The English Physitian, C, pp. 25-41

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CABBAGES and COLEWORTS.

I shal spare a labor in writing a Description of these, sith almost every one that can but write at all may describe them from his own knowledg, they being generally so well know that Descriptions are altogether needless.

Place.

These are generally planted in Gardens.

Time.

Their flowering time is towards the middle or end of July, and the Seed is ripe in August.

Vertues and Use.

The Cabbages or Coleworts boyled gently in Broth and eaten do open the Body, but the second Decoction doth bind the Body. The Juyce therof drunk in Wine helpeth those that are bitten by an Adder, and the Decoction of the Flowers bringeth down Womens Courses. Being taken with Honey, it recovereth hoarsness or loss of the voice. The often eating of them wel boyled, helpeth those that are entring into a Consumption. The Pulp of the middle Ribs of Coleworts boyled in Almond Milk, and made up into an Electuary with Honey, being taken often, is very profitable for those that are pursie and short-winded. Being boyled twice, and a old Cock boyled in the Broth and drunk, it helpeth the pains and obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, and the Stone in the Kidnies. The Juyce boyled with Honey and dropped into the corner of the Eye, cleareth the sight, by consuming any Film or cloud begining to dim it; it also consumeth the Canker growing therin. They are much commended being eaten before meat,

[EDGENOTE:] Venemous Beasts. Terms provokes, Hoarsness, Consumption, Obstructions, Stone, Sight, Canker Surfets, Swellings, Gout, Sores, Scabs, Wheals, Melancholly, Wind.

to keep one from surfetting, as also from being drunk with too much Wine, or quickly make a man sober again that is drunk before. For (as they say) there is such an Antipathy or enmity between the Vine and the Colewort, that the one will die where the other groweth. The Decoction of Colworts taketh away the pain and ach, and allayeth the swellings of swoln and gouty Legs and Knees, wherein many gross and watry humors are fallen, the place being bathed therwith warm: It helpeth also old and filthy sores, being washed therewith, and healeth all smal Scabs, Pushes and Wheals that break out in the Skin. The Ashes of Colwort Stalks mixed with old Hogs-Grease are very effectual to annoint the Sides of those that have had long

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pains therin, or any other place pained with Melancholly and windy humors.

This was surely Chrysippus his god, and therfore he wrote a whol Volumn of them and their Vertues, and that none of the least neither, for he would be no smal Fool, he apropriates them to every part of the Body, and to every Disease in every part, and honest old Cato they say used no other Physick, I know not what Mettals their Bodies were made of, this I am sure, Cabbages are extream windy whether you take them as Meat, or as Medicine, yea as windy Meat as can be eaten, unless you eat Bagpipes or Bellows, and they are but seldom eaten in our daies, and Colewort Flowers are somthing more tollerable, and the wholsomer Food of the two.

The Moon challengeth the Dominion of the Herb.

THE SEA COLEWORT.

Description.

This hath divers somwhat long and broad, large thick wrinkled Leavs, somwhat crumpled upon the edges, growing each upon a several thick Footstalk very brittle, of a grayish green colour. From among which riseth up a strong thick stalk two Foot high and better, with some Leavs theron to the top, where it brancheth forth much; and on every Branch, standeth a large Bush of pale whitish Flowers, consisting of four Leavs apiece: The Root is somwhat great and shooteth forth many Branches under ground, keeping the green Leavs al the Winter.

Place.

They grow in many places upon the Sea Coasts, as wel on the Kentish, as Essex Shores, as at Lidd in Kent, Colechester in Essex, and divers other places, and in other Countries of this Land.

Time.

They Flower and Seed about the time that other kinds do.

Vertues.

The Broth or first Decoction of the Sea Colewort doth by the sharp nitrous and bitter qualities therin, open the Belly and purge the Body, it clenseth and digesteth more powerfully than the other kind: The Seed herof bruised and drunk, killeth Worms. The Leavs or the Juyce of them applied to Sores or Ulcers clenseth and healeth them, and dissolveth Swellings, and taketh away Inflamations.

[EDGENOTE:] Sores, Wounds, Ulcers, Swellings, Inflamations.

CALAMINT, or MOUNTAIN MINT.

Description.

This is a smal Herb seldom rising above a a Foot high, with square hoary and woody Stalks, and two smal hoary Leavs set at a Joynt, about the bigness of Marjoram, or not much cigger, a little dented about the edges, and of a very fierce or quick scent, as the whol Herb is: The Flowers stand at several spaces of the Stalks from the middle almost upwards, which are smal and gaping like to those Mints, and of a pale Blush colour: after which follow smal, round, blackish Seeds: The Root is smal and Woody, with divers smal sprigs spreading within the ground, and dieth not, but abideth many yeers.

Place.

It groweth on Heaths, and Upland dry grounds, in many places of this Land.

Time.

They Flower in July, and their Seed is ripe quickly after.

Vertues and Use.

The Decoction of the Herb being drunk, bringeth down Womens Courses and provoketh Urin: It is profitable for those that are Bursten, or troubled with Convulsions or Cramps, with shortness of Breath, or Chollerick torments and pains in their Bellies or Stomachs, it also helpeth the yellow Jaundice, and staieth Vomiting, being taken in Wine; taken with Salt and Honey, it killeth al manner of Worms in the Body: It helpeth such as have the Leprosie, either taken inwardly, drinking Whey after it, or the green Herb outwardly applied: It hindreth Conception in Women: being either burned, or strewed in the Chamber, it driveth away Venemous Serpents. It takes away black and blue marks in the Face, and maketh black Scars become wel colored, if the green Herb (not the dry) be boyled in Wine

[EDGENOTE:] Terms provokes, Disury, Ruptures, Convulsions. Cramps, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice, Vomiting, Worms, Leprosie, Serpents, Black and blue Marks, Scars, Sciatica, Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen. Tertian Agues.

and laid to the place, or the place washed therwith. Being applied to the Hucklebone, by continuance of time it spendeth the humors which caused the pain of the Sciatica. The Juyce dropped into the Ears killeth the Worms in them: The Leavs boyled in Wine and drunk provoketh sweat, and openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen; it helpeth them that have a Tettian Ague (the body being first purged) by taking away the cold Fits. The Decoction herof with some

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Sugar put therto afterwards, is very profitable for those that be troubled with the overflowing of the Gal, and that have an old Cough, and that are scarce able to breath by the shortness of their wind: That have any cold distemper in their Bowels, and are troubled with the hardness of the Spleen, for al which purposes, both the Pouder called Diacalaminthes and the Compound Syrup of Calamint (which are to be had at the Apothecaries) are most effectual.

Let not Women be too busy with it, for it works very violently upon the Foeminin parts.

CHAMOMEL.

This is so wel known every where that it is but lost time and labor to describe it. The Vertues wherof are as followeth.

A Decoction made of Chamomel and drunk, taketh away al pains and Stitches in the Sides. The Flowers of Chamomel beaten and made up into Bals with Oyl driveth away al sorts of Agues; if the party grieved be anointed with that Oyl taken from the Flowers, from the Crown of the Head to the Soal of the Foot, and afterwards laid to sweat in his Bed, and that he sweat wel: This is Nichessor an Egyptian's Medicine. It is profitable for all sorts of Agues that come either from Flegm or Melancholly, or from

[EDGENOTE:] Stitches in the Side, Agues, Liver, Spleen, Weariness.

an Inflamation of the Bowels being applied when the Humors causing them shal 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 Chamomel taketh away weariness, easeth pains to what part of the Body soever they be applied: it comforteth the Sinews that are overstrained, mollifieth al Swellings: It moderately comforteth al parts that have need of warmth, digesteth

[EDGENOTE:] Sinews, Swellings, Chollick, Stone, Belly-ach.

and dissolveth whatsoever hath need therof by a wonderful speedy property. It easeth al the pains of the chollick and Stone, and al pains and torments ofthe Belly, and gently provoketh Urin. The Flowers boyled in Posset Drink provoketh Sweat, and helpeth to expel Colds, Aches, and Pains, whersoever and is an excellent help to bring down Womens Courses. A Syrup made of the Juyce of Chamomel

[EDGENOTE:] Cold, Ach, Jaundice, Dropsie, Brain, Cramp, Stitch in the Side.

with the Flowers and white Wine, is a Remedy against the Jaundice and Dropsie. The Flowers boyled in a Ly, are good to wash the Head, and comfort both it and the Brain. The Oyl made of the Flowers of Chamomel is much used against al hard swellings, pains or aches, shrinking of the Sinews or Cramps, or pains in the Joynts, or any other part of the Body; being used in Clisters, it helpeth to dissolve wind and pains in the Belly; anointed also it helpeth Stitches and pains in the Sides.

