thereunto, helps the dimness of the eye-sight.
An ointment made of the juice thereof with oil of roses, ceruse, and a little
vinegar, and anointed, cures St. Anthony’s fire, and all running sores in the head:
and the stinking ulcers of the nose, or other parts. The antidote used by
Mithridates, every morning fasting, to secure himself from any poison or
infection, was this: Take twenty leaves of rue, a little salt, a couple of walnuts,
and a couple of figs, beaten together into a mess, with twenty juniper berries,
which is the quantity appointed for every day. Another electuary is made thus:
Take of nitre, pepper, and cummin seed, of each equal parts; of the leaves of Rue
clean picked, as much in weight as all the other three weighed; beat them well
together, and put as much honey as will make it up into an electuary (but you
must first steep your cummin seed in vinegar twenty four hours, and then dry it,
or rather roast it in a hot fire-shovel, or in an oven) and is a remedy for the pains
or griefs in the chest or stomach, of the spleen, belly, or sides, by wind or
stitches; of the liver by obstructions; of the reins and bladder by the stopping of
urine; and helps also to extenuate fat corpulent bodies. What an infamy is cast
upon the ashes of Mithridates, or Methridates (as the Augustines read his name)
by unworthy people. They that deserve no good report themselves, love to give
none to others, viz. That renowned King of Pontus fortified his body by poison
against poison. (He cast out devils by Beelzebub, Prince of the devils.) What a
sot is he that knows not if he had accustomed his body to cold poisons, but
poisons would have dispatched him? on the contrary, if not, corrosions would
have done it. The whole world is at this present time beholden to him for his
studies in physic, and he that uses the quantity but of an hazel-nut of that receipt
every morning, to which his name is adjoined, shall to admiration preserve his
body in health, if he do but consider that Rue is an herb of the Sun, and under
Leo, and gather it and the rest accordingly.

RUPTURE-WORT.

Descript.] THIS spreads very many thready branches round about upon the
ground, about a span long, divided into many other smaller parts full of small
joints set very thick together, whereat come forth two very small leaves of a
French yellow, green coloured branches and all, where grows forth also a
number of exceedingly small yellowish flowers, scarce to be discerned from the
stalks and leaves, which turn into seeds as small as the very dust. The root is
very long and small, thrusting down deep into the ground. This has neither smell
nor taste at first, but afterwards has a little astringent taste, without any manifest
heat; yet a little bitter and sharp withal.
Place.] It grows in dry, sandy, and rocky places.
Time.] It is fresh and green all the Summer.
Government and virtues.] They say Saturn causes ruptures; if he do, he does
no more than he can cure; if you want wit, he will teach you, though to your
cost. This herb is Saturn’s own, and is a noble antivenerean. Rupture-wort hath
not its name in vain: for it is found by experience to cure the rupture, not only in
children but also in elder persons, if the disease be not too inveterate, by taking a
dram of the powder of the dried herb every day in wine, or a decoction made and
drank for certain days together. The juice or distilled water of the green herb,
taken in the same manner, helps all other fluxes either of man or woman;
vomitings also, and the gonorrhea, being taken any of the ways aforesaid. It doth
also most assuredly help those that have the stranguary, or are troubled with the
stone or gravel in the reins or bladder. The same also helps stitches in the sides,
griping pains of the stomach or belly, the obstructions of the liver, and cures the
yellow jaundice; likewise it kills also the worms in children. Being outwardly
applied, it conglutinates wounds notably, and helps much to stay defluctions of
rheum from the head to the eyes, nose, and teeth, being bruised green and bound
thereto; or the forehead, temples, or the nape of the neck behind, bathed with the
decoction of the dried herb. It also dries up the moisture of fistulous ulcers, or
any other that are foul and spreading.

RUSHES.

ALTHOUGH there are many kinds of Rushes, yet I shall only here insist upon
those which are best known, and most medicinal; as the bulrushes, and other of
the soft and smooth kinds, which grow so commonly in almost every part of this
land, and are so generally noted, that I suppose it needless to trouble you with
any description of them: Briefly then take the virtues of them as follows:
Government and virtues.] The seed of the soft Rushes, (saith Dioscorides and
Galen, toasted, saith Pliny) being drank in wine and water, stays the lask and
women’s courses, when they come down too abundantly: but it causes head-
ache; it provokes sleep likewise, but must be given with caution. The root boiled
in water, to the consumption of one third, helps the cough.
Thus you see that conveniences have their inconveniences, and virtue is
seldom unaccompanied with some vices. What I have written concerning
Rushes, is to satisfy my countrymen’s questions: Are our Rushes good for
nothing? Yes, and as good let them alone as taken. There are remedies enough
without them for any disease, and therefore as the proverb is, I care not a rush
for them; or rather they will do you as much good as if one had given you a
Rush.

RYE.

THIS is so well known in all the counties of this land, and especially to the
country-people, who feed much thereon, that if I did describe it, they would
presently say, I might as well have spared that labour. Its virtue follows.
 Government and virtues.] Rye is more digesting than wheat; the bread and the
leaven thereof ripens and breaks imposthumes, boils, and other swellings: The
meal of Rye put between a double cloth, and moistened with a little vinegar, and
heated in a pewter dish, set over a chafing dish of coals, and bound fast to the
head while it is hot, doth much ease the continual pains of the head. Matthiolus
saith, that the ashes of Rye straw put into water, and steeped therein a day and a
night, and the chops of the hands or feet washed therewith, doth heal them.

SAFFRON.

THE herb needs no description, it being known generally where it grows.

Place.] It grows frequently at Walden in Essex, and in Cambridgeshire.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of the Sun, and under the Lion, and
therefore you need not demand a reason why it strengthens the heart so
exceedingly. Let not above ten grains be given at one time, for the Sun, which is
the fountain of light, may dazzle the eyes, and make them blind; a cordial being
taken in an immoderate quantity, hurts the heart instead of helping it. It quickens
the brain, for the Sun is exalted in Aries, as he hath his house in Leo. It helps
consumptions of the lungs, and difficulty of breathing. It is excellent in
epidemical diseases, as pestilence, small-pox, and measles. It is a notable
expulsive medicine, and a notable remedy for the yellow jaundice. My opinion
is, (but I have no author for it) that hermodactyls are nothing else but the roots of
Saffron dried; and my reason is, that the roots of all crocus, both white and
yellow, purge phlegm as hermodactyls do; and if you please to dry the roots of
any crocus, neither your eyes nor your taste shall distinguish them from
hermodactyls.

SAGE.

OUR ordinary garden Sage needs no description.

Time.] It flowers in or about July.
Government and virtues.] Jupiter claims this, and bids me tell you, it is good
for the liver, and to breed blood. A decoction of the leaves and branches of Sage
made and drank, saith Dioscorides, provokes urine, brings down women’s
courses, helps to expel the dead child, and causes the hair to become black. It
stays the bleeding of wounds, and cleanses foul ulcers. Three spoonfuls of the
juice of Sage taken fasting, with a little honey, doth presently stay the spitting or
casting of blood of them that are in a consumption. These pills are much
commended; Take of spikenard, ginger, of each two drams; of the seed of Sage
toasted at the fire, eight drams; of long pepper, twelve drams; all these being
brought into powder, put thereto so much juice of Sage as may make them into a
mass of pills, taking a dram of them every morning fasting, and so likewise at
night, drinking a little pure water after them. Matthiolus saith, it is very
profitable for all manner of pains in the head coming of cold and rheumatic
humours: as also for all pains of the joints, whether inwardly or outwardly, and
therefore helps the falling-sickness, the lethargy, such as are dull and heavy of
spirit, the palsy; and is of much use in all defluctions of rheum from the head,
and for the diseases of the chest or breast. The leaves of Sage and nettles bruised
together, and laid upon the imposthume that rises behind the ears, doth assuage it
much. The juice of Sage taken in warm water, helps a hoarseness and a cough.
The leaves sodden in wine, and laid upon the place affected with the palsy, helps
much, if the decoction be drank; Also Sage taken with wormwood is good for
the bloody-flux. Pliny saith, it procures women’s courses, and stays them
coming down too fast: helps the stinging and biting of serpents, and kills the
worms that breed in the ear, and in sores. Sage is of excellent use to help the
memory, warming and quickening the senses; and the conserve made of the
flowers is used to the same purpose, and also for all the former recited diseases.
The juice of Sage drank with vinegar, hath been of good use in time of the
plague at all times. Gargles likewise are made with Sage, rosemary, honey-
suckles, and plantain, boiled in wine or water, with some honey or allum put
thereto, to wash sore mouths and throats, cankers, or the secret parts of man or
woman, as need requires. And with other hot and comfortable herbs, Sage is
boiled to bathe the body and the legs in the Summer time, especially to warm
cold joints, or sinews, troubled with the palsy and cramp, and to comfort and
strengthen the parts. It is much commended against the stitch, or pains in the side
coming of wind, if the place be fomented warm with the decoction thereof in
wine, and the herb also after boiling be laid warm thereunto.

WOOD-SAGE.

Descript.] WOOD-SAGE rises up with square hoary stalks, two feet high at the
least, with two leaves set at every joint, somewhat like other Sage leaves, but
smaller, softer, whiter, and rounder, and a little dented about the edges, and
smelling somewhat stronger. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand the
flowers, on a slender like spike, turning themselves all one way when they blow,
and are of a pale and whitish colour, smaller than Sage, but hooded and gaping
like unto them. The seed is blackish and round; four usually seem in a husk
together: the root is long and stringy, with divers fibres thereat, and abides many
years.
Place.] It grows in woods, and by wood-sides; as also in divers fields and
bye-lanes in the land.
Time.] It flowers in June, July, and August.
Government and virtues.] The herb is under Venus. The decoction of the
Wood Sage provokes urine and women’s courses: It also provokes sweat, digests
humours, and discusses swellings and nodes in the flesh, and is therefore thought
to be good against the French pox. The decoction of the green herb, made with
wine, is a safe and sure remedy for those who by falls, bruises, or blows, suspect
some vein to be inwardly broken, to disperse and void the congealed blood, and
to consolidate the veins. The drink used inwardly, and the herb used outwardly,
is good for such as are inwardly or outwardly bursten, and is found to be a sure
remedy for the palsy. The juice of the herb, or the powder thereof dried, is good
for moist ulcers and sores in the legs, and other parts, to dry them, and cause
them to heal more speedily. It is no less effectual also in green wounds, to be
used upon any occasion.

SOLOMON’S SEAL.

Descript.] THE common Solomon’s Seal rises up with a round stalk half a
yard high, bowing or bending down to the ground, set with single leaves one
above another, somewhat large, and like the leaves of the lily-convally, or May-
lily, with an eye of bluish upon the green, with some ribs therein, and more
yellowish underneath. At the foot of every leaf, almost from the bottom up to the
top of the stalk, come forth small, long, white and hollow pendulous flowers,
somewhat like the flowers of May-lily, but ending in five long points, for the
most part two together, at the end of a long footstalk, and sometimes but one,
and sometimes also two stalks, and flowers at the foot of a leaf, which are
without any scent at all, and stand on the top of the stalk. After they are past,
come in their places small round berries great at the first, and blackish green,
tending to blueness when they are ripe, wherein lie small, white, hard, and stony
seeds. The root is of the thickness of one’s finger or thumb, white and knotted in
some places, a flat round circle representing a Seal, whereof it took the name,
lying along under the upper crust of the earth, and not growing downward, but
with many fibres underneath.
Place.] It is frequent in divers places of this land; as, namely in a wood two
miles from Canterbury, by Fish-Pool Hill, as also in Bushy Close belonging to
the parsonage of Alderbury, near Clarendon, two miles from Salisbury: in
Cheffon wood, on Chesson Hill, between Newington and Sittingbourn in Kent,
and divers other places in Essex, and other counties.
Time.] It flowers about May: The root abides and shoots a-new every year.
Government and virtues.] Saturn owns the plant, for he loves his bones well.
The root of Solomon’s Seal is found by experience to be available in wounds,
hurts, and outward sores, to heal and close up the lips of those that are green, and
to dry up and restrain the flux of humours to those that are old. It is singularly
good to stay vomitings and bleeding wheresoever, as also all fluxes in man or
woman; also, to knit any joint, which by weakness uses to be often out of place,
or will not stay in long when it is set; also to knit and join broken bones in any
part of the body, the roots being bruised and applied to the places; yea, it hath
been found by experience, and the decoction of the root in wine, or the bruised
root put into wine or other drink, and after a night’s infusion, strained forth hard
and drank, hath helped both man and beast, whose bones hath been broken by
any occasion, which is the most assured refuge of help to people of divers
counties of the land that they can have. It is no less effectual to help ruptures and
burstings, the decoction in wine, or the powder in broth or drink, being inwardly
taken, and outwardly applied to the place. The same is also available for inward
or outward bruises, falls or blows, both to dispel the congealed blood, and to
take away both the pains and the black and blue marks that abide after the hurt.
The same also, or the distilled water of the whole plant, used to the face, or other
parts of the skin, cleanses it from morphew, freckles, spots, or marks
whatsoever, leaving the place fresh, fair, and lovely; for which purpose it is
much used by the Italian Dames.

SAMPHIRE.

Descript.] ROCK Samphire grows up with a tender green stalk about half a
yard, or two feet high at the most, branching forth almost from the very bottom,
and stored with sundry thick and almost round (somewhat long) leaves of a deep
green colour, sometimes two together, and sometimes more on a stalk, and
sappy, and of a pleasant, hot, and spicy taste. At the top of the stalks and
branches stand umbels of white flowers, and after them come large seed, bigger
than fennel seed, yet somewhat like it. The root is great, white, and long,
continuing many years, and is of an hot and spicy taste likewise.
Place.] It grows on the rocks that are often moistened at the least, if not
overflowed with the sea water.
Time.] And it flowers and seeds in the end of July and August.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Jupiter, and was in former times
wont to be used more than now it is; the more is the pity. It is well known almost
to every body, that ill digestions and obstructions are the cause of most of the
diseases which the frail nature of man is subject to; both which might be
remedied by a more frequent use of this herb. If people would have sauce to their
meat, they may take some for profit as well as for pleasure. It is a safe herb, very
pleasant both to taste and stomach, helps digestion, and in some sort opening
obstructions of the liver and spleen: provokes urine, and helps thereby to wash
away the gravel and stone engendered in the kidneys or bladder.

SANICLE.

THIS herb is by many called Butter-wort.

Descript.] Ordinary Sanicle sends forth many great round leaves, standing
upon long brownish stalks, every one somewhat deeply cut or divided into five
or six parts, and some of these also cut in somewhat like the leaf of crow’s-foot,
or dove’s-foot, and finely dented about the edges, smooth, and of a dark shining
colour, and somewhat reddish about the brims; from among which arise up
small, round green stalks, without any joint or leaf thereon, saving at the top,
where it branches forth into flowers, having a leaf divided into three or four parts
at that joint with the flowers, which are small and white, starting out of small
round greenish yellow heads, many standing together in a tuft, in which
afterwards are the seeds contained, which are small round burs, somewhat like
the leaves of clevers, and stick in the same manner upon any thing that they
touch. The root is composed of many blackish strings or fibres, set together at a
little long head, which abides with green leaves all the Winter, and perishes not.
Place.] It is found in many shadowy woods, and other places of this land.
Time.] It flowers in June, and the seed is ripe shortly after.
Government and virtues.] This is one of Venus’s herbs, to cure the wounds or
mischiefs Mars inflicts upon the body of man. It heals green wounds speedily, or
any ulcers, imposthumes, or bleedings inward, also tumours in any part of the
body; for the decoction or powder in drink taken, and the juice used outwardly,
dissipates the humours: and there is not found any herb that can give such
present help either to man or beast, when the disease falleth upon the lungs or
throat, and to heal up putrid malignant ulcers in the mouth, throat, and privities,
by gargling or washing with the decoction of the leaves and roots made in water,
and a little honey put thereto. It helps to stay women’s courses, and all other
fluxes of blood, either by the mouth, urine, or stool, and lasks of the belly; the
ulcerations of the kidneys also, and the pains in the bowels, and gonorrhea, being
boiled in wine or water, and drank. The same also is no less powerful to help any
ruptures or burstings, used both inwardly and outwardly: And briefly, it is as
effectual in binding, restraining, consolidating, heating, drying and healing, as
comfrey, bugle, self-heal, or any other of the vulnerary herbs whatsoever.

SARACEN’S CONFOUND, OR SARACEN’S WOUNDWORT.

Descript.] THIS grows sometimes, with brownish stalks, and other whiles with
green, to a man’s height, having narrow green leaves snipped about the edges,
somewhat like those of the peach-tree, or willow leaves, but not of such a white
green colour. The tops of the stalks are furnished with many yellow star-like
flowers, standing in green heads, which when they are fallen, and the seed ripe,
which is somewhat long, small and of a brown colour, wrapped in down, is
therefore carried away with the wind. The root is composed of fibres set together
at a head, which perishes not in Winter, although the stalks dry away and no leaf
appears in the Winter. The taste hereof is strong and unpleasant; and so is the
smell also.
Place.] It grows in moist and wet grounds, by wood-sides, and sometimes in
moist places of shadowy groves, as also by the water side.
Time.] It flowers in July, and the seed is soon ripe, and carried away with the
wind.
Government and virtues.] Saturn owns the herb, and it is of a sober condition,
like him. Among the Germans, this wound herb is preferred before all others of
the same quality. Being boiled in wine, and drank, it helps the indisposition of
the liver, and freeth the gall from obstructions; whereby it is good for the yellow
jaundice and for the dropsy in the beginning of it; for all inward ulcers of the
reins, mouth or throat, and inward wounds and bruises, likewise for such sores as
happen in the privy parts of men and women; being steeped in wine, and then
distilled, the water thereof drank, is singularly good to ease all gnawings in the
stomach, or other pains of the body, as also the pains of the mother: and being
boiled in water, it helps continual agues; and the said water, or the simple water
of the herb distilled, or the juice or decoction, are very effectual to heal any
green wound, or old sore or ulcer whatsoever, cleansing them from corruption,
and quickly healing them up: Briefly, whatsoever hath been said of bugle or
sanicle, may be found herein.

SAUCE-ALONE, OR JACK-BY-THE-HEDGE-SIDE.

Descript.] THE lower leaves of this are rounder than those that grow towards
the top of the stalks, and are set singly on a joint being somewhat round and
broad, pointed at the ends, dented also about the edges, somewhat resembling
nettle leaves for the form, but of a fresher green colour, not rough or pricking:
The flowers are white, growing at the top of the stalks one above another, which
being past, follow small round pods, wherein are contained round seed
somewhat blackish. The root stringy and thready, perishes every year after it
hath given seed, and raises itself again of its own sowing. The plant, or any part
thereof, being bruised, smells of garlic, but more pleasantly, and tastes
somewhat hot and sharp, almost like unto rocket.
Place.] It grows under walls, and by hedge-sides, and path-ways in fields in
many places.
Time.] It flowers in June, July, and August.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Mercury. This is eaten by many
country people as sauce to their salt fish, and helps well to digest the crudities
and other corrupt humours engendered thereby. It warms also the stomach, and
causes digestion. The juice thereof boiled with honey is accounted to be as good
as hedge mustard for the cough, to cut and expectorate the tough phlegm. The
seed bruised and boiled in wine, is a singularly good remedy for the wind colic,
or the stone, being drank warm: It is also given to women troubled with the
mother, both to drink, and the seed put into a cloth, and applied while it is warm,
is of singularly good use. The leaves also, or the seed boiled, is good to be used
in clysters to ease the pains of the stone. The green leaves are held to be good to
heal the ulcers in the legs.

WINTER AND SUMMER SAVOURY.

 WINTER AND SUMMER SAVOURY.

BOTH these are so well known (being entertained as constant inhabitants in

our gardens) that they need no description.
Government and virtues.] Mercury claims dominion over this herb, neither is
there a better remedy against the colic and iliac passion, than this herb; keep it
dry by you all the year, if you love yourself and your ease, and it is a hundred
pounds to a penny if you do not; keep it dry, make conserves and syrups of it for
your use, and withal, take notice that the Summer kind is the best. They are both
of them hot and dry, especially the Summer kind, which is both sharp and quick
in taste, expelling wind in the stomach and bowels, and is a present help for the
rising of the mother procured by wind; provokes urine and women’s courses,
and is much commended for women with child to take inwardly, and to smell
often unto. It cures tough phlegm in the chest and lungs, and helps to expectorate
it the more easily; quickens the dull spirits in the lethargy, the juice thereof being
snuffed up into the nostrils. The juice dropped into the eyes, clears a dull sight, if
it proceed of thin cold humours distilled from the brain. The juice heated with
the oil of Roses, and dropped into the ears, eases them of the noise and singing
in them, and of deafness also. Outwardly applied with wheat flour, in manner of
a poultice, it gives ease to the sciatica and palsied members, heating and
warming them, and takes away their pains. It also takes away the pain that comes
by stinging of bees, wasps, &c.

SAVINE.

TO describe a plant so well known is needless, it being nursed up almost in

every garden, and abides green all the Winter.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars, being hot and dry
in the third degree, and being of exceeding clean parts, is of a very digesting
quality. If you dry the herb into powder, and mix it with honey, it is an excellent
remedy to cleanse old filthy ulcers and fistulas; but it hinders them from healing.
The same is excellently good to break carbuncles and plague-sores; also helps
the king’s evil, being applied to the place. Being spread over a piece of leather,
and applied to the navel, kills the worms in the belly, helps scabs and itch,
running sores, cankers, tetters, and ringworms; and being applied to the place,
may haply cure venereal sores. This I thought good to speak of, as it may be
safely used outwardly, for inwardly it cannot be taken without manifest danger.

THE COMMON WHITE SAXIFRAGE.

 THE COMMON WHITE SAXIFRAGE.

Descript.] THIS hath a few small reddish kernels of roots covered with some
skins, lying among divers small blackish fibres, which send forth divers round,
faint or yellow green leaves, and greyish underneath, lying above the grounds,
unevenly dented about the edges, and somewhat hairy, every one upon a little
footstalk, from whence rises up round, brownish, hairy, green stalks, two or
three feet high, with a few such like round leaves as grow below, but smaller,
and somewhat branched at the top, whereon stand pretty large white flowers of
five leaves a-piece, with some yellow threads in the middle, standing in a long
crested, brownish green husk. After the flowers are past, there arises sometimes
a round hard head, forked at the top, wherein is contained small black seed, but
usually they fall away without any seed, and it is the kernels or grains of the root
which are usually called the White Saxifrage-seed, and so used.
Place.] It grows in many places of our land, as well in the lower-most, as in
the upper dry corners of meadows, and grassy sandy places. It used to grow near
Lamb’s conduit, on the backside of Gray’s Inn.
Time.] It flowers in May, and then gathered, as well for that which is called
the seed, as to distil, for it quickly perishes down to the ground when any hot
weather comes.
Government and virtues.] It is very effectual to cleanse the reins and bladder,
and to dissolve the stone engendered in them, and to expel it and the gravel by
urine; to help the stranguary; for which purpose the decoction of the herb or
roots in white wine, is most usual, or the powder of the small kernelly root,
which is called the seed, taken in white wine, or in the same decoction made
with white wine, is most usual. The distilled water of the whole herb, root and
flowers, is most familiar to be taken. It provokes also women’s courses, and
frees and cleanses the stomach and lungs from thick and tough phlegm that
trouble them. There are not many better medicines to break the stone than this.

BURNET SAXIFRAGE.

Descript.] THE greater sort of our English Burnet Saxifrage grows up with
divers long stalks of winged leaves, set directly opposite one to another on both
sides, each being somewhat broad, and a little pointed and dented about the
edges, of a sad green colour. At the top of the stalks stand umbels of white
flowers, after which come small and blackish seed. The root is long and whitish,
abiding long. Our lesser Burnet Saxifrage hath much finer leaves than the
former, and very small, and set one against another, deeply jagged about the
edges, and of the same colour as the former. The umbels of the flowers are
white, and the seed very small, and so is the root, being also somewhat hot and
quick in taste.
Place.] These grow in moist meadows of this land, and are easy to be found
being well sought for among the grass, wherein many times they lay hid scarcely
to be discerned.
Time.] They flower about July, and their seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] They are both of them herbs of the Moon. The
Saxifrages are hot as pepper; and Tragus saith, by his experience, that they are
wholesome. They have the same properties the parsleys have, but in provoking
urine, and causing the pains thereof, and of the wind and colic, are much more
effectual, the roots or seed being used either in powder, or in decoctions, or any
other way; and likewise helps the windy pains of the mother, and to procure their
courses, and to break and void the stone in the kidneys, to digest cold, viscous,
and tough phlegm in the stomach, and is an especial remedy against all kind of
venom. Castoreum being boiled in the distilled water thereof, is singularly good
to be given to those that are troubled with cramps and convulsions. Some do use
to make the seeds into comfits (as they do carraway seeds) which is effectual to
all the purposes aforesaid. The juice of the herb dropped into the most grievous
wounds of the head, dries up their moisture, and heals them quickly. Some
women use the distilled water to take away freckles or spots in the skin or face;
and to drink the same sweetened with sugar for all the purposes aforesaid.

SCABIOUS, THREE SORTS.

Descript.] COMMON field Scabious grows up with many hairy, soft, whitish
green leaves, some whereof are very little, if at all jagged on the edges, others
very much rent and torn on the sides, and have threads in them, which upon
breaking may be plainly seen; from among which rise up divers hairy green
stalks, three or four feet high, with such like hairy green leaves on them, but
more deeply and finely divided and branched forth a little: At the tops thereof,
which are naked and bare of leaves for a good space, stand round heads of
flowers, of a pale blueish colour, set together in a head, the outermost whereof
are larger than the inward, with many threads also in the middle, somewhat flat
at the top, as the head with the seed is likewise; the root is great, white and thick,
growing down deep into the ground, and abides many years.
There is another sort of Field Scabious different in nothing from the former,
but only it is smaller in all respects.
The Corn Scabious differs little from the first, but that it is greater in all
respects, and the flowers more inclining to purple, and the root creeps under the
upper crust of the earth, and runs not deep into the ground as the first doth.
Place.] The first grows more usually in meadows, especially about London
every where.
The second in some of the dry fields about this city, but not so plentifully as
the former.
The third in standing corn, or fallow fields, and the borders of such like
fields.
Time.] They flower in June and July, and some abide flowering until it be late
in August, and the seed is ripe in the mean time.
There are many other sorts of Scabious, but I take these which I have here
described to be most familiar with us. The virtues of both these and the rest,
being much alike, take them as follow.
Government and virtues.] Mercury owns the plant. Scabious is very effectual
for all sorts of coughs, shortness of breath, and all other diseases of the breast
and lungs, ripening and digesting cold phlegm, and other tough humours, voids
them forth by coughing and spitting: It ripens also all sorts of inward ulcers and
imposthumes; pleurisy also, if the decoction of the herb dry or green be made in
wine, and drank for some time together. Four ounces of the clarified juice of
Scabious taken in the morning fasting, with a dram of mithridate, or Venice
treacle, frees the heart from any infection of pestilence, if after the taking of it
the party sweat two hours in bed, and this medicine be again and again repeated,
if need require. The green herb bruised and applied to any carbuncle or plague
sore, is found by certain experience to dissolve and break it in three hours space.
The same decoction also drank, helps the pains and stitches in the side. The
decoction of the roots taken for forty days together, or a dram of the powder of
them taken at a time in whey, doth (as Matthiolus saith) wonderfully help those
that are troubled with running of spreading scabs, tetters, ringworms, yea,
although they proceed from the French pox, which, he saith he hath tried by
experience. The juice or decoction drank, helps also scabs and breakings-out of
the itch, and the like. The juice also made up into an ointment and used, is
effectual for the same purpose. The same also heals all inward wounds by the
drying, cleansing, and healing quality therein: And a syrup made of the juice and
sugar, is very effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and so is the distilled water
of the herb and flowers made in due season, especially to be used when the green
herb is not in force to be taken. The decoction of the herb and roots outwardly
applied, doth wonderfully help all sorts of hard or cold swellings in any part of
the body, is effectual for shrunk sinews or veins, and heals green wounds, old
sores, and ulcers. The juice of Scabious, made up with the powder of Borax and
Samphire, cleanses the skin of the face, or other parts of the body, not only from
freckles and pimples, but also from morphew and leprosy; the head washed with
the decoction, cleanses it from dandriff, scurf, sores, itch, and the like, used
warm. The herb bruised and applied, doth in a short time loosen, and draw forth
any splinter, broken bone, arrow head, or other such like thing lying in the flesh.
 SCURVYGRASS.

Descript.] THE ordinary English Scurvygrass hath many thick flat leaves,
more long than broad, and sometimes longer and narrower; sometimes also
smooth on the edges, and sometimes a little waved; sometimes plain, smooth and
pointed, of a sad green, and sometimes a blueish colour, every one standing by
itself upon a long foot-stalk, which is brownish or greenish also, from among
which arise many slender stalks, bearing few leaves thereon like the other, but
longer and less for the most part: At the tops whereof grow many whitish
flowers, with yellow threads in the middle, standing about a green head, which
becomes the seed vessel, which will be somewhat flat when it is ripe, wherein is
contained reddish seed, tasting somewhat hot. The root is made of many white
strings, which stick deeply into the mud, wherein it chiefly delights, yet it will
well abide in the more upland and drier ground, and tastes a little brackish and
salt even there, but not so much as where it hath the salt water to feed upon.
Place.] It grows all along the Thames sides, both on the Essex and Kentish
shores, from Woolwich round about the sea coasts to Dover, Portsmouth, and
even to Bristol, where it is had in plenty; the other with round leaves grows in
the marshes in Holland, in Lincolnshire, and other places of Lincolnshire by the
sea side.
Descript.] There is also another sort called Dutch Scurvygrass, which is most
known, and frequent in gardens, which has fresh, green, and almost round leaves
rising from the root, not so thick as the former, yet in some rich ground, very
large, even twice as big as in others, not dented about the edges, or hollow in the
middle, standing on a long foot-stalk; from among these rise long, slender stalks,
higher than the former, with more white flowers at the tops of them, which turn
into small pods, and smaller brownish seed than the former. The root is white,
small and thready. The taste is nothing salt at all; it hath a hot, aromatical spicy
taste.
Time.] It flowers in April and May, and gives seed ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Jupiter. The English Scurvy grass is
more used for the salt taste it bears, which doth somewhat open and cleanse; but
the Dutch Scurvygrass is of better effect, and chiefly used (if it may be had) by
those that have the scurvy, and is of singular good effect to cleanse the blood,
liver, and spleen, taking the juice in the Spring every morning fasting in a cup of
drink. The decoction is good for the same purpose, and opens obstructions,
evacuating cold, clammy and phlegmatic humours both from the liver and the
spleen, and bringing the body to a more lively colour. The juice also helps all
foul ulcers and sores in the mouth, gargled therewith; and used outwardly,
cleanses the skin from spots, marks, or scars that happen therein.

SELF-HEAL.

Descript.] THE common Self-heal which is called also Prunel, Carpenter’s

Herb, Hook-heal, and Sickle-wort, is a small, low, creeping herb, having many
small, roundish pointed leaves, like leaves of wild mints, of a dark green colour,
without dents on the edges; from among which rise square hairy stalks, scarce a
foot high, which spread sometimes into branches with small leaves set thereon,
up to the top, where stand brown spiked heads of small brownish leaves like
scales and flowers set together, almost like the heads of Cassidony, which
flowers are gaping, and of a blueish purple, or more pale blue, in some places
sweet, but not so in others. The root consists of many fibres downward, and
spreading strings also whereby it increases. The small stalks, with the leaves
creeping on the ground, shoot forth fibres taking hold on the ground, whereby it
is made a great tuft in a short time.
Place.] It is found in woods and fields every where.
Time.] It flowers in May, and sometimes in April.
Government and virtues.] Here is another herb of Venus, Self-heal, whereby
when you are hurt you may heal yourself: It is a special herb for inward and
outward wounds. Take it inwardly in syrups for inward wounds: outwardly in
unguents, and plaisters for outward. As Self-heal is like Bugle in form, so also in
the qualities and virtues, serving for all the purposes whereto Bugle is applied to
with good success, either inwardly or outwardly, for inward wounds or ulcers
whatsoever within the body, for bruises or falls, and such like hurts. If it be
accompanied with Bugle, Sanicle, and other the like wound herbs, it will be
more effectual to wash or inject into ulcers in the parts outwardly. Where there is
cause to repress the heat and sharpness of humours flowing to any sore, ulcers,
inflammations, swellings, or the like, or to stay the fluxes of blood in any wound
or part, this is used with some good success; as also to cleanse the foulness of
sores, and cause them more speedily to be healed. It is an especial remedy for all
green wounds, to solder the lips of them, and to keep the place from any further
inconveniencies. The juice hereof used with oil of roses to anoint the temples
and forehead, is very effectual to remove head ache, and the same mixed with
honey of roses, cleanses and heals all ulcers, in the mouth, and throat, and those
also in the secret parts. And the proverb of the Germans, French, and others, is
verified in this, That he needs neither physician nor surgeon that hath Self-heal
and Sanicle to help himself.

THE SERVICE-TREE.

IT is so well known in the place where it grows, that it needs no description.

Time.] It flowers before the end of May, and the fruit is ripe in October.
Government and virtues.] Services, when they are mellow, are fit to be taken
to stay fluxes, scouring, and casting, yet less than medlers. If they be dried
before they be mellow, and kept all the year, they may be used in decoctions for
the said purpose, either to drink, or to bathe the parts requiring it; and are
profitably used in that manner to stay the bleeding of wounds, and of the mouth
or nose, to be applied to the forehead and nape of the neck; and are under the
dominion of Saturn.

SHEPHERD’S PURSE.

IT is called Whoreman’s Permacety, Shepherd’s Scrip, Shepherd’s Pounce,

Toy-wort, Pickpurse, and Casewort.
Descript.] The root is small, white, and perishes every year. The leaves are
small and long, of a pale green colour, and deeply cut in on both sides, among
which spring up a stalk which is small and round, containing small leaves upon
it even to the top. The flowers are white and very small; after which come the
little cases which hold the seed, which are flat, almost in the form of a heart.
Place.] They are frequent in this nation, almost by every pathside.
Time.] They flower all the Summer long; nay some of them are so fruitful,
that they flower twice a year.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Saturn, and of a cold,
dry, and binding nature, like to him. It helps all fluxes of blood, either caused by
inward or outward wounds; as also flux of the belly, and bloody flux, spitting
blood, and bloody urine, stops the terms in women; being bound to the wrists of
the hands, and the soles of the feet, it helps the yellow jaundice. The herb being
made into a poultice, helps inflammations and St. Anthony’s fire. The juice
being dropped into the ears, heals the pains, noise, and mutterings thereof. A
good ointment may be made of it for all wounds, especially wounds in the head.

SMALLAGE.

THIS is also very well known, and therefore I shall not trouble the reader with
any description thereof.
Place.] It grows naturally in dry and marshy ground; but if it be sown in
gardens, it there prospers very well.
Time.] It abides green all the Winter, and seeds in August.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Mercury. Smallage is hotter, drier,
and much more medicinal than parsley, for it much more opens obstructions of
the liver and spleen, rarefies thick phlegm, and cleanses it and the blood withal.
It provokes urine and women’s courses, and is singularly good against the
yellow jaundice, tertian and quartan agues, if the juice thereof be taken, but
especially made up into a syrup. The juice also put to honey of roses, and barley-
water, is very good to gargle the mouth and throat of those that have sores and
ulcers in them, and will quickly heal them. The same lotion also cleanses and
heals all other foul ulcers and cankers elsewhere, if they be washed therewith.
The seed is especially used to break and expel wind, to kill worms, and to help a
stinking breath. The root is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and is held to
be stronger in operation than the herb, but especially to open obstructions, and to
rid away any ague, if the juice thereof be taken in wine, or the decoction thereof
in wine used.

SOPEWORT, OR BRUISEWORT.

Descript.] THE roots creep under ground far and near, with many joints
therein, of a brown colour on the outside and yellowish within, shooting forth in
divers places weak round stalks, full of joints, set with two leaves a-piece at
every one of them on a contrary side, which are ribbed somewhat like to
plantain, and fashioned like the common field white campion leaves, seldom
having any branches from the sides of the stalks, but set with flowers at the top,
standing in long husks like the wild campions, made of five leaves a-piece,
round at the ends, and dented in the middle, of a rose colour, almost white,
sometimes deeper, sometimes paler; of a reasonable scent.
Place.] It grows wild in many low and wet grounds of this land, by brooks
and the sides of running waters.
Time.] It flowers usually in July, and so continues all August, and part of
September, before they be quite spent.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns it. The country people in divers places
do use to bruise the leaves of Sopewort, and lay it to their fingers, hands or legs,
when they are cut, to heal them up again. Some make great boast thereof, that it
is diuretical to provoke urine, and thereby to expel gravel and the stone in the
reins or kidneys, and do also account it singularly good to void hydropical
waters: and they no less extol it to perform an absolute cure in the French pox,
more than either sarsaparilla, guiacum, or China can do; which, how true it is, I
leave others to judge.

SORREL.

OUR ordinary Sorrel, which grows in gardens, and also wild in the fields, is so
well known, that it needs no description.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Venus. Sorrel is
prevalent in all hot diseases, to cool any inflammation and heat of blood in agues
pestilential or choleric, or sickness and fainting, arising from heat, and to refresh
the overspent spirits with the violence of furious or fiery fits of agues; to quench
thirst, and procure an appetite in fainting or decaying stomachs: For it resists the
putrefaction of the blood, kills worms, and is a cordial to the heart, which the
seed doth more effectually, being more drying and binding, and thereby stays the
hot fluxes of women’s courses, or of humours in the bloody flux, or flux of the
stomach. The root also in a decoction, or in powder, is effectual for all the said
purposes. Both roots and seeds, as well as the herb, are held powerful to resist
the poison of the scorpion. The decoction of the roots is taken to help the
jaundice, and to expel the gravel and the stone in the reins or kidneys. The
decoction of the flowers made with wine and drank, helps the black jaundice, as
also the inward ulcers of the body and bowels. A syrup made with the juice of
Sorrel and fumitory, is a sovereign help to kill those sharp humours that cause
the itch. The juice thereof, with a little vinegar, serves well to be used outwardly
for the same cause, and is also profitable for tetters, ringworms, &c. It helps also
to discuss the kernels in the throat; and the juice gargled in the mouth, helps the
sores therein. The leaves wrapt in a colewort leaf and roasted in the embers, and
applied to a hard imposthume, botch, boil, or plague sore, doth both ripen and
break it. The distilled water of the herb is of much good use for all the purposes
aforesaid.

WOOD SORREL.

Descript.] THIS grows upon the ground, having a number of leaves coming
from the root made of three leaves, like a trefoil, but broad at the ends, and cut in
the middle, of a yellowish green colour, every one standing on a long foot-stalk,
which at their first coming up are close folded together to the stalk, but opening
themselves afterwards, and are of a fine sour relish, and yielding a juice which
will turn red when it is clarified, and makes a most dainty clear syrup. Among
these leaves rise up divers slender, weak foot-stalks, with every one of them a
flower at the top, consisting of five small pointed leaves, star-fashion, of a white
colour, in most places, and in some dashed over with a small show of blueish, on
the back side only. After the flowers are past, follow small round heads, with
small yellowish seed in them. The roots are nothing but small strings fastened to
the end of a small long piece; all of them being of a yellowish colour.
Place.] It grows in many places of our land, in woods and wood-sides, where
they be moist and shadowed, and in other places not too much upon the Sun.
Time.] It flowers in April and May.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns it. Wood Sorrel serves to all the
purposes that the other Sorrels do, and is more effectual in hindering
putrefaction of blood, and ulcers in the mouth and body, and to quench thirst, to
strengthen a weak stomach, to procure an appetite, to stay vomiting, and very
excellent in any contagious sickness or pestilential fevers. The syrup made of the
juice, is effectual in all the cases aforesaid, and so is the distilled water of the
herb. Sponges or linen cloths wet in the juice and applied outwardly to any hot
swelling or inflammations, doth much cool and help them. The same juice taken
and gargled in the mouth, and after it is spit forth, taken afresh, doth wonderfully
help a foul stinking canker or ulcer therein. It is singularly good to heal wounds,
or to stay the bleeding of thrusts or scabs in the body.

SOW THISTLE.
 SOW Thistles are generally so well known, that they need no description.
Place.] They grow in gardens and manured grounds, sometimes by old walls,
pathsides of fields, and high ways.
Government and virtues.] This and the former are under the influence of
Venus. Sow Thistles are cooling, and somewhat binding, and are very fit to cool
a hot stomach, and ease the pains thereof. The herb boiled in wine, is very
helpful to stay the dissolution of the stomach, and the milk that is taken from the
stalks when they are broken, given in drink, is beneficial to those that are short
winded, and have a wheezing. Pliny saith, That it hath caused the gravel and
stone to be voided by urine, and that the eating thereof helps a stinking breath.
The decoction of the leaves and stalks causes abundance of milk in nurses, and
their children to be well coloured. The juice or distilled water is good for all hot
inflammations, wheals, and eruptions or heat in the skin, itching of the
hæmorrhoids. The juice boiled or thoroughly heated in a little oil of bitter
almonds in the peel of a pomegranate, and dropped into the ears, is a sure
remedy for deafness, singings, &c. Three spoonfuls of the juice taken, warmed
in white wine, and some wine put thereto, causes women in travail to have so
easy and speedy a delivery, that they may be able to walk presently after. It is
wonderful good for women to wash their faces with, to clear the skin, and give it
a lustre.

SOUTHERN WOOD.

SOUTHERN Wood is so well known to be an ordinary inhabitant in our gardens,

that I shall not need to trouble you with any description thereof.
Time.] It flowers for the most part in July and August.
Government and virtues.] It is a gallant mercurial plant, worthy of more
esteem than it hath. Dioscorides saith, That the seed bruised, heated in warm
water, and drank, helps those that are bursten, or troubled with cramps or
convulsions of the sinews, the sciatica, or difficulty in making water, and
bringing down women’s courses. The same taken in wine is an antidote, or
counter-poison against all deadly poison, and drives away serpents and other
venomous creatures; as also the smell of the herb, being burnt, doth the same.
The oil thereof anointed on the back-bone before the fits of agues come, takes
them away: It takes away inflammations in the eyes, if it be put with some part
of a roasted quince, and boiled with a few crumbs of bread, and applied. Boiled
with barley-meal it takes away pimples, pushes or wheals that arise in the face,
or other parts of the body. The seed as well as the dried herb, is often given to
kill the worms in children: The herb bruised and laid to, helps to draw forth
splinters and thorns out of the flesh. The ashes thereof dries up and heals old
ulcers, that are without inflammation, although by the sharpness thereof it bites
sore, and puts them to sore pains; as also the sores in the privy parts of man or
woman. The ashes mingled with old sallad oil, helps those that have hair fallen,
and are bald, causing the hair to grow again either on the head or beard.
Daranters saith, That the oil made of Southern-wood, and put among the
ointments that are used against the French disease, is very effectual, and likewise
kills lice in the head. The distilled water of the herb is said to help them much
that are troubled with the stone, as also for the diseases of the spleen and mother.
The Germans commend it for a singular wound herb, and therefore call it
Stabwort. It is held by all writers, ancient and modern, to be more offensive to
the stomach than worm-wood.

SPIGNEL, OR SPIKENARD.

Descript.] THE roots of common Spignel do spread much and deep in the
ground, many strings or branches growing from one head, which is hairy at the
top, of a blackish brown colour on the outside, and white within, smelling well,
and of an aromatical taste from whence rise sundry long stalks of most fine cut
leaves like hair, smaller than dill, set thick on both sides of the stalks, and of a
good scent. Among these leaves rise up round stiff stalks, with a few joints and
leaves on them, and at the tops an umbel of pure white flowers; at the edges
whereof sometimes will be seen a shew of the reddish blueish colour, especially
before they be full blown, and are succeeded by small, somewhat round seeds,
bigger than the ordinary fennel, and of a brown colour, divided into two parts,
and crusted on the back, as most of the umbelliferous seeds are.
Place.] It grows wild in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and other northern counties,
and is also planted in gardens.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Venus. Galen saith, The roots of
Spignel are available to provoke urine, and women’s courses; but if too much
thereof be taken, it causes head-ache. The roots boiled in wine or water, and
drank, helps the stranguary and stoppings of the urine, the wind, swellings and
pains in the stomach, pains of the mother, and all joint-aches. If the powder of
the root be mixed with honey, and the same taken as a licking medicine, it
breaks tough phlegm, and dries up the rheum that falls on the lungs. The roots
are accounted very effectual against the stinging or biting of any venomous
creature.

SPLEENWORT, CETERACH, OR HEART’S TONGUE.

Descript.] THE smooth Spleenwort, from a black, thready and bushy root,
sends forth many long single leaves, cut in on both sides into round dents almost
to the middle, which is not so hard as that of polypody, each division being not
always set opposite unto the other, cut between each, smooth, and of a light
green on the upper side, and a dark yellowish roughness on the back, folding or
rolling itself inward at the first springing up.
Place.] It grows as well upon stone walls, as moist and shadowy places, about
Bristol, and other west parts plentifully; as also on Framlingham Castle, on
Beaconsfield church in Berkshire, at Stroud in Kent, and elsewhere, and abides
green all the Winter.
Government and virtues.] Saturn owns it. It is generally used against
infirmities of the Spleen: It helps the stranguary, and wasteth the stone in the
bladder, and is good against the yellow jaundice and the hiccough; but the juice
of it in women hinders conception. Matthiolus saith, That if a dram of the dust
that is on the backside of the leaves be mixed with half a dram of amber in
powder, and taken with the juice of purslain or plantain, it helps the gonorrhea
speedily, and that the herb and root being boiled and taken, helps all melancholy
diseases, and those especially that arise from the French diseases. Camerarius
saith, That the distilled water thereof being drank, is very effectual against the
stone in the reins and bladder; and that the lye that is made of the ashes thereof
being drank for some time together, helps splenetic persons. It is used in outward
remedies for the same purpose.

STAR THISTLE.

Descript.] A COMMON Star Thistle has divers narrow leaves lying next the
ground, cut on the edges somewhat deeply into many parts, soft or a little wooly,
all over green, among which rise up divers weak stalks, parted into many
branches: all lying down to the ground, that it seems a pretty bush, set with
divers the like divided leaves up to the tops, where severally do stand small
whitish green heads, set with sharp white pricks (no part of the plant else being
prickly) which are somewhat yellowish; out of the middle whereof rises the
flowers, composed of many small reddish purple threads; and in the heads, after
the flowers are past, come small whitish round seed, lying down as others do.
The root is small, long and woody, perishing every year, and rising again of its
own sowing.
Place.] It grows wild in the fields about London in many places, as at Mile-
End green, and many other places.
Time.] It flowers early, and seeds in July, and sometimes in August.
Government and virtues.] This, as almost all Thistles are, is under Mars. The
seed of this Star Thistle made into powder, and drank in wine, provokes urine,
and helps to break the stone, and drives it forth. The root in powder, and given in
wine and drank, is good against the plague and pestilence; and drank in the
morning fasting for some time together, it is very profitable for fistulas in any
part of the body. Baptista Sardas doth much commend the distilled water thereof,
being drank, to help the French disease, to open the obstructions of the liver, and
cleanse the blood from corrupted humours, and is profitable against the
quotidian or tertian ague.

STRAWBERRIES.

THESE are so well known through this land, that they need no description.
Time.] They flower in May ordinarily, and the fruit is ripe shortly after.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns the herb. Strawberries, when they are
green, are cool and dry; but when they are ripe, they are cool and moist: The
berries are excellently good to cool the liver, the blood, and the spleen, or an hot
choleric stomach; to refresh and comfort the fainting spirits, and quench thirst:
They are good also for other inflammations; yet it is not amiss to refrain from
them in a fever, lest by their putrifying in the stomach they increase the fits. The
leaves and roots boiled in wine and water, and drank, do likewise cool the liver
and blood, and assuage all inflammations in the reins and bladder, provoke
urine, and allay the heat and sharpness thereof. The same also being drank stays
the bloody flux and women’s courses, and helps the swelling of the spleen. The
water of the Berries carefully distilled, is a sovereign remedy and cordial in the
panting and beating of the heart, and is good for the yellow jaundice. The juice
dropped into foul ulcers, or they washed therewith, or the decoction of the herb
and root, doth wonderfully cleanse and help to cure them. Lotions and gargles
for sore mouths, or ulcers therein, or in the privy parts or elsewhere, are made
with the leaves and roots thereof; which is also good to fasten loose teeth, and to
heal spungy foul gums. It helps also to stay catarrhs, or defluctions of rheum in
the mouth, throat, teeth, or eyes. The juice or water is singularly good for hot
and red inflamed eyes, if dropped into them, or they bathed therewith. It is also
of excellent property for all pushes, wheals and other breakings forth of hot and
sharp humours in the face and hands, and other parts of the body, to bathe them
therewith, and to take away any redness in the face, or spots, or other deformities
in the skin, and to make it clear and smooth. Some use this medicine, Take so
many Strawberries as you shall think fitting, and put them into a distillatory, or
body of glass fit for them, which being well closed, set it in a bed of horse dung
for your use. It is an excellent water for hot inflamed eyes, and to take away a
film or skin that begins to grow over them, and for such other defects in them as
may be helped by any outward medicine.

SUCCORY, OR CHICORY.

Descript.] THE garden Succory hath long and narrower leaves than the
Endive, and more cut in or torn on the edges, and the root abides many years. It
bears also blue flowers like Endive, and the seed is hardly distinguished from the
seed of the smooth or ordinary Endive.
The wild Succory hath divers long leaves lying on the ground, very much cut
in or torn on the edges, on both sides, even to the middle rib, ending in a point;
sometimes it hath a rib down to the middle of the leaves, from among which
rises up a hard, round, woody stalk, spreading into many branches, set with
smaller and less divided leaves on them up to the tops, where stand the flowers,
which are like the garden kind, and the seed is also (only take notice that the
flowers of the garden kind are gone in on a sunny day, they being so cold, that
they are not able to endure the beams of the sun, and therefore more delight in
the shade) the root is white, but more hard and woody than the garden kind. The
whole plant is exceedingly bitter.
Place.] This grows in many places of our land in waste untilled and barren
fields. The other only in gardens.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Jupiter. Garden Succory, as it is
more dry and less cold than Endive, so it opens more. An handful of the leaves,
or roots boiled in wine or water, and a draught thereof drank fasting, drives forth
choleric and phlegmatic humours, opens obstructions of the liver, gall and
spleen; helps the yellow jaundice, the heat of the reins, and of the urine; the
dropsy also; and those that have an evil disposition in their bodies, by reason of
long sickness, evil diet, &c. which the Greeks call Cachexia. A decoction thereof
made with wine, and drank, is very effectual against long lingering agues; and a
dram of the seed in powder, drank in wine, before the fit of the ague, helps to
drive it away. The distilled water of the herb and flowers (if you can take them
in time) hath the like properties, and is especially good for hot stomachs, and in
agues, either pestilential or of long continuance; for swoonings and passions of
the heart, for the heat and head-ache in children, and for the blood and liver. The
said water, or the juice, or the bruised leaves applied outwardly, allay swellings,
inflammations, St. Anthony’s fire, pushes, wheals, and pimples, especially used
with a little vinegar; as also to wash pestiferous sores. The said water is very
effectual for sore eyes that are inflamed with redness, for nurses’ breasts that are
pained by the abundance of milk.
The wild Succory, as it is more bitter, so it is more strengthening to the
stomach and liver.

STONE-CROP, PRICK-MADAM, OR SMALL-HOUSELEEK.

Descript.] IT grows with divers trailing branches upon the ground, set with
many thick, flat, roundish, whitish green leaves, pointed at the ends. The flowers
stand many of them together, somewhat loosely. The roots are small, and run
creeping under ground.
Place.] It grows upon the stone walls and mud walls, upon the tiles of houses
and pent-houses, and amongst rubbish, and in other gravelly places.
Time.] It flowers in June and July, and the leaves are green all the Winter.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of the Moon, cold in
quality, and something binding, and therefore very good to stay defluctions,
especially such as fall upon the eyes. It stops bleeding, both inward and outward,
helps cankers, and all fretting sores and ulcers; it abates the heat of choler,
thereby preventing diseases arising from choleric humours. It expels poison
much, resists pestilential fevers, being exceeding good also for tertian agues:
You may drink the decoction of it, if you please, for all the foregoing infirmities.
It is so harmless an herb, you can scarce use it amiss: Being bruised and applied
to the place, it helps the king’s evil, and any other knots or kernels in the flesh;
as also the piles.

ENGLISH TOBACCO.

Descript.] THIS rises up with a round thick stalk, about two feet high, whereon
do grow thick, flat green leaves, nothing so large as the other Indian kind,
somewhat round pointed also, and nothing dented about the edges. The stalk
branches forth, and bears at the tops divers flowers set on great husks like the
other, but nothing so large: scarce standing above the brims of the husks, round
pointed also, and of a greenish yellow colour. The seed that follows is not so
bright, but larger, contained in the like great heads. The roots are neither so great
nor woody; it perishes every year with the hard frosts in Winter, but rises
generally from its own sowing.
Place.] This came from some parts of Brazil, as it is thought, and is more
familiar in our country than any of the other sorts; early giving ripe seed, which
the others seldom do.
Time.] It flowers from June, sometimes to the end of August, or later, and the
seed ripens in the mean time.
Government and virtues.] It is a martial plant. It is found by good experience
to be available to expectorate tough phlegm from the stomach, chest, and lungs.
The juice thereof made into a syrup, or the distilled water of the herb drank with
some sugar, or without, if you will, or the smoak taken by a pipe, as is usual, but
fainting, helps to expel worms in the stomach and belly, and to ease the pains in
the head, or megrim, and the griping pains in the bowels. It is profitable for those
that are troubled with the stone in the kidneys, both to ease the pains by
provoking urine, and also to expel gravel and the stone engendered therein, and
hath been found very effectual to expel windiness, and other humours, which
cause the strangling of the mother. The seed hereof is very effectual to expel the
tooth ache, and the ashes of the burnt herb to cleanse the gums, and make the
teeth white. The herb bruised and applied to the place grieved with the king’s
evil, helps it in nine or ten days effectually. Monardus saith, it is a counter
poison against the biting of any venomous creature, the herb also being
outwardly applied to the hurt place. The distilled water is often given with some
sugar before the fit of an ague, to lessen it, and take it away in three or four times
using. If the distilled fæces of the herb, having been bruised before the
distillation, and not distilled dry, be set in warm dung for fourteen days, and
afterwards be hung in a bag in a wine cellar, the liquor that distills therefrom is
singularly good to use in cramps, aches, the gout and sciatica, and to heal itches,
scabs, and running ulcers, cankers, and all foul sores whatsoever. The juice is
also good for all the said griefs, and likewise to kill lice in children’s heads. The
green herb bruised and applied to any green wounds, cures any fresh wound or
cut whatsoever: and the juice put into old sores, both cleanses and heals them.
There is also made hereof a singularly good salve to help imposthumes, hard
tumours, and other swellings by blows and falls.

THE TAMARISK TREE.

IT is so well known in the place where it grows, that it needs no description.

Time.] It flowers about the end of May, or June, and the seed is ripe and
blown away in the beginning of September.
Government and virtues.] A gallant Saturnine herb it is. The root, leaves,
young branches, or bark boiled in wine, and drank, stays the bleeding of the
hæmorrhodical veins, the spitting of blood, the too abounding of women’s
courses, the jaundice, the cholic, and the biting of all venomous serpents, except
the asp; and outwardly applied, is very powerful against the hardness of the
spleen, and the tooth-ache, pains in the ears, red and watering eyes. The
decoction, with some honey put thereto, is good to stay gangrenes and fretting
ulcers, and to wash those that are subject to nits and lice. Alpinus and Veslingius
affirm, That the Egyptians do with good success use the wood of it to cure the
French disease, as others do with lignum vitæ or guiacum; and give it also to
those who have the leprosy, scabs, ulcers, or the like. Its ashes doth quickly heal
blisters raised by burnings or scaldings. It helps the dropsy, arising from the
hardness of the spleen, and therefore to drink out of cups made of the wood is
good for splenetic persons. It is also helpful for melancholy, and the black
jaundice that arise thereof.

GARDEN TANSY.

GARDEN Tansy is so well known, that it needs no description.

Time.] It flowers in June and July.
Government and virtues.] Dame Venus was minded to pleasure women with
child by this herb, for there grows not an herb, fitter for their use than this is; it is
just as though it were cut out for the purpose. This herb bruised and applied to
the navel, stays miscarriages; I know no herb like it for that use: Boiled in
ordinary beer, and the decoction drank, doth the like; and if her womb be not as
she would have it, this decoction will make it so. Let those women that desire
children love this herb, it is their best companion, their husbands excepted. Also
it consumes the phlegmatic humours, the cold and moist constitution of Winter
most usually affects the body of man with, and that was the first reason of eating
tansies in the Spring. The decoction of the common Tansy, or the juice drank in
wine, is a singular remedy for all the griefs that come by slopping of the urine,
helps the stranguary and those that have weak reins and kidneys. It is also very
profitable to dissolve and expel wind in the stomach, belly, or bowels, to procure
women’s courses, and expel windiness in the matrix, if it be bruised and often
smelled unto, as also applied to the lower part of the belly. It is also very
profitable for such women as are given to miscarry. It is used also against the
stone in the reins, especially to men. The herb fried with eggs (as it is the custom
in the Spring-time) which is called a Tansy, helps to digest and carry downward
those bad humours that trouble the stomach. The seed is very profitably given to
children for the worms, and the juice in drink is as effectual. Being boiled in oil,
it is good for the sinews shrunk by cramps, or pained with colds, if thereto
applied.

WILD TANSY, OR SILVER WEED.

THIS is also so well known, that it needs no description.

Place.] It grows in every place.
Time.] It flowers in June and July.
Government and virtues.] Now Dame Venus hath fitted women with two
herbs of one name, the one to help conception, and the other to maintain beauty,
and what more can be expected of her? What now remains for you, but to love
your husbands, and not to be wanting to your poor neighbours? Wild Tansy stays
the lask, and all the fluxes of blood in men and women, which some say it will
do, if the green herb be worn in the shoes, so it be next the skin; and it is true
enough, that it will stop the terms, if worn so, and the whites too, for ought I
know. It stays also spitting or vomiting of blood. The powder of the herb taken
in some of the distilled water, helps the whites in women, but more especially if
a little coral and ivory in powder be put to it. It is also recommended to help
children that are bursten, and have a rupture, being boiled in water and salt.
Being boiled in water and drank, it eases the griping pains of the bowels, and is
good for the sciatica and joint-aches. The same boiled in vinegar, with honey
and allum, and gargled in the mouth, eases the pains of the tooth-ache, fastens
loose teeth, helps the gums that are sore, and settles the palate of the mouth in its
place, when it is fallen down. It cleanses and heals ulcers in the mouth, or secret
parts, and is very good for inward wounds, and to close the lips of green wounds,
and to heal old, moist, and corrupt running sores in the legs or elsewhere. Being
bruised and applied to the soles of the feet and hand wrists, it wonderfully cools
the hot fits of agues, be they never so violent. The distilled water cleanses the
skin of all discolourings therein, as morphew, sun-burnings, &c. as also pimples,
freckles, and the like; and dropped into the eyes, or cloths wet therein and
applied, takes away the heat and inflammations in them.

THISTLES.

OF these are many kinds growing here in England which are so well known,
that they need no description: Their difference is easily known on the places
where they grow, viz.
Place.] Some grow in fields, some in meadows, and some among the corn;
others on heaths, greens, and waste grounds in many places.
Time.] They flower in June and August and their seed is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.] Surely Mars rules it, it is such a prickly business.
All these thistles are good to provoke urine, and to mend the stinking smell
thereof; as also the rank smell of the arm-pits, or the whole body; being boiled in
wine and drank, and are said to help a stinking breath, and to strengthen the
stomach. Pliny saith, That the juice bathed on the place that wants hair, it being
fallen off, will cause it to grow speedily.

THE MELANCHOLY THISTLE.

Descript.] IT rises up with tender single hoary green stalks, bearing thereon
four or five green leaves, dented about the edges; the points thereof are little or
nothing prickly, and at the top usually but one head, yet sometimes from the
bosom of the uppermost leaves there shoots forth another small head, scaly and
prickly, with many reddish thrumbs or threads in the middle, which being
gathered fresh, will keep the colour a long time, and fades not from the stalk a
long time, while it perfects the seed, which is of a mean bigness, lying in the
down. The root hath many strings fastened to the head, or upper part, which is
blackish, and perishes not.
There is another sort little differing from the former, but that the leaves are
more green above, and more hoary underneath, and the stalk being about two
feet high, bears but one scaly head, with threads and seeds as the former.
Place.] They grow in many moist meadows of this land, as well in the
southern, as in the northern parts.
Time.] They flower about July or August, and their seed ripens quickly after.
Government and virtues.] It is under Capricorn, and therefore under both
Saturn and Mars, one rids melancholy by sympathy, the other by antipathy.
Their virtues are but few, but those not to be despised; for the decoction of the
thistle in wine being drank, expels superfluous melancholy out of the body, and
makes a man as merry as a cricket; superfluous melancholy causes care, fear,
sadness, despair, envy, and many evils more besides; but religion teaches to wait
upon God’s providence, and cast our care upon him who cares for us. What a
fine thing were it if men and women could live so? And yet seven years’ care
and fear makes a man never the wiser, nor a farthing richer. Dioscorides saith,
the root borne about one doth the like, and removes all diseases of melancholy.
Modern writers laugh at him; Let them laugh that win: my opinion is, that it is
the best remedy against all melancholy diseases that grows; they that please may
use it.

OUR LADY’S THISTLE.

Descript.] OUR Lady’s Thistle hath divers very large and broad leaves lying
on the ground cut in, and as it were crumpled, but somewhat hairy on the edges,
of a white green shining colour, wherein are many lines and streaks of a milk
white colour, running all over, and set with many sharp and stiff prickles all
about, among which rises up one or more strong, round, and prickly stalks, set
full of the like leaves up to the top, where at the end of every branch, comes
forth a great prickly Thistle-like head, strongly armed with prickles, and with
bright purple thumbs rising out of the middle; after they are past, the seed grows
in the said heads, lying in soft white down, which is somewhat flattish in the
ground, and many strings and fibres fastened thereunto. All the whole plant is
bitter in taste.
 Place.] It is frequent on the banks of almost every ditch.
Time.] It flowers and seeds in June, July, and August.
Government and virtues.] Our Lady’s Thistle is under Jupiter, and thought to
be as effectual as Carduus Benedictus for agues, and to prevent and cure the
infection of the plague: as also to open the obstructions of the liver and spleen,
and thereby is good against the jaundice. It provokes urine, breaks and expels the
stone, and is good for the dropsy. It is effectual also for the pains in the sides,
and many other inward pains and gripings. The seed and distilled water is held
powerful to all the purposes aforesaid, and besides, it is often applied both
outwardly with cloths or spunges to the region of the liver, to cool the distemper
thereof, and to the region of the heart, against swoonings and the passions of it.
It cleanses the blood exceedingly: and in Spring, if you please to boil the tender
plant (but cut off the prickles, unless you have a mind to choak yourself) it will
change your blood as the season changes, and that is the way to be safe.

THE WOOLLEN, OR, COTTON THISTLE.

Descript.] THIS has many large leaves lying upon the ground, somewhat cut
in, and as it were crumpled on the edges, of a green colour on the upper side, but
covered over with a long hairy wool or cotton down, set with most sharp and
cruel pricks; from the middle of whose heads of flowers come forth many
purplish crimson threads, and sometimes white, although but seldom. The seed
that follow in those white downy heads, is somewhat large and round,
resembling the seed of Lady’s Thistle, but paler. The root is great and thick,
spreading much, yet usually dies after seed time.
Place.] It grows on divers ditch-banks, and in the corn-fields, and highways,
generally throughout the land, and is often growing in gardens.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant of Mars. Dioscorides and Pliny write,
That the leaves and roots hereof taken in drink, help those that have a crick in
their neck, that they cannot turn it, unless they turn their whole body. Galen
saith, That the roots and leaves hereof are good for such persons that have their
bodies drawn together by some spasm or convulsion, or other infirmities; as the
rickets (or as the college of physicians would have it, Rachites, about which
name they have quarrelled sufficiently) in children, being a disease that hinders
their growth, by binding their nerves, ligaments, and whole structure of their
body.
 THE FULLER’S THISTLE, OR TEASLE.

IT is so well known, that it needs no description, being used with the

clothworkers.
The wild Teasle is in all things like the former, but that the prickles are small,
soft, and upright, not hooked or stiff, and the flowers of this are of a fine blueish,
or pale carnation colour, but of the manured kind, whitish.
Place.] The first grows, being sown in gardens or fields for the use of
clothworkers: The other near ditches and rills of water in many places of this
land.
Time.] They flower in July, and are ripe in the end of August.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Venus. Dioscorides saith, That the
root bruised and boiled in wine, till it be thick, and kept in a brazen vessel, and
after spread as a salve, and applied to the fundament, doth heal the cleft thereof,
cankers and fistulas therein, also takes away warts and wens. The juice of the
leaves dropped into the ears, kills worms in them. The distilled water of the
leaves dropped into the eyes, takes away redness and mists in them that hinder
the sight, and is often used by women to preserve their beauty, and to take away
redness and inflammations, and all other heat or discolourings.

TREACLE MUSTARD.

Descript.] IT rises up with a hard round stalk, about a foot high, parted into
some branches, having divers soft green leaves, long and narrow, set thereon,
waved, but not cut into the edges, broadest towards the ends, somewhat round
pointed; the flowers are white that grow at the tops of the branches, spike-
fashion, one above another; after which come round pouches, parted in the
middle with a furrow, having one blackish brown seed on either side, somewhat
sharp in taste, and smelling of garlick, especially in the fields where it is natural,
but not so much in gardens: The roots are small and thready, perishing every
year.
Give me leave here to add Mithridate Mustard, although it may seem more
properly by the name to belong to M, in the alphabet.

MITHRIDATE MUSTARD.
 Descript.] THIS grows higher than the former, spreading more and higher
branches, whose leaves are smaller and narrower, sometimes unevenly dented
about the edges. The flowers are small and white, growing on long branches,
with much smaller and rounder vessels after them, and parted in the same
manner, having smaller brown seeds than the former, and much sharper in taste.
The root perishes after seed time, but abides the first Winter after springing.
Place.] They grow in sundry places in this land, as half a mile from Hatfield,
by the river side, under a hedge as you go to Hatfield, and in the street of
Peckham on Surrey side.
Time.] They flower and seed from May to August.
Government and virtues.] Both of them are herbs of Mars. The Mustards are
said to purge the body both upwards and downwards, and procure women’s
courses so abundantly, that it suffocates the birth. It breaks inward imposthumes,
being taken inwardly; and used in clysters, helps the sciatica. The seed applied,
doth the same. It is an especial ingredient in mithridate and treacle, being of
itself an antidote resisting poison, venom and putrefaction. It is also available in
many cases for which the common Mustard is used, but somewhat weaker.

THE BLACK THORN, OR SLOE-BUSH.

IT is so well known, that it needs no description.

Place.] It grows in every county in the hedges and borders of fields.
Time.] It flowers in April, and sometimes in March, but the fruit ripens after
all other plums whatsoever, and is not fit to be eaten until the Autumn frost
mellow them.
Government and virtues.] All the parts of the Sloe-Bush are binding, cooling,
and dry, and all effectual to stay bleeding at the nose and mouth, or any other
place; the lask of the belly or stomach, or the bloody flux, the too much
abounding of women’s courses, and helps to ease the pains of the sides, and
bowels, that come by overmuch scouring, to drink the decoction of the bark of
the roots, or more usually the decoction of the berries, either fresh or dried. The
conserve also is of very much use, and more familiarly taken for the purposes
aforesaid. But the distilled water of the flower first steeped in sack for a night,
and drawn therefrom by the heat of Balneum and Anglico, a bath, is a most
certain remedy, tried and approved, to ease all manner of gnawings in the
stomach, the sides and bowels, or any griping pains in any of them, to drink a
small quantity when the extremity of pain is upon them. The leaves also are
good to make lotions to gargle and wash the mouth and throat, wherein are
swellings, sores, or kernels; and to stay the defluctions of rheum to the eyes, or
other parts; as also to cool the heat and inflammations of them, and ease hot
pains of the head, to bathe the forehead and temples therewith. The simple
distilled water of the flowers is very effectual for the said purposes, and the
condensate juice of the Sloes. The distilled water of the green berries is used also
for the said effects.

THOROUGH WAX, OR THOROUGH LEAF.

Descript.] COMMON Thorough-Wax sends forth a strait round stalk, two feet
high, or better, whose lower leaves being of a bluish colour, are smaller and
narrower than those up higher, and stand close thereto, not compassing it; but as
they grow higher, they do not encompass the stalks, until it wholly pass through
them, branching toward the top into many parts, where the leaves grow smaller
again, every one standing singly, and never two at a joint. The flowers are small
and yellow, standing in tufts at the heads of the branches, where afterwards grow
the seed, being blackish, many thick thrust together. The root is small, long and
woody, perishing every year, after seed-time, and rising again plentifully of its
own sowing.
Place.] It is found growing in many corn-fields and pasture grounds in this
land.
Time.] It flowers in July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] Both this and the former are under the influence of
Saturn. Thorough-Wax is of singular good use for all sorts of bruises and
wounds either inward or outward; and old ulcers and sores likewise, if the
decoction of the herb with water and wine be drank, and the place washed
therewith, or the juice of the green herb bruised, or boiled, either by itself, or
with other herbs, in oil or hog’s grease, to be made into an ointment to serve all
the year. The decoction of the herb, or powder of the dried herb, taken inwardly,
and the same, or the leaves bruised, and applied outwardly, is singularly good for
all ruptures and burstings, especially in children before they be too old. Being
applied with a little flour and wax to children’s navels that stick forth, it helps
them.

THYME.
 THYME.

IT is in vain to describe an herb so commonly known.

Government and virtues.] It is a noble strengthener of the lungs, as notable a
one as grows; neither is there scarce a better remedy growing for that disease in
children which they commonly call the Chin-cough, than it is. It purges the body
of phlegm, and is an excellent remedy for shortness of breath. It kills worms in
the belly, and being a notable herb of Venus, provokes the terms, gives safe and
speedy delivery to women in travail, and brings away the after birth. It is so
harmless you need not fear the use of it. An ointment made of it takes away hot
swellings and warts, helps the sciatica and dullness of sight, and takes away
pains and hardness of the spleen. ’Tis excellent for those that are troubled with
the gout. It eases pains in the loins and hips. The herb taken any way inwardly,
comforts the stomach much, and expels wind.

WILD THYME, OR MOTHER OF THYME.

WILD Thyme also is so well known, that it needs no description.

Place.] It may be found commonly in commons, and other barren places
throughout the nation.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Venus, and under the
sign Aries, and therefore chiefly appropriated to the head. It provokes urine and
the terms, and eases the griping pain of the belly, cramps, ruptures, and
inflamation of the liver. If you make a vinegar of the herb, as vinegar of roses is
made (you may find out the way in my translation of the London Dispensatory)
and anoint the head with it, it presently stops the pains thereof. It is excellently
good to be given either in phrenzy or lethargy, although they are two contrary
diseases: It helps spitting and voiding of blood, coughing, and vomiting; it
comforts and strengthens the head, stomach, reins, and womb, expels wind, and
breaks the stone.

TORMENTIL, OR SEPTFOIL.

Descript.] THIS hath reddish, slender, weak branches rising from the root,
lying on the ground, rather leaning than standing upright, with many short leaves
that stand closer to the stalk than cinquefoil (to which this is very like) with the
root-stalk compassing the branches in several places; but those that grow to the
ground are set upon long foot stalks, each whereof are like the leaves of
cinquefoil, but somewhat long and lesser dented about the edges, many of them
divided into five leaves, but most of them into seven, whence it is also called
Septfoil; yet some may have six, and some eight, according to the fertility of the
soil. At the tops of the branches stand divers small yellow flowers, consisting of
five leaves, like those of cinquefoil, but smaller. The root is smaller than bistort,
somewhat thick, but blacker without, and not so red within, yet sometimes a
little crooked, having blackish fibres thereat.
Place.] It grows as well in woods and shadowy places, as in the open
champain country, about the borders of fields in many places of this land, and
almost in every broom field in Essex.
Time.] It flowers all the Summer long.
Government and virtues.] This is a gallant herb of the Sun. Tormentil is most
excellent to stay all kind of fluxes of blood or humours in man or woman,
whether at nose, mouth, or belly. The juice of the herb and root, or the decoction
thereof, taken with some Venice treacle, and the person laid to sweat, expels any
venom or poison, or the plague, fever, or other contagious diseases, as pox,
measles, &c. for it is an ingredient in all antidotes or counter poisons. Andreas
Urlesius is of opinion that the decoction of this root is no less effectual to cure
the French pox than Guiacum or China; and it is not unlikely, because it so
mightily resists putrefaction. The root taken inwardly is most effectual to help
any flux of the belly, stomach, spleen, or blood; and the juice wonderfully opens
obstructions of the liver and lungs, and thereby helps the yellow jaundice. The
powder or decoction drank, or to sit thereon as a bath, is an assured remedy
against abortion, if it proceed from the over flexibility or weakness of the inward
retentive faculty; as also a plaster made therewith, and vinegar applied to the
reins of the back, doth much help not only this, but also those that cannot hold
their water, the powder being taken in the juice of plantain, and is also
commended against the worms in children. It is very powerful in ruptures and
burstings, as also for bruises and falls, to be used as well outwardly as inwardly.
The root hereof made up with pellitory of Spain and allum, and put into a hollow
tooth, not only assuages the pain, but stays the flux of humours which causes it.
Tormentil is no less effectual and powerful a remedy against outward wounds,
sores and hurts, than for inward, and is therefore a special ingredient to be used
in wound drinks, lotions and injections, for foul corrupt rotten sores and ulcers
of the mouth, secrets, or other parts of the body. The juice or powder of the root
put in ointments, plaisters, and such things that are to be applied to wounds or
sores, is very effectual, as the juice of the leaves and the root bruised and applied
to the throat or jaws, heals the king’s evil, and eases the pain of the sciatica; the
same used with a little vinegar, is a special remedy against the running sores of
the head or other parts; scabs also, and the itch or any such eruptions in the skin,
proceeding of salt and sharp humours. The same is also effectual for the piles or
hæmorrhoids, if they be washed or bathed therewith, or with the distilled water
of the herb and roots. It is found also helpful to dry up any sharp rheum that
distills from the head into the eyes, causing redness, pain, waterings, itching, or
the like, if a little prepared tutia, or white amber, be used with the distilled water
thereof. And here is enough, only remember the Sun challengeth this herb.

TURNSOLE, OR HELIOTROPIUM.

Descript.] THE greater Turnsole rises with one upright stalk, about a foot
high, or more, dividing itself almost from the bottom, into divers small branches,
of a hoary colour; at each joint of the stalk and branches grow small broad
leaves, somewhat white and hairy. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand
small white flowers, consisting of four, and sometimes five small leaves, set in
order one above another, upon a small crooked spike, which turns inwards like a
bowed finger, opening by degrees as the flowers blow open; after which in their
place come forth cornered seed, four for the most part standing together; the root
is small and thready, perishing every year, and the seed shedding every year,
raises it again the next spring.
Place.] It grows in gardens, and flowers and seeds with us, notwithstanding it
is not natural to this land, but to Italy, Spain, and France, where it grows
plentifully.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of the Sun, and a good one too.
Dioscorides saith, That a good handful of this, which is called the Great
Turnsole, boiled in water, and drank, purges both choler and phlegm; and boiled
with cummin, helps the stone in the reins, kidneys, or bladder, provokes urine
and women’s courses, and causes an easy and speedy delivery in child-birth. The
leaves bruised and applied to places pained with the gout, or that have been out
of joint and newly set, and full of pain, do give much ease; the seed and juice of
the leaves also being rubbed with a little salt upon warts and wens, and other
kernels in the face, eye-lids, or any other part of the body, will, by often using,
take them away.
 MEADOW TREFOIL, OR HONEYSUCKLES.

IT is so well known, especially by the name of Honeysuckles, white and red,

that I need not describe them.
Place.] They grow almost every where in this land.
Government and virtues.] Mercury hath dominion over the common sort.
Dodoneus saith, The leaves and flowers are good to ease the griping pains of the
gout, the herb being boiled and used in a clyster. If the herb be made into a
poultice, and applied to inflammations, it will ease them. The juice dropped in
the eyes, is a familiar medicine, with many country people, to take away the pin
and web (as they call it) in the eyes; it also allays the heat and blood shooting of
them. Country people do also in many places drink the juice thereof against the
biting of an adder; and having boiled the herb in water, they first wash the place
with the decoction, and then lay some of the herb also to the hurt place. The herb
also boiled in swine’s grease, and so made into an ointment, is good to apply to
the biting of any venomous creature. The herb also bruised and heated between
tiles, and applied hot to the share, causes them to make water who had it stopt
before. It is held likewise to be good for wounds, and to take away seed. The
decoction of the herb and flowers, with the seed and root, taken for some time,
helps women that are troubled with the whites. The seed and flowers boiled in
water, and afterwards made into a poultice with some oil, and applied, helps hard
swellings and imposthumes.

HEART TREFOIL.

BESIDES the ordinary sort of Trefoil, here are two more remarkable, and one of
which may be properly called Heart Trefoil, not only because the leaf is
triangular, like the heart of a man, but also because each leaf contains the
perfection of a heart, and that in its proper colour, viz. a flesh colour.
Place.] It grows between Longford and Bow, and beyond Southwark, by the
highway and parts adjacent.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of the Sun, and if it were
used, it would be found as great a strengthener of the heart, and cherisher of the
vital spirits as grows, relieving the body against fainting and swoonings,
fortifying it against poison and pestilence, defending the heart against the
noisome vapours of the spleen.
 PEARL TREFOIL.

IT differs not from the common sort, save only in this particular, it hath a
white spot in the leaf like a pearl. It is particularly under the dominion of the
Moon, and its icon shews that it is of a singular virtue against the pearl, or pin
and web in the eyes.

TUSTAN, OR PARK LEAVES.

Descript.] IT hath brownish shining round stalks, crested the length thereof,
rising two by two, and sometimes three feet high, branching forth even from the
bottom, having divers joints, and at each of them two fair large leaves standing,
of a dark blueish green colour on the upper side, and of a yellowish green
underneath, turning reddish toward Autumn. At the top of the stalks stand large
yellow flowers, and heads with seed, which being greenish at the first and
afterwards reddish, turn to be of a blackish purple colour when they are ripe,
with small brownish seed within them, and they yield a reddish juice or liquor,
somewhat resinous, and of a harsh and stypick taste, as the leaves also and the
flowers be, although much less, but do not yield such a clear claret wine colour,
as some say it doth, the root is brownish, somewhat great, hard and woody,
spreading well in the ground.
Place.] It grows in many woods, groves, and woody grounds, as parks and
forests, and by hedge-sides in many places in this land, as in Hampstead wood,
by Ratley in Essex, in the wilds of Kent, and in many other places needless to
recite.
Time.] It flowers later than St. John’s or St. Peter’s-wort.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Saturn, and a most noble anti-
venerean. Tustan purges choleric humours, as St. Peter’s-wort, is said to do, for
therein it works the same effects, both to help the sciatica and gout, and to heal
burning by fire; it stays all the bleedings of wounds, if either the green herb be
bruised, or the powder of the dry be applied thereto. It hath been accounted, and
certainly it is, a sovereign herb to heal either wound or sore, either outwardly or
inwardly, and therefore always used in drinks, lotions, balms, oils, ointments, or
any other sorts of green wounds, ulcers, or old sores, in all which the continual
experience of former ages hath confirmed the use thereof to be admirably good,
though it be not so much in use now, as when physicians and surgeons were so
wise as to use herbs more than now they do.

GARDEN VALERIAN.

Descript.] THIS hath a thick short greyish root, lying for the most part above
ground, shooting forth on all other sides such like small pieces of roots, which
have all of them many long green strings and fibres under them in the ground,
whereby it draws nourishment. From the head of these roots spring up many
green leaves, which at first are somewhat broad and long, without any divisions
at all in them, or denting on the edges; but those that rise up after are more and
more divided on each side, some to the middle rib, being winged, as made of
many leaves together on a stalk, and those upon a stalk, in like manner more
divided, but smaller towards the top than below; the stalk rises to be a yard high
or more, sometimes branched at the top, with many small whitish flowers,
sometimes dashed over at the edges with a pale purplish colour, of a little scent,
which passing away, there follows small brownish white seed, that is easily
carried away with the wind. The root smells more strong than either leaf or
flower, and is of more use in medicines.
Place.] It is generally kept with us in gardens.
Time.] It flowers in June and July, and continues flowering until the frost pull
it down.
Government and virtues.] This is under the influence of Mercury. Dioscorides
saith, That the Garden Valerian hath a warming faculty, and that being dried and
given to drink it provokes urine, and helps the stranguary. The decoction thereof
taken, doth the like also, and takes away pains of the sides, provokes women’s
courses, and is used in antidotes. Pliny saith, That the powder of the root given
in drink, or the decoction thereof taken, helps all stoppings and stranglings in
any part of the body, whether they proceed of pains in the chest or sides, and
takes them away. The root of Valerian boiled with liquorice, raisins, and
anniseed, is singularly good for those that are short-winded, and for those that
are troubled with the cough, and helps to open the passages, and to expectorate
phlegm easily. It is given to those that are bitten or stung by any venomous
creature, being boiled in wine. It is of a special virtue against the plague, the
decoction thereof being drank, and the root being used to smell to. It helps to
expel the wind in the belly. The green herb with the root taken fresh, being
bruised and applied to the head, takes away the pains and prickings there, stays
rheum and thin distillation, and being boiled in white wine, and a drop thereof
put into the eyes, takes away the dimness of the sight, or any pin or web therein.
It is of excellent property to heal any inward sores or wounds, and also for
outward hurts or wounds, and drawing away splinters or thorns out of the flesh.
 VERVAIN.

Descript.] THE common Vervain hath somewhat long broad leaves next the
ground deeply gashed about the edges, and some only deeply dented, or cut all
alike, of a blackish green colour on the upper side, somewhat grey underneath.
The stalk is square, branched into several parts, rising about two feet high,
especially if you reckon the long spike of flowers at the tops of them, which are
set on all sides one above another, and sometimes two or three together, being
small and gaping, of a blue colour and white intermixed, after which come small
round seed, in small and somewhat long heads. The root is small and long.
Place.] It grows generally throughout this land in divers places of the hedges
and way-sides, and other waste grounds.
Time.] It flowers in July, and the seed is ripe soon after.
Government and virtues.] This is an herb of Venus, and excellent for the
womb to strengthen and remedy all the cold griefs of it, as Plantain doth the hot.
Vervain is hot and dry, opening obstructions, cleansing and healing. It helps the
yellow jaundice, the dropsy and the gout; it kills and expels worms in the belly,
and causes a good colour in the face and body, strengthens as well as corrects the
diseases of the stomach, liver, and spleen; helps the cough, wheezings, and
shortness of breath, and all the defects of the reins and bladder, expelling the
gravel and stone. It is held to be good against the biting of serpents, and other
venomous beasts, against the plague, and both tertian and quartan agues. It
consolidates and heals also all wounds, both inward and outward, stays
bleedings, and used with some honey, heals all old ulcers and fistulas in the legs
or other parts of the body; as also those ulcers that happen in the mouth; or used
with hog’s grease, it helps the swellings and pains of the secret parts in man or
woman, also for the piles or hæmorrhoids; applied with some oil of roses and
vinegar unto the forehead and temples, it eases the inveterate pains and ache of
the head, and is good for those that are frantic. The leaves bruised, or the juice of
them mixed with some vinegar, doth wonderfully cleanse the skin, and takes
away morphew, freckles, fistulas, and other such like inflamations and
deformities of the skin in any parts of the body. The distilled water of the herb
when it is in full strength, dropped into the eyes, cleanses them from films,
clouds, or mists, that darken the sight, and wonderfully strengthens the optic
nerves. The said water is very powerful in all the diseases aforesaid, either
inward or outward, whether they be old corroding sores, or green wounds. The
dried root, and peeled, is known to be excellently good against all scrophulous
and scorbutic habits of body, by being tied to the pit of the stomach, by a piece
of white ribband round the neck.

THE VINE.

THE leaves of the English vine (I do not mean to send you to the Canaries for
a medicine) being boiled, makes a good lotion for sore mouths; being boiled
with barley meal into a poultice, it cools inflammations of wounds; the dropping
of the vine, when it is cut in the Spring, which country people call Tears, being
boiled in a syrup, with sugar, and taken inwardly, is excellent to stay women’s
longings after every thing they see, which is a disease many women with child
are subject to. The decoction of Vine leaves in white wine doth the like. Also the
tears of the Vine, drank two or three spoonfuls at a time, breaks the stone in the
bladder. This is a very good remedy, and it is discreetly done, to kill a Vine to
cure a man, but the salt of the leaves are held to be better. The ashes of the burnt
branches will make teeth that are as black as a coal, to be as white as snow, if
you but every morning rub them with it. It is a most gallant Tree of the Sun, very
sympathetical with the body of men, and that is the reason spirit of wine is the
greatest cordial among all vegetables.

VIOLETS.

BOTH the tame and the wild are so well known, that they need no description.
Time.] They flower until the end of July, but are best in March, and the
beginning of April.
Government and virtues.] They are a fine pleasing plant of Venus, of a mild
nature, no way harmful. All the Violets are cold and moist while they are fresh
and green, and are used to cool any heat, or distemperature of the body, either
inwardly or outwardly, as inflammations in the eyes, in the matrix or fundament,
in imposthumes also, and hot swellings, to drink the decoction of the leaves and
flowers made with water in wine, or to apply them poultice-wise to the grieved
places: it likewise eases pains in the head, caused through want of sleep; or any
other pains arising of heat, being applied in the same manner, or with oil of
roses. A dram weight of the dried leaves or flower of Violets, but the leaves
more strongly, doth purge the body of choleric humours, and assuages the heat,
being taken in a draught of wine, or any other drink; the powder of the purple
leaves of the flowers, only picked and dried and drank in water, is said to help
the quinsy, and the falling-sickness in children, especially in the beginning of the
disease. The flowers of the white Violets ripen and dissolve swellings. The herb
or flowers, while they are fresh, or the flowers when they are dry, are effectual in
the pleurisy, and all diseases of the lungs, to lenify the sharpness in hot rheums,
and the hoarseness of the throat, the heat also and sharpness of urine, and all the
pains of the back or reins, and bladder. It is good also for the liver and the
jaundice, and all hot agues, to cool the heat, and quench the thirst; but the syrup
of Violets is of most use, and of better effect, being taken in some convenient
liquor: and if a little of the juice or syrup of lemons be put to it, or a few drops of
the oil of vitriol, it is made thereby the more powerful to cool the heat, and
quench the thirst, and gives to the drink a claret wine colour, and a fine tart
relish, pleasing to the taste. Violets taken, or made up with honey, do more
cleanse and cool, and with sugar contrary-wise. The dried flower of Violets are
accounted amongst the cordial drinks, powders, and other medicines, especially
where cooling cordials are necessary. The green leaves are used with other herbs
to make plaisters and poultices to inflammations and swellings, and to ease all
pains whatsoever, arising of heat, and for the piles also, being fried with yolks of
eggs, and applied thereto.

VIPER’S BUGLOSS.

Descript.] THIS hath many long rough leaves lying on the ground, from
among which rises up divers hard round stalks, very rough, as if they were thick
set with prickles or hairs, whereon are set such like rough, hairy, or prickly sad
green leaves, somewhat narrow; the middle rib for the most part being white.
The flowers stand at the top of the stalk, branched forth in many long spiked
leaves of flowers bowing or turning like the turnsole, all opening for the most
part on the one side, which are long and hollow, turning up the brims a little, of a
purplish violet colour in them that are fully blown, but more reddish while they
are in the bud, as also upon their decay and withering; but in some places of a
paler purplish colour, with a long pointel in the middle, feathered or parted at the
top. After the flowers are fallen, the seeds growing to be ripe, are blackish,
cornered and pointed somewhat like the head of a viper. The root is somewhat
great and blackish, and woolly, when it grows toward seed-time, and perishes in
the Winter.
There is another sort, little differing from the former, only in this, that it bears
white flowers.
 Place.] The first grows wild almost every where. That with white flowers
about the castle-walls at Lewis in Sussex.
Time.] They flower in Summer, and their seed is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.] It is a most gallant herb of the Sun; it is a pity it is
no more in use than it is. It is an especial remedy against the biting of the Viper,
and all other venomous beasts, or serpents; as also against poison, or poisonous
herbs. Dioscorides and others say, That whosoever shall take of the herb or root
before they be bitten, shall not be hurt by the poison of any serpent. The root or
seed is thought to be most effectual to comfort the heart, and expel sadness, or
causeless melancholy; it tempers the blood, and allays hot fits of agues. The seed
drank in wine, procures abundance of milk in women’s breasts. The same also
being taken, eases the pains in the loins, back, and kidneys. The distilled water
of the herb when it is in flower, or its chief strength, is excellent to be applied
either inwardly or outwardly, for all the griefs aforesaid. There is a syrup made
hereof very effectual for the comforting the heart, and expelling sadness and
melancholy.

WALL FLOWERS, OR WINTER GILLI-FLOWERS.

THE garden kind are so well known that they need no description.
Descript.] The common single Wall-flowers, which grow wild abroad, have
sundry small, long, narrow, dark green leaves, set without order upon small
round, whitish, woody stalks, which bear at the tops divers single yellow flowers
one above another, every one bearing four leaves a-piece, and of a very sweet
scent: after which come long pods, containing a reddish seed. The roots are
white, hard and thready.
Place.] It grows upon church walls, and old walls of many houses, and other
stone walls in divers places; The other sort in gardens only.
Time.] All the single kinds do flower many times in the end of Autumn; and
if the Winter be mild, all the Winter long, but especially in the months of
February, March, and April, and until the heat of the spring do spend them. But
the double kinds continue not flowering in that manner all the year long,
although they flower very early sometimes, and in some places very late.
Government and virtues.] The Moon rules them. Galen, in his seventh book
of simple medicines, saith, That the yellow Wall-flowers work more powerfully
than any of the other kinds, and are therefore of more use in physic. It cleanses
the blood, and fretteth the liver and reins from obstructions, provokes women’s
courses, expels the secundine, and the dead child; helps the hardness and pain of
the mother, and of spleen also; stays inflammations and swellings, comforts and
strengthens any weak part, or out of joint; helps to cleanse the eyes from
mistiness or films upon them, and to cleanse the filthy ulcers in the mouth, or
any other part, and is a singular remedy for the gout, and all aches and pains in
the joints and sinews. A conserve made of the flowers, is used for a remedy both
for the apoplexy and palsy.

THE WALLNUT TREE.

IT is so well known, that it needs no description.

Time.] It blossoms early before the leaves come forth, and the fruit is ripe in
September.
Government and virtues.] This is also a plant of the Sun. Let the fruit of it be
gathered accordingly, which you shall find to be of most virtues while they are
green, before they have shells. The bark of the Tree doth bind and dry very
much, and the leaves are much of the same temperature: but the leaves when
they are older, are heating and drying in the second degree, and harder of
digestion than when they are fresh, which, by reason of their sweetness, are more
pleasing, and better digesting in the stomach; and taken with sweet wine, they
move the belly downwards, but being old, they grieve the stomach; and in hot
bodies cause the choler to abound and the head-ach, and are an enemy to those
that have the cough; but are less hurtful to those that have a colder stomach, and
are said to kill the broad worms in the belly or stomach. If they be taken with
onions, salt, and honey, they help the biting of a mad dog, or the venom or
infectious poison of any beast, &c. Caias Pompeius found in the treasury of
Mithridates, king of Pontus, when he was overthrown, a scroll of his own hand
writing, containing a medicine against any poison or infection; which is this;
Take two dry walnuts, and as many good figs, and twenty leaves of rue, bruised
and beaten together with two or three corns of salt and twenty juniper berries,
which take every morning fasting, preserves from danger of poison, and
infection that day it is taken. The juice of the other green husks boiled with
honey is an excellent gargle for sore mouths, or the heat and inflammations in
the throat and stomach. The kernels, when they grow old, are more oily, and
therefore not fit to be eaten, but are then used to heal the wounds of the sinews,
gangrenes, and carbuncles. The said kernels being burned, are very astringent,
and will stay lasks and women’s courses, being taken in red wine, and stay the
falling of the hair, and make it fair, being anointed with oil and wine. The green
husks will do the like, being used in the same manner. The kernels beaten with
rue and wine, being applied, help the quinsy; and bruised with some honey, and
applied to the ears, ease the pains and inflammation of them. A piece of the
green husks put into a hollow tooth, eases the pain. The catkins hereof, taken
before they fall off, dried, and given a dram thereof in powder with white wine,
wonderfully helps those that are troubled with the rising of the mother. The oil
that is pressed out of the kernels, is very profitable, taken inwardly like oil of
almonds, to help the cholic, and to expel wind very effectually; an ounce or two
thereof may be taken at any time. The young green nuts taken before they be half
ripe, and preserved with sugar, are of good use for those that have weak
stomachs, or defluctions thereon. The distilled water of the green husks, before
they be half ripe, is of excellent use to cool the heat of agues, being drank an
ounce or two at a time: as also to resist the infection of the plague, if some of the
same be also applied to the sores thereof. The same also cools the heat of green
wounds and old ulcers, and heals them, being bathed therewith. The distilled
water of the green husks being ripe, when they are shelled from the nuts, and
drank with a little vinegar, is good for the place, so as before the taking thereof a
vein be opened. The said water is very good against the quinsy, being gargled
and bathed therewith, and wonderfully helps deafness, the noise, and other pains
in the ears. The distilled water of the young green leaves in the end of May,
performs a singular cure on foul running ulcers and sores, to be bathed, with wet
cloths or spunges applied to them every morning.

WOLD, WELD, OR DYER’S WEED.

THE common kind grows bushing with many leaves, long, narrow and flat
upon the ground; of a dark blueish green colour, somewhat like unto Woad, but
nothing so large, a little crumpled, and as it were round-pointed, which do so
abide the first year; and the next spring from among them, rise up divers round
stalks, two or three feet high, beset with many such like leaves thereon, but
smaller, and shooting forth small branches, which with the stalks carry many
small yellow flowers, in a long spiked head at the top of them, where afterwards
come the seed, which is small and black, inclosed in heads that are divided at the
tops into four parts. The root is long, white and thick, abiding the Winter. The
whole herb changes to be yellow, after it hath been in flower awhile.
 Place.] It grows every where by the way sides, in moist grounds, as well as
dry, in corners of fields and bye lanes, and sometimes all over the field. In
Sussex and Kent they call it Green Weed.
Time.] It flowers in June.
Government and virtues.] Matthiolus saith, that the root hereof cures tough
phlegm, digests raw phlegm, thins gross humours, dissolves hard tumours, and
opens obstructions. Some do highly commend it against the biting of venomous
creatures, to be taken inwardly and applied outwardly to the hurt place; as also
for the plague or pestilence. The people in some countries of this land, do use to
bruise the herb, and lay it to cuts or wounds in the hands or legs, to heal them.

WHEAT.

ALL the several kinds thereof are so well known unto almost all people, that it
is all together needless to write a description thereof.
Government and virtues.] It is under Venus. Dioscorides saith, That to eat the
corn of green Wheat is hurtful to the stomach, and breeds worms. Pliny saith,
That the corn of Wheat, roasted upon an iron pan, and eaten, are a present
remedy for those that are chilled with cold. The oil pressed from wheat, between
two thick plates of iron, or copper heated, heals all tetters and ring-worms, being
used warm; and hereby Galen saith, he hath known many to be cured. Matthiolus
commends the same to be put into hollow ulcers to heal them up, and it is good
for chops in the hands and feet, and to make rugged skin smooth. The green
corns of Wheat being chewed, and applied to the place bitten by a mad dog,
heals it; slices of Wheat bread soaked in red rose water, and applied to the eyes
that are hot, red, and inflamed, or blood-shotten, helps them. Hot bread applied
for an hour, at times, for three days together, perfectly heals the kernels in the
throat, commonly called the king’s evil. The flour of Wheat mixed with the juice
of henbane, stays the flux of humours to the joints, being laid thereon. The said
meal boiled in vinegar, helps the shrinking of the sinews, saith Pliny; and mixed
with vinegar, and boiled together, heals all freckles, spots and pimples on the
face. Wheat flour, mixed with the yolk of an egg, honey, and turpentine, doth
draw, cleanse and heal any boil, plague, sore, or foul ulcer. The bran of Wheat
meal steeped in sharp vinegar, and then bound in a linen cloth, and rubbed on
those places that have the scurf, morphew, scabs or leprosy, will take them
away, the body being first well purged and prepared. The decoction of the bran
of Wheat or barley, is of good use to bathe those places that are bursten by a
rupture; and the said bran boiled in good vinegar, and applied to swollen breasts,
helps them, and stays all inflamations. It helps also the biting of vipers (which I
take to be no other than our English adder) and all other venomous creatures.
The leaves of Wheat meal applied with some salt, take away hardness of the
skin, warts, and hard knots in the flesh. Wafers put in water, and drank, stays the
lask and bloody flux, and are profitably used both inwardly and outwardly for
the ruptures in children. Boiled in water unto a thick jelly, and taken, it stays
spitting of blood; and boiled with mint and butter, it helps the hoarseness of the
throat.

THE WILLOW TREE.

THESE are so well known that they need no description. I shall therefore only
shew you the virtues therof.
Government and virtues.] The Moon owns it. Both the leaves, bark, and the
seed, are used to stanch bleeding of wounds, and at mouth and nose, spitting of
blood, and other fluxes of blood in man or woman, and to stay vomiting, and
provocation thereunto, if the decoction of them in wine be drank. It helps also to
stay thin, hot, sharp, salt distillations from the head upon the lungs, causing a
consumption. The leaves bruised with some pepper, and drank in wine, helps
much the wind cholic. The leaves bruised and boiled in wine, and drank, stays
the heat of lust in man or woman, and quite extinguishes it, if it be long used:
The seed also is of the same effect. Water that is gathered from the Willow,
when it flowers, the bark being slit, and a vessel fitting to receive it, is very good
for redness and dimness of sight, or films that grow over the eyes, and stay the
rheums that fall into them; to provoke urine, being stopped, if it be drank; to
clear the face and skin from spots and discolourings. Galen saith, The flowers
have an admirable faculty in drying up humours, being a medicine without any
sharpness or corrosion; you may boil them in white wine, and drink as much as
you will, so you drink not yourself drunk. The bark works the same effect, if
used in the same manner, and the Tree hath always a bark upon it, though not
always flowers; the burnt ashes of the bark being mixed with vinegar, takes
away warts, corns, and superfluous flesh, being applied to the place. The
decoction of the leaves or bark in wine, takes away scurff and dandriff by
washing the place with it. It is a fine cool tree, the boughs of which are very
convenient to be placed in the chamber of one sick of a fever.

WOAD.
 Descript.] IT hath divers large leaves, long, and somewhat broad withal, like
those of the greater plantain, but larger, thicker, of a greenish colour, somewhat
blue withal. From among which leaves rises up a lusty stalk, three or four feet
high, with divers leaves set thereon; the higher the stalk rises, the smaller are the
leaves; at the top it spreads divers branches, at the end of which appear very
pretty, little yellow flowers, and after they pass away like other flowers of the
field, come husks, long and somewhat flat withal; in form they resemble a
tongue, in colour they are black, and they hang bobbing downwards. The seed
contained within these husks (if it be a little chewed) gives an azure colour. The
root is white and long.
Place.] It is sowed in fields for the benefit of it, where those that sow it, cut it
three times a year.
Time.] It flowers in June, but it is long after before the seed is ripe.
Government and virtues.] It is a cold and dry plant of Saturn. Some people
affirm the plant to be destructive to bees, and fluxes them, which, if it be, I
cannot help it. I should rather think, unless bees be contrary to other creatures, it
possesses them with the contrary disease, the herb being exceeding dry and
binding. However, if any bees be diseased thereby, the cure is, to set urine by
them, but set it in a vessel, that they cannot drown themselves, which may be
remedied, if you put pieces of cork in it. The herb is so drying and binding, that
it is not fit to be given inwardly. An ointment made thereof stanches bleeding. A
plaister made thereof, and applied to the region of the spleen which lies on the
left side, takes away the hardness and pains thereof. The ointment is excellently
good in such ulcers as abound with moisture, and takes away the corroding and
fretting humours: It cools inflammations, quenches St. Anthony’s fire, and stays
defluxion of the blood to any part of the body.

WOODBINE, OR HONEY-SUCKLES.

IT is a plant so common, that every one that hath eyes knows it, and he that
hath none, cannot read a description, if I should write it.
Time.] They flower in June, and the fruit is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] Doctor Tradition, that grand introducer of errors,
that hater of truth, lover of folly, and the mortal foe to Dr. Reason, hath taught
the common people to use the leaves or flowers of this plant in mouth-water, and
by long continuance of time, hath so grounded it in the brains of the vulgar, that
you cannot beat it out with a beetle: All mouth-waters ought to be cooling and
drying, but Honey Suckles are cleansing, consuming and digesting, and therefore
fit for inflammations; thus Dr. Reason. Again if you please, we will leave Dr.
Reason a while, and come to Dr. Experience, a learned gentleman, and his
brother. Take a leaf and chew it in your mouth, and you will quickly find it
likelier to cause a sore mouth and throat than to cure it. Well then, if it be not
good for this, What is it good for? It is good for something, for God and nature
made nothing in vain. It is an herb of Mercury, and appropriated to the lungs;
Crab claims dominion over it; neither is it a foe to the Lion; if the lungs be
afflicted by Jupiter, this is your cure: It is fitting a conserve made of the flowers
of it were kept in every gentlewoman’s house; I know no better cure for an
asthma than this: besides, it takes away the evil of the spleen, provokes urine,
procures speedy delivery of women in travail, helps cramps, convulsions, and
palsies, and whatsoever griefs come of cold or stopping; if you please to make
use of it as an ointment, it will clear your skin of morphew, freckles, and sun-
burnings, or whatsoever else discolours it, and then the maids will love it.
Authors say, The flowers are of more effect than the leaves, and that is true; but
they say the seeds are least effectual of all. But Dr. Reason told me, That there
was a vital spirit in every seed to beget its like; and Dr. Experience told me, That
there was a greater heat in the seed than there was in any other part of the plant;
and withal, That heat was the mother of action, and then judge if old Dr.
Tradition (who may well be honoured for his age, but not for his goodness) hath
not so poisoned the world with errors before I was born, that it was never well in
its wits since, and there is a great fear it will die mad.

