The English Physitian, I-L, pp. 69-75

[p. 69]

ST. JOHNS WORT.

Description.

The common St. Johns-wort shooteth forth brownish, upright, hard, round Stalks, two foot high, spreading many Branches from the sides up to the tops of them with two smal Leavs set one against another at every place, which are of a deep green colour, somwhat like the Leavs of the lesser Centaury, but narrower, and ful of smal holes in every Leaf, which cannot be so wel perceived as when they are held up to the light: At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand yellow Flowers made of five Leavs apiece, with many yellow threds in the middle, which being bruised do yeild a reddish Juyce like blood after which come smal round Heads wherein is contained smal blackish Seed smelling like Rozin: The Root is hard and woody with divers strings and fibres at it, and of a brownish colour which abideth in the ground many yeers, shooting anew every Spring.

Place.

This groweth in Woods and Copses, as wel those that are shady, as open to the Sun.

Time.

They Flower about Midsummer, and in July, and their Seed is ripe in the latter end of July or in August.

Vertues and Use.

St. Johns-wort, is as singular a Wound Herb as any other whatsoever, either for inward Wounds, Hurts, or Bruises, to be boyled in Wine and drunk, or prepared into Oyl or Oyntment, Bath or Lotion outwardly: It hath power to open Obstructions, to dissolve Swellings to close up the Lips of Wounds, and to strengthen the parts that are weak & feeble. The Decoction of the Herb and Flowers, but

[EDGENOTE:] Wounds, Bruises, Obstructions, Swellings, Spitting and Vomiting blood.

of the Seed especially in Wine being drunk; or the Seed made into Pouder and drunk with the Juyce of Knotgrass, helpeth al manner of spitting and Vomiting of Blood, be it by any Vein broken inwardly, by Bruises, Falls, or howsoever: The same helpeth those that are bitten or stung by any Venemous Creature: And is good for those that are troubled with the Stone in their Kidneys, or that cannot make water; and being applied provoketh Womens Courses. Two drams of the Seed of St. Johns-wort made

[EDGENOTE:] Venemous Beasts, Disury, Choller, Agues, Sciatica, Falling-sickness, Palsey.

into Pouder and drunk in a little Broth, doth gently expel Choller, or congealed Blood in the Stomach; The Decoction of the Leavs and Seeds being drunk somwhat warm before the Fits of Agues, whether by the Tertians, or Quartanes, doth alter the fits, and by often using doth take them quite away: The Seed is much commended being drunk for forty daies together, to help the Sciatica: The Falling sickness, and the Palsey.

It is under the Coelestial Sign Leo, and under the Dominion of the Sun, it may be if you meet with a Papist that is an Astrologer, he will tel you St. John made it over to him by a Letter of Attourney, especially if withal he be a Lawyer also.

IVY.

Description.

This is so well known to every Child al to grow in Woods upon the Trees, and upon the stone Walls of Churches, Houses, &c. and somtimes to grow alone of it self, though but seldom.

Time.

It Flowreth not until July, and the Berries are not ripe til Christide that they have felt the Winter Frosts.

Vertues and Use.

A pugil of the Flowers, which may be about a dram (saith Dioscorides) drunk twice a day in red Wine, helpeth the Lask and Bloody Flux. It is an enemy to the Nerves and Sinews being much taken inwardly, but very helpful unto them being outwardly applied. Pliny saith that the yellow Berries are good against the Jaundice, and taken before one be set to drink hard, preserveth from drunkeness, and helpeth those that spit Blood: and that

[EDGENOTE:] Flux, Bloody Flux, Jaundice, Spitting Blood, Worms, Drunkeness, Pestilence.

the white Berries being taken inwardly, or applied outwardly killeth 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 therof made in Pouder, for two or three daies together: They being taken in Wine do certainly help to break the Stone, provoke Urine and Womens Courses. The fresh Leavs of Ivy boyled in Vinegar, and applied warm to the sides of

[EDGENOTE:] Stone, Disury, Terms provokes, Spleen, Stitch, Headach, Ulcers, Wounds, Burnings, Scaldings, salt Flegm, Rhewm, Sore Ears.