Nichessor saith the Egyptians dedicated it to the Sun becaus it cured Agues;and they were like enough to do it, for they were the arrantest Apes in their Religion that ever I read of. Baccinus, Pena, and Lobel commend the Syrup made of the Juyce 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 Juyce of it into the Bladder with a Syring; my Opinion is, That the Salt of it taken half a dram in a morning, in a little White or Rhenish Wine is better than either, that it is excellent for the Stone appears by this, which I have seen tried, viz. That a Stone that hath been taken out of the Body of a man being wrapped in Chamomel will in time dissolve, and in a little time too.

CAMPIONS WILD.

Description.

The white wild Campion hath many long and somwhat broad dark green Leavs, lying upon the ground with divers Ribs therin somwhat like Plantane, but somwhat hairy, broader, and not so long: The hairy Stalks rise up in the middle of them three of four foot high, and somtimes more, with divers great white Joynts at several places theron, and two such like Leavs therat up to the top, sending forth Branches at the several Joynts also al which bear on several Footstalks white Flowers at the tops of them, consisting of five broad pointed Leavs, every one cut in on the end unto the middle, making them seem to be two apiece, smelling somwhat sweet, and each of them standing in large green striped hairy Husks, large and round below next to the Stalk: The Seed is smal and grayish in the hard Heads that come up afterwards: The Root is white and long, spreading divers fangs in the ground.

The Red Wild Campion groweth in the same manner as the White, but his Leavs are not so plainly ribbed, somewhat shorter, rounder and more woolly in handling: The Flowers are of the same form and bigness, but in som of a pale, in others of a bright red colour, cut in at ends more finely, which maketh the Leavs seem more in number than the other. The Seed and the Roots are alike: The Roots of both sorts abiding many years.

There are forty five kinds of Campions more, those of them which are of Physical uses having the like Vertues with these above described, which I take to be the two chiefest kinds.

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Place.

They grow commonly through this Land by Fields, Hedg-sides, and Ditches.

Time.

They flower in Summer som earlier than others, and some abiding longer than others.

Vertues and Use.

It is found by experience that the Decoction of the Herb either the White or Red being drunk, doth stay inward bleedings; and applied outwardly it doth the like: And being drunk helpeth to expel the Urin being stop'd, and Gravel or the Stone in the Reins or Kidnies. Two drams of

[EDGENOTE:] Bleeding inward & outward, Disury, Gravel, Choller, Venemous Beasts. Plagues, Sores, Ulcers, Cankers, Fistules.

the Seed drunk in Wine, purgeth the Body of Chollerick humors, and helpeth those that are stung by Scorpions, or other venemous Beasts; and may be as effectual for the Plague: It is of very good use in old Sores, Ulcers, Cankers, Fistulaes and the like, to clens and heal them, by consuming the moist humors falling into them, and correcting the putrifaction of Humors offending them.

CARROTS.

The Garden kind are so wel known that they need no Description; but because they are of less Physical use than the Wild kind (as indeed almost in all Herbs the Wild are most effectual in Physick, as being more powerful in operation then the Garden kinds) I shal therfore briefly describe the Wild Carrot.

Description.

It groweth in a manner altogether like the Tame, but that the Leavs and Stalks are somwhat whiter and rougher: The Stalks bear large tufts of white Flowers, with 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 outer Stalks rising high, maketh the whol Umbel to shew like a Birds-Nest. The Root is smal, long, and hard, unfit for meat, being somwhat sharp and strong.

Place.

The Wild kind groweth in divers parts of this Land plentifully by the Fields sides, and in untilled places.

Time.

They flower and seed in the end of Summer.

The Vertues.

The Wild kind, breaketh Wind, and removeth Stitches in the Sides, provoketh Urin and Womens Courses, and helpeth to break and expel the Stone: The Seed also of the same worketh the like effect, and is good for the Dropsie, and those whose Bellies are swollen with Wind; helpeth the

[EDGENOTE:] Wind, Stitches, provokes Urin and the Terms, Stone, Dropsie, Chollick, Barrenness, Ulcers.

Chollick, the Stone in the Kidnies, and the rising of the Mother, being taken in Wine, or boyled in Wine and taken; and helpeth Conception. The Leavs being applied with Honey to running Sores or Ulcers, doth clense them.

I suppose the Seeds of them perform this better than the Roots; And though Galen commend Garden Carrots highly, to break Wind; yet experience teacheth that 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 marreth.

CARAWAY.

Description.

It beareth divers Stalks of fine cut Leavs lying upon the ground somwhat like to the Leavs of Carrots, but not bushing so thick, of a little quick tast in them, from among which riseth up a square Stalk not so high as the Carrot, at whose Joynts are set the like Leavs but smaler and finer, and at the top smal open tufts or umbels of white Flowers, which turn into smal blackish Seed smaler than the Anniseed, and of a quicker and hotter tast. The Root is whitish, smal and long, somwhat like unto a Parsnep, but with more wrinckled Bark, and much less, of a little hot and quick tast, and stronger than the Parsnep, and abideth after Seed-time.

Place.

It is usually sown with us in Gardens.

Time.

They flower in June or July, and seed quickly after.

Vertues and Use.

Caraway Seed hath a moderat sharp quality wherby it breaketh Wind and provoketh Urin, which also the Herb doth. The Root is better food than the Parsnep, and is pleasant & comfortable to the Stomach, helping digestion. The Seed is conducing to all the cold griefs of Head and Stomach, the Bowels or Mother, as also the wind in them, and helpeth to sharpen the Eye-sight. The Pouder of the Seed put into a Pultis, taketh away black and blue spots of Blows or Bruises. The Herb it self, or with some of the Seed bruised and fryed, laid hot in a bag or double cloth to the lower part of the Belly, easeth the pains of the wind Chollick.

[EDGENOTE:] Wind, Disury, Indigestion, Head, Stomach, Bowels, Mother, Black and blue spots, Bruises, Chollick.

The Roots of Caraway eaten as men eat Parsnips, strengthen the Stomacks of ancient people exceedingly, and they need not make a whol meal of them neither, and are fit to be planted in every ones Garden.

Caraway Comfects, once only dipped in Sugar, and half a spoonful of them eaten in the morning fasting, and as many after each

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meal is a most admirable Remedy for such as are troubled with Wind.

CELANDINE.

Description.

This hath divers tender, round, whitish, green Stalks, with greater Joynts than ordinary in other Herbs, as it were Knees, very brittle and easie to break, from whence grow Branches with large tender long Leavs, much divided into many parts, each of them cut in on the edges, set at the Joynts on both sides of the branches, of a dark bluish green colour on the upper side like Columbines, and of a more pale bluish green underneath, ful of a yellow sap, when any part is broken, of a bitter tast and strong scent. At the tops of the Branches which are much divided, grow gold yellow Flowers of four Leaves apiece, after which come smal long pods, with blackish seed therin. The Root is somwhat great at the head, shooting forth divers other long Roots and smal Strings, reddish on the outside and yellow within, ful of a yellow sap therein.

Place.

It groweth in many places by old Walls, by the Hedges, and way sides in untilled places; and being once planted in a Garden, especially in some shady place, it wil remain there.

Time.

They flower all the Summer long, and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time.

Vertues and Use.

The Herb or Roots boyled in white-Wine and drunk, a few Aniseeds being boyled therwith, openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Gall, helpeth the yellow Jaundice: and the often using it, helps the Dropsie, and the Itch, and those that have old Sores in their Legs, or other parts of the Body. The Juyce thereof taken fasting, is held to be of singular good use against the Pestilence: The distilled Water, with a little sugar, and a little good Triacle mixed therwith (the party upon the taking being laid down to sweat a little) hath the same effect. The Juyce dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from Films and the Cloudiness which darken the sight, but it is best to allay the sharpnes of the Juyce with a little Breast-milk: It is good in old filthy corroding creeping Ulcers whersoever, to stay their malignity of fretting and running, and to cause them to heal the more speedily: The Juyce often applied to Tetters, Ringworms, or other such like spreading Cancers, will quickly heal them, and rubbed often upon Warts will taken them away. The Herb with the Roots bruised and heated with Oyl of Camomel, applied to the Navel, taketh away the griping pain in the Belly and Bowels, and all the pains of the Mother: and applied to Womens Breasts stayeth the overmuch flowing of their Courses. The Juyce Decoction of the Herb gargled between the Teeth that ake, easeth the pain; and the Pouder of the Dryed Root, laid upon an aching hollow, or loos Tooth, wil cause it to fal out. The Juyce mixed with som Pouder of Brimstone, is not only good against the Itch, but taketh away al discolourings of the Skin whatsoever: And if it

[EDGENOTE:] Obstructions of the Liver and Gall, yellow Jaundice, Dropsie, Pestilence, Eyes, Ulcers, Tetters, Ringworms, Cancers, Warts, Belly, Bowels, Mother Worms, Terms, Stops, Toothach, Itch, Beauty lost.

chance that in a tender Body it causeth any Itching or Inflamation, by bathing the place with a little Vinegar it is helped.