WORMWOOD.

THREE Wormwoods are familiar with us; one I shall not describe, another I
shall describe, and the third be critical at; and I care not greatly if I begin with
the last first.
Sea Wormwood hath gotten as many names as virtues, (and perhaps one
more) Seriphian, Santomeon, Belchion, Narbinense, Hantonicon, Misneule, and
a matter of twenty more which I shall not blot paper withal. A papist got the toy
by the end, and he called it Holy Wormwood; and in truth I am opinion, their
giving so much holiness to herbs, is the reason there remains so little in
themselves. The seed of this Wormwood is that which women usually give their
children for the worms. Of all Wormwoods that grow here, this is the weakest,
but Doctors commend it, and apothecaries sell it; the one must keep his credit,
and the other get money, and that is the key of the work. The herb is good for
something, because God made nothing in vain: Will you give me leave to weigh
things in the balance of reason; Then thus: The seeds of the common
Wormwood are far more prevalent than the seed of this, to expel worms in
children, or people of ripe age; of both some are weak, some are strong. The
Seriphian Wormwood is the weakest, and haply may prove to be fittest for the
weak bodies, (for it is weak enough of all conscience.) Let such as are strong
take the common Wormwood, for the others will do but little good. Again, near
the sea many people live, and Seriphian grows near them, and therefore is more
fitting for their bodies, because nourished by the same air; and this I had from
Dr. Reason. In whose body Dr. Reason dwells not, dwells Dr. Madness, and he
brings in his brethren, Dr. Ignorance, Dr. Folly, and Dr. Sickness, and these
together make way for Death, and the latter end of that man is worse than the
beginning. Pride was the cause of Adam’s fall; pride begat a daughter, I do not
know the father of it, unless the devil, but she christened it, and called it
Appetite, and sent her daughter to taste these wormwoods, who finding this the
least bitter, made the squeamish wench extol it to the skies, though the virtues of
it never reached the middle region of the air. Its due praise is this; It is weakest,
therefore fittest for weak bodies, and fitter for those bodies that dwell near it,
than those that dwell far from it; my reason is, the sea (those that live far from it,
know when they come near it) casts not such a smell as the land doth. The tender
mercies of God being over all his works, hath by his eternal Providence, planted
Seriphian by the seaside, as a fit medicine for the bodies of those that live near it.
Lastly, It is known to all that know any thing in the course of nature, that the
liver delights in sweet things, if so, it abhors bitter; then if your liver be weak, it
is none of the wisest courses to plague it with an enemy. If the liver be weak, a
consumption follows; would you know the reason? It is this, A man’s flesh is
repaired by blood, by a third concoction, which transmutes the blood into flesh,
it is well I said, (concoction) say I, if I had said (boiling) every cook would have
understood me. The liver makes blood, and if it be weakened that if it makes not
enough, the flesh wastes; and why must flesh always be renewed? Because the
eternal God, when he made the creation, made one part of it in continual
dependency upon another; and why did he so? Because himself only is
permanent; to teach us, That we should not fix our affections upon what is
transitory, but what endures for ever. The result of this is, if the liver be weak,
and cannot make blood enough, I would have said, Sanguify, if I had written
only to scholars, the Seriphian, which is the weakest of Wormwoods, is better
than the best. I have been critical enough, if not too much.
 Place.] It grows familiarly in England, by the seaside.
Descript.] It starts up out of the earth, with many round, woody, hairy stalks
from one root. Its height is four feet, or three at least. The leaves in longitude are
long, in latitude narrow, in colour white, in form hoary, in similitude like
Southernwood, only broader and longer; in taste rather salt than bitter, because it
grows so near the salt-water; at the joints, with the leaves toward the tops it bears
little yellow flowers; the root lies deep, and is woody.
Common Wormwood I shall not describe, for every boy that can eat an egg
knows it.
Roman Wormwood; and why Roman, seeing it grows familiarly in England?
It may be so called, because it is good for a stinking breath, which the Romans
cannot be very free from, maintaining so many bad houses by authority of his
Holiness.
Descript.] The stalks are slender, and shorter than the common Wormwood
by one foot at least; the leaves are more finely cut and divided than they are, but
something smaller; both leaves and stalks are hoary, the flowers of a pale yellow
colour; it is altogether like the common Wormwood, save only in bigness, for it
is smaller; in taste, for it is not so bitter; in smell, for it is spicy.
Place.] It grows upon the tops of the mountains (it seems ’tis aspiring) there
’tis natural, but usually nursed up in gardens for the use of the apothecaries in
London.
Time.] All Wormwoods usually flower in August, a little sooner or later.
Government and virtues.] Will you give me leave to be critical a little? I must
take leave. Wormwood is an herb of Mars, and if Pontanus say otherwise, he is
beside the bridge; I prove it thus: What delights in martial places, is a martial
herb; but Wormwood delights in martial places (for about forges and iron works
you may gather a cart-load of it,) ergo, it is a martial herb. It is hot and dry in the
first degree, viz. just as hot as your blood, and no hotter. It remedies the evils
choler can inflict on the body of man by sympathy. It helps the evils Venus and
the wanton Boy produce, by antipathy; and it doth something else besides. It
cleanses the body of choler (who dares say Mars doth no good?) It provokes
urine, helps surfeits, or swellings in the belly; it causes appetite to meat, because
Mars rules the attractive faculty in man: The sun never shone upon a better herb
for the yellow jaundice than this; Why should men cry out so much upon Mars
for an infortunate, (or Saturn either?) Did God make creatures to do the creation
a mischief? This herb testifies, that Mars is willing to cure all diseases he causes;
the truth is, Mars loves no cowards, nor Saturn fools, nor I neither. Take of the
flowers of Wormwood, Rosemary, and Black Thorn, of each a like quantity, half
that quantity of saffron; boil this in Rhenish wine, but put it not in saffron till it
is almost boiled; This is the way to keep a man’s body in health, appointed by
Camerarius, in his book intitled Hortus Medicus, and it is a good one too.
Besides all this, Wormwood provokes the terms. I would willingly teach
astrologers, and make them physicians (if I knew how) for they are most fitting
for the calling; if you will not believe me, ask Dr. Hippocrates, and Dr. Galen, a
couple of gentlemen that our college of physicians keep to vapour with, not to
follow. In this our herb, I shall give the pattern of a ruler, the sons of art rough
cast, yet as near the truth as the men of Benjamin could throw a stone: Whereby,
my brethren, the astrologers may know by a penny how a shilling is coined: As
for the college of physicians, they are too stately to college or too proud to
continue. They say a mouse is under the dominion of the Moon, and that is the
reason they feed in the night; the house of the Moon is Cancer; rats are of the
same nature with mice, but they are a little bigger; Mars receives his fall in
Cancer, ergo, Wormwood being an herb of Mars, is a present remedy for the
biting of rats and mice. Mushrooms (I cannot give them the title of Herba,
Frutex, or Arbor) are under the dominion of Saturn, (and take one time with
another, they do as much harm as good;) if any have poisoned himself by eating
them, Wormwood, an herb of Mars, cures him, because Mars is exalted in
Capricorn, the house of Saturn, and this it doth by sympathy, as it did the other
by antipathy. Wheals, pushes, black and blue spots, coming either by bruises or
beatings. Wormwood, an herb of Mars, helps, because Mars, (as bad you love
him, and as you hate him) will not break your head, but he will give you a
plaister. If he do but teach you to know yourselves, his courtesy is greater than
his discourtesy. The greatest antipathy between the planets, is between Mars and
Venus: one is hot, the other cold; one diurnal, the other nocturnal; one dry, the
other moist; their houses are opposite, one masculine, the other feminine; one
public, the other private; one is valiant, the other effeminate; one loves the light,
the other hates it; one loves the field, the other sheets; then the throat is under
Venus, the quinsy lies in the throat, and is an inflammation there; Venus rules
the throat, (it being under Taurus her sign.) Mars eradicates all diseases in the
throat by his herbs (for wormwood is one) and sends them to Egypt on an errand
never to return more, this done by antipathy. The eyes are under the Luminaries;
the right eye of a man, and the left eye of a woman the Sun claims dominion
over: the left eye of a man, and the right eye of a woman, are privileges of the
Moon, Wormwood, an herb of Mars cures both; what belongs to the Sun by
sympathy, because he is exalted in his house; but what belongs to the Moon by
antipathy, because he hath his fall in hers. Suppose a man be bitten or stung by a
martial creature, imagine a wasp, a hornet, a scorpion, Wormwood, an herb of
Mars, gives you a present cure; that Mars, choleric as he is, hath learned that
patience, to pass by your evil speeches of him, and tells you by my pen, That he
gives you no affliction, but he gives you a cure; you need not run to Apollo, nor
Æsculapius; and if he was so choleric as you make him to be, he would have
drawn his sword for anger, to see the ill conditions of these people that can spy
his vices, and not his virtues. The eternal God, when he made Mars, made him
for public good, and the sons of men shall know it in the latter end of the world.
Et cælum Mars solus babet. You say Mars is a destroyer; mix a little
Wormwood, an herb of Mars, with your ink, neither rats nor mice touch the
paper written with it, and then Mars is a preserver. Astrologers think Mars
causes scabs and itch, and the virgins are angry with him, because wanton Venus
told them he deforms their skins; but, quoth Mars, my only desire is, they should
know themselves; my herb Wormwood will restore them to the beauty they
formerly had, and in that I will not come an inch behind my opposite, Venus: for
which doth the greatest evil, he that takes away an innate beauty, and when he
has done, knows how to restore it again? or she that teaches a company of
wanton lasses to paint their faces? If Mars be in a Virgin, in the nativity, they say
he causes the cholic (it is well God hath set some body to pull down the pride of
man.) He in the Virgin troubles none with the cholic, but them that know not
themselves (for who knows himself, may easily know all the world.)
Wormwood, an herb of Mars, is a present cure for it; and whether it be most like
a Christian to love him for his good, or hate him for his evil, judge ye. I had
almost forgotten, that charity thinks no evil. I was once in the Tower and viewed
the wardrobe, and there was a great many fine clothes: (I can give them no other
title, for I was never either linen or woolen draper) yet as brave as they looked,
my opinion was that the moths might consume them; moths are under the
dominion of Mars; this herb Wormwood being laid among cloaths, will make a
moth scorn to meddle with the cloaths, as much as a lion scorns to meddle with a
mouse, or an eagle with a fly. You say Mars is angry, and it is true enough he is
angry with many countrymen, for being such fools to be led by the noses by the
college of physicians, as they lead bears to Paris garden. Melancholy men cannot
endure to be wronged in point of good fame, and that doth sorely trouble old
Saturn, because they call him the greatest infortunate; in the body of man he
rules the spleen, (and that makes covetous man so splenetic) the poor old man
lies crying out of his left side. Father Saturn’s angry, Mars comes to him; Come,
brother, I confess thou art evil spoken of, and so am I; thou knowest I have my
exaltation in thy house, I give him an herb of mine, Wormwood, to cure the old
man: Saturn consented, but spoke little, and so Mars cured him by sympathy.
When Mars was free from war, (for he loves to be fighting, and is the best friend
a soldier hath) I say, when Mars was free from war, he called a council of war in
his own brain, to know how he should do poor sinful man good, desiring to
forget his abuses in being called an infortunate. He musters up his own forces,
and places them in battalia. Oh! quoth he, why do I hurt a poor silly man or
woman? His angel answers him, It is because they have offended their God,
(Look back to Adam:) Well, says Mars, though they speak evil of me, I will do
good to them; Death’s cold, my herb shall heat them: they are full of ill humours
(else they would never have spoken ill of me;) my herb shall cleanse them, and
dry them; they are poor weak creatures, my herb shall strengthen them; they are
dull witted, my herb shall fortify their apprehensions; and yet among astrologers
all this does not deserve a good word: Oh the patience of Mars!

Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere caucas,

Inque domus superum scandere cura facit.
O happy he that can the knowledge gain,
To know the eternal God made nought in vain.
To this I add,
I know the reason causeth such a dearth
Of knowledge; ’tis because men love the earth.

The other day Mars told me he met with Venus, and he asked her, What was
the reason that she accused him for abusing women? He never gave them the
pox. In the dispute they fell out, and in anger parted, and Mars told me that his
brother Saturn told him, that an antivenerean medicine was the best against the
pox. Once a month he meets with the Moon. Mars is quick enough of speech,
and the Moon not much behind hand, (neither are most women.) The Moon
looks much after children, and children are much troubled with the worms; she
desired a medicine of him, he bid her take his own herb, Wormwood. He had no
sooner parted with the Moon, but he met with Venus, and she was as drunk as a
hog; Alas! poor Venus, quoth he; What! thou a fortune, and be drunk? I’ll give
thee antipathetical cure; Take my herb Wormwood, and thou shall never get a
surfeit by drinking. A poor silly countryman hath got an ague, and cannot go
about his business: he wishes he had it not, and so do I; but I will tell him a
remedy, whereby he shall prevent it; Take the herb of Mars, Wormwood, and if
infortunes will do good, what will fortunes do? Some think the lungs are under
Jupiter; and if the lungs then the breath; and though sometimes a man gets a
stinking breath, and yet Jupiter is a fortune, forsooth; up comes Mars to him;
Come brother Jupiter, thou knowest I sent thee a couple of trines to thy house
last night, the one from Aries, and the other from Scorpio; give me thy leave by
sympathy to cure this poor man with drinking a draught of Wormwood beer
every morning. The Moon was weak the other day, and she gave a man two
terrible mischiefs, a dull brain and a weak sight; Mars laid by his sword, and
comes to her; Sister Moon, said he, this man hath angered thee, but I beseech
thee take notice he is but a fool; prithee be patient, I will with my herb
wormwood cure him of both infirmities by antipathy, for thou knowest thou and
I cannot agree; with that the Moon began to quarrel; Mars (not delighting much
in women’s tongues) went away, and did it whether she would or no.
He that reads this, and understands what he reads, hath a jewel of more worth
than a diamond; he that understands it not, is as little fit to give physick. There
lies a key in these words which will unlock, (if it be turned by a wise hand) the
cabinet of physick: I have delivered it as plain as I durst; it is not only upon
Wormwood as I wrote, but upon all plants, trees, and herbs; he that understands
it not, is unfit (in my opinion) to give physic. This shall live when I am dead.
And thus I leave it to the world, not caring a farthing whether they like it or
dislike it. The grave equals all men, and therefore shall equal me with all
princes; until which time the eternal Providence is over me: Then the ill tongue
of a prating fellow, or one that hath more tongue than wit, or more proud than
honest, shall never trouble me. Wisdom is justified by her children. And so much
for Wormwood.

YARROW, CALLED NOSE-BLEED, MILFOIL AND

THOUSAND-LEAL.

Descript.] IT hath many long leaves spread upon the ground, finely cut, and
divided into many small parts. Its flowers are white, but not all of a whiteness
and stayed in knots, upon divers green stalks which rise from among the leaves.
Place.] It is frequent in all pastures.
Time.] It flowers late, even in the latter end of August.
Government and virtues.] It is under the influence of Venus. An ointment of
them cures wounds, and is most fit for such as have inflammations, it being an
herb of Dame Venus; it stops the terms in women, being boiled in white wine,
and the decoction drank; as also the bloody flux; the ointment of it is not only
good for green wounds, but also for ulcers and fistulas, especially such as
abound with moisture. It stays the shedding of hair, the head being bathed with
the decoction of it; inwardly taken it helps the retentive faculty of the stomach: it
helps the gonorrhea in men, and the whites in women, and helps such as cannot
hold their water; and the leaves chewed in the mouth eases the tooth-ache, and
these virtues being put together, shew the herb to be drying and binding.
Achilles is supposed to be the first that left the virtues of this herb to posterity,
having learned them of this master Chiron, the Centaur; and certainly a very
profitable herb it is in cramps, and therefore called Militaris.
DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS,
CONSERVES,
&c. &c.
 HAVING in divers places of this Treatise promised you the way of making
Syrups, Conserves, Oils, Ointments, &c., of herbs, roots, flowers, &c. whereby
you may have them ready for your use at such times when they cannot be had
otherwise; I come now to perform what I promised, and you shall find me rather
better than worse than my word.
That this may be done methodically, I shall divide my directions into two
grand sections, and each section into several chapters, and then you shall see it
look with such a countenance as this is.

SECTION I.
Of gathering, drying, and keeping Simples, and their juices.

CHAP. I. Of leaves of Herbs, &c.

CHAP. II. Of Flowers.
CHAP. III. Of Seeds.
CHAP. IV. Of Roots.
CHAP. V. Of Barks.
CHAP. VI. Of Juices.

SECTION II.
Of making and keeping Compounds.

CHAP. I. Of distilled waters.

CHAP. II. Of Syrups.
CHAP. III. Of Juleps.
CHAP. IV. Of Decoctions.
CHAP. V. Of Oils.
CHAP. VI. Of Electuaries.
CHAP. VII. Of Conserves.
CHAP. VIII. Of Preserves.
CHAP. IX. Of Lohochs.
CHAP. X. Of Ointments.
CHAP. XI. Of Plaisters.
CHAP. XII. Of Poultices.
 CHAP. XIII. Of Troches.
CHAP. XIV. Of Pills.
CHAP. XV. The way of fitting Medicines to Compound Diseases.

Of all these in order.

CHAPTER I.
Of Leaves of Herbs, or Trees.

1. OF leaves, choose only such as are green, and full of juice; pick them
carefully, and cast away such as are any way declining, for they will putrify the
rest: So shall one handful be worth ten of those you buy at the physic herb shops.
2. Note what places they most delight to grow in, and gather them there; for
Betony that grows in the shade, is far better than that which grows in the Sun,
because it delights in the shade; so also such herbs as delight to grow near the
water, shall be gathered near it, though happily you may find some of them upon
dry ground: The Treatise will inform you where every herb delights to grow.
3. The leaves of such herbs as run up to seed, are not so good when they are
in flower as before (some few excepted, the leaves of which are seldom or never
used) in such cases, if through ignorance they were not known, or through
negligence forgotten, you had better take the top and the flowers, then the leaf.
4. Dry them well in the Sun, and not in the shade, as the saying of physicians
is; for if the sun draw away the virtues of the herb, it must need do the like by
hay, by the same rule, which the experience of every country farmer will
explode for a notable piece of nonsense.
5. Such as are artists in astrology, (and indeed none else are fit to make
physicians) such I advise; let the planet that governs the herb be angular, and the
stronger the better; if they can, in herbs of Saturn, let Saturn be in the ascendant;
in the herbs of Mars, let Mars be in the mid heaven, for in those houses they
delight; let the Moon apply to them by good aspect, and let her not be in the
houses of her enemies; if you cannot well stay till she apply to them, let her
apply to a planet of the same triplicity; if you cannot wait that time neither, let
her be with a fixed star of their nature.
6. Having well dried them, put them up in brown paper, sewing the paper up
like a sack, and press them not too hard together, and keep them in a dry place
near the fire.
7. As for the duration of dried herbs, a just time cannot be given, let authors
prate their pleasure; for, 1st. Such as grow upon dry grounds will keep better
than such as grow on moist.
2dly, Such herbs as are full of juice, will not keep so long as such as are drier.
3dly. Such herbs as are well dried, will keep longer than such as are slack
dried. Yet you may know when they are corrupted, by their loss of colour, or
smell, or both; and if they be corrupted, reason will tell you that they must needs
corrupt the bodies of those people that take them.
4. Gather all leaves in the hour of that planet that governs them.
 CHAPTER II.
Of Flowers.
1. THE flower, which is the beauty of the plant, and of none of the least use in
physick, grows yearly, and is to be gathered when it is in its prime.
2. As for the time of gathering them, let the planetary hour, and the planet
they come of, be observed, as we shewed you in the foregoing chapter: as for the
time of the day, let it be when the sun shine upon them, that so they may be dry;
for, if you gather either flowers or herbs when they are wet or dewy, they will
not keep.
3. Dry them well in the sun, and keep them in papers near the fire, as I
shewed you in the foregoing chapter.
4. So long as they retain the colour and smell, they are good; either of them
being gone, so is the virtue also.
 CHAPTER III.
Of Seeds.
1. THE seed is that part of the plant which is endowed with a vital faculty to
bring forth its like, and it contains potentially the whole plant in it.
2. As for place, let them be gathered from the place where they delight to
grow.
3. Let them be full ripe when they are gathered; and forget not the celestial
harmony before mentioned, for I have found by experience that their virtues are
twice as great at such times as others: “There is an appointed time for every
thing under the sun.”
4. When you have gathered them, dry them a little, and but a little in the sun,
before you lay them up.
5. You need not be so careful of keeping them so near the fire, as the other
before-mentioned, because they are fuller of spirit, and therefore not so subject
to corrupt.
6. As for the time of their duration, it is palpable they will keep a good many
years; yet, they are best the first year, and this I make appear by a good
argument. They will grow sooner the first year they be set, therefore then they
are in their prime; and it is an easy matter to renew them yearly.
 CHAPTER IV.
Of Roots.
1. OF roots, chuse such as are neither rotten nor worm-eaten, but proper in
their taste, colour, and smell; such as exceed neither in softness nor hardness.
2. Give me leave to be a little critical against the vulgar received opinion,
which is, That the sap falls down into the roots in the Autumn, and rises again in
the Spring, as men go to bed at night, and rise in the morning; and this idle talk
of untruth is so grounded in the heads, not only of the vulgar, but also of the
learned, that a man cannot drive it out by reason. I pray let such sapmongers
answer me this argument; If the sap falls into the roots in the fall of the leaf, and
lies there all the Winter, then must the root grow only in the Winter. But the root
grows not at all in the Winter, as experience teaches, but only in the Summer:
Therefore, If you set an apple-kernel in the Spring, you shall find the root to
grow to a pretty bigness in the Summer, and be not a whit bigger next Spring.
What doth the sap do in the root all that while? Pick straws? ’Tis as rotten as a
rotten post.
The truth is, when the sun declines from the tropic of Cancer, the sap begins
to congeal both in root and branch; when he touches the tropic of Capricorn, and
ascends to us-ward, it begins to wax thin again, and by degrees, as it congealed.
But to proceed.
3. The drier time you gather the roots in, the better they are; for they have the
less excrementitious moisture in them.
4. Such roots as are soft, your best way is to dry in the sun, or else hang them
in the chimney corner upon a string; as for such as are hard, you may dry them
any where.
5. Such roots as are great, will keep longer than such as are small; yet most of
them will keep a year.
6. Such roots as are soft, it is your best way to keep them always near the fire,
and to take this general rule for it: If in Winter-time you find any of your roots,
herbs or flowers begin to be moist, as many times you shall (for it is your best
way to look to them once a month) dry them by a very gentle fire; or, if you can
with convenience keep them near the fire, you may save yourself the labour.
 7. It is in vain to dry roots that may commonly be had, as Parsley, Fennel,
Plantain, &c. but gather them only for present need.
 CHAPTER V.
Of Barks.
1. BARKS, which physicians use in medicine, are of these sorts: Of fruits, of
roots, of boughs.
2. The barks of fruits are to be taken when the fruit is full ripe, as Oranges,
Lemons, &c. but because I have nothing to do with exotics here, I pass them
without any more words.
3. The barks of trees are best gathered in the Spring, if of oaks, or such great
trees; because then they come easier off, and so you may dry them if you please;
but indeed the best way is to gather all barks only for present use.
4. As for the barks of roots, ’tis thus to be gotten. Take the roots of such herbs
as have a pith in them, as parsley, fennel, &c. slit them in the middle, and when
you have taken out the pith (which you may easily do) that which remains is
called (tho’ improperly) the bark, and indeed is only to be used.
 CHAPTER VI.
Of Juices.
1. JUICES are to be pressed out of herbs when they are young and tender, out
of some stalks and tender tops of herbs and plants, and also out of some flowers.
2. Having gathered the herb, would you preserve the juice of it, when it is
very dry (for otherwise the juice will not be worth a button) bruise it very well in
a stone mortar with a wooden pestle, then having put it into a canvas bag, the
herb I mean, not the mortar, for that will give but little juice, press it hard in a
press, then take the juice and clarify it.
3. The manner of clarifying it is this: Put it into a pipkin or skillet, or some
such thing, and set it over the fire; and when the scum arises, take it off; let it
stand over the fire till no more scum arise; when you have your juice clarified,
cast away the scum as a thing of no use.
4. When you have thus clarified it, you have two ways to preserve it all the
year.
(1.) When it is cold, put it into a glass, and put so much oil on it as will cover
it to the thickness of two fingers; the oil will swim at the top, and so keep the air
from coming to putrify it: When you intend to use it, pour it into a porringer, and
if any oil come out with it, you may easily scum it off with a spoon, and put the
juice you use not into the glass again, it will quickly sink under the oil. This is
the first way.
(2.) The second way is a little more difficult, and the juice of fruits is usually
preserved this way. When you have clarified it, boil it over the fire, till (being
cold) it be of the thickness of honey; This is most commonly used for diseases of
the mouth, and is called Roba and Saba. And thus much for the first section, the
second follows.
 SECTION II.
The way of making and keeping all necessary
Compounds.
 CHAPTER I.
Of distilled Waters.
HITHERTO we have spoken of medicines which consist in their own nature,
which authors vulgarly call Simples, though sometimes improperly; for in truth,
nothing is simple but pure elements; all things else are compounded of them. We
come now to treat of the artificial medicines, in the form of which (because we
must begin somewhere) we shall place distilled waters in which consider,
1. Waters are distilled of herbs, flowers, fruits, and roots.
2. We treat not of strong waters, but of cold, as being to act Galen’s part, and
not Paracelsus’s.
3. The herbs ought to be distilled when they are in the greatest vigour, and so
ought the flowers also.
4. The vulgar way of distillations which people use, because they know no
better, is in a pewter still; and although distilled waters are the weakest of
artificial medicines, and good for little but mixtures of other medicines, yet they
are weaker by many degrees, than they would be were they distilled in sand. If I
thought it not impossible, to teach you the way of distilling in sand, I would
attempt it.
5. When you have distilled your water, put it into a glass, covered over with a
paper pricked full of holes, so that the excrementitious and fiery vapours may
exhale, which cause that settling in distilled waters called the Mother, which
corrupt them, then cover it close, and keep it for your use.
6. Stopping distilled waters with a cork, makes them musty, and so does
paper, if it but touch the water: it is best to stop them with a bladder, being first
put in water, and bound over the top of the glass.
Such cold waters as are distilled in a pewter still (if well kept) will endure a
year; such as are distilled in sand, as they are twice as strong, so they endure
twice as long.
 CHAPTER II.
Of Syrups.
1. A SYRUP is a medicine of a liquid form, composed of infusion, decoction
and juice. And, 1. For the more grateful taste. 2. For the better keeping of it: with
a certain quantity of honey or sugar, hereafter mentioned, boiled to the thickness
of new honey.
2. You see at the first view, That this aphorism divides itself into three
branches, which deserve severally to be treated of, viz.

1. Syrups made by infusion.

2. Syrups made by decoction.
3. Syrups made by juice.

Of each of these, (for your instruction-sake, kind countrymen and women) I

speak a word or two apart.
1st, Syrups made by infusion, are usually made of flowers, and of such
flowers as soon lose their colour and strength by boiling, as roses, violets, peach
flowers, &c. They are thus made: Having picked your flowers clean, to every
pound of them add three pounds or three pints, which you will (for it is all one)
of spring water, made boiling hot; first put your flowers into a pewter-pot, with a
cover, and pour the water on them; then shutting the pot, let it stand by the fire,
to keep hot twelve hours, and strain it out: (in such syrups as purge, as damask
roses, peach flowers, &c. the usual, and indeed the best way, is to repeat this
infusion, adding fresh flowers to the same liquor divers times, that so it may be
the stronger) having strained it out, put the infusion into a pewter bason, or an
earthen one well glazed, and to every pint of it add two pounds of sugar, which
being only melted over the fire, without boiling, and scummed, will produce you
the syrup you desire.
2dly, Syrups made by decoction are usually made of compounds, yet may any
simple herb be thus converted into syrup: Take the herb, root, or flowers you
would make into a syrup, and bruise it a little; then boil it in a convenient
quantity of spring water; the more water you boil it in, the weaker it will be; a
handful of the herb or root is a convenient quantity for a pint of water, boil it till
half the water be consumed, then let it stand till it be almost cold, and strain it
through a woollen cloth, letting it run out at leisure: without pressing. To every
pint of this decoction add one pound of sugar, and boil it over the fire till it come
to a syrup, which you may know, if you now and then cool a little of it with a
spoon: Scum it all the while it boils, and when it is sufficiently boiled, whilst it is
hot, strain it again through a woollen cloth, but press it not. Thus you have the
syrup perfected.
3dly, Syrups made of juice, are usually made of such herbs as are full of
juice, and indeed they are better made into a syrup this way than any other; the
operation is thus: Having beaten the herb in a stone mortar, with a wooden
pestle, press out the juice, and clarify it, as you are taught before in the juices;
then let the juice boil away till about a quarter of it be consumed; to a pint of this
add a pound of sugar, and when it is boiled, strain it through a woollen cloth, as
we taught you before, and keep it for your use.
3. If you make a syrup of roots that are any thing hard, as parsley, fennel, and
grass roots, &c. when you have bruised them, lay them in steep some time in that
water which you intend to boil them in hot, so will the virtue the better come out.
4. Keep your syrups either in glasses or stone pots, and stop them not with
cork nor bladder, unless you would have the glass break, and the syrup lost, only
bind paper about the mouth.
5. All syrups, if well made, continue a year with some advantage; yet such as
are made by infusion, keep shortest.
 CHAPTER III.
Of Juleps.
1. JULEPS were first invented, as I suppose, in Arabia; and my reason is,
because the word Julep is an Arabic word.
2. It signifies only a pleasant potion, as is vulgarly used by such as are sick,
and want help, or such as are in health, and want no money to quench thirst.
3. Now-a-day it is commonly used—

1. To prepare the body for purgation.

2. To open obstructions and the pores.
3. To digest tough humours.
4. To qualify hot distempers, &c.

4. Simple Juleps, (for I have nothing to say to compounds here) are thus
made; Take a pint of such distilled water, as conduces to the cure of your
distemper, which this treatise will plentifully furnish you with, to which add two
ounces of syrup, conducing to the same effect; (I shall give you rules for it in the
next chapter) mix them together, and drink a draught of it at your pleasure. If
you love tart things, add ten drops of oil of vitriol to your pint, and shake it
together, and it will have a fine grateful taste.
5. All juleps are made for present use; and therefore it is in vain to speak of
their duration.
 CHAPTER IV.
Of Decoctions.
1. ALL the difference between decoctions, and syrups made by decoction, is
this; Syrups are made to keep, decoctions only for present use; for you can
hardly keep a decoction a week at any time; if the weather be hot, not half so
long.
2. Decoctions are made of leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, fruits or barks,
conducing to the cure of the disease you make them for; are made in the same
manner as we shewed you in syrups.
3. Decoctions made with wine last longer than such as are made with water;
and if you take your decoction to cleanse the passages of the urine, or open
obstructions, your best way is to make it with white wine instead of water,
because this is penetrating.
4. Decoctions are of most use in such diseases as lie in the passages of the
body, as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, passages of urine and bladder, because
decoctions pass quicker to those places than any other form of medicines.
5. If you will sweeten your decoction with sugar, or any syrup fit for the
occasion you take it for, which is better, you may, and no harm.
6. If in a decoction, you boil both roots, herbs, flowers, and seed together, let
the roots boil a good while first, because they retain their virtue longest; then the
next in order by the same rule, viz. 1. Barks. 2. The herbs. 3. The seeds. 4. The
flowers. 5. The spices, if you put any in, because their virtues come soonest out.
7. Such things as by boiling cause sliminess to a decoction, as figs, quince-
seed, linseed, &c. your best way is, after you have bruised them, to tie them up
in a linen rag, as you tie up calf’s brains, and so boil them.
8. Keep all decoctions in a glass close stopped, and in the cooler place you
keep them, the longer they will last ere they be sour.
Lastly, The usual dose to be given at one time, is usually two, three, four, or
five ounces, according to the age and strength of the patient, the season of the
year, the strength of the medicine, and the quality of the disease.
 CHAPTER V.
Of Oils.
1. OIL Olive, which is commonly known by the name of Sallad Oil, I
suppose, because it is usually eaten with sallads by them that love it, if it be
pressed out of ripe olives, according to Galen, is temperate, and exceeds in no
one quality.
2. Of oils, some are simple, and some are compound.
3 Simple oils, are such as are made of fruits or seeds by expression, as oil of
sweet and bitter almonds, linseed and rape-seed oil, &c. of which see in my
Dispensatory.
4. Compound oils, are made of oil of olives, and other simples, imagine
herbs, flowers, roots, &c.
5. The way of making them is this: Having bruised the herbs or flowers you
would make your oil of, put them into an earthen pot, and to two or three
handfuls of them pour a pint of oil, cover the pot with a paper, set it in the sun
about a fortnight or so, according as the sun is in hotness; then having warmed it
very well by the fire, press out the herb, &c. very hard in a press, and add as
many more herbs to the same oil; bruise the herbs (I mean not the oil) in like
manner, set them in the sun as before; the oftener you repeat this, the stronger
your oil will be; At last when you conceive it strong enough, boil both herbs and
oil together, till the juice be consumed, which you may know by its bubbling,
and the herbs will be crisp; then strain it while it is hot, and keep it in a stone or
glass vessel for your use.
6. As for chymical oils, I have nothing to say here.
7. The general use of these oils, is for pains in the limbs, roughness of the
skin, the itch, &c. as also for ointments and plaisters.
8. If you have occasion to use it for wounds or ulcers, in two ounces of oil,
dissolve half an ounce of turpentine, the heat of the fire will quickly do it; for oil
itself is offensive to wounds, and the turpentine qualifies it.
 CHAPTER VI.
Of Electuaries.
PHYSICIANS make more a quoil than needs by half, about electuaries. I shall
prescribe but one general way of making them up; as for ingredients, you may
them as you please, and as you find occasion, by the last chapter.
1. That you may make electuaries when you need them, it is requisite that you
keep always herbs, roots, flowers, seeds, &c. ready dried in your house, that so
you may be in a readiness to beat them into powder when you need them.
2. It is better to keep them whole than beaten; for being beaten, they are more
subject to lose their strength; because the air soon penetrates them.
3. If they be not dry enough to beat into powder when you need them, dry
them by a gentle fire till they are so.
4. Having beaten them, sift them through a fine tiffany searce, that no great
pieces may be found in your electuary.
5. To one ounce of your powder add three ounces of clarified honey; this
quantity I hold to be sufficient. If you would make more or less electuary, vary
your proportion accordingly.
6. Mix them well together in a mortar, and take this for a truth, you cannot
mix them too much.
7. The way to clarify honey, is to set it over the fire in a convenient vessel, till
the scum rise, and when the scum is taken off, it is clarified.
8. The usual dose of cordial electuaries, is from half a dram to two drams; of
purging electuaries, from half an ounce to an ounce.
9. The manner of keeping them is in a pot.
10. The time of taking them, is either in a morning fasting, and fasting an
hour after them; or at night going to bed, three or four hours after supper.
 CHAPTER VII.
Of Conserves.
1. THE way of making conserves is two-fold, one of herbs and flowers, and
the other of fruits.
2. Conserves of herbs and flowers, are thus made: if you make your conserves
of herbs, as of scurvy-grass, wormwood, rue, and the like, take only the leaves
and tender tops (for you may beat your heart out before you can beat the stalks
small) and having beaten them, weigh them, and to every pound of them add
three pounds of sugar, you cannot beat them too much.
3. Conserves of fruits, as of barberries, sloes and the like, is thus made: First,
Scald the fruit, then rub the pulp through a thick hair sieve made for the purpose,
called a pulping sieve; you may do it for a need with the back of a spoon: then
take this pulp thus drawn, and add to it its weight of sugar, and no more; put it
into a pewter vessel, and over a charcoal fire; stir it up and down till the sugar be
melted, and your conserve is made.
4. Thus you have the way of making conserves; the way of keeping them is in
earthen pots.
5. The dose is usually the quantity of a nutmeg at a time morning and
evening, or (unless they are purging) when you please.
6. Of conserves, some keep many years, as conserves of roses: others but a
year, as conserves of Borage, Bugloss, Cowslips and the like.
7. Have a care of the working of some conserves presently after they are
made; look to them once a day, and stir them about; conserves of Borage,
Bugloss, Wormwood, have got an excellent faculty at that sport.
8. You may know when your conserves are almost spoiled by this; you shall
find a hard crust at top with little holes in it, as though worms had been eating
there.
 CHAPTER VIII.
Of Preserves.
OF Preserves are sundry sorts, and the operation of all being somewhat
different, we will handle them all apart. These are preserved with sugar:

1. Flowers.
2. Fruits.
3. Roots.
4. Barks.

1. Flowers are very seldom preserved; I never saw any that I remember, save
only cowslip flowers, and that was a great fashion in Sussex when I was a boy. It
is thus done, Take a flat glass, we call them jat glasses; strew on a laying of fine
sugar, on that a laying of flowers, and on that another laying of sugar, on that
another laying of flowers, so do till your glass be full; then tie it over with a
paper, and in a little time, you shall have very excellent and pleasant preserves.
There is another way of preserving flowers; namely, with vinegar and salt, as
they pickle capers and broom-buds; but as I have little skill in it myself, I cannot
teach you.
2. Fruits, as quinces, and the like, are preserved two ways;
(1.) Boil them well in water, and then pulp them through a sieve, as we
shewed you before; then with the like quantity of sugar, boil the water they were
boiled in into a syrup, viz. a pound of sugar to a pint of liquor; to every pound of
this syrup, add four ounces of the pulp; then boil it with a very gentle fire to their
right consistence, which you may easily know if you drop a drop of it upon a
trencher; if it be enough, it will not stick to your fingers when it is cold.
(2.) Another way to preserve fruits is this; First, Pare off the rind; then cut
them in halves, and take out the core: then boil them in water till they are soft; if
you know when beef is boiled enough, you may easily know when they are;
Then boil the water with its like weight of sugar into a syrup; put the syrup into a
pot, and put the boiled fruit as whole as you left it when you cut it into it, and let
it remain until you have occasion to use it.
3. Roots are thus preserved; First, Scrape them very clean, and cleanse them
from the pith, if they have any, for some roots have not, as Eringo and the like;
Boil them in water till they be soft, as we shewed you before in the fruits; then
boil the water you boiled the root in into a syrup, as we shewed you before; then
keep the root whole in the syrup till you use them.
4. As for barks, we have but few come to our hands to be done, and of those
the few that I can remember, are, oranges, lemons, citrons, and the outer bark of
walnuts, which grow without-side the shell, for the shells themselves would
make but scurvy preserves; these be they I can remember, if there be any more
put them into the number.
The way of preserving these, is not all one in authors, for some are bitter,
some are hot; such as are bitter, say authors, must be soaked in warm water,
oftentimes changing till their bitter taste be fled; But I like not this way and my
reason is this; Because I doubt when their bitterness is gone, so is their virtue
also; I shall then prescribe one common way, namely, the same with the former,
viz. First, boil them whole till they be soft, then make a syrup with sugar and the
liquor you boil them in, and keep the barks in the syrup.
5. They are kept in glasses or in glaz’d pots.
6. The preserved flowers will keep a year, if you can forbear eating of them;
the roots and barks much longer.
7. This art was plainly and first invented for delicacy, yet came afterwards to
be of excellent use in physic; For,
(1.) Hereby medicines are made pleasant for sick and squeamish stomachs,
which else would loath them.
(2.) Hereby they are preserved from decaying a long time.
 CHAPTER IX.
Of Lohocks.
1. THAT which the Arabians call Lohocks, and the Greeks Eclegma, the Latins
call Linctus, and in plain English signifies nothing else but a thing to be licked
up.
2. They are in body thicker than a syrup, and not so thick as an electuary.
3. The manner of taking them is, often to take a little with a liquorice stick,
and let it go down at leisure.
4. They are easily thus made; Make a decoction of pectoral herbs, and the
treatise will furnish you with enough, and when you have strained it, with twice
its weight of honey or sugar, boil it to a lohock; if you are molested with much
phlegm, honey is better than sugar; and if you add a little vinegar to it, you will
do well; if not, I hold sugar to be better than honey.
5. It is kept in pots, and may be kept a year and longer.
6. It is excellent for roughness of the wind-pipe, inflammations and ulcers of
the lungs, difficulty of breathing, asthmas, coughs, and distillation of humours.
 CHAPTER X.
Of Ointments.
1. VARIOUS are the ways of making ointments, which authors have left to
posterity, which I shall omit, and quote one which is easiest to be made, and
therefore most beneficial to people that are ignorant in physic, for whose sake I
write this. It is thus done:
Bruise those herbs, flowers, or roots, you will make an ointment of, and to
two handfuls of your bruised herbs add a pound of hog’s grease dried, or
cleansed from the skins, beat them very well together in a stone mortar with a
wooden pestle, then put it into a stone pot, (the herb and grease I mean, not the
mortar,) cover it with a paper and set it either in the sun, or some other warm
place; three, four, or five days, that it may melt; then take it out and boil it a
little; then whilst it is hot, strain it out, pressing it out very hard in a press: to this
grease add as many more herbs bruised as before; let them stand in like manner
as long, then boil them as you did the former; If you think your ointment is not
strong enough, you may do it the third and fourth time; yet this I will tell you,
the fuller of juice the herbs are, the sooner will your ointment be strong; the last
time you boil it, boil it so long till your herbs be crisp, and the juice consumed,
then strain it pressing it hard in a press, and to every pound of ointment add two
ounces of turpentine, and as much wax, because grease is offensive to wounds,
as well as oil.
2. Ointments are vulgarly known to be kept in pots, and will last above a
year, some above two years.
 CHAPTER XI.
Of Plaisters.
1. THE Greeks made their plaisters of divers simples, and put metals into the
most of them, if not all; for having reduced their metals into powder, they mixed
them with that fatty substance whereof the rest of the plaister consisted, whilst it
was thus hot, continually stirring it up and down, lest it should sink to the
bottom; so they continually stirred it till it was stiff; then they made it up in rolls,
which when they needed for use, they could melt by the fire again.
2. The Arabians made up theirs with oil and fat, which needed not so long
boiling.
3. The Greeks emplaisters consisted of these ingredients, metals, stones,
divers sorts of earth, feces, juices, liquors, seeds, roots, herbs, excrements of
creatures, wax, rosin, gums.
 CHAPTER XII.
Of Poultices.
1. POULTICES are those kind of things which the Latins call Cataplasmata, and
our learned fellows, that if they can read English, that’s all, call them
Cataplasms, because ’tis a crabbed word few understand; it is indeed a very fine
kind of medicine to ripen sores.
2. They are made of herbs and roots, fitted for the disease, and members
afflicted, being chopped small, and boiled in water almost to a jelly; then by
adding a little barleymeal, or meal of lupins, and a little oil, or rough sweet suet,
which I hold to be better, spread upon a cloth and apply to the grieved places.
3. Their use is to ease pain, to break sores, to cool inflammations, to dissolve
hardness, to ease the spleen, to concoct humours, and dissipate swellings.
4. I beseech you take this caution along with you; Use no poultices (if you
can help it) that are of an healing nature, before you have first cleansed the body,
because they are subject to draw the humours to them from every part of the
body.
 CHAPTER XIII.
Of Troches.
1. THE Latins call them Placentula, or little cakes, and the Greeks Prochikois,
Kukliscoi, and Artiscoi; they are usually little round flat cakes, or you may make
them square if you will.
2. Their first invention was, that powders being so kept might resist the
intermission of air, and so endure pure the longer.
3. Besides, they are easier carried in the pockets of such as travel; as many a
man (for example) is forced to travel whose stomach is too cold, or at least not
so hot as it should be, which is most proper, for the stomach is never cold till a
man be dead; in such a case, it is better to carry troches of wormwood, or
galangal, in a paper in his pocket, than to lay a gallipot along with him.
4. They are made thus; At night when you go to bed, take two drams of fine
gum tragacanth; put it into a gallipot, and put half a quarter of a pint of any
distilled water fitting for the purpose you would make your troches for to cover
it, and the next morning you shall find it in such a jelly as the physicians call
mucilage; With this you may (with a little pains taken) make a powder into a
paste, and that paste into cakes called troches.
5. Having made them, dry them in the shade, and keep them in a pot for your
use.
 CHAPTER XIV.
Of Pills.
1. THEY are called Pilulæ, because they resemble little balls; the Greeks call
them Catapotia.
2. It is the opinion of modern physicians, that this way of making medicines,
was invented only to deceive the palate, that so by swallowing them down
whole, the bitterness of the medicine might not be perceived, or at least it might
not be unsufferable: and indeed most of their pills, though not all, are very bitter.
3. I am of a clean contrary opinion to this. I rather think they were done up in
this hard form, that so they might be the longer in digesting; and my opinion is
grounded upon reason too, not upon fancy, or hearsay. The first invention of
pills was to purge the head, now, as I told you before, such infirmities as lie near
the passages were best removed by decoctions, because they pass to the grieved
part soonest; so here, if the infirmity lies in the head, or any other remote part,
the best way is to use pills, because they are longer in digestion, and therefore
the better able to call the offending humour to them.
4. If I should tell you here a long tale of medicine working by sympathy and
antipathy, you would not understand a word of it: They that are set to make
physicians may find it in the treatise. All modern physicians know not what
belongs to a sympathetical cure, no more than a cuckow what belongs to flats
and sharps in music, but follow the vulgar road, and call it a hidden quality,
because ’tis hidden from the eyes of dunces, and indeed none but astrologers can
give a reason for it; and physic without reason is like a pudding without fat.
5. The way to make pills is very easy, for with the help of a pestle and mortar,
and a little diligence, you may make any powder into pills, either with syrup, or
the jelly I told you before.
 CHAPTER XV.
The way of mixing Medicines according to the Cause of the Disease,
and Parts of the Body afflicted.
THIS being indeed the key of the work, I shall be somewhat the more diligent
in it. I shall deliver myself thus;
1. To the Vulgar.
2. To such as study Astrology; or such as study physic astrologically.
1st, To the Vulgar. Kind souls, I am sorry it hath been your hard mishap to
have been so long trained in such Egyptian darkness which to your sorrow may
be felt; The vulgar road of physic is not my practice, and I am therefore the more
unfit to give you advice. I have now published a little book, (Galen’s Art of
Physic,) which will fully instruct you, not only in the knowledge of your own
bodies, but also in fit medicines to remedy each part of it when afflicted; in the
mean season take
1. With the disease, regard the cause, and the part of the body afflicted; for
example, suppose a woman be subject to miscarry, through wind, thus do;
(1.) Look Abortion in the table of diseases, and you shall be directed by that,
how many herbs prevent miscarriage.
(2.) Look Wind in the same table, and you shall see how many of these herbs
expel wind.
These are the herbs medicinal for your grief.
2. In all diseases strengthen the part of the body afflicted.
3. In mix’d diseases there lies some difficulty, for sometimes two parts of the
body are afflicted with contrary humours, as sometimes the liver is afflicted with
choler and water, as when a man hath both the dropsy and the yellow-jaundice;
and this is usually mortal.
In the former, Suppose the brain be too cool and moist, and the liver be too
hot and dry; thus do;
1. Keep your head outwardly warm.
 2. Accustom yourself to the smell of hot herbs.
3. Take a pill that heats the head at night going to bed.
4. In the morning take a decoction that cools the liver, for that quickly passes
the stomach, and is at the liver immediately.
You must not think, courteous people, that I can spend time to give you
examples of all diseases; These are enough to let you see so much light as you
without art are able to receive; If I should set you to look at the sun, I should
dazzle your eyes, and make you blind.
2dly, To such as study Astrology, (who are the only men I know that are fit to
study physic, physic without astrology being like a lamp without oil) you are the
men I exceedingly respect, and such documents as my brain can give you at
present (being absent from my study) I shall give you.
1. Fortify the body with herbs of the nature of the Lord of the Ascendant, ’tis
no matter whether he be a Fortune or Infortune in this case.
2. Let your medicine be something antipathetical to the Lord of the sixth.
3. Let your medicine be something of the nature of the sign ascending.
4. If the Lord of the Tenth be strong, make use of his medicines.
5. If this cannot well be, make use of the medicines of the Light of Time.
6. Be sure always to fortify the grieved part of the body by sympathetical
remedies.
7. Regard the heart, keep that upon the wheels, because the Sun is the
foundation of life, and therefore those universal remedies, Aurum Potabile, and
the Philosopher’s Stone, cure all diseases by fortifying the heart.
 THE

ENGLISH PHYSICIAN

AND

FAMILY DISPENSATORY.

AN ASTROLOGO-PHYSICAL DISCOURSE OF THE HUMAN VIRTUES IN

THE BODY OF MAN; BOTH PRINCIPAL AND ADMINISTERING.
HUMAN virtues are either PRINCIPAL for procreation, and conservation; or
ADMINISTRING, for Attraction, Digestion, Retention, or Expulsion.

Virtues conservative, are Vital, Natural, and Animal.

By the natural are bred Blood, Choler, Flegm, and
Melancholy.
The animal virtue is Intellective, and Sensitive.
The Intellective is Imagination, Judgment, and Memory.
The sensitive is Common, and Particular.
The particular is Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, and
Feeling.
THE scope of this discourse is, To preserve in soundness and vigour, the mind
and understanding of man; to strengthen the brain, preserve the body in health,
to teach a man to be an able co-artificer, or helper of nature, to withstand and
expel Diseases.
I shall touch only the principal faculties both of body and mind; which being
kept in a due decorum, preserve the body in health, and the mind in vigour.
 I shall in this place speak of them only in the general, as they are laid down to
your view in the Synopsis, in the former pages, and in the same order.
Virtue Procreative.] The first in order, is the Virtue Procreative: for natural
regards not only the conservation of itself, but to beget its like, and conserve in
Species.
The seat of this is the Member of Generation, and is governed principally by
the influence of Venus.
It is augmented and encreased by the strength of Venus, by her Herbs, Roots,
Trees, Minerals, &c.
It is diminished and purged by those of Mars, and quite extinguished by those
of Saturn.
Observe the hour and Medicines of Venus, to fortify; of Mars, to cleanse this
virtue; of Saturn, to extinguish it.
Conservative.] The conservative virtue is Vital, Natural, Animal.
Vital.] The Vital spirit hath its residence in the heart, and is dispersed from it
by the Arteries; and is governed by the influence of the Sun. And it is to the
body, as the Sun is to the Creation; as the heart is in the Microcosm, so is the
Sun in the Megacosm: for as the Sun gives life, light, and motion to the Creation,
so doth the heart to the body; therefore it is called Sol Corporis, as the Sun is
called Cor Cœli, because their operations are similar.
Inimical and destructive to this virtue, are Saturn and Mars.
The Herbs and Plants of Sol, wonderfully fortify it.
Natural.] The natural faculty or virtue resides in the liver, and is generally
governed by Jupiter, Quasi Juvans Pater; its office is to nourish the body, and is
dispersed through the body by the veins.
From this are bred four particular humours, Blood, Choler, Flegm, and
Melancholy.
Blood is made of meat perfectly concocted, in quality hot and moist,
governed by Jupiter: It is by a third concoction transmuted into flesh, the
superfluity of it into seed, and its receptacle is the veins, by which it is dispersed
through the body.
 Choler is made of meat more than perfectly concocted; and it is the spume or
froth of blood: it clarifies all the humours, heats the body, nourishes the
apprehension, as blood doth the judgment: It is in quality hot and dry; fortifies
the attractive faculty, as blood doth the digestive; moves man to activity and
valour: its receptacle is the gall, and it is under the influence of Mars.
Flegm is made of meat not perfectly digested; it fortifies the virtue expulsive,
makes the body slippery, fit for ejection; it fortifies the brain by its consimilitude
with it; yet it spoils apprehension by its antipathy to it: It qualifies choler, cools
and moistens the heart, thereby sustaining it, and the whole body, from the fiery
effects, which continual motion would produce. Its receptacle is the lungs, and is
governed by Venus, some say by the Moon, perhaps it may be governed by them
both, it is cold and moist in quality.
Melancholy is the sediment of blood, cold and dry in quality, fortifying the
retentive faculty, and memory; makes men sober, solid, and staid, fit for study;
stays the unbridled toys of lustful blood, stays the wandering thoughts, and
reduces them home to the centre: its receptacle is in the spleen, and it is
governed by Saturn.
Of all these humours blood is the chief, all the rest are superfluities of blood;
yet are they necessary superfluities, for without any of them, man cannot live.
Namely; Choler is the fiery superfluities; Flegm, the Watery; Melancholy, the
Earthly.
Animal.] The third principal virtue remains, which is Animal; its residence is
in the brain, and Mercury is the general significator of it. Ptolomy held the Moon
signified the Animal virtue; and I am of opinion, both Mercury and the Moon
dispose it; and my reason is, 1, Because both of them in nativities, either fortify,
or impedite it. 2, Ill directions to either, or from either, afflict it, as good ones
help it. Indeed the Moon rules the bulk of it, as also the sensitive part of it:
Mercury the rational part: and that’s the reason, if in a nativity the Moon be
stronger than Mercury, sense many times over-powers reason; but if Mercury be
strong, and the Moon weak, reason will be master ordinarily in despite of sense.
It is divided into Intellective, and Sensitive.
1. Intellective.] The Intellectual resides in the brain, within the Pia mater, is
governed generally by Mercury.
 It is divided into Imagination, Judgment, and Memory.
Imagination is seated in the forepart of the brain; it is hot and dry in quality,
quick, active, always working; it receives vapours from the heart, and coins them
into thoughts: it never sleeps, but always is working, both when the man is
sleeping and waking; only when Judgment is awake it regulates the Imagination,
which runs at random when Judgment is asleep, and forms any thought
according to the nature of the vapour sent up to it. Mercury is out of question the
disposer of it.
A man may easily perceive his Judgment asleep before himself many times,
and then he shall perceive his thoughts run at random.
Judgment always sleeps when men do, Imagination never sleeps; Memory
sometimes sleeps when men sleep, and sometimes it doth not: so then when
memory is awake, and the man asleep, then memory remembers what
apprehension coins, and that is a dream: The thoughts would have been the
same, if memory had not been awake to remember it.
These thoughts are commonly (I mean in sleep, when they are purely
natural,) framed according to the nature of the humour, called complexion,
which is predominate in the body; and if the humour be peccant it is always so.
So that it is one of the surest rules to know a man’s own complexion, by his
dreams, I mean a man void of distractions, or deep studies: (this most assuredly
shews Mercury to dispose of the Imagination, as also because it is mutable,
applying itself to any object, as Mercury’s nature is to do;) for then the
imagination will follow its old bent; for if a man be bent upon a business, his
apprehension will work as much when he is asleep, and find out as many truths
by study, as when the man is awake; and perhaps more too, because then it is not
hindered by ocular objects.
And thus much for imagination, which is governed by Mercury, and fortified
by his influence; and is also strong or weak in man, according as Mercury is
strong or weak in the nativity.
Judgment is seated in the midst of the brain, to shew that it ought to bear rule
over all the other faculties: it is the judge of the little world, to approve of what
is good, and reject what is bad; it is the seat of reason, and the guide of actions;
so that all failings are committed through its infirmity, it not rightly judging
between a real and an apparent good. It is hot and moist in quality, and under the
influence of Jupiter.
Memory is seated in the hinder cell of the brain, it is the great register to the
little world; and its office is to record things either done and past, or to be done.
It is in quality cold and dry, melancholic, and therefore generally melancholic
men have best memories, and most tenacious every way. It is under the
dominion of Saturn, and is fortified by his influence, but purged by the
luminaries.
2. Sensitive.] The second part of the animal virtue, is sensitive, and it is
divided into two parts, common and particular.
Common sense is an imaginary term, and that which gives virtue to all the
particular senses, and knits and unites them together within the Pia Mater. It is
regulated by Mercury, (perhaps this is one reason why men are so fickle-headed)
and its office is to preserve a harmony among the senses.
Particular senses are five, viz. seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling.
These senses are united in one, in the brain, by the common sense, but are
operatively distinguished into their several seats, and places of residence.
The sight resides in the eyes, and particularly in the christaline humour. It is
in quality cold and moist, and governed by the luminaries. They who have them
weak in their genesis, have always weak sights; if one of them be so, the
weakness possesses but one eye.
The hearing resides in the ears; is in quality, cold and dry, melancholy, and
under the dominion of Saturn.
The smelling resides in the nose, is in quality hot and dry, choleric, and that is
the reason choleric creatures have so good smells, as dogs. It is under the
influence of Mars.
The taste resides in the palate, which is placed at the root of the tongue on
purpose to discern what food is congruous for the stomach, and what not; as the
meseraik veins are placed to discern what nourishment is proper for the liver to
convert into blood. In some very few men, and but a few, and in those few, but
in few instances these two tasters agree not, and that is the reason some men
covet meats that make them sick, viz. the taste craves them, and the meseraik
veins reject them: In quality hot and moist, and is ruled by Jupiter.
 The feeling is deputed to no particular organ, but is spread abroad, over the
whole body; is of all qualities, hot, cold, dry, and moist, and is the index of all
tangible things; for if it were only hot alone, it could not feel a quality contrary,
viz. cold, and this might be spoken of other qualities. It is under the dominion of
Venus, some say, Mercury: A thousand to one, but it is under Mercury.

The four ADMINISTERING VIRTUES are, attractive, digestive, retentive, and

expulsive.

The attractive virtue is hot and dry, hot by quality, active, or principal, and
that appears because the fountain of all heat is attractive, viz. the sun. Dry by a
quality passive, or an effect of its heat; its office is to remain in the body, and
call for what nature wants.
It is under the influence of the Sun, say authors, and not under Mars, because
he is of a corrupting nature, yet if we cast an impartial eye upon experience, we
shall find, that martial men call for meat none of the least, and for drink the most
of all other men, although many times they corrupt the body by it, and therefore
I see no reason why Mars being of the same quality with the Sun, should not
have a share in the dominion. It is in vain to object, that the influence of Mars is
evil, and therefore he should have no dominion over this virtue; for then,
1. By the same rule, he should have no dominion at all in the body of man.
2. All the virtues in man are naturally evil, and corrupted by Adam’s fall.
This attractive virtue ought to be fortified when the Moon is in fiery signs,
viz. Aries and Sagitary, but not in Leo, for the sign is so violent, that no physic
ought to be given when the Moon is there: (and why not Leo, seeing that is the
most attractive sign of all; and that’s the reason such as have it ascending in their
genesis, are such greedy eaters.) If you cannot stay till the Moon be in one of
them, let one of them ascend when you administer the medicine.
The digestive virtue is hot and moist, and is the principal of them all, the
other like handmaids attend it.
The attractive virtue draws that which it should digest, and serves continually
to feed and supply it.
The retentive virtue, retains the substance with it, till it be perfectly digested.
 The expulsive virtue casteth out, expels what is superfluous by digestion. It is
under the influence of Jupiter, and fortified by his herbs and plants, &c. In
fortifying it, let your Moon be in Gemini, Aquary, or the first half of Libra, or if
matters be come to that extremity, that you cannot stay till that time, let one of
them ascend, but both of them together would do better, always provided that the
Moon be not in the ascendent. I cannot believe the Moon afflicts the ascendent
so much as they talk of, if she be well dignified, and in a sign she delights in.
The retentive virtue is in quality cold and dry; cold, because the nature of
cold is to compress, witness the ice; dry, because the nature of dryness, is to
keep and hold what is compressed. It is under the influence of Saturn, and that is
the reason why usually Saturnine men are so covetous and tenacious. In
fortifying of it, make use of the herbs and plants, &c. of Saturn, and let the Moon
be in Taurus or Virgo, Capricorn is not so good, say authors, (I can give no
reason for that neither;) let not Saturn nor his ill aspect molest the ascendent.
The expulsive faculty is cold and moist; cold because that compasses the
superfluities; moist, because that makes the body slippery and fit for ejection,
and disposes it to it. It is under the dominion of Luna, with whom you may join
Venus, because she is of the same nature.
Also in whatsoever is before written, of the nature of the planets, take notice,
that fixed stars of the same nature, work the same effect.
In fortifying this, (which ought to be done in all purgations,) let the Moon be
in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, or let one of these signs ascend.
Although I did what I could throughout the whole book to express myself in
such a language as might be understood by all, and therefore avoided terms of
art as much as might be, Yet, 1. Some words of necessity fall in which need
explanation. 2. It would be very tedious at the end of every receipt to repeat over
and over again, the way of administration of the receipt, or ordering your bodies
after it, or to instruct you in the mixture of medicines, and indeed would do
nothing else but stuff the book full of tautology.
To answer to both these is my task at this time.
To the first: The words which need explaining, such as are obvious to my eye,
are these that follow.
1. To distil in Balneo Mariæ, is the usual way of distilling in water. It is no
more than to place your glass body which holds the matter to be distilled in a
convenient vessel of water, when the water is cold (for fear of breaking) put a
wisp of straw, or the like under it, to keep it from the bottom, then make the
water boil, that so the spirit may be distilled forth; take not the glass out till the
water be cold again, for fear of breaking: It is impossible for a man to learn how
to do it, unless he saw it done.
2. Manica Hippocrates, Hippocrates’s sleeve, is a piece of woolen cloth, new
and white, sewed together in form of a sugar-loaf. Its use is, to strain any syrup
or decoction through, by pouring it into it, and suffering it to run through without
pressing or crushing it.
3. Calcination, is a burning of a thing in a crucible or other such convenient
vessel that will endure the fire. A crucible is such a thing as goldsmiths melt
silver in, and founders metals; you may place it in the midst of the fire, with
coals above, below, and on every side of it.
4. Filtrition, is straining of a liquid body through a brown paper: make up the
paper in form of a funnel, the which having placed in a funnel, and the funnel
and the paper in it in an empty glass, pour in the liquor you would filter, and let
it run through at its leisure.
5. Coagulation, is curdling or hardening: it is used in physic for reducing a
liquid body to hardness by the heat of the fire.
6. Whereas you find vital, natural, and animal spirits often mentioned in the
virtues or receipts, I shall explain what they be, and what their operation is in the
body of man.
The actions or operations of the animal virtues, are, 1. sensitive, 2. motive.
The sensitive is, 1. external, 2. internal.
The external senses are, 1. seeing, 2. hearing, 3. tasting, 4. smelling, 5.
feeling.
The internal senses are, 1. the Imagination, to apprehend a thing. 2.
Judgment, to judge of it. 3. Memory, to remember it.
The seat of all these is in the brain.
The vital spirits proceed from the heart, and cause in man mirth, joy, hope,
trust, humanity, mildness, courage, &c. and their opposite: viz. sadness, fear,
care, sorrow, despair, envy, hatred, stubbornness, revenge, &c. by heat natural
or not natural.
The natural spirit nourishes the body throughout (as the vital quickens it, and
the animal gives it sense and motion) its office is to alter or concoct food into
chile, chile into blood, blood into flesh, to form, engender, nourish, and increase
the body.
7. Infusion, is to steep a gross body into one more liquid.
8. Decoction, is the liquor in which any thing is boiled.
As for the manner of using or ordering the body after any sweating, or
purging medicines, or pills, or the like, they will be found in different parts of
the work, as also in the next page.
The different forms of making up medicines, as some into syrups, others into
electuaries, pills, troches, &c. was partly to please the different palates of people,
that so medicines might be more delightful, or at least less burdensome. You
may make the mixtures of them in what form you please, only for your better
instruction at present, accept of these few lines.
1. Consider, that all diseases are cured by their contraries, but all parts of the
body maintained by their likes: then if heat be the cause of the disease, give the
cold medicine appropriated to it; if wind, see how many medicines appropriated
to that disease expel wind, and use them.
2. Have a care you use not such medicines to one part of your body which are
appropriated to another, for if your brain be over heated, and you use such
medicines as cool the heart or liver, you may make bad work.
3. The distilled water of any herb you would take for a disease, is a fit
mixture for the syrup of the same herb, or to make any electuary into a drink, if
you affect such liquid medicines best; if you have not the distilled water, make
use of the decoction.
4. Diseases that lie in the parts of the body remote from the stomach and
bowels, it is in vain to think to carry away the cause at once, and therefore you
had best do it by degrees; pills, and such like medicines which are hard in the
body, are fittest for such a business, because they are longest before they digest.
 5. Use no strong medicines, if weak will serve the turn, you had better take
one too weak by half, than too strong in the least.
6. Consider the natural temper of the part of the body afflicted, and maintain
it in that, else you extinguish nature, as the heart is hot, the brain cold, or at least
the coldest part of the body.
7. Observe this general rule; That such medicines as are hot in the first degree
are most habitual to our bodies, because they are just of the heat of our blood.
8. All opening medicines, and such as provoke urine or the menses, or break
the stone, may most conveniently be given in white wine, because white wine of
itself is of an opening nature, and cleanses the veins.
9. Let all such medicines as are taken to stop fluxes or looseness, be taken
before meat, about an hour before, more or less, that so they may strengthen the
digestion and retentive faculty, before the food come into the stomach, but such
as are subject to vomit up their meat, let them take such medicines as stay
vomiting presently after meat, at the conclusion of their meals, that so they may
close up the mouth of the stomach; and that is the reason why usually men eat a
bit of cheese after meat, because by its sourness and binding it closes the mouth
of the stomach, thereby staying belching and vomiting.
10. In taking purges be very careful, and that you may be so, observe these
rules.
(1.) Consider what the humour offending is, and let the medicine be such as
purges that humour, else you will weaken nature, not the disease.
(2.) Take notice, if the humour you would purge out be thin, then gentle
medicines will serve the turn, but if it be tough and viscous, then such medicines
as are cutting and opening, the night before you would take the purge.
(3.) In purging tough humours, forbear as much as may be such medicines as
leave a binding quality behind them.
(4.) Have a care of taking purges when your body is astringent; your best
way, is first to open it by a clyster.
(5.) In taking opening medicines, you may safely take them at night, eating
but a little supper three or four hours before, and the next morning drinking a
draught of warm posset-drink, and you need not fear to go about your business.
In this manner you may take Lenitive Electuary, Diacatholicon, Pulp of Cassia,
and the like gentle electuaries, as also all pills that have neither Diagrydium nor
Colocynthus, in them. But all violent purges require a due ordering of the body;
such ought to be taken in the morning after you are up, and not to sleep after
them before they are done working, at least before night: two hours after you
have taken them, drink a draught of warm posset-drink, or broth, and six hours
after eat a bit of mutton, often walking about the chamber; let there be a good
fire in the chamber, and stir not out of the chamber till the purge have done
working, or not till next day.
Lastly, Take sweating medicines when you are in bed, covered warm, and in
the time of your sweating drink posset-drink as hot as you can. If you sweat for a
fever, boil sorrel and red sage in your posset-drink, sweat an hour or longer if
your strength will permit, then (the chamber being kept very warm) shift
yourself all but your head, about which (the cap which you sweat in being still
kept on) wrap a napkin very hot, to repel the vapours back.
I confess these, or many of these directions may be found in one place of the
book or other, and I delight as little to write tautology as another, but considering
it might make for the public good, I inserted them in this place: if,
notwithstanding, any will be so mad as to do themselves a mischief, the fault is
not mine.
 ROOTS.
Acanths, Brancæ Ursinæ. Of bearsbreech, or brankursine, it is meanly hot
and dry, helps aches and numness of the joints, and is of a binding quality, good
for wounds and broken bones. Dioscorides saith, they are profitable for ruptures,
or such as are bursten, or burnt with fire, a dram of the root in powder being
taken in the morning fasting, in a decoction made with the same root and water.
Acori, Veri, Perigrini, vulgaris, &c. See Calamus Aromaticus. I shall not
speak concerning the several sorts of it, one of which is Water-flag, or Flower-
de-luce, which is hot and dry in the second degree, binds, strengthens, stops
fluxes of the belly, and immoderate flowing of the menses, a dram being taken in
red wine every morning.
Allium. Garlic. It is hot and dry in the fourth degree, breeds corrupt blood, yet
is an enemy to all poisons, and such as are bitten by cold venomous beasts, viz.
Adders, Toads, Spiders, &c. it provokes urine, and expels wind.
Alcannæ. Of privet. See the leaves.
Althææ. Of Marsh mallows, are meanly hot, of a digesting, softening nature,
ease pains, help bloody fluxes, the stone, and gravel; being bruised and boiled in
milk, and the milk drank, is a good remedy for gripings of the belly, and the
bloody flux. If a fever accompany the disease, boil a handful of common mallow
leaves with a handful of these roots.
Angelicæ. Of Angelica; is hot and dry in the third degree, strengthens the
heart, and is good against pestilence and poison, half a dram taken in the
morning fasting.
Anchusæ. Of Alkanet; cold and dry, binding, good for old ulcers.
Anthoræ. A foreign root, the counterpoison for Monkshood, it is an admirable
remedy for the wind cholic, and resists poison.
Apii. Of smallage. See the barks.
Aristolochiæ. Of birthwort; of which are three sorts, long, round, and climing:
All hot and dry in the third degree. The long, being drank in wine, brings away
both birth and after-birth, and whatsoever a careless midwife hath left behind.
Dioscorides, Galen. The round, being drank with wine, helps (besides the
former) stuffings of the lungs, hardness of the spleen, ruptures, convulsions; both
of them resist poison. I never read any use of the climing birthwort.
Artanitæ, Cyclaminis, &c. Or Sowbread; hot and dry in the third degree, a
most violent purge, dangerous; outwardly applied to the place, it profits much in
the bitings of venomous beasts, also being hung about women in labour, it
causes speedy deliverance. See the Herb.
Arundinis, Vallanoriæ, and Saccharinæ. Of common reeds and sugar reeds.
The roots of common reeds applied to the place draw out thorns, and ease
sprains; the ashes of them mixed with vinegar, take scurf, or dandrif off from the
head, and prevent the falling off of the hair, they are hot and dry in the second
degree, according to Galen. I never read any virtue of the root of sugar cane.
Ari, &c. Of Cuckow-points, or Wake-Robin, hot and dry in the third degree, I
know no great good they do inwardly taken, unless to play the rogue withal, or
make sport: outwardly applied, they take off scurf, morphew, or freckles from
the face, clear the skin, and ease the pains of the gout.
Asclepiadis, vincetoxici. Of Swallow-wort, hot and dry, good against poison,
and gripings of the belly, as also against the bitings of mad dogs, taken inwardly.
Asari. Of Asarabacca: the roots are a safer purge than the leaves, and not so
violent, they purge by vomit, stool, and urine; they are profitable for such as
have agues, dropsies, stoppings of the liver, or spleen, green sickness.
Asparagi. Of Asparagus, or sperage: they are temperate in quality, opening,
they provoke urine, and cleanse the reins and bladder, being boiled in white
wine, and the wine drank.
Asphodeli, Hastæ Regiæ fœm. Of Kings Spear, or Female Asphodel. I know
no physical use of the roots; probably there is, for I do not believe God created
any thing of no use.
Asphodeli, Albuci, muris. Of male Asphodel. Hot and dry in the second
degree, inwardly taken, they provoke vomit, urine, and the menses: outwardly
used in ointments, they cause hair to grow, cleanse ulcers, and take away
morphew and freckles from the face.
Bardanæ, &c. Of Bur, Clot-bur, or Burdock, temperately hot and dry. Helps
such as spit blood and matter; bruised and mixed with salt and applied to the
place, helps the bitings of mad dogs. It expels wind, eases pains of the teeth,
strengthens the back, helps the running of the reins, and the whites, being taken
inwardly. Dioscorides, Apuleius.
Behen. alb. rub. Of Valerian, white and red. Mesue, Serapio, and other
Arabians, say they are hot and moist in the latter end of the first, or beginning of
the second degree, and comfort the heart, stir up lust. The Grecians held them to
be dry in the second degree, that they stop fluxes, and provoke urine.
Bellidis. Of Dasies. See the Leaves.
Betæ, nigræ, albæ, rubræ. Of Beets, black, white, and red; as for black Beets
I have nothing to say, I doubt they are as rare as black swans. The red Beet root
boiled and preserved in vinegar, makes a fine, cool, pleasing, cleansing,
digesting sauce. See the leaves.
Bistortæ, &c. Of Bistort, or snakeweed, cold and dry in the third degree,
binding: half a dram at a time taken inwardly, resists pestilence and poison,
helps ruptures and bruises, stays fluxes, vomiting, and immoderate flowing of
the menses, helps inflammations and soreness of the mouth, and fastens loose
teeth, being bruised and boiled in white wine, and the mouth washed with it.
Borraginis. Of Borrage, hot and moist in the first degree, cheers the heart,
helps drooping spirits. Dioscorides.
Brionæ, &c. Of Briony both white and black: they are both hot and dry, some
say in the third degree, and some say but in the first; they purge flegm and
watery humours, but they trouble the stomach much, they are very good for
dropsies; the white is most in use, and is good for the fits of the mother: both of
them externally used, take away freckles, sunburning, and morphew from the
face, and cleanse filthy ulcers: It is but a churlish purge, but being let alone, can
do no harm.
Buglossi. Of Bugloss: Its virtues are the same with Borrage, and the roots of
either seldom used.
Bulbus Vomitorius. A Vomiting Root: I never read of it elswhere by this
general name.
Calami Aromatici. Of Aromatical Reed, or sweet garden flag: it provokes
urine, strengthens the lungs, helps bruises, resists poison, &c. being taken
inwardly in powder, the quantity of half a dram at a time. You may mix it with
syrup of violets, if your body be feverish.
Capparum. Capper Roots. Are hot and dry in the second degree, cutting and
cleansing: they provoke menses, help malignant ulcers, ease the toothache,
assuage swelling, and help the rickets. See Oil of Cappers.
Cariophillatæ, &c. Of Avens, or Herb Bennet. The roots are dry, and
something hot, of a cleansing quality, they keep garments from being moth-
eaten. See the leaves.
Caulium. Of Colewort. I know nothing the roots are good for, but only to bear
the herbs and flowers.
Centaurii majoris. Of Centaury the Greater. The roots help such as are
bursten, such as spit blood, shrinking of sinews, shortness of wind, coughs,
convulsions, cramps: half a dram in powder being taken inwardly, either in
muskadel, or in a decoction of the same roots. They are either not at all, or very
scarce in England, our centaury is the small centuary.
Cepœ. Of Onions. Are hot and dry (according to Galen) in the fourth degree:
they cause dryness, and are extremely hurtful for choleric people, they breed but
little nourishment, and that little is naught: they are bad meat, yet good physic
for phlegmatic people, they are opening, and provoke urine and the menses, if
cold be the cause obstructing: bruised and outwardly applied, they cure the
bitings of mad dogs, roasted and applied, they help boils, and aposthumes: raw,
they take the fire out of burnings, but ordinarily eaten, they cause headache,
spoil the sight, dull the senses, and fill the body full of wind.
Chameleontis albi nigri, &c. Of Chameleon, white and black. Tragus calls
the carline thistle by the name of white chameleon, the root whereof is hot in the
second degree, and dry in the third, it provokes sweat, kills worms, resists
pestilence and poison; it is given with success in pestilential fevers, helps the
toothache by being chewed in the mouth, opens the stoppings of the liver and
spleen, provokes urine, and the menses: give but little of it at a time, by reason
of its heat. As for the black chameleon, all physicians hold it to have a kind of
venomous quality, and unfit to be used inwardly, Galen, Clusius, Nicander,
Dioscorides, and Ægineta. Outwardly in ointments, it is profitable for scabs,
morphew, tetters, &c. and all things that need cleansing.
Chelidonij majoris, minoris. Of celandine, the greater and lesser: The greater
is that which we usually call Celandine: the root is hot and dry, cleansing and
scouring, proper for such as have the yellow jaundice, it opens obstructions of
the liver, being boiled in white wine, and the decoctions drank; and if chewed in
the mouth it helps the toothache. Celandine the lesser is that which usually we
call Pilewort, which with us is hot in the first degree; the juice of the root mixed
with honey and snuffed up in the nose, purges the head, helps the hemorrhoids or
piles being bathed with it, as also doth the root only carried about one: being
made into an ointment, it helps the king’s evil or Scrophula.
China, wonderfully extenuates and dries, provokes sweat, resists putrefaction;
it strengthens the liver, helps the dropsy and malignant ulcers, leprosy, itch, and
venereal, and is profitable in diseases coming of fasting. It is commonly used in
diet drinks for the premises.
Cichorii. Of Succory; cool and dry in the second degree, strengthens the liver
and veins, it opens obstructions, stoppings in the liver and spleen, being boiled in
white wine and the decoction drank.
Colchici. Of Meadow Saffron. The roots are held to be hurtful to the stomach,
therefore I let them alone.
Consolidæ, majoris, minoris. Consolida Major, is that which we ordinarily
call Comfry, it is of a cold quality, yet pretty temperate, so glutinous, that,
according to Dioscorides, they will join meat together that is cut in sunder, if
they be boiled with it; it is excellent for all wounds, both internal and external,
for spitting of blood, ruptures or burstness, pains in the back, it strengthens the
reins, it stops the menses, and helps hemorrhoids. The way to use them is to boil
them in water and drink the decoction. Consolida minor, is that we call Self-heal,
and the latins Prunella. See the herb.
Costi utriusque. Of Costus both sorts being roots coming from beyond sea,
hot and dry, break wind, being boiled in oil, it is held to help the gout by
anointing the grieved place with it.
Cucumeris a grestis. Of wild Cucumber roots; they purge flegm, and that
with such violence, that I would advise the country man that knows not how to
correct them, to let them alone.
Cinaræ, &c. Of Artichokes. The roots purge by urine, whereby the rank
savour of the body is much amended.
 Cynoglossæ, &c. Of Hounds-tongue, Cold and dry: being roasted and laid to
the fundament, helps the hemorrhoids, is also good for burnings and scaldings.
Curcumæ. Of Turmerick, hot in the third degree, opens obstructions, is
profitable against the yellow jaundice, and cold distemper of the liver and
spleen, half a dram being taken at night going to bed in the pulp of a roasted
apple, and if you add a little saffron to it, it will be the better by far.
Cyperiutriusque, longi, rotundi. Of Cyprus Grass, or English Galanga, both
sorts, long and round: is of a warm nature, provokes urine, breaks the stone,
provokes the menses; the ashes of them (being burnt) are used for ulcers in the
mouth, cankers, &c.
Dauci. Of Carrots. Are moderately hot and moist, breed but little
nourishment, and are windy.
Dentaria majoris, &c. Of Toothwort, toothed violets, or corralwort: they are
drying, binding, and strengthening; are good to ease pains in the sides and
bowels; also being boiled, the decoction is said to be good to wash green wounds
and ulcers with.
Dictiamni. Of Dittany: is hot and dry in the third degree, hastens travail in
women, provokes the menses. (See the leaves.)
Doronici. Of Doronicum, a supposed kind of Wolf’s bane: It is hot and dry in
the third degree, strengthens the heart, is a sovereign cordial, and preservative
against the pestilence: it helps the vertigo or swimming of the head, is admirable
against the bitings of venomous beasts, and such as have taken too much opium,
as also for lethargies, the juice helps hot rheums in the eyes; a scruple of the root
in powder is enough to take at one time.
Dracontii, Dracunculi. Divers authors attribute divers herbs to this name. It is
most probable that they mean dragons, the roots of which cleanse mightily, and
take away proud, or dead flesh, the very smell of them is hurtful for pregnant
women: outwardly in ointments, they take away scurf, morphew, and
sunburning; I would not wish any, unless very well read in physic, to take them
inwardly. Matthiolus, Dioscorides.
Ebuli. Of Dwarf Elder, Walwort, or Danewort; hot and dry in the third
degree, the roots are as excellent a purge for the dropsy as any under the sun.
You may take a dram or two drams (if the patient be strong) in white wine at a
time.
Echij. Of Viper’s Bugloss, or wild Bugloss. This root is cold and dry, good
for such as are bitten by venemous beasts, either being boiled in wine and drank,
or bruised and applied to the place: being boiled in wine and drank, it
encreaseth milk in nurses.
Ellebori, Veratri, albi nigri. Of Hellebore white and black. The root of white
Hellebore, or sneezewort, being grated and snuffed up the nose, causeth
sneezing; kills rats and mice being mixed with their meat.
Black Hellebore, Bears-foot or Christmas flower: both this and the former
are hot and dry in the third degree. This is neither so violent nor dangerous as
the former.
Enulæ Campanæ Helenij. Of Elecampane. It is hot and dry in the third
degree, wholesome for the stomach, resists poison, helps old coughs, and
shortness of breath, helps ruptures, and provokes lust; in ointments, it is good
against scabs and itch.
Endivæ, &c. Of Endive, Garden Endive, which is the root here specified, is
held to be somewhat colder, though not so dry and cleansing as that which is
wild; it cools hot stomachs, hot livers, amends the blood corrupted by heat, and
therefore is good in fevers, it cools the reins, and therefore prevents the stone, it
opens obstructions, and provokes urine: you may bruise the root, and boil it in
white wine, ’tis very harmless.
Eringij. Of Eringo or Sea-holly: the roots are moderately hot, something
drying and cleansing, bruised and applied to the place; they help the Scrophula,
or disease in the throat called the King’s Evil, they break the stone, encrease
seed, stir up lust, provoke the terms, &c.
Esulæ, majoris, minoris. Of Spurge the greater and lesser, they are both
(taken inwardly) too violent for common use; outwardly in ointments they
cleanse the skin, take away sunburning.
Filicis, &c. Fearn, of which are two grand distinctions, viz. male and female.
Both are hot and dry, and good for the rickets in children, and diseases of the
spleen, but dangerous for pregnant women.
Filipendulæ. Of Dropwort. The roots are hot and dry in the third degree,
opening, cleansing, yet somewhat binding; they provoke urine, ease pains in the
bladder, and are a good preservative against the falling-sickness.
Fœniculi. Of Fennel. The root is hot and dry, some say in the third degree,
opening; it provokes urine, and menses, strengthens the liver, and is good
against the dropsy.
Fraxini. Of Ash-tree. I know no great virtues in physic of the roots.
Galangæ, majoris, minoris. Galanga, commonly called Galingal, the greater
and lesser: They are hot and dry in the third degree, and the lesser are
accounted the hotter, it strengthens the stomach exceedingly, and takes away the
pains thereof coming of cold or wind; the smell of it strengthens the brain, it
relieves faint hearts, takes away windiness of the womb, heats the reins, and
provokes amorous diseases. You may take half a dram at a time. Matthiolus.
Gentiana. Of Gentian; some call it Felwort, and Baldmoney. It is hot,
cleansing, and scouring, a notable counterpoison, it opens obstructions, helps
the biting of venemous beasts, and mad dogs, helps digestion, and cleanseth the
body of raw humours; the root is profitable for ruptures, or such as are bursten.
Glycyrrhizæ. Of Liquorice; the best that is grows in England: it is hot and
moist in temperature, helps the roughness of the windpipe, hoarsness, diseases
in the kidneys and bladder, and ulcers in the bladder, it concocts raw humours
in the stomach, helps difficulty of breathing, is profitable for all salt humours,
the root dried and beaten into powder, and the powder put into the eye, is a
special remedy for a pin and web.
Gramminis. Of Grass, such as in London they call couch grass, and Squitch-
grass; in Sussex Dog-grass. It gallantly provokes urine, and easeth the kidneys
oppressed with gravel, gripings of the belly, and difficulty of urine. Let such as
are troubled with these diseases, drink a draught of white wine, wherein these
roots (being bruised) have been boiled, for their morning’s draught, bruised and
applied to the place, they speedily help green wounds. Galen, Dioscorides.
Hermodactyli. Of Hermodactils. They are hot and dry, purge flegm,
especially from the joints, therefore are good for gouts, and other diseases in the
joints. Their vices are corrected with long pepper, ginger, cinnamon, or mastich.
I would not have unskilful people too busy with purges.
Hyacinthi. Of Jacinths. The roots are dry in the first degree, and cold in the
second, they stop looseness, bind the belly.
 Iridis, vulgaris, and Florentine, &c. Orris, or Flower-de-luce, both that which
grows with us, and that which comes from Florence. They are hot and dry in the
third degree, resist poison, help shortness of the breath, provoke the menses; the
Root being green and bruised, takes away blackness and blueness of a stroke,
being applied thereto.
Imperitoriæ, &c. Of Masterwort. The root is hot and dry in the third degree;
mitigates the rigour of agues, helps dropsies, provokes sweat, breaks carbuncles,
and plague-sores, being applied to them; it is very profitable being given
inwardly in bruises.
Isotidis, Glasti. Of Woad. I know no great physical virtue in the root. See the
Herb.
Labri Veneris, Dipsaci. Fullers-Thistle, Teazle. The root being boiled in wine
till it be thick (quoth Dioscorides) helps by unction the clefts of the fundament,
as also takes away warts and wens. Galen saith, they are dry in the second
degree: and I take it all Authors hold them to be cold and dry. Unslacked lime
beaten into powder, and mixed with black soap, takes away a wen being
anointed with it.
Lactucæ. Of Lettice. I know no physical virtue residing in the roots.
Lauri. Of the Bay-tree. The Bark of the root drunk with wine, provokes urine,
breaks the stone, opens obstructions of the liver and spleen. But according to
Dioscorides is naught for pregnant women. Galen.
Lapathi acuti, Oxylapathi. Sorrel, according to Galen; but Sharp-pointed
Dock, according to Dioscorides. The roots of Sorrel are held to be profitable
against the jaundice. Of Sharp-pointed Dock; cleanse, and help scabs and itch.
Levistici. Of Lovage. They are hot and dry, and good for any diseases coming
of wind.
Lillij albi. Of white Lillies. The root is something hot and dry, helps burnings,
softens the womb, provokes the menses, if boiled in wine, is given with good
success in rotten Fevers, Pestilences, and all diseases that require suppuration:
outwardly applied, it helps ulcers in the head, and amends the ill colour of the
face.
Malvœ. Of Mallows. They are cool, and digesting, resist poison, and help
corrosions, or gnawing of the bowels, or any other part; as also ulcers in the
bladder. See Marsh-mallows.
Mandragoræ. Of Mandrakes. A root dangerous for its coldness, being cold in
the fourth degree: the root is dangerous.
Mechoachanæ. Of Mechoacah. It is corrected with Cinnamon, is temperate
yet drying, purges flegm chiefly from the head and joints, it is good for old
diseases in the head, and may safely be given even to feverish bodies, because of
its temperature: it is also profitable against coughs and pains in the reins; as also
against venereal complaints; the strong may take a dram at a time.
Mei, &c. Spignel. The roots are hot and dry in the second or third degree, and
send up unwholesome vapours to the head.
Mezerei, &c. Of Spurge, Olive, or Widow-wail. See the Herb, if you think it
worth the seeing.
Merorum Celci. Of Mulberry Tree. The bark of the root is bitter, hot and dry,
opens stoppings of the liver and spleen, purges the belly, and kills worms, boiled
in vinegar, helps the toothache.
Morsus Diaboli, Succisæ, &c. Devil’s-bit. See the herb.
Norpi Spicæ, Indicæ, Celticæ, &c. Of Spikenard, Indian, and Cheltic. Cheltic
Nard wonderfully provokes urine. They are both hot and dry. The Indian, also
provokes urine, and stops fluxes, helps windiness of the stomach, resists the
pestilence, helps gnawing pains of the stomach; and dries up rheums that molest
the head. The Celtic Spikenard performs the same offices, though in a weaker
measure.
Nenupharis, Nymphæ. Of Water-lilies. They are cold and dry, and stop lust: I
never dived so deep to find what virtue the roots have.
Ononidis, Arrestæ Bovis, &c. Of Cammock, or Rest-harrow, so called
because it makes oxen stand still when they are ploughing. The roots are hot and
dry in the third degree; it breaks the stone (viz. the bark of it.) The root itself,
according to Pliny, helps the falling-sickness; according to Matthiolus, helps
ruptures: you may take half a dram at a time.
Ostrutij. Masterwort, given once before under the name of Imperitoria. But I
have something else to do than to write one thing twice as they did.
 Pastinatæ, Sativæ, and silvestris. Garden and Wild Parsnips. They are of a
temperate quality, inclining something to heat: The Garden Parsnips provoke
lust, and nourish as much and more too, than any root ordinarily eaten: the wild
are more physical, being cutting, cleansing, and opening: they resist the bitings
of venomous beasts, ease pains and stitches in the sides, and are a sovereign
remedy against the wind cholic.
Pentafylli. Of Cinqfyl, commonly called Five-leaved, or Five-finger’d grass:
the root is very drying, but moderately hot: It is admirable against all fluxes, and
stops blood flowing from any part of the body: it helps infirmities of the liver
and lungs, helps putrified ulcers of the mouth, the root boiled in vinegar is good
against the shingles, and appeases the rage of any fretting sores. You may safely
take half a dram at a time in any convenient liquor.
Petacitæ. Of Butter-bur. The roots are hot and dry in the second degree, they
are exceeding good in violent and pestilential fevers, they provoke the menses,
expel poison, and kill worms.
Peucedani, Fœniculi porcini. Of Sulphur-wort, Hogs-fennel, or Hore-strange.
It is very good applied to the navels of children that stick out, and ruptures: held
in the mouth, it is a present remedy for the fits of the mother: being taken
inwardly, it gives speedy deliverance to women in travail, and brings away the
placenta.
Pœoniœ, maris, fœmellæ. Of Peony male and female. They are meanly hot,
but more drying. The root helps women not sufficiently purged after travail, it
provokes the menses, and helps pains in the belly, as also in the reins and
bladder, falling sickness, and convulsions in children, being either taken
inwardly, or hung about their necks. You may take half a dram at a time, and
less for children.
Phu, Valerinæ, majoris, minoris. Valerian, or Setwal, greater and lesser.
They are temperately hot, the greater provokes urine and the menses, helps the
stranguary, stays rheums in the head, and takes away the pricking pains thereof.
The lesser resist poison, assuages the swelling of the testicles, coming either
through wind or cold, helps cold taken after sweating or labour, wind cholic:
outwardly it draws out thorns, and cures both wounds and ulcers.
Pimpinellæ, &c. Of Burnet. It doth this good, to bring forth a gallant physical
herb.
 Plantaginis. Of Plantane. The root is something dryer than the leaf, but not so
cold, it opens stoppages of the liver, helps the jaundice, and ulcers of the reins
and bladder. A little bit of the root being eaten, instantly stays pains in the head,
even to admiration.
Polypodij. Of Polypodium, or Fern of the Oak. It is a gallant though gentle
purger of melancholy; Also in the opinion of Mesue (as famous a physician as
ever I read for a Galenist,) it dries up superfluous humours, takes away swellings
from the hands, feet, knees, and joints, stitches and pains in the sides, infirmities
of the spleen, rickets; correct it with a few Annis seeds, or Fennel seeds, or a
little ginger, and then the stomach will not loath it. Your best way of taking it, is
to bruise it well, and boil it in white wine till half be consumed, you may put in
much, or little, according to the strength of the diseased, it works very safely.
Poligonati, sigilli Solomonis, &c. Of Solomon’s Seal. Stamped and boiled in
wine it speedily helps (being drank) all broken bones, and is of incredible virtue
that way; as also being stamped and applied to the place, it soon heals all
wounds, and quickly takes away the black and blue marks of blows, being
bruised and applied to the place, and for these, I am persuaded there is not a
better medicine under the sun.
Porri. Of Leeks. They say they are hot and dry in the fourth degree; they
breed ill-favoured nourishment at the best, they spoil the eyes, heat the body,
cause troublesome sleep, and are noisome to the stomach: yet are they good for
something else, for the juice of them dropped into the ears takes away the noise
of them, mixed with a little vinegar and snuffed up the nose, it stays the bleeding
of it, they are better of the two boiled than raw, but both ways exceedingly
hurtful for ulcers in the bladder: and so are onions and garlic.
Prunellorum Silvestrium. Of Sloe-bush, or Sloe-tree. I think the college set
this amongst the roots only for fashion sake, and I did it because they did.
Pyrethri Salivaris, &c. Pelitory of Spain. It is hot and dry in the fourth
degree, chewed in the mouth, it draws away rheum in the toothache; bruised and
boiled in oil, it provokes sweat by unction; inwardly taken, they say it helps
palsies and other cold effects in the brain and nerves.
Rhapontici, Rhupontick, or Rhubarb of Pontus. It takes away windiness and
weakness of the stomach, sighings, sobbings, spittings of blood, diseases of the
liver and spleen, rickets, &c. if you take a dram at a time it will purge a little, but
bind much, and therefore fit for foul bodies that have fluxes.
 Rhabarbari. Of Rhubarb. It gently purges choler from the stomach and liver,
opens stoppings, withstands the dropsy, Hypocondriac Melancholly; a little
boiling takes away the virtue of it, and therefore it is best given by infusion only;
If your body be any thing strong, you may take two drams of it at a time being
sliced thin and steeped all night in white wine, in the morning strain it out and
drink the white wine; it purges but gently, it leaves a binding quality behind it,
therefore dried a little by the fire and beaten into powder, it is usually given in
fluxes.
Rhaphani, Domesticœ and Sylvestris. Of Raddishes, garden and wild. Garden
Raddishes provoke urine, break the stone, and purge by urine exceedingly, yet
breed very bad blood, are offensive to the stomach, and hard of digestion, hot
and dry in quality. Wild, or Horse Raddishes, such as grow in ditches, are hotter
and drier than the former, and more effectual.
Rhodie Rad. Rose Root. Stamped and applied to the head it mitigates the
pains thereof, being somewhat cool in quality.
Rhabarbari Monachorum. Monks Rhubarb, or Bastard-Rhubarb, it also
purges, and cleanses the blood, and opens obstructions of the liver.
Rubiæ tinctorum. Of Madder. It is both drying and binding, yet not without
some opening quality, for it helps the yellow jaundice, and therefore opens
obstructions of the liver and gall; it is given with good success, to such as have
had bruises by falls, stops looseness, the hemorrhoids, and the menses.
Rusci. Of Knee-holly or Butchers-broom, or Bruscus. They are meanly hot
and dry, provoke urine, break the stone, and help such as cannot evacuate urine
freely. Use them like grass roots.
Sambuci. Of Elder. I know no wonders the root will do.
Sarsæ-Parigliæ. Of Sarsa-Parilla, or Bind-weed; somewhat hot and dry,
helpful against pains in the head, and joints; they provoke sweat, and are used
familiarly in drying diet drinks.
Satyrij utriusque. Of Satyrion, each sort. They are hot and moist in temper,
provoke venery, and increase seed; each branch bears two roots, both spongy,
yet the one more solid than the other, which is of most virtue, and indeed only to
be used, for some say the most spongy root is quite contrary in operation to the
other, as the one increaseth, the other decreaseth.
 Saxifragiæ albæ. Of white Saxifrage, in Sussex we call them Lady-smocks.
The roots powerfully break the stone, expel wind, provoke urine, and cleanse the
reins.
Sanguisorbæ. A kind of Burnet.
Scabiosa. Of Scabious. The roots either boiled, or beaten into powder, and so
taken, help such as are extremely troubled with scabs and itch, are medicinal in
the french disease, hard swellings, inward wounds, being of a drying, cleansing,
and healing faculty.
Scordij. Of Scordium, or Water-Germander. See the herb.
Scillæ. Of Squills. See vinegar, and wine of Squills, in the compound.
Scropulariæ, &c. Of Figwort. The roots being of the same virtue with the
herb, I refer you thither.
Scorzoneræ. Of Vipers grass. The root cheers the heart, and strengthens the
vital spirits, resists poison, helps passions and tremblings of the heart, faintness,
sadness, and melancholy, opens stoppings of the liver and spleen, provokes the
menses, ease women of the fits of the mother, and helps swimmings in the head.
Seseleos. Of Seseli, or Hartwort. The roots provoke urine, and help the
falling-sickness.
Sisari, secacul. Of Scirrets. They are hot and moist, of good nourishment,
something windy, as all roots are; by reason of which, they provoke venery, they
stir up appetite, and provoke urine.
Sconchi. Of Sow-thistles. See the herb.
Spinæ albæ, Bedeguar. The Arabians called our Ladies-thistles by that name;
the roots of which are drying and binding, stop fluxes, bleeding, take away cold
swellings, and ease the pains of the teeth.
Spatulæ fœtidæ. Stinking Gladon, a kind of Flower-de-luce, called so for its
unsavory smell. It is hot and dry in the third degree; outwardly they help the
king’s evil, soften hard swellings, draw out broken bones: inwardly taken, they
help convulsions, ruptures, bruises, infirmities of the lungs.
Tamarisci. Of Tamaris. See the herbs, and barks.
 Tanaceti. Of Tansie. The root eaten, is a singular remedy for the gout: the
rich may bestow the cost to preserve it.
Thapsi, &c. A venomous foreign root: therefore no more of it.
Tormentillæ. Of Tormentil. A kind of Sinqfoil; dry in the third degree, but
moderately hot; good in pestilences, provokes sweat, stays vomiting, cheers the
heart, expels poison.
Trifolij. Of Trefoil. See the herb.
Tribuli Aquatici. Of Water Caltrops. The roots lie too far under water for me
to reach to.
Trachellij. Of Throat-wort: by some called Canterbury Bells: by some
Coventry Bells. They help diseases and ulcers in the throat.
Trinitatis herbæ. Hearts-ease, or Pansies. I know no great virtue they have.
Tunicis. I shall tell you the virtue when I know what it is.
Tripolij. The root purges flegm, expels poison.
Turbith. The root purges flegm, (being hot in the third degree) chiefly from
the exterior parts of the body: it is corrected with ginger, or Mastich. Let not the
vulgar be too busy with it.
Tuburnum. Or Toad-stools. Whether these be roots or no, it matters not much:
for my part I know but little need of them, either in food or physic.
Victorialis. A foreign kind of Garlick. They say, being hung about the neck of
cattle that are blind suddenly, it helps them; and defends those that bear it, from
evil spirits.
Swallow-wort, and teazles were handled before.
Ulmariæ, Reginæ, prati, &c. Mead-sweet. Cold and dry, binding, stops
fluxes, and the immoderate flowing of the menses: you may take a dram at a
time.
Urticæ. Of Nettles. See the leaves.
Zedoariæ. Of Zedoary, or Setwall. This and Zurumbet, according to Rhasis,
and Mesue, are all one; Avicenna thinks them different: I hold with Mesue;
indeed they differ in form, for the one is long, the other round; they are both hot
and dry in the second degree, expel wind, resist poison, stop fluxes, and the
menses, stay vomiting, help the cholic, and kill worms; you may take half a
dram at a time.
Zingiberis. Of Ginger. Helps digestion, warms the stomach, clears the sight,
and is profitable for old men: heats the joints, and therefore is profitable against
the gout, expels wind; it is hot and dry in the second degree.
 BARKS.
A Pil Rad. Of the roots of Smallage. Take notice here, that the Barks both of
this root, as also of Parsley, Fennel, &c. is all of the root which is in use, neither
can it properly be called bark, for it is all the root, the hard pith in the middle
excepted, which is always thrown away, when the roots are used. It is something
hotter and drier than Parsley, and more medicinal; it opens stoppings, provokes
urine, helps digestion, expels wind, and warms a cold stomach: use them like
grass roots.
Avellanarum. Of Hazel. The rind of the tree provokes urine, breaks the stone;
the husks and shells of the nuts, dried and given in powder, stay the immoderate
flux of the menses.
Aurantiorum. Of Oranges. Both these, and also Lemons and Citrons, are of
different qualities: the outward bark, viz. what looks red, is hot and dry, the
white is cold and moist, the juice colder than it, the seeds hot and dry; the
outward bark is that which here I am to speak to, it is somewhat hotter than
either that of Lemons or Citrons, therefore it warms a cold stomach more, and
expels wind better, but strengthens not the heart so much.
Berber, &c. Barberries. The Rind of the tree according to Clœsius, being
steeped in wine, and the wine drank, purges choler, and is a singular remedy for
the yellow jaundice. Boil it in white wine and drink it. See the directions at the
beginning.
Cassia Lignea, &c. It is something more oily than Cinnamon, yet the virtues
being not much different, I refer you thither.
Capparis Rad. Of Caper roots. See the roots.
Castanearum. Of Chesnuts. The bark of the Chesnut tree is dry and binding,
and stops fluxes.
Cinnamonum. Cinnamon, and Cassia Lignea, are hot and dry in the second
degree, strengthens the stomach, help digestion, cause a sweet breath, resist
poison, provoke urine, and the menses, cause speedy delivery in women to
travail, help coughs and defluxions of humours upon the lungs, dropsy, and
difficulty of urine. In ointments it takes away red pimples, and the like
deformities from the face. There is scarce a better remedy for women in labour,
than a dram of Cinnamon newly beaten into powder, and taken in white wine.
Citrij. Of Pome Citrons. The outward pill, which I suppose is that which is
meant here: It strengthens the heart, resists poison, amends a stinking breath,
helps digestion, comforts a cold stomach.
Ebuli Rad. Of the roots of Dwarf-Elder, or Walwort. See the herbs.
Enulæ. Of Elecampane. See the roots.
Esulæ Rad. See the roots.
Fabarum. Of Beans. Bean Cods (or Pods, as we in Sussex call them) being
bruised, the ashes are a sovereign remedy for aches in the joints, old bruises,
gouts, and sciaticas.
Fœniculi Rad. Of Fennel roots. See the roots, and remember the observation
given in Smallage at the beginning of the barks.
Fraxini Rad. Of the bark of Ash-tree roots. The bark of the tree, helps the
rickets, is moderately hot and dry, stays vomiting; being burnt, the ashes made
into an ointment, helps leprosy and other deformity of the skin, eases pains of
the spleen. You may lay the bark to steep in white wine for the rickets, and when
it hath stood so for two or three days, let the diseased child drink now and then a
spoonful of it.
Granatorum. Of Pomegranates. The rind cools, and forcibly binds, stays
fluxes, and the menses, helps digestion, strengthens weak stomachs, fastens the
teeth, and are good for such whose gums waste. You may take a dram of it at a
time inwardly. Pomegranate flowers are of the same virtue.
Gatrujaci. See the wood.
Juglandium Virid. Of green Walnuts. As for the outward green bark of
Walnuts, I suppose the best time to take them is before the Walnuts be shelled at
all, and then you may take nuts and all (if they may properly be called nuts at
such a time) you shall find them exceeding comfortable to the stomach, they
resist poison, and are a most excellent preservative against the plague, inferior to
none: they are admirable for such as are troubled with consumptions of the
lungs.
 Lauri. Of the Bay-tree. See the root.
Limonum. Of Lemons. The outward peel is of the nature of Citron, but helps
not so effectually; however, let the poor country man that cannot get the other,
use this.
Mandragora Rad. Be pleased to look back to the root.
Myrobalanorum. Of Myrobalans. See the fruits.
Macis. Of Mace. It is hot in the third degree, strengthens the stomach and
heart exceedingly, and helps concoction.
Maceris, &c. It is held to be the inner bark of Nutmeg-tree, helps fluxes and
spitting of blood.
Petroselini Rad. Of Parsley root: opens obstructions, provokes urine and the
menses, warms a cold stomach, expels wind, and breaks the stone. Use them as
grass roots, and take out the inner pith as you were taught in smallage roots.
Prunelli Silvestris. Of Sloe-tree. I know no use of it.
Pinearum putaminae. Pine shucks, or husks. I suppose they mean of the
cones that hold the seeds; both those and also the bark of the tree, stop fluxes,
and help the lungs.
Querci. Of Oak-tree. Both the bark of the oak, and Acorn Cups are drying
and cold, binding, stop fluxes and the menses, as also the running of the reins;
have a care how you use them before due purging.
Rhaphani. Of Radishes. I could never see any bark they had.
Suberis. Of Cork. It is good for something else besides to stop bottles: being
dry and binding, stanches blood, helps fluxes, especially the ashes of it being
burnt. Paulus.
Sambuci, &c. Of Elder roots and branches; purges water, helps the dropsy.
Cort. Medius Tamaricis. The middle Bark of Tameris, eases the spleen, helps
the rickets. Use them as Ash-tree bark.
Tillim. Of Line-tree. Boiled, the water helps burnings.
Thuris. Of Frankinsenses. I must plead Ignoramus.
 Ulmi. Of Elm. Moderately hot and cleansing, good for wounds, burns, and
broken bones, viz. boiled in water and the grieved place bathed with it.
 WOODS AND THEIR CHIPS, OR RASPINGS.
A Gallochus, Lignum Aloes. Wood of Aloes; is moderately hot and dry: a
good cordial: a rich perfume, a great strengthener to the stomach.
Aspalathus. Rose-wood. It is moderately hot and dry, stops looseness,
provokes urine, and is excellent to cleanse filthy ulcers.
Bresilium. Brasil. All the use I know of it is, to die cloth, and leather, and
make red ink.
Buxus. Box. Many Physicians have written of it, but no physical virtue of it.
Cypressus. Cypress. The Wood laid amongst cloaths, secures them from
moths. See the leaves.
Ebenum. Ebony. It is held to clear the sight, being either boiled in wine, or
burnt to ashes.
Guajacum, Lignum vitm. Dries, attenuates, causes sweat, resists putrefaction,
is good for the French disease, as also for ulcers, scabs, and leprosy: it is used in
diet drinks.
Juniperus. Juniper. The smoak of the wood, drives away serpents; the ashes
of it made into lie, cures itch, and scabs.
Nephriticum. It is a light wood and comes from Hispaniola; being steeped in
water, will soon turn it blue, it is hot and dry in the first degree, and so used as
before, is an admirable remedy for the stone, and for obstructions of the liver and
spleen.
Rhodium. Encreases milk in nurses.
Santalum, album, Rubrum, citrinum. White, red, and yellow Sanders: They
are all cold and dry in the second or third degree: the red stops defluxions from
any part, and helps inflammations: the white and yellow (of which the yellow is
best) cool the heat of fevers, strengthen the heart, and cause cheerfulness.
Sassafras. Is hot and dry in the second degree, it opens obstructions or
stoppings, it strengthens the breast exceedingly; if it be weakened through cold,
it breaks the stone, stays vomiting, provokes urine, and is very profitable in the
venereal, used in diet drinks.
Tamaris. Is profitable for the rickets, and burnings.
Xylobalsamum. Wood of the Balsam tree, it is hot and dry in the second
degree, according to Galen. I never read any great virtues of it.
 HERBS AND THEIR LEAVES.
A Brotanum, mas, fœmina. Southernwood, male and female. It is hot and dry
in the third degree, resists poison, kills worms; outwardly in plaisters, it
dissolves cold swellings, and helps the bitings of venomous beasts, makes hair
grow: take not above half a dram at a time in powder.
Absinthium, &c. Wormwood. Its several sorts, are all hot and dry in the
second or third degrees, the common Wormwood is thought to be hottest, they
all help weakness of the stomach, cleanse choler, kill worms, open stoppings,
help surfeits, clear the sight, resist poison, cleanse the blood, and secure cloaths
from moths.
Abugilissa, &c. Alkanet. The leaves are something drying and binding, but
inferior in virtue to the roots, to which I refer you.
Acetosa. Sorrel. Is moderately cold dry and binding, cuts tough humours,
cools the brain, liver and stomach, cools the blood in fevers, and provokes
appetite.
Acanthus. Bears-breech, or Branks ursine, is temperate, something moist. See
the root.
Adiantum, Album, nigrum. Maiden hair, white and black. They are temperate,
yet drying. White Maiden hair is that we usually call Wall-rue; they both open
obstructions, cleanse the breast and lungs of gross slimy humours, provoke
urine, help ruptures and shortness of wind.
Adiantum Aurcum Politrycum. Golden Maidenhair. Its temperature and
virtues are the same with the former; helps the spleen; burned, and lye made
with the ashes, keeps the hair from falling off the head.
Agrimonia. Agrimony. Galen’s Eupatorium. It is hot and dry in the first
degree, binding, it amends the infirmities of the liver, helps such as evacuate
blood instead of water, helps inward wounds, opens obstructions. Outwardly
applied it helps old sores, ulcers, &c. Inwardly, it helps the jaundice and the
spleen. Take a dram of this or that following, inwardly in white wine, or boil the
herb in white wine, and drink the decoction. Galen, Pliny, Dioscorides, Serapio.
 Ageretum. Hot and dry in the second degree, provokes urine and the menses,
dries the brain, opens stoppings, helps the green sickness, and profits such as
have a cold, weak liver; outwardly applied, it takes away the hardness of the
matrix, and fills hollow ulcers with flesh.
Agnus Castus, &c. Chast-tree. The leaves are hot and dry in the third degree;
expel wind, consume the seed, cause chastity being only borne about one; it
dissolves swellings of the testicles, being applied to them, headache, and
lethargy.
Allajula, Lujula, &c. Wood Sorrel. It is of the temperature of other Sorrel,
and held to be more cordial; cools the blood, helps ulcers in the mouth; hot
defluxions upon the lungs, wounds, ulcers, &c.
Alcea. Vervain Mallow. The root helps fluxes and burstness. Ætius,
Dioscorides.
Allium. Garlick. Hot and dry in the fourth degree, troublesome to the
stomach; it dulls the sight, spoils a clear skin, resists poison, eases the pains of
the teeth, helps the bitings of mad dogs, and venomous beasts, helps ulcers,
leprosies, provokes urine, is exceedingly opening, and profitable for dropsies.
Althæa, &c. Marsh-Mallows. Are moderately hot and drier than other
Mallows; they help digestion, and mitigate pain, ease the pains of the stone, and
in the sides. Use them as you were taught in the roots, whose virtues they have,
and both together will do better.
Alsine. Chickweed. Is cold and moist without any binding, assuages swelling,
and comforts the sinews much; therefore it is good for such as are shrunk up; it
dissolves aposthumes, hard swellings, and helps mange in the hands and legs,
outwardly applied in a pultis. Galen.
Alchymilla. Ladies-Mantle. Is hot and dry, some say in the second degree,
some say in the third: outwardly it helps wounds, reduces women’s breasts that
hang down: inwardly, helps bruises, and ruptures, stays vomiting, and the Fluor
Albus, and is very profitable for such women as are subject to miscarry through
cold and moisture.
Alkanna. Privet hath a binding quality, helps ulcers in the mouth, is good
against burnings and scaldings, cherishes the nerves and sinews; boil it in white
wine to wash the mouth, and in hog’s grease for burnings and scaldings.
 Amaracus, Majorana. Marjoram. Some say ’tis hot and dry in the second
degree, some advance it to the third. Sweet Marjoram, is an excellent remedy for
cold diseases in the brain, being only smelled to helps such as are given to much
sighing, easeth pains in the belly, provokes urine, being taken inwardly: you may
take a dram of it at a time in powder. Outwardly in oils or salves, it helps sinews
that are shrunk; limbs out of joint, all aches and swellings coming of a cold
cause.
Angelica. Is hot and dry in the third degree; opens, digests, makes thin,
strengthens the heart, helps fluxes, and loathsomeness of meat. It is an enemy to
poison and pestilence, provokes menses, and brings away the placanta. You may
take a dram of it at a time in powder.
Anagallis, mas, femina. Pimpernel, male and female. They are something hot
and dry, and of such a drying quality that they draw thorns and splinters out of
the flesh, amend the sight, cleanse ulcers, help infirmities of the liver and reins.
Galen.
Anethum. Dill. Is hot and dry in the second degree. It stays vomiting, eases
hiccoughs, assuages swellings, provokes urine, helps such as are troubled with
fits of the mother, and digests raw humours.
Apium. Smallage; So it is commonly used; but indeed all Parsley is called by
the name of Apium, of which this is one kind. It is something hotter and dryer
than Parsley, and more efficacious; it opens stoppings of the liver, and spleen,
cleanses the blood, provokes the menses, helps a cold stomach to digest its meat,
and is good against the yellow jaundice. Both Smallage and Clevers, may be
well used in pottage in the morning instead of herbs.
Aparine. Goose-grass, or Clevers: They are meanly hot and dry, cleansing,
help the bitings of venomous beasts, keep men’s bodies from growing too fat,
help the yellow jaundice, stay bleeding, fluxes, and help green wounds.
Dioscorides, Pliny, Galen, Tragus.
Aspergula odorata. Wood-roof: Cheers the heart, makes men merry, helps
melancholy, and opens the stoppings of the liver.
Aquilegia. Columbines: help sore throats, are of a drying, binding quality.
Argentina. Silver-weed, or Wild Tansy; cold and dry almost in the third
degree; stops lasks, fluxes, and the menses, good against ulcers, the stone, and
inward wounds: easeth gripings in the belly, fastens loose teeth: outwardly it
takes away freckles, morphew, and sunburning, it takes away inflammations, and
bound to the wrists stops the violence of the fits of the ague.
Artanita. Sow-bread: hot and dry in the third degree, it is a dangerous purge:
outwardly in ointments it takes away freckles, sunburning, and the marks which
the small pox leaves behind them: dangerous for pregnant women.
Aristolochia, longa, rotunda. Birth-wort long and round. See the roots.
Artemisia. Mugwort: is hot and dry in the second degree: binding: an herb
appropriated to the female sex; it brings down the menses, brings away both
birth and placenta, eases pains in the matrix. You may take a dram at a time.
Asparagus. See the roots.
Asarum, &c. Asarabacca: hot and dry; provokes vomiting and urine, and are
good for dropsies. They are corrected with mace or cinnamon.
Atriplex, &c. Orach, or Arrach. It is cold in the first degree, and moist in the
second, saith Galen, and makes the belly soluble. It is an admirable remedy for
the fits of the mother, and other infirmities of the matrix, and therefore the Latins
called it Vulvaria.
Aricula muris, major. Mouse-ear: hot and dry, of a binding quality, it is
admirable to heal wounds, inward or outward, as also ruptures or burstness:
Edge-tools quenched in the juice of it, will cut iron without turning the edge, as
easy as they will lead: And, lastly, it helps the swelling of the spleen, coughs and
consumptions, of the lungs.
Attractivis hirsuta. Wild Bastard-saffron, Distaff-thistle, or Spindle-thistle. Is
dry and moderately digesting, helps the biting of venomous beasts: Mesue saith,
it is hot in the first degree, and dry in the second, and cleanseth the breast and
lungs of tough flegm.
Balsamita, &c. Costmary, Alecost: See Maudlin.
Barbajovis, sedum majus. Houseleek or Sengreen: cold in the third degree,
profitable against the Shingles, and other hot creeping ulcers, inflammations, St.
Anthony’s fire, frenzies; it cools and takes away corns from the toes, being
bathed with the juice of it, and a skin of the leaf laid over the place; stops fluxes,
helps scalding and burning.
 Bardana. Clot-bur, or Burdock: temperately dry and wasting, something
cooling; it is held to be good against the shrinking of the sinews; eases pains in
the bladder, and provokes urine. Also Mizaldus saith, that a leaf applied to the
top of the head of a woman draws the matrix upwards, but applied to the soles of
the feet draws it downwards, and is therefore an admirable remedy for
suffocations, precipitations, and dislocations of the matrix, if a wise man have
but the using of it.
Beta, alba, nigra, rubra. Beets, white, black, and red; black Beets I have no
knowledge of. The white are something colder and moister than the red, both of
them loosen the belly, but have little or no nourishment. The white provoke to
stool, and are more cleansing, open stoppings of the liver and spleen, help the
vertigo or swimming in the head: The red stay fluxes, help the immoderate
flowing of the menses, and are good in the yellow jaundice.
Benedicta Cariphyllara. Avens: hot and dry, help the cholic and rawness of
the stomach, stitches in the sides, and take away clotted blood in any part of the
body.
Betonica vulgaris. Common or Wood Betony: hot and dry in the second
degree, helps the falling sickness and all headaches coming of cold, cleanses the
breast and lungs, opens stoppings of the liver and spleen, as the rickets, &c.
procures appetite, helps sour belchings, provokes urine, breaks the stone,
mitigates the pains of the reins and bladder, helps cramps, and convulsions,
resists poison, helps the gout, such as evacuate blood, madness and headache,
kills worms, helps bruises, and cleanseth women after labour: You may take a
dram of it at a time in white wine, or any other convenient liquor proper against
the disease you are afflicted with.
Betonica Pauli, &c. Paul’s Betony, or Male Lluellin, to which add Elative, or
Female Lluellin, which comes afterwards; they are pretty temperate, stop
defluxions of humours that fall from the head into the eyes, are profitable in
wounds, help filthy foul eating cankers.
Betonica Coronaria, &c. Is Clove Gilli-flowers. See the flowers.
Bellis. Dasies: are cold and moist in the second degree, they ease all pains
and swellings coming of heat, in clysters they loose the belly, are profitable in
fevers and inflammations of the testicles, they take away bruises, and blackness
and blueness; they are admirable in wounds and inflammations of the lungs or
blood.
 Blitum. Blites. Some say they are cold and moist, others cold and dry: none
mention any great virtues of them.
Borrago. Borrage: hot and moist, comforts the heart, cheers the spirits, drives
away sadness and melancholy, they are rather laxative than binding; help
swooning and heart-qualms, breed good blood, help consumptions, madness, and
such as are much weakened by sickness.
Bonus Henricus. Good Henry, or all good; hot and dry, cleansing and
scouring, inwardly taken it loosens the belly; outwardly it cleanseth old sores
and ulcers.
Botrys. Oak of Jerusalem: hot and dry in the second degree, helps such as are
short-winded, cuts and wastes gross and tough flegm, laid among cloaths they
preserve them from moths, and give them a sweet smell.
Branca ursina. Bears-breech.
Brionia, &c. Briony, white and black; both are hot and dry in the third
degree, purge violently, yet are held to be wholesome physic for such as have
dropsies, vertigo, or swimming in the head, falling-sickness, &c. Certainly it is a
strong, troublesome purge, therefore not to be tampered with by the unskilful,
outwardly in ointments it takes away freckles, wrinkles, morphew, scars, spots,
&c. from the face.
Bursa pastoris. Shepherd’s Purse, is manifestly cold and dry, though Lobel
and Pena thought the contrary; it is binding and stops blood, the menses; and
cools inflammations.
Buglossom. Buglosse. Its virtues are the same with Borrage.
Bugula. Bugle, or Middle Comfrey; is temperate for heat, but very drying,
excellent for falls or inward bruises, for it dissolves congealed blood, profitable
for inward wounds, helps the rickets and other stoppings of the liver; outwardly
it is of wonderful force in curing wounds and ulcers, though festered, as also
gangreens and fistulas, it helps broken bones, and dislocations. Inwardly you
may take it in powder a dram at a time, or drink the decoction of it in white-
wine: being made into an ointment with hog’s grease, you shall find it admirable
in green wounds.
Buphthalmum, &c. Ox eye. Matthiolus saith they are commonly used for
black Hellebore, to the virtues of which I refer.
 Buxus. Boxtree: the leaves are hot, dry, and binding, they are profitable
against the biting of mad dogs; both taken inwardly boiled and applied to the
place: besides they are good to cure horses of the bots.
Calamintha, Montana, Palustris. Mountain and Water Calamint: For the
Water Calamint: see mints, than which it is accounted stronger. Mountain
Calamint, is hot and dry in the third degree, provokes urine and the menses,
hastens the birth in women, brings away the placenta, helps cramps, convulsions,
difficulty of breathing, kills worms, helps the dropsy: outwardly used, it helps
such as hold their necks on one side: half a dram is enough at one time. Galen,
Dioscorides, Apuleius.
Calendula, &c. Marigolds. The leaves are hot in the second degree, and
something moist, loosen the belly: the juice held in the mouth, helps the
toothache, and takes away any inflammation or hot swelling being bathed with
it, mixed with a little vinegar.
Callitricum. Maidenhair. See Adianthum.
Caprisolium. Honey-suckles: The leaves are hot, and therefore naught for
inflammations of the mouth and throat, for which the ignorant people oftentime
give them: and Galen was true in this, let modern writers write their pleasure. If
you chew but a leaf of it in your mouth, experience will tell you that it is likelier
to cause, than to cure a sore throat, they provoke urine, and purge by urine, bring
speedy delivery to women in travail, yet procure barrenness and hinder
conception, outwardly they dry up foul ulcers, and cleanse the face from
morphew, sunburning and freckles.
Carduncellus, &c. Groundsell. Cold and moist according to Tragus, helps the
cholic, and gripings in the belly, helps such as cannot make water, cleanses the
reins, purges choler and sharp humours: the usual way of taking it is to boil it in
water with currants, and so eat it. I hold it to be a wholesome and harmless
purge. Outwardly it easeth women’s breasts that are swollen and inflamed; as
also inflammations of the joints, nerves, or sinews. Ægineta.
Carduus B. Mariæ. Our Ladies Thistles. They are far more temperate than
Carduus Benedictus, open obstructions of the liver, help the jaundice and
dropsy, provoke urine, break the stone.
Carduus Benedictus. Blessed Thistle, but better known by the Latin name: it
is hot and dry in the second degree, cleansing and opening, helps swimming and
giddiness in the head, deafness, strengthens the memory, helps griping pains in
the belly, kills worms, provokes sweat, expels poison, helps inflammation of the
liver, is very good in pestilence and venereal: outwardly applied, it ripens
plague-sores, and helps hot swellings, the bitings of mad dogs and venomous
beasts, and foul filthy ulcers. Every one that can but make a Carduus posset,
knows how to use it. Camerarius, Arnuldus velanovanus.
Chalina. See the roots, under the name of white Chameleon.
Corallina. A kind of Sea Moss: cold, binding, drying, good for hot gouts,
inflammations: also they say it kills worms, and therefore by some is called
Maw-wormseed.
Cussutha, cascuta, potagralini. Dodder. See Epithimum.
Caryophyllata. Avens, or Herb Bennet, hot and dry: they help the cholic,
rawness of the stomach, stitches in the sides, stoppings of the liver, and bruises.
Cataputia minor. A kind of Spurge. See Tythymalus.
Cattaria, Nepeta. Nep, or Catmints. The virtues are the same with Calaminth.
Cauda Equina. Horse-tail; is of a binding drying quality, cures wounds, and
is an admirable remedy for sinews that are shrunk: it is a sure remedy for
bleeding at the nose, or by wound, stops the menses, fluxes, ulcers in the reins
and bladder, coughs, ulcers in the lungs, difficulty of breathing.
Caulis, Brassica hortensis, silvestris. Colewort, or Cabbages, garden and
wild. They are drying and binding, help dimness of the sight: help the spleen,
preserve from drunkenness, and help the evil effects of it: provoke the menses.
Centaurium, majus, minus. Centaury the greater and less. They say the
greater will do wonders in curing wounds: see the root. The less is a present
remedy for the yellow jaundice, opens stoppings of the liver, gall, and spleen:
purges choler, helps gout, clears the sight, purgeth the stomach, helps the dropsy
and green sickness. It is only the tops and flowers which are useful, of which
you may take a dram inwardly in powder, or half a handful boiled in posset-
drink at a time.
Centinodium, &c. Knotgrass: cold in the second degree, helps spitting and
other evacuations of blood, stops the menses and all other fluxes of blood,
vomiting of blood, gonorrhæa, or running of the reins, weakness of the back and
joints, inflammations of the privities, and such as make water by drops, and it is
an excellent remedy for hogs that will not eat their meat. Your only way is to
boil it, it is in its prime about the latter end of July, or beginning of August: at
which time being gathered it may be kept dry all the year. Brassavolus,
Camerarius.
Caryfolium vulgare et Myrrhis. Common and great chervil: Take them both
together, and they are temperately hot and dry, provoke urine, stir up venery,
comfort the heart, and are good for old people; help pleurises and pricking in the
sides.
Cæpea, Anagallis aquatica. Brooklime, hot and dry, but not so hot and dry as
Water cresses; they help mangy horses; see Water cresses.
Ceterach, &c. Spleenwort: moderately hot, waste and consumes the spleen,
insomuch that Vitruvius affirms he hath known hogs that have fed upon it, that
have had (when they were killed) no spleens at all. It is excellently good for
melancholy people, helps the stranguary, provokes urine, and breaks the stone in
the bladder, boil it and drink the decoction; but because a little boiling will carry
away the strength of it in vapours, let it boil but very little, and let it stand close
stopped till it be cold before you strain it out; this is the general rule for all
simples of this nature.
Chamapitys. Ground-pine; hot in the second degree, and dry in the third,
helps the jaundice, sciatica, stopping of the liver, and spleen, provokes the
menses, cleanses the entrails, dissolves congealed blood, resists poison, cures
wounds and ulcers. Strong bodies may take a dram, and weak bodies half a dram
of it in powder at a time.
Chamæmelum, sativum, sylvestre. Garden and Wild Chamomel. Garden
Chamomel, is hot and dry in the first degree, and as gallant a medicine against
the stone in the bladder as grows upon the earth, you may take it inwardly, I
mean the decoction of it, being boiled in white wine, or inject the juice of it into
the bladder with a syringe. It expels wind, helps belchings, and potently
provokes the menses: used in baths, it helps pains in the sides, gripings and
gnawings in the belly.
Chamædris, &c. Germander: hot and dry in the third degree; cuts and brings
away tough humours, opens stoppings of the liver and spleen, helps coughs and
shortness of breath, stranguary and stopping of urine, and provokes the menses;
half a dram is enough to take at a time.
 Chelidonium utrumque. Celandine both sorts. Small Celandine is usually
called Pilewort; it is something hotter and dryer than the former, it helps the
hemorrhoids or piles, bruised and applied to the grief. Celandine the greater is
hot and dry (they say in the third degree) any way used; either the juice or made
into an oil or ointment, it is a great preserver of the sight, and an excellent help
for the eyes.
Cinara, &c. Artichokes. They provoke venery, and purge by urine.
Cichorium. Succory, to which add Endive which comes after. They are cold
and dry in the second degree, cleansing and opening; they cool the heats of the
liver, and are profitable in the yellow jaundice, and burning fevers; help
excoriations in the privities, hot stomachs; and outwardly applied, help hot
rheums in the eyes.
Cicuta. Hemlock: cold in the fourth degree, poisonous: outwardly applied, it
helps Priapismus, the shingles, St. Anthony’s fire, or any eating ulcers.
Clematis Daphnoides, Vinca provinca. Periwinkle. Hot in the second degree,
something dry and binding; stops lasks, spitting of blood, and the menses.
Consolida major. Comfrey, I do not conceive the leaves to be so virtuous as
the roots.
Consolida media. Bugles, of which before.
Consolida minima. Daises.
Consolida rubra. Golden Rod: hot and dry in the second degree, cleanses the
reins, provokes urine, brings away the gravel: an admirable herb for wounded
people to take inwardly, stops blood, &c.
Consolida Regalis, Delphinium. Lark heels: resist poison, help the bitings of
venomous beasts.
Saracenica Solidago. Saracens Confound. Helps inward wounds, sore
mouths, sore throats, wasting of the lungs, and liver.
Coronepus. Buchorn Plantane, or Sea-plantain: cold and dry, helps the bitings
of venomous beasts, either taken inwardly, or applied to the wound: helps the
cholic, breaks the stone. Ægineta.
Coronaria. Hath got many English names. Cottonweed, Cudweed,
Chaffweed, and Petty Cotton. Of a drying and binding nature; boiled in lye, it
keeps the head from nits and lice; being laid among clothes, it keeps them safe
from moths, kills worms, helps the bitings of venomous beasts; taken in a
tobacco-pipe, it helps coughs of the lungs, and vehement headaches.
Cruciata. Crosswort: (there is a kind of Gentian called also by this name,
which I pass by) is drying and binding, exceeding good for inward or outward
wounds, either inwardly taken, or outwardly applied: and an excellent remedy
for such as are bursten.
Crassula. Orpine. Very good: outwardly used with vinegar, it clears the skin;
inwardly taken, it helps gnawings of the stomach and bowels, ulcers in the lungs,
bloody-flux, and quinsy in the throat, for which last disease it is inferior to none,
take not too much of it at a time, because of its coolness.
Crithamus, &c. Sampire. Hot and dry, helps difficulty of urine, the yellow
jaundice, provokes the menses, helps digestion, opens stoppings of the liver and
spleen. Galen.
Cucumis Asininus. Wild Cucumbers. See Elaterium.
Cyanus major, minor. Blue bottle, great and small, a fine cooling herb, helps
bruises, wounds, broken veins; the juice dropped into the eye, helps the
inflammations thereof.
Cygnoglossam. Hound’s-Tongue, cold and dry: applied to the fundament
helps the hemorrhoids, heals wounds and ulcers, and is a present remedy against
the bitings of dogs, burnings and scaldings.
Cypressus, Chamœ Cyparissus. Cypress-tree. The leaves are hot and binding,
help ruptures, and Polypus or flesh growing on the nose.
Chamæ cyparissus. Is Lavender Cotton. Resists poison, and kills worms.
Disetamnus Cretensis. Dictamny, or Dittany of Creet, hot and dry, brings
away dead children, hastens delivery, brings away the placenta, the very smell of
it drives away venomous beasts, so deadly an enemy it is to poison; it is an
admirable remedy against wounds and gunshot, wounds made with poisoned
weapons, it draws out splinters, broken bones, &c. The dose from half a dram to
a dram.
Dipsacus, sativ. sylv. Teazles, garden and wild, the leaves bruised and applied
to the temples, allay the heat in fevers, qualify the rage in frenzies; the juice
dropped into the ears, kills worms in them, dropped into the eyes, clears the
sight, helps redness and pimples in the face, being anointed with it.
Ebulus. Dwarf Elder, or Walwort. Hot and dry in the third degree; waste hard
swellings, being applied in form of a poultice; the hair of the head anointed with
the juice of it turns it black; the leaves being applied to the place, help
inflammations, burnings, scaldings, the bitings of mad dogs; mingled with bulls
suet is a present remedy for the gout; inwardly taken, is a singular purge for the
dropsy and gout.
Echium. Viper’s-bugloss, Viper’s-herb, Snake bugloss, Wal-bugloss, Wild-
bugloss, several counties give it these several names: It is a singular remedy
being eaten, for the biting of venomous beasts: continually eating of it makes the
body invincible against the poison of serpents, toads, spiders, &c. however it be
administered; it comforts the heart, expels sadness and melancholy. The rich
may make the flowers into a conserve, and the herb into a syrup, the poor may
keep it dry, both may keep it as a jewel.
Empetron, Calcifragra, Herniaria, &c. Rupture-wort, or Burst-wort. The
English name tells you it is good against ruptures, and so such as are bursten
shall find it, if they please to make trial of it, either inwardly taken, or outwardly
applied to the place, or both. Also the Latin names hold it forth to be good
against the stone, which whoso tries shall find true.
Enula Campana. Elicampane. Provokes urine. See the root.
Epithimum. Dodder of Time, to which add common Dodder, which is usually
that which grows upon flax: indeed every Dodder retains a virtue of that herb or
plant it grows upon, as Dodder that grows upon Broom, provokes urine forcibly,
and loosens the belly, and is moister than that which grows upon flax: that which
grows upon time, is hotter and dryer than that which grows upon flax, even in
the third degree, opens obstructions, helps infirmities of the spleen, purgeth
melancholy, relieves drooping spirits, helps the rickets: That which grows on
flax, is excellent for agues in young children, strengthens weak stomachs,
purgeth choler, provokes urine, opens stoppings in the reins and bladder. That
which grows upon nettles, provokes urine exceedingly. The way of using it is to
boil it in white wine, or other convenient decoction, and boil it very little. Ætias,
Mesue, Actuarius, Serapio, Avincena.
Eruch. Rocket, hot and dry in the third degree, being eaten alone, causeth
headache, by its heat procures urine. Galen.
Eupatorium. See Ageratum.
Euphragia. Eyebright is something hot and dry, the very sight of it refresheth
the eyes; inwardly taken, it restores the sight, and makes old men’s eyes young,
a dram of it taken in the morning is worth a pair of spectacles, it comforts and
strengthens the memory, outwardly applied to the place, it helps the eyes.