those that are troubled with the Spleen, Ach, or Stitch in the sides, doth give them much eas: The same applied with some Rosewater and Oyl of Roses to the Temples and Forehead, easeth the Headach though it be of long continuace. The fresh Leavs boyled in Wine, and old filthy Ulcers that are hard to be cured washed therewith, doth wonderfully help to clens and heal them, it also quickly healeth green Wounds, as also it is effectual to heal al Burnings and Scaldings, and all kinds of ezuicerations coming thereby. or by Salt Flegm or hot Humors in other parts of the Body. The Juyce of the Berries or Leavs snuffed up into the Nose, purgeth the head

[p. 70]

and Brain of thin Rhewm that maketh Defluxions into the Eyes and Nose, and cureth the Ulcers and Stench therin: The same dropped into the Ears helpeth the old and running Sores of them. Those that are troubled with the Spleen shal find much eas by continual drinking out of a Cup made of Ivy, so as the drink may stand some smal time therein before it be drunk. Cato saith, that Wine put into such a Cup wil soak through it, by reason of the Antipathy that is between them.

There seems to be a very Antipathy between Wine and Ivy, for if any have got a surfet by drinking Wine, his speediest cure is to drink a draught of the same Wine wherein a handful of Ivy Leavs being first bruised have been boyled.

KIDNEYWORT, or WALL-PENYROYAL.

Description.

This hath many thick, flat, and round Leavs growing from the Root, every one having a long Footstalk fastned underneth about the middle of it and a little unevenly waved somtimes about the edges, of a pale green colour, and somwhat hollow on the upper side like a Sawcer; from among which rise one or more tender smooth hollow Stalks half a foot high with two or three smal Leavs thereon, usually not round as those below, but somwhat long and devided at the edges: The tops are somtimes devided 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 smal Heads containing very smal brownish Seed, which falling on the ground, wil plentifully spring up before Winter, if it have moisture. The Root is round and most usually smooth, grayish without and white within, having smal fibres at the head of the Root, and bottom of the Stalk.

Place.

It groweth very plentifully in many places of this Land, but especially in all the West parts thereof, upon stone and mud Wals, upon Rocks also, and in stony places upon the ground, at the Bottom of old Trees, and somtimes on the Bodies of them that are decayed and rotten.

Time.

It usually Flowreth in the beginning of May and the Seed is ripening quickly after, sheddeth it self: so that about the end of Many usually, the Leavs and Stalks, are withered, dry, and gone until September, that the Leavs spring up again, and so abide all Winter.

Vertues and Use.

The Juyce or the distilled water being drunk is very effectual for al Inflamations and unnatural heats, to cool a fainting hot Stomach, or a hot Liver or the Bowels: The bruised Herb or the place bathed with the Juyce or

[EDGENOTE:] Inflamations, Pimples, Redness, St. Anthonies fire, Kidneys hurt by the Stone, Disury, Dropsie, Stone, Bloody flux, Piles, Hemorrhoids, Gout, Sciatica, Cods, Kings Evil, Kibes, Chilblains.

distilled Water thereof and outwardly applied healeth Pimples, Redness, St. Anthonies Fire, and other outward heats and Inflamations. The said Juyce or Water helpeth much also to heal sore Kidneys, torn or fretted by the Stone, or exulcerated within, and easeth the pains; It also provoketh Urine, and is available for the Dropsie, and helpeth to break the Stone, cooling the Inflamed parts and other pains of the Bowels, and the bloody Flux; It is singular good to cool the painful Piles, or Hemorrhoidal Veins, the Juyce being used as a Bath unto them, or made into an Oyntment: It is no less effectual to give eas of pains to the hot Gout, the Sciatica, and the Inflamations and Swellings in the Cods; It helpeth the Kernels or Knots in the Neck or Throat, called the Kings Evil; healeth Kibes and Chilblains if they be bathed with the Juyce, or anointed with an Oyntment made thereof, and some of the skin of the Leaf laid upon them; It is also used in green Wounds to stay the Blood, and to heal them quickly.

Venus challengeth the Herb, under Libra.

KNAPWEED.

Description.

The common sort herof hath many long and somwhat broad darke green leaves, rising from the root deeply dented about the edges, and somtimes a little rent or torne on both sides in two or three places, and somwhat hairy withal among which riseth up a strong round stalk four or five foot high, devided into many branches: at the tops wherof stand great scalygreen heads, & from the middle of them thrust forth a number of dark purplish red thrumms or threds, which after they are withered and past, ther is found divers black Seeds: lying in a great deal of down, somwhat like unto a Thistle Seed, but smaller: The Root is white, hard and woody, with divers fibres annexed therunto, which perisheth not but abideth with leavs theron all the winter, shooting out fresh every Spring.

