^(3\C CULPEPER'S lOMPLETE HERBAL: CONSISTING OF A COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTION OF NEARLY ALL HERBS WITH THEIR MEDICINAL PROPERTIES AND IBECTIONS FOR COMPOUNDING THE MEDICINES EXTRACTED FROM THEM LIBRARY OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGP OF PHARMACY LONDON W. FOULSHAM & CO., LTD. YORK TORONTO CAPE TOWN • SYDNKY lAM ^Q^A X1^5/TY I MADE IN ORBAT BRITAIN BY D. R. HlbLMAN AND SONS, LTD., FROME COPYRKiHT: W. FOULSHAM AND CO., LTD. CONTENTS. PAGI ▲COWITB IS Anne IS AD-fleal 14 Alkanot 16 Adder's Ton^e 16 Agrimonj 18 AgrimoDy (Water) 19 Auhoof. or Qronnd-iry 20 Altnnder 21 Alder (The Black) 22 Alder (The Common) 23 Angelica 24 AnMruUrat. 26 AnenoM 26 Arrach ((5arden) 27 Arrach (WUd and Stinking) 27 Archangel ■ 28 Annnart 30 AMuabaea 31 Aaparagna 33 Aiparagas (Pricklj) 33 AihTree 34 Areni, called also Colewort, and Herb Bennet 36 Balm 36 Barberrr 87 Barlej 88 Basil (Garden or Sweet) 39 BayTree(The) 40 jBMoa 41 BatM (French) 42 Bad-Straw (Ladies) 43 Beets ^ 44 Betonj (Water) 46 Betony (Wood) 46 Beeeh-Tree (The) 48 Bilberries, or Whortle- Berries 49 Bifoil, or Twablade 60 Birch Tree (The) 60 Bird's Foot 61 Bishop's Weed 61 or Snakeweed • 61 tI oontsftb. BitlerSweet 64 Blackberry Bush (The) 64 Elites 66 Borage and Bogloss 66 Blue-Bottle 67 Brank Ursine 68 Briony, or Wild Vine 69 Brook-Lime, or Water Pimpernel 61 Broom (Butcher's) 62 Broom« or Broom-Rape 63 Buck's Horn Plantain 64 Buckthorn 66 Bngle , 66 Burnet 67 Butter-Bur (The) 68 Burdook(The) 6» Cabbages and Coleworts 70 Coleworto (The Sea) 72 Calamint 72 Camomile 73 Caltrops (Water) 76 Campion Wild 76 Oarduus Benedictus 76 Carrots 77 Carraway 78 Celandine 79 Celandine (The Lesser.) called also Pilewort 81 Centaury (The Ordinary Small) 82 Cherry-Tree (The) 83 Cherries (Winter) 84 CherrU 86 Chervil (Sweet) 86 Chestnut Tree 87 Chestnuts (Earth) 87 Chickweed 87 Chick-Pease, or Cicers 88 Cinquefoil, or Five-LeaTed Qrass, called also Five- Fingered Grass 89 Gives 91 Clary 91 Clary (Wild) 93 Cleavers 94 Clown's Woundwort 96 Cock's Head, Red Filching, or Medick Fetch 96 Columbines 96 Colt's Foot (Commoii) 97 Comfrey 97 Coralwort 99 Costmary 100 Cowslips, or Paigles 101 Crab'sClaws 101 (kM8es(BUck) 10» OOHTIMTS. HI YAOI Cre««« (Sciatica) lOS €«•♦«• (Water) 104 CroMwort 104 Crowfoot 105 CnckocPint 106 Cncambert 108 Cadweed, or Cottonweed 109 Comnt-TrM 110 C]rpreM-Tre« V 110 Dftffodill (Common) Ill Dai«iM 112 Daisy (LitUe) 118 Dandelion 118 Darnel (Red and White) 114 Denl'sBit 116 Dill 116 Dittander 117 Dittany of Crete 118 Dittanf (White) 118 Dock (Common) 119 Dodder of Thyme 120 Dog's Oraaa 121 Dog's Mercury .. 122 Dog Rose 122 Dog'sTooth 123 DoTe's Foot 124 Down, or Cotton Thistle 124 Dragon 125 Dropwort 126 Duck's Meat, or Duckweed 126 Eglantine 127 Elder ; 127 Elder (DwarO - 128 Elecampane, or Elfwort 130 Elm-Tree 131 Endife 132 Eriogo, or Sea Holly 132 Eveweed, or Double Rocket 133 Ejebright * 133 Fa»erel (WooUy) 134 Fslwort , 134 Fervocl (Common) • 136 Fennel (Sow or Hog's) 136 Fennel Flower 137 Feoagreek 137 Fern (Brake or Bracken) 138 Fern (Osmond Royal or Water) 138 FtTerfew, or Featherfew • 139 FeTerfew (Com) 140 Ferarfew (Sea) 140 feferfew (Sweet) «... 141 ▼lil OOBTSNTB. rABM Fi«-Twe 141 Fuprort. or Throatwort, and Figwort (Water) 142, 14S Filipendala • 14S Pir-Tree 144 Flag (Yellow,) or Flenr-de-ljs, and Flag (Baatard Water). . 145, 146 Flax, and Flax-Weed 147 Fleabane (Canada) and Fleabane (Marsh) 148 Fleabane (Marsh), Fleabane(Mountain),andFleabane (Small) 149, 160 Flea-wort 161 Flixweed, or Flnxweed 162 Flenr-de-lys (Garden or Blue) 163 Flaellein, Llaellin Speedwell, or Paol's Betony 164 Foz-j^loTe 166 Fnnutorj 166 Fnrze-bnsh •• 167 (HUngale 168 Gall-oak 168 GarUc, and Garlic (Broad-leaved Wild) 169, 160 Gentian 161 Germander 162 Gladiole (Water) 168 Gladwin 163 Goat's Beard (Yellow), and Goat's Beard (Purple) 164, 166 Goat's Hue, and Goat's Thorn, or Tragant 166, 166 Gold of Pleasure, and Golden Rod (Common) 167 Golden Rod (Narrow-leaved) and Golden Rod (Welsh) 168 Golden Samphire 169 Oooseberry-Bnsh 169 Gosmore (Long-Rooted), (Smooth), and (Spotted) 170 Goat-Herb, Gout weed, or Goutwort 171 Green (Winter) 171 Ground Pine (Common) 172 Groundsel (Common), and Groundsel (Cotton or Stinking) 172, 173 GroundseU (Hoarj), (MounUin), and (Water) 174 Gum Thistle 176 Hare's Ear (Small), and Hare's Foot 176 Hart's Tongue 177 Hawk- Weed ( Jommon Broad-leaved) . . . . ^ 177 Hawthorn 178 HaaelNut 179 Heart'sEase ....a 179 Hedgeweeds . . 180 Hellebore (Black) and Hellebore (White,) or Indian Poke 181 Hemlock 182 Hemp 183 Henbane (Common) 183 Henry (Good) 184 Herb Christopher, Herb Robert, and Hert Tme-Love 186, 186 Holly, Holm, or Hulver-Buah, and Holly (Sea) 187 HoUyhocks (Garden) 188 Honewort (Corn) and Honewort (Slender) 189 vHttMy-Sttokle, Hone^-Suckle (Dwarf), and Honey-wort .. 190, 191 OOHTINTB. Is FAOI lopt 191 Eorehonnd, and Horehonnd (Black) 192, 19S HorM>Tail, and Hone-Tongue 193, 194 Honnd't-ToDgue 195 Houseleek, and Hoaseleek (Small) 195, 196 Houaeleeks (Stone-Crop), (WaU Pepper), and (Water) .... 197, 198 Hyacinth 198 HypocUtua 199 HjKop, and Hyasop (Hedge) 199, 200 iTy-Tree 201 Jeaaamine 202 Jew'aEar 202 John's Wort (St.) 203 July Flower 204 Juniper-Tree 204 Karse (Dittandcr) 205 Kidneywort 205 Knapweed (Common^ 206 Knapwort Harahweed 207 Knot Grass 207 L«diea' Mantle, and Lady's SmoSk 208, 209 Uagda BcBuf 209 lATander. and Larender (Cotton) 210, 211 Laurel (Erergreen or Spurge) 211 Lentils 212 Lettuce (O}mmon Garden), and Lettuce (Great WUd) .... 212, 213 Lightwort (Sea) 213 Lilly of the Valley, Water Lilly, and Lilly (White Garden) 214, 215 Lime Tree 216 Liquorice 216 Lirerwort (Common) 217 Loosestrife 218 Lorage 219 Lungwort 219 Lupine 220 Madder 220 Maidenhairs (Common). (Golden), and (White) . 221, 222 Mallows (Common), and Mallows (Common Marsh) ...... 222, 223 Mandrake 225 Maple-Tree 225 Marjoram (Common Wild), and Maijoram (Sweet) 226, 227 Marigold (Com) 227 Mastcrwort 228 Mastic Herb 229 Mayweed (Stinking) 229 Meadow-Sweet 230 Medlar 230 MeUlot 231 Mercury (French) 232 Metereon Spurge 232 Mint (Garden),.(Pepper),(Wattf), and (Wild or Hone) 233, 235, 236 MiaaUtoe 236 Z CONTEKTS. Honeywort 237 Moonwort .. 238 Mom (Ground) 23S Motherwort 239 Mouse-Ear 239 Mu^wort (Common) 240 Mulberry-Tree 241 Mullein (Black) and (White) 242 Mushroom (Garden) . .. 243 Mustard (Black), Mustard (Hedge), and MusUrd (White) 244, 245, 246 Myrrh (Euglish) 247 Myrtle Tree 247 Nailwort 248 Navelwort. ..; 248 Navew 248 Nep 249 Nettle (Common) 250 Nightshade (Common), and Nightshade (Deadly) 251, 252 Oak Tree 253 Gate 254 Onion 254 Orach 255 Orchis 256 Orpine . . 257 Parsleys (Common) (Piert, or Breakstone) and (Rock) 257, 258, 259 Parsley (Common Stone), (Small Stone,) and (Smooth Stone) . . 260 Parsnip (Cow), and Parsnip (Upright Water) 260, 261 Peach-Tree, and Pear-Tree 262, 263 Pellitorv of Spain, and Pellitory of the Wall 263, 264 Penny -koyal, and Pennywort (Common Marsh) 265, 267 Peony (Male) 267 Pepper, Pepper (Guinea), and Pepper (Water) 268, 270 Periwinkle (Great) 270 Peter's Wort (St.) 271 Pilewort (Common) 271 Pimpernel (Water) 272 Pine-Tree 273 Plantains, (Buck's-Hom,) (Grass,) and (Ribwort) .... 273, 274, 276 Ploughman s Spikenard 276 Plums 276 Poley (Moubtain) 276 Polypody 277 Pomeeranate-Tree 277 Pumpkin 278 Poplars (Black) and (White) 278,279 Poppies (Black), (Crowfoot,) (Violet-Homed,) and (White) 279, 280 Poppies (Wild), and (Yellow-Homed) 282, 283 Primrose 283 Privet 284 Purslane 284 Quick Grasa 286 Quince-Tree 28d COVTXVT8. II JUAiMh (Common Garden), and Radish (Wild or Horse) 287 BamuioDt^Uumed), (Sheep's), and (Hairy Sheep's) 288, 289 RattleGrass 289 Kaspberry 290 Best Harrow 290 Rbubarb, Rhubarbs, (Culinary or Tart,) and (Great Monk's) 291, 292 Bice, Rocket Cress (Anouai), and Rocket Cress (DwarO . . 294, 296 Rockets (;Gttrden), (Purple Sea,) (Wild,) and (Winter) 296, 29«, 297 Root of Scarcity 297 Roses (Damask,) (Hip,) (Red,) and (White) .... 298, 299, 301, 302 Rosemary, and Rosemary (Marsh) 302, 304 Rue (Garden,) and Rue (Meadow or Wild) 304, 306 Ruggedwort, and Rupture- Wort 30fi Rush (Souioanth), Hushes, Rushy Olonde, and Rye, .... 307, 308 Saffron, Saflfron (Meadow), and Saffron (Wild) 308, 309, 310 Sages (Common Garden), (Small,) and (Wood) 311, 312 Saltwort 813 Samphire (Prickly,) and Samphire (Rock or Small) .... 314 Sanicle 316 Saracen's Consound, or Great Broad-Leayed Ragwort 316 Sarsaparilla 317 Sauce- Alone (Jack-by-the-Hedge, or Common Garlic Cress) .... 318 Saline 318 Savory (Summer), and Sarory (Winter) ..,.319 Sawwort (Common) 320 Saxifrages (Great Burnet), (Small Burnet), and (White) . . 320, 321 Saxifrage f WUd. or Meadow) 322 Scabious (Derirs Bit,) Scabions (Field,) and (Lesser Field) .... 323 Seammonj, or Great White Bindweed 324 Sciatica- Wort, or Sciatica-Grass, and Scorpion Grass (Mouse Ear) 326 Scnrry-Gra sea (Common Garden), (Dutch Round-Leaved), (Greenland), (Iry-leaTcd), (Horse-radish), and (Sea) 326, 327, 328 Self-Heal... 328 Senna (Red-Flowered Bladder) 329 8er Mountain 330 Serrice Tree (Common,) and Service Tree (Manured) . . . 330, 331 6hepherd'sNeedle(CommoD,)and Shepherd's Needle (Rough) 331, 332 Shepherd's Purse, and Shepherd's Rod 332, 333 Sickle-Wort 333 Silverweed 338 8imson(Blue) 834 Skirret 884 Sloe Bush 836 Smallage 336 Sneexewort, and Soapwort • 836 BoUnnm, and Solanum (Berry Bearing) 837 Soldier (Common Water) 338 Solomon^ 8 Seal 839 Sorrels (Common). (MounUin,) (Sheep's,) and (Wood,) .. 339, 340 Sontheniwood, and Southernwood (Field) 341, 342 Sowbread, and Sowerweed (Kidney-Jeaved) 342, 348 Bow.Thiatles (Common,) (Prickly,) (TrM,) and Tim (Marah) 343, 844 Xii OOlTTENTa. rAOB Speedwell, Spignel, Spignel (Broad-leaTed,) and Spikenard 345, 346 Spinach, Spleen- Wort, and Spunk 347 Spurges (Broad-leaved,) (Corn,) (Dwarf,) (Garden,) (Greater,) (Knotty. rooted,) (Olive,) (Petty,) and (Red,) 348, 349, 350, 361 Spurges (Portland,) (Rough -fruited,) (Sea,) (Sun.) (Wood,) 351, 252 Squill 352 Star- worts (Garden,) (Sea,) (Spring- water,) (Autumnal-water) 353, 354 SUTes-Acre 354 Stone Crop 354 Storax Tree 355 Strawberries and Strawberry Cinnnefoil 356 Succory (Garden), Succory (WUd,) and Succory (Yellow,) 357, 358 Sumach 358 Sun Dew, Swallow- Wort, and Sycamore Tree 359, 360 Tamarisk-Troo 360 Tansy (Common,) and Tansy (Garden,) 361, 362 Tare (Vetch Conrmon Black,) and Tarragon 362, 363 Tea, Teawl ( Jjanured,) and Teasel (Wild,) 363, 364 Thistle (Blesaed), Thistle upon Thistle, Thistles (Dwarf May,) (Lady's,) (Lanced Gentle,) (Marsh,) and (Musk,) 364, 365, 366 rhistles (St. Bamaby's,) (Spear,) (Star,) and (Way,) .... 366, 367 Thistles (Welted May,) (Wild Carline,) and (Woolly-headed) 367, 368 Thorn- Apple and Thornberry ( Black,) 368, 369 Thorough-Leaf, and Thorough-wax, (Common,) and (White) 369, 370 Thrift (Common,) 371 Thyme (Common Garden), and Thyme (Wild, or Mother oO .. 371 Tobacco , 372 Toothcress (Bulbiferous) 372 Tormentil, and Tormentil (Creeping,) 373, 374 Trefoil, TrefoU (Heart,) and TrefoQ (Pearl,) 374, 376 Turnip 376 Turnsole 376 Tutsan , 376 Valerians (GardetJ,); (Greek,) (Water,) and (True Wild) 376, 377, 378 Vine-Tree 379 Violet, Violet (Water,) and Viper's Bugloaa 380, 381 Wake Robin (Golden) 382 WaU-Flowers (Common,) (Sea,) and (Wild,) 382, 383 Walnuts 383 Water- Wort (Chickweed) 384 Weld, of Wold 386 Wheat 386 Witlow-Grasa . . . . 386 Willow-Herbn (vreeping,) (Great Flowered,) (Hairy,) (Marsh,) (Money,, (Purple Money,) and (Mountain,) .... 387, 388, 389 Willow-Herbs, (Spurge,) (Tufty,) Yellow,) and Willow-Tree 389, 39d Winter Green 391 Woad (Common) 39i Woodruflfe (Squinancy,) and (Sweet,) and Wormseed (Treacle), 392 Wormwoods, (Common,) (Boman^ and (Sea,) 393, 395, 396 Yarrow (Common,) and Yarrow (Sneezewort,) 397, 398 Yew, and Ynoca, or Jooca au8, 399 CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HEEBAL ACOKiTE,—( Aconitum Anthora,) Wk hare m&Dj poisonous Aconites growing in the fieldt, of which we ought to be cautious : but there is a medici- nal one kept in the shop ; this is called the Wholesome Aconite ; Anthora^ and Wholesome Wolfsbane. Descrip. — This a small plant, being a species of Wolfs- bane, or Monkshood, about a foot high, with pale divided green leaves, and yellow flowers. It grows erect, and the stalk is firm, angular, and hairj ; the leaves do not stand in pairs ; they are round almost, and cut into many divi- sions like those of Larkspur. The flowers are large and hooded, of a pleasant smell, and grow on the tops of the branches in spikes of a pale yellow colour, in shape like the flowers of Monkshood, but somewhat less, each suc- ceeded by four or five horn-like pointed pods, containing black angular seeds. The root is tuberous, and sometimes consists of one lump or knob, sometimes of more. i*/a and its virtues from Chiron, when he learned physic of him. Descrip.— Its root is long, thick, and exceedingly full of juice, of a hot and biting taste : the leaves are great and \arge, and wingedalmost like Ash-tree leaves, but that the] are something hairy, each leaf consisting of six pairs cttlpepeb'b complete herbal. is of snch wings set one again«t the other npon foot-stalks, broad below, but narrow towards the end ; one of the leaves is a little deeper at the bottom than the other, of a fair, yellowish, fresh green colour ; thej are of a bitterish tatote ueing chewed in the mouth. From among these anseth up a stalk, green in colour, round in form, great and stroug in magnitude, five or six feet in altitude, with many joints and some leaves thereat : towards the top come forth umbles of small yellow flowers, after these are passed away, you may find whitish, yellow, short flat seeds, bitter also in taste. F/ace^ — Having given you the description of the herb from the bottom to the top, give me leave to tell you that there are other herbs called oy this name ; but because they are strangers in England, I give only the description of this, which is easily to be had iu the gardens of divers places. Titus, — ^Although Gerard saith, That they flower from the beginning of May to the end of December, experience teacbeth them that keep it in their gardens, that it flowers not till the latter end of the summer, and sheds its seed presently after. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Mars, hot, biting, and choleric ; and remedies what evils Mars atflicts the body of a man with, by sympathy, as vi- pers^ flesh attracts poison, and the loadstone iron. It kills the worms, belps tne gout, cram|>s, and convulsions ; pro- yokes uriue, and helps all joiut aches. It helps all cold griefs of the head, the vertigo, falling sickness, the lethar- gy, the wind colic, obstructions of the liver and spleen, stone in the kidneys and bladder. It provokes the terms, expels the dead birth : it is excellent for the griets of the eiuews, itch, stone, and tooth-ache, the bite of mad dogs and venomous beasts, and purgeth choler very gently. ALKANET.— (iincAiwa Tinctoria.) Besides the common name, it is called orr^hanet, and Spanish bugv.^sH, and by apothecaries, euchusa. Dttcrip. — Of the many sorts of this herli, there is but one known to grow commonly in this nation ; of which one takes this description : — It hath a great and thick root ot a reddish colcmr ; long, narrow, hairy leaver, green like the lei^ves of h'lgloss, which lie very thick upon the ground ; the .stalks rioa up compassed round about, thick 16 oulpxpkb's oomplxtb hxbbal. with leavea, which are lesser and narrower than the for- mer ; they are tender, and slender, the flowers are hollow, small, and of a reddish colour. Place, — It grows in Kent, near Rochester, and in many places in the west country, both in Devonshire and ComwalL Time, — They flower in July and beginning of August^ and the seed is ripe soon after, but the root is in its prime, as carrots and parsnips are, before the herb runs up to stalk. Oovemment and Virtites. — It is an herb under the do« minion of Venus, and indeed one of her darlings, though somewhat hard to come by. It helps old ulcers, hot in- flammations, burnings by common fire and St. Anthony's fire, by antipathy to Mars ; for these uses your best way is to make it into an ointment ; also if you make a vinegar of it, as you make vinegar of rosei, it helps the murphy and leprosy ; if you apply the herb to the privities, it draws forth the dead cnild. It helps the yellow jaundice, spleen, and gravel in the kidneys. Dioscorides saith, it helps such as are bitten by venomous beasts, whether it be taken inwardly or applied to the wound ; nay, he saitb further, if any that hath newly ea^n it do but spit into the mouth of a serpent, the serpent instantly dies. It stays the flux of the belly, kills worms, helps the fits of the mother. Its decoction made in wine, and drank, strengthens the back, and easeth the pains thereof. It helps bruises and falls, and is as gallant a remedy to drive out the small pox and measles as anv is : an ointment made of it is excellent for green wouniu, pricks or thrusts, ADDER'S TONGVK—iOphiogloetum Vulgatum.) Deacrip, — This herb hath but one leaf, which grows with the stalk a finger's length above the ground, oeing flut and of a fresh green colour ; broad like water plantain, but less, without any rib in it ; from the bottom of which leaf on the inside riseth up, ordinarily, one, sometimes two or three slender stalks, the upper part whereof i^ somewhat bigger, and dented with small dents of a yel- lowish green colour, like the tongue of an adder serpent^ (only this is as useful as they are formidable). The roou continue all the year. Place, — It grows in moist meadows, and in such Hm oulpspkr's complete hxbbau 17 Tims, — It is to be found in May or April, for it quickly pemheth with a little heat. Oovemmeut and Virtues, — It Ib an herb under the do- minion of the Moon and Cancer, and theiefore, if the weakness of the retentive faculty be caused by an evil in- fluence in any part of the body governed by the moon, or under the dominion of Cancer, this herb cures it by sym- pathy. It cures these diseases after specified, in any part of the body under the influence of Saturn, by antipathy. It is temperate in respect of heat, but dry in the second degree. The juice of the leaves drank with the distilled water of horse -tail, is a singular remedy of all manner of wounds in the breasts, bowels, or other parts- of the body, and is given with good success unto those that are troubled with casting, vomiting, or bleeeding at the mouth and Qoee, or otherwards downwards. The said juice given in the distilled water of oaken buds, is very gooa for women who have their usual courses, or whites flowing down too abundantly. It helps sore eyes. Of the leaves infused or boiled in oil, omphacine, or unripe olives, set in the sun for certain days, or the green leaves sufficiently boiled in the said oil, is made an excellent green balsam, not only for green and fresh wounds, but also for old and inveterate ulcers, especially if a little fine clear tuipentine be disaolved therein. It also stayeth and refresheth all inflammations that arise upon pains by hurts and wounds. What parte of the body are under each planet and tign, and dXM> what disease may be found in my astroloigical indcment of diseases ; and for the internal work of nature m uie body of man, as vital, animal, natural and pro- creative spiiite of man ; the apprehension, judgment, memory ; the external senses, viz. — seeing, hearing, smell- ing, tasting, and feeling ; the virtues attractive, retentive^ digestive, expulsive, &c. under the dominion of what pla- nets they are, may be found in my ephemens for the vear 1661 : in both which you shall find the chaff of authors blown away by the fame of Dr. Reason, and nothing bul rational truths left for the ingenious to feed upon. 18 culpeper's complete hfrrai.. AGKIMONY.— (^^Ttmonwj Ewpatoria,) Descrip. — This hath divers long leaves, some greater, Bome smaller, set upon a stalk, all of them, dented about the edges, green above and greyish underneath, and a little hairy withal ; among which ariseth up usually but one strong, round, hairy, brown stalk, two or three feet high, with smaller leaves set here and there upon it. At the top hereof grow many small yellow flowers, one above another, in long spikes, after which come round heads of seed, hanging downwards, which will cleave to and stick upon garments, or any thing that shall rub against them. The knot is black, long, and somewhat woody, abiding many years, and shooting afresh every spring ; which root, though small, hath a reasonable scent. Place. — It groweth upon bauks, near the sides of hedges. Time, — It flowereth in July and August, the seed being ripe shortly after. Oovemment and Virtues, — It is an herb under Jupiter and the sign Cancer ; and strengthens those parts under the planet and sign, and removes diseases in them by sym- pathy ; and those under Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, by antipathy, if they happen in any part of the body govern- ed by Jupiter, or under the signs Cancer, Sagittary, or Pisces, and therefore must needs be good for the gout, either used outwardly in oil or ointment, or inwardly in an electuary, or syrup, or concerted juice ; for which see the latter end of the work. It is of a cleansing and cutting faculty, without any manifest heat, moderately drying and binding. It openeth and cleanseth the liver, helpeth the jaundice, and is very beneficial to the bowels, healing all inward wounds, bruises, hurts, and other distempers. The decoction of the herb made with wine, and drank, is good against the biting and stinging of serpents, and helps them that make foul, trou- bled ,or bloody water, and makes them part with clear urine speedily ; it also helpeth the colic, cleanseth the breast, and rids away the cough. A draught of the decoction taken warm before the fit, first removes, and in time rids away the tertian or quartan agues. The leaves and seeds taken In wine stays the bloody flux ; outwardly applied, being stamped with old swine's grease, it helpeth old sores, can- cers, and inveterate ulce/s, and draweth forth thorns and splinters of wood, nails, or any other such thing gotten I otjlpeper's complete herbal. 10 »nto the flesh : it helpeth to streDgthen the members that be out of joint ; and being bruiasd and applied, or the juice dropped in, it helpeth foul and imposthumed ears. The distilled water of the herb is good to all the said purposes, either inward or outward, but a great deal weaicer. It is a most admirable remedy for such whose lives are annoyed either by heat or cold. The liver is the former of blood, and blood the nourisher of the body, and agrimony a strengthener of the liver. I cannot stand to give you a reason in every herb why it cureth such diseases : but if you please to peruse my judgment in the herb wormwood, you shall find them there ; and it will be well worth your while to consider every herb— you shall find them true throughout the book. AGRIMONY (WATER,)— {Btdens Tnparttta.) It is called in some countries Water Hemp, Bastard Hemp, and Bastard Agrimony ; Eupatorium and Hipatorium, because it strengthens the liver. Descrip,— The root continues a long time, having many long slender strinc^s : the stalk grows up about two feet high, sometimes higher ; they are of a dartc purple colour ; the branches are many, growing at distances the one from the other, the one from the one side of the stalk, the other from the opposite point : the leaves are winged, and much indented at the edges : the flowers grow at the top of the branches, of a brown yellow colour, spotted with black spota, having a substance within the midst of them like that of a daisy ; if you rub them between your fingers they smell like rosin or cedar when it is burnt : the seeds are loni^, and easily stick to any woollen thing they touch. Place. — They delight not in heat, and therefore they are not 80 frequently found in the southern parts of England as in the northern, where they grow frequently. You may look for them in cold grounds by the sides of ponds and ditches, as also by running waters ; sometimes you shall find them grow in the midst of the waters. Tims.— They all flower in July or August, and the seed it ripe preeently after. OavernmerU and Virtues. — It is a plant of Jupiter, a« well MM the other agrimony, only this belongs to the cele*- Mal sign in Cnnctr, It healeih and dneth, cnttetb aiic to culpspkr'b oompleti hsrbal. cleauseth thick and tough humours of the breast, and for this I hold it inferior to few herbs that grow ; it helps the cachexia or evil disposition of the body, the dropsy, and yellow jaundice ; it opens the obstructions of the liver, mollifies the hardness of the spleen, being applied out- wardly : it breaks imposthumes, taken inwardly : it pro- vokes mine and the terms : it kills worms, and cleanseth the body of sharp humours, which ai« the cause of itch and scabs ; the herb being burnt, the smoke thereof drives away flies, wasps, &c, ; It strengthens the lungs exceeding- ly. Country people give it to their cattle when they are troubled with the cough, or broken winded, ALEHOOP, o» GROUND-rVT.— ((y^ecAoma ffederaeea,) SwBKAL counties give it seyeral names, lo that there is scarce an herb growing of that bigness, that has got so many. It is called CatVFoot, Qround-ivy, Gill-go-by- ground, Gill-creep-by-ground, Turn-hoof, Hay-Maids, and Alehoof. Detcrip. — This well known herb lieth, spreadeth, and creepeth upon the ground, shooteth forth roots at the ' 'or- ners of tender jointed stalks, set with two round leaves at every joints somewhat hairy, crumbled, and unevenly dented about the hedges with round dents ; at the joints, likewise, with the leaves towards the end of the branches, oome forth hollow long flowers, of a blueish purple colour, with small white spots upon the lips that hang down. The root is small, with strincs. FUioe, — It is commonly found under hedges and on the ■ides of ditches, under houses, or in shadowed lanes and other waste lands in almost every part of the land. Time, — They flower somewhat early, and abide a great while ; the leaves continue green until winter, and some- times abide, except the winter be very sharp and cold. OovemmeTU and Virtues, — It is an herb of Venus, and therefore cures the diseases she caises by sympathy, and those of Mars by antipathy ; you may easily find it all the year, except the year be extremely frosty ; it is quick, sharp, and bitter in taste, and is therebv found to be hot and dry ; a singular herb for all inward wounds, exulce- rated lungs, or other parts, either by itself, or boiled with other the like herbs ; and being drunk, in a short time it easeth r11 griping pains, windy and choleric humours in the ■toma<£, spleen or belly ; helpe the yellow jaondloe hj I I oulpepsb's oomplxtb hbbbal. tl opening the stoppings of the gall and liver, and melancholy, by open ing the gtoppings of the spleen ; expelleth venom or poison, and also the plague : it provokes urine and wo- men's courses. The decoction oi it in wine drank for some time together, procureth ease unto them that art troubled with the sciatica, or hip gout ; as also the goat in the hands, knees or feet ; if you put to the decoction some honey and a little burnt alum, it is excellent good to gargle any sore mouth or throaty and to wash the sores and ulcers in the privy parts of man or woman ; it speedily helpeth green wouods, oeing bruised and bound tnereto. The juice of it boiled with a little honey and verdigris, doth wonderfully cleanse fistulas, ulcers, and stayeth the spreading or eating of cancers and ulcers ; it helpeth the itch, scam, weals, and other breakings out in any part of the bod^. The juice of celandine, field daises, and ground- ivy clarified and a little fine sugar dissolved therein, and dropped into the eyes, is a sovereign remedy for all pains, recmMS, and watering of them ; as also ror the pin and web, skins and films growing over the sight : it helpeth hearts as well as men. The juice dropped into the ear doth wonderfully help the noise and singing of them, and helpeth the hearing which is decayed. It is good to tun up with new drink, for it will clarify it in a night, that it will be the fitter to be drank the next morning ; or if any drink be thick with removing or any other accident, it wiU do the like in a few hours. ALEXANDER— (/Smymtt^ (Hutairvmk) It is also called Alisander, Horse Parsley, Wild Parsley, and the Black Pot-herb ; the sedd of it is that which is usually sold in apothecaries' shops for Macedonian parsley- seed. Detorip. — It is usually sown in all the gardens in Europe, and so well known, that it needs no farther de- scription. Time. — It flowereth in June and July : the seed is ripe in August ChvimfMrU and Virtuet,— It is an herb of Jupiter, and therefore friendly to nature, for it warmeth a cold stomach, and opeoeth a stoppage to the liver and spleen ; it is good to move women's coursei, to expel the after-birth, to break wind, to provoke urine, and helpeth the strangury ; and these things the seeds will do likewise. If either of them 82 culpeper'b complete hbbbix.. be boiled in wine, or bruised and taken in wine, is alec effectual in the biting of serpents. And you know what Alexander pottage is good for, that you may no longer eat it oat of ignorance, but out of knowledge. ALDER (BLACK.)— (Alnut Nigra,) Descrip. — This tree seldom groweth to any great big- ness, but for the most part abideth like a hedge-bush, or a tree spreading its branches, the woods of the body being white, and a dark red cole or heart ; the outward bark is of a blackish colour, with many whitish spots therein ; but the inner bark next the wood is yellow, which being chewed, will turn the spittle near into a saffron colour. The leaves are somewhat like those of an ordinary alder- tree, or the female comet, or Dog-berry tree, called in Sussex dog-wood, but blacker, and not so long : the flowers are white, coming forth with the leaves at the joints, which turn into small round berries first green, afterwards red, but blackish when they are thorougD ly ripe, divided as it were into two parts, wherein is contained two small round and flat seeds. The root runneth not deep into the ground, but spreads rather under the upper crust of the earth. Place, — This tree or shrub may be found plentifully in St. John*8 wood by Homsey, and the woods on Hamp- stead-heath ; as also in a wood called Old Park, in Barcomo, Essex, near the brook's side. Time,— ^li flowereth in May, and the berries are ripe in September. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is a tree of Venus, and perhaps under the celestial sign Cancer. The inner yellow Dark hereof purgeth downwards both choler and phlegm^ and the watery humours of such as have the dropsy, ana stren^hens the inward parts again by binding. If the bark hereof be boiled with agrimony, wormwowi, dodder, hops, and some fennel with smallage, endive, and succory roots, and a reasonable draught taken every morning for some time together, it is very effectual against the jaundice, dropsy, and the evil disposition of the body, especially if some suitable purging medicines have been taken before, to void the grosser excrements ; it purgeth and strength- eneth the liver and spleen, cleansing them from such evil humours and hardness as they are afflicted with. It is -to be undcist*. vmI that these things are performed by the dry bark ; for the fresh green bark taken inwardly provoke* oulpepek'b complete hebbau 88 ■trong TomitiDgs, paius in the stomach, and gripings in the bellj ; yet if the decoction may stand and settle two or three days, until the yellow colour be changed black, it will not work so strongly as before, but will strengthen the stomach, and procure an appetite to meat. The out- ward bark contrariwise doth bind the body, and is helpful for all laxes and fluxes thereof, but this also must be dried first, whereby it will work the better. The inner bark thereof boiled in vinegar is an approved remedy to kill lice, to cure the itch, and take away scabs, by drying them up in a short time. It is singularly good to wash the teeth, and to take away the pains, to fasten those that are loose, to cleanse them, and keep them sound. The leaves are good fodder for kine, to make them give more milk. In spring-time you use the herbs before-mentioned, and will take a handful of each of them, and to them add a handful of elder buds, and having bruised them all, boil them in a gallon of ordinary beer when it is new ; and having boiled them half an hour, add to this three gallons more, and let tiiem work together, and drink a draught of it every morning, half a pint, or thereabouts ; it is an excellent purge for the spring to consume the phlegmatic quality the winter has left behind it, and withal to keep your body in health, and consume those evil humours which the heat of summer will readily stir up. £steem it as a jewel. ALDER (COMMONO—T-i^nw Glutinosa.) Descrip. — Qroweth to a reasonable height, and spreads much if it like the place. It is so generally well known nnto country people, that I conceive it needless to tell that which is no news. Place and Time. — It delighteth to grow in moist woods ADd watery places ; flowereth in April and May, and jieldeth ripe seed in September. Oovernment and Ute. — It is a tree under the dominion of Venua, and of some watery sign or other, I suppose Piacee, and therefore the decoction, or distilled water of the leaves, is excellent^ against burnings and inflamma- tions, either with wounds or without, to bathe the place ffrieved with, and especially for that inflammation ol the breast, which the vulgar call an ague. If yoa cannot get the leaves, which In winter is impoe- iible, make uae of the bark in the same manner. 24 cxn:.piPEB'8 oompleti hxbbai* The leaves and bark of the alder tree are cooling, dry- ing, and binding. The fresh leaves laid apon swellings dissolve them, and stay the inflammations. The leaves put under the bare feet galled with travelling, are a great refreshing to them. The said leaves gathered while the morning dew is on them, and brought into a chamber troubled with fleas, will gather them thereunto, which being suddenly cast out, will rid the chamber of these troublesome bed-fellow& AMAB,A'NT'RVS.—(Amaranttu Hypochondriacut,) Called also Flower-gentle, Flower-velure, Floramor, Velvet-flower, and Prince's Feather, Descrip. — It being a garden flower, and well known to every one that keeps it, I might forbear the description ; yet, notwithstanding, because some desire it, I shall give it. It runneth up with a stalk a cubit high, streaked, and lomewhat reddish towards the root, but very smooth, di- vided towards the top with small branches, among which stand long broad leaves of a reddish green colour, slippery ; the flowers are not properly flowers, but tufts, very beautiful to behold, but ot no smell, of reddish colour ; it you bruise them, they yield juice of the same colour ; be- ing gathered, they keep their beauty a long time : the seed is of a shining black colour. Time, — They continue in flower from August till the time the frost nips them. Oovemment and Virtuei. — It is under the dominion of Saturn, and is an excellent Qualifier of the unruly actions and passions of Venus, thougn Mars should also join with her. The flowers dried and oeaten into powder, stop the terms in women, and so do almost all other red things. And by the icon or image of every herb, the ancients at first ionnd out their virtuea Modem writers laugh at them for it ; but I wonder in my heart how the virtue of herbs came at first to be known, if not by their signatures ; the moderns have them from the writings of the ancients ; the ancients had no writings to have them from : but to proceed. — The flowers stop all fluxes of blood, whether in man or woman, bleeding either at the nose or wound. There is also a sort of amarauthus that bears a white flower, which stops the whites in women, and the running of the reins in men, and is a most gallant anti- venerea^ and a singular remedy for the French pox. CIJLPBPSB*8 COKPLSTB HIBBAL. S5 ANGELICA.— ^^n^rfuw Arehangdusa,) To write a description of that which is so well known to be growing almost in every garden, I suppose is altogether ne^less ; yet for its virtues it is of admirable use. In time of heathenism, when men had found out any ex- eellent herb, they dedicated it to their god, as the bay- tree to Apollo, the oak to Jupiter, the vine to Bacchus, the poplar to Hercules. These the papists following as the pa- triarchs, they dedicated to their saints ; as our lady*s thistle to the Blessed Virgin, St. John's wort to St. John, %nd another wort to St. Peter, &c. Our physicians must imitate like apes, though they cannot come off half so cleverly, for they blasphemously call tansies, or heart's ease, an herb for the Trinity ^ because it is of three colours ; and a certain ointment an ointment of the Apoetlee, be- cause it consists of twelve ingredients. Alas ! I am sorry for their folly, and grieved at their blasphemy. God send them wisdom the rest of their age, for they have their share of ignorance already. Oh ! why must ours be blas- phemous, because the heathens and papists were idola- trous I Certainly they have read so much in old rusty aothora, that they have lost all their divinity, for unless it were amongst the ranters, I never read 6r heard of such blasphemy, llie heathens and papists were bad, and ours worse ; the papists giving names to herbs for their vir- tue's sake, not for their fair looks ; and therefore some call this an herb of the Holy Ghost ; others more mo- derate called it Angelica, because of its angelical virtues, and that name it retains still, and all nations follow it ao near as their dialect will permit Oovemment and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Sun in Leo ; let it be gathered when he is there, the Moon ap- pljnng to his good aspect ; let it be gathered either in hia nour, or in the hour of Jupiter : let Sol be angular : ob- serve the like in gathering the herbs of other p^nets, and yon may happen to do wonders. In all epidemical diseases caoaed by Saturn, that is as good a preservative as grows. It resists poison by defending and comforting the nearL blood, and spirits ; it doth the like against the plague and all epidemical diseases, if the root be taken in powder to the weight of half a drachm at a time, with some |food treacle in Carduus water, and the party thereupon laid to ■weai in his bed ; if treacle be not to be had, takeitalona 26 CUIiPEPB&'S COMPLETE H££BAL. In Carduus water or Angelica water. The stalks or roots candied and eaten fasting, are good preservatives in time of infection ; and at other times to warm and comfort a cold stomach : the root also steeped in vinegar, and a little of that vinegar taken sometimes fasting, and the root smelled unto is good for the same purpose : a water dis- tilled from the root simply, as steeped in wine and dis- tilled in a glass, is much more effectual than the water of the leaves ; and this water drank two or three spoonfuls at a time, easeth all pains and torments coming of cold and wind, so that the body be not bound ; and taken with some of the root in powder at the beginning, helpeth the pleurisy, as also all other diseases of the lungs and breast, as coughs, phthisic, and shortness of breath ; and a syrup of the stalks doth the like. It helps pains of the cholic, the strangury and stoppage of the urine, procureth wo- men's courses, and expelleth the after birth ; openeth the stoppage of the liver and spleen, and briefly easeth and discusseth all windiness and inward swellings. The de- coction drank before the fit of an ague, that they may sweat, if possible, before the fit comes, will, in two or three times taking, rid it quite away ; it helps digestion, and is a remedy for a surfeit. The juice, or the water being dropped into the eyes or ears helps dimness of sight and deafness : the juice put into the hollow of the teeth easeth their pain. The root in powder, made up into plaister with a little pitch, and laid on the biting of mad dogs or any other venomous creature, doth wonderfully help. The juice or the water dropped, or tents wet there- in, and put into filthy dead ulcers, or the powder of the root, in want of either, doth cleanse and cause them to heal quickly, by covering the naked bones with flesh : the distilled water applied to places pained with the gout, or sciatica, doth give a great deal of ease. The Wild Angelica {Angelica SylvestrUf) may be safely used to all the purposes aforesaid. ANEMONE. — {Anemone Nemorosa,) Called also Wind-flower, because they say the flowers never open but when the wind bloweth. Pliny is my author ; if it be not so, blame him. The seed also, if it bears any at all, flies away with the wind. Place and Time, — They are sown usually in the gar- dens of the curious, and flower in the spring-time. As for dTT.rrPTTB'i COMPLETE HBBBAU 27 description, I shall pass it, being well known to all thofiC Uiat sow them. Government and Virtites, — It is under the dominion of Mars, being supposed to be a kind of crow-foot The leaves provoke the terms mightily, being boiled, and the decoction drank. The body beine bathed with the decoc- tion of them, cures the leprosy : the leaves being stamped, and the juice snufifed up the nose, purgeth the head mightily ; so doth the root, being chewed in the mouth, for it procureth much spitting, and bringeth away many watery and phlegmatic numors, and is therefore excellent for the lethargy. And when all is done, let physicians prate what they please, all the pills in the aispensary purge not the head like to hot things held in the mouth. Being made into an ointment, and the eye-lids anointed with it, it helps inflammations of the eyes ; whereby it is palpable, that every stronger draweth its weaker like. The same ointment is excellent good to cleanse malignant and corroding ulcers. AltBACH (GAEDEN.)— (ii^rtp^c* HortentU,) Callxd also Orach, and Arat^e. Descrip, — It is so commonly known to every housewife, it were labour lost to describe it. Time.— li flowereth and seedeth from June to the end of August. Oovemment and Virtues, — It is under the government of the Moon : in quality cold and moist like unto her. It aoftenelh and looseneth the body of man being eaten, and fortitieth the expulsive faculty in him. The herb, whether it be bruised and applied to the throat, or boiled, and in like manner appliea, it matters not much, it is excellent ^ood for swellings in the throat ; the best way, I suppose, 18 to boil it, having drunk the decoction inwardly, and ap- ply the herb outwardly. The decoction of it besides is an excellent remedy for the yellow jaundice. ARRACH, WILD AND STINKING.— ('ui/no^Ar Olida.) Called also Vulvaria, Dog's-arrach, GoatVarrach, and Stinking Mother- wort. Deecrxp. — This hath small and almost round leaves, yet a little pointed, and almost without dent or cut, of a dusky mealy colour, jawing on the slender stallu and branches 318 oulpbpxe's complitb herbal. that spread on the ground, with small flowers in clnsters let with the leaves, and small seeds succeeding like the rest) perishing yearly, and rising again with its own sowing. It smells like rotten fish, or something worse. Place. — It grows usually upon dunghills, Tim4. — They flower in June and July, and their seed is ripe quickly after. Oovemment and Virtuet. — Stinking arrach is used as a remedy to help women pained, and almost strangled with the mother, by smelling to it ; but inwardly taken there is no better remedy under the moon for that disease. I would be large in commendation of this herb, were 1 but eloquent. It is an herb under the dominion of Venus, and under the sign Scorpio ; it is common almost upon every dunghill. The works of Qod are given freely to man, his medicines are common and cheap, and easy to be found. (Tis the medicines of the College of Physicians that are so dear and scarce to find.) I commend it for a universal medicine of the womb, and such a medicine as will easily, safely, and speedily cure any diseases thereof, as fits of the mother, dislocation, or falling out thereof : it cools the womb being overheated. And let me tell you this, and I will tell you the truth — heat of the womb is one of the createat causes of hard labour in child-birth. It makes barren women fruitful : it cleanseth the womb if it be foul, and strengthens it exceedingly : it provokes the terms if they be stopped, and stops them if tbey flow immode- rately ; you can desire nOjp[ood to your womb but this herb will effect it ; therefore if you love children, if you love health, if you love ease, keep a syrup always by you made of the juice of this herb, and sugar, or honey, if it be to cleanse the womb ; and let such as be rich keep it for their poor neighbours, and bestow it as freely as I bestow my studies upon them, or else let them look to answer it ano- ther day, when the Lord shall come to make the inquisi- tion of blood. AECHANGEL.— (ZamMim.) To put a gloss upon their practice, the physicians call an herb (which country people vulgarly know bv the name of the dead nettle) arcnai^el : whether they favour moi« of superstition or foUy, 1 leave to the judicious reader. Thcore is more curiosity than courtesy to my countrymen uaed by others in the explanation as well of the names, as dMcription of this so well known herb ; which, that I may not also be guUtj of, take this short description, first of the red archangel. J>Mcrip, — This hath divers square stalks, somewhat hairy, at the joints whereof grow two sad green leaves dented about the edges, opposite to one another to the lowermost, upon long foot stalks, but without any toward the tope, which are somewhat round yet pointeid, and a little crumpled and hairy ; round about the upper joints, where the leaves grow thick, are sundiy gaping flowers of a pale reddish colour ; after which come the seed three or four iu a husk : the root is smaller and thready, perishing every year ; the whole plant hath a strong scent, but not stinking. White archangel hath divers square stalks, none stand- ing straight upward, but bending downward, whereia stand two leaves at a joint, larger and more pointed than the other, dented about the edges, and greener also, more like unto nettle leaves, but not stinking, yet hairy. At the joints with the leaves stand larger and more open gap- ing white flowers, husks round about the stalks, but not with such a bush of leaves as flowers set in the top, as is on the other, wherein stand small roundish black seed : the root is white, with man v strings at it, not growing downward, but lying under the upper crust of the eartl^ and abideth many years increasing : this has not so strong a ncent as the former. Yellow archangel is like the white in the stalks and leaves ; but that the stalks are more straight and upright, and the joints with leaves are farther asunder, having larger leaves toan the former, and the flowers a little longer and nore gaping, of a fair yellow colour in most, in some paler : Ihe roots are like the white, only they creep not so much ander the ground. Place. — Ihey grow almost every where, unless it be in the middle of the street y the yellow most usually in the wet grounds of woods, and sometimes in the drier, in divers counties of this nation. TifM, — They flower from the beginning of spring all the summer long. Virtust and use. — The archangels are somewhat hot and drier than the stinging nettleH, and used with better suo- eess for the stopping and hardness of the spleen, than br odng the decoction of the herb in wine, and afterwanu 90 culpeper's complete herbal. applying the herb hot into the region of the apleen as plaister, or the decoction with sponges. Flowers of the white archangel are preserved or conserved to be used to stay the whites, and the flowers of the red to stay the reds in women. It makes the heart merry, drives away melan- choly, quickens the spirits, is good against the quartan agues, stauncheth bleeding at the mouth and nose if it be stamped and applied to the nape of the neck ; the herb also bruised, and with some salt and vinegar and hog's- grease laid upon a hard tumour or swelling, or that vul- garly called the king's-evil, do help to dissolve or discuss them : and being in like manner applied, doth much allay the pains, and give ease to the gout, sciatica, and other pains of the joints and sinews. It is also very effectual to heal green wounds and old ulcers ; also to stay their fret- ting, gnawing, and spreading : it draweth forth splinters, and such like thin^ gotten mto the flesh, and is very good against bruises ana burnings. But the yellow archangel is most commended for old, filthy, corrupt sores and ulcers, yea, although they be hollow ; and to dissolve tumours. The chief use of them is for women, it being an herb of Venus, and may be found in my Guide for women. ARSSMART.— (Po%urgeth downward, and by urine also, purgeth both cho- er and phlegOL If you add to it some spikenard, with the whey 01 goat's milk, or honeyed water, it is made more strong ; out it purgeth phle^ more manifestly than cho- ler, and therefore doth much help pains in the hips and other parts : being boiled in whey they wonderfully help the obstructions of the liver and spleen, and are therefore profitable for the dropsy and jaundice : being steeped in wine and drank, it helps those continual a^ues that come by the plenty of stubborn humours : an oil made thereof by setting in the sun, with some laudanum added to it, provoketh sweating, (the ridge of the back anointed there- with) and thereby driveth away the shaking fits of the ague. It will not abide any long boiling, for it loseth its chief strength thereby ; nor much beating, for the finer powder doth provoke vomits and urine, and the coarser purgeth downwards. Tnt common use hereof ia to take the juice of five or ■even leaves in a little drink to cause vomiting ; the root* cxtlpipbb's complete herbal. 