This is an Herb of the Sun, & under the Coelestial Lyon, and is one of the best cures for the Eyes that is. Al that know any thing in Astrologie, know as wel as I can tel them, 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 his Trine; let Leo arise, then may you make it into an Oyl or Oyntment which you please to anoint your sore Eyes withal: I can prove it both by my own experience, and the experience of those to whom I have taught it, That most desperat sore Eyes have been cured by this only Medicine; And then I pray, is not this farbetter than endangering the Eyes by the art of the Needle? for if this do not absolutly take away the Film, it wil so facilitate the work that it may be don wihout danger.

Another il-favored trick have Physitians got to use to the Eye, and that is worse than the Needle; which is, To eat away the Film by corroding or gnawing Medicines. This I absolutly protest against.

1. Because the Tunicles of the Eye are very thin, and therfore 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 [Greek script] which sigifies a Swallow, because they say, That if you prick out the Eyes of yong Swallows when they are in the Nest, the old ones wil recover their Eyes again with this Herb. This I am confident, for I have tried it, That if you mar the very Apple of their Eyes with a Needle, she wil recover them again, but whether with this Herb or no I know not.

Also I have read (and it seems to be somwhat probable) That the Herb being gathered as I shewed before, and the Elements drawn apart from it by the art of the Alchymist, and after they are drawn apart, rectified, the earthy quality still in rectifying them, added to the Terra damnata (as Alchymists call it) or Terra sacratissima (as som Phylosophers call it)

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the Elements so rectified are sufficient for the Cure of al Diseases, the humor offending being known and the contrary Element given, It is an Experience wurth the trying, and can do no harm.

THE LESSER CELONDINE
usually known by the Name of

PILEWORT.

I wonder what ailed the Antients to give this the name of Celandine which resembles it neither in Nature nor form: It acquired the Name of Pilewort from its Vertues, and it being no great matter where I set it down, so I do set it down at al, I humor'd Dr. Tradition so much as to set it down here.

Description.

This Celandine then or Pilewort (which you please) doth spread many round, pale, green Leavs set on weak and trailing Branches which lie upon the ground, and are fat, smooth, and somwhat shining, and in some places (though seldom) marked with black spots, each standing on a long Footstalk among which rise smal yellow Flowers, consisting of nine or ten smal narrow Leavs, upon slender Footstalks very like unto a Crowfoot, wherunto the Seed also is not unlike, being many smal ones set together upon a Head. The root is made of many smal Kernels like grain of Corn, some twice as long as others, of a whitish colour with some Fibres at the end of them.

Place.

It groweth for the most part in the moist corners of Fields, and places that are neer water Sides, yet wil abide in dryer grounds, if they be but a little shadowed.

Time.

It Flowereth betimes about March or April, is quite gone in May, so as it cannot be found until it spring again.

Vertues and Use.

It is certain by good experience that the Decoction of the Leavs and Roots, doth wonderfully help the Piles and Hemorrhoids as also Kernels by the Ears and Throat called the Kings evil; or any other hard Wens or Tumors.

Here's another Secret for my Country Men and Women, a couple of them together, Pilewort being made into an Oyl Oyntment or Plaister readily cures both the Piles or Hemorrhoids, and the Kings Evil, If I may Lawfully cal it

[EDGENOTE:] Hemorrhoids, Kings Evil.

the Kings Evil now there is no King, the very Herb born about ones Body next the Skin, helps in such Diseases, though it never touch the place grieved, let good people make much of it for these uses, with this I cured my own Daughter of the Kings Evil, broke the Sore, drew out a quarter of a pint of Corruption, and cured it without any Scar at all, and in one Weeks time.

THE ORDINARY SMALL CENTAURY

Description.

This groweth up most usually but with one round and somwhat crested stalk, about a foot high, or better, branching forth at the top into many sprigs, and some also from the Joynts of the Stalks below; The Flowers that stand at the tops as it were in an umbel or tuft, are of a pale red, tending to a Carnation colour, consisting of five, somtimes six small Leavs, very like those of St. Johns Wort, opening themselvs in the daytime, and closing at night; after which come Seed in little short Husks in form like unto Wheat Corns: The Leavs are smal and somwhat round. The Root smal and hard, perishing every year: The whol Plant is of an exceeding bitter tast.

There is another sort in al things like the former, save only it beareth white Flowers.

Place.

They grow ordinarily in Fields, Pastures, and Woods, but that with the white Flowers, not so frequent as the other.

Time.

They Flower in July, or there abouts, and Seed within a Month after.

Vertues and Use.

This Herb boyled and drunk, purgeth Chollerick and gross humors, and helpeth the Sciatica: It openeth Obstructions of the Liver, Gall, and Spleen, helping the Jaundice, and easing pains in the Sides, and hardness of

[EDGENOTE:] Choller, Sciatica, Obstructions, Liver, Gall, Spleen, Agues, Dropsie, green sickness, Chollick, Terms provokes, Joynts, Gout, Sciatica.

the Spleen, used outwardly, and is given with very good effect in Agues: It helpeth those that have the Dropsie or the green Sickness, being much used by the Italians in pouder for that purpose. It killeth the Worms in the Belly as is found by experience. The Decoction therof (viz.) the tops of the Stalks with the Leavs and Flowers, is good against the Chollick, and to bring down Womens Courses, helpeth to avoid the dead birth, and easeth pains of the Mother, and is very effectual in al old pains of

[EDGENOTE:] Cramp, Convulsion, Venemous Beasts, Eyes, Wounds, Ulcers.

the Joynts, as the Gout, Cramps, or Convulsions. A dram of the Pouder therof taken in Wine, is a wonderful good help against the biting and poyson of the Adder. The Juyce of the Herb with a little Honey put to it, is good to cleer the Eyes from dimness, mists, and clouds that of-

[EDGENOTE:] Ears, Scabby Heads, Freckles, Spots.

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fend or hinder the Sight: It is singular good both for green and fresh Wounds, as also for old Ulcers and Sores, to close up the one and clens the other, and perfectly to cure them both, although they be hollow or Fistulous; the green Herb especially being bruised and laid therto. The Decoction therof dropped into the Ears, clenseth them from Worms, clenseth the foul Ulcers and spreading Scabs of the Head, and taketh away al Freckles, Spots, and Marks in the Skin being washed therwith.

The Herb is so safe you cannot fail in the using of it, only give inwardly for inward Diseases, use it outwardly for outward Diseases, 'Tis very wholsom but not very toothsom.

Dr. Reason and Dr. Experience could not agree (the last time I spake with them) whether the Herb were under the Dominion of the Sun or Mars.

THE CHERRY-TREE.

I suppose there are few but know this Tree, for his Fruits sake, and therfore shal spare the writing a Description therof.

Place.

For the place of its growth, it is afforded room in every Orchard

Vertues and Use.

Cherries, as they are of different tasts, so they are of divers qualities: The sweet pass through the Stomach and Belly more speedily, but are of little Nourishment.

[EDGENOTE:] Appetite lost, Flegm, Gross Humors, Cool, provoke Urine, Cough, Hoarsness, Sight, Gravel, Wind.

The tart or sowr, are more pleasing to an hot Stomach, procuring appetite to meat, and help to cut tough Flegm and gross humors; but when these are dryed they are more binding the belly than when they are fresh, being cooling in hot Diseases, and welcom to the Stomach, and provoke Urin. The Gum of the Cherry-Tree dissolved in Wine, is good for a cold Cough, and hoarsness of the Throat, mendeth the colour in the Face, sharpneth the Eye-sight, provoketh appetite, and helpeth to break and expel the Stone. The Black Cherries bruised with the Stones and distilled, the Water therof is much used, to break the Stone, expel gravel, and break the Wind.

WINTER CHERRIES.

Description.