Place.

It groweth in most Feilds and Meadows, and about their borders and Hedges and in many wast grounds also, almost every where.

[p. 71]

Time.

It usually flowreth in June and July, and the seed is ripe shortly after.

Vertues and Use.

This Knapweed helpeth 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 stayeth the distillations of thin and sharp humors from the head upon the stomach and Lungs: it is good for those that are bruised by any fall, blowes, or otherwise. It is very profitable for those that are

[EDGENOTE:] Fluxes, Bleeding, Veins broken, Phtisick, Falls, Blows, Ruptures, Sores, Cankers, Scabby head, Sore throat, Vvula, Jaws.

bursten and have a Rupture, by drinking the decoction of the Hearbe and roots in wine and applying the same outwardly to the place. It is singular good in al running sores, cankrous and fistulous drying up the moysture and healing them up 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 Vvula and Jaws; and excellent good to stay the bleeding and heale up all green wounds.

Saturn challengeth the herb for his own.

KNOT-GRASS.

Description.

This is generally so wel known that it needeth no Description.

Place.

It groweth in every Country of this Land, by the Highway sides and by foot paths in Fields, as also by the sides of old Walls.

Time.

It springeth up late in the Spring, and abideth until Winter, when all the branches perish.

Vertues and Use.

The Juyce of the common kind of Knot-grass, is most effectuall to stay bleeding at the mouth, being drunke in steeled or red Wine: and the bleeding at the Nose, to be applyed to the Forehead and Temples or to be squirted up into the Nostrils. And no less effectuall to coole and

[EDGENOTE:] Bleeding, Heat, Flux, Bloody Flux, Courses stops, Disury, Gravel, Venemous Beasts, Rhewm, Worms, Heat.

temper that heat of the blood, & stomach and to stay any Flux of the blood or humors, as Lask, Bloody flux, Womens courses, and Running of the Reins. It is singular good to provoke Urine, helpe the strangurie, and allay the heate that cometh therby; and it powerful by Urin to expel the Gravell, or stone in the kidneys or Bladder, a dram of the pouder of the Herb being taken in wine for many dayes together: Being boyled in wine and drunke, it is profitable to those that are stung or bitten by venemous creatures, and very effectual to stay al defluxions of rhewmatick humors upon the stomach, & killeth Worms in the

[EDGENOTE:] Choller, Inflamations, Apostums, Gangrenes, Fistulaes, Cankers, Ulcers, Wounds, Ears.

belly or stomack, quieteth inward paines that arise from the heat, sharpness & corruption of blood and Choller: The distilled water herof taken by itself, or wth the pouder of the Herb or seed, is very effectual to al the purposes aforesaid, and is accounted as one of the most Soveraign remedies to cool all manner of inflamations, breakings out through heate, hot Swellings, and Impostumations, Gangrenes, and Fistulous Cankers, or foule filthy Ulcers, being applyed or put into them; but especially for all sorts of Ulcers and Sores happening in the privie parts of men or women. It helpeth all fresh and green Wounds, and speedily helpeth them: The Juyce dropped into the Ears cleanseth them being foule and having running matter in them.

Saturn seems to me to own the Hearb, and yet some hold the Sun, out of doubt 'tis Saturn, it is very prevalent for the premises: as also for btoken Joynts, and Ruptures.

LADIES-MANTLE.

Description.

This hath many leavs rising from the Root, standing upon long hairy footstalkes, being almost round, but a little cut in on the edges, into eight or ten parts more or less, making it seem like a Star, with so many corners and points, and dented round about, of a light green colour somwhat hard in handling, and as if it were folded, or plaited at first, and them crumpled in divers places, and a little hairy as the Stalk is also, which riseth up among them to the height of two or three foot, with such like Leavs thereon but smaller, and being weak is not able to stand upright, but bendeth down to the Ground, devided at the top into two or three smal Branches, with smal yellowish green Heads, and Flowers of a whitish colour, breaking out of them; which being past, there cometh smal yellow Seed like Poppy Seed: The Root is somwhat long and black with many strings or fibres thereat.

Place.