33 hare also the same virtae, though tLej do not operate so forcibly ; they are very effectual against the biting of ser- pents, and therefore are put in as an ingredient both into Mithridate and Venice treacle. The leaves and root be- ing boiled in lye, and the head often washed therewith while it is warm, comforteth the head and brain thftt is ill affected by taking cold, and helpeth the memory. I shall desire ignorant people to forbear the use of the leaves : the roots purge more gently, and may prove bene- ficial to such as have cancers, or old putrefied ulcers, or fistulas upon their bodies, to take a dram of them in powder in a quarter of a pint of white wine in the mom* mg. The truth is, I fancy purging and vomiting medi- cines as little as any man breathing doth, for they weaken nature, nor shall ever advise them to be used onless upon urgent necessity. If a physician be nature's servant, it ia his duty to strengthen his mistress as much as he can, and weaken her as little as may be. ASTAB.AOJJS.-^AtparaffUS OjffvdnalU,) Descrip. — It rlseth np at first with ,diver8 white and green scaly heads, very brittle or easy to break while they are young, which afterwards rise up in very long snd slen- der peen stalks, of the bigness of an ordinary riding wano, at the bottom of most, or bigger or lesser, as the roots are of growth ; on which are set divers branches of green leaves, shorter and smaller than fennel, to the top ; at the joints whereof come forth small yellowish flowers, which run into round berries, green at first, and of an ex- cellent red color when they are ripe, showing like bead or coral, wherein are contained ex'reeding hara black seeds : the roots are dispersed from a spon^eous head into many long, thick, and round strings, wherein is sucked much nonrishnent out of the ground, and iucreaseth plentifully thereby. ASPARAGUS {FRlCKLY.)-'(Asparagus Sativui.) Detcrip. — It groweth usually in gardens, and some of it grows wild in Appleton meadows, in Gloucestershire, where the poor f)eople do gather the buds of young shoots, and nell them cheaper than our garden asparagus is sold In London. 7H'f7M.~They do for the most part flower and bear their 34 culpeper's complete herbal. berries late in the ye{»r, or not at all, although they are housed in winter. Oavernment and Virtues. — They are both under the do- minion of Jupiter, The young buds or branches boiled in ordinary broth, make the belly soluble and open ; and boiled in white wine, provoke urine being stopped, and is good against the strangury, or difficulty of making water ; it expelleth the gravel and stone out of the kid- nies, and helpeth pains in the reins : and boiled in white wine or vinegar, it is prevalent for them that have their arteries loosened, or are troubled with the hip-gout or scia- tica. The decoction of the roots boiled in wine, and taken, is good to clear the sight, and being held in the mouth easeth the tooth-ache ; and being taken fasting several mornings together, stirreth up bodily lust in man or wo- man, whatever some have written to the contrary. The garden asparagus nourish eth more than the wild, yet hath it the same effects in all the aforementioned diseases. The decoction of the roots in white wine, and the back and belly bathed therewith, or kneeling or lying down in the same, or sitting therein as a bath, hath been found ef- fectual against pains of the reins and bladder, pains of the mother and colic, and generally against all pains that happen to the lower parts of the body, and no less ef- fectual against stiff and benumbed sinews, or those that are shrunJt by cramps and convulsions, and helpeth the sciatica. ASH TREE.— ("/Voxintw Excelsior,) This is so well known, that time will be misspent in writing a description of it ; and therefore I shall only in- sist upon the virtues of it. Government and Virtues. — It is governed by the Sun and the young tender tops, with the leaves taken inward- ly, and some of them outwardly applied, are singular good against the biting of an adder, viper, or any other venomous beast ; and the water distilled therefrom being taken, a small quantity every morning fasting, is a singu- lar medicine to those that are subject to the dropsy, or to abate the greatness of those that are too gross or fat. The decoction of the leaves in white wine helpeth to break the stone and expel it, and cure the jaundice. The aahes of the bark of tne ash made into lye, and those heads bathed therewith which are leprous, scabby, or scald, they are oulpepeb'b complete herbal. S5 thereby cured. The kernels within the husks, commonly called ashen key, prevail against stitches and pains in the side, proceeding of wind and voiding away the stone, by provoking urine. I can justly except against none of this, save only the first, viz. — That ash-tree tops and leaves ai-e good against the biting of serpents and vipers. I suppose this had its rise from Gerard or Pliny, both which bold, that there is ■uch an antipathy between an adder and an ash-tree, that if an adder be encompassed around with ash-tree leaves, she would sooner run through fire than through the leaves ; the contrary to which is the truth, as both my eyes are witness. The rest are virtues something likely, only if it be in winter when you cannot get the leaves, you may safely use the bark instead of them. The keys you may easily keep all the year, gathering them when they are ripe. A.VENS, CALLED ALSO COLEWORT, and HEKB BE^^E'r,—( Oeum fferb'anum.) Descrip. — The ordinary avens have many long, rough, dark green winged leaves rising from the root, every one made of many leaves set on each side of the middle rib, the largest three whereof grow at the end, and are snip- ped or dented round about the edges ; the other being small pieces, sometimes two and sometimes more, standing on each side of the middle rib underneath them : among which do rise up divers rough or hairy stalks, about two feet high, branching forth with leaves at every joint, not ■o long as those below, but almost as much cut in on the edges, some into three, some into more. On the tops of the branches stand small, pale yellow flowers, consisting of five leaves, like the flowers of cinque-foil, but large, in the middle whereof standeth a small green herb, which when the flower is fallen, groweth to be sound, being made of many long purple seeds like grains, which will ■tick upon your clothes. The root consists of many brown- ish strings of fibres, smelling somewhat like unto cloves, especially those which grow in the higher, hotter, and drier grounds, and in free and clear air. Flaccm — They grow wild in many places under hedges' ■idea, and by the f>ath-way in fiehis ; yet they rather de- light to grow in shadowy than in sunny places. TVsM. — They flower in May and June tor the moat u«irt, wad thA<»- ""^'1 '> ripe in July at the farthest. 96 culpepeb's complete hesbal^ Government and Virtues, — It is governed by Jupiter, and that gives hope of a wholesome, healthful herb. It is ffood for the diseases of the chest or breast, for paint and stitches in the side, and to expel crude and raw hu- mours from the belly and stomach, by the sweet savour and warming quality. It dissolves the inward congealed blood happening by falls or bruises, and the spitting of blood, if the roots, either green or dry, be boiled in wine and drunk : as also all manner of inward wounds or out- ward, if washed or bathed therewith. The decoction also being drunk, comforts the heart, and strengthens the sto- mach and a cold brain, and therefore is good in the spring- time to open obstructions of the liver, and helpetn the wind colic : it also helps those that have fluxes, or are bursten, or have a rupture : it taketh away spots or marks in the face being washed therewith. The juice of the fresh root, or powder of the dried root, have the same effect as the decoction. The root in the spring-time, steeped in wine, doth give it a delicate flavor and taste, ana being drunk fasting every morning, comforteth the heart, and is a good preservative against the plague or any other poison. It helpeth digestion, warmeth a cold stomach, and openeth obstructions of the liver and spleen. It is very safe ; you need have no dose prescribed ; and is very fit to be kept in every body's house. BAIM.^C Melissa Offlcinalis.) This herb is so well known to be an inhabitant almost In every garden, that I shall not need to give any descrip- tion thereof, although the virtues thereof, which are many, should not be omitted. Oavemment and Virtues. — It is an herb of Jupiter, and under Cancer, and strengthens nature much in all its actions. Let a syrup made with the juice of it and sugar (as you shall be taught at the latter end of this book) be kept in every gentlewoman's house to relieve the weak stomachs and sick bodies of their poor and sickly neigh- bours ; as also the herb kept dry in the house, that so with other convenient simples, you may make it into an el- ectuary with honey, according as the disease is, you shall be taught at the latter end of my book. The Arabian physicians have extolled the virtues thereof to the skies ; although the Greeks thought it not worth mentioning. Seraphio saith, it causeth the mind and heart to become OVLPKPBB'S COMPLXTB HBRBAIm S7 merry, and reviyeth the heart, faintings and Bwoonlngs, eepeciallj of each who are overtakeD in sleep, and driveth away all troablesome cares and thoughts out of the mind, arising from melancholy and black cnoler : which Ayicen also confirmeth. It is yery good to help digestion, and open obstructions of the brain, and hath so much purging quality in it, (saith Ayicen) as to expel those melancholy vapours from the spirits and blood which are in the heart and arteries, although it cannot do so in other parts of the body. Dioscorides saith, that the leaves steeped in wine, and the wine drank, and the leaves externally applied, is a remedy against the sting of a scorpion, and tne biting of mad dogs ; and commendeth the aecoction for women to bathe or sit in to procure their courses ; it is good to wash aching teeth therewith, and profitable for those that have the bloody-flux. The leaves also, with a little nitre taken in drink, are good against the surfeit of mushrooms, and help the griping paina of the belly ; and being made into an electuary, it is good for them that cannot fetch their breath : used with salt, it takes away the wens, ker- nels, or hard swellings in the flesh or throat ; it cleanseth foul sores, and easetn pains of the gout. It is good for the liver and spleen. A tansy or caudle made with eggs, \nd juice thereof, while it is young, putting to some sugar and rose-water, is good for a woman in child -bed, when the after birth is not thoroughly voided, and for their faintinjcifs upon or in their sore travail The herb bruised and boiled m a little white wine and oil, and laid warm on a bile, will ripen and break it. BAB.BEB,B,Y,—(Berberis Vulgarii.) Tbk shrub is so well known by every boy and girl that has bot attained to the age of seven years, that It needfl DO description. OcvemmerU and Virtue*, — Mars owns the shrub, and presents it to the use of my countrymen to purge their Dodies of choler. The inner rind of the barberry tree boiled in white wine, and a quarter of a pint drank every morning, is an excellent remedy to cleanse the body of choleric humours, and free it from such diseases as choler eanseth, such us scabs, itch, tetters, ringworms, yellow iaundice, biles, &c. It is excellent for hot agues, bum- logs, scalding!, heat of the blood, beat of the liver, bloody flax, for the Derriet are as good as the bark, and mors 38 colpbpbr's compubte herbal. pleasing ; tLej get a man a good stomach to his victuala, Dy strengtheuing the attractive faculty which is under Mars, as you may see more at large at the latter end of my Ephemeris. The hair washed with the lye made of ashes of the tree and water, will make it turn yel- low, viz. of Mars own color. The fruit and rind of the shrub, the flowers of broom and heath, or furze, cleanse the body of choler by sympathy, as the flowers, leaves, and bark of the peach tree do by antipathy ; be- '*ause these are under Mars, that under Venus. BAELEY.— (iforcfet^wi Vulgare.) The continual usefulness hereof hath made all in general BO acquainted herewith, that it is altogether needless to describe it, several kinds hereof plentifully growing, be- ing yearly sown in this land. The virtues thereof take as foBoweth. Government and Virtues, — It is a notable plant of Sa- turn ; if you view diligently its effects by sympathy and antipathy, you may easily perceive a reason of them ; as also why barley-bread is so unwholesome for melancholy people. Barley, in all the parts and composition thereof, except malt, is more cooling than wheat, and a little cleansing ; and all the preparations thereof, as barley- water and other things made thereof, do give great nour- ishment to persons troubled with fevers, agues, and heats in the stomach. A poultice made of barley-meal or flour boiled in vinegar ana honey, and a few dried figs put in them, dissolveth all hard imposthumes, and aosuageth inflammations, being thereto applied : and being boiled with melilot and camomile flowers, and some linseed, fe- nugreek, and rue in powder, and applied warm, it easeth pains in the side and stomach, and windiness of the spleen. The meal of barley and flea-worts boiled in water and made a poultice with honey and oil of lilies, and ap- plied warm, cureth swellings under the ears, throat, neck, and such like ; and a plaister made thereof with tar, wax, and oil, helpeth the kind's evil in the throat ; boiled with sharp vinegar into a poultice, and .'aid on hot, helpeth the leprosy ; being boiled in red wine with pomegranate rind, and myrtles, stayeth the lax or other flux of the belly ; boiled with vinegar and quince, it easeth the pains of the gout : barley flour, white salt, honey, and vinegar mingled together taketh away the itch speedily and oar- OULPJi.PBR'S COMPLETE HERBAL 89 tainly. The water distilled from the green barley, in the end of May, is very good for those that have defluc- tions of humours fallen into their eyes, and easeth the pain being dropped into them ; or white bread steeped therein, and bound on the eyes, doth the same. . BASIL (GARDEN or SWEET,)^ Ocymum Bcuilicum.) Descrip. — The greater or ordinary bazil riseth up usually with one upright stalk diversely branching fortn on all sides, with two leaves at every joint, which are somewhat broad and round, yet pointed, of a pale green colour, but fresh ; a little snipped about the edges, and of a strong healthy scent. The flowers are small and white, and standing at the tops of the branches, with two small leaves at the joints, in some places green, in others brown, after which come black seed. The root perisheth at the approach of winter, and therefore must be sown every year. Plax:^, — It groweth in gardens. Time. — It must be sown late, and flowers in the heart of summer, it being a very tender plant. Oovetnment and Virtues. — This is the herb which all authors are together by the ears about, and rail at one another, like lawyers. Galen and Dioscorides hold it not fitting to be taken inwardly, and Chrysippus rails at it with downright Billingsgate rhetoric : Pliny and the Arabian Physicians defend it. For my own part, I presently found that speech true ; Hon nostrum inter nos tantas componere lites. And away to Dr. Reason went 1, who told me it waa an herb of Mars, and under the Scorpion, and therefore called basilicon, and it is no marvel if it carry a kind of virulent quality with it. Being applied to the place bitten by venemous beasts, or stung oy a wasp or hornet, it speedily draws the poison to it — JSveri/ like draws its like. Mizaldus affirms, that being laid to rot in horse- dung, it will breed venomous beasts. Hilariua, a French phynician, affirms upon his own knowledge, that an acquaintance of his, by common smelling to it, had a tcorpion bred in his brain. Something is the matter ; this herb and rue will never grow together, no, nor near one another ; and we know rue is as great an enemy to poison as any that grows. To conclude. It expelleth both birth and after-birth ; 40 culpxfxr's complxtx herbal. and as it helps the deficiency of Venus in one kind, so it spoils all her actions in another. I dare write no more of it BAY TREE,— (ZattTM* Nohilis.) This is so well known, that it needs no description ; I shall therefore only write the virtues thereof, which are Biany. Oovemment and Virtiies. — I shall but only add a word or two to what my friend hath written, viz. — That it is a tree of the Sun, and under the celestial sign Leo, and resisteth witchcraft very potently, as also all the evils old Saturn can do the body of man, and they are not a few ; for it is the speech of one, and I am mistaken if it were not Mizaldus, that neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightning, will hurt a man where a bay tree i& Qalen said, that the leaves or bark do dry and heal veir much, and the berries more than the leaves ; the bark of the root is less sharp and hot, but more bitter, and hath some astrictions withal, whereby it is effectual to break the stone, and good to open obstructions of the liver, spleen, and other inward parts which bring the jaundice, dix)psy, Ac. The berries are very effectual against all poisons of venomous creatures, and the stini^ of wasps and bees, as also against the pestilence, or other infectious diseases, and therefore put into sundry treacles for that purpose. They likewise procure women's courses ; and seven of them given to a woman in sore travail of child-birth, do cause a speedy delivery, and expel the after birth, and therefore not to be taken by such as have not gone out of their time, lest they procure abortion, or cause labour too soon. They wonderfully help all cold and rheumatic distiUations from the brain to the eyes, lungs, or other parts ; and being made into an electuary with honey, do nelp the consumption, old coughs, shortness of breath, and thin rheums, as also the megrim. They mightily expel the wind, and provoke urine ; help the mother, and kill the worms. The leaves also work tne like effects. A bath of the decoction of the leaves and berries, is singular good for women to sit in that are troubled with the mother, or the diseases thereof, or the stoppings of their courses, or for the diseases of the bladder, pains in the bowels by wind and stopping of urine. A decoction like- wise of equal parts of bay berriei, camin-seed, hyssops culpbfxb's complxtx hxsbau 41 origanum, and eaphorbium, with some honey, and the head bathed therewith, doth wonderfully help distillationg and rheums, and settleth the palate of the mouth into its place. The oil made of the berries is very comfortable in all cold griefs of the joints, nerves, arteries, stomach, belly, or womb ; and helpeth palsies, convulsions, cramp, aches, trembling, and numbness in any part, weariness also, and pains that come by sore travailing. All griefs and pains proceeding from wind, either in the nead, stomach, back, belly, or womb, by anointing the parts affected therewith ; and pains of the ears are also cured by dropping in some of the oil, or bv receiving into the ears the fume of the decoction of the berries through a funnel. The oil takes away the marks of the skin and flesh by bruises, falls, &c. and dissolveth the congealed blood in them. It helpeth also the itch, scabs, and weals in the skin. BEANS,-^ Vieia Faba.) Both the garden and field beans are so well known, that it saveth me the labour of writing a description of them. Their virtues follow. OovemmerU and Virtues. — They are plants of Venus, and the distilled water of the flower of garden beans is good to clean the face and skin from spots and wrinkles ; and the meal or flower of them, or the small beans, doth the same. The water distilled from the green husks, is held to be very efi'ectual against the stone, and to provoke urine. Bean flour is used in poultices to assuage inflam- mations rising upon wounds, and the swelling of women's breasts caused by curding of their milk, and represseth their milk. Flour of b^ns and fenugreek mixed with honey, and applied to felons, biles, bruises, or blue marks by blows, or the imposthumes in the kernels of the ears, helpeth them all, and with rose leaves, frankincense, and the white of an eft^gy being applied to the eyes, helpeth them that are swollen or do water, or have received any blows upon them, if used in wine. If a bean be parted in two, the skin being taken away, and laid on the place where the leech hath been set that bleedeth too much, it stayeth the bleeding. Bean flour boiled to a poultice with wine and vinegar, and some oil put thereto, eafleth both pains and swelling of the testicles. The husks boiled in water to the consumption of a third pai-t thereof, stayeth 42 culpeper'b complete hssbal. a lax, ai^d the ashes of the husks, made up with hog'g grease, helpeth the old pains, contusions, and wounds of the sinews, the sciatica and gout. The field beans have all the afore-mentioned virtues as the garden beans. Beans eaten are extremely windj meat ; but if after the Dutch fashion, when they are half boiled you husk them and then stew them, (I cannot tell you how, for I never wa« oook in all my life) they are wholesome food. BEANS (FEENCR)— (PAo^eo^iM Vulgaris,) Deserip. — This French or kidney bean ariseth at first but with one stalk, which afterwards divides itself into many arms or branches, but all so weak that if they be not sustained with sticks or poles, they will be fruitless upon the ground. At several places of these branches grow foot stalks, each with three broad, round and point- ed green leaves at the end of them ; towards the top come forth divers flowers made like unto pea blossom, of the same colour for the most part that the fruit will be of — that is to say, white, yellow, red, blackish, or of a deep fmrple, but white is the most usual ; after which come ong and slender flat pods, some crooked, some straight, with a string runnino^ down the back thereof, wherein is flattish round fruit made like a kidney : the root long, spreadeth with many strings annexed to it, and perisheth every year. There is another sort of French beans commonly grow- ing with us in this land, which is called the scarlet flower- ed bean. This ariseth with sundry branches as the other, but runs higher to the length of hop poles, about which they grow twining, but turning contrary to the sun, having foot stalks with three leaves on each, as on the other ; the flowers also are like the other, and of a most orient scarlet colour. The beans are larger than the ordinary kind, of a dead purple colour, turning black when ripe and dry. The root perisheth in winter. Ooveminent and Virtues, —These also belong to Dame Venus,^ and being dried and beat to powder, are as great strengtheners of the kidneys as any are ; neither is there a better remedy than it : a dram at a time taken in white wine, to prevent the stone, or to cleanse the kidneys of gravel or stoppage. The ordinary French beans are of an easy digestion ; they move the belly* provoke urine, en* GTn.PFPBB8 COMPT.VTB HSBBAL. 43 Urge the breast that is straitened with shortness of breath, encoder sperm, and incite to venery. And the scarlet-coloured beans, in regard of the glorious beauty of their colour, being set near a quickset hedge, will bravely adorn the same by climbing up thereon, so that they may be discerned a great way, not without admiration of the beholders at a distance. But they will go near to kill the qoicksets by clothing them in scarlet BED-STRAW (LADlES\)'-( Galium Faliatre.) BisiDSS the common name above written, it is called Cheese- rennet, because it performs the same offices ; as also Qallion, Pettimugget, and Maid-hair ; and by some Wild Eoaemary, Descrip. — This riseth up with divers small, brown, and square upright stalks, a yard hi^h or more ; sometimes branches forth into divers parts full of joints, and with divers very fine small leaves at every one of them, little or nothing rough at all ; at the tops of the branches grow many long tufts or branches of yellow flowers, very thick set together, from the several joints which consist of four leaves a piece, which smell somewhat strong, but not un- pleasant The seed is small and black like poppy seed, two for the most part joined together. The root is red- dish, with many small threads ^stened to it, which take strong hold of the ground, and creepeth a little ; and the branches leaning a Tittle down to the ground, take root at the joints thereof, whereby it is easily increased. There is another sort of ladies' bed-straw growing fre- quently in England, which beareth white flowers, as the other hy8ici8Q to the Emperor Agustus Ctesar, wrote a pecu- iar book of the Virtues of this herb ; and among other ▼irtuea saith of it, that it preserveth the liver and body of man from the danger of epidemical diseases, and from witchcraft also: it helpeth those that loathe or cannot digest their meal, those that have weak stomachs, or sour belchiugs, or continual rising in their stomach, using it familiarly either green or dry: either the herb or root, or the flowers in broth, drink, or meat, or made into con- serve syrup, water, electuary, or powder, as every one may beat frame themselves unto, or as the time or season requireth ; taken any of the aforesaid ways, it helpeth the jaundice, falling sickness, the palsy, convulsions, shrinking of the sinews, the gout, and those that are in- clined to dropsy, those that have continual pains in their heads, although it turn to frenzy. The powder mixed with pure honey is no less available for all sorts of coughs or colds, wheezing, or shortness of breath, distillations of thin rheums upon the lungs, which causeth consump- tions. The decoction made with mead and a little penny- royal, Is good for those that are troubled with putrid agues, whether quotidian, t«rtian, or quartan, and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humours, that by falling into the eyes, do hinder the sight : the decoction thereof made in wine, and taken, killeth the worms in the belly, openeth obstructions both of the spleen and liver, cureth stitches and pains in the back or sides, the tor- ments and griping pains of the bowels and the wind cholic : and mixed with honey purgeth the belly, helpeth to bring down women's courses, and is of special use for tho0e that are troubled with the falling down of the mo- ther, and pains thereof, and causeth an easy and speedr delivery of women in child-birth. It helpeth also to oreak and expel the stone, either in the bladder or kidneys : the decoction with wine gargled in the mouth easeth the tooth- ache. It is commended against the stinging or biting of venomous serpents, or mad dogs, being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place. A dram of the powder of betony, taken with a little honey in some vine^j^ar, doth wonderfully refresh those that are ovir wearied by travel It stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose, and helpeth those that evacuate blood, and those that aie bursten or have a rupture, and is gooioic€i,) Tamua, or Ladies' Seal The white is called White Vine, (BtyoniaAlbaj) &nd the black, Black Vine, {Bryonia ^igra.) Jjescrip. — The common white briony groweth rampant upon the hedges, sending forth many long, rough, very tender branches at the beginning, with many rough and broad leaves thereon, cut (for the most part) into five par- titions, in form like a vine leaf, but smaller, rough, and of a whitish hoary green color, spreading very far, and twining with its small claspers (that come forth at the joints with the leaves) very far on whatsoever standeth next to it At the several joints also, especially towards the top of the branches, cometh forth a long stalk, bear- ing many whit« flowers together on a long tuft, consisting 00 OTTLPIPBR's COMPLETX HXllBAi;^ of Ave tmall leaves a-piece laid open like a star, after which come the berries separated one from another, more than a cluster of grapes, green at first and very red when they are thoroughly ripe, of no good scent, but of a very loathsome taste, provoking vomit. The root groweth t» be exceeding great, with many long twines or branches going from i^ of a pale whitish colour on the outside, and more white within, and of a shaip^ bitter, loathsome taste. Plcui€. — It groweth on banks or under hedges, through this land : the roots lie very deep. Time, — It flowereth in July and August, some earlier, and some later than the other. Oovemment and Virtues. — They are furious martial plants. The root of briony purges the belly with great violence, troubling the stomach and burning the liver, and therefore not rashly to be taken ; but being corrected, is very profitable for diseases of the head, as falling sickness, giddiness and swimmings, by drawing away much phlegm and rheumatic humours that oppress the head, as also the joints and sinews ; and is therefore good for palsies, con- vulsions, cramps, and stitches in the side, and the dropsy, and in provoking urine : it cleauses the reins and kidnevs from gravel and stone, by opening the obstruction of the ?)leen, and consuraeth the hardness and swelling thereof, he decoction of the root in wine drank once a week at going to bed, cleanseth the mother, and helpeth the rising thereof, and expelleth the dead child ; a arachm of the root in powder taken in white wine bringeth down the courses. An electuary made of the roots and honey doth michtily cleanse the chest of rotten phlegm, and wonder- fully helps any old strong cough, to those that are troubled with shortness of breath, and is very good for them that are bruised inwardly, to help to expel the clotted or con- gealed blood. The leaves, fruit, and root do cleanse old and filthy sores, are good against all fretting and running cankers, gangrenes, and tetters, and therefore the berries are by some country-people called tetter berries. The root cleanseth the skin wonderfully from all black and blue spots, freckles, morphew, leprosy, foul scars, or other deformity whatsoever : also all running scabs and manli- ness are healed by the powder of the dried root or the juice thereof, but especially by the fine white hardened juice. The distilled water of the root worketh the nam* cuij^epkr's oomplste herbal. 61 effecta, but more weaJdy ; the root bmifled and applied of itaelf to any place where the bones are broken, helpeth to draw them forth, as also splicters and thorns in the flesh ; and being applied with a little wine mixed there- with, it breaketh biles, and helpeth whitlows on the joints. For all these latter, begiunine at sores, cankers, &c. apply It outwardly, and take my advice in my translation of the London Dispensatory, among the preparations at the lat- ter end, where you have a medicine called /arcv/a hrioniOy which take and use, mixing it with a little hog's grease, OT other convenient ointment. As for the former diseases where it must be taken in- wardly, it purgeth very violently, and needs an abler hand to correct it than most country people have ; there- fore it Ib a better way for them, in my opinion, to let the simple alone, and take the compound water of it BBOOK-UME, OR WATER PIMPERNEL.--( Fcr^ nica Beoabung.) Ducrip. — This sendeth forth from a creeping root that ■hooteth forth strings at every joint as it ruuReth, divers and sundry green stalks, round and sappy, with some branches on them, somewhat broad, round, deep green and thick leaves set by couples thereon ; from the bottom whereof shoot forth long foot- stalks with sundry small blue flowers on them, that consist of five small round pointed leaves a-piece. There is another sort nothing differing from the former but that it is greater, and the flowers are of a paler green colour. Place. — They grow in small standing waters, and usual- ly near water-cresses. Time. — And flower in June and July, giving seed the next month after. Oovemment and Virtue. — It is a hot and biting martial plant Brook-lime and water-cresses are generally used together in diet drink with other things servinj^ to purge the blood and body from all ill humors that would destroy health, and are helpful to the scurvy. They do all pro- voke urine, and help to break the stone and pass it away ; they procure women's courses, and expel the dead child. Being fried with butter and vinegar, and applied warm, it helpeth all manner of tomoun iweilings, and in- flammations. 62 culpeper's complete herbal. Such drinks ought to be made of sundry herbs accord- ing to the malady. I shall give a plain and easy rule at the latter end of this book. BUTCHER'S BROO^L—{Ruscu8 Aculeatus,) It is called Ruscus, and Bruscus, Kneeholm, Knee-Holy, Kneehulver, and Pettigree. Descrip. — The first shoots that sprout from the roots of butcher's broom are thick, whitish, and short, somewhat like those of asparagus, but greater, they rising up to be a foot and a half high, are spread into divers brandies, green, and somewhat cressed with the roundness, tough and flexible, whereon are set somewhat broad and almost round hard leaves, prickly, pointed at the end, and of a dark green colour ; two for the most part set at a place very close and near together : about the middle or the leaf, on the back and lower side from the middle rib, break eth forth a small whitish green flower, consisting of four small round pointed leaves standing upon little or no foot-stalk, and in the place whereof cometh a small round berry, green at the first and red when it is ripe, wherein are two or three white, hard round seeds contained. The root is thick, white, and great at the head, and from thence sendeth forth divers thick, white, long tough strings. Place. — It groweth in copses, and upon heaths and waste grounds, and oftentimes under or near the holly bushes. ' Time.— lt shooteth forth its young buds in the spring, and the berries are ripe about September, the branches of leaves abiding green all the winter. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is a plant of Mara, being of a gallant cleansing and opening quality. The decoction of the root made with wine openeth obstructions, pro- voketh urine, helpeth to expel gravel and the stone, the strangury and women's courses, also the yellow jaundice and the head ache : and with some honey or sugar put thereunto, cleanseth the breast of phlegm, and the chest of such clammy humours gathered therein. The decoc- tion of the root drank, and a poultice made of the berries and leaves being applied are effectual in knitting and con- solidating broken bones or parts out of joint. The com- mon way of using it is to boil the root, and paralev, fennel, and smallage in white wine, and drink the decoction, CULPEPER's complete HERBAlL. 63 adding the like aaautity of grass root to tuuui ; the more of the root you boil the stronger will the decoction be ; it works no ill etfeots, yet I hope yoii have wit enough to give the strongest decoction to the strongest bodies. BROOM, OR BROOM-RAPE.— (Oro6ancA« Major.) To spend time in writing a description hereof is altogether nee lour, and out of them come small dark purple flowers like the former, but great also. It hath almost neither Hren^ oor taste therein, like the garden kind. Place. — The first grows frequently in gfc.\lens. Tb« w^ld kind groweth in diven coanties of tMs island, en- 68 OITLPEPBR'B COMPLUTE HCKBA14. pecially in HuDtingdon and Northamptonshire, in th« meadows there ; as also near London by Pancras church, and bj a causewaj-side in the middle ci a field bj Paddington. Time, — They flower about the end of June and begin- ning of July, and their seed is ripe in August. wvemment and Virtues. — This is an herb the Sun challengeth dominion over, and is a most precious herb, little inferior to betony : the continual use of it preserves the body in health and the spirit in vigour ; for if the sun be the preserver of life under Gkxl, his herbs are the best in the world to do it. They are accounted to be both of one property, but the lesser is more effectual, be- cause quicker and more aromaticaL It is a friend to the heart) liver, and other principal parts of a man's body. Two or three of the stalks with leaves put into a cup of wine, especially claret, are known to quicken the spirits, refresh and clear the heart, and drive away melancholy. It is a special help to defend the heart from noisome va- pours, and from infection of the pestilence, the juice there- of being taken in some drink, and the party laid to sweat thereupon. They have also a drying and an astringent Quality, whereby they are available in all manner of nuxes of blood or humours, to staunch bleedings inward or outward, laxes, scourginga, the bloody-flux, women's too abundant flux of the courses, the whites, and the cho- leric belchings and castings of the stomach, and is a singular wound herb for all sorts of wounds both of the head and body, running cankers, and most sores, to be used either by the juice or decoction of the herb, or by the powder of the herb or root, or the water of the dis- tilled herb or ointment by itself, or with other things to be kept ; the seed is also no less effectual both to fluxes, and to dry up moist sores, being taken in powder inwardly in wine or steeled water, that is, wherein hot gads of steel have been quenched : or the powder, or the seed mixed with the ointment. BVTTEBrBVK--(Tusnlago Hyhrida,) Detcrip, — This riseth up in February, with a thick Btklk aoout a foot high, whereon are set a few small leaves, or rather pie«es, and at the tope a long spike head ; flowers of a blush or deep red colour, according to the •oU where it groweth, and before the stalk with the oulpipek'b complbte herbal. ^ flowers have abode a month above ^nnd it will be withered and gone, and blown away with the wind, and the leaves v^rill be^in to spring, which being full grown are very large and broad, oeiog somewhat thin and almost round, whose thick red foot stalks above a foot long, stand towards the middle of the ^eaves ; the lower part being divided into two round parts close almost one to another, and are of a pale green colour, and hairy under- neath : the root is lonff, and spreadeth under ground being in some places no oigger than one's finger, in others much bigger, blackish on the outside, %nd wnitiBh with- in, of a bitter and unpleasant taste. Plerate sore eyes havs been oared 80 oitlpepeb's complete hebbal. by this only medicine ; and then I pray, is not this far better than endangering the eyes by tne art of the needle T For if this doth not absolutely take away the film, it will 80 facilitate the work, that it may be done without dan- ger : the herb or root boiled in white wine and drunk, a few aniseeds being boiled therewith, openeth obstruc- tions of the liver and gall, helpeth the yellow jaundice ; and often using it helps the dropsy and the itch, and those that hare old sores in their legs or other parts of the body ; the juice thereof taken fasting, is held to be of singular good use against the pestilence : the distilled water wiui a little sugar and a little good treacle mixed therewith (the party upon the taking oeing laid down to sweat a little) hath the same efl'ect ; the juice dropped into the eyes cleanseth them from films and clou dio ess that darken the sight, but it is best to allay the sharpness of the juice with a little breast-milk. It is good m old filthy corroding creeping ulcers wheresoever, to stay their malignity of fretting and running, and to cause them to heal more speedily : the juice often applied to tetters, ring- worms, or other spreading cankers, wiJl quickly heal them : and rubbed often upon warts will take them away : the herb with the root bruised and bathed with oil of camomile, and applied to the navel, taketh away the grip- ing pains in the belly and bowels, and all the pains of the mother ; and applied to women's breasts, staveth the overmuch flowing of the courses : the juice or decoction of the herb gargled between the teeth that ache, easeth the pain, and the powder of the dried root laid upon any aching, hollow, or loose tooth, will cause it to fall out : the juice mixed with some powder of brimstone is not only good against the itch, but taketh away all discolour- ings of the skin whatsoever ; and if it chance that in a tender body it causeth any itchings or inflammations, by bathing the place with a Uttle vinegar it is helped. Another ill-favoured trick have physicians got to use to the eye, and that is worse than the needle ; which is to take away films by corroding or gnawing medicines ; this I absolutely protest against 1.— -Because the tunicles of the eyes are very thin, and therefore soon eaten asunder. 2.~The callus or film that they would eat away is sel- dom of an equal thickness in every place, and then the tanide may be eaten asunder in one fuace before the film Bf^Limt Bttrnei Saxi^^. Burnei HurAitatt. Btucnu. Biacre. I GeHfuary.. ouij^kpkr's oohplkte herbal. 81 may be coDsamed in auother, aud so be a readier way to extinguish the sight than to restore it. It is calletl cheiidonium, from the Greek word chelidon^ which signifies a swallow, because they say that if you put out the eyes of young swallows when they are in the nest, the old ones will recover them again with this herb : this I am confident, for I have tried it, that if we mar the very apple of their eyes with a needle she will re- cover them again ; bat whether with this herb or not 1 know not Also I have read, and it seems to be somewhat proba- ble, that the herb, being gathered as I showed before, and the elements drawn apart from it by the art of the alchymist, and after they are drawn apart rectified, th« earthly quality still in rectifying them added to the terra damnata (as alchymists call it,) or terra sacratusima (as some philosophers call it,) the elements so rectified are sufficient for the cure of all diseases, the humours offend- ing being known, and the contrary elements given. It is an experiment worth the trying, and can do no harm. CELANDINE (THE LESSER) called also HLE- WOB,T.—(FieaHa Vemcu) I wuNOKR >%hat ailed the ancients to give this the name of celandine, which resembleth it neither in nature or form ; it acquired the name of pilewort from its virtuea, and it being no great matter where I set it down, so I set it down at all, I humoured Dr. Tradition so much as to set it down here. Descrip. — This celandine or pilewort (which you please) doth spread many round pale green leaves, set on weak and trailing branches, which lie on the ground, and are flat, smooth, and somewhat shining, and in some places, though seldom, marked with black spots, each standing on a long foot-stalk, verv like unto a crow's foot, whereunto the seed is not unlike, bein^ many small kernels, like a ^jain of com, sometimes twice as long as others, of a whit- ish colour, with some fibres at the end of them. Place, — It groweth for the most part in moist comers of fields and places that are near water-sides, yet will abide in drier ground if it be but a little shady. Time, — It tiowereth about March or April, is quite gone hj May, so it cannot be found till it springs again. OovimmefU and Virtues, — ^It is ander Uie dominion oi 82 ctttlpepeb's complete hebbai.. Man, and behold here another veriiicatioii of the learn- ing of the ancienta, viz. that the virtue of an herb may be known by its signature, as plainly appears in this : for if you dig up the root of it you shall perceive the perfect image of the disease which they commonly call the piles. It is certain by good experience that the decoction of the leaves and root doth wonderfully help piles and hsBmorr- hoides, also kernels by the ears and throat, called the king's evil, or any other hard wens or tumours. Here is another secret for my countrymen and women, a couple of them together : pilewort made into an oil, ointment or, plaster, readily cures both the piles, or hsemorrhoides, and the king's evil ; the very herb borne about one's body next the skin helps in such diseases, though it never touches the place grieved ; let poor peo- ple make much of it for those uses ; with this I cured my own daughter of the king's evil, broke the sore, drew out a quarter of a pint of corruption, cured without any scar at all in one week's time. CENTAUBY (THE ORDINARY SMALL.)— ^Cbi- taurea Cjfanus.J Descrip, — This groweth up most usually but with one round and somewhat crusted stalk, about a foot high or better, branching forth at the top into many sprigs, and some also from the joints of the stalks below : the flowers thus stand at the tops as it were in one umbel or tuft, are of a pale red, tending to carnation colour, consisting of five, sometimes six small leaves very like those of St John's wort, opening themselves in the day-time and clos- ing at night^ after which come seeds in little short husks, in form like unto wheat corn ; the leaves are small and somewhat round: the root small and hard, perishing every year ; the whole plant is of an exceeding bitter taste. There is another sort in all things like the former, save only it beareth white flowers. Place.^They grow ordinarily in fields, pastures, and woods, but that with the white flowers not so frequently as the other. Time,— They flower in July or thereabouts, and seed within a month after. G(yvemment and Virtues.— Thej are under the domi- jdon of tiie Sun, as appears in that then: flowers open and that as the sun either sheweth or hidj^th his face : this OVLPSPEB'8 COMPLKTl HSBBiLl.. 8S herb boiled and drunk, purKeth choleric and groea humouw, And helpeth the Bciatica : It openeth obstructions of the liTer, ^all, and spleen, helpeth the jaundice, and easeth the pains in the sides, ana hardness of the spleen, used outwardly, and is given with very good effect in a^es. It helpeth those that have the dropsy, or the green sickness, being much used by the Italians in powder for that pur- pKwe : it killeth the worms in the belly, as is founa by experience ; the decoction thereof, viz. the tops of the •talks, with the leaves and flowers, is good against the colic, and to bring down women's courses, helpeth to void the dead birth, and easeth pains of the mother, and is very effectual in all old pains of the joints, as the gout, cramps, or convulsions. A dram of the powder thereof taken in wine, is a wonderful good help against the biting of an adder : the juice of the herb with a little honey put to it, is good to clear the eyes from dimness, mist, and clouds that offend 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 cleanse the other, and ixirfectly to cure them both, although they are hollow or fistulous ; the green herb especially being bruised and laid thereto : the decoction thereof dropped into the eara. deaoseth them from worms, cleansetn the foul ulcers and spteediDg scabs of the head, and taketh away all freckles, flpota and marks in the skin, being washed with it ; the herb is so safe you cannot fail in the using of it, only giv- ing it inwardly for inward diseases : it Is veiy wholesome, but not very toothsome. There is, besides these, another small centaury, which besreth a yellow flower ; in all other respects it is like the former, save that the leaves are bigger, and of a darker ^^reen, and the stalk passeth through the midst of them as it doth the herb thorowan. They are all of them, as I told you, under the government of the Sun ; yet this if Jon observe it, you shall find an excellent truth : in dis- eases of the blood, use the red centaury ; if of choler, OSS the yellow ; but if phlegm or water, yoa will find ths white best CHERRY-TREE (THE. )--(Pfunf« Cercmu.) I suppoes there are few but know this tree for its fruit a «ake : and therefore I shall spare writing a descri|»tion thereof. 94 CTILPEPBR'S COMPLETE HERBAL. Place, — For the pLice of its growth it ia afforded rooir in every orchard. Oovernment and Virtues. — It is a tree of Venus. Cher- ries, as thej are of different tastes, so they are of different qualities : the sweet pass through the stomach and the belly more speedily, out are of little nourishment : the tart or sour are more pleasing to a hot stomach, procure appetite to meat, and help to cut tough phlegm and eroaa humours : but when they are dried, they are more bind- ing to the belly than when they are fresh, being cooling in not diseases and welcome to the stomach, and provoke arine : the gum of the cherry-tree dissolved in wine, is good for a cold, cough, and hoarseness of the throat ; mendeth the colour in the face, sharpeneth the eye-sight, provoketh appetite, and helpeth to break and expel the ■tone : the black cherries bruised with the stones and dis- solved, the water thereof is much used to break the stone and to expel gravel and wind. CHERRIES (WINTER)— (PAywi/w Alkekengi.) Descrip, — ^The winter cherry hath a running or creep- ing root in the ground, of the bigness many times of one's little finger, bhooting forth at several joints in several places, wherebv it quickly spreads over a great compass of ground ; the stalk riseth not above a yard high, whereon are set many broad and long green leaves, somewhat like nightshade, but larger: at the joints whereof come forth whitish flowers made of five leaves a-piece, which afterwards turn into green berries inclosed with thin skins, which change to be reddish when they grow ripe, the berries likewise being reddish and as large as a cherry, wherein are contained many flat and yellow- ish seeds lying within the pulp, which being gathered and strung up, are kept all the year to be used upon occasion. Place. — They grow not naturally in this land, but are eheridied in gardens for their virtues. Time. — They flower not until the middle or latter end >f July ; and the fruit is ripe in August or the beginning »f September. Government and Virtues. — This also is a plant of Venus. They are of great use in physic ; the leaves being cooling, may be used in inflammations, but not opening as the berries and fruit are ; which by drawing down Uxt urine provoke it to be voided plentifully when it is stopped or I OVLPXPIR'B OOMPLETB nSHBAL. 