Filix fœmina.
Filicula, polypidium. See the roots.
Filipendula.

Malahathram. Indian-leaf, hot and dry in the second degree, comforts the
stomach exceedingly, helps digestion, provokes urine, helps inflammations of
the eyes, secures cloaths from moths.
Fæniculum. Fennel, encreaseth milk in nurses, provokes urine, breaks the
stone, easeth pains in the reins, opens stoppings, breaks wind, provokes the
menses; you may boil it in white wine.
Fragaria. Strawberry leaves, are cold, dry, and binding, a singular remedy for
inflammations and wounds, hot diseases in the throat; they stop fluxes and the
terms, cool the heat of the stomach, and the inflammations of the liver. The best
way is to boil them in barley water.
Fraxinus, &c. Ash-trees, the leaves are moderately hot and dry, cure the
bitings of Adders, and Serpents; they stop looseness, and stay vomiting, help the
rickets, open stoppages of the liver and spleen.
Fumaria. Fumitory: cold and dry, it opens and cleanses by urine, helps such
as are itchy, and scabbed, clears the skin, opens stoppings of the liver and spleen,
helps rickets, hypochondriac melancholy, madness, frenzies, quartan agues,
loosens the belly, gently purgeth melancholy, and addust choler: boil it in white
wine, and take this one general rule. All things of a cleansing or opening nature
may be most commodiously boiled in white wine. Remember but this, and then I
need not repeat it.
Galega. Goat’s-rue: Temperate in quality, resists poison, kills worms, helps
the falling-sickness, resists the pestilence. You may take a dram of it at a time in
powder.
 Galion. Ladies-bed straw: dry and binding, stanches blood, boiled in oil, the
oil is good to anoint a weary traveller; inwardly it provokes venery.
Gentiana. See the root.
Genista. Brooms: hot and dry in the second degree, cleanse and open the
stomach, break the stone in the reins and bladder, help the green sickness. Let
such as are troubled with heart-qualms or faintings, forbear it, for it weakens the
heart and spirit vital. See the flowers.
Geranium. Cranebill, the divers sorts of it, one of which is that which is
called Muscata; it is thought to be cool and dry, helps hot swellings, and by its
smell amends a hot brain.
Geranium Columbinum. Doves-foot; helps the wind cholic, pains in the belly,
stone in the reins and bladder, and is good in ruptures, and inward wounds. I
suppose these are the general virtues of them all.
Gramen. Grass: See the root.
Gratiola. Hedge-Hyssop, purges water and flegm, but works very churlishly.
Gesner commends it in dropsies.
Asphodelus fœm. See the root.
Hepatica, Lichen. Liverwort, cold and dry, good for inflammations of the
liver, or any other inflammations, yellow jaundice.
Hedera Arborea, Terrostris. Tree and Ground-Ivy. Tree-Ivy helps ulcers,
burnings, scaldings, the bad effects of the spleen; the juice snuffed up the nose,
purges the head, it is admirable for surfeits or headache, or any other ill effects
coming of drunkenness. Ground-Ivy is that which usually is called Alehoof, hot
and dry, the juice helps noise in the ears, fistulas, gouts, stoppings of the liver, it
strengthens the reins and stops the menses, helps the yellow jaundice, and other
diseases coming of stoppings of the liver, and is excellent for wounded people.
Herba Camphorata. Stinking Ground-pine, is of a drying quality, and
therefore stops defluxions either in the eyes or upon the lungs, the gout, cramps,
palsies, aches: strengthens the nerves.
Herbu Paralysis, Primula veris. Primroses, or Cowslips, which you will. The
leaves help pains in the head and joints; see the flowers which are most in use.
 Herba Paris. Herb True-love, or One-berry. It is good for wounds, falls,
bruises, aposthumes, inflammations, ulcers in the privities. Herb True-love, is
very cold in temperature. You may take half a dram of it at a time in powder.
Herba Roberti. A kind of Cranebill.
Herba venti, Anemone. Wind-flower. The juice snuffed up in the nose
purgeth the head, it cleanses filthy ulcers, encreases milk in nurses, and
outwardly by ointment helps leprosies.
Herniaria. The same with Empetron.
Helxine. Pellitory of the wall. Cold, moist, cleansing, helps the stone and
gravel in the kidnies, difficulty of urine, sore throats, pains in the ears, the juice
being dropped in them; outwardly it helps the shingles and St. Anthony’s fire.
Hyppoglossum. Horse-tongue, Tongue-blade or Double-Tongue. The roots
help the stranguary, provoke urine, ease the hard labour of women, provoke the
menses, the herb helps ruptures and the fits of the mother: it is hot in the second
degree, dry in the first: boil it in white wine.
Hyppolapathum. Patience, or Monk’s Rhubarb: see the Root.
Hypposclinum. Alexanders, or Alisanders: provoke urine, expel the placenta,
help the stranguary, expel wind.
Sage either taken inwardly or beaten and applied plaister-wise to the matrix,
draws forth both menses and placenta.
Horminum. Clary: hot and dry in the third degree; helps the weakness in the
back, stops the running of the reins, and the Fluor Albus, provokes the menses,
and helps women that are barren through coldness or moisture, or both: causes
fruitfulness, but is hurtful for the memory. The usual way of taking it is to fry it
with butter, or make a tansy with it.
Hydropiper. Arsmart. Hot and dry, consumes all cold swellings and blood
congealed by bruises, and stripes; applied to the place, it helps that aposthume in
the joints, commonly called a felon: strewed in a chamber, kills all the fleas
there: this is hottest Arsmart, and is unfit to be given inwardly: there is a milder
sort, called Persicaria, which is of a cooler and milder quality, drying,
excellently good for putrified ulcers, kills worms: I had almost forgot that the
former is an admirable remedy for the gout, being roasted between two tiles and
applied to the grieved place, and yet I had it from Dr. Butler too.
Hysopus. Hysop. Helps coughs, shortness of breath, wheezing, distillations
upon the lungs: it is of a cleansing quality: kills worms in the body, amends the
whole colour of the body, helps the dropsy and spleen, sore throats, and noise in
the ears. See Syrup of Hysop.
Hyosciamus, &c. Henbane. The white Henbane is held to be cold in the third
degree, the black or common Henbane and the yellow, in the fourth. They
stupify the senses, and therefore not to be taken inwardly, outwardly applied,
they help inflammations, hot gouts: applied to the temples they provoke sleep.
Hypericon. St. John’s Wort. It is as gallant a wound-herb as any is, either
given inwardly, or outwardly applied to the wound: it is hot and dry, opens
stoppings, helps spitting and vomiting of blood, it cleanses the reins, provokes
the menses, helps congealed blood in the stomach and meseraic veins, the
falling-sickness, palsy, cramps and aches in the joints; you may give it in powder
or any convenient decoction.
Hypoglottis, Laurus, Alexandrina. Laurel of Alexandria, provokes urine and
the menses, and is held to be a singular help to women in travail.
Hypoglossum, the same with Hypoglossum before, only different names given
by different authors, the one deriving his name from the tongue of a horse, of
which form the leaf is; the other the form of the little leaf, because small leaves
like small tongues grow upon the greater.
Iberis Cardamantice. Sciatica-cresses. I suppose so called because they help
the Sciatica, or Huckle-bone Gout.
Ingumalis, Asther. Setwort or Shartwort: being bruised and applied, they help
swellings, botches, and venerous swellings in the groin, whence they took their
name, as also inflammation and falling out of the fundament.
Iris. See the roots.
Isatis, Glastum. Woad. Drying and binding; the side being bathed with it, it
easeth pains in the spleen, cleanseth filthy corroding gnawing ulcers.
Iva Arthritica. The same with Camæpytis.
Iuncus oderatus. The same with Schœnanthus.
 Labrum veneris. The same with Dipsacus.
Lactuca. Lettice. Cold and moist, cools the inflammation of the stomach,
commonly called heart-burning: provokes sleep, resists drunkenness, and takes
away the ill effects, of it; cools the blood, quenches thirst, breeds milk, and is
good for choleric bodies, and such as have a frenzy, or are frantic. It is more
wholesome eaten boiled than raw.
Logabus, Herba Leporina. A kind of Trefoil growing in France and Spain.
Let them that live there look after the virtues of it.
Lavendula. Lavender: Hot and dry in the third degree: the temples and
forehead bathed with the juice of it; as also the smell of the herb helps
swoonings, catalepsis, falling-sickness, provided it be not accompanied with a
fever. See the flowers.
Laureola. Laurel. The leaves purge upward and downward: they are good for
rheumatic people to chew in their mouths, for they draw forth much water.
Laurus. Bay-tree. The leaves are hot and dry, resist drunkenness, they gently
bind and help diseases in the bladder, help the stinging of bees and wasps,
mitigate the pain of the stomach, dry and heal, open obstructions of the liver and
spleen, resist the pestilence.
Lappa Minor. The lesser Burdock.
Lentiscus. Mastich-tree. Both the leaves and bark of it stop fluxes (being hot
and dry in the second degree) spitting and evacuations of blood, and the falling
out of the fundament.
Lens palustris. Duckmeat: Cold and moist in the second degree, helps
inflammations, hot swellings, and the falling out of the fundament, being
warmed and applied to the place.
Lepidium Piperites. Dittander, Pepperwort, or Scar-wort: A hot fiery sharp
herb, admirable for the gout being applied to the place: being only held in the
hand, it helps the toothache, and withall leaves a wan colour in the hand that
holds it.
Livisticum. Lovage. Clears the sight, takes away redness and freckles from
the face.
 Libanotis Coronaria. See Rosemary.
Linaria. Toad-flax, or Wild-flax: hot and dry, cleanses the reins and bladder,
provokes urine, opens the stoppings of the liver and spleen, and helps diseases
coming thereof: outwardly it takes away yellowness and deformity of the skin.
Lillium convallium. Lilly of the Valley. See the flowers.
Lingua Cervina. Hart’s-tongue: drying and binding, stops blood, the menses
and fluxes, opens stoppings of the liver and spleen, and diseases thence arising.
The like quantity of Hart’s-tongue, Knotgrass and Comfrey Roots, being boiled
in water, and a draught of the decoction drunk every morning, and the materials
which have boiled applied to the place, is a notable remedy for such as are
bursten.
Limonium. Sea-bugloss, or Marsh-bugloss, or Sea-Lavender; the seeds being
very drying and binding, stop fluxes and the menses, help the cholic and
stranguary.
Lotus urbana. Authors make some flutter about this herb, I conceive the best
take it to be Trisolium Odoratum, Sweet Trefoyl, which is of a temperate nature,
cleanses the eyes gently of such things as hinder the sight, cures green wounds,
ruptures, or burstness, helps such as urine blood or are bruised, and secures
garments from moths.
Lupulus. Hops. Opening, cleansing, provoke urine, the young sprouts open
stoppings of the liver and spleen, cleanse the blood, clear the skin, help scabs
and itch, help agues, purge choler: they are usually boiled and taken as they eat
asparagus, but if you would keep them, for they are excellent for these diseases,
you may make them into a conserve, or into a syrup.
Lychnitis Coronaria: or as others write it, Lychnis. Rose Campion. I know no
great physical virtue it hath.
Macis. See the barks.
Magistrantia, &c. Masterwort. Hot and dry in the third degree: it is good
against poison, pestilence, corrupt and unwholesome air, helps windiness in the
stomach, causeth an appetite to one’s victuals, very profitable in falls and
bruises, congealed and clotted blood, the bitings of mad-dogs; the leaves chewed
in the mouth, cleanse the brain of superfluous humours, thereby preventing
lethargies, and apoplexes.
 Malva. Mallows. The best of Authors account wild Mallows to be best, and
hold them to be cold and moist in the first degree, they are profitable in the
bitings of venomous beasts, the stinging of bees and wasps, &c. Inwardly they
resist poison, provoke to stool; outwardly they assuage hard swellings of the
privities or other places; in clysters they help roughness and fretting of the
entrails, bladder, or fundament; and so they do being boiled in water, and the
decoction drank, as I have proved in the bloody flux.
Majorana. See Amaracus.
Mandragora. Mandrakes. Fit for no vulgar use, but only to be used in cooling
ointments.
Marrubium, album, nigrum, fœtidum.
Marrubium album, is common Horehound. Hot in the second degree, and dry
in the third, opens the liver and spleen, cleanses the breast and lungs, helps old
coughs, pains in the sides, ptisicks, or ulceration of the lungs, it provokes the
menses, eases hard labour in child-bearing, brings away the placenta. See the
syrups.
Marrubium, nigrum, et fœtidum. Black and stinking Horehound, I take to be
all one. Hot and dry in the third degree; cures the bitings of mad dogs, wastes
and consumes hard knots in the fundament and matrix, cleanses filthy ulcers.
Marum. Herb Mastich. Hot and dry in the third degree, good against cramps
and convulsions.
Matricaria. Feverfew. Hot in the third degree, dry in the second; opens,
purges; a singular remedy for diseases incident to the matrix, and other diseases
incident to women, eases their travail, and infirmities coming after it; it helps the
vertigo or dissiness of the head, melancholy sad thoughts: you may boil it either
alone, or with other herbs fit for the same purpose, with which this treatise will
furnish you; applied to the wrists, it helps the ague.
Matrisylva. The same with Caprifolium.
Meliotus. Melilot. Inwardly taken, provokes urine, breaks the Stone, cleanses
the reins and bladder, cutteth and cleanses the lungs of tough flegm, the juice
dropped into the eyes, clears the sight, into the ears, mitigates pain and noise
there; the head bathed with the juice mixed with vinegar, takes away the pains
thereof: outwardly in pultisses, it assuages swellings in the privities and
elsewhere.
Mellissa. Balm. Hot and dry: outwardly mixed with salt and applied to the
neck, helps the King’s-evil, bitings of mad dogs, venomous beasts, and such as
cannot hold their neck as they should do; inwardly it is an excellent remedy for a
cold and moist stomach, cheers the heart, refreshes the mind, takes away griefs,
sorrow, and care, instead of which it produces joy and mirth. See the syrup.
Galen, Avicenna.
Mentha sativa. Garden Mints, Spear Mints. Are hot and dry in the third
degree, provoke hunger, are wholesome for the stomach, stay vomiting, stop the
menses, help sore heads in children, strengthen the stomach, cause digestion;
outwardly applied, they help the bitings of mad-dogs: Yet they hinder
conception.
Mentha aquatica. Water Mints: Ease pains of the belly, headache, and
vomiting, gravel in the kidnies and stone.
Methastrum. Horse-mint. I know no difference between them and water
mints.
Mercurialis, mas, fœmina. Mercury male and female, they are both hot and
dry in the second degree, cleansing, digesting, they purge watery humours, and
further conception.
Mezereon. Spurge-Olive, or Widdow-wail. A dangerous purge, better let
alone than meddled with.
Millefolium. Yarrow. Meanly cold and binding, an healing herb for wounds,
stanches bleeding; and some say the juice snuffed up the nose, causeth it to
bleed, whence it was called, Nose-bleed; it stops lasks, and the menses, helps the
running of the reins, helps inflammations and excoriations of the priapus, as also
inflammations of wounds. Galen.
Muscus. Mosse. Is something cold and binding, yet usually retains a smatch
of the property of the tree it grows on; therefore that which grows upon oaks is
very dry and binding. Serapio saith that it being infused in wine, and the wine
drank, it stays vomiting and fluxes, as also the Fluor Albus.
Myrtus. Myrtle-tree. The leaves are of a cold earthly quality, drying and
binding, good for fluxes, spitting and vomiting of blood; stop the Fluor Albus
and menses.
 Nardus. See the root.
Nasturtium, Aquaticum, Hortense. Water cresses, and Garden-cresses.
Garden-cresses are hot and dry in the fourth degree, good for the scurvy,
sciatica, hard swellings, yet do they trouble the belly, ease pains of the spleen,
provoke lust. Dioscorides. Water-cresses are hot and dry, cleanse the blood, help
the scurvy, provoke urine and the menses, break the stone, help the green-
sickness, cause a fresh lively colour.
Nasturtium Alhum, Thlaspie. Treacle-mustard. Hot and dry in the third
degree, purges violently, dangerous for pregnant women. Outwardly it is applied
with profit to the gout.
Nicorimi. Tobacco. It is hot and dry in the second degree, and of a cleansing
nature: the leaves warmed and applied to the head, are excellently good in
inveterate headaches and megrims, if the diseases come through cold or wind,
change them often till the diseases be gone, help such whose necks be stiff: it
eases the faults of the breast: Asthma’s or head-flegm in the lappets of the lungs:
eases the pains of the stomach and windiness thereof: being heated by the fire,
and applied hot to the side, they loosen the belly, and kill worms being applied
unto it in like manner: they break the stone being applied in like manner to the
region of the bladder: help the rickets, being applied to the belly and sides:
applied to the navel, they give present ease to the fits of the mother: they take
away cold aches in the joints applied to them: boiled, the liquor absolutely and
speedily cures scabs and itch: neither is there any better salve in the world for
wounds than may be made of it: for it cleanses, fetches out the filth though it lie
in the bones, brings up the flesh from the bottom, and all this it doth speedily: it
cures wounds made with poisoned weapons, and for this Clusius brings many
experiences too tedious here to relate. It is an admirable thing for carbuncles and
plague-sores, inferior to none: green wounds ’twill cure in a trice: ulcers and
gangreens very speedily, not only in men, but also in beasts, therefore the
Indians dedicated it to their god. Taken in a pipe, it hath almost as many virtues;
it easeth weariness, takes away the sense of hunger and thirst, provokes to stool:
he saith, the Indians will travel four days without either meat or drink, by only
chewing a little of this in their mouths: It eases the body of superfluous humours,
opens stoppings. See the ointment of Tobacco.
Nummularia. Money-wort, or Herb Two-pence; cold, dry, binding, helps
fluxes, stops the menses, helps ulcers in the lungs; outwardly it is a special herb
for wounds.
 Nymphea. See the flowers.
Ocynum. Basil, hot and moist. The best use that I know of it, is, it gives
speedy deliverance to women in travail. Let them not take above half a dram of
it at a time in powder, and be sure also the birth be ripe, else it causes abortion.
Oleæ folia. Olive leaves: they are hard to come by here.
Ononis. Restharrow. See the roots.
Ophioglossum. Adder’s-tongue. The leaves are very drying: being boiled in
oil they make a dainty green balsam for green wounds: taken inwardly, they help
inward wounds.
Origanum. Origany: a kind of wild Marjoram; hot and dry in the third degree,
helps the bitings of venomous beasts, such as have taken Opium, Hemlock, or
Poppy; provokes urine, brings down the menses, helps old coughs; in an
ointment it helps scabs and itch.
Oxylapathum. Sorrel. See Acetosa.
Papaver, &c. Poppies, white, black, or erratick. I refer you to the syrups of
each.
Parietaria. Given once before under the name of Helxine.
Pastinæa. Parsnips. See the roots.
Persicaria. See Hydropiper. This is the milder sort of Arsmart I described
there: If ever you find it amongst the compounds, take it under that notion.
Pentaphyllium. Cinquefoil: very drying, yet but meanly hot, if at all; helps
ulcers in the mouth, roughness of the wind-pipe (whence comes hoarsness and
coughs, &c.) helps fluxes, creeping ulcers, and the yellow jaundice; they say one
leaf cures a quotidian ague, three a tertain, and four a quartan. I know it will cure
agues without this curiosity, if a wise man have the handling of it; otherwise a
cart load will not do it.
Petroselinum. Parsley. See Smallage.
Per Columbinus. See Geranium.
Persicarium folia. Peach Leaves: they are a gentle, yet a complete purger of
choler, and disease coming from thence; fit for children because of their
gentleness. You may boil them in white wine: a handfull is enough at a time.
Pilosella. Mouse-ear: once before and this is often enough.
Pithyusa. A new name for Spurge of the last Edition.
Plantago. Plantain. Cold and dry; an herb, though common, yet let none
despise it, for the decoction of it prevails mightily against tormenting pains and
excoriations of the entrails, bloody fluxes, it stops the menses, and spitting of
blood, phthisicks, or consumptions of the lungs, the running of the reins, and the
Fluor Albus, pains in the head, and frenzies: outwardly it clears the sight, takes
away inflammations, scabs, itch, the shingles, and all spreading sores, and is as
wholesome an herb as can grow about any an house. Tragus, Dioscorides.
Polium, &c. Polley, or Pellamountain: All the sorts are hot in the second
degree, and dry in the third: helps dropsies, the yellow jaundice, infirmities of
the spleen, and provokes urine. Dioscorides.
Polygonum. Knotgrass.
Polytricum. Maidenhair.
Portulaca. Purslain: Cold and moist in the second or third degree: cools hot
stomachs, and it is admirable for one that hath his teeth on edge by eating sour
apples, it cools the blood, liver, and is good for hot diseases, or inflammations in
any of these places, stops fluxes, and the menses, and helps all inward
inflammations whatsoever.
Porrum. Leeks. See the roots.
Primula Veris. See Cowslips, or the Flowers, which you will.
Prunella. Self-heal, Carpenter’s-herb, and Sicklewort. Moderately hot and
dry, binding. See Bugle, the virtues being the same.
Pulegium. Pennyroyal; hot and dry in the third degree; provokes urine, breaks
the stone in the reins, strengthens women’s backs, provokes the menses, easeth
their labour in child-bed, brings away the placenta, stays vomiting, strengthens
the brain, breaks wind, and helps the vertigo.
Pulmonaria, arborea, et Symphytum maculosum. Lung-wort. It helps
infirmities of the lungs, as hoarsness, coughs, wheezing, shortness of breath, &c.
You may boil it in Hyssop-water, or any other water that strengthens the lungs.
 Pulicaria. Fleabane; hot and dry in the third degree, helps the biting of
venomous beasts, wounds and swellings, the yellow jaundice, the falling
sickness, and such as cannot make water; being burnt, the smoak of it kills all
the gnats and fleas in the chamber; it is dangerous for pregnant women.
Pyrus sylvestris. Wild Pear-tree. I know no virtue in the leaves.
Pyrola. Winter-green. Cold and dry, and very binding, stops fluxes, and the
menses, and is admirably good in green wounds.
Quercus folia. Oak Leaves: Are much of the nature of the former, stay the
Fluor Albus. See the bark.
Ranunculus. Hath got a sort of English Names: Crowfoot, King-kob, Gold-
cups, Gold-knobs, Butter-flowers, &c. they are of a notable hot quality, unfit to
be taken inwardly: If you bruise the roots and apply them to a plague-sore, they
are notable things to draw the venom to them.
Raparum folia. If they do mean Turnip leaves, when they are young and
tender, they are held to provoke urine.
Rosmarirum. Rosemary, hot and dry in the second degree, binding, stops
fluxes, helps stuffings in the head, the yellow jaundice, helps the memory, expels
wind. See the flowers. Serapio, Dioscorides.
Rosa solis. See the water.
Rosa alba, rubra, Damascena. White, Red, and Damask Roses.
Rumex. Dock; All the ordinary sort of Docks are of a cool and drying
substance, and therefore stop fluxes; and the leaves are seldom used in physic.
Rubus Idæus: Raspis, Raspberries, or Hind-berries: I know no great virtues in
the leaves.
Ruta. Rue, or Herb of Grace; hot and dry in the third degree, consumes the
seed, and is an enemy to generation, helps difficulty of breathing, and
inflammations of the lungs, pains in the sides, inflammations of the priapus and
matrix, naught for pregnant women: no herb resists poison more. It strengthens
the heart exceedingly, and no herb better than this in pestilential times, take it
what manner you will or can.
Ruta Muraria. See Adianthum.
 Sabina. Savin: hot and dry in the third degree, potently provokes the menses,
expels both birth and afterbirth, they (boiled in oil and used in ointments) stay
creeping ulcers, scour away spots, freckles and sunburning from the face; the
belly anointed with it kills worms in children.
Salvia. Sage: hot and dry in the second or third degree, binding, it stays
abortion in such women as are subject to come before their times, it causes
fruitfulness, it is singularly good for the brain, strengthens the senses and
memory, helps spitting and vomiting of blood: outwardly, heat hot with a little
vinegar and applied to the side, helps stitches and pains in the sides.
Salix. Willow leaves, are cold, dry, and binding, stop spitting of blood, and
fluxes; the boughs stuck about a chamber, wonderfully cool the air, and refresh
such as have fevers; the leaves applied to the head, help hot diseases there, and
frenzies.
Sampsucum. Marjoram.
Sunicula. Sanicle; hot and dry in the second degree, cleanses wounds and
ulcers.
Saponaria. Sope-wort, or Bruise-wort, vulgarly used in bruises and cut
fingers, and is of notable use in the veneral disease.
Satureia. Savory. Summer savory is hot and dry in the third degree, Winter
savory is not so hot, both of them expel wind.
Sazifragia alba. White Saxifrage, breaks wind, helps the cholic and stone.
Scabiosa. Scabious: hot and dry in the second degree, cleanses the breast and
lungs, helps old rotten coughs, and difficulty of breathing, provokes urine, and
cleanses the bladder of filthy stuff, breaks aposthumes, and cures scabs and itch.
Boil it in white wine.
Scariola. An Italian name for Succory.
Schœnanthus. Schœnanth, Squinanth, or Chamel’s hay; hot and binding. It
digests and opens the passages of the veins: surely it is as great an expeller of
wind as any is.
Scordium. Water-Germander, hot and dry, cleanses ulcers in the inward parts,
it provokes urine and the menses, opens stopping of the liver, spleen, reins,
bladder, and matrix, it is a great counter poison, and eases the breast oppressed
with flegm: see Diascordium.
Scrophularia. Figwort, so called of Scrophula, the King’s Evil, which it cures
they say, by being only hung about the neck. If not, bruise it, and apply it to the
place, it helps the piles or hemorrhoids.
Sedum. And all his sorts: see Barba Jovis.
Senna. It heats in the second degree and dries in the first, cleanses, purges and
digests; it carries downward both choler, flegm, and melancholy, it cleanses the
brain, heart, liver, spleen; it cheers the senses, opens obstructions, takes away
dulness of sight, helps deafness, helps melancholy and madness, resists
resolution of the nerves, pains of the head, scabs, itch, falling-sickness, the
windiness of it is corrected with a little ginger. You may boil half an ounce of it
at a time, in water or white wine, but boil it not too much; half an ounce is a
moderate dose to be boiled for any reasonable body.
Serpillum. Mother-of-Time, with Time; it is hot and dry in the third degree, it
provokes the menses, and helps the stranguary or stoppage of urine, gripings in
the belly, ruptures, convulsions, inflammation of the liver, lethargy, and
infirmities of the spleen, boil it in white wine. Ætius, Galen.
Sigillum Solomonis. Solomon’s seal. See the root.
Smyrnium. Alexander of Crete.
Solanum. Night-shade: very cold and dry, binding; it is somewhat dangerous
given inwardly, unless by a skilful hand; outwardly it helps the Shingles, St.
Anthony’s fire, and other hot inflammations.
Soldanella. Bindweed, hot and dry in the second degree, it opens obstructions
of the liver, and purges watery humours, and is therefore very profitable in
dropsies, it is very hurtful to the stomach, and therefore if taken inwardly it had
need be well corrected with cinnamon, ginger, or annis-seed, &c.
Sonchus levis Asper. Sow-thistles smooth and rough, they are of a cold,
watery, yet binding quality, good for frenzies, they increase milk in nurses, and
cause the children which they nurse to have a good colour, help gnawings of the
stomach coming of a hot cause; outwardly they help inflammations, and hot
swellings, cool the heat of the fundament and privities.
 Sophi Chirurgorum. Fluxweed: drying without any manifest heat or coldness;
it is usually found about old ruinous buildings; it is so called because of its virtue
in stopping fluxes.
Shinachia. Spinage. I never read any physical virtues of it.
Spina Alba. See the root.
Spica. See Nardus.
Stæbe. Silver Knapweed: The virtues be the same with Scabious, and some
think the herbs too; though I am of another opinion.
Stœchas. French Lavender. Cassidony, is a great counterpoison, opens
obstructions of the liver and spleen, cleanses the matrix and bladder, brings out
corrupt humours, provokes urine.
Succisa, Marsus Diaboli. Devil’s-bit. Hot and dry in the second degree:
inwardly taken, it eases the fits of the mother, and breaks wind, takes away
swellings in the mouth, and slimy flegm that stick to the jaws, neither is there a
more present remedy in the world for those cold swellings in the neck which the
vulgar call the almonds of the ears, than this herb bruised and applied to them.
Suchaha. An Egyptian Thorn. Very hard, if not impossible to come by here.
Tanacetum. Tansy: hot in the second degree and dry in the third; the very
smell of it stays abortion, or miscarriages in women; so it doth being bruised and
applied to their navels, provokes urine, and is a special help against the gout.
Taraxacon. Dandelion, or to write better French, Dent-de-lion, for in plain
English, it is called lyon’s tooth; it is a kind of Succory, and thither I refer you.
Tamariscus. Tamiris. It hath a dry cleansing quality, and hath a notable virtue
against the rickets, and infirmities of the spleen, provokes the menses. Galen,
Dioscorides.
Telephium. A kind of Opine.
Thlaspi. See Nasturtium.
Thymbra. A wild Savory.
Thymum. Thyme. Hot and dry in the third degree; helps coughs and shortness
of breath, provokes the menses, brings away dead children and the after birth;
purges flegm, cleanses the breast and lungs, reins and matrix; helps the sciatica,
pains in the breast, expels wind in any part of the body, resists fearfulness and
melancholy, continual pains in the head, and is profitable for such as have the
falling-sickness to smell to.
Thymælea. The Greek name for Spurge-Olive: Mezereon being the Arabick
name.
Tithymallus, Esula, &c. Spurge. Hot and dry in the fourth degree: a dogged
purge, better let alone than taken inwardly: hair anointed with the juice of it will
fall off: it kills fish, being mixed with any thing that they will eat: outwardly it
cleanses ulcers, takes away freckles, sunburning and morphew from the face.
Tormentilla. See the root.
Trinitatis herba. Pansies, or Heart’s-ease: They are cold and moist, both
herbs and flowers, excellent against inflammations of the breast or lungs,
convulsions or falling-sickness, also they are held to be good for venereal
complaints.
Trifolium. Trefoil: dry in the third degree, and cold: The ordinary Meadow
Trefoil, cleanses the bowels of slimy humours that stick to them, being used
either in drinks or clysters; outwardly they take away inflammations.
Tussilago. Colt’s-foot: something cold and dry, and therefore good for
inflammations, they are admirably good for coughs, and consumptions of the
lungs, shortness of breath, &c. It is often used and with good success taken in a
tobacco-pipe, being cut and mixed with a little oil of annis seeds. See the Syrup
of Colt’s-foot.
Valeriana. Valerian, or Setwall. See the roots.
Verbascum, Thapsus Barbatus. Mullin, or Higtaper. It is something dry, and
of a digesting, cleansing quality, stops fluxes and the hemorrhoids, it cures
hoarseness, the cough, and such as are broken winded.
Verbena. Vervain: hot and dry, a great opener, cleanser, healer, it helps the
yellow jaundice, defects in the reins and bladder, pains in the head; if it be but
bruised and hung about the neck, all diseases in the privities; made into an
ointment it is a sovereign remedy for old headaches, as also frenzies, it clears the
skin, and causes a lovely colour.
 Veronica. See Betonica Pauli.
Violaria. Violet Leaves: they are cool, ease pains in the head proceeding of
heat and frenzies, either inwardly taken, or outwardly applied; heat of the
stomach, or inflammation of the lungs.
Vitis Viniseria. The manured Vine: the leaves are binding and cool withal; the
burnt ashes of the sticks of a vine, scour the teeth and make them as white as
snow; the leaves stop bleeding, fluxes, heart-burnings, vomitings; as also the
longings of pregnant women. The coals of a burnt Vine, in powder, mixed with
honey, doth make the teeth as white as ivory, which are rubbed with it.
Vincitoxicum. Swallow-wort. A pultis made with the leaves helps sore
breasts, and also soreness of the matrix.
Virga Pastoris. A third name for Teazles. See Dipsatus.
Virga Aurea. See Consolida.
Ulmaria. See the root. Meadsweet.
Umbilicus Veneris. Navil-wort: Cold, dry, and binding, therefore helps all
inflammations; they are very good for kibed heels, being bathed with it and a
leaf laid over the sore.
Urtica. Nettles: an herb so well known, that you may find them by the feeling
in the darkest night: they are something hot, not very hot; the juice stops
bleeding; they provoke lust, help difficulty of breathing, pleurisies,
inflammations of the lungs, that troublesome cough that women call the
Chincough; they exceedingly break the stone, provoke urine, and help such as
cannot hold their necks upright. Boil them in white wine.
Usnea. Moss; once before.
 FLOWERS.
BORAGE, and Bugloss flowers strengthen the brain, and are profitable in
fevers.
Chamomel flowers, heat and assuage swellings, inflammation of the bowels,
dissolve wind, are profitably given in clysters or drink, to such as are troubled
with the cholic, or stone.
Stæchea, opens stoppings in the bowels, and strengthens the whole body.
Saffron powerfully concocts, and sends out whatever humour offends the
body, drives back inflammations; applied outwardly, encreases venery, and
provokes urine.
Clove-Gilliflowers, resist the pestilence, strengthen the heart, liver, and
stomach, and provoke venery.
Schœnanth (which I touched slightly amongst the herbs) provokes urine
potently, provokes the menses, breaks wind, helps such as spit or vomit blood,
eases pains of the stomach, reins, and spleen, helps dropsies, convulsions, and
inflammations of the womb.
Lavender-flowers, resist all cold afflictions of the brain, convulsions, falling-
sickness, they strengthen cold stomachs, and open obstructions of the liver, they
provoke urine and the menses, bring forth the birth and placenta.
Hops, open stoppings of the bowels, and for that cause beer is better than ale.
Balm-flowers, cheer the heart and vital spirits, strengthen the stomach.
Rosemary-flowers, strengthen the brain exceedingly, and resist madness;
clear the sight.
Winter-Gilliflowers, or Wall-flowers, help inflammation of the womb,
provoke the menses, and help ulcers in the mouth.
Honey-suckles, provoke urine, ease the pains of the spleen, and such as can
hardly fetch their breath.
 Mallows, help coughs.
Red Roses, cool, bind, strengthen both vital and animal virtue, restore such as
are in consumptions, strengthen. There are so many compositions of them which
makes me more brief in the simples.
Violets, (to wit, the blue ones,) cool and moisten, provoke sleep, loosen the
belly, resist fevers, help inflammations, correct the heat of choler, ease the pains
in the head, help the roughness of the wind-pipe, diseases in the throat,
inflammations in the breast and sides, plurisies, open stoppings of the liver, and
help the yellow jaundice.
Chicory, (or Succory as the vulgar call it) cools and strengthens the liver, so
doth Endive.
Water lilies, ease pains of the head coming of choler and heat, provoke sleep,
cool inflammations, and the heat in fevers.
Pomegranate-flowers, dry and bind, stop fluxes, and the menses.
Cowslips, strengthen the brain, senses, and memory, exceedingly, resist all
diseases there, as convulsions, falling-sickness, palsies, &c.
Centaury, purges choler and gross humours, helps the yellow jaundice, opens
obstructions of the liver, helps pains of the spleen, provokes the menses, brings
away birth and afterbirth.
Elder flowers, help dropsies, cleanse the blood, clear the skin, open stoppings
of the liver and spleen, and diseases arising therefrom.
Bean-flowers, clear the skin, stop humours flowing into the eyes.
Peach-tree flowers, purge choler gently.
Broom-flowers, purge water, and are good in dropsies.
The temperature of all these differ either very little or not at all from the
herbs.
The way of using the flowers I did forbear, because most of them may, and
are usually made into conserves, of which you may take the quantity of a nutmeg
in the morning; all of them may be kept dry a year, and boiled with other herbs
conducing to the cures they do.
 FRUITS AND THEIR BUDS.
Green Figs, are held to be of ill juice, but the best is, we are not much
troubled with them in England; dry figs help coughs, cleanse the breast, and help
infirmities of the lungs, shortness of wind, they loose the belly, purge the reins,
help inflammations of the liver and spleen; outwardly they dissolve swellings.
Pine-nuts, restore such as are in consumptions, amend the failings of the
lungs, concoct flegm, and yet are naught for such as are troubled with the head-
ache.
Dates, are binding, stop eating ulcers being applied to them; they are very
good for weak stomachs, for they soon digest, and breed good nourishment, they
help infirmities of the reins, bladder, and womb.
Sebestens, cool choler, violent heat of the stomach, help roughness of the
tongue and wind-pipe, cool the reins and bladder.
Raisins of the Sun, help infirmities of the breast and liver, restore
consumptions, gently cleanse and move to stool.
Walnuts, kill worms, resist the pestilence, (I mean the green ones, not the
dry.)
Capers eaten before meals, provoke hunger.
Nutmegs, strengthen the brain, stomach, and liver, provoke urine, ease the
pains of the spleen, stop looseness, ease pains of the head, and pains in the
joints, strengthen the body, take away weakness coming of cold, and cause a
sweet breath.
Cloves, help digestion, stop looseness, provoke lust, and quicken the sight.
Pepper, binds, expels wind, helps the cholic, quickens digestion oppressed
with cold, heats the stomach.
Quinces. See the Compositions.
Pears are grateful to the stomach, drying, and therefore help fluxes.
 All plums that are sharp or sour, are binding, the sweet are loosening.
Cucumbers, cool the stomach, and are good against ulcers in the bladder.
Galls, are exceeding binding, help ulcers in the mouth, wasting of the gums,
ease the pains of the teeth, help the falling out of the womb and fundament,
make the hair black.
Pompions are a cold and moist fruit, of small nourishment, they provoke
urine, outwardly applied; the flesh of them helps inflammations and burnings;
applied to the forehead they help inflammations of the eyes.
Melons, have few other virtues.
Apricots, are very grateful to the stomach, and dry up the humours thereof.
Peaches are held to do the like.
Cubebs, are hot and dry in the third degree, they expel wind, and cleanse the
stomach of tough and viscous humours, they ease the pains of the spleen, and
help cold diseases of the womb, they cleanse the head of flegm and strengthen
the brain, they heat the stomach and provoke venery.
Bitter Almonds, are hot in the first degree and dry in the second, they cleanse
and cut thick humours, cleanse the lungs, and eaten every morning, they are held
to preserve from drunkenness.
Bay-berries, heat, expel wind, mitigate pain; are excellent for cold infirmities
of the womb, and dropsies.
Cherries, are of different qualities according to their different taste, the sweet
are quickest of digestion, but the sour are more pleasing to a hot stomach, and
procure appetite to one’s meat.
Medlars, are strengthening to the stomach, binding, and the green are more
binding than the rotten, and the dry than the green.
Olives, cool and bind.
English-currants, cool the stomach, and are profitable in acute fevers, they
quench thirst, resist vomiting, cool the heat of choler, provoke appetite, and are
good for hot complexions.
Services, or Chockers are of the nature of Medlars, but something weaker in
operation.
Barberries, quench thirst, cool the heat of choler, resist the pestilence, stay
vomiting and fluxes, stop the menses, kill worms, help spitting of blood, fasten
the teeth, and strengthen the gums.
Strawberries, cool the stomach, liver, and blood, but are very hurtful for such
as have agues.
Winter-Cherries, potently provoke urine, and break the stone.
Cassia-fistula, is temperate in quality, gently purgeth choler and flegm,
clarifies the blood, resists fevers, cleanses the breast and lungs, it cools the reins,
and thereby resists the breeding of the stone, it provokes urine, and therefore is
exceeding good for the running of the reins in men, and the Fluor Albus in
women.
All the sorts or Myrobalans, purge the stomach; the Indian Myrobalans, are
held to purge melancholy most especially, the other flegm; yet take heed you use
them not in stoppings of the bowels: they are cold and dry, they all strengthen
the heart, brain, and sinews, strengthen the stomach, relieve the senses, take
away tremblings and heart-qualms. They are seldom used alone.
Prunes, are cooling and loosening.
Tamarinds, are cold and dry in the second degree, they purge choler, cool the
blood, stay vomiting, help the yellow jaundice, quench thirst, cool hot stomachs,
and hot livers.
I omit the use of these also as resting confident a child of three years old, if
you should give it Raisins of the sun or Cherries would not ask how it should
take them.
 SEEDS OR GRAINS.
Coriander seed, hot and dry, expels wind, but is hurtful to the head; sends up
unwholesome vapours to the brain, dangerous for mad people.
Fenugreek seeds, are of a softening, discussing nature, they cease
inflammations, be they internal or external: bruised and mixed with vinegar they
ease the pains of the spleen: being applied to the sides, help hardness and
swellings of the matrix, being boiled, the decoction helps scabby heads.
Lin-seed hath the same virtues with Fenugreek.
Gromwell seed, provokes urine, helps the cholic, breaks the stone, and expels
wind. Boil them in white wine; but bruise them first.
Lupines, ease the pains of the spleen, kill worms and cast them out:
outwardly, they cleanse filthy ulcers, and gangrenes, help scabs, itch, and
inflammations.
Dill seed, encreases milk in nurses, expels wind, stays vomitings, provokes
urine; yet it dulls the sight, and is an enemy to generation.
Smallage seed, provokes urine and the menses, expels wind, resists poison,
and eases inward pains, it opens stoppings in any part of the body, yet it is
hurtful for such as have the falling-sickness, and for pregnant women.
Rocket seed, provokes urine, stirs up lust, encreases seed, kills worms, eases
pains of the spleen. Use all these in like manner.
Basil seed: If we may believe Dioscorides and Crescentius, cheers the heart,
and strengthens a moist stomach, drives away melancholy, and provokes urine.
Nettle seed, provokes venery, opens stoppages of the womb, helps
inflammations of the sides and lungs; purgeth the breast: boil them (being
bruised) in white wine also.
The seeds of Ammi, or Bishop’s-weed, heat and dry, help difficulty of urine,
and the pains of the cholic, the bitings of venomous beasts; they provoke the
menses, and purge the womb.
 Annis seeds, heat and dry, ease pain, expel wind, cause a sweet breath, help
the dropsy, resist poison, breed milk, and stop the Fluor Albus in women,
provoke venery, and ease the head-ache.
Cardamoms, heat, kill worms, cleanse the reins, and provoke urine.
Fennel seed, breaks wind, provokes urine and the menses, encreases milk in
nurses.
Cummin seed, heat, bind, and dry, stop blood, expel wind, ease pain, help the
bitings of venomous beast: outwardly applied (viz. in Plaisters) they are of a
discussing nature.
Carrot seeds, are windy, provoke lust exceedingly, and encrease seed,
provoke urine and the menses, cause speedy delivery to women in travail, and
bring away the placenta. All these also may be boiled in white wine.
Nigella seeds, boiled in oil, and the forehead anointed with it, ease pains in
the head, take away leprosy, itch, scurf, and help scald heads: Inwardly taken
they expel worms, they provoke urine, and the menses, help difficulty of
breathing.
Stavesacre, kills lice in the head, I hold it not fitting to be given inwardly.
Olibanum mixed with as much Barrow’s Grease (beat the Olibanum first in
powder) and boiled together, make an ointment which will kill the lice in
children’s heads, and such as are subject to breed them, will never breed them. A
Medicine cheap, safe, and sure, which breeds no annoyance to the brain.
The seeds of Water-cresses, heat, yet trouble the stomach and belly; ease the
pains of the spleen, are very dangerous for pregnant women, yet they provoke
lust: outwardly applied, they help leprosies, scald heads, and the falling off of
hair, as also carbuncles, and cold ulcers in the joints.
Mustard seed, heats, extenuates, and draws moisture from the brain: the head
being shaved and anointed with Mustard, is a good remedy for the lethargy, it
helps filthy ulcers, and hard swellings in the mouth, it helps old aches coming of
cold.
French Barley, is cooling, nourishing, and breeds milk.
Sorrel seeds, potently resist poison, help fluxes, and such stomachs as loath
their meat.
Succory seed, cools the heat of the blood, extinguishes lust, opens stoppings
of the liver and bowels, it allays the heat of the body, and produces a good
colour, it strengthens the stomach, liver, and reins.
Poppy seeds, ease pain, provoke sleep. Your best way is to make an emulsion
of them with barley water.
Mallow seeds, ease pains in the bladder.
Chich-pease, are windy, provoke lust, encrease milk in nurses, provoke the
menses, outwardly, they help scabs, itch, and inflammations of the testicles,
ulcers, &c.
White Saxifrage seeds, provoke urine, expel wind, and break the stone. Boil
them in white wine.
Rue seeds, helps such as cannot hold their water.
Lettice seed, cools the blood, restrains venery.
Also Gourds, Citruls, Cucumbers, Melons, Purslain, and Endive seeds, cool
the blood, as also the stomach, spleen, and reins, and allay the heat of fevers.
Use them as you were taught to do poppy-seeds.
Wormseed, expels wind, kills worms.
Ash-tree Keys, ease pains in the sides, help the dropsy, relieve men weary
with labour, provoke venery, and make the body lean.
Piony seeds, help the Ephialtes, or the disease the vulgar call the Mare, as
also the fits of the mother, and other such like infirmities of the womb, stop the
menses, and help convulsions.
Broom seed, potently provoke urine, break the stone.
Citron seeds, strengthen the heart, cheer the vital spirit, resist pestilence and
poison.
 TEARS, LIQUORS, AND ROZINS.
Laudanum, is of a heating, mollifying nature, it opens the mouth of the veins,
stays the hair from falling off, helps pains in the ears, and hardness of the womb.
It is used only outwardly in plaisters.
Assafœtida. Is commonly used to allay the fits of the mother by smelling to it;
they say, inwardly taken, it provokes lust, and expels wind.
Benzoin, or Benjamin, makes a good perfume.
Sanguis Draconis, cools and binds exceedingly.
Aloes, purges choler and flegm, and with such deliberation that it is often
given to withstand the violence of other purges, it preserves the senses and
betters the apprehension, it strengthens the liver, and helps the yellow-jaundice.
Yet is naught for such as are troubled with the hemorrhoids, or have agues. I do
not like it taken raw. See Aloe Rosata, which is nothing but it washed with the
juice of roses.
Manna, is temperately hot, of a mighty dilative quality, windy, cleanses
choler gently, also it cleanses the throat and stomach. A child may take an ounce
of it at a time melted in milk, and the dross strained out, it is good for them when
they are scabby.
Scamony, or Diagridium, call it by which name you please, is a desperate
purge, hurtful to the body by reason of its heat, windiness, corroding, or
gnawing, and violence of working. I would advise my countrymen to let it alone;
it will gnaw their bodies as fast as doctors gnaw their purses.
Opopanax, is of a heating, molifying, digesting quality.
Gum Elemi, is exceeding good for fractures of the skull, as also in wounds,
and therefore is put in plaisters for that end. See Arceus his Liniment.
Tragacanthum, commonly called Gum Traganth, and Gum Dragon, helps
coughs, hoarseness, and distillations on the lungs.
Bdellium, heats and softens, helps hard swellings, ruptures, pains in the sides,
hardness of the sinews.
Galbanum. Hot and dry, discussing; applied to the womb, it hastens both
birth and after-birth, applied to the navel it stays the strangling of the womb,
commonly called the fits of the mother, helps pains in the sides, and difficulty of
breathing, being applied to it, and the smell of it helps the vertigo or diziness in
the head.
Myrh, heats and dries, opens and softens the womb, provokes the birth and
after-birth; inwardly taken, it helps old coughs and hoarseness, pains in the sides,
kills worms, and helps a stinking breath, helps the wasting of the gums, fastens
the teeth: outwardly it helps wounds, and fills up ulcers with flesh. You may take
half a dram at a time.
Mastich, strengthens the stomach exceedingly, helps such as vomit or spit
blood, it fastens the teeth and strengthens the gums, being chewed in the mouth.
Frankinsense, and Olibanum, heat and bind, fill up old ulcers with flesh, stop
bleeding, but is extremely bad for mad people.
Turpentine, Purges, cleanses the reins, helps the running of them.
Styrax Calamitis, helps coughs, and distillations upon the lungs, hoarseness,
want of voice, hardness of the womb, but it is bad for head-aches.
Ammonicaum, applied to the side, helps the hardness and pains of the spleen.
Camphire, eases pains of the head coming of heat, takes away inflammations,
and cools any place to which it is applied.
 JUICES.
THAT all juices have the same virtues with the herbs or fruits whereof they are
made, I suppose few or none will deny, therefore I shall only name a few of
them, and that briefly.
Sugar is held to be hot in the first degree, strengthens the lungs, takes away
the roughness of the throat, succours the reins and bladder.
The juice of Citrons cools the blood, strengthens the heart, mitigates the
violent heat of fevers.
The juice of Lemons works the same effect, but not so powerfully.
Juice of Liquorice, strengthens the lungs, helps coughs and colds.
 THINGS BRED FROM PLANTS.
These have been treated of before, only two excepted. The first of which is,
Agaricus. Agarick: It purges flegm, choler, and melancholy, from the brain,
nerves, muscles, marrow, (or more properly brain) of the back, it cleanses the
breast, lungs, liver, stomach, spleen, reins, womb, joints; it provokes urine, and
the menses, kills worms, helps pains in the joints, and causes a good colour: it is
very seldom or never taken alone. See Syrup of Roses with Agarick.
Lastly, Vicus Quircinus, or Misleto of the Oak, helps the falling-sickness
being either taken inwardly, or hung about one’s neck.
 LIVING CREATURES.
Millepedes (so called from the multitude of their feet, though it cannot be
supposed they have a thousand) sows, hog-lice, wood-lice, being bruised and
mixed with wine, they provoke urine, help the yellow jaundice, outwardly being
boiled in oil, help pains in the ears, a drop being put into them.
The flesh of vipers being eaten, clear the sight, help the vices of the nerves,
resist poison exceedingly, neither is there any better remedy under the sun for
their bitings than the head of the viper that bit you, bruised and applied to the
place, and the flesh eaten, you need not eat above a dram at a time, and make it
up as you shall be taught in troches of vipers. Neither any comparable to the
stinging of bees and wasps, &c. than the same that sting you, bruised and
applied to the place.
Land Scorpions cure their own stingings by the same means; the ashes of
them (being burnt) potently provokes urine, and breaks the stone.
Earth-worms, are an admirable remedy for cut nerves being applied to the
place; they provoke urine; see the oil of them, only let me not forget one notable
thing quoted by Mizaldus, which is, That the powder of them put into an hollow
tooth, makes it drop out.
To draw a tooth without pain, fill an earthen crucible full of Emmets, Ants, or
Pismires, eggs and all, and when you have burned them, keep the ashes, with
which if you touch a tooth it will fall out.
Eels, being put into wine or beer, and suffered to die in it, he that drinks it
will never endure that sort of liquor again.
Oysters applied alive to a pestilential swelling, draw the venom to them.
Crab-fish, burnt to ashes, and a dram of it taken every morning helps the
bitings of mad dogs, and all other venomous beasts.
Swallows, being eaten, clear the sight, the ashes of them (being burnt) eaten,
preserve from drunkenness, helps sore throats being applied to them, and
inflammations.
 Grass-hoppers, being eaten, ease the cholic, and pains in the bladder.
Hedge Sparrows, being kept in salt, or dried and eaten raw, are an admirable
remedy for the stone.
Young Pigeons being eaten, help pains in the reins, and the disease called
Tenesmus.
 PARTS OF LIVING CREATURES, AND
EXCREMENTS.
THE brain of Sparrows being eaten, provokes lust exceedingly.
The brain of an Hare being roasted, helps trembling, it makes children breed
teeth easily, their gums being rubbed with it, it also helps scald heads, and
falling off of hair, the head being anointed with it.
The head of a young Kite, being burnt to ashes and the quantity of a drachm
of it taken every morning in a little water, is an admirable remedy against the
gout.
Crab-eyes break the stone, and open stoppings of the bowels.
The lungs of a Fox, well dried, (but not burned) is an admirable strengthener
to the lungs: see the Lohoch of Fox lungs.
The liver of a Duck, stops fluxes, and strengthens the liver exceedingly.
The liver of a Frog, being dried and eaten, helps quartan agues, or as the
vulgar call them, third-day agues.
Castoreum resists poison, the bitings of venomous beasts; it provokes the
menses, and brings forth birth and after-birth; it expels wind, eases pains and
aches, convulsions, sighings, lethargies; the smell of it allays the fits of the
mother; inwardly given, it helps tremblings, falling-sickness, and other such ill
effects of the brain and nerves: A scruple is enough to take at a time, and indeed
spirit of Castorium is better than Castorium, raw, to which I refer you.
A Sheep’s or Goat’s bladder being burnt, and the ashes given inwardly, helps
the Diabetes.
A flayed Mouse dried and beaten into powder, and given at a time, helps such
as cannot hold their water, or have a Diabetes, if you do the like three days
together.
Ivory, or Elephant’s tooth, binds, stops the Whites, it strengthens the heart
and stomach, helps the yellow jaundice, and makes women fruitful.
 Those small bones which are found in the fore-feet of an Hare, being beaten
into powder and drank in wine, powerfully provoke urine.
Goose grease, and Capons grease, are both softening, help gnawing sores,
stiffness of the womb, and mitigate pain.
I am of opinion that the suet of a Goat mixed with a little saffron, is as
excellent an ointment for the gout, especially the gout in the knees, as any is.
Bears grease stays the falling off of the hair.
Fox grease helps pains in the ears.
Elk’s Claws or hoofs are a sovereign remedy for the falling sickness, though
it be but worn in a ring, much more being taken inwardly; but saith Mizaldus, it
must be the hoof of the right foot behind.
Milk is an extreme windy meat; therefore I am of the opinion of Dioscorides,
viz. that it is not profitable in head-aches; yet this is for certain, that it is an
admirable remedy for inward ulcers in any part of the body, or any corrosions, or
excoriations, pains in the reins and bladder: but it is very bad in diseases of the
liver, spleen, the falling-sickness, vertigo, or dissiness in the head, fevers and
head-aches; Goat’s milk is held to be better than Cow’s for Hectic fevers,
phthisick, and consumptions, and so is Ass’s also.
Whey, attenuates and cleanses both choler and melancholy: wonderfully helps
melancholy and madness coming of it; opens stoppings of the bowels; helps such
as have the dropsy and are troubled with the stoppings of the spleen, rickets and
hypochondriac melancholy: for such diseases you may make up your physic
with whey. Outwardly it cleanses the skin of such deformities as come through
choler or melancholy, as scabs, itch, morphew, leprosies, &c.
Honey is of a gallant cleansing quality, exceeding profitable in all inward
ulcers in what part of the body soever; it opens the veins, cleanses the reins and
bladder. I know no vices belonging to it, but only it is soon converted into
choler.
Wax, softens, heats, and meanly fills sores with flesh, it suffers not the milk
to curdle in women’s breasts; inwardly it is given (ten grains at a time) against
bloody-fluxes.
Raw-silk, heats and dries, cheers the heart, drives away sadness, comforts all
the spirits, both natural, vital and animal.
 BELONGING TO THE SEA.
Sperma Cœti, is well applied outwardly to eating ulcers, the marks which the
small pox leaves behind them; it clears the sight, provokes sweat; inwardly it
troubles the stomach and belly, helps bruises, and stretching of the nerves, and
therefore is good for women newly delivered.
Amber-grease, heats and dries, strengthens the brain and nerves exceedingly,
if the infirmity of them come of cold, resists pestilence.
Sea-sand, a man that hath the dropsy, being set up to the middle in it, it draws
out all the water.
Red Coral, is cold, dry and binding, stops the immoderate flowing of the
menses, bloody-fluxes, the running of the reins, and the Fluor Albus, helps such
as spit blood, it is an approved remedy for the falling sickness. Also if ten grains
of red Coral be given to a child in a little breast-milk so soon as it is born, before
it take any other food, it will never have the falling-sickness, nor convulsions.
The common dose is from ten grains to thirty.
Pearls, are a wonderful strengthener to the heart, encrease milk in nurses, and
amend it being naught, they restore such as are in consumptions; both they and
the red Coral preserve the body in health, and resist fevers. The dose is ten
grains or fewer; more, I suppose, because it is dear, than because it would do
harm.
Amber, (viz. yellow Amber) heats and dries, therefore prevails against moist
diseases of the head; it helps violent coughs, helps consumption of the lungs,
spitting of blood, the Fluor Albus; it stops bleeding at the nose, helps difficulty
of urine: You may take ten or twenty grains at a time.
The Froth of the Sea, it is hot and dry, helps scabs, itch, and leprosy, scald
heads, &c. it cleanses the skin, helps difficulty of urine, makes the teeth white,
being rubbed with it, the head being washed with it, it helps baldness, and trimly
decks the head with hair.
 METALS, MINERALS, AND STONES.
GOLD is temperate in quality, it wonderfully strengthens the heart and vital
spirits, which one perceiving, very wittily inserted these verses:
For Gold is cordial; and that’s the reason,
Your raking Misers live so long a season.

However, this is certain, in cordials, it resists melancholy, faintings,

swoonings, fevers, falling-sickness, and all such like infirmities, incident either
to the vital or animal spirit.
Alum. Heats, binds, and purges; scours filthy ulcers, and fastens loose teeth.
Brimstone, or flower of brimstone, which is brimstone refined, and the better
for physical uses; helps coughs and rotten flegm; outwardly in ointments it takes
away leprosies, scabs, and itch; inwardly it helps yellow jaundice, as also worms
in the belly, especially being mixed with a little Salt-petre: it helps lethargies
being snuffed up in the nose.
Litharge, both of gold and silver; binds and dries much, fills up ulcers with
flesh, and heals them.
Lead is of a cold dry earthly quality, of an healing nature; applied to the place
it helps any inflammation, and dries up humours.
Pompholix, cools, dries and binds.
Jacynth, strengthens the heart being either beaten into powder, and taken
inwardly, or only worn in a ring.
Sapphire, quickens the senses, helps such as are bitten by venomous beasts,
ulcers in the bowels.
Emerald; called a chaste stone because it resists lust: being worn in a ring, it
helps, or at least mitigates the falling sickness and vertigo; it strengthens the
memory, and stops the unruly passions of men.
Ruby (or carbuncle, if there be such a stone) restrains lust; resists pestilence;
takes away idle and foolish thoughts, makes men cheerful. Cardanus.
 Granite. Strengthens the heart, but hurts the brain, causes anger, takes away
sleep.
Diamond, is reported to make him that bears it unfortunate.
Amethist, being worn, makes men sober and steady, keeps men from
drunkenness and too much sleep, it quickens the wit, is profitable in huntings
and fightings, and repels vapours from the head.
Bezoar, is a notable restorer of nature, a great cordial, no way hurtful nor
dangerous, is admirably good in fevers, pestilences, and consumptions, viz. taken
inwardly; for this stone is not used to be worn as a jewel; the powder of it put
upon wounds made by venomous beasts, draws out the poison.
Topaz (if Epiphanius spake truth) if you put it into boiling water, it doth so
cool it that you may presently put your hands into it without harm; if so, then it
cools inflammations of the body by touching them.
Toadstone; Being applied to the place helps the bitings of venomous beasts,
and quickly draws all the poison to it; it is known to be a true one by this; hold it
near to any toad, and she will make proffer to take it away from you if it be
right; else not. Lemnius.
Nephritichus lapis; helps pains in the stomach, and is of great force in
breaking and bringing away the stone and gravel.
Jasper; being worn, stops bleeding, eases the labour in women, stops lust,
resists fevers and dropsies. Mathiolus.
Atites, or the stone with child, because being hollow in the middle, it contains
another little stone within it, is found in an Eagle’s nest, and in many other
places; this stone being bound to the left arm of women with child, stays their
miscarriage or abortion, but when the time of their labour comes, remove it from
their arm, and bind it to the inside of their thigh, and it brings forth the child, and
that (almost) without any pain at all. Dioscorides, Pliny.
Lapis Lazuli, purges melancholy being taken inwardly; outwardly worn as a
jewel, it makes men cheerful, fortunate and rich.
And thus I end the stones, the virtues of which if any think incredible, I
answer; 1. I quoted the authors where I had them. 2. I know nothing to the
contrary but why it may be as possible as the sound of a trumpet is to incite a
man to valour; or a fiddle to dancing: and if I have added a few simples which
the Colledge left out, I hope my fault is not much, or at a leastwise, venial.
 A CATALOGUE OF SIMPLES

IN THE

NEW DISPENSATORY.

ROOTS.

College.] Sorrel, Calamus Aromaticus, Waterflag, Privet, Garlick,

Marshmallows, Alcanet, Angelica, Anthora, Smallage, Aron, Birthwort long and
round, Sowbread, Reeds, Asarabacca, Virginian Snakeweed, Swall-wort,
Asparagus, Asphodel, male and female. Burdocks great and small, Behen, or
Bazil, Valerian, white and red. Daisies, Beets, white, red, and black.
Marshmallows, Bistort, Barrage, Briony, white and black, Bugloss, garden and
wild. Calamus Aromaticus, Our Lady’s thistles, Avens, Coleworts, Centaury the
less. Onions, Chameleon, white and black. Celandine, Pilewort, China, Succory,
Artichokes. Virginian Snakeroot, Comfry greater and lesser. Contra yerva,
Costus, sweet and bitter. Turmerick, wild Cucumbers, Sowbread, Hound’s-
tongue, Cypres, long and round. Toothwort, white Dittany, Doronicum,
Dragons, Woody Nightshade, Vipers Bugloss, Smallage, Hellebore, white and
black, Endive, Elicampane, Eringo, Colt’s-foot, Fearn, male and female,
Filipendula or Drop-wort, Fennel, white Dittany, Galanga, great and small,
Gentian, Liquorice, Dog-grass, Hermodactils. Swallow wort, Jacinth, Henbane,
Jallap, Masterwort, Orris or Flower-de-luce, both English and Florentine, sharp
pointed Dock, Burdock greater and lesser, Lovage, Privet, white Lilies,
Liquorice, Mallows, Mechoacan, Jallap, Spignel, Mercury, Devil’s bit, sweet
Navew, Spikenard, Celtic and Indian, Water lilies, Restharrow, sharp pointed
Dock, Peony, male and female. Parsnips, garden and wild, Cinquefoil, Butter-
Bur, Parsley, Hog’s Fennel, Valerian, greater and lesser, Burnet, Land and
Water Plantain, Polypodium of the Oak, Solomon’s Seal, Leeks, Pellitory of
Spain, Cinquefoil, Turnips, Raddishes, garden and wild, Rhapontick, common
Rhubarb, Monk’s Rhubarb, Rose Root, Madder Bruscus. Sopewort, Sarsaparilla,
Satyrion, male and female, White Saxifrage, Squills, Figwort, Scorzonera,
English and Spanish, Virginian Snake weed, Solomon’s Seal, Cicers, stinking
Gladon, Devil’s bit, Dandelion, Thapsus, Tormentil, Turbith, Colt’s-foot,
Valerian, greater and lesser, Vervain, Swallow-wort, Nettles, Zedoary long and
round, Ginger.
Culpeper.] These be the roots the college hath named, and but only named,
and in this order I have set them down. It seems the college holds a strange
opinion, viz. That it would do an Englishman a mischief to know what the herbs
in his garden are good for.
But my opinion is, that those herbs, roots, plants, &c. which grow near a man,
are far better and more congruous to his nature than any outlandish rubbish
whatsoever, and this I am able to give a reason of to any that shall demand it of
me, therefore I am so copious in handling of them, you shall observe them
ranked in this order.
1. The temperature of the roots, herbs, flowers, &c. viz. Hot, cold, dry, moist,
together with the degree of each quality.
2. What part of the body each root, herb, flower, is appropriated to, viz. head,
throat, breast, heart, stomach, liver, spleen, bowels, reins, bladder, womb, joints,
and in those which heat those places, and which cool them.
3. The property of each simple, as they bind, open, mollify, harden,
extenuate, discuss, draw out, suppure, cleanse, glutinate, break wind, breed seed,
provoke or stop the menses, resist poison, abate swellings, ease pain.
This I intend shall be my general method throughout the simples, which,
having finished I shall give you a paraphrase explaining these terms, which
rightly considered, will be the key of Galen’s way of administering physic.

Temperature of the Roots.

Roots hot in the first degree. Marshmallows, Bazil, Valerian, Spattling,

Poppy, Burdocks, Borrage, Bugloss, Calamus Aromaticus, Avens, Pilewort,
China, Self-heal, Liquorice, Dog-grass, white Lilies, Peony, male and female,
wild Parsnips, Parsley, Valerian, great and small, Kneeholly, Satyrion,
Scorzonera, Skirrets.
Hot in the second degree. Waterflag, Reeds, Swallow-wort, Asphodel, male,
Carline Thistle, Cypress, long and round, Fennel, Lovage, Spignel, Mercury,
Devil’s bit, Butter Bur, Hog’s Fennel, Sarsaparilla, Squils, Zedoary.
Hot in the third degree. Angelica, Aron, Birthwort long and round,
Sowbread, Asarabacca, Briony, white and black, Sallendine, Virgianian
snakeroot, Hemeric, White Dittany, Doronicum, Hellebore, white and black,
Elicampane, Fillipendula, Galanga greater and lesser, Masterwort, Orris English
and Florentine, Restharrow, stinking Gladen, Turbith, Ginger.
Hot in the fourth degree. Garlick, Onions, Leeks, Pellitory of Spain.
Roots temperate in respect of heat, are Bear’s breech, Sparagus, our Lady’s
Thistle, Eringo, Jallap, Mallows, Mechoacan, garden Parsnips, Cinquefoil,
Tormentil.
Roots cold in the first degree. Sorrel, Beets, white and red, Comfrey the
greater, Plantain, Rose Root, Madder.
Cold in the second degree. Alcanet, Daisies, Succory, Hound’s tongue,
Endive, Jacinth.
Cold in the third degree. Bistort and Mandrakes are cold in the third degree,
and Henbane in the fourth.
Roots dry in the first degree. Bears-breech, Burdocks, Redbeets, Calamus
Aromaticus, Pilewort, Self-heal, Endive, Eringo, Jacinth, Madder, Kneeholly.
Dry in the second degree. Waterflag, Marshmallows, Alkanet, Smallage,
Reeds, Sorrel, Swallow-wort, Asphodel male, Bazil, Valerian and Spatling
Poppy, according to the opinion of the Greeks. Our Lady’s Thistles, Avens,
Succory, Hound’s tongue, Cypress long and round, Fennel, Lovage, Spignel,
Mercury, Devil’s bit, Butter-bur, Parsley, Plantain, Zedoary.
Dry in the third degree. Angelica, Aron, Birthwort, long and round,
Sowbread, Bistort, Asarabacca, Briony white and black, Carline Thistle, China,
Sallendine, Virginian Snakeroot, white Dittany, Doronicum, Hellebore white and
black, Elicampane, Fillipendula, Galanga greater and lesser, Masterwort, Orris,
English and Florentine, Restharrow, Peony male and female, Cinquefoil, Hog’s
Fennel, Sarsaparilla, stinking Gladen, Tormentil, Ginger.
Dry in the fourth degree. Garlick, Onions, Costus, Leeks, Pellitory of Spain.
 Roots moist are, Bazil, Valerian, and Spatling-poppy, according to the
Arabian Physicians, Daisies, white Beets, Borrage, Bugloss, Liquorice, Dog
grass, Mallows, Satyrion, Scorzonera, Parsnips, Skirrets.

Roots appropriated to several parts of the body.

Heat the head. Doronicum, Fennel, Jallap, Mechoacan, Spikenard, Celtic and
Indian. Peony male and female.
Neck and throat. Pilewort, Devil’s bit.
Breast and lungs. Birthwort long and round, Elicampane, Liquorice, Orris
English and Florentine, Calamus Aromaticus, Cinquefoil, Squills.
Heart. Angelica, Borrage, Bugloss, Carline Thistle, Doronicum, Butter bur,
Scorzonera, Tormentil, Zedoary, Bazil, Valerian white and red.
Stomach. Elicampane, Galanga greater and lesser, Spikenard, Celtic and
Indian, Ginger, Fennel, Avens, Raddishes.
Bowels. Valerian great and small, Zedoary, Ginger.
Liver. Smallage, Carline Thistle, Sullendine, China, Turmerick, Fennel,
Gentian, Dog-grass, Cinquefoil, Parsley, Smallage, Asparagus, Rhubarb,
Rhapontic, Kneeholly.
Spleen. Smallage, Carline Thistle, Fern male and female, Parsley, Waterflag,
Asparagus, round Birthwort, Fennel, Capers, Ash, Gentian.
Reins and Bladder. Marshmallows, Smallage, Asparagus, Burdock, Bazil,
Valerian, Spatling Poppy, Carline Thistle, China, Cyprus long and round,
Fillipendula, Dog grass, Spikenard, Celtic and Indian, Parsly, Kneeholly, white
Saxifrage.
Womb. Birthwort long and round, Galanga greater and lesser, Peony male and
female, Hog’s Fennel.
Fundament. Pilewort.
Joints. Bear’s-breech, Hermodactils, Jallap, Mecoacan, Ginger, Costus.
Roots cool the head. Rose root.
 Stomach. Sow Thistles, Endive, Succory, Bistort.
Liver. Madder, Endive, Chicory.

Properties of the Roots.

Although I confess the properties of the simples may be found out by the
ensuing explanation of the terms, and I suppose by that means they were found
out at first; and although I hate a lazy student from my heart, yet to encourage
young students in the art, I shall quote the chief of them: I desire all lovers of
physic to compare them with the explanation of these rules, so shall they see
how they agree, so may they be enabled to find out the properties of all simples
to their own benefit in physic.
Roots, bind. Cypress, Bistort, Tormentil, Cinquefoil, Bear’s breech,
Waterflag, Alkanet, Toothwort, &c.
Discuss. Birthwort, Asphodel, Briony, Capers, &c.
Cleanse. Birthwort, Aron, Sparagus, Grass, Asphodel, Celandine, &c.
Open. Asarabacca, Garlic, Leeks, Onions, Rhapontick, Turmerick, Carline
Thistle, Succory, Endive, Fillipendula, Fennel, Parsly, Bruscus, Sparagus,
Smallage, Gentian, &c.
Extenuate. Orris English and Florentine, Capers, &c.
Burn. Garlick, Onions, Pellitory of Spain, &c.
Mollify. Mallows, Marshmallows, &c.
Suppur. Marshmallows, Briony, white Lillies, &c.
Glutinate. Comfrey, Solomon’s Seal, Gentian, Birthwort, Daisies, &c.
Expel Wind. Smallage, Parsly, Fennel, Waterflag, Garlick, Costus, Galanga,
Hog’s Fennel, Zedoary, Spikenard Indian, and Celtic, &c.
Breed Seed. Waterflag, Eringo, Satyrian, Galanga, &c.
Provoke the menses. Birthwort, Asarabacca, Aron, Waterflag, white Dittany,
Asphodel, Garlick, Centaury the less, Cyperus long and round, Costus, Capers,
Calamus Aromaticus, Dittany of Crete, Carrots, Eringo, Fennel, Parsly,
Smallage, Grass, Elicampane, Peony, Valerian, Kneeholly, &c.
Stop the menses. Comfrey, Tormentil, Bistort, &c.
Provoke sweat. Carolina Thistle, China, Sarsaparilla, &c.
Resist poison. Angelica, Garlick, long Birthwort, Smallage, Doronicum,
Costus, Zedoary, Cyprus, Gentian, Carolina Thistle, Bistort, Tormentil,
Swallow-wort, Viper’s Bugloss, Elicampane, &c.
Help burnings. Asphodel, Jacinth, white Lilies, &c.
Ease pains. Waterflag, Eringo, Orris, Restharrow, &c.
Purge choler. Asarabacca, Rhubarb, Rhapontick, Fern, &c.
Relieve melancholy. Hellebore, white and black, Polipodium.
Purge flegm and watery humours. Squills, Turbith, Hermodactils, Jallap,
Mecoacan, wild Cucumbers, Sowbread, male Asphodel, Briony white and black,
Elder, Spurge great and small.
I quoted some of these properties to teach you the way how to find the rest,
which the explanation of these terms will give you ample instructions in: I
quoted not all because I would fain have you studious: be diligent gentle reader.
How to use your bodies in, and after taking purges, you shall be taught by and
by.

Barks mentioned by the College are these.