The Winter Cherry hath a running or creeping Root in the ground of the bigness many times of ones little Finger, shooting forth at several Joynts ins everal places, wherby it quickly spreadeth a great compass of ground: The Stalk riseth not above a yard high, wheron are set many broad, and long green Leavs, somwhat like Nightshade but larger, at the Joynts wherof come forth whitish Flowers made of five Leavs apiece; which after 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 yeer to be used upon occasion.

Place.

They grow not naturally in this Land, but are cherished in Gardens for their Vertues.

Time.

They Flower not until the middle or latter end of July, and the Fruit is ripe about the end of August, or beginning of September.

Vertues and Use.

They are of great use in Physick: The Leavs being cooling may be used in Inflamations, but not opening, as the Berries and Fruit are, which by drawing down the Urine

[EDGENOTE:] Inflamations, Disury, Stone, Gravel, Ulcers in the Reins and Bladder, pissing Blood, Sharpness of Urins.

provoke it to be avoided 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, Kidnies, and Bladder, helping to dissolve the Stone, and avoiding it by greet or gravel sent forth in the Urin; It also helpeth much to clens inward Impostumes or Ulcers in the Reins or Bladder, or in those that avoid a Bloody or foul Urin. The distilled Water of the Fruit, or the Leavs together with them, or the Berries green or dry, distilled with a little Milk, and drunk morning and evening with a little Sugar, is effectual to al the purposes afore specified, and especially against the heat and sharpness of the Urin. I shal only mention one way amongst many others which might be used for ordering the Berries to be helpful for the Urin and the Stone, which is thus. Take

[EDGENOTE:] A precious Receipt.

three or four good handfuls of the Berries either green and 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 hath been found to do much good to many, both to eas the pains and expel Urin, and the Stone; and to caus the Stone not to ingender. The Decoction of the Berries in Wine or Water is the most usual way; but the Pouder of them taken in drink is more effectual.

CHERVIL.

Description.

The Garden Chervil doth at first somwhat resemble Parsly, but after it is better grown the Leavs are much cut in and jagged

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resembling Hemlocks, being a little hairy and of a whitish green colour, somtimes turning reddish in the Summer with the Stalks also; It riseth little above half a Foot high, bearing white Flowers in spoked tufts, which turn into long and round Seed pointed at the ends, and blackish when they are ripe; of a sweet tast, but no smel, though the Herb it self smelleth reasonable wel: The Root is smal and long and perisheth every yeer, and must be sowen anew in the Spring for Seed, and after July for Autumn Sallet.

The wild Chervil growth two or three foot high, with yellow Stalks and Joynts, set with broader and more hairy Leavs, divided into sundry parts nicked about the edges, and of a darker green colour, which likewise grow reddish with the Stalks; at the tops wherof stand smal white tufts of Flowers & afterwards smaller and longer seed: The Root is white, hard, and enduring long. This hath little or no scent.

Place.

The first is sown in Gardens, for a Sallet-Herb. The second groweth wild in many of the Meadows of this Land, and by the Hedg-sides, and on Heaths.

Time.

They flower and seed early, and thereupon are sown again in the end of Summer.

Vertues and Use.

The Garden Chervil being eaten, doth moderately warm the Stomach, and is a certain remedy (Saith Tragus) to dissolve congealed or clotted Bloud in the Body, or that which is clotted by bruises, fals, &c. The Juyce or distilled Water therof being drunk, and the bruised Leavs

[EDGENOTE:] Stomach Clotted Blood, Bruises, Falls, Disury, Stone, Pleuresie, Sides, Swellings, black and blue Spots.

laid to the place, being taken either in meat or drink, it is held good to provoke Urin, to expel the Stone in the Kidnies, to send down Womens Courses, and to help the Plurisie and prickings of the Sides.

The wild Chervil bruised and applied, dissolveth Swellings in any part of the Body, and taketh away the Spots and Marks of congealed Blood by Bruises or Blows, in a little space.

SWEET CHERVIL or SWEET CICELY.

Description.

This groweth very like the greater Hemlock having large spread Leavs, cut into diverse parts, but of a fresher green colour than the Hemlock, tasting as sweet as the Anniseed. The Stalk riseth up a yard high or better being crested or hollow, having the like Leavs at the Joynts, but lesser; and at the tops of the branched Stalks, Umbels or Tufts of white Flowers; after which com large and 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 therin, in tast and smel stronger than the Leavs or Seed, and continuing many years.

Place.

This groweth in Gardens.

Vertues.

This whol Plant besides its pleasantness in Sallets, hath also his Physical Vertues. The Root boyled and eaten

[EDGENOTE:] Cold Stomach, Wind, Flegm, Lungues, Phtisick, Pestilence, Terms provokes, Afterbirth, Appetite lost, Ulcers, Epidemical Diseases.

with Oyl and Vinegar, (or without Oyl) doth much pleas and warm an old and cold Stomach, oppressed with wind or flegm, or those that have the Phtisick or Consumption of the Lungs. The same drunk with Wine, is a peservative from the Plague; it provoketh Womens Courses, and expelleth the After-birth, procureth an appetit to meat, and expelleth Wind. The Juyce is good to heal the Ulcers of the Head and Face. The candied Roots hereof are held as effectual as Angelica to preserv 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.

CHICKWEED.

Description.

This is generally known to most People, I shal therfore not trouble you with the Description therof; nor my self with setting fourth the several kinds; sith but only two or three are considerable for their usefulness.

Place.

These are usually found in moist and watry places, by Wood sides, and els-where.

Time.

They flower about June, and their Seed is ripe in July.

Vertues and Use.

It is found to be as effectual as Purslane to al the purposes whereunto it serveth, except for meat only. The Herb bruised or the Juyce applied (with cloaths or spunges dipped therein) to the Region of the Liver, and as they dry to have fresh applied, doth wonderfully temper the heat of the Liver; and is effectual for all Imposthums and Swellings wheresoever; for Scabs, the Juyce either simply

[EDGENOTE:] Hot Liver, Apostums, Swellings, Red Face, Wheals, Pushes, Itch, Scabs, Cramp, Convulsion, Palsy, Red Eyes, Hemorrhoids, Ulcers, Sinews.

used, or boyled with Hogs-Greas and applied; the same helpeth Cramps, Convulsions and Palsies; The Juyce or distilled Water is of much good use for al heat and redness in the Eyes to drop som therof into them; as also into the Ears to ease pains in them, and is of good effect to ease

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the pains, the heat, and sharpness of Blood in the Piles and generally al pains in the Body that arise of heat; it is used also in hot and virulent Ulcers and sores in the privy parts of Man or Woman, or on the Legs or els-where. The Leavs boyled with Marsh Mallows and made into a Pultis with Fenugreek, and Linseed, applied to Swellings or Imposthumes ripeneth and breaketh them, or swageth the swellings and easeth the pains: It helpeth the Sinews when they are shrunk by Cramps or otherwise, and to extend and make them pliable again, by this Medicine. Boyl an handful of Chickweed and a handful of Red-Rose Leavs dryed, but not distilled in a Quart of Muscadine until a fourth part be consumed; then put to them a pint of the Oyl of Trotters, or Sheeps-feet; let them boyl a good while still stirring them wel; which being strained, anoint the grieved place herewith, warm against a fire, rubbing it wel in with ones hand, and bind also some of the Herb (if you wil) to the place, and with Gods blessing it will help in three times dressing.

CICH-PEAS, or CICERS.

Description.

The Garden sorts, whether Red, Black, or White, brings forth Stalks a yard long, wheron do grow many smal and almost round Leavs, dented about the edges, set on both sides of a middle Rib: at the Joynts come forth one or two Flowers upon short Footstalks, Peas fashion, either white or whitish, or pur

plish red, lighter or deeper according as the Peas that follow will be, that are contained in smal, thick, and short Pods, wherin lie one or two Peas more usually, a little pointed at the lower end, and almost round at the Head, yet a little corner'd or sharp. The Root is smal, and perisheth yeerly.

Place and Time.

They are sown in Gardens, or the Fields, as Peas, being sown later than Peas, and gathered at the same time with them, or presently after.

Vertues and Use.

They are no less windy than Beans, but nourish more, they provoke Urine, and are thought to encreas Sperm, they have a clensing faculty, wherby they break the Stones in the Kidneys. To drink the cream of them being boyled in Water is the best way; it moveth the Belly downwards,

[EDGENOTE:] Disury, Seed encreas, Stone, Costivness, Terms provokes, Pain in the sides, Obstruction, Stone, Open, Digest, Dissolve.

provoketh Womens Courses, and Urin, and encreaseth both Milk and Seed. One ounce of Cicers, two ounces of French Barley, and a smal handful of Marsh-Mallow Roots, clean washed and cut, being boyled 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 Side. The white Cicers are used more for Meat than Medicine, yet have they the same effect, and are thought more powerful to encrease Milk and Seed.