8^ gfTOwn hot, shjLrp, and p&inful in the pavags ; it it good to expel the stone and gravel out of the reins, kidneji, and bladder, helping to dissolve the etone, and voiding it by ^it or gravel sent forth in the urine : it also help* eth much to cleanse inward imposthumes or ulcers in tht reins or bladder, or those that void a bloodj or foul urine , the distilled water of the fruit, or the leAvee with them, or the berries green or dry, distilled with a little milk and drank morning and evening with a little sugar is ef- fectual to all the purposes before specified, and especially against the heat and sharpness oi the urinal. I shall mention one way amongst many others which might be used for ordering the berries, to be helpful for the urine and the stone, which is this: — take three or four good handfuls of the berries, either green, or fresh, or diried, and having bruised them, put them into so many gallons of beer or ale when it is new and tunned up : tnis drink taken daily hath been found to do much good to many, both to ease the pains and expel urine and the stone, aad to cause the stone not to engender : the decoction of the berries in wine and water is the most usual way, but the powder of them taken in drink is more effectual CHEEVIL.— (C^^wopAyWum Sativwn.) I* is called Cerefolium, Mirrhis, and Mirrha, Cheryil, Sweet CherviL and Sweet Cicely. De$crip,— The garden chervil doth at first somewhat able parsley, but after it is better grown the leaves Dore cut in and jagged, resembling hemlock, being a little hairy, and of a whitish green colour, sometimes turn- ing reddi^ in the summer, with the stalks also ; it riseth a Httle above half a foot high, bearing white flowers in •piked tufts, which turn into Ions and round seeds pointed at the enda, aud blackish when they are ripe ; of a sweet taste but no smell, though the herb itself smelleth reason- ably well : the root is small and long, and perisheth eveiy year, and must be sown, in spring for seed, and after July for autumn salad. The wild chervil ^weth two or three feet high, with yellow stalks and joints, set with broader and more hairy leaves divided into sundry parts, nicked about the edges, and of a dark green colour, which likewise grow reddish with the stalks : at the tops whereof stand small white toitM oi flowers, afterward smaller and longer seed : th« 66 culpxpsa's complktb hbrbal. root i» whit«, hard, and •ndureth long. This hath little or no Kent. Pl<»e4. — The first la sown in gardens for a salad herb ; the second groweth wild in many of the meadows of this land, and by the hedge-sides and on heaths. Tims. — They flower and seed early, and thereupon are ■own again in the end of summer. Government and Virtuet. — The garden chervil being eaten, doth moderately warm the stomach, and is a certain remedy (saith Tragus) to dissolve congealed or clotted blood in the body, or that which is clotted by bruises, falls, &c : the juice or distilled water thereof being drunk, and the bruised leaves laid to the ^ace, being taken either in meat or drink, it is good to help to provoke urine, or expel the stone in the kidneys, to send down women's courses^ and to help the pleurisy and pricking of the sides. The wild chervil bruised and applied dissolveth swell- ings in any part, or the marks of congealed blood by bruises or blows in a little space. CHEEVTL (SWEET.)— <5canrfir OdorcUa,) Descrip, — This groweth very like the great hemlock, having large spresul leaves cut into divers parts, but of a fresher green colour than the hemlock, tasting as sweet as the aniseed. The stalks rise up a yard high, or better, being crossed or hollow, having leaves at the joints, but lesser ; and at the tops of the branched stalks, umbels or tufts of white flowers ; after which come 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 therein, in taste and smell stronger than the leaves or seeds, and continuing many years. Place. — This groweth in gardens. OovemmerU and Virtues. — These are all three of them of the nature of Jupiter, and under his dominion. This whole plant, besides its pleasantness in salads, hath its physical virtue. The roots boiled and eaten with oil and vinegar, or without oil, does much please and warm old and cold stomachs oppressed with wind and phlegm, or those that have the phthisis or consumption of the lungs ; the same drank with wine is a preservation from the plague : it provoketh women's courses and ezpelleth the CfTTLPXPKR's COMPLKTE HSRBAL. 07 &ft«r-birth ; procureth an appetite to meat, and expelleth wind : the juice is good to heal the ulcers of the head and face : the candied roots hereof are held as effectual as an- gelica to pi-eserve from infection in the time of a plague, and to warm and comfort a cold weak stomach. It 18 ao harmless you cannot use it amiss. CHESTNUT TREK'-iCastanea Vesca.) It were as needless to describe a tree so commonly known as to tell a man he had gotten a mouth ; therefore take thegovemment and virtues of them thus : The tree is abundantly under the dominion of Jupiter, and therefore the fruit must needs breed good blood, and yield commendable nourishment to the body ; yet if eaten over much, they make the blood thick, procure head- ache, and bind the body ; the inner skin that covereth the nut is of so binding a quality, that a scruple of it being taken by a man, or ten grains by a child, soon stops any flux whatsoever : the whole nut being dried ana beat into powder, and a dram taken at a time, is a good remedy to stop the terms in women. If you dry chestnuts, (only the kernels I mean) both the barfcs being taken away, beat them into powder, and make the pow- der up into an electuary with honey, so have you an ad- mirable remedy for the cough and spitting of blood. CHESTNUTS (EARTH.)— {JSMnium Flexuosvm.) THETare called Earth Nuts, Earth Chestnuts, Ground Nuts, Ciper Nuts, and in Sussex, Pig Nuts. A description of them were needless, for every child knows them. Government and Virtuet.—T\iQj are something hot and dry in quality, under the dominion of Venus they provoke lust exceedingly, and stir up these sports she ia mistress of ; the seed is excellent good to provoke urine: and ao also the root, but it doth not perform it so forci- bly ai the seed doth. The root being dried and beaten into a powder, and the powder made into an electuary, is as singular a remedy for spitting blood and voiding of bloody urine as the fonuer chestnut was for coughs. CHICKWEED.— (^;«n< Media.) It ia ao generally known to most people, that I shall not troubU you with the description thereof, nor myself 88 ottlpepbr's oompletjs hsrbau with setting forth the several kinds, since but only two or three are considerable for their usefuloess. Flcice, — They are usually found in moist and wateiy places, by wood sides and elsewhere. 7Vm«.— -They flower about June, and their seed is ripe in July. Government and Virtues. — It is a fine soft pleasing herb under the dominion of the Moon. It is found to be as effectual as purslain to all the purposes whereunto it serveth, ezeept for meat only. Tne herb bruised or the juice applied with cloths or sponges dipped therein to the region of the liver, and as they dry to have it fresh ap- plied, doth wonderfully temperate the heat of the liver, and is effectual for all imposthumes, and swellings what- soevei, for all redness in the face, wheals, pushes, itch, scabs : the juice either simply used or boiled with hog's ei-ease applied, helpeth cramps, convulsions, and palsy. The juice, or distilled water, is of much good use for all heats and redness in the eyes, to drop some thereof into them ; and is of good effect to ease pains from the heat and sharpness of the blood in the piles, and generally all pains ii. the body that arise from neat. It is used also in not and virulent ulcers and sores in the privy parts of men and women, or on the legs or elsewhere. The leaves boiled with marsh-mallows, and made into a poultice with fenugreek and linseed, applied to swellings and impos- thumes, ripen and break them, or assuage the swelhngs and ease the paina It helpeth the sinews when they are shrunk by cramp or otherwise, and to extend and make them pliable again by this medicine. Boil a handful of chickweed and a handful of red rose leaves dried in a quart of muscadine until a fourth part be consumed, then put to them a pint of oil of trotters or sheep's feet ; let them boil a eood while still stirring them well, which being strained, anoint the grieved piart therewith warm r'nst the fire, rubbing it well with one hand ; and bind some of the herb, if you will, to the place, and with GKxl's blessing it will help in three times dressing. CHICK-PEASE, OR CICERS.— (C7uj«r Arietinum,) Detcrip. — The garden sorts, whether red, black, or white, bring forth stalks a yard long, whereon do grow many smaller round leaves dented about the edges, set on both sides of a middle rib ; at the joints come ctulpspkr's oomplits hsrbau M forth one or two flowers upon sharp foot-stalks, pease fa- shion, either white or whitish, or purplish red, lighter or deeper, according as the pease that follow will be, that are contained in small thick aud short pods, wherein liu one or two pease, more usually pointed at the lower end, and almost round at the head, yet a little cornered or jharp. The root is small, and perish eth yearly. place and Time, — They are sown in wardens or fields as pease, being sown later than pease, aud gathered at the lame time with them, or presently after. Ooverv.meTU and Virtues. — They are both under the dominion of Venus. The? are less windy than beans, but noarish more ; they provoKe urine, and are thought to in- creaae sperm ; they have a cleansing faculty, whereby they break the stooe in the kidneys ; to drink the cream of them being boiled in water is the best way. It moves the belly dowDwards, provokes women's courses and urine, and in- ereaaee both milk and seed. One ounce of cicers, two ounces of French barley, and a small handful of marsh-mallow roots clean washed and cut, being boiled in the broth of a chicken, and four ounces taken in the morning, and fast- ing two hours after, is a good medicine for a pain in the sideti. The white cicers are used more for meat than medicine, yet have the same effects, and are thought more powerful to increase milk and seed. The wild cicers are 80 much more powerful than the garden kind, by how much they exceed them in heat and dryness ; whereby they do more open obstructions, break the stone, and have all the properties of cutting, opening, digesting, and dissolv- ing ; and this more speedily and certainly than the former. CINQUE FOIL, OR FIVE- LEAVED GRASS, called ALSO FIVE-FINGERBD QRABS.—{FotmUUla,) Detcrip. — It spreads and creeps far upon the ground with long slender strings like strawberries, which take root again and shoot forth many leaves made of five parts, and tometimes seven, dented about the edges and some- what hard. The stalks are slender, leaning downwards, and bear many small yellow flowers thereon, with some yellow threads in the middle standing about a smooth green head, which, when it is ripe, is a little rough, and eoDtaiueth small brownish seeds. The root is of a black- jab brown colour, as big as one's little finger, but growing long with some threads thereat ; and by the small strings it quickly spreadeth over the ground. 90 OULPBPIR'B COMPLXTS HXftBAL. PUioe, — It groweth by wood sides, hedge sides, the pathway in fields, and in borders and comers of them, al- most through all the land. Time, — It flowereth in summer, some sooner, some later. Oovemment and Virtues. — ^This is an herb of Jupiter, and therefore strengthens the part of the body it rules ; let Jupiter be angular and strong when 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 vine- gar, you shall seldom miss the cure of an ague, be it what ague soever, in three fits, as I have often proved to the admiration both of myself and others : let no man de- spise it because it is plain and easy, the ways of God are all such. It is an especial herb used in all inflammations and fevers, whether infectious or pestilential, or among other herbs to cool and temper the blood and humours in the body ; as also for all lotions, gargles, infections, and the like ; for sore mouths, ulcers, cancers, fistulas, and other corrupt, foul, or running sores. The juice hereof drunk, about four ounces at a time for certain days to- gether, cureth the quinsey and yellow jaundice ; and taken for thirty days together, cureth the falling sick- ness. The roots boiled in milk and dnmk, is a most ef- fectual remedy for all fluxes in man or woman, whether the white or red, as also the bloody flux. The roots boiled in vinegar, and the decoction thereof held in the mouth, easeth the pains of the tooth-ache. The juice or decoction taken with a little honey helpeth the hoarse ness of the throat, and is very good for the cough of the lungs. The distilled water of both roots and leaves is also effectual to all the purposes aforesaid ; and if the hands be often washed therein, and suffered at every time to dry of itself without wiping, it will in a short time help the palsy or shaking in them. The root boiled in Tinegar helpeth all knots, kernels, hard swellings, and lumps growing in any part of the flesh, beio&r thereunto applied ; as also inflammations and St. Anthony^s fire ; all imposthumes and paioful sores with heat and putre- faction ; the shingles also, and all other sorts of nmuing and foul scabs, sores, and itch. The same also boiled in wine, and applied to any joint full of pain, ache, or the gout in the hands or feet, or the hip gout, called the scia- ticai and the decoction thereof drimk tiie while, doth OULPEPXS'l OOMPLETJ HXBBAL^ 91 eare them^ and easeth mach pain in the bowek. The roots are likewise effectual to help mpturea or burstiDgs, being used with other things available to that purpose, taken either inwardly or outwardly, or both ; as also bruises or hurts by blows, falls, or the like, and to stay the bleeding of wounds in any part inward or outward. Some one holds that one leaf cures a quotidian, three a tertian^ and four a quartian ague, and a hundred to one if it be not Dioscorides, for he is full of whimsiea The truth is I never stood so much upon the number of the leaves, or whether I give it in powder or decoction : if Jupiter were strong, and the Moon applied to him, and his good aspect at the gathering I never knew it miss the* desired effect. GIVES.— (iiWtum ScKaenopratum.) Oallkd also rush leeks, chivefl, civet, and sweth. Temperature and Virtuet. — I confess I had not added these had it not been for a country gentleman, who by a letter certified to me that amongst other herbs I had left these out They are indeed a kind of leeks, hot and dry in the fourth degree, and so under the dominion of Mars. If they be eaten raw (I do not mean raw opposite to roasted or boiled, but raw opposite to chemical pre))ara- tion) they send up very hurtful vapours to the brain, causing troublesome sleep and spoiling the eyesight ; yet of them, prepared by the act of the alchymist, may b« made an excellent remedy for the stoppage of urine. CliABY.—iSalvia Sdarea.) Deecrip. — Our ordinary garden clary hath four square ■talks, with broad, rough, wrinkled, whitish, or hoary green leaves, somewhat evenly cut in on the edges, and of a strong sweet acent, growing some near the ground, and some by couples upon stalks. The flowers grow at certain diftanoea, with two small leaves at the joints under them, somewhat like unto flowers of sage, but smaller and of a whitish blue colour. The seed is brownish and somewhat flat or not so round as the wild. The roots are blackish and spread not far, and perish after seed time. It is usually sown, for it seldom rises of its own sowing. Place, — This j^roweth in eardeus. Time. — It flowereth in June and July, some a little later than others, and their seed is ripe in August or UMreabouta. 92 ctjlpepsb'b complete hebbuu Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of the Moon. The seed put into the e^ea clears them from motes and such like things gotten within the lids to offend them, and it also clears them from any white and red spots which may be on them. The mucilage of the seed made with water, and applied to tumours or swellings, disperseth and taketh them away. It also draweth forth splinters, thorns, or other things got into the flesh. The leaves used with vinegar, either by itself or with a little honey, doth help boils, felons, and the hot infUunmations that are gathered by their pains, if applied before it be grown too great. The powder of the dried root put into the nose provoketh sneezing, and thereby purgeth the head and brain of much rheum and corruption. The seeds or leaves taken in wine provoketh to venery. It is of much use both for men and women that have weak backs, and helpeth to strengthen the reins ; used either by itself or with other herbs conduces to the same effect, and in tansies often. The fresh leaves dipped in a batter of flour, eggs, and a little milk, and fried in butter and served to the table, is not unpleasant to any, but exceed- ingly profitable for those that are troubled with weak bi^kB, and the effects thereof. The juice of the herb put into aie or beer, and then drunk, bringeth down women's courses and expelleth the after-birth. It is a usual course with many men, when they have got the running of the reins, or women the whites, to run to the bush of clary, exclaiming — Maid, bring hither the frying-pan, and fetch me some nutter quickly. Then they will eat fried clary just as hogs eat acorns, and this they think will cure their disease, forsooth ! Whereas, when they have devoured as much clary as will grow upon an acre of ground, their backs are as much the better as though they had never touched it — nay, perhaps, very much worse. We will grant that clary strengthens the back ; but this we do deny, that the cause of the running of the reins in men, or the whites in women, lies in the back, though it be sometimes weakened by them ; and therefore for me- dicine is as proper as for me, when my toe is sore, to lay a plaster on my nose. OULPSFEB'S complete HXBBl.1^ 99 CLABY (WILD).— (/SoZvui Earminum,) Wild clarj is moet blasphemously called Christ's e^t», because it cures diseases of the eyes. I could wish from my soul that blasphemy, ignorance, and tyranny were ceased among physicians, that they might be happy and I joyful. Bescrip. — It is like the other cUry. but lesser, with many stalks about a foot and a half high. The stalks are square and somewhat hairy ; the flowers are of a bush colour. He that knows the common clary cannot be ig- norant of this. Place, — It grows commonly in this nation in barren places. You may find it plentifully if you look in the 6elds near Gra3r'B Inn, and the fields near Chelsea, and other such places. TifM. — They flower from the beginning of June until the latter end of August* Oinmnment and Virtue, — It is something hotter and drier than the garden clary is, yet, nevertheless, it is under the dominion of the Moon as well as that. The seeds of it beaten to powder, and drunk with wine, is an admirable help to provoke lust. A decoction of the leaves beinff drunk warms the stomach, and it would be a won- der u it did not, the stomach being under Cancer, the boose of the Moon. It also helps digestion, and scatters eoogealed blood in any part of the body. The distilled water cleanseth the eyes of redness, waterishness, and heat. It is a capital remedy for dimness of sight, to take one of its seeds and put it into the eye, and there let it remain till it drops out of itself. The pain will be nothing to fpeak of ; it will cleanse the eyes of all filthy and patrafied matter, and in often repeating it, will take off a film which covereth the sight — a handsomer, safer, and eMier remedy by a great deal than to tear it off with a ^ oulpspbb'b oomplbte hbrbai» OLKAVEBa— (6Wwm Aparim.) DMOrip, — ^This plant has many common names, as QooM-grasSf Catchweedy Bed straw ^ etc. It is an annual lucculent plant, with a weak, procumbent, quadrangu- lar, retrosely-prickled stem, which grows from two to six feet high and is hairj at the joints. The leaves are one or two inches in length, and two or three lines in breadth, rough on the margin and tapering to the base. The flowers are white, small and scattered. Place, — It groweth (?v the hedge and ditch-sides, in many places of this land, and is so troublesome an inhab- itant in wardens, that it rampeth upon and is ready to choke whatever grows near it. Time, — It flowereth in June or July, and the seed is ripe and falleth again in the end of July or August, from wnence it springeth up again, and not from the old roots. OovemmerU and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of the Moon. The juice of the herb and the seed together taken in wine, helpeth those bitten with an adder, by pre> serving 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 experi- ence, is found to do the same, and stayeth laxes and bloody fluxes. The juice of the leaves, or they a little bruised and M)plied to any bleeding wound, stayeth the bleeding. The juice also is very go^ to close up the lips of men wounds, and the powder of the dried herb strew«^ there- upon doth the same, and likewise helpeth oid ulcers. Being boiled in hog's grease, it helpeth all sorts of hard •weUingsor kernels in the throat, being anointed therewith. The juice dropped into the ears taketh away the pain of them. It is a good remedy in the spring, eaten (bein^ first chopped small and boiled well) in water gruel, to cleanse the blood and strengthen the liver, thereby to keep the body in healh, and fltting it for that change of season that is coming. CUIJ>BPXB'B OOMPLBTE RXRBAIi. 9S CLOWITS WOUND WOBT.-H/'a^o-'^ Coloni,) Descrip. — It groweth up sometimes to two or three feet high, but usuaUy about two feet, with square, green, rough stalks, but slender, joined somewhat far asunder, and two very long, somewhat narrow dark greeu leaves bluntly dented about the edges thereof, ending in a long point The Bowers stand towards the tops, compassing the stalks at the joints with the leaves, and end likewise in a spiked top, having long and much gapiug hoods of a Surplish red colour, with whitish spots in them, standing 1 somewhat round husks, wherein afterwards stand blackish round seeds. The root is composed of many long strings with some tuberous long knoos growing among them, of a pale yellowish or whitish colour ; yet some times of the year these knobby roots in many places are not seen in this plant The plant smelleth somewhat strong. Place. — It groweth in sundry connties in this land both north and west, and frequently by path sides in the fields near London, and within three or four miles distant aboat it ; yet it usually grows in or near ditches. TifM. — It flowereth in June or July, and the seed is ripe soon after. Oovemment and VirtvM, — It is nnder the dominion of the planet Saturn. It is singularly effectual in all fresh and green wounds, and therefore beareth not this name for nothing. It is very available in staunching of blood, and to diT up the fluxes of humours in old fretting ulcers, cankers, &c., that hinder the healing of them. A syrup made of the juice of it is inferior to none for inward wounds, ruptures of veins, bloody flux, vessels broken, spitting, making too much water, or vomiting blood. Ruptures are excellently and speedily, even to -admiration, cured by taking now and then a little of the syrup, and applyiug an oiotmeut or plaster of this herb to the place. Aloo, if any vein or muscle be swelled, apply a plaster of this herb to it, and if you add a little comfrey it will not do amiss. The herb deserves com- mendalioD, though it has received such a clowui^h name, and wboever reads this, if he try as I have done, will commend it ; only take notice that it is of a dry earthly quality. m^ 96 0XTLPEPEB8 COMPLETE HEBBAIk COCK'S HEAD, RED FITCHLINQ, ok MEDICK FITCH,— (Ono6rycAi».) Vescrip. — This hath divers weak but rough stalks half a yard long, leaning downwards, but set with winged leaves longer and more pointed than those of lintels, and whitish underneath ; from the tops of these stalks arise up other slender stalks, naked without leaves unto the tops, where there grow many small flowers in the manner of a spike, of a pale reddish colour, with a little blue among them ; after which rise up in their places round, rough, and somewhat flat heaas. The root ia tough, and somewhat woody, yet liveth and shooteth anew every year. Place, — It groweth under hedges, and sometimeB 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 meanwhile. Oovemment and Virtues, — It is under the dominion of V'enus, it hath power to rarif y and digest, and therefore the green leaves bruised, and applied as a plaster, dis- Serse knots, nodes, or kernels in the flesh ; and if when ry it be taJ^en in wine, it helpeth the strangury ; and being anointed with oil it provoketh sweat. It is a singular food for cattle, to cause them to give store of milk ; and why then may it not do the like, being boiled in ordinary dnnk for nurses ? COLUMBINES.— (^7ttt7agh-wort, Foal's-wort, Horse^hoof, and Bull's foot. De9crip, — This shooteth up a tender stalk, with small jellowish flowers somewhat earlier, which fall away quickly, and after they are past come up somewhat round leaves, sometimes dented about the edges, much lesser, thicker, and greener than those of butter-bur, with a little down or frieze over the green leaf on the upper side, which may be rubbed away, and whitish or mealy under- neath. The root is small and white, spreading much an- derground, so that where it taketh root it will hardly be driven away again, if any little piece be abiding therein ; and from thence spring fresh leaves. Flac9,^lt groweth as well in wet grounds as in driei places. Time. — And flowereth in the end of February ; the leaves begin to appear in March. Goffemment and Virtues. — The plant is under Venus : the fresh leaves, or juice, or syrup thereof, is good for a hot, dry cough, or wheezing, and shortness of breath. The dry leaves are best for those who have thin rheums and distillations upon their lungs, causing a cough ; for which also the dried leaves taken as tobacco, or the root, is very Sood. The distilled water hereof simply, or with elder- owers and night-shade, is a singular good remedy against all hot agues, to drink two ounces at a time, and apply cloths wet therein to the head and stomach, which also does much good being applied to any hot swellings or in flaromations. It helpeth St. Anthony's fire, and burnings, and is singular good to take away wheals and small pushet that arise through heat ; as also the burning heat of the piles, or privy parts, cloths wet therein bemg thereunto applied. COMFREY.^^Sr/mphytwm Officinale,) Deserip. —The common ^preat comfrey hath divers very large hairy green leaves lying on the ground, so hairy or prickly, that if they touch any tender part of the handa, 86 ottlpipeb's complete hsbbai^ face, or body, it will cause it to itch : the stalk that riseth from among them being two or three feet high, hollow and cornered, is very hairy also, having many such like leaves as grow below, but lesser and lesser up to the top ; at the joints of the stalks it is divided into many branches with some leaves thereon, and at the end stand many flowers in order one above another, which are somewhat long and hollow like the finger of a glove, of a pale whitish colour, after which come small black seeds. The roots are great and long, spreading great thick branches under- ground, black on the outside and whitish within, short and easy to break, and full of glutinous or clammy juicei of little or no taste at all. There is another sort in all things like this, only some- what less, and beareth flowers of a pale purple colour. Flaee, — They grow by ditches and water-sides, and in divers fields that are moist, for therein they chiefly de- light to grow ; the first generally through idl the land, and the other but in some places. By the leave of my authors, I know the first ctows in dry places. Time. — They flower in June or July, and give their seed in August. Government and Virtues. — This is an herb of Saturn, and I suppose under the sign Capricorn ; cold, dry, and earthy in quality. What was spoken of clown's woundwort may be said of this. The great comfrey helpeth those that spit blood, or make a bloody urine. The root boiled in water or wine, and the decoction drank, helps all inward hurts, bruises, wounds, and ulcers of the lungs, and causes the phlegm that oppresses! him to be easUy spit forth. It helpeth the defluction of rheum from the head upon the lungs, the fluxes of blood or humours by the belly, women's immoderate courses, as well the reds as the whites, and the running of the reins, happening by what cause soever. A syrup made thereof is very effectual for all those inward griefs and hurts, and the distilled water for the same purposes also, and for outward wounds or sores in the fleshy or sinewy part of the body whatsover ; as also take the fits of agues, and to allay the sharpness of humours. A decoction of the leaves hereof is available to all the purposes, though not so effectual as the roots. The roots being outwardly applied, help fresh wounds or cuts immediately, being bruised and laid thereto : and is special good for ruptures and broken bones ; yea, it is said to be OITLPRPIB'S COMPLETE HEBBAI^ 99 00 powerful to consolidate and kuit tOKether, that it4htf he boiled with dissevered pieces of flesh in a pot, it wiU join them together again. It is good to be applied unto women's breasts that grow sore by the abundance of milk coming into them ; also to repress the overmuch bleeding of the hemorrhoids, to cool tne inflammation of the parts thereabouts, and to give ease of pains. The roots of com- frey taken fresh, beaten small, and spread upon leather, and laid upon any place troubled with the gout, doth pre- sently give ease of the pains ; and applied in the same manner giveth ease to pained joints, and profiteth very much for running and moist ulcers, gangrenes, mortifica- tions, and the like, for which it hath by often experience been found helpful. CORALWOBT.'^Dentaria,) It is also called by some Toothwort, Tooth Violet, Dog- teeth Violet, and Dentaris. Descrip.--Oi the many sorts of this herb, two of them may be tound growing in this nation ; the first of which shooteth forth one or two winged leaves upon long brown- ish foot-stalks, which are doubled down at their first com- ing out of the ground ; when they are fully opened, they eonsist of seven leaves, most commonly of a sad ^reen co- lour, dented about the edges, set on both sides the middle rib one against another, as the leaves of the ash- tree : the stalk ^reth no leaves on the lower half of it: the upper half beareth sometimes three or four, each con- ■iiting of five leaves, sometimes of three ; on the top ■tends foar or five flowers upon short foot-stalks, witn lon^ husks ; the flowers are very like the flowers of stock E'lliflowera, of a pale purplish colour, consisting of four ftvee a-piece, after which come small pods which con- tain the seed ; the root is very small, white, and shining ; it doth not grow downwards, but creeping along under the upper crust of the ground, and consisteth of divers small round knobs set together ; towards the top of the stalk there grows some si ogle leaves, by each of which oometh a small cloven bulb, which when it is ripe, if it be set in the ground^ will grow to be a root. As for the other ooralwort which groweth in this na- tion, it is more scarce than this, being a very small plant much like crowfoot. I know not where to direct you to it, therefore I shall forbear the descriptioii. 100 citlpeper's complete hebbai* Place.— 'The first groweth in Mayfield in Sussex, In a wood called Highroad, and in another wood there also called Foxholes, Time, — They flower from the latter end of April to the middle of May, and before the middle of July they are gone, and not to be found. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of the Moon. It cleanseth the bladder and provoketh urine, expels gravel and the stone : it easeth pains in the sides and bowels, is excellent good for inward wounds, especial- W^ such as are made in the breast or lungs, by taking a dram of the powder of the root every morning in wine ; the same is excellent good for ruptures, as also to stop fluxes: an ointment made of it is excellent good for wounds and ulcers, for it soon dries up the watery hu- mours which hinder the cure. COSTMAEY.— ("5a/*amiVa VvlgarU.) Galled also Alecost, Balaam Herb, or Tanzy. This fs ■o frequently known to be an inhabitant in almost every garden, that I suppose it is needless to write a descrip- tion thereof. Time. — It flowereth in June and July. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Jupiter. The ordinary costmary, as well as maudlin, provoketh urine abundantly, and moisteneth the hardness of the mother ; it gently purgeth choler and phlegm, ex- tenuating that which is gross, and cutting that which is tough and glutinous, cleanseth that which is foul, and hindereth putrefaction and corruption ; it dissolveth without attraction, openeth obstructions and helpeth their evil effects, and it is a wonderful help to all sorts of dry agues. It is astringent to the stomach, and strengtheneth the liver and all the other inward parts : and taken in whey, worketh more effectually. Taken fasting in the morning, it is very profitable for pains in the head, that are continual ; and to stay, dry up, and consume all thin rheums or distillations from the head into the stomach, and helpeth much to digest raw humours that are gathered therein. It is very profitable for those that are fallen into a continual evil disposition of the body, called cachexia, but especially in the beginning of the disease^ It is an especial friend and help to evil, weak, and cold Uvenk The seed is familiarly given to children for the OTTLPIPSBS COMPLETB HXRBAU 101 worms, and so i« the infusion of flowers in white wine giren them to the quantity of two ounces at a time : it maketh an excellent salre to cleanse and heal old ulcers, being boiled with oil of olive, and adder's tongue with it ; and after it is strained, put a little wax, rosin, and tur- pentine to bring it to a convenient body. COWSLIPS, OB TEAGLEQ.-^ Primula veris.) Both the wild and garden cowslips are so well known, that I will neither trouble myself nor th 3 reader with a description of theuL Time, — They flower in April and May. Oovemmeni and Virtues. — Venus lays claim to thi» herb as her own, and it is under the sign Aries, and our city dames know well enough the ointment or distilled water of it adds to beauty, or at least restores it when it is lost. The flowers are held to be more effectual than the leaves, and the roots of little use. An ointment being made with them, taketh away spots and wrinkles of the skin, sun-burnings and freckles, and adds beauty exceed- ingly ; they remedy all infirmities of the head coming of heat and wind, as vertigo, ephialtes, false apparitions, frenzies, falling sickness, palsies, convulsions, cramps, pains in the nerves ; the roots ease pains in the back and oladder, and open the passages of the urine. The leaves are good in wounds, and the flowers take away trembling. If the flowers be not well dried and kept in a warm place, they will soon putrefy and look green : have a special eye over them. Ii you let them see the sun once a month, it will do neither the sun nor them harm. Because they strengthen the brain and nerves, and re- medy paliiea, the Greeks gave them the name paralysie. The flowers preserved or conserved, and the quantitv of a nutmes: taken every morning, is a sufficient dose for in- ward diseases, but for wound spots, wrinkles, and bud- bumings, an ointment is made of the leaves and hog's grease. CRAB'S CLAWS.— ("^empar vivwn Aquatiea,) Callsd also Water Seagreen, Knight's Pond Water, Water Houseleek, Pondweed, and Fresh-water Soldier. Deterip. — It hath sundry long narrow leaves, with sharp prickles on the edges of them, also very sharp-pointed ; the stalkn which bMT flowere seldom grow so hign as the 108 culfepsb's cokplbte hbbbuu leaves, bearing a forked head like a crab's claw, oat ol which comes a white flower, consiBtine of three leaves^ with yellowish hairy threads in the middle : it taketh root in the mud in the bottom of the water. Place. — It groweth plentifully in the fens in Lincoln- shire. Time. — It fiowereth in June, and usually from thence till August. Government and Virtues. — It Is a plant under the do- minion of Venus, and therefore a great strengthener of the reins : it is excellent good in that inflammation which is commonly called St. Anthony's fire : it assuageth all inflammations and swellings in wounds, and an ointment made of it is excellent good to heal them : there is scarce a better remedy growing than this is for such as have bruised their kidneys, and on that account evacuating blood : a dram of the powder of the herb taken every morning, is a very good remedy to stop the terms. CRESSES (BJjACK).^Sisymbrium Nigra.) Descrip. — It hath long leaves deeply cut and jagged on both sides, not much unlike wild mustard ; the stalk small, very limber, though very tough : you may twist them round as you may a willow before they break. The stones are very small and yellow, after which come small pods which contain the seed. Place.— It is a common herb growing usually by the wayside, and sometimes upon mud walls in the neigh- bourhood of London ; but it delights most to grow among stones and rubbish. Time. — It flowers in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August and September. Government and Vtrtties. — It is a plant of a hot and biting nature, under the dominion of Mars. The seed of black cresses strengthens the brain exceedingly, being, in performing that ofllce, little inferior to mustard seed, if at all ; they aro excellent good to stay these rheums which may fall down from the head upon the lungs ; you may beat the seed into powder if you please, and make it up into an electuary with honey ; so you have an excellent remedy by you, not only for the premises, but also for the cough, yellow jaundice, and sciatica. The herb boiled into a poultice is an excellent remedy for inflammations, both in women's breasts and in men's testicles. OCTLPBFKR'S OOMPLm HIRBlIi. lOt CRESSES (SCIATICA-)-(^/6«rw Sisymbrium,) Jhterip, — These are of two kinds ; the first risetb ap with a round stalk aboat two feet high, spread into divers branches, whose lower leaves are somewhat larger than the upper, yet all of them cut or torn on the edges, some- what like garden cresses, but smaller ; the flowers are small and white, growing at the tops of branches, where afterwards grow husks with small brownish seeds therein, very strong and sharp in taste, more than the cresses of thegarden : the root is long, white, and woody. The other hath the lower leaves whole, somewhat long and broad, not torn at all, but only somewhat deeply dented about the edges towards the ends ; but those tnat mw up higher are lesser. The flowers and seeds are Uke the former, and so is the root likewise, and both root and seeds as sharo as it. Place, — They grow oy the way-sides in untilled places, and by the sides of old walls. rime.— They flower in the end of June, and their seed b ripe in July. OovemtMnt and Virtues. — It is a Saturnine plant. The leaves, but especially the root, taken fresh in sum- mer time, beaten or made into a poultice or salve with old hog's grease, and applied to the places pained with the sciatica, to continue thereon four hours if it be on a man, and two hours on a woman ; the place afterwards bathed with wine and oil mixed together and then wrap- ped with wool or skins after they have sweat a little, will iMuredly not only cure the same disease in hips, huckle- bone, or other of the joints, as gout in the hands or feet, but all other old griefs of the head, (as inveterate rheums) and other parts of the body that are hard to be cured ; and if of tne former griefs any parts remain, the same medicine after twenty days is to oe applied again. The ■une is also efl'ectual in the diseases of the spleen ; and applied to the skin it taketh away the blemishes thereof, whether they be scars, leprosy, scabs, or scurf, which, al though it ulcerate the part, that is to be helped after- varda with a salve made of oil and wax. Esteem this sm another secreU 104 OULPIPBB'8 oomplbtx hkbbal. CRESSES (WATER)— ("^wywi^Mm Nasturtium Aqtuitica, Desorip, — Our ordinary water cresses spread forth with many weak, hollow, sappy stalks, shooting out fibres at the joints, and upwards long winged leaves made of sun- dry Droad sappy alraost round leaves, of a brownish colour. The flowers are many and white, standing on long foot- stalks, after which come small yellow seed, contained in small lon^ pods like horns. The whole plant abideth green in the winter, and tasteth somewhat hot and sharp. Place, — They grow for the most part in small standing waters, yet sometimes in small rivulets of running water. TitM, — They flower and seed in the beginning of the ■ummer. Oovernment and Virtues. — It is an herb under the do- minion of the Moon. They are more powerful against the scurvy and to cleanse the blood and humours, than brook- lime IS, and serve in all the other uses in which brook- lime is available, as to break the stone, and provoke urine and women's courses. The decoction thereof cleanseth ulcers by washing them therewith. The leaves bruised, or the juice, is good to be applied to the face or other parts troubled with freckles, pimples, spots, or the like, at night, and washed away in the morning. The juice mixed with vinegar, is very good for those that are dull and drowsy, or have the lethargy. Water-cress pottage is a gocKl remedy to cleanse the blood in the spring, and helps head-aches, and consumes the gross humours winter hath left behind : those that would live in health may use it if they please, if they will not, I cannot help it. If any fancy not pottage, they may eat the herb as a salad. CROSSWORT.-Y Fo^niia Cruciata.) Desorip. — Common crosswort groweth up with square hairy brown stalks, a little above a foot high, having four small broad and pointed, hairy, yet smooth thin leaves growing at every loint, each against the other cross- way, wnich has caused the name. Towards the tops of the ■talks at the joints, with the leaves in three or four rows downwards, stand small, pale, yellow flowers, after which come small blackish round seeds, four for the most part set in every husk. oulpkpkr's ooMPLira hxrbal. 106 The root is ver/ small, and fall of fibres, or threadsf taking good bold of the grouDd, and spreading with the braDchea a (^reat deal of ground, which pensh not in winter, although the leaves die every year, and spriug agaio anew. Place. — It groweth in many moist grounds, as well in meadows as untilled places about Loudon, in Hampstead churchyard, at Wye m Kent, and sundry other places. TitM. — It flowers from May all the summer long, in one place or another, as they are more open to the son : the seed ripeueth soon after. Oovemment aiui Virtites. — It is under the dominion of Saturn. This is a singular good wound herb, and is used inwardly not only to stav bleeding of wounds, but to consolidate them, as it aoth outwardly anv green wound, which it quickly soldereth up and healetL The decoction of the herb in wine helpeth to expectorate phlegm out of the chest, and is good for obstructions in the breast, stomach, or bowels, and helpeth a decayed appetite. It is also ^ood to wash any wound or sore with, to cleanse and heal it The herb bruised and then boiled, applied outwardly for certain days together, renewing it often ; and in the mean time the decoction of the herb in wine, taken inwardly every day, doth certainly cure the rupture in any, so as it be not too inveterate ; but very speedily, if it be fresh and lately taken. CROWFOOT.— (Ranunculus AuricomuB.) Mavt are the names this furious biting herb hath ob* tained ; for it is called Frog's-foot from the Greek name barrakion; Crowfoot, Gk^dknobs, Qold-cups, King's Knobs, Baffiners, Trod Flowers, Polts, Locket-gouleons, and Butter-flowers. Abundant are the sorts of this herb, that to describe them all would tire the patience of Socrates himself ; but because I have not yet attained to the spirits of Socrates^ I shall bat describe the most usuaL Descnp. — The most common crowfoot hath many thin green leaves cut into divers parts, in taste biting and ■harp, biting and blistering the tongue ; it bears many flowers of a oright resplendent yellow colour ; I do not rtmember that I ever saw anything yellower — virgins in aoeieot times used to make powder of them to furrow bride-beds — after which flowers come small heads, nome ^[>iked and rugged like a pine-apple. 106 ouipbpbr's covflstb hbrbau Place, — They grow very common every where ; unless you tarn yoar head into a hedge you cannot but see them as you walk. Time. — They flower in May and June, even until September. Oovemment and Fir^wM.— This fiery and hot-spirited herb of Mars is no way fit to be given inwardly, but an ointment of the leaves or flowers will draw a blister, and may be so fitly applied to the nape of the neck to draw back rheum from the eyes. The herb being bruised and mixed with a little mustard, draws a blister as well, and as perfectly as cantharidea, and with far less danger to the vessels of urine, which cantharides naturally de- light to wrong. I knew the herb once applied to a pesti- lential rising that was fallen down, and it saved life even beyond hope : it were good to keep an ointment and plas- ter of it^ if it were but for that CUCKOO-PINT.— (^ilrwrn Vulgare.) It is called Alron, Janus, Barba-aron, Calve's-foot, Bamp^ Starchwort, Cuckoo-pintle^ Priest's- pintle, and Wake Robin. Deecrip, — This shooteth forth three, four or five leaves at the most fiom one root, every one whereof is some- what large and long, broad at the bottom next the stalk, and forked but ending in a point, without a cut on the edge, of a full nreen colour, each standing upon a thick round stalk, oi a hand-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 streaked with purple, somewhat higher than the leaves ; at the top whereof standeth a long hollow husk close at the bottom, but open from the middle up- wards, ending in a point ; in the middle whereof stands the small, long pestle or clapper, smaller at the bottom than at the top, of a dark purple colour, as the husk is on the inside, though green without, which after it hath so abided for some time, the husk with the clapper de- cayeth, and the foot or bottom thereof groweth to be a •inall long bunch of berries, green at the first, and of a yellowish colour when they are ripe, of the bigness of a hazel-nut kernel, which abideth thereon ahnost until winter ; the root is round and somewhat long, for the part lying along, the leaves ohooting forth at the I OULPBPKR'S COICPLETS HSRBAL. 107 largMt end, which, when it beareth its berries, are some- what wrinkled and loose, another growing under it which is solid and firm, with many small threads hanging there- at. The whole plant is of a very sharp bitter taste, prick- ing the tongue as nettles do the hands, and so abideth for a great while without alteration. The root thereof was anciently used instead of starch to starch linen with. There is another sort of cuckoo-point with lesser ieares than the former, and sometimes harder, having blackish spots upon them, which for the most part abide longer green in summer than the former, and both leaves and roots are more sharp and fierce than it ; in all things else it is like the former. Place. — These two sorts ctow frequently, almost under every hedge-side in many places of this land. 7^im«.— -They shoot forth leaves in the spring, and con- tinue but until the middle of summer or somewhat later : their basks appearing before they fall away, and their fruit showing m April. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Mara. 