College.] Hazel Nuts, Oranges, Barberries, Birch-tree, Caper roots, Cassia

Lignea, Chestnuts, Cinnamon, Citron Pills, Dwarf-Elder, Spurge roots, Alder,
Ash, Pomegranates, Guajacum, Walnut tree, green Walnuts, Laurel, Bay,
Lemon, Mace, Pomegranates, Mandrake roots, Mezereon, Mulberry tree roots,
Sloe tree roots, Pinenuts, Fistick-nuts, Poplar tree, Oak, Elder, Sassafras, Cork,
Tamerisk, Lime tree, Frankincense, Elm, Capt. Winter’s Cinnamon.
Culpeper.] Of these, Captain Winter’s Cinnamon, being taken as ordinary
spice, or half a dram taken in the morning in any convenient liquor, is an
excellent remedy for the scurvy; the powder of it being snuffed up in the nose,
cleanses the head of rheum gallantly.
 The bark of the black Alder tree purges choler and flegm if you make a
decoction with it. Agrimony, Wormwood, Dodder, Hops, Endive and Succory
roots: Parsly and Smallage roots, or you may bruise a handful of each of them,
and put them in a gallon of ale, and let them work together: put the simples into
a boulter-bag, and a draught, (half a pint, more or less, according to the age of
him that drinks it,) being drunk every morning, helps the dropsy, jaundice, evil
disposition of the body; also helps the rickets, strengthens the liver and spleen;
makes the digestion good, troubles not the stomach at all, causes appetite, and
helps such as are scabby and itchy.
The rest of the barks that are worth the noting, and the virtues of them, are to
be found in the former part of the book.
Barks are hot in the first degree. Guajacum, Tamarisk, Oranges, Lemons,
Citrons.
In the second. Cinnamon, Cassia, Lignea, Captain Winter’s Cinnamon,
Frankincense, Capers.
In the third. Mace.
Cold in the first. Oak, Pomegranates.
In the third. Mandrakes.

Appropriated to parts of the body.

Heat the head. Captain Winter’s Cinnamon.

The heart. Cinnamon, Cassia, Lignea, Citron Pills, Walnuts, Lemon pills,
Mace.
The stomach. Orange pills, Cassia Lignea, Cinnamon, Citron pills, Lemon
pills, Mace, Sassafras.
The lungs. Cassia Lignea, Cinnamon, Walnuts.
The liver. Barberry-tree, Bay-tree, Captain Winter’s Cinnamon.
The spleen. Caper bark, Ash tree bark, Bay tree.
The reins and bladder. Bay-tree, Sassafras.
 The womb. Cassia Lignea, Cinnamon.
Cool the stomach. Pomegranate pills.
Purge choler. The bark of Barberry tree.
Purge flegm and water. Elder, Dwarf-Elder, Spurge, Laurel.

WOODS.

College.] Firr, Wood of Aloes, Rhodium, Brazil, Box, Willow, Cypress,

Ebony, Guajacum, Juniper, Lentisk, Nephriticum, Rhodium, Rosemary, Sanders,
white, yellow, and red, Sassafras, Tamarisk.
Of these some are hot. Wood of Aloes, Rhodium, Box, Ebony, Guajacum,
Nephriticum, Rosemary, Sassafras, Tamarisk.
Some cold. As Cypress, Willow, Sanders white, red, and yellow.
Rosemary is appropriated to the head, wood of Aloes to the heart and
stomach, Rhodium to the bowels and bladder, Nephriticum to the liver, spleen,
reins and bladder, Sassafras to the breast, stomach and bladder, Tamarisk to the
spleen, Sanders cools the heart and spirits in fevers.
For the particular virtues of each, see that part of the book preceding.

HERBS.

College.] Southernwood male and female. Wormwood, common, Roman, and

such as bear Wormseed, Sorrel, wood Sorrel, Maidenhair common, white or
wall Rue, black and golden Maudlin, Agremony, Vervain, Mallow, Ladies
Mantle, Chickweed, Marshmallows, and Pimpernel both male and female, Water
Pimpernel, Dill, Angelica, Smallage, Goosegrass, or Cleavers, Columbine, wild
Tansie, or Silver Weed, Mugwort, Asarabacca, Woodroofe, Arach, Distaff
Thistle, Mousear, Costmary, or Alcost, Burdock greater and lesser, Brooklime,
or water Pimpernel, Beets white, red, and black, Betony of the wood and water.
Daisies greater and lesser, Blite, Mercury, Borrage, Oak of Jerusalem,
Cabbages, Sodonella, Briony white and black, Bugloss, Buglesse, Shepherd’s
Purse, Ox-eye, Box leaves, Calaminth of the Mountains and Fens, Ground Pine,
Woodbine, or Honeysuckles, Lady-smocks, Marygolds, Our Lady’s Thistle,
Carduus Benedictus, Avens, small Spurge, Horsetail, Coleworts, Centaury the
less, Knotgrass, Cervil, Germander, Camomile, Chamepytis female
Southernwood, Chelene, Pilewort, Chicory, Hemlock, garden and sea Scurvy-
grass, Fleawort, Comfry great, middle, or bugle, least or Daisies, Sarasens,
Confound, Buckhorn, Plantain, May weed, (or Margweed, as we in Sussex call
it) Orpine, Sampeer, Crosewort, Dodder, Blue Bottle great and small,
Artichokes, Houndstone, Cypress leaves, Dandelion, Dittany of Treet, Box
leaves, Teazles garden and wild, Dwarff Elder, Viper’s Bugloss, Lluellin,
Smallage, Endive, Elecampane, Horsetail, Epithimum, Groundsel, Hedge-
mustard, Spurge, Agrimony, Maudlin, Eyebright, Orpine, Fennel, Sampeer,
Fillipendula, Indian leaf, Strawberry leaves, Ash tree leaves, Fumitory, Goat’s
Rue, Lady’s Bedstraw, Broom, Muscatu, Herb Robert, Doves Foot, Cottonweed,
Hedge Hyssop, Tree Ivy, Ground Ivy, or Alehoof, Elecampane, Pellitory of the
wall, Liverwort, Cowslips, Rupture-wort, Hawkweed, Monk’s Rhubarb,
Alexanders, Clary garden and wild, Henbane, St. John’s-wort, Horsetongue, or
double tongue, Hysop, Sciatica cresses, small Sengreen, Sharewort, Woad,
Reeds, Schænanth, Chamepitys, Glasswort, Lettice, Lagobus, Archangel,
Burdock great and small, Lavender, Laurel, Bay leaves, English and
Alexandrian, Duckweed, Dittander, or Pepper-wort, Lovage, Privet, Sea
bugloss, Toad flax, Harts-tongue, sweet Trefoil, Woodsorrel, Hops, Willow-herb,
Marjoram, common and tree Mallows, Mandrake, Horehound white and black,
Herb Mastich, Featherfew, Woodbine, Melilot, Bawm garden and water, Mints,
Horse-mints, Mercury, Mezereon, Yarrow, Devil’s-bit, Moss, sweet Chivil,
Mirtle leaves, Garden and water Cresses, Nep, Tobacco, Moneywort, Water
Lilies, Bazil, Olive Leaves, Restharrow, Adder’s Tongue, Origanum, sharp-
pointed Dock, Poppy, white, black, and red, or Erratick, Pellitory of the Wall,
Cinquefoil, Ars-smart spotted and not spotted, Peach Leaves, Thoroughwax,
Parsley, Hart’s Tongue, Valeriak, Mouse-ear, Burnet, small Spurge, Plantain
common and narrow leaved, Mountain and Cretick Poley, Knotgrass, Golden
Maidenhair, Poplar leaves and buds, Leeks, Purslain, Silverweed, or wild Tansy,
Horehound white and black, Primroses, Self-heal, Field Pellitory, or
Sneezewort, Pennyroyal, Fleabane, Lungwort, Winter-green, Oak leaves and
buds, Docks, common rue, Wall Rue or white Maidenhair, wild Rue, Savin,
Osier Leaves, Garden Sage the greater and lesser, Wild Sage, Elder leaves and
buds, Marjorum, Burnet, Sanicle, Sopewort, Savory, White Saxifrage, Scabious,
Chicory, Schœnanth, Clary, Scordium, Figwort, Houseleek, or Sengreen the
greater and lesser, Groundsel, Senna leaves and pods, Mother of Time,
Solomon’s Seal, Alexanders, Nightshade, Soldanela, Sow-thistles, smooth and
rough, Flixweed, common Spike, Spinach, Hawthorn, Devil’s-bit, Comfry,
Tamarisk leaves, Tansy, Dandelyon, Mullen or Higcaper, Time, Lime tree
leaves, Spurge, Tormentil, common and golden Trefoil, Woodsorrel, sweet
Trefoil, Colt’s-foot, Valerian, Mullen, Vervain, Paul’s Bettony, Lluellin, Violets,
Tansy, Perewinkles, Swallow-wort, golden Rod, Vine leaves, Meadsweet, Elm
leaves, Naval-wort, Nettles, common and Roman, Archangel, or dead Nettles,
white and red.
Culpeper. These be the herbs as the college set down to look upon, we will
see if we can translate them in another form to the benefit of the body of man.
Herbs temperate in respect of heat, are common Maidenhair, Wall-rue, black
and golden Maidenhair, Woodroof, Bugle, Goat’s Rue, Hart’s-tongue, sweet
Trefoil, Flixweed, Cinquefoil, Trefoil, Paul’s Bettony, Lluellin.
Intemperate and hot in the first degree, are Agrimony, Marshmallows,
Goosegrass or Cleavers, Distaff Thistle, Borrage, Bugloss, or Lady’s Thistles,
Avens, Cetrach, Chervil, Chamomel, Eyebright, Cowslips, Melilot, Bazil, Self-
heal.
In the second. Common and Roman Wormwood, Maudlin, Lady’s Mantle,
Pimpernel male and female, Dill, Smallage, Mugwort, Costmary, Betony, Oak of
Jerusalem, Marigold, Cuckooflowers, Carduus Benedictus, Centaury the less,
Chamepitys, Scurvy-grass, Indian Leaf, Broom, Alehoof, Alexanders, Double-
tongue, or Tongue-blade, Archangel, or dead Nettles, Bay Leaves, Marjoram,
Horehound, Bawm, Mercury, Devil’s-bit, Tobacco, Parsley, Poley mountain,
Rosemary, Sage, Sanicle Scabious, Senna, Soldanella, Tansy, Vervain,
Perewinkle.
In the third degree. Southernwood male and female, Brooklime, Angelica,
Briony white and black, Calaminth, Germander, Sullendine, Pilewort, Fleabane,
Dwarf Elder, Epithimun, Bank-cresses, Clary, Glasswort, Lavender, Lovage,
Herb Mastich, Featherfew, Mints, Watercresses, Origanum, biting Arsmart,
called in Latin Hydropiper, (the college confounds this with Persicaria, or mild
Arsmart, which is cold) Sneezewort, Pennyroyal, Rue, Savin, summer and
winter Savory, Mother of Time, Lavender, Spike, Time, Nettles.
In the fourth degree. Sciatica-cresses, Stone-crop, Dittany, or Pepper-wort,
garden-cresses, Leeks, Crowfoot, Rosa Solis, Spurge.
Herbs cold in the first degree. Sorrel, Woodsorrel, Arach, Burdock,
Shepherd’s-purse, Pellitory of the wall, Hawkweed, Mallows, Yarrow, mild
Arsmart, called Persicaria, Burnet, Coltsfoot, Violets.
Cold in the second degree. Chickweed, wild Tansy, or Silverweed, Daisies,
Knotgrass, Succory, Buckhorn, Plantain, Dandelyon, Endive, Fumitory,
Strawberry leaves, Lettice, Duckmeat, Plantain, Purslain, Willow leaves.
In the third degree. Sengreen, or Houseleek, Nightshade.
In the fourth degree. Hemlock, Henbane, Mandrakes, Poppies.
Herbs dry in the first degree. Agrimony, Marshmallows, Cleavers, Burdocks,
Shepherds-purse, our Lady’s Thistle, Chervil, Chamomel, Eyebright, Cowslips,
Hawkweed, Tongue-blade, or double tongue, Melilot, mild Arsmart, Self-heal,
Senna, Flixweed, Coltsfoot, Perewinkle.
Dry in the second degree. Common and Roman Wormwood, Sorrel,
Woodsorrel, Maudlin, Lady’s mantle, Pimpernel male and female, Dill,
Smallage, wild Tansy, or Silverweed, Mugwort, Distaff Thistle, Costmary,
Betony, Bugle, Cuckooflowers, Carduus Benedictus, Avens, Centaury the less,
Chicory, commonly called Succory, Scurvy-grass, Buckhorn, Plantain,
Dandelyon, Endive, Indian Leaf, Strawberry leaves, Fumitory, Broom, Alehoof,
Alexanders, Archangel, or Dead Nettles, white and red, Bay Leaves, Marjoram,
Featherfew, Bawm, Mercury, Devil’s-bit, Tobacco, Parsley, Burnet, Plantain,
Rosemary, Willow Leaves, Sage, Santicle, Scabious, Soldanella, Vervain.
Dry in the third degree. Southernwood, male and female, Brooklime,
Angelica, Briony, white and black, Calamint, Germander, Chamepitys,
Selandine, Pilewort, Fleabane, Epithinum, Dwarf-Elder, Bank cresses, Clary,
Glasswort, Lavender, Lovage, Horehound, Herb Mastic, Mints, Watercresses,
Origanum, Cinquefoil, hot Arsmart, Poley mountain, Sneezewort, Pennyroyal,
Rue, or herb of Grace, Savin, winter and summer Savory, Mother of Time,
Lavender, Silk, Tansy, Time, Trefoil.
In the fourth degree. Garden-cresses, wild Rue, Leeks, Onions, Crowfoot,
Rosa Solis, Garlic, Spurge.
Herbs moist in the first degree. Borrage, Bugloss, Marigolds, Pellitory of the
wall, Mallows, Bazil.
In the fourth degree. Chickweed, Arach, Daisies, Lettice, Duckmeat,
Purslain, Sow Thistles, Violets, Water-lilies.
 Herbs appropriated to certain parts of the body of man.

Heat the head. Maudlin, Costmary, Betony, Carduus Benedictus, Sullendine,

Scurvy-grass, Eyebright, Goat’s Rue, Cowslips, Lavender, Laurel, Lovage, herb
Mastich, Featherfew, Melilot, Sneezewort, Pennyroyal, Senna, Mother of Time,
Vervain, Rosemary.
Heat the throat. Archangel white and red, otherwise called dead Nettles,
Devil’s-bit.
Heat the breast. Maidenhair, white, black, common and golden, Distaff
Thistle, Time, Betony, Calaminth, Chamomel, Fennel, Indian-leaf, Bay leaves,
Hyssop, Bawm, Horehound, Oak of Jerusalem, Germander, Melilot, Origanum,
Rue, Scabious, Periwinkles, Nettles.
Heat the heart. Southernwood male and female, Angelica, Woodroof,
Bugloss, Carduus Benedictus, Borrage, Goat’s Rue, Senna, Bazil, Rosemary,
Elecampane.
Heat the stomach. Wormwood common and Roman, Smallage, Avens, Indian
leaf, Broom, Schenanth, Bay leaves, Bawm, Mints, Parsley, Fennel, Time,
Mother of Time, Sage.
Heat the liver. Agrimony, Maudlin, Pimpernel, male and female, Smallage,
Costmary, or Ale cost, our Lady’s Thistles, Centaury the less, Germander,
Chamepytis, Selandine, Sampier, Fox Gloves, Ash-tree leaves, Bay leaves,
Toad-flax, Hops, Horehound, Watercresses, Parsley, Poley Mountain, Sage,
Scordium, Senna, Mother of Time, Soldanella, Asarabacca, Fennel, Hyssop,
Spikenard.
Heat the bowels. Chamomel, Alehoofe, Alexanders.
Heat the spleen. All the four sorts of Maidenhair, Agrimony, Smallage,
Centaury the less, Cetrach, Germander, Chamepitys, Samphire, Fox-glove,
Epithimum, Ash-tree, Bay leaves, Toad-flax, Hops, Horehound, Parsley, Poley,
Mountain Sage, Scordium, Senna, Mother of Time, Tamarisk, Wormwood,
Watercresses, Hart’s-tongue.
Heat the reins and bladder. Agrimony, Maudlin, Marshmallows, Pimpernel
male and female, Brooklime, Costmary, Bettony, Chervil, Germander,
Chamomel, Samphire, Broom, Rupture-wort, Clary, Schenanth, Bay-leaves,
Toad-flax, Hops, Melilot, Watercresses, Origanum, Pennyroyal, Scordium,
Vervain, Mother of Time, Rocket, Spikenard, Saxifrage, Nettles.
Heat the womb. Maudlin, Angelica, Mugwort, Costmary, Calaminth,
Fleabane, May-weed, Ormarg-weed, Dittany of Crete, Schenanth, Archangel or
Dead Nettles, Melilot, Featherfew, Mints, Devil’s-bit, Origanum, Bazil,
Pennyroyal, Savin, Sage, Scordium, Tansy, Time, Vervain, Periwinkles, Nettles.
Heat the joints. Cowslips, Sciatica-cresses, hot Arsmart, Garden-cresses,
Costmary, Agrimony, Chamomel, Saint John’s-wort, Melilot, Watercresses,
Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Stechas.
Herbs cooling the head. Woodsorrel, Teazles, Lettice, Plantain, Willow-
leaves, Sengreen or Houseleek, Strawberry-leaves, Violet-leaves, Fumitory,
Water Lilies.
Cool the throat. Orpine, Strawberry leaves, Privet, Bramble leaves.
Breast. Mulberry leaves, Bramble leaves, Violet leaves, Strawberry leaves,
Sorrel, Woodsorrel, Poppies, Orpine, Moneywort, Plantain, Colt’s-foot.
Heart. Sorrel, Wood sorrel, Viper’s Bugloss, Lettice, Burnet, Violet leaves,
Strawberry leaves, and Water-Lilies.
Stomach. Sorrel, Wood sorrel, Succory, Orpine, Dandelyon, Endive,
Strawberry leaves, Hawkweed, Lettice, Purslain, Sow Thistles, Violet leaves.
Liver. Sorrel, Woodsorrel, Dandelyon, Endive, Succory, Strawberry leaves,
Fumitory, Liverwort, Lettice, Purslain, Nightshade, Water Lilies.
Bowels. Fumitory, Mallows, Buckthorn, Plantain, Orpine, Plantain, Burnet.
Spleen. Fumitory, Endive, Succory, Lettice.
Reins and bladder. Knotgrass, Mallows, Yarrow, Moneywort, Plantain,
Endive, Succory, Lettice, Purslain, Water Lilies, Houseleek or Sengreen.
The womb. Wild Tansy, Arrach, Burdocks, Willow herb, Mirtle leaves,
Moneywort, Purslain, Sow Thistles, Endive, Succory, Lettice, Water Lilies,
Sengreen.
The joints. Willow leaves, Vine leaves, Lettice, Henbane, Nightshade,
Sengreen or Houseleek.
 Herbs altering according to property, in operation, some bind, as

Amomus, Agnus Castus, Shepherd’s purse, Cypress, Horsetail, Ivy, Bay

leaves, Melilot, Bawm, Mirtles, Sorrel, Plantain, Knotgrass, Comfry, Cinquefoil,
Fleawort, Purslain, Oak leaves, Willow leaves, Sengreen or Houseleek, &c.
Open, as, Garlick, Onions, Wormwood, Mallows, Marshmallows, Pellitory of
the Wall, Endive, Succory, &c.
Soften. Mallows, Marshmallows, Beets, Pellitory of the Wall, Violet leaves,
Strawberry leaves, Arrach, Cypress leaves, Bay leaves, Fleawort, &c.
Harden. Purslain, Nightshade, Houseleek or Sengreen, Duckmeat, and most
other herbs that are very cold.
Extenuate. Mugwort, Chamomel, Hysop, Pennyroyal, Stœchas, Time, Mother
of Time, Juniper, &c.
Discuss. Southernwood male and female, all the four sorts of Maidenhair,
Marshmallows, Dill, Mallows, Arrach, Beets, Chamomel, Mints, Melilot,
Pelitory of the Wall, Chickweed, Rue, Stœchas, Marjoram.
Draw. Pimpernel, Birthwort, Dittany, Leeks, Onions, Garlick, and also take
this general rule, as all cold things bind and harden, so all things very hot are
drying.
Suppure. Mallows, Marshmallows, White Lily leaves, &c.
Cleanse. Pimpernel, Southernwood, Sparagus, Cetrach, Arrach, Wormwood,
Beet, Pellitory of the Wall, Chamepitis, Dodder, Liverwort, Horehound, Willow
leaves, &c.
Glutinate. Marshmallows, Pimpernel, Centaury, Chamepitis, Mallows,
Germander, Horsetail, Agrimony, Maudlin, Strawberry leaves, Woad-chervil,
Plantain, Cinquefoil, Comfry, Bugle, Self-heal, Woundwort, Tormentil, Rupture-
wort, Knotgrass, Tobacco.
Expel wind. Wormwood, Garlick, Dill, Smallage, Chamomel, Epithimum,
Fennel, Juniper, Marjoram, Origanum, Savory both winter and summer. Tansy is
good to cleanse the stomach and bowels of rough viscous flegm, and humours
that stick to them, which the flegmatic constitution of the winter usually infects
the body of man with, and occasions gouts and other diseases of like nature and
lasting long. This was the original of that custom to eat Tansys in the spring; the
herb may be made into a conserve with sugar, or boil it in wine and drink the
decoction, or make the juice into a syrup with sugar, which you will.
Herbs breed seed. Clary, Rocket, and most herbs that are hot and moist, and
breed wind.
Provoke the terms. Southernwood, Garlick, all the sorts of Maiden hair,
Mugwort, Wormwood, Bishops-weed, Cabbages, Bettony, Centaury,
Chamomel, Calaminth, Germander, Dodder, Dittany, Fennel, St. John’s Wort,
Marjoram, Horehound, Bawm, Watercresses, Origanum, Bazil, Pennyroyal,
Poley mountain, Parsley, Smallage, Rue, Rosemary, Sage, Savin, Hartwort,
Time, Mother of Time, Scordium, Nettles.
Stop the terms. Shepherd’s purse, Strawberries, Mirtles, Water Lilies,
Plantain, Houseleek or Sengreen, Comfry, Knotgrass.
Resist poison. Southernwood, Wormwood, Garlick, all sorts of Maiden hair,
Smallage, Bettony, Carduus Benedictus, Germander, Calaminth, Alexanders,
Carline Thistle, Agrimony, Fennel, Juniper, Horehound, Origanum, Pennyroyal,
Poley-mountain, Rue, Scordium, Plantain.
Discuss swellings. Maidenhair, Cleavers, or Goosegrass, Mallows,
Marshmallows, Docks, Bawm, Watercresses, Cinquefoil, Scordium, &c.
Ease pain. Dil, Wormwood, Arach, Chamomel, Calaminth, Chamepitis,
Henbane, Hops, Hog’s Fennel, Parsley, Rosemary, Rue, Marjoram, Mother of
Time.
Herbs Purging.
Choler. Groundsel, Hops, Peach leaves, Wormwood, Centaury, Mallows,
Senna.
Melancholy. Ox-eye, Epithimum, Fumitory, Senna, Dodder.
Flegm and water. Briony, white and black, Spurge, both work most violently
and are not fit for a vulgar use, Dwarf Elder, Hedge Hyssop, Laurel leaves,
Mercury, Mezereon also purges violently, and so doth Sneezewort, Elder leaves,
Senna.
For the particular operations of these, as also how to order the body after
purges, the quantity to be taken at a time, you have been in part instructed
already, and shall be more fully hereafter.

FLOWERS.

College.] Wormwood, Agnus Castus, Amaranthus, Dill, Rosemary,

Columbines, Orrenges, Balaustins, or Pomegranate Flowers, Bettony, Borrage,
Bugloss, Marigolds, Woodbine or Honeysuckles, Clove Gilliflowers, Centaury
the less, Chamomel, Winter Gilliflowers, Succory, Comfry the greater, Saffron,
Blue-bottle great and small, (Synosbatus, Tragus, and Dedonæus hold our white
thorn to be it, Cordus and Marcelus think it to be Bryars, Lugdunensis takes it
for the sweet Bryar, but what our College takes it for, I know not) Cytinus,
(Dioscorides calls the flowers of the Manured Pomegranates, Cytinus, but Pliny
calls the flowers of the wild kind by that name,) Fox-glove, Vipers Bugloss,
Rocket, Eyebright, Beans, Fumitory, Broom, Cowslips, St. John’s Wort, Hysop,
Jessamine or Shrub, Trefoil, Archangel, or Dead Nettles white and red,
Lavender, Wallflowers, or Winter-Gilliflowers, Privet, Lilies white, and of the
valley, Hops, Common and tree Mallows, Featherfew, Woodbine, or
Honeysuckles, Melilot, Bawm, Walnuts, Water-Lilies white and yellow,
Origanum, Poppies white and red, or Erraticks, Poppies, or corn Roses, so
called because they grow amongst Corn, Peony, Honeysuckles, or Woodbine,
Peach-flowers, Primroses, Self-heal, Sloe bush, Rosemary flowers, Roses, white,
damask and red, Sage, Elder, white Saxifrage, Scabious, Siligo, (I think they
mean wheat by it, Authors are not agreed about it) Steches, Tamarisk, Tansy,
Mullen or Higtaper, Limetree, Clove Gilliflowers, Colt’s-foot, Violets, Agnus
Castus, Dead Nettles white and red.
Culpeper.] That these may be a little explained for the public good: be
pleased to take notice.
Some are hot in the first degree, as Borrage, Bugloss, Bettony, Ox-eye,
Melilot, Chamomel, Stœchas.
Hot in the second degree. Amomus, Saffron, Clove-gilliflowers, Rocket,
Bawm, Spikenard, Hops, Schenanth, Lavender, Jasmine, Rosemary.
In the third degree. Agnus Castus, Epithimum, Winter-gilliflowers, or
Wallflowers, Woodbine, or Honeysuckles.
 Cold in the first degree. Mallows, Roses, red, white, and damask Violets.
In the second. Anemom, or Wind-flower, Endive, Succory, Water-lilies, both
white and yellow.
In the third. Balaustins, or Pomegranate flowers.
In the fourth. Henbane, and all the sorts of Poppies, only whereas authors say,
field Poppies, which some call red, others erratick and corn Roses, are the
coldest of all the others; yet my opinion is, that they are not cold in the fourth
degree.
Moist in the first degree. Borrage, Bugloss, Mallows, Succory, Endive.
In the second. Water-lilies, Violets.
Dry in the first degree. Ox-eye, Saffron, Chamomel, Melilot, Roses.
In the second. Wind-flower, Amomus, Clove-gilliflowers, Rocket, Lavender,
Hops, Peony, Rosemary, Spikenard.
In the third. Woodbine, or Honeysuckles, Balaustines, Epithimum,
Germander, Chamepitis.
The temperature of any other flowers not here mentioned are of the same
temperature with the herbs, you may gain skill by searching there for them, you
can loose none.

For the parts of the body, they are appropriated to, some heat

The head; as, Rosemary flowers, Self-heal, Chamomel, Bettony, Cowslips,

Lavender, Melilot, Peony, Sage, Stœchas.
The breast. Bettony, Bawm, Scabious, Schœnanth.
The heart. Bawm, Rosemary flowers, Borrage, Bugloss, Saffron, Spikenard.
The stomach. Rosemary-flowers, Spikenard, Schœnanth.
The liver. Centaury, Schænanth, Elder, Bettony, Chamomel, Spikenard.
The spleen. Bettony, Wallflowers.
The reins and bladder. Bettony, Marshmallows, Melilot, Schœnanth,
Spikenard.
The womb. Bettony, Squinanth or Schenanth, Sage, Orris or Flower-de-luce.
The joints. Rosemary-flowers, Cowslips, Chamomel, Melilot.

Flowers, as they are cooling, so they cool

The head. Violets, Roses, the three sorts of Poppies, and Water-lilies.
The breast and heart. Violets, Red Roses, Water-lilies.
The stomach. Red Roses, Violets.
The liver and spleen. Endive, and Succory.
Violets, Borrage, and Bugloss, moisten the heart, Rosemary-flowers, Bawm
and Bettony, dry it.

According to property, so they bind.

Balaustins, Saffron, Succory, Endive, red-roses, Melilot, Bawm, Clove-

gilliflowers, Agnus Castus.
Discuss. Dill, Chamomel, Marshmallows, Mallows, Melilot, Stœchas, &c.
Cleanse. Damask-roses, Elder flowers, Bean flowers, &c.
Extenuate. Orris, or Flower-de-luce, Chamomel, Melilot, Stœchas, &c.
Mollify. Saffron, white Lilies, Mallows, Marshmallows, &c.
Suppure. Saffron, white Lilies, &c.
Glutinate. Balaustines, Centaury, &c.
Provoke the terms. Bettony, Centaury, Chamomel, Schœnanth, Wallflowers,
Bawm Peony, Rosemary, Sage.
Stop the terms. Balaustines, or Pomegranate flowers, Water Lilies.
Expel wind. Dill, Chamomel, Schœnanth, Spikenard.
Help burnings. White Lilies, Mallows, Marshmallows.
 Resist poison. Bettony, Centaury.
Ease pain. Dill, Chamomel, Centaury, Melilot, Rosemary.
Flowers purge choler. Peach flowers, Damask Roses, Violets.
Flegm. Broom flowers, Elder flowers.
If you compare but the quality of the flowers with the herbs, and with the
explanation of these terms at the latter end, you may easily find the temperature
and property of the rest.
The flowers of Ox-eye being boiled into a poultice with a little barley meal,
take away swellings and hardness of the flesh, being applied warm to the place.
Chamomel flowers heat, discuss, loosen and rarify, boiled in Clysters, they
are excellent in the wind cholic, boiled in wine, and the decoction drunk, purges
the reins, break the stone, opens the pores, cast out choleric humours, succours
the heart, and eases pains and aches, or stiffness coming by travelling.
The flowers of Rocket used outwardly, discuss swellings, and dissolve hard
tumors, you may boil them into a poultice, but inwardly taken they send but
unwholesome vapours up to the head.
Hops open obstructions of the bowels, liver, and spleen, they cleanse the
body of choler and flegm, provoke urine.
Jasmine flowers boiled in oil, and the grieved place bathed with it, takes away
cramps and stitches in the sides.
The flowers of Woodbine, or Honeysuckles, being dryed and beaten into
powder, and a dram taken in white wine in the morning, helps the rickets,
difficulty of breathing; provoke urine, and help the stranguary.
The flowers of Mallows being bruised and boiled in honey (two ounces of the
flowers is sufficient for a pound of honey; and having first clarified the honey
before you put them in) then strained out; this honey taken with a liquorice stick,
is an excellent remedy for Coughs, Asthmas, and consumptions of the lungs.

FRUITS.
 College.] Winter-cherries, Love Apples, Almonds sweet and bitter,
Anacardia, Oranges, Hazel Nuts, the oily Nut Ben, Barberries, Capers, Guinny
Pepper, Figs, Carpobalsamum, Cloves, Cassia Fistula, Chestnuts, Cherries
black and red, Cicers, white, black and red, Pome Citrons, Coculus Indi,
Colocynthis, Currants, Cornels or Cornelian Cherries, Cubebs, Cucumbers
garden and wild, Gourds, Cynosbatus, Cypress, Cones, Quinces, Dates, Dwarf-
Elder, Green Figs, Strawberries, common and Turkey Galls, Acorns, Acorn
Cups, Pomegranates, Gooseberries, Ivy, Herb True-Love, Walnuts, Jujubes,
Juniper berries, Bayberries, Lemons, Oranges, Citrons, Quinces, Pomegranates,
Lemons, Mandrakes, Peaches, Stramonium, Apples, garden and wild, or Crabs
and Apples, Musk Melons, Medlars, Mulberries, Myrobalans, Bellericks, Chebs,
Emblicks, Citron and Indian, Mirtle, Berries, water Nuts, Hazel Nuts, Chestnuts,
Cypress Nuts, Walnuts, Nutmegs, Fistick Nuts, Vomiting Nuts, Olives pickled in
brine, Heads of white and black Poppies, Pompions, Peaches, French or Kidney
Beans, Pine, Cones, white, black, and long Pepper, Fistick Nuts, Apples and
Crabs, Prunes, French and Damask, Sloes, Pears, English Currants, Berries of
Purging Thorn, black Berries, Raspberries, Elder berries, Sebastens, Services,
or Checkers, Hawthorn berries, Pine Nuts, Water Nuts, Grapes, Gooseberries,
Raisins, Currants.
Culpeper.] That you may reap benefit by these, be pleased to consider, that
they are some of them
Temperate in respect of heat. Raisins of the sun, Currants, Figs, Pine Nuts,
Dates, Sebastens.
Hot in the first degree. Sweet Almonds, Jujubes, Cypress Nuts, green Hazel
Nuts, green Walnuts.
Hot in the second degree. The Nut Ben, Capers, Nutmegs, dry Walnuts, dry
Hazel Nuts, Fistick Nuts.
In the third degree. Juniper Berries, Cloves, Carpobalsamum, Cubebs,
Anacardium, bitter Almonds.
In the fourth degree. Pepper, white, black and long, Guinny Pepper.
Cold in the first degree. The flesh of Citrons, Quinces, Pears, Prunes, &c.
In the second. Gourds, Cucumbers, Melons, Pompions, Oranges, Lemons,
Citrons, Pomegranates, viz. the juice of them, Peaches, Prunes, Galls, Apples.
 In the third. Mandrakes.
In the fourth. Stramonium.
Moist in the first degree. The flesh of Citrons, Lemons, Oranges, viz. the
inner rhind which is white, the outer rhind is hot.
In the second. Gourds, Melons, Peaches, Prunes, &c.
Dry in the first degree. Juniper Berries.
In the second. The Nut Ben, Capers, Pears, Fistick Nuts, Pine Nuts, Quinces,
Nutmegs, Bay berries.
In the third. Cloves, Galls, &c.
In the fourth. All sorts of pepper.

As appropriated to the body of Man, so they heat the head: as

Anacardia, Cubebs, Nutmegs.

The breast. Bitter Almonds, Dates, Cubebs, Hazel Nuts, Pine Nuts, Figs,
Raisins of the sun, Jujubes.
The heart. Walnuts, Nutmegs, Juniper berries.
The stomach. Sweet Almonds, Cloves, Ben, Juniper berries, Nutmegs, Pine
Nuts, Olives.
The spleen. Capers.
The reins and bladder. Bitter Almonds, Juniper Berries, Cubebs, Pine Nuts,
Raisins of the sun.
The womb. Walnuts, Nutmegs, Bayberries, Juniper berries.
Cool the breast. Sebastens, Prunes, Oranges, Lemons.
The heart. Oranges, Lemons, Citrons, Pomegranates, Quinces, Pears.
The stomach. Quinces, Citruls, Cucumbers, Gourds, Musk Melons,
Pompions, Cherries, Gooseberries, Cornelian Cherries, Lemons, Apples,
Medlars, Oranges, Pears, English Currants, Cervices or Checkers.
 The liver. Those that cool the stomach and Barberries.
The reins and womb. Those that cool the stomach, and Strawberries.

By their several operations, some

Bind. As the berries of Mirtles, Barberries, Chestnuts, Cornels, or Cornelian

Cherries, Quinces, Galls, Acorns, Acorn-cups, Medlars, Checkers or Cervices,
Pomegranates, Nutmegs, Olives, Pears, Peaches.
Discuss. Capers, all the sorts of Pepper.
Extenuate. Sweet and bitter Almonds, Bayberries, Juniper berries.
Glutinate. Acorns, Acorn Cups, Dates, Raisins of the sun, Currants.
Expel Wind. Bay berries, Juniper berries, Nutmegs, all the sorts of Pepper.
Breed seed. Raisins of the sun, sweet Almonds, Pine Nuts, Figs, &c.
Provoke urine. Winter Cherries.
Provoke the terms. Ivy berries, Capers, &c.
Stop the terms. Barberries, &c.
Resist poison. Bay berries, Juniper berries, Walnuts, Citrons, commonly
called Pome Citrons, all the sorts of Pepper.
Ease pain. Bay berries, Juniper berries, Ivy berries, Figs, Walnuts, Raisins,
Currants, all the sorts of Pepper.

Fruits purging.

Choler. Cassia Fistula, Citron Myrobalans, Prunes, Tamarinds, Raisins.

Melancholy. Indian Myrobalans.
Flegm. Colocynthis and wild Cucumbers purge violently, and therefore not
rashly to be meddled withal: I desire my book should be beneficial, not hurtful to
the vulgar, but Myrobalans of all sorts, especially Chebs, Bellericks and
Emblicks, purge flegm very gently, and without danger.
 Of all these give me leave to commend only one to you as of special
concernment which is Juniper berries.
 SEEDS.

College.] Sorrel, Agnus Castus, Marsh-mallows, Bishop’s weed true and

common, Amomus, Dill, Angellica, Annis, Rose-seed, Smallage, Columbines,
Sparagus, Arach, Oats, Oranges, Burdocks, Bazil, Barberries, Cotton, Bruscus
or Knee-holly, Hemp, Cardamoms greater and lesser, Carduus Benedictus, our
Lady’s Thistles, Bastard, Saffron, Caraway, Spurge greater and lesser,
Coleworts, Onions, the Kernels of Cherry stones, Chervil, Succory, Hemlock,
Citrons, Citruls, Garden Scurvy-grass, Colocynthis, Coriander, Samphire,
Cucumbers garden and wild, Gourds, Quinces, Cummin, Cynosbatus, Date-
stones, Carrots English, and cretish, Dwarf-Elder, Endive, Rocket, Hedge
Mustard, Orobus, Beans, Fennel, Fenugreek, Ash-tree keys, Fumitory, Brooms,
Grains of Paradise, Pomegranates, wild Rue, Alexanders, Barley, white
Henbane, St. John’s Wort, Hyssop, Lettice, Sharp-pointed-Dock, Spurge, Laurel,
Lentils, Lovage, Lemons, Ash-tree-keys, Linseed, or Flaxweed, Gromwell,
Darnel, Sweet Trefoil, Lupines, Masterwort, Marjoram, Mallows, Mandrakes,
Melons, Medlars, Mezereon, Gromwell, sweet Navew, Nigella, the kernels of
Cherries, Apricots, and Peaches, Bazil, Orobus, Rice, Panick, Poppies white and
black, Parsnips garden and wild, Thorough Wax, Parsley, English and
Macedonian, Burnet, Pease, Plantain, Peony, Leeks, Purslain, Fleawort,
Turnips, Radishes, Sumach, Spurge, Roses, Rue, garden and wild, Wormseed,
Saxifrage, Succory, Sesami, Hartwort, common and cretish, Mustard-seed,
Alexanders, Nightshade, Steves Ager, Sumach, Treacle, Mustard, sweet Trefoil,
Wheat, both the fine flour and the bran, and that which starch is made of,
Vetches or Tares, Violets, Nettles, common and Roman, the stones of Grapes,
Greek Wheat, or Spelt Wheat.
Culpeper.] That you may receive a little more benefit by these, than the bare
reading of them, which doth at the most but tell you what they are; the following
method may instruct you what they are good for.

Seeds are hot in the first degree.

Linseed, Fenugreek, Coriander, Rice, Gromwell, Lupines.

In the second. Dill, Smallage, Orobus, Rocket, Bazil, Nettles.
In the third. Bishop’s Weed, Annis, Amomus, Carraway, Fennel, (and so I
believe Smallage too, let authors say what they will, for if the herb of Smallage
be somewhat hotter than Parsley; I know little reason why the seed should not be
so hot) Cardamoms, Parsley, Cummin, Carrots, Nigella, Navew, Hartwort,
Staves Ager.
In the fourth. Water-cresses, Mustard-seed.
Cold in the first degree. Barley, &c.
In the second. Endive, Lettice, Purslain, Succory, Gourds, Cucumbers,
Melons, Citruls, Pompions, Sorrel, Nightshade.
In the third. Henbane, Hemlock, Poppies white and black.
Moist in the first degree. Mallows, &c.
Dry in the first degree. Beans, Fennel, Fenugreek, Barley, Wheat, &c.
In the second. Orobus, Lentils, Rice, Poppies, Nightshade, and the like.
In the third. Dill, Smallages, Bishop’s Weed, Annis, Caraway, Cummin,
Coriander, Nigella, Gromwell, Parsley.

Appropriated to the body of man, and so they

Heat the head. Fennel, Marjoram, Peony, &c.

The breast. Nettles.
The heart. Bazil, Rue, &c. Mustard seed, &c.
The stomach. Annis, Bishop’s weed, Amomus, Smallage, Cummin,
Cardamoms, Cubebs, Grains of Paradise.
The liver. Annis, Fennel, Bishop’s weed, Amomus, Smallage, Sparagus,
Cummin, Caraway, Carrots.
The spleen. Annis, Caraway, Water-cresses.
The reins and bladder. Cicers, Rocket, Saxifrage, Nettles, Gromwell.
The womb. Peony, Rue.
The joints. Water-cresses, Rue, Mustard-seed.
 Cool the head. Lettice, Purslain, white Poppies.
The breast. White Poppies, Violets.
The heart. Orange, Lemon, Citron and Sorrel seeds.
Lastly, the four greater and four lesser cold seeds, which you may find in the
beginning of the compositions, as also the seed of white and black Poppies cool
the liver and spleen, reins and bladder, womb and joints.

According to operation some seeds

Bind, as Rose-seeds, Barberries, Shepherd’s purse, Purslain, &c.

Discuss. Dill, Carrots, Linseeds, Fenugreek, Nigella, &c.
Cleanse. Beans, Orobus, Barley, Lupines, Nettles, &c.
Mollify. Linseed, or Flax seed, Fenugreek seed, Mallows, Nigella.
Harden. Purslain seed, &c.
Suppure. Linseed, Fenugreek seed, Darnel, Barley husked, commonly called
French Barley.
Glutinate. Orobus, Lupines, Darnel, &c.
Expel wind. Annis, Dill, Smallage, Caraway, Cummin, Carrots, Fennel,
Nigella, Parsley, Hartwort, Wormseed.
Breed seed. Rocket, Beans, Cicers, Ash tree keys.
Provoke the menses. Amomus, Sparagus, Annis, Fennel, Bishop’s weed,
Cicers, Carrots, Smallage, Parsley, Lovage, Hartwort.
Break the stone. Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Gromwell, &c.
Stop the terms. Rose seeds, Cummin, Burdock, &c.
Resist poison. Bishop’s weed, Annis, Smallage, Cardamoms, Oranges,
Lemons, Citrons, Fennel, &c.
Ease pain. Dill, Amomus, Cardamoms, Cummin, Carrots, Orobus,
Fenugreek, Linseed, Gromwell, Parsley, Panick.
 Assuage swellings. Linseed, Fenugreek seeds, Marsh-mallows, Mallows,
Coriander, Barley, Lupines, Darnel, &c.

The College tells you a tale that there are such things in Rerum Natura, as
these, Gums, Rozins, Balsams, and Juices made thick, viz.
College.] Juices of Wormwood and Maudlin, Acacia, Aloes, Lees of Oil,
Assafœtida, Balsam of Peru and India; Bdellium, Benzoin, Camphire, Caranna,
Colophonia, Juice of Maudlin, Euphorbium, Lees of Wine, Lees of Oil, Gums of
Galbanum, Amoniacum, Anime, Arabick, Cherry Trees, Copal, Elemy, Juniper,
Ivy, Plumb Trees, Cambuge, Hypocystis, Labdanum, Lacca, Liquid Amber,
Manna, Mastich, Myrrh, Olibanum, Opium, Opopanax, Pice-bitumen, Pitch of
the Cedar of Greece, Liquid and dry Rozins of Fir-tree, Larch-tree, Pine tree,
Pine-fruit, Mastich. Venice and Cyprus Turpentine. Sugar, white, red, and
Christaline, or Sugar Candy white and red, Sagapen, Juniper, Gum, Sanguis
Draconis, Sarcocolla, Scamony, Styrax, Liquid and Calamitis, Tacha, Mahacca,
Tartar, Frankincense, Olibanum, Tragaganth, Birdlime.
Culpeper.] That my country may receive more benefit than ever the college
of Physicians intended them from these, I shall treat of them severally.

1. Of the Juices.
2. Of the Gums and Rosins.

Concrete Juices, or Juices made thick, are either

Temperate, as, Juice of Liquorice, white starch.

Hot in the first degree. Sugar.
In the second. Labdanum.
In the third. Benzoin, Assafœtida.
Cold in the third degree. Sanguis Draconis, Acacia.
In the third. Hypocistis.
In the fourth. Opium, and yet some authors think Opium is hot because of its
bitter taste.
 Aloes and Manna purge choler gently; and Scamony doth purge choler
violently, that it is no ways fit for a vulgar man’s use, for it corrodes the Bowels.
Opopoanax purges flegm very gently.
White starch gently levigates or makes smooth such parts as are rough, syrup
of Violets being made thick with it and so taken on the point of a knife, helps
coughs, roughness of the throat, wheezing, excoriations of the bowels, the
bloody-flux.
Juice of Liquorice helps roughness of the Trachea Arteria, which is in plain
English called the windpipe, the roughness of which causes coughs and
hoarseness, difficulty of breathing, &c. It allays the heat of the stomach and
liver, eases pains, soreness and roughness of the reins and bladder, it quencheth
thirst, and strengthens the stomach exceedingly: It may easily be carried about in
one’s pocket, and eat a little now and then.
Sugar cleanses and digests, takes away roughness of the tongue, it
strengthens the reins and bladder, being weakened: being beaten into fine
powder and put into the eyes, it takes away films that grow over the sight.
Labdanum is in operation, thickening, heating and mollifying, it opens the
passage of the veins, and keeps the hair from falling off; the use of it is usually
external: being mixed with wine, myrrh, and oil of mirtles, and applied like a
plaister, it takes away filthy scars, and the deformity the small pox leaves behind
them; being mixed with oil of Roses, and dropped into the ears, it helps pains
there; being used as a pessary, it provokes the menses, and helps hardness or
stiffness of the womb. It is sometimes used inwardly in such medicines as ease
pains and help the cough: if you mix a little of it with old white wine and drink
it, it both provokes urine and stops looseness or fluxes.
Dragons blood, cools, binds, and repels.
Acasia, and Hyposistis, do the like.
The juice of Maudlin, or, for want of it Costmary, which is the same in effect,
and better known to the vulgar, the juice is made thick for the better keeping of
it; first clarify the juice before you boil it to its due thickness, which is
something thicker than honey.
It is appropriated to the liver, and the quantity of a dram taken every morning,
helps the Cachexia, or evil disposition of the body proceeding from coldness of
the liver: it helps the rickets and worms in children, provokes urine, and gently
(without purging) disburdens the body of choler and flegm; it succours the lungs,
opens obstructions, and resists putrifaction of blood.
Gums are either temperate, as, Lacca, Elemi, Tragacanth, &c.
Intemperate, and so are hot in the first degree, as Bdellium, Gum of Ivy.
In the second, Galbanum, Myrrh, Mastich, Frankincense, Olibanum, Pitch,
Rozin, Styrax.
In the third. Amoniacum.
In the fourth. Euphorbium.
Gum Arabick is cold.
Colophonia and Styrax soften.
Gum Arabick and Tragacanth, Sandarack or Juniper Gum, and Sarcocolla
bind.
Gum of Cherry trees, breaks the stone.
Styrax provokes the menses.
Opopanax gently purges flegm.
From the prickly Cedar when it is burned comes forth that which, with us, is
usually known by the name of Tar, and is excellently good for unction either for
scabs, itch, or manginess, either in men or beasts, as also against the leprosy,
tetters, ringworms, and scald heads.
All sorts of Rozins fill up hollow ulcers, and relieve the body sore pressed
with cold griefs.
The Rozin of Pitch-tree, is that which is commonly called Burgundy pitch,
and is something hotter and sharper than the former, being spread upon a cloth is
excellently good for old aches coming of former bruises or dislocations.
Pitch mollifies hard swellings, and brings boils and sores to suppuration, it
breaks carbuncles, disperses aposthumes, cleanses ulcers of corruption and fills
them with flesh.
 Bdellium heats and mollifies, and that very temperately, being mixed with
any convenient ointment or plaister, it helps kernels in the neck and throat,
Scrophula, or that disease which was called the King’s Evil. Inwardly taken in
any convenient medicine, it provokes the menses, and breaks the stone, it helps
coughs and bitings of venomous beasts: it helps windiness of the spleen, and
pains in the sides thence coming. Both outwardly applied to the place and
inwardly taken, it helps ruptures or such as are burst, it softens the hardness of
the womb, dries up the moisture thereof and expels the dead child.
Bitumen Jadaicum is a certain dry pitch which the dead sea, or lake of Sodom
in India casts forth at certain times, the inhabitants thereabouts pitch their ships
with it. It is of excellent use to mollify the hardness of swellings and discuss
them, as also against inflammations; the smoke of it burnt is excellently good for
the fits of the mother, and the falling-sickness: Inwardly taken in wine it
provokes the menses, helps the bitings of venomous beasts, and dissolves
congealed blood in the body.
Ambergreese is hot and dry in the second degree, I will not dispute whether it
be a Gum or not: It strengthens nature much which way soever it be taken, there
are but few grains usually given of it at a time: mixed with a little ointment of
Orange flowers, and the temples and forehead anointed with it, it eases the pains
of the head and strengthens the brain exceedingly; the same applied to the
privities, helps the fits of the mother; inwardly taken it strengthens the brain and
memory, the heart and vital spirit, warms cold stomachs, and is an exceeding
strengthener of nature to old people, adding vigour to decayed and worn-out
spirits: it provokes venery, and makes barren women fruitful, if coldness and
moisture or weakness be the cause impediting.
Assafœtida being smelled to, is vulgarly known to repress the fits of the
mother; a little bit put into an aching tooth, presently eases the pain, ten grains of
it taken before dinner, walking half an hour after it, provokes appetite, helps
digestion, strengthens the stomach, and takes away loathing of meat, it provokes
lust exceedingly and expels wind as much.
Borax, besides the virtues it has to solder Gold, Silver, Copper, &c. inwardly
given in small quantities, it stops fluxes, and the running of the reins: being in
fine powder, and put into green wounds, it cures them at once dressing.
Gambuge, which the College calls Gutta Gamba. I know no good of it.
Caranna outwardly applied, is excellent for aches and swellings in the nerves
and joints: If you lay it behind the ears, it draws back humours from the eyes;
applied to the temples as they usually do Mastich, it helps the tooth-ache.
Gum Elimi, authors appropriate to fractures in the skull and head. See Arceus’
liniment.
Gum Lacca being well purified, and the quantity of half a dram taken in any
convenient liquor, strengthens the stomach and liver, opens obstructions, helps
the yellow jaundice and dropsy; provokes urine, breaks the stone in the reins and
bladder.
Liquid Amber is not much unlike liquid Styrax: by unction it warms and
comforts a cold and moist brain, it eases all griefs coming of a cold cause, it
mightily comforts and strengthens a weak stomach, being anointed with it, and
helps digestion exceedingly, it dissolves swellings. It is hot in the third degree,
and moist in the first.
I think it would do the commonwealth no harm if I should speak a word or
two on Manna here, although it be no Gum: I confess authors make some flutter
about it, what it is, some holding it to be the juice of a tree; I am confident it is
the very same condensated that our honey-dews here are, only the contries
whence it comes being far hotter, it falls in great abundance. Let him that desires
reason for it, be pleased to read Butler’s book of Bees, a most excellent
experimental work, there he shall find reason enough to satisfy any reasonable
man. Choose the driest and whitest; it is a very gentle purger of choler, quenches
thirst, provokes appetite, eases the roughness of the throat, helps bitterness in the
throat, and often proneness to vomit, it is very good for such as are subject to be
costive to put it into their drink instead of sugar, it hath no obnoxious quality at
all in it, but may be taken by a pregnant woman without any danger; a child of a
year old may take an ounce of it at a time dissolved in milk, it will melt like
sugar, neither will it be known from it by the taste.
Myrrh is hot and dry in the second degree, dangerous for pregnant women, it
is bitter, and yet held to be good for the roughness of the throat and windpipe;
half a dram of it taken at a time helps rheumatic distillations upon the lungs,
pains in the sides; it stops fluxes, provokes the menses, brings away both birth
and afterbirth, softens the hardness of the womb; being taken two hours before
the fit comes, it helps agues. Mathiolus saith he seldom used any other medicine
for the quartan ague than a dram of myrrh given in Muskadel an hour before the
fit usually came; if you make it up into pills with treacle, and take one of them
every morning fasting, it is a sovereign preservative against the pestilence,
against the poison of serpents, and other venomous beasts; a singular remedy for
a stinking breath if it arise from putrefaction of the stomach, it fastens loose
teeth, and stays the shedding off of the hair, outwardly used it breeds flesh in
deep wounds, and covers the naked bones with flesh.
Olibanum is hot in the second degree, and dry in the first, you may take a
dram of it at a time, it stops looseness and the running of the reins; it strengthens
the memory exceedingly, comforts the heart, expels sadness and melancholy,
strengthens the heart, helps coughs, rheums and pleurises; your best way (in my
opinion,) to take it is to mix it with conserve of roses, and take it in the morning
fasting.
Tachamacha is seldom taken inwardly, outwardly spread upon leather, and
applied to the navel; it stays the fits of the mother, applied to the side, it
mitigates speedily, and in little time quite takes away the pain and windiness of
the spleen; the truth is, whatsoever ache or swelling proceeds of wind or cold
raw humours, I know no better plaister coming from beyond sea than this gum. It
strengthens the brain and memory exceedingly, and stops all such defluctions
thence as trouble the eyes, ears, or teeth, it helps the gout and sciatica.
Gum Coopal, and Gum Anime, are very like one another both in body and
operation, the former is hard to come by, the last not very easy. It stops
defluctions from the head, if you perfume your cap with the smoke of it, it helps
the headache and megrim, strengthens the brain, and therefore the sinews.
Gum Tragaganth, which the vulgar call Gum Dragon, being mixed with
pectoral Syrups, (which you shall find noted in their proper places) it helps
coughs and hoarseness, salt and sharp distillations upon the lungs, being taken
with a liquorice stick, being dissolved in sweet wine, it helps (being drank)
gnawing in the bowels, sharpness and freetings of the urine, which causes
excoriations either in the reins or bladder, being dissolved in milk and the eyes
washed with it, it takes away weals and scabs that grow on the eyelids, it is
excellently good to be put in poultice to fodder wounds, especially if the nerves
or sinews be hurt.
Sagapen, dissolved in juice of rue and taken, wonderfully breaks the stone in
the bladder, expels the dead child and afterbirth, clears the sight; dissolved in
wine and drank, it helps the cough, and distillation upon the lungs, and the fits of
the mother; outwardly in oils or ointments, it helps such members as are out of
joint or over-stretched.
Galbanum is of the same operation, and also taken from the same plant, viz.
Fennel, Giant.
Gum Arabic, thickens and cools, and corrects choleric sharp humours in the
body, being dissolved in the white of an egg, well beaten, it helps burnings, and
keeps the place from blistering.
Mastich stays fluxes, being taken inwardly any way. Three or four small
grains of Mastich, swallowed at night going to bed, is a remedy for pains in the
stomach, being beaten into powder, and mixed with conserve of Roses, it
strengthens the stomach, stops distillations upon the lungs, stay, vomiting, and
causes a sweet breath; being mixed with white wine and the mouth washed with
it, it cleanses the gums of corruption, and fastens loose teeth.
Frankincense being used outwardly in the way of a plaister, heats and binds;
being applied to the temples, stops the rheums that flow to the eyes, helps green
wounds, and fills hollow ulcers with flesh, stops the bleeding of wounds, though
the arteries be cut; being made into an ointment with Vinegar and Hog’s-grease,
helps the itch, pains in the ears, inflammations in women’s breasts commonly
called agues in the breast; beware of taking it inwardly, lest it cause madness.
Turpentine is hot in the second degree, it heals, softens, it discusses and
purges, cleanses the reins, provokes urine.
Styrax Calamitis is hot and dry in the second degree, it heals, mollifies, and
concocts; being taken inwardly helps the cough, and distillations of the lungs,
hoarseness and loss of voice, helps the hardness of the womb, and provokes the
menses.
Ammoniacum, hot and dry in the third degree, softens, draws, and heats;
being dissolved in vinegar, strained and applied plaister-wise, it takes away
carbuncles and hardness in the flesh, it is one of the best remedies that I know
for infirmities of the spleen, being applied to the left side; being made into an
ointment with oil, it is good to anoint the limbs of such as are weary: a scruple of
it being taken in the form of a pill loosens the belly, gives speedy delivery to
women in travail, helps diseases of the spleen, the sciatica and all pains in the
joints, and have any humour afflicting their breast.
Camphire, it is held by all authority to be cold and dry in the third degree, it
is of very thin subtile parts, insomuch that being beaten into very fine powder it
will vanquish away into the air, being beaten into powder and mixed with oil,
and the temples anointed therewith, eases headaches proceeding of heat, all
inflammations whatsoever, the back being anointed with the same, cools the
reins, and seminal vessels, stops the running of the reins and Fluor Albus, the
moderate use of Venery, the like it doth if it be drank inwardly with Bettony-
water, take but a small quantity of it at a time inwardly, it resist poison and
bitings by venomous beasts; outwardly, applied as before, and the eyes anointed
with it, stops hot rheums that flow thither.
Opopanax purges thick flegm from the most remote parts of the body, viz. the
brain, joints, hands, and feet, the nerves and breast, and strengthens all those
parts when they are weak, if the weakness proceed of cold, as usually it doth; it
helps weakness of the sight, old rotten coughs, and gouts of all sorts, dropsies,
and swellings of the spleen, it helps the stranguary and difficulty of making
urine, provokes the menses, and helps all cold afflictions of the womb; have a
care you give it not to any pregnant women. The dose is one dram at most,
corrected with a little Mastich, dissolved in Vinegar and outwardly applied helps
the passions of the spleen.

In the next place the College tells you a tale concerning Liquid, Juices, and
Tears, which are to be kept for present use, viz.
College.] Vinegar, Juice of Citrons, Juice of sour Grapes, Oranges,
Barberries, Tears of a Birch-tree, Juice of Cherries, Quinces, Pomegranates,
Lemons, Wood-sorrel, Oil of unripe Olives, and ripe Olives, both new and old,
Juice of red and Damask Roses, Wine Tears of a Vine.
Culpeper.] The virtues of the most of these may be found in the Syrups, and
are few of them used alone.

Then the College tells you there are things bred of PLANTS.
College.] Agarick, Jew’s-ears, the berries of Chermes, the Spungy substance
of the Briar, Moss, Viscus Quercinus, Oak, Apples.
Culpeper.] As the College would have you know this, so would I know what
the chief of them are good for.
Jew’s-ears boiled in milk and drank, helps sore throats.
 Moss is cold, dry, and binding, therefore good for fluxes of all sorts.
Misleto of the Oak, it helps the falling sickness and the convulsions; being
discreetly gathered and used.
Oak Apples are dry and binding; being boiled in milk and drank, they stop
fluxes and the menses, and being boiled in vinegar, and the body anointed with
the vinegar, cures the itch.

Then the College acquaints you, That there are certain living Creatures called
College.] Bees, Woodlice, Silkworms, Toads, Crabs of the River, little Puppy
Dogs, Grass-hoppers, Cantharides, Cothanel, Hedge-hogs, Emmets or Ants,
Larks, Swallows, and their young ones, Horse-leeches, Snails, Earthworms,
Dishwashers or Wagtails, House Sparrows and Hedge Sparrows, Frogs,
Scineus, Land Scorpions, Moles, or Monts, Tortoise of the Woods, Tenches,
Vipers and Foxes.
Culpeper.] That part of this crew of Cattle and some others which they have
not been pleased to learn, may be made beneficial to your sick bodies, be pleased
to understand, that
Bees being burnt to ashes, and a lye made with the ashes, trimly decks a bald
head being washed with it.
Snails with shells on their backs, being first washed from the dirt, then the
shells broken, and they boiled in spring water, but not scummed at all, for the
scum will sink of itself, and the water drank for ordinary drink is a most
admirable remedy for consumption; being bruised and applied to the place they
help the gout, draw thorns out of the flesh, and held to the nose help the bleeding
thereof.

Therefore consider that the College gave the Apothecaries a catalogue of what
Parts of Living creatures and Excrements they must keep in their shops.
College.] The fat, grease, or suet, of a Duck, Goose, Eel, Boar, Herron,
Thymallows, (if you know where to get it) Dog, Capon, Beaver, wild Cat, Stork,
Coney, Horse, Hedge-hog, Hen, Man, Lion, Hare, Pike, or Jack, (if they have
any fat, I am persuaded ’tis worth twelve-pence a grain) Wolf, Mouse of the
mountains, (if you can catch them) Pardal, Hog, Serpent, Badger, Grey or brock
Fox, Vulture, (if you can catch them) Album Græcum, Anglice, Dog’s dung, the
hucklebone of a Hare and a Hog, East and West Bezoar, Butter not salted and
salted, stone taken out of a man’s bladder, Vipers flesh, fresh Cheese,
Castorium, white, yellow, and Virgin’s Wax, the brain of Hares and Sparrows,
Crabs’ Claws, the Rennet of a Lamb, a Kid, a Hare, a Calf, and a Horse, the
heart of a Bullock, a Stag, Hog, and a Wether, the horn of an Elk, a Hart, a
Rhinoceros, an Unicorn, the skull of a man killed by a violent death, a
Cockscomb, the tooth of a Boar, an Elephant, and a Sea-horse, Ivory, or
Elephant’s Tooth, the skin a Snake hath cast off, the gall of a Hawk, Bullock, a
she Goat, a Hare, a Kite, a Hog, a Bull, a Bear, the cases of Silkworms, the liver
of a Wolf, an Otter, a Frog, Isinglass, the guts of a Wolf and a Fox, the milk of a
she Ass, a she Goat, a Woman, an Ewe, a Heifer, East and West Bezoar, the
stone in the head of a Crab, and a Perch, if there be any stone in an Ox Gall,
stone in the bladder of a Man, the Jaw of a Pike or Jack, Pearls, the marrow of
the Leg of a Sheep, Ox, Goat, Stag, Calf, common and virgin Honey, Musk,
Mummy, a Swallow’s nest, Crabs Eyes, the Omentum or call of a Lamb, Ram,
Wether, Calf, the whites, yolks, and shells of Hen’s Eggs, Emmet’s Eggs, bone of
a Stag’s heart, an Ox leg, Ossepiœ, the inner skin of a Hen’s Gizzard, the wool
of Hares, the feathers of Partridges, that which Bees make at the entrance of the
hive, the pizzle of a Stag, of a Bull, Fox Lungs, fasting spittle, the blood of a
Pigeon, of a Cat, of a he Goat, of a Hare, of a Partridge, of a Sow, of a Bull, of a
Badger, of a Snail, Silk, Whey, the suet of a Bullock, of a Stag, of a he Goat, of a
Sheep, of a Heifer, Spermaceti, a Bullock’s spleen, the skin a Snake hath cast off,
the excrements of a Goose, of a Dog, of a Goat, of Pigeons, of a stone Horse, of
a Hen, of Swallows, of a Hog, of a Heifer, the ancle of a Hare, of a Sow,
Cobwebs, Water thells, as Blatta Bazantia, Buccinæ, Crabs, Cockles, Dentalis,
Entalis, Mother of Pearl, Mytuli Purpuræ, Os sepiæ, Umbilious Marinus, the
testicles of a Horse, a Cock, the hoof of an Elk, of an Ass, a Bullock, of a Horse,
of a Lyon, the urine of a Boar, of a she Goat.
Culpeper.] The liver of an Hedge-hog being dried and beaten into powder and
drank in wine, strengthens the reins exceedingly, and helps the dropsy,
convulsions, and the falling sickness, together with all fluxes of the bowels.
The liver being in like manner brought into powder, strengthens the liver
exceedingly, and helps the dropsy.

Then the College tells you these things may be taken from the SEA, as
College.] Amber-grease, Sea-water, Sea-sand, Bitumen, Amber white and
yellow, Jet, Carlinæ, Coral, white and red, Foam of the Sea, Spunge, Stone
Pumice, Sea salt, Spunges, Amber.

METALS, STONES, SALTS, AND OTHER MINERALS.

Ver-de-grease, Scales of Brass, Ætitis, Alana Terra, Alabaster, Alectorions,

Alum Seisile and Roach Amethist, Amianth, Amphelites, Antimony, leaves and
filings of Silver, Quick Silver, Lapis, Armenius, native Arsenic, both white and
red, artificial Arsenic, white and realgar, Argilla, Asteria, leaves and filings of
Gold, Belemites, Berril, Bole-armenick, Borrax, Toadstone, Lapis Calaminatis,
Cadmia, Lime quick and quenched, Vitriol, white, blue, and green, Steel, Borrax,
Chrisolite, Chrisopus, Cynabris, native and artificial, Whetstones, Chalk, white
and green, Crystal Diphriges, the rust, dust, scales, and flakes of Iron, Granite,
Mortar, such as walls are daubed with, Hematitis, Heliotropium, Jacinth, Hyber,
Nicius, Jasper, Lapis Judacious, Tiles, Lapis Lazuly, Lapis Lincis, Lithanthrax,
Litharge of Silver and Gold, Loadstone, Marchasite, or fire stone Marble, Red
Lead, native and artificial, Miss, Naptha, Lapis Nephriticus, Nitre, Oaker yellow
and red, Onyx, Opalus, Ophytes, Ostcocolla, Lead white and black, Plumbago,
Pompholix, Marchasite, Realgar, Ruby, red Oaker, Sal Armoniach, Sal Gem,
and salt Nitre, Saphyr and Sardine, Selenitis, Flints, Emerald, Smiris, Sori,
Spodium, Pewter, Brimstone, quick and common, Talth, Earth of Cimolia,
Sames, Lemnos, Sylesia, Topas, Alana, Terra, Tutty, Vitriol, white, blue, and
green.

Precious stones alter by a way manifest or hidden.

By a way manifest, they are hot, in the first degree. Hemetitis, Pyritis, Lopis
Asius, Thyitis, Smyres, Lapis Schistus.
Precious stones cold, are in the first degree. Jacinth, Saphyr, Emerald,
Cristal, Lapis Samius, Lapis Phrigius.
In the second degree. Ruby, Carbuncle, Granite, Sardony.
In the fourth degree. Diamond.
In respect of property, they bind, as Lapis Asius, Nectius, Geodes, Pumice-
stone.
Emolient, as Alabaster, Jet, Lapis Thrasius.
 Stupify: as Memphitis, Jasper, Ophites.
Cleanse: as Lapis Arabicus.
Glutinate: as Galactitis, Melites.
Scarify: as Morochtus.
Break the stone: as Lapis Lyncis, Lapis Judaicus, Lapis Sponge.
Retain the fruit in the womb: as Ætitis, Jasper.
Provoke the menses. Ostracites.

Stones altering by a hidden property (as they call it,) are

Bezoar, Topaz, Lapis Colubrinus, Toadstone, Emerald, Alectorius,

Calcidonius, Amethist, Saphyr, Jasper, Lapis Nephriticus, Lapis Tibernum,
Lapis, Spongites, the stone found in the maw of a Swallow, Loadstone, Lapis
Vulturis, Merucius, Coral, Lynturius, Jet, Ætites, the stones of Crabs, Amber,
Crystal, &c.
The Loadstone purges gross humours.
Lapis Armenius and Lapis Lazuli, purge melancholy.
Pyrites heat and cleanse, take away dimness of sight. Dioscorides. Lapis
Asius binds and moderately corrodes and cleanses filthy ulcers, and fills them up
with flesh; being mixed with honey, and applied to the place, is an admirable
remedy for the gout.
Chrystal being beaten into very fine powder, and a dram of it taken at a time
helps the bloody-flux, stops the Fluor Albus, and increases milk in Nurses.
Mathiolus.
Lapis Samius is cooling and binding, it is very comfortable to the stomach,
but it dulls the senses, helps fluxes of the eyes and ulcers.
Geodetes binds and drys, being beaten into powder and mixed with water,
and applied to the place, takes away inflammations of the Testicles.
Pumice-stone being beaten into powder and the teeth rubbed with it, cleanses
them. Dioscorides.
 Jet, it is of a softening and discussing nature, it resists the fits of the mother.
Lapis Arabicus being beaten into powder, and made into an ointment helps
the hemorrhoids.
Ostracites, a dram of it taken in powder provokes the menses; being taken
after that purgation, causes conception, also being made into an ointment, helps
inflammations of the breast.
Myexis being borne about one takes away pains in the reins, and hinders the
breeding of the stone.
Lapis Armenius purges melancholy, and also causes vomiting, I hold it not
very safe for our English bodies, and therefore I will speak no more of it.

Explanation of certain Vacuations.

The five opening Roots.

Smallage, Sparagus, Fennel, Parsley, Knee-holly.
The two opening Roots.
Fennel, Parsley.
The five emolient Herbs.
Marsh-mallows, Mallows, Beets, Mercury, Pellitory of the Wall, Violet
Leaves.
The five Capillary Herbs.
Maidenhair, Wall Rue, Cetrach, Hart’s-tongue, Politricum.
The four cordial Flowers.
Borrage, Bugloss, Roses, Violets.
The four greater hot Seeds, Carminative, or breaking wind.
Annis, Carraway, Cummin, Fennel.
The four lesser hot seeds.
 Bishop’s weed, Amomus, Smallage, Carrots.
The four greater cold seeds.
Citrul, Cucumber, Gourds, Melon.
The four lesser cold seeds.
Succory, Endive, Lettice, Purslain.
Five fragments of precious stones.
Granite, Jacinth, Sapphire, Sardine, Emerald.
The right worshipful, the College of Physicians of London in their New
Dispensatory give you free leave to distil these common waters that
follow, but they never intend you should know what they are good for.

SIMPLE DISTILLED WATERS.

Of fresh Roots of

Briony, Onions, Elecampane, Orris, or Flower-de-luce, Turnips.

Of flowers and buds of

Southernwood, both sorts of Wormwood, Wood Sorrel, Lady’s-Mantle,

Marsh-mallows, Angelica, Pimpernel with purple flowers, Smallage,
Columbines, Sparagus, Mouse-ear, Borrage, Shepherd’s Purse, Calaminth,
Woodbine or Honey-suckles, Carduus Benedictus, our Lady’s Thistles,
Knotgrass, Succory, Dragons, Colt’s-foot, Fennel, Goat’s Rue, Grass, Hyssop,
Lettice, Lovage, Toad-flax, Hops, Marjoram, Mallows, Horehound, Featherfew,
Bawm, Mints, Horse-mints, Water Cresses, English Tobacco, white Poppies,
Pellatory of the Wall, Parsley, Plantain, Purslain, Self-heal, Pennyroyal, Oak
leaves, Sage, Scabious, Figwort or Throatwort, Houseleek, or Sengreen, the
greater and lesser Mother of Time, Nightshade, Tansy, Tormentil, Valerian.

Of Flowers of

Oranges, (if you can get them) Blue-bottle the greater, Beans, Water-Lilies,
Lavender, Nut-tree, Cowslips, Sloes, Rosemary, Roses white, damask, and red,
Satyrien, Lime-tree, Clove-gilliflowers, Violets.

Of Fruits of

Oranges, Black Cherries, Pome Citrons, Quinces, Cucumbers, Strawberries,

Winter Cherries, Lemons, Rasberries, unripe Walnuts, Apples.

Of parts of living Creatures and their excrements

Lobsters, Cockles, or Snails, Hartshorn, Bullocks dung made in May,

Swallows, Earthworms, Magpies, Spawn of Frogs.

SIMPLE WATERS DISTILLED,

being digested before-hand.

Of the fresh Roots of Nettles.

Of the leaves of Agrimony, wild Tansy, or Silverweed, Mugwort, Bettony,

Marigolds, Chamomel, Chamepitys, Celandine, Pilewort, Scurvy-grass, Comfry
the greater, Dandelyon, Ash-tree leaves, Eyebright, Fumitory, Alehoof, or
ground Ivy, Horsetail, St. John’s Wort, Yarrow, Moneywort, Restharrow,
Solomon’s Seal, Res solis, Rue, Savin, Saxifrage, Hart’s tongue, Scordium,
Tamarisk, Mullin, Vervain, Paul’s Bettony, Mead-sweet, Nettles.
Of the Flowers of Mayweed, Broom, Cowslips, Butter-bur, Peony, Elder.
Of the berries of Broom, Elder.
Culpeper.] Then the College gives you an admonition concerning these,
which being converted into your native language, is as follows.
We give you warning that these common waters be better prepared for time to
come, either in common stills, putting good store of ashes underneath,
the roots and herbs being dryer, &c. or if they be full of Juice, by
distilling the juice in a convenient bath, that so burning may be avoided,
which hitherto hath seldom been. But let the other Herbs, Flowers, or
Roots, be bruised, and by adding Tartar, common salt, or leven be
digested, then putting spring water to them, distil them in an Alembick
 digested, then putting spring water to them, distil them in an Alembick
with its refrigeratory, or Worm, till the change of the taste shew the
virtue to be drawn off; then let the oil (if any) be separated from the
water according to art.
Into the number of these waters may be ascribed.
The Tears of Vines, the liquor of the Birch-tree, May dew.
Culpeper.] That my country may receive the benefit of these waters, I shall
first shew the temperatures, secondly, the virtues of the most usual and most
easy to come by: If any should take exceptions that I mention not all, I answer
first, I mention enough. Secondly, who ever makes this objection, they shew
extreme ingratitude; for had I mentioned but only one, I had revealed more to
them than ever the College intended they should know, or give me thanks for
doing.

The qualities and appropriation of the simple Distilled Waters.

Simple distilled waters either cool or heat: such as cool, either cool the blood
or choler.
Waters cooling the blood. Lettice, Purslain, Water Lilies, Violets, Sorrel
Endive, Succory, Fumitory.

Waters cooling and repressing choleric humours, or vapours in the head.

Nightshade, Lettice, Water Lilies, Plantain, Poppies, viz. The flowers both of
white black and red Poppies, black Cheries.
The breast and lungs. Violets, Poppies all three sorts, Colt’s-foot.
In the heart. Sorrel, Quinces, Water Lilies, Roses, Violets, green or unripe
Walnuts.
In the stomach. Quinces, Roses, Violets, Nightshade, Houseleeks, or
Sengreen, Lettice, Purslain.
In the liver. Endive, Succory, Nightshade, Purslain, Water Lilies.
In the reins and bladder. Endive, Succory, Winter Cherries, Plantain, Water
Lilies, Strawberries, Houseleek or Sengreen, black Cherries.
In the womb. Endive, Succory, Lettice, Water Lilies, Purslain, Roses.
Simple waters which are hot, concoct either flegm or melancholy.

Waters concocting flegm in the head, are

Bettony, Sage, Marjoram, Chamomel, Fennel, Calaminth, Rosemary-flowers,

Primroses, Eyebright.
In the breast and lungs. Maidenhair, Bettony, Hysop, Horehound, Carduus
Benedictus, Scabious, Orris, or Flower-de-luces, Bawm, Self-heal, &c.
In the heart. Bawm, Rosemary.
In the stomach. Wormwood, Mints, Fennel, Chervil, Time, Mother of Time,
Marigolds.
In the liver. Wormwood, Centaury, Origanum, Marjoram, Maudlin,
Costmary, Agrimony, Fennel.
In the spleen. Water-cresses, Wormwood, Calaminth.
In the reins and bladder. Rocket, Nettles, Saxifrage, Pellitory of the Wall,
Alicampane, Burnet.
In the womb. Mugwort, Calaminth, Pennyroyal, Savin, Mother of Time,
Lovage.

Waters concocting Melancholy in the head, are

Hops, Fumitory.
The breast. Bawm, Carduus Benedictus.
The heart. Borrage, Bugloss, Bawm, Rosemary.
The liver. Endive, Chicory, Hops.
The spleen. Dodder, Hart’s-tongue, Tamarisk, Time.
Having thus ended the appropriation, I shall speak briefly of the virtues of
distilled waters.
Lettice water cools the blood when it is over-heated, for when it is not, it
needs no cooling: it cools the head and liver, stays hot vapours ascending to the
head, and hinders sleep; it quenches immoderate thirst, and breeds milk in
nurses, distil it in May.
Purslain water cools the blood and liver, quenches thirst, helps such as spit
blood, have hot coughs, or pestilences.
The distilled water of water Lily-flowers cools the blood and the bowels, and
all internal parts of the body; helps such as have the yellow jaundice, hot coughs
and pleurisies, the headache, coming of heat, fevers pestilential and not
pestilential, as also hectic fevers.
The water of Violet flowers, cools the blood, the heart, liver and lungs, over-
heated, and quenches an insatiable desire of drinking, they are in their prime
about the latter end of March, or beginning of April, according as the year falls
out.
The water of Sorrel cools the blood, heart, liver, and spleen: If Venice
Treacle be given with it, it is profitable in pestilential fevers, distil it in May.
Endive and Succory water are excellent against heat in the stomach; if you
take an ounce of either (for their operation is the same) morning and evening,
four days one after another, they cool the liver, and cleanse the blood: they are in
their prime in May.
Fumitory water is usual with the city dames to wash their faces with, to take
away morphey, freckles, and sunburning; inwardly taken, it helps the yellow
jaundice and itch, cleanses the blood, provokes sweat, strengthens the stomach,
and cleanses the body of adust humours: it is in its prime in May and June.
The water of Nightshade helps pains in the head coming of heat. Take heed
you distil not the deadly Nightshade instead of the common, if you do, you may
make mad work. Let such as have not wit enough to know them asunder, have
wit enough to let them both alone till they do.
The water of white Poppies extinguishes all heat against nature, helps
headaches coming of heat, and too long standing in the sun. Distil them in June
or July.
 Colt’s-foot water is excellent for burns to wash the place with it; inwardly
taken it helps Phthisicks and other diseases incident to the lungs, distil them in
May or June.
The water of Distilled Quinces strengthens the heart and stomach
exceedingly, stays vomiting and fluxes, and strengthens the retentive faculty in
man.
Damask Rose water cools, comforts, and strengthens the heart, so doth Red
Rose-water only with this difference, the one is binding, the other loosening; if
your body be costive, use Damask Rose water, because it is loosening: if loose,
use red, because it is binding.
White Rose water is generally known to be excellent against hot rheums, and
inflammations in the eyes, and for this it is better than the former.
The water of Red Poppy flowers, called by many Corn-roses, because they
grow so frequently amongst corn, cools the blood and spirits over-heated by
drinking or labour, and is therefore excellent in surfets.
Green Walnuts gathered about the latter end of June or July, and bruised, and
so stilled, strengthen the heart, and resist the pestilence.
Plantain water helps the headache; being dropped into the ear it helps the
tooth-ache, helps the phthisicks, dropsy and fluxes, and is an admirable remedy
for ulcers in the reins and bladder, to be used as common drink: the herb is in its
prime in May.
Strawberry water cools, quenches thirst, clarifies the blood, breaks the stone,
helps all inward inflammations, especially those in the reins, bladder and
passages of the urine; it strengthens the liver and helps the yellow jaundice.
The distilled water of Dog grass, or Couch grass, as some call it, cleanses the
reins gallantly, and provokes urine, opens obstructions of the liver and spleen,
and kills worms.
Black Cherry water provokes urine, helps the dropsy. It is usually given in
diseases of the brain, as convulsions, falling-sickness, palsy and apoplexy.
Betony is in its prime in May, the distilled water thereof is very good for such
as are pained in their heads, it prevails against the dropsy and all sorts of fevers;
it succours the liver and spleen, and helps want of digestion and evil disposition
of the body thence arising; it hastens travail in women with child, and is
excellent against the bitings of venomous beasts.
Distil Sage whilst the flowers be on it, the water strengthens the brain,
provokes the menses, helps nature much in all its actions.
Marjoram is in its prime in June, distilled water is excellent for such whose
brains are too cold, it provokes urine, heats the womb, provokes the menses,
strengthens the memory and helps the judgment, causes an able brain.
Distil Camomel water about the beginning of June. It eases the cholick and
pains in the belly; it breaks the stone in the reins and bladder, provokes the
menses, expels the dead child, and takes away pains in the head.
Fennel water strengthens the heart and brain; dilates the breast, the cough,
provokes the menses, encreases milk in nurses, and if you wash your eyes with
it, it clears the sight.
The Hooves of the fore feet of a Cow dried and taken any away, encrease
milk in nurses, the smoke of them drives away mice. Mizaldus.
Calaminth water heats and cleanses the womb, provokes the menses, and
eases the pains of the head, distil it in May.
The distilled water of Rosemary flowers, helps such as are troubled with the
yellow Jaundice, Asthmas, it cleanses the blood, helps concoction, strengthens
the brain and body exceedingly.
Water of the flowers of Lilies of the valley, strengthens the brain and all the
senses.
The water of Cowslip flowers helps the palsey; takes away pains in the head,
the vertigo and megrim, and is exceeding good for pregnant women.
The eyes being washed every morning with Eyebright water, most strangely
clears and strengthens the sight.
Maidenhair distilled in May, the water cleanses both liver and lungs, clarifies
the blood, and breaks the stone.
Hyssop water cleanses the lungs of flegm, helps coughs and Asthmas, distil it
in August.
 The water of Horehound, helps the cough and straitness of the breast; it
strengthens the breast, lungs and stomach, and liver, distil it in June.
Carduus water succours the head, strengthens the memory, helps such as are
troubled with vertigoes and quartan agues, it provokes sweat, strengthens the
heart, and all other fevers of choler. It is in its prime in May and June.
Scabious water helps pleurises and pains, and pricking in the sides;
Aposthumes, coughs, pestilences, and straitness of the breast.
Water of Flower-de-luce is very profitable in dropsies, an ounce being drank
continually every morning and evening; as also pains and torments in the
bowels.
Bawm water distilled in May, restores memory, it quickens all the senses,
strengthens the brain, heart, and stomach, causes a merry mind and a sweet
breath.
The water of Comfrey solders broken bones, being drank, helps ruptures,
outwardly it stops the bleeding of wounds, they being washed with it.
Wormwood water distilled cold, about the end of May, heats and strengthens
the stomach, helps concoction, stays vomiting, kills worms in the stomach and
bowels, it mitigates the pains in the teeth, and is profitably given in fevers of
choler.
Mint water strengthens the stomach, helps concoction and stays vomiting,
distil it in the latter end of May, or beginning of June, as the year is in
forwardness or backwardness, observe that in all the rest.
Chervil water distilled about the end of May, helps ruptures, breaks the stone,
dissolves congealed blood, strengthens the heart and stomach.
The water of Mother of Time strengthens the brain and stomach, gets a man a
good stomach to his victuals, provoke urine and the menses, heats the womb. It
is in its prime about the end of June.
The water of Marigold flowers is appropriated to most cold diseases of the
head, eyes, and stomach: they are in their vigour when the Sun is in the Lion.
The distilled water of Centaury comforts a cold stomach, helps in fever of
choler, it kills worms, and provokes appetite.
 Maudlin and Costmary water distilled in May or June, strengthens the liver,
helps the yellow jaundice, opens obstructions, and helps the dropsy.
Water-cresses distilled in March, the water cleanses the blood, and provokes
urine exceedingly, kills worms, outwardly mixed with honey, it clears the skin of
morphew and sunburning.
Distil Nettles when they are in flower, the water helps coughs and pains in the
bowels, provokes urine, and breaks the stone.
Saxifrage water provokes urine, expels wind, breaks the stone, cleanses the
reins and bladder of gravel, distil them when they are in flower.
The water of Pellitory of the Wall, opens obstructions of the liver and spleen,
by drinking an ounce of it every morning; it cleanses the reins and bladder, and
eases the gripings of the bowels coming of wind. Distil it in the end of May, or
beginning of June.
Cinquefoil water breaks the stone, cleanses the reins, and is of excellent use
in putrified fevers. Distil it in May.
The water of Radishes breaks the stone, cleanses the reins and bladder,
provokes the menses, and helps the yellow jaundice.
Elicampane water strengthens the stomach and lungs, provokes urine, and
cleanses the passages of it from gravel.
Distil Burnet in May or June, the water breaks the stone, cleanses the
passages of urine, and is exceeding profitable in pestilential times.
Mugwort water distilled in May, is excellent in coughs and diseases
proceeding from stoppage of the menses, it warms the stomach, and helps the
dropsy.
Distil Pennyroyal when the flowers are upon it: the water heats the womb
gallantly, provokes the menses, expels the afterbirth; cuts, and casts out thick
and gross humours in the breast, eases pains in the bowels, and consumes flegm.
The water of Lovage distilled in May, eases pains in the head, and cures
ulcers in the womb being washed with it; inwardly taken it expels wind, and
breaks the stone.
The tops of Hops when they are young, being distilled, the water cleanses the
blood of melancholy humours, and therefore helps scabs, itch, and leprosy, and
such like diseases thence proceeding; it opens obstructions of the spleen, helps
the rickets, and hypochondriac melancholy.
The water of Borrage and Bugloss distilled when their flowers are upon
them, strengthens the heart and brain exceedingly, cleanses the blood, and takes
away sadness, griefs and melancholy.
Dodder water cleanses the liver and spleen, helps the yellow jaundice.
Tamarisk water opens obstructions, and helps the hardness of the spleen, and
strengthens it.
English Tobacco distilled, the water is excellently good for such as have
dropsy, to drink an ounce or two every morning; it helps ulcers in the mouth,
strengthens the lungs, and helps such as have asthmas.
The water of Dwarf Elder, hath the same effects.
Thus you have the virtues of enough of cold waters, the use of which is for
mixtures of other medicines, whose operation is the same, for they are very
seldom given alone: If you delight most in liquid medicines, having regard to the
disease, and part of the body afflicted by it, these will furnish you with where
withal to make them so as will please your pallate best.
 COMPOUNDS. SPIRIT AND COMPOUND DISTILLED
WATERS.

Culpeper.] Before I begin these, I thought good to premise a few words: They
are all hot in operation, and therefore not to be meddled with by people of hot
constitutions when they are in health, for fear of fevers and adustion of blood,
but for people of cold constitutions, as melancholy and flegmatic people. If they
drink of them moderately now and then for recreation, due consideration being
had to the part of the body which is weakest, they may do them good: yet in
diseases of melancholy, neither strong waters nor sack is to be drank, for they
make the humour thin, and then up to the head it flies, where it fills the brain
with foolish and fearful imaginations.
2. Let all young people forbear them whilst they are in health, for their blood
is usually hot enough without them.
3. Have regard to the season of the year, so shall you find them more
beneficial in Summer than in Winter, because in summer the body is always
coldest within, and digestion weakest, and that is the reason why men and
women eat less in Summer than in Winter.
Thus much for people in health, which drink strong waters for recreation.
As for the medicinal use of them, it shall be shewed at the latter end of every
receipt, only in general they are (due respect had to the humours afflicting, and
part of the body afflicted) medicinal for diseases of cold and flegm, chilliness of
the spirits, &c.
But that my countrymen may not be mistaken in this, I shall give them some
symptoms of each complexion how a man may know when it exceeds its due
limits.

Signs of choler abounding.

Leanness of body, costiveness, hollow eyes, anger without a cause, a testy

disposition, yellowness of the skin, bitterness in the throat, pricking pains in the
head, the pulse swifter and stronger than ordinary, the urine higher coloured,
thinner and brighter, troublesome sleeps, much dreaming of fire, lightning,
anger, and fighting.

Signs of blood abounding.

The veins are bigger (or at least they seem so) and fuller then ordinary; the
skin is red, and as it were swollen; pricking pains in the sides, and about the
temples, shortness of breath, head-ache, the pulse great and full, urine high
coloured and thick, dreams of blood, &c.

Signs of melancholy abounding.

Fearfulness without a cause, fearful and foolish imaginations, the skin rough
and swarthy, leanness, want of sleep, frightful dreams, sourness in the throat, the
pulse very weak, solitariness, thin clear urine, often sighing, &c.

Signs of flegm abounding.

Sleepiness, dulness, slowness, heaviness, cowardliness, forgetfulness, much

spitting, much superfluities at the nose, little appetite to meat and as bad
digestion, the skin whiter, colder and smoother than it was want to be; the pulse
slow and deep: the urine thick and low coloured: dreams of rain, floods, and
water, &c.
These things thus premised, I come to the matter.
The first the College presents you with, is

Spiritus et Aqua Absinthis minus Composita.

Or, Spirit and water of Wormwood, the lesser composition.

College.] Take of the leaves of dryed Wormwood two pounds, Annis seeds,
half a pound: steep them in six gallons of small wine twenty four hours, then
distil them in an Alembick, adding to every pound of the distilled water two
ounces of the best Sugar.
Let the two first pound you draw out be called Spirit of Wormwood, those
which follow, Wormwood water the lesser composition.
 Culpeper.] I like this distinction of the College very well, because what is
first stilled out, is far stronger than the rest, and therefore very fitting to be kept
by itself: you may take which you please, according as the temperature of your
body, either to heat or cold, and the season of year requires.
It hath the same virtues Wormwood hath, only fitter to be used by such whose
bodies are chilled by age, and whose natural heat abates. You may search the
herbs for the virtues, it heats the stomach, and helps digestion.
The College.] After the same manner (only omitting the Annis seeds) is
distilled spirit and water of Angelica, both Herb and Root, Bawm, Mints, Sage,
&c. the Flowers of Rosemary, Clary, Clove-gilliflowers, &c. the seeds of
Caraway, &c. Juniper-berries, Orange Pills, Lemons, Citrons, &c. Cinnamon,
Nutmegs, &c.

Spiritus et Aqua Absynthii magis composita.

Or spirit and water of Wormwood, the greater composition.

The College.] Take of common and Roman Wormwood, of each a pound;
Sage, Mints, Bawm, of each two handfuls; the Roots of Galanga, Ginger,
Calamus, Aromaticus, Elecampane, of each three drachms; Liquorice, an ounce,
Raisins of the Sun stoned, three ounces, Annis seeds, and sweet Fennel seeds, of
each three drachms; Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmegs, of each two drachms;
Cardamoms, Cubebs, of each one drachm: let the things be cut that are to be cut,
and the things be bruised that are to be bruised, all of them infused in twenty
four pints of Spanish wine, for twenty four hours, then, distilled in an Alembick,
adding two ounces of white sugar to every pint of distilled water.
Let the first pint be called Spirit of Wormwood the greater composition.
Culpeper.] The opinion of Authors is, That it heats the stomach, and
strengthens it and the lungs, expels wind, and helps digestion in ancient people.

Spiritus et Aqua Angelica magis composita.

Or Spirit and water of Angelica, the greater composition.

The College.] Take of the leaves of Angelica eight ounces, of Carduus
Benedictus six ounces, of Bawm and Sage, of each four ounces, Angelica seeds
six ounces; sweet Fennel seeds nine ounces. Let the herbs, being dryed, and the
seeds be grossly bruised, to which add of the species called Aromaticum
Rosarum; and of the species called Diamoschu Dulce, of each an ounce and a
half, infuse them two days in thirty two pints of Spanish Wine, then distil them
with a gentle fire, and with every pound mix two ounces of sugar dissolved in
Rose-water.
Let the three first pounds be called by the name of Spirit, the rest by the name
of water.
Culpeper.] The chief end of composing this medicine, was to strengthen the
heart and resist infection, and therefore is very wholesome in pestilential times,
and for such as walk in stinking air.
I shall now quote you their former receipt in their former dispensatory.

Angelica water the greater composition.

The College.] Take of Angelica two pounds, Annis seed half a pound,
Coriander and Caraway seeds, of each four ounces, Zedoary bruised, three
ounces: steep them twenty four hours in six gallons of small wine, then draw out
the spirit, and sweeten it with sugar.
Culpeper.] It comforts the heart, cherishes the vital spirits, resists the
pestilence, and all corrupt airs, which indeed are the natural causes of epidemical
diseases, the sick may take a spoonful of it in any convenient cordial, and such
as are in health, and have bodies either cold by nature, or cooled by age, may
take as much either in the morning fasting, or a little before meat.

Spiritus Lavendula compositus Matthiæ.

Or compound spirit of Lavender. Matthias.

The College.] Take of Lavender flowers one gallon, to which pour three
gallons of the best spirits of wine, let them stand together in the sun six days,
then distil them with an Alembick with this refrigeratory.
Take of the flowers of Sage, Rosemary, and Bettony, of each one handful; the
flowers of Borrage, Bugloss, Lilies of the Valley, Cowslips, of each two
handfuls: let the flowers be newly and seasonably gathered, being infused in one
gallon of the best spirits of wine, and mingled with the foregoing spirit of
Lavender flowers, adding the leaves of Bawm, Featherfew, and Orange tree
fresh gathered; the flowers of Stœchas and Orange tree, Bay berries, of each one
ounce. After convenient digestion distil it again, after which add Citron pills the
outward bark, Peony seed husked, of each six drams, cinnamon, Mace, Nutmegs,
Cardamoms, Cubebs, yellow Sanders, of each half an ounce, Wood of Aloes one
dram, the best Jujubes, the stones being taken out, half a pound, digest them six
weeks, then strain it and filter it, and add to it prepared Pearls two drams,
Emeralds prepared a scruple, Ambergrease, Musk, Saffron, of each half a
scruple, red Roses dryed, red Sanders, of each half an ounce, yellow Sanders,
Citron Pills, dryed, of each one dram. Let the species being tyed up in a rag, be
hung into the aforementioned spirit.
Culpeper.] I could wish the Apothecaries would desire to be certified by the
College.
1. Whether the gallon of Lavender flowers must be filled by heap, or by
strike. 2. Next, whether the flowers must be pressed down in the measure or not.
3. How much must be drawn off in the first distillation. 4. Where they should get
Orange leaves and flowers fresh gathered. 5. What they mean by convenient
digestion. 6. Where you shall find Borrage, Bugloss, and Cowslips, flowering
together, that so you may have them all fresh according to their prescript, the one
flowering in the latter end of April, and beginning of May, the other in the end of
June, and beginning of July. 7. If they can make a shift to make it, how, or which
way the virtues of it will countervail the one half of the charge and cost, to leave
the pains and trouble out.

Spiritus Castorii.
Or Spirit of Castoreum.

The College.] Take of fresh Castoreum four ounces, Lavender flower an

ounce, the tops of Sage and Rosemary, of each half an ounce, Cinnamon six
drams, Mace, Cloves, of each two drachms, spirits of Wine rectified, six pounds,
digest them in a phial filled only to the third part, close stopped with cork and
bladder in warm ashes for two days, then distilled in Balneo Mariæ, and the
distilled water kept close stopped.
Culpeper.] By reason of its heat it is no ways fit to be taken alone, but mixed
with other convenient medicines appropriated to the diseases you would give it
for, it resists poison, and helps such as are bitten by venomous beasts: it causes
speedy delivery to women in travail, and casteth out the Placenta: it helps the fits
of the mother, lethargies and convulsions, being mixed with white wine, and
dropped into the ears, it helps deafness; if stopping be the cause of it, the dose to
be given inwardly is between one dram, and half a dram, according to the
strength and age of the patient.

Aqua Petasitidis composita.

Or, compound water of Butter-bur.

The College.] Take of the fresh roots of Butter-bur bruised, one pound and a
half, the roots of Angelica and Masterwort, of each half a pound, steep them in
ten pints of strong Ale, then distil them till the change of the taste gives a
testimony that the strength is drawn out.
Culpeper.] This water is very effectual being mixed with other convenient
cordials, for such as have pestilential fevers: also a spoonful taken in the
morning, may prove a good preservative in pestilential times: it helps the fits of
the mother, and such as are short winded, and being taken inwardly, dries up the
moisture of such sores as are hard to be cured.

Aqua Raphani Composita.

Or Compound water of Radishes.

The College.] Take of the leaves of both sorts of Scurvy-grass, of each six
pound, having bruised them, press the juice out of them, with which mix of the
juice of brooklime, and Water-cresses, of each one pound and a half, of the best
white wine, eight pounds, twelve whole Lemons, pills and all, fresh Briony roots
four pound, the roots of wild Radishes two pound, Captain Winter’s Cinnamon
half a pound, Nutmegs four ounces, steep them altogether, and then distil them.
Culpeper.] I fancy it not, and so I leave it; I suppose they intended it for
purgation of women in child-bed.

Aqua Peoniæ Composita.

Or Compound water of Peony.

The College.] Take of the flowers of Lilies of the Valley, one pound: infuse
them in four gallons of Spanish wine so long till the following flowers may be
had fresh.
Take of the forenamed flowers half a pound, Peony flowers four ounces:
steep them together fourteen days, then distil them in Balneo Mariæ till they be
dry: in the distilled liquor infuse again male Peony roots gathered in due time,
two ounces and a half, white Dittany, long Birthwort, of each half an ounce, the
leaves of Misselto of the Oak, and Rue, of each two handfuls, Peony seeds
husked, ten drams, Rue seeds three drams and a half, Castoreum two scruples,
Cubebs, Mace, of each two drachms, Cinnamon an ounce and a half, Squills
prepared, three drachms, Rosemary flowers six pugils, Arabian Stæchas,
Lavender, of each four pugils, the flowers of Betony, Clove-gilliflowers, and
Cowslips, of each eight pugils, then adding four pound of the juice of black
Cherries, distil it in a glass till it be dry.

Aqua Bezoartica.
Or Bezoar Water.

College.] Take of the leaves of Celandine, roots and all, three handfuls and a
half, Rue two handfuls, Scordium four handfuls, Dittany of Crete, Carduus, of
each one handful and a half, Zedoary and Angelica roots, of each three drams,
Citrons and Lemon pills, of each six drams, Clove-gilliflowers one ounce and a
half, Red Rose, Centaury the less, of each two drams, Cinnamon, Cloves, of
each three drams, Venice Treacle three ounces, Mithridates one ounce and a
half, Camphire two scruples, Troches of Vipers two ounces, Mace two drams,
Wood of Aloes half an ounce, Yellow Sanders one dram and a half, Carduus
seeds one ounce, Citron seeds six drams, let them be cut and infused in spirits of
Wine, and Malaga Wine, of each three pound and a half, Vinegar of Clove-
gilliflowers, Juice of Lemons, of each one pound, and distilled in a glass still in
Balneo Mariæ, after it is half distilled off, the residue may be strained through a
linen cloath, and be reduced to the thickness of Honey, and called the Bezoartic
extract.
Culpeper.] Extracts have the same virtues with the waters they are made
from, only the different form is to please the palates of such whose fancy loathes
any one particular form.
This Bezoar water strengthens the heart, arteries, and vital spirits: It provokes
sweat, and is exceeding good in pestilential fevers, in health it withstands
melancholy and consumptions, and makes a merry, blithe, chearful creature. Of
the extract you may take ten grains at a time, or somewhat more, if your body be
not feverish, half a spoonful of water is sufficient at a time, and that mixed with
other cordials or medicines appropriated to the disease that troubles you.

Aqua et Spiritus Lambricorum, magistralis.

Or Water and Spirit of Earthworms.

College.] Take of Earthworms well cleansed, three pound, Snails, with shells
on their backs cleansed, two gallons, beat them in a mortar, and put them into a
convenient vessel, adding stinging Nettles, roots and all, six handfuls, wild
Angelica, four handfuls, brank Ursine, seven handfuls, Agrimony, Bettony, of
each three handfuls, Rue one handful, common Wormwood two handfuls,
Rosemary flowers six ounces, Dock roots ten ounces, the roots of Sorrel five
ounces, Turmerick, the inner bark of Barberries, of each four ounces, Fenugreek
seeds two ounces, Cloves three ounces, Hart’s-horn, Ivory in gross powder, of
each four ounces, Saffron three drams, small spirits of Wine four gallons and a
half, after twenty-four hours infusion, distil them in an alembick. Let the four
first pounds be reserved for spirit, the rest for water.
Culpeper.] ’Tis a mess altogether, it may be they intended it for an universal
medicine.

Aqua Gentianæ compositæ.

Or Gentian Water compound.

College.] Take of Gentain roots sliced, one pound and a half, the leaves and
flowers of Centaury the less, of each four ounces, steep them eight days in
twelve pounds of white Wine, then distil them in an alembick.
Culpeper.] It conduces to preservation from ill air, and pestilential fevers: it
opens obstructions of the liver, and helps such as they say are liver-grown; it
eases pains in the stomach, helps digestion, and eases such as have pains in their
bones by ill lodging abroad in the cold, it provokes appetite, and is exceeding
good for the yellow jaundice, as also for prickings or stitches in the sides: it
provokes the menses, and expels both birth and placenta: it is naught for
pregnant women. If there be no fever, you may take a spoonful by itself; if there
be, you may, if you please, mix it with some cooler medicine appropriated to the
same use you would give it for.
 Aqua Gilbertii.
Or Gilbert’s Water.

College.] Take of Scabious, Burnet, Dragons, Bawm, Angelica, Pimpernel,

with purple flowers, Tormentil, roots and all, of each two handfuls, let all of
them, being rightly gathered and prepared, be steeped in four gallons of Canary
Wine, still off three gallons in an alembick, to which add three ounces of each of
the cordial flowers, Clove-gilliflowers six ounces, Saffron half an ounce,
Turmerick two ounces, Galanga, Bazil seeds, of each one dram, Citron pills one
ounce, the seed of Citrons and Carduus, Cloves of each five ounces, Hart’s-horn
four ounces, steep them twenty four hours and then distil them in Balneo Mariæ:
to the distilled water add Pearls prepared, an ounce and a half, red Coral, Crabs
eyes, white Amber, of each two drams, Crabs claws, six drams, Bezoar,
Ambergrease, of each two scruples, steep them six weeks in the sun, in a vessel
well stopped, often shaking it, then filter it, (you may keep the powders for
Spicord. temp.) by mixing twelve ounces of Sugar candy, with six ounces of red
Rose-water, and four ounces of spirit of Cinnamon with it.
Culpeper.] I suppose this was invented for a cordial to strengthen the heart, to
relieve languishing nature. It is exceeding dear. I forbear the dose, they that have
money enough to make it themselves, cannot want time to study both the virtues
and dose: I would have gentlemen to be studious.

Aqua cordialis frigida Saxeniæ.