The wild Cicers are so much more powerful than the Garden kinds, by how much they exceed them in heat and driness; whereby they do more open Obstructions, break the Stone, and have al the properties of cutting, opening, digesting, and dissolving, and this more speedily, and certainly than the former.

CINKFOYL, or FIVE LEAVED GRASS;
Called in some Countries,
FIVE FINGER'D GRASS.

Description.

This spreadeth and creepeth far upon the ground, with long slender strings like Strawberries, which take Root again and shooteth forth many Leavs made of five parts, and somtimes of seven, dented about the edges and somwhat hard; The Stalks are slender leaning downwards, and bear many smal yellow Flowers theron, with some yellow threds in the middle, standing about a smooth green head; which when it is ripe is a little rough, and containeth smal brownish Seeds. The Root is of a blackish brown colour, seldom so big, as ones little finger but growing long with some threds therat; and by the smal strings it quickly spreadeth over the ground.

Place.

It groweth by Wood sides, Hedg sides, the Pathwaies in Fields, and in the Borders and Corners of them almost through all this Land.

Time.

It Flowreth in Summer, some sooner, some later.

Vertues and Use.

It is an especial Herb used in all Inflamations and Feavers whether Infectious or Pestilential; or among other Herbs to cool, and temper the Blood and humors in the Body; As also for all Lotions, Gargles, Injections, and

[EDGENOTE:] Inflamation, Feavers, Pestilence, Sore Mouths, Ulcers, Cankers, Fistulaes, Quincy, Yellow Jaundice, Falling sickness, Flux, Terms, Stops.

the like for sore Mouths, Ulcers, Cankers, Fistulaes, and other corrupt Foul, or running sores. The Juyce herof drunk about four ounces at a time for certain daies together, cureth the Quinsie, and the yellow Jaundice, and taken for thirty daies together cureth the Falling-sickness. The Roots boyled in Milk and drunk is a most effectual remedy, for all Fluxes in Man or Woman, whether the

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Whites, or Reds, as also the Bloody Flux. The

[EDGENOTE:] Whites, Bloody Flux, Tooth-ach, Hoarsness, Cough, Palsey of the Hands, Knots in the Flesh, St. Anthonies Fire, Shingles, Scabs, Itch, Joynts pained, Sciatica, Ruptures, Gouts, Bruises, Fall, Bleeding, Agues.

Roots boyled in Vinegar, and the Decoction therof held in the Mouth easeth the pains of the Toothach. The Juyce or Decoction taken with a little Honey, helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat, and is good for the Cough of the Lungs. The distilled Water of both Roots and Leavs is also effectual to all the purposes aforesaid: and if the Hands be often washed therin and suffered at every time to dry in of it self without wiping, it wil in short time help the Palsy or shaking in them. The Roots boyled in Vinegar, helpeth all Knots, Kernels, hard swellings, and lumps growing in any part of the Flesh, being therto applied; as also al Inflamations, and St. Anthonies 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 boyled in Wine, and applied to any Joynts full of pain and ach, or the Gout in the Hands or Feet, or the Hip-gout called the Sciatica, and the Decoction therof drunk the while, doth cure them; and easeth much pains in the Bowels. The Roots are likewise effectual to help Ruptures or Burstings, being used with other things available to that purpose, taken either inwardly or outwardly, or both; as also for Bruises, or Hurts by Blows, Falls, or the like, and to stay the bleeding of Wounds in any part inward or outward.

This is an Herb of Jupiter, and therfore strengthens the parts of the Body that he 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 white Wine Vinegar, you shal 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 my self and others, let no Man despise it becaus it is plain and easie, the waies of God are all such, 'tis the ungodliness and impudencey of Man that made things hard, and hath (by so doing) made sport for al the Devils in Hell, and grieved the good Angels, and when you reade this your own Genius if you be any thing at al acquainted with it, may dictate to you many as good Conclusions both of this and other Herbs.

Some hold that one Leaf cures a Quotidian, three a Tertian, and four a Quartan Ague, and a hundred to one if it be not Dioscorides, for he is ful of such Whimseys. The truth is I never stood so much upon the number of the Leavs, nor whether I gave it in Pouder or Decoction: If Jupiter were strong and the Moon applying to him or his good aspect at the gathering of it, I never knew it miss the desired effects.

CLARY.

Description.

Our ordinary Garden Clary hath four square Stalks, with broad, rough, wrinkled, whitish, or hairy green Leavs, somwhat evenly cut in on the edges, and of a strong, sweet sent, growing some neer the ground, and some by couples upon the Stalks: The Flowers grow at certain distances with two smal Leavs at the Joynts under them, somwhat like unto the Flowers of Sage, but smaller, and of a whitish blue colour: The Seed is brownish, and somwhat 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 riseth of its own sowing.

Place.

This groweth in Gardens.

Time.

It Flowereth in June and July, some a little later than others, and their Seed is ripe in August, or therabouts.

Vertues and Use.

The Seed is used to be put into the Eyes to cleer them from Moats, or other such like things gotten within the Lids to offend them, as also to clear them from white or red spots in them. The Muccilage of the Seed made with Water, and applied to Tumors and swellings, disperseth and taketh them away, as also draweth forth Splinters, Thorns, or other things gotten into the Flesh. The Leavs used with Vinegar either by it self or with a little Honey,

[EDGENOTE:] Eyes, Swellings, Splinters, Thorns, Inflamations, Boyls, Felons, Head, Brain, Lust provokes, Back, Terms provokes, Afterbirth.

doth help hot Inflamations, as also Boyls, Felons, and the hot Inflamations that are gathered by their pains, if it be applied before they be grown too great. The Pouder of the dried Leavs put into the Nose provoketh neesing, and therby purgeth the Head and Brain of much Rhewm and Corruption. The Seed or Leavs taken in Wine provoketh to Venery. It is of much use both for Men and Women that have weak Backs, to help to strengthen the Reins, used either by it self or with other Herbs conducing to the same effect, and in Tansies often: The fresh Leavs dipped in a Batter of Flower, Egs, and a little Milk, and fried in Butter, and served to the Table, is not unpleasant to any, but exceeding profitable for those that are troubled with weak Backs, and the effects therof. The Juyce of the Herb put into Ale or Beer, and drunk, bringeth down Womens Courses, and expelleth the After-birth.

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It is an usual cours with Men when they have gotten the running of the Reins, or Women the Whites, then run to the bush of Clary; Maid bring hither the Frying Pan, fetch me some Butter quickly, then to eating fryed Clary, just as Hogs eat Acorns, and thus they think wil cure their Disease (forsooth) wheras when they have devoured as much Clary as wil grow upon an Acre of ground, their Backs are as much the better as though they had pissed in their shoos, nay perhaps much wors.

As for the trick of curing the Eyes by it I can as yet say nothing to it, for the rest it may be effectual.

We will grant that Clary strengthens the Back, but this we deny, That the caus of the running of the Reins in Men, or the Whites in Women lies in the Back (though the Back may somtimes be weakned by them) and therfore the Medicine is as proper, as for me when my Toe is sore, to lay a Plaister to my Nose.

CLEAVERS, or GOOSGRASS.

Description.

The common Cleavers hath divers very rough square Stalks, not so big as the Tag of a Point, but rising up to be two or three yards high somtimes, if it meet with any tall Bushes or Trees wheron it may climb (yet without any Claspers) or els much lower and lying upon the Ground full of Joynts, and at every of them shooteth forth a Branch, besides the Leavs therat, which are usually six, set in a round compass like a Star, or the Rowel of a Spur: from between the Leavs at the Joynts towards the tops of the Branches, come forth very smal white Flowers, every one upon a smal threddy Footstalk, which after they are fallen, there do shew two smal, round, rough Seeds, joyned together like two Testicles, which when they are ripe grow hard and whitish, having a little hole on the side, somewhat like unto a Navil. Both Stalks, Leavs, and Seeds are so rough that they wil, cleave to any thing shal touch them. The Root is small and very threddy, spreading much in the Ground, but dieth every yeer.

Place.

It groweth by the Hedg, and Ditch Sides in many places of this Land, and is so troublesom an Inhabitant in Gardens, that it rampeth upon and is ready to choak what ever grows next it.

Time.

It Flowreth in June and July, and the Seed is ripe and falleth again in the end of July or August, from whence it springeth up again and not from the old Roots.

Vertues and Use.