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 present and sure remedy for poison and the plague. The juice of the herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect ; but if there be a little vinegar added thereto, as well as to the root aforesaid, it somewhat allayeth the sharp bit- ing taste thereof upon the tongue. The green leaves bruised and laid upon any boil or plague-sore, doth won- derfully help to draw forth the poison. A dram of the powder of tne dried root taken with twice so much sugar in the form of a licking electuary, or the green root, doth wonderfully help those that are pursy and short-winded, M also those that have a cough ; it breaketh, digestetb. and riddeth away phlegm from the stomach, chest, ana lungs : the milk wherein the root hath been boiled is ef- fectual also for the same purpose. The said powder taken in wine or other drink, or tbe juice of the berries, or the Kwder of them, or the wine wberem they have been iled provoketh urine, and bringetb down women's oounes, and purgetb them effectually after child-bearing, to bring away tbe after-birth. Taken with sheep's milk it healetb the inward ulcers of tbe bowels : the distilled water thereof is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid. A 108 OVLPSPSR'a OOMPLXTX HIRBAL. fpoonful taken at a time healeth the itch : aud an ounce or more taken at a time fur some dajs together doth help the rupture. The leaves either green or dry, or the juice of them, doth cleanse all manner of rotten and nlthj ulcers, in what part of the body soever ; and healeth the stinging sores in the nose, called polypus. The water wherein the root hath been b oiled, dropped into the eyes, cleanseth them from any film or skin cloud or mist, which begin to hinder the sight, and helpeth the watering and redness of them, or when by some chance they become black and blue. The root mixed with bean flour and ap- plied to the throat or laws that are inflamed, helpeth them. The juice of the berries boiled in oil of roses, oi beaten into powder mixed with the oil, and dropped into the ears, easeth pains in them. The berries or roots beaten with hot ox-dung, and applied, easeth the pains of the gout. The leaves and roots boiled in wine with a little oil and applied to the piles, or the falling down of the fundament, easeth them, and so doth sitting over the hot fumes thereof. The fresh roots bruised and distilled with a little milk, yieldeth a most sovereign water to cleanse the skin from scurf, freckles, spots, or blemishes, whatso- ever therein. Authors have left large commendations of this herb yoa see, but for my part, I have neither spoken with Dr. Reason nor Dr. Experience about it. CJJCVMBEBS.—CCucumis ScUiwus.) OovemmejU and Fir/w«.— There is no dispute to be made but that they are under the dominion of the Moon, though they are so much cried out against for their cold- ness, and if they were but one degree colder they would be poison. The best of Qalenists hold them to be cold ana moist in the second degree, and then not so hot as either lettuces or purslain : they are excellent good for a hot stomach and hot liver ; the unmeasurable use of them fills the body full of raw humours, and so indeed the un- measurable use of any thing else doth harm. The face being washed with their juice cleanseth the skin, and is excellent good for hot rheums in the eyes : the seed is excellent good to provoke urine, aud cleanseth the passages thereof when they are stopped ; there is not a better re- medy growing for ulcers in the bladder than cucumbers ftre. The usual coarse is to use the see^'^ in emulsions, as OTTLPEPEIt'S COMPLETE HERBAI«. 109 they make almond milk ; bat a far better way, in mj opinion, is this : When the season of the year ia, take the incumbers and bruise them well and liiatil the water from them, and let snch as are troubled with ulcers in the bladder drink no other drink. The face beinj; washed with the same water cureth the reddest face that is ; it is also excellent good for sun-burning, freckles, and mor- |>hew. CTTDWEED.—(Onapkalium Vulgars.) Bbsidks Cudweed, it is called Cottonweed, Cljaffweed, Dwarf Cotton, and Petty Cotton. Descrip. — The common Cudweed riseth up with one stalk sometimes, and sometimes with two or three, thick set on all siden, with small, long, and narrow whitish and woody leaves, from the middle of the stalk almost up to the top ; with every leaf standeth a small flower of a dun or brownish yellow colour, or not so vellow as others ; in which herbs, after the flowers are fallen come small seed wrapped up with the down therein, and is carried away with the wmd : the root is small and thready. rhere are other sorts hereof, which are somewhat lesser than the former, not much difierent, save only that the ftalks and leaves are shorter, so the flowers are paler and more open. Plae€. — They grow in dry, barren, sandy, and gravelly grounds in many places of this land. Time. — They flower about July, some earlier, some later, and their seed is ripe in August. Oovemmeni and Virtues. — Venus is lady of it The plants are all astringent, binding, or drying, and there- fore profitable for all deductions of rheum from the head, and to stay flaxes of blood wheresoever, the decoction be- ing made into red wine and drunk, or the powder taken therein. It also helpeth the bloody flux, and easeth the torments that come thereby, stayeth the immoderate ecmrsefl of women, and is also good for inward or outward wounds, hurts, or broiaeik and helpeth children both of raptures and worms ; ana being drunk or injected for the dsMMe called tenesmus, which is an often provocation to stool without doing any thing. Tiie green leaves bruised and laid to any green wound, ttayeth the bleeding and liMleih it up quickly. The jafce of the herb is, as Pliny ■dtli, a sovereign remedy a^^amst tha mumps and quin* 110 cxtlpepbb's complxtb herbal. 86 J : and farther saith, that whosoever shall so take it, •hall never be troubled with that disease again. CURRANT-TREE.- low, and boiled in oil, help sore kibed heels : the juice of the root is also good for the morphew« and the discolour- ings of the skin. DAISIES. — (Chrysanthemum Leucanthemvm,) These are so well known almost to every child, that I suppose it needless to write any description of them. Take therefore the virtues of them as foUoweth. OovemmerU and Virtues. — The herb is under the sign Cancer, and under the dominion of Venus, and therefore excellent good for wounds in the breast, and very fitting to be kept both in oils, ointments, and plasters, as also in syrup. The greater wild daisv is a wound herb of good respect, often u^ in those drinks and salves that are for wounds, either inward or outward. The juice or distilled water of these, or the small daisy, doth much temper the heat of choler, and refresh the liver and the other inward parts. A decoction made of them and drank, helpeth to cure the wounds made in the hollowness of the oreast : the same cureth also all ulcers and pustules in the mouth or toncue, or in the secret parts. The leaves bruised and applied to the testicles or any other part that is swollen and hot, doth dissolve it, and temper the heat. A de- coction made thereof, of wall-wort and agrimony, and places fomented or bathed therewith warm, giveth great ease to them that are troubled with the palsy, sciatica, or the gout* The same also disperse th and dissolveth the knots or kernels that grow in the flesh of any part of the body, and bruises and hurts that come of faUs and blows ; they are also used for ruptures and other inward burn- ings, with very good success. An ointment made thereof doth wonderfully help all wounds that have inflamma- tions about them, or by reason of moist humours having access unto them are kept long from healing, and such are those for the most part that happen to joints of the arms and legs. The iuice of them aropped into the run- ning eyes of any, dotn much help them. JTTLPEPEB'B COMPLETE HERBAL. IIS DAISY hlTThE.—fBellis Afir^ Perennts.) Descrip. — The root of the Little common Daisy fa % thick bush of fibres, the leaves errow iu a circle close to the grouod, being thick and fleshy, and are long and nar- row at the bottom, ending broad and round, not much bigger than a silver penny, with very few inden tings about the edges : the flowers spring immediately from the roots, upon slender stalks three or four inches high, bear • ing one small single flower at the end, made of a border of white petala, or leaves, set about a yellow thrum ; sometimes the border is edged with a reddish colour, and red underneath. The seed is whitish, slender, and flat. Place. — Daisies grow every where in the fields and meadows. Time. — They flower in April and May. Government and Virtues. — This Daisy is governed by Venus in the sign Cancer. The leaves, and sometimes the roots, are used, and are reckoned among the trauma- tic and vulnerary plants, being used in wound-drinks, and are accounted good to dissolve congealed and coagu- lated blood, to help the pleurisy and peripneumonia. In the king's evil the decoction given inwardly, and a cata- plasm of the leaves applied outwardly, are esteemed by some extraordinary remedies. This is another herb which nature has made common, because it may be useful. Its leaves taste like those of coltsfoot, but more mucilaginous, and not bitter. An infusion of it just boiled in aases milk, is very eflPectual in consumptions of the lungs. DANDELION.— (Zeo7iaQ7 use. culp&ter'b comflets hsrbal. 117 Place. — It is most uauallj sown in gardens and groands for the porpoee, and is also found wild in many pkcea Oovemment and Virtues. — Mercury hath the dominion of this plant, and therefore to be sure it strengthens the brain. The dill boiled and drank, is good to ease both swellings and pains ; it also stajeth the belly and sto- mach from casting. The decoction helpeth women that are troubled with pains and windiness of the mother, if they sit therein. It stayeth the hiccough, being boiled in wine, and but smelled unto, being tied in a cloth. The seed is of more use than the leaves, and more effectual to digest raw and viscous humours, and is used in medicines that serve to expel wind, and the pains proceeding there- from. The seed being roasted or fried, and used in oils or plaisters, dissolves the imposthumes in the fundament, ana drieth up all moist ulcers especially in that part : an oil made of Dill is effectual to warm or dissolve humours or imposthumes, to ease pains, and to procure rest. The decoction of Dill, be it herb or seed, (only if you boil the seed you must bruise it) in white wine, being drunk, it is a i^ant expeller of wind and provoker of terms. DITTANDEK-^ Lepidium Sativum.) Called also Pepper-wort Descrip. — The common Dittander has a small, whit^ slender, creeping root, hard to be got out of a gardeo where it has ueeu once planted. The lower leaves grow on long foot-stalks, are smooth, oblong, sharp pointed* and serrated, four or five inches long : the stalks grow to be half a yard high, smooth, and having lesser and nar- rower leaves growing alternately, sometimes indented about the edges, and sometimes not The flowers that grow on the top of the stalks are small, white, and four- leaved, and the seed-vessels small and round. Place,^It arowi in moist places, and near rivera Time. — It flowers in June and July, The whole plant has a hot and bitiiie taste, like pepper. Ocvemment and Virtues. — It is an herb of Venus. The leaves of Dittander bruised and mixed with hogs-lard, and applied as a cataplasm to the hip, help the sciatica ; chewed in the mouth, they cause a great flux of rheum to run out of it, and by that means are said to help scrofulous ta- moors in the throat : the women in Suffolk give them boiled In ale to hasten ths birth. 118 OULPKFBK'B C0MPL£TB HSRBALi DITTANY OF CRETE.— ("(V^onwm Dictcmnut.) Descinp. — A very pretty plant that grows six or ei^ht inches high ; the stalks are square, slender, hard, woody, and braDched : the leaves are short, broad, and roundish ; they stand two at every joint, and are covered with a white downy matter. The flowers are small and purple : they grow in oblong and slender scaly heads, in the man- ner of those of origanum : and these heads are themselves very pretty, being elegantly variegated with green and purple. It resembles penny-royal much, only the leaves are larger. Place. — It originally came from the isle of Candia, but grows with us in gardens. Time. — It flowers at the latter end of July, and begin- ning of August. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Venue, and possesses the virtues of penny-royal, but in a superior degree. It is an excellent wound herb, and in much reputation among the ancients, for which Virgil may bf quoted. It is good in decoction with wine, to procure speedy and easy deliverance, or with vervain, hyssop, and pJenny-royal ; or boiled in ale, is more effectual for the same purpose. Dittany and milk are good for spitting of blood. Bruised with polipody, and mixed with hogs* lard, it draws splinters out of the flesh, and heals ; the roots are cordial and cephalic, resist putrefaction and poi- son, and are useful in malignaoc and pestilential distem- pers. The whole herb is ^ood for diseases of the head, and to open all manner of obstructions. It is a consi- derable mgredient in the Venice treacle, mithridate, and diascordium. DITTANY (WHITE.)— CiWc^awww* Albus.) Called also Bastard, or False Dittany, or Dictamnaniy and Fraxinella. Descrip. — This species of Dittany resembles in its leaves those of the ash-tree, only smaller, and from whence it derives its name. It grows about three feet high, very much branched, and very beautiful. The stalks are round, thick, firm, and of a green and purple colour, ac- cording to its state of forwardness. The leaves stand irregularly, the flowers are large and elegant ; they are of apaleired^ white^ or striped, and sometimes ligbt-bloe, oultipek's oomplktje hkrbjll. 119 and thej stand in a kind of spikes at the top of th« branches. In the summer months, the whole plant ii covered with a kind of inflammable substance, which is glutinous to the touch, and of very fragrant smell ; but if It takes fire, it goes off with a flash all oyer the plant. This does it no harm, and maj be repeated after three or four dajs, a new quantity of the inflammable matte r be- ing produced in that time. Place. — It only grows here in gardens, not being hardy enough to bear the severity of our climate abroad. Time, — It flowers ia June and July. Oovm-nment and Virtues. — They are both under the dominion of Venus. The roots of this kind are the only part used ; they are cordial, cephalic, resist poison and putrefaction, and are useful in malignant and pestilential distempers ; in fevers, and hysteric cases : however, an infusion of the tops of the plant, are a pleasant and effi- cacious medicine in the gravel ; it works powerfully by urine, and gives ease in those colicky pains which fre- quently attend upon that disorder. The root is a sure remedy for epilepsies, and other diseases of the bead, opening obstructions of the womb, and procuring the dii- eoATges of the terms. DOCK (COMMON.)-^ Rumex Ohtutifoliue,) Mavt kinds of these are so well known, that I shall not trouble you with a description of them. Oovemment and Virtues. — All Docks are under Jupiter, of which the Red Dock, which is commonly called Bloodwort; cleanseth the blood and strengthens the liver ; but the Yellow Dock root is best to be taken when either the blood or liver is affected by choler. All of them have a kind of eooling (but not all alike) drying quality, the sorrel being most cold, and the blood worts most drying. Of the bur> dock I have spoken already by itself. The seed of most of the other kinds, whether gardens or fields, doth stay laxes and fluxes of all sorts, the loathing of the stomacn through choler, and is helpful for those that spit blood. The roots boiled in vinegar helpeth the itch, scabs, and breaking out of the skin, if it be bathed therewith. The diitillad water of the herb and roots have the same virtue, Ind cleanseth the skin from freckles, morphewa, and all other spots and discolou rings therein. All Docks being boiled with meat, make it boil th« ISO OULPSPER'S COMFLKTS HSKBAL. sooner ; besides, Bloodwort is exceeding strengthening to the liver, and procures good blood, being as wholesome a pot herb as any growing in a garden. DODDER OF TRYME.-^ Cuscuta Europaa.) Descrip, — ^This first, from seed, giveth roots in the ground, which shooteth forth threads or strings, grosser or finer as the property of the plant wherein it groweth and the climate doth suffer, creeping and spreading on that plant whereon it fasteneth, be it high or low. The strings have no leaves at all upon them, but wind and interlace themselves so thick upon a small plant, that it taketh away all comfort of the sun from it ; and is ready to choke or stranorle it. After these strings are risen up to that height, that they may draw nourishment from the plant, they seem to be broken off from the ground, either by the strength of their rising or withered by the heat of the sun. Upon these strings are found clusters of small heads or husks, out of which shoot forth whitish flowers, which afterwards give small pale white-coloured seed, somewhat fiat, and twice as big as a poppy-seed. It generally participates of the nature of the plants it clim- beth upon ; but the Dodder of Thyme is accounted the best, and is the only true one. Oovemmentand Virtues, — All Dodders are under Saturn. Tell me hot of physicians crying up Epithymum, or that Dodder which grows upon Thyme, ^most of which comes from Hemetius in Greece, or Hybla in Sicily, because those mountains abound with Thyme) he is a physician indeed that hath wit enough to choose his Dodder, accord- ing to the nature of the disease and humour peccant We confess Thyme is the hottest herb it usually grows upon, and thereK>re that which grows upon Thyme is hotter than that which grows upon colder herbs ; for it draws nourishment from what it grows up)on, as well as from the earth where its root is, and thus you see old Saturn is wise enough to have two strings to his bow. This is accounted the most eflectual for melancholy diseases, and to purge black or burnt choler, which is the cause of many diseases of the head and brain, as also for the trem- bling of the heart, faintiugs, and swoonings. It is help- ful in all diseases and griefs of the spleen, and melancho- ly that arises from the windiness of the hypocondria. It pargeth also the reins or kidneys by urine ; it openeth ob- OITLnPIB'l OOMPLETI HKBBAL. Mi ctrnctioiis of the gall, whereby it profiteth them that have the jaundice ; as also the leaves the spleen ; purg- ing the veins of choleric and phlegmatic hunc/ours, and helpeth children in agues, a little worm seed being added thereto. The other Dodders do, as I said before, participate of the nature of those plants whereon they grow : as that which hath been found growing upon nettles in the west oouQtry, hath by experience been found very effectual to procure plenty of urine, where it hath been stopped or nindereo. And so of the rest Sympathy and antipathy are two hinges upon which the whole model of physic turns ; and that physician who minds them not, is like a door off from the hooks, more like to do a man mischief than to cure him. Then all the diseases Saturn causes this helps by sympathy, and ■trengthens all the parts of the body he rules ; such hai are caoaed by Sol it helps by antipathy. DOG'S GRASS.— CTVtVieum Rtpem.) C1.IXKD also Couch Grass and Quick Grass. Descrip. — It is well known that grass creepeth far about under ground, with lon^ white jointed roots, and small fibres fdmost at every jomt, very sweet in taste, as the TMt ol the herb is, and interlacing one another, from whence shoot forth many fair grassy leaves, small at the ends, and cutting or sharp on the edges. The stalks are iointed like com, with the like leaves on them, and a large spiked head, with a long husk in them, and hard rough seeds in them. If you know it not by this de- scription, watch the dogs when they are sick, and they will quickly lead you to it Place, — It groweth commonly through this land in di- ▼«r8 ploughed grounds, to the no small trouble of the husbandmen, as also of the gardener, in gardens, to weed it out if they can ; for it is a constant customer to the place \i gets footing in. Oovemmeru and Virtvisi. — Tis under the dominion of Jupiter, and is the most medicinal of all the quick grasses. Bemg boiled and drunk it o)>eneth obstructions of the liver and ^1, and the stoppings of urine, and easeth the griping pains of the belly, and inflammations ; wasteth the matter of the iftone in the bladder, and the ulcers tbtreol alsa The seed doth more powerfully expel arin«. 122 0ULPEP£K'8 complsts ukbbal. and stajeth l&xes and vomitinff. The distilled water alone, or with a little w orm-seed, killeth the worms in children. The way of ose is to bruise the roots, and having well boiled them In white wine, drink the decoction ; it is opening, but not purging, very safe ; 'tis a remedy against all diseases coming of stopping, and such are half those that are incident to the body of man ; and although a gardener be of another opinion, yet a physician holds an acre of them to be worth five acres of carrots twice told over. DOG'S MERCURY.— (^J/ercurioZw PerennisJ Deacrip, — This is a rank poisonous plant, that grows about a foot high, and has but few leaves, but they are lar^e ; the stalk is round, thick, whitish, pointed, and a little hairy : the leaves stand principally towards the top, four, five, or six, seldom more ; they are long, and con- Biderably broad, sharp-pointed, notched about the edges, and a little hairy. Place. — It is most commonly found under hedges. Oovemment and Danger, — This species of Mercury has been confounded with others of the same name, with which it has been thought to agree in nature. But there Sb not a more fatal plant, native of our countrv, than this. The common herbals, as Gerard's and Parkinson's, in- stead of cautioning their readers against the use of this plant, after some trifling, idle observations, upon the qualities of Mercurys in geueral, dismiss the article with- out noticing its baneful effects. Other writers, more ac- curate, have done this ; but they have written in Latin, a language not very likely to inform those who stand most in need of this caution. This is one of the reasons for the compiling of this work ; and, among many others, evinces the necessity of placing the Latin name opposite to the English one, to prevent that confusion whicn simi- larity of English might unfortunately create. DOG ROSE.— fiZotfa Canina,) Called also Wild Rose. Descrip. — The Dog Rose has winged leaves like garden roses, but smoother and greener ; the flowers are single, of five white, and sometimes pale red leaves, and when "^hey are fallen, there succeed roundish red seed-vessels, CULFIPEB*B OOMPUCTE HERBAL. 128 full of pulp, inclosing white cornered seed, covered with short stiff hairs. On the stalks of this plant grow a green spongy excrescence, made by small flies. P^ace. — It grows commonly in the hedges about Cam- bridge. Time,— It flowers in May and June, and the seed \% ripe at the beginning of September. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of the Moon. The flowers of the Wild Briar are accounted rather more restringent than the Garden Roses, and by some are reckoned as a specific for the excess of the cata- menia. The pulp of the hips has a pleasant grateful acidity, strengtnens the stomach, cools the heat of fevers, i« pectoral, good for coughs and spitting of blood, and the •curvy. The seed has been known to do great things against the stone and gravel ; and the same virtues are attributed to the spongy excrescence which grows upon the stalk. The best way of preserving its virtues is, by keeping it conserved. DOG'S TOOTH YlOLEiT.^( Erythroniwm dera CanU,) Deecrip. — A very pretty plant, small, with two broad leaves, and a large drooping flower : it grows five or six inches high. The stalk is round, slender, weak, and greenish towards the top, and often white at the bottom. The leaves stand a little height above ground : they are oblong, somewhat broad, of a beautiful green, not at all dented at the edges, and blunt at the end. They inclose the stalk at the base. The flower is large and white, but with a tinge of reddish : it hangs down, is long, hollow, and very elegant. The root is roundish, and has some fibres growing from its bottom ; it is full of a slimy pulp. Place. — It grows frequently in gardens, but must not be sought for wild. Time.— Jt flowers in June, and is in perfection till the fall of the leaf. Oovemment and Virtues. — This useful plant is covem- ed by the Moon. The fresh gathered roots are tne best to be used, for they dry very ill, and generally lose their rirtaei entirely. They are good against worms in chil- dren, and speedily ease the pains of the belly which are produced thereby. The best way of giving them is, in the expressed iuice ; or if children will not take that, they ■uj be boued in milk, to which they give very little taste. 124 cttlpepeb's complete hebbai* It should be remembered It Is a very powerful remedy, and a small dose will take effect, especially of the juice, BO that it is best to begin with very little ; and as that is well borne, to increase the quantity. DOVE'S-FOOT.— C(7eraniwm Molle.) Descrip. — This hath divers small, round, pale green leaves cut in about the edges, much like mallows, stand- ing upon long, reddish, hairy stalks, lying in a round compass upon the ground, among which rise up two, or three, or more reddish jointed, slender, weak hairy stalks with such like leaves thereon, but smaller, and more cut in up to the tops, where grow many very small, bright, red flowers of five leaves a-piece ; after which follow small heads with small short beaks pointed forth, as all other sorts of this herb do. Place, — It groweth in pasture grounds, and by the path-sides in many places and will also be in gardens. Time, — It flowereth in June, Julv, and Au^st, some earlier and some later ; and the seed is ripe quickly after. Oovemment and Vtrtttet. — It is a very gentle, though martial plant. It is found by experience to be singular eood for wind colic, as also to expel the stone and gravel in the kidneys. The decoction thereof in wine, is an excellent remedy for those that have inward wounds, hurts, or bruises, both to stay the bleeding, to dissolve and expel the congealed blood, and to heal the parts, as also to cleanse and heal outward sores, ulcers, and fistu- las ; and for green wounds many do only bruise the herb and apply it to the place, and it healeth them quickly. The same decoction in wine fomented to any place pained with gout, or to joint-ache, or pains of the sinews, giveth much ease. The powder or decoction of the hero taken for some time together, is found by experience to be singu- lar good for ruptures and burstings in people, either young or old, DOWN, OK COTTON-THISTLE.— (CarrfvKj VtUgatUsimus, ) Descrip, — This bath large leaves lying on the ground, somewhat cut in, and as it were crumpled on the edges, of a green colour on the upper side, but covered with louff hairv wool or cotton down, set with most sharp and cruel pricks, from the middle of whose heads or flowers thrust CXTLPEPEB's COMPLiTS HS&BAL. 126 forth Diany purplish crimson threads, and sometimes, al- though very seldom, white ones. The seed that followeth In the heads, lying in a great deal of white down, is some- what large, long, and round like the seed of Ladies Thistle but somewhat paler. The root is great and thick, spread- ing much, yet it usually dieth after seed time. Place. — It groweth in divers ditches, banks, and in corn fields and highways, generally everywhere through- out the land. Time. — It flowereth and beareth seed about the end of ■ummer, when other thistles do flower and seed, Oovernment and Virtues. — Mars owns the plant, and manifests to the world, that though it may hurt your finger, it will help your body j for I fancy it much for the ensuing virtues. Pliny and Dioscorides write, that the leaves and roots thereof taken in drink help those that have a crick in their neck, whereby they cannot turn their neck but their whole body must turn also (surely they do not mean those that have got a crick in their neck by being under the hangman's hand.) Galen saith, that the roots and leaves hereof are of a healing quality, and are good for such persons as have their bodies drawn to- gether by some spasm or convulsion, as it is with chil- dren that have the rickets, or rather, as the College of Physicians will have it, the rachites ; for which name of the disease they have in a particular treatise lately set forth by them, learnedly disputed and put forth to public view, that the world may see they have taken much pains to little purpose, DB, AQOtJ,—{Dracontium,) Tbbt are so well known to every one that plants them In their £;ardenfl, that they need no description ; if not, let them Took down to the lower end of the stalks, and see how like a snake they look. Oovernment and Virtues. — The plant is under the do- minion of MatSj and therefore it would be a wonder if it should want some obnoxious quality or other: in all herbs of that quality , the safest way ia either to distil the herb in alembic, in what vehicle you please, or else to press out the juice and distil that in a glass-still in sand It soonreth and cleanseth the internal parts of the body mightily, and it cleareth the external parts also, bemg externally applied, from freckle^ morphew, ana 126 OULPEPIR'S COMPLETE HEEBAL. gun-burnings ; your best way to use it externally is to mix it with vinegar : an ointment of it is held to be good in wounds and ulcers ; it consumes cankers, and that flesh growiug in the nose which they call polypus : also the distilled water being dropped into the eyes takes away spots there, or the pin and web, and mends dimness of sight ; it is excellent good against pestilence and poison Pliny and Dioscorides affirm, that no serpent will meddlr with him that carries the herb about him. DB.OFWORT.—{0e7ianthe Fistulosa, et Crocata.) Descrtp. — The roots of Dropwort consist of a greai number of oval glandules fastened together by slender strings, from which spring several long, narrow, and as it were pinnated leaves, whose pinnae are serrated, and not much unlike the smaller burnet saxifrage leaves : the stalks grow to be about a foot high, having but few leaves thereon, but on their tops a pretty many flowers in form of an umbel, which are white within, and reddish on the outside, made of six leaves, with a great number of yellowish stamina in the middle ; which are succeeded by several flattish seeds growing in a head together. Place. — It grows in chalky grounds, Ti7ne. — It flowers in June and July ; the root being chiefly used. Government and Virtues. — Pimpernel Dropwort, {Spircea FiUpendula,} which some have described as a lesser species of the filipendula, differs in nothing, according to their own account, from this, but in size, and is evidently a variety. They are accounted under Venus. Dropwort, especially the root, is counted diuretic, and good iot the stone, gravel, and stoppage of urine. DUCK'S-MEAT, or DUCKWEED.— (i^rw PoZiwrrw.) Called also Water Lentils. This is so well known to swim on the tops of standing waters, as ponds, pools, and ditches, that it is needless further to describe it. Oovemment and Virtues. — Cancer claims the herb, and the Moon will be lady of it : a word is enough to a wise man. It is eff'ectual to help inflammations and St. An- thony's fire, as also the gout, either applied by itself or in a poultice with barley meal. The distilled water is highly esteemed by some against all inward inflammationa CTJLPEPEBB COMPLETE HSBBaL. 127 and pestilential fevers ; as also to help the redness of the eyes and swellings of the testicles, and of the breasts be- fore they be grown too much. The fresh herb applied to the forehead, easeth the pains of the head-ache coming of heat. EGLANTINE.— C/?OM Rubiginota,) Called also Sweet Bnar, Wild Briar, and Pimpernel Boee. Place. — It is cultivated in most gardens and pleasure- grounds, and likewise grows wild in the borders of fielda^ and in woods. Time— It begins to shoot forth its buds early in the ■pring, and flowers during the time of other roses. OovemmerU and Firm^*.— This is under the dominion of Jupiter. The spongy apples or balls which are found upon the Eglantine, if pounded to a paste, and mixed with honey and wood-ashes, are excellent for the alopecia or falling of the hair, and being dried and powdered, and taken in white wine, remove the strangury, and strength- en the kidneys. The same boiled in a strong decoction of the roots, is good for venomous bites. The red berries which succeed the flowers, called hips, if made into a conserve, and eaten occasionally, gently bind the belly, stop defluxions of the head and stomach, he}p digestion, sharpen the appetite, and dry up the moisture of cola rheum and phlegm upon the stomach. The powder of the dried pulp is gooa for the whites, and if mixed, with the powder of the balls, and given in small quantities, it also good for the colic, and to destroy worms, ELDER— {"iSam^Mctw Nigra,) JkBcrip. — The Elder-Tree is a common hedge-tree, who«e spreading branches have a snongr pith in the mid- dle ; the outside bark is of an aBn-colour, under which is another that is green. The leaves are pinnated, of two or three pair of pinnse, with an odd one at the end, which is larger than the rest ; they are oval, sharp-pointed, and ■erra^ about the edges. The flowers grow in large flat umbels ; they are small, of one leaf, cut into five sections, with as many small stamina ; and are succeeded by small round deep purple berries, full of a purple juice. Flace.~The Elder-tree grows frequently in h«dgf«, •iptridlj in moist pUoen 128 CTTLPBPSB'8 oompletb hbbbal. Time, — It flowers in May, and the berries are ripe In September. The bark, leaves, flowers, and berries are used. Government and Virtues, — This is under the dominion of Venus. The first shoots of the Commou Elder boiled like asparagus, and the young leaves and stalks boiled in hi broth, do mightily carry forth phlegm and choler. The middle or inwai^ bark boiled in water, and given in drink works much more violently ; and the berries, either green or dry, expel the same humour, and are often given with good success to help the dropsy ; the bark of the root boiled in wine, or the juice thereof drank, works the same effects, but more poweriFully than either the leaves or fruit. The juice of the root taken, mightily procures vomitings, and pui^ea the watery humours of the dropsy. The de- coction of the root taken, cures the bite oi an adder, and bites of mad-dogs. It mollifies the hardness of the mo- ther, if women sit thereon, and opens their veins, and brings down their courses : the berries boiled in wine, per- form the same effect : and the hair of the head wasned therewith, is made black. The juice of the green leaves applied to the hot inflammations of the eyes assuages them ; tne juice of the leaves snuffed up into the nostri^ purges the tunicles of the brain ; the juice of the berries boiled with honey, and dropped into the ears, helps the pains of them ; the decoction of the berries in wine being drunk, provokes urine ; the distilled water of the flowers is of much use to clean the skin from sun-burning, freckles, morphew, or the like ; and takes away the head-ache, com- ing of a cold cause, the head being bathed therewith. The leaves or flowers distilled in the month of May, and the legs often washed with the said distilled water, takes away the ulcers and sores of them. The eves washed therewith, it takes away the redness and blood-shot ; and the hands washed morning and evening therewith, helps the palsy, and shaking of them. ELDER (DWARF,)— (Sambucus HumUii.) Detcrip, — This is a pretty looking low plant, sending up Tarions spreading stalks, which faU down every year, and rise again in the spring ; on the top of these grow umbels of white flowers, having frequently a dash ol imrple, each of one small leaf, divided into five segments ; which are succeeded by round berries, when ripe, of a deep purple, or bUtok colour, and full oif a purplish juices dTLFEPBB'B OOMPLBTB HBBBll* 12^ The root i« thick, &nd civtrpiog ud the itarface of th« earth. Place.— The Dwarf Elder grows wild in many placei ot Eo^Und. Time, — Most of the Elder trees flower in June, and their fruit is ripe for the most part in August. But the Dwarf Elder, or Wallwort, flowers somewhat later, and its fruit is not ripe until September. OovemmerU and Virtues, — The Dwarf Elder is also under Venus, and is more powerful than the Common Elder in opening and purging choler, phlegm, and water, in helping the gout, piles, and women's diseases ; co' lours tne nair buu:k, helps the inflammations of the eyes, and pains in the ears, the bite of serpents, or mad dogs, burnings and scaldiugs, the wind colic, colic and stone, the difficulty of urine, the cure of old sores, and fistulous ulcers. Of the Dwarf Elder, the bark and seeds are in most re- pute, for the jaundice and dropsy ; in the same intention a decoction of the root and seeds is commended, but should be joined with proper correctors, they beins very violent in their operation without. The expressed oil of the seed is by some outwardly used to assuage the pain of the gout The inner bark of the Common Elder decocted, operates both by vomit and stool The same effect is observed but in a milder degree, of the young buds, if in the spring, eaten as young^ salad, and these in pottage gentlv relax the bowels. The inner bark outwanily applied, is com- mended in bums. The flowers are sudorific and anodyne ; infused in sharp vinegar, with the addition of some spices, thev make a more reviving liquor to smell to, and to rub the temples with iu faintinga of women in labour, and after delivery, than all the vouttile salts put together. Take of Elder flowers, half u pound, the flowers of red rosea, rosemary, and lavender, each four ounces, of nut- meg and cloves each two drams, of cinnamon three drams, pour upon them five pints of the sharpest white wiue vine- gar, let all infuse a month or six weeks, and after having pressed it out well, and the Honor is settled, put it into Dottles and keep it well stopf>ea for usa The berries are likewise sudorific, and of admirable use la recent colds, and beginning feverish heats, in which IJW cttlpbpee's complete heebal. oases nothing is so proper as the juice, without any addi- tion, boiled over a very gentle fire to the consistence of an extract ; this is commonly called the Rob of Elder, but is rarely made by apothecaries, though vastly superior to the syrup which is constantly kept in the shops. To make this Rob still more useful in the abovementioned disorders, I would recommend to the patient to take half a dram of fine levigated crabs' eyes, mixed up with half a spoon- ful of water, and immediately after six drams or an ounce of the said Rob, and to lie down and cover himself well. This will excite a gentle fermentation in the sto- mach, throw the person into a beneficial sweat, and pro- duce a wonderful amendment. The truth of this has been so generally experienced by the Qermans, that one shall haraly travel through a town or village where the inhabi- tantA are unprovided with this Rob. The juice of the Elder berries mired with one third part in weight of the genuine powder of liquorice, witn a few drops of oil of aniseeds, and boiled to a proper con- sistence, is a far better remedy on account of its acidity, for cutting the phlegm, and taking off the irritation to cough, than the juice of our liquorice, or the Spanish juice alone. A wine made of the juice of these berries it very wholesome. ELECAMPANE, or EJjFWOB,T.'-( Inula Seleniunu) Deacrip, — This is a robust and stately plant ; a peren- nial, with an upright handsome appearance. The leaves are of a dull faint green ; and the root, which is long and large, contains the virtues of the plant. Place. — It grows in moist grounds and shadowy places, almost in every county in England. Time.— It flowers In the end of June and July, and the seed is ripe in August. The roots are gathered for use, as well in the spring before the leaves come forth, as in autumn or winter. Government and Virtues, — It ffi under Mercury. One of the most beneficial roots nature affords for the help of the consumptive. It has a fragrant, very agreeable smell ; and a spicy, sharp, and somewhat bitterish taste. It is good for all diseases of the breast, and has great virtues in malignant fevers ; in strengthening the stomach, and assisting digestion, not like a bitter, but as a warm, in- vigorating, animating medicine ; and it has not its equal culpkpeb'b completb herbal. 181 in the cure of the hooping-cough iu children, when all other medicines fail. The fresh roots of £lecampane preserved with sugar, or made into a syrup or conserve, are very effectual to warm a cold windy stomach, or the pricking therein, and stitches in the sides caused by the spleen ; and to help the cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing in the lungs. The dried root made into powder, and mixed with sugar, and taken, serves to the same pur- pose ; and is also profitable for those who have their urine stopped, or the stopping of women's courses, the pains of the mother, and of the stone in the reins, kid- neys, or bladder ; it resists poison, and stays the spread- ing of the venom of serpents, as also putrid and pestilen- tial fevers, and the plague itself. ELM-TREE.— f Ulmxis.) Descrip. — The Elm is one of the commonest trees we have ; it has a rough thick bark, and the branches are clothed with somewhat rough, crenated, green leavea The fiowers are small and staminous, coming out early in the spring before the leaves. The seed is round and foliaceoua. PicLce, — It is common in the fields, and all over the country. G&oemmerU and Virtues. — It is a cold and Saturnine plant. The leaves thereof bruised and applied, hea. green wounds, being bound thereon with its own bark ; the leaves or the bark used with vinegar, cure scurf and leprosy very effectually : the decoction of the leaves, bark, or root, being bathed, heals broken bones. The water that is found in the bladders on the leaves, while it is Vesh, is very effectual to cleanse the skin, and make it fair ; and if cloths be often wet therein, and applied to the rupturetfi of children, it heals them, if they oe well bound up with a truss. The said water put into a glass, and set into the ground, or else in dung for twenty-five days, the mouth thereof being close stopped, and the bot- tom set upon a lay of oniinary salt, tnat the foeces may settle ana water become clear, is a singular and sovereign balm for green wounds, being used with soft tents : the decoction of the bark of the root fomented, mollifies hard tomonra, and the shrinking of the 8inewi» 132 orn^PEPBtt's complbts hebbal^ ENDIVE.— ainful and windy swellings of the spleen, and the yellow jaundice ; as also the gout and cramps. The seed is of good use in medicines, to help shortness of breath and wheezing, by stopping of the lungSi It asuiats also to brini; down tbit 186 CTJLPEPKR'B COMPT.ETE HEBBiXb courses, and to cleanse the parts after deliverj. The roots are of most use in physic drinks and broths, that are taken to cleanse the blood, to open obstructions in the liver, to provoke urine, and amend the ill colour in the face after sickness, and to cause a good habit through the body. Both leaves, seeds, and roots thereof, are much used in drink or broth, to make people lean that are too fat. The distilled water of the whole herb, or the con- densed juice dissolved, but especially the natural juice, that in some counties issues out of its own accord, drop- ped into the eyes cleanses them from mists and films that binder the sight. FENNEL (SOW or KOG'S.)-^ Peucedanum Officinale.) Callbd also Hoar-strange, Hoar-strong, Sulphur-wortt and Brimstone-wort. Detcrip, — The common Sow-Fennel has divers branched stalks of thick and somewhat long leaves, three for the most part joined together at a place, amon^ which arises a crested straight stalk, less than Fennel, with some joints thereon, and leaves growing thereat, and towards the tops some branches issuing from thence ; likewise on the tops of the stalks and branches stand divers tufts of yel- low flowers, whereafter grows somewhat flat, thin, and yellowish seed, bigger than Fennel seed. Place. — It grows plentifully in the salt low marshes near Faversham in Kent Time,— It flowers plentifully in July and Au^st Oovemment and Virtues. — This is also an herb of Mer- cury. The juice of Sow-Fennel, says Dioscorides, and Ga- len, used with vinegar and rose water, or the juice with a little Euphorbium put to the nose, helps those that are troubled with the lethargy, frenzy, giddiness of the head, the falling sickness, long and inveterate head-ache, the palsy, sciatica, and the cramp, and generally all the diseases of the sinews, used with oil and vinegar. The juice dissolved in wine, or put into an egg^ is ^od for a cough, or shortness of breath, and for those that are trou- bled with wind in the body. It purges the belly gently, expels the hardness of the spleen, gives ease to women that have sore travail in child-birth, and easeth the pains of the reins and bladder, and also the womb. A little of the juice dissolved in wine, and dropped into the eai-s, eases much of the pains in them, and put into a hollow tooth, easeth the pains thereof. CITIiPSPSB'B COUPLETS HSRBJLL. 187 FENNEL TLOWEEL-^NtgeUa Sativa, D^scrip. — Thii plant has a imall sticky root, which perishes ever year, after ripening the seed. The stalk rises to be a foot and a half, or two feet high, hollo^^ branched and channelled, having several finely lacinated leaves, pretty much resembling those of lark-spurs, set al- ternately on them. The flowers ctow on the end of the branches, of five small, white, sharp-pointed leaves a- piece, with several stamina in the middle, and are suc- ceeded by oblong round tumid heads, having on their tops five or six crooked horns ; the seed is black and somewhat sweet Plac€. — It is sown in gardens. Time. — It flowers in June and July, Oovemment and Virtuei, — This is also under Mercury. The seed only is used. It is accounted heating and dry- ing, and is said likewise to provoke urine, and to help ter- tian and quartan agues ; but is seldom used. FENUGREEK.— (T'ri^onetta Fcenum Orcecvm,) Called also Greek Hayea Ducrip. — It STOWS up with tender stalks, round, black- ish, hollow, and full of branches : the leaves are divided into three parts, like those of trefoil : the flowers are pale or whitish, not much unlike the blossoms of lupines, but smaller. After these are fallen away, there follow Ions husks, crooked and sharp pointed, wherein is contained the seed, which is of a yellowish colour. The root is full of mail hanging hairs. Plae€. — It is a native of France, and ii found here in thegardens of the curious. Tinu. — It bloMoms in July, and the seed is ripe in August. Uawmment vnd Virtues. — It is under the influence of Mercury, hot in the seoond degree, and dry in the first. The seed which is sold by druggists and apothecaries, is only used in medicine. The decoction, or broth of the seed, drank with a little vinegar, expels and purges all superfluous humours which cleave to the bowels : the same decoction, first made with dates, and afterwards made into a syrup with honey, cleanses the breast, chest, and lungs, and may be taken with success for any com- plaint thereof, provided the patient be not alHicted with 198 citlpipeb's completb hchbal. a fever or head-ache, aa this lynip being hurtful to th« head, would rather increase than alleviate those disorders. It is of a softening and dissolving nature, therefore the meal thereof being boiled in mead, or honey-water, consumes, softens, and dissolves hard swellings and imposthumes : also a paste thereof, with saltpetre and vinegar, softens and wastes the hardness and swellings of the spleen. It is good for women who are afflicted with an imposthume, ulcer, or stoppage in the matrix, to bathe and sit in a decoction thereof ; also a suppository made of the juice of this plant, and conveyed to the neck of the matrix, wUl mollify and soften all hardness thereof. FERN (BRAKE or BRACKEN).— CP^tfrii Aquilina,) Detcrip, — Of this there are two kinds principally to be treated of, viz. the Male and Female. The Female grows higher than the Male, but the leaves thereof are lesser, and more divided or dented, and of as strong a smell aa the Male : the virtues of them are both alike. Place. — They grow but too frequently upon commons and heaths. Time.— They flower and seed at Midsummer. Government and Virtues. — They are under the dominion of Mercury, both Male and Female. The roots of both those sorts of Fern being bruised and boiled in moad, or honeyed water, and drunk, kills both the broad and long worms in the body, and abates the swelling and hardness of the spleen. The green leave}> eaten, purge the belly, and ex- pel choleric and waterish humours that trouble the stomach. They are dangerous for women with child to meddle with by reason they cause abortions. The roots bruised and boiled in oil, or ho^s grease, make a very profitable oint- ment to heal wounds, or pricks gotten in the flesh. The powder of them used in foul ulcers, dries up their malig- nant moisture, and causes their speedier healing. FERN (OSMOND ROYAL, or WATER.