College.] Take of the juice of Borrage, Bugloss, Bawm, Bistort, Tormentil,

Scordium, Vervain, sharp-pointed Dock, Sorrel, Goat’s Rue, Mirrhis, Blue
Bottle great and small, Roses, Marigolds, Lemon, Citrons, of each three ounces,
white Wine Vinegar one pound, Purslain seeds two ounces, Citron and Carduus
seeds, of each half an ounce, Water Lily flowers two ounces, the flowers of
Borrage, Bugloss, Violets, Clove-gilliflowers, of each one ounce, Diatrion
Sentalon six drams: let all of them, being rightly prepared, be infused three days,
then distilled in a glass still: to the distilled Liquor add earth of Lemnos, Siletia,
and Samos, of each one ounce and an half, Pearls prepared with the juice of
Citrons, three drams, mix them, and keep them together.
Culpeper.] It mightily cools the blood, and therefore profitable in fevers, and
all diseases proceeding of heat of blood; it provokes sleep. You may take half an
ounce at a time, or two drams if the party be weak.
 Aqua Theriacalis.
Or Treacle Water.

College.] Take of the juice of green Walnuts, four pounds, the juice of Rue
three pounds, juice of Carduus, Marigolds, and Bawm, of each two pounds,
green Petasitis roots one pound and a half, the roots of Burs one pound, Angelica
and Masterwort, of each half a pound, the leaves of Scordium four handfuls, old
Venice Treacle, Mithridates, of each eight ounces, Canary Wine twelve pounds,
Vinegar six pounds, juice of Lemons two pounds, digest them two days, either in
Horse-dung, or in a bath, the vessel being close shut, then distil them in sand; in
the distillation you may make a Theriacal extraction.
Culpeper.] This water is exceeding good in all fevers, especially pestilential;
it expels venomous humours by sweat; it strengthens the heart and vitals; it is an
admirable counter-poison, special good for such as have the plague, or are
poisoned, or bitten by venomous beasts, and expels virulent humours from such
as have the venereal disease. If you desire to know more virtues of it, see the
virtues of Venice Treacle. The dose is from a spoonful to an ounce.

Aqua Brioniæ composita.

Or Briony Water compound.

College.] Take of the juice of Briony roots, four pounds, the leaves of Rue
and Mugwort, of each two pounds, dryed Savin three handfuls, Featherfew, Nep,
Pennyroyal, of each two handfuls, Bazil, Dittany, of Crete, of each one handful
and a half, Orange pills four ounces, Myrrh two ounces, Castoreum one ounce,
Canary Wine twelve pounds, digest them four days in a convenient vessel, then
still them in Balneo Mariæ: About the middle of the distillation strain it out, and
make an Hysterical extraction of the residue.
Culpeper.] A spoonful of it taken, eases the fits of the mother in women that
have them; it potently expels the afterbirth, and clears the body of what a
midwife by heedlessness or accident hath left behind; it cleanses the womb
exceedingly, and for that I fancy it much, take not above a tasterful at a time, and
then in the morning fasting, for it is of a purging quality, and let pregnant
women forbear it.

Aqua Imperialis.
Or Imperial Water.
 The College.] Take of dried Citron, and Orange pills, Nutmegs, Cloves,
Cinnamon, of each two ounces, the roots of Cypress, Orris, Florentine, Calamus
Aromaticus, of each one ounce, Zedoary Galanga, Ginger, of each half an ounce,
the tops of Lavender and Rosemary, of each two handfuls, the leaves of Bay,
Marjoram, Bawm, Mints, Sage, Thyme, of each one handful, the flowers of
white and Damask Roses fresh, of each half a handful, Rose-water four pounds,
white Wine eight pounds, let all of them be bruised and infused twenty four
hours, then distil them according to art.
Culpeper.] You must distil it in a bath, and not in sand: It comforts and
strengthens the heart against faintings and swoonings, and is held to be a
preservative against consumptions and apoplexies. You may take half a spoonful
at a time.

Aqua Mirabilis.

College.] Take of Cloves, Galanga, Cubebs, Mace, Cardamoms, Nutmegs,

Ginger, of each one dram, Juice of Celandine half a pound, spirits of Wine one
pound, white Wine three pounds, infuse them twenty-four hours, and draw off
two pounds with an alembick.
Culpeper.] The simples also of this, regard the stomach, and therefore the
water heats cold stomachs, besides authors say it preserves from apoplexies, and
restores lost speech.

Aqua Protheriacalis.

College.] Take of Scordium, Scabius, Carduus, Goat’s Rue, of each two

handfuls, Citron and Orange pills, of each two ounces, the seeds of Citrons,
Carduus, Hartwort, Treacle, Mustard, of each one ounce, the flowers of
Marigolds and Rosemary, of each one handful, cut them, and bruise them
grossly, then infuse them in four pounds of white Wine, and two pounds of
Carduus water, in a glass, close stopped, and set it in the sun of bath for a
fortnight, often shaking it, then distil it in Balneo Mariæ. Let the two first
pounds be kept by themselves for use, and the remainder of the distillation by
itself: Lastly, mix one ounce of Julep of Alexandria, and a spoonful of
Cinnamon water with each pound.
Culpeper.] Aqua Protheriacalis, signifies a water for Treacle, so then if you
put Diascoridum to it, it is a water for Diascoridum; well then, we will take it for
a general water for all physick.

Aqua Caponis.
Or Capon Water.

College.] Take a Capon the guts being pulled out, cut in pieces, the fat being
taken away, boiled in a sufficient quantity of spring-water in a close vessel, take
of this broth three pounds. Borrage and Violet-water, of each a pound and a half,
white Wine one pound, red rose leaves two drams and an half, the flowers of
Borrage, Violets and Bugloss, of each one dram, pieces of bread, hot out of the
oven, half a pound, Cinnamon bruised, half an ounce, distil it in a glass still
according to art.
Culpeper.] The simples are most of them appropriated to the heart, and in
truth the composition greatly nourishes and strengthens such as are in
consumptions, and restores lost strength, either by fevers or other sickness: It is a
sovereign remedy for hectic fevers, and Marasmos, which is nothing else but a
consumption coming from them. Let such as are subject to these diseases, hold it
for a jewel.

Aqua Limacum Magistr.

Or Water of Snails.

College.] Take of the juice of Ground Ivy, Colt’s-foot, Scabious, Lungwort,

of each one pound and a half, the juice of Purslain, Plantain, Ambrosia, Paul’s
Bettony, of each a pound, Hog’s blood, white Wine, of each four pounds,
Garden Snails, two pound, dried Tobacco leaves eight, powder of Liquorice two
ounces, of Elecampane half an ounce, of Orris an ounce, Cotton seeds an ounce
and a half, the greater cold seeds, Annis seeds of each six drams, Saffron one
dram, the flowers of red Roses, six pugils, of Violets and Borrage, of each four
pugils, steep them three days warm, and then distil them in a glass still, in sand.
Culpeper.] It purges the lungs of flegm and helps consumptions there. If you
should happen to live where no better nor readier medicine can be gotten, you
may use this.

Aqua Scordii composita.

Or Compound Water of Scordium.
 College.] Take of the juice of Goat’s Rue, Sorrel, Scordium, Citrons, of each
one pound, London Treacle, half a pound, steep it three days, and distil it in
sand.
Culpeper.] A tasterful taken in the morning, preserves from ill airs.

Aqua Mariæ.

College.] Take of Sugar Candy a pound, Canary Wine six ounces, Rose
Water four ounces; boil it well into a Syrup, and add to it Imperial water two
pounds, Ambergreese, Musk, of each eighteen grains, Saffron fifteen grains,
yellow Sanders infused in Imperial water, two drams; make a clear water of it.

Aqua Papaveries composita.

Or Poppy Water compound.

College.] Take of red Poppies four pounds, sprinkle them with white Wine
two pounds, then distil them in a common still, let the distilled water be poured
upon fresh flowers and repeated three times; to which distilled water add two
Nutmegs sliced, red Poppy flowers a pugil, Sugar two ounces, set it in the sun to
give it a pleasing sharpness; if the sharpness be more than you would have it, put
some of the same water to it which was not set in the sun.

Aqua Juglandium composita.

Or Walnut Water compound.

College.] Take of green Walnuts a pound and an half, Radish roots one
pound, green Asarabacca six ounces, Radish seeds, six ounces. Let all of them,
being bruised, be steeped in three pounds of white Wine for three days, then
distilled in a leaden still till they be dry.

TINCTURES.

Tinctura Croci.
Or Tincture of Saffron.
 College.] Take two drams of Saffron, eight ounces of Treacle water, digest
them six days, then strain it.
Culpeper.] See the virtues of Treacle water, and then know that this
strengthens the heart something more, and keeps melancholy vapours thence by
drinking a spoonful of it every morning.

Tinctura Castorii.
Or Tincture of Castoreum.

College.] Take of Castoreum in powder half an ounce, spirit of Castoreum

half a pound, digest them ten days cold, strain it, and keep the Liquor for
Tincture.
Culpeper.] A learned invention! ’Tis something more prevalent than the
spirit.

Tinctura Fragroram.
Or Tincture of Strawberries.

College.] Take of ripe Wood-strawberries two pounds, put them in a phial,

and put so much small spirits of Wine to them, that it may overtop them the
thickness of four fingers, stop the vessel close, and set it in the sun two days,
then strain it, and press it but gently; pour this spirit to as many fresh
Strawberries, repeat this six times, at last keep the clear liquor for your use.
Culpeper.] A fine thing for Gentlemen that have nothing else to do with their
money, and it will have a lovely look to please their eyes.

Tinctura Scordii.
Or Tincture of Scordium.

College.] Take of the leaves of Scordium gathered in a dry time, half a pound,
digest them in six pounds of small spirits of Wine, in a vessel well stopped, for
three days, press them out gently, and repeat the infusion three times, and keep
the clarified liquor for use.
So is made Tincture of Celandine, Rest-harrow, and Rosa-solis.
 Culpeper.] See the herbs for the virtues, and then take notice that these are
better for cold stomachs, old bodies.

Tinctura Theriacalis vulgo Aqua Theriacalis

Ludg. per infus.
Or Tincture of Treacle.

College.] Take of Canary Wine often times distilled, Vinegar in which half an
ounce of Rue seeds have been boiled, two pounds choice treacle, the best
Mithridate, of each half a pound; mix them and set them in the sun, or heat of a
bath, digest them, and keep the water for use.

Tinctura Cinnamoni, vulgo, Aqua Clareta

Cinnam.
Or Tincture of Cinnamon.

College.] Take of bruised Cinnamon two ounces, rectified spirits of Wine two
pounds, infuse them four days in a large glass stopped with cork and bladder,
shake it twice a day, then dissolve half a pound of Sugar Candy by itself in two
pounds of Rose water, mix both liquors, into which hang a nodule containing,
Ambergris half a scruple, Musk four grains.

Tinctura Viridis.
Or a green Tincture.

College.] Take of Verdigris, half an ounce, Auripigmentum six drams, Alum

three drams, boil them in a pound of white Wine till half be consumed, adding,
after it is cold, the water of red Roses, and Nightshade, of each six ounces.
Culpeper.] This was made to cleanse ulcers, but I fancy it not.

Aqua Aluminosa Magistralis.

College.] Take of Plantain and red Rose water, of each a pound, roch Alum
and Sublimatum, of each two drams; let the Alum and Sublimatum, being in
powder, boil in the waters, in a vessel with a narrow mouth till half be
consumed, when it has stood five days, strain it.
 PHYSICAL WINES.

Vinum Absynthitis.
Or Wormwood Wine.

College.] Take a handful of dried Wormwood, for every gallon of Wine, stop
it in a vessel close, and so let it remain in steep: so is prepared wine of Rosemary
flowers, and Eye-bright.
Culpeper.] It helps cold stomachs, breaks wind, helps the wind cholic,
strengthens the stomach, kills worms, and helps the green sickness.
Rosemary-flower Wine, is made after the same manner. It is good against all
cold diseases of the head, consumes flegm, strengthens the gums and teeth.
Eye-bright Wine is made after the same manner. It wonderfully clears the
sight being drank, and revives the sight of elderly men: A cup of it in the
morning is worth a pair of spectacles.
All other Wines are prepared in the same manner.
The best way of taking any of these Wines is, to drink a draught of them
every morning. You may, if you find your body old or cold, make Wine of any
other herb, the virtues of which you desire; and make it and take it in the same
manner.

Vinum Cerassorum Nigrorum.

Or Wine of Black Cherries.

College.] Take a gallon of Black Cherries, keep it in a vessel close stopped

till it begin to work, then filter it, and an ounce of Sugar being added to every
pound, let pass through Hippocrates’ sleeve, and keep in a vessel close stopped
for use.

Vinum Helleboratum.
Or Helleborated Wine.

College.] Take of white Hellebore cut small, four ounces, Spanish Wine two
pounds, steep it in the sun in a phial close stopped, in the dog days, or other hot
weather.

Vinum Rubellum.

College.] Take of Stibium, in powder, one ounce, Cloves sliced two drams,
Claret Wine two pounds, keep it in a phial close shut.

Vinum Benedictum.

College.] Take of Crocus Metallorum, in powder, one ounce, Mace one dram,
Spanish Wine one pound and an half, steep it.

Vinum Antimoniale.
Or Antimonial Wine.

College.] Take of Regulus of Antimony, in powder, four ounces, steep it in

three pounds of white Wine in a glass well stopped, after the first shaking let the
Regulus settle.
Culpeper.] These last mentioned are vomits, and vomits are fitting medicines
for but a few, the mouth being ordained to take in nourishment, not to cast out
excrements, and to regulate a man’s body in vomiting; and doses of vomits
require a deeper study in physic, than I doubt the generality of people yet have; I
omit it therefore at this time, not because I grudge it my country, but because I
would not willingly have them do themselves a mischief, I shall shortly teach
them in what diseases vomits may be used, and then, and not till then, the use of
vomits.

Vinum Scilliticum.
Or Wine of Squills.

College.] Take of a white Squill of the mountains, gathered about the rising
of the dog star, cut it in thin pieces, and dried for a month, one pound, put it in a
glass bottle, and pour to it eight pounds of French Wine, and when it hath stood
so four days, take out the Squill.
The virtues of this are the same with Vinegar of Squills, only it is hotter.
 PHYSICAL VINEGARS.

Acetum distillatum.
Or distilled Vinegar.

College.] Fill a glass or stone alembick with the best Vinegar to the third part,
separate the flegm with a gentle fire, then encrease the fire by degrees, and
perform the work.

Acetum Rosarum.
Or Rose Vinegar.

College.] Take of red Rose buds, gathered in a dry time, the whites cut off,
dried in the shade three or four days, one pound, Vinegar eight sextaries, set
them in the sun forty days, then strain out the Roses, and repeat the infusion with
fresh ones.
After the same manner is made Vinegar of Elder flowers, Rosemary flowers,
and Clove-gilliflowers.
Culpeper.] For the virtues of all Vinegars, take this one only observation,
They carry the same virtues with the flowers whereof they are made, only as we
said of Wines, that they were better for cold bodies then the bare simples
whereof they are made; so are Vinegars for hot bodies. Besides, Vinegars are
often, nay, most commonly used externally, viz. to bathe the place, then look
amongst the simples, and see what place of the body the simple is appropriated
to, and you cannot but know both what Vinegar to use, and to what place to
apply it.

Acetum Scilliticum.
Or Vinegar of Squils.

College.] Take of that part of the Squill which is between the outward bark
and the bottom, cut in thin slices, and placed thirty or forty days in the sun or
some remiss heat, then a pound of them (being cut small with a knife made of
ivory or some white wood) being put in a vessel, and six pounds of Vinegar put
to them; set the vessel, being close stopped, in the sun thirty or forty days,
afterwards strain it, and keep it for use.
 Culpeper.] A little of this medicine being taken in the morning fasting, and
walking half an hour after, preserves the body in health, to extreme old age, (as
Sanius tried, who using no other medicine but this, lived in perfect health till one
hundred and seventeen years of age) it makes the digestion good, a long wind, a
clear voice, an acute sight, a good colour, it suffers no offensive thing to remain
in the body, neither wind, flegm, choler, melancholy, dung, nor urine, but brings
them forth; it brings forth filth though it lie in the bones, it takes away salt and
sour belchings, though a man be never so licentious in diet, he shall feel no
harm: It hath cured such as have the phthisic, that have been given over by all
Physicians: It cures such as have the falling sickness, gouts, and diseases and
swellings of the joints: It takes away the hardness of the liver and spleen. We
should never have done if we should reckon up the particular benefits of this
medicine: Therefore we commend it as a wholesome medicine for soundness of
body, preservation of health, and vigour of mind. Thus Galen.

Acetum Theriacale, Norimberg.

Or Treacle Vinegar.

College.] Take of the roots of Celandine the greater, one ounce and a half: the
roots of Angelica, Masterwort, Gentian, Bistort, Valerian, Burnet, white Dittany,
Elecampane, Zedoary, of each one dram, of Plantain the greater one dram and a
half, the leaves of Mousear, Sage, Scabious, Scordium, Dittany of Crete,
Carduus, of each half an handful, barks and seeds of Citrons, of each half a
dram, Bole Amoniac one dram, Saffron three drams, of these let the Saffron,
Hart’s-horn, Dittany, and Bole, be tied up in a rag, and steeped with the things
before mentioned, in five pints of Vinegar, for certain days by a temperate heat
in a glass well stopped, strain it, and add six drams of the best Treacle to it,
shake it together, and keep it for your use.

Acetum Theriacale.
Or Treacle Vinegar.

College.] Add to the description of Treacle water, Clove-gilliflowers two

ounces, Lavender flowers an ounce and a half, Rose, and Elder flower Vinegar,
of each four pounds, digest it without boiling, three days, then strain it through
Hippocrates’ sleeve.
Culpeper.] See Treacle Water for the virtues, only this is more cool, a little
more fantastical.

DECOCTIONS.

Decoctum commune pro clystere.

Or a common Decoction for a Clyster.

College.] Take of Mallows, Violets, Pellitory, Beets, and Mercury,

Chamomel flowers, of each one handful, sweet Fennel seeds half an ounce,
Linseeds two drams, boil them in a sufficient quantity of common water to a
pound.
Culpeper.] This is the common decoction for all clysters, according to the
quality of the humour abounding, so you may add what Simples, or Syrups, or
Electuaries you please; only half a score Linseeds, and a handful of Chamomel
flowers are added.

Decoctum Epythimi.
Or a Decoction of Epithimum.

College.] Take of Myrobalans, Chebs, and Inds, of each half an ounce,

Stœchas, Raisins of the sun stoned, Epithimum, Senna, of each one ounce,
Fumitory half an ounce, Maudlin five drams, Polipodium six drams, Turbith half
an ounce, Whey made with Goat’s milk, or Heifer’s milk four pounds, let them
all boil to two pounds, the Epithimum excepted, which boil but a second or two,
then take it from the fire, and add black Hellebore one dram and an half, Agerick
half a dram, Sal. Gem. one dram and an half, steep them ten hours, then press it
strongly out.
Culpeper.] It purges melancholy, as also choler, it resists madness, and all
diseases coming of melancholy, and therefore let melancholy people esteem it as
a jewel.

Decoctum Sennæ Gereonis.

Or a Decoction of Senna.

College.] Take of Senna two ounces, Pollipodium half an ounce, Ginger one
dram, Raisins of the sun stoned two ounces, Sebestens, Prunes, of each twelve,
the flowers of Borrage, Violets, Roses, and Rosemary, of each two drams, boil
them in four pounds of water till half be consumed.
Culpeper.] It is a common Decoction for any purge, by adding other simples
or compounds to it, according to the quality of the humour you would have
purged, yet, in itself, it chiefly purges melancholy.

Decoctum Pectorale.
Or a Pectoral Decoction.

College.] Take of Raisins of the sun stoned, an ounce, Sebestens, Jujubes, of

each fifteen, Dates six, Figs four, French Barley one ounce, Liquorice half an
ounce, Maiden-hair, Hyssop, Scabious, Colt’s-foot, of each one handful, boil
them in three pounds of water till two remain.
Culpeper.] The medicine is chiefly appropriated to the lungs, and therefore
causes a clear voice, a long wind, resists coughs, hoarseness, asthmas, &c. You
may drink a quarter of a pint of it every morning, without keeping to any diet,
for it purges not.
I shall quote some Syrups fitting to be mixed with it, when I come to the
Syrups.

Decoctum Trumaticum.

College.] Take of Agrimony, Mugwort, wild Angelica, St. John’s Wort,

Mousear, of each two handfuls, Wormwood half a handful, Southernwood,
Bettony, Bugloss, Comfrey the greater and lesser, roots and all, Avens, both
sorts of Plantain, Sanicle, Tormentil with the roots, the buds of Barberries and
Oak, of each a handful, all these being gathered in May and June and diligently
dried, let them be cut and put up in skins or papers against the time of use, then
take of the forenamed herbs three handfuls, boil them in four pounds of conduit
water and two pounds of white Wine gently till half be consumed, strain it, and a
pound of Honey being added to it, let it be scummed and kept for use.
Culpeper.] If sight of a medicine will do you good, this is as like to do it as
any I know.
 SYRUPS.

ALTERING SYRUPS.

Culpeper.] READER, before we begin with the particular Syrups, I think good
to advertise thee of these few things, which concern the nature, making, and use
of Syrups in general. 1. A Syrup is a medicine of a liquid body, compounded of
Decoction, Infusion, or Juice, with Sugar or Honey, and brought by the heat of
the fire, into the thickness of Honey. 2. Because all Honey is not of a thickness,
understand new Honey, which of all other is thinnest. 3. The reason why
Decoctions, Infusions, Juices, are thus used, is, Because thereby, First, They will
keep the longer. Secondly, They will taste the better. 4. In boiling Syrups have a
great care of their just consistence, for if you boil them too much they will
candy, if too little, they will sour. 5. All simple Syrups have the virtues of the
simples they are made of, and are far more convenient for weak people, and
delicate stomachs.

Syrupus de Absinthio simplex.

Or Syrup of Wormwood simple.

The College.] Take of the clarified Juice of common Wormwood, clarified

Sugar, of each four pounds, make it into a Syrup according to art. After the same
manner, are prepared simple Syrups of Betony, Borrage, Bugloss, Carduus,
Chamomel, Succory, Endive, Hedge-mustard, Strawberries, Fumitory, Ground
Ivy, St. John’s Wort, Hops, Mercury, Mousear, Plantain, Apples, Purslain,
Rasberries, Sage, Scabious, Scordium, Houseleek, Colt’s-foot, Paul’s Bettony,
and other Juices not sour.
Culpeper.] See the simples, and then you may easily know both their virtues,
and also that they are pleasanter and fitter for delicate stomachs when they are
made into Syrups.

Syrupus de Absinthio Compositus.

Or Syrup of Wormwood compound.
 College.] Take of common Wormwood meanly dry, half a pound, red Roses
two ounces, Indian Spikenard three drams, old white Wine, juice of Quinces, of
each two pounds and an half, steep them a whole day in an earthen vessel, then
boil them gently, and strain it, and by adding two pounds of sugar, boil it into a
Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] Mesue is followed verbatim in this; and the receipt is appropriated
to cold and flegmatic stomachs, and it is an admirable remedy for it, for it
strengthens both stomach and liver, as also the instruments of concoction, a
spoonful taken in the morning, is admirable for such as have a weak digestion, it
provokes an appetite to one’s victuals, it prevails against the yellow iaundice,
breaks wind, purges humours by urine.

Syrupus de Acetosus simplex.

Or Syrup of Vinegar simple.

College.] Take of clear Water four pounds, white Sugar five pounds, boil
them in a glazed vessel over a gentle fire, scumming it till half the water be
consumed, then by putting in two pounds of white Wine Vinegar by degrees,
perfect the Syrup.
Culpeper.] That is, only melt the Sugar with the Vinegar over the fire, scum
it, but boil it not.

Syrupus Acetosus simplicior.

Or Syrup of Vinegar more simple.

College.] Take of white Sugar five pounds, white Wine Vinegar two pounds,
by melting it in a bath, make it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] Of these two Syrups let every one use which he finds by
experience to be best; the difference is but little. They both of them cut flegm, as
also tough, hard viscous humours in the stomach; they cool the body, quench
thirst, provoke urine, and prepare the stomach before the taking of a vomit. If
you take it as a preparative for an emetic, take half an ounce of it when you go to
bed the night before you intend it to operate, it will work the easier, but if for
any of the foregoing occasions, take it with a liquorice stick.

Syrupus Acetosus compositus.

 Or Syrup of Vinegar compound.

College.] Take of the roots of Smallage, Fennel, Endive, of each three

ounces, the seeds of Annis, Smallage, Fennel, of each one ounce, of Endive half
an ounce, clear Water six pounds, boil it gently in an earthen vessel till half the
water be consumed, then strain and clarify it, and with three pounds of Sugar,
and a pound and a half of white Wine Vinegar, boil it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] This in my opinion is a gallant Syrup for such whose bodies are
stuffed either with flegm, or tough humours, for it opens obstructions or
stoppings both of the stomach, liver, spleen, and reins; it cuts and brings away
tough flegm and choler, and is therefore a special remedy for such as have a
stuffing at their stomach.

Syrupus de Agno Casto.

Or Syrup of Agnus Castus.

College.] Take of the seeds of Rue and Hemp, of each half a dram, of Endive,
Lettice, Purslain, Gourds, Melons, of each two drams, of Fleawort half an ounce,
of Agnus Castus four ounces, the flowers of Water Lilies, the leaves of Mints, of
each half a handful, decoction of seeds of Lentils, and Coriander seeds, of each
half an ounce, three pounds of the decoction, boil them all over a gentle fire till
two pounds be consumed, add to the residue, being strained, two ounces of juice
of Lemons, a pound and a half of white sugar, make it into a Syrup according to
art.
Culpeper.] A pretty Syrup, and good for little.

Syrupus de Althæa.
Or Syrup of Marsh-mallows.

College.] Take of roots of Marsh-mallows, two ounces, the roots of Grass

Asparagus, Liquorice, Raisins of the Sun stoned, of each half an ounce, the tops
of Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Pellitory of the Wall, Burnet, Plantain, Maiden-hair
white and black, of each a handful, red Cicers an ounce, of the four greater and
four lesser cold seeds, of each three drams, boil them in six pounds of clear
Water till four remain, which being strained, boil into a syrup with four pounds
of white sugar.
 Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling, opening, slipery Syrup, and chiefly
commendable for the cholic, stone, or gravel, in the kidneys or bladder.

Syrupus de Ammoniaca.
Or Syrup of Ammoniacum.

College.] Take of Maudlin and Cetrach, of each four handfuls, common

Wormwood an ounce, the roots of Succory, Sparagus, bark of Caper roots, of
each two ounces, after due preparation steep them twenty-four hours in three
ounces of white Wine, Radish and Fumitory water, of each two pounds, then boil
it away to one pound eight ounces, let it settle, in four ounces of which, whilst it
is warm, dissolve by itself Gum Ammoniacum, first dissolved in white Wine
Vinegar, two ounces, boil the rest with a pound and an half of white sugar into a
Syrup, adding the mixtures of the Gum at the end.
Culpeper.] It cools the liver, and opens obstructions both of it and the spleen,
helps old surfeits, and such like diseases, as scabs, itch, leprosy, and what else
proceed from the liver over heated. You may take an ounce at a time.

Syrupus de Artemisia.
Or Syrup of Mugwort.

College.] Take of Mugwort two handfuls, Pennyroyal, Calaminth, Origanum,

Bawm, Arsmart, Dittany of Crete, Savin, Marjoram, Germander, St. John’s
Wort, Camepitis, Featherfew with the flowers, Centaury the less, Rue, Bettony,
Bugloss, of each a handful, the roots of Fennel, Smallage, Parsley, Sparagus,
Bruscus, Saxifrage, Elecampane, Cypress, Madder, Orris, Peony, of each an
ounce, Juniper Berries, the seeds of Lovage, Parsley, Smallage, Annis, Nigella,
Carpobalsamum or Cubebs, Costus, Cassia Lignea, Cardamoms, Calamus
Aromaticus, the roots of Asarabacca, Pellitory of Spain, Valerian, of each half an
ounce, being cleansed, cut, and bruised, let them be infused twenty-four hours in
fourteen pounds of clear water, and boiled till half be consumed, being taken off
from the fire, and rubbed between your hands whilst it is warm, strain it, and
with honey and sugar, of each two pounds, sharp Vinegar four ounces, boil it to
a Syrup, and perfume it with Cinnamon and Spikenard, of each three drams.
Culpeper.] It helps the passion of the matrix, and retains it in its place, it
dissolves the coldness, wind, and pains thereof: it strengthens the nerves, opens
the pores, corrects the blood, it corrects and provokes the menses. You may take
a spoonful of it at a time.

Syrupus de Betonica compositus.

Or Syrup of Bettony compound.

College.] Take of Bettony three handfuls, Marjoram four handfuls and a half,
Thyme, red Roses, of each a handful, Violets, Stœchas, Sage, of each half a
handful, the seeds of Fennel, Annis, and Ammi, of each half an ounce, the roots
of Peons, Polypodium, and Fennel, of each five drams, boil them in six pounds
of river water, to three pounds, strain it, and add juice of Bettony two pounds,
sugar three pounds and a half, make it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It helps diseases coming of cold, both in the head and stomach, as
also such as come of wind, vertigos, madness; it concocts melancholy, it
provokes the menses, and so doth the simple Syrup more than the compound.

Syrupus Byzantinus, simple.

College.] Take of the Juice of the leaves of Endive and Smallage, of each two
pounds, of Hops and Bugloss, of each one pound, boil them together and scum
them, and to the clarified liquor, add four pounds of white sugar, to as much of
the juices, and with a gentle fire boil it to a Syrup.

Syrupus Byzantinus, compound.

College.] Take of the Juices so ordered as in the former, four pounds, in

which boil red Roses, two ounces, Liquorice half an ounce, the seeds of Annis,
Fennel, and Smallage, of each three drams, Spikenard two drams, strain it, and to
the three pounds remaining, add two pounds of Vinegar, four pounds of Sugar,
make it into a syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] They both of them (viz. both Simple and Compound) open
stoppings of the stomach, liver, and spleen, help the rickets in children, cut and
bring away tough flegm, and help the yellow jaundice. You may take them with
a Liquorice stick, or take a spoonful in the morning fasting.

Syrupus Botryos.
Or Syrup of Oak of Jerusalem.
 College.] Take of Oak of Jerusalem, Hedge-mustard, Nettles, of each two
handfuls, Colt’s-foot, one handful and a half, boil them in a sufficient quantity of
clear water till half be consumed; to two pounds of the Decoction, add two
pounds of the Juice of Turnips baked in an oven in a close pot, and with three
pounds of white sugar, boil it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] This Syrup was composed against coughs, shortness of breath, and
other the like infirmities of the breast proceeding of cold, for which (if you can
get it) you may take it with a Liquorice stick.

Syrupus Capillorum Veneris.

Or Syrup of Maiden-hair.

College.] Take of Liquorice two ounces, Maiden-hair five ounces, steep them
a natural day in four pounds of warm water, then after gentle boiling, and strong
straining, with a pound and a half of fine sugar make it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It opens stoppings of the stomach, strengthens the lungs, and helps
the infirmities of them. This may be taken also either with a Liquorice stick, or
mixed with the Pectoral Decoction like Syrup of Coltsfoot.

Syrupus Cardiacus, vel Julepum Cardiacum.

Or a Cordial Syrup.

College.] Take of Rhenish Wine two pounds, Rose Water two ounces and a
half, Cloves two scruples, Cinnamon half a dram, Ginger two scruples, Sugar
three ounces and a half, boil it to the consistence of a Julep, adding Ambergris
three grains, Musk one grain.
Culpeper.] If you would have this Julep keep long, you may put in more
sugar, and yet if close stopped, it will not easily corrupt because it is made up
only of Wine, indeed the wisest way is to order the quantity of sugar according
to the palate of him that takes it. It restores such as are in consumptions,
comforts the heart, cherishes the drooping spirits, and is of an opening quality,
thereby carrying away those vapours which might otherwise annoy the brain and
heart: You may take an ounce at a time, or two if you please.

Syrupus infusionis florum Cariophillorum.

Or Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers.
 College.] Take a pound of Clove-gilliflowers, the whites being cut off, infuse
them a whole night in two pounds of water, then with four pounds of sugar
melted in it, make it into a Syrup without boiling.
Culpeper.] This Syrup is a fine temperate Syrup: it strengthens the heart,
liver, and stomach; it refreshes the vital spirits, and is a good cordial in fevers;
and usually mixed with other cordials, you can hardly err in taking it, it is so
harmless a Syrup.

Syrupus de Cinnamomo.
Or Syrup of Cinnamon.

College.] Take of Cinnamon grossly bruised, four ounces, steep it in white

Wine, and small Cinnamon Water, of each half a pound, three days, in a glass,
by a gentle heat; strain it, and with a pound and a half of sugar, boil it gently to a
Syrup.
Culpeper.] It refreshes the vital spirits exceedingly, and cheers both heart and
stomach languishing through cold, it helps digestion exceedingly, and
strengthens the whole body. You may take a spoonful at a time in a cordial.
College.] Thus also you may conveniently prepare Syrups (but only with
white Wine,) of Annis seeds, sweet Fennel seeds, Cloves, Nutmegs, Ginger, &c.

Syrupus Acetositatis Citriorum.

Or Syrup of Juice of Citrons.

College.] Take of the Juice of Citrons, strained without expression, and

cleansed, a pound, Sugar two pounds, make it into a Syrup like Syrup of Clove-
gilliflowers.
Culpeper.] It prevails against all diseases proceeding from choler, or heat of
blood, fevers, both pestilential, and not pestilential; it resists poison, cools the
blood, quenches thirst, cures the vertigo, or dizziness in the head.
College.] After the same manner is made Syrups of Grapes, Oranges,
Barberries, Cherries, Quinces, Lemons, Woodsorrel, Mulberries, Sorrel, English
Currants, and other sour Juices.
Culpeper.] If you look the simples you may see the virtues of them: they all
cool and comfort the heart, and strengthen the stomach, Syrup of Quinces stays
vomiting, so doth all Syrup of Grapes.

Syrupus Corticum Citriorum.

Or Syrup of Citron Pills.

College.] Take of fresh yellow Citron Pills five ounces, the berries of
Chermes, or the juice of them brought over to us, two drams, Spring Water four
pounds, steep them all night, boil them till half be consumed, taking off the
scum, strain it, and with two pounds and a half of sugar boiled it into a Syrup: let
half of it be without Musk, but perfume the other half with three grains of Musk
tied up in a rag.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the stomach, resists poison, strengthens the heart,
and resists the passions thereof, palpitation, faintings, swoonings; it strengthens
the vital spirits, restores such as are in consumptions, and hectic fevers, and
strengthens nature much. You may take a spoonful at a time.

Syrupus e Coralliis simplex.

Or Syrup of Coral simple.

College.] Take of red Coral in very fine powder four ounces, dissolve it in
clarified juice of Barberries in the heat of a bath, a pound, in a glass well stopped
with wax and cork, a digestion being made three or four days, pour off what is
dissolved, put in fresh clarified juice, and proceed as before, repeat this so often
till all the coral be dissolved; lastly, to one pound of this juice add a pound and a
half of sugar, and boil it to a Syrup gently.

Syrupus e Coralliis compositus.

Or Syrup of Coral compound.

College.] Take of red Coral six ounces, in very fine powder, and levigated
upon a marble, add of clarified juice of Lemons, the flegm being drawn off in a
bath, sixteen ounces, clarified juice of Barberries, eight ounces, sharp white
Wine Vinegar, and juice of Woodsorrel, of each six ounces, mix them together,
and put them in a glass stopped with cork and bladder, shaking it every day till it
have digested eight days in a bath, or horse dung, then filter it, of which take a
pound and a half, juice of Quinces half a pound, sugar of Roses twelve ounces,
make them into a Syrup in a bath, adding Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers sixteen
ounces, keep it for use, omitting the half dram of Ambergris, and four grains of
Musk till the physician command it.
Culpeper.] Syrup of Coral both simple and compound, restore such as are in
consumptions, are of a gallant cooling nature, especially the last, and very
cordial, good for hectic fevers, it stops fluxes, the running of the reins, and the
Fluor Albus, helps such as spit blood, and such as have the falling-sickness, it
stays the menses. Half a spoonful in the morning is enough.

Syrupus Cydoniorum.
Or Syrup of Quinces.

College.] Take of the Juice of Quinces clarified six pounds, boil it over a
gentle fire till half of it be consumed, scumming it, adding red Wine three
pounds, white sugar four pounds, boil it into a Syrup, to be perfumed with a
dram and a half of Cinnamon, Cloves and Ginger, of each two scruples.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the heart and stomach, stays looseness and
vomiting, relieves languishing nature: for looseness, take a spoonful of it before
meat, for vomiting after meat, for both, as also for the rest, in the morning.

Syrupus de Erysimo.
Or Syrup of Hedge-mustard.

College.] Take of Hedge-mustard, fresh, six handfuls, the roots of

Elecampane, Colt’s-foot, Liquorice, of each two ounces, Borrage, Succory,
Maiden-hair, of each a handful and a half, the cordial flowers, Rosemary and
Bettony, of each half a handful, Annis seeds half an ounce, Raisins of the sun
stoned, two ounces, let all of them, being prepared according to art, be boiled in
a sufficient quantity of Barley Water and Hydromel, with six ounces of juice of
Hedge-mustard to two pounds and a half, the which, with three pounds of sugar,
boil it into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] It was invented against cold afflictions of the breast and lungs, as
asthmas, hoarseness, &c. You may take it either with a Liquorice stick, or which
is better, mix an ounce of it with three or four ounces of Pectoral Decoction, and
drink it off warm in the morning.
 Syrupus de Fumaria.
Or Syrup of Fumitory.

College.] Take of Endive, common Wormwood, Hops, Dodder, Hart’s-

tongue, of each a handful, Epithimum an ounce and a half, boil them in four
pounds of water till half be consumed, strain it, and add the juice of Fumitory a
pound and a half, of Borrage and Bugloss, of each half a pound, white sugar four
pounds, make them into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] The receipt is a pretty concocter of melancholy, and therefore a
rational help for diseases arising thence, both internal and external, it helps
diseases of the skin, as Leprosies, Cancers, Warts, Corns, Itch, Tetters,
Ringworms, Scabs, &c. and it is the better to be liked, because of its gentleness.
It helps surfeits exceedingly, cleanses, cools, and strengthens the liver, and
causes it to make good blood, and good blood cannot make bad flesh. I
commend this receipt to those whose bodies are subject to scabs and itch. If you
please you may take two ounces by itself every morning.

Syrupus de Glycyrrhiza.
Or Syrup of Liquorice.

College.] Take of green Liquorice, scraped and bruised, two ounces, white
Maiden-hair an ounce, dryed Hyssop half an ounce, steep these in four pounds of
hot water, after twenty-four hours, boil it till half be consumed, strain it, and
clarify it, and with Honey, Penids, and Sugar, of each eight ounces, make it into
a Syrup, adding, before it be perfectly boiled, red Rose Water six ounces.
Culpeper.] It cleanses the breast and lungs, and helps continual coughs and
pleurisies. You may take it with a Liquorice stick, or add an ounce of it or more
to the Pectoral Decoction.

Syrupus Granatorum cum Aceto; vulgo,

Oxysaccharum simplex.
Or Syrup of Pomegranates with Vinegar.

College.] Take of white sugar a pound and a half, juice of Pomegranates eight
ounces, white Wine Vinegar four ounces, boil it gently into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] Look the virtues of Pomegranates among the simples.
 Syrupus de Hyssopo.
Or Syrup of Hyssop.

College.] Take eight pounds of Spring Water, half an ounce of Barley, boil it
about half an hour, then add the Roots of Smallage, Parsley, Fennel, Liquorice,
of each ten drams, Jujubes, Sebestens, of each fifteen, Raisins of the sun stoned,
an ounce and a half, Figs, Dates, of each ten, the seeds of Mallows and Quinces,
Gum Tragacanth tied up in a rag, of each three drams, Hyssop meanly dryed, ten
drams, Maiden-hair six drams, boil them together, yet so, that the roots may
precede the fruits, the fruits the seeds, and the seeds the herbs, about a quarter of
an hour; at last, five pounds of water being consumed, boil the other three (being
first strained and clarified) into a Syrup with two pounds and a half of sugar.
Culpeper.] It mightily strengthens the breast and lungs, causes long wind,
clears the voice, is a good remedy against coughs. Use it like the Syrup of
Liquorice.

Syrupus Ivæ arthriticæ, sive Chamæpityos.

Or Syrup of Chamepitys.

College.] Take of Chamepitys, two handfuls, Sage, Rosemary, Poley

Mountain, Origanum, Calaminth, wild Mints, Pennyroyal, Hyssop, Thyme, Rue,
garden and wild, Bettony, Mother of Thyme, of each a handful, the roots of
Acorns, Birthwort long and round, Briony, Dittany, Gentian, Hog’s Fennel,
Valerian, of each half an ounce, the roots of Smallage, Asparagus, Fennel,
Parsley, Bruscus, of each an ounce, Pellitory of Spain, an ounce and a half,
Stœchas, the seeds of Annis, Ammi, Caraway, Fennel, Lovage, Hartwort, of
each three drams, Raisins of the sun two ounces, boil them in ten pounds of
water to four, to which add honey and sugar, of each two pounds, make it into a
Syrup to be perfumed with Sugar, Nutmegs, and Cubebs, of each three drams.

Syrupus Jujubinus.
Or Syrup of Jujubes.

College.] Take of Jujubes, Violets, five drams, Maiden-hair, Liquorice,

French Barley, of each an ounce, the seeds of Mallows five drams, the seeds of
white Poppies, Melons, Lettice, (seeds of Quinces and Gum Tragacanth tied up
in a rag) of each three drams, boil them in six pounds of rain or spring water till
half be consumed, strain it, and with two pounds of sugar make it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling Syrup, very available in coughs, hoarseness,
and pleurisies, ulcers of the lungs and bladder, as also in all inflammations
whatsoever. You may take a spoonful of it once in three or four hours, or if you
please take it with a Liquorice stick.

Syrupus de Meconio, sive Diacodium.

Or Syrup of Meconium, or Diacodium.

College.] Take of white Poppy heads with their seeds, gathered a little after
the flowers are fallen off, and kept three days, eight ounces, black Poppy heads
(so ordered) six ounces, rain Water eight pounds, steep them twenty-four hours,
then boil and press them gently, boil it to three pounds, and with twenty-four
ounces of sugar boil it into a Syrup according to art.

Syrupus de Meconio compositus.

Or Syrup of Meconium compound.

College.] Take of white and black Poppy heads with their seeds, fifty drams,
Maiden-hair fifteen drams, Jujubes thirty, the seeds of Lettice, forty drams, of
Mallows and Quinces tied up in a rag, a dram and a half, Liquorice five drams,
water eight pounds, boil it according to art, strain it, and to three pounds of
Decoction add Sugar and Penids, of each one pound, make it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] Meconium is nothing else but the juice of English Poppies boiled
till it be thick: It prevails against dry coughs, phthisicks, hot and sharp gnawing
rheums, and provokes sleep. It is an usual fashion for nurses when they have
heated their milk by exercise or strong liquor (no marvel then if their children be
froward) then run for Syrup of Poppies, to make their young ones sleep. I would
fain have that fashion left, therefore I forbear the dose; let nurses keep their own
bodies temperate, and their children will sleep well enough, never fear.

Syrupus Melissophylli.
Or Syrup of Bawm.

College.] Take of the Bark of Bugloss roots, an ounce, the roots of white
Dittany, Cinquefoil, Scorzonera, of each half an ounce, the leaves of Bawm,
Scabious, Devil’s-bit, the flowers of both sorts of Bugloss, and Rosemary, of
each a handful, the seeds of Sorrel, Citrons, Fennel, Carduus, Bazil, of each
three drams, boil them in four pounds of water till half be consumed, strain it,
and add three pounds of white sugar, juice of Bawm and Rose Water, of each
half a pound, boil them to a Syrup, the which perfume with Cinnamon and
yellow Sanders, of each half an ounce.
Culpeper.] It is an excellent cordial, and strengthens the heart, breast, and
stomach, it resists melancholy, revives the spirits, is given with good success in
fevers, it strengthens the memory, and relieves languishing nature. You may take
a spoonfull of it at a time.

Syrupus de Mentha.
Or Syrup of Mints.

College.] Take of the juices of Quinces sweet and between sweet and sour,
the juice of Pomegranates sweet, between sweet and sour, and sour, of each a
pound and a half, dried Mints half a pound, red Roses two ounces, let them lie in
steep one day, then boil it half away, and with four pounds of sugar boil it into a
Syrup according to art: perfume it not unless the Physicians command.
Culpeper.] The Syrup is in quality binding, yet it comforts the stomach much,
helps digestion, stays vomiting, and is as excellent a remedy against sour or
offensive belchings, as any is in the Dispensatory. Take a spoonful of it after
meat.

Syrupus de Mucilaginibus.
Or Syrup of Mussilages.

College.] Take of the seeds of Marsh-mallows, Mallows, Quinces, of each an

ounce, Gum Tragacanth three drams, let these infuse six hours in warm
Decoction of Mallows, white Poppy seeds, and Winter Cherries, then press out
the Mussilage to an ounce and an half, with which, and three ounces of the
aforesaid Decoction, and two ounces of sugar, make a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] A spoonful taken by itself, or in any convenient liquor, is
excellent for any sharp corroding humours be they in what part of the body
soever, phthisicks, bloody-flux, stone in the reins or bladder, or ulcers there: it is
excellent good for such as have taken purges that are too strong for their bodies,
for by its slippery nature it helps corrosions, and by its cooling helps
inflammations.

Syrupus Myrtinus.
Or Syrup of Myrtles.

College.] Take of Myrtle Berries two ounces and an half, Sanders white and
red, Sumach, Balaustines, Barberry stones, red Roses, of each an ounce and a
half, Medlars half a pound, bruise them in eight pounds of water to four, strain it,
and add juice of Quinces and sour Pomegranates, of each six ounces, then with
three pounds of sugar, boil it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] The Syrup is of a very binding, yet comforting nature, it helps
such as spit blood, all fluxes of the belly, or corrosions of the internal parts, it
strengthens the retentive faculty, and stops immoderate flux of menses. A
spoonful at a time is the dose.

Syrupus Florum Nymphæ simplex.

Or Syrup of Water-Lily flowers, simple.

College.] Take of the whitest of white Water-Lily flowers, a pound, steep

them in three pounds of warm water six or seven hours, let them boil a little, and
strain them out, put in the same weight of flowers again the second and third
time, when you have strained it the last time, add its weight of sugar to it, and
boil it to a Syrup.

Syrupus Florum Nymphæ compositus.

Syrup of Water-Lily flowers compound.

College.] Take of white Water-Lily flowers half a pound, Violets two ounces,
Lettice two handfuls, the seeds of Lettice, Purslain, and Gourds, of each half an
ounce, boil them in four pounds of clear water till one be consumed, strain it,
and add half a pound of red Rose water, white sugar four pounds, boil it into a
Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] They are both fine cooling Syrups, allay the heat of choler, and
provoke sleep, they cool the body, both head, heart, liver, reins, and matrix, and
therefore are profitable for hot diseases in either, you may take an ounce of it at
a time when your stomach is empty.

Syrupus de Papavere Erratico, sive Rubro.

Or Syrup of Erratic Poppies.

College.] Take of the fresh flowers of red Poppies two pounds, steep them in
four pounds of warm spring water, the next day strain it, and boil it into a Syrup
with its equal weight in sugar.
Culpeper.] The Syrup cools the blood, helps surfeits, and may safely be given
in frenzies, fevers, and hot agues.

Syrupus de Pilosella.
Or Syrup of Mousear.

College.] Take of Mousear three handfuls, the roots of Lady’s-mantle an

ounce and an half, the roots of Comfrey the greater, Madder, white Dittany,
Tormentil, Bistort, of each an ounce, the leaves of Wintergreen, Horsetail,
Ground Ivy, Plantain, Adder’s Tongue, Strawberries, St. John’s Wort with the
flowers, Golden Rod, Agrimony, Bettony, Burnet, Avens, Cinquefoil the greater,
red Coleworts, Balaustines, red Roses, of each a handful, boil them gently in six
pounds of Plantain Water to three, then strain it strongly, and when it is settled,
add Gum Tragacanth, the seeds of Fleawort, Marsh-mallows and Quinces, made
into a Mussilage by themselves in Strawberry and Bettony Water, of each three
ounces, white sugar two pounds, boil it to the thickness of honey.
Culpeper.] It is drying and healing, and therefore good for ruptures.

Syrupus infusionis florum Pæoniæ.

Or Syrup of the infusion of Peony flowers.

College.] It is prepared in the same manner as Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers.

Syrupus de Pæonia compositus.

Or Syrup of Peony compound.

College.] Take of the Roots of both sorts of Peony taken up at the full Moon,
cut in slices, and steeped in white Wine a whole day, of each an ounce and an
half, Contra Yerva half an ounce, Siler Mountain six drams, Elk’s Claws an
ounce, Rosemary with the flowers on, one handful, Bettony, Hyssop, Origanum,
Chamepitys, Rue, of each three drams, Wood of Aloes, Cloves, Cardamoms the
less, of each two drams, Ginger, Spikenard, of each a dram, Stœchas, Nutmegs,
of each two drams and an half, boil them after one day’s warm digestion, in a
sufficient quantity of distilled water of Peony roots, to four pounds, in which
(being strained through Hippocrates’ sleeve) put four pounds and an half of
white sugar, and boil it to a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It helps the falling-sickness, and convulsions.

Syrupus de Pomis aiterans.

Or Syrup of Apples.

College.] Take four pounds of the juice of sweet scented Apples, the juice of
Bugloss, garden and wild, of Violet leaves, Rose Water, of each a pound, boil
them together, and clarify them, and with six pounds of pure sugar, boil it into a
Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling Syrup for such whose stomachs are overpressed
with heat, and may safely be given in fevers, for it rather loosens than binds: it
breeds good blood, and is profitable in hectic fevers, and for such as are troubled
with palpitation of the heart, it quenches thirst admirably in fevers, and stays
hiccoughs. You may take an ounce of it at a time in the morning, or when you
need.

Syrupus de Prasio.
Or Syrup of Horehound.

College.] Take of white Horehound fresh, two ounces, Liquorice, Polipodium

of the Oak, Fennel, and Smallage roots, of each half an ounce, white Maiden-
hair, Origanum, Hyssop, Calaminth, Thyme, Savory, Scabious, Colt’s-foot, of
each six drams, the seeds of Annis and Cotton, of each three drams, Raisins of
the sun stoned two ounces, fat Figs ten, boil them in eight pounds of Hydromel
till half be consumed, boil the Decoction into a Syrup with honey and sugar, of
each two pounds, and perfume it with an ounce of the roots of Orris Florentine.
Culpeper.] It is appropriated to the breast and lungs, and is a fine cleanser to
purge them from thick and putrified flegm, it helps phthisicks and coughs, and
diseases subject to old men, and cold natures. Take it with a Liquorice stick.

Syrupus de quinq. Radicibus.

Or Syrup of the five opening Roots.

College.] Take of the roots of Smallage, Fennel, Parsley, Bruscus, Sparagus

of each two ounces, spring Water, six pounds, boil away the third part, and make
a Syrup with the rest according to art, with three pounds of sugar, adding eight
ounces of white Wine Vinegar, towards the latter end.
Culpeper.] It cleanses and opens very well, is profitable against obstructions,
provokes urine, cleanses the body of flegm, and is safely and profitably given in
the beginning of fevers. An ounce at a time upon an empty stomach is a good
dose.

Syrupus Raphani.
Or Syrup of Radishes.

College.] Take of garden and wild Radish roots, of each an ounce, the roots
of white Saxifrage, Lovage, Bruscus, Eringo, Rest-harrow, Parsley, Fennel, of
each half an ounce, the leaves of Bettony, Burnet, Pennyroyal, Nettles, Water-
cresses, Samphire, Maiden-hair, of each one handful, Winter Cherries, Jujubes,
of each ten, the seeds of Bazil, Bur, Parsley of Macedonia, Hartwort, Carraway,
Carrots, Gromwell, the bark of the root of Bay-tree, of each two drams, Raisins
of the sun stoned, Liquorice, of each six drams, boil them in twelve pounds of
water to eight, strain it, and with four pounds of sugar, and two pounds of honey,
make it into a Syrup, and perfume it with an ounce of Cinnamon, and half an
ounce of Nutmegs.
Culpeper.] A tedious long medicine for the stone.

Syrupus Regius, alias Julapium Alexandrinum.

Or Julep of Alexandria.

College.] Boil four pounds of Rose-water, and one pound of white Sugar into
a Julep. Julep of Roses is made with Damask Rose water, in the very same
manner.
Culpeper.] Two fine cooling drinks in the heat of summer.
 Syrupus de Rosis siccis.
Or Syrup of dried Roses.

College.] Make four pounds of spring water hot, in which infuse a pound of
dried Roses, by some at a time, press them out and with two pounds of sugar,
boil it into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] Syrup of dried Roses, strengthens the heart, comforts the spirits,
binds the body, helps fluxes, and corrosions, or gnawings of the bowels, it
strengthens the stomach, and stays vomiting. You may take an ounce at a time,
before meat, if for fluxes; after meat if for vomiting.

Syrupus Scabiosæ.
Or Syrup of Scabious.

College.] Take of the roots of Elecampane, and Polypodium of the Oak, of

each two ounces, Raisins of the sun stoned an ounce, Sebestens twenty, Colt’s-
foot, Lungwort, Savory, Calaminth, of each a handful and an half, Liquorice,
Spanish Tobacco, of each half an ounce, the seeds of Nettles and Cotton, of each
three drams, boil them all (the roots being infused in white Wine the day before)
in a sufficient quantity of Wine and Water to eight ounces, strain it, and adding
four ounces of the Juice of Scabious, and ten ounces of sugar, boil it to a Syrup,
adding to it twenty drops of oil of sulphur.
Culpeper.] It is a cleansing Syrup appropriated to the breast and lungs, when
you perceive them oppressed by flegm, crudites, or stoppings, your remedy is to
take now and then a spoonful of this Syrup, it is taken also with good success by
such as are itchy, or scabby.

Syrupus de Scolopendrio.
Or Syrup of Hart’s-tongue.

College.] Take of Hart’s-tongue three handfuls, Polypodium of the Oak, the

roots of both sorts of Bugloss, bark of the roots of Capers and Tamerisk, of each
two ounces, Hops, Dodder, Maiden-hair, Bawm, of each two handfuls, boil them
in nine pounds of Spring water to five, and strain it, and with four pounds of
white sugar, make it into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps the stoppings of melancholy, opens obstructions of the
liver and spleen, and is profitable against splenetic evils, and therefore is a
choice remedy for the disease which the vulgar call the rickets, or liver-grown: A
spoonful in a morning is a precious remedy for children troubled with that
disease. Men that are troubled with the spleen, which is known by pain and
hardness in their left side, may take three or four spoonfuls, they shall find this
one receipt worth the price of the whole book.

Syrupus de Stœchade.
Syrup of Stœchas.

College.] Take of Stœchas flowers four ounces, Rosemary flowers half an

ounce, Thyme, Calaminth, Origanum, of each an ounce and an half, Sage,
Bettony, of each half an ounce, the seeds of Rue, Peony, and Fennel, of each
three drams, spring water ten pounds, boil it till half be consumed, and with
honey and sugar, of each two pounds, boil it into a Syrup, which perfume with
Cinnamon, Ginger, and Calmas Aromaticus, of each two drams tied up in a rag.

Syrupus de Symphyto.
Or Syrup of Comfrey.

College.] Take of roots and tops of Comfrey, the greater and lesser, of each
three handfuls, red Roses, Bettony, Plantain, Burnet, Knot grass, Scabious,
Colt’s foot, of each two handfuls, press the juice out of them all, being green and
bruised, boil it, scum it, and strain it, add its weight of sugar to it that it may be
made into a Syrup, according to art.
Culpeper.] The Syrup is excellent for all inward wounds and bruises,
excoriations, vomitings, spittings, or evacuation of blood, it unites broken bones,
helps ruptures, and stops the menses: You cannot err in taking of it.

Syrupus Violarum.
Or Syrup of Violets.

College.] Take of Violet flowers fresh and picked, a pound, clear water made
boiling hot, two pounds, shut them up close together into a new glazed pot, a
whole day, then press them hard out, and in two pounds of the liquor dissolve
four pounds and three ounces of white sugar, take away the scum, and so make it
into a Syrup without boiling. Syrup of the juice of Violets, is made with its
double weight of sugar, like the former.
Culpeper.] This Syrup cools and moistens, and that very gently, it corrects the
sharpness of choler, and gives ease in hot vices of the breast, it quenches thirst in
acute fevers, and resist the heat of the disease; it comforts hot stomachs
exceedingly, cools the liver and heart, and resists putrefaction, pestilence, and
poison.
College.] Julep of Violets is made of the water of Violet flowers and sugar,
like Julep of Roses.
Culpeper.] It is cooling and pleasant.

PURGING SYRUPS.

Syrupus de Cichorio cum Rhubarbaro.

Or Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb.

College.] Take of whole Barley, the roots of Smallage, Fennel, and Sparagus,
of each two ounces, Succory, Dandelyon, Endive, smooth Sow-thistles, of each
two handfuls, Lettuce, Liverwort, Fumitory, tops of Hops, of each one handful,
Maiden-hair, white and black, Cetrachs, Liquorice, winter Cherries, Dodder, of
each six drams, to boil these take sixteen pounds of spring water, strain the
liquor, and boil in it six pounds of white sugar, adding towards the end six
ounces of Rhubarb, six drams of Spikenard, bound up in a thin slack rag the
which crush often in boiling, and so make it into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] It cleanses the body of venemous humours, as boils, carbuncles,
and the like; it prevails against pestilential fevers, it strengthens the heart and
nutritive virtue, purges by stool and urine, it makes a man have a good stomach
to his meat, and provokes sleep. But by my author’s leave, I never accounted
purges to be proper physic in pestilential fevers; this I believe, the Syrup
cleanses the liver well, and is exceeding good for such as are troubled with
hypocondriac melancholy. The strong may take two ounces at a time, the weak,
one, or you may mix an ounce of it with the Decoction of Senna.

Syrupus de Epithymo.
Or Syrup of Epithimum.
 College.] Take of Epithimum twenty drams, Mirobalans, Citron, and Indian
of each fifteen drams, Emblicks, Belloricks, Polypodium, Liquorice, Agrick,
Thyme, Calaminth, Bugloss, Stœchas of each six drams, Dodder, Fumitory, of
each ten drams, red Roses, Annis-seeds and sweet Fennel seeds of each two
drams and an half, sweet Prunes ten, Raisins of the sun stoned four ounces,
Tamarinds two ounces and an half, after twenty-four hours infusion in ten pints
of spring water, boil it away to six, then take it from the fire and strain it, and
with five pounds of fine sugar boil it into Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] It is best to put in the Dodder, Stœchas and Agarick, towards the
latter end of the Decoction. It purges melancholy, and other humours, it
strengthens the stomach and liver, cleanses the body of addust choler and addust
blood, as also of salt humours, and helps diseases proceeding from these, as
scabs, itch, tetters, ringworms, leprosy, &c. A man may take two ounces at a
time, or add one ounce to the Decoction of Epithimum.

Syrupus e Floribus Persicorum.

Or Syrup of Peach-flowers.

College.] Take of fresh Peach-flowers a pound, steep them a whole day in

three pounds of warm water, then boil a little and strain it out, repeat this
infusion five times in the same liquor, in three pounds of which dissolve two
pounds and an half of sugar and boil it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It is a gentle purger of choler, and may be given even in fevers to
draw away the sharp choleric humours.

Syrupus de Pomis purgans.

Or Syrup of Apples purging.

College.] Take of the juice of sweet smelling Apples two pounds, the juice of
Borrage and Bugloss of each one pound and an half, Senna two ounces, Annis
seeds half an ounce, Saffron one dram, let the Senna be steeped in the juices
twenty-four hours, and after a boil or two strain it, and with two pounds of white
sugar boil it to a Syrup according to art, the saffron being tied up in a rag, and
often crushed in the boiling.
Culpeper.] The Syrup is a cooling purge, and tends to rectify the distempers
of the blood, it purges choler and melancholy, and therefore must needs be
effectual both in yellow and black jaundice, madness, scurf, leprosy, and scabs,
it is very gentle. The dose is from one ounce to three, according as the body is in
age and strength. An ounce of it in the morning is excellent for such children as
break out in scabs.

Syrupus de Pomis magistralis.

Or Syrup of Apples magisterial.

College.] Take of the Juice and Water of Apples of each a pound and an half,
the Juice and Water of Borrage and Bugloss of each nine ounces, Senna half a
pound, Annis seeds, and sweet Fennel seeds, of each three drams, Epithimum of
Crete, two ounces, Agarick, Rhubarb, of each half an ounce, Ginger, Mace, of
each four scruples, Cinnamon two scruples, Saffron half a dram, infuse the
Rhubarb and Cinnamon apart by itself, in white Wine and Juice of Apples, of
each two ounces, let all the rest, the Saffron excepted, be steeped in the Waters
above mentioned, and the next day put in the juices, which being boiled,
scummed, and strained, then with four ounces of white sugar boil it into a Syrup,
crushing the saffron in it being tied up in a linen rag, the infusion of the Rhubarb
being added at the latter end.
Culpeper.] Out of doubt this is a gallant Syrup to purge choler and
melancholy, and to resist madness.

Syrupus de Rhubarbaro.
Or Syrup of Rhubarb.

College.] Take of the best Rhubarb and Senna of each two ounces and an
half, Violet flowers a handful, Cinnamon one dram and an half, Ginger half a
dram, Bettony, Succory and Bugloss Water of each one pound and an half, let
them be mixed together warm all night, and in the morning strained and boiled
into a Syrup, with two pounds of white sugar, adding towards the end four
ounces of Syrup of Roses.
Culpeper.] It cleanses choler and melancholy very gently, and is therefore fit
for children, old people, and weak bodies. You may add an ounce of it to the
Decoction of Epithimum or to the Decoction of Senna.

Syrupus Rosaceus solutivus.

Or Syrup of Roses solutive.
 College.] Take of Spring Water boiling hot four pounds, Damask Rose leaves
fresh, as many as the water will contain; let them remain twelve hours in
infusion, close stopped; then press them out and put in fresh Rose leaves; do so
nine times in the same liquor, encreasing the quantity of the Roses as the liquor
encreases, which will be almost by the third part every time: Take six parts of
this liquor, and with four parts of white sugar, boil it to a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] It loosens the belly, and gently brings out choler and flegm, but
leaves a binding quality behind it.

Syrupus e succo Rosarum.

Or Syrup of the Juice of Roses.

College.] It is prepared without steeping, only with the juice of Damask

Roses pressed out, and clarified, and an equal proportion of sugar added to it.
Culpeper.] This is like the other.

Syrupus Rosaceus solutivus cum Agarico.

Or Syrup of Roses solutive with Agarick.

College.] Take of Agarick cut thin an ounce, Ginger two drams, Sal. Gem.
one dram, Polipodium bruised two ounces, sprinkle them with white Wine and
steep them two days over warm ashes, in a pound and an half of the infusion of
Damask Roses prescribed before, and with one pound of sugar boil it into a
Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges flegm from the head, relieves the senses oppressed by it,
provokes the menses, purges the stomach and liver, and provokes urine.

Syrupus Rosaceus solutivus cum Helleboro.

Or Syrup of Roses solutive with Hellebore.

College.] Take of the bark of all the Myrobalans, of each four ounces, bruise
them grossly, and steep them twenty-four hours in twelve pounds of the infusion
of Roses before spoken, Senna, Epithimum, Polypodium of the Oak, of each four
ounces, Cloves an ounce, Citron seeds, Liquorice, of each four ounces, the bark
of black Hellebore roots six drams, let the fourth part of the liquor gently exhale,
strain it, and with five pounds of sugar, and sixteen drams of Rhubarb tied up in
a linen rag, make it into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] The Syrup, rightly used, purges melancholy, resists madness.

Syrupus Rosaceus solutivus cum Senna.

Or Syrup of Roses solutive with Senna.

College.] Take of Senna six ounces, Caraway, and sweet Fennel seeds, of
each three drams, sprinkle them with white Wine, and infuse them two days in
three pounds of the infusion of Roses aforesaid, then strain it, and with two
pounds of sugar boil it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It purges the body of choler and melancholy, and expels the relics
a disease hath left behind it; the dose is from one ounce to two, you may take it
in a Decoction of Senna, it leaves a binding quality behind it.

Syrupus de Spina Cervina.

Or Syrup of Purging Thorn.

College.] Take of the berries of Purging Thorn, gathered in September, as

many as you will, bruise them in a stone mortar, and press out the juice, let the
fourth part of it evaporate away in a bath, then to two pounds of it add sixteen
ounces of white sugar, boil it into a Syrup, which perfume with Mastich,
Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Anni-seeds in fine powder, of each three drams.
 SYRUPS MADE WITH VINEGAR AND HONEY.

Mel Anthosatum.
Or Honey of Rosemary Flowers.

College.] Take of fresh Rosemary flowers a pound, clarified Honey three

pounds, mix them in a glass with a narrow mouth, set them in the sun, keep them
for use.
Culpeper.] It hath the same virtues with Rosemary flowers, to which I refer
you, only by reason of the Honey it may be somewhat cleansing.

Mel Helleboratum.
Or Honey Helleborated.

College.] Take of white Hellebore roots bruised a pound, clear Water

fourteen pounds, after three days infusion, boil it till half be consumed, then
strain it diligently, and with three pounds of Honey, boil it to the thickness of
Honey.

Mel Mercuriale.
Or Honey of Mercury.

College.] Boil three pounds of the juice of Mercury, with two pounds of
Honey to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] It is used as an emollient in clysters.

Mel Mororum, vel Diamoron.

Or Honey of Mulberries.

College.] Take of the juice of Mulberries and Blackberries, before they be

ripe, gathered before the sun be up, of each a pound and a half, Honey two
pounds, boil them to their due thickness.
Culpeper.] It is vulgarly known to be good for sore mouths, as also to cool
inflammations there.
 Mel Nuceum, alias, Diacarion et Dianucum.
Or Honey of Nuts.

College.] Take of the juice of the outward bark of green Walnuts, gathered in
the dog days two pounds, boil it gently till it be thick, and with one pound of
Honey, boil it to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] It is a good preservative in pestilential times, a spoonful being
taken as soon as you are up.

Mel Passalatum.
Or Honey of Raisins.

College.] Take of Raisins of the sun cleansed from the stones two pounds,
steep them in six pounds of warm water, the next day boil it half away, and press
it strongly, and with two pounds of Honey, let the expressed liquor boil to its
thickness.
Culpeper.] It is a pretty pleasing medicine for such as are in consumptions,
and are bound in body.

Mel Rosatum commune, sive Foliatum.

Or common Honey of Roses.

College.] Take of red Roses not quite open two pounds, Honey six pounds,
set them in the sun according to art.

Mel Rosatum Colatum.

Or Honey of Roses strained.

College.] Take of the best clarified Honey ten pounds, juice of fresh red
Roses one pound, set it handsomely over the fire, and when it begins to boil, put
in four pounds of fresh red Roses, the whites being cut off; the juice being
consumed by boiling and stirring, strain it and keep it for use.
Culpeper.] They are both used for diseases in the mouth.

Mel Rosatum solutivum.

 Or Honey of Roses solutive.

College.] Take of the often infusion of Damask Roses five pounds, Honey
rightly clarified four pounds, boil it to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] It is used as a laxative in clysters, and some use it to cleanse
wounds.
College.] After the same manner is prepared Honey of the infusion of red
Roses.

Mel scilliticum.
Or Honey of Squils.

College.] Take one Squil full of juice, cut in bits, and put it in a glass vessel,
the mouth close stopped, and covered with a skin, set in the sun forty days, to
wit, twenty before and after the rising of the dog star, then open the vessel, and
take the juice which lies at the bottom, and preserve it with the best Honey.
College.] Honey of Violets is prepared like as Honey of Roses.

Oxymel, simple.

College.] Take of the best Honey four pounds, clear Water and white Wine
Vinegar, of each two pounds, boil them in an earthen vessel, taking the scum off
with a wooden scummer, till it be come to the consistence of a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It cuts flegm, and it is a good preparative against a vomit.

Oxymel compound.

College.] Take of the Bark of the Root of Fennel, Smallage, Parsley, Bruscus,
Asparagus, of each two ounces, the seeds of Fennel, Smallage, Parsley, Annis, of
each one ounce, steep them all (the roots being first cleansed and the seeds
bruised) in six pounds of clear Water and a pound and a half of Wine Vinegar,
the next day boil it to the consumption of the third part, boil the rest being
strained, with three pounds of Honey into a liquid Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] First having bruised the roots and seeds, boil them in the water till
half be consumed, then strain it and add the Honey, and when it is almost boiled
enough, add the Vinegar.

Oxymel Helleboratum.
Or Oxymel Helleborated.

College.] Take of Rue, Thyme, Dittany of Crete, Hyssop, Pennyroyal,

Horehound, Carduus, the roots of Celtick, Spikenard without leaves, the inner
bark of Elders, of each a handful, Mountain Calaminth two pugils, the seeds of
Annis, Fennel, Bazil, Roman Nettles, Dill, of each two drams, the roots of
Angelica, Marsh-mallows, Aron, Squills prepared, Birthwort, long, round, and
climbing, Turbith, English Orris, Costus, Polypodium, Lemon pills, of each an
ounce, the strings of black Hellebore, Spurge, Agerick, added at the end of the
Decoction, of each two drams, the bark of white Hellebore half an ounce, let all
of them being dried and bruised, be digested in a glass, or glazed vessel close
stopped, in the heat of the sun, or of a furnace, Posca, made of equal parts of
Water and Vinegar, eight pounds, Sapa two ounces, three days being expired,
boil it little more than half away, strain it, pressing it gently, and add to the
liquor a pound and a half of Honey Roses, wherein two ounces of Citron pills
have been infused, boil it to the thickness of Honey, and perfume it with Cloves,
Saffron, Ginger, Galanga, Mace, of each a dram.

Oxymel Julianizans.

College.] Take of the Bark of Caper roots, the roots of Orris, Fennel, Parsley,
Bruscus, Chicory, Sparagus, Cypress, of each half an ounce, the leaves of Harts-
tongue, Schænanth, Tamarisk, of each half a handful, sweet Fennel seed half an
ounce, infuse them in three pounds of Posca, which is something sour,
afterwards boil it till half be consumed, strain it, and with Honey and sugar
clarified, of each half a pound, boil it to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] This medicine is very opening, very good against Hypocondriac
melancholy, and as fit a medicine as can be for that disease in children called the
Rickets.
College.] Oxymel of Squills simple, is made of three pounds of clarified
Honey; Vinegar of Squills two pounds, boil them according to art.
Culpeper.] It cuts and divides humours that are tough and viscous, and
therefore helps the stomach and bowels afflicted by such humours, and sour
belchings. If you take but a spoonful in the morning, an able body will think
enough.

Oxymel Scilliticum compositus.

Or Oxymel of Squills compound.

College.] Take of Origanum, dried Hyssop, Thyme, Lovage, Cardamoms the

less, Stœchas, of each five drams, boil them in three pounds of Water to one,
strain it and with two pounds of Honey, Honey of Raisins half a pound, juice of
Briony five ounces, Vinegar of Squills a pound and a half, boil it, and scum it
according to art.
Culpeper.] This is good against the falling-sickness, Megrim, Head-ache,
Vertigo, or swimming in the head, and if these be occasioned by the stomach as
many times they are, it helps the lungs obstructed by humour, and is good for
women not well cleansed after labour, it opens the passage of the womb.

Syrup of Purslain. Mesue.

College.] Take of the seeds of Purslain grossly bruised, half a pound, of the
juice of Endive, boiled and clarified, two pounds, Sugar two pounds, Vinegar
nine ounces, infuse the seeds in the juice of Endive twenty-four hours,
afterwards boil it half away with a gentle fire, then strain it, and boil it with the
sugar to the consistence of a Syrup, adding the Vinegar towards the latter end of
the decoction.
Culpeper.] It is a pretty cooling Syrup, fit for any hot disease incident to the
stomach, reins, bladder, matrix, or liver; it thickens flegm, cools the blood, and
provokes sleep. You may take an ounce of it at a time when you have occasion.

Compound Syrup of Colt’s-foot. Renod.

College.] Take six handfuls of green Colt’s-foot, two handfuls of Maidenhair,

one handful of Hyssop, and two ounces of Liquorice, boil them in four pints,
either of rain or spring water till the fourth part be consumed, then strain it, and
clarify it, to which add three pounds of white sugar, boil it to the perfect
consistence of a Syrup.
 Culpeper.] The composition is appropriated to the lungs, and therefore helps
the infirmities, weaknesses, or failings thereof as want of voice, difficulty of
breathing, coughs, hoarseness, catharrs, &c. The way of taking it is with a
Liquorice-stick, or if you please, you may add an ounce of it to the Pectoral
Decoction before mentioned.

Syrup of Poppies, the lesser composition.

College.] Take of the heads of white Poppies and black, when both of them
are green, of each six ounces, the seeds of Lettice, the flowers of Violets, of each
one ounce, boil them in eight pints of water till the virtue is out of the heads;
then strain them, and with four pounds of sugar boil the liquor to a Syrup.

Syrup of Poppies, the greater composition.

College.] Take of the heads of both white and black Poppies, seeds and all, of
each fifty drams, Maidenhair, fifteen drams, Liquorice, five drams, Jujubes,
thirty by number, Lettice seeds, forty drams, of the seeds of Mallows and
Quinces, (tied up in a thin linen cloth) of each one dram and an half, boil these in
eight pints of water till five pints be consumed, when you have strained out the
three pints remaining, add to them, Penids and white sugar, of each a pound, boil
them into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] All these former Syrups of Poppies provoke sleep, but in that, I
desire they may be used with a great deal of caution and wariness: such as these
are not fit to be given in the beginning of fevers, nor to such whose bodies are
costive, yet to such as are troubled with hot, sharp rheums, you may safely give
them: The last is appropriated to the lungs; It prevails against dry coughs,
phthisicks, hot and sharp gnawing rheums, and provokes sleep. It is an usual
fashion for nurses when they have heated their milk by exercise or strong liquor
then run for Syrup of Poppies to make their young ones sleep. I would fain have
that fashion left off, therefore I forbear the dose: Let nurses keep their own
bodies temperate, and their children will sleep well enough.

Syrup of Eupatorium (or Maudlin.) Mesue.

College.] Take of the Roots of Smallage, Fennel, and Succory, of each two
ounces, Liquorice, Schænanth, Dodder, Wormwood, Roses, of each six drams,
Maidenhair, Bedeguar, or instead thereof, the roots of Carduus Mariæ, Suchaha
or instead thereof the roots of Avens, the flowers or roots of Bugloss, Annis
seeds, sweet Fennel seeds, Ageratum, or Maudlin, of each five drams, Rhubarb,
Mastich, of each three drams, Spikenard, Indian leaf, or instead of it put Roman
spike, of each two drams, boil them in eight pints of Water till the third part be
consumed, then strain the Decoction, and with four pounds of sugar, clarified
juice of Smallage and Endive, of each half a pound, boil it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It amends infirmities of the liver coming of cold, opens
obstructions, helps the dropsy, and evil state of the body; it extenuates gross
humours, strengthens the liver, provoake urine, and is a present succour for
hypocondriac melancholy. You may take an ounce at a time in the morning, it
opens but purges not.

Honey of Emblicks. Augustanus.

College.] Take fifty Emblick Myrobalans, bruise them and boil them in three
pints of water till two be consumed, strain it, and with the like weight of Honey,
boil it into a Syrup.
Culpeper.] It is a fine gentle purger both of flegm and melancholy: it
strengthens the brain and nerves, and senses both internal and external, helps
tremblings of the heart, stays vomiting, provokes appetite. You may take a
spoonful at a time.

ROB, OR SAPA: AND JUICES.

Culpeper.] 1. Rob, or Sapa, is the juice of a fruit, made thick by the heat
either of the sun, or the fire, that it is capable of being kept safe from
putrefaction. 2. Its use was first invented for diseases in the mouth. 3. It is
usually made, in respect of body, somewhat thicker than new Honey. 4. It may
be kept about a year, little more or less.

Rob sive Sapa, simplex.

Or Simple Rob, or Sapa.

College.] Take of Wine newly pressed from white and ripe Grapes, boil it
over a gentle fire to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] Whenever you read the word Rob, or Sapa throughout the
Dispensatory, simply quoted in any medicine without any relation of what it
should be made, this is that you ought to use.

Rob de Barberis.
Or Rob of Barberries.

College.] Take of the juice of Barberries strained as much as you will, boil it
by itself (or else by adding half a pound of sugar to each pound of juice) to the
thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] It quenches thirst, closes the mouth of the stomach, thereby
staying vomiting, and belching, it strengthens stomachs weakened by heat, and
procures appetite. Of any of these Robs you may take a little on the point of a
knife when you need.

Rob de Cerasis.
Or Rob of Cherries.

College.] Take of the juice of red Cherries somewhat sowerish, as much as

you will, and with half their weight in sugar boil them like the former.
Culpeper.] See the virtue of Cherries, and there you have a method to keep
them all the year.

Rob de Cornis.
Or Rob of Cornels.

College.] Take of the juice of Cornels two pounds, sugar a pound and an half,
boil it according to art.
Culpeper.] Of those Cornel trees are two sorts, male and female, the fruit of
the male Cornel, or Cornelian Cherry is here to be used. The fruit of male
Cornel, binds exceedingly, and therefore good in fluxes, and the immoderate
flowing of the menses.

Rob Cydoniorum.
 Or Rob of Quinces.

College.] Take of the clarified juice of Quinces, boil it till two parts be
consumed and with its equal weight in sugar boil it into a Rob.

Miva vel Gelatina Eorundem.

Or Jelly of Quinces.

College.] Take of the juice of Quinces clarified twelve pounds, boil it half
away, and add to the remainder, old white Wine five pounds, consume the third
part over a gentle fire, taking away the scum (all you ought) let the rest settle,
and strain it, and with three pounds of sugar boil it according to art.
Culpeper.] Both are good for weak and indisposed stomachs.
College.] Rob of sour Plums is made as Rob of Quinces, the use of sugar is
indifferent in them both.
Rob of English Currants is made in the same manner, let the juice be
clarified.
Culpeper.] The virtues are the same with Rob of Barberries.

Rob Baccarum Sambuci.

Or Rob of Elder Berries.

College.] Take of the juice of Elder Berries, and make it thick with the help
of a gentle fire, either by itself, or a quarter of its weight in sugar being added.
Culpeper.] Both Rob of Elder Berries, and Dwarf-Elder, are excellent for
such whose bodies are inclining to dropsies, neither let them neglect nor despise
it. They may take the quantity of a nutmeg each morning, it will gently purge the
watery humour.
College.] In the same manner is made Rob of Dwarf-Elder, Junipers, and
Paul’s Betony, only in the last, the sugar and juice must be equal in weight.

Succus Glycyrrhizæ simplex.

Or Juice of Liquorice simple.
 College.] Infuse Liquorice Roots cleansed and gently bruised, three days in
Spring Water, so much that it may over-top the roots the breadth of three fingers,
then boil it a little, and press it hard out, and boil the liquor with a gentle fire to
its due thickness.
Culpeper.] It is vulgarly known to be good against coughs, colds, &c. and a
strengthner of the lungs.

Succus Glycyrrhizæ compositus.

Or Juice of Liquorice compound.

College.] Take of the water of tender Oak leaves, of Scabious, of each four
pounds, English Liquorice scraped and bruised two pounds, boil them by
degrees till they be soft, then press out the liquor strongly in a press, to which
add three pounds of juice of Hyssop, and dry it away in the sun in a broad
earthen vessel.
Culpeper.] The virtues are the same with the former.

Succus Pronorum Sylvestrum.

Or Juice of Sloes, called Acacia.

College.] Take of Sloes hardly ripe, press out the juice, and make it thick in a
bath.
Culpeper.] It stops fluxes, and procures appetite.
College.] So are the Juices of Wormwood, Maudlin, and Fumitory made
thick, to wit, the herbs bruised while they be tender, and the juice pressed out
and after it be clarified, boil over the fire to its just thickness.

LOHOCH, OR ECLEGMATA.

Culpeper.] Because this word also is understood but by few, we will first
explain what it is. 1. The word Lohoch is an Arabick word, called in Greek
Eclegma, in Latin Linctus, and signifies a thing to be licked up. 2. It is in respect
of body, something thicker than a Syrup, and not so thick as an electuary. 3. Its
use was against the roughness of the windpipe, diseases, and inflammations of
the lungs, difficulty of breathing, colds, coughs, &c. 4. Its manner of reception is
with a Liquorice stick, bruised at the end, to take up some and retain it in the
mouth, till it melt of its own accord.

Lohoch de Farfara.
Or Lohoch of Coltsfoot.

College.] Take of Coltsfoot roots cleansed eight ounces, Marsh-mallow roots

four ounces cleansed, boil them in a sufficient quantity of water, and press the
pulp out through a sieve, dissolve this again in the Decoction, and let it boil once
or twice, then take it from the fire, and add two pounds of white sugar, Honey of
Raisins fourteen ounces, juice of Liquorice two drams and an half, stir them
stoutly with a wooden pestle, mean season sprinkle in Saffron and Cloves, of
each a scruple, Cinnamon and Mace, of each two scruples, make them into a
Lohoch according to art.
Culpeper.] It was invented for the cough.

Lohoch de Papavere.
Or Lohoch of Poppies.

College.] Take white Poppy seeds twenty four drams, sweet Almonds
blanched in Rose Water, Pinenuts cleansed, Gum Arabick and Tragacanth, of
each ten drams, juice of Liquorice an ounce, Starch three drams, the seeds of
Lettuce, Purslain, Quinces, of each half an ounce, Saffron a dram, Penids four
ounces, Syrup of Meconium three pounds, make it into a Lohoch according to
art.
Culpeper.] It helps salt, sharp and thin distillations upon the lungs, it allays
the fury of such sharp humours, which occasion both roughness of the throat,
want of sleep, and fevers; it is excellent for such as are troubled with pleurises to
take now and then a little of it.

Lohoch e Passulis.
Or Lohoch of Raisins.

College.] Take of male Peony roots, Liquorice, of each half an ounce,

Hyssop, Bawm, Hart’s-tongue, or Cetrach, of each half a handful, boil them in
Spring Water, and press them strongly, and by adding a pound of Raisins
bruised, boil it again, pressing it through a linen cloth, then with a pound of
white sugar, make it into a Lohoch according to art.
Culpeper.] It is very good against coughs, consumptions of the lungs, and
other vices of the breast, and is usually given to children for such diseases, as
also for convulsions, and falling-sickness.

Lohoch e Pino.
Or Lohoch of Pinenuts.

College.] Take of Pinenuts, fifteen drams, sweet Almonds, Hazel Nuts gently
roasted, Gum Arabick and Tragacanth, powder and juice of Liquorice, white
Starch, Maidenhair, Orris roots, of each two drams, the pulp of Dates seventeen
drams, bitter Almonds one dram and an half, Honey of Raisins, white Sugar-
candy, fresh Butter, of each two ounces, Honey one pound and an half, dissolve
the Gums in so much Decoction of Maidenhair as is sufficient; let the rest be
mixed over a gentle fire, and stirred, that so it may be made into a Lohoch.
Culpeper.] The medicine is excellent for continual coughs, and difficulty of
breathing, it succours such as are asthmatic, for it cuts and atenuates tough
humours in the breast.

Lohoch de Portulaca.
Or Lohoch of Purslain.

College.] Take of the strained Juice of Purslain two pounds, Troches of Terra
Lemnia two drams, Troches of Amber, Gum Arabic, Dragon’s-blood of each one
dram, Lapis Hematilis, the wool of a Hare toasted, of each two scruples, white
Sugar one pound, mix them together, that so you may make a Lohoch of them.
Culpeper.] The medicine is so binding that it is better let alone than taken,
unless in inward bruises when men spit blood, then you may safely take a little
of it.

Lohoch e Pulmone Vulpis.

Or Lohoch of Fox Lungs.

College.] Take of Fox Lungs rightly prepared, juice of Liquorice,

Maidenhair, Annis-seeds, sweet Fennel seeds, of each equal parts, Sugar
dissolved in Colt’s-foot, and Scabious Water, and boiled into a Syrup, three
times their weight; the rest being in fine powder, let them be put to it and
strongly stirred together, that it may be made into a Lohoch according to art.
Culpeper.] It cleanses and unites ulcers in the lungs and breast, and is a
present remedy in phthisicks.

Lohoch sanum et Expertum.

Or a sound and well experienced Lohoch.

College.] Take of dried Hyssop and Calaminth, of each half an ounce,

Jujubes, Sebestens, the stones being taken out, fifteen Raisins of the Sun stoned,
fat Figs, Dates, of each two ounces, Linseed, Fenugreek seed, of each five
drams, Maidenhair one handful, Annis-seeds, sweet Fennel seeds, Orris Roots
cut, Liquorice, Cinnamon, of each an ounce, boil them according to art in four
pounds of clear water till half be consumed, and with two pounds of Penids boil
it into a Syrup, afterwards cut and bruise very small Pinenuts five drams, sweet
Almonds blanched, Liquorice, Gum Tragacanth and Arabick, white Starch of
each three drams, let these be put into the Syrup when it is off the fire, and stir it
about swiftly with a wooden pestle till it look white.
Culpeper.] It succors the breast, lungs, throat, oppressed by cold, it restores
the voice lost by reason of cold, and attenuates thick and gross humours in the
breast and lungs.

Lohoch Scilliticum.
Or Lohoch of Squils.

College.] Take three drams of a Squil baked in paste, Orris Roots two drams,
Hyssop, Horehound, of each one dram, Saffron, Myrrh, of each half a dram,
Honey two ounces and an half, bruise the Squil, after it is baked, in a stone
mortar, and after it hath boiled a walm or two with the Honey, put in the rest of
the things in powder, diligently stirring it, and make it into a Lohoch according
to art.

Eclegma of Squils. Mesue.

 College.] Take of the juice of Squils and Honey, both of them clarified, of
each two pounds, boil them together according to art to the consistence of
Honey.
Culpeper.] For the virtues of it see Vinegar of Squils, and Oximel of Squils,
only this is more mild, and not so harsh to the throat, because it hath no Vinegar
in it, and therefore is far more fitting for Asthmaes, and such as are troubled with
difficulty of breathing, it cuts and carries away humours from the breast, be they
thick or thin, and wonderfully helps indigestion of victuals, and eases pains in
the breast, and for this, I quote the authority of Galen.

Lohoch of Coleworts. Gordonius.

College.] Take one pound of the juice of Coleworts, clarified Saffron three
drams, clarified Honey, and Sugar, of each half a pound, make of them a Lohoch
according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps hoarseness, and loss of voice, eases surfeits and head-ache
coming of drunkenness, and opens obstructions of the liver and spleen, and
therefore is good for that disease in children called the rickets.

PRESERVED ROOTS, STALKS, BARKS, FLOWERS, FRUITS.

College.] Take of Eringo Roots as many as you will, cleanse them without
and within, the pith being taken out, steep them two days in clear water, shifting
the water sometimes, then dry them with a cloth, then take their equal weight in
white Sugar, and as much Rose-water as will make it into a Syrup, which being
almost boiled, put in the roots, and let them boil until the moisture be consumed,
and let it be brought to the due body of a Syrup. Not much unlike to this are
preserved the roots of Acorus, Angelica, Borrage, Bugloss, Succory,
Elecampane, Burnet, Satyrion, Sicers, Comfrey the greater, Ginger, Zedoary.
Take of the stalks of Artichokes, not too ripe, as many as you will, and (contrary
to the roots) take only the pith of these, and preserve them with their equal
weight in sugar, like the former. So is prepared the stalks of Angelica, Burs,
Lettuce, &c. before they be too ripe. Take of fresh Orange pills as many as you
will, take away the exterior yellowness, and steep them in spring water three
days at the least, often renewing the water, then preserve them like the former. In
like manner are Lemon and Citron pills preserved. Preserve the flowers of
Citrons, Oranges, Borrage, Primroses, with Sugar, according to art. Take of
Apricots as many as you will, take away the outer skin and the stones, and mix
them with their like weight in sugar, after four hours take them out, and boil the
Sugar without any other Liquor, then put them in again, and boil them a little.
Other Fruits may be preserved in the same manner, or at least not much unlike to
it, as whole Barberries, Cherries, Cornels, Citrons, Quinces, Peaches, common
Apples, the five sorts of Myrobalans, Hazel Nuts, Walnuts, Nutmegs, Raisins of
the Sun, Pepper brought green from India, Plums, garden and wild Pears,
Grapes. Pulps are also preserved, as Barberries, Cassia Fistula, Citrons,
Cinosbatus, Quinces, and Sloes, &c. Take of Barberries as many as you will,
boil them in spring water till they are tender, then having pulped them through a
sieve, that they are free from the stones, boil it again in an earthen vessel over a
gentle fire, often stirring them for fear of burning, till the watery humour be
consumed, then mix ten pounds of sugar with six pounds of this pulp, boil it to
its due thickness. Broom buds are also preserved, but with brine and vinegar, and
so are Olives and Capers. Lastly, Amongst the Barks, Cinnamon, amongst the
flowers, Roses, and Marigolds, amongst the fruits, Almonds, Cloves, Pinenuts,
and Fistick-nuts, are said to be preserved but with this difference, they are
encrusted with dry sugar, and are more called confects than preserves.

CONSERVES AND SUGARS.

College.] Conserves of the herbs of Wormwood, Sorrel, Wood-sorrel, the

flowers of Oranges, Borrage, Bugloss, Bettony, Marigolds, the Tops of Carduus,
the Flowers of Centaury the less, Clove-gilliflowers, Germander, Succory, the
Leaves of Scurvy-grass, the flowers of Comfrey the greater. Citratiæ, Cinosbati,
the roots of Spurge, herbs and flowers of Eye-bright, the tops of Fumitory,
Goat’s-rue, the flowers of Broom not quite open, Hyssop, Lavender, white
Lilies, Lilies of the Valley, Marjoram, Mallows, the tops of Bawm, the leaves of
Mints, the flowers of Water Lilies, red Poppies, Peony, Peaches, Primroses,
Roses, the leaves of Rue, the flowers of Sage, Elder Scabious, the leaves of
Scordium, the flowers of Limetree, Coltsfoot, Violets, with all these are
conserves made with their treble proportion of white sugar; yet note, that all of
them must not be mixed alike, some of them must be cut, beaten, and gently
boiled, some neither cut, beaten nor boiled, and some admit but one of them,
which every artist in his trade may find out by this premonition and avoid error.
 SUGARS.

Diacodium Solidum, sive Tabulatum.

College.] Take of white Poppy heads, meanly ripe, and newly gathered,
twenty, steep them in three pounds of warm spring water, and the next day boil
them until the virtue is out, then strain out the liquor, and with a sufficient
quantity of good sugar, boil it according to art, that you may make it up into
Lozenges.
Culpeper.] The virtues are the same with the common Diacodium, viz. to
provoke sleep, and help thin rheums in the head, coughs, and roughness of the
throat, and may easily be carried about in one’s pocket.

Saccharum tabulatum simplex, et perlatum.

Or Lozenges of Sugar both simple and pearled.

College.] The first is made by pouring the sugar upon a marble, after a
sufficient boiling in half its weight in Damask Rose Water: And the latter by
adding to every pound of the former towards the latter end of the decoction,
Pearls, prepared and bruised, half an ounce, with eight or ten leaves of gold.
Culpeper.] It is naturally cooling, appropriated to the heart, it restores lost
strength, takes away burning fevers, and false imaginations, (I mean that with
Pearls, for that without Pearls is ridiculous) it hath the same virtues Pearls have.

Saccharum Tabulatum compositum.

Or Lozenges of Sugar compound.

College.] Take of choice Rhubarb four scruples, Agarick Trochiscated,

Corallins, burnt Hart’s-horn, Dittany of Crete, Wormseed and Sorrel seed, of
each a scruple, Cinnamon, Zedoary, Cloves, Saffron, of each half a scruple,
white Sugar a pound, dissolved in four ounces of Wormwood Water,
Wormwood Wine, an ounce, Cinnamon Water a spoonful, with the forenamed
powders make it into Lozenges according to art.
Culpeper.] The title shews you the virtues of it.
 Saccharum Penidium,
Or Sugar Penids

College.] Are prepared of sugar dissolved in spring water by a gentle fire, and
the whites of Eggs diligently beaten, and clarified once, and again whilst it is
boiling, then strain it and boil it gently again, till it rise up in great bubbles, and
being chewed it stick not to your teeth, then pour it upon a marble, anointed with
oil of Almonds, (let the bubbles first sink, after it is removed from the fire) bring
back the outsides of it to the middle till it look like Larch rosin, then, your hands
being rubbed with white starch, you may draw it into threads either short or long,
thick or thin, and let it cool in what form you please.
Culpeper.] I remember country people were wont to take them for coughs,
and they are sometimes used in other compositions.

Confectio de Thure.
Or Confection of Frankincense.

College.] Take Coriander seeds prepared half an ounce, Nutmegs, white

Frankincense, of each three drams, Liquorice, Mastich, of each two drams,
Cubebs, Hart’s-horn prepared, of each one dram, conserve of Red roses an
ounce, white Sugar as much as is sufficient to make it into mean bits.
Culpeper.] I cannot boast much of the rarity nor virtues of this receipt.

Saccharum Rosatum.
Or Sugar of Roses.

College.] Take of red Rose leaves, the whites being cut off, and speedily
dried in the sun an ounce, white Sugar a pound, melt the Sugar in Rose-water
and juice of Roses of each two ounces which being consumed by degrees, put in
the Rose leaves in powder, mix them, put it upon a marble, and make it into
Lozenges according to art.
Culpeper.] As for the virtues of this, it strengthens weak stomachs, weak
hearts, and weak brains, restores such as are in consumptions, restores lost
strength, stays fluxes, eases pains in the head, ears and eyes, helps spitting,
vomiting, and urining of blood; it is a fine commodity for a man in a
consumption to carry about with him, and eat now and then a bit.
 SPECIES, OR POWDERS.

Aromaticum Caryophyllatum.

College.] Take of Cloves seven drams, Mace, Zedoary, Galanga the less,
yellow Sanders, Troches, Diarrhodon, Cinnamon, wood of Aloes, Indian
Spikenard, long Pepper, Cardamoms the less, of each a dram, Red Roses four
ounces, Gallia Moschata, Liquorice, of each two drams, of Indian leaf, Cubebs
of each two scruples, beat them all diligently into powder.
Culpeper.] This powder strengthens the heart and stomach, helps digestion,
expels wind, stays vomiting, and cleanses the stomach of putrified humors.

Aromaticum Rosatum.

College.] Take of Red Roses exungulated fifteen drams, Liquorice seven

drams, wood of Aloes, yellow Sanders, of each three drams, Cinnamon five
drams, Cloves, Mace, of each two drams and an half, Gum Arabic and
Tragacanth, of each eight scruples, Nutmegs, Cardamoms the less, Galanga of
each one dram, Indian Spikenard two scruples, make it into a powder to be kept
in a glass for use.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the brain, heart and stomach, and all such internal
members as help towards decoction, it helps digestion, consumes the watery
excrements of the bowels, strengthens such as are pined away by reason of the
violence of a disease, and restores such as are in consumption.

Pulvus ex chelus Cancrorum compositus.

Or Powder of Crab’s claws compound.

College.] Take of Pearls prepared, Crab’s eyes, red Coral, white Amber,
Hart’s-horn, oriential Bezoar, of each half an ounce, powder of the black tops of
Crab’s claws, the weight of them all, beat them into powder, which may be made
into balls with jelly, and the skins which our vipers have cast off, warily dried
and kept for use.
Culpeper.] This is that powder they ordinarily call Gascoigns powder, there
are divers receipts of it, of which this is none of the worst, four, or five, or six
grains is excellently good in a fever to be taken in any cordial, for it cheers the
heart and vital spirits exceedingly, and makes them impregnable.

Species Cordiales Temperatæ.

College.] Take of wood of Aloes, Spodium of each a dram, Cinnamon,

Cloves, bone of a Stag’s-heart, the roots of Angelica, Avens, and Tormentil, of
each a dram and an half, Pearls prepared six drams, raw Silk toasted, both sorts
of Coral of each two drams, Jacinth, Emerald, Samphire, of each half a dram,
Saffron a scruple, the leaves of gold and silver, of each ten, make them into
powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a great cordial, a great strengthener of the heart, and brain.

Diacalaminthe Simple.

College.] Take of Mountain Calaminth, Pennyroyal, Origanum, the seeds of

Macedonian Parsley, common Parsley, and Hartwort, of each two drams, the
seeds of Smallage, the tops of Thyme of each half an ounce, the seeds of
Lovage, black Pepper, of each an ounce, make them into powder according to
art.
Culpeper.] It heats and comforts cold bodies, cuts thick and gross flegm,
provokes urine and the menses. I confess this differs something from Galen, but
is better for our bodies in my opinion than his. It expels wind exceedingly, you
may take half a dram of the powder at a time. There is nothing surer than that all
their powders will keep better in Electuaries than they will in powders, and into
such a body, you may make it with two pound and an half of white sugar
dissolved in rose water.

Diacalamintha compound.

College.] Take of Diacalamintha simple, half an ounce, the leaves of

Horehound, Marjoram, Bawm, Mugwort, Savin dried, of each a dram, Cypress
roots, the seeds of Maddir and Rue, Mace, Cinnamon, of each two scruples, beat
them and mix them diligently into a powder according to art.
Culpeper.] This seems to be more appropriated to the feminine gender than
the former, viz. to bring down the terms, to bring away the birth, and after-birth,
to purge them after labour, yet it is dangerous for pregnant women.

Dianisum.

College.] Take of Annis seeds two ounces and an half, Liquorice, Mastich, of
each an ounce, the seeds of Caraway, Fennel, Galanga, Mace, Ginger,
Cinnamon, of each five drams, the three sorts of Pepper, Cassia Lignea,
mountain Calaminth, Pellitory of Spain, of each two drams, Cardamoms the
greater, Cloves, Cubebs, Indian Spikenard, Saffron, of each a dram and an half,
make them into powder.
Culpeper.] It is chiefly appropriated to the stomach, and helps the cold
infirmities thereof, raw, flegm, wind, continual coughs, and other such diseases
coming of cold. You may safely take a dram of the electuary at a time. You may
make an electuary of it with its treble weight of clarified Honey.

Pulvis Radicum Ari compositus.

Or Powder of Aron Roots compound.

College.] Take of Aron Roots two ounces, of common Water Flag, and
Burnet, of each one ounce, Crab’s eyes, half an ounce, Cinnamon three drams,
salt of Wormwood, and Juniper, of each one dram, make them into powder.
Culpeper.] And when you have done tell me what it is good for.

Diaireos simple.

College.] Take of Orris roots half an ounce, Sugar-candy, Diatragacanthum

frigidum, of each two drams, make them into powder.
Culpeper.] I do not mean the Diatragacanthum frigidum, for that is in powder
before. It comforts the breast, is good in colds, coughs, and hoarseness. You may
mix it with any pectoral Syrups which are appropriated to the same diseases, and
so take it with a Liquorice stick.

Dialacca.
 College.] Take of Gum-lacca, prepared Rhubarb, Schænanth, of each three
drams, Indian Spikenard, Mastich, the juice of Wormwood and Agrimony, made
thick, the seeds of Smallage, Annis, Fennel, Ammi, Savin, bitter Almonds,
Myrrh, Costus, or Zedoary, the roots of Maddir, Asarabacca, Birthwort long and
round, Gentian, Saffron, Cinnamon, dried Hyssop, Cassia Lignea, Bdellium, of
each a dram and an half, black Pepper, Ginger, of each a dram, make them into
powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the stomach and liver, opens obstructions, helps
dropsies, yellow jaundice, provokes urine, breaks the stone in the reins and
bladder. Half a dram is a moderate dose, if the patient be strong they may take a
dram in white Wine. Let pregnant women forbear it.

Pulvis Cardiacus Magistralis.

College.] Take of East Bezoar, bone of a Stag’s-heart, of each a dram and an

half, Magisterium, of white and red Coral, white Amber, Magisterium of Pearl,
Hart’s-horn, Ivory, Bole-amoniac, Earth of Germany, Samos and Lemnos, Elk’s-
claw, Tormentil roots, of each a dram, Wood of Aloes, Citron peels, the roots of
Angelica and Zedoary, of each two scruples, leaves of Gold twenty, Ambergris
one scruple, Musk six grains, mix them and make them into powder.
Culpeper.] It is too dear for a vulgar purse, yet a mighty cordial and great
strengthener of the heart and vitals in fevers.

Diamargariton frigidum.

College.] Take of the four greater cold seeds, the seeds of Purslain, white
Poppies, Endive, Sorrel, Citrons, the three Sanders, Wood of Aloes, Ginger, red
Roses exungulated, the flowers of Water-lilies, Bugloss, Violets, the berries of
Mirtles, bone in a Stag’s heart, Ivory, Contra yerva, Cinnamon of each one dram,
both sorts of Coral, of each half a dram, Pearls three drams, Camphire six grains,
make them into powder according to art. Observe that the four greater cold
seeds, and the Poppy seeds, are not to be added before the powder be required by
physician for use. Do so by the other powder in the composition of which these
powders are used.
Culpeper.] Authors hold it to be restorative in consumptions, to help such as
are in hectic fevers, to restore strength lost, to help coughs, asthmaes, and
consumptions of the lungs, and restore such as have laboured long under
languishing or pining diseases.

Diamoschu Dulce.

College.] Take of Saffron, Galanga, Zedoary, Wood of Aloes, Mace, of each

two drams, Pearls, raw Silk toasted, white Amber, red Coral prepared, Gallia
Moschata, Bazil, of each two drams and an half, Ginger, Cubebs, Long Pepper,
of each a dram and an half, Nutmegs, Indian leaf or Cinnamon, Cloves, of each
one dram, Musk two scruples, make them into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It wonderfully helps cold afflictions of the brain, that come
without a fever, melancholy and its attendants, viz. sadness without a cause,
vertigo or diziness in the head, falling-sickness, palsies, resolution of the nerves,
convulsions, heart-qualms, afflictions of the lungs, and difficulty of breathing.
The dose of the powder is half a dram, or two scruples, or less; according to the
age or strength of him or her that takes it. Mesue appoints it to be made into an
electuary with clarified honey, and of the electuary, two drams is the dose: The
time of taking it is, in the morning fasting.