The Juyce of the Herb, and Seed together taken in Wine, helpeth those that are 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 drunk twice a day helpeth the yellow Jaundice, and the Decoction of the Herb in experience found to do the same, and stayeth Lasks and Bloody Fluxes.

[EDGENOTE:] Venemous Beasts, Heart, Fatness, Yellow Jaundice, Flux, Bloody Flux, Wounds, Ulcers, Swellings, Kings Evil, Pain in the Ears.

The Juyce of the Leavs, or they a little bruisep and applied to any bleeding wound, stayeth the Bleeding. The Juyce is also very good to close up the Lips of green Wounds; and the Pouder of the dried Herb strewed therupon doth the same, and likewise helpeth old Ulcers: Being boyled with Hogs Greas, it healeth al sorts of hard Swellings or Kernels in the Throat, being anointed therwith. The Juyce dropped into the Ears taketh away the pains of them.

It is a good remedy in the Spring eaten (being first chopped smal and boyled well) in Water-gruel, to clens the Blood, and strengthen the Liver, thereby keeping the Body in health, and fitting it for that change of Season that is coming.

CLOWNS WOUNDWORT.

Description.

It groweth up somtimes to three or four Foot high, but usually about two Foot, with square, green, rough Stalks, but slender joynted somwhat far asunder, and two very long and somwhat narrow, dark green Leavs, bluntly dented about the edges thereat ending in a long point, the Flowers stand toward the tops compassing the Stalks at the Joynts with the Leavs and end likewise in a spiked top, having long and much open gaping hoods of a Purplish red colour, with whitish spots in them, standing in somwhat rough 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 at some times of the year these knobby Roots in many places are not seen in the Plant: The whol Plant smelleth somwhat strongly.

Place.

It groweth in sundry Counties of this Land both North and West, and frequently by Path sides in the Fields neer about London, and within three or four miles distance about it, yet it usually grows in or neer Ditches.

Time.

It Flowreth in June and July, and the Seed is ripe soon after.

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Vertues and Use.

I is singularly effectual in all fresh and green Wounds, and therfore beareth not this name for nought. And is very available in stanching of Blood, and to dry up the Fluxes of Humors in old fretting Ulcers, Cancers, &c. that hinder the healing of them.

[EDGENOTE:] Wounds, Ulcers, Blood, Cancers, Bloody Flux, Vessels broken, Ruptures, Spitting, pissing, and Vomiting Blood, Veins Swelled, Muscles cut.

A Syrup made of the Juyce of it is inferior to none for inward Wounds, Ruptures of Veins, Bloody Flux, Vessels broken, spitting, pissing or vomiting Blood, Ruptures are excellently and speedily, even to admiration cured by taking now and then a little of the Syrup, and applying an Oyntment or Plaister of the Herb to the place. Also if any Vein be swelled or Muscle cut apply a Plaister of this Herb to it, and if you ad a little Comfry to it 'twil not do amiss, I assure the Herb deservs Commendations though it have gotten but a Clownish name, and whoever reades this (if he try it as I have done) will commend it as well as I.

I have done, only take notice, that it is of a dry Earthy quality, and under the Dominion of the Planet Saturn.

COCKS-HEAD.

Description.

This hath divers weak, but rough Stalks, half a yard long, leaning downwards, beset with winged Leavs, longer and more pointed than those of Lentils, and whitish underneath; from the tops of these Stalks arise up other slender Stalks, naked without Leavs unto the tops, where there grow many smal 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 somwhat flat Heads. The Root is tough and somwhat woody, yet liveth and shootheth anew every yeer.

Place.

It groweth under Hedges, and somtimes in the open Fields, in divers places of this Land.

Time.

They Flower all the Months of July and August, and the Seed ripeneth in the mean while.

Vertues and Use.

It hath a power to rarifie and digest, and therfore the green Leavs bruised and laid as a Plaister disperseth Knots, Nodes, or Kernels in the Flesh, and if when it is

[EDGENOTE:] Knots and Kernels in the Flesh, Strangury, Milk in Cattel.

dry it be taken in Wine, it helpeth the Strangury: and being anointed with Oyl, it provoketh Sweat. It is a singular Food for Cattel to cause them to give store of Milk, and why then may it not do the like being boyled in the ordinary drink of Nurses.

COLUMBINES.

These are so wel known, growing in almost 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.

Vertues and Use.

The Leavs 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

[EDGENOTE:] Sore Mouths and Throats, Obstructions, yellow Jaundice, Womens Travail, Stone.

Saffron, openeth Obstructions of the Liver, and is good for the yellow Jaundice, if the party after the taking therof be laid to sweat wel in his Bed: The seed also taken in Wine causeth a speedy Delivery of Women in Childbirth; if one draught suffice not, let her drink a second, and it is effectual: The Spaniards use to eat a piece of the Root hereof in a morning fasting, many daies together to help them being troubled with the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys.

COLTSFOOT, or FOALSFOOT.

Description.

This shooteth up a slender Stalk with small yellowish Flowers somwhat early, which fall away quickly, and after they are past, come up somwhat round Leavs, somtimes dented a little about the edges, much lesser, thicker and greener than those of Butterbur, with a little down or Freez over the green Leaf on the upper side, which may be rubbed away, and whitish or mealy underneath. The Root is smal and white spreading much underground, so that where it taketh, it windwardly be driven away again if any little piece be abiding therin; and from thence springeth fresh Leavs.

Place.

It groweth as well in wet grounds, as in drier places.

Time.

And Flowreth in the end of February, the Leavs beginning to appear in March.

Vertues and Use.

The fresh Leavs, or Juyce, or a Syrup made therof is good for a hot dry Cough, for wheesings and shortness of breath. The dry Leavs are best for those that have thin

[EDGENOTE:] Cough, Wheesing, Shortness of breath, Agues, Inflamations, Swelling, St. Anthonies fire, Burnings, Chollerick, Pushes, Piles, Inflammations in the Privities.

Rhewms, and Distillations upon the Lungs, causing a

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Cough, for which also the dried Leavs taken as tobacco, or the Root, is very good. The distilled water herof simply, or with Elder Flowers and Nightshade, is a singular remedy against al hot Agues, to drink two ounces at a time, and apply Cloathes wet therein to the Head and Stomach; which also doth much good being applied to any hot Swellings or Inflamations, it helpeth St. Anthonies Fire, and Burnings, and is singular good to take away Wheals, and smal Pushes that arise through heat; As also the burning heat of the Piles, or privy parts, cloathes wet therin being therunto applied.

COMFRY.

Description.

The common great Comfry hath divers very large and hairy green Leavs lying on the ground, so hairy or prickly that if they touch any tender part of the Hands, Face, or Body, it will caus it to itch: The Stalk that riseth up from among them being two or three Foot high, hollow and cornered, is very hairy also, having many such like Leavs as grow below, but lesser and lesser up to the top. At the Joynts of the Stalks, it is divided into many branches with some Leavs theron, and at the ends stand many Flowers in order one about another, which are somwhat long and hollow like the finger of a Glove, of a pale whitish colour, after which come smal black Seed. The Roots are great and long, spreading great thick Branches under ground, black on the outside and whitish within, short or easie to break, and ful of a glutinous or clammy Juyce of little or no tast at al.

There is another sort in al things like this, save only it is somwhat less, and beareth Flowers of a pale purple colour.

Place.

They grow by Ditches and Water Sides, and in divers Fields that are moist, for therin they chiefly delight to grow: The first generally through al the Land, and the other but in some several places.

By the leave of my Author, the first grow often in dry places.

Time.

They Flower in June and July, and give their Seed in August.

Vertues and Use.

The great Comfry helpeth those that spit blood, or make a Bloody Urin; The Root boyled in Water or Wine and the Decoction drunk, helpeth al inward Hurts, Bruises and Wounds, and the Ulcers of the Lungs, causing the Flegm that oppresseth them to be easily spit forth; It staieth the defluxions of Rhewm from the Head upon the Lungs, the Fluxes of Blood or humors by the Belly, Womens immoderate Courses, as well the Reds, as the Whites; and the running of the Reins hapning by what caus soever. A syrup made therof 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 whersoever; as also to take away the fits of Agues, and to allay the sharpness of Humors. A Decoction of the Leavs herof is available to all the purposes, though not so effectual as of the Roots. The Roots being outwardly applied, helpeth fresh Wounds or Cuts immediatly, being bruised and laid therunto; and is especial good for Ruptures and broken Bones: yea it is said to be so powerful to consolidate and Knit together;

[EDGENOTE:] Spitting, pissing Blood, Inward Wounds & Bruises, Phtisick, Bloody Flux, Terms stops, Whites, Nervs cut, Muscles cut, sharp Humors, Wounds, Ruptures, broken Bones, Knotted Breasts, Hemorrhoids, Inflamation, Gout, Pained Joynts, Gangreans.

that if they be boyled with dissevered pieces of Flesh in a pot it will joyn them together again. It is good to be applied to Womens Breasts that grow sore by the abundance of Milk coming into them: as also to repress the overmuch bleeding of the Hemorrhoids to cool the Inflamation of the parts therabouts, and to give eas of pains. The Roots of Comfry taken fresh, beaten smal, and spread upon Leather, and laid upon any place troubled with the Gout, do presently give eas of the pains; and applied in the same manner giveth eas to pained Joynts and profiteth very much from running and moist Ulcers; Gangrenes, Mortifications, and the like, for which it hath by often experience been found helpful.