It groweth naturally in many Pastures, and Wood sides, in Harfordshire, Wiltshire, and Kent, and other places of this Land.

Time.

It Flowreth in May and June, and abideth after Seed time green al the Winter.

Vertues and Use.

Ladies Mantle is very proper for those Wounds that have Inflamations, and is very

[p. 72]

effectual to stay Bleedings, Vomitings, Fluxes of al sorts in man or woman, and Bruises by Fals or otherwise, and helpeth Ruptures, and such Women or Maids as have over great Flagging Breasts, causing them to grow less and hard, being both drunk, and outwardly

[EDGENOTE:] Inflamations, Bleeding, Vomiting, Fluxes, Bruises, Ruptures, Flagging Breasts, Barrenness, Women with child.

applied: The distilled water drunk for twenty daies together helpeth Conception, and to retain the Birth, if the Woman do somtimes also sit in a Bath made of the Decoction of the Herb. It is one of the most singular Wound Herbs that is, and therfore highly prized and praised by the Germans, who use in al Wounds inward and outward, to drink the Decoction thereof and wash the Wounds therewith, or dip Tents therein and put them into the Wounds, which wonderfully drieth up al humidity of the Sores, and abateth Inflamations therein. It quickly healeth al green Wounds, not suffering any corruption to remain behind, and cureth old Sores though Fistulous and hollow.

Venus claims the Herb as her own.

LAVENDER.

This is so wel known, being an Inhabitant in almost every Garden, that it needeth no Description.

Time.

It flowreth about the end of June and beginning of July.

Vertues and Use.

Lavender is of special good use, for all the Griefs and pains of the Head and Brains that proceed of a cold caus, as the Apoplexy, Falling-sickness, the drowsie or sluggish Malady, Cramps, Convulsions, Palseys, and often Faintings. It strengtheneth the Stomach, and freeth the Liver and Spleen from Obstructions, provoketh Womens Courses, and expelleth the dead Child and Afterbirth. The Flowers of Lavender steeped in Wine helpeth them to make water that are stopped, or are troubled with the Wind or Chollick, if the place be bathed therewith. A Decoction made with the Flowers of Lavender, Horehound, Fennel, and Asparagus Roots, 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

[EDGENOTE:] Head, Brains, Apoplexie, Falling-sickness, Lethargy, Cramps, Convulsions, Palsey both dead and shaking, Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Terms provokes, Chollick, Vertigo, loss of voyce, Trembling, Fainting.

is good against the Toothach. Two spoonfuls of the distilled Water of the Flowers taken, helpeth them that have lost their voice; as also the tremblings and passions of the Heart, and faintings and swounings, not only being drunk, but applied to the Temples, or Nostrils to be smelt unto but it is not safe to use it where the Body repleat with Blood and Humors, becaus of the hot and subtil spirits wherewith it is possessed. The Chimical Oyl drawn from Lavender, usually called Oyl of Spike, is of so fierce and piercing Spirits that it is cautiously to be used: some few drops being sufficient to be given with other things, either for inward or outward Griefs.

Mercury owns the Herb, and it carries his effects very potently.

Lavender Cotten hath the same Vertues with Southernwood, which shal be shewed you when I come to speak of it.

LETTICE.

This is so wel known being generally used as a Sallet Herb, that it is altogether needless to write any Description thereof.

Vertues and Use.

The Juyce of Lettice mixed or boyled with Oyl of Roses, and applied to the Forehead and Temples procureth Sleep, and easeth the Headach proceeding of an hot caus; being eaten boyled, it helpeth to loosen the Belly. It helpeth digestion, quencheth thirst, encreaseth Milk in Nurses, easeth griping pains of the Stomach or Bowels, that come of Choller. It abateth Bodily lust, represseth Venerous

[EDGENOTE:] Watching, Head-ach, Indigestion, Thirst, Milk encreaseth, Choller, Bowels, Lust, Venerious Dreams, Inflamation, Heat of Urine.

Dreams, being outwardly applied to the Cods with a little Camphire: Applied in the same manner to the Region of the Heart, Liver or Reins, or by bathing the said place with the Juyce or distilled Water, wherein some white Sanders and red Roses are put also, it not only represseth the heat and Inflamation therein, but comforts and strengthens those parts, and also tempereth the heat of Urine. Galen adviseth old men to use it with Spices, and where Spices are wanting to ad Mints, Rocket and such like hot Herbs, or els Citron, Lemmon, or Orange Seeds, to abate the cold of one, and heat of the other. The Seed and distilled Water of the Lettice work the like effects in al things: but the use of Lettice is chiefly forbidden to those that are short winded, or have any imperfection in their Lungs, or spit Blood.