Diamoschu Amarum

College.] Is prepared by adding to the forenamed Wormwood, dried Roses, of

each three drams, Aloes half an ounce, Cinnamon two drams and an half,
Castorium and Lovage, of each one dram, make them into powder.
Culpeper.] Besides the virtues of the former, it purges the stomach of
putrified humours.

Specia Dianthus.

College.] Take of Rosemary flowers an ounce, red Roses, Violets, Liquorice,

of each six drams, Cloves, Indian Spikenard, Nutmegs, Galanga, Cinnamon,
Ginger, Zedoary, Mace, Wood of Aloes, Cardamoms the less, the seeds of Dill
and Anis, of each four scruples, make them into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the heart and helps the passions thereof, it causes a
joyful and cheerful mind, and strengthens such as have been weakened by long
sickness, it strengthens cold stomachs, and helps digestion notably. The dose is
half a dram, you may make it into an electuary with honey, and take two drams
of that at a time.

Diapendion.

College.] Take of Penides two ounces, Pinenuts, sweet Almonds blanched,

white Poppy seeds, of each three drams and a scruple, (Cinnamon, Cloves,
Ginger, which three being omitted, it is a Diapendion without spices) juice of
Liquorice, Gum Tragacanth and Arabic, white Starch, the four greater cold seeds
husked, of each a dram and an half, Camphire seven grains, make them into
powder.
Culpeper.] It helps the vices of the breast, coughs, colds, hoarseness, and
consumptions of the lungs, as also such as spit matter. You may mix it with any
pectoral syrup, and take it with a Liquorice stick, if you fancy the powder best,
but if the electuary, you may take a dram of it upon a knife’s point at any time
when the cough comes.

Diarrhodon Abbatis.

College.] Take of Sanders white and red, of each two drams and an half, Gum
Tragacanth, Arabic, Ivory of each two scruples, Asarabacca roots, Mastich,
Indian Spikenard, Cardamoms, Liquorice, Saffron, Wood of Aloes, Cloves,
Gallia Moschata, Annis and sweet Fennel seeds, Cinnamon, Rhubarb, Bazil
seeds, Barberry seeds, the seeds of Succory, Purslain, the four greater cold seeds
cleansed, white Poppy seeds, of each a scruple, Pearls, bone of a Stag’s-heart of
each half a scruple, red Roses exungulated, one ounce and three drams,
Camphire seven grains, make them into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It cools the violent heat of the heart and stomach, as also of the
liver, lungs, and spleen, eases pains in the body, and most infirmities coming to
the body by reason of heat. The dose of the powder is half a dram, and two
ounces of the electuary, into which with sugar dissolved in Rose-water you may
make it.

Diospoliticum.

College.] Take of Cummin seeds steeped in vinegar and dried, long Pepper,
Rue leaves, of each an ounce, Nitre half an ounce, make them into powder.
Culpeper.] It is an admirable remedy for such whose meat is putrified in their
stomachs, it helps cold stomachs, cold belchings and windy. You may take half a
dram after meat, either in a spoonful of Muskadel, or in a Syrup of Mirtles or
Quinces, or any Cordial Water whose effects is the same.

Species Diatragacanthi frigidi.

College.] Take of Gum Tragacanth two ounces, Gum Arabic an ounce and
two drams, white Starch half an ounce, Liquorice, the seeds of Melons and white
Poppies, of each three drams, the seeds of Citruls, Cucumbers and Gourds, of
each two drams, Penids three ounces, Camphire half a scruple, make of them a
powder according to art. Also you may make an electuary of them with a
sufficient quantity of Syrup of Violets, but have a care of what was told you
before of the seeds.
Culpeper.] Make up into an electuary. It helps the faults of the breast and
lungs coming of heat and dryness, it helps consumptions, leanness,
inflammations of the sides, pleurises, &c. hot and dry coughs, roughness of the
tongue and jaws.

Diatrion Piperion.

College.] Take of the three sorts of Peppers, of each six drams and fifteen
grains, Annis seeds, Thyme, Ginger, of each one dram, beat them into gross
powder.
Culpeper.] It heats the stomach and expels wind. Half a dram in powder, or
two drams in electuary (for so Galen who was author of it, appoints it to be
made with clarified honey, a sufficient quantity) if age and strength permit, if
not, half so much, is a sufficient dose, to be taken before meat, if to heat the
stomach and help digestion; after meat, if to expel wind.

Diatrion Santalon.

College.] Take of all the sorts of Sanders, red Roses, of each three drams,
Rhubarb, Ivory, Juice of Liquorice, Purslain seeds, of each two drams and fifteen
grains, white Starch, Gum Arabic, Tragacanth, the seeds of Melons, Cucumbers,
Citruls, Gourds, Endive, of each a dram and an half, Camphire a scruple, make
them into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It is very profitable against the heat of the stomach and liver,
besides, it wonderfully helps such as have the yellow jaundice, and
consumptions of the lungs. You may safely take a dram of the powder, or two
drams of the electuary in the morning fasting, for most of these powders will
keep better by half in electuaries.

Pulvis Haly.

College.] Take of white Poppy seeds ten drams, white Starch, Gum Arabic
and Tragacanth, of each three drams, the seeds of Purslain, Marsh-mallows,
Mallows, of each five drams, Cucumbers, Melons, Gourds, Citruls, Quinces of
each seven drams, Ivory, Liquorice, of each three drams, Penids the weight of
them all, make them into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a gallant cool powder, fit for all hot imperfections of the
breast and lungs, as consumptions, pleurisies, &c. Your best way is to make it
into a soft electuary with Syrups of Violets, and take it as Diatragacanthum
frigidum.

Lætificans.

College.] Take the flowers of Clove-bazil, or the seeds thereof, Saffron,

Zedoary, Wood of Aloes, Cloves, Citron pills, Galanga, Mace, Nutmegs, Styrax
Calamitis, of each two drams and an half, Ivory, Annis seeds, Thyme,
Epithimum, of each one dram, bone of a Stag’s heart, Pearls, Camphire, of each
half a dram, leaves of Gold and Silver, of each half a scruple, make it into
powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It causes a merry heart, a good colour, helps digestion, and keeps
back old age. You may mix half a dram of it to take at one time, or less if you
please, in any cordial Syrup, or cordial electuary appropriated to the same uses.

Pulvis Saxonicus.

College.] Take of the roots of both sorts of Angelica, Swallow-wort, garden

Valerian, Polipodium of the Oak, Marsh-mallows, Nettles, of each half an ounce,
the bark of German Mezereon, two drams, twenty grains of herb True-love, the
leaves of the same, roots and all, thirty six, the roots being steeped in vinegar
and dried, beat it all into powder.
Culpeper.] It seems to be as great an expeller of poison, and as great a
preservative against it, and the pestilence, as one shall usually read of.

Rosate Novelle.

College.] Take of red Roses, Liquorice, of each one ounce, one dram, two
scruples and an half, Cinnamon two drams, two scruples, and two grains,
Cloves, Indian Spikenard, Ginger, Galanga, Nutmegs, Zedoary, Styrax,
Calamitis, Cardamoms, Parsley seeds, of each one scruple eight grains, beat
them into powder.
Culpeper.] It quenches thirst, and stays vomiting, and the author saith it helps
hot and dry stomachs, as also heat and dryness of the heart, liver, and lungs, (yet
is the powder itself hot,) it strengthens the vital spirits, takes away heart-qualms,
it provokes sweat, and strengthens such as have laboured under long chronical
diseases. You may take a dram of the electuary every morning, if with clarified
Honey you please to make it into such a body.

Pulvus Thuraloes.

College.] Take of Frankincense one dram, Aloes half a dram, beat them into
powder.
Culpeper.] And when you have occasion to use it, mix so much of it with the
white of an egg, (beat the white of the egg well first) as will make it of the
thickness of Honey, then dip the wool of a Hare in it, and apply it to the sore or
part that bleeds, binding it on.

Pulvis Hermidactylorum compositus.

Or Powder of Hermodactils compound.

College.] Take of men’s bones burnt, Scammony, Hermodactils, Turbith,

Sena, Sugar, of each equal parts, beat them into powder.

Pulvis Senæ compositus major.

 Or Powder of Sena the greater composition.

College.] Take of the seeds of Annis, Carraway, Fennel, Cummin, Spikenard,

Cinnamon, Galanga, of each half an ounce, Liquorice, Gromwell, of each an
ounce, Sena, the weight of them all, beat it into powder.
Culpeper.] That this receipt is gallantly composed none can deny, and is an
excellent purge for such whose bodies as are troubled with the wind cholic, or
stoppage either of guts or kidneys, two drams taken in white Wine will work
sufficiently with any ordinary body. Let weak men and children take less,
keeping within doors, and warm.

Pulvis Senæ compositus minor.

Or Powder of Sena, the lesser composition.

College.] Take of Sena two ounces, Cremor Tartar half an ounce, Mace two
scruples and an half, Ginger, Cinnamon, of each a dram and an half, Salgem one
dram, beat it into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] This powder purges melancholy, and cleanses the head.

Diasenæ.

College.] Take of Sena, Cremor Tartar, of each two ounces, Cloves,

Cinnamon, Galanga, Ammi, of each two drams, Diacridium half an ounce, beat
it into powder according to art.

Diaturbith with Rhubarb.

College.] Take of Turbith, Hermodactils, of each an ounce, Rhubarb ten

drams, Diacrydium half an ounce, Sanders red and white, Violets, Ginger, of
each a dram and an half, Mastich, Annis seeds, Cinnamon, Saffron, of each half
a dram, make it into powder.
Culpeper.] This also purges flegm and choler. Once more let me desire such
as are unskilful in the rules of physic, not to meddle with purges of this nature
(unless prescribed by a skilful Physician) lest they do themselves more mischief
in half an hour, than they can remove in half a year.
 The lesser cordial Powder. Fernelius.

College.] Take of Hart’s-horn, Unicorn’s horn, Pearls, Ivory, of each six

grains, beat them into fine powder. If you mean to keep it, you may encrease the
quantity analogically.

The greater cordial Powder. Fern.

College.] Take of the roots of Tormentil, Dittany, Clove-gilliflowers,

Scabious, the seed of Sorrel, Coriander prepared, Citron, Carduus Benedictus,
Endive, Rue, of each one dram, of the three sorts of Sanders, (white, red, and
yellow,) Been, white and red (or if you cannot get them, take the roots of Avens
and Tormentil, in their stead) Roman Doronicum, (a kind of wolf-bane)
Cinnamon, Cardamoms, Saffron, the flowers of both sorts of Bugloss, (viz.
Borrage and Bugloss,) red Roses, and Water-Lilies, Wood of Aloes, Mace, of
each two scruples, Ivory, Spodium, bone of a Stag’s-heart, red Coral, Pearls,
Emerald, Jacinth, Granite of each one scruple, raw Silk torrified, (dried or
roasted by the fire,) Bole-amoniac, Earth of Lemnos, of each half a dram,
Camphire, Ambergris, Musk, of each six grains, beat them into powder
according to art, and with eight times their weight in white sugar, dissolved in
Rose-water, you may make them into Lozenges, if you please.
Culpeper.] Both this and the former powder, are appropriated to the heart, (as
the title shew) therefore they do strengthen that, and the vital spirit, and relieve
languishing nature. All these are cordial Powders, and seldom above half a dram
of them given at a time.

A Powder for such as are bruised by a fall.

The Augustan Physicians.

College.] Take of Terra sigillata, Sanguis Draconis, Mummy of each two

drams, Spermaceti one dram, beat them into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] You must beat the rest into powder, and then add the Spermaceti
to them afterwards, for if you put the Spermaceti and the rest all together and go
to beat them in that fashion, you may as soon beat the mortar into powder, as the
simples. Indeed your best way is to beat them severally, and then mix them
altogether, which being done, makes you a gallant medicine for the infirmities
specified in the title, a dram of it taken in Muskadel and sweating after it.
 Species Electuarii Dyacymini. Nicholaus.

College.] Take of Cummin seeds infused a natural day in Vinegar, one ounce
and one scruple, Cinnamon, Cloves, of each two drams and an half, Galanga,
Savory, Calaminth, of each one dram and two scruples, Ginger, black Pepper, of
each two drams and five grains, the seeds of Lovage, and Ammi, (Bishop’s-
weed,) of each one dram and eighteen grains, long Pepper one dram, Spikenard,
Nutmegs, Cardamoms, of each two scruples and an half, beat them and keep
them diligently in powder for your use.
Culpeper.] It heats the stomach and bowels, expels wind exceedingly, helps
the wind cholic, helps digestion hindered by cold or wind, is an admirable
remedy for wind in the bowels, and helps quartan agues. The powder is very hot,
half a dram is enough to take at one time, and too much if the patient be feverish,
you may take it in white Wine. It is in my opinion a fine composed powder.

Species Electuarii Diagalangæ. Mesue.

College.] Take of Galanga, wood of Aloes, of each six drams, Cloves, Mace,
seeds of Lovage of each two drams, Ginger, long and white Pepper, Cinnamon,
Calamus Aromaticus of each a dram and an half, Calaminth, and Mints dried,
Cardamoms the greater, Indian Spikenard, the seeds of Smallage, Annis, Fennel,
Caraway, of each one dram, beat them into powder according to art. Also it may
be made into an electuary with white sugar dissolved in Malaga wine, or twelve
times the weight of it of clarified Honey.
Culpeper.] Mesue quotes it only as an electuary, which he saith prevails
against wind, sour belchings, and indigestion, gross humours and cold afflictions
of the stomach and liver. You may take half a dram of the powder at a time, or
two of the electuary in the morning fasting, or an hour before meat. It helps
digestion exceedingly, expels wind, and heats a cold stomach.

Species Electuarii Diamargariton Calidi.

Avicenna.

College.] Take of Pearls and Pellitory of the Wall, of each one dram, Ginger,
Mastich, of each half an ounce, Doronicum, Zedoary, Smallage seeds, both sorts
of Cardamoms, Nutmegs, Mace, of each two drams, Been of both sorts, (if they
cannot be procured take the roots of Avens and Tormentil) black and long
Pepper of each three drams, beat them into powder and keep them for your use.
Culpeper.] This (quoth Avicenna) is appropriated to women, and in them to
diseases incident to their matrix; but his reasons I know not. It is cordial and
heats the stomach.

Lithontribon Nicholaus, according to Fernelius.

College.] Take of Spikenard, Ginger, Cinnamon, black Pepper, Cardamoms,

Cloves, Mace, of each half a dram, Costus, Liquorice, Cypress, Tragacanth,
Germander, of each two scruples, the seeds of Bishop’s-weed, (Ammi,)
Smallage, Sparagus, Bazil, Nettles, Citrons, Saxifrage, Burnet, Caraway,
Carrots, Fennel, Bruscus, Parsley of Macedonia, Burs, Seseli, (or Hartwort,)
Asarabacca, of each one dram, Lapis Spongiæ, Lyncis, Cancri, Judaici, of each
one dram and an half, Goat’s blood prepared an ounce and half, beat them all
into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It heats the stomach, and helps want of digestion coming through
cold, it eases pains in the belly and loins, the Illiac passion, powerfully breaks
the stone in the reins and bladder, it speedily helps the cholic, stranguary, and
disury. The dose is from a dram to half a dram, take it either in white Wine, or
decoction of herbs tending to the same purposes.

Pleres Arconticon. Nicholaus.

College.] Take of Cinnamon, Cloves, Galanga, Wood of Aloes, Indian

Spikenard, Nutmegs, Ginger, Spodium, Schœnanthus, Cypress, Roses, Violets of
each one dram, Indian Leaf or Mace, Liquorice, Mastich, Styrax Calamitis,
Marjoram, Costmary, or Water-mints, Bazil, Cardamoms, long and white
Pepper, Myrtle berries, and Citron pills, of each half a dram and six grains,
Pearls, Been white and red, (or, if they be wanting, take the roots of Avens and
Tormentil in their stead) red Coral, torrified Silk, of each eighteen grains, Musk
six grains, Camphire four grains, beat them into powder according to art, and
with ten times their weight in sugar dissolved in Bawm water, you may make
them into an electuary.
Culpeper.] It is exceedingly good for sad, melancholy, lumpish, pensive,
grieving, vexing, pining, sighing, sobbing, fearful, careful spirits, it strengthens
weak stomachs exceedingly, and help such as are prone to faintings and
swoonings, it strengthens such as are weakened by violence of sickness, it helps
bad memories, quickens all the senses, strengthens the brain and animal spirits,
helps the falling-sickness, and succours such as are troubled with asthmas, or
other cold afflictions of the lungs. It will keep best in an electuary, of which you
may take a dram in the morning, or more, as age and strength requires.

A Preservative Powder against the Pestilence.

Montagnam.

College.] Take of all the Sanders, (white, red, and yellow,) the seeds of Bazil,
of each an ounce and an half, Bole Amoniac, Cinnamon, of each an ounce, the
roots of Dittany, Gentian, and Tormentil, of each two drams and an half, the
seeds of Citron and Sorrel, of each two drams, Pearls, Saphire, bone of a Stag’s
heart, of each one dram, beat them into powder according to art.
Culpeper.] The title tells you the virtue of it, besides, it cheers the vital
spirits, and strengthens the heart. You may take half a dram every morning either
by itself, or mixed with any other convenient composition, whether Syrup or
Electuary.

Diaturbith the greater, without Rhubarb.

College.] Take of the best Turbith an ounce, Diagridium, Ginger, of each half
an ounce, Cinnamon, Cloves, of each two drams, Galanga, long Pepper, Mace,
of each one dram, beat them into powder, and with eight ounces and five drams
of white sugar dissolved in Succory Water, it may be made into an electuary.
Culpeper.] It purges flegm, being rightly administered by a skilful hand. I
fancy it not.

A Powder for the Worms.

College.] Take of Wormseed, four ounces, Sena, one ounce, Coriander seeds
prepared, Hart’s-horn, of each half a dram, Rhubarb half an ounce, dried Rue,
two drams, beat them into powder.
Culpeper.] I like this powder very well, the quantity (or to write more
scholastically, the dose) must be regulated according to the age of the patient,
even from ten grains to a dram, and the manner of taking it by their palate. It is
something purging.
 ELECTUARIES.

Antidotus Analeptica.

College.] Take of red Roses, Liquorice of each two drams and five grains,
Gum Arabic and Tragacanth, of each two drams and two scruples, Sanders white
and red, each four scruples, juice of Liquorice, white Starch, the seeds of white
Poppies, Purslain, Lettuce, and Endive, of each three drams, the four greater cold
seeds husked, of Quinces, Mallows, Cotton, Violets, Pine-nuts, fistic Nuts, sweet
Almonds, pulp of Sebestens, of each two drams, Cloves, Spodium, Cinnamon, of
each one dram, Saffron five grains, Penids half an ounce, being beaten, make
them all into a soft electuary with three times their weight in Syrup of Violets.
Culpeper.] It restores consumptions, and hectic fevers, lost strength, it
nourishes much, and restores radical moisture, opens the pores, resists choler,
takes away coughs, quenches thirst, and resists fevers. You may take an ounce in
a day, by a dram at a time, if you please.

Confectio Alkermes.

College.] Take of the juice of Apples, Damask Rose-water, of each a pound

and an half, in which infuse for twenty-four hours, raw Silk four ounces, strain it
strongly, and add Syrup of the berries of Cherms brought over to us, two pounds,
Sugar one pound, boil it to the thickness of Honey; then removing it from the
fire whilst it is warm, add Ambergris cut small, half an ounce, which being well
mingled, put in these things following in powder, Cinnamon, Wood of Aloes, of
each six drams, Pearls prepared, two drams, Leaf-Gold a dram, Musk a scruple,
make it up according to art.
Culpeper.] Questionless this is a great cordial, and a mighty strengthener of
the heart, and vital spirits, a restorer of such as are in consumptions, a resister of
pestilences and poison, a relief to languishing nature, it is given with good
success in fevers, but give not too much of it at a time, lest it prove too hot for
the body, and too heavy for the purse. You may mix ten grains of it with other
convenient cordials to children, twenty or thirty to men.

Electuarium e Sassaphras.
 College.] Take of Sassafras two ounces, common Water three pounds, boil it
to the consumption of the third part, adding, towards the end, Cinnamon bruised
half an ounce, strain it, and with two pounds of white sugar, boil it to the
thickness of a Syrup, putting in, in powder, Cinnamon, a dram, Nutmegs, half a
scruple, Musk three grains, Ambergris, two and thirty grains, ten leaves of Gold,
Spirit of Vitriol four drops, and so make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It opens obstruction of the liver and spleen, helps cold rheums or
defluxions from the head to the lungs, or teeth, or eyes, it is excellent in coughs,
and other cold afflictions of the lungs and breast, it helps digestion, expels wind
and the gravel of the kidneys, it provokes the menses, warms and dries up the
moisture of the womb, which is many times the cause of barrenness, and is
generally a helper of all diseases coming of cold, raw thin humours, you may
take half a dram at a time in the morning.

Electuarium de Baccis Lauri.

Or Electuary of Bayberries.

College.] Take of the leaves of dried Rue ten drams, the seeds of Ammi,
Cummin, Lovage, Origanum, Nigella, Caraway, Carrots, Parsley, bitter
Almonds, Pepper black and long, wild Mints, Calamus Aromaticus, Bayberries,
Castorium of each two drams, Sagapenum half an ounce, Opopanax three drams,
clarified Honey a pound and an half, the things to be beaten; being beaten, and
the Gums dissolved in Wine, make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It is exceeding good either in the cholic, or Iliac passion, or any
other disease of the bowels coming of cold or wind, it generally eases pains in
the bowels. You may give a dram in the morning fasting, or half an ounce in a
clyster, according as the disease is.

Diacapparit.

College.] Take of Capers four ounces Agrimony Roots, Nigella seeds, Squils,
Asarabacca, Centaury, black Pepper, Smallage, Thyme of each an ounce, Honey
three times their weight, make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] They say it helps infirmities of the spleen, and indeed the name
seems to promise so much, it may be good for cold bodies, if they have strength
of nature in them.
 Diacinnamomum.

College.] Take of Cinnamon fifteen drams, Cassia Lignea, Elecampane roots,

of each half an ounce, Galanga, seven drams, Cloves, long Pepper, both sorts of
Cardamoms, Ginger, Mace, Nutmegs, Wood of Aloes, of each three drams,
Saffron, one dram, Sugar five drams, Musk two scruples, adding according to
the prescript of the Physician, and by adding three pounds eight ounces of
clarified Honey, boil it and make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] Diacinnamomum, or in plain English, A composition of
Cinnamon, heats the stomach, causes digestion, provokes the menses,
strengthens the stomach and other parts that distribute the nourishment of the
body, a dram of it taken in the morning fasting, is good for ancient people and
cold bodies, such as are subject to dropsies and diseases of flegm, or wind, for it
comforts and strengthens nature much. If you take it to help digestion, take it an
hour before meat, do so in all things of like quality.

Diacorallion.

College.] Take of Coral white and red, Bole-amoniac, Dragon’s-blood, of

each one dram, Pearls half a dram, Wood of Aloes, red Roses, Gum Tragacanth,
Cinnamon, of each two scruples, Sanders white and red, of each one scruple,
with four times its weight in sugar dissolved in small Cinnamon Water, make it
into an electuary, according to art.
Culpeper.] It comforts and strengthens the heart exceedingly, and restores
such as are in consumptions, it is cooling, therefore good in hectic fevers, very
binding, and therefore stops fluxes, neither do I know a better medicine in all the
dispensatory for such as have a consumption accompanied with looseness. It
stops the menses and Fluor Albus. Take but a dram at a time every morning,
because of its binding quality, except you have a looseness, for then you may
take so much two or three times a day.

Diacorum.

College.] Take of the roots of Cicers, Acorus, or Calamus Aromaticus, Pine-

nuts, of each a pound and a half, let the Cicers roots, being cleansed, cut, boiled,
and pulped, be added to ten pounds of clarified honey, and boiled, (stirring it) to
its just thickness, then being removed from the fire, add the Acorus roots beaten,
the Pine-nuts cut, and these following in powder. Take of black Pepper an ounce,
long Pepper, Cloves, Ginger, Mace, of each half an ounce, Nutmegs, Galanga,
Cardamons, of each three drams, mix them with the roots and Honey into an
electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] The electuary provokes lust, heats the brain, strengthens the
nerves, quickens the senses, causes an acute wit, eases pains in the head, helps
the falling-sickness and convulsions, coughs, catharrs, and all diseases
proceeding from coldness of the brain. Half a dram is enough to take at one time,
because of its heat.
Peony is an herb of the sun, the roots of it cure the falling-sickness.

Diacydonium simple.

College.] Take of the flesh of Quinces cut and boiled in fair water to a
thickness, eight pounds, white sugar six pounds, boil it to its just thickness.

Diacydonium with Species.

College.] Take of the juice of Quinces, Sugar, of each two pounds, white
Wine Vinegar half a pound, added at the end of the decoction, it being gently
boiled, and the scum taken away, add Ginger two ounces, white Pepper ten
drams and two scruples, bruise them grossly, and boil it again to the thickness of
Honey.

Diacydonium compound, Magisterial.

College.] Take of white Sugar six pounds, Spring Water four pounds, clarify
them well with the white of an egg, scumming them, then take of ripe Quinces
cleansed from the rind and seeds, and cut in four quarters, eight pounds, boil
them in the foregoing Syrup till they be tender, then strain the Syrup through a
linen cloth, vocata Anglice, Boulter; boil them again to a jelly, adding four
ounces of white wine Vinegar towards the end; remove it from the fire, and
whilst it is warm put in these following species in powder, Ginger an ounce,
white Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, of each two drams, keep it for use.
Culpeper.] The virtues of all these three are, they comfort the stomach, help
digestion, stays vomiting, belchings, &c. stop fluxes and the menses. They are
all harmless, you may take the quantity of a nutmeg of them at a time, before
meat to help digestion and fluxes, after meat to stay vomiting, in the morning for
the rest.

Confectio de Hyacintho.

College.] Take of Jacinth, red Coral, Bole-amoniac, Earth of Lemnos, of each

half an ounce, the berries of Chermes, the Roots of Tormentil and Dittany, the
seeds of Citrons, Sorrel, and Purslain, Saffron, Myrrh, red Roses exungulated, all
the sorts of Sanders, bone of a Stag’s heart, Hart’s-horn, Ivory prepared, of each
four scruples, Samphire, Emerald, Topaz, Pearls, raw Silk, leaves of Gold and
Silver, of each two scruples, Camphire, Musk, Ambergris, of each five grains,
with Syrup of Lemons make it into a confection according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a great cordial and cool, exceeding good in acute fevers and
pestilences, it mightily strengthens and cherishes the heart. Never above half a
dram is given at a time, very seldom so much.

Antidotum Hæmagogum.

College.] Take of Lupines husked two drams, black Pepper five scruples and
six grains, Liquorice four scruples, long Birthwort, Mugwort, Cassia Lignea,
Macedonian Parsley seed, Pellitory of Spain, Rue seed, Spikenard, Myrrh,
Pennyroyal, of each two scruples and fourteen grains, the seeds of Smallage,
Savin, of each two scruples and thirteen grains, Centaury the greater, Cretish
Carrots, Nigella, Caraway, Annis, Cloves, Alum, of each two scruples, Bay
leaves one scruple, one half scruple, and three grains, Schænanth one scruple
and thirteen grains, Asarabacca, Calamus Aromaticus, Amomum, Centaury the
less, the seed of Orrach, Peony, Fennel, of each one scruple and six grains, wood
of Aloes, a scruple and fourteen grains, Cypress, Elecampane, Ginger, Cappar
roots, Cummin, Orobus, of each one scruple, all of them being beaten into very
fine powder, let them be made into an electuary according to art, with four times
their weight in sugar, let it stand one month before you use it.
Culpeper.] It provokes the menses, brings away both birth and after-birth, the
dead child, purges such as are not sufficiently purged after travail, it provokes
urine, breaks the stone in the bladder, helps the stranguary, disury, iskury, &c.
helps indigestion, the cholic, opens any stoppings in the body, it heats the
stomach, purges the liver and spleen, consumes wind, stays vomiting, but let it
not be taken by pregnant women, nor such people as have the hemorrhoids. The
dose is from one dram to two drams.

Diasatyrion.

College.] Take of Satyrion roots three ounces, Dates, bitter Almonds, Indian
Nuts, Pine nuts, Festick nuts, green Ginger, Eringo roots preserved, of each one
ounce, Ginger, Cloves, Galanga, Pepper long and black, of each three drams,
Ambergris one scruple. Musk two scruples, Penins four ounces, Cinnamon,
Saffron, of each half an ounce, Malaga Wine three ounces, Nutmegs, Mace,
Grains of Paradise, of each two drams, Ash-tree keys, the belly and loins of
Scinks, Borax, Benjamin, of each three drams, wood of Aloes, Cardamoms, of
each two drams, the seeds of Nettles and Onions, the roots of Avens, of each a
dram and an half, with two pounds and an half of Syrup of green Ginger, make
them into an electuary according to art.

Electuarium Diaspermaton.

College.] Take of the four greater and lesser cold seeds, the seeds of
Asparagus, Burnet, Bazil, Parsley, Winter Cherries, of each two drams,
Gromwell, Juice of Liquorice, of each three drams, Cinnamon, Mace, of each
one dram, with eight times their weight in white Sugar dissolved in Marsh-
mallows water, make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It breaks the stone, and provokes urine. Men may take half an
ounce at a time, and children half so much, in water of any herb or roots, &c. (or
decoction of them) that break the stone.

Micleta.

College.] Take of the barks of all the Myrobalans torrified, of each two drams
and an half, the seeds of Water-cresses, Cummin, Annis, Fennel, Ammi,
Caraway, of each a dram and an half, bruise the seeds and sprinkle them with
sharp white wine Vinegar, then beat them into powder, and add the Mirobalans,
and these things that follow, Spodium, Balaustines, Sumach, Mastich, Gum
Arabic, of each one dram and fifteen grains, mix them together, and with ten
ounces of Syrup of Myrtles, make them into an electuary according to art.
 Culpeper.] It gently eases the bowels of the wind cholic, wringing of the
bowels, infirmities of the spleen, it stops fluxes, the hemorrhoids, as also the
menses.

Electuarium Pectorale.
Or a Pectoral Electuary.

College.] Take of the juice of Liquorice, sweet Almonds, Hazel-Nuts, of each

half an ounce, Pine-nuts an ounce, Hysop, Maidenhair, Orris, Nettle seeds, round
Birthwort, of each a dram and an half, black Pepper, the seeds of Water-cresses,
the roots of Elecampane, of each half a dram, Honey fourteen ounces, make
them into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the stomach and lungs, and helps the vices thereof.
Take it with a Liquorice stick.

Theriaca Diatessaron.

College.] Take of Gentain, Bayberries, Myrrh, round Birthwort, of each two

ounces, Honey two pounds, make them into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] This is a gallant electuary. It wonderfully helps cold infirmities of
the brain, as convulsions, falling-sickness, dead palsies, shaking palsies, &c. As
also the stomach, as pains there, wind, want of digestion, as also stoppings of the
liver, dropsies, it resists the pestilence and poison, and helps the bitings of
venomous beasts. The dose is from half a dram to two drams, according to the
age and strength of the patient, as also the strength of the diseases: you may take
it either in the morning, or when urgent occasion calls for it.

Diascordium.

College.] Take of Cinnamon, Cassia Lignea, of each half an ounce,

Scordium, an ounce, Dittany of Crete, Tormentil, Bistort, Galbanum, Gum
Arabic, of each half an ounce, Opium one dram and an half, Sorrel seeds one
dram and a half, Gentain half an ounce, Bole-amoniac an ounce and an half,
Earth of Lemnos half an ounce, long Pepper, Ginger, of each two drams,
clarified Honey two pounds and an half, Sugar of Roses one pound, Canary
Wine ten ounces, make them into an electuary according to art.
 Culpeper.] It is a well composed electuary, something appropriated to the
nature of women, for it provokes the menses, hastens labour, helps their usual
sickness at the time of their lying in; I know nothing better, it stops fluxes,
mightily strengthens the heart and stomach, neither is it so hot but it may safely
be given to weak people, and besides provokes sleep. It may safely be given to
young children ten grains at a time, ancient people may take a dram or more. It is
given as an excellent cordial in such fevers as are accompanied with want of
sleep.

Mithridate.

College.] Take of Myrrh, Saffron, Agarick, Ginger, Cinnamon, Spikenard,

Frankincense, Treacle, Mustard seeds, of each ten drams, the seeds of Hartwort,
Opobalsamum, or oil of Nutmegs by expression, Schenanth, Stœchas, Costus,
Galbanum, Turpentine, long Pepper, Castorium, juice of Hypocistis, Styrax,
Calamitis, Opopanax, Indian leaf, or for want of it Mace, of each an ounce,
Cassia Lignea, Poley Mountain, white Pepper, Scordium, the seeds of Carrots of
Crete, Carpobalsamum or Cubebs, Troch, Cypheos, Bdelium, of each seven
drams, Celtic Spikenard, Gum Arabic, Macedonian Parsley seeds, Opium,
Cardamoms the less, Fennel seed, Gentian, red Rose leaves, Dittany of Crete, of
each five drams, Annis seeds, Asarabacca, Orris Acorus, the greater Valerian,
Sagapen, of each three drams, Meum Acacia, the bellies of Scinks, the tops of
St. John’s Wort, of each two drams and an half, Malaga Wine, so much as is
sufficient to dissolve the juices and gums, clarified Honey the treble weight of
all, the wine excepted, make them into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It is good against poison and such as have done themselves wrong
by taking filthy medicines, it provokes sweat, it helps continual waterings of the
stomach, ulcers in the body, consumptions, weakness of the limbs, rids the body
of cold humours, and diseases coming of cold, it remedies cold infirmities of the
brain, and stopping of the passage of the senses, (viz. hearing, seeing, smelling,
&c.) by cold, it expels wind, helps the cholic, provokes appetite to one’s
victuals, it helps ulcers in the bladder, if Galen say true, as also difficulty of
urine, it casts out the dead child, and helps such women as cannot conceive by
reason of cold, it is an admirable remedy for melancholy, and all diseases of the
body coming through cold, it would fill a whole sheet of paper to reckon them
all up particularly. You may take a scruple or half a dram in the morning, and
follow your business, two drams will make you sweat, yea one dram if your
body be weak, for then two drams may be dangerous because of its heat.
 Phylomum Persicum.

College.] Take of white Pepper, the seeds of white Henbane, of each two
drams, Opium, Earth of Lemnos, of each ten drams, Lap, Hematitus, Saffron, of
each five drams, Castorium, Indian Spikenard, Euphorbium prepared, Pellitory
of Spain, Pearls, Amber, Zedoary, Elecampane, Troch, Ramach, of each a dram,
Camphire a scruple, with their treble weight in Honey of Roses, make it into an
electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It stops blood flowing from any part of the body, the immoderate
flowing of the menses, the hemorrhoids in men, spitting of blood, bloody fluxes,
and is profitable for such women as are subject to miscarry: See the next receipt.

Phylonium Romanum.

College.] Take of white Pepper, white Henbane seeds, of each five drams,
Opium two drams and an half, Cassia Lignea a dram and an half, the seeds of
Smallage a dram, Parsley of Macedonia, Fennel, Carrots of Crete, of each two
scruples and five grains, Saffron a scruple and an half, Indian Spikenard,
Pellitory of Spain, Zedoary fifteen grains, Cinnamon a dram and an half,
Euphorbium prepared, Myrrh, Castorium, of each a dram with their treble weight
in clarified Honey, make it into an electuary.

Electuarium de Ovo.
Or electuary of Eggs.

College.] Take a Hen’s Egg new laid, and the white being taken out by a
small hole, fill up the void place with Saffron, leaving the yolk in, then the hole
being stopped, roast it in ashes till the shell begin to look black, take diligent
heed the Saffron burn not, for then is the whole medicine spoiled, then the matter
being taken out dry, if so that it may be beaten into powder and add to it as much
powder of white Mustard seed as it weighs. Then take the roots of white Dittany
and Tormentil, of each two drams, Myrrh, Hart’s-horn, Petasitis roots, of each
one dram, the roots of Angelica and Burnet, Juniper Berries, Zedoary, Camphire
of each half an ounce, mix them all together in a mortar, then add Venice
Treacle the weight of them all, stir them about with a pestle three hours together,
putting in so much Syrup of Lemons, as is enough to make it into an electuary
according to art.
 Culpeper.] A dram of it given at a time, is as great a help in a pestilential
fever as a man shall usually read of in a Galenist. It provokes sweat, and then
you shall be taught how to use yourself. If years do not permit, give not so much.

Theriaca Andromachi.
Or Venice Treacle.

College.] Take of Troches of Squils forty-eight drams, Troches of Vipers,

long Pepper, Opium of Thebes, Magma, Hedycroi dried, of each twenty-four
drams, red Roses exungulated, Orris, Illirick, juice of Liquorice, the seeds of
sweet Navew, Scordium, Opobalsamum, Cinnamon, Agerick, of each twelve
drams, Myrrh, Costus, or Zedoary, Saffron, Cassia Lignea, Indian Spikenard,
Schenanth, Pepper white and black, Olibanum, Dittany of Crete, Rhapontic,
Stœchas, Horehound, Macedonian Parsley seed, Calaminth, Cypress,
Turpentine, the roots of Cinquefoyl and Ginger, of each six drams, Poley
Mountain, Chamepitis, Celtic Spikenard, Amomus, Styrax Calamitis, the roots
of Meum, the tops of Germander, the roots of Rhapontic, Earth of Lemnos,
Indian Leaf, Chalcitis burnt, or instead thereof Roman Vitriol burnt, Gentian
roots, Gum Arabic, the juice of Hypositis, Carpobalsamum or Nutmegs, or
Cubebs, the seeds of Annis, Cardamoms, Fennel, Hartwort, Acacia, or instead
thereof the juice of Sloes made thick, the seeds of Treacle Mustard, and Ammi,
the tops of St. John’s Wort, Sagapen, of each four drams, Castorium, the roots of
long Birthwort, Bitumen, Judaicum, Carrot seed, Opopanax, Centaury the less,
Galbanum, of each two drams, Canary Wine enough to dissolve what is to be
dissolved, Honey the treble weight of the dry species, make them into an
Electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It resists poison, and the bitings of venomous beasts, inveterate
head-aches, vertigo, deafness, the falling-sickness, astonishment, apoplexies,
dulness of sight, want of voice, asthmaes, old and new coughs, such as spit or
vomit blood, such as can hardly spit or breathe, coldness of the stomach, wind,
the cholic, and illiac passion, the yellow jaundice, hardness of the spleen, stone
in the reins and bladder, difficulty of urine, ulcers in the bladder, fevers,
dropsies, leprosies, it provokes the menses, brings forth birth and after-birth,
helps pains in the joints, it helps not only the body, but also the mind, as vain
fears, melancholy, &c. and is a good remedy in pestilential fevers. You may take
half a dram and go about your business, and it will do you good if you have
occasion to go in ill airs, or in pestilent times, if you shall sweat under it, as your
best way is, if your body be not in health, then take one dram, or between one
and two, or less than one, according as age and strength is, if you cannot take
this or any other sweating medicine by itself, mix it with a little Carduus or
Dragon’s water, or Angelica water, which in my opinion is the best of the three.

Theriacca Londinensis.
Or London Treacle.

College.] Take of Hart’s-horn two ounces, the seeds of Citrons, Sorrel,

Peony, Bazil, of each one ounce, Scordium, Coral-liana, of each six drams, the
roots of Angelica, Tormentil, Peony, the leaves of Dittany, Bayberries, Juniper-
berries, of each half an ounce, the flowers of Rosemary, Marigolds, Clove
Gilliflowers, the tops of Saint John’s Wort, Nutmegs, Saffron, of each three
drams, the Roots of Gentian, Zedoary, Ginger, Mace, Myrrh, the leaves of
Scabious, Devil’s-bit, Carduus, of each two drams, Cloves, Opium, of each a
dram, Malaga Wine as much as is sufficient, with their treble weight in Honey,
mix them according to art.
Culpeper.] The receipt is a pretty cordial, resists the pestilence, and is a good
antidote in pestilential times, it resists poison, strengthens cold stomachs, helps
digestion, crudities of the stomach. A man may safely take two drams of it in a
morning, and let him fear no harm.

Diacrocuma.

College.] Take of Saffron, Asarabacca roots, the seeds of Parsley, Carrots,

Annis, Smallage, of each half an ounce, Rhubarb, the roots of Meum, Indian
Spikenard, of each six drams, Cassia Lignea, Costus, Myrrh, Schenanth, Cubebs,
Madder roots, the juices of Maudlin, and Wormwood made thick,
Opobalsamum, or oil of Nutmegs, of each two drams, Cinnamon, Calamus
Aromaticus, of each a dram and an half, Scordium, Cetrach, juice of Liquorice,
of each two drams and an half, Tragacanth a dram, with eight times their weight
in white sugar, dissolved in Endive water, and clarified, make it into an electuary
according to art.
Culpeper.] It is exceeding good against cold diseases of the stomach, liver, or
spleen, corruption of humours and putrefaction of meat in the stomach, ill
favoured colour of the body, dropsies, cold faults in the reins and bladder,
provokes urine. Take a dram in the morning.
 PURGING ELECTUARIES.

Benedicta Laxativa.

College.] Take of choice Turbith ten drams, Diacridium, bark of Spurge

Roots prepared, Hermodactils, Red Roses, of each five drams, Cloves,
Spikenard, Ginger, Saffron, long Pepper, Amomus, or for want of it Calamus
Aromaticus, Cardamoms the less, the seeds of Smallage, Parsley, Fennel,
Asparagus, Bruscus, Saxifrage, Gromwell, Caraway, sal. gem. Galanga, Mace,
of each a dram, with their treble weight of clarified Honey: make them into an
electuary according to art. Also you may keep the species itself in your shops.
Culpeper.] It purges flegm, chiefly from the joints, also it purges the reins
and bladder.

Caryocostinum.

College.] Take of Cloves, Costus, or Zedoary, Ginger, Cummin, of each two

drams, Hermodactils, Diacridium, of each half an ounce: with their double
weight of Honey clarified in white wine, make them into an electuary according
to art.
Culpeper.] Authors say it purges hot rheums, and takes away inflammations
in wounds, I assure you the electuary works violently, and may safely be given
in clysters, and so you may give two or three drams at a time, if the patient be
strong. For taken otherwise it would kill a horse cum privilegio.

Cassia Extracta pro Clysteribus.

Or Cassia extracted for Clysters.

College.] Take of the leaves of Violets, Mallows, Beets, Mercury, Pellitory of

the Wall, Violet flowers, of each a handful, boil them in a sufficient quantity of
water, the benefit of which let the Cassia be extracted, and the canes washed;
then take of this Cassia so drawn, and boil it to its consistence, a pound, Sugar a
pound and a half, boil them to the form of an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] You may take it in white Wine, it is good for gentle bodies, for if
your body be hard to work upon, perhaps it will not work at all; it purges the
reins gallantly, and cools them, thereby preventing the stone, and other diseases
caused by their heat.

Electuarium Amarum Magistrale majus.

Or the greater bitter Electuary.

College.] Take of Agarick, Turbith, Species Hiera Simplex, Rhubarb, of each

one dram, choice Aloes unwashed two drams, Ginger, Crystal of Tartar, of each
two scruples, Orris, Florentine, sweet Fennel seeds, of each a scruple, Syrup of
Roses solutive as much as is sufficient to make it into an electuary according to
art.

Electuarium Amarum minus.

Or the lesser bitter Electuary.

College.] Take of Epithimum half an ounce, the roots of Angelica three

drams, of Gentian, Zedoary, Acorus, of each two drams, Cinnamon one dram
and an half, Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs, Saffron, of each one dram, Aloes six
ounces, with Syrup of Fumitory, Scabious and Sugar so much as is sufficient to
make it into a soft electuary.
Culpeper.] Both these purge choler, the former flegm, and this melancholy,
the former works strongest, and this strengthens most, and is good for such
whose brains are annoyed. You may take half an ounce of the former, if your
body be any thing strong, in white Wine, if very strong an ounce, a reasonable
body may take an ounce of the latter, the weak less. I would not have the
unskilful too busy about purges without advice of a physician.

Diacassia with Manna.

College.] Take of Damask Prunes two ounces, Violet flowers a handful and
an half, Spring Water a pound and an half, boil it according to art till half be
consumed, strain it, and dissolve in the decoction six ounces of Cassia newly
drawn, sugar of Violets, Syrup of Violets, of each four ounces, Pulp of
Tamarinds an ounce, Sugar Candy an ounce and an half, Manna two ounces, mix
them, and make them into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cool purge for such as are bound in the body, for it
works gently, and without trouble, it purges choler, and may safely be given in
fevers coming of choler: but in such cases, if the body be much bound, the best
way is first to administer a clyster, and then the next morning an ounce of this
will cool the body, and keep it in due temper.

Cassia extracta sine soliis Senæ.

Or Cassia extracted without the leaves of Sena.

College.] Take twelve Prunes, Violet flowers a handful, French Barley, the
seed of Annis, and bastard Saffron, Polypodium of the Oak, of each five drams,
Maidenhair, Thyme, Epithimum, of each half a handful, Raisins of the Sun
stoned half an ounce, sweet Fennel seeds two drams, the seeds of Purslain, and
Mallows, of each three drams, Liquorice half an ounce, boil them in a sufficient
quantity of water, strain them and dissolve in the decoction, pulp of Cassia two
pounds, of Tamarinds an ounce, Cinnamon three drams, Sugar a pound, boil it
into the form of an electuary.

Cassia extracta cum soliis Senæ.

Or Cassia extracted with the leaves of Sena.

College.] Take of the former receipt two pounds, Sena in powder two ounces,
mix them according to art.
Culpeper.] This is also a fine cool gentle purge, cleansing the bowels of
choler and melancholy without any griping, very fit for feverish bodies, and yet
the former is gentler than this. They both cleanse and cool the reins; a reasonable
body may take an ounce and an half of the former, and an ounce of the latter in
white Wine, if they keep the house, or their bodies be oppressed with
melancholy, let them take half the quantity in four ounces of decoction of
Epithimum.

Diacarthamum.

College.] Take of Diatragacanthum frigidum, half an ounce, pulp of

preserved Quinces an ounce, the inside of the seeds of Bastard Saffron half an
ounce, Ginger two drams, Diacrydium beaten by itself three drams, Turbith six
drams, Manna two ounces, Honey of Roses solutive, Sugar Candy, of each an
ounce, Hermodactils half an ounce, Sugar ten ounces and an half, make of them
a liquid electuary according to art.
 Diaphœnicon.

College.] Take of the pulp of Dates boiled in Hydromel, Penids, of each half
a pound, sweet Almonds blanched, three ounces and an half, to all of them being
bruised and mixed, add clarified Honey two pounds, boil them a little, and then
strew in Ginger, long Pepper, Mace, Cinnamon, Rue leaves, the seeds of Fennel
and Carrots, of each two drams, Turbith four ounces, Diacridium an ounce and
an half, make of them an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] I cannot believe this is so profitable in fevers taken downwards as
authors say, for it is a very violent purge.

Diaprunum Lenitive.

College.] Take one hundred Damask Prunes, boil them in water till they be
soft, then pulp them, and in the liquor they were boiled in, boil gently one of
Violet flowers, strain it, and with two pounds of sugar boil it to a Syrup, then
add half a pound of the aforesaid pulp, the pulp of Cassia, and Tamarinds, of
each one ounce, then mix with it these powders following: Sanders white and
red, Spodium, Rhubarb, of each three drams, red Roses, Violets, the seeds of
Purslain, Succory, Barberries, Gum Tragacanth, Liquorice, Cinnamon, of each
two drams, the four greater cold seeds, of each one dram, make it into an
electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It may safely, and is with good success, given in acute, burning,
and all other fevers, for it cools much, and loosens the body gently: it is good in
agues, hectic fevers, and Mirasmos. You may take an ounce of it at a time, at
night when you go to bed, three hours after a light supper, neither need you keep
your chamber next day, unless the weather be very cold, or your body very
tender.

Diaprunum solutive.

College.] Take of Diaprunum Lenitive whilst it is warm, four pounds,

Scammony prepared two ounce and five drams, mix them into an electuary
according to art.
Seeing the dose of Scammony is increased according to the author in this
medicine, you may use a less weight of Scammony if you please.
 Catholicon.

College.] Take of the pulp of Cassia and Tamarinds, the leaves of Sena, of
each two ounces, Polypodium, Violets, Rhubarb, of each one ounce, Annis
seeds, Penids, Sugar Candy, Liquorice, the seeds of Gourds, Citruls, Cucumbers,
Melons, of each two drams, the things to be bruised, being bruised, take of fresh
Polypodium three ounces, sweet Fennel seeds six drams, boil them in four
pounds of water till the third part be consumed, strain it, and with two pounds of
sugar, boil the decoction to the thickness of a Syrup; then with the pulps and
powder make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling purge for any part of the body, and very gentle,
it may be given (an ounce, or half an ounce at a time, according to the strength
of the patient) in acute, or peracute diseases, for it gently loosens the belly, and
adds strength, it helps infirmities of the liver and spleen, gouts of all sorts,
quotidian, tertian, and quartan agues, as also head-aches. It is usually given in
clysters. If you like to take it inwardly, you may take an ounce at night going to
bed; in the morning drink a draught of hot posset drink and go about your
business.

Electuarium de Citro Solutivum.

Or Electuary of Citrons, solutive.

College.] Take of Citron pills preserved, conserves of the flowers of Violets

and Bugloss, Diatragacanthum frigidum, Diacrydium, of each half an ounce,
Turbith five drams, Ginger half a dram, Sena six drams, sweet Fennel seeds one
dram, white sugar dissolved in Rose-water, and boiled according to art, ten
ounces, make a solid electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] Here are some things very cordial, others purge violently, both put
together, make a composition no way pleasing to me; therefore I account it a
pretty receipt, good for nothing.

Electuarium Elescoph.

College.] Take of Diacrydium, Turbith, of each six drams, Cloves,

Cinnamon, Ginger, Myrobalans, Emblicks, Nutmegs, Polypodium, of each two
drams and an half, Sugar six ounces, clarified Honey ten ounces, make it into an
electuary according to art.
 Culpeper.] It purges choler and flegm, and wind from all parts of the body,
helps pains of the joints and sides, the cholic, it cleanses the reins and bladder,
yet I advise you not to take too much of it at a time, for it works pretty violently,
let half an ounce be the most, for such whose bodies are strong, always
remembering that you had better ten times take too little, than once too much;
you may take it in white wine, and keep yourself warm. If you would have my
opinion of it, I do not like it.

Confectio Hamech.

College.] Take of the bark of Citron, Myrobalans two ounces, Myrobalans,

Chebs and blacks, Violets, Colocynthis, Polypodium of the Oak, of each one
ounce and an half, Wormwood, Thyme, of each half an ounce, the seeds of
Annis, and Fennel, the flowers of red Roses of each three drams, let all of them
being bruised, be infused one day in six pounds of Whey, then boiled till half be
consumed, rubbed with your hands and pressed out: to the decoction add juice of
Fumitory, pulp of Prunes, and Raisins of the Sun, of each half a pound, white
Sugar, clarified Honey, of each one pound, boil it to the thickness of Honey,
strewing in towards the end. Agarick trochiscated, Sena of each two ounces,
Rhubarb one ounce and an half, Epithimum one ounce, Diacrydium six drams,
Cinnamon half an ounce, Ginger two drams, the seeds of Fumitory and Annis,
Spikenard, of each one dram, make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] The receipt is chiefly appropriated as a purge for melancholy and
salt flegm, and diseases thence arising, as scabs, itch, leprosies, cancers,
infirmities of the skin, it purges adust humours, and is good against madness,
melancholy, forgetfulness, vertigo. It purges very violently, and is not safe given
alone. I would advise the unskilful not to meddle with it inwardly: You may give
half an ounce of it in clysters, in melancholy diseases, which commonly have
astringency a constant companion with them.

Electuarium Lenitivum.
Or Lenitive Electuary.

College.] Take of Raisins of the Sun stoned, Polypodium of the Oak, Sena, of
each two ounces, Mercury one handful and an half, Jujubes, Sebestens, of each
twenty, Maidenhair, Violets, French Barley, of each one handful, Damask
Prunes stoned, Tamarinds of each six drams, Liquorice half an ounce, boil them
in ten pounds of water till two parts of the three be consumed; strain it, and
dissolve in the decoction, pulp of Cassia, Tamarinds, and fresh Prunes, Sugar of
Violets, of each six ounces, Sugar two pounds, at last add powder of Sena
leaves, one ounce and an half, Annis seeds in powder, two drams to each pound
of electuary, and so bring it into the form of an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It gently opens and molifies the bowels, brings forth choler,
flegm, and melancholy, and that without trouble, it is cooling, and therefore is
profitable in pleurisies, and for wounded people: A man of reasonable strength
may take an ounce of it going to bed, which will work next morning.

Electuarium Passulatum.

College.] Take of fresh Polypodium roots three ounces, fresh Marsh-mallow

roots, Sena, of each two ounces, Annis seeds two drams, steep them in a glazed
vessel, in a sufficient quantity of spring water, boil them according to art; strain
it and with pulp of Raisins of the Sun half a pound, white Sugar, Manna, of each
four ounces, boil it to the thickness of a Cydoniate, and renew it four times a
year.
Culpeper.] It gently purges both choler and melancholy, cleanses the reins
and bladder, and therefore is good for the stone and gravel in the kidneys.

Electuarium e succo Rosarum.

Or Electuary of the Juice of Roses.

College.] Take of Sugar, the juice of red Roses clarified, of each a pound and
four ounces, the three sorts of Sanders of each six drams, Spodium three drams,
Diacydonium twelve drams, Camphire a scruple, let the juice be boiled with the
sugar to its just thickness, then add the rest in powder, and so make it into an
electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges choler, and is good in tertian agues, and diseases of the
joints, it purges violently, therefore let it be warily given.

Hiera Picra simple.

College.] Take of Cinnamon, Xylobalsamum, or wood of Aloes, the roots of

Asarabacca, Spikenard, Mastich, Saffron, of each six drams, Aloes not washed
twelve ounces and an half, clarified Honey four pounds and three ounces, mix
them into an electuary according to art. Also you may keep the species by itself
in your shops.
Culpeper.] It is an excellent remedy for vicious juices which lie furring the
tunicle of the stomach, and such idle fancies and symptoms which the brain
suffers thereby, whereby some think they see, others that they hear strange
things, especially when they are in bed, and between sleeping and waking;
besides this, it very gently purges the belly, and helps such women as are not
sufficiently purged after their travail.

Hiera with Agarick.

College.] Take of species Hiera, simple without Aloes, Agarick trochiscated,

of each half an ounce, Aloes not washed one ounce, clarified Honey six ounces,
mix it, and make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] Look but to the virtues of Agarick and add them to the virtues of
the former receipt, so is the business done without any further trouble.

Hiera Logadii.

College.] Take of Coloquintida, Polypodium, of each two drams,

Euphorbium, Poley mountain, the seeds of Spurge, of each one dram and an half,
and six grains, Wormwood, Myrrh, of each one dram and twelve grains,
Centaury the less, Agarick, Gum Ammoniacum, Indian leaf or Mace, Spikenard,
Squills prepared, Diacrydium of each one dram, Aloes, Thyme Hermander,
Cassia Lignea, Bdellum, Horehound, of each one scruple and fourteen grains,
Cinnamon, Oppopanax, Castorium, long Birthwort, the three sorts of Pepper,
Sagapen, Saffron, Parsley of each two drams, Hellebore black and white, of each
six grains, clarified Honey a pound and a half, mix them, and make of them an
electuary according to art. Let the species be kept dry in your shops.
Culpeper.] It takes away by the roots daily evils coming of melancholy,
falling-sickness, vertigo, convulsions, megrim, leprosies, and many other
infirmities; for my part I should be loth to take it inwardly unless upon desperate
occasions, or in clysters. It may well take away diseases by the roots, if it takes
away life and all.
 Hiera Diacolocynthidos.

College.] Take of Colocynthis, Agarick, Germander, white Horehound,

Stœchas, of each ten drams, Opopanax, Sagapen, Parsley seeds, round Birthwort
roots, white Pepper of each five drams, Spikenard, Cinnamon, Myrrh, Indian leaf
or Mace, Saffron, of each four drams, bruise the Gums in a mortar, sift the rest,
and with three pounds of clarified honey, three ounces and five drams, make it
into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps the falling-sickness, madness, and the pain in the head
called Kephalalgia, pains in the breast and stomach whether they come by
sickness or bruises, pains in the loins or back-bone, hardness of womens breasts,
putrefaction of meat in the stomach, and sour belchings. It is but used seldom
and therefore hard to be gotten.

Triphera the greater.

College.] Take of Myrobalans, Chebs, Bellericks, Inds and Emblicks,

Nutmegs, of each five drams, Water-cress seeds, Asarabacca roots, Persian
Origanum, or else Dittany of Crete, black Pepper, Olibanum, Ammi, Ginger,
Tamarisk, Indian Nard, Squinanth, Cypress roots of each half an ounce, filings
of steel prepared with Vinegar twenty drams, let the Myrobalans be roasted with
fresh butter, let the rest, being powdered, be sprinkled with oil of sweet
Almonds, then add Musk one dram, and with their treble weight in Honey, make
it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps the immoderate flowing of the menses in women, and the
hæmorrhoids in men, it helps weakness of the stomach, and restores colour lost,
it frees the body from crude humours, and strengthens the bladder, helps
melancholy, and rectifies the distempers of the spleen. You may take a dram in
the morning, or two if your body be any thing strong.

Triphera solutive.

College.] Take of Diacrydium, ten drams, Turbith, an ounce and an half,

Cardamoms the less, Cloves, Cinnamon, Honey, of each three drams, yellow
Sanders, Liquorice, sweet Fennel seeds, of each half an ounce, Acorns,
Schœnanth, of each a dram, red Roses, Citron pills preserved, of each three
drams, Violets two drams, Penids four ounces, white Sugar half a pound, Honey
clarified in juice of Apples one pound, make an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] The Diacrydium and Turbith, are a couple of untoward purges, the
rest are all cordials.

Athanasia Mithridatis. Galen.

College.] Take of Cinnamon, Cassia, Schœnanth, of each an ounce and an

half, Saffron, Myrrh, of each one ounce, Costus, Spignel, (Meum,) Acorus,
(Water-flag perhaps they mean. See the root in the Catalogue of Simples,)
Agarick, Scordium, Carrots, Parsley, of each half an ounce, white Pepper eleven
grains, Honey so much as is sufficient to make it into an electuary according to
art.
Culpeper.] It prevails against poison, and the bitings of venomous beasts, and
helps such whose meat putrifies in their stomach, stays vomiting of blood, helps
old coughs, and cold diseases in the liver, spleen, bladder, and matrix. The dose
is half a dram.

Electuarium scoriaferri. Rhasis.

College.] Take of the flakes of Iron infused in Vinegar seven days and dried,
three drams, Indian Spikenard, Schœnanth, Cypress, Ginger, Pepper, Bishop’s
weed, Frankincense, of each half an ounce, Myrobalans, Indian Bellericks, and
Emblicks, Honey boiled with the decoction of Emblicks, sixteen ounces, mix
them together, and make of them an electuary.
Culpeper.] The medicine heats the spleen gently, purges melancholy, eases
pains in the stomach and spleen, and strengthens digestion. People that are
strong may take half an ounce in the morning fasting, and weak people three
drams. It is a good remedy for pains and hardness of the spleen.

Confectio Humain. Mesua.

College.] Take of Eyebright two ounces, Fennel seeds five drams, Cloves,
Cinnamon, Cubebs, long Pepper, Mace, of each one dram, beat them all into
powder, and with clarified Honey one pound, in which boil juice of Fennel one
ounce, juice of Celandine and Rue, of each half an ounce, and with the powders
make it up into an electuary.
 Culpeper.] It is chiefly appropriated to the brain and heart, quickens the
senses, especially the sight, and resists the pestilence. You may take half a dram
if your body be hot, a dram if cold, in the morning fasting.

Diaireos Solomonis. Nich.

College.] Take of Orris roots one ounce, Pennyroyal, Hyssop, Liquorice, of

each six drams, Tragacanth, white Starch, bitter Almonds, Pine-nuts, Cinnamon,
Ginger, Pepper, of each three drams, fat Figs, the pulp of Raisins of the Sun, and
Dates, of each three drams and an half, Styrax, Calamitis two drams and an half,
Sugar dissolved in Hyssop water, and clarified Honey, of each twice the weight
of all the rest, make them into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] The electuary is chiefly appropriated to the lungs, and helps cold
infirmities of them, as asthmaes, coughs, difficulty of breathing, &c. You may
take it with a Liquorice stick, or on the point of a knife, a little of it at a time, and
often.

Diasaiyrion. Nich.

College.] Take of the roots of Satyrion fresh and sound, garden Parsnips,
Eringo, Pine-nuts, Indian Nuts, or if Indian Nuts be wanting, take the double
quantity of Pine-nuts, Fistic-nuts, of each one ounce and an half, Cloves, Ginger,
the seeds of Annis, Rocket, Ash Keys, of each five drams, Cinnamon, the tails
and loins of Scincus, the seeds of Bulbus Nettles, of each two drams and an half,
Musk seven grains, of the best sugar dissolved in Malaga Wine, three pounds,
make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps weakness of the reins and bladder, and such as make
water with difficulty, it provokes lust exceedingly, and speedily helps such as are
impotent in the acts of Venus. You may take two drams or more at a time.

Matthiolus’s great antidote against Poison and Pestilence.

College.] Take of Rhubarb, Rhapontic, Valerian roots, the roots of Acorus, or

Calamus Aromaticus, Cypress, Cinquefoyl, Tormentil, round Birthwort, male
Peony, Elecampane, Costus, Illirick, Orris, white Chamelion, or Avens, of each
three drams, the Roots of Galanga, Masterwort, white Dictamni, Angelica,
Yarrow, Fillipendula or Dropwort, Zedoary, Ginger, of each two drams,
Rosemary, Gentian, Devil’s-bit, of each two drams and an half, the seeds of
Citrons, and Agnus Castus, the berries of Kermes, the seeds of Ash-tree, Sorrel,
wild Parsnips, Navew, Nigella, Peony the male, Bazil, Hedge Mustard, (Irio)
Treacle Mustard, Fennel, Bishop’s-weed, of each two drams, the berries of Bay,
Juniper, and Ivy, Sarsaparilla, (or for want of it the double weight of Cubebs,)
Cubebs, of each one dram and an half, the leaves of Scordium, Germander,
Chamepitys, Centaury the less, Stœchas, Celtic Spikenard, Calaminth, Rue,
Mints, Betony, Vervain, Scabious, Carduus Benedictus, Bawm, of each one
dram and an half, Dittany of Crete three drams, Marjoram, St. John’s Wort,
Schœnanth, Horehound, Goats Rue, Savin, Burnet, of each two drams, Figs,
Walnuts, Fistic-nuts, of each three ounces, Emblicks, Myrobalans half an ounce,
the flowers of Violets, Borrage, Bugloss, Roses, Lavender, Sage, Rosemary, of
each four scruples, Saffron three drams, Cassia Lignea ten drams, Cloves,
Nutmegs, Mace, of each two drams and an half, black Pepper, long Pepper, all
the three sorts of Sanders, wood of Aloes, of each one dram and an half, Hart’s-
horn half an ounce, Unicorn’s-horn, or in its stead, Bezoar stone, one dram, bone
in a Stag’s heart, Ivory, Stag’s pizzle, Castoreum, of each four scruples, Earth of
Lemnos three drams, Opium one dram and an half, Orient Pearls, Emeralds,
Jacinth, red Coral, of each one dram and an half, Camphire two drams, Gum
Arabic, Mastich, Frankincense, Styrax, Turpentine, Sagapenum, Opopanax,
Laserpitium, or Myrrh, of each two drams and an half, Musk, Ambergris, of each
one dram, oil of Vitriol half an ounce, species cordiales temperatæ,
Diamargariton, Diamoscu, Diambra, Electuarij de Gemmis, Troches of
Camphire, of Squills, of each two drams and an half, Troches of Vipers two
ounces, the juice of Sorrel, Sow Thistles, Scordium, Vipers Bugloss, Borrage,
Bawm, of each half a pound, Hypocistis two drams, of the best Treacle and
Mithridate, of each six ounces, old Wine three pounds, of the best Sugar, or
choice Honey eight pounds six ounces. These being all chosen and prepared with
diligence and art, let them be made into an electuary just as Treacle or
Mithridate is.
Culpeper.] The title shews you the scope of the author in compiling it, I
believe it is excellent for those uses. The dose of this is from a scruple to four
scruples, or a dram and an half: It provokes sweating abundantly, and in this or
any other sweating medicine, order your body thus: Take it in bed, and cover
yourself warm, in your sweating, drink posset-drink as hot as you can, if it be for
a fever, boil Sorrel and red Sage in posset-drink, sweat an hour or two if your
strength will bear it, then the chamber being kept very warm, shift yourself all
but your head, about which (your cap which you sweat in being kept on) wrap a
hot napkin, which will be a means to repel the vapours back. This I hold the best
method for sweating in fevers and pestilences, in which this electuary is very
good. I am very loth to leave out this medicine, which if it were stretched out,
and cut in thongs, would reach round the world.

Requies. Nicholaus.

College.] Take of red Rose leaves, the whites being cut off, blue Violets, of
each three drams, Opium of Thebes, dissolved in Wine, the seeds of white
Henbane, Poppies white and black, the roots of Mandrakes, the seeds of Endive,
Purslain, garden Lettuce, Psyllium, Spodium, Gum Tragacanth, of each two
scruples and five grains, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Ginger, of each a dram and an
half, Sanders, yellow, white, and red, of each a dram and an half, Sugar three
times their weight, dissolved in Rose-water: mix them together, and make of
them an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] I like not the receipt taken inwardly.

Electuarium Reginæ Coloniens.

College.] Take of the seeds of Saxifrage and Gromwell, juice of Liquorice, of

each half an ounce, the seeds of Caraway, Annis, Smallage, Fennel, Parsley of
Macedonia, Broom, Carrots, Bruscus, Asparagus, Lovage, Cummin, Juniper,
Rue, Siler Mountain, the seeds of Acorus, Pennyroyal, Cinquefoyl, Bayberries,
of each two drams, Indian Spikenard, Schœnanth, Amber, Valerian, Hog’s
Fennel, Lapis Lincis, of each a dram and an half, Galanga, Ginger, Turbith, of
each two drams, Sena an ounce, Goat’s blood prepared half an ounce, mix them
together: first beat them into powder, then make them into an electuary
according to art, with three times their weight in Sugar dissolved in white Wine.
Culpeper.] It is an excellent remedy for the stone and wind cholic, a dram of
it taken every morning: I assure such as are troubled with such diseases, I
commend it to them as a jewel.
 PILLS.

Culpeper.] Pills in Greek are called, Katopotia, in Latin, Pilulæ: which

signifies little balls, because they are made up in such a form, that they may be
the better swallowed down, by reason of the offensiveness of their taste.

Pilulæ de Agarico.
Or Pills of Agarick.

College.] Take of Agarick three drams, our own blue Orris roots, Mastich,
Horehound, of each one dram, Turbith five drams, Species Hiera Picra half an
ounce, Colocynthis, Sarcocol, of each two drams, Myrrh one dram, Sapa as
much as is sufficient to make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It was invented to cleanse the breast and lungs of flegm, it works
pretty strongly. Half a dram at a time (keeping yourself warm,) cannot well do
you harm, unless your body be very weak.

Pilulæ Aggregativæ.

College.] Take of Citron, Myrobalans, Rhubarb, of each half an ounce, juice

of Agrimony and Wormwood made thick, of each two drams, Diagridium five
drams, Agarick, Colocynthis, Polypodium of each two drams, Turbith, Aloes, of
each six drams, Mastich, red Roses, Sal. Gem. Epithymum, Annis, Ginger, of
each a dram, with Syrup of Damask Roses, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges the head of choler, flegm and melancholy, and that
stoutly: it is good against quotidian agues, and faults in the stomach and liver,
yet because it is well corrected if you take but half a dram at a time, and keep
yourself warm, I suppose you may take it without danger.

Pilulæ Alœphanginæ.

College.] Take of Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamoms the less, Nutmegs, Mace,

Calamus Aromaticus, Carpobalsamum, or Juniper berries, Squinanth, Wood of
Aloes, yellow Sanders, red Roses dried, Wormwood, of each half an ounce, let
the tincture be taken out of these, being grossly bruised in spirit of Wine, the
vessel being close stopped; in three pounds of this tincture, being strained,
dissolve Aloes one pound, which being dissolved, add Mastich, Myrrh, of each
half an ounce, Saffron two drams, Balsam of Peru one dram, the superfluous
liquor being consumed, either over hot ashes, or a bath, bring it into a mass of
pills.
Culpeper.] It cleanses both stomach and brain of gross and putrified humours,
and sets the senses free when they are thereby troubled, it cleanses the brain
offended by ill humours, wind, &c. helps vertigo and head-aches, and
strengthens the brain exceedingly, helps concoction, and strengthens the
stomach, one dram taken at night going to bed, will work gently next day: if the
party be weak, you may give less, if strong more. If you take but half a dram,
you may go abroad the next day: but if you take a dram, you may keep the
house; there can be no harm in that.

Pilulæ de Aloe Lota.

Or Pills of washed Aloes.

College.] Take of Aloes washed with juice of red Roses, one ounce, Agarick
three drams, Mastich two drams, Diamoscu Dulce half a dram, Syrup of
Damask-roses, so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges both brain, stomach, bowels, and eyes of putrified
humours, and also strengthens them. Use these as the succeeding.

Aloe Rosata.

College.] Take of Aloes in powder four ounces, juice of Damask Roses

clarified one pound, mix them and digest them in the sun, or in a bath, till the
superfluous liquor be drawn off, digest it, and evaporate it four times over, and
keep the mass.
Culpeper.] It is a gallant gentle purger of choler, frees the stomach from
superfluous humours, opens stoppings, and other infirmities of the body
proceeding from choler and flegm, as yellow jaundice, &c. and strengthens the
body exceedingly. Take a scruple, or half a dram at night going to bed, you may
walk abroad, for it will hardly work till next day in the afternoon.

Pilulæ Aureæ.
 College.] Take of Aloes, Diacrydium, of each five drams, red Roses,
Smallage seeds, of each two drams and an half, the seeds of Annis and Fennel,
of each one dram and an half, Mastich, Saffron, Troch, Alhandal, of each one
dram, with a sufficient quantity of Honey Roses, make it into a mass according
to art.
Culpeper.] They are held to purge the head, to quicken the senses, especially
the sight, and to expel wind from the bowels, but works something harshly. Half
a dram is the utmost dose, keep the fire, take them in the morning, and sleep
after them, they will work before noon.

Pilulæ Cochiæ, the greater.

College.] Take of Species, Hiera Picra, ten drams, Troch, Alhandal, three
drams and an half, Diacrydium two drams and an half, Turbith, Stœchas, of each
five drams, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Stœchas, make it into a mass,
according to art.
Culpeper.] It is held to purge the head, but it is but a dogged purge at best,
and must be given only to strong bodies, and but half a dram at a time, and yet
with great care.

Pilulæ Cochiæ, the less.

College.] Take of Aloes, Scammony, Colocynthis, of each one ounce, with

equal parts of Syrup of Wormwood, and of purging thorn, make it into a mass
according to art.

Pilulæ de Cynoglosso.
Or Pills of Hound’s-tongue.

College.] Take of the Roots of Hound’s-tongue dried, white Henbane seed,

Opium prepared, of each half an ounce, Myrrh six drams, Olibanum five drams,
Saffron, Castoreum, Styrax, Calamitis, of each one dram and an half, with Syrup
of Stœchas, make it into a mass.
Culpeper.] It stays hot rheums that fall down upon the lungs, therefore is
good in phthisics, also it mitigates pain, a scruple is enough to take at a time
going to bed, and too much if your body be weak: have a care of opiates for fear
they make you sleep your last.

Pilulæ ex Duobus.
Or Pills of two things.

College.] Take of Colocynthis, and Scamony, of each one ounce, oil of

Cloves as much as is sufficient to malax them well, then with a little Syrup of
purging Thorn, make it into a mass.

Pilulæ de Eupatorio.
Or Pills of Eupatorium.

College.] Take of the juice of Maudlin, and Wormwood made thick, Citron,
Myrobalans, of each three drams, Rhubarb three drams and an half, Mastich one
dram, Aloes five drams, Saffron half a dram, Syrup of the juice of Endive, as
much as is sufficient to make it into a mass.
Culpeper.] It is a gallant gentle purge, and strengthening, fitted for such
bodies as are much weakened by disease of choler. The author appropriates it to
such as have tertian agues, the yellow jaundice, obstructions or stoppings of the
liver; half a dram taken at night going to bed, will work with an ordinary body,
the next day by noon.

Pilulæ Fætidæ.
Or Stinking Pills.

College.] Take of Aloes, Colocynthis, Ammoniacum, Sagapen, Myrrh, Rue-

seeds, Epithymum, of each five drams, Scamony three drams, the roots of
Turbith half an ounce, the roots of Spurge the less prepared, Hermodactils of
each two drams, Ginger one dram and an half, Spikenard, Cinnamon, Saffron,
Castoreum, of each one dram, Euphorbium prepared two scruples, dissolve the
Gums in juice of Leeks, and with Syrup made with the juice of Leeks and Sugar,
make it into a mass.
Culpeper.] They purge gross and raw flegm, and diseases thereof arising;
gouts of all sorts, pains in the back-bone, and other joints: it is good against
leprosies, and other such like infirmities of the skin. I fancy not the receipt
much.
 Pilulæ de Hermodactilis.
Or Pills of Hermodactils.

College.] Take of Sagapen six drams, Opopanax three drams, melt them in
warm juice of Coleworts, so much as is sufficient, then strain it through a
convenient rag, afterwards boil it to a mean thickness, then take of Hermodactils,
Aloes, Citron, Myrobalans, Turbith, Coloquintida, soft Bdellium, of each six
drams, Euphorbium prepared, the seeds of Rue and Smallage, Castoreum,
Sarcocol, of each three drams, Saffron one dram and an half, with the Syrup of
the juice of Coleworts made with honey, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] They are good against the gout, and other cold afflictions of the
joints. These are more moderate by half than Pilulæ Fœtidæ, and appropriated to
the same diseases.

Pilulæ de Hiera cum Agarico.

Or Pills of Hiera with Agarick.

College.] Take of Species Hiera Picra, Agarick, of each half an ounce, Aloes
one ounce, Honey Roses so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass
according to art.

Pilulæ Imperiales.
Or Imperial Pills.

College.] Take of Aloes two ounces, Rhubarb one ounce and an half,
Agarick, Sena, of each one ounce, Cinnamon three drams, Ginger two drams,
Nutmegs, Cloves, Spikenard, Mastich, of each one dram with Syrup of Violets,
make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It cleanses the body of mixt humours, and strengthens the stomach
exceedingly, as also the bowels, liver, and natural spirits: it is good for cold
natures, and cheers the spirits. The dose is a scruple or half a dram, taken at
night.

Pilulæ de Lapide Lazuli.

Or Pills of Lapis Lazuli.
 College.] Take of Lapis Lazuli in powder and well washed, five drams,
Epithymum, Polypodium, Agarick, of each an ounce, Scamony, black Hellebore
roots, Sal. Gem. of each two drams and an half, Cloves, Annis seeds, of each
half an ounce, Species Hiera simple fifteen drams, with Syrup of the juice of
Fumitory, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges melancholy very violently.

Pilulæ Macri.

College.] Take of Aloes two ounces, Mastich half an ounce, dried Marjoram
two drams, Salt of Wormwood one dram, make them all, being in powder, into a
mass according to art with juice of Coleworts and Sugar, so much as is
sufficient.
Culpeper.] It strengthens both stomach and brain, especially the nerves and
muscles, and eases them of such humours as afflict them, and hinder the motion
of the body, they open obstructions of the liver and spleen, and takes away
diseases thence coming.

Pilulæ Mastichinæ.
Or Mastich Pills.

College.] Take of Mastich two ounces, Aloes four ounces, Agarick, Species
Hiera simple, of each one ounce and an half, with Syrup of Wormwood, make it
into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] They purge very gently, but strengthen much, both head, brain,
eyes, belly, and reins.

Pilulæ Mechoacanæ.
Or Pills of Mechoacan.

College.] Take of Mechoacan roots half an ounce, Turbith three drams, the
leaves of Spurge steeped in Vinegar and dried, the seeds of Walwort, Agarick
trochiscated, of each two drams, Spurge roots prepared, Mastich, of each one
dram and an half, Mace, Cinnamon, Sal. Gem. of each two scruples, beat them
into powder, and with white Wine, bring them into a mass. When it is dry, beat it
into powder, and with Syrup made with the juice of Orris roots and sugar, make
it the second time into a mass for pills.
Culpeper.] They purge flegm very violently.

Pilulæ de Opopanace.
Or Pills of Opopanax.

College.] Take of Opopanax, Sagapen, Bdellium, Ammoniacum,

Hermodactils, Coloquintida, of each five drams, Saffron, Castoreum, Myrrh,
Ginger, white Pepper, Cassia Lignea, Citron, Myrobalans, of each one dram,
Scamony two drams, Turbith half an ounce, Aloes an ounce and an half, the
Gums being dissolved in clarified juice of Coleworts, with Syrup of the juice of
Coleworts, make them into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps tremblings, palsies, gouts of all sorts, cleanses the joints,
and is helpful for such as are troubled with cold afflictions of the nerves. It
works violently.

Pilulæ Rudii.

College.] Take of Coloquintida six drams, Agarick, Scamony, the roots of

black Hellebore, and Turbith, of each half an ounce, Aloes one ounce,
Diarrhodon Abbatis half an ounce, let all of them (the Diarrh. Abbatis excepted)
be grossly bruised, and infused eight days in the best spirits of Wine in a vessel
close stopped, in the sun, so that the liquor may swim at top the breadth of six
fingers: afterwards infuse the Diarrhodon Abbatis in the same manner four days
in Aqua vitæ, then having strained and pressed them hard, mix them both
together, casting the dross away, and draw off the moisture in a glass Alembick,
and let the thick matter remain in a mass.
Culpeper.] It cleanses both head and body of choler, flegm, and melancholy:
it must not be taken in any great quantity, half a dram is sufficient for the
strongest body.

Pilulæ Russi.

College.] Take of Aloes two ounces, Myrrh one ounce, Saffron half an ounce,
with Syrup of the juice of Lemons, make it into a mass according to art.
 Culpeper.] A scruple taken at night going to bed, is an excellent preservative
in pestilential times; also they cleanse the body of such humours as are gotten by
surfeits, they strengthen the heart, and weak stomachs, and work so easily that
you need not fear following your business the next day.

Pilulæ sine Quibus.

Or Pills without which——

College.] Take of washed Aloes fourteen drams, Scammony prepared six

drams, Agarick, Rhubarb, Sena, of each half an ounce, Wormwood, red Roses
exungulated, Violet flowers, Dodder, Mastich, of each one dram, salt of
Wormwood, of each half a dram, with Syrup of the juice of Fennel made with
Honey, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges flegm, choler, and melancholy from the head, makes the
sight and hearing good, and gives ease to a burdened brain.

Pilulæ Stomachiæ.
Or Stomach Pills.

College.] Take of Aloes six drams, Mastich, red Roses, of each two drams,
with Syrup of Wormwood, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] They cleanse and strengthen the stomach, they cleanse but gently,
strengthen much, help digestion.

Pilulæ Stomachiæ cum Gummi.

Or Stomach Pills with Gums.

College.] Take of Aloes an ounce, Sena five drams, Gum Amoniacum

dissolved in Elder-flower Vinegar half an ounce, Mastich, Myrrh, of each a dram
and an half, Saffron, salt of Wormwood, of each half a dram, with Syrup of
purging Thorn, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] They work more strongly than the former.

Pilulæ e Styrace.
Or Pills of Styrax.
 College.] Take of Styrax Calamitis, Olibanum, Myrrh, juice of Liquorice,
Opium, of each half an ounce, with Syrup of white Poppies, make it into a mass
according to art.
Culpeper.] They help such as are troubled with defluxion of rheum, coughs,
and provoke sleep to such as cannot sleep for coughing.

Pilulæ de Succino.
Or Pills of Amber.

College.] Take of white Amber, Mastich, of each two drams, Aloes five
drams, Agaric a dram and an half, long Birthwort half a dram, with Syrup of
Wormwood make it into a mass.
Culpeper.] It amends the evil state of a woman’s body, strengthens
conception, and takes away what hinders it; it gently purges choler and flegm,
and leaves a binding, strengthening quality behind it.

Pilulæ ex Tribus.
Or Pills of three things.

College.] Take of Mastich two ounces, Aloes four ounces, Agarick, Hiera
simple, of each an ounce and an half, Rhubarb two ounces, Cinnamon two
drams, with Syrup of Succory, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] They gently purge choler, and help diseases thence arising, as itch,
scabs, wheals, &c. They strengthen the stomach and liver, and open obstructions,
as also help the yellow jaundice.

Pilulæ Turpeti Aureæ.

College.] Take of Turbith two ounces, Aloes an ounce and an half, Citron
Myrobalans ten drams, red Roses, Mastich, of each six drams, Saffron three
drams, beat them all into powder, and with Syrup of Wormwood bring them into
a mass.
Culpeper.] They purge choler and flegm, and that with as much gentleness as
can be desired; also they strengthen the stomach and liver, and help digestion.
 Laudanum.

College.] Take of Thebane Opium extracted in spirit of Wine, one ounce,

Saffron alike extracted, a dram and an half, Castorium one dram: let them be
taken in tincture of half an ounce of species Diambræ newly made in spirit of
Wine, add to them Ambergris, Musk, of each six grains, oil of Nutmegs ten
drops, evaporate the moisture away in a bath, and leave the mass.
Culpeper.] It was invented (and a gallant invention it is) to mitigate violent
pains, stop the fumes that trouble the brain in fevers, (but beware of Opiates in
the beginning of fevers) to provoke sleep, take not above two grains of it at a
time, going to bed; if that provoke not sleep, the next night you may make bold
with three. Have a care how you be too busy with such medicines, lest you make
a man sleep to doom’s-day.

Nepenthes Opiatum.

College.] Take of tincture of Opium made first with distilled Vinegar, then
with spirit of Wine, Saffron extracted in spirit of Wine, of each an ounce, salt of
Pearl and Coral, of each half an ounce, tincture of species Diambræ seven drams,
Ambergris one dram: bring them into the form of Pills by the gentle heat of a
bath.
Culpeper.] The operation is like the former.

Pilulæ Assaireth. Avicenna.

College.] Take of Species Hiera Picra Galeni one ounce, Mastich, Citron
Myrobalans, of each half an ounce, Aloes two ounces, the Syrup of Stœchas as
much as is sufficient, make of them a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges choler and flegm, and strengthens the whole body
exceedingly, being very precious for such whose bodies are weakened by
surfeits, or ill diet, to take half a dram or a scruple at night going to bed.

Pills of Bdellium. Mesue.

College.] Take of Bdellium ten drams, Myrobalans, Bellericks, Emblicks, and

Blacks, of each five drams, flakes of Iron, Leek seeds, of each three drams,
Choncula Veneris burnt, Coral burnt, Amber, of each a dram and an half, Pearls
half an ounce, dissolve the Bdellium in juice of Leeks and with so much Syrup
of juice of Leeks as is sufficient, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] Both this and the former are seldom used, and therefore are hardly
to be had.

Pills of Rhubarb. Mesue.

College.] Take of choice Rhubarb three drams, Citron Myrobalans, Trochisci

Diarrhodon, of each three drams and an half, juice of Liquorice, and juice of
Wormwood, Mastich, of each one dram, the seeds of Smallage and Fennel, of
each half a dram, Species Hiera Picra simp. Galeni, ten drams, with juice of
Fennel not clarified, and Honey so much as is sufficient, make it into a mass.
Culpeper.] It purges choler, opens obstructions of the liver, helps the yellow
jaundice, and dropsies in the beginning, strengthens the stomach and lungs.

Pilulæ Arabica. Nicholaus.

College.] Take of the best Aloes four ounces, Briony roots, Myrobalans,
Citrons, Chebs, Indian Bellerick, and Emblick, Mastich, Diagrydium,
Asarabacca, Roses, of each an ounce, Castorium three drams, Saffron one dram,
with Syrup of Wormwood, make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps such women as are not sufficiently purged in their labour,
helps to bring away what a careless midwife hath left behind, purges the head,
helps head-ach, megrim, vertigo, and purges the stomach of vicious humours.

Pilulæ Arthriticæ. Nicholaus.

College.] Take of Hermodactils, Turbith, Agarick, of each half an ounce,

Cassia Lignea, Indian Spikenard, Cloves, Xylobalsamum, or Wood of Aloes,
Carpobalsamum or Cubebs, Mace, Galanga, Ginger, Mastich, Assafœtida, the
seeds of Annis, Fennel, Saxifrage, Sparagus, Bruscus, Roses, Gromwell, Sal.
Gem. of each two drams, Scammony one ounce, of the best Aloes, the weight of
them all, juice of Chamepitys made thick with sugar, so much as is sufficient: or
Syrup of the juice of the same, so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass.
 Culpeper.] It helps the gout, and other pains in the joints, comforts and
strengthens both brain and stomach, and consumes diseases whose original
comes of flegm.

Pilulæ Cochiæ with Helebore.

College.] Take of the powder of the Pills before prescribed, the powder of the
bark of the roots of black Hellebore, one ounce: make it into a mass with Syrup
of Stœchas according to art.

Pills of Fumitory. Avicenna.

College.] Take of Myrobalans, Citrons, Chebs, and Indian Diagrydium, of

each five drams, Aloes seven drams; let all of them being bruised, be thrice
moistened with juice of Fumitory, and thrice suffered to dry, then brought into a
mass with Syrup of Fumitory.
Culpeper.] It purges melancholy. Be not too busy with it I beseech you.

Pilulæ Indæ. Mesue out of Haly.

College.] Take of Indian Myrobalans, black Hellebore, Polypodium of the

Oak, of each five drams, Epithymum, Stœchas, of each six drams, Agarick,
Lapis Lazuli often washed troches Alhandal, Sal Indi, of each half an ounce,
juice of Maudlin made thick, Indian Spikenard, of each two drams, Cloves one
dram, Species Hiera Picra simplex Galeni, twelve drams, with juice of Smallage
make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It wonderfully prevails against afflictions coming of melancholy,
cancers which are not ulcerated, leprosy, evils of the mind coming of
melancholy, as sadness, fear, &c. quartan agues, jaundice, pains and infirmities
of the spleen.

Pilulæ Lucis Majores. Mesue.

College.] Take of Roses, Violets, Wormwood, Colocynthis, Turbith, Cubebs,

Calamus Aromaticus, Nutmegs, Indian Spikenard, Epithimum, Carpobalsamum,
or instead thereof, Cardamoms, Xylabalsamum, or Wood of Aloes, the seeds of
Seseli or Hartwort, Rue, Annis, Fennel and Smallage, Schænanthus, Mastich,
Asarabacca roots, Cloves, Cinnamon, Cassia Lignea, Saffron, Mace, of each two
drams, Myrobalans, Citrons, Chebuls, Indian Bellerick, and Emblick, Rhubarb,
of each half an ounce, Agarick, Sena, of each five drams, Aloes Succotrina, the
weight of them all: with Syrup of the juice of Fennel make it into a mass
according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges mixt humours from the head, and clears it of such
excrements as hinder the sight.

Pills of Spurge. Fernelius.

College.] Take of the bark of the roots of Spurge the less, steeped twenty-four
hours in Vinegar and juice of Purslain, two drams, grains of Palma Christi
torrified, by number, forty, Citron Myrobalans one dram and an half,
Germander, Chamepitys, Spikenard, Cinnamon, of each two scruples, being
beaten into fine powder with an ounce of Gum Tragacanth dissolved in Rose
Water, and Syrup of Roses so much as is sufficient, let it be made into a mass.

Pills of Euphorbium. Mesue.

College.] Take of Euphorbium, Colocynthis, Agarick, Bdellium, Sagapenum,

of each two drams, Aloes five drams, with Syrup made of the juice of Leeks,
make it into a mass.
Culpeper.] The Pills are exceeding good for dropsies, pains in the loins, and
gouts coming of a moist cause. Take not above half a dram at a time and keep
the house.

Pilulæ Scribonii.

College.] Take of Sagapen, and Myrrh, of each two drams, Opium,

Cardamoms, Castorium, of each one dram, white Pepper half a dram, Sapa so
much as is sufficient to make it into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] It is appropriated to such as have phthisicks, and such as spit
blood, but ought to be newly made, a scruple is sufficient taken going to bed.

TROCHES.
 TROCHES.

Trochisci de Absinthio.
Or Troches of Wormwood.

College.] Take of red Roses, Wormwood leaves, Annis seeds, of each two
drams, juice of Maudlin made thick, the roots of Asarabacca, Rhubarb,
Spikenard, Smallage seeds, bitter Almonds, Mastich, Mace, of each one dram,
juice of Succory so much as is sufficient to make it into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] They strengthen the stomach exceedingly, open obstructions, or
stoppings of the belly and bowels: strengthen digestion, open the passages of the
liver, help the yellow jaundice, and consume watery superfluities of the body.
They are somewhat bitter, and seldom taken alone; if your pallate affect bitter
things, you may take a dram of them in the morning: They cleanse the body of
choler, but purge not, or not to any purpose.

Agaricus Trochiscatus.
Or Agarick Trochiscated.

College.] Take of Agarick sifted and powdered, three ounces, steep it in a

sufficient quantity of white Wine, in which two drams of ginger have been
infused, and make it into troches.

Trochisci Albi. Rhasis.

Or white Troches.

College.] Take of Ceruss washed in Rosewater ten drams, Sarcocol three

drams, white Starch two drams, Gum Arabic and Tragacanth, of each one dram,
Camphire half a dram, either with Rosewater, or women’s milk, or make it into
troches according to art.

Trochisci Alexiterii.

College.] Take of Zedoary roots, powder of Crab’s Claws, of each one dram,
and an half, the outward Citron preserved and dried, Angelica seeds, Pills, of
each one dram, Bole-amoniac half a dram, with their treble weight in sugar make
them into powder, and with a sufficient quantity of Mussilage of Gum
Tragacanth, made into treacle water distilled, make it into paste, of which make
troches.
Culpeper.] This preserves the body from ill airs, and epidemical diseases, as
the pestilence, small pox, &c. and strengthens the heart exceedingly, eating now
and then a little: you may safely keep any troches in your pocket, for the drier
you keep them, the better they are.

Trochisci Alhandal.

College.] Take of Coloquintida freed from the seeds and cut small, and
rubbed with an ounce of oil of Roses, then beaten into fine powder, ten ounces,
Gum Arabic, Tragacanth, Bdellium, of each six drams. Steep the Gums three or
four days in a sufficient quantity of Rosewater till they be melted, then with the
aforesaid pulp, and part of the said mussilage, let them be dried in the shadow,
then beaten again, and with the rest of the mussilage, make it up again, dry them
and keep them for use.
Culpeper.] They are too violent for a vulgar use.

Trochisci Aliptæ Moschatæ.

College.] Take of Labdanum bruised three ounces, Styrax Calamitis one

ounce and an half, Benjamin one ounce, Wood of Aloes two drams, Ambergris
one dram, Camphire half a dram, Musk half a scruple, with a sufficient quantity
of Rosewater, make it into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] It is singularly good for such as are asthmatic, and can hardly
fetch their breath; as also for young children, whose throat is so narrow that they
can hardly swallow down their milk.

Trochisci Alkekengi.
Or Troches of Winter-cherries.

College.] Take of Winter Cherries three drams, Gum Arabic, Tragacanth,

Olibanum, Dragon’s-blood, Pine-nuts, bitter Almonds, white Styrax, juice of
Liquorice, Bole-ammoniac, white Poppy seeds, of each six drams, the seeds of
Melons, Cucumbers, Citruls, Gourds, of each three drams and an half, the seeds
of Smallage and white Henbane, Amber, Earth of Lemnos, Opium, of each two
drams, with juice of fresh Winter-Cherries, make them into troches according to
art.
Culpeper.] They potently provoke urine, and break the stone. Mix them with
other medicine of that nature, half a dram at a time, or a dram if age permit.

Trochisci Bechici aloi, vel, Rotulæ pectorales.

Or, Pectoral Rolls.

College.] Take of white Sugar one pound, white Sugar Candy, Penids, of
each four ounces, Orris Florentine one ounce, Liquorice six drams, white Starch
one ounce and an half, with a sufficient quantity of mussilage of Gum
Tragacanth made in Rose Water, make them into small troches. You may add
four grains of Ambergris, and three grains of Musk to them, if occasion serve.

Trochisci Bechici nigri.

College.] Take of juice of Liquorice, white Sugar, of each one dram, Gum
Tragacanth, sweet Almonds blanched, of each six drams, with a sufficient
quantity of mussilage of Quince seeds, made thick with Rose Water. Make them
into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] Both this and the former will melt in ones mouth, and in that
manner to be used by such as are troubled with coughs, cold, hoarseness, or want
of voice. The former is most in use, but in my opinion, the latter is most
effectual.

Trochisci de Barberis.
Or, Troches of Barberries.

College.] Take of juice of Barberries, and Liquorice made thick, Spodium,

Purslain seeds, of each three drams, red Roses, six drams, Indian Spikenard,
Saffron, white Starch, Gum Tragacanth, of each a dram, Citrul seeds cleansed
three drams and an half, Camphire half a dram; with Manna dissolved in juice of
Barberries, make them into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] They wonderfully cool the heat of the liver, reins, and bladder,
breast, and stomach, and stop looseness, cools the heat of fevers.
 Trochisci de Camphora.
Or, Troches of Camphire.

College.] Take of Camphire half a dram, Saffron two drams, white Starch
three drams, red Roses, Gum Arabic, and Tragacanth, Ivory, of each half an
ounce, the seeds of Cucumbers husked, of Purslain, Liquorice, of each an ounce,
with mussilage of the seeds of Fleawort, drawn in Rosewater, make them into
troches.
Culpeper.] It is exceeding good in burning fevers, heat of blood and choler,
together with hot distempers of the stomach and liver, and extreme thirst coming
thereby, also it is good against the yellow jaundice, phthisics, and hectic fevers.

Trochisci de Capparibus.
Or, Troches of Capers.

College.] Take of the bark of Caper roots, the seeds of Agnus Castus, of each
six drams, Ammoniacum half an ounce, the seeds of Water Cresses and Nigella,
the leaves of Calaminth and Rue, the roots of Acorus and long Birthwort, the
juice of Maudlin made thick, bitter Almonds, of each two drams, Hart’s-tongue,
the roots of round Cypress, Madder, Gum Lac. of each one dram: being bruised
let them be made into troches according to art, with Ammoniacum dissolved in
Vinegar, and boiled to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] They open stoppings of the liver and spleen, and help diseases
thereof coming; as rickets, hypochondriac melancholy, &c. Men may take a
dram, children a scruple in the morning.

Trochisci de Carabe.
Or, Troches of Amber.

College.] Take of Amber an ounce, Hart’s-horn burnt, Gum Arabic burnt, red
Coral burnt, Tragacanth, Acacia, Hypocistis, Balaustines, Mastich, Gum Lacca
washed, black Poppy seeds roasted, of each two drams and two scruples,
Frankincense, Saffron, Opium, of each two drams, with a sufficient quantity of
mussilage of the seeds of Fleawort drawn in Plantain Water, make them into
troches according to art.
Culpeper.] They were invented to stop fluxes of blood in any part of the
body, the menses, the hæmorrhoids or piles; they also help ulcers in the breast
and lungs. The dose is from ten grains to a scruple.

Trochisci Cypheos, for Mithridate.

College.] Take of pulp of Raisins of the Sun, Cypress, Turpentine, of each

three ounces, Myrrh, Squinanth, of each an ounce and an half, Cinnamon half an
ounce, Calamus Aromaticus nine drams, the roots of round Cypress, and Indian
Spikenard, Cassia Lignea, Juniper berries, Bdellium, Aspalthus or Wood of
Aloes, two drams and an half, Saffron one dram, clarified Honey as much as is
sufficient, Canary Wine a little: let the Myrrh and Bdellium be ground in a
mortar with the wine, to the thickness of liquid Honey, then add the Turpentine,
then the pulp of Raisins, then the powders: at last with the Honey, let them all be
made into troches.
Culpeper.] It is excellently good against inward ulcers in what part of the
body soever they be. It is chiefly used in compositions, as Treacle and
Mithridate.

Trochisci de Eupatorio.
Or Troches of Maudlin.

College.] Take of the juice of Maudlin made thick, Manna, of each an ounce,
red Roses half an ounce, Spodium three drams and an half, Spikenard three
drams, Rhubarb, Asarabacca roots, Annis seeds, of each two drams. Let the
Nard, Annis seeds, and Roses, be beaten together, the Spodium, Asarabacca, and
Rhubarb by themselves, then mix the Manna and juice of Maudlin in a mortar,
add the powders, and with new juice make it into troches.
Culpeper.] Obstructions, or stoppings, and swelling above nature, both of the
liver and spleen, are cured by the inward taking of these troches, and diseases
thereof coming, as yellow and black jaundice, the beginning of dropsies, &c.

Troches of Gallia Moschata.

College.] Take of Wood of Aloes five drams, Ambergris three drams, Musk
one dram, with mussilage of Gum Tragacanth made in Rose Water, make it into
troches according to art.
 Culpeper.] They strengthen the brain and heart, and by consequence both
vital and animal spirits, and cause a sweet breath. They are of an extreme price,
therefore I pass by the dose.

Trochisci Gordonii.

College.] Take of the four greater cold seeds husked, the seeds of white
Poppies, Mallows, Cotton, Purslain, Quinces, Mirtles, Gum Tragacanth, and
Arabic, Fistic-nuts, Pine-nuts, Sugar-candy, Penids, Liquorice, French-barley,
mussilage of Fleawort seeds, sweet Almonds blanched, of each two drams, Bole-
ammoniac, Dragon’s-blood, Spodium, red Roses, Myrrh, of each half an ounce,
with a sufficient quantity of Hydromel, make it into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] They are held to be very good in ulcers of the bladder, and all
other inward ulcers whatsoever, and ease fevers coming thereby, being of a fine
cooling, slippery heating nature.

Trochisci Hedichroi, (Galen) for Treacle.

College.] Take of Aspalthus, or yellow Sanders, the leaves of Mastich, the

roots of Asarabacca, of each two drams, Rhupontic, Castus, Calamus
Aromaticus, Wood of Aloes, Cinnamon, Squinanth, Opobalsamum or oil of
Nutmegs by expression, of each three drams, Cassia Lignea, Indian Leaf or
Mace, Indian Spikenard, Myrrh, Saffron, of each six drams, Amomus, or
Cardamoms the less, an ounce and an half, Mastich a dram, Canary Wine as
much as is sufficient. Let the Myrrh be dissolved in the wine, then add the
Mastich and Saffron well beaten, then the Opobalsamum, then the rest in
powder, and with the wine, make them up into troches, and dry them gently.
Culpeper.] They are very seldom or never used but in other compositions, yet
naturally they heat cold stomachs, help digestion, strengthen the heart and brain.

Trochisci Hysterici.

College.] Take of Asafœtida, Galbanum, of each two drams and an half,

Myrrh two drams, Castoreum a dram and an half, the roots of Asarabacca and
long Birthwort, the leaves of Savin, Featherfew, Nep, of each one dram, Dittany
half a dram, with either the juice or decoction of Rue, make it into troches
according to art.
Culpeper.] These are applied to the fœminine gender, help fits of the mother,
expel both birth and after-birth, cleanse women after labour, and expel the relics
of a careless midwife.

Trochisci de Ligno Aloes.

Or Troches of Wood of Aloes.

College.] Take of Wood of Aloes, red Roses, of each two drams, Mastich,
Cinnamon, Cloves, Indian Spikenard, Nutmegs, Parsnip seed, Cardamoms the
greater and lesser, Cubebs, Gallia Moschata, Citron Pills, Mace, of each one
dram and an half, Ambergris, Musk, of each half a scruple, with Honey of
Raisins make it into troches.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the heart, stomach, and liver, takes away heart-
qualms, faintings, and stinking breath, and resists the dropsy.

Trochisci e Mirrha.
Or Troches of Myrrh.

College.] Take of Myrrh three drams, the Meal of Lupines five drams,
Madder roots, the leaves of Rue, wild Mints, Dittany of Crete, Cummin seeds,
Asafœtida, Sagapen, Opopanax, of each two drams, dissolve the Gums in Wine
wherein Mugwort hath been boiled, or else Juniper-berries, then add the rest, and
with juice of Mugwort, make it into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] They provoke the menses, and that with great ease to such as have
them come down with pain. Take a dram of them beaten into powder, in a
spoonful or two of Syrup of Mugwort, or any other composition tending to the
same purpose.

Sief de Plumbo.
Or Sief of Lead.

College.] Take of Lead burnt and washed, Brass burnt, Antimony, Tutty
washed, Gum Arabic and Tragacanth of each an ounce, Opium half a dram, with
Rosewater, make them, being beaten and sifted, into troches.
 Trochisci Polyidæ Androm.

College.] Take of Pomegranate flowers twelve drams, Roach Album three

drams, Frankincense, Myrrh, of each half an ounce, Chalcanthum two drams,
Bull’s gall six drams, Aloes an ounce, with austere Wine, or juice of Nightshade
or Plantain, make them into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] They are very good they say, being outwardly applied, both in
green wounds and ulcers. I fancy them not.

Trochisci de Rhubarbaro.
Or Troches of Rhubarb.