This is also an Herb of Saturn, and I suppose under the Sign Capricorn, cold dry, and earthy in quality, what was spoken of Clowns Woundwort may be said of this.

COSTMARY, or ALECOST.

This is so frequently known to be an Inhabitant in almost every garden, that I suppose it needless to write a Description therof.

Time.

It Flowreth in June and July.

Vertues and Use.

The ordinary Costmary as well as Maudlin, provoketh Urin abundantly, and moistneth the hardness of the Mother; It gently purgeth Choller and Flegm, extenuating that which is gross, and cutting that which is tough and gluttenous clenseth that which is foul, and hindreth putrefaction and corruption, it dissolveth without Attraction, openeth Obstructions, and healeth their evil effect, and is a wonderful help to al sorts of day Agues. It is astringent to the Stomach, and strengtheneth

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the Liver and al the other inward parts and taken in Whey worketh the more effectually. Taken fasting in the morning, it is very profitable for the pains in the Head that are continual, and to stay, dry up, and consume all thin Rhewms, or distillations from the Head into the

[EDGENOTE:] Disury, Womb, Choller, Flegm, Putrefaction, Corruption, Obstructions, Quotidian Agues, Stomach, Liver, Head-ach, Rhewm, Raw Humors, Cachexia, Worms, Ulcers.

Stomach, and helpeth much to digest raw humors that are gathered therein. It is very profitable for those that are fallen into a continual evil disposition of the whol Body called Cachexia, being taken especially in the beginning of the Diseas: It is an especial friend and help 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 maketh an excellent Salve to clens and heal old Ulcers, being boyled with Oyl Olive, and Adders Tongue with it: and after it is strained, to put a little Wax, Rozin, and Turpentine to bring it into a convenient Body.

CUDWEED, or COTTONWEED.

Description.

The common Cudweed riseth up but with one Stalk somtime, and somtimes with two or three, thick set on all sides with small long, and narrow whitish or wooly Leavs from the middle of the Stalk almost up to the top; with every Leaf standeth a smal Flower, of a dun or brownish yellow colour, or not so yellow as others; in which Heads after the Flowers are fallen come smal Seed wrapped up with the down therin and is carried away with the Wind. The Root is small and threddy.

There are other sorts hereof, which are somwhat lesser than the former, not much different, save only that as the Stalk and Leavs are shorter, so 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.

Vertues and Use.

The Plants are all stringent, or binding and drying, and therfore profitable for Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head, and to stay Fluxes, of Blood whersoever. The Decoction being made into red Wine and drunk, or the Pouder taken therin; it also helpeth the Bloody Flux, and easeth the torments that come therby, stayeth the immoderate Courses of Women, and is also good for inward

[EDGENOTE:] Bind, Dry, Fluxes, Terms ill stopped, Ruptures, Worms, Tenasmus, Wounds, Bleeding Ulcers, Quinsy.

or outward Wounds, Hurts, and Bruises, and helpeth Children both of Burstings and the Worms; and the Disease called Tenasmus which is an often provocation to the Stool, and doing nothing, being either drunk or injected: The green Leavs bruised and laid to any green Wound staieth the bleeding, and healeth it up quickly: The Decoction or Juyce therof doth the same, and helpeth all old and filthy Ulcers quickly: The juyce of the Herb taken in Wine and Milk is (as Pliny saith) a Soverign remedy against the Mumps and Quinsie; and further saith, That whosoever shal so take it, shal never be troubled with that Disease again.

Venus is Lady of it.

COWSLIPS.

Both the Wild and Garden Cowslips are so wel know that I wil neither trouble my self nor the Reader with any description of them.

Time.

They Flower in April and May.

Vertues and Use.

The Flowers are held to be more effectual than the Leavs and the Roots of little use.

An Oyntment being made with them taketh away Spots, and Wrinkles of the Skin, Sunburning and Freckles, and ads Beauty exceedingly: They remedy all infirmities of the

[EDGENOTE:] Spots, Wrinkles, Sunburning, Head Heat, Wind, Beauty ads, Vertigo, Ephialtes, Convulsion, Cramp, Back, Bladder, Wounds, Trembling, Frenzy, Falling-sickness, Palsey.

Head coming of Heat and Wind, as Vertigo, Ephialtes, Fals apparitions, Phrensies, Falling-sickness, Palsies, Convulsions, Cramps, Pains in the Nerves: The Roots eas pains in the Back and Bladder, and open the passages of Urine: The Leavs are good in Wounds, and the Flowers take away trembling: If the Flowers be not well dried and kept in a warm place, they wil soon putrifie and look green, have a special eye over them: if you let them see the Sun once a Month, it wil do neither the Sun nor them harm.

Because they strengthen the Brain and Nerves, and remedy Palsies the Greeks gave them the name Prralisis; 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 Oyntment is made of the Leavs and Hogs greas.

Venus laies claim to the Herb as her own, and it is under the Sign Aries, and our City Dames know wel enough the Oyntment or Distilled Water of it ads Beauty, or at least restores it when it is lost.

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SCIATICA-CRESSES.

Description.

These are of two kinds; The first riseth up with a round Stalk about two foot high spread into divers Branches, whose lower Leavs are somwhat larger than the upper, yet all of them cut, or torn on the edges, somewhat like unto Garden Cresses, but smaller: The Flowers are smal and white, growing at the tops of the Branches, where afterwards grow Husks with smal brownish Seed therin, very strong and sharp in tast, more than the Cresses of the Garden: The Root is long, white and woody.

The other hath the lower leavs whol, somwhat long and broad not torn at al, but only somwhat deeply dented about the edges towards the ends, but those that grow up higher are lesser. The Flowers and Seed are like the former, and so is the Root likewise: and both Root and Seed as sharp as it.

Place.

These grow by the waysides in untilled places, and by the sides of old Walls.

Time.

The Flower in the end of June, and their Seed is ripe in July.

Vertues and Use.

The Leavs, but especially the Roots taken fresh in the Sumer time, beaten & made into a Pultis or Salve, with old Hogs Greas, and applied to the place pained with the Sciatica, to continue theron four hours if it be on a Man, and two hours on a Woman; the place afterwards bathed with Wine and Oyl mixed together, and then wrapped with Wool or Skins after they have set a little, wil assuredly

[EDGENOTE:] Sciatica, Gout, Head-ach, Rhewms, Spleen, Scars, Leprosie, Scurf, Scabs.

cure not only the same Diseas in the Hips, Hucklebone, or other of the Joynts, as the Gout in the Hands or Feet, but all other old Griefs of the Head (as inveterate Rhewms) and other part of the Body that is hard to be cured: And if of the former Griefs any part remain; the same Medicine after twenty daies is to be applied again. The same is also effectual in the Diseases of the spleen and applied to the Skin it taketh away the blemishes therof, whether they be Scars, Leprosie, Scabs or Scurf: which although it exulcerate the part, yet that is to be helped afterwards with a Salve made of Oyl and Wax.

Esteem of this as another Secret.

WATER-CRESSES.

Description.

Our ordinary Water-Cresses spreadeth forth with many weak hollow sappy Stalks, shooting out fibres at the Joynts and upwards, long winged Leavs, made of sundry broad, sappy and almost round Leavs of a brownish green colour. The Flowers are many and white, standing on long Footstalks, after which come small yellow Seed, contained in smal long pods like Horns: The whol Plant abideth green in the Winter and tasteth somwhat hot and sharp.

Place.

They grow (for the most part) in the smal standing Waters, yet somtimes in smal Rivulets of running Water.

Time.

They Flower and Seed in the beginning of Summer.

Vertues and Use.