}-^ Otmunda Eegdlis.) JDescrip. — This is the biggest of our English Ferns, ■ending forth several large branched leaves, whose long broad pinuulie are not at all indented about the edges like the other Ferns ; they are of a light yellow colour ; among these arise several stalks, which have the like leaves ottlpepxr'8 complstx herbal. 18V growing on them, set one against another, longer, narrower, and not nicked on the edges as the former. Place. — It fi^rows on moors, bogs, and watery places, In many parts of this country. Time. — It is green all the summer, and the root only abides in winter. Oovemment and Virtues. — Saturn owns theplant. This has all the virtues mentioned in the former Ferns, and is much more effectual than they, both for inward and out- ward uses ; and is accounted singularly good in wounds, bruises, or the like ; the decoction to be drunk, or boiled into an ointment of oil, as a balsam or balm, and so it is singularly good against bruises, and bones broken, or out of joint, and gives much ease to the colic and splenetic diseases ; as also ruptures and burstings. FEVERFEW, or FEATHERFEW.— (Pyrc^Arwrn, or Matricaria Parthenittm,) Descrip. — Common Featherfew has large, fresh, greet leaves, much torn or cut on the ed^es. The stalks are hard and round, set with many such like leaves, but smaller ; and at the tops stand many single flowers, upon small foot-stalks, consisting of many small white leaves, stand- ing round about a yellow thrum in the middle. The root is somewhat hard and short, with many strong fibres about it The scent of the whole plant is very strong, and the taste is very bitter. Place. — This grows mild in many places of the country, but is for the most part nourished in ^rdens. TVme. — It flowers in the months of June and July. Oovemment and Vvrtvse. — Venus commands this herb, and has commended it to succour her sisters (women,) to be a general strengthener of their wombs, and to remedy such infirmities as a careless midwife has there caused ; if they will be pleased to make use of her herb boiled in white wine, and drink the decoction, it cleanses the womb, ex- pels the afterbirth, and does a woman all the good she can desire of an herb. And if any grumble because they can- not get the herb in winter, tell them. If they please, they may make a syrup of it in summer: it is chieuy used for the disease of the mother, whether it be the strangling or rising of the mother, or hardness or inflammations of ths same, applied outwardly thereunto. Or a decoctiou of the flowers in wine, with a little nutmeg or mace put there. 140 and drank often in a daj, is an approyed remedy to bring down women's courses speedily, and helps to expel the dead-birth and after-birth. For a woman to sit over the hot fumes of the decoction of the herb made in water or wine, is effectual for the same ; and in some cases, to ap- ply the boiled herb warm to the privy parts. The decoc- tion thereof, made with some sugar or honey put thereto, is used by many with good success to help the cough and stuffing of the chest, by colds ; as also to cleanse the reins and bladder, and helps to expel the stone in them. The powder of the herb taken in wine, with some oxymel, pur- ges both choler and phlegm, and is available for those that are short-winded, and are troubled with melancholy and heaviness, or sadness of spirits. It is very effectual for all Eains in the head coming of a cold cause, the herb being ruised and applied to the crown of the head : as also for the vertigo, that is, a running or swimming of the head. The decoction thereof drank warm, and the herb bruised, with a few corns of bay-salt, and applied to the wrists before the coming of the ague fits, does take them away. PEVEKFEW (CORN.)— PyreMntm, or Matricaria' ChamomUla. Descrip, — ^This is an hateful weed to farmers ; but yet it possess virtues that may recompense all the damage it can do among the com. It sometmies grows to a foot and a half high, with a pale, slender, branchy stalk : the leaves are of a pale green, and they have no smell. The flowers are large and white, with a high yellow disc in the middle, and the leaves are cut into many parts as fine as threads. Plaice, — ^They are found commonly in com-field& Time, — They bloom in July. Oovemment and Virtues, — ^These have the virtues of the flowers of camomile, but with more cordial warmth. For those who have cold and weak stomachs, scarcely any thins equals them. They are best taken by way of infu- sionlike tea. FEVERFEW (SEA.)-(P^eMrMm» or Matricaria Maritima,) Descrip, — This grows about eight inches high, upright, and branchy. The stalk is thick and ruddy ; and the leaves are of a dull green, thick, swelled up, hollow underneath, and composed of many parts, which are again cut down to the rib. The flowers are white, with a low yellowish disc. 141 Plae€. — This ii a sea-side pereuaiiil plant, fretjueutlj foand in Cornwall. Time, — Tbey bloom in August Government and rir^M^.— This is a weed of our waste marshes, where it grows in its greatest perfection. Some curious physic gardeners have produced it, but it is not then so full of virtue as when found wild. The virtues of Feverfew are very great It is an excellent deobstruent. It is, as observed before, a great promoter of the menses, and cures those hysteric complaints which rise from their obstruction. It also destroys worms. In short, the virtues of any sorts of Feverfew are beyond all praise, and above all valae. FEVERFEW (SWEET.)— (Pyrtf^Arttm, or Matricaria Siiaveolens.) Detcrip. — The leaves of these Feverfews are stringy and very narrow, but the flower indicates the species. The stalks ai*e stiff, round, or striated, two feet high or more, clothed with smaller leaves, and pretty much branched towards the top, on which grow large flat um- bels of flowers, made of several white petals, broader and shorter than those of camomile, set about a yellow thrum. The root is thick at the head, having manv flbres under it ; the whole plant has a very strong, and, to most, an ODpleaaant smell Place. — They grow in hedges and lanes. Time,— They flower in June and July. The leaves and flowers are used. Govemnieni and Virtues. — The virtues of Feverfew are very great ; it is an herb particularly appropriated to the female sex, being of great service in all cola flatulent dis- orders of the womb, and hysteric affections ; procuring the catamenia, and expelling the birth and secundines. The joioe to the quantity of two ounces, given an hour before the fit, is good for all kinds of agues. It likewise destroys worms, provokes urine, and is ^>od for the dropsy and jaundice. FlQ.TREE.—(Ficu8 Carica.) Detcrip. — The Fig-tree seldom grows to be a tree of any §reat bigness in our parts, being clothed with large leaves igger than vine-leaves, full of nigh veins, and divided for ine most part into five blunt-pointed segments, yielding a thin milky juice when broken. It bears no viable flowera. 14S oulpepbr's complete herbal. Place. — Thej prosper very well in our English gardens, yet are fitter for medicine than for any other profit that is gotten by the fruit of them. Oovernment and Virtues. — ^The tree is under the domi- nion of Jupiter. The milk that issues out from the leaves or branches where they are broken off, being dropped upon warts, takes them away. The decoction of the leaves is excellent good to wash foreheads with. It clears the face also of morphew, and the body of white scurf, scabs, and running sores. If it be dropped into old fret- ting ulcers, it cleanses out the moisture, and brings up the flesh ; because you cannot have the leaves green all the year, you may make an ointment of them whilst you can. A decoction of the leaves being drunk inwardly, or rather a syrup made of them, dissolves congealed blood caused by bruises or falls, and helps the bloody flux. The ashes of the wood made into an ointment with hog's grease, helps kibes and chilblains. The juice being put into a hollow tooth, eases pain ; as also deafness and pain and noises in the ears, being dropped into them. An ointment made of the juice and hogs* grease, is as excellent a remedy for the biting of mad do^s, or other venomous beasts, as most are ; a syrup made of the leaves, or green fruits, is excel- lent for coughs, hoarseness, or shortness of breath, and all diseases of the breast and lungs : it is very good for the dropsy and falling-sickness. FIG-WORT, OB TBB,OATWOB,T.-^ Scrophularia Nodosa,) Bescrip. — Common Great Figwort sends divers great, strong, hard, square, brown stalks, three or four feet high, whereon grow large, hard, and dark green leaves, two at a joint, harder and larger than nettle l^ves, but not sting- ing ; at the tops of the stalks stand many purple flowers set in husks, which are sometimes gaping and open, some- what like those of water betony ; after which come hard round heads, with a small point in the middle, wherein lie small brownish seed. The root is great, white, and thick, with manv branches at it, growing aslope under the upper crust of the ground, which abides many years, but keeps not its green leaves in winter. Place. — It grows frequently in moist and shadowy woods, and in the lower parts of the fields and meadows. Time. — It flowers about July, and the seed will be ripe about a month after the flowers are fallen I OtTLPKPKR'8 OOMPLKTE HKREAL. 148 Oovemment and Virtues. — Some Latin authors call it Cervicaria, because it is appropriated to the neck ; and we Throat-wort, because it is appropriated to the throat. Venus owns the herb, and the Celestial Bull will not denj it ; therefore a better remedy cannot be for the king's- tvii, because the Moon that rules the disease is exalted there. The decoction of the herb taken inwardly, and the braised herb applied outwardly, dissoWes clotted and congealed blood within the body, coming by any wounds, bmiBe, or fall ; and is no less effectual for the king's-evil, ar any other knobs, kernels, bunches, or wens growing in the flesh wheresoever ; and for the haemorrhoids, or piles. FIGWORT (WATEK)—{8crophularia AquaHca.) Descrip. — This has lar^r and taller stalks than the former, less branched, havmg larger leaves, round-pointed, and in shape like betony, growmg on longer foot-stalks. The flowers are in shape like the former, but a little larger, and of a redder colour ; the seed-vessel and seed much alike. But the root has none of the knots or tuber- clea. Place. — It CTowi b^- watery-places, and ditch sides. Time. — It flowers m June. The root is used. Government and Virtues. — It is much of the nature of the former, and where that is not to be had, it may supply its place ; it is likewise detersive and vulnerary, ana is commended by some as good against the itch. FILIPENDULA.— (''Siptrea FilipendtUa.) Called also Dropwort Descrip. — It shoots forth many leaves of various sizes, growing on each side of a rib, and much dented on the edm^ somewhat resembling wild tansy or agrimony, but feel much harder : among these rise up one or more stalks, two or three feet high, spreading itself into many branch- es^ each bearing several white sweet-smelling flowers consisting of five leaves a-piece, with small threads in the middle : they stand tofjetner in a tuft or umbel, each up- on a small foot-stalk, and are succeeded by round chany heads, like buttous, which contain the seed. Place. — It grows in manv places of this kingdom, in the comen of dry fields and meadows, and also by hedge- tidet 7tm«.— They flower in Jane and July, and their seed \m ripe in AagoAt. 144 Chv§minent and Virtues. — It is under the dominion ci Venus, and is very serviceable to open the urinary pas- sages, to help the strangury, and all other pains of the bladder and reins, and to expel the stone ana gravel, by taking the root in powder, or a decoction of these in white wine, sweetened with sugar : the same also helps to expel the after-birth. The root made into powder, and mixed with honey, after the manner of an electuary, is good for those whose stomachs are swollen (breaking and expelling the wind which was the cause thereof) as also for all dir* eases of the lungs, for the shortness of breath, wheezings, hoarseness, coughs, and to expectorate cold phlegm. It is called Dropwort, because it gives ease to those who evacu- ate their water by drops. FIR-TREE.— )PtnM« Picea.) Detcrip. — There are two sorts of Fir ; one called the Silver or Yew -leaves, which is reckoned an exotic, com- ing originally from Germany, and only planted in gardens ; but the common pitch- tree, or picea, which is a native with us, differs from it only in that the leaves are smaller and slenderer, sharp and prickly at the ends, standing thicker together, and encompassing the stalk without any order. The cones are longer than those of the Yew-leaved, and hang downwards. Plac9. — It grows wild in the northern parts of Eng- land, but the Scotch Fir is another distinct species from both these : it is the wild pine. The leaves are long and blueish. Oovernment and Virtuet, — Jupiter owns this tree. The leaves and tops of both sorts are used in diet-drinks for the scurvy, for which they are higMy commended by the inhabitants of the northern countries. From this tree, of which there grow great numbers in several parts of Ger- many, is gotten the Strasburg turpentine, which is clearer, of a pale colour, and of a thinner consistence than Venice turpentine, of a bitterish taste, and of a pleasant smell, a little like lemon-peel. It is of a mollifying, healing, and cleansing nature ; and, besides its uses outwardly in wounds and ulcers, is a good diuretic, and of great use in a gonorrhsea and the fluor albus ; given in clysters mixed with the yolk of an eggf it is very serviceable against the stone and gravel It is likewise a good pectoral, and often i^Ton in anections of the breast and iongi. DyentOud. J^J^otmL hirdedDoek. Lftop¥fot%. fyeBri^l EadJiNut'. Fro^Ui. Fever hw. CUIiPEPEB'S COBfFLSTB HERBAL. 14i Tar is likewise the product of these trees, wlicb is by some accounted a good pectoral medicine, and used for ob- structions of the luDgs, and shortness of breath. From the young branches of the Piniu i46t«»*i8 produced the famous spruce beer ; and the juice which runs from the trunk, upon its being tapped, is what is sold in the shops here under the name of the Balm of Gilead. The young tops of this tree make an excellent antiscorbutic either infused or boiled in beer or wine ; experience has suffi- ciently confirmed their efficacy in that distemper in oui American plantations, where the inhabitants used to be severely afflicted vitb it, who since they have taken to brewing a kind of liquor or molasses, in which they boil the youne Fir-tops in the room of hops, they are very little troubled with the scurvy ; and many of our sailors whose diet on board of ships makes them subject to it, have had reason to commend that liquor. This tree yields two resinous substances ; a thin liquid sort, which comes forth from the young Firs, and is known in the shops by the name of Strasburg turpentine ; and a dry substance resembling frankincense, to which it is not unlike in quality. FLAG (YELLOW,) or FLEUR-DE-LYS.— T/rw Ptettdacorut,) CAIiLXD also Myrtle Flag, and Myrtle Grass. Descrip. — This plant is distiu^uished from all others, in that, among its leaves, which are much longer and narrower than the Garden Fleur-de-Lys, there arises one or two like the rest, only somewhat narrower, thicker and rounder towards the top, near to which come forth single juli, rarely two, in shape like the catkin of the hazel, or like long pepper, but ending more taper, and standing up obliquely from the leaf. The root is thick, full of joints, and spreads itself on the upper part of the earth, transversely, and not sinking deep in it, being full of large white fibres, increasing much, and soon taking a great deal of ground. It has a strong smell, not so plea- sant while green, but growing more grateful and aromatic as it dries. Pleing drunk with a dram of the powder or the needs of bark or the root8 of wall-wort, and a little cinna- Boo. for certain ditys together, it is held a singular remedy 148 CULPEPPER'S COMPLETE HERB1.I1 for the dropsy. The juice of the herb, or the distilled water, dropped into the eyes, is a certain remedy for all beat, inflammation, and redness in them. The juice or water put into foul ulcers, whether they be cancerous or fistulous, with tents rolled therein, or the parts washed and injected therewith, cleanses them thoroughly from the bottom, and heals them up safely. The same juice or water also cleanses the skin wonderfully of all sorts of deformity, as leprosy, morphew, scurf, wheals, pimples, or spots, applied of itself, or used with some powder of lupiii«3. (FLEABANE (CAN ADA,)— Erigeron Canaderue,) Called also Simson. Detcrip. — The stalk is of a dusky green, tinged with brown, and the lower leaves are broad, and rudely dent- ed ; the upper narrow and undivided, and all of a dead green. Tne flowers are white, but of no beauty. Place, — This is an annual, that grows on our dry banks, and among rubbish : sometimes it is found not six inches high, sometimes two feet or more. Time. — They bloom in August and September. Oavemment and Virtttes. — It is under Venus. The juice of this, as well as the sweet Fleabane, or Eri^eron Acre, is an excellent pectoral ; but being unpleasant is not often used ; however, if the decoction or infusion be sweetened with capilary or syrup of Maidenhair, it may be used with success in consumptive cases. FLEABANE (MAKSH.)— ^^c/wjcu) wdgarit.) Called also Common Rag- wort or Rag- weed, Groundsel, St. James's-wort, Stagger- wort, Hammer-wort, and by some confounded with Segruiu. Descrip. — This has many large and long leaves, of a fresh ^een, very smooth and delicate, lying on thf ground; the leaves are deeply cut at the edges, fron. which rise up sometimes but one, and sometimes two or three square or crested blackish or brownish stalks, three or four feet high, sometimes branched, bearing divers such- like leaves upon them, at several distances unto the top, where it branches forth into many stalks bearing yellow flowers, consisting oi divers leaves, set as a pale or border, with a dark yellow thrum in the middle, which abides a great while, but wX last are turned into down, and, with OVLPEPER'8 cokpletx hebbau 149 the maall blackish grey seed, are carried away with the wind. The root is made of many fibres, whereby it ia firmly fastened into the ground, and abides many years. Place.— They grow wild in pastures, and untillea grounds. Time. — They flower in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August. OovemmerU and Virtue*. — Fleabane or Ragweed ia under the command of Dame Venus ; and cleanses, digests, and discusses. The decoction of the herb is good to wash the mouth or throat that has ulcers or sores therein ; and for iwellinga, hardness, or imposthumations, for it thorough- ly cleanses and heals them ; as also the (^uinsey, and the king's-eviL It helps to stay catarrhs, thm rheums, and defiuxions from the head into the eyes, nose, or luuga The juice is found by experience to be singularly food to heal green wounds, and to cleanse and heal all old filthy ulcers in the privities, and in other parts of the body, as also inward wounds and ulcers ; stays the malignity of fretting and running cankers, and hollow fistulas, not Butfering them to spread farther. It is also much commend- ed to help aches and pains either in the fleshy part, or in the nerves and sinews ; as also the sciatica, or pain of the hipe or huckle-bone, to bathe the places with the decoc- tion of the herb, or to anoint them with an ointment made of the herb, bruised and boiled in hog's-suet, with some mastic and oLibanum in powder added to it after it is strained forth. FLEABANE {MABSO.,)-^ Engeron viscoeum.) Called also Bird's Tongue. Descrit). — This is the Pulicaria of Lobel, and so called, because by its smell it drives away and destroys fleas and gnats, has a small strini^y root full of fibres, from which spring round, succulent, striated stalks, which are shorter or taller, according to the soil it grows in, and frequently of a reddish colour, the lower leaves are about two inches long, and half an inch broad ; the flowers grow on the tops of the branches, without any petals or border, con- sisting only of fistular yellow flowers, growing in a green striated calyx, which afterwards turns into down. i"a^«.— It grows in moist places, and where water La# •iohI all wint^ff. Time, — It flowers in August and 2>4'pUuub«r, 150 ctjlpepeb's complete herbal. Government and Virtues. — The juice of this herb taken in ale, is accounted by some a gentle vomit, and of use to help pains in the stomach, and evacuate choler, and to help the jaundice ; it likewise destroys wormai Out- wardly applied it is useful in scrofulous tumors and in- flammations of the breast, and helps scald-heads. It is under Venus. The juice provokes urine, and expels gra- vel in the reins or kidneys, a dram thereof being given in oxymel, after walking or stirring of the body. It helps also the sciatica, griping of the belly, the colic, defects of the liver, and provokes women's courses. The fresh herb boiled, and made into a poultice, applied to the breasts of women that are swollen with pain and heat, as also the privy parts of man or woman, the seat or fundament, or the arteries, joints, and sinews, when they are inflamed and swollen, does much ease them ; and used with some salt, helps to dissolve knots or kernels in any part of the body. The leaves and flowers, with some fine frankin- cense in powder, used in wounds of the body, nerves or sinews, oo singularly help to heal them. The distilled water oi iLe herb performs well all the aforesaid cures, but especially for inflammations or watering of the eyes, by reason of the defluxions of rheum into them. FLEABANE (MOUNTAIN.)— (^^cTwcio Jacohcea.) Called also Mountain Rag-wort, or Brag-weed. Descrip. — This is a weed of our high pasture ground, but not common ; its height never exceeds a foot ; it is found to grow upright, and has no branches. The leaves are pale, thick, and downy, and the flowers are of a light yellow : they grow in a cluster at the top of the stalk, and have a circle of narrow leaves under them. Time. — They bloom in June and July ; and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — This is also under Venus. Taken inwardly it is an acrid and dangerous purge, but its juice applied outwardly, is of good ettect It is inju- rious to sheep, as their wool grows loose on eating it FLEABANE (SMALL.)— (Pw/icaria DyserUerica,) Descrip, — This is another ill-looking annual weed, fre- quent in our waste places. The rays of the flower are very short and waved : it grows to eight inches high, bat commonly lies in part upon the ground. The stalk oulpspbr's complstb herbal. 161 is of a ruddy brown ; the leaves are short, small, and of a dull dead green ; the flowers are small, very poor, and ot a dirty yellow. Time. — They bloom in August. 0unted good for fluxes and hemorrhages of all sorts. FOX-GLOVE.— ('Z>i^a/u Purpurea,) Leecrip. — It has many long and broad leaves, Ijring opon the ground, dented upon the edges, a little soft or woolly, and of a hoary green colour, among which rise up sometime sundry stalks, but one very often, bearing such leaves thereon from the bottom to the middle, from whence to the top it is stored with large and long hollow raddish purple flowers, a little more long at the lower edge, with some white spots within them, one above another, 166 CULP1BPBR8 COMPLKTE HERBAL. with small greeo leaver at every one, but all of them turn- ing their heads ooe way, and hanging downwards, having some threads also in the middle, from whence rise round heads, pointed sharp at the ends, wherein small brown seed lies. The roots are so many small fibres, and some greater strings among them ; the flowers have no scent, ut the leaves have a bitter hot taste. Place, — It grows on dry sandy ground for the most part, and as well on the higher as the lower places under nedge-sides in almost every county of England. Time. — It seldom flowers before July, and the seed is lipe in August. Government and Virtues. — The plant is under the domi- nion of Venus, being of a gentle cleansing quality, and withal very friendly to nature. The herb is familiarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green wound, the leaves being but bruised and bound thereon ; and the juice thereof is also used in old sores, to cleanse, dry, and heal them. The decoction hereof made up with some sugar or honey, is available to cleanse and purge the body both upwards and downwards, sometimes of tough phlegm and clammy humours, and to open ob- structions of the liver and spleen. It has been found by experience to be available for the king's-evil, the herb bruised and applied, or an ointment m^e with the juice thereof, and so used ; and a decoction of two handfuls thereof with four ounces of polypody in ale, has been found oy late experience to cure divers of the falling sick- ness, that have been troubled with it above twenty years. I am confident that an ointment thereof is one of the best remedies for a scabby head. ¥\5^lT0B.Y.'-(Fumcma Oficinalis.) Descrip, — The Common Fumitory is a tender sappy herb ; it sends forth from one square — a slender weak stalk, and leaning downwards on all sides— many branches two or three feet long, with finely cut and jagged leaves of whitish, or rather bluish, sea-green colour : at the tops of the branches stand many smaD flowers, as it were, in a long spike one above another, made like little birds, of a reddisn purple colour, with whitish bellies ; after which come small round husks, containing small black seeds. The root is yellow, small, and not very long, full of juice wliile it is green, but quickly perishes with the ripe seed. In the corn-tielcU of ComwaiI» it bears white flowers. culpkpkr's completb bkrbal. 157 Flace.^Xt jrrows In corn-fields almost every where, rm well as in gardens. TitM.^ It flowers in May, for the most part ; and the seed ripens shortly after. Oovernment and Virtues. — Saturn owns the herb, and presents it to the world as a cure for his own disease, and strengthener of the parts of the body he rules. The juice or syrup made thereof, or the decoction made in whey by itself, with some other purging or opening herbs and roots to cause it to work the better (itself being but weak) is very effectual for the liver and spleen, opening the ob- structions thereof, and clarifying the blood from saltish, choleric, and adust humours, which cause leprosy, scabs, tetters, and itches, and such like breakings out of the skin ; and, after the pnrgings, strengthens all the inward parts. It is also good against the yellow jaundice, eradicatmg it by urine, which it procures in abundance. The powder of the dried herb, given for some time together, cures me- lancholy, but the seed is strongest in operation for all the former diseases. The distilled water of the herb is also of good effect in the former diseases, and conduces much against the plague and pestilence, being taken with good treacle. The distilled water also, with a little water and honey of roses, helps all the sores of the mouth or throat, being gargled often therewith. The juice dropped into the eyes, clears the sight, and takes away reauess and other defects in them, although it procures some pain for the present, and causes tears. Dioscorides says, it hinders any fresh springing of hairs on the eyelids (after they are pulled away) if the eyelids be anointed with the juice oereof with gum arable dissolved therein. The juice of the Fumitory and docks mingled with vinegar, and the places gentlv washed or wet therewith, cures ail sorts of ■caba, pimples, blotches, wheals, and pushes which rise on the face or hands, or any other parts of the body. FURZE-BUSH.-— ("C^** Europeua.) Called also Gorze and Whins. Ducrip. — A common shrub, four or five feet high, and very spreading. The leaves are very small, oblong, of a bluish green, and fall soon after their appearance in spring. The branches are all the year clothed with innu- merable green thorns, and the flowers are large and yellow. The l«Mer and the Needle Furze are two otner fipecies o/ the same genus- 158 CX7IJ»VPSR*B COMPLETE HERBAL. Place. — ^They are known to grow on dry barren heaths, and other waste, gravelly, or sandy grounds, in all counties of England. Time. — ^They also flower in the summer months. Oovemment and Virtues. — Mars owns the herbs. They are hot and dry, and open obstructions of the liver and spleen. A decoction made with the flowers thereof has been found effectual against the jaundice ; as also to provoke urine, and cleanse the kidneys from gravel or stone engendered in theuL Mars does this also by sym- pathy. GALINQALE.— .)-^( Allium A mpeloprasum. ) Descrip. — The root of this is round and whitish ; the leaves are oblong, very broad, of a fine deep green. The stalk of a pale green, three square, and ten inches high, whereon grow small white flowers. Place. — It is common in damp grounds in the western counties. Ttm£. — It flowers in April Oovemment and Virtue. — It is under Mars as well as the former. The root is only known in physic ; it is a powerful opener, and on acconxit of its subtle parts, in CUI^EPKK'8 completb hebbal. 161 which it aboQDda, discussiye : it seldom agrees with drj constitationa, but it performs almost miracles in phleg- matic haWilfi of body. It wonderfully opens the lungs, and gives relief in asthmas ; nor is it without its merit in wind colick" ; and is a good diuretic, which appears by the smell it communicates to the urine. It is very useful in obstructions of the kidneys, and dropsies, especially in that which IB called anasarca. It may oe taken in a morning fasting, or else the conserve of Garlic which is kept in the shops may be used. GEin:iAN,—( Sivtrtia Perennis.) Called also Baldmony, and Felwort. It is confessed that Gentian, which is most used among Qfl, was brought from beyond the sea, yet we have several sorts of it growing frequently in this country, which, be- sides the reasons so often alleged, why English herbs should be fittest for English bodies, has been proved, by the ex- perience of divers physicians, not to be a whit inferior in virtue to that which comes from beyond sea ; therefore be pleased to take the description of them as follows : — Descrip. — There are two sorts, the greater of which has many small long roots thrust deep down into the ground, and abides all the winter. The stalks are sometimes more, sometimes fewer, of a brownish green colour, and frequent- ly two feet high, if the ground oe fruitful, having many long, narrow, dark green leaves, set by couples up to the top : the flowers are long and hollow, of a purple colour, ending in fine comers. The smaller sort, which is to be found in this country, grows up sundry stalks, not a foot high, parted into several smaller branches, whereon grow divers small leaves together, very like those of the leaser centuary, of a whitish green colour ; on the top of these stftlks grow divers perfect blue flowers, standing in long busks, but not so big as the other : the root is very small and full of threads. Autumnal Gentian, or Lung-flower, with large bell-Bhaped blue flowers ; Perfoliate Gentian, and Centaury Gentian, with small blue flowers, constitute all the species natives of Britain ; and their difference has occasioned some to divide them into several imaginary sorts ; but their virtues are alike, and their flowers declare them of the same genus. Place. — They are common on hilly pastures, but are kept in botanic (;arden^ 162 culpspeb'b completb hebbaj* Time. — They flower in August. Oavemment and Virtues. — Thej are under the domin- ion of Mars, and one of the principal herbs he is ruler of. These resist putrefactions and poison ; a more sure remedy cannot be found to prevent the pestilence than it is ; it strengthens the stomach exceedingly, helps diges- tion, comforts the heart, and preserves it against faintings and swoonings : the powder of the dry root helps the bit- ing of mad dogs and venomous beasts ; opens obstructions of the liver, and restores the appetite. The herb steeped in wine, takes away weariness and cold lodging in the joints, if drank ; it helps stitches and griping pains in the sides ; it is an excellent remedy for such as are bruised by falls. It provokes urine and the terms exceedingly, there- fore let it not be given to women with child : the same is very profitable for such as are troubled with cramps and convulsions, to drink the decoction : alsr* they say it breaks the stone, and help ruptures most ceitainly. It is excel- lent in all cold diseases, and such as are troubled with tough phlegm, scabs, itch, or the fretting sores and ulcers ; it is ail admirable remedy to kill the worms, by taking half a dram of the powder in a morning in any convenient liquor ; the same is exceedingly good to be taken inward- ly for king's-evil. It helps agues of all sorts, and the yel- low-jaundice : as also the bots in cattle : when kine are bitten on the udder by any venomous beast, stroke the place with the decoction of any of these, and it will in- stantly heal it. GERMANDER.— (^rcMortwrn Marum.) Descrip. — Germander has a spreading creeping root, which sends forth several square nairy branches, scarce a foot high, having two small leaves at every joint, on short foot-staiks, about an inch long, and half an inch broad, cut in with several sections, something resembling in shape the leaves of on oak, somewhat hard and crumpled, green above, and hoary white underneath. The flowers grow to- wards the tops of the branches among the leaves, whorle- fashion, of a purplish red colour ; they are labiated, the lip turned upward ; but they want the galea, having in its place several stamina standing erect. The seeds grow four together in the hairy five- pointed calyces. Flcui€, — It grows with us only in gardens. TifM. — It lowers in Jmoe and JiUy. The leu ve.s and to{*y are use*^^ cttlpbpeb's oompletb herbal. 163 Oovemment and Virtues, — Gteniiander is an herb of warm tbiu parta, under Mars, opening obstructions of the liver, spleen, and kidneys : and of use in the jaundice, dropsy, and stoppage of urine. It is a good emnienagogue ; and is commenaed by some as a specinc for the gout,rheu* matism, and pains in the limbs. It is undoubtedly a good vulnerary, both detersive and healing ; and is a proper in- gredient in pectoral decoctions. Some extol it for a great antiscorbutic, but the brook limes exceed it in this parti- cular, which abound in subtle pungent parts, and there- fore are better suited to cut those viscidities which are the cause of scorbutic blotches. The juice is very justly re- commended among the rest of the antiscorbutic juices to be taken in the spring for some time. OLADIOLE (WATER.)— (Butomut Umbellatui.) Called also Flowering Hush. Descrip. — This marshy plant has a thick bulbous root» with many short fibres. The stem is round and upright, and the leaves are long and upright also, springing from the root. The flowers grow at the top of the stalk in a very stately manner, in the umbellous form, and they are yellow, and sometimes of a greenish white. Place and Time, — We find Gladiole growing on the sides of our ditches issuing from the Thames, and on the sides of the Thames itself, it is also found in the marshes near Botherhithe, Deptford, and BlackwalL It flowers from July to September. Uovemfnent and Virtues. — Gladiole is under Saturn, as all rushes are. It is seldom used in medicine. The flow- ers are of a cooling nature, good for hot humours, inflam- jations, imposthumes, and green wounds. GLADWIN.— (/nj Foetidissinui,) Dtscrip. — This is one of the kinds of fleur-de-lys, having divers leaves rising from the roots, very like fleur-de-lys, but that they are sharp-edged on both sides and thicker in the middle, of a deep green colour, narrower and sharp- er pointed, and of strong scent, if they be bruised between the fingers. In the middle rises up a strong stalk, a yard high at the least, bearing three or four flowers at the top, resembling the flowers of the fleur-de-lys, with three up- right leaves, of a dead purplish ash-colour, with some veins discoloured in them : the other three do not fall down, nor ai» the three other small ones so arched, oor oover the 164 CtTLPEPEBlB COMPLETl? HEBBAU lower leaves as the fleur-de-l^s does, but stand loose or asunder from them. After they are passed, there come up three square hard husks, opening wide into three parts when they are ripe, wherein lieth reddish seed, turning back when it has abode long. The root is like that of the fleur-de-lys, but reddish on the outside, and whitish with- in, very sharp and hot in the taste, of as evil scent as the leaves. Place. — This grows well in upland grounds as in moist places, woods, and shadowy spots by the sea-side in many places of this country, and is usually nursed up in gardens. Time, — It flowers not until July, and the seed is ripe in August or September ; yet the Imsks, after they are ripe, opening themselves, will hold their seed with them for two or three months, and not shed them. Government and Virttce8.—li is supposed to be under the dominion of Saturn. It is used by many country-people to purge corrupt phlegm and choler, by drinking a aecoction of the roots ; the sliced roots and leaves in ale serve well for weak stomachs. The juice of the root snuffed up the nose causes sneezing, and draws coiTuption from the head. The powder drank in wine helps those troubled with cramp and convulsions, or with gout and sciatica; and gives ease to the most griping pains of the body and belly, and helps those that have the strangury. It stays fluxes, by cleans- ing and purging them. The root boiled in wine procures womens' courses ; and, used as a pessary, works the same effect, but causes abortion to women with child. Half a Iram of the seed beaten to powder, and taken in wine, speedily relieves those troubled with a stoppage of the urine. The same taken in vinegar, dissolves the hardness and swellings of the spleen. The root used with a little verdigris and honey, and the great centuary root, is very effectual in all wounds, especially in the head : as also t^ draw forth any splinters or thorns, or any other thing, sticking in the fleah, without causing pain. The same boiled in vinegar, and laid upon any swelling or tumour, very effectually dissolves and consumes them ; it is also good for king's-eviL The juice of the leaves or roots, heals the itch, spreading sores, scabs, blemishes, and scars. GOAT'S BEAKD (Y ELhOW. y-(Tr(u/opogon Potri/o- Hue.) Descrip. — This grows on a firm, upright stalk, of a light |>leasant graen, and a foot high. The leaves are flat, gra^ OlTLPEPSB'f COMPLKTV HESBIX. 166 iy, of A pretty bluish green ; tender and milky when bro- ken. The flowers are yellow, large and beautiful ; they dose at mid-day, and country- people therefore call it, Qo-to-bed-at-Noon. Place. — This is a handsome biennial ; frequently in our pastures, and very plentiful in the north of £ngland. Time, — It blooms in July. OopemmerU and Virtuet.— This herb is under the domi- nion of Jupiter. A large double handful of the entire plant, roota, flowers, and all bruised and boiled, and then strained, with a little sweet oil, is an excellent clyster in the moat desperate case of strangury or suppression of urine, from whatever cause, A decoction of the roots is ffood for the heart-burn, loss of appetite, disorders of the breast and liver ; expels sand and gravel, slime, and even small stones. The roots dressed like parsnips, with but- ter, are good for cold watery stomachs. Boiled or cold, or eaten as a raw salad, they are grateful to the stomach ; strengthen the thin, lean, and consumptive, or the weak after long sickness. The distilled water gives relief to in- ward impoethumea, pleurisy, stitches, or pains in the sides. GOATS BEARD (PVRPIjE).^( Tragopogion Fratensis.) Detcrip. — Purple Goat's Beard grows on a firm, upright stalk, near a yard high. The leaves are larfi^e, long, of a fine fresh gieen, resembling the leaves of leeks. The flow- er-stalk grows thick at its top ; the flowers are purple, and their long green cups behind add greatly to their oeauty. Place, — This is a biennal ; a wild plant in our pastures, very stately and beautiful ; aud it thrives best where there is some moisture. Time. — They bloom in June and July, and shut up at noon as the other. There is a beautiful variety of this, with the centre of the flower yellow, the rest purple. OovemmerU and Virtue*. — The virtues of this are the same as the other, only less pleasant, therefore more bit- ter, astringent, detersive, and medicinal. This, however, may be eaten in great nuantities ; aud so will be useful in chronic complaints. The roots are particular! v specific in obstruction of the gall, and the jaundice ; tiie Ibest way to use them, is stewed like chardoons. GOATS UVK—(Oalega OJicinalia,) De»crip. — Goat*i Rue has many tall, hollow, striated Wancbes about a yard in height, with long, pinnatsd 166 CITLPSPSB'S COMPLETE HEBBAL leaves growing alternately on the joints, consisting of six or eight pair of long oval pinnae, smooth and not indented about the tdges, which are apt to be folded together. The flowers grow in long spikes, hanging downwards in the shape of pea-blossom, but less, of a pale whitish blue co- lour J the seed grows in long erect pods : the root is thick, spreading in the earth, and abiding long. Pla/ce, — It is a native of Italy, but grows in our gardens Tifnt, — It flowers in June and July. Oovemment and Virtttes. — Goat's- Kue is under Mer- cury in Leo, and is accounted cordial, sudorific, and alexi- Eharmic, and good against pestilential distempers, expel- ug the venom through the pores of the skin ; and is of use in all kinds of fevers, small-pox and measles ; it like- wise kills worms, and cures the bites of all kinds of veno- mous creatures. Some commend a decoction of it for the gout ; and a bath made of it is very refreshing to wash the feet of persons tired with overwaJking. In the north- em countries they use this herb for making their cheeses, instead of Kennet, whence it is called also Cheese- Rennet: the flowers containing an acidity, which may be ^ot by distillation. This plant is selddin used in the shops. GOAT'S THORN, or TBAQAlirr.-^Astragalu* Tragaccmtha. ) Desorip, — It grows with a woodv tough root, the stem is moderately thick, and furnished with branches which are covered with dark green leaves ; the flowers are pro- duced in clusters at the tops of the branches, and they are small and white. The blossom, when it appears, is but- terfly-shaped ; the standard or upper petal, is longer than the rest, reflected on the sides, and notched at the end ; the winffs, or side petals, are shorter than the standard, and the Keel, or lowermost of all, is notched at the end. Place.— A native of the East, but grows in our gardens. Time, — It flowers here in August Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Mars. A gum, known by the name of gum dragant, or tragacanth, is the produce of this little shrub, and sweats out at the bottom of the stem during the heats of summer. It is good for tickling coughs; arising from sharp acrid humours, and against the strangury and heat of urine i but it is far from being a pleasant medicine. CIXLPSPER's complete HIBBIX. lOT GOLD OF TLEAS\JB.E.—( Mi/agrum Sativum,) Descrtp. — It has a long, slender, white, fibrous root. The stalk is round, firm, upright, a foot and a half high, and divided into a great number of branchea The leaves are numerous ; and they are placed with an agreeable re- gularity, from the bottom to the top : they are obloug. narrow, and of a pale green ; they adhere to the stalk by a broad base, and are from thence smaller to the extrem- ity, where they terminate in a point. The lower leaves are sharply serrated at the edgea The flowers grow along the tops of the branches, and are of a golden yellow. P'ace. — It is found in some of the corn-fields of England. Time. — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtuet. — Jupiter governs this useful but much neglected plant. In some part of this country where they raise flax, it is very common. The seeds pass unnoticed, consequently, it rises with the flax from one year to another. The seeds give a useful oil in ^reat quan- tity, little inferior to olive oil, and will answer its purpose ytry well The seeds are good against gravel, and are of a powerful diuretic quality. GOLDEN ROD {C01AMO^),—( Solidago Fra^ans,) Descrip. — This rises to two feet high, a very handsome plant, with a small reddish brown upright stalk, turned and bent a little from the joints, and terminated by a long and beautiful spike of flowers. The leaves are of a deep, but not very fine green, and they feel a little harsh. Thd flowers are gold yellow, and numerous though small, and all turned one way ; when they are ripe, they change into down, and are carried away by the wind. The root consists of many small fibres, which grow near the surface of the ground, but survives the winter, and in spring shoots out new branches. Place. — This is a perennial, that grows by wood-sides, in copees, in moist as well aa dry grounds, and on heaths and among thickets. 7\me. — It flowers about the month of July, and lasts tm Aagust Oovemment and Virtues. — Venus rules this herb. It is alMklsamic vulnerary herb, lon^ famous against inward harts and bruises, tor which it is most efl'ectual in a dis- tilled watsr, and in which shape it is an exc4;llent and safs 168 OTTLPSPSB'S complete HEBBAIa. diuretic ; few things exceed it in the gravel, stone in th« reins and kidneys, strangury, and where there are small stones so situated, as to cause heat and soreness, which are too often followed with bloody or purulent urine ; then its balsamic healing virtues co-operate with its diuretic qual- ity, and the parts at the same time are cleansed and heal- ei It is a sovereign wound- herb, inferior to none, both for inward and outward use. It is good to stay the im- moderate flux of womens' courses, the bloody flux, ruptures, ulcers in the mouth or throat, and in lotions to wash the privy parts in venereal cases. No preparation is better than a tea of the herb for this service : and the young leaves, green or dry, have the most virtue. GOLDEN ROD (NARROW-LEAVED.)— (^^o^t^ioi^o AngiLstifolicL ) Descrip. — This is another species of the same plant ; same in height, but has few or no oranches. The stalk is very weak, tender, of a dark green colour, tinged with a ruddy brown. The leaves are of a bright grassy green, smooth, and prettily dented at the edges : the flowers are of a pale yellow, ana stand in a loose spike. Place. — This is a perennial, native of Ireland, and ael- dom found with us ; there it adorns the rocky hills. Time.- The> flowers bloom in Jul} and August. Oovenimeat and Virtues. — It resembles the preceding in virtues as in fonn. Venus claims the herb, and appli- ed outwardly it is good for green wountls, old ulcers and sores. As a lotion it is effectual in curing ulcers in the mouth and throat, and privy parts of man or woman. The decoction helpe to fasten the teeth that are loose. GOLDEN ROD {W'&1&IL.)^( Solidago Cambrica,) Descrip. — This grows upon a simple upright brown stalk, six or seven inches high. Its leaves are long, narrow, pale, and a little downy ; the flowers are of a gold yellow, and numerous. Place. — This is a pretty perennial, a native of the Welsh mountains, and a favourite food for the goats. Tims. — The flowers bloom in August, and last till Sep- tember. Oovemmsnt and Virtues. — It possesses the same virtues as the first kind, though in an inferior degree. The leaves and tops are the parts used. It is accounted one of our best vulnerary plants, much used in apozems, and woand« ( c«jlfxpxr's complete heubal. 169 drinks ; and ontwardly in cataplasms and foraentationi. It is somewhat astringent, and useful in spitting of blood, and is of great service against the stone. GK)LD£N SAMPHIRE.— ("/ntt/a Crithmifolia.) Deserip, — This is a perennial, and grows to a ^ard high, with many branches. The leaves are three-pointed, of a blue green, thick and juicy, the tlowers of a gold colour. Dtierip. —It grows on the margin of oar sea marshes. Time. — It blooms in June and July. Oovemmeni and Virtues. — The leaves of the flowers make an excellent and agreeable antiscorbutic. An infu- sion of the whole plant, sweetened with sugar, is good after a drunken surfeit. It is under the dominion of Jupiter in Libra. The flowers are cooling, moistening, and laxative, good in affections of the breast and lungs, nelping coughs and pleuritic pains. The syrup is given to children to open and cool their bodies. The flowers are cooling and opening, and frequently put into clysters, as well as into ointments against inflammations. The seed is reckoned good for the stone and gravel GOOSEBEKliY-BUSfl.-Y^*^ Gfrossularia), Deicrip.