College.] Take of Rhubarb ten drams, juice of Maudlin made thick, bitter
Almonds, of each half an ounce, red Roses three drams, the roots of Asarabacca,
Madder, Indian Spikenard, the leaves of Wormwood, the seeds of Annis and
Smallage, of each one dram, with Wine in which Wormwood hath been boiled,
make them into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] They gently cleanse the liver, help the yellow jaundice, and other
diseases coming of choler and stoppage of the liver.

Trochisci de Santalis.
Or Troches of Sanders.

College.] Take of the three Sanders, of each one ounce, the seeds of
Cucumbers, Gourds, Citruls, Purslain, Spodium, of each half an ounce, red
Roses seven drams, juice of Barberries six drams, Bole-ammoniac half an ounce,
Camphire one dram, with Purslain Water make it into troches.
Culpeper.] The virtues are the same with troches of Spodium, both of them
harmless.

Trochisci da Scilla ad Theriacam.

Or Troches of Squils, for Treacle.

College.] Take a Squil gathered about the beginning of July, of a middle

bigness, and the hard part to which the small roots stick, wrap it up in paste, and
bake it in an oven, till the paste be dry, and the Squil tender, which you may
know by piercing it with a wooden skewer, or a bodkin, then take it out and
bruise it in a mortar, adding to every pound of the Squil, eight ounces of white
Orobus, or red Cicers in powder, then make it into troches, of the weight of two
drams a piece, (your hands being anointed with Oil of Roses) dry them on the
top of the house, opening towards the South, in the shadow, often turning them
till they be well dry, then keep them in a pewter or glass vessel.

Troches of Spodium.

College.] Take of red Roses twelve drams, Spodium ten drams, Sorrel seed
six drams, the seeds of Purslain and Coriander, steeped in Vinegar and dried,
pulp of Sumach, of each two drams and an half, white Starch roasted,
Balaustines, Barberries, of each two drams, Gum Arabic roasted one dram and
an half, with juice of unripe Grapes, make it into troches.
Culpeper.] They are of a fine cooling binding nature, excellent in fevers
coming of choler, especially if they be accompanied with a looseness, they also
quench thirst.

Trochisci de terra Lemnia.

Or Troches of Earth of Lemnos.

College.] Take of Earth of Lemnos, Bole-ammoniac, Acacia, Hypocystis,

Gum Arabic toasted, Dragon’s blood, white Starch, red Roses, Rose seeds, Lap.
Hematitis, red Coral, Amber, Balaustines, Spodium, Purslain seeds a little
toasted, Olibanum, Hart’s-horn burnt, Cypress Nuts, Saffron of each two drams,
black Poppy seeds, Tragacanth, Pearls, of each one dram and an half, Opium
prepared one dram, with juice of Plantain, make it into troches.

Sief de Thure.
Or Sief of Frankincense.

College.] Take of Frankincense, Lap. Calaminaris, Pompholix, of each ten

drams, Cyrus forty drams, Gum Arabic, Opium, of each six drams, with fair
water make it into balls: dry them and keep them for use.

Trochisci e Violis solutivi.

Or Troches of Violets solutive.
 College.] Take of Violet flowers meanly dry, six drams, Turbith one ounce
and an half, juice of Liquorice, Scammony, Manna, of each two drams, with
Syrup of Violets, make it into troches.
Culpeper.] They are not worth talking of, much less worth cost, the cost and
labour of making.

Trochisci de Vipera ad Theriacum.

Or Troches of Vipers, for Treacle.

College.] Take of the flesh of Vipers, the skin, entrails, head, fat, and tail
being taken away, boiled in water with Dill, and a little salt, eight ounces, white
bread twice baked, grated and sifted, two ounces, make it into troches, your
hands being anointed with Opobalsamum, or Oil of Nutmegs by expression, dry
them upon a sieve turned the bottom upwards in an open place, often turning
them till they are well dried, then put them in a glass or stone pot glazed, stopped
close, they will keep a year, yet is it far better to make Treacle, not long after
you have made them.
Culpeper.] They expel poison, and are excellently good, by a certain
sympathetical virtue, for such as are bitten by an adder.

Trochisci de Agno Casto.

Or Troches of Agnus Castus.

College.] Take of the seeds of Agnus Castus, Lettuce, red Rose flowers,
Balaustins, of each a dram, Ivory, white Amber, Bole-ammoniac washed in
Knotgrass Water two drams, Plantain seeds four scruples, Sassafras two
scruples, with mussilage of Quince seeds, extracted in water of Water-lily
flowers, let them be made into troches.
Culpeper.] Very pretty troches and good for little.

Trochisci Alexiterii. Renodæus.

College.] Take of the roots of Gentian, Tormentil, Orris Florentine, Zedoary,

of each two drams, Cinnamon, Cloves, Mace, of each half a dram, Angelica
roots three drams, Coriander seeds prepared, Roses, of each one dram, dried
Citron pills two drams, beat them all into powder, and with juice of Liquorice
softened in Hippocras, six ounces, make them into soft paste, which you may
form into either troches or small rolls, which you please.
Culpeper.] It preserves and strengthens the heart exceedingly, helps faintings
and failings of the vital spirits, resists poison and the pestilence, and is an
excellent medicine for such to carry about them whose occasions are to travel in
pestilential places and corrupt air, only taking a very small quantity now and
then.

Troches of Annis seed. Mesue.

College.] Take of Annis seeds, the juice of Maudlin made thick, of each two
drams, the seeds of Dill, Spikenard, Mastich, Indian leaf or Mace, the leaves of
Wormwood, Asarabacca, Smallage, bitter Almonds, of each half a dram, Aloes
two drams, juice of Wormwood so much as is sufficient to make it into troches
according to art.
Culpeper.] They open obstructions of the liver, and that very gently, and
therefore diseases coming thereof, help quartan agues. You can scarce do amiss
in taking them if they please but your palate.

Trochisci Diarhodon. Mesue.

College.] Take of the flowers of red Roses six drams, Spikenard, Wood of
Aloes, of each two drams, Liquorice three drams, Spodium one dram, Saffron
half a dram, Mastich two drams, make them up into troches with white Wine
according to art.
Culpeper.] They wonderfully ease fevers coming of flegm, as quotidian
fevers, agues, epiatos, &c. pains in the belly.

Trochisci de Lacca. Mesue.

College.] Take of Gum Lacca cleansed, the juice of Liquorice, Maudlin,

Wormwood, and Barberries, all made thick, Rhubarb, long Birthwort, Costus,
Asarabacca, bitter Almonds, Madder, Annis, Smallage, Schænanth, of each one
dram, with the decoction of Birthwort, Schænanth, or the juice of Maudlin, or
Wormwood, make them into troches according to art.
 Culpeper.] It helps stoppings of the liver and spleen, and fevers thence
coming, it expels wind, purges by urine, and resists dropsies.

Pastilli Adronis. Galen.

College.] Take of Pomegranate flowers ten drams, Copperas twelve drams,

unripe Galls, Birthwort, Frankincense, of each an ounce, Alum, Myrrh, of each
half an ounce, Misy two drams, with eighteen ounces of austere Wine, make it
into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] This also is appropriated to wounds, ulcers, and fistulas, it clears
the ears, and represses all excressences of flesh, cleanses the filth of the bones.

Trochisci Musæ. Galen.

College.] Take of Alum, Aloes, Copperas, Myrrh, of each six drams,

Crocomagma, Saffron, of each three drams, Pomegranate flowers half an ounce,
Wine and Honey, of each so much as is sufficient to make it up into troches
according to art.
Culpeper.] Their use is the same with the former.

Crocomagma of Damocrates. Galen.

College.] Take of Saffron an hundred drams, red Roses, Myrrh, of each fifty
drams, white Starch, Gum, of each thirty drams, Wine, so much as is sufficient
to make it into troches.
Culpeper.] It is very expulsive, heats and strengthens the heart and stomach.

Trochisci Ramich. Mesue.

College.] Take of the juice of Sorrel sixteen ounces, red Rose Leaves, an
ounce, Myrtle Berries two ounces, boil them a little together, and strain them,
add to the decoction, Galls well beaten, three ounces, boil them again a little,
then put in these following things, in fine powder: take of red Roses an ounce,
yellow Sanders, ten drams, Gum Arabic an ounce and an half, Sumach,
Spodium, of each an ounce, Myrtle berries four ounces, Wood of Aloes, Cloves,
Mace, Nutmegs, of each half an ounce, sour Grapes seven drams, mix them all
together, and let them dry upon a stone, and grind them again into powder, and
make them into small troches with one dram of Camphire, and so much Rose
Water as is sufficient, and perfume them with fifteen grains of Musk.
Culpeper.] They strengthen the stomach, heart, and liver, as also the bowels,
they help the cholic, and fluxes of blood, as also bleeding at the nose if you snuff
up the powder of them, disburden the body of salt, fretting, choleric humours.
You may carry them about you, and take them at your pleasure.

Troches of Roses. Mesue.

College.] Take of red Roses half an ounce, Wood of Aloes two drams,
Mastich, a dram and an half, Roman Wormwood, Cinnamon, Indian Spikenard,
Cassia Lignea, Schœnanth, of each one dram, old Wine, and decoction of the
five opening roots, so much as is sufficient to make it into troches according to
art.
Culpeper.] They help pains in the stomach, and indigestion, the illiac passion,
hectic fevers, and dropsies, in the beginning, and cause a good colour.

Trochisci Diacorallion. Galen.

College.] Take of Bole-ammoniac, red Coral, of each an ounce, Balaustines,

Terra Lemnia, white Starch, of each half an ounce, Hypocistis, the seeds of
Henbane, Opium, of each two drams, juice of Plantain so much as is sufficient to
make them into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] These also stop blood, help the bloody flux, stop the menses, and
are a great help to such whose stomachs loath their victuals. I fancy them not.

Trochisci Diaspermaton. Galen.

College.] Take of the seeds of Smallage, and Bishop’s weed, of each an

ounce, Annis and Fennel seeds, of each half an ounce, Opium, Cassia Lignea, of
each two drams, with rain water, make it into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] These also bind, ease pain, help the pleurisy.
 Hæmoptoici Pastilli. Galen.

College.] Take of white Starch, Balaustines, Earth of Samos, juice of

Hypocystis, Gum, Saffron, Opium, of each two drams, with juice of Plantain,
make them into troches according to art.
Culpeper.] The operation of this is like the former.

Troches of Agarick.

College.] Take of choice Agarick three ounces, Sal. Gem. six drams, Ginger
two drams, with Oxymel simplex, so much as is sufficient, make it into troches
according to art.
 OILS.

SIMPLE OILS BY EXPRESSION.

Oil of Sweet Almonds.

College.] Take of Sweet Almonds not corrupted, as many as you will, cast the
shells away, and blanch them, beat them in a stone mortar, beat them in a double
vessel, and press out the oil without heat.
Culpeper.] It helps roughness and soreness of the throat and stomach, helps
pleurisies, encreases seed, eases coughs and hectic fevers, by injection it helps
such whose water scalds them; ulcers in the bladder, reins, and matrix. You may
either take half an ounce of it by itself, or mix it with half an ounce of Syrup of
Violets, and so take a spoonful at a time, still shaking them together when you
take them: only take notice of this, if you take it inwardly, let it be new drawn,
for it will be sour in three or four days.

Oil of bitter Almonds.

College.] It is made like Oil of sweet Almonds, but that you need not blanch
them, nor have such a care of heat in pressing out the oil.
Culpeper.] It opens stoppings, helps such as are deaf, being dropped into their
ears, it helps the hardness of the nerves, and takes away spots in the face. It is
seldom or never taken inwardly.

Oil of Hazel Nuts.

College.] It is made of the Kernels, cleansed, bruised, and beat, and pressed
like Oil of sweet Almonds.
Culpeper.] You must put them in a vessel (viz. a glass, or some such thing)
and stop them close that the water come not to them when you put them into the
bath. The oil is good for cold afflictions of the nerves, the gout in the joints, &c.
 College.] So is Oil of Been, Oil of Nutmegs, and Oil of Mace drawn.

Oleum Caryinum.

College.] Is prepared of Walnut Kernels, in like manner, save only that in the
making of this sometimes is required dried, old, and rank Nuts.

Oleum Chrysomelinum.

College.] Is prepared in the same manner of Apricots, so is also Oils of the

Kernels of Cherry stones, Peaches, Pine-nuts, Fistic Nuts, Prunes, the seeds of
Oranges, Hemp, Bastard Saffron, Citrons, Cucumbers, Gourds, Citruls, Dwarf
Elder, Henbane, Lettuce, Flax, Melons, Poppy, Parsley, Radishes, Rape,
Ricinum, Sesani, Mustard seed, and Grape stones.
Culpeper.] Because most of these Oils are out of use, I took not the pains to
quote the virtues of them; if any wish to make them, let them look to the simples,
and there they have them; if the simples be not to be found in this book, there are
other plentiful medicines conducing to the cure of all usual diseases; which are
—

Oil of Bays.

College.] Take of Bay-berries, fresh and ripe, so many as you please, bruise
them sufficiently, then boil them in a sufficient quantity of water till the Oil
swim at top, which separate from the water, and keep for your use.
Culpeper.] It helps the cholic, and is a sovereign remedy for any diseases in
any part of the body coming either of wind or cold.
College.] Common Oil of Olives, is pressed out of ripe olives, not out of the
stones. Oil of Olives omphacine, is pressed out of unripe olives.

Oil of Yolks of Eggs.

College.] Boil the yolks till they be hard, and bruise them with your hand or
with a pestle and mortar; beat them in an earthen vessel glazed until they begin
to froth, stirring them diligently that they burn not, being hot, put them in a linen
bag, and sprinkle them with Aromatic Wine, and press out the oil according to
art.
Culpeper.] It is profitable in fistulas, and malignant ulcers, it causes the hair
to grow, it clears the skin, and takes away deformities thereof, viz. tetters,
ringworms, morphew, scabs.

SIMPLE OILS BY INFUSION AND DECOCTION.

Oil of Roses omphacine.

College.] Take of red Roses before they be ripe, bruised in a stone mortar,
four ounces, oil Omphacine one pound, set them in a hot sun, in a glass close
stopped, a whole week, shaking them every day, then boil them gently in a bath,
press them out, and put in others, use them in like manner, do so a third time:
then keep the Oil upon a pound of juice of Roses.

Oil of Roses complete,

Is made in the same manner, with sweet and ripe oil, often washed, and red
Roses fully open, bruised, set in the sun, and boiled gently in a double vessel,
only let the third infusion stand in the sun forty days, then keep the roses and oil
together.
In the same manner is made Oil of Wormwood, of the tops of common
Wormwood thrice repeated, four ounces, and three pounds of ripe oil; only, the
last time put in four ounces of the juice of Wormwood, which evaporate away by
gentle boiling.
Oil of Dill: Of the flowers and leaves of Dill four ounces, complete oil, one
pound, thrice repeated.
Oil of Castoreum: Of one ounce of Castoreum oil one pound, Wine four
ounces, which must be consumed with the heat of a bath.
Oil of Chamomel (which more than one call Holy) of complete oil, and fresh
Chamomel flowers, the little white leaves taken away, cut, bruised, and the
vessel covered with a thin linen cloth, set in the sun, pressed out, and three times
repeated.
Oil of Wall-flowers, as oil of Dill.
Oil of Quinces: Of six parts of oil Omphacine, the meat and juice of Quinces
one part, set them in the sun fifteen days in a glass, and afterwards boil them
four hours in a double vessel, press them out, and renew them three times.
Oil of Elecampane: Of ripe oil, and the roots of Elecampane bruised, and
their juice, of each one part, and of generous Wine half a part, which is to be
evaporated away.
Oil of Euphorbium: Of six drams of Euphorbium, Oil of Wall-flowers, and
sweet Wine, of each five ounces, boiling it in a double vessel till the Wine be
consumed.
Oil of Ants: Of winged Ants infused in four times their weight of sweet oil,
set in the sun in a glass forty days, and then strain it out.
Oil, or Balsam of St. John’s Wort simple, is made of the oil of seeds beaten
and pressed, and the flowers being added, and rightly set in the sun.
Oil of Jesmine, is made of the flowers of Jesmine, put in clear oil, and set in
the sun and afterwards pressed out.
Oil of Orris, made of the roots of Orris Florentine one pound, purple Orris
flowers half a pound: boil them in a double vessel in a sufficient quantity of
decoction of Orris Florentine, and six pounds of sweet oil, putting fresh roots
and flowers again and again; the former being cast away as in oil of Roses.
Oil of Earthworms, is made of half a pound of Earthworms washed in white
Wine, ripe Oil two pounds, boiled in a double vessel with eight ounces of good
white Wine till the Wine be consumed.
Oil of Marjoram, is made with four ounces of the herb a little bruised, white
Wine six ounces, ripe oil a pound, mixed together, let them be set in the sun
repeated three times; at last boiled to the consumption of the Wine.
Oil of Mastich, is made of oil of Roses omphacine one pound, Mastich three
ounces, Wine four ounces: boil them in a double vessel to the consumption of
the Wine.
Oil of Melilot is made with the tops of the herb like oil of Chamomel.
 Oil of Mints is made of the herb and oil omphacine, as oil of Roses.
Oil of Mirtles, is made of Mirtle berries bruised and sprinkled with sharp
Wine one part, oil omphacine three parts; set it in the sun twenty-four days, and
in the interim thrice renewed, boiled, and the berries pressed out.
Oil of Daffodils is made as oil of Roses.
Nard Oil is made of three ounces of Spikenard, sweet oil one pound and an
half, sweet white Wine and clear water, of each two ounces and an half, boiled to
the consumption of the moisture.
Oil of Water-lilies, is made of fresh white Water-lily flowers, one part, oil
omphacine three parts, repeating the flowers as in oil of Roses.
Oil of Tobacco is made of the juice of Tobacco, and common oil, of each
equal parts boiled in a bath.
Oil of Poppies, is made of the flowers, heads, and leaves of garden Poppies,
and oil omphacine, as oil of Dill.
Oil of Poplars, is made of the buds of the Poplar tree three parts, rich white
Wine four parts, sweet oil seven parts; first let the buds be bruised, then infused
in the Wine and oil seven days, then boiled, then pressed out.
Oil of Rue, is made of the herb bruised, and ripe oil, like oil of Roses.
Oil of Savin is made in the same manner.
So also is Oil of Elder flowers made.
Oil of Scorpions, is made of thirty live Scorpions, caught when the sun is in
the lion; oil of bitter Almonds two pounds, let them be set in the sun, and after
forty days strained.
Oleum Cicyonium, is made of wild Cucumber roots, and their juice, of each
equal parts; with twice as much ripe oil, boil it to the consumption of the juice.
Oil of Nightshade, is made of the berries of Nightshade ripe, and one part
boiled in ripe oil, or oil of Roses three parts.
Oil of Styrax, is made of Styrax and sweet white Wine, of each one part, ripe
oil four parts gently boiled till the Wine be consumed.
 Oil of Violets, is made of oil omphacine, and Violet flowers, as oil of Roses.
Oil of Vervain, is made of the herb and oil, as oil of Mints.
Culpeper.] That most of these Oils, if not all of them, are used only
externally, is certain; and as certain that they retain the virtues of the simples
whereof they are made, therefore the ingenious might help themselves.

COMPOUND OILS BY INFUSION AND DECOCTION.

Oleum Benedictum.
Or Blessed Oil.

College.] Take of the roots of Carduus and Valerian, of each one ounce, the
flowers of St. John’s Wort two ounces, Wheat one ounce and an half, old Oil
four ounces, Cypress Turpentine eight ounces, Frankincense in powder two
ounces, infuse the roots and flowers, being bruised, in so much white Wine as is
sufficient to cover them, after two days’ infusion put in the Oil with the Wheat,
bruised, boil them together till the Wine be consumed; then press it out, and add
the Frankincense and Turpentine, then boil them a little, and keep it.
Culpeper.] It is appropriated to cleanse and consolidate wounds, especially in
the head.

Oleum de Capparibus.
Or, Oil of Capers.

College.] Take of the bark of Caper roots an ounce, bark of Tamarisk, the
leaves of the same, the seeds of Agnus Castus, Cetrach, or Spleenwort, Cypress
roots, of each two drams, Rue one dram, oil of ripe Olives one pound, white
Wine Vinegar, and white Wine, of each two ounces, cut them and steep them,
and boil them (two days being elapsed) gently in a bath, then the Wine and
Vinegar being consumed, strain it, and keep it.
Culpeper.] The oil is opening, and heating, absolutely appropriated to the
spleen, hardness and pains thereof, and diseases coming of stoppings there, as
hypocondriac melancholy, the rickets, &c.
 Oil of Castoreum compound.

College.] Take of Castoreum, Styrax Calamitis, Galbanum, Euphorbium,

Opopanax, Cassia Lignea, Saffron, Carpobalsamum or Cubebs, Spikenard,
Costus, of each two drams, Cypress, Squinanth, Pepper long and black, Savin,
Pellitory of Spain, of each two drams and an half, ripe Oil four pounds, Spanish
Wine two pounds, the five first excepted, let the rest be prepared as they ought to
be, and gently boiled in the Oil and Wine, until the Wine be consumed, mean
time the Galbanum, Opopanax, and Euphorbium beaten in fine powder, being
dissolved in part of the Wine, and strained, let them be exquisitely mixed with it
(while the oil is warm) by often stirring; the boiling being finished, put in the
Styrax and Castoreum.
Culpeper.] The virtues are the same with the simple.

Oleum Castinum.

College.] Take of the roots of bitter Castus two ounces, Cassia Lignea one
ounce, the tops of Marjoram eight ounces, being bruised, steep them two days in
twelve ounces of sweet white Wine; then with three pounds of sallad oil washed
in white Wine, boil it in Balneo Mariæ till the Wine be consumed.
Culpeper.] It heats, opens obstructions, strengthens the nerves, and all
nervous parts, as muscles, tendons, ligaments, the ventricle; besides these, it
strengthens the liver, it keeps the hairs from turning grey, and gives a good
colour to the body. I pray you take notice that this and the following oils, (till I
give you warning to the contrary) are not made to eat.

Oleum Crocinum,
Or, Oil of Saffron.

College.] Take of Saffron, Calamus Aromaticus, of each one ounce, Myrrh,

half an ounce, Cardamoms nine drams, steep them six days, (the Cardamoms
excepted, which are not to be put in till the last day,) in nine ounces of Vinegar,
the day after put in a pound and an half of washed oil, boil it gently according to
art, till the Vinegar, be consumed, then strain it.
Culpeper.] It helps pains in the nerves, and strengthens them, mollifies their
hardness, helps pains in the matrix, and causes a good colour.
 Oil of Euphorbium.

College.] Take of Stavesacre, Sopewort, of each half an ounce, Pellitory of

Spain six drams, dried Mountain Calamint one ounce and an half, Castus two
drams, Castoreum five drams, being bruised, let them be three days steeped in
three pounds and an half of Wine, boil them with a pound and an half of Oil of
Wall-flowers, adding half an ounce of Euphorbium, before the Wine be quite
consumed, and so boil it according to art.
Culpeper.] It hath the same virtue, only something more effectual than the
simple.

Oleum Excestrense,
Or, Oil of Exeter.

College.] Take of the leaves of Wormwood, Centaury the less, Eupatorium,

Fennel, Hyssop, Bays, Marjoram, Bawm, Nep, Pennyroyal, Savin, Sage, Thyme,
of each four ounces, Southernwood, Betony, Chamepitys, Lavender, of each six
ounces, Rosemary one pound, the flowers of Chamomel, Broom, white Lilies,
Elders, the seeds of Cummin, and Fenugreek, the roots of Hellebore black and
white, the bark of Ash and Lemons, of each four ounces, Euphorbium, Mustard,
Castoreum, Pellitory of Spain, of each an ounce, Oil sixteen pounds, Wine three
pounds, the herbs, flowers, seeds, and Euphorbium being bruised, the roots,
barks, and Castoreum cut, all of them infused twelve hours in the Wine and Oil,
in a warm bath, then boiled with a gentle fire, to the consumption of the Wine
and moisture, strain the Oil and keep it.
Culpeper.] Many people by catching bruises when they are young, come to
feel it when they are old: others by catching cold, catch a lameness in their
limbs, to both which I commend this sovereign oil to bathe their grieved
members with.

Oleum Hirundinum,
Or, Oil of Swallows.

College.] Take of whole Swallows sixteen, Chamomel, Rue, Plantain the

greater and lesser, Bay leaves, Pennyroyal, Dill, Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage, Saint
John’s Wort, Costmary, of each one handful, common Oil four pounds, Spanish
Wine one pound, make it up according to art.
 Culpeper.] Both this and the former are appropriated to old bruises and pains
thereof coming, as also to sprains.

Oleum Hyperici compositum.

Or, Oil of St. John’s Wort compound.

College.] Take of the tops of St. John’s Wort four ounces, steep them three
whole days in a pound of old Sallad Oil, in the heat either of a bath, or of the
sun, then press them out, repeat the infusion the second or third time, then boil
them till the wine be almost consumed, press them out, and by adding three
ounces of Turpentine, and one scruple of Saffron, boil it a little and keep it.
Culpeper.] See the simple oil of St. John’s Wort, than which this is stronger.

Oleum Hyperici magis compositum.

Or, Oil of St. John’s Wort more compound.

College.] Take of white Wine three pounds, tops of St. John’s Wort ripe and
gently bruised, four handfuls, steep them two days in a glass, close stopped, boil
them in a bath, and strain them strongly, repeat the infusion three times, having
strained it the third time, add to every pound of decoction, old Oil four pounds,
Turpentine six ounces, oil of Wormwood three ounces, Dittany, Gentian,
Carduus, Tormentil, Carline, or Cordus Maria, Calamus Aromaticus, all of them
bruised, of each two drams, Earthworms often washed in white Wine two
ounces, set it in the sun five or six weeks, then keep it close stopped.
Culpeper.] Besides the virtue of the simple oil of St. John’s Wort, which this
performs more effectually, it is an excellent remedy for old bruises, aches, and
sprains.

Oleum Irinum,
Or, Oil of Orris.

College.] Take of the roots of Orris Florentine, three pounds four ounces, the
flowers of purple Orris fifteen ounces, Cypress roots six ounces, of Elecampane
three ounces, of Alkanet two ounces, Cinnamon, Spikenard, Benjamin, of each
one ounce: let all of them, being bruised as they ought to be, be steeped in the
sun, or other hot place, in fifteen pounds of old oil, and four pounds and an half
of clear water, after the fourth day, boil them in Balneo Mariæ, the water being
consumed, when it is cold, strain it and keep it.
Culpeper.] The effects are the same with the simple, only ’tis stronger.

Oleum Marjoranæ.
Or, Oil of Marjoram.

College.] Take of Marjoram four handfuls, Mother of Thyme two handfuls,

the leaves and berries of Myrtles one handful, Southernwood, Water Mints, of
each half an handful, being cut, bruised, and put in a glass, three pounds of Oil
Omphacine being put to it, let it stand eight days in the sun, or in a bath, close
stopped, then strain it out, in the oil put in fresh simples, do so the third time, the
oil may be perfected according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps weariness and diseases of the brain and nerves, coming of
cold; it helps the dead palsy, the back (viz. the region along the back bone) being
anointed with it; being snuffed up in the nose, it helps Spasmus cynicus, which is
a wrying the mouth aside; it helps noise in the ears being dropped into them, it
provokes the menses, and helps the biting of venomous beasts; it is a most
gallant oil to strengthen the body, the back being anointed with it; strengthens
the muscles, they being chafed with it; helps head-ache, the forehead being
rubbed with it.

Moschelæum,
Or, Oil of Musk.

College.] Take two Nutmegs, Musk one dram, Indian leaf or Mace,
Spikenard, Costus, Mastich, of each six drams, Styrax Calamitis, Cassia Lignea,
Myrrh, Saffron, Cinnamon, Cloves, Carpobalsamum or Cubebs, Bdellium, of
each two drams, pure Oil three pounds, Wine three ounces, bruise them as you
ought to do, mix them, and let them boil easily, till the Wine be consumed, the
Musk being mixed according to art after it is strained.
Culpeper.] It is exceeding good against all diseases of cold, especially those
of the stomach, it helps diseases of the sides, they being anointed with it, the
stranguary, cholic, and vices of the nerves, and afflictions of the reins.

Oleum Nardinum.
 Or, Oil of Nard.

College.] Take of Spikenard three ounces, Marjoram two ounces, Wood of

Aloes, Calamus Aromaticus, Elecampane, Cypress, Bay leaves, Indian leaf or
Mace, Squinanth, Cardamoms, of each one ounce and a half, bruise them all
grossly, and steep them in water and wine, of each fourteen ounces, Oil of
Sesamin, or oil of Olives, four pounds and an half, for one day: then perfect the
oil by boiling it gently in a double vessel.

Oleum Populeum. Nicholaus.

College.] Take of fresh Poplar buds three pounds, Wine four pounds,
common Oil seven pounds two ounces, beat the Poplar buds very well, then
steep them seven days in the oil and wine, then boil them in a double vessel till
the wine be consumed, (if you infuse fresh buds once or twice before you boil it,
the medicine will be the stronger,) then press out the oil and keep it.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cool oil, but the ointment called by that name which
follows hereafter is far better.

OINTMENTS MORE SIMPLE.

Unguentum album,
Or, white Ointment.

College.] Take of Oil of Roses nine ounces, Ceruss washed in Rose-water

and diligently sifted, three ounces, white Wax two ounces, after the wax is
melted in the oil, put in the Ceruss, and make it into an ointment according to
art, add two drams of Camphire, made into powder with a few drops of oil of
sweet Almonds, so will it be camphorated.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling, drying ointment, eases pains, and itching in
wounds and ulcers, and is an hundred times better with Camphire than without
it.

Unguentum Egyptiacum.
 College.] Take of Verdigris finely powdered, five parts, Honey fourteen
parts, sharp Vinegar seven parts, boil them to a just thickness, and a reddish
colour.
Culpeper.] It cleanses filthy ulcers and fistulas forcibly, and not without pain,
it takes away dead and proud flesh, and dries.

Unguentum Anodynum.
Or, an Ointment to ease pain.

College.] Take of Oil of white Lilies, six ounces, Oil of Dill, and Chamomel,
of each two ounces, Oil of sweet Almonds one ounce, Duck’s grease, and Hen’s
grease, of each two ounces, white Wax three ounces, mix them according to art.
Culpeper.] Its use is to assuage pains in any part of the body, especially such
as come by inflammations, whether in wounds or tumours, and for that it is
admirable.

Unguentum ex Apio.
Or, Ointment of Smallage.

College.] Take of the juice of Smallage one pound, Honey nine ounces,
Wheat flower three ounces, boil them to a just thickness.
Culpeper.] It is a very fine, and very gentle cleanser of wounds and ulcers.

Liniment of Gum Elemi.

College.] Take of Gum Elemi, Turpentine of the Fir-tree, of each one ounce
and an half, old Sheep’s Suet cleansed two ounces, old Hog’s grease cleansed
one ounce: mix them, and make them into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It gently cleanses and fills up an ulcer with flesh, it being of a
mild nature, and friendly to the body.

Unguentum Aureum.

College.] Take of yellow Wax half a pound, common Oil two pounds,
Turpentine two ounces, Pine Rozin, Colophonia, of each one ounce and an half,
Frankincense, Mastich, of each one ounce, Saffron one dram, first melt the wax
in the oil, then the Turpentine being added, let them boil together; having done
boiling, put in the rest in fine powder, (let the Saffron be the last) and by diligent
stirring, make them into an ointment according to art.

Basilicon, the greater.

College.] Take of white Wax, Pine Rozin, Heifer’s Suet, Greek Pitch,
Turpentine, Olibanum, Myrrh, of each one ounce, Oil five ounces, powder the
Olibanum and Myrrh, and the rest being melted, make it into an ointment
according to art.

Basilicon, the less.

College.] Take of yellow Wax, fat Rozin, Greek Pitch, of each half a pound,
Oil nine ounces: mix them together, by melting them according to art.
Culpeper.] Both this and the former, heat, moisten, and digest, procure matter
in wounds, I mean brings the filth or corrupted blood from green wounds: they
clense and ease pain.

Ointment of Bdellium.

College.] Take of Bdellium six drams, Euphorbium, Sagapen, of each four

drams, Castoreum three drams, Wax fifteen drams, Oil of Elder or Wall-flowers,
ten drams, the Bdellium, and Sagapen being dissolved in water of wild Rue, let
the rest be united by the heat of a bath.

Unguentum de Calce.
Or, Ointment of Chalk.

College.] Take of Chalk washed, seven times at least, half a pound, Wax
three ounces, Oil of Roses one pound, stir them all together diligently in a leaden
mortar, the wax being first melted by a gentle fire in a sufficient quantity of the
prescribed oil.
Culpeper.] It is exceeding good in burnings and scaldings.
 Unguentum Dialthæ.
Or, Ointment of Marsh-mallows.

College.] Take of common Oil four pounds, mussilage of Marsh-mallow

roots, Linseed, and Fenugreek seed two pounds: boil them together till the
watery part of the mussilage be consumed, then add Wax half a pound, Rozin
three ounces, Turpentine an ounce, boil them to the consistence of an ointment,
but let the mussilage be prepared of a pound of fresh roots bruised, and half a
pound of each of the seeds steeped, and boiled in eight pounds of spring water,
and then pressed out. See the compound.

Unguentum Diapompholygos.

College.] Take of Oil of Nightshade sixteen ounces, white Wax, washed,

Ceruss, of each four drams, Lead burnt and washed, Pompholix prepared, of
each two ounces, pure Frankincense one ounce: bring them into the form of an
ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] This much differing from the former, you shall have that inserted
at latter end, and then you may use which you please.

Unguentum Enulatum.
Or, Ointment of Elecampane.

College.] Take of Elecampane roots boiled in Vinegar, bruised and pulped,

one pound, Turpentine washed in their decoction, new Wax, of each two ounces,
old Hog’s grease salted ten ounces, old oil four ounces, common salt one ounce,
add the Turpentine to the grease, wax, and oil, being melted, as also the pulp and
salt being finely powdered, and so make it into an ointment according to art.

Unguentum Enulatum cum Mercurio.

Or, Ointment of Elecampane with Quick-silver,

College.] Is made of the former ointment, by adding two ounces of Quick-

silver, killed by continual stirring, not only with spittle, or juice of Lemons, but
with all the Turpentine kept for that intent, and part of the grease, in a stone
mortar.
 Culpeper.] My opinion of this ointment, is (briefly) this: It was invented for
the itch, without quick-silver it will do no good, with quick-silver it may do
harm.

Unguentum Laurinum commune.

Or, Ointment of Bays common.

College.] Take of Bay leaves bruised one pound, Bay berries bruised half a
pound, Cabbage leaves four ounces, Neat’s-foot Oil five pounds, Bullock’s suet
two pounds, boil them together, and strain them, that so it may be made into an
ointment according to art.

Unguentum de minie sive rubrum Camphora.

Or, Ointment of red Lead.

College.] Take of Oil of Roses one pound and an half, red Lead three ounces,
Litharge two ounces, Ceruss one ounce and an half, Tutty three drams, Camphire
two drams, Wax one ounce and an half, make it into an ointment according to
art, in a pestle and mortar made of Lead.
Culpeper.] This ointment is as drying as a man shall usually read of one, and
withal cooling, therefore good for sores, and such as are troubled with
defluctions.

Unguentum e Nicotiona, seu Peto.

Or, Ointment of Tobacco.

College.] Take of Tobacco leaves bruised, two pounds, steep them a whole
night in red Wine, in the morning boil it in fresh Hog’s grease, diligently
washed, one pound, till the Wine be consumed, strain it, and add half a pound of
juice of Tobacco, Rozin four ounces, boil it to the consumption of the juice,
adding towards the end, round Birthwort roots in powder, two ounces, new Wax
as much as is sufficient to make it into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It would take a whole summer’s day to write the particular virtues
of this ointment, and my poor Genius is too weak to give it the hundredth part of
its due praise: It cures tumours, imposthumes, wounds, ulcers, gun-shot, stinging
with nettles, bees, wasps, hornets, venomous beasts, wounds made with
poisoned arrows, &c.

Unguentum Nutritum, seu Trifarmacum.

College.] Take of Litharge of Gold finely powdered, half a pound, Vinegar

one pound, Oil of Roses two pounds, grind the Litharge in a mortar, pouring to it
sometimes Oil, sometimes Vinegar, till by continual stirring, the Vinegar do no
more appear, and it come to a whitish ointment.
Culpeper.] It is of a cooling, drying nature, good for itching of wounds, and
such like deformities of the skin.

Unguentum Ophthalmicum.
Or, An Ointment for the Eyes.

College.] Take of Bole-ammoniac washed in Rose water, one ounce, Lapis

Calaminaris washed in Eye bright Water, Tutty prepared, of each two drams,
Pearls in very fine powder half a dram, Camphire half a scruple, Opium five
grains, fresh Butter washed in Plantain Water, as much as is sufficient to make it
into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It is exceeding good to stop hot rheums that fall down into the
eyes, the eyelids being but anointed with it.

Unguentum ex Oxylapatho.
Or, Ointment of sharp-pointed Dock.

College.] Take of the roots of sharp-pointed Dock boiled in Vinegar until

they be soft, and then pulped, Brimstone washed in juice of Lemons, of each one
ounce and an half, Hog’s grease often washed in juice of Scabious, half a pound,
Unguentum Populeon washed in juice of Elecampane, half an ounce: make them
into an ointment in a mortar.
Culpeper.] It is a wholesome, though troublesome medicine for scabs and
itch.

Unguentum e Plumbo.
Or, Ointment of Lead.
 College.] Take of Lead burnt according to art, Litharge, of each two ounces,
Ceruss, Antimony, of each one ounce, Oil of Roses as much as is sufficient:
make it into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] Take it one time with another, it will go neer to do more harm
than good.

Unguentum Pomatum.

College.] Take of fresh Hog’s grease three pounds, fresh Sheep’s suet nine
ounces, Pomewater pared and cut, one pound and nine ounces, Damask Rose-
water six ounces, the roots of Orris Florentine grossly bruised six drams, boil
them in Balneo Mariæ till the Apples be soft, then strain it, but press it not and
keep it for use; then warm it a little again and wash it with fresh Rose-water,
adding to each pound twelve drops of oil of Lignum Rhodium.
Culpeper.] Its general use is, to soften and supple the roughness of the skin,
and take away the chops of the lips, hands, face, or other parts.

Unguentum Potabile.

College.] Take of Butter without salt, a pound and an half, Spermaceti,

Madder, Tormentil roots, Castoreum, of each half an ounce: boil them as you
ought in a sufficient quantity of Wine, till the Wine be consumed, and become
an ointment.
Culpeper.] I know not what to make of it.

Unguentum Resinum.

College.] Take of Pine Rozin, or Rozin of the Pine-tree, of the purest

Turpentine, yellow Wax washed, pure Oil, of each equal parts: melt them into an
ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It is as pretty a Cerecloth for a new sprain as most is, and cheap.

Unguentum Rosatum.
Or, Ointment of Roses.
 College.] Take of fresh Hog’s grease cleansed a pound, fresh red Roses half a
pound, juice of the same three ounces, make it into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It is of a fine cooling nature, exceeding useful in all gallings of the
skin, and frettings, accompanied with choleric humours, angry pushes, tetters,
ringworms, it mitigates diseases in the head coming of heat, as also the
intemperate heat of the stomach and liver.

Desiccativum Rubrum.
Or, a drying Red Ointment.

College.] Take of the oil of Roses omphacine a pound, white Wax five
ounces, which being melted and put in a leaden mortar, put in the Earth of
Lemnos or Bole-ammoniac, Lapis Calaminaris, of each four ounces, Litharge of
Gold, Ceruss, of each three ounces, Camphire one dram, make it into an
ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It binds and restrains fluxes of humours.

Unguentum e Solano.
Or, Ointment of Nightshade.

College.] Take of juice of Nightshade, Litharge washed, of each five ounces,

Ceruss washed eight ounces, white Wax seven ounces, Frankincense in powder
ten drams, oil of Roses often washed in water two pounds, make it into an
ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It was invented to take away inflammations from wounds, and to
keep people from scratching of them when they are almost well.

Or, Ointment of Tutty.

College.] Take of Tutty prepared two ounces, Lapis Calaminaris often burnt
and quenched in Plantain Water an ounce, make them, being finely powdered,
into an ointment, with a pound and an half of ointment of Roses.
Culpeper.] It is a cooling, drying ointment, appropriated to the eyes, to dry up
hot and salt humours that flow down thither, the eyelids being anointed with it.
 Valentia Scabiosæ.

College.] Take of the juice of green Scabious, pressed out with a screw, and
strained through a cloth, Hog’s grease, of each as much as you will, heat the
Hog’s grease in a stone mortar, not grind it, putting in the juice by degrees for
the more commodious mixture and tincture, afterwards set it in the sun in a
convenient vessel, so as the juice may overtop the grease, nine days being
passed, pour off the discoloured juice, and beat it again as before, putting in
fresh juice, set it in the sun again five days, which being elapsed, beat it again,
put in more juice, after fifteen days more, do so again, do so five times, after
which, keep it in a glass, or glazed vessel.

Tapsivalentia.

College.] Take of the juice of Mullen, Hog’s grease, of each as much as you
will, let the grease be cleansed and cut in pieces, and beat it with the juice,
pressed and strained as you did the former ointment, then keep it in a convenient
vessel nine or ten days, then beat it twice, once with fresh juice, until it be green,
and the second time without juice beaten well, pouring off what is discoloured,
and keep it for use.

Tapsimel.

College.] Take of the juice of Celandine and Mullen, of each one part,
clarified Honey, two parts, boil them by degrees till the juice be consumed,
adding (the physician prescribing) Vitriol, burnt Alum, burnt Ink, and boil it
again to an ointment according to art.

OINTMENTS MORE COMPOUND.

Unguentum Agrippa.

College.] Take of Briony roots two pounds, the roots of wild Cucumbers one
pound, Squills half a pound, fresh English Orris roots, three ounces, the roots of
male Fern, dwarf Elder, water Caltrops, or Aaron, of each two ounces, bruise
them all, being fresh, and steep them six or seven days in four pounds of old oil,
the whitest, not rank, then boil them and press them out, and in the oil melt
fifteen ounces of white Wax, and make it into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It purges exceedingly, and is good to anoint the bellies of such as
have dropsies, and if there be any humour or flegm in any part of the body that
you know not how to remove (provided the part be not too tender) you may
anoint it with this; but yet be not too busy with it, for I tell you plainly it is not
very safe.

Unguentum Amarum.
Or, A bitter Ointment.

College.] Take of Oil of Rue, Savin, Mints, Wormwood, bitter Almonds, of

each one ounce and an half, juice of Peach flowers and leaves, and Wormwood,
of each half an ounce, powder of Rue, Mints, Centaury the less, Gentian,
Tormentil, of each one dram, the seeds of Coleworts, the pulp of Colocynthis, of
each two drams, Aloes Hepatic, three drams, meal of Lupines half an ounce,
Myrrh washed in Grass water a dram and an half, Bull’s Gall an ounce and an
half, with a sufficient quantity of juice of Lemons, and an ounce and an half of
Wax, make it into an ointment according to art.

Unguentum Apostolorum.
Or, Ointment of the Apostles.

College.] Take of Turpentine, yellow Wax, Ammoniacum, of each fourteen

drams, long Birthwort roots, Olibanum, Bdellium, of each six drams, Myrrh,
Gilbanum, of each half an ounce, Opopanax, Verdigris, of each two drams,
Litharge nine drams, Oil two pounds, Vinegar enough to dissolve the Gums,
make it into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It consumes corrupt and dead flesh, and makes flesh soft which is
hard, it cleanses wounds, ulcers, and fistulas, and restores flesh where it is
wanting.

Unguentum Catapsoras.

College.] Take of Ceruss washed in Purslain water, then in Vinegar wherein

wild Rhadish roots have been steeped and pressed out, Lapis Calaminaris,
Chalcitis, of each six drams, burnt Lead, Goat’s blood, of each half an ounce,
Quick-silver sublimated an ounce, the juice of Houseleek, Nightshade, Plantain,
of each two ounces, Hog’s grease cleansed three pounds, Oil of Violets, Poppies,
Mandrakes, of each an ounce: first let them sublimate and exungia, then the oils,
juices, and powders, be mixed, and so made into an ointment according to art.

Unguentum Citrinum.
Or, A Citron Ointment.

College.] Take of Borax an ounce, Camphire a dram, white Coral half an

ounce, Alum Plume an ounce, Umbilicus Marinus, Tragacanth, white Starch, of
each three drams, Crystal, Dentalis Utalis, Olibanum, Niter, white Marble, of
each two drams, Gersa Serpentaria an ounce, Ceruss six ounces, Hog’s grease
not salted, a pound and an half, Goat’s suet prepared, an ounce and an half,
Hen’s fat two ounces and an half. Powder the things as you ought to do both
together, and by themselves, melt the fats being cleansed in a stone vessel, and
steep in them two Citrons of a mean bigness cut in bits, in a warm bath, after a
whole week strain it, and put in the powders by degrees, amongst which let the
Camphire and Borax be the last, stir them, and bring them into the form of an
ointment.

Unguentum Martiatum.

College.] Take of fresh Bay leaves three pounds, Garden Rue two pounds and
an half, Marjoram two pounds, Mints a pound, Sage, Wormwood, Costmary,
Bazil, of each half a pound, Sallad Oil twenty pounds, yellow Wax four pounds,
Malaga Wine two pounds, of all of them being bruised, boiled, and pressed out
as they ought, make an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a great strengthener of the head, it being anointed with it; as
also of all the parts of the body, especially the nerves, muscles, and arteries.

Unguentum Mastichinum.
Or, An Ointment of Mastich.

College.] Take of the Oil of Mastich, Wormwood, and Nard, of each an

ounce, Mastich, Mints, red Roses, red Coral, Cloves, Cinnamon, Wood of Aloes,
Squinanth, of each a dram, wax as much as is sufficient to make it into an
ointment according to art.
 Culpeper.] This is like the former, and not a whit inferior to it; it strengthens
the stomach being anointed with it, restores appetite and digestion. Before it was
called a stomach ointment.

Unguentum Neapolitanum.

College.] Take of Hog’s grease washed in juice of Sage a pound, Quick-silver

strained through leather, four ounces, oil of Bays, Chamomel, and Earthworms,
of each two ounces, Spirit of Wine an ounce, yellow Wax two ounces,
Turpentine washed in juice of Elecampane three ounces, powder of Chamepitys
and Sage, of each two drams, make them into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] A learned art to spoil people: hundreds are bound to curse such
ointments, and those that appoint them.

Unguentum Nervinum.

College.] Take of Cowslips with the flowers, Sage, Chamepitys, Rosemary,

Lavender, Bay with the berries, Chamomel, Rue, Smallage, Melilot with the
flowers, Wormwood, of each a handful, Mints, Betony, Pennyroyal, Parsley,
Centaury the less, St. John’s Wort, of each a handful, oil of Sheep’s or Bullock’s
feet, five pounds, oil of Spike, half an ounce, Sheep’s or Bullock’s Suet, or the
Marrow of either, two pounds: the herbs being bruised and boiled with the oil
and suet, make it into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It is appropriated to the nerves, and helps their infirmities coming
of cold, as also old bruises, make use of it in dead palsies, chilliness or coldness
of particular members, such as the arteries perform not their office to as they
ought; for wind anoint your belly with it; for want of digestion, your stomach;
for the cholic, your belly; for whatever disease in any part of the body comes of
cold, esteem this as a jewel.

Unguentum Pectorale.
Or, A Pectoral Ointment.

College.] Take of fresh Butter washed in Violet Water six ounces, oil of
Sweet Almonds four ounces, oil of Chamomel and Violets, white Wax, of each
three ounces, Hen’s and Duck’s grease, of each two ounces, Orris roots two
drams, Saffron half a dram: The two last being finely powdered, the rest melted
and often washed in Barley or Hyssop water, make an ointment of them
according to art.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the breast and stomach, eases the pains thereof,
helps pleurises and consumptions of the lungs, the breast being anointed with it.

Unguentum Resumptivum.

College.] Take of Hog’s grease three ounces, the grease of Hen’s, Geese, and
Ducks, of each two ounces, Oesipus half an ounce, oil of Violets, Chamomel,
and Dill, fresh Butter a pound, white Wax six ounces, mussilage of Gum
Tragacanth, Arabic, Quince seeds, Linseeds, Marsh-mallow roots, of each half
an ounce. Let the mussilages be made in Rose water, and adding the rest, make it
into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It mightily molifies without any manifest heat, and is therefore a
fit ointment for such as have agues, asthmas, hectic fevers, or consumptions. It is
a good ointment to ease pains coming by inflammations of wounds or
aposthumes, especially such as dryness accompanies, an infirmity wounded
people are many times troubled with. In inward aposthumes, as pleurises, one of
them to anoint the external region of the part, is very beneficial.

Unguentum Splanchnicum.

College.] Take of oil of Capers an ounce, oil of white Lillies, Chamomel,

fresh Butter, juice of Briony and Sowbread, of each half an ounce, boil it to the
consumption of the juice, add Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, two drams
and an half, Hen’s grease, Oesypus, Marrow of a Calf’s Leg, of each half an
ounce, powder of the bark of the roots of Tamaris and Capers, Fern roots,
Cetrach, of each a dram, the seeds of Agnus Castuus, and Broom, of each a
scruple, with a sufficient quantity of Wax, make it into an ointment according to
art.

Unguentum Splanchnicum Magistrale.

College.] Take of the bark of Caper roots six drams, Briony roots, Orris
Florentine, powder of sweet Fennel seeds, Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar,
of each half an ounce, tops of Wormwood, Chamomel flowers, of each a dram,
ointment of the juice and of flowers of Oranges, of each six drams, oil of Orris
and Capers, of each an ounce and an half: the things which ought being
powdered and sifted, the rest diligently mixed in a hot mortar, make it into an
ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] Both these ointments are appropriated to the spleen, and eases the
pains thereof, the sides being anointed with them. I fancy not the former.

Unguentum e Succis.
Or, Ointment of Juices.

College.] Take of the juice of Dwarf-Elder eight ounces, of Smallage and

Parsley, of each four ounces, Wormwood and Orris, of each five ounces,
common Oil half a pound, oil of white Lilies ten ounces, of Wormwood and
Chamomel, of each six ounces, the fat of Ducks and Hens, of each two ounces,
boil them together with a gentle fire till the juice be consumed, then strain it, and
with seven ounces of white Wax, and a little white Wine Vinegar, make it into
an ointment according to art.
See Unguentum ex Succis Aperitivis.

Unguentum Sumach.

College.] Take of Sumach, unripe Galls, Myrtle berries, Balaustines,

Pomegranate Pills, Acorn Cups, Cypress Nuts, Acacia, Mastich, of each ten
drams, white Wax five ounces, oil of Roses often washed in Alum water, a
pound and ten ounces, make a fine powder of the things you can, and steep them
four whole days in juice of Medlars and Services, of each a sufficient quantity,
then dry them by a gentle fire, and with the oil and wax boil it into an ointment.
Culpeper.] It is a gallant drying and binding ointment. Besides, the stomach
anointed with it, stays vomiting, and the belly anointed with it stays looseness, if
the fundament fall out, when you have put it up again anoint it with this
ointment, and it will fall out no more. Do the like by the womb if that fall out.

Ointment of Marsh-mallows, compound.

Nicholaus.
 College.] Take of Marsh-mallow roots two pounds, the seeds of Flax and
Fœnugreek, of each one pound, pulp of Squills half a pound, Oil four pounds,
Wax one pound, Turpentine, Gum of Ivy, Galbanum, of each two ounces,
Colophonia, Rozin, of each half a pound: Let the roots be well washed and
bruised, as also the Linseed, Fœnugreek seed, and Squills, then steep them three
days in eight pints of water, the fourth day boil them a little upon the fire, and
draw out the mussilage, of which take two pounds, and boil it with the oil to the
consumption of the juice, afterwards add the Wax, Rozin, and Colophonia, when
they are melted, add the Turpentine, afterwards the Galbanum and Gum of Ivy,
dissolved in Vinegar, boil them a little, and having removed them from the fire,
stir them till they are cold, that so they may be well incorporated.
Culpeper.] It heats and moistens, helps pains of the breast coming of cold and
pleurises, old aches, and stitches, and softens hard swellings.

Unguentum Diapompholigos nihili.

Nicholaus.

College.] Take of Oil of Roses sixteen ounces, juice of Nightshade six

ounces, let them boil to the consumption of the juice, then add white Wax five
ounces, Ceruss washed two ounces, Lead burnt and washed, Pompholix
prepared, pure Frankincense, of each an ounce, let them be brought into the form
of an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] It cools and binds, drys, and stays fluxes, either of blood or
humours in wounds, and fills hollow ulcers with flesh.

Unguentum Refrigerans. Galenus.

It is also called a Cerecloath.

College.] Take of white Wax four ounces, Oil of Roses omphacine one
pound, melt it in a double vessel, then pour it out into another, by degrees
putting in cold water, and often pouring it out of one vessel into another, stirring
it till it be white, last of all wash it in Rose water, adding a little Rose Water, and
Rose Vinegar.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling thing, to cure inflammations in wounds or
tumours.
 Unguentum e Succis Aperitivis primum.
Fœsius.

College.] Take of the juice of Smallage, Endive, Mints, Wormwood, common

Parsley, Valerian, of each three ounces, oil of Wormwood and Mints, of each
half a pound, yellow Wax three ounces, mix them together over the fire, and
make of them an ointment.
Culpeper.] It opens stoppages of the stomach and spleen, eases the rickets,
the breast and sides being anointed with it.

An Ointment for the Worms. Fœsius.

College.] Take of oil of Rue, Savin, Mints, Wormwood, and bitter Almonds,
of each an ounce and an half, juice of the flowers or leaves of Peaches, and
Wormwood, of each half an ounce, powder of Rue, Mints, Gentian, Centaury the
less, Tormentil, of each one dram, the seeds of Coleworts, the pulp of
Colocynthis, of each two drams, Aloes Hepatic, three drams, the meal of
Lupines half an ounce, Myrrh washed in grass water a dram and an half, Bull’s
Galls an ounce and an half, with juice of Lemons, so much as is sufficient, and
an ounce and an half of Wax, make it into an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.] The belly being anointed with it kills the worms.
 CERECLOATHS.

Ceratum de Galbano.
Or, Cerecloath of Galbanum.

College.] Take of Galbanum prepared, an ounce and an half, Assafœtida half

an ounce, Bdellium a dram, Myrrh two drams, Wax two ounces, Carrot seeds a
scruple, Featherfew, Mugwort, of each half a dram, dissolve the Gums in
Vinegar, and make it a cerecloath according to art.
Culpeper.] Being applied to the belly of a woman after labour, it cleanses her
of any relicts accidently left behind, helps the fits of the mother, and other
accidents incident to women in that case.

Ceratum Oesypatum.

College.] Take of Oesypus ten ounces, Oil of Chamomel, and Orris, of each
half a pound, yellow Wax two pounds, Rozin a pound, Mastich, Ammoniacum,
Turpentine, of each an ounce, Spikenard two drams and an half, Saffron a dram
and an half, Styrax Calamitis half an ounce, make them into a cerecloath
according to art.
Culpeper.] It molifies and digests hard swellings of the liver, spleen, womb,
nerves, joints, and other parts of the body, and is a great easer of pain.

Ceratum Santalinum.

College.] Take of red Sanders, ten drams, white and yellow Sanders, of each
six drams, red Roses twelve drams, Bole-ammoniac seven drams, Spodium four
drams, Camphire two drams, white Wax washed thirty drams, Oil of Roses
omphacine six ounces: make it into a cerecloath according to art.
Culpeper.] It wonderfully helps hot infirmities of the stomach, liver, and
other parts, being but applied to them.

PLAISTERS.
 Emplastrum ex Ammoniaco.
Or, A Plaister of Ammoniacum.

College.] Take of Ammoniacum, Bran well sifted, of each an ounce,

Ointment of Marsh-mallows, Melilot plaister compound, roots of Briony, and
Orris in powder, of each half an ounce, the fat of Ducks, Geese, and Hens, of
each three drams, Bdellium, Galbanum, of each one dram and an half, Per-
Rozin, Wax, of each five ounces, oil of Orris, Turpentine, of each half an ounce,
boil the fats and oil with mussilage of Linseed, and Fenugreek seed, of each
three ounces, to the consumption of the mussilage, strain it, and add the Wax,
Rozin, and Turpentine, the ointment of Marsh-mallows with the plaister of
Melilot; when it begins to be cold, put in the Ammoniacum, dissolved in
Vinegar, then the Bdellium in powder, with the rest of the powders, and make it
into a plaister according to art.
Culpeper.] It softens and assuages hard swellings, and scatters the humours
offending, applied to the side it softens the hardness of the spleen, assuages
pains thence arising.

Emplastrum e Baccus Lauri.

Or, A Plaister of Bayberries.

College.] Take of Bayberries husked, Turpentine, of each two ounces,

Frankincense, Mastich, Myrrh, of each an ounce, Cypress, Costus, of each half
an ounce, Honey warmed and not scummed, four ounces: make it into a plaister
according to art.
Culpeper.] It is an excellent plaister to ease any pains coming of cold or
wind, in any part of the body, whether stomach, liver, belly, reins, or bladder. It
is an excellent remedy for the cholic and wind in the bowels.

Emplastrum Barbarum Magnum.

College.] Take of dry Pitch eight pounds, yellow Wax six pounds and eight
ounces, Per-Rozin five pounds and four ounces, Bitumen, Judaicum, or Mummy,
four pounds, Oil one pound and an half, Verdigris, Litharge, Ceruss, of each
three ounces, Frankincense half a pound, Roach Alum not burnt, an ounce and
an half, burnt, four ounces, Opopanax, scales of Brass, Galbanum, of each
twelve drams, Aloes, Opium, Myrrh, of each half an ounce, Turpentine two
pounds, juice of Mandrakes, or else dried bark of the root, six drams, Vinegar
five pounds: Let the Litharge, Ceruss, and Oil, boil to the thickness of Honey,
then incorporate with them the Pitch, being melted with Bitumen in powder;
then add the rest, and boil them according to art, till the vinegar be consumed,
and it stick not to your hands.
Culpeper.] It helps the bitings of men and beasts, eases inflammations of
wounds, and helps infirmities of the joints, and gouts in the beginning.

Emplastrum de Betonica.
Or, A Plaister of Betony.

College.] Take of Betony, Burnet, Agrimony, Sage, Pennyroyal, Yarrow,

Comfrey the greater, Clary, of each six ounces, Frankincense, Mastich, of each
three drams, Orris, round Birthwort, of each six drams, white Wax, Turpentine,
of each eight ounces, Per-Rozin six ounces, Gum Elemi, Oil of Fir, of each two
ounces, white Wine three pounds: bruise the herbs, boil them in the Wine, then
strain them, and add the rest, and make them into a plaister according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a good plaister to unite the skull when it is cracked, to draw
out pieces of broken bones, and cover the bones with flesh: It draws filth from
the bottom of deep ulcers, restores flesh lost, cleanses, digests, and drys.

Emplastrum Cæsarus.

College.] Take of red Roses one ounce and an half, Bistort roots, Cypress
Nuts, all the Sanders, Mints, Coriander seeds, of each three drams, Mastich half
an ounce, Hypocistis, Acacia, Dragon’s blood, Earth of Lemnos, Bole-
ammoniac, red Coral, of each two drams, Turpentine washed in Plantain water
four ounces, Oil of Roses three ounces, white Wax twelve ounces, Per-Rozin ten
ounces, Pitch six ounces, the juice of Plantain, Houseleek, and Orpine, of each
an ounce, the Wax, Rozin, and Pitch being melted together, add the Turpentine
and Oil, then the Hypocistis and Acacia dissolved in the juices, at last the
powders, and make it into a plaister according to art.
Culpeper.] It is of a fine, cool, binding, strengthening nature, excellently
good to repel hot rheums or vapours that ascend up to the head, the hair being
shaved off, and it applied to the crown.
 Emplastrum Catagmaticum the first.

College.] Take of juice of Marsh-mallow roots six ounces, bark of Ashtree

roots, and their leaves, the roots of Comfrey the greater and smaller with their
leaves, of each two ounces, Myrtle Berries an ounce and an half, the leaves of
Willow, the tops of St. John’s Wort, of each an handful and an half, having
bruised them, boil them together in red Wine, and Smith’s Water, of each two
pound, till half be consumed, strain it, and add Oil of Myrtles, and Roses
omphacine, of each one pound and an half, Goat’s suet eight ounces, boil it
again to the consumption of the decoction, strain it again, and add Litharge of
Gold and Silver, red Lead, of each four ounces, yellow Wax one pound,
Colophonia half a pound, boil it to the consistance of a plaister, then add
Turpentine two ounces, Myrrh, Frankincense, Mastich, of each half an ounce,
Bole-ammoniac, Earth of Lemnos, of each one ounce, stir them about well till
they be boiled, and made into an emplaister according to art.

Catagmaticum the second.

College.] Take of the roots of Comfrey the greater, Marsh-mallows, Misselto

of the Oak, of each two ounces, Plantain, Chamepitys, St. John’s Wort, of each a
handful, boil them in equal parts of black Wine, and Smith’s Water till half be
consumed, strain it, and add mussilage of Quince seeds made in Tripe water, Oil
of Mastich and Roses, of each four ounces, boil it to the consumption of the
humidity, and having strained it, add Litharge of Gold four ounces, boil it to the
consistence of an emplaister, then add yellow Wax four ounces, Turpentine three
ounces, Colophonia six drams, Ship Pitch ten ounces, powders of Balaustines,
Roses, Myrtles, Acacia, of each half an ounce, Mummy, Androsamum, Mastich,
Amber, of each six drams, Bole-ammoniac fine flowers, Frankincense, of each
twelve drams, Dragon’s blood two ounces: make it into a plaister according to
art.
Culpeper.] Both this and the former are binding and drying, the former rules
will instruct you in the use.

Emplastrum Cephalicum.
Or, A Cephalic Plaister.

College.] Take of Rozin two ounces, black Pitch one ounce, Labdanum,
Turpentine, flower of Beans, and Orobus, Dove’s dung, of each half an ounce,
Myrrh, Mastich, of each one dram and an half, Gum of Juniper, Nutmegs, of
each two drams, dissolve the Myrrh and Labdanum in a hot mortar, and adding
the rest, make it into a plaister according to art. If you will have it stronger, add
the powders, Euphorbium, Pellitory of Spain, and black Pepper, of each two
scruples.
Culpeper.] It is proper to strengthen the brain, and repel such vapours as
annoy it, and those powders being added, it dries up the superfluous moisture
thereof, and eases the eyes of hot scalding vapours that annoy them.

Emplastrum de Cerussa.
Or, A Plaister of Ceruss.

College.] Take of Ceruss in fine powder, white Wax, Sallad Oil, of each three
ounces, add the Oil by degrees to the Ceruss, and boil it by continual stirring
over a gentle fire, till it begin to swell, then add the Wax cut small by degrees,
and boil it to its just consistence.
Culpeper.] It helps burns, dry scabs, and hot ulcers, and in general whatever
sores abound with moisture.

Emplastrum ex Cicuta cum Ammoniaco.

Or, A Plaister of Hemlock with Ammoniacum.

College.] Take of the juice of Hemlock four ounces, Vinegar, of Squills, and
Ammoniacum, of each eight ounces, dissolve the Gum in the juice and Vinegar,
after a due infusion, then strain it into its just consistence according to art.
Culpeper.] I suppose it was invented to mitigate the extreme pains, and allay
the inflammations of wounds, for which it is very good: let it not be applied to
any principal part.

Emplastrum e crusta Panis.

Or, A Plaister of a crust of Bread.

College.] Take of Mastich, Mints, Spodium, red Coral, all the Sanders, of
each one dram, Oil of Mastich and Quinces, of each one drain and an half, a
crust of Bread toasted, and three times steeped in red Rose Vinegar, and as often
dried, Labdanum, of each two ounces, Rozin four ounces, Styrax Calamitis half
an ounce, Barley meal five drams: make them into a plaister according to art.
Culpeper.] I shall commend this for a good plaister to strengthen the brain as
any is in the Dispensatory, the hair being shaved off, and it applied to the crown;
also being applied to the stomach, it strengthens it, helps digestion, stays
vomiting and putrefaction of the meat there.

Emplastrum e Cymino.
Or, A Plaister of Cummin.

College.] Take of Cummin-seed, Bayberries, yellow Wax, of each one pound,

Per-Rozin two pounds, common Rozin three pounds, Oil of Dill half a pound:
mix them, and make them into a plaister.
Culpeper.] It assuages swellings, takes away old aches coming of bruises, and
applied to the belly, is an excellent remedy for the wind cholic. This I have often
proved, and always with good success.

Emplastrum Diacalciteos.

College.] Take of Hog’s grease fresh and purged from the skins two pounds,
oil of Olives omphacine, Litharge of Gold beaten and sifted, of each three
pounds, white Vitriol burnt and purged four ounces: let the Litharge, grease, and
oil boil together with a gentle fire, with a little Plantain water, always stirring it,
to the consistence of a plaister, into which (being removed from the fire) put in
the Vitriol and make it into a plaister according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a very drying, binding plaister, profitable in green wounds to
hinder putrefaction, as also in pestilential sores after they are broken, and
ruptures, and also in burnings and scaldings.

Diachylon simple.

College.] Take of mussilage of Linseed, Fenugreek seed, Marsh-mallow

roots, of each one pound, old Oil three pounds: boil it to the consumption of the
mussilage, strain it, and add Litharge of Gold in fine powder, one pound and an
half: boil them with a little water over a gentle fire always stirring them to a just
thickness.
 Culpeper.] It is an exceeding good remedy for all swellings without pain, it
softens hardness of the liver and spleen, it is very gentle.

Diachylon Ireatum.

College.] Add one ounce of Orris in powder to every pound of Diachylon

simple.

Diachylon Magnum.

College.] Take of mussilage of Raisins, fat Figs, Mastich, Mallow-roots,

Linseeds, and Fenugreek-seeds, Birdlime, the juice of Orris and Squills, of each
twelve drams and an half, Œsypus or oil of Sheep’s feet an ounce and an half,
Oil of Orris, Chamomel, Dill, of each eight ounces, litharge of Gold in fine
powder one pound, Turpentine three ounces, Per-Rozin, yellow Wax, of each
two ounces, boil the oil with the mussilages and juices to the consumption of the
humidity, strain the oil from the faces, and by adding the Litharge boil it to its
consistence; then add the Rozin and Wax; lastly, it being removed from the fire,
add the Turpentine, Œsypus and Birdlime, make of them a plaister by melting
them according to art.
Culpeper.] It dissolves hardness and inflammations.

Diachylon magnum cum Gummi.

College.] Take of Bdellium, Sagapenum, Amoniacum, of each two ounces,

dissolved in Wine, and added to the mass of Diachylon magnum: first boil the
gums being dissolved, to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] This is the best to dissolve hard swellings of all the three.

Diachylon compositum, sive Emplaistrum e Mussilaginibus.

Or, A Plaister of Mussilages.

College.] Take of mussilages of the middle bark of Elm, Marsh-mallow roots,

Linseed, and Fenugreek seed, of each four ounces and an half, oil of Chamomel,
Lilies, and Dill, of each an ounce and an half, Ammoniacum, Galbanum,
Sagapen, Opopanax, of each half an ounce, new Wax twenty ounces, Turpentine
two ounces, Saffron two drams, dissolve the Gums in Wine, and make it into a
plaister according to art.
Culpeper.] It ripens swellings, and breaks them, and cleanses them when they
are broken. It is of a most excellent ripening nature.

Emplaistrum Diaphœnicon hot.

College.] Take of yellow Wax two ounces, Per-Rozin, Pitch, of each four
ounces, Oil of Roses and Nard, of each one ounce, melt them together, and add
pulp of Dates made in Wine four ounces, flesh of Quinces boiled in red Wine an
ounce, then the powders following: take of Bread twice baked, steeped in Wine
and dried, two ounces, Mastich an ounce, Frankincense. Wormwood, red Roses,
Spikenard, of each two drams and an half, Wood of Aloes, Mace, Myrrh, washed
Aloes, Acacia, Troches of Gallia Moschata, and Earth of Lemnos, Calamus
Aromaticus, of each one dram, Labdanum three ounces, mix them and make
them into a plaister according to art.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the stomach and liver exceedingly, helps fluxes,
apply it to the places grieved.

Diaphœnicon cold.

College.] Take of Wax four ounces, Ship Pitch five ounces, Labdanum three
ounces and an half, Turpentine an ounce and an half, Oil of Roses one ounce,
melt these, and add pulp of Dates almost ripe, boiled in austere Wine four
ounces, flesh of Quinces in like manner boiled, Bread twice baked often steeped
in red Wine and dried, of each an ounce, Styrax Calamitis, Acacia, unripe
Grapes, Balaustines, yellow Sanders, troches of Terra Lemnia, Myrrh, Wood of
Aloes, of each half an ounce, Mastich, red Roses, of each an ounce and an half,
austere Wine as much as is sufficient to dissolve the juices, make it into a
plaister according to art.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the belly and liver, helps concoction in those parts,
and distribution of humours, stays vomiting and fluxes.

Emplastrum Divinum.
Or, A Divine Plaster.
 College.] Take of Loadstone four ounces, Ammoniacum three ounces and
three drams, Bdellium two ounces, Galbanum, Myrrh, of each ten drams,
Olibanum nine drams, Opopanax, Mastich, long Birthwort, Verdigris, of each an
ounce, Litharge, common Oil, of each a pound and an half, new Wax eight
ounces: let the Litharge in fine powder be boiled with the oil to a thickness, then
add the Wax, which being melted, take it from the fire, add the Gums dissolved
in Wine and Vinegar, strain it, then add the Myrrh, Mastich, Frankincense,
Birthwort, and Loadstone in powder, last of all the Verdigris in powder, and
make it into a plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] It is of a cleansing nature, exceeding good against malignant
ulcers, it consumes corruption, engenders new flesh, and brings them to a scar.

Emplastrum Epispasticum.

College.] Take of Mustard seed, Euphorbium, long Pepper, of each one dram
and an half, Stavesacre, Pellitory of Spain of each two drams, Ammoniacum,
Galbanum, Phellium, Sagapen, of each three drams, whole Cantharides five
drams, Ship Pitch, Rozin, yellow Wax, of each six drams, Turpentine as much as
is sufficient to make it into a plaster.
Culpeper.] Many people use to draw blisters in their necks for the tooth ache,
or for rheums in their eyes; if they please to lay a plaster of this there, it will do
it.

Emplastrum a nostratibus, Flos Unguentorum Dictum.

Or, Flower of Ointments.

College.] Take of Rozin, Per Rozin, yellow Wax, Sheep’s Suet, of each half a
pound, Olibanum four ounces, Turpentine two ounces and an half, Myrrh,
Mastich, of each an ounce, Camphire two drams, white Wine half a pound, boil
them into a plaster.
Culpeper.] I found this receipt in an old manuscript written in the year 1513,
the quantity of the ingredients very little altered.

A Plaster of Gum Elemi.

College.] Take of Gum Elemi three ounces, Per Rozin, Wax, Ammoniacum,
of each two ounces, Turpentine three ounces and an half, Mallaga Wine so much
as is sufficient: boil it to the consumption of the Wine, then add the
Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar.
Culpeper.] The operation is the same with Arceus Liniment.

A Plaister of Lapis Calaminaris.

College.] Take of Lapis Calaminaris prepared an ounce, Litharge two ounces,

Ceruss half an ounce, Tutty a dram, Turpentine six drams, white Wax an ounce
and an half, Stag’s Suet two ounces, Frankincense five drams, Mastich three
drams, Myrrh two drams, Camphire a dram and an half, make it up according to
art.

Emplastrum ad Herniam.

College.] Take of Galls, Cypress Nuts, Pomegranate Pills, Balaustines,

Acacia, the seeds of Plantain, Fleawort, Water-cresses, Acorn Cups, Beans
torrified, Birthwort long and round, Myrtles of each half an ounce. Let these be
powdered, and steeped in Rose Vinegar four days, then torrified and dried, then
take of Comfrey the greater and lesser, Horsetail, Woad, Cetrach, the roots of
Osmond Royal, Fearn, of each an ounce, Frankincense, Myrrh, Aloes, Mastich,
Mummy, of each two ounces, Bole-ammoniac washed in Vinegar, Lap,
Calaminaris prepared, Litharge of Gold, Dragon’s blood, of each three ounces,
Ship Pitch two pounds, Turpentine six ounces, or as much as is sufficient to
make it into a plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] The plaster is very binding and knitting, appropriated to ruptures
or burstens, as the title of it specifies, it strengthens the reins and womb, stays
abortion, it consolidates wounds, and helps all diseases coming of cold and
moisture.

Emplastrum Hystericum.

College.] Take of Bistort roots one pound, Wood of Aloes, yellow Sanders,
Nutmegs, Barberry Kernels, Rose seeds, of each one ounce, Cinnamon, Cloves,
Squinanth, Chamomel flowers, of each half an ounce, Frankincense, Mastich,
Alipta Moschata, Gallia Moschata, Styrax Calamitis, of each one dram, Mosch
half a dram, yellow Wax one pound and an half, Turpentine half a pound,
Moschæleum four ounces, Labdanum four pounds, Ship Pitch three pounds: let
the Labdanum and Turpentine be added to the Pitch and Wax, being melted, then
the Styrax, lastly the rest in powder, and sifted, that they may be made into a
plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] The plaster being applied to the navel, is a means to withstand the
fits of the mother in such women as are subject to them, by retaining the womb
in its place.

Emplastrum de Mastich.
Or, A Plaster of Mastich.

College.] Take of Mastich three ounces, Bole-ammoniac washed in black

Wine, an ounce and an half, red Roses six drams, Ivory, Myrtle Berries, red
Coral, of each half an ounce, Turpentine, Colophonia, Tachamahacca,
Labdanum, of each two ounces, yellow Wax half a pound, Oil of Myrtles four
ounces: make it into a plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a binding plaster, strengthens the stomach being applied to it,
and helps such as loath their victuals, or cannot digest it, or retain it till it be
digested.

Emplastrum de Meliloto Simplex.

Or, A Plaster of Melilot simple.

College.] Take of Rozin eight pounds, yellow Wax four pounds, Sheep’s Suet
two pounds: these being melted, add green Melilot cut small, five pounds: make
it into a plaster according to art.

Emplastrum de Meliloto compositum.

Or, A Plaster of Melilot compound.

College.] Take of Melilot flowers six drams, Chamomel flowers, the seeds of
Fenugreek, Bay berries husked, Marsh-mallow roots, the tops of Wormwood and
Marjoram, of each three drams, the seeds of Smallage, Ammi, Cardamoms, the
roots of Orris, Cypress, Spikenard, Cassia Lignea, of each one dram and an half,
Bdellium five drams: beat them all into fine powder, the pulp of twelve Figs, and
incorporate them with a pound and an half of Melilot plaster simple, Turpentine
an ounce and an half, Ammoniacum dissolved in Hemlock Vinegar, three
ounces, Styrax five drams, oil of Marjoram, and Nard, of each half an ounce, or
a sufficient quantity, make it into a plaster with a hot mortar and pestle, without
boiling.
Culpeper.] It mollifies the hardness of the stomach, liver, spleen, bowels, and
other parts of the body: it wonderfully assuages pain, and eases hypochondriac
melancholy, and the rickets.

Emplastrum de minio compositum.

Or, A Plaster of red Lead compound.

College.] Take of Oil of Roses omphacine twenty ounces, oil of Mastich two
ounces, Suet of a Sheep and a Calf, of each half a pound, Litharge of Gold and
Silver, red Lead, of each two ounces, a taster full of Wine: boil them by a gentle
fire continually stirring it till it grow black, let the fire be hottest towards the
latter end, then add Turpentine half a pound, Mastich two ounces, Gum Elemi
one ounce, white Wax as much as is sufficient: boil them a little, and make them
into a plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] It potently cures wounds, old malignant ulcers, and is very drying.

Emplastrum de minio Simplicius.

Or, A Plaster of red Lead simple.

College.] Take of red Lead nine ounces, Oil of red Roses one pound and an
half, white Wine Vinegar six ounces, boil it into the perfect body of a plaster. It
is prepared without Vinegar, thus: take of red Lead one pound, Oil of Roses one
pound and an half, Wax half a pound, make it into a plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling healing plaster, and very drying.

Emplastrum Metroproptoticon.

College.] Take of Mastich one ounce and an half, Galbanum dissolved in red
Wine and strained, six drams, Cypress Turpentine two drams, Cypress Nuts,
Galls, of each one dram and an half, oil of Nutmegs by expression one dram,
Musk two grains and an half, Pitch scraped off from old ships two drams and an
half; beat the Galbanum, Pitch, Turpentine, and Mastich gently in a hot mortar
and pestle, towards the end, adding the Oil of Nutmegs, then the rest in powder,
last of all the Musk mixed with a little Oil of Mastich upon a marble, and by
exact mixture make them into a plaster.

Emplastrum Nervinum.

College.] Take of Oil of Chamomel and Roses, of each two ounces, of

Mastich, Turpentine, and Linseeds, of each an ounce and an half, Turpentine
boiled four ounces, Rosemary, Bettony, Horsetail, Centaury the less, of each a
handful, Earthworms washed and cleansed in Wine three ounces, tops of St.
John’s Wort a handful, Mastich, Gum Elemi, Madder roots, of each ten drams,
Ship-pitch, Rozin, of each an ounce and an half, Litharge of Gold and Silver, of
each two ounces and an half, red Lead two ounces, Galbanum, Sagapen,
Ammoniacum, of each three drams; boil the roots, herbs, and worms, in a pound
and an half of Wine till half be consumed, then press them out, and boil the
decoction again with the Oils, Suets, Litharge, and red Lead, to the consumption
of the Wine: then add the Gums dissolved in Wine, afterwards the Turpentine,
Rozin, Pitch, and Mastich, in powders and make them into a plaster according to
art.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the brain and nerves, and then being applied to the
back, down along the bone, it must needs add strength to the body.

Emplastrum Oxycroceum.

College.] Take of Saffron, Ship-pitch, Colophonia, yellow Wax, of each four

ounces, Turpentine, Galbanum, Ammoniacum, Myrrh, Olibanum, Mastich, of
each one ounce and three drams. Let the Pitch and Colophonia be melted
together, then add the Wax, then (it being removed from the fire) the Turpentine,
afterwards the Gums dissolved in Vinegar, lastly the Saffron in powder, well
mixed with Vinegar, and so make it into a plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] It is of a notable softening and discussing quality, helps broken
bones, and any part molested with cold, old aches, stiffness of the limbs by
reason of wounds, ulcers, fractures, or dislocations, and dissipates cold
swellings.

Emplastrum Stephaniaion.
 College.] Take of Labdanum half an ounce, Styrax, Juniper Gum, of each two
drams, Amber, Cypress, Turpentine, of each one dram, red Coral, Mastich, of
each half a dram, the flowers of Sage, red Roses, the roots of Orris Florentine, of
each one scruple, Rozin washed in Rose-water half an ounce, the Rozin,
Labdanum, Juniper Gum, and Turpentine, being gently beaten in a hot mortar,
with a hot pestle, sprinkling in a few drops of red Wine till they are in a body;
then put in the powders, and by diligent stirring make them into an exact plaster.

Emplastrum Sticticum.

College.] Take of Oil of Olives six ounces, yellow Wax an ounce and an half,
Litharge in powder four ounces and an half, Ammoniacum, Bdellium, of each
half an ounce, Galbanum, Opopanax, Oil of Bays, Lapis Calaminaris, both sorts
of Birthwort, Myrrh, Frankincense, of each two drams, pure Turpentine an
ounce. Let the Oil, Wax, and Litharge be boiled together till it stick not to your
fingers, then the mass being removed from the fire and cooled a little, and the
Gums dissolved in white Wine Vinegar, which evaporate away by boiling, strain
it strongly, then add the powders, Turpentine, and Oil of Bays, that it may be
made into a plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the nerves, draws out corruption, takes away pains
and aches, and restores strength to members that have lost it: the last is most
effectual.

Emplastrum Stomachicum Magistrale.

Or, A Stomach Plaster.

College.] Take of Mints, Wormwood, Stœchas, Bay leaves, of each a dram,

Marjoram, red Roses, yellow Sanders, of each two drams, Calamus Aromaticus,
Wood of Aloes, Lavender flowers, Nutmegs, Cubebs, Galanga, long Pepper,
Mace, of each a dram, Mastich three drams, Cloves two drams and an half, Oil
of Mints an ounce and an half, Oil of Nard an ounce, Oil of Spike a dram, Rozin,
Wax, of each four ounces, Labdanum three ounces, Styrax half an ounce: make
it into a plaster.
Culpeper.] Both this and the other of that name which you shall have by and
by, strengthen the stomach exceedingly, help digestion and stay vomiting.

Emplastrum Ceroma, or, Ceroneum.

 Nich. Alex.

College.] Take of Pitch scraped from a Ship that hath been a long time at Sea,
yellow Wax, of each seven drams, Sagapenum six drams, Ammoniacum,
Turpentine, Colophonia, Saffron, of each four drams, Aloes, Olibanum, Myrrh,
of each three drams, Styrax Calamitis, Mastich, Opopanax, Galbanum, Alum,
the seeds of Fenugreek, of each two drams, the settlings or faces of liquid
Styrax, Bdellium, of each one dram, Litharge half a dram.
Culpeper.] It is of a gentle emolient nature, prevails against stoppings of the
stomach, coming of cold, hardness of the spleen, coldness of the liver and
matrix.

Emplastrum Gratia Dei. Nich.

Or, the Grace of God.

College.] Take of Turpentine half a pound, Rozin one pound, white Wax four
ounces, Mastich an ounce, fresh Betony, Vervain, and Burnet, of each one
handful. Let the herbs, being bruised, be sufficiently boiled in white Wine, the
liquor pressed out, in which let the Wax and Rozin be boiled to the consumption
of the liquor: being taken from the fire, let the Turpentine be mixed with it; lastly
the Mastich in powder, and so make of them a plaster according to art.
Culpeper.] It is excellent good in wounds and green ulcers, for it keeps back
inflammations, cleanses and joins wounds, fills up ulcers with flesh.

Emplastrum de Janua, or of Betony.

Nicholaus.

College.] Take of the juice of Betony, Plantain, and Smallage, of each one
pound, Wax, Pitch, Rozin, Turpentine, of each half a pound, boil the Wax and
Rozin in the juices with a gentle fire, continually stirring them till the juice be
consumed; then add the Turpentine and Pitch, continually stirring it till it be
brought into the consistence of a plaster according to art.

Emplastrum Isis Epigoni. Galen.

College.] Take of yellow Wax an hundred drams, Turpentine two hundred

drams, scales of Copper, Verdigris, round Birthwort, Frankincense, Sal-
ammoniac, Ammoniacum, burnt brass of each eight drams, burnt Alum six
drams, Aloes, Myrrh, Galbanum, of each an ounce and a half, old Oil one pound,
sharp Vinegar so much as is sufficient. Let the metals be dissolved in the sun
with the Vinegar, then put in those things that may be melted, last of all the
powders, and make them all into an emplaster.
Culpeper.] Galen appropriates it to the head, and ulcers there. I know no
reason but why it may as well serve for other parts of the body.

A Plaster of Mastich. Nich. Alex.

College.] Take of Mastich, Ship Pitch, Sagapenum, Wax, of each six drams,
Ammoniacum, Turpentine, Colophonia, Saffron, Aloes, Frankincense, Myrrh, of
each three drams, Opopanax, Galbanum, Styrax, Calamitis, Alum, (Rondeletius
appoints, and we for him) Bitumen, Fenugreek, of each two drams, the feces of
Liquid Styrax, Bdellium, Litharge, of each half a dram: Let the Litharge, being
beaten into powder, be boiled in a sufficient quantity of water; then add the
pitch, which being melted, add the Wax and Ammoniacum, afterwards let the
Sagapenum, Opopanax, and Galbanum be put in; then the Styrax and Feces
being mixed with the Turpentine, last of all the Colophonia, Mastich,
Frankincense, Bdellium, Alum, Myrrh, and Fenugreek in powder: let them be
made into a plaster.
Culpeper.] It strengthens the stomach, and helps digestion.

Emplastrum Nigrum. August. Called in

High Dutch Stichstaster.

College.] Take of Colophonia, Rozin, Ship Pitch, white Wax, roman Vitriol,
Ceruss, Olibanum, Myrrh, of each eight ounces, Oil of roses seven ounces, Oil
of Juniper Berries three ounces, Oil of Eggs two ounces, Oil of Spick one ounce,
white Vitriol, red Coral, Mummy, of each two ounces, Earth of Lemnos,
Mastich, Dragon’s blood, of each one ounce, the fat of an Heron one ounce, the
fat of Pimullus three ounces, Load stone prepared, two ounces, Earthworms
prepared, Camphire, of each one ounce; make them into a plaster according to
art.
Culpeper.] It is very good in green wounds and shootings.
 A KEY

TO

GALEN’S METHOD OF PHYSIC.

The general use of physic.
I SHALL desire thee, whoever thou art, that intendest the noble (though too
much abused) study of physic, to mind heedfully these following rules; which
being well understood, shew thee the Key of Galen and Hippocrates their
method of physic: he that useth their method, and is not heedful of these rules,
may soon cure one disease, and cause another more desperate.
That thou mayest understand what I intend, it is to discover in a general way
of the manifest virtues of medicines.
I say of the manifest virtues, and qualities, viz. Such as are obvious to the
senses, especially to the taste and smell: for it hath been the practice of most
Physicians, in these latter ages as well as ours, to say, when they cannot give,
nor are minded to study a reason, why an herb, plant, &c. hath such an operation,
or produces such an effect in the body of man: It doth it by an hidden quality, for
they not minding the whole creation, as one united body, not knowing what
belongs to astral influence, not regarding that excellent harmony the only wise
God hath made in a composition of contraries (in the knowledge of which
consists the whole ground and foundation of physic) are totally led astray by
Tradition.
It is the manifest qualities of medicines that here I am to speak to, and you
may be pleased to behold it in this order.

SECTION. 1. Of the Temperature of Medicines.

SECTION. 2. Of the appropriation of Medicines.
SECTION. 3. Of the Properties of Medicines.
 SECTION I.
Of the Temperature of Medicines.

Herbs, plants, and other medicines manifestly operate, either by heat,

coldness, dryness, or moisture, for the world being composed of so many
qualities, they and only they can be found in the world, and the mixtures of them
one with another.
But that they may appear as clear as the sun when he is upon the meridian, I
shall treat of them severally, and in this order

1. Of Medicines temperate.
2. Of Medicines hot.
3. Of Medicines cold.
4. Of Medicines moist.
5. Of Medicines dry.

Of Medicines Temperate.

If the world be composed of extremes, then it acts by extremes, for as the

man is, so is his work: therefore it is impossible that any medicine can be
temperate, but may be reduced to heat, cold, dryness, or moisture, and must
operate, (I mean such as operate by manifest quality) by one of these, because
there is no other to operate by, and that there should be such a temperate
mixture, so exquisitely of these qualities in any medicine, that one of them
should not manifestly excel the other, I doubt it is a system too rare to find.
Thus then I conclude the matter to be, those Medicines are called temperate
(not because they have excess of temperature at all in them) which can neither be
said, to heat nor cool so much as will amount to the first degree of excess, for
daily experience witnesses that they being added to medicines, change not their
qualities, they make them neither hotter nor colder.
Their use. They are used in such diseases where there is no manifest
distemper of the first qualities, viz. heat and cold, for example; In obstruction of
the bowels, where cold medicines might make the obstruction greater, and hot
medicines cause a fever.
In fevers of flegm, where the cause is cold and moist, and the effect hot and
dry; in such, use temperate medicines which may neither encrease the fever by
their heat, nor condensate the flegm by their coldness.
Besides, because contraries are taken away by their contraries, and every like
maintained by its like, they are of great use, to preserve the constitution of the
body temperate, and the body itself in strength and vigour, and may be used
without danger, or fear of danger, by considering which part of the body is weak,
and using such temperate medicines as are appropriated to that part.

Of Medicines hot.

The care of the ancient Physicians was such that they did not labour to hide
from, but impart to posterity, not only the temperature of medicines in general,
but also their degrees in temperature, that so the distempered part may be
brought to its temperature, and no further; for all things which are of a contrary
temperature, conduce not to cure, but the strength of the contrariety must be
observed, that so the medicine may be neither weaker nor stronger, than just to
take away the distemper; for if the distemper be but meanly hot, and you apply a
medicine cold in the fourth degree, it is true, you may soon remove that
distemper of heat, and bring another of cold twice as bad. Galen, de simp. med.
facul. lib. 3. cap. 12.
Then, secondly, Not only the distemper itself, but also the part of the body
distempered must be heeded; for if the head be distempered by heat, and you
give such medicines as cool the heart or liver, you will bring another disease,
and not cure the former.
The degrees then of temperature are to be diligently heeded, which antient
physicians have concluded to be four in the qualities, viz. heat and cold, of each
we shall speak a word or two severally.

Of Medicines hot in the first degree.

Those are said to be hot in the first degree, which induce a moderate and
natural heat to the body, and to the parts thereof; either cold by nature, or cooled
by accident, by which natural heat is cherished when weak, or restored when
wanting.
Effect 1. The first effect then of medicines hot in the first degree, is, by their
sweat and temperate heat to reduce the body to its natural heat, as the fire doth
the external parts in cold weather, unless the affliction of cold be so great that
such mild medicines will not serve the turn.
Effect 2. The second effect is, the mitigation of pain arising from such a
distemper, and indeed this effect hath other medicines, some that are cold, and
some that are hotter than the first degree, they being rationally applied to the
distemper. These medicines the Greeks call Anodyna, and shall be spoken of in
their proper places. In this place let it suffice that medicines hot in the first
degree, make the offending humours thin, and expel them by sweat, or insensible
transpiration, and these of all others are most congruous or agreeable to the body
of man, for there is no such equal temperature of heat and cold in a sound man,
but heat exceeds, for we live by heat and moisture, and not by cold.
Medicines then which are hot in the first degree, are such as just correspond
to the natural heat of our bodies; such as are hotter or colder, are more subject to
do mischief, being administered by an unskilful hand, than these are, because of
their contrariety to nature; whereas these are grateful to the body by their
moderate heat.
Effect 3. Thirdly, These take away weariness, and help fevers, being
outwardly applied, because they open the pores of the skin, and by their gentle
heat prepare the humours, and take away those fuliginous vapours that are
caused by fevers.
Discommodities.] Yet may discommodities arise by heedless giving even of
these, which I would have young students in physic to be very careful in, lest
they do more mischief than they are aware of, viz. It is possible by too much use
of them, to consume not only what is inimical in the body, but also the substance
itself, and the strength of the spirits, whence comes faintings, and sometimes
death: besides, by applying them to the parts of the body they are not
appropriated to, or by not heeding well the complexion of the patient, or the
natural temper of the part of the body afflicted, for the heart is hot, but the brain
temperate.
Effect 4. Lastly, Medicines hot in the first degree, cherish heat in the internal
parts, help concoction, breed good blood, and keep it good in temper, being bred.
 Of Medicines hot in the second degree.

These are something hotter than the natural temper of a man.

Use. Their use for such whose stomachs are filled with moisture, because
their faculty is too hot and dry; they take away obstructions or stoppings, open
the pores of the skin, but not in the same manner that such do as are hot in the
first degree, for they do it without force, by a gentle heat, concocting, and
expelling the humours, by strengthening and helping nature in the work; but
these cut tough humours, and scatter them by their own force and power when
nature cannot.

Of Medicines hot in the third degree.

Those which attain the third degree of heat, have the same faculties with
those before mentioned; but as they are hotter, so are they more powerful in their
operations, for they are so powerful in heating and cutting, that if unadvisedly
given they cause fevers. Use. Their use is to cut tough and compacted humours,
to provoke sweat abundantly; hence it comes to pass they all of them resist
poison.

Of Medicines hot in the fourth degree.

Those medicines obtain the highest degree of heat, which are so hot that they
burn the body of a man, being outwardly applied to it, and cause inflammations,
or raise blisters, as Crowfoot, Mustard-seed, Onions, &c. Of these more
hereafter.

Of cooling Medicines.

Physicians have also observed four degrees of coldness in medicines, which I

shall briefly treat of in order.

Of Medicines cold in the first degree.

Those medicines which are least cold of all, obtain the first degree of
coldness; and I beseech you take notice of this, that seeing our bodies are
nourished by heat, and we live by heat, therefore no cold medicines are friendly
to the body, but what good they do our bodies, they do it by removing an
unnatural heat, or the body heated above its natural temper.
The giving then of cold medicines to a man in his natural temper, the season
of the year also being but moderately hot, extinguishes natural heat in the body
of man.
Yet have these a necessary use in them too, though not so frequent as hot
medicines have; and that may be the reason why an all wise God hath furnished
us with far more hot herbs and plants, &c. than cold.
Use 1. Their use is first, in nourishment, that so the heat of food may be
qualified, and made for a weak stomach to digest.
Use 2. Secondly, To restrain and assuage the heat of the bowels, and to cool
the blood in fevers.
Therefore if the distemper of heat be but gentle, medicines cold in the first
degree will suffice; also children, and such people whose stomachs are weak, are
easily hurt by cold medicines.

Of Medicines cold in the second and third degree.

Use 1. Such whose stomachs are strong, and livers hot, may easily bear such
medicines as are cold in the second degree, and in cases of extremity find much
help by them: as also by such as are cold in the third degree, the extremity of the
disease considered, for by both these the unbridled heat of choler is assuaged.
Use 2. Also they are outwardly applied to hot swellings, due consideration
being had, that if the inflammation be not great, use those that are less; if the
inflammation be vehement, make use of medicines cold in the second or third
degree, always let the remedy correspond to the just proportion of the affliction.
Use 3. Thirdly, Sometimes the spirits are moved inordinately through heat,
thence follows immoderate watchings, if not deprivation of the senses, this also
must be remedied with cold medicines, for cold stops the pores of the skin,
makes the humours thick, represses sweat, and keeps up the spirits from fainting.

Of Medicines cold in the fourth degree.

 Lastly, The use of medicines cold in the fourth degree, is, To mitigate
desperate and vehement pains, stupifying the senses, when no other course can
be taken to save life: of the use of which more hereafter.

Of moistening Medicines.

There can be no such difference found amongst moistening medicines, that

they should surpass the second degree. For seeing all medicines are either hot or
cold, neither heat nor cold, seeing they are extremes, can consist with moisture,
for the one dries it up, the other condensates it.
Use. Phylosophers therefore call moisture and dryness, passive qualities, yet
have they their operation likewise; for moist medicines lenify and make slippery,
ease the cough, and help the roughness of the throat. These operations are proper
to medicines moist in the first degree.
Those which are moister, take away naturally strength, help the sharpness of
humours, make both blood and spirits thicker, looses the belly, and fits it for
purgation.
The immoderate or indiscreet use of them dulls the body, and makes it unfit
for action.

Of drying Medicines.

Drying medicines have contrary faculties to these, viz. To consume moisture,

stop fluxes, and make such parts dry as are slippery, they make the body and
members firm, when they are weakened by too much moisture, that so they may
perform their proper functions.
Yet although the members be strengthened by drying medicines, they have
notwithstanding their own proper moisture in them, which ought to be
conserved, and not destroyed, for without it they cannot consist: If then this
moisture be consumed by using, or rather over use of drying medicines, the
members can neither be nourished, nor yet perform their proper actions.
Such medicines as are dry in the third degree, being unadvisedly given,
hinder the parts of the body they are appropriated to, of their nourishment, and
by that means brings them into consumption.
 Besides, There is a certain moisture in the body of man, which is called
radical moisture, which being taken away, the parts must needs die, seeing
natural heat and life also consists in it, and this may be done by too frequent use
of medicines dry in the fourth degree: And it may be this was the reason of
Galen’s writing, that things dry in the fourth degree, must of necessity burn;
which is an effect of heat, and not of dryness, unless by burning, Galen means
consuming the radical moisture.
The use then of drying medicines, is only to such bodies, and parts of the
body, as abound with moisture, in which observe these rules.
1. If the moisture be not extreme, let not the medicine be extremely drying.
2. Let it be proper to the part of the body afflicted, for if the liver be afflicted
by moisture, and you go about to dry the brain or heart, you may sooner kill than
cure.
Thus have we briefly spoken of the first qualities of medicines, and in the
general only, and but briefly, because we shall always touch upon them in the
exposition of the other qualities, in which you must always have an eye to these.
 SECTION II.

Of the appropriation of Medicines to the

several parts of the body.
That the qualities and use of these medicines may be found out, and
understood by every one, and so my country reap the benefit of my labour, they
shall find them presented to their view in this order.
Medicines appropriated.

1. To the head.
2. To the breast and lungs.
3. To the heart.
4. To the stomach.
5. To the liver.
6. To the spleen.
7. To the reins and bladder.
8. To the womb.
9. To the joints.

CHAPTER I.
Of Medicines appropriated to the head.

By [head] is usually understood all that part of the body which is between the
top of the crown, and the uppermost joint of the neck, yet are those medicines
properly called Cephalical, which are appropriated to the brain, not to the eyes,
ears, nor teeth; neither are those medicines which are proper to the ears, proper
also to the eyes, therefore (my intent being to write as plain as I can) I shall
subdivide this chapter into these parts.
Medicines appropriated

1. To the brain.
 2. To the eyes.
3. To the mouth, and nostrils.
4. To the ears.
5. To the teeth.

For what medicines are appropriated to an unruly tongue, is not in my power

at present to determine.

Of Medicines appropriated to the brain.

Before we treat of medicines appropriated to the brain, it is requisite that we

describe what the nature and affection of the brain is.
The brain which is the seat of apprehension, judgment, and memory, the
original of sense and motion, is by nature temperate, and if so, then you will
grant me that it may easily be afflicted both by heat and cold, and it is indeed
more subject to affliction by either of them, than any other part of the body, for
if it be afflicted by heat, sense and reason, it is immoderately moved, if by cold,
they languish, and are dulled, to pass by other symptoms which invade the head,
if the brain be altered from its proper temper.
Also this is peculiar to the brain, that it is delighted or offended by smells,
sights, and sounds, but I shall meddle no further with these here, because they
are not medicines.
Cephalical Medicines may be found out from the affections of the brain
itself. The brain is usually oppressed with moisture in such afflictions; therefore
give such medicines as very gently warm, cleanse, cut, and dry: but withal, let
them be such as are appropriated to the head, such as physicians say (by an
hidden quality) strengthen the brain.
Again, if you consider the situation of the brain, you shall find it placed in the
highest part of the body, therefore it is easily afflicted with hot vapours: this
punishes a man with watching and head-ache, as the former did with sottishness
and sleepiness, in such cases use such Cephalecs as gently cool the brain.
To make Cephalecs of Narcoticks, or stupifying medicines, is not my intent,
for I am confident they are inimical both to brain and senses. Of these, and such
medicines as also purge the brain, I shall speak by and by. To return to my
purpose.
 Some Cephalics purge the brain, some heat it, some cool it, some strengthen
it; but how they perform this office peculiarly to the brain, most physicians
confess they could neither comprehend by reason, nor describe by precepts, only
thus, they do it by an hidden quality, either by strengthening the brain, thereby
descending it from diseases, or by a certain antipathy between them and the
diseases incident to the brain.
Lastly, For the use of Cephalics, observe, if the brain be much afflicted, you
cannot well strengthen it before you have purged it, neither can you well purge
the brain before you have cleansed the rest of the body, it is so subject to receive
the vapours up to it; give cooling Cephalics when the brain is too hot, and hot
Cephalics when it is too cold.
Beware of using cooling medicines to the brain when the crisis of a disease is
near: how that time may be known, I shall (God assisting me) instruct you
hereafter, let it suffice now, that according as the disease afflicting your head is,
so let your remedy be.

Of Medicines appropriated to the eyes.

Take such medicines as are appropriated to the eyes under the name of
(Ocular Medicines) I do it partly to avoid multiplicity of words, and partly to
instruct my countrymen in the terms of art belonging to physic, (I would have
called them [Ophthalmics] had not the word been troublesome to the reading,
much more to the understanding of a countryman) as I even now called such
medicines [Cephalics] as were appropriated to the brain.
Ocular medicines are twofold, viz. such as are referred to the visive virtues,
and such as are referred to the eyes themselves.
Such as strengthen the visive virtue or the optick nerves which convey it to
the eyes (say Doctors) do it by an hidden virtue, into the reason which no man
can dive, unless they should fetch it from the similitude of the substance: And
yet they say a Goat’s liver conduces much to make one see in the night, and they
give this reason, because Goats see as well in the night as in the day. Yet is there
no affinity in temperature nor substance between the liver and the eyes: However
Astrologers know well enough that all herbs, plants, &c. that are under the
dominion of either sun or moon, and appropriated to the head, be they hot or
cold they strengthen the visive virtue, as Eyebright, which is hot, Lunaria, or
Moonwort which is cold.
 As for what appertains to the constitution of the eyes themselves, seeing they
are exact in sense, they will not endure the least inconvenience, therefore such
medicines as are outwardly applied to them (for such medicines as strengthen the
visive virtues are always given inwardly) let them neither hurt by their hardness
nor gnawing quality, nor be so tough that they should stick to them. Therefore let
ocular medicines be neither in powders nor ointments, because oil itself is
offensive to the eyes, and how pleasing powders are to them, you may perceive
yourself by just going into the dust.

Medicines appropriated to the mouth and nose.

Apply no stinking medicine to a disease in the nose, for such offend not only
the nose, but also the brain; neither administer medicines of any ill taste to a
disease in the mouth, for that subverts the stomach, because the tunicle of the
mouth and of the stomach is the same: and because both mouth and nostrils are
ways by which the brain is cleansed, therefore are they infected with such vices
as need almost continual cleansing, and let the medicines you apply to them be
either pleasant, or at least, not ingrateful.

Medicines appropriated to the ears.

The ears are easily afflicted by cold, because they are always open, therefore
they require hot medicines. And because they are of themselves very dry,
therefore they require medicines which dry much.

Medicines appropriated to the teeth.