They are more powerful against the Scurvy, and to clens the Blood and Humors than Brooklime is, and serve in al the other uses in which Brooklime is available, as to break the Stone, and provoke Urin, and Womens Courses.

[EDGENOTE:] Scurvy, Blood, Humors, Stone, Disury, Terms provokes, Ulcers, Freckles, Pimples, Spots, Dulness, Lethargy.

The Decoction therof clenseth Ulcers by washing them therwith. The Leavs brused, or the Juyce, 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 Juyce mixed with Vineger, and the forepart of the Head bathed therwith is very good for those that are dull and drowsie, or have the Lethargy.

Water-cress Pottage is a good Remedy to clens the Blood in the Spring and help Head-aches, and consume the gross Humors Winter hath left behind, those that would live in health may use it if they pleas, if they will not I cannot help it: If any fancy not Pottage they may eat the Herb as a Sallet.

CROSSWORT.

Description.

The Common Crosswort groweth up with square hairy brown Stalks, little above a Foot High, having four smal broad and pointed hairy, yet smooth green Leavs, growing at every Joynt, each against other Cross waies, which hath caused the name: Toward the tops of the Stalks at the Joynts with the Leavs in three or four rows upwards, stand smal pale, yellow Flowers, after which come smal blac-,

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kish round Seed, four for the most part set in every Husk. The Root is very smal and full of Fibres, or Threads, taking good hold of the ground, and spreading with the Branches a great deal of ground which perisheth not in Winter, although the Leavs die every year, and spring again anew.

Place.

It groweth in many moist grounds as well Meadows, as untilled places about London. In Hamsted Church-yard, at Wye in Kent, and sundry other places.

Time.

It Flowreth from May al the Summer long in one place or other, as they are more open to the Sun; and the Seed ripeneth soon after.

Vertues and Use.

This is a singular good Wound Herb, and is used inwardly, not only to stay bleeding of Wounds, but to consolidate them, as it doth outwardly any green Wounds, which it quickly sodereth up and healeth. The Decoction

[EDGENOTE:] Wounds inward & outward, Flegm, Obstructions, Stomach, Bowels, Ruptures.

of the Herb in Wine, helpeth to expectorate Flegm out of the Chest, and is good for Obstructions in the Breast, Stomach or Bowels, and helpeth a decayed Appetite; It is also good to wash any Wound or Sore with, to clens and heal it: The Herb bruised and then boyled and applied outwardly for certain daies 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.

Abundance are the sorts of this Herb, that to describe them all would tire the Patience even of Socrates himself, but because I have not yet attained to the Spirit of Socrates, I shall but describe the most usual.

Description.

The most common Crowfoot hath many dark green Leavs cut into divers parts, in tast biting & sharp, biting & blistering the Tongue, it bears many Flowers and those of a bright resplendent yellow colour, I do not remember that ever I saw any thing yellower, Virgins in Ancient time used to make Pouder of them to strew Bride Beds, after which Flowers come smal heads of Seeds, round, but tugged like a Pine Apple.

Place.

They grow very common every where, unless you run your Head into a Hedg you cannot chuse but see some of them wherever you walk.

Time.

They Flower in May and June, even till September.

Names.

Many are the Names this furious biting Herb hath obtained, almost enough to make up a Welch-mans Pedegree, if he fetch it no further than John of Gaunt of William the Conqueror, for it is called Frogs-foot from the Greek name [Greek transliteration for 'bad potion'], Crowfoot, Gold Knobs, Gold Cups, King Kob, Bassinets, Troll Flower, Polts, Locker Goulons, and Butter-Flowers.

Vertues and Use.

This fiery and hot spirited Herb of Mars is no way fit to be given inwardly, but an Oyntment of the Leavs or Flowers wil draw a Blister and may so be fitting applied to the nape of the Neck to draw back Rhewm 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 Urin which Cantharides Naturally delight to wrong, I knew the Herb once applied to a Pestilential rising that was falling down, and it saved life even beyond hope, it were good keeping an Oyntment and Plaister of it if it were but for that.

CUCKOWPINT, or WAKE-ROBIN.

This shooteth forth three, four, or five Leavs at the most from one Root, every one wherof is somwhat large and long, broad at the bottom next the Stalk, and forked, but ending in a point without cut on the edges, of a ful green colour each standing upon a thick round Stalk, of a hands breadth long or more: among which after two or three Months that they begin to wither, riseth up a bare round whitish green Stalk, spotted and straked with purple, somwhat higher than the Leavs: at the top wherof standeth a long hollow Hose or Husk close at the bottom, but open from the middle upwards ending in a point; in the middle whereof standeth a smal 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 abidden for some time, the Husk with the Clapper decayeth, and the foot or bottom therof groweth to be a smal long Bunch of Berries, green at the first, and of a yellowish red colour when they are ripe, of the bigness of an Hazel nut Kernel; which abide theron almost until Winter; The Root is round

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and somwhat long, for the most part lying along, the Leavs shooting forth at the bigger end, which when it beareth his Berries, is somwhat wrinkled and loos, another being growing under it, which is solid and firm with many smal threads hanging therat: The whol Plant is of a very sharp biting tast, pricking the Tongue as Nettles do the Hands, and so abideth for a great while without alteration: The Root hereof was anciently used instead of Starch to starch Linnen withal.

There is another sort of Cockowpint with lesser Leavs than the former, and somwhat; harder, having blackish spots upon them which for the most part abide longer green in Summer than the former; and both Leavs and Roots are more sharp and fierce than it: In al things els it is like the former.

Place.

These two sorts grow frequently almost under every Hedg side in many places of this Land.

Time.

They shoot forth Leavs in the Spring and continue but until the middle of Summer, or somwhat later, their Husks appearing before they fall away; and their Fruit shewing in August.

Vertues and Use.

Tragus reporteth that a dram weight, or more if need be of the spotted Wake-Robin, either fresh and green, or dried, being beaten and taken is a most present and pure Remedy for Poyson and the Plague. The Juyce of the Herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect. But if there be a little Vinegar added therunto as well as unto the Root aforesaid it somwhat allayeth the sharp biting tast therof upon the Tongue. The green Leavs bruised and laid upon any Boyl or Plague Sore, doth wonderfully help to draw forth the Poyson; a dram of the Pouder of the dried Root taken with twice so much Sugar in the form of a licking Electuary, or the green Root doth wonderfuly help those that are pursie and short winded, as also those that have a Cough; it breaketh, digesteth, and riddeth away Flegm from the Stomach, Chest, and Lungs.

EDGENOTE: Poyson, Plague, Boyl, Difficulty of breath, Cough, Flegm, Disury, Terms provokes, Afterbirth, Ulcers, Itch, Ruptures.

The Milk wherin the Root hath been boyled is effectual also for the same purpose. The said Pouder taken in Wine or other Drink; or the Juyce of the Berries, or the Pouder of them; or the Wine wherein they have been boyled, provoketh Urine, and bringeth down Womens Courses, and purgeth them effectually after Child-bearing to bring away the After-birth. Taken with Sheeps Milk it healeth the inward Ulcers of the Bowels. The distilled Water herof is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid; A spoonful taken at a time healeth the Itch; And an ounce or more taken at a time for some daies together doth help the Rupture; The Leavs either green or dry, or the Juyce of them, doth clens all manner of rotten and filthy Ulcers in what part of the Body soever, and healeth the stinking Sores in the Nose called Polipus. The Water wherin the Root hath been boyled dropped into the Eyes, clenseth them from any Film or Skin, Clouds or Mists which begin to hinder the Sight, and helpeth the watering or redness of them; or when by

[EDGENOTE:] Polipus, Eyes, Throat, Jaws, Gout, Piles, or Hemorrhoids, Fundament falling down, Scurf, Freckles, Spots, Blemishes.

some chance they become black and blue. The Root mixed with Bean Flower and applied to the Throat or Jaws that are inflamed helpeth them. The Juyce of the Berries boyled in Oyl of Roses, or beaten into Pouder and mixed with the Oyl, and dropped into the Ears and easeth pains in them. The Berries or the Roots beaten with hot Ox Dung, and applied, easeth the pains of the Gout. The Leavs and Roots boyled in Wine with a little Oyl, and applied to the Piles, or the falling down of the Fundament easeth them; and so doth sitting over the hot fumes therof. The fresh Roots bruised, and distilled with a little Milk, yieldeth a most Sovereign Water to clens the Skin from Scurff, Freckles, Spots, or Blemishes whatsoever therin.

Authors have left large Commendation of this Herb you see, but for my part I have neither spoken with Dr. Reason, nor Dr. Experience about it.

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