The Moon owns them, and that's the reason they cool and moisten what heat and driness Mars causeth, because Mars hath his fall in Cancer, and they cool the Heart, becaus the Sun rules it, between whom and the Moon is a Reception in the Generation of Man, as you may see in my Guide for Women.

[p. 73]

THE WATER-LILLY.

Description.

Of these there are two principally noted kinds, Viz. The White, and the Yellow.

The White Lilly hath very large, round and thick dark green Leavs lying on the Water, sustained by long and thick Footstalks, that rise from a great thick, round and long tuberous black Root, spungy or loos with many Knobs thereon like Eyes, and whitish within, from amidst the which rise other the like thick and great Stalks, sustaining one large white Flower thereon, green on the outside, but as white as Snow within, consisting of divers rows of long, and somwhat thick and narrow Leavs, smaller and thinner the more inward they be, encompassing a head within wth many yellow threds, or thrums in the middle, where after they are past, stand round Poppy-like Heads ful of broad, Oyly, and bitter Seed.

The yellow kind is little different from the former save only it hath fewer Leavs on the Flowers, greater and more shining Seed, and a whitish Root, both within and without: The Roots of both being somwhat sweet in tast.

Place.

They are found growing in great Pools and standing Waters, and somtimes 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.

Vertues and Use.

The Leavs and Flowers of the Water-Lillies are cold and moist, but the Root and Seed is cold and dry: The Leavs do cool al Inflamations, and both outward and inward heats of Agues, and so doth the Flowers also, either, by the Syrup or Conserve; The Syrup helpeth much to procure rest, and to settle the Brains of Frantick persons, by cooling the hot distemperature of the Head. The Seed as wel as the Root is effectual to stay Fluxes of Blood or Humors,

[EDGENOTE:] Inflamations, Agues, Watching, Frenzy, Flux, Belly, Running of the Reins, Venery, Freckles, Spots, Sunburn, Morphew.

either of Wounds, or of the Belley; but the Roots are most used, some chusing the one, and some the other to be more effectual to cool, bind and restrain all Fluxes in Man or Woman, as also the running of the Reins, and the passage away of the Seed when one is asleep: but the frequent use hereof extinguisheth Venerous actions: The Root is likewise very good for those whose Urine is hot and sharp to be boyled in Wine or Wter, and the Decoction drunk. The Distilled water of the Flowers is every effectual for al 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 Oyl made of the Flowers as Oyl of Roses is made, is profitably used to cool hot Tumors, and the Inflamations of Ulcers and Wounds and to eas the pains, and help the Sores.

The Herb is under the Dominion of the Moon, and therefore cools and moistens like the former.

LIQUORIS.

Description.

Our English Liquoris riseth up with divers woody Stalks, whereon are set at several distances, many narrow long green Leavs, set together on both sides of the Stalk, and an od one at the the end, very wel resembling a yong Ash-tree sprung up from the Seed: This by many yeers continuance in a place without removing, and not else, will bring forth Flowers, many standing together Spike fashion one above another upon the Stalks, of the form of Pease Blossoms, but of a very pale blue colour, which turn into long somwhat flat and smooth Rods, wherein is contained smal, round hard Seed: The Root runneth down exceeding deep into the ground, with divers other smaller Roots and Fibres growing with them, and shoot out Suckers from the main Roots al about, wherby it is much encreased, 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.

Vertues and Use.

Liquoris is boyled in fair Water with some Maindenhair and Figs, maketh a good Drink for those that have a dry Cough, or Hoarceness, Wheesing, shortness of breath; and for al the Griefs of the Breast and Lungs, Phytisick or Consumption caused by the Distillation of Salt humors on them. It is also good in all pains of the Reins, the Strangury, and heat of Urine: The fine Pouder of Liquoris

[EDGENOTE:] Cough, Hoarsness, Phtisick, Consumption, Reins, Strangury, Heat of Urine, Eyes, Bladder.

blown through a Quil into the Eyes that have a Pin and Web (as they cal it) or Rhewmatick Distillations into them, doth clens and help them: The Juyce of Liquoris is as effectual in al the Diseases of the Breast & Lungs, the Reins and Bladder, as the Decoction. The Juyce dissolved in Rose Water with some Gum-Tragacanth, is a fine licking Medicine for Hoarceness, Wheesings, &c.

[p. 74]

LIVERWORT.

Description.

The Common Liverwort, groweth close and spreadeth much upon the ground in moyst and shadowy places, with many sad green leaves, or rather (as it were) sticking flat one to another, very unevenly cut in on the edges, and crumpled, from among which arise smal slender stalks an Inch or two high at most, bearing smal Starlike Flowers at the tops: The Roots are very fine and smal.

Vertues and Use.

It is a singular good Herb for all the diseases of the Liver, both to cool and clense it, and helpeth the Inflamations in any part, and the yellow Jaundice likewise: Being bruised and boyled in small Beer and

[EDGENOTE:] Liver, Inflamation, yellow Jaundice, Spleen, Running of the Reins, Whites, Tetters, Ringworms, Surfets.

drunke, it cooleth the heat of the Liver and Kidneys, and helpeth the runing of the Reins in man, & the Whites in Women: It is a singular remedy to stay the spreading of Tetters, Ringworms, and other fretting and running Sores & Scabs, and is an excellent remedy for such whose Livers are corrupted by surfets wch causeth their bodies to break out, for it fortifies the Liver exceedingly and make it impregnable.

It being under the command of Jupiter, and under the sign Cancer.

LOOS-STRIFE or WILLOW HEARB.

Description.

The Common yellow Loos-strife groweth to be four or five foot high or more, with great round stalks a little crested, diversly branched from the middle of them to the tops, into great & long Branches, on al wch at the Joynts ther grow long and narrow Leavs, but broader below, and usually two at a Joynt, yet somtimes three or four somwhat like Willow Leavs, smooth on the edges, and of a faint green colour from the upper Joynts of the branches, and at the tops of them also stand many yellow Flowers of five Leaves a piece, with diverse yellow threeds in the middle, which turn into small round heads, containing small cornered Seeds: The Roote creepeth under ground, almost like Couchgrass, but greater, and shooteth up every Spring, brownish heads, which afterwards grow up into stalks: It hath no scent nor tast but only astringent.

Place.

It groweth in many places of this Land in moyst Meadowes and by water sides.

Time.

It Flowreth from June to August.

Vertues and Use.

This Hearb is good to stay all manner of Bleeding at Mouth or Nose or Wounds, and all Fluxes of the Belly, and the bloody Flux, given either to drinke, or taken by Clystor; it stayeth also the abundance of Womens Courses:

[EDGENOTE:] Bleeding, Flux, Bloody Flux, Terms stops, Wounds, Sore Mouth, Privities, Gnats.

It is a singular good wound Hearb for green wounds, to stay the bleeding, and quickly to close together the lips of the Wound, if the herb be bruised and the Juyce only applyed: It is often used in Gargles for sore mouthes, as also for the secret parts: the smoke herof being burned driveth away Flyes and Gnats which use in the night-time to molest people inhabiting neere Marshes and the Fenney Countryes.

LOOS-STRIFE, with SPIKED HEADS OF FLOWERS.

Description.

This groweth with many woody square stalkes, full of Joynts about three foot high at least, at everyone wherof stand two long Leaves, shorter, narrower, and of a deeper green colour than the former; and some brownish. The stalkes are branched into many long stemmes of spiked Flowers, half a foot long, growing in Rundles one above another, out of smal husks very like the Spiked heads of Lavender, each of which Flowers have five round pointed Leaves of a Purple Violet Colour, or somwhat inclining to redness, in wch husks stand small round heads, after the Flowers are fallen, wherein is contained small seed: The Root creepeth under ground like unto the yellow, but is greater than it; and so is the heads of the Leaves when they first appear out of the ground and more brown than the other.

Place.

It groweth usually by Rivers, and Ditches sides in wet grounds, as about the Ditches at and neer Lambeth: and in many other places of this Land.

Time.

It Flowreth in the months of June and July.

Vertues and Use.

This Herb is no whit inferior unto the former; it having not only all the vertues which the former hath, but some particular vertues of its own found out by experience, as namely.

[p. 75]

The distilled water is a present remedy for hurts and blows on the eyes and for blindness, so as the Christaline humor 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.

[EDGENOTE:] Eyes, Blindness, Wounds, Ulcers, Inflamations, Quinsie, Kings Evil, Spots, Marks, Scars.

It also cleareth the Eyes of dust or any other thing gotten into them, and preserveth the Sight: It is also very much available against Wounds and Thrusts, being made into an Oyntment on this manner; To every ounce of the Water, ad two drams of May Butter without Salt, and of Sugar and Wax of each as much also, let them boyl gently all together: Let Tents be dipped in the Liquor that remaineth after it is cold, and put into the Wounds, and the place covered with a Linen cloth doubled and anointed with the Oyntment, and this is also an approved Medicine. It is likewise clenseth and healeth all foul Ulcers and Sores wheresoever, and staieth their Inflamations 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 somtimes drunk also doth cure the Quinsie, or Kings Evil in the Throat. The said Water applied warm taketh away all Spots, Marks, and Scars in the Skin: And a little of it drunk quencheth thirst when it is extraordinary.

The Herb is an Herb of the Moon, and under the Sign Cancer, neither do I know a better Preserver of the Sight when 'tis well, nor a better Curer of sore Eyes than Eyebright taken inwardly, and this used outwardly, 'tis cold in quality.

LOVAGE.

Description.

This hath many long and great Stalks, of large winged Leavs devided into many parts like Smallage, but much larger and greater, every Leaf being cut about the edges broadest forwards, 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 foot, yea somtimes seven or eight foot high, full of Joynts, but lesser Leavs set at them than grow below, and with them toward the tops come forth long Branches, bearing at their tops large Umbels, of yellow Flowers, and after them flat brownish Seed: The Root groweth thick, great and deep, spreading much and enduring long, of a brownish colour on the outside, and whitish within: The whol Plant, and every part of it smelleth strong, and Aromatically, and is of an hot sharp biting tast.

Place.

It is usually planted in Gardens, where if it be suffered it groweth huge and great.

Time.

It Flowreth in the end of July, and seedeth in August.

Vertues and Use.

It openeth, cutteth and digesteth Humors, and mightily provoketh Womens Courses and Urine. Half a dram at a time of the dried Root in Pouder taken in Wine, doth wonderfully warm a cold Stomach, helping digestion, and consuming all raw & superfluous moisture therein; easeth al inward gripings and pains, dissolveth wind, and resisteth Poyson and infection: It is a known and much practiced 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

[EDGENOTE:] Humors, Terms provokes, Disury, Cold Stomach, Indigestion, Wind, Poyson, Epidemical Diseases, Agues, Belly-ach, Quinsie, Pleuresie, Spots, Freckles, Boyls.

to al the purposes aforesaid (except the last) and worketh more powerfully. The distilled water of the Herb helpeth the Quinsie in the Throat, if the Mouth and Throat be gargled and washed therewith, and helpeth the Pluresie, being drunk three or four times. Being dropped into the Eyes it taketh away the redness or dimness of them, it likewise taketh away Spots or Freckles in the Face. The Leavs bruised and fried with a little Hogs Lard & laid hot to any Botch or Boyl, wil quickly break it.

It is an Herb of the Sun under the Sign Taurus, if Saturn offend the Throat (as he alwaies doth if he be occasioner of the Malady and in Taurus in the Genesis) this is your cure.

LUNGWORT.

Description.

This is a kind of Moss, that groweth on sundry sorts of Trees, especially Oaks, and Beeches, with broad grayish tough Leavs; diversly folded, crumpled, and gashed in on the edges, and somtimes spotted also, with many smal spots on the upper side: It was never seen to bear any Stalk or Flower at any time.

Vertues and Use.

This is of great use with many Physitians to help the Diseases of the Lungs, and for Coughs, Wheesings, and shortness of breath, which it cureth both in Man and Beast: It is very profitably put into Lotions that are taken to stay the moist Humors that flow to Ulcers, and hinder their healing, as also to wash all other Ulcers in the privy parts of Man or Woman.

[EDGENOTE:] Lungues, Coughs, Wheesings, Shortness of breath, Ulcers in the Privities and elswhere.

It is an excellent Remedy boyled in Beer for broken-winded Horses.

Jupiter seems to own the Herb.

Next section
Table of Contents