Vehement heat, and vehement cold, are inimical to the teeth, but they are
most of all offended by sharp and sour things, and the reason is, because they
have neither skin nor flesh to cover them, they delight in such medicines as are
cleansing and binding, because they are troubled with defluxions and rheums
upon every light occasion; and that’s the reason the common use of fat and sweet
things, soon rots the teeth.

CHAPTER II.
Of Medicines appropriated to the breast
 and lungs.

The medicines appropriated to the breast and lungs, you shall find called all
along by the name of [pectorals] that’s the term Physicians give them, when you
heat them talk of pectoral Syrups, pectoral rows, or pectoral Ointments.
They are divers, some of which regard the part afflicted, others the matter
afflicting.
But although sometimes in ulcers of the lungs, we are forced to use binding
medicines, to join the ulcer, yet are not these called pectorals, because binding
medicines are extreme hurtful to the breast and lungs, both because they hinder
one’s fetching his breath, and also because they hinder the avoiding that flegm
by which the breast is oppressed.
Such medicines are called pectorals, which are of a lenifying nature.
Besides, Those which make thin matter thicker are of two sorts, viz. Some are
mild and gentle, which may safely be administered, be the matter hot or cold
which offendeth; others are very cold, which are used only when the matter
offending is sharp.
But because such medicines as conduce to the cure of the phthisics (which is
an ulceration of the lungs, and the disease usually called, the consumption of the
lungs,) are also reckoned in amongst pectorals, it is not amiss to speak a word or
two of them.
In the cure of this disease are three things to be regarded.
1. To cut and bring away the concreted blood.
2. To cherish and strengthen the lungs.
3. To conglutinate the ulcer.
And indeed some particular simples will perform all these, and physicians
confess it; which shews the wonderful mystery the all-wise God hath made in
the creation, that one and the same simple should perform two contrary
operations on the same part of the body; for the more a medicine cleanses, the
more it conglutinates.
To conclude then, Pectoral Medicines are such as either cut and cleanse out
the compacted humours from the arteries of the lungs, or make thin defluxions
thick, or temper those that are sharp, help the roughness of the wind-pipe, or are
generally lenitive and softening, being outwardly applied to the breast.

CHAPTER III.
Of Medicines appropriated to the heart.

These are they which are generally given under the notion of Cordials; take
them under that name here.
The heart is the seat of the vital spirit, the fountain of life, the original of
infused heat, and of the natural affections of man.
So then these two things are proper to the heart.
1. By its heat to cherish life throughout the body.
2. To add vigour to the affections.
And if these be proper to the heart, you will easily grant me, that it is the
property of cordials to administer to the heart in these particulars.
Of Cordials, some cheer the mind, some strengthen the heart, and refresh the
spirits thereof, being decayed.
Those which cheer the mind, are not one and the same; for as the heart is
variously disturbed, either by anger, love, fear, hatred, sadness, &c. So such
things as flatter lovers or appease the angry, or comfort the fearful, or please the
hateful, may well be called cordials; for the heart, seeing it is placed in the
middle between the brain and the liver, is wrought upon by reason, as well as by
digestion, yet these, because they are not medicines, are beside my present
scope.
And although it is true, that mirth, love, &c. are actions, or motions of the
mind, not of the body; yet many have been induced to think such affections may
be wrought in the body by medicines.
The heart is chiefly afflicted by too much heat, by poison, and by stinking
vapours, and these are remedied by the second sort of cordials, and indeed
chiefly belong to our present scope.
 According to these three afflictions, viz.

1. Excessive heat.
2. Poison.
3. Melancholy vapours.

Are three kinds of remedies which succour the afflicted heart.

Such as
1. By their cooling nature mitigate the heat of fevers.
2. Resist poison.
3. Cherish the vital spirits when they languish.
All these are called Cordials.
1. Such as cool the heart in fevers, yet is not every thing that cooleth cordial,
for lead is colder than gold, yet is not lead cordial as gold is, some hold it cordial
by a hidden quality, others by reason.
2. Such as resist poison; there is a twofold resisting of poison.
1. By an antipathy between the medicine and poison.
2. By a sympathy between the medicine and the heart.
Of the first we shall speak anon, in a chapter by itself. The latter belongs to
this chapter, and they are such medicines, whose nature is to strengthen the
heart, and fortify it against the poison, as Rue, Angelica, &c. For as the
operation of the former is upon the poison, which afflicteth the heart, so the
operation of the latter is upon the heart afflicted by the poison.
To this class may be referred all such medicines as strengthen the heart either
by astral influence, or by likeness of substance, if there be such a likeness in
medicines, for a Bullock’s heart is of like substance to man’s, yet I question
whether it be cordial or not.
3. And lastly, Such as refresh the spirits, and make them lively and active,
both because they are appropriated to the office, and also because they drive
stinking and melancholy vapours from the heart, for as the animal spirit be
refreshed by fragrant smells, and the natural spirits by spices, so are the vital
spirits refreshed by all such medicines as keep back melancholy vapours from
the heart, as Borrage, Bugloss, Rosemary, Citron Pills, the compositions of
them, and many others, which this treatise will amply furnish you with.

CHAPTER IV.
Of Medicines appropriated to the stomach.

By stomach, I mean that ventricle which contains the food till it be concocted
into chyle.
Medicines appropriated to the stomach are usually called stomachicals.
The infirmities usually incident to the stomach are three.

1. Appetite lost.
2. Digestion weakened.
3. The retentive faculty corrupted.

When the appetite is lost, the man feels no hunger when his body needs
nourishment.
When digestion is weakened it is not able to concoct the meat received into
the stomach, but it putrifies there.
When the retentive faculty is spoiled the stomach is not able to retain the food
till it be digested, but either vomits it up again, or causes fluxes.
Such medicines then as remedy all these, are called stomachicals. And of
them in order.
1. Such as provoke appetite are usually of a sharp or sourish taste, and yet
withal of a grateful taste to the palate, for although loss of appetite may proceed
from divers causes, as from choler in the stomach, or putrefied humours or the
like, yet such things as purge this choler or humours, are properly called
Orecticks, not stomachicals; the former strengthen appetite after these are
expelled.
2. Such medicines help digestion as strengthen the stomach, either by
convenient heat, or aromatic (viz. spicy) faculty, by hidden property, or
congruity of nature.
 3. The retentive faculty of the stomach is corrected by binding medicines, yet
not by all binding medicines neither, for some of them are adverse to the
stomach, but by such binding medicines as are appropriated to the stomach.
For the use of these.
Use 1. Use not such medicines as provoke appetite before you have cleansed
the stomach of what hinders it.
Use 2. Such medicines as help digestion, give them a good time before meat
that so they may pass to the bottom of the stomach, (for the digestive faculty lies
there,) before the food come into it.
Use 3. Such as strengthen the retentive faculty, give them a little before meat,
if to stay fluxes, a little after meat, if to stay vomiting.

CHAPTER V.
Of Medicines appropriated to the liver.

Be pleased to take these under the name of Hepatics, for that is the usual
name physicians give them, and these also are of three sorts.

1. Some the liver is delighted in.

2. Others strengthen it.
3. Others help its vices.

The palate is the seat of taste, and its office is to judge what food is agreeable
to the stomach, and what not, by that is both the quality and quantity of food for
the stomach discerned: the very same office the meseraik veins perform to the
liver.
Sometimes such food pleases the palate which the liver likes not (but not
often) and therefore the meseraik veins refuse it, and that is the reason some few
men fancy such food as makes them sick after the eating thereof.
1. The liver is delighted exceedingly with sweet things, draws them greedily,
and digests them as swiftly, and that is the reason honey is so soon turned into
choler.
2. Such medicines strengthen the liver, as (being appropriated to it) very
gently bind, for seeing the office of the liver is to concoct, it needs some
adstriction, that so both the heat and the humour to be concocted may be stayed,
that so the one slip not away, nor the other be scattered.
Yet do not hepatical medicines require so great a binding faculty as
stomachicals do, because the passages of the stomach are more open than those
of the liver by which it either takes in chyle, or sends out blood to the rest of the
body, therefore medicines that are very binding are hurtful to the liver, and either
cause obstructions, or hinder the distribution of the blood, or both.
And thus much for the liver, the office of which is to concoct chyle, (which is
a white substance the stomach digests the food into) into blood, and distributes
it, by the veins, to every part of the body, whereby the body is nourished, and
decaying flesh restored.

CHAPTER VI.
Of Medicines appropriated to the spleen.

In the breeding of blood, are three excrements most conspicuous, viz. urine,
choler, and melancholy.
The proper seat of choler is in the gall.
The urine passeth down to the reins or kidneys, which is all one.
The spleen takes the thickest or melancholy blood to itself.
This excrement of blood is twofold: for either by excessive heat, it is addust,
and this is that the Latins call Atra Bilis: or else it is thick and earthly of itself,
and this properly is called melancholy humour.
Hence then is the nature of splenical medicines to be found out, and by these
two is the spleen usually afflicted for Atra bilis, (I know not what distinct
English name to give it) many times causes madness, and pure melancholy
causeth obstructions of the bowels, and tumours, whereby the concoction of the
blood is vitiated, and dropsies many times follow.
Medicines then peculiar to the spleen must needs be twofold also, some
appropriated to Atra bilis, others to pure melancholy; but of purging either of
them, I shall omit till I come to treat of purging in a chapter by itself.
 1. Such medicines are splenical, which by cooling and moistening temper
Atra bilis: let not these medicines be too cold neither, for there is no such heat in
Atra bilis as there is in choler, and therefore it needs no such excessive cooling:
amongst the number of these are such as we mentioned amongst the cordials to
repel melancholy vapours from the heart, such temper and assuage the malice of
Atra bilis.
2. Those medicines are also splenical, by which melancholy humours are
corrected and so prepared, that they may the more easily be evacuated: such
medicines are cutting and opening, and they differ from hepaticals in this that
they are no ways binding; for the spleen being no ways addicted to concoction,
binding medicines do it harm, and not good.
3. Sometimes the spleen is not only obstructed, but also hardened by
melancholy humours, and in such cases emolient medicines may be well called
splenicals, not such as are taken inwardly, for they operate upon the stomach and
bowels, but such as are outwardly applied to the region of the spleen.
And although sometimes medicines, are outwardly applied to hardness of the
liver, yet they differ from splenicals, because they are binding, so are not
splenicals.

CHAPTER VII.
Of Medicines appropriated to the reins and
bladder.

The office of the reins is, to make a separation between the blood and the
urine; to receive this urine thus separated from the blood, is the bladder
ordained, which is of a sufficient bigness to contain it.
Both these parts of the body officiating about the urine, they are both usually
afflicted by the vices of the urine.

1. By stones.
2. By inflammation.
3. By thick humours.

Medicines appropriated to the reins and bladder are usually called

Nephriticals, and are threefold; some cool, others cut gross humours, and a third
sort breaks the stone.
In the use of all these, take notice, that the constitution of the reins and
bladder is such, that they abhor all binding medicines because they cause
stoppage of urine.
Take notice, that the reins and bladder being subject to inflammations endure
not very hot medicines.
Because the bladder is further remote from the centre of the body than the
kidnies are, therefore it requires stronger medicines than the kidnies do, lest the
strength of the medicine be spent before it be come to the part afflicted.

CHAPTER VIII.
Of Medicines appropriated to the womb.

These, physicians call Hystericals, and to avoid multiplicity of words, take

them in this discourse under that notion.
Take notice that such medicines as provoke the menses, or stop them when
they flow immoderately, are properly hystericals, but shall be spoken to by and
by in a chapter by themselves.
As for the nature of the womb, it seems to be much like the nature of the
brain and stomach, for experience teacheth that it is delighted with sweet and
aromatical medicines, and flies from their contraries.
For example: a woman being troubled with the fits of the mother, which is
drawing of the womb upward, apply sweet things, as Civet, or the like, to the
place of conception, it draws it down again; but apply stinking things to the nose,
as Assafœtida, or the like, it expels it from it, and sends it down to its proper
place.

CHAPTER IX.
Of Medicines appropriated to the joints.

The joints are usually troubled with cephalic diseases, and then are to be
cured by cephalic medicines.
 Medicines appropriated to the joints, are called by the name Arthritical
medicines.
The joints, seeing they are very nervous, require medicines which are of a
heating and drying nature, with a gentle binding, and withal, such as by peculiar
virtue are appropriated to them, and add strength to them. It is true, most
cephalics do so, yet because the joints are more remote from the centre, they
require stronger medicines.
For removing pains in the joints this is the method of proceeding.
Pain is either taken away or eased, for the true cure is to take away the cause
of the pain, sometimes the vehemency of the pain is so great that you must be
forced to use Anodines (for so physicians call such medicines as ease pain)
before you can meddle with the cause, and this is usually when the part pained is
inflamed, for those medicines which take away the cause of pain being very hot,
if there be any inflammation in the part pained, you must abstain from them till
the inflammation be taken away.
 SECTION III.

Of the propriety or operation of Medicines.

CHAPTER I.
Of Emolient Medicines.

The various mixtures of heat, cold, dryness, and moisture in simples, must of
necessity produce variety of faculties, and operations in them, which now we
come to treat of, beginning first at emolients.
What is hard, and what is soft, most men know, but few are able to express.
Phylosophers define that to be hard which yields not to touching, and soft to be
the contrary. An emolient, or softening medicine is one which reduceth a hard
substance to its proper temperature.
But to leave phylosophy, and keep to physic: physicians describe hardness to
be twofold.
1. A distention or stretching of a part by too much fulness.
2. Thick humours which are destitute of heat, growing hard in that part of the
body into which they flow.
So many properties then ought emolient medicines to have, viz. To moisten
what is dry, to discuss what is stretched, to warm what is congealed by cold; yet
properly, that only is said to mollify which reduceth a hard substance to its
proper temperature.
Dryness and thickness of humours being the cause of hardness, emolient
medicines must of necessity be hot and moist; and although you may
peradventure find some of them dry in the second or third degrees, yet must this
dryness be tempered and qualified with heat and moisture, for reason will tell
you that dry medicines make hard parts harder.
Mollifying medicines are known, 1. by their taste, 2. by their feeling.
 1. In taste, they are near unto sweat, but fat and oily; they are neither sharp,
nor austere, nor sour, nor salt, neither do they manifest either binding, or
vehement heat, or cold to be in them.
2. In feeling you can perceive no roughness, neither do they stick to your
fingers like Birdlime, for they ought to penetrate the parts to be mollified, and
therefore many times if occasion be, are cutting medicines mixed with them.

CHAPTER II.
Of hardening Medicines.

Galen in Lib. 5. de Simple, Med. Facult. Cap. 10. determines hardening

medicines to be cold and moist, and he brings some arguments to prove it,
against which other physicians contest.
I shall not here stand to quote the dispute, only take notice, that if softening
medicines be hot and moist (as we shewed even now) then hardening medicines
must needs be cold and dry, because they are contrary to them.
The universal course of nature will prove it, for dryness and moisture are
passive qualities, neither can extremeties consist in moisture as you may know,
if you do but consider that dryness is not attributed to the air, nor water, but to
the fire, and earth.
2. The thing to be congealed must needs be moist, therefore the medicine
congealing must of necessity be dry, for if cold be joined with dryness, it
contracts the pores, that so the humours cannot be scattered.
Yet you must observe a difference between medicines drying, making thick,
hardening, and congealing, of which differences, a few words will not do amiss.
1. Such medicines are said to dry, which draw out, or drink up the moisture,
as a spunge drinks up water.
2. Such medicines are said to make thick, as do not consume the moisture, but
add dryness to it, as you make syrups into a thick electuary by adding powders to
them.
3. Such as congeal, neither draw out the moisture, nor make it thick by adding
dryness to it, but contract it by vehement cold, as water is frozen into ice.
 4. Hardness differs from all these, for the parts of the body swell, and are
filled with flegmatic humours, or melancholy blood, which at last grows hard.
That you may clearly understand this, observe but these two things.

1. What it is which worketh.

2. What it worketh upon.

That which worketh is outwardly cold. That which is wrought upon, is a

certain thickness and dryness, of humours, for if the humour were fluid as water
is, it might properly be said to be congealed by cold, but not so properly
hardened. Thus you see cold and dryness to be the cause of hardening. This
hardening being so far from being useful, that it is obnoxious to the body of
man. I pass it without more words. I suppose when Galen wrote of hardening
medicines, he intended such as make thick, and therefore amongst them he
reckons up Fleawort, Purslain, Houseleek, and the like, which assuage the heat
of the humours in swellings, and stops subtil and sharp defluxions upon the
lungs; but of these more anon.

CHAPTER III.
Of Loosening Medicines.

By loosening here, I do not mean purging, nor that which is opposite to

astringency; but that which is opposite to stretching: I knew not suddenly what
fitter English name to give it, than loosening or laxation, which latter is scarce
English.
The members are distended or stretched divers ways, and ought to be
loosened by as many, for they are stretched sometimes by dryness, sometimes by
cold, sometimes by repletion or fullness, sometimes by swellings, and
sometimes by some of these joined together. I avoid terms of art as much as I
can, because it would profit my country but little, to give them the rules of
physic in such English as they understand not.
I confess the opinion of ancient physicians hath been various about these
loosening medicines. Galen’s opinion was, that they might be referred either to
moistening, or heating, or mollifying, or evacuating medicines, and therefore
ought not to be referred to a chapter by themselves.
 It is likely they may, and so may all other medicines be referred to heat, or
coldness, or dryness, or moisture: but we speak not here of the particular
properties of medicines, but of their joined properties, as they heat and moisten.
Others, they question how they can be distinguished from such as mollify,
seeing such as are loosening, and such as are emolient, are both of them hot and
moist.
To that, thus: stretching and loosening are ascribed to the moveable parts of
the body, as to the muscles and their tendons, to the ligaments and Membranæ;
but softness and hardness to such parts of the body as may be felt with the hand:
I shall make clear by a similitude, Wax is softened, being hard, but Fiddle-
strings are loosened being stretched. And if you say that the difference lying
only in the parts of the body is no true difference, then take notice, that such
medicines which loosen, are less hot, and more moistening, than such as soften,
for they operate most by heat, these by moisture.
The truth is, I am of opinion the difference is not much, nay, scarce sensible,
between emolient and loosening medicines; only I quoted this in a chapter by
itself, not so much because some authors do, as because it conduceth to the
increase of knowledge in physic, for want of which, this poor nation is almost
spoiled.
The chief use of loosening medicines is in convulsions and cramps, and such
like infirmities which cause distention or stretching.
They are known by the very same marks and tokens that emolient medicines
are.

CHAPTER IV.

Of drawing Medicines.

The opinion of physicians is, concerning these, as it is concerning other

medicines, viz. Some draw by a manifest quality, some by a hidden, and so
(quoth they) they draw to themselves both humours and thorns, or splinters that
are gotten into the flesh; however this is certain, they are all of them hot, and of
thin parts; hot because the nature of heat is to draw off thin parts that so they
may penetrate to the humours that are to to be drawn out.
 Their use is various, viz.

Use 1. That the bowels may be disburdened of corrupt humours.

2. Outwardly used, by them the offending humour (I should have said the
peccant humour, had I written only to scholars,) is called from the internal parts
of the body to the superfices.
3. By them the crisis of a disease is much helped forward.
4. They are exceedingly profitable to draw forth poison out of the body.
5. Parts of the body over cooled are cured by these medicines, viz. by
applying them outwardly to the place, not only because they heat, but also
because they draw the spirits by which life and heat are cherished, to the part of
the body which is destitute of them: you cannot but know that many times parts
of the body fall away in flesh, and their strength decays, as in some persons arms
or legs, or the like, the usual reason is, because the vital spirit decays in those
parts, to which use such plaisters or ointments as are attractive (which is the
physical term for drawing medicines) for they do not only cherish the parts by
their own proper heat, but draw the vital and natural spirits thither, whereby they
are both quickened and nourished.
They are known almost by the same tokens that attenuating medicines are,
seeing heat; and thinness of parts is in them both, they differ only in respect of
quantity, thinness of parts being most proper to attenuating medicines, but
attractive medicines are hotter.

CHAPTER V.
Of discussive Medicines.

The nature of discussing (or sweating) medicines is almost the same with
attractive, for there are no discussive medicines but are attractive, nor scarce any
attractive medicine but is in some measure or other discussing. The difference
then is only this; that discussive medicines are hotter than attractive, and
therefore nothing else need be written of their nature.
Use. Their use may be known even from their very name; for diseases that
come by repletion or fulness, are cured by evacuation or emptying; yet neither
blood nor gross humours are to be expelled by sweating, or insensible
transpiration (as they call it) but the one requires blood-letting, the other
purgation, but scrosus or thin humours and filthy vapours, and such like
superfluities, are to be expelled by sweat, and be wary in this too, for many of
them work violently, and violent medicines are not rashly to be given.
Caution 2. Besides, swellings are sometimes made so hard by sweating
medicines, that afterwards they can never be cured; for what is thin being by
such medicines taken away, nothing but what is perfectly hard remains: If you
fear such a thing, mix emolients with them.
Caut. 3. Again, sometimes by using discussives, the humours offending
(which physicians usually call the peccant humours) is driven to some more
noble part of the body, or else it draws more than it discusseth; in such cases,
concoct and attenuate the matter offending before you go about to discuss it.
From hence may easily be gathered at what time of the disease discussive
medicines are to be used, viz. about the declining of the disease, although in
diseases arising from heat of blood, we sometimes use them in the encrease and
state of them.
They are known by the same marks and tokens attenuating medicines are, viz.
by their burning and biting quality, they being very hot, and of thin parts, void of
any biting quality, therefore they contract not the tongue in tasting of them.

CHAPTER VI.
Of repelling Medicines.

Repelling medicines are of contrary operation to these three last mentioned,

viz. attenuating, drawing, and discussive medicines: It is true, there is but little
difference between these three, some hold none at all; and if you will be so nice,
you may oppose them thus. And so medicines making thick, correspond to
attenuating medicines, or such as make thin, repelling medicines are opposed to
such as draw, and such as retain the humours and make them tough, are opposite
to such as discuss, some hold this niceness needless.
2. The sentence of authors about repulsive medicines is various.
For seeing an influxion may be caused many ways, a repulsive hath got as
many definitions.
For such things as cool, bind, stop, and make thick, stay influxions, and
therefore repulsives are by authors opposed, not only to attractives, but also to
attenuating, and discussing medicines.
But properly such things are called repulsives, which do not only stay
influxions, (for so do such medicines which stop and make thick) but such as
drive the humours flowing to, or inherit in the place, to some other place.
The truth is, binding is inherent to repulsives, so is not coldness nor making
thick: Yet such as are binding, cold and thin in operation, are most effectual.
Your taste will find repulsives to be, tart, or sharp, or austere, with a certain
binding which contracts the tongue.
Use 1. Their use is manifold, as in hot tumours, head-aches, or the like.
Use 2. By these in fevers are the vapours driven from the head, Vinegar of
Roses is notable.
Time of giving. They are most commodious in the beginning and encrease of
a disease, for then influxions most prevail.
But seeing that in the cure of tumours there are two scopes, 1. That that which
flows to it may be repelled. 2. That that which is already in it may be discussed;
repulsives are most commodiously used in the beginning, discussives in the
latter end.
In the middle you may mix them, with this proviso, that repulsives exceed in
the beginning, discussives in the latter end.
Caution 1. If the matter offending be of a venomous quality, either abstain
from repulsives altogether, or use purging first, lest the matter fly to the bowels
and prove dangerous, especially if the bowels be weak.
2. Also forbear repulsives, if the pain be great.
3. Lastly, Have a care lest by repulsives you contract the pores so much, that
the matter cannot be removed by discussives.

CHAPTER VII.
 Of cleansing Medicines.

Cleansing medicines can neither be defined by heat, nor coldness, because

some of both sorts cleanse.
A cleansing medicine, then, is of a terrene quality, which takes away the filth
with it, and carries it out.
Definition.] Here, to avoid confusion, a difference must be made between
washing and cleansing.
A thing which washeth, carries away by fluxion, as a man washeth the dirt off
from a thing.
A cleansing medicine by a certain roughness or nitrous quality, carries away
the compacted filth with it.
This also is the difference between cleansing and discussing medicines, the
one makes thick humours thin, and so scatters them, but a cleansing medicine
takes the most tenacious humour along with it, without any alteration.
Besides, of cleansing medicines, some are of a gentler nature, some are more
vehement.
These are not known one and the same way; for some are sweet, some salt,
and some bitter.
The use of cleansing is external, as the use of purges are internal.
They are used to cleanse the sanies and other filth of ulcers, yea, and to
consume and eat away the flesh itself, as burnt Alum, precipitate, &c.
When these must be used, not only the effects of the ulcers, but also the
temperature of the body will tell you.
For if you see either a disease of fulness, which our physicians call [Plethora]
or corrupted humours which they call [Cacochyma] you must empty the body of
these, viz. fulness by bleeding, and corrupt humours, or evil state of the body, by
purging before you use cleansing medicines to the ulcer, else your cure will
never proceed prosperously.
 CHAPTER VIII.
Of Emplasters.

By Emplasters, here, I do mean things glutinative, and they are quite contrary
to things cleansing.
They are of a far more glutinous and tenacious substance.
They differ from things stopping because they do not stop the pores so much,
as stick to them like Birdlime.
They have a certain glutinous heat, tempered both with coldness and
moisture.
From these plasters take their names.
Their taste is either none at all, or not discernable whether hot or cold, but fat,
insipid, or without taste, or sweet, and viscous in feeling.
Their use is to stop flowing of blood, and other fluxes, to cause suppuration,
to continue the heat, that so tumours may be ripened.
Also they are mixed with other medicines, that they may the better be brought
into the form of an emplaster, and may stick the better to the members.

CHAPTER IX.
Of suppuring Medicines.

These have a great affinity with emolients, like to them in temperature, only
emolients are somewhat hotter.
Yet is there a difference as apparent as the sun when he is upon the meridian,
and the use is manifest. For,
Emolients are to make hard things soft, but what suppures, rather makes a
generation than an alteration of the humour.
Natural heat is the efficient cause of suppuration, neither can it be done by
any external means.
Therefore such things are said to suppure, which by a gentle heat cherish the
inbred heat of man.
This is done by such medicines which are not only temperate in heat, but also
by a gentle viscosity, fill up or stop the pores, that so the heat of the part affected
be not scattered.
For although such things as bind hinder the dissipation of the spirits, and
internal heat, yet they retain not the moisture as suppuring medicines properly
and especially do.
The heat then of suppuring medicines is like the internal heat of our bodies.
As things then very hot, are ingrateful either by biting, as Pepper, or
bitterness: in suppuring medicines, no biting, no binding, no nitrous quality is
perceived by the taste, (I shall give you better satisfaction both in this and others,
by and by.)
For reason will tell a man, that such things hinder rather than help the work of
nature in maturation.
Yet it follows not from hence, that all suppuring medicines are grateful to the
taste, for many things grateful to the taste provokes vomiting, therefore why may
not the contrary be?
The most frequent use of suppuration is, to ripen Phlegmonæ, a general term
physicians give to all swellings proceeding of blood, because nature is very apt
to help such cures, and physic is an art to help, not to hinder nature.
The time of use is usually in the height of the disease, when the flux is stayed,
as also to ripen matter that it may be the easier purged away.

CHAPTER X.
Of Medicines provoking urine.

The causes by which urine is suppressed are many.

1. By too much drying, or sweating, it may be consumed.
2. By heat or inflammation of the reins, or passages whereby it passes from
the reins, it may be stopped by compression.
 Urine is the thinnest part of blood, separated from the thickest part in the
reins.
If then the blood be more thick and viscous than ordinary, it cannot easily be
separated without cutting and cleansing medicines.
This is for certain, that blood can neither be separated nor distributed without
heat.
Yet amongst diureticks are some cold things, as the four greater cold seeds,
Winter-cherries, and the like.
Although this seem a wonder, yet it may be, and doth stand with truth.
For cool diureticks, though they further not the separation of the blood one
jot, yet they cleanse and purge the passages of the urine.
Diureticks then are of two sorts:
1. Such as conduce to the separation of the blood.
2. Such as open the urinal passages.
The former are biting (and are known by their taste) very hot and cutting,
whence they penetrate to the reins, and cut the gross humours there.
Bitter things, although they be very hot, and cut gross humours, yet are they
of a more dry and terrene substance than is convenient to provoke urine.
Hence then we may safely gather, that bitter things are not so moist nor
penetrating, as such as bite like Pepper.

CHAPTER XI.

Of Medicines breeding flesh.

There are many things diligently to be observed in the cures of wounds and
ulcers, which incur and hinder that the cure cannot be speedily done, nor the
separated parts reduced to their natural state.
Viz. Fluxes of blood, inflammation, hardness, pain, and other things besides
our present scope.
Our present scope is, to shew how the cavity of ulcers may be filled with
flesh.
Such medicines are called Sarcoticks.
This, though it be the work of nature, yet it is helped forward with medicines,
that the blood may be prepared, that it may the easier be turned into flesh.
These are not medicines which breed good blood, nor which correct the
intemperature of the place afflicted, but which defend the blood and the ulcer
itself from corruption in breeding flesh.
For nature in breeding flesh produceth two sorts of excrements, viz. scrosus
humours, and purulent dross.
Those medicines then which cleanse and consume, these by drying are said to
breed flesh, because by their helps nature performs that office.
Also take notice that these medicines are not so drying that they should
consume the blood also as well as the sanies, nor so cleansing that they should
consume the flesh with the dross.
Let them not then exceed the first degree unless the ulcer be very moist.
Their difference are various, according to the part wounded, which ought to
be restored with the same flesh.
The softer then, and tenderer the place is, the gentler let the medicines be.

CHAPTER XII.
Of glutinative Medicines.

That is the true cure of an ulcer which joins the mouth of it together.
That is a glutinative medicine, which couples together by drying and binding,
the sides of an ulcer before brought together.
These require a greater drying faculty than the former, not only to consume
what flows out, but what remains liquid in the flesh, for liquid flesh is more
subject to flow abroad than stick to together.
The time of using them, any body may know without teaching, viz. when the
ulcer is cleansed and filled with flesh, and such symptoms as hinder are taken
away.
For many times ulcers must be kept open that the sanies, or fords that lie in
them may be purged out, whereas of themselves they would heal before.
Only beware, lest by too much binding you cause pain in tender parts.

CHAPTER XIII.
Of Medicines resisting poison.

Such medicines are called Alexiteria, and Alexipharmaca, which resist

poison.
Some of these resist poison by astral influence, and some physicians (though
but few) can give a reason for it.
These they have sorted into three ranks:
1. Such as strengthen nature, that so it may tame the poison the easier.
2. Such as oppose the poison by a contrary quality.
3. Such as violently thrust it out of doors.
Such as strengthen nature against poison, either do it to the body universally,
or else strengthen some particular part thereof.
For many times one particular part of the body is most afflicted by the poison,
suppose the stomach, liver, brain, or any other part: such as cherish and
strengthen those parts, being weakened, may be said to resist poison.
Such as strengthen the spirits, strengthen all the body.
Sometimes poisons kill by their quality, and then are they to be corrected by
their contraries.
They which kill by cooling are to be remedied by heating, and the contrary;
they which kill by corroding, are to be cured by lenitives, such as temper their
acrimony.
Those which kill by induration, or coagulation, require cutting medicines.
Also because all poisons are in motion, neither stay they in one till they have
seized and oppressed the fountain of life, therefore they have invented another
faculty to stay their motion, viz. terrene and emplastic.
For they judge, if the poison light upon these medicines, they embrace them
round with a viscous quality.
Also they say the ways and passages are stopped by such means, to hinder
their proceeding; take Terra Lemnia for one.
Truly if these reasons be good, which I leave to future time to determine, it
may be done for little cost.
Some are of opinion that the safest way is to expel the poison out of the body,
so soon as may be, and that is done by vomit, or purge, or sweat.
You need not question the time, but do it as soon as may be; for there is no
parlying with poison.
Let vomiting be the first, purging the next, and sweating the last. This is
general. But,
If thou dost but observe the nature and motion of the venom, that will be thy
best instructor.
In the stomach it requires vomiting, in the blood and spirits, sweating, if the
body be plethoric, bleeding, if full of evil humours, purging.
Lastly, The cure being ended, strengthen the parts afflicted.

CHAPTER XIV.
Of purging Medicines.

Much jarring hath been amongst physicians about purging medicines,

namely, whether they draw the humours to them by a hidden quality, which in
plain English is, they know not how; or whether they perform their office by
manifest quality, viz. by heat, dryness, coldness, or moisture: it is not my present
scope to enter the lists of a dispute about the business, neither seem it such an
hidden thing to me that every like should draw its like, only to make the matter
as plain as I can, I subdivide this chapter into these following parts.

1. Cautions concerning purging.

2. Of the choice of purging medicines.
3. Of the time of taking them.
4. Of the correcting of them.
5. Of the manner of purging.

Cautions concerning purging.

In this, first consider diligently, and be exceeding cautious in it too, what the
matter offending is, what part of the body is afflicted by it, and which is the best
way to bring it out.
Only here, by the way, first, have a care of giving vomits, for they usually
work more violently, and afflict the body more than purges do, therefore are not
fit for weak bodies; be sure the matter offending lie in the tunicle of the stomach,
else is a vomit given in vain.
Vomits are more dangerous for women than men, especially such as are
either with child, or subject to the fits of the mother.
What medicine is appropriated to the purging of such a humour, for seeing
the offending matter is not alike in all, the purging medicine ought not to be the
same to all. I shall speak more of this anon. As also of the divers ways whereby
medicines draw out or cast out humours, viz. by lenifying, cleansing, provoking
nature to expulsion, and (which is stranger than the doctor’s hidden quality)
some purge by binding, but indeed, and in truth, such as are properly called
purging medicines, which, besides these faculties, have gotten another, by which
they draw or call out the humours from the most remote parts of the body,
whether these do it by heat or by an hidden quality, physicians are scarce able to
determine, it being very well known to modern physicians, though the ancients
denied it, that many cold medicines purge.
There is this faculty in all the purges of Galen’s model, (because he gives the
whole simple which must needs consist of divers qualities, because the creation
is made up of and consists by an harmony of contraries) there is (I say) this
faculty in all purges of that nature, that they contain in them a substance which is
inimical both to the stomach and bowels, and some are of opinion this doth
good, namely, provokes nature the more to expulsion; the reason might be good
if the foundation of it were so, for by this reason nature herself should purge, not
the medicine, and a physician should help nature in her business and not hinder
her. But to forbear being critical, this substance which I told you was inimical to
the stomach, must be corrected in every purge.
 CULPEPER’S LAST LEGACIES.

Select Medicinal Aphorisms and Receipts, for many diseases our

frail natures are incident to.

1. A general Caution.

LET such as love their heads or brains, either forbear such things as are
obnoxious to the brain, as Garlick, Leeks, Onions, beware of surfeiting and
drunkenness.

2. To purge the Head.

The head is purged by Gargarisms, of which Mustard, in my opinion, is

excellent, and therefore a spoonful of Mustard put into the mouth, is excellent
for one that is troubled with the lethargy: also the head is purged by sneezing;
but be sure if you would keep your brain clear, keep your stomach clean.

3. For a rheum in the Head, and the Palsy.

Take a red Onion, and bruise it well, and boil it in a little Verjuice, and put
thereto a little clarified honey, and a great spoonful of good Mustard, when it is
well boiled, raise the sick upright, and let him receive the smell up his nose
twice a day, whilst it is very hot.

4. For a rheum in the Head.

Boil Pimpernel well in Wine, and drink a draught of the Wine in the evening,
hot, but in the morning cold.

5. Another.

Stew Onions in a close pot, and bathe the head and mouth, and nose
therewith.

6. For the falling off of the Hair.

Beat Linseeds very well, and mix them with Sallad-oil; and when you have
well mixed them, anoint the head therewith, and in three or four times using it
will help you.

7. To purge the Head.

Chew the root of Pellitory of Spain, and chew it on both sides of thy mouth,
and as the rheum falls down into thy mouth, spit it out, but retain the root there
still, till you think the head is purged enough for that time.

FOR THE EYES, AND THEIR IMPEDIMENTS.

8. For Eyes that are blasted.

Only wear a piece of black Sarcenet before thy eyes, and meddle with no
medicine; only forbear wine and strong drink.

9. An excellent water to clear the Sight.

Take of Fennel, Eyebright, Roses, white, Celandine, Vervain and Rue, of

each a handful, the liver of a Goat chopt small, infuse them well in Eyebright-
water, then distil them in an alembic, and you shall have a water will clear the
sight beyond comparison.

10. For a hurt in the Eye with a stroke.

Take Agrimony, and bruise it very well, and temper it with white Wine, and
the white of an egg: spread it pretty thick upon a cloth, like a plaster, and apply it
to the outside of the eye-lid, and, although it be almost out, it will cure it.

11. To draw rheum back from the Eyes.

Take an egg and roast it hard, then pull off the shell, and slit it in two, and
apply it hot to the nape of the neck, and thou shalt find ease presently.

12. For the web in the Eye.

Take the gall of a hare, and clarified honey, of each equal proportions: mix
them together, and lay it to the web.

FOR THE EARS, AND THEIR IMPEDIMENTS.

13. For pain in the Ears.

Drop a little oil of sweet Almonds into the ear, and it easeth the pain
instantly: (and yet oil of bitter Almonds is our doctor’s common remedy.)

14. For an imposthume in the Ear.

Boil some milk, and put it into a stone pot with a narrow mouth, and hold the
sore ear over the pot whilst the milk is very hot, that the vapour of the milk may
ascend into the ear: this is an often approved remedy to take away the pain, and
break the imposthume.

FOR THE NOSE, AND ITS INFIRMITIES.

15. For Polypus; or a fleshy substance growing in the Nose.

Take the juice of Ivy, and make a tent with a little cotton, the which dip in the
juice and put it up in the nostril.

16. To cleanse the Nose.

Snuff up the juice of red Beet-root; it will cleanse not only the nose, but also
the head, this is a singular remedy for such as are troubled with hard congealed
stuff in their nostrils.

17. For bleeding at the Nose.

 Bind the arms and legs as hard as you can with a piece of tape-ribboning;
that, perhaps, may call back the blood.

18. For a Canker in the Nose.

Boil strong ale till it be thick, if the Canker be in the outside of the nose,
spread it as a plaster, and apply it; if in the inside, make a tent of a linen rag, and
put it up the nostril.

19. Another for the Polypus.

The water of Adder’s-tongue snuffed up the nose, is very good: but it were
better, in my opinion, to keep a rag continually moistened with it in the nose.

20. For bleeding at the Nose.

Take Amber and bruise into gross powder, put it upon a chafing-dish of coals,
and receive the smoke up into the nose with a funnel.

21. Another.

When no other means will stop the bleeding at the nose, it has been known
that it hath been stopped by opening a vein in the ear.

OF THE MOUTH, AND ITS DISEASES.

22. A Caution.

Whosoever would keep their mouth, or tongue, or nose, or eyes, or ears, or

teeth, from pain or infirmities, let them often use sneezing, and such gargarisms
as they were instructed in a preceding chapter; for, indeed, most of the
infirmities, if not all, which infest those parts, proceed from rheum.

23. For extreme heat of the Mouth.

Take Rib-wort, and boil it in red Wine, and hold the decoction as warm in
your mouth as you can endure it.
 24. For a Canker in the Mouth.

Wash the mouth often with Verjuice.

OF THE TEETH, AND THEIR MEDICINES.

25. A Caution.

If you will keep your teeth from rotting, or aching, wash your mouth
continually every morning with juice of Lemons, and afterwards rub your teeth
either with a Sage-leaf, or else with a little Nutmeg in powder; also wash your
mouth with a little fair water after meats; for the only way to keep teeth sound,
and free from pain, is to keep them clean.

26. To keep Teeth white.

Dip a little piece of white cloth in Vinegar of Quinces, and rub your gums
with it, for it is of a gallant binding quality, and not only makes the teeth white,
but also strengthens the gums, fastens the teeth, and also causeth a sweet breath.

27. To fasten the Teeth.

Seethe the roots of Vervain in old Wine, and wash your teeth often with
them, and it will fasten them.

28. For the Tooth-ache.

Take the inner rind of an Elder-tree, and bruise it, and put thereto a little
Pepper, and make it into balls, and hold them between the teeth that ache.

OF THE GUMS, AND THEIR INFIRMITIES.

29. For a Scurvy in the gums.

Take Cloves, and boil them in Rose-water, then dry them, and beat them to
powder, and rub the gums with the powder, and drink the decoction in the
morning fasting an hour after it. Use red Rose-water, for that is the best.
 30. For rotting and consuming of the gums.

Take Sage-water, and wash your mouth with it every morning, and afterwards
rub your mouth with a Sage-leaf.

OF THE FACE, AND ITS INFIRMITIES.

31. The cause.

It is palpable, that the cause of redness and breaking out of the face, is a
venomous matter, or filthy vapours ascending from the stomach towards the
head; where meeting with a rheum or flegm thence descending, mix with it, and
break out in the face. Therefore let the first intention of cure be to cleanse the
stomach.

32. Caution negative.

Let such as are troubled with red faces, abstain from salt meats, salt fish and
herrings, drinking of strong beer, strong waters or Wine, Garlick, Onions, and
Mustard.

33. For a face full of red pimples.

Dissolve Camphire in Vinegar, and mix it, and the Vinegar with Celandine-
water, and wash the face with it: this cured a maid in twenty days, that had been
troubled with the infirmity half so many years.

34. To take away the marks of the small pox.

Take the juice of Fennel, heat it lukewarm, and when the small Pox are well
scabbed, anoint the face with it divers times in a day, three or four days together.

OF THE THROAT, AND ITS INFIRMITIES.

35. A caution.

Diseases in the throat, most commonly proceed of rheum descending from

the head upon the trachea arteria, or wind-pipe; in such cases there is many
times no other cure than first to purge the body of flegm, and then the head of
rheum, as you were taught in the first chapter.

36. For hoarseness.

Take of sugar so much as will fill a common taster, then put so much rectified
spirit of Wine to it as will just wet it, eat this up at night going to bed, use this
three or four times together.

37. Another.

If the body be feverish, use the former medicine as before, only use Oil of
sweet Almonds, or for want of it, the best Salled-oil instead of spirit of Wine.

38. Another.

Take Penny-royal, and seethe it in running water, and drink a good draught of
the decoction at night going to bed, with a little sugar in it.

39. For the Quinsey.

Take notice that bleeding is good in all inflammations, therefore in this.

It were very convenient that a syrup, and an ointment of Orpine were always
ready in the house for such occasions; for I know no better remedy for the
Quinsey, than to drink the one, and anoint the throat with the other.

OF WOMEN’S BREASTS, THEIR INFIRMITIES AND CURES.

40. For sore Breasts.

Take a handful of Figs, and stamp them well till the kernels are broken, then
temper them with a little fresh grease, and apply them to the breast as hot as the
patient can endure; it will presently take away the anguish, and if the breast will
break, it will break it, else it will cure it without breaking.
 41. An inward medicine for a sore Breast.

Let her drink either the juice or decoction of Vervain: it were fit that syrup
were made of it to keep all the year.

OF THE STOMACH, AND ITS INFIRMITIES.

42. A caution.

Infirmities of the stomach usually proceed from surfeiting.

43. Another.

Let such as have weak stomachs, avoid all sweet things, as honey, sugar, and
the like; milk, cheese and all fat meats: let him not eat till he is hungry, nor drink
before he is dry; let him avoid anger, sadness, much travel, and all fryed meats:
let him not vomit by any means, nor eat when he is hot.

44. For moisture of the Stomach.

Take a drachm of Galanga, in powder, every morning in a draught of that

Wine you like best.

45. For heat of the Stomach.

Swallow four or five grains of Mastich every night going to bed.

OF THE LIVER, AND ITS INFIRMITIES.

46. A caution.

If the liver be too hot, it usually proceeds from too much blood, and is known
by redness of urine, the pulse is swift, the veins great and full, the spittle, mouth,
and tongue, seem sweeter than they used to be: the cure is letting blood in the
right arm.
 47. To cause the Liver well to digest.

Take Oil of Wormwood, and so much Mastich in powder as will make it into
a poultice, lay it warm to your right side.

48. A caution.

If the liver be stopped, the face will swell, and you shall be as sure to have a
pain in your right side, as though you had it there already.

49. For stoppage of the Liver.

Use Garden-thyme in all your drinks and broaths, it will prevent stoppages
before they come, and cure them after they are come.

50. For the liver.

The liver of a Hare dryed, and beaten into powder, cures all the diseases of
the liver of man.
FINIS.
——————————————————————
A. CROSS, PRINTER, 89, PAUL STREET FINSBURY.

 GENERAL INDEX

TO THE
ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED,
AND
GALEN’S KEY TO PHYSIC.
ADDER’S Tongue, or Serpent’s Tongue, 3
Agrimony, 4
—— Water, 5
Alder Tree, the black, 6
—— the common, 7
Alehoof, or Ground-Ivy, 5
Alexander, 6
Alkanet, 3, 218
All-Heal, 2
Amara Dulcis, or Bitter Sweet, 1
Amaranthus, 9
Anemone, 9
Angelica, 8, 218
Anthoræ, 218
Archangel, 11
Arrach, garden, 10
—— wild and stinking, 10
Ars-smart, 12
Artichokes, 88, 221
Asarabacca, 13, 218
Ash Tree, 14, 222
Asparagus, 213
—— prickly, 14
—— or Sperage, 218
Asphodel, Female, or King’s Spear, 218
—— Male, 219
Avens, Colewort, or Herb Bonet, 15
Avens, or Herb Bennet, 219
Balm, 215
Barks, 259
—— appropriated to parts of the body, 259
Barberry, 16
Barks, 202
Barks, 227
Barley, 16
Bay Tree, 18, 223
Bazil, garden, or Sweet Bazil, 18
Beans, 18
Beans, French, 19
Bearsbreach, or Brank Ursine, 29, 217
Bed-straw, Ladies, 19
Beech Tree, 23
Beets, 20
Beets, black, white, and red, 219
Betony, Water, 21
—— Wood, ib.
Bifoil, or Twoblade, 24
Bilberries, Whorts, or Whortleberries, 23
Birch Tree, 24
Bird’s Foot, 24
Birthwort, 218
Bishop’s-Weed, 25
Bistort, or Snakeweed, 25, 219
Bitter Sweet, 1
Blade, One, 26
Blites, 27
Blue Bottle, 28
Borrage, 219
Borrage and Bugloss, 28
Bramble, or Blackberry Bush, 27
Brank Ursine, 29
Briony, or Wild Vine, 30
Briony, white and black, 219
Brooklime, or Water Pimpernel, 31
Broom and Broom-rape, 32
Buck’s horn Plantain, 33
—— —— ib.
Bugle, 33
Bugloss, 219
Bulbus Vomitorius, 219
Bur, Clot-bur, or Burdock, 219
Burdock, 36
Burnet, 35, 224, 226
Butcher’s Broom, 31
Butter-bur, 224
Butter-bur, or Petasitis, 35

Cabbages and Coleworts, 37

Calamint, or Mountain Mint, 38
Caltrops, Water, 39, 216
Cammock, or Rest-harrow, 223
Camomile, 39
Campion Wild, 40
Caper Roots, 219
Carduus Benedictus, 41
Carraway, 42
Carrots, 41, 221
Celandine, 42
—— lesser, 44
Celandine, the greater and lesser, 220
Centaury, ordinary small, 44
Centaury, the greater, 219
Cerecloths, 366
Chamelion, white and black, 220
Cherries, Winter, 45
Cherry-Tree, 45
Chervil, 46
—— Sweet, or Sweet Cicely, 47
Chesnut-Tree, 47
Chesnuts, Earth, ib.
Chickweed, 48
Chick-pease, or Cicers, ib.
China, 220
Cinquefoil, 224
Cinquefoil, or Five-leaved Grass, 49
Cives, 50
Clary, or Clear Eye, 50
—— Wild, 50
Cleavers, 51
Clown’s Woodwort, 52
Cock’s Head, Red Fitching, or Medick Fetch, 52
Colewort, 219
Coleworts, Sea, ib.
Coltsfoot, 53
Columbines, 53
Comfrey, 54, 220
Compounds, Spirit and Compound Distilled Waters, 283
Conserves, 206
Conserves and Sugars, 315
Coralwort, 54
Costmary, or Alecost, or Balsam Herb, 55
Costus, both sorts, 220
Cowslips, or Peagles, 56
Crab’s Claws, or Fresh Water Soldier, 57
Creatures, Living, 252
Creatures, part of Living and Excrements, 253
Cresses, black, 57
—— Sciatica, ib.
—— Water, 58
Crosswort, 58
Crowfoot, 59
Cuckow Point, ib.
Cuckow-points, or Wake-robin, 218
Cucumber-roots, wild, 221
Cucumbers, 61
Cudweed, or Cotton-weed, 56

Daisies, 61, 219

Dandelion, vulgarly called Piss a-beds, 62
Darnel, 62
Decoctions, 204, 293
Devil’s Bit, 63, 223
Dill, 63
Distilled Waters, Simples, 278
—— —— —— being digested before hand, 278
Dittany, 221
Dock, 64
Dodder of Thyme, Epithymun, &c., 64
Dog’s Grass, or Cough Grass, 65
Doronicum, 221
Dove’s-Foot, or Crane’s-Bill, 66
Down, or Cotton Thistle, 67
Dracunculi, 221
Dragons, 67
Dropwort, 222
Duck’s Meat, 66
Dwarf Elder, Walwort, or Danewort, 221

Elder, 225
Elder Tree, 67
—— Dwarf, 67
Elecampane, 69, 221
Electuaries, 205
Electuaries, 324
—— purging, 33
Elm Tree, 68
Emplasters, 391
Endive, 69
Endive, Garden Endive, 221
Eringo, or Sea Holly, 70, 222
Eyebright, 71

Fennel, 73, 222

—— Sow, or Hog’s Fennel, 47
Fern, 71
—— Water, or Osmond Royal, 72
—— Male and Female, 222
—— of the Oak, 224
Feverfew, or Fetherfew, 72
Fig-wort, 226
Fig-wort, or Throat-wort, 74
Fig Tree, 75
Filipendula, or Drop-Wort, 75
Flag, Yellow Water, or Flower-de-luce, 76
Flax-weed, or Toad Flax, 76
Flea-Wort, 77
Flower-de-luce, 78
Flowers, 200, 247
—— 264
—— appropriated to certain parts of the body, 265
Fluellin, or Lluellin, 79
Fluxweed, 78
Fox-Gloves, 80
Fresh-water Soldier, or Crab’s Claws, 57
Fruits, 267
—— appropriated to the body of man, 267
—— by their several operations, bind, &c., 268
—— purging, 208
—— and their buds, 248
Fuller’s Thistle, 223
Fumitory, 80
Furze Bush, 81

Galanga, or Galingal, 222

Galanga, English, long and round, 221
Galen’s Method of Physic, Key to, 376
Garlick, 82, 218, 227
Gentian, 222
Gentian, Felwort, or Baldmony, 82
Germander, 83
Gilliflowers, Clove, 83
Ginger, 227
Gladon, Stinking, 226
Gladwin, Stinking, 84
Golden Rod, 85
Gooseberry Bush, 86
Gout-wort, or Herb Gerrard, 85
Grass, 222
Green, Winter, 86
Gromel, 85
Groundsel, 87
Gums, Rosins, Balsams, and Juices, 270
Hart’s Tongue, 88
Hawk-weed, 88
Hawthorn, 90
Hazel-Nut, 89
Heart’s Ease, 88
Heart’s-ease, or Pansies, 226
Hedge Hyssop, 92
Hellebore, black, 93
Hellebore, white and black, 221
Hemlock, 90
Hemp, 91
Henbane, 91
Herb Robert, 94
—— True-Love, or One Berry, 94
Herbs, 260
—— appropriated to certain parts of the body of man, 262
—— altering according to property, 263
—— purging, 264
Herbs or Trees, of the leaves of, 200
—— and their Leaves, 229
Hermodactils, 222
Holly, Holm, or Hulver Bush, 99
Hops, 95
Horehound, 96
Horsetail, 97
Hound’s Tongue, 98, 221
Houseleek, or Sengreen, 97
Hyssop, 95

Ivy, 99

Jacinths, 222
John’s Wort, St., 99
Juniper Bush, 100
Juices, 202, 252
Juleps, 204

Kidney Wort, or Wall Pennyroyal, or Wall Penny-wort, 101

Knapweed, 102
Knotgrass, ib.
Knee-holly, or Butcher’s-broom, or Bruscus, 225

Ladies’ thistles, 220

—— Mantle, 103
—— Smock, 104
Lavender, ib.
—— Cotton, 104
Leeks, 225
Lettice, 223
Lettuce, 104
Lilies, Water, 223
Lilies, White, 106, 223
Lily, Water, 105
—— of the Valley, ib.
Liquorice, 106, 222
Liverwort, 107
Lohochs, 208
Loosestrife, or Willow-herb, 107
—— with spiked heads of flowers, ib.
Lovage, 108, 223
Lungwort, 109
Madder, 109, 225
Maidenhair, 110
—— white, or Wall Rue, ib.
—— Golden, ib.
Mallows, 223
Mandrakes, ib.
Maple Tree, 112
Marigolds, 114
Marjoram, wind, 112
—— sweet, 113
Marsh-mallows, 218
Masterwort, 114, 223, 224
Maudlin, Sweet, 114
Mead-sweet, 227
Mechracah, 223
Medicines, method of mixing, 210
—— on the Temperature of, 376
—— Temperate, 377
—— Hot, ib.
—— Hot in the first degree, ib.
—— —— second degree, 378
—— —— third degree, ib.
—— —— fourth degree, ib.
—— Cooling, 378
—— cool in the first degree, 379
—— —— second and third degree, ib.
—— cold in the fourth degree, 379
—— moistening, ib.
—— drying, ib.
—— of the appropriation of the several parts of the body, 380
—— appropriated to the Head, ib.
—— —— Brain, ib.
—— —— Eyes, ib.
—— —— Mouth & Nose, 382
—— —— Ears, ib.
—— —— Teeth, ib.
—— —— Breast & lungs, ib.
—— —— Heart, 383
—— —— Stomach, 384
—— —— Spleen, ib.
—— —— Reins and Bladder, 386
—— —— Womb, ib.
—— —— Joints, ib.
—— —— Propriety, or operation of, 387
—— —— Hardening, ib.
—— —— Loosening, 388
—— —— Drawing, 389
—— —— Discussive, ib.
—— —— Repelling, 390
—— —— appropriated to the Liver, 385
—— —— Cleansing, 391
—— —— Suppuring, 392
—— —— Provoking urine, ib.
—— —— Breeding flesh, 393
—— —— Glutinative, ib.
—— —— Resisting poison, ib.
—— —— Purging, 394
Medlar, 115
Melilot, or King’s Claver, 115
Mercury, French and Dog, 116
—— Dog, ib.
Metals, Minerals, and Stones, 254
Metals, Stones, Salts, and other Minerals, 276
Mints, 117
Misselto, 118
Mithridate Mustard, 182
Money-wort, or Herb Twopence, 119
Monk’s Rhubarb, 225
Moonwort, 120
Mosses, 120
Motherwort, 121
Mouse-ear, 122
Mugwort, 122
Mulberry Tree, 123, 223
Mullein, ib.
Mustard, 124
—— Hedge, 125

Nailwort, or Whitlow-grass, 126

Nep, or Catmint, ib.
Nettles, 127, 227
Nightshade, 128

Oak, 128
Oats, 129
Oils, 205
Oils, 353
—— Simple Oils, by expression, ib.
—— —— —— Infusion and Decoction, 354
—— Compound Oils by Infusion and Decoction, 355
Ointments, 208
Ointments, more simple, 358
—— more compound, 362
One Blade, ib.
Onions, 130, 220
Orchis, 129
Orpine, ib.
Orris, or Flower-de-luce, 222

Parsley, 131
—— Piert, or Parsley Breakstone, ib.
Parsnips, 132
—— Cow, ib.
—— garden and wild, 224
Peach Tree, 133
Pear Tree, 134
Pellitory of Spain, 134, 225
—— of the Wall, 135
Peony, male and female, 224
Pennyroyal, 136
Peony, male and female, 137
Pepperwort, or Dittander, 138
Periwinkle, 138
Peter’s Wort, St., 139
Pimpernel, 139
Physic, a Key to Galen’s Method of, 376
—— the general use of, ib.
—— of the temperature, ib.
Pills, 209, 339
Pine, Ground, 140
Plaisters, 208, 367
Plantain, 141, 224
Plants, things bred from, 252
Plums, 142
Polypody of the Oak, 142
Poplar Tree, 143
Poppy, 144
Poultices, 209
Preserved Roots, Stalks, Barks, Flowers, Fruits, 314
Preserves, 206
Primroses, 146
Privet, 146, 218
Purslain, 146
Queen of the Meadows, or Meadow Sweet, 147
Quince Tree, 148

Radishes, garden and wild, 225

Ragwort, 149
Rest-Harrow, or Camonack, 150
Rattle Grass, 150
Receipts, General Caution, 395
—— to purge the Head, ib.
—— for a Rheum in the Head, and the Palsy, ib.
—— —— ib. 396
—— for the falling off of the Hair, ib.
—— to purge the Head, ib.
—— for Eyes that are blasted, ib.
—— Excellent Water to clear the Sight, ib.
—— for a hurt in the Eye with a stroke, ib.
—— to draw Rheum back from the Eyes, ib.
—— for a Web in the Eye, ib.
—— pain in the Ears, ib.
—— an Imposthume in the Ear, ib.
—— Polypus, or a fleshy substance growing in the Nose, ib.
—— bleeding at the Nose, ib.
—— a Canker in the Nose, ib.
—— another for the Polypus, ib.
—— extreme heat of the Mouth, 397
—— for a Canker in the Mouth, ib.
—— to keep Teeth white, ib.
—— —— fasten the Teeth, ib.
—— for the Tooth-ache, ib.
—— Scurvy in the Gums, ib.
—— for rotting and consuming of the Gums, ib.
—— the cause of Infirmities in the Face, ib.
—— for a Face full of red pimples, ib.
—— to take away the marks of Small Pox, ib.
—— caution concerning the Infirmities of the Throat, ib.
—— for Hoarseness, 398
—— for the Quinsey, ib.
—— for Sore Breasts, ib.
—— —— —— —— inward Medicine for, ib.
—— for Moisture of the Stomach, ib.
—— for the heat of the Stomach, ib.
—— to cause the Liver well to digest, ib.
—— a Caution, ib.
—— for a stoppage of the Liver, ib.
—— for the Liver, ib.
Reed, Aromatical, 219
Reeds, common and sugar, 218
Rhadish, or Horse Rhadish, 148
Rhapontick, or Rhubarb of Pontus, 225
Rhubarb, 225
Rhubarb, or Rephontic, 156
—— Monk’s or garden Patience, 157
—— Bastard, or great Round-leaved Dock, ib.
Rocket, 151
—— Winter, or Cresses, 152
Roots, 201, 217, 256
—— Temperature of, 257
—— appropriated to several parts of the body, 258
—— properties of, ib.
Rosa Solis, or Sun Dew, 155
Rosemary, ib.
Rose Root, 225
Roses, 152
Rue, Meadow, 158
—— Garden, 159
Rupture-wort, 160
Rushes, 161
Rye, ib.

Saffron, Meadow, 220

Saffron, 161
Sage, 162
—— Wood, ib.
Samphire, 164
Sanicle, ib.
Saracen’s Confound, or Saracen’s Wound-wort, 165
Sarsaparilla, or Bind-weed, 225
Satyrion, 226
Sauce-alone, or Jack by the Hedge-side, 165
Savine, 166
Savory, Winter and Summer, ib.
Saxifrage, the common white, 167
—— Burnet, ib.
—— white, or Lady-Smocks, 226
Scabious, ib.
Scabious, three sorts, 161
Scirrits, 226
Scordium, or Water-Germander, ib.
Scurvygrass, 169
Sea, things belonging to, 254
Seeds, 201
—— or Grains, 249, 268
—— according to their operation, bind, &c. 269
Self-heal, 170
Service Tree, 171
Seseli, or Hartwort, 226
Shepherd’s Purse, 171
Sloe-bush, or Sloe-tree, 225
Smallage, 171, 218
Solomon’s Seal, 163, 225
Sope-wort, or Bruise-wort, 172
Sorrel, ib.
—— Wood, ib.
Sow Thistles, 173
Southern-wood, ib.
Sorrel, 223
Sowbread, 218
Sow-thistles, 226
Species, or Powders, 317
Spignel, 223
Spignel, or Spikenard, 174
Spikenard, 223
Spleenwort, Ceterach, or Hart’s Tongue, ib.
Spurge, greater and lesser, 222
Spurge, Olive, or Widow-wail, 222
Squills, 226
Star-Thistle, 175
Stone-Crop, Prick-Madam, or small Houseleek, 177
Strawberries, 175
Swallow-wort, 218, 227
Succory, 220
Succory, or Chicory, 176
Sugars, 316
Sulphur-wort, Hog’s-fennel, or Hore-strange, 224
Syrups, 203, 294
—— altering, 294
—— purging, 305
—— made with Vinegar and Honey, 308

Tamaris, 226
Tamarisk Tree, 178
Tansie, 226
Tansy, garden, 178
Tansy, Wild, or Silver Weed, 179
Tears, Liquors, and Rosins, 251
Teazle, 223
Thistles, 179
—— Melancholy, 180
—— our Lady’s, ib.
—— Woollen or Cotton, 181
—— Fuller’s, or Teazle, ib.
Thorn, black, or Sloe Bush, 182
Thorough Wax, or Thorough Leaf, 183
Throat-wort, 226
Thyme, 123
—— Wild, or Mother of Thyme, ib.
Tinctures, 290
Toad-stools, 226
Tobacco, English, 177
Toothwort, 221, 54
Tormentil, 226
Tormentil, or Septfoil, 184
Treacle Mustard, 181
Trefoil, 226
Trefoil, Meadow, or Honey-suckles, 115
—— Heart, 186
—— Pearl, ib.
Troches, 209, 346
Turbith, 226
Turmerick, 221
Turnsole, or Heliotropium, 224
Tustan, or Park Leaves, 186

Valerian, white and red, 219

Valerian, or Setwell, greater and lesser, 224
Valerian, garden, 186
Vervain, 187
Vine, 188
Vinegars, Physical, 292
Violets, 188
Viper’s Bugloss, 189
—— —— or Wild Bugloss, 221
Viper’s Grass, 226

Wall Flowers, or Winter Gillflowers, 190

Walnut Tree, ib.
Water-flag, or Flower-de-luce, 218
Waters, distilled, 202
Weld, Wold, or Dyer’s Weed, 191
Wheat, 192
Willow Tree, ib.
Wines, Physical, 291
Wood, 193
—— 193, 223
Woodbine, or Honey-suckles, ib.
Woods, 260
Woods, and their Chips or Rapeings, 229
Wormwood, 194

Yarrow, Nose-bleed, Milfoil, or Thousand Leaf, 198

Zedoary, or Setwall, 227


 A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL DISEASES.
Abortion, (to prevent).
Sage, 244.
Tansey, 245

Aches in the joints.

Of Beans, 228, 274

Agues.
Archangel, 11.
Buck’s-horn-plantain, 33, 281.
Camomile, 39.
Pellitory, 134.
Meadow-sweet, 147

—— Dry.
Maudlin, 114.
Lovage, 108

—— Hot.
Mallows, 111, 302.
Wild Tansey, 179

—— Quartan.
Fumitory, 237.
Cinquefoil, 242

Almonds of the Ears.

Devil’s-bit, 245

Anthony’s Fire.
Crab’s-claws, 57.
Duck’s-meat, 66.
Hawkweed, 89
Appetite, (to restore).
Wild Marjoram, 112.
Masterwort, 240, 295

Apoplexy.
Lavender, 103.
Lily of the Valley, 105

Asthma.
Woodbine, 193.
Lungwort, 109, 313, 346

Blood, (to cleanse).

Nettles, 127, 281, 282.
Hops, 240

Bloody Flux.
Amaranthus, 9.
Mallows, 112.
Blackberry, 27.
Brank Ursine, 29.
Clown’s-wood, 52

Blows, (black and blue, marks of).

Daisies, 232.
Of Solomon’s-seal, 225

Boils.
Barberry, 16.
Cuckow-point, 59.
Wheat, 192

Bowels, (obstructions of).

Stachea, 247.
Hops, 247, 346

Brain, (to strengthen).

Rosemary, 247.
 Cowslips, 347.
Nutmegs, 248, 272, 273, 281, 324

Bruises.
Bishop’s-weed, 25.
Chervil, 46.
Solomon’s-seal, 163

Burns.
Burdock, 36.
Hound’s-tongue, 98, 359

Cancers.
Asarabacca, 13.
Briony, 30.
Yellow Water-flag, 76.
Cinquefoil, 49

Cankers.
Dragons, 67.
Flower-de-luce, 78.
Wintergreen, 86

Chest, (diseases of).

Sweet Marjoram, 113

Chilblains.
Henbane, 91

Chin-Cough.
Thyme, 183

Cholic.
All-Heal, 2.
Dove’s-foot, 66.
Mullein, 123.
Osmond Royal, 72
Chops of the hands, &c.
Pomatum, 361

Colds.
Nep, 126.
Juice of Liquorice, 312

Consumption.
Sweet-Chervil, 47, 246, 289, 293, 316.
Plantain, 141.
Pine-Nuts, 248, 275

Convulsions.
Down, 67.
Pansies, 246, 328

Corns.
Houseleek, 97, 232.
Willow, 192

Coughs.
Angelica, 8.
Garlick, 82.
Horehound, 96

Cramp.
Mugwort, 122.
Mullein, 123.
Sage, 162

Diabetes (an involuntary discharge of urine), 253

Dimness of Sight.
Pearl-trefoil, 186.
Vervain, 187.
Mellilot, 115.
Valerian, 186
Dizziness of the Head.
Sweet Marjoram, 113, 298.
Sow-fennel, 74.
Rosemary, 155

Dropsy.
Elder, 67, 221.
Bay, 248, 254.
Juniper, 100.
Flax-weed, 76.
Pellitory of the Wall, 135

Ears.
Fig-Tree, 75.
Alehoof, 5.
Sow Thistle, 173, 396

Eyes.
Eye-bright, 71, 396.
Hawkweed, 89.
Wild Clary, 51.
Rattle-grass, 150.
Beets, 20

—— (inflammations of).
Violets, 188.
Anemone, 9.
Groundsel, 87

Faintings.
Balm, 15.
Endive, 69.
Penny-royal, 136.
Heart Trefoil, 186

Face, 397.
Beans, 18
Falling Sickness.
Elk’s-claws, 253.
Mallows, 111.
Masterwort, 114

Felons of the Finger.

Amara-dulcis, 1.
True Love, 94.
Nailwort, 126

Fevers.
Endive, 69.
Flea-wort, 77.
Masterwort, 114.
Marigolds, 114, 333

—— (Pestilential).
Butter-burr, 35.
Elecampane, 69.
Clove-gilliflowers, 83

—— (Putrid).
Borage, 28

Fistulas, 351.
Bugle, 33.
Wintergreen, 86.
Cow-parsnips, 132.
Campion Wild, 40

Fits.
Wild Arrach, 10

Flux.
Bistort, 25.
Flux-weed, 78.
Rhubarb of Pontus, 225

Fundament falling, 239, 365.

 Duck-meat, 240

Gout.
Comfrey, 54.
Sciatica-cresses, 57.
Gout-wort, 85.
Elm, 68

Gravel.
Asparagus, 13.
Butcher’s-broom, 31.
Parsley-piert, 131

Gums, 397

Head, 343, 395.

Cives, 50.
Feverfew, 72.
Flower-de-luce, 78.
Pellitory, 134.
Roses, 153

—— Ache.
Beets, 20.
Duck’s-meat, 66.
Ivy, 99.
Privet, 146

—— Bald.
White-lilies, 106.
Wall-Rue, 110, 396

—— Scabby.
Fox-glove, 80.
Knapweed, 102.
Nep, 126
—— Scald.
White-Lilies, 106

Heart-Burn.
Vine, 246

—— (to strengthen), 284, 287, 289, 298, 318, 326, 349

—— (palpitation of).
Syrup of Apples, 303

Hic-cough.
Mint, 117

Hoarseness.
Fig-tree, 75.
Liquorice, 106.
Peach-tree, 133

Imposthumes.
Barley, 16.
Chickweed, 48.
Dandelion, 62, 360

Indigestion.
Avens, 15.
Ragwort, 149.
Samphire, 164, 319, 374

Inflammations.
Arssmart, 12.
Sea-Coleworts, 37.
Cinquefoil, 49.
Black Cresses, 57

—— in the sides.
Violets, 247
Infection, (to preserve from).
Scabious, 168.
Bay, 18

Itch.
Black-alder, 6.
Celandine, 42.
Stinking-gladwin, 84.
Juniper, 100

Jaundice.
Agrimony, 4.
Ash, 14.
Carduus Benedict, 41

—— Yellow.
Wormwood, 196.
Barberries, 227

King’s-evil.
Wheat, 192

Leprosy.
Nigella, 250

Lice, (in the head, to kill).

Stavesacre, 250.
Olibanum, 250

Liver, 398.
Sage, 162.
Strawberries, 175.
Maple-tree, 112

—— (inflammation of).
Wild Thyme, 183
—— (obstructions of).
Rhubarb, 157, 225.
Parsley, 131.
Columbines, 53.
Liver-wort, 107.
Alexander, 6

—— (to strengthen).
Cleavers, 51.
Costmary, 55.
Dock, 64.
Hart’s-tongue, 88

Looseness, (to stop).

Cloves, 248

Lungs.
Lungwort, 109.
Water Agrimony, 5.
Nettles, 127.
Filipendula, 75.
Scabious, 168

—— (inflammation of).
Garden Rue, 159, 244.
Heart’s-ease, 88

—— (ulcers of).
Money-wort, 119.
Horehound, 240

Measles.
Tormentil, 184.
Saffron, 161

—— (to drive out).

Alkanet, 2.
Marigolds, 114
Melancholy.
Melancholy-thistle, 180.
Germander, 83.
Vipers Bugloss, 189.
Mother-wort, 121, 294.
Burnet, 35.
Dodder, 64, 345

Memory, (to strengthen).

Olibanum, 273, 281.
Sage, 244

Menses, (to provoke).

Bdellium, 271, 258, 269.
Marjoram, 281, 274

—— (to stop), 259, 264, 270, 299, 305.

Tansy, 179

Milk, (to increase in Nurses).

Fennel, 237.
Of Vipers Bugloss, 221, 250

Miscarriage, (good against).

Ladies’ Mantle, 103.
Tansey, 178

Mouth, 397

Nervous Complaints.
Privet, 230, 356, 363

—— Head-ache.
Lily of the Valley, 105.
Plantain, 224

Nose, 396
—— (bleeding at).
Fluellin, 79.
Houseleek, 97.
Periwinkle, 138

Pain in the Bowels.

Mouse-ear, 122.
Of Marsh-mallows, 218, 281

—— in the Side.
Chick-pease, 48.
Coral-wort, 54.
Gentian, 82

—— in the Stomach.
Rupture-wort, 160.
Spignel, 174.
Black-thorn, 182, 273

Palsies.
Cowslips, 56.
Juniper, 100.
Lavender, 103, 328, 342, 395

Piles.
Lesser Celandine, 44.
Colt’s-foot, 53.
Stone-crop, 171

Pleurisies.
Lohoch of Poppies, 313, 321

Poison, (to expel).

White Lilies, 106.
Masterwort, 114.
Rue, 244, 337
Polypus.
Polypody, 142, 396

Purging.
Flowers, 266

—— Fruits, 268

—— Herbs, 264

—— Syrups, 305

Quinsey.
Cudweed, 56.
Hyssop, 95.
Orpine, 130.
Ragwort, 149.
Blackberry, 27

Rickets.
Fearn, 222.
Syrup Hart’s-tongue, 304, 309

Ring-worm.
Savine, 166.
Celandine, 42.
Barberry, 16

Ruptures.
Rupture-wort, 236.
Thorough wax, 183.
Tormentil, 184.
Consolida-Major, 220

Scrophula.
Celandine, 220.
 Eringo, 222

Scurvy.
Scurvy-grass, 169.
Water-cresses, 58.
Winter Rocket, 152.
Cuckoo Flower, 104, 259

Scurf, (or running tetters).

Beech, 23.
Plantain, 141

Shingles.
Plantain, 243

Shortness of Breath.
Angelica, 8.
Calamint, 38.
Hyssop, 95.
Pellitory of the Wall, 136

Skin, (to clear).

Madder, 109.
Of Cuckow-points, 218.
Vervain, 246

Sleep, (to procure).

Poppy, 144.
Lettuce, 104, 310

Small Pox.
Marigolds, 114.
Saffron, 161

Sore Breasts.
Purslain, 146.
Quince, 148, 398

—— Eyes.
 Buck’s-horn-plantain, 33.
Succory, 176.
Celandine, 42.
Loose-strife, 108

—— Head.
Garden Rue, 159.
Tormentil, 184

—— Mouth.
Blue-bottle, 28.
Birch, 24.
Golden Rod, 84

—— Throat.
Sanicle, 164.
Self-heal, 170, 398.
Saracen’s Confound, 165

Sprains, 357, 361

Spring Medicine.
Lady’s-thistle, 180.
Nettles, 127

Stings and Venomous Bites.

Bazil, 17.
John’s-wort, 99.
Bay, 18.
Eringo, 70.
Rocket, 151

Stomach.
Mint, 117.
Lovage, 108, 398

—— (inflammations of).
Wallnut-Tree, 190
—— (obstructions of).
Cross-wort, 58.
Rhubarb, 157, 297, 317, 343

—— (to strengthen).
Gentian, 82.
Mustard, 124.
Roses, 152.
Wood-sorrel, 172, 280, 374

Stone.
Ash, 14.
Bird’s-foot, 24.
Broom, 32.
Burdock, 36.
Camomile, 39.
Parsley-piert, 131, 253

Surfeits.
Liver-wort, 107, 280

Sweat, (to provoke), 259, 281, 325, 329, 338

Swellings.
Common Alder, 7.
Sea-Coleworts, 37.
Chickweed, 48

—— in the Throat.
Water Caltrops, 39.
Devil’s-bit, 63.
S. Gladwin, 84

Teeth, (to draw without pain), 252

—— (to fasten).
Mastich, 251.
Bistort, 219.
 Silver-weed, 231

—— (to whiten).
Vine, 246, 397

Teething of Children, 253

Tooth-ache.
Tobacco, 177.
Wild Tansy, 179.
Henbane, 91, 397

Tumours.
Cives, 50.
Hemlock, 90.
Lesser Celandine, 42.
True Love, 91, 359, 360

—— (hard).
Misselto, 118.
Mallows, 111

—— (hot).
Water Lily, 105

Ulcers.
Centaury, 44.
Coral-wort, 54.
Bistort, 25.
Archangel, 11.
Alehoof, 5

Venereal Disease.
Sope-wort, 244

Voice, (to restore), 310, 314, 347

Vomit.
Antimonial Wine, 292

Vomiting, (to stay).

Lady’s Mantle, 103, 304, 311, 321, 327

Warts.
Buck’s-horn, 33.
Houseleek, 97.
Poplar, 143

Wens.
Turnsole, 185.
Fuller’s Thistle, 223

Wheezing.
Liquorice, 106.
Hyssop, 95.
Lungwort, 109

Whitlows.
Nailwort, 126

Wind.
Bishop’s-weed, 25.
Carraway, 42.
Dill, 63.
Fennel, 73.
Hemp, 91, 264, 323

—— in the Stomach.
Lovage, 108.
Thyme, 183.
Mint, 118.
Rosemary, 155.
Garden Tansy, 178

Womb, (cold infirmities of).

 Bayberries, 248

—— (diseases of).
Wild Arrach, 10.
Feverfew, 72, 365

—— (inflammations of).
Schœnanth, 247

Women’s Diseases.
Dog Mercury, 116.
Moses, 120.
Mugwort, 122, 231

—— in Labour.
Cinnamon, 227.
Horehound, 240.
Penny-royal, 243

Worms.
Dog’s-grass, 65.
Wormwood, 195.
Calamint, 38, 324.
Arssmart, 12.
Butter-bur, 35.
Centaury, 44.
Lavender-cotton, 104

Wounds.
Adder’s-tongue, 3.
Bifoil, 24.
Primroses, 146.
Burnet, 35.
One Blade, 26.
Bistort, 25.
Moon-wort, 120.
Lupines, 249

—— in the Head.
Shepherd’s-purse, 171
 Transcriber’s Notes:
Only the most obvious punctuation errors were repaired.
Due to the age of the manuscript, most spelling and
hyphenation variations were retained as printed. For example,
if the reader is looking for anniseed, search also for annis-
seed, aniseed and annis seed, etc. Changes made to the text
are noted below. Only things that seemed to be clearly typos
instead of 1600s spelling variations were changed and noted
below. For example, text consistently uses “tertain” instead of
“tertian.” Also watch for œ where one might expect æ and
vice versa. “Bean” is often spelled as “Been.”
Occasionally, items are out of alphabetical order. For
example, Malahathram is located in the beginning of the F
section. This was retained as printed. At times, in long lists of
names, certain plants are repeated and this was retained.
Most but not all Latin terms are italicized. These were
retained as printed.
Some section titles were formatted in a certain way with a
change made mid-section. Each was retained as printed. For
example at the end of page 283, the paragraph after the italic
title that began with “Or” was laid out as all other paragraphs.
Two pages later, the paragraphs beginning with “Or” were
included with the italic centered title.
Additionally, there are a few instances of unmatched
parentheses that were retained as printed for no clear location
of the match could be ascertained. An asterisk below indicates
a blank or smudged place in the original type.
Page 4, “tartian” changed to “tertian” (tertian or quartan
agues) Page 10, “CARDEN” changed to “GARDEN”
(GARDEN ARRACH)
Page 11, “then” changed to “than” (drier than the stinging)
Page 12, “yon” changed to “you” (from it, if you will)
 Page 16 et seq., the first word of a description such as
under BARBERRY and BARLEY, “The” changed to “THE”
to match rest of book’s layout (THE shrub is so) (THE
continual usefulness) and so on.
Page 18, “helps” changed to “help” (help the mother, and
kill)
Page 19, “it” changed to “is” (that is to say, white, yellow)
Page 20, “and” changed to “an” (being made into an oil)
Page 20, “couses” changed to “causes” (long running
causes)
Page 22, “perishes” changed to “perish” (the stalks perish)
Page 23, “Cesar” changed to “Cæsar” (of Octavius Cæsar)
Page 29, “Scabions” changed to “Scabious” (those of
Corn-Scabious) Page 29, “excellant” changed to “excellent”
(excellent good to mollify) Page 30, “viens” changed to
“veins” (of the veins which)
Page 45, “speen” changed to “spleen” (liver, gall, and
spleen, helps) Page 45, “frickles” changed to “freckles” (away
all freckles, spots) Page 45, “offorded” changed to “afforded”
(is afforded room in) Page 45, “Chery” changed to “Cherry”
(gum of the Cherry-tree)
Page 45, “horseness” changed to “hoarseness” (cough, and
hoarseness of) Page 46, “keep” changed to “kept” (strung up,
are kept)
Page 46, “as” changed to “has” (This has little or no)
Page 49, “colours” changed to “colour” (brown colour, as
big)
Page 52, “IT” changed to “It” to conform to majority of
usage in this context (Place.] It grows in sundry) Page 52,
“vain” changed to “vein” (any vein be swelled)
 Page 53, “Foals’s” changed to “Foal’s” (also Coughwort,
Foal’s-foot) Page 56, “stays” changed to “stay” (stay fluxes
of)
Page 56, “think” changed to “thing” (without doing any
thing)
Page 56, “ounce” changed to “once” (Sun once a month)
Page 56, word “and” removed from text. Original read
(remedy palsies, and Greeks) Page 57, “*as” changed to “has”
( IT has long leaves) Page 59, “phlem” changed to “phlegm”
(expectorate the phlegm)
Page 61, “Take” changed to “take” (the year is, take the)
Page 62, “othe*wise” changed to “otherwise” (fits, or
otherwise:) Page 62, “norrower” changed to “narrower”
(narrower, but rough) Page 64, “freekles” changed to
“freckles” (freckles, morphews, and) Page 65, “fine” changed
to “find” (shall find a rational)
Page 66, “*he” changed to “the” (stays the lask and)
Page 66, “conpass” changed to “compass” (in a round
compass)
Page 66, “others” changed to “other” (other sorts of those)
Page 67, word “a” removed from text. Original read (a
square, rough, hairy stalks) Page 70, “stengthens” changed to
“strengthens” (clears, strengthens, and quickens) Page 73,
“so” changed to “to” (liver, to provoke urine)
Page 78, “indammations” changed to “inflammations”
(helps all inflammations) Page 78, “extol” changed to
“extols” (Paracelsus extols it)
Page 78, “Fower” changed to “Flower” (flaggy kind of
Flower-de-luce) Page 80, “*as” changed to “has” (spleen. It
has been found by)
Page 81, “general” changed to “generally” (is generally
known before) Page 83, “open” changed to “opens” (beasts,
opens obstructions) Page 83, “the” changed to “The” (lost it.
The herb)
Page 85, “an” changed to “on” (on both moist and dry)
Page 85, “rule” changed to “rules” (Saturn rules it)
Page 88, “*eally” changed to “really” (really saturnine,
something) Page 90, “druised” changed to “bruised” (leaves
bruised, and with) Page 90, “o*” changed to “of” (It is a tree
of)
Page 92, “Diverrs” changed to “Divers” (DIVERS sorts
there) Page 100, “Dioscocorides” changed to “Dioscorides”
(saith Dioscorides) Page 101, “*igh” changed to “high” (high,
with two or)
Page 103, “it” changed to “is” (Ladies’ Mantle is very
proper)
Page 104, “*he” changed to “the” (the place be bathed)
Page 105, “with*n” changed to “within” (both within and
without) Page 112, “discolouri***” changed to
“discolourings” (all other discolourings) Page 113, “thatare”
changed to “that are” (that are for ornament) Page 115,
“breath” changed to “breadth” (an hand breadth long)
Page 120, “*ungs” changed to “lungs” (lungs, or other
inward)
Page 120, “Tre*” changed to “Tree” (The Tree Moss
grows)
Page 120, “o*” changed to “of” (All sorts of)
Page 122, “*ormenting” changed to “tormeting”
(tormenting pains thereof) Page 123, “*laces” changed to
“places” (places of this land)
Page 123, “*he” changed to “the” (Mercury rules the tree)
 Page 124, “o*” changed to “or” (groin or share)
Page 128, “*aste” changed to “taste” (a waterish insipid
taste) Page 128, “th*” changed to “the” (dropped into the
ears)
Page 128, “hea*” changed to “heat” (that arise of heat)
Page 128, “mad*” changed to “made” (the bark made in)
Page 130, “*hat” changed to “that” (undoing what that
doth)
Page 130, word “them.” added to end of paragraph where a
blank line was present in the original. This agrees with an
earlier version of the text. (THEY are so well known, that I
need not spend time about writing a description of them.)
Page 130, “ot***” changed to “other” (sore, or any other
putrefied) Page 135, “plegmatic” changed to “phlegmatic”
(brain of phlegmatic) Page 135, “*talks” changed to “stalks”
(hairy, as the stalks are) Page 135, “it” changed to “its”
(spring of its own)
Page 136, “weak” changed to “week” (once a week)
Page 139, “fo” changed to “of” (property of St. John’s
Wort)
Page 141, “harhness” changed to “hardness” (the hardness
of women’s) Page 141, “an” changed to “all” (against all
inflammations)
Page 142, “moistens” changed to “moisten” (moisten the
stomach) Page 142, “*hroat” changed to “throat” (throat, to
dry the)
Page 143, “an” changed to “and” (to make Unguentum
and)
Page 144, “black” changed to “Black” (Black of the
Garden)
Page 144, “baers” changed to “bears” (it bears its flower)
 Page 146, “snd” changed to “and” (dreams, and the like)
Page 146, “vitue” changed to “virtue” (the heat and virtue
of)
Page 146, “serect” changed to “secret” (ulcers in the
secret)
Page 146, “lightening” changed to “lightning” (blasting by
lightning) Page 147, “imflammation” changed to
“inflammation” (inflammation in the eyes) Page 148 “anoin*”
changed to “anoint” (available to anoint)
Page 148, word “a” added to text in space (Quinces, and
boiled in a) Page 148, “hea*” changed to “heat” (good to cool
the heat)
Page 148, “hai*” changed to “hair” (it brings hair to them)
Page 148, “man*” changed to “many” (at the top many)
Page 155, “*ed” changed to “red” (red, every one
standing)
Page 155, “*talk” changed to “stalk” (his own foot-stalk)
Page 155, “lethary” changed to “lethargy” (the lethargy,
and fallen-sickness) Page 156, the first letters of two lines
were traded thus “ro” was changed to “to” and “tequires” to
“requires” (to take one drop) (requires, for the inward) Page
158, “slght” changed to “sight” (dimness of the sight)
Page 158, “rwu” changed to “rue” (MEADOW-RUE rises)
Page 160, “*hready” changed to “thready” (thready branches
round) Page 161, “abundaily” changed to “abundantly” (come
down too abundantly) Page 167, “*ong” changed to “long”
(long crested, brownish)
Page 167, “o*” changed to “of” (of a sad green color)
Page 167, “*talks” changed to “stalks” (stalks stand
umbels)
 Page 169, “costs” changed to “coasts” (sea coasts to
Dover)
Page 169, “hedges” changed to “edges” (dented about the
hedges) Page 171, “u*” changed to “up” (especially made up)
Page 173, “erputions” changed to “eruptions” (wheals, and
eruptions or) Page 173, “giv*” changed to “give” (the skin,
and give)
Page 174, “pimpels” changed to “pimples” (pimples,
pushes or wheals) Page 174, text misprinted and missing,
another copy was consulted and the following changes made:
Original text:
brown colour on the outside, and white
within, from whence rise sundry long stalks
taste, from whece rise sundry long stalks
of most fine cut leaves like hair, smaller
Edited text:
brown colour on the outside, and white
within, smelling well, and of an aromatical
taste, from whence rise sundry long stalks
of most fine cut leaves like hair, smaller
Page 175, word “the” removed from text. Original read
(and other the west parts) Page 178, “naval” changed to
“navel” (to the navel, stays)
Page 184, “of the” changed to “and” (herb and root, or the)
Page 184, “plaintain” changed to “plantain” (plantain, and
is also) Page 185, word “a” added to text (Sun, and a good)
Page 185, “berb” changed to “herb” (boiled the herb in)
Page 185, “th*” changed to “the” (flowers, with the)
Page 186, lines were printed out of order. Original read:
therefore always used in drinks, lotions,
green wounds, ulcers, or old sores, in all
 green wounds, ulcers, or old sores, in all
balms, oils, ointments, or any other sorts of
which the continual experience of former
After consulting earlier edition, now reads:
therefore always used in drinks, lotions,
balms, oils, ointments, or any other sorts of
green wounds, ulcers, or old sores, in all
which the continual experience of former
Page 187, “browinsh” changed to “brownish” (follows
small brownish) Page 188, “sepents” changed to “serpents”
(the biting of serpents) Page 189, “*he” changed to “the” (the
flowers, only picked)
Page 192, “Mitthiolus” changed to “Matthiolus” (cured.
Matthiolus commends) Page 193, “plntain” changed to
“plantain” (the greater plantain, but) Page 194, first instance
of repeated phrase “neither is it” removed from text. Original
read: nothing in vain. It is an herb of Mercury,
and appropriated to the lungs; neither is it
Crab claims dominion over it; neither is it
a foe to the Lion; if the lungs be afflicted

Page 194, “calle*” changed to “called” (christened it, and called) Page 195,
“woods” changed to “woody” (lies deep, and is woody)
Page 196, “is” changed to “his” (courtesy is greater than his)
Page 196, “Tamus” changed to “Taurus” (under Taurus her sign)
Page 197, repeated word “it” removed from text. Original read (shall know it
it in the) Page 198, “THOUSALD” changed to “THOUSAND” (AND
THOUSAND-LEAL)
Page 198, “It” changed to “Its” (parts. Its flowers)
Page 201, “8” changed to “6” (6. Such roots as are)
Page 202, “purtify” changed to “putrify” (coming to putrify)
 Page 202, “CHAPTER V.” changed to “CHAPTER I.” (CHAPTER I. Of
distilled Waters.) Page 203, “of” changed to “or” (pewter bason, or an earthen)
Page 204, “**” changed to “is” (is vulgarly used)
Page 205, “makin*” changed to “making” (general way of making)
Page 205, “****” changed to “vary” added to text (ingredients, you may
vary) Page 206, “*hem” changed to “them” (them as you please)
Page 206, “you” changed to “your” (found in your electuary)
Page 206, “other” changed to “others” (roses: others but)
Page 211, “DIPENSATORY” changed to “DISPENSATORY” (FAMILY
DISPENSATORY) Page 212, “eithe*” changed to “either” (either, or from
either) Page 213, final line of first column not present in this edition. All other
editions conclude the paragraph with “is always so.” This has been added to this
text.
Page 213, “th*” changed to “the” (the midst of the)
Page 214, “connot” changed to “cannot” (If you cannot stay)
Page 214, “whi*****” changed to “which it” (draws that which it) Page 215,
“Yerus” changed to “Venus” (may join Venus, because) Page 215, “follaw”
changed “follow” (these that follow)
Page 215, “Balno” changed “Balneo” (distil in Balneo Mariæ) Page 215,
“covenient” changed “convenient” (in a convenient vessel) Page 215, “is”
changed to “it” (the like under it)
Page 217, “reins” changed to “veins” (and cleanses the veins)
Page 217, word “a” added to text in blank space (hours after eat a) Page 218,
“*oot” changed to “root” (root and water)
Page 218, “*eing” changed to “being” (being taken in red)
Page 218, “care*ess” changed to “careless” (and whatsoever a careless) Page
218, “*elps” changed to “helps” (being drank with wine, helps) Page 218,
“*ungs” changed to “lungs” (lungs, hardness of)
Page 218, “Saccharinœ” changed to “Saccharinæ” (Vallanoriæ, and
Saccharinæ) Page 218, “Reigæ” changed to “Regiæ” (Hastæ Regiæ fœm.)
Page 219, “Broniæ” changed to “Brionæ” (Brionæ, &c. Of Briony) Page 219,
“Centrurii” changed to “Centaurii” (Centaurii majoris. Of Centaury) Page 221,
“*eaves” changed to “leaves” (See the leaves.)
Page 221, “sortness” changed to “shortness” (and shortness of breath) Page
222, “*unburning” changed to “sunburning” (skin, take away sunburning) Page
222, line of text at bottom of first column was missing. Text added from the
1814 edition. Original read: or wind; the smell of it strengthens the brain,
it relieves faint hearts, takes away windiness
amorous diseases. You may take half a dram
at a time.
Now corrected to:
or wind; the smell of it strengthens the brain,
it relieves faint hearts, takes away windiness
of the womb, heats the reins, and provokes
amorous diseases. You may take half a dram
at a time.
Page 222, “bes*” changed to “best” (Of Licorice; the best)
Page 222, “mois*” changed to “moist” (it is hot and moist)
Page 222, “wherin” changed to “wherein” (of white wine, wherein) Page 224,
“Cam*ock” changed to “Cammock” (Of Cammock, or Rest-harrow) Page 225,
“*hese” changed to “these” (these, I am persuaded)
Page 225, “*reed” changed to “breed” (breed ill-favoured)
Page 225, “***y” changed to “they” (they spoil the eyes)
Page 226, “Whethe*” changed to “Whether” (Whether these be roots) Page
227, “mean*” changed to “meant” (that which is meant)
Page 228, “especeially” changed to “especially” (especially the ashes of)
Page 229, an unusual ligature involving a script “m” was used on this page in
place of what seems to be æ. This was retained as “m” in both “Tillim” and
“Guajacum, Lignum vitm.”
 Page 229, “dis*ases” changed to “diseases” (for cold diseases)
Page 231, “he” changed to “the” and “melanholy” changed to “melancholy”
(the heart, makes men merry, helps melancholy) Page 232, “Beuedicta” changed
to “Benedicta” (Benedicta Cariphyllara) Page 232, “**” changed to “or”
(Common or Wood Betony)
Page 232, “a*” changed to “as” (the gout, such as)
Page 236, “Provok**” changed to “Provokes” (Elicampane. Provokes) Page
236, “whic*” changed to “which” (Dodder of Time, to which) Page 237, “*t”
changed to “it” (it grows upon, as)
Page 239, “ou*” changed to “out” (and the falling out)
Page 240, “Amareus” changed to “Amaracus” (Majorana. See Amaracus.)
Page 241, “Horehouud” changed to “Horehound” (stinking Horehound, I take)
Page 241, “cloanses” changed to “cleanses” (matrix, cleanses filthy) Page 241,
“Memba” changed to “Mentha” (Mentha aquatica. Water Mints) Page 241,
“Spruge” changed to “Spurge” (Spurge-Olive, or Widdow-wail) Page 241, “thes
curvey” changed to “the scurvey” (for the scurvy, sciatica) Page 245,
“Nasturitum” changed to “Nasturtium” (Thlaspi. See Nasturtium) Page 246,
“Voronica” changed to “Veronica” (Veronica. See Betonica Pauli) Page 246,
“Umbslicus” changed to “Umbilicus” (Umbilicus Veneris. Navil-wort) Page 247,
“Watev” changed to “Water” (Water lilies, ease pains) Page 248, “b*eath”
changed to “breath” (a sweet breath)
Page 249, “**eaks” changed to “breaks” (cholic, breaks the stone) Page 250,
repeated word “of” removed from text (inflammations of the sides) Page 253,
“**me” changed to “time” (time, and indeed spirit)
Page 255, “*legm” changed “flegm” (flegm; outwardly in)
Page 255, “*eprosies” changed to “leprosies” (leprosies, scabs, and) Page
256, “ana” changed to “and” (Spikenard, Celtic and Indian) Page 258, “chie”
changed to “chief” (quote the chief of them)
Page 260, “Daises” changed to “Daisies” (wood and water. Daisies) Page
260, “Camomle” changed to “Camomile” (Camomile, Chamepytis) Page 262,
“Sabious” changed to “Scabious” (Origanum, Rue, Scabious) Page 264,
“Marjoran” changed to “Marjoram” (John’s Wort, Marjoram) Page 264, “Bazi”
changed to “Bazil” (Water-cresses, Origanum, Bazil) Page 265, “*pikenard”
changed to “Spikenard” (Spikenard, Hops, Schenanth) Page 272, “an*” changed
to “and” (strengthens the stomach and)
Page 272, “commonwealt*” changed to “commonwealth” (do the
commonwealth) Page 272, “o*” changed to “on” (a word or two on)
Page 273, “bring” changed to “being” (a sweet breath; being)
Page 274, “*hin” changed to “thin” (thin subtile parts)
Page 274, “vix.” changed to “viz.” (body, viz. the) Page 274, “Chermes”
changed to “Cherries” (Juice of Cherries, Quinces) Page 274, “cold” changed to
“old” (Olives, both new and old)
Page 275, “when” changed to “Then” (Then the college tells you) Page 275,
“Bore” changed to “Boar” (tooth of a Boar, an Elephant) Page 276, “**”
changed to “of” (stone in the head of)
Page 276, “thells” was retained as printed as more than one copy and
resource used this word.
Page 276, final line of first column missing. "Amber." added after consulting
other editions.
Carlinæ, Coral, white and red, Foam of the
Sea, Spunge, Stone Pumice, Sea salt, Spunges,
Amber.
Page 278, “*ood” changed to “Wood” (Wood Sorrel, Lady’s-Mantle) Page
279, “Lily-flower*” changed to “Lily-flowers” (water of water Lily-flowers)
Page 280, “stay,” changed to “stays” (stomach exceedingly, stays) Page 281,
“Hooses” changed to “Hooves” (The Hooves of the) Page 283, “watersnor”
changed to “waters nor” (strong waters nor sack) Page 285, “*ay” changed to
“Bay” (tree, Bay berries)
Page 286, “o*” changed to “of” (long Birthwort, of)
Page 290, “spiri*” changed to “spirit” (pour this spirit)
Page 291, “i*” changed to “it” (close stopped till it)
 Page 291, the “t” for “let” (the last word on page 291) is present as the first
letter on page 292. This has been repaired. (added to every pound, let) Page 293,
“Polipodiu*” changed to “Polipodium” (five drams, Polipodium) Page 298,
“Syru*” changed to “Syrup” (into a Syrup: let)
Page 306, “inty” changed to “into” (into Syrup according)
Page 306, “******” changed to “Syrup,” (boiled into a Syrup,)
Page 308, “an” changed to “and” (pound and a half)
Page 309, “th**” changed to “them” (boil them in the)
Page 311, “respec*” changed to “respect” (made, in respect)
Page 315, “*hat” changed to “that” (sugar; yet note, that)
Page 316, “i*” changed to “it” (make it into Lozenges)
Page 316, “*eaves” changed to “leaves” (of red Rose leaves)
Page 319, “Stag’sh eart” changed to “Stag’s heart” (a Stag’s heart, Ivory)
Page 319, word “College.]” missing and added to text for paragraph under
Diamoschu Dulce.
Page 319, “Boses” changed to “Roses” (ounce, red Roses, Violets) Page 320,
“powder” changed to “powders” (of these powders will) Page 322, “*han”
changed to “than” (than they can remove)
Page 322, “*hem” changed to “them” (them into fine powder)
Page 322, “eigh” changed to “eight” (with eight times their)
Page 322, “thefore” changed to “therefore” (therefore they do strengthen)
Page 325, repeated word “a” removed from text. Original read (it at a a time,
lest) Page 326, “it” changed to “its” (its just thickness)
Page 327, “*hickness” changed to “thickness” (thickness of Honey) Page
327, “*ool” changed to “cool” (cool, exceeding good)
Page 327, final word and closing punctuation added to last paragraph in first
column (very seldom so much.) Page 328, “and” changed to “of” (loins of
Scinks)
 Page 328, “and” changed to “an” (and an half, with two)
Page 329, word “it” added to text (neither is it so hot)
Page 330, “weigh” changed to “weight” (Treacle the weight)
Page 330, “**” changed to “as” (one, according as)
Page 331, “electuar,” changed to “electuary” (clarified, make it into an
electuary) Page 332, “an” changed to “and” (Water a pound and an half)
Page 334, “onnce” changed to “ounce” (may take an ounce at)
Page 334, “acconut” changed to “account” (I account it a pretty) Page 335,
“no*” changed to “not” (such women as are not)
Page 339, “thay” changed to “they” (form, that they may be)
Page 341, “weakned” changed to “weakened” (weakened by disease) Page
346, “thre*” changed to “three” (Winter Cherries three)
Page 348, “ha**” changed to “half” (Myrrh, of each half)
Page 349, “lessen” changed to “lesser” (lesser, Cubebs, Gallia) Page 350,
“Mutmegs” changed to “Nutmegs” (Oil of Nutmegs by)
Page 353, “**********megs” changed to “Oil of Nutmegs” (Been, Oil of
Nutmegs) Page 354, “oi*” changed to “oil” (six parts of oil)
Page 354, “puting” changed to “putting” (sweet oil, putting)
Page 355, “*corpions” changed to “Scorpions” (thirty live Scorpions) Page
355, “**on” changed to “lion” (when the sun is in the lion) Page 355, “Carduu*”
changed to “Carduus” (the roots of Carduus) Page 359, “watry” changed to
“watery” (till the watery part)
Page 361, “Uuguentum” changed to “Unguentum” (Unguentum Pomatum.)
Page 361, “**pis” changed to “Lapis” (ammoniac, Lapis Calaminaris) Page 361,
“Litha*ge” changed to “Litharge” (Litharge of Gold, Ceruss) Page 363, “the”
changed to “them” (first let them sublimate)
Page 363, “Uunguentum” changed to “Unguentum” (Unguentum Martiatum.)
Page 364, “greese” changed to “grease” (Hen’s and Duck’s grease) Page 364,
“benefical” changed to “beneficial” (part, is very beneficial) Page 366, “*nto”
changed to “into” (into an ointment according) Page 367, “los*” changed to
“lost” (ulcers, restores flesh lost) Page 368, “Platain” changed to “Plantain”
(ounces, Plantain, Chamepitys) Page 370, word “College.]” missing and added
to text for paragraph under Emplaistrum Diaphœnicon hot.
Page 371, “o*” changed to “or” (appropriated to ruptures or)
Page 377, “whch” changed to “which” (danger, by considering which) Page
378, “natura*” changed to “natural” (patient, or the natural) Page 378, “o*”
changed to “of” (attain the third degree of)
Page 378, “pas*” changed to “pass” (hence it comes to pass)
Page 378, “sha**” changed to “shall” (medicines, which I shall) Page 379,
“it” changed to “its” (above its natural temper)
Page 379, “in****” changed to “in the” (cold in the second and) Page 379,
“lenifies” changed to “lenify” (lenify and make slippery) Page 380, “exteme”
changed to “extreme” (moisture be not extreme) Page 382, “administed”
changed to “administered” (safely be administered) Page 382, “on*y” changed
to “only” (which are used only)
Page 386, “seem*” changed to “seems” (the womb, it seems)
Page 387, “Pains” changed to “Pain” (Pain is either taken)
Page 387, “know” changed to “known” (medicines are known)
Page 388, “*ontrary” changed to “contrary” (contrary to them)
Page 390, “evacution” changed to “evacuation” (cured by evacuation) Page
390, “discussseth” changed to “discusseth” (more than it discusseth) Page 394,
“thurst” changed to “thrust” (violently thrust it)
Page 394, “*nd” changed to “and” (and sweating the last)
Page 396, “int*” changed to “into” (of sweet Almonds into)
Page 399, “fourth” repeated under “Hot in the first degree” under “second”.
The first “fourth” was changed to “third” (—— —— third degree, ib.) Page 401,
page number added to entry for “Tamarisk Tree.”
Page 402, “Yellow-water Flag” changed to “Yellow Water-flag” (Yellow
Water-flag) Page 402, “Termintil” changed to “Tormentil” (Measles.
Tormentil, 184)
Page 402, page number added to entry for “Ladies’ Mantle.”