— The Gooseberry-Bush is well known to every body. I need not describe it, the leaves are little and jag- ged, the flowers small and green, and the berries round or oval, Including several seeds in a iuicy pulp, sourish when green, but when ripe of a sweet pleasant taste. Place, — It grows in gardens. Time, — It flowers early, the berries are ripe in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — These berries, which are the only parts used, are cooling and astringent, creating an appetite, and quenching thirst. They are under the domi- nion of Venus. While they are unripe, being scalded or baked, they are good to stir up a fainting or decayed appe- tite, especially where the stomach is afflicted by choleric homoors : they are excellent good to stay the longings of women with child. The decoction of the leaves cool hot swellings and inflammations, and St. Anthony's fire. The ripe Gooseberries are excellent to allay the violent heat of both the stomach and liver. The young leaves break the •tone, and expel gravel both from the kidneys and blad- der. All the evils they do to the body of man is, thoy are supposed to bre«d crudities, and, by crudities, worms, 170 OirLPEPBB'S COMPLETE HEBBIX. GOSMORE (LONG-ROOTED).— (J7y^oc^flprw Radkata,) Called also HawkweeH jDescrip. — This rises from a moderately thick and long brown root, with leaves in a cluster at the bottom ; thej are oblong, broad, and of a deep green, widely notched at the edges, rather rough to the touch. The stalks are slen- der, tough, and branched, a foot and a half high, and of a pale green ; they have rarely any leaf upon them. The flowers are of a gold colour, and grow on the tops of the branches. Plac6, — It is common in pastures, and hilly situations. Time.—lt flowers in June. OovemmerU and Virtites, — This Gk>smore, as well as the following, is an herb of Venus, and very useful to the la- dies. They are good for stone and stoppage of unne, and promote the menstrual flux, and to that end are frequent- ly mixed with chalybeates ; they are likewise good for the gout and sciatica ; outwardly they are used for the itch, either the juice or powder mixed with a proper ointme ut. GOSMORE {S1^00TK).'-( ffypochceris Glabra,) Deserip. — The stalk is hard, leafless, and of a pale green ; the leaves a bright shining green ; the flowers a pale yel- low, their cups having a pretty appearance. P/ac«.— This is a biennial little plant on high grounds, but not common. It is mostly found in Warwickshire, and about Bristol and Denham. Time. — It blooms in August. Oovemment and Virtues. — It has the taste of the for- mer, but faint and unpromising ; is seldom used ; it is warming, aperient, and useful in disorders of the kidneys, aa stone and strangury, provoking urine ; it expedites the birth, and brings away the after-birth. It is likewise ac- counted alexipharmic, and good against the bites and stings of venomous creatures. GOSMORE (SPOTTED.)— CiTyjoocAoTW Maculata.) Detcrip. — The stalk is greyish, and naked like the for- mer ; has slight Alms, and a single branch ; the leaves are oblong or oval, undivided, of a pale green, and spotted with black. The flowers are of a fine light yellow. Place. — This is a biennial, native of our heaths ; a small, but singular plant ; it grows upon Newmarket heath, but it is not conunon. I CUIiPEPEB'B COMPLETl HXBBUt. l71 TitnA, — It blooms iu August Oovemment and Virtuf-n.—Thh plant is very useful to the ladies, aud ought to he found upou their toilets. Its decoction will take away freckles which are brought on by the heat of the sun. It is so innocent, that no harm need be feared from its application. GOAT-HERB, GOUTWEED, or GOUTWORT.— (^gopodium Podagraria), Callkd also Ground- Ash, Herb Guard, and Ash weed. Descrip. — It is a low herb, seldom rising half a yard, having sundry leaves standing on brownish green stalks by threes, snipped about, and of a strong: unpleasant bsx- ▼our : the umbels of the flowers are white, and the seed blackish, the root runs broadly in the ground. Place.— li grows by hedge and wall-sides, and often in the borders and corners of fields, and in gardens also. Time. — It flowers and seeds about the end of July. Oovemment and Virtttes. — Saturn rules it. Neither is ft to be supposed that Goutwort has its name for nothing, but upon experiment it heals the gout and sciatica ; as also joint-aches, and other cold pains. GREEN (WJKIER.}—(Trie7Uali8 Europcea.) Descrip, — The stalk is round, thick, upright, and ten inches high. The leaves somewhat resemole those of the pear-tree, but scarcely so large ; they all grow from the root, for the stalk is naked. The flowers are small^ and of a very bright white ; they stand in a kind of loose spike on the tops of the stalk, and are composed of five leaves, which are succeeded by cornered seed-vessels, full of very ■mall seed. The root is small, slender aud fibrous. Place. — It grows wild in some parts of England, but is no where common. Time. — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtites.—W iuier-Qreen is under the dominion of Saturn, and isamngular good wound-herb, and an esf^ecial remedy to heal ^een wounds speedily, the green leaves being bruised ana applied, or tne juice of them. A salve made of the green herb stamped- or the juice boiled with hog's- lard, and tury^entine added to it, ia a sovereign salve. The herb boiled in wine and water, and given to them that have any inward ulcers in their kidreyu, or neck of the bladder, does wonderfully help 17S -TTTLPBPSR'S COMPLETE HERBAL. them. It Btajs all fluxes, as the lax, bloody flux, se- mens' courses, and bleeding of wounds, and takes away inflammations rising upon pains of the heart ; it is no less helpful for foul ulcers hard to be cured ; as also for can- kers or fistulaa The distilled water eflectuallj perform! the same things. GROUND PINE (COMMON. )-Y4^a CKamoepityt,) Descrip, — The root is long, slender, and divided. Th« stalks are numerous, weak, and three inches high ; they are or a greyish colour, much branched, and covered thick with leaves. These stand in pairs at small distances, and they have numerous young ones in their bosoms ; they are of a pale yellowish green, oblong, narrow, and at the end divided into three points. The flowers rise from the blos- soms of the leaves, and are small and yellow ; but the a pper lip la spotted with purple on the inside. Place. — It grows in fallow fields and chalky groundi, particularly in Kent, in great plenty. Time.— It flowers in June and July. Oovemment and Virtues. — Ground Pine is a martial Slant, hot and dry, warming and strengthening the nerves ; elps the palsy, gout, sciatica and rheumatism, the scur- ry, and all p ains of the limbs. It is a strong diuretic, opens obstructions of the womb, and powerfully promotes the menses, it ought not to be given to pregnant women. GROUNDSEL (COMMON,)— (Senecio Vulgaris,) Deecrip. — The stalk is of a round green, rather brownish colour, spreading towards the top into branches, set with long and somewhat narrow leaves, cut with deep irregular notches about the edges. The stalk is tender, iuicy, weak, and about eight inches high. At the tops of the branches stand many small green heads, out of which grow many small yellow threads, or thrums, which are the flowers, and are poor and numerous. These continue many days blown in this manner, before they pass into down, and, with the seed are carried away by tne wind. The root is small and stringy, and soon perisnes, and as soon rises up again of its own sowing, so that it is seen often in one year, both green, in flower, and in seed. Place. — This annual weed mws everywhere in fields jmd gardens, both in tilled and untilled ground. Tiine* — It flowers all the summer round. CT7LPRPKR*8 COVPLm HERBAL. 171 Ocvemmeni and Virtues. — Groundsel is under the domi- nion of Venus ; and, though common has many virtues. It is cooling and digesting in inflammations ; it is an easy emetic when made like tea. Taken in ale, it acts against the pains of the stomach, strangury, and jaundice ; it de- stroys worms, and is useful in scrofulous tumours and in- flammations of the breasts and scald head. Its juice is a good purgative, but the dose should not exceed two ounces. The leaves bruised and applied outwardly to the stomach, produces the like etfect, and there is no better application for the gripes and colic of infants. For the sore breasts of women, pick a handful of the fresh juicy leaves, bruise them, and make a poultice with a little bread boiled in milk, then lay the poultice on, and repeat as often as need- ful, and an effectual cure will be the result The juice also provokes urine, and expels the gravel in the reins and kid- neys, when taken in wine. A dram of the juice is suffi- cient to be taken inwardly, and caution should be used so that it may not work mischief. A poultice of it, with a little salt, dissolves knots and kernels in any part of the body. The leaves and flowers, with frankincense in pow- der, ii a good vulnery ; the distilled water performs every thing that can be expected from its virtues, especially for inflammations or watering of the eyes, when proceeding from defluctions of rheum into them. An infusion of it taken inwardly cores staggers and bot-worms in horses. GROUVDSEL (COTTON OR STlNKll^O.)-'(Senecio Viscoitu.) Deserip, — This is another sort, like the former, except that it grows not so tall, the leaves are not so finely jag- ged, nor of so dark a green colour, but rather whitish, soft, woolly, thick and clammy to the touch, and the flowers are usually paler. The whole plant stinks so rankly, that it is called Stinking Groundsel. Place. — It is an annual, found upon our dry ditch banksi Time, — It blooms in July, until the end of summer. OovemmerU and Virtues. — This has been praised in flaxes of the belly, and the dysentery; it has the power of ipecacuanha, but in a less degree, and not so agreeable a manner, it is very good in hysteric complaints. The leaves are carminative, and may be used in poultices, fomeuta tiona, and baths, but more esf)ecially tne flowers. Inward- ly, an infuaion will expel wind, strengthen the stomach. 1*74 CRJLPEPKR*8 COMPLETE HERBAL. and stop vomiting. Two spoonfuls of this herb, with a few drops of the spirit of vitriol given in some broth is said to cure the most violent fit of ague. GEOUNDSEL (HOARY.)— (>Senmo BrucefoUus,) Descrip. — The stalk is upright, and a yard high, of a pale green, and furnished with many branches. The leaves are of a pale green, and somewhat hoary ; the flower iis large, handsome, of a light yellow colour, and spreads flat round the thrum. Place. — This is a perennial plant that loves shade, and is found on the sides of woods, and thrives best in moisture. Time.— It blooms in July and August. Government and Virtues. — Its virtues are similar to the others of its kind, and it resembles them in its tasre and smell. A strong decoction is an excellent gargle in a «ore throat, spitting it out immediately ; but its outward uses are considerable. It takes ofi* inflammations, dissolves hard swellings, and assuages pain in old ulcers, wneiner applied by way of poultice, ointment, or plaster. GROUNDSEL (MOUNTAIN.)— (.Senecio Sylvaticui.) Descrip. — This is a strong tall plant, the stalk is a yard high, of a dull green, tinged with brown. The leaves are smooth, firm to the touch, of a faint green. The flowers are numerous, of light yellow, and their rays turn back. FkLce. — This is an annual, common on our ditch banks, and other waste and dry places. Time. — It blooms in July and August Oovemment and Virtites. — It is externally good against pains and swellings. It is detersive, and proper m all glandular obstructions ; it is antiscorbutic, and its fresh juice, which is the best, may be taken in broths or medi- cinal ales. The seeds, which are kept dry, are very light ; are met with in the shops, but are not so good as the green herb, for it loses its virtues by drying. GROUNDSEL {WATEB,.)---{Senecio Jacobcea.) Called also Water Ragwort Descrip. — This water plant grows about two feet high, and spreads out wide branches. The root leaves are broad, with a few jags at the base, those on the stalks are deeply divided down almost to the rib, and they are of a Uveiy oulpkpkr's oomplxtb herbal^ 17ft green, smooth, glossy, sometimes of a reddish colour. The flowera are of a beautiful bright yellow. P/ ace.— This is a handsome perennial, commonly found at ditch-sides, or where water stands during the winter. Time. — It blooms in July or August. Oavemment and Virtue*. — Thei*e is an acrid sharpness in this plant, but the juice of it is cooling and astringent, and of use in bums, inflammations in the eyes, and also in cancerous ulcers : it takes the pain from the stings of bees, and assuages the pain of the gout, if applied outwardly. GUM THISTJjK—( Euphorbia ffelioscopia.) Descrip. — This plant has no leaves, the root is hung with numerous large fibres, the stem is of dark green colour, thick, upright, and armed all the way with sharp prickles, and from the angles of the stem towards the top proceed the small flowers, which are of a yellowish green colour. Place. — A native of Africa, but grows in our meadows. Time. — It is perennial, flowers from June to September. Qovemnveri and Virtues. — It is under Mars, and is hot and dry, being a perfect caustic, of thin parts. A plaster vade of twelve times as much oil, and a little wax, heals all aches of the joints, lameness, palsies, cramps, and shrinkings of the sinews. Mixed with oil of bay and bears' urease, it cures scurvy and scalds in the head, and restores lost hair ; applied with oil to the temples, it heals the lethargy, and by putting it to the nape of the neck, pre- vents the apoplexy. Mixed with vinegar it removes all blemishes in the skin, or with other ointments, heals the parts that are cold, and heals the sciatica. Taken inward- ly, it frets the entrails, and scorches the whole body, for that reason, it must be beaten small, and tempered with something that lubricates and allays its heat, and then it purges water and phlegm. Pills of Gum Thistle greasily nelp dropsy, pains in the loins and guts by moisture, but should only be given in desperate cases, as it operates vio- lently. The oil of this plant, if snufled up the nose purgei the head of phlegm, and is good in old and cold pains of the jointo, liver, and spleen, also cold diseases of the nerves and brain, the head-ache, and pains in the side. It cures cold pains in the kidneys, bladder and womb, by anointiug with it. It provokes lust and heals numbness and stif De« of th» pnvitiet proceeding from cold, by anointing. 176 oulpbpsr's compucte herbal. HARE'S EAR (SUAJLL,y-( Bvpleura RotundifoUum.) Descrip.-^Th\% has a long slender white root ; the stalks are numerous, and very small ; they are a foot and a half high, and divided toward the top into a few branches : the leaves stand alternately on them ; and they ire long, narrow, grassy, and of a pale green. The flowers stand on very small umbels at tne tops of the stalks, and on the foot-stalks rising at the bosom of the leaves ; and they are little and white. The seeds are small and dark-coloured. Plouie, — We have it in dry pastures, and by road-sides in Essex, Sussex, an^ Cambriage TiTM, — It flowers in June. Oovemment and Virtties. — It is somewhat of the nature of Thorough- wax, but of inferior degree. The juice is ca- thartic and diuretic, good to purge phlegmatic watery hu- mours, and ser\'iceable against dropsy and jaundice, and obstructions of the liver and spleen ; it is not often used in England. Venice and Castile Soap are made from its ashes. HARE'S TOOT,--(Pes Leporimu,) Descnp. — This plant seldom rises very high, but spreads out into many slender branches, having small narrow hairy trefoil leaves set at every joint ; on the tops of the branches grow short round heads composed of small papi- lionaceous pale purple flowers, each set in a soft woolly calyx, making the heads appear soft and downy. The seed is small, lying at the bottom of the calyx ; the root is lit- tle, and peiishes yearly. Place. — It is frequently found in fallow and corn-fielda Time.— It flowers in June and July. The whole plant is used, though not very often. Oovernment and Virtiies, — Hare's Foot is a Mercurial herb, drying and binding ; accounted good for diarrhoea and dysentery, and to stop the too great flux of the cata- menia and the fluor albua It helps the ulceration of the bladder, and heat and pain in making water. It is a powerful astringent, and recommended in all cases where SAtringents are safe. The leaves worn in the shoes pre- vent the feet sweating. It is also a good vulnerary herb. f/rru/ufpint. Gouh^oti Olassvtod. Venicau. HemloeJi-. Hcundsicnyue. /! I OULPXPER'S COMP1.ETS HKRBAU 171 HARTS TONGUE.— CJ«p^^ium Scolopendrium or Scolopendrium Oficinarum.) Descrip, — Tliia has divers leaves arising from the root, every one j^everally ; which fold themselves in their first sprin^ng and spreading ; thej are a foot lon^ when full grown, smooth and green above, but hard and with little sap in them, streaked on the back, thwart on both sides of the middle rib, with small and somewhat long and brown- ish marks ; the bottoms of the leaves are a little bowed on each side of the middle rib, somewhat narrow with the length, and a little small at the end. The root is of many black threads, folded or interlaced together. Time. — Green all winter, but fresh leaves grow yearly, Oovemment and Virtues. — Jupiter claims dominion over this herb, and it is a good remedy for the liver, both to strengthen it when weak, and ease it when afflicted ; a syrup of it should be made, for I think the leaves are not green all the year. It is commended for hardness and stoppings of the spleen and liver, and the heat of the sto- mach, lax, and the bloody-flux. The distilled water is very good against the passions of the heart, to stay the hiccough, to help the falling of the palate, and to stay the bleeding of the gums, by gargling with it. HAWK-WEED (COMMON BROADLEAYED.)— (Uyeracia Mxtrorum,) Descrip. — It has many large leaves lying upon the ground, much torn on the sides like Dandelion, but with greater parts, more like the smooth Sow-Thistle, from among which rises a hollow, rough stalk, two or thi^ feet high, oranched from the middle upward, whereon are set at every joiut longer leaves, little or nothing rent or cut, bearing at the top sundry pale ligulated yellow flowers, consisting of many small, narrow leaves, broad pointed, and uickea in at the ends, set in a double row or more, the outermost being larger than the inner, which, from most of the Hawk- weeds, (for there are many kinds) do hold, which turn into down, and, with small brownish seed, is blown away with the wind. The root is long, somewhat greater, and with many fibres thereat. The most common Hawk-weeds are tho«e here represc^nted, viz., the narrow- leaved, with umbeliferous flowers ; the Wall Uawk-weed, with hairy Htalks and leaves ; the Succory-leaved Hawk' 178 OVLPEPKB'B COMPLBTS HBBBAl.. weed ; the Mouse-ear Hawk-weed, with bare green stalks and fairei jellow flowers ; the Auricular narrow-leaved Hawk-weed ; the Mountain Hawk-weed, with a rou^h bare stalk, and fine yellow flowers ; and the Scotch Hawk- weed, the largest Hawk-weed of any, with a rough stalk, and small yellow flowers. The virtues are the same in all. Place, — They grow about field-sides and path-ways io the dry grounds of the hilly-part of Westmoreland. Time, — They flower and seed late in the summer. Oovemment and Virtues. — Saturn owns it. Hawk-weed is coolinff, somewhat drying and binding, and good for the beat of the stomach, and gna wings therein ; for inflam- mations, and the hot fits of agues. The juice of it in wine helps digestion, dispels wind, hinders crudities abiding in the stomach, and helps the difficulty in making water, it is good against all poisonous bites. A scruple of the dry root given in wine and vinegar, is profitable for dropsy. The decoction of the herb taken in honey digests phlegm, and with hyssop helps the coughs The decoction of the herb and wild succory with wine, helps the wind colic and hardness of the spleen, it procures rest and sleep, hinders Tenery, cools heat, purges the stomach, increases blood, and helps diseases of the reins and bladder. Outwardly applied, it is good for the defects and diseases of the eyes, used with some womens' milk ; it may be used with suc- cess for healing spreading ulcers. The green leaves bruis- ed, with a little salt, applied to bums and scalds, greatly helps them : as also iSt. Anthony's fire, and all pushes ind eruptions, and hot and salt phlegm. Applied with meal poultice, it eases and helps cramps and convulsions. The distilled water takes away wrinkles, freckles, spots, &c. HAWTHORN.— Ci/«pi^i« OxyacarUha,) />Mcn/>. —ITiis is well known. The young twigs are reddish, clothed with small leaves, divided into three and sometimes five segments, coming over against the thorns. The flowers grow in clusters, consisting of five white leaves, with roddish apices in the middle ; of a pleasant tmell, and are succeeded by small, round, and umbelicated berries, of a fine red colour, containing a pretty big stone divided into two, and covered with a little pulp. Place, — These trees grow in hedges, and flower in May. Tide — The berries or haws are ripe in September The flowers and fruit are used. Government and Virtue*.— It is a tree of Mars. Th* OnLFSFEB*S COMPLETE HERBAIi. 179 seeds in the berries beaten to powder being drunk in wine, are good against the stone and dropsy. The distilled water of the flowers stays the lax. The seeds cleared of the down and bruised, being boiled in wine, are good for in- ward pains. If the distilled water be appUed to any pUce pierced with thorns or spUnters, it will draw them out. HAZEL NUT. — {Corylus AveUana.) De^crip. — The Hazel tree is of small magnitude, rising from the root are a number of long, smooth, tough, pliable branchea, bearing large, round, rough leavea, indented about the ed^ea, before whose appearing there comes forth on the branches a great many loug, loose juli, or catkins. The nuts grow two, three, or four together, on one stalk, covered with a husk, open and jagged at the top ; when ripe, the shell is hard and brittle, having a sweet kernel Place, — This tree grows in the woods and hedges. Time, — It flowers in May. Oovemment and Virtues.— They are under the dominion of Mercury. The parted kernels matie into an electuary, or the milk drawn from them with mead or honied water, is good to help an old cou^h, and a little pepper put in draws rheum from the head. The dried husks and shells, to the weight of two drams, taken in red wine, stays lazness and womens' courses, the skins answer the same purpose. HEAJIT'S EASE.— C 7*0^ Tricolor,) Called also Fansies. Descrip. — From a long, slender, divided fibrous root, rise numerous weak stalks, of a faint green ; they spread upon the ground, and raise themselves up for flowering, and are six or eight inches long, and brancned. The lower leaves are short, roundish, and lightly indented ; but the upper ones are longer and more deeply cut, and some towards the top divided to the rib by numerous segments. The flowers are of a beautiful purple, variegated with yellow ; and there is more or less white or blue, among them. The wild white violet is a species of this genus ; many are of a white colour from being starved, and this is the case in respect to the white violet. Place, — They are found wild in barren placet in our ftelda, and cultivated often in our ganiens. TVuM.— They flower all the spring and summer long. Oowmmmeru and Virtue*. — The herb is really Saturnine, MflMthing oold, vitoous, and slimy. A strong dscoctioo 180 oxtlpepeb's complete hebbai* or syrup of the herb and flowers, is an excellent cure foi the venereal disease. The spirit of it is excellent good for convulsions in children, and a remedy for falling sickness, inflammation of the lungs and breasts, pleurisy, scabs, itch, &C. The flowers are cooling, emollient, and cathartic : it is best to make a syrup, as their virtues are lost by drying. HEDGEWEEDS. —(Erysimum Officinale, and Erysimum Barbarasa,) Descrip. — Common and Winter Hedgeweeds are often taken for Hedge Mustard, as there is a resemblance both in appearance and virtues, it is not of much consequence. The roots of these weeds are long, white, woody, furnished with many fibres. The stalks are round, firm, upright, of a pale green, or purplish ; they erow two feet and a half high, and not much branched. The leaves of the first are long, pointed, and notched at the edges ; but of the Win- ter Hedgeweed they are broader, thicker, more deeply in- dented, and rounder. They are of a pale green colour, a bitter taste ; the pith and the stalk have the same taste. The flowers are small and yellow, and the seed-vessels are long, slender, and squared : they stand in a kind of ■pikes along the upper part of the stalk, when the plant has been some time in flower. Garlic Hedgeweed, or as ■ome call it, Jack by the Hedge (Allicuria Officinalis,) has the taste of the former, but the appearance is somewhat different, for this has smaller white flowers and rounder leaves, of a finer green, and not rough at the edges, not BO much resembling Wormwood or Southernwood as those do ; but the seed-vessels are the same shaped, and the ■eed looks the same. FloM. — They are common in waste places, which are overrun with water ; the fens in the Isle of Ely, in Cam- bridgeshire, and in Derbyshire, produce them abundantly. TvmA, — They are sometimes in flower in April, and ■ometimes not till September. Oovemment and Virtiies,—Thej are martial plants, hot and astringent ; the juice, or a strong decoction, is good to stop efi'usion of blood in a very safe manner. The seed, which is the best part that is used, is drying and binding, of service in all kinds of fluxes and hemorrhages, either from the bowels or any other part ; they help the inconti- nenoe of urine, and the making bloody urine. They are also alexipharmic; and good in pestilential fevers; they re- ttst poison* And the bites and stmgs of venomous creatorea CXTIf KPES'8 COMPLETR HEBBAL. 181 HELLEBORE {BLACK.y-( Eelleborut Niger,) Callxs alao Setter-wort, Setter-graaa, Bear's-foot, Christmas herb, aod Christmas- flower. Detcrip. — It has sundry fair green leaves rising from the root, each of them standing alx>ut a handful high from the earth ; each leaf is divided into seven, eight, or nine parts, dented in the middle of the leaf to the point ■ides, abiding ^een all the winter ; about Christmas- time, if the weather De any thing temperate, the flowers appear upon foot-stalks, also consisting of five lar^e, round, white leaves a- piece, which sometimes are purplish towards the edges, with many pale yellow thrumos in the middle ; the •eeds are black, and in form long and round. The root consists of numberless blackish strings all united into one head. There \a another species, which grows in the woods very like this, but only tne leaves are smaller and narrow- er, and perish in the winter, which this does not. Place. — The first grows in f^ardens. The second is com- monly found in the woods in Northamptonshire. T'im*.— The first flowers in December or January ; the second in February or March. Government ana Virttcet. — It is an herb of Saturn, and therefore no marvel if it has some sullen conditions with it, and would be far safer, being purified by the alchymist than given raw. Goat's milk is an antidote for it, if any one suffers from taking too much. The roots are very ef- fective in quartan agues and madness, they help falling sick- neea, the leprosy, Iwth the yellow and black jaundice, th« gout, sciatica, and convulsions. Used as a pessary, the roots provoke the terms exceedingly ; also being beaten to powder, and strewed upon foul ulcers, it eats away the dead flesh, and instantly heals them : nay, it helps gan- grenes in the beginning. Twenty grains taken inwardly IS a siiflicient dose for one time, and let that be corrected with half as much cinnamon. HELLEBORE (WHITE,) or INDIAN POKE.— (^ Ftfro. trum Viride.) Descrip. — The roots are thick at the head, white on the inside, and very full of fibres all round, of a hot nauseous taste. The stalks a»e numerous, about a foot high ; they are round, green, firm, and upright. l*he lower leaves are large, of a deep green, divided into several parte, sharp 182 CXTLPEPEB'S COMPLETB HERBAL. pointed and serrated at the edges. The flowers are umbel- liferous, large, and singular ; they have no cup, they are green, but paler than the leaves, and they have a great number of tnreads, with white buttons in their centre. The seed-vessels appear among these, and afterwards ri- pen ; the flower not falling, but remaining with them. Pl«rnment and Virtues. — It is a flower of the Sun ; a mat vulnerary. The flowers contain a deal of honey- juice, they are cooling and moistening, good for inflamma- tions of the liver, St. Anthony's fire, r^ness and pimples in the face, being applied to the parts affected as a cata- plasm, or cloths dipped in the juice, laid on, and now and then shifted ; made into a poultice with hogs'-lard, it helps hot swellings and tumors. HONEWORT (SLENDER.)— ("/Swan Ammonium.) Descrip, — This is a species of stone parsley, a weak plant* of two feet and a half in height ; the stalk is brown, and very slender, supporting itself by leaning against the bashes : the leaves are of a fine green ; the flowers are ■mall and white : and the seeds are of an olive brown. Place. — It is found in damp thickets, and moist hedges. Tim^. — It flowers in July. Oavemment and Virtues. — This little plant is under the dominion of Venus, iu the sign Cancer, and is excellent to allay swellings, which are called Hones. The leaves are to be f reah gathered, and beat in a mortar with a kind of paste. UtK) WAB.¥,y^C(ymus Herhacea.) Descrip. — The root is long, slender and spreading, and it fttmisned with many fibres. The stalk is round, slen- der, upright, and about five inches high. The leaves are in pairs, large, oblong, broad-pointed at the ends, and marKed with high ribs : they have no foot-stalka, and their colour is of a bluish green. The flower is large and white, and stands at the top of the stalk, but there usual- ly rises two little shoots from the same point ; each of which has two or four leaves on it like the others. The fruit consists of several small berries joined together, of a fine red. As this plant decays it becomes more red. Place, — It grows on hills in the north of England Time, — It flowers in May. Oovemment and Virtties. — This is a martial herb. The root la bitterish to the taste, the leaves mildly acid ; boiled up with sugar, the leaves make a very agreeable ielly, which is of great use In hot bilious fevers, and putrid dis- orders. A decoction of the bark is a good lotion for the itch, and other cutaneous eruptions. OTTLPKPBR'B CX)MPLRK HSRBAL. 101 HONEY- WORT.— rCtfn^Ae Major.) Descrip. — There are eeveral species of the Honey-worts, consisting of the great, small, and the rough, as the great- er yellow and red, the greater yellow and purple, and the lesser yellow and white. The greater Honey-wort ^ws upon a thick green stock to a moderate height, having a number of deep-pointed green leaves, placed one above another : towards the top of each stalk come umbels of very sweet flowers, thick set, and rising up spiral or crest- ed ; of a bright yellow colour, though some are red, others purple, and some perfectly white. //ac«.— They grow in England in gardens. Time,— They spring up in April, and flower from May to August, but perish in the winter. Oovemment and Virtues. — They are under Mercury, and are of a cold quality, and somewhat astringent. They stop bleeding at the mouth and nose, immoderate fluxes of the belly, and womens* courses. The juice of the herb, with a little saffron dissolved in it, is an excellent remedy for weak, watery, bleared ejeA^ and is used to heal foul ulcers, after they have been cleansed, particularly in tender parts of the body. It is used instead of Bugloss and Borage. ROTS.— (Humulns Lupuius.) Descrip. — The Hop runs to a great heieht, climbing up, and twisting round the poles which are placed for its sup- port; the branches are rough and hairy, being large, rougn, vine-like leaves, divided into three p>art8, serrated about the edges. On the tops of the stalks, grow clusters of large, loose, scaly heads, of a pale greenish yellow colour when ripe, and a pretty strong smell. Place, — The manured hops are cultivated in gardens : the wild are found frequently in hedges* Tims. — They are ripe in Septembei. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Mara This will open ohHtnictions of the liver and spleen, cleanse the blood, looeen the belly, cleanse the reins from gravel, and provoke urine. The decoction of the tops cleanses the blood, cures the venereal disease, and all kinds of scabs, itch, and other breakings out of the body ; as also tetters, ringworms, spreading sores, the morjjhew, and all discolounngs of the skin. The decoction of the flowers and tops help to expel poison. Half a dram of the seed in 192 Ot7LPI5PK1l'« OOMPLBTIt HERBAL. So^vler, taken in drink, kills worms in the body, brings own womens' courses, and expels urine. A syrup made of the juice and sugar, cures the yellow jaundice, eases the head-ache that comes of heat, and tempers the heat of the liver and stomach, and is profitable given in long and hot agues that arise from choier and blood. The young hop sprouts, which appear in March and April being mild, if Doiled and served up like asparagus, are a very wholesome as well as a pleasant tasted spring food. They purify the blood, and keep the body gently open. H0REH0UND.--(^i/iirw6twm Vulgcure.) Descrip. — Common Horehound grows up with square hairy stalks, half a yard or two feet high, set in the joints with two crumpled rough leaves of a sullen hoary greeii colour, of a good scent but a bitter taste. The flowers are smalL white, and gaping, set in a rough hard prickly husk round about the joints, with the leaves from the middle of the stalk upward, wherein afterward is found small round blackish seed. The root is blackish, hard and woody, with many strings ; and abides many years. Place, — It is found in waste dry grounds in England, Time, — It flowers in July, the se^ is ripe in August. Oovemment and Virtvss. — It is an herb of Mercury. A decoction of the dried herb, with the seed, or the juice of the green herb taken with honey, is a good remedy for a cough, or consumption. It helps to expectorate tough phlegm from the coest, being taken with the roots. It is given to women to bring down their courses, to expel the afterbirth, and to them that have sore and lon^ travails ; aa also to persons who have taken poison. The leaves used with honey, purge foul ulcers, stay running and creeping sores, and the growing of the flesh over the nails. It also helps pains in the sides. The juice, with wine and honey, helps to clear the eyesight, and snuffed up the nostrils, it purges away the yellow jaundice ; and, with oil of roses, dropped into the ears, eases the pains of them. It opens obstructions both of the liver and spleen, and used out- wardly it cleanses the chest and lungs. A decoction of Horehound is available for those that have hard livers, or those who have the itch or running tetters. The powder taken, or the decoction, kills worms ; the green leaves bruised, and boiled in ho^*s-grease into an ointment, heals the bites of dogs, abates trie swollen part and pains which C^LPEPBR^^ COMPLKT4 BERSAL. 1^3 come by pricking tborna, with vinegar, it cleanses and heals tetters. The syrup of Horehound is excellent for cold rheums in the lungs of old people, and for those who are asthmatical or short-winded. HOREHOUND {BhACK.y-( Balota Nigra.) Descrip. — The Black Horehound grows taller, and is more branched than the white, with taller darker leaves, of a keen earthy smell. The flowers are found among the leaves, in two clusters on each side of the stalk, towards the fore part of it, each cluster on a common foot-stalk, and every flower in a wide-mouthed five-cornered large calyx of a red colour, being galated and labiated, they ap- pear a little above the calyx : the seeds are in the bottom, small and oblong. The root is long, and spreads much. Place, — It grows in bye-paths and in hedges. Time, — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — This is also under Mercury, but has not as much virtue as the former. The leaves and top only are used. The leaves beaten with salt, and ap- plied to the wound, cures the bites of mad dogs, and the juice, mixed with honey, cleanses foul ulcers. It is recom- mended as a remedy against hysteric and hypochondriac affections. It is an intense bitter, which bespeaks it to be a stren^thener of weak stomachs ; it is endowed with the properties of a balsam, and is a powerful alterative, and capable of opening obstructions of any kind ; it is a pro- moter of the menses ; some praise it very much as a pec- toral in coughs and shortness of breath ; but it is neces- mrj to observe some caution, viz, that it ought only to be administered to gross phlegmatic people, and not to thin plethoric persona. The powder is good to kill worma. nOBSE-TAlJj.'-( Equisetum,) Detcrip. — There are many kinds of this herb, which are but knotted ruiihea, some with leaves and others without. The great Horse-tail at the first has heads resembling A»- parai^s, and afterwards grow to be hard, rough, hollow stalks, joined at sundry places at the top, a foot high, so made as if the lower parts were put into the upper, where ffrow on each side a bush of small long rush -like hard Mavet, each nart resembling a horse- tail At the top of the rtalks come forth small catkins, like those of trees. The root creeps in the ground, having joints at sundry places^ Id4 OULPIPIr's COMPLXTl HBRBAL. Place, — This herb growa in wet grounds. Time. — It springs up in April, and its catkins in July ; it seeds in August, and perisnes.in winter. Oavemment and Virtues. — This herb belongs to Saturn. It is very powerful to stop bleeding either inward or out- ward, the juice of the decoction being drunk, or the juice, decoction, or distilled water applied outwardly. It also stays laxea or fluxes in man or woman, and heals the in> ward ulcers, and the excoriation of the entrails, bladder, &c. It solders together the tops of green wounds, and cures all ruptures in children. The decoction, taken in wine, provokes urine, and helps the stone and strangury ; and the distilled water drank two or three times a day, and a small quantity at a time, also eases the entrails or guts, and is effectual in a cough that comes by distillation from the head. The juice or distilled water, used as a warm fomentation is of service in inflammations, pustules or red wheals, and other breakin^s-out in the skin, and eases the swelling heat and inflammation of the funda- ment, or piivy parts, in men or women. ILOnSE-TOl!^GlJK—( ffippoglossum,) Descrip. — The root of this plant has a thick head, from which spring several hard whit« thready fibres. The stalks are about six or eight inches high, tough and flexible, it has lar^ nervous leaves, pointed at the ends, thick and full of haid veins, rising sometimes alternately, and some- times two opposite ; on the middle of the upper part of each leaf, but in shape or make like the former; at the setting on of this grow one or two small mossy flowers, which are succeeded by round red berries. Place. — It is cultivated only in botanic gardens. Time. — It flowers in June and July. Government and Virtues. — This plant is under Mars in Libra. It is heating and drying ; and serviceable in dis- orders and suffocations of the womb, and hysteric fits, as likewise to hasten the birth, expel the afterbirth, and pro- cure the catamenia : but it is very rarely used. There is a lesser species, more compaon, but it does not possess as many virtues. They are b<>th very drying and astringent, and good for all sorts of fluxes, hemorrhages and bleedings, both inward and outward, and to stren^hen the joints. 191 HOUND'S-TONGUE.—(' Cyno^^o«*ttm OjfficinaU,) Descriv. — The root of the CommoD Hound's-Tongue is thick ana long, of a dark brown coloar on the outside, and" whitish within ; the lower leaves are near a foot lon^, and two or three inches broad, pointed at the ends, and soft and wooUj to the touch ; the stalk rises two or three feet high, with shorter and narrower leaves, and having several flowers growing in clusters on the top, of a sullen red co- lour, appearing a little above the caljoes they stand in ; each flower is followed by four flat seeds, standing about the pistillium, like a shield or buckler. The whole plant has a foetid smelL Place. — It is found bj hedges and road-sides. Time. — It flowers in June and July, the root only is used. Qovemment and Virtues. — The plant is governed by Mer- cury. The root is cold, drying, and binding, it is useful in catarrhous defluxions upon the lungs, and to temper ths sharpness of the blood ; and, by consequence, excellent for all kinds of fluxes, and hemorrhages, as well as for gon- orrhoea. It is likewise reckoned among the vulneraries, and helpful in scrofulous tumours, both taken inwardly and applied outwardly as a cataplasm. The leaves boiled in wine or water, and oil and salt, mollify and open ths belly downwards. It also cures the bites of mad dogs, some of the leaves being applied to the wound; the leaves bruised, or the juice of them boiled in hog's-lard and appli- ed, helps the falling away of the hair, which comes oi not and sharp humours ; as also for an^ place that is scalded or burnt ; the leaves bruised and laid to any green wound, heals it up quickly : the root baked under the embers, wrapped in paste and a suppository made thereof, and put into or applied to the fundament, does very eflfectually help the paintul piles or hemonhoids. The distilled water of the herbs and roots is a remedy for all the purposes afore- said, to be used inwardly to drink, and outwaixlly to wash any sore place, for it heals all manner of wounds, and all the foul ulcers that arise by the venereal disease. ROVSEliEEK,'--( Sempennvum Tectorum,) Called also Sengren. Descrip. — Houseleek has a great many thick, succuleat leaves, set together in a round form, convex on the out- xide, flattish within, sharp-pointed, with hairy edcces. The 1^ ClTLPEPBB^fl COMPLETE HfeBBAU stalk grows about a foot high, reddish, with a succulent bark, covering a pithy substance, the leaves on the top are thinner and longer than those below ; from the top of these stalks rise reflected spikes of starry flowers made up of several nanow, sharp-pointed, reddish petals, set about a greenish hollow crown, which is afterwards en- larged into small, hollow, horned pods or seed-vessels, which inclose very small seed. The root is long, woody, and full of fibres; Place. — It grows on the tops of houses in this country. Time. — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtties. — It is an herb of Jupiter. Our ordinary Houseleek is good for the inward heats as well as outward, and in the eyes or other parts of the body; a pos- set made of the juice of Houseleek, is good in hot agues, for it cools and tempers the blood and spirits, and quench- es thirst, and is also good to stay hot deductions or sharp and salt rheums in the eyes, the juice being dropped into them, or into the ears, helps them. It helps also other fluxes of humours in the bowels, and the immoderate courses of women. It cools and restrains all violent in- flammations, St. Anthony's fire, scalds and bums, the shingles, fretting ulcers, cankers, tetters, ringworms, and the like ; and much eases the pain of the gout proceeding from any hot cause. The juice also takes away warts and corns in the hands or feet, being bathed with it, and the skin and leaves laid on them afterwards. It eases head-ache, and distempered heat of the brain in frenzies, or through want of sleep, if applied to the temples and forehead. The leaves bruised and laid upon the crown of the head, stays bleed- ing at the nose quickly. The distilled water of the herb is profitable for all the diseases aforementioned. The leaves gently rubbed on the places stung by nettles or bees, will quickly remove the pain. HOUSELEEK (SMALL,)^ Sedum Minus.) Descrip. — The stalks of this Sedurtij before they flower, are of a bluish green colour, beset, especially towards the tops, with fat, thick, succulent, blunt- pointed, round leaves; wnen they rise to flower, they have a few of the like leaves growing alternately on them ; they have on their tops small umbels, of white five-leaved flowers, which are succeeded by as many little homed seed-vessels, full of very small seed. The root is fibroufl. OULPEPKB'B COMPLXTB HBBBUi. 197 PUtee, — It fifrows upon old stone- walls and buildings. Tim&, — It flowers in summer. Oovemment and Virtue*. — The leaves and stalks are used, bein^ mach of the nature of the Sempervivum TectO" rum, and. Tike that, cooling, and good for all kinds of in* flammations. It is also under Jupiter. HOUSELEEK (STONE-CROP.)— (^«—(*S'em;xjr vimrn Aquatica.) Callbd also Water Parsnep, and Crab's Claws. Descrip, — It has sundry long narrow leaves, with sharp prickles on the edges, very sharp-pointed ; the stalks on which the flowers grow do not rise as high as the leaves, but bear a forked head like crab's claws, out of which a white flower comes, consisting of three leaves, with yel- lowish threads in the middle ; it takes root in the mud at the bottom of the water. Place. — It grows in the fens In Lincolnshire. Time, — It flowers from June until August. Oovemment and Virtues,— li is under the dominion of Venus, and is a great strengthener of the reins ; it is good against St. Anthony's fire, and assuages swellings and in- flammations in wounds; an ointment made of it is good to heal bruised kidneys. A dram of the powdered herb if taken every morning, stops the terras. HYACINTH.— (5ya COMPLBTX HESBAU 201 Are most violent purges, especially of choler and phlegm. It is not safe taking them inwardly, unless they be recti- fied by the art of the alchymist, and only the purity of them given ; so used they may be very helpful for the dropsy, gout, and sciatica ; outwardly used in ointments, they kill worms, the belly anointed with it; and are excel- lent to cleanse old and filthy ulcers. The best way is, to powder the root, and give it in small doses ; in which form it is excellent against worms ; it also removes all the mu- cous matter from the intestines, which harbours thena. It approaches to the nature of the Fox-glove in qualities as well as in form ; and should be very moderately used, as its powers are very great. rVY-TREE.— (Zr«^a Helix.) Descrip. — The leaves of Ivy run on the ground, and are angular and cornered ; but when the stalks rise up, and are fastened to a wall or tree, they become rounder, ending in one point The leaves of both are of a firm texture, and a oark green colour ; those of the first full of small white veins, the branches insinuate themselves by short cirrhi into a wall, or the body of the tree that it climbs on. The flowers grow in corymbi or umbels, consisting of small six-leaved yellowish flowers, followed by round umbellica- ted berries, black when ripe, bearing several angular seeds. Place* — It erows in woods upon the trees, and on stone walls of churches, houses, &c, and sometimes it grows alone. Time. — It flowers in July ; and the berries are ripe at Christmas, when they have felt winter froats. Oovemment and Virtuet.—li ut under the dominion of Saturn. A pugil of the flowers, about a dram, drank twice a day in rea wine, helps the lax and bloody-flux. It is an enemy to the nerves and sinews, being much taken in- wardly, but very helpful to them being outwardly applied. The yellow berries are good against the jaundice, and a drunken surfeit, it helps tho spitting of blood ; tho white berries taken inwardly, or applied outwardly kill worms in the belly. The berries prevent and heal the plague, by drinking the powder in wine, two or three days together, this drink breaks the stone, provokes urine and womens' eouraes ; and the fresh leaves boiled in vinegar, and appli- ed warm to the sides of those that are troubled with the ■pleen, ache or stitch in the sides, do give much ease ; tbs same applied with rose-water and oil of roses to the tern- 20S CULPBPSB'S COMPLSTS RXSBAXn Dies and forebead, eases the long-standing head-ache. The *esh leaves boiled in wine, will cleanse old ulcers, if waah- d with it. It also quickly heals green wounds, and is ef • fectual to cure all burns and scalds, and all kinds of exul- cerations coming thereby, or by phlegm or humours in other parts of the body ; the juice of the berries or leaves snuffed up the nose, purges the head and brain of thin rheum that makes deflux^ons into the eyes and nose, and cures the ulcers and stench therein ; the same dropped into the ears, helps the old and running sores of them. JESSAMINE.—(Jcwminwwi OJicinale.) Descrip, — This tree or shrub shoots oat long, slender, green twigs or branches, which must be supported, or else they hang down ; they are clothed with long, pinnated leaves, m«ule of several sharp-pointed pin nee, set opposite to each other, with an odd one at the end, larger than the rest. The flowers come forth among the leaves, several to- gether on a common foot-stalk ; but each standing on a slender short one of its own, being longish tubes, spread- ing out at the top into five broad segments, standing in very short calyces, so that they easily fall off, when full blown : they are of a white colour, and a pleasant agreea- ble smell ; each flower is succeeded by a berry, divided into two parts, but seldom coming to perfection here. Plac€, — It is usually planted in gardens. Time, — It flowers in June and July. Oovemmmit and Virfitet, — Jessamine is a warm, cordial plant, governed by Jupiter in the sign Cancer. The flow- ers only are used. It w^rn^s the womb, and heals schirr- thi therein, and facilitates the birth ; it is useful for cough, difficulty of breathing, &c. The oil made by infusion of the flowers, is used for perfumes. It disperses crude hu- mours, and is good for cold and catarrhous constitutions, but not for the hot. The oil is good also for hard and con- tracted limbs, it opens, warms, and softens the nerves and tendons, if used as a liniment to the parts, or taken in drink, or clysters. It removes diseases of the uterus, and ia of service in pituitous colics. A poultice of the leaves^ boiled in wine, dissolves cold swelling and hard tumours. JEWS-EAK^ Exidia Auricula Judce.) Detcrip, — A membranaceous fungus which grows in the •hap« of an ear, it ii luiiaUy ash-coloured beneath, black- I crrLPBPSB'i noxPLiTX hibbal. 208 i«h on the top, and the taste is earthy and flat, but has no ■mell. It sticks close to the bodj of the tree, and has lit- tle or no pedicle. Place, — It fjTOws at the bottom of old elder-trees. Time. — Mild damp weather is the most favourable. OovemTMnt and Virtues. — This is under Saturn, in the sign Virga It is astringent and drying, but is seldom ta- ken inwardly, as it is dangerous. However, they are good for sore throats, quinsy, and swelling or inflammation of the tonsils. JOHN'S WORT {^T.)— (Hypericum Perfcyratum,) Bescrip. — Common St John's Wort shoots forth brown- ish, upright, hard, round stalks, two feet high, spreading many branches from the sides up to th€ tops of them, with two small leaves set one against another at every place, which are of a deep greeu colour, somewhat like the leaves of the lesser centaury, but narrow, and full of small holes in every leaf, which cannot be so well perceived, as when they are held up to the light ; at the tops of the stalks and branches stand yellow flowers of five leaves each, with many yellow heads in the middle, which being bruised do yield a reddish juice like blood; after which do come small round heads, which contain small blackish seed, smelling like rosin. The root is hard and woody, with divers strings and fibres, of a brownish colour, which abides in the ground many years, shooting anew every spring. P^ace. — This grows in shady woods and copses. Time. — It flowers about Midsummer, and its seed if ripe in the latter end of July or August. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the celestial sign Leo, and the dominion of the Sun. St. John's Wort is ape rati ve, detersive and diuretic, helpful against tertian and quartan agues, is alexipharmic, and destroys worms ; it is an excellent vulnerary plant. A tincture of the flow- ers in spirit of wine, is commended against melancholy and madness. Outwanlly, it is of great service in bruises, con- tusions, and wounds, especially in the nervous parts, if it be boiled in wine: made into an ointment, it opens obstruo- tions, dissolves swellings, and closes up the lips of wounds. The decoction of the herb and flowers, especially the seed, being drunk in wine, with the juice of knot-gass, help all Banner of vomiting and spitting of blood, it is gooa also for those who cannot make water, and are bitten or stung 204 cttlpepbb's complete herbal. by yenomous creatures. Two drams of the seed made into powder, and drank in broth, expels choler or congealed Dlood in the stomach. The seed taken in warm wine, is recommended for sciatica, falling-sickness, and the palsj. It is yalnerarj and abstersive, and opens obstructions and scours the urinary passages. JULY FLOWER,— (Motthiala Inconcu) Called also Gilly-Flower and Wild-Pink. Descrip, — Thiis plant grows in almost every garden, and is so well known, that it needs little to be said about it. It has long, narrow, hoary, or whitish leaves, set alter- nately on the stalks ; the flowers are large, of four leaves each, sometimes white, red, and frequently striped, of a pleasant, sweet scent The seed is flat and round, growing in long hoary pods, divided in two parts in the middle. Place. — It grows only in gardens. Time. — It flowers about Midsummer. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under Jupiter ; all the species of Wild Pinks have the same medicinal virtues, and tneir quality is principally in the flowers, the purple kind possessing most ; they are cordial and cephalic ; good in lain tings, head-aches, and other nervous aiaorder. A tinc- ture of the flowers is the best medicine for these disorders. JUNIPER-TREE.— ("/umjDtfrw Communis.) Descrip. — This grows only to the size of a bush or shrub. The branches are thick-set, with narrow stiff leaves, of a bluish green colour, sharp and prickly at the ends ; the flowers are small, mossy, and staminous; the berries round, green for the first year, and afterwards of % dark purple or black colour, each containing three-cornered seeos. Place. — It grows upon the heaths of this country. Time. — The berries are not ripe the first year, but con- tinue creen two summers and one winter before they are ripe, they are black, and ripen with the fall of the leaf, Oovemment and Virtues. — The berries are hot in the third degree, and dry in the first, being counter- poison, and a resister of the pestilence, and excellent against the bites of yenomous beasts; it provokes urine, and is available in dy- senteries and strangury. It is a remedy against dropsy, and brings down the terms, helps the fits of the mother, expeli the wind, and strengthens the stomach. Indeed there is no better remedy for wind in any part of the body, or the oulpkpsb's complktk herbal. ¥>b colic, than the chymical oil drawn from the berries. They Ere good for cough, ahortuesd of breath, consumption, pains in the belly, rupture, cramps, convulsions, and speedy deli- very to pregnant women ; they strengthen the Drain, for- tify the signt, by strengthening the nerves, are good for agues, help the gout and sciatica, and strengthen the limbs of the body ; it is also a speedy remedy to such as have the scurvy, to rub the gums with; the berries stay all flux- es, help the hemorrhoids or piles, and kill worms in chil- di«n: a lye made from the asoes of the wood, and the body bathed with it, cures the itch, scabs and leprosy ; the ber- ries break the stone, procure appetite when it is lost ; and are good for all palsies, and fallmg-sicknesa. KARSE (DITTANDEK) -fr.epidium Sativum.) Dwcrip.— The root is fibrous, and the first leaves are very large, of a deep green, they stand on long slender foot-stalks ; they are oblong, broad, and serrated at the edges : they are large near the base, and sharp-pointed. The stalk is round, firm, upright, considerably branched, and three feet high. The leaves grow at the joints, with long slender foot-stalks, like those from the roots, but are smaller and paler. The flowers stand in great numbers at the tops of numerous branches, and they are small and white. The seed is small and brown. Place, — Itgrowsin Essex, and thenorth, on damp plains. TitM, — It flowers in July. OovemwMnX and Virtues, — The taste is acrid. This is ▼ery raooeHfol for the sciatica, gout, and pains in the joints. The leaves bruised, and mixed with hogs' lard, and applied to the places affecte . will give relief ; it also amends de- formities or discolounugsof the skin, and takes away scars, marks, scabs and burns. The juice is j^ven in ale to pro- care women a speedy delivery in travail. KIDKEYWOKr.-^(Cott/lecUm Umbtlicui.) Callxd also Wall Pennyroyal, or Penny- wort Demrip. — It has many thick, flat, and round leaves, all having a long foot-etalk, fastened underneath, about the middle of it, and a little unevenly weaved about the edges, of a pale green colour, and somewhat yellow on the upper ■ide, from which rise one or more tender, smooth, hollow irtAtks half a foot high, with two or three small leavei thereon, usually long and divided at the edges ; the tops 806 CULPBPaR*8 COMFLBTB HXKBAL. are somewhat divided into long branches, bearing a num* ber of flowers, set round about a long spike one above ano- ther, which are hollow and like a little bell, of a whitish green colour, after which come small heads containing verj small brownish seed, which falling on the ground, will plentifully spring up before the winter, if it have moisture. The root is round, and most usually smooth, greyish with- out, and whitish within, having small fibres at the head of the root, and bottom of the stalk. Place, — It grows plentifully on stone walls, rocks, and in stony places upon the ground, at the bottom of old trees. Time. — It flowers in the beginning of May, the seed ri- pens soon afterwards, but the plant dies in winter. Oovernment and Virtues. — Venus challenges the herb under Libra. The juice or distilled water if drunk is good to cool inflammations and unnatural heats, a hot stomach, a hot liver, or the bowels ; the herb, juice, or distilled wa- ter applied outwardly, heals pimples, St. Anthony's tire, and other outward heats. It also helps sore kidneys, torn by the stone, or exulcerated within : it provokes urine, is available for dropsy, and helps to break the stone. Being used as a bath, or made into ointment, it cools the painf id piles or hemorrhoidal veins. It gives ease to hot gout, the sciatica, and the inflammations and swellings in the testi- cles ; it helps the kernels or knots in the throat, called the kinfips evil ; the juice heals kibes and chilblains, if bathed with it, or anointed with ointment made from it, and some of the skin of the leaf upon them ; it is also used in green wounds to stay the blood, and to heal them quickly. KNAPWEED (COMMON.)— apAn# Laureola,) Deicrip, — This is a low shrub, seldom growing above two or three feet high, with a woody stem about a finger thick, covered with an ash-coloured bark ; it is divided to- wards the top into several branches, clothed with thick, long, smooth, and shining green leaves, which are found at the tops of the branches. The flowers grow among these. Tkej are small, considered singly, of a sad, yellowish green •okKir, and unpleasant smelL The seed is roundish. Plac4. — It grows wild in the woods and hedges. sit OULPSPSR's OOltPLBTS HERBAL. Time, — It flowers in March, the fruit is ripe in Aneust. Virtues,— Yery happy effects have been produced by the nse of this plant in rheumatic fevers. It is a rough purga- tive, and is an efficacious medicine for worms, out it re- quires some caution in the administration, and might in unskilful hands, be productive of dangerous consequences. The whole plant has the same qualities, but the bark is the strongest, and a dose of not more than ten grains should be given. An infusion of the leaves is a good emetic and purgative, and cures the dropsy. Dried and reduced to powder, they are useful in the venereal disease. LENTILS.— C^Ehmm Lens.) Descrip, — ^This plant has many long-winged leaves, con- sisting of many small oval pin nsB, set opposite, with clasp- ers at the end of the leaf. The flowers are small and white, standing for the most part singly on a lon^ foot-stalk, and are succeeded by short flattish pods, containing two round seeds less than tares, and flatter. Place. — They grow in fields in all parts of England. Time, — They flower in May, and the seed is ripe in July. Government and Virtues. — They are under Venus. The flour or meal of them is goood as emollient cataplasms, and stops fluxes. Eaten with their skins they bind the body, ana stop looseness, but the liquid they are boiled in loosens the belly ; the flower of them may be used outwardly in cataplai&B for the same purposes as bean-flower. LETTUCE (COMMON GARDEN.)— ("Zoc^wca Sativa,) Government and Virtues, — The Moon owns it The iuice mixed or boiled with oil of roses, applied to the forehead and temples, procures sleep, and cures the head-ache pro- ceeding from a hot cause ; being eaten boiled, it helps to loosen the belly. It helps digestion, quenches thirst, in* creases milk in nurses, especi^dly griping pains in the sto- mach or bowels that come of choler. It abates bodily lust, represses venereous dreams, being outwardly applied to the testicles with a little camphire. Applied in the same man- ner to the region of the heart, liver or reins, or by bathing the said place with the juice of distilled water, wherein some white sanders, or red roses are put : also it not only represses the heat and inflammations therein, but comf orta and strengthens those parts ; and also tempers the heat of urine. The seed or distilled water works the same effects OTTLPBPIR'8 OOMPLm HIRBAL. SIS In all things ; but the ase is forbidden to those who spit blood, or are imperfect in their langs. LETTUCE (GREAT WlLD.)^Lactu€a Virota.) Descriv, — This plant grows to five or six feet high. Th« Btalk is thick, round, very upright, branched and of a red- dish yellow, or rather brown. The leaves at the bottom are very large, a foot long, and five inches broad, of a fresh fine green ; those higher up the stalk are smaller, they are deeply indented at the edgei ; and the innumerable little flowers with which its top and branches are crowned, are perfectly like those of the common Lettuce of the gardens, and are of a light yellow. From whatever the plant if wounded, there flows out a milky juice, which has the smell of opium, and its hot bitter taste. Place. — It grows in our hedges, and ditch-sides. Time, — It has the greatest vigour in the month of April OovemmerU and Virtiiss. — It is under the government of Mars. The smell and taste is much like opmm. A sy- rup made from a strong infusion of it, is an excellent ano- dyne ; it eases the most violent pains of the colic, and other disorders, and gently diaposes the patient to sleep, for it has none of the violent enects of other opiates. The best way of giving it is, to dry the juice which runs from the roots by incision ; this dissolves freely in mountain wine, Pone ounce be put into a gallon of wine there is produ<* an excellent quieting medicine, a teaspoonf ul of which . lose in a glass of water. This takes off spasms, convol- «i% stays flaxes of all kinds proceeding from irritation. LXQHTWORT {SFiA.)—(Pneumaria Maritima.) Descrip. — This is an elegant plant. It is of the Lung- wort species, the root is long, thick, and white, and is fur- nished with many fibres. The first leaves are numerous, and large, broad, and sharp-pointed, rough and of a beau- tiful green colour, with numerous branches, about a vard high. The flowers are of a beautiful blue, and stand all over the tope of the stalks and branches ; the seed is dark. Place. — It grows in the |>aHture8 of Kent and Essex. TVum.— It flowers in July. Oavtmmeni and Virtues, — It is a plant of Jupiter, and has considerable virtues. It is balsamic and astringent, and is good against coughs. It may be used with suc- cess for the whites, and the powdered root is good for re- straining blof) Iv Htools, and the piles, &c. fl4 OVLPEPSB'B OOMPLIBTB TTERVAU LILY OF THE Y ALLEY. ^Oonvalearia MajalU,) Called also May Lily. Detcrip. — It has a slender creeping root that runs upon the surface of the earth, shooting out two or three leaves, oblong, round, and full of nerves, five or six inches long, from the middle of which rises a stalk about a span hish, angular and slender ; bearing six or seven flowers in a spike, one above another, and looking all one way ; they are small, hollow, and round, of one leaf cut into five parts, of a pleasant grateful scent, which are succeeded by small round red berries, like those of Asparagus. Place. — It grows on heaths and other open situations. Time, — It flowers in May, the seed ripens in September. Government and Virtues, — It is under the dominion of Mercury, and therefore strengthens the brain. The distil- led water dropped into the eyes helps inflammation there. The spirit of the flowers distilled in wine, restores speech, helps the palsy, and is ^ood in the apoplexy, and comforts the heart and vital spirits. It is also of service in disor- ders of the head and nerves, such as epilepsy, vertigo, and oonvolsions of all kinds, swimming in the head ; and are made use of in errhines and cephahc snuff. LILY (WATER)— ("-^wjpAoa Odorata.) Deeorip, — The white Lily has very lar^e and thick dark green leaves Ijring on the water, sustained by long and thick foot-stalks, that rise from a great, thick, roun(^ and tnberous black root, spongy or loose, with many knobs thereon, like eyes, and whitish within ; from which rise similar stalks, sustaining one great flower thereon, green on the outside, but as white as snow within, consisting of divers rows of long and somewhat thick and narrow leaves, ■mailer and thinner the more inward they be, encompas- smg a head with many yellow threads or thrums in the micldle ; where, after they are past, stand round like pop- py-heads, full of broad, oily, bitter seed. The yellow kind IS different only in having fewer leaves on the flowers, and greater and more shining seed, and a whitish root, within and without The roots of both are somewhat sweet. Place. — They grow in pools, and standing water, and in slow nmnine rivers in different parts of this country. Time. — They flower mostly about the end of May, and th« leed is ripe in August. OVLPEPKB'B COMPLETE RBIAU 215 GovemfMnt and Virtues. — It ia under the dominion of the Mood, and therefore cools aod moistend like the former. The leavee and flowers are cold and moist, bat the roota and seeds are cold and drj ; the leaves, both inward and outward are good for agues ; the syrup of the flowers pro« cures rest, and settles the brain of frantic persona. The seed as well as the root is effectual to stay fluxes of blood or humours, either of wounds or of the belly; but the roota are most used, and are more effectual to restrain all fluxea in man or woman ; also running of the reins, and passing awaj of the seed when one is asleep, but the frequent use extingiiisbes venereous actions. The root will also cool hot urine if boiled in wine and water, and the decoction drank. The distilled water of the flowers is effectual for all the di aeaa cs aforesaid, both inwardly and outwardly ; and will alao take away freckles, spots, sunburn, and morphew from the face and other parts of the body. The oil of the flowera ooola hot tumours, eases pains, and helps aorea. LILLY (WHITE QA}iDE^,)—(Lilium Candidtm,) Descrip. — This is a very common plant, having a round acaly root, and a stalk three or four feet high, with long, narrow, thick leaves, and on the top sevenJ large sweet, white flowers, with several yellow apicea in the middle. Plac€. — It grows in gardens. T\m6, — It flowers in June. Government and Virtues. — The flowera and roota are oaed, but chiefly in external applications ; they are emol- lient, suppliug and anodyne, good to dissolve and ripen hard tumours and swelliDga, ana to break imposthumationsi They are under the dominion of the Moon, and are good antidotes for poison ; they are excellent in pestilential fe- vers, the roots being bruised and boiled in wine, and the decoction drank. The juice, being baked with barley-meal, aod eaten, is good for the dropsy ; and ointment made of the roota and hogs'-grease, is excellent for scald-heads, it unites the biiiews when they are cut, and cleanses ulcers. The root boiled in any convenient decoction, gives delivery to women In travail, and expels the afterbirth, roasted, the root mixed with hog's-grease, makes a good poultice to ri- pen aod break plague sores. This ointment ia good for swellings io the privities, andcurea burna and scalds with- out fear, and trimly deck a blank place with hair. 916 OTTLPEPBB'S OOMPLETB HSR^Uk LIME TREK—CTilia.) Called also Linden Tree. Descrip. — This tree is well known, having a handsome body with a smooth bark, spreading its branches round in a regular manner; the leaves are broad and roundish, with a sharp point, serrated about the edges, at the foot of these, in the summer, spring out thin leafy ligulas, of a yel- low colour, from the middle of the back ribs of which rise stalks about an inch long, divided into four or five shorter ones, each bearing a yellow, five-leaved, sweet flower, full of stamina, after which comes a small fruit as big as a pea. Place, — It jzrows in parks and gentlemen's gardens. Time. — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — Jupiter governs the Lime- tree. The flowers are the only parts used, and are a good cephalic and nervine, excellent for apoplexy, epilepsy, ver- tigo, and palpitation of the heart They are put into the aqita poeon. comp. and the spirit lavandtUce, The aqua jCorwnk tilice takes its name from them. hiqVOBlCE.—CGli/cyrrhiza Olabra.) Detcr^. — Our English Liquorice rises up with divers woody stalks, whereon are set, at several distances, many narrow, long, green leaves, set together on both sides of the stalk, and an odd one at the end, very well resembling a young ash tree, sprung up from the seed. This by many years continuance in a place without removing, and not else, will brin^ forth flowers, many standing together spike fashion, one above another upon the stalk, of the form of pea-blossoms, but of a very pale blue colour, which turn into long, somewhat flat and smooth pods, wherein is con- tained the seed, round and hard ; the roots run very deep into the ground, with divers other small roots ana fibres growing with them, and shoot out suckers from them in roots all about, whereby it is much increased, of a brown- ish colour on the outside, and yellow within. Place, — It is planted in gardens and fields and divers places of this country, and a good profit is made from it. Time. — It flowers in August. Chyvemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Mercury. Boiled in water, with some Maiden-head and figs, makes a good drinK for those who have a dry cough or hoarseness, wheezing or shortness of breath, and for ail OUXPXPEB'B COMPLETl HEBBAIi. 217 the pftinB of the breasts and laDgs, phthisic or consump- tioDB caused by the distillation of salt humours on them. It is also good for pains of the reins, the strau<4ury, and the heat of urine : the fine powder of the root blown into the eyes through a quill of tnose that have a pin and web, or rheumatic distillHtions in them, does cleanse and help them : the juice is effectual in all the diseases of the breast and lun^ the reins and bladder, as the decoction. The juice distilled in rose-water, with some gum tragacanth, is a fine medicine for hoarseness, wheezing, &c. The root of this plant is deservedly in great esteem, and can hardly be said so be an improper ingredient in any composition of whatever intention. It is a great sweetener of the blood, detersive, and at the same time soften in nish juice, A strouir decoction of the root given to chil- dren looeens the bowels, and takes off feverish heats which attend coetiveness. It is likewise a corrector of cathartics. The juice, or extract is made by boiling the fresh roots in water, straining the decoction, and when the impurities have subsided, evaporating^ it over a gentle heat till it will no longer stick to the fingers. It is better to cut the roots into small pieces before boiling^ them, as the virtues will by that means be better extracted. A pound of Liquorice- root boiled in three pints down to one quart will be found the best for all purposes. The juice is the most effectual, and may be obtained by saueezmg the roots between two rollers. When made with due care, it is exceedingly sweet, of a much more agreeable taste than the root itself, and has an agreeable smell. Put into boiling water, it totally dis- solves without depositing any sediment. LIVERWORT (COMMON.)— f^«pa^uJa.; Duorip. — Common Liverwort grows close, and spreads mnch upon the ground in moist and shady places, with many small green leavee, or rather, as it were, sticking flat to one another, very unevenly cut in on the edges, and eruropled ; from among which arise small slender stalky AH inch or two high, bearing small star-like flowers at the top. The roots are very fine and smalL Place.— It grows plentifully In Nottingh ^m-Park, Mid OD I^pford LbgB, and in most dry barren pUcesL H* S18 CULPBPER'S COMPLETE HBBBATm 7HtM.—lt is in its prime in October &nd November, Government and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Jupiter, and under the sifi^n Cancer. It is a singular good herb for all diseases of the liver, both to cool and cleanse it, and helps inflammations in any part, and the yellow jaundice; biding bruised and boiled in small beer, if drank, It cools the heat of the liver and kidneys, and helps the running of the reins in men, and the whites in women, it is a good remedy to stay the spreading of tetters, ring- worm, and other fretting or running sores and scabs ; and is an excellent remedy for such as have livers that are cor- rupted by surfeits, which cause their bodies to break out : for it fortifies and sti-engthens the liver exceedingly. It is recommended for the bites of mad-dogs, if used in the following manner : take nine or ten ounces of blood from the body for four mornings successively, and give the pa- tient the followiog in warm cow's milk : take ash -coloured Liverwort, half an ounce, black pepper, two drams, both finely powdered, mixed, and divided into four equal parts. Having first taken the four doses, let the person, for one month, Imtbe two or three times a day in the sea, and the longer he stays in the better. LOOSESTRlTK-^Lytimachia,) Called also Yellow Willow Herb. Descrtv. — ^The Loosestrife has several brown hairy stalks, two feet nigh or more, having sometimes three or four, but oftener only two leaves at a joint, which are of a yellowish ^^reen colour, hairy underneath, and darker, about three inches long, and an inch broad in the middle, growing nar- rower at both ends. The flowers stand several together on the tops of the branches, consisting of a single leaf di- vided into five parts, with several stamina in the middle, of a yellow green colour. The seed-vessels are round, and parted in two, containing small seed ; the root is long and slender, and creeps upon the surface of the earth. Place. — It grows in watery places, and by river-sides. Time. — It flowers from June to August Oovemment and Virtues. — This herb is good for all man- ner of bleeding at the mouth or nose ; for wounds, and all fluxesof the belly, and the bloody-flux, given either to drink, or else taken by clyster; it stays also the abundance of womens' courses ; it is good for green wounds, to stay tt« bleeding, and quickly closes up the lips of the wouncL OTTLPEPBB'S OOXPLETl HERBAL. 21f if the herb be bruised and the jaice onlj applied. It ii good as a gargle for sore-throats. The smoke drives away flies and gnats, when they are troublesome. LOVAGE. — ( Ligusticum Leuuticum,) Descrip. — It has many long and great stalks, of large winged leaves, divided into many parts, every leaf being cut about the edges, broadest forward, and smallest at the stalk, of a sad green colour, smooth, and shining, from among which rise sundry strong, hollow CTeen stalks, five or six, sometimes seven or eight feet hignt, full of joints, but lesser leaves set on them than grow nelow ; and with them towards the tops come forth large branches, bearing at their tops large umbels of yellow flowers, and after them flat brownish seed. The root grows thick, great and deep, spreadin;^ much, and enduring long, of a brownish colour on the outside, and whitish \vithin. The whole plant and every part of it smells strong and aromatically. Place. — It is planted in gardens, where it grows large. Time, — It flowers in July, and seeds in August. Oavemment and Virtiies. — It is an herb of the Sun, un- der the sign Taurus. It opens, cures, and digests humoun^ and provokes womens' courses and urine. Half a dram at a time of the dried root in powder taken in wine, warms a cold stomach, helpA digestion, and consumes all raw anc superfluous moisture therein; eases all inward ^ripings and pains, dissolves wind, and resists poison and infection. The decoction of the herb is a remeay for ague, and pains of the body and bowels which proceed from cold. The seed is efl'ectual for all the purposes aforesaid, except the last, and works more powerfully. The distilled water helps the quinsy in the throat, if the throat and mouth be garbled with It, and it helps the pleurisy, if drank three or four times. It takes away the redness and dimness of the eyei if dropped into them ; it removes spots and freckles from the face. The leaves bruised, and tried in hog's-lard, and laid hot to any blotch or boil, will quickly break it. LUNGWORT.— CPu^moncPTKi Offlcinalis,) Deicrip. — This is a kind of moss that grows on oak and beech trees, with broa^i, flrrevish, rough leaves, diversely folded, crumpled, and gashed on the edges, some are spot* ted on the upper aide. It never bears any stalk or flower. Oovfrnment and Kir^uM.— Jupiter owns this hefb. It 220 OXrLPEPBBB OOMPLXTE HXBBAL. is of great use in diseases of the lungs, and for cougha, wheezings, and shortness of breath, which it cures, ft is profitable to put into lotions to stay the moist humours that flow to ulcers, and hinder their healing, as also to wash ulcers in the privy parts. It is drying and binding, good to stop inward bleeding, and the too great flux of the menses. It is good for consumptions and disorders of the breast^ boiling it in pectoral drinks, and making syrups of it. It is commended as a remedy against yellow- jaundice. hVl^lKE.—(Lupinut,) Detcripj, — The white Lupine has a hairy stalk, on which grow digitated leaves, set in a round compass, upon long foot-stais, consisting of nine parts, narrow near the stalk, and ending in an obtuse point, soft and hairy. The flow- ers grow in verticillated spikes on the tops of the branches, in shape of pea-blossoms, of a white colour, and are suc- ceeded by upright flat hairy large pods, including three or four flat white seeds. There are several kinds of Lupines: the great white Lupine ; the spotted white Lupine ; the blue Lupine, because it has blue flowers, and the small blue Lupine. PlcLce. — They are sown every year in gardens. 7\rM.— They flower in June, and the seed ripens in July. Government and Virtues, — They are governed by Mars in Aries. The seeds are somewhat bitter in taste, opening and cleansing, good to destroy worms, to bring down the menses, and expel the birth and secundines. Outwardly they are used against deformities of the skin, scabby ul- cers, scald heads, and other cutaneous distempers. MADDER— ("^wtia Tinctorum.) Descrip, — The roots of Madder are thick, round, and much branched, of a reddish colour, clear and transparent, having a small slender hard tough string in the middle, of a sweetish taste, with a little bitterness; from these spring many sauare rough weak stalks, full of joints, about which are set five or six long sharp-pointed leaves, that are broad- est in the middle, and narrow at both ends, rough almost to prickliness. The flowers grow in long spikes, coming forth at the joints with the leaves, small and yellow, of one leaf cut into four segments, each succeeded by two small moist blackish berries, containing two round umbil- licated seeds. OtJLPEPKB'e COMPLBTK HURBAL. 2S1 P^ae€. — It is cultivated in many parts of England. Time, — The flowers appear in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is an herb of Mars. The roots are the only parts used for medicinal purposes, and they have a weak, bitterish, and somewhat astringent taste. A strong decoction is diuretic and good in obstructions of the viscera. It disperses congealed blood, cures the jaun- dice, and is useful in dropsy. It also cleanses the kidneye and urinary organs from gravel ; it is also valuable for the palsy and sciatica, and effectual for bruises inward and outward, and is therefore much used in vulnerary drinks. The root is good for all the aforesaid purposes, if boiled in wine or water, as the case requires, and some honey and sugar put in afterwards. The seed taken in vinegar and honey, helps the swelling and hardness of the spleen. The decoction of the leaves and branches is a good fomentation to bring down the courses. The leaves and roots beaten and applied to aoy part that is discoloured with freckles, morphew, the white scurf, or any such deformity of the skin, cleanses thoroughly, and takes them away. MAIDENHAIR {COMMON.)— {Adiantum CapUlut Veneris,) Descn^. — From a number of hard black fibres, grow a a Domber of blackish shining brittle stalks, hardly a span loDg, in many not half so long ; tbey are set on each side very thick, with small round dark green leaves, and spot- ted on the back of them like a fern. Place, — It grows plentifully about rock-holes, and upon stone walls in the western parts, and in Kent. It is also found by the sides of springs and wells ; in moist and shady places ; and is always green. Time. — The seed appears in August and September.. Oovemm,ent and Virtties. — This and all other Maiden- hairs are onder Mercury. This is a goodremedy for coughs, asthmas, pleurisy, &c, and on account of its being a gentle diuretic, also, in the jaundice, ^vel, and other impuri- ties of the kidneys. All the Maidenhairs should be used green, and in conjunction with other ingredients, because their virtues are weak. MAIDENHAIB {OOLDEJff. )-( Adiantwm Aweur/L) Descrip. — This is a large kind of moss, with a stalk three or four inches high, whoee lower part is covered with t22 CXTIiPEPBBB COMPLETK HB&BIX. •mail, short, hard, and stilf browu leaves ; the upper part is bare to the top, on which erows a seed-vessel, covered with a woolly, pointed reddish-yellow cap, which falls of as the head grows ripe. The root is small and stringy. Place, — It grows on heathy barren and boggy ground, and frequently on old ant-hills. Virtues. — This is rarely used, but it is very good to pre- vent the falling off of the hair, and to make it grow thick, being boiled in water or lye, and the head washed withit^ MAIDENHAIR (WHITE.)— Ujp^escrip. — It has a long reddish fibrous root, from which spring several pinnated leaves, having two or three pair of opposite, large, serrated pinnie, with an odd one at the end, cut into three parts; tney are hoary underneath, and green above, wrinkled, and full of veins, and having seve- ral small pieces between the pinnae ; the stalk is red and angular, growing two or three feet high, beset in an alter- nate order with the like leaves. The flowers grow upon the tops of the stalks in umbel-fashion, being small, nve- leave(t and full of apices, of a white colour, followed by little round heads, screw-fashion, of several seeds together. Place, — It grows in moist meadows and by river-sides. Time, — It flowers in June. The leaves and tops are used. OovemmerU and Virtues. — Jupiter is recent of the Mea- dow-sweet. The flowers are alexipharmic and sudorific, and good in fevers, and all malignant distempers ; they are likewise astringent, binding, and useful in fluxes of all sorts. An infusion of the fresh-gatbered tops of this plant promotes sweating. It is an excelleut medicine in fevers attended with purgiugs, and may be given to the quantity of a moderate bason full, once in two or three hours. It ui a good wound-herb, whether taken inwardly or externally applied. A water distilled from the flowers is good for inflammations of the eyes. MEDLAR. — (Mespilus Oermanica.) Detcrip. — The branches grow to a reasonable size, with long and narrow leaves, not deuted aboat the edges. At the end of the sprigs stand the flowers, made of white, great pointed leaves, nicked in the middle with some white threads, after which come tbe fruit, of a brownish green colour, being ripe, bearing a crown as it were on the top, which were the five green leaves ; and being rubbed ofl^ or fallen away, the head of the fruit is seen to be somewhat hollow. The fruit is very harsh before it is mellowed, and hath usually five hard kernels within it. Place. — It is a native of Germany, and is cultivated in oar gardens and orcharda for the sstke of its fruit. OTTLPIPEB'B COMPLETE UERBIX. 231 Tiwie. — Its blossoms appear in April and May, and the fruit ripens in September and October. Oovm-nmerU and Virtue*, — The fruit is Saturn's. It stays womens' looginga. A plaster made of the fruit dried be- fore they are rotten, and other convenient things, and ap- plied to the reins of the back, stops miscarriage in preg- nant women. They are very powerful to stay fluxes of blood or humours in men or women ; the leaves also have this quality. The fruit, if eaten by pregnant women, stays their longings for unusual meats. The decoction of the fruit is good to gargle the mouth, throat, and teeth, when there are any defluctions of blood to stay it, or of humours, which causes the pains and swellings. It is a good bath for women to sit over, whose courses flow too abundantly ; or for bleeding piles. If a poultice or plaster be made with dried medlars, beaten and mixed with the juice of red roses, whereunto a few cloves and nutmegs may be added, and a little red coral also, and applied to the stomach that is given to loathing of meat, it will effectually help. The dried leaves in powder strewed on fresh wounds, restrains the blood, and heals up (quickly. The Medlar-stones made into powder, and drank in wine, wherein some parsley- roots are infused all night, or a little boiled, breaks the atone in the kidneys, and helps to expel it MELILOT.— C Trifolium Melilotut.) Called alao King^s-Clover. Detcrip, — The Melilot has a large, woody, spreadinff white root, from which spring many slender channelled smooth stalks, two or three feet high, having at every joint three oblong, round-pointed green leaves, set together on one footstalk, serrateii about the edges. The flowers grow on long spikee, and are of a yellow colour ; succeeded by a rough round pod. The whole plan^ but especially the flowers, hai« a strong pleasant smell. Place, — it grows frequently among com, and in hedges. Time, — It flowers in June and July. The leaves and flowers are used. OovernmerU cmd Virtuss. — Melilot, boiled in wine, and applied, softens all hard tumours and inflammations in the eyes, or other parts of the body, as the fundament and prirj parts of men or women ; and sometimes the yolk of a FQMted egg, or flne flour, or poppy seed, or endive, is added onto it. It helps spreading ulcers in the head if kdfl oulpspbr's complbtb hbkbal, washed with a lye made of it. It helps the pains of the stomach, being carefully applied fresh or boiled with any of the aforenamed things ; it will ease pains in the ears, if dropped into them ; steeped in vinegar or rose-water, it mitigates the head-ache. The flowers of Melilot and Cam- omile, are used together in clysters to expel wind, and ease pains; also in poultices for the same purpose, and to as- suage swelling tumours in the spleen and other parts, and helps inflammations in any part of the body. The juice dropped into the eyes, is a singular good medicine to take away the film that dims the sight. The head often wash- ed with the distilled water of the herb and flowers is good for those who swoon, also to strengthen the memory, to comfort the head and brain, and to preserve them from pain, and the apoplexy. A plaster made of this herb boil- ed in mutton-suet, wax and rosin, is drawing, and good for green wounds ; the fresh plant makes an excellent poul- tice for hard swellings and inflammatory tumours, at once ripening them, and taking away the pain. MERCURY (FBENCR,)^(Mercurialu Gallium.) Descrip. — French Mercury, male and female, grows a foot high, full of smooth angular stalks, beset with narrow leaves, about an inch and a half long, broadest in the mid- dle, and sharper at both ends, indented about the edges, of a pale yellow green colour, growing in spikes, which rise from the bosom of the leaves. Those of the female fall off without any seed. The male has a couple of testiculated seeds at the end of the spike. The root is fibrous, and per- ishes after it has flowered and given seed. Place, — It grows among rubbish in waste places. Time. — It flowers in June. Oovernm^nt and Virtues. — This plant is under the domi- nion of the Moon. The leaves and stalks are used, and are aperitive and mollifying; the decoction purges choleric and serous humours : it is also used in clysters. A decoction of the seeds with wormwood, is commended for the yellow jaundice. The juice takes away warts. MEZEREON SPURGE.— C2>apAn« Mezereum,) Called also Olive Spurge, Flax or Dwarf Bay. Descrip. — It has a woody root, tough and spreading, and the stem is shrubby, full of branches, covered with a roughish grey bark, and irrows five or six feet high. The OirLPXPBR*8 OOlfPLVTE HIRBAL. 883 leaves grow in clusters from certain small protuberancef in the bark ; they are oblong, smooth on the surface, en- tire at the edges, and of a dark green colour. The flowers are so numerous aa to make the branches appear almost the whole length, of a beautiful red colour ; sometimes, however, they are white. The seed grows single, nearly round, and of a fleshy substance. Place and Time, — It is found wild in several parts of England and is kept in most gardens for the beautiful ap- pearance it makes in January, February, and March, the months in which it flowers. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is Saturnine. The whole plant has an exceeding acrid biting taste, and is very cor- rosive. An ointment prepared from the bark, or the ber- ries is a serviceable application to foul ill-conditioned ul- cers. A decoction made of a dram of the bark of the root in three pints of water, till one pint is wasted, and this quantity taken in the course of a day, for a considerable time together, has been found very efficacious in resolving and dispersing venereal swellings and excrescences. The bark of the root, or the inner bark of the branches, is to be used, but it requires caution in the administration, and must only be given to people of robust constitutions, and very sparingly even to those ; for if given in too large a dose, or to a weakly person, it will cause bloody stools and vomiting ; it is good in dropsy and other stubborn disor- ders. A light infusion is the best mode of giving it. GARDEN MINT, or GARDEN SPEAR -('i/en/Aa Viridia.) Descrip. — This Mint has many souare stalks, which, in good ground, will grow to two or three feet hi^h, having two long fiharp-pointed leaves, set opposite at a ]oint, with- out footstalks, nigh-veined underneath, thinly serrated at the edges. The flowers grow in long spikes on the tops of the stiilks, set on verticillatim, being small and purplish, having a galea and labella so small, that they are hardly perceiveablk a white, long pontel standing out of their mouths. The root creeps and spreads much in the earth, being long and slender. The leaves, stalks, and flowers, have a pleasant and agreeable smell. Place, — It is planted in gardens. TiJiK.— It flowers in July. Oov€nmerU and KirruM.— It Li an herb of Venus, and 234 CITLPBPEB'S COMPLETE HERBAL. has a bindiDg, drying quality; the jnioe taken in rinegar, itays bleeding, stirs up venery, or bodily lust ; two or ^hree branches taken in the juice of four pomegranates, stays the hiccough, vomiting, and allays the chbler. It dis- solves imposthumes, being laid to with barley-meal. It is good to repress the milk in womens' breasts. Applied with salt, it helps the bites of mad dogs : with meaa or honey- ed water, it eases the pains of the ears, and takes away the roughness of the tongue, being rubbed thereupon. It suffers not milk to curdle in the stomach, if the leaves be steeped or boiled in it before being drunk ; it is very pro- fitable to the stomach. Often using it will stay womens' courses and the whites. Applied to the forehead and tem- ples, it eases the pains in the head, and is good to wash the heads of young children with, against ail manner of breakings out, sores or scabs, and heals the chops in the fundament. It is also profitable against the poison of ven- omous creaturea The distilled water of mint is available for all the purposes aforesaid, yet more weakly. But if a spirit thereof oe chemically drawn, it is more powerful tnan the herb. It helps a cold liver, strengthens the belly, causes digestion, stays vomiting and the hiccough ; it is good agamst the gnawing of the heart, provokes appetite, takes away obstructions of the liver, but too mucn must not be taken, because it makes the blood thin, and tuns it into choler, therefore choleric persons must abstain from it. The dried powder taken after meat, helps digestion, and those that are splenetia Taken in wine, it helps women in their sore travail in child-bearing. It is good against the gravel and stone in the kidneys, and the strangury. Being smelled unto, it is comforting to the head. The de- coction gargled in the mouth, cures the mouth and gumi that are sore, and amends an ill-favoured breath. Mint is an herb that is useful in all disorders of the stomach, as weakness, squeamishness, loss of appetite, pain, and vomit- ing ; it is likewise very good to stop gonorrhcea, the flu or albus, and the immoderate flow of the menses; a cataplasm of the green leaves applied to the stomach, stays vomiting, and to womens' breasts, prevents the hardness and curd- ing of the milk. A decoction is good to wash the hands of children when broken out with scabs and blotches. Officinal preparations of Mint are, a simple water and spirit, a compound spirit, and a distilled oiL CTTLPBPBB't COMPLKTl HVBBAL. 28( MINT (PEPPEK.)— ^ir«UAa Piperita,) Detcrip.-^The leaves of thia Mint are broader and lome- what shorter than Spear-mint, growing on footstalks, half an inch long, sharply serrated about the edges. The stalka are square, about two feet high. The flowers are numer- ous, and grow in loose obloug spikes on the tops of the branches ; they are bigger than those of Spear-mint, but ol the same colour, and more thickly set Both leaves and flowers have a pleasant scent, and a hot biting taste, like pepper. The root is slender and creeping. Place. — It grows in several places, tx)th on the banks ot rivers, and is an inhabitant of almost every garden. Tims. — It blossoms in July and August, Virtues. — This herb has a strong, agreeable, aromatic ■nelL, and a moderate warm bitterish taste; it is useful for complaints of the stomach, such as wind, vomiting, &c. for which there are few remedies of greater efficacy. It is good in poultices and fomentations to disperse curdled milk io the breajsts, and also to be used with milk diets. All Mints are astringent, and of warm subtle parts ; great strength- oners of the stomach. Their fragrance betokens them ce- phalics ; they effectually take off nauseousness and retch- mgs to vomit; they are also of use in looseness. The sim- ple water given to children, removes the gripes; but these Tirtues more particularly belong to Spear and Pepper-mint. MINT (WATEB,).-^ Mentha AquoUica.) Deeorip. — This Mint has square, hairy, brown stalks, a foot high, or more, with two pretty large leaves at a joint, set on short footstalks, broad at the basis, and narrower at the edges, of a very strong smelL The flowers grow on the tops of the stalks, in round spikes, with one or two of the same a little lower on the stalks, at the setting on of the upper leaves. They are larger than common mint, of a pale purple colour. The root is astringent and fibrous. Place. — It grows in damp watery places, wild, and is cul- tivated in most gardens for its medicinal qualities. Time. — The flowers appear in August. Virtuet. — The distilled water of this plant is well known M a carminative and antispasmodic ; it relieves colic, and other disorders of the stomach and bowels most instanta- iMoaaly ; and is good in the gravel. It is a valuable medi- «ia» in flatulent colics, hysteric depressions, and other < 236 CTTLPBPSB'8 COMPLBTX HSBBAL. plaiDts of a similar nature. Water Mint expels wind ont of the stomach, ojiens the obstructions of the womb, and produces catamenia. The juice dropped into the ears, eases pain and helps deafness, though not much used. MINT (WILD, OE HORSE.)— (^JTenrAa Sytvettrii,) pescrip, — This Wild-Mint grows not so tall as Garden Afint, or so much branched, having square hoary stalks, with two long, sharp-pointed leaves, noary likewise, es- pecially underneath, and serrated about the edges, without any footstalks. The flowers grow at the end of the stalks, in long narrow spikes, being small and purple. The whole plant has a strong but not unpleasant smell. Virtites, — It is good for wind and colic in the stomach, to procure the menses, and expel the birth and secundiues. The juice dropped into the ears eases the pains of them, and destroys the worms that breed therein. The juice laid on warm, helps the king's-evil, or kernels in the throat. The decoction or distilled water helps a stinking breath, proceeding from corruption of the teeth ; and snuffed up the nose, purges the head. It helps the scurf or dandruff of the hestd used with vinegar. MISSELTOE.— (Tiwia Querous.) Descrip. — ^This plant fixes itself and takes root on tht branches of trees. It spreads out into large bushes, hav- ing many woody branches, covered with a yellow-green bark, of different sizes, being full of joints that easily part asunder, having at each two thick firm leaves, narrowest at the bottom, and broader and round at the ends. It bears several small yellow fou" leaved flowers, to which succeed round, white, almost pellucid berries, as big as white cur- rants, full of a tough viscid juice, in the middle of which lies one flat heart-mshioned seed. It grows upon several trees, as the apple, the crab, the hazel, the ash, the maple, the lime, the willow, the whitethorn, and the oak; this last is best of all. Oovemment and Viriuet. — This is under the dominion of the Sun, with something of the nature of Jupiter. Both the leaves and berries do heat and dry, and are of subtle parts ; the bird-lime mollifies hard knots, tumours, and imposthumes, ripens and discusses them, and draws forth thick as well as thin humours from the remote parts of the body, digesting and separating them, being mixe i with CULPKPXR'S OOMPLETB HEBBAIi. 837 equal parU of rosin and wax, mollifies the hardness of the spleen, and helps old ulcers and sores, mixed also with sanderic and orpiment, it helps to draw off foul nails, and if quick lime and wine lees be added thereto, it works the stronger. Made into powder, and given to drink, it is good for falling-sickness. The fresh wood bruised, and the juice thus extracted dropped into the ears is effectual in curing the imposthumea in them. Misseltoe is a cephalic and nervine medicine, useful for convulsive fist, palsy, and vertigo. The bird-lime which is made of the berries of Misseltoe is a powerful attractive, and is good to ripen hard tumours and swellings. l&OifKTWOB.T,—{ Li/nmachia Nummularia.) Called also Herb Twopence. Descrip. — The common Moneywort sends forth from a small thready root divers long, weak, and slender branch- es, running upon the ground two or three feet long, set with leaves one against another at equal distances, which are almost round, but pointed at the ends, smooth, and of a good green colour. At the joints with the leaves from the middle forward come forth at every point sometimes one yellow flower, and sometimes two, standing each on a small footstalk, and made of five leaves, narrow-pointed at the end, with some yellow threads in the middle, which be- ing past, there comes small round heads of seeds. Place. — It grows plentifully in moist grounds by hedgo- lides, and in the middle of grassy fields. Time. — It flowers in June and July, and the seed is ripe shortly afterwards. Oovemmt 4 and Virtues, — Venus owns it It is good to stay all fluxis in man or woman, whether they be laxes, bloody-fluxes, or the flowing of women's courses ; bleeding inwaridly or outwardly; the weakness of the stomach that is given to casting. It is good also for ulcers or excona- tioni of the lungs, or other inward parts. It will (quickly heal green woanda, and old spreading ulcers. The juice of the herb, or the powder drauK in water, wherein hot steel has been quenched, will act the same for the aforenamed purpose*, as well alsj a decoction of the green herb, drank 10 wine or water, or to bathe the outward wounds. The juice LB effectual also for overflowings of the menses, and ih« roots dried and powdered, are good in porgingsi 288 OXTLPEPEB'S complete HEftBlX. MOONWOET.— ("Omwrwto Lunaria.) Descrip. — It has one dark, green, thick and flat leal^ standing upon a short footstalk, two fingers in breadth \ when it flowers it bears a slender stalk, four or five inches high, having one leaf in the middle, divided on both sides into five or seven parts, each part is small like the middle rib, broader forwards, pointed and round, resembling a half moon, the uppermost parts being bigger than the lowest The stalks rise above this leaf two or three inches, bearing many branches of smaller tongues, of a brownish colour, which, after continuing a while, resolve into a mealy dust. The root is small and fibrous. This has sometimes divers leaves like those before described, with many branches arising from one stalk, each divided from the other. Place. — It grows on grassy hills and heaths. Time. — It is found only in April and May, Oovemment and Virtues. — The Moon owns this herb. It is cold and drying, and is available for wounds both out- ward and inward. The leaves boiled in red wine, and drank, stay immoderate courses and the whites. It stays bleeding, vomiting, and other fluxea It helps all blows and bruises, and consolidates all fractures and dislocations. It is ffood for ruptures, and is put into oils and balsams to heal u'esb and green wounds. MOSS (GROUND.)— fZycA^n TerrestrU.) Descrip. — This grows in barren ground, and at the roots of trees. It spreads on the ground, with numerous slen- der flagellaj, having small triangular leaves set close to the stalks, among which spring reddish stalks an inch long, almost as fine as hairs, bearing on the tops little hollow dusty cups, of a whitish colour. Place^ — It grows in our moist woods, in boggy ground, in shadowy ditches, and such like places. Ocyvemment and Virtues, — It is under Saturn, and is good to break the stone, to expel and drive it forth by urine, if boiled in wine, and drank. The herb, bruised and boiled in water, and applied, eases all inflammations ind pains from a hot cause ; and is useful too to ease the gout The tree moss is cooling and binding, and par- takes of a digesting and mollifying quality. Each moss partakes of the nature of the tree on which it grows, the oak is binding, and of good effect to stay fluxes, vomiting OITLPEPEB'8 oompletb hxsbal. 88^ and bleeding, if the powder be taken in wine. The decoc- tion in wine ifl good to bathe or sit in, to stay the overflow- ing of the coarsea. The powder taken in drink is available for dropey. The oil witn the moss steeped in it for a time, and afterwards boiled and applied to the temples and fore- head, eases the head-ache coming of a hot cause, and the distillations of hot rheums in the eyes, or other parts. MOTHERWORT.-H'Xtfonttna Cardiaccu) Detcrip, — This has a hard, square, brownish, rough strong stalk, rising three or four feet high, spreading into many branches, whereon grow leaves on each side, with long footstalks, two at every joint, somewhat broad and long, as if it were rough and coupled, with nxany great reins therein of a sad green colour, deeply dented about the edges, and almost divided. From the middle of the branch- es up to the tope of them, which are long and small, grow the flowers round them in distances, in sharp pointed, hard rough husks, of a red or purple colour, after which come small, round, blackish seeds in great plenty. The root sends forth a number of long strings and small fibres, tak- ing strong hold in the ground, of a dark yellowish or brownish colour. Place. — It grows only in gardens with us in England. TifM. — It flowers in July or the beginning of August. Chvemment and Virtties, — Venus owns the herb, and it is under Leo. There is no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart, and to strengthen it. It may be kept in a syrup or conserve ; it makes mothers joyful, and settles the womb, therefore is it called Motherwort. It is of use for the trembling of the heart, fainting and swoon- ing. The powder, to the quantity of a spoonful, drank in wine, helps women in sore travail, as also for the su£focat- ing or rising of the mother. It provokes urine and wo- mens' courses, cleanses the chest of cold phlegm, kills the worms in the belly. It is of use to digest and disperse them that settle in the veins, joints, and sinews of the body, and to help cramps and convulsions. MOUSE-EAR.— ("CtfTCMritm Vulgatum.) Descrip. — This is a low herb, creeping on the ground by imall strings, whereby it shoots fortn small roots, whereat grow many small and short leaves, set in round form toge- ther, and very hairy which being broken, give a whitisb 240 CtTLPEPBE'S COMPLETE HERBAL. milk ; from among these leaves spring up two or three small hoary stalks a span high, with a few smaller leaves thereon ; at the tops whereof stand usually but one flower, consisting of many pale yellow leaves, broad at the point, and a little dented in, set in three or four rows, the great- er uppermost, a little reddish underneath about the edges, especially if it grows in a dry ground ; which, after they have stood long in flower, do turn into down, which, witn the seed, is carried away by the wind. Place. — It grows in dry ditches, and ditch-banks. Time, — It flowers in June or July, and is green all winter. Government and Virtues. — The Moon owns this herb. The juice taken in wine, or the the decoction drank, helps the jaundice, if taken morning and evening. It is a special remedy against the stone, and the pains thereof : and the griping pains of the bowels. The decoction, with succory and centaury, is efiectual to help the dropsy, and diseases of the spleen. It stays the fluxes of the blood, either at the mouth or nose ; it is good also for inward or outward wounds, and stays bloody-flux and womens' courses. A syrup made of the juice and sugar, is good for coughs or phthisic. The same is good for ruptures or burstings. The green herb bruised, and bound to any cut or wound, quick- Ij solders the lips thereof. And the juice, decoction, or powder of the dried herb, is efficacious to stay spreading and fretting cancers and ulcers in the mouth and secret parts. The distilled water of the plant is available in all the diseases aforesaid, and to wash outward wounds and sores, by applying tents of cloth wet therein. MUGWORT (pO^UO^.y-fArtemisia Vulgaris,) Descrip, — Common Mugwort has many leaves lying on the ground, much cut, and divided into many sharp parts, of a dusky green on the upper side, but white and noary underneath. The stalk is ruddy brown, firm and hard, four feet and a half high, upright, full of branches with Bpiry tops, whereon grow many chaffy flowers, of a yellow brown colour, like buttons, which, after they are gone, are succeeded by small seeds inclosed in round heads. The root is long and hard, with many small fibres growing from it, whereby it takes firm hold of the ground, spreading much. It survives the winter, and blooms afresh in spring. PlOfCe. — This is a perennial, frequent in waste grounds by *Ai% sides of waters and foot-paths. /anniA. /iHa/Mt¥*i/ /o^tAii^fJieHiiipt '9^t?AitX^. rmnsiurei. ^^^I'eT,. Persiemrta m^^f^crf. ^ftciker of T^ume. ^eaacw Sutee^. marsA/Z/a^L culpbper's ooxflste herbal. 241 Time, — It flowers in June and July, when it is readj for use ; the seed is ripe at the end of summer. OovemmerU and Virtues. — This is an herb of Venus. Its tope, leaves and flowers are full of virtue ; they are aro- matic, and most safe and excellent in female disorders. For this purpose the flowers and buds should be put into a teapot, ana boiling water poured over them, and when just cool, be drunk with a little sugar and milk ; this may De repeated twice a day, or oftener, as occasions require. Itis boiled among other herbs for drawing down the courses, by sitting over it, and for hastening the delivery, and helps to expel the afterbirth, and is good for the obstructions and inflammations of the mother. It breaks the stone and provokes water. The juice made up with myrrh, and put under as a pessary, works the same eflfects, and so does the root Made up ^vith hogVgrease into an ointment, it takes away wens, hard knots and kernels that grow about the neck, more efi'ectually if some daisies be put with it. The herb itself being fresh, or the juice, is a special reme- dy upon the over-much taking of opium. Three drams of the powder of the dried leaves taken in wine, is a speedy and certain help for the sciatica. A decoction made with camomile and agrimony, and the place bathed therewith while it is warm, takes away the pains of the sinews, and the cramp. The moxa, so famous in the eastern countries for curing the gout by burning the part affected, is the down which grows upon the under side of this herb. MULBERRY-TREE.— (^JTortw JVigra,) Detcrip. — There are two kinds of mulberries, the com- mon black, and the white. It grows to a large tree, with a brown rugged bark, shooting out its leaves very late in the spring, which are large, and rough or scabious, broad at the bajie, and growing narrower towards the end, ser- rated about the edges, and set on sho^ footstalks. The flowers stick close to the branches, each composed of four small leaves, growing in clusters. The fruit is oblong, con- sisting of a great number of acini, set together in a round form, of a dark purple, almost black when ripe, full of a sweet, pleasant, purple juice. Place. — It grows in gardens. 7Vm«.— The fruit is ripe in August and September. The bftrk of the root, and the fruit are used. Oovemmmt and Fir^u^i.— Mercury rales the tree. It is I 242 culpepbr's complktb herbal. of diflferent parts; the ripe berries open the bodj, and the unripe bind it, especially when they are dried, and then they are good to stay fluxes, laxes, and womens' courses. The bark of the root kills the broad worms in the belly. The juice, or syrup made of the juice of the berries, helps all inflammations or sores in the mouth or throat. The juice of the leaves is a remedy against the bites of serpents, and for those that have taken aconite. A decoction made of the bark and leaves, is good to wash the teeth when they ache. The leaves stay the bleeding at the mouth or nose, or the bleeding of the piles, or of a wound, if bound onto the places. MULLEIN (BLACK.)-^ Verbascum Nigrum.) Descrip. — ^The stalk is round and hoary, arising usually single, about as tall as a man. The lower leaves are large, a foot long, and three or four inches broad, sharp pointed at the end, slightly indented about the edges, covered with a hoary down. Those which grow on the stalk, have their middle ribs affixed to it for half their length, which make the stalk appear winged. The flowers grow in a long spike, set thick and close, each consisting of one leaf cut into five segments, of a yellow colour, with as many wooUv stamina, having purple apices. The seed-vessels are oblong and pointed, opening in two when ripe, and showing a small brownish seed. The root is single, and small. Place, — It jgrows in highways, and by hedge-sides. Time. — It flowers in July. The leaves are used. VirUies. — They are accounted pectoral, and good for coughs, spitting of blood, and other affections of the breast; they are likewise good for griping and colic pains, arising from sharp humours ; outwardly used in fomentations or fumigations, they are reckoned a specific against the pains and swelling of the hemorrhoids, or piles. MULLEIN {VfRlTE.y^VerhascwmLychnitit.) Descrip. — This has many fair, large, woolly white lea ves^ lying next the ground, somewhat larger than broad, point- ed at the end, and dented about the edges. The stalk rises to four or five feet high, covered over with such like leaves, but less, so that no suJk can be seen for the number of leaves set thereon up to the flowers, which come forth on all sides of the stalk, without any branches for the most part, and are many set together in a long spike, in some OULPKPKH'S OOMPLRTK UERBAm. S4t of a yellow colour, in othei>» luore pale, consisting of five round pointed leaves, which afterwards have small round heads, which contain small brownish seed. The root is long, whit«, and woody, perishing after it hath borne seed. Place, — It grows by way-sides and lanes, in many place-s in the west of England. Time,— It flowers in July, or thereabouts. OovemmeTit and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Saturn. A small quantity of the root is commended against laxes and fluxes of the body. The decoction, if drunk, is profitable for those that are bursten, and for cramps, convulsions, and old coughs. The decoction garg' 1^, eases tooth-ache, and the oil made by infusion of the flowers, is of good effect for the piles. The decoction of the root in red wine or water, is good for ague ; when red-hot steel has been quenched in it, if drank it will stay bloody- flux, and opeu obstruction of the bladder and reins. A de- coction of the leaves, with sage, marjoram, and camomile flowers, and the places bathed therewith, is good for colds, stiff sinews, and cramps. Three ounces of the distilled water of the flowers drank morning and evening is a reme- dy for the gout The juice of the leaves and flowers laid on rough warta, as also the powder of the dried roots rub- bed on, takes them away. The powder of the dried flow- ers is a remedy for bowel complaint, or the pains of the colic. The decoction of the root and the leaves, is of great effect to dissolve the tumours, swellings, or inflammationa of the throat The seed and leaves boiled in wine, draw forth speeottom growing upright and close to the stalk, while the ton flowers yet show themselven, in S46 oulpbpkr'b cohplcte hsrbal which are cootained small yellow seed, sharp and stroDg, as the herb is also. The root grows down slender and woody, yet abiding and springing again every year. Place. — It grows by way and hedge-sides, and sometimes in open fields. It is common in the Isle of Ely. Time.— It flowers most usually about July. Oovemment and Virtue*. — Mars owns this herb also. It is good in diseases of the chest and lungs, and hoarseness; by the use of the decoction lost voice has been recovered. The juice made into a syrup with honey and sugar, is ef- fectual for the same purpose, and for coughs, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The same is profitable for the jaundice, pleurisy, pains in the back and loins, and colic, if used in clysters. The seed is a remedy a^inst poison and venom, and worms in children. It is good for the sciatica, and in joint-aches, ulcers and cankers in the mouth, throat, or behind the ears, and for hardness and swelling of the testicles, or of womens' breasts^ MUSTARD (WB.lTE,)^Sinapii Alba.) Descrip. — This does not grow tall, but is branched ; its branches bear leaves, which are rough, hairy, and divided. The flowers are larger than other mustards, of a deep yel- low colour, the seed-vessels stand from the stalks, hairy, ending in a long, empty point, containing four or five white seed, larger than the common, which make the seed- vessel appear knotted : they are not quite so hot as the other. Place,. — It grows wild in several places, but is scarce. Time. — It flowers about July. Oovernment and Virtues. — It is like Black Mustard in its virtues, which are considerable. The young shoots are eaten with other salads, and this way it is very whole- some. The seed bruised and infused in wine or ale, is of service against the scurvy and dropsy, provoking urine and the menses. Mustard outwardly applied is very drawing and ripening: and laid on paralytic members it recalls the natural heat. Poultices made with Mustard-flower, crumbs of bread, and vinegar, are freouently applied to the soles of the feet in fevers, and may be used to advantage in old rheumatic and sciatic pains. In short, whenever a strong stimulating:^ medicine is wanted to act upon the nerves, and not excite heat, there ia none preferable to Mustard-seed. GULPEPKB*8 COMPLETE HSRBAI*. 247 MTRRH (ENQLISHO—f Cfoi*/arui Odorata.) Descrip.— The leaves of English Myrrh are large and wiuged, with several loug pinnse on eacn side; of a pleasant aromatic smell ; the stalks are somewhat hairy and chan- nelled, beeet with the like leaves, but smaller, bearing on their tops umbels of white five-leaved flowers, which are succeeded by pretty large long seed, deeply furrowed, and having five sharp ridges. The root is thick and spreading, with many fibres. Place. — It is sown in wardens. Time. — It flowers in May and June. The leaves and seed are used. Oavemment and Virtueg, — This plant is of a hot nature, it LB of fine aromatic parts, and under Jupiter. A large spoonful of the unbruised seeds taken every morning, iB excellent against rheumatic complaints and falling sicknesa They operate by urine, and promote the menstrual dis- charge; and while they are producing these good effects, they strengthen the stomach, expel wind and create appe- tite. Eaten as a salad, it is an excellent antiscorbutic. MYETLE THEE,— (Mt/rtut Communu,) Dttcrip. — This is a little tree or bush, shooting forth many slender tough branches, sometimes brown and some- times of a reddish colour, on which grow small, oblong, sharp-pointed, green leaves, set alternately on the stalks, of a pleasant aromatic smell, among these come forth the flowers, each singly on short footstalks, consisting of five white round leaves, full of a great many white stamina, which being &llen, the calyx becomes a small, round, black berry, with a small crown on the top, full of white seeds. Place, — It grows wild in the soutn of Europe; but with OS is an ornament of our gardena Time. — It flowers in August. Oovemment and Virtues. — This tree is under Mercuij. The leaves sometimes, but chiefly the berries are used. They are both of them drying and binding, good for diar- rhoea and dysentery, spitting of blood, and catarrhous de- flactions upon the breast, the fluoralbus, the falling down of the womb or fundament, both taken inwardly, and used outwardly, in f^owders and injections 248 OITLPEPEB'S COMPLl^TB HERBAL NAILWOET, OB WHITLOW QK^BS.—(Draba Vema.) Descrip, — This has do roots, sav^e a few strinps, and grows only about a hand-breadth high; the leaves are small and long, among which rise up divers slender stalks, bear- ing white flowers one above another, which are small ; after which come small flat pouches containing the seed, which is very small, but of a sharp taste. Place. — It grows on old stone and brick walls, and fn ■heltered gravelly grounds, where there is ^rass or moss. Time. — It flowers early in January, ana in February ; and perishes immediately afterwards. Government and Virtues. — It is good for imposthumes in the joints and under the nails, called whitlows, felons, andicons, and nailwheals. It is an excellent wound herb, and under Jupiter. Inwardly taken, it is a balsamic me- dicine, a remedy for the whites, and weaknesses occasion- ed by venereal disorders. It operates by urine, brings away gravel, and is good in disorders of the lungs. NAVELWORT.~ioica,) Dtscrip. — ^The root is creeping, the stalk is ridged, and ^rows a yard or more high, beset with little prickles or stings, with a perforation at the point, and a bag at the base ; when the sting is pressed, it reai^ilj enters the skin, and the same pressure forces an acrid liquor from the bag into the wound, which produces a burning tingling sensa- tion. The leaves are large, broad, oblong, shiu-p -pointed, serrated, and covered with the same prickles. The flowen are greenish and inconsiderable. Plac4. — It is common by way-sides, and in hedges. Tims, — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Vvrtvsa. — This is an herb of Mara. It consumes the phlegmatic superfluities in the body of man, that the coldness and moisture of winter ha* left behind. The roots or leaves boiled, or the juice of either of them, or both, made into an electuary with honey and sugar, is a 8:ife and sure medicine to open the passages of the lungs, which is the cause of wheezing ana shoitness of breath, and helps to expectorate phlegm, also to raise the impos- thumed pleurisy ; it likewise helps the swelling of both the mouth and throat if they be gargled with it. The juice is effectual to settle the palate of the mouth to its place, and heal the inflammations and soreness of the mouth and throat. If the decoction of the leaves be drunk in wine, it will provoke the courses, settle the suffocation and strang- ling of the mother, and all other diseases thereof ; as also, applied outwardly, with a little mvrrh. The same, or the seed, provokes urine, and expels tne gravel and stone. It kills the worms in children, eases pains in the sides, and dissolves the windiness in the spleen, as also the body. The juice of the leaves taken two or three days together, stays bleeding at the mouth. The seed being drunk, is a reme- dy against the bites of mad dogs, the poisonous qualities of hemlock, henbane, nightshade, mandrake, or such herbs as ■tupify the senses ; as also the lethargy, especially if used outwardly, to rub the forehead or temples in that disease. The distilled water is effectual, though not so powerful, for the diseases aforementioned ; as for outward wounds or ■ores to wash them, and to cleanse the skin from morphew, and other discolourings thereof. The seed or leaves bruis- •d, and put into the nostrils, stays the bleeding of them, and takes away the polypus. The iuice of the leaven, or culprper's complete herbal. 251 the decoction of the root, is good to wash either old, rot- ten, or stinking sores or fistulas, and gangrenes, and such as fretting, eating, or corroding scabs, manginess, and itch, in any part of the body ; as also green wounds, by washing them therewith, or applying the green herb bruis- ed thereto. It eases the pains, and dries or dissolves the deductions. An ointment made of the juice, oil, and a lit- tle wax, is good to rub cold and benumbed members. One handful of the leaves of green nettles, and another of Wall- wort, or Deanwort, bruised and applied simply themselves to the gout, sciatica, or joint aches in any part, hath been found an admirable help thereunta NIGHTSHADE (COMK01^.)--(Solanum,) Descrip, — This has an upright, round, green, hollow ■talk, about a foot high, with many branches, whereon grow several green leaves, somewhat broad and pointed at the ends, soft and full of juice, and unevenly dented at the edges. At the tope of the stalk and branches come forth three or four, or more, white flowers, consisting of five small pointed leaves each, standing on a stalk together, one above another, with yellow pointeis in the middle, composed of four or five yellow threads set together, which afterwards run into as many pendulous green berries, of the size of small peas, full of green juice, and small, whitish, round flat seeds. The root is white, and a little woody after the 4ower and fruit are past, and has many small fibres in it. Hie whole plant is of a waterish, insipid taste, but the juice of the berries is somewhat viscous, and of a cooling and binding quality. There are two varieties of this, which are found growing in England; the most common is an up- right plant, with oval acute pointed smooth leaves, and black Dcrries (Solanum Nigrum :) the other is a low branch- ing plant, with indented leaves, and greenish yellow berries {SoUnum Nigrum baccii viridii.) Place. — It grows wild under our walls, and in rubbish, the common paths, and sides of hedges and fields ; also in gardens, where it becomes a very troublesome weed. Time. — It dies every year, and* rises again in the latter end of April ; and its berries are ripe in October. Oovemm^nt and Virtue*. — It is a cool Saturnine plant. It is used to cool hot inflammations, either inwaroly or outwardly, being in no way dangerous, as most of the Nightshades are ; vet it must be used moderately. The d*«*tiUed water of the whole herb ii* H^ifedt to be taken in- 252 oxtlfbpeb's complete hbsbal. wardly ; the juice also clarified and taken, being mingled with a Uttle vinegar, is good for an inflamed mouth and throat ; but outwardly, the juice of the herb or berries, with oil of roses, and a little viuegar and ceruse beat toge- ther in a lead mortar, is good to anoint all hot inflamma- tions in the eyes. It also does good for the shingles, ring- worms, and in all running, fretting, and corroding ulcers, if applied thereto. A pessary dipped in the juice, and dropped into the matrix, stays the immoderate flow of the courses ; a cloth wet therein, and applied to the testicles, upon any swelling therein, gives ease ; also to the gout, if it comes of hot and sharp humours. The juice dropped into the ears, eases pains that arise from heat or inflammation : it is good for hot swellings under the throat. Be sure you do not mistake the Deadly Nightshade for this. NIGHTSHADE (DEADLY.)— (il^ropa Belladonna,) Called also the Dwale. Descrip. — This is the largest of the Nightshades. It is five feet high, having several long spreading roots, that ■hoot many long angulated stalks of a deep green, beset with dull green leaves, shaped like common Nightshade, but larger. The flowers are set on among the leaves, grow- ing singly on long footstalks arising from the bosom of the leaves, and have a dismal aspect. They are large, hollow, and hang down like bells. On the outside they are of a dusky colour, between brown and green, and within they are purple. They are succeeded by berries of the size of cherries, black and shining when ripe, and full of a pur- plish iuicy pulp, of a sweetish and mawkish taste. Place. — It is seldom found wild, but often in gardens. Time, — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — Only a part of this plant has its uses. This Nightshade boars a very bad character as being of a poisonous nature. It is not good at all for in- ^^urd uses ; but both leaves and root may with good success be applied outwardly, by way of poultice, to inflammatory swellings. An ointment made of the juice evaporated to the consistence of an extract, does wonders in old sharp ul- cers, even of a cancerous nature. The leaves applied to the breasts of women, will dissipate any hard swellings of those parts. A poultice made of the roots boiled in milk, has oeen found serviceable in hard ill-conditioned tumours, and foul alcers. Sometimes even the outward application is oulfbpsr's complsts herbal. 203 ^aogerons as the following instance proves : — A lady, trou- bled with a Bmall ulcer a little below one of her eyes, which was supposed to be of a cancerous nature, applied a small piece of the green leaf to it at night, and the next morning the uvea of that eye was affected in so frightful a manner, that the pupil would not contract in the brightest light^ while the other eye retained its usual powers. The leaf being re- moved, the eye was gradually restored to its original state, and this effect could not be accidental, for the experiment was repeated three different times, and the application was always attended with the same results. OAK TBJ£,^^(Quercus Rohur.) Detcrip. — This tree grows to a vast height, spreading out into innumerable and irregular branches. The leaves are oblong, obtuse, deeply finulated, and of a dark green. The flowers are both barren and fertile on the same tree ; the former are collected into loose catkins ; the latter are seat- ed in the buds, and both sorts are small and inconsiderable. The seed is oval-formed, of a leather-like coat, which ap- pears as if rasped at the base, and is fixed to a short cup. Place, — It is too common to require a particular specifi- cation of the place of its growth. Time, — The flowers appear in April, and the acorns are ripe in October and November. OovemrneTU and Virtue*. — Jupiter owns the tree. ITie leaves and bark, and the acorn cups, bind and dry much. The inner bark and the thin skin that covers the acorn, are used to stay the spitting of blood, and the flux. The de- coction of that bark, and the powder of the cups, stay vo- miting, spitting of blood, bleeding at the moutn, or other flux of blood in man or woman ; laxes also, and the invo- luntary flux of natural seed. The acorn in powder taken in wine, provokes urine, and resists the poison of venom- ous creatures. The decoction of acorns and bark made in milk, and taken, resist^ the force of poisonous herbs and medicines ; as also the virulence of cantharides, t^hen the bladder becomes ulcerated by taking them, and voids bloody urine. The distilled water of the ouds, before they break out into leaves, is good to be used either inwardly or out- wardly, to assuage inflammations, and to stop all manner of fluxee in man or woman. The same is singularly good in peatilential and hot burning fevers; for it resists the foroe of the infection* and allays heat ; it ooola the hea of the S54 oulpeper's completjs herbal. liver, breaks the stone, and stays women's courses. The de- coction of the leaves work the same effects. The water that is found in the hollow places of Oaks, is very effectusJ against any foul or spreading sciibs. The distilled water of the leaves is one of the best remedies for the whites. OATS.— C^wna Sativa.) Bescrip. — ^The root is fibrous, the stalk hollow, jointed t^ yard hign; the leaves are long, narrow, and of a pale green. The flowers are in a loose panicle, and terminate the stalk. Place. — It grows wild from seed, but is cultivated. Time. — It is reaped early in harvest. Oovemment and Fir^t^M.— Oats fried with bay salt, and applied to the sides, take away the pains of slitches and wind in the sides of the belly. A poultice made of the meal of oats, and some oil of bays added, helps the itch and leprosy ; as also the fistulas of the fundament, and dis- solves hard imposthumes. The meal of oats boiled with vinegar and applied, takes away freckles and spots in the face, and other parts of the body. 01^10^.-^ AlHum Cepa.) This plant is so common and well known that it needs no description. Place. — It is not a native of this country, but is largely cultivated in our gardens, for esculent purposes. Time. — The flowers appear early in Summer. 0(yvemment and Virtues. — Mars owns them. Thev are flatulent, or windy, and provoke appetite, increase thirst, ease the bowels, provoke the courses, help the bites of mad dogs, and of other venomous creatures, used with honey and rue ; increase sperm, especially the seed : they kill worms in children, if they drink the water fasting wherein they have been steeped all night. Being roasted under the embers, and eaten with honey, or sugar and oil, they much conduce to help an inveterate cough, and expectorate tough phlegm. The juice being snuflFed up the nostrils, purges the head, and helps the lethargy, yet often eaten is said to procure pains in the head. The juice is good for either scalds or bums. Used with vinegar it takes away all blem- ishes, spots, and marks in the skin ; and dropped into the ears, eases the pains and noise in them. Applied also with figs beaten together, helps to ripen and break imposthumes, and other sores. Ijeeks (Allium Porrnm) are like them in culpspsr's complete hbrbai.. 85B qoAlity ; they are a remedy against a surfeit of mushrooms, if baked under the embers and taken ; and being boiled and applied warm, help the piles. Though leeks possess the qua- lity of onions, they are not so powerfuL A syrup made of the juice of onions and honey, isan excellent medicine in asthma- tical complaints. Onions are good for cold watery humoun^ but injurious to persons of bilious habit, affecting the head, eyes, and stomach. When plentifully eaten, they procure sleep, help digestion, cure acid belchinga, remove obstruc- tions of tne viscera, increase the urinary secretions, and promote insensible perspiration. Steeped all night in spring water, and the infusion given to children to drink in the morning fastiug, kills worms. Onion bruised, with the addition of a little salt, and laid on fresh burns, draws out the fire, and prevents them blistering. The use is fittest for cold weatner, and for aged, phlegmatic people, whose lungs are stuffed, and breathing short. OBACB^—(Atriplex Patula. Descrip. — Under the article Arrach, AtripleXy is describ- ed a species of this herb. It grows to four feet high ; the stalks are whitish, the leaves of a faint green, and the flow- ers of a greenish white. The seeds are olive-coloured. Place, — It grows wild on waste land, but the seeds of the manured kind are the best for use. Tinie, — It flowers in July ; the seed is ripe soon after. Oovemment and Virtuen. — It is under Venus. It may be eaten soon after as salad ; but the virtues lie in the seed. These are to be gathered when just ripe; for, if suffered to stand longer, they lose part of their virtue. A pound of these bruised, and put into three quarts of spirit, of moderate strength, after standing six weeks, afford a light and not unpleasaut tincture ; a tablespoonful of which, ta- ken in a cup of water-gruel, has the same effect as a dose of ipecacuanha, only that its operation is milder, and does not bind the bowels afterwards. The patient should go to bed after taking the dose, and a gentle sweat will follow, car- rying off whatever ofiTending matter the motions have dis- lodged ; and thus preventing long disease. It cures head- aches, wandering pains, and the first attacks of rheuma- tism. As some stomachs are harder to move than others, If the first dose does not perform its of&ce, a second table- spoonful may be taken without fear. 856 CTTLPEPEB'S COMPLBT8 HEBBAJi. OB.CRlS.'^SatyriunLj Callkd also Dog-stones, Goat-stones, Fool-stouea, Fox- stones, Satirion, Cullians, &c., &c Descrip, — To describe all the several sorts of it would be an endless piece of work. The roots are the only parts used, and a description of them will be sufficient. The roots of each sort are double within, some of them round, in others like a hand ; these roots alter every year by course, when one rises and waxes full, the other waxes lank and perish- es : now, that which is full is to be used in medicines, the other being either of no use at all, or else it destroys the virtue of the other, cjuite undoing what the other does Plouie,— It grows in meadows. Time, — One or other may be found in flower from the beginning of April to the latter end of August. Oovemment and Virtties. — They are hot and moist in operation, under the dominion of Venus, and provoke lusl^ which the dried and withered roots do restrain. They kill worms in children; if bruised and applied to the place they heal the king's-evil. There is another sort, called the Fe- male Orchis. It is a less plant than the former, having no spots on the leaves ; the spike of the flowers is less, of a paiplish colour ; it grows in the same places, rather later. The root has the same virtues and shape. They all pro- voke venery, strengthen the genital parts, and help concep- tion. Applied outwardly in the form of a cataplasm, they dissolve nard tumours and swellings. Sa)ep is a prepara- tion of the roots, of which there are many species, accord- ing to the soil they grow in. It is one of the most valuable plants growing, llie best way to use it is, to wash the new root in water ; separate it from the brown skin which co- vers it, by dipping it in hot water, and rubbing it with a coarse linen cloth. When a sufficient number of roots have been thus cleaned, they are to be spread on a tin plate, and placed in an oven heated to the usual degree, where they are to remain five or six minutes, in whicn time they will have lost their milky whiteness, and acc^uired a transpa- rency like horn without any diminution m bulk. When arrived at this state, they are to be removed in order to be dried and hardened in the air, which will require several days to effect ; or by using a gentle heat, they may be fin- ished in a few hours. This Salep contains the greatest quigntity of nomiflhiueot in the smallest bulk, and will sup- CITLPEPBBS COMPLBTE HBBBAL. 257 port the system in privation and during famine, it is good for those who travel long distances and are compelled to endure exposure without food. OB:PJNE.—(Sedum Telephitm,) Descrip. — Common Orpine grows with div^ers round brit- tle stalks, thick set with flat and flesh leaves, without or- der, and a little dented about the edges, of a green colour. The flowers are whitish, growing in tufts, after which come small chaffy husks, with seed like dust in them. The roots are thick, round, white tuberous clocks; and the plant grows less in some places than in others where it is found. Place. — It grows wild in ahadowy fields and woods in almost every county, and is cultivated in gardens, where it rises greater than the wild. TVme. — It -flowers about July, the seed ripens in Au^usu Chvemment and Virtue*. — The Moon owns this herb. It is seldom used in inward medicines. The distilled water is profitable for gnawings or excoriations in the stomach and Dowels, or for ulcers in the lungs, liver, or other inward parts; and in the matrix, it helps all those diseases, if drank for some days together. It stays the bloody flux, and other fluxes in the body or in wounds. The root acts with the like effect. Outwardly it cools any inflammation upon any hurt or wound, and eases the pain ; it also cures bums or scalds, if the juice be beaten with some green salad-oil, and anointed. The leaves bruised, and laid to any green wound in the legs or hands, heals them ouickly, and if bound to the throat, helps the quinsey; it helps also ruptures. It is of a styptic astringent nature, and the roots contain the principal virtues. Bruised and applied exter- nally they are serviceable in wounds, bums, and bruises. The leaves boiled in milk, and the decoction, and a large teacupful taken taken three or four times a-day, promotes the urinary discharge, and is senriceable for piles and othei hemorrhages. PAKSLEY {COUMOlf. y^Petroselinvm Sativum.) Descriv. — The roots are long, thick, and white, having a wrinkled bark ; from which spring many shining, greeu, wint^ed leaves, growing on lung footstalks; which are divi- ded into three sections, and each of those subdivided into three more, which are triangular and cut in at the ends. The stalks grow to be two feel hi^ mach branched ao4 S58 culfkpir's complbtb bsrbal. divided : they are smooth and striated, beset with smaller and finer leaves ; and on their tops have small umbels of little, five-leaved, white flowers, which are succeeded by small, round, striated, brown seed. Place. — It is sown in gardens. Time, — It flowers in summer. The roots, leaves, and seeds are used. Oovernment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Mercury; is very comforting to the stomach; helps to pro- voke urine and the courses, to break wind, both in the sto- mach and bowels, and op)ens the body, but the root much more. It opens obstructions both of liver and spleen, it is good against falling-sickness, and to provoke urine, especi- ally if the roots be boiled, and eaten like parsnips. The seed provokes urine, and women's courses, expels wind, breaks the stone, and eases the pains thereof; it is efi'ectual in the lethargy, and good against coughs. The distilled wa- ter is a familiar medicine with nurses to give children when troubled with wind in the stomach or belly, and it is also of service to upgrown persons. The leaves laid to the eyes inflamed with heat, or swollen, helps tbem, if used with bread or meal, or fried with butter, and applied to womens* breasts that are hard through the curding of their milk, it abates the hardness, and takes away black and blue marks coming of bruises or falla The juice dropped into the ears with a little wine, eases the paina It helps the jaun- dice, falling-sickness, the dropsy, and stone in the kidneys in this manner : Take of Parsley seed, fennel, annise, and carraways, of each one ounce, of the roots of Parsley, bur- net, saxifrage, and carraways, of each an ounce and a half; let the seeds be bruised, and the roots washed and cut small, let them lie all night and steep in a bottle of white wine; and in the moniing be boiled in a close earthen vessel to a third of the quantity ; of which being strained and cleared, take four ounces night and morning lasting. This opens obstructions of the liver and spleen, and expels the dropsy and jaundice by urine. PABSLEY PIERT, oe PARSLEY BREAKSTONE.— ( Alchemilla Arvensis.) Dcscrip. — The root is very small and thready, yet it con- tinues many years, from whence arise many leaves lying along the ground, each standing upon a long small foot- stalk, the leaves are as broad as a man's nail, very d^i^ply dented on the edges, of a dusKy ^reen colour The stalks GfULPEFKR's OOMPLITB HERBAL. S50 •re weak and slender, three or four fingers in length, set so fall of leaves that they can hardly be seen, either having no footstalk at all, or but a very short one, the flow- ers are so small that they can hardly be seen, and the seed is very small also. Place, — It is found in barren, sandy, moist places. It grows plentifully about Hampstead-Heath, Hyde Park, and in Tothill-fields. Time. — It may be found all the summer-time, even from the beginning of April, to the end of October. Oovemment and Virtues. — In its operation it provokes urine, and breaks the stone. It is a good salad herb. The whole plant is to be used, and is best when gathered fresh* A strong infusion is good against the gravel, for it operates by urine, and cleanses the kidneys and urinary passages or all concretions. It is good in jaundice, and other complaints arising from obstructions of the liver or any other viscera. This herb may be dried, or a syrup made of it for use. If a dram of the powder be taken in white vine it will bring away gravel from the kidneys, without -^uch pain. It also helps the strangury. PARSLEY (ROCK.)-^Feucedanum Officinale,) Called also Hog's Fennel Deecrip. — This has a long striated stalk, with small gras- sy leaves, of a pale green, and they are in a very elegant manner divideci into narrow and pointed segments. It grows about a foot high, upright, and much branched. The flowers stand at the tops of the branches, so that the plant appears to be covered with them ; they are small ana yel- low. The seed is brown, and the root long and slender, and hung about with several fibres. Place. — It is frequent upon the hills and exposed parts of the north of England, and St. Vincent's rock at Bnstol. Time. — It flouens in August. Virtues. — The i>eed8are the only parts used in medicine^ They are mild and gentle vx tlieir operation, and are there- fore given in powder. This powder increases the secretion by the kidneys, promotes the menstrual discharge, and is ffood in the colic and gravel. It is likewise recomm«inded for the dropsy and jaundice. 860 OULPEPIER'S COMPLVTB HBRBAU FAHSLEY (COMMON BTOl^y-fSison Amomum;) PAESLEY (SMALL ST01ifE)---( CauccUis Arvensis ;) & PAESLEY (SMOOTH &TO^E.)—(CaucalU Lep- tophylla,) Descrip, — These plants have the flower umbelliferous, on a few branches, with numerous subdivisions ; there are Bome narrow leaves, both at the base of the larger branches and of the smaller. The first has white flowers, but the other two are pale purple ; the leaves are of a good green, and deeply notched; the three plants grow to about a foot long, and the seeds are oblong, rough, small, and brown. Place, — They grow near Aylesbury and Kingston. Time. — They flower in June, the seed is ripe soon after. Government and Virtues. — AH the Parslevs are undei Mars. The seeds contain an essential oil, and will cure in- termitting fevers or agues. A strong decoction of the roots is a powerful diuretic, and assists in removing obstructions of the viscera. They are good against the jaundice and gravel, and moderately promote the menses. PARSNIP (COW.)-'(Beracleum Sphondylium.) Descrip, — This grows with three or four large, spread- winged, rough leaves, lying often on the ground, or raised a little from it, with long, round, hairy footstalks under ihem, parted usually into five divisions, the two couples standing each against the other ; and one at the end, and each leaf being almost round, yet somewhat deeply cut in on the edges in some leaves, and not so deep in others, of a whitish green colour, smelling somewhat strongly ; among which rises up a round, crested, hairy stalk, two or three feet high, witn a few joints and leaves thereon, and branch- ed at the top, where stand large umbels of white, and, some- times reddish flowers ; and after them flat, whitish, thin, winged seed, two always joined together. The root is long and white, with two or three long strings growing into the ground, smelling likewise strongly and unpleasant. Place, — It grows in moist meadows, and the borders and corners of fields, and near ditches, throughout this land, Tim^e, — It flowers in July, and seeds in August. Government and Virtues. — Mercury has dominion over it. The seed is of a sharp cutting quality, and is a fit medicine for a cough and shortness of breath, the falling-sickness and jaundice. The root is available for all the purposes aforesaid, and is of use to take away the hard stin thai CIILPBPER'S complete HERbAL. 261 mw8 on a fibtula, if it be but scraped upon it. The seed Deing drunk, cleanses the belly from tough phlegmatic mat- ter, eases those who have overgrown liver, as well if drank as by receiving the fumes uuderneath, and likewise raises Buch as are fallen into a deep sleep, or have the lethargy, by burning it under their nose. The seed and root boiled in oil, and the head rubbed therewith, helps not only those that are fallen into a frenzy, but aLiO the lethargy or drowsy evil, and those that have been long troubled with the head-ache, if it be likewise used with rue. It helps also the running scab and the shingles. The juice of the flow- ers dropped into the ears that run and are full of matter, cleanses and heals them. PABSNIP (UPRIGHT WATER.)— (^/Siwin Angv>&tifolium.) Dttcrip. — This water plant has large, deep, green leave* consisting of several longish pinnae, broad at the bottom, narrow, and sharp- pointed at the end, much cut in about the edges. The stalks are tall, hollow, and channelled, hav- ing several small leaves growing on them; and on the tops lai^ umbels of white flowers, succeeded by small striated seed. The root is large, having several long stringy fibre* Place, — It grows in rivers and large waters. Time. — It flowers in May and June. The leaves are used. There are other varieties of growth, as that distinguish- ed by the name Creeping Water Parsnip, Sium Nodiflorum^ with white flowers, which grows also in watery places, and lowers in June ; and the Great Water Parsnip, Sium Lor tifolium^ common about ditches, with white flowers, blow- bg iu July. Of these latter, the seeds only are used. Virtues. — They are accounted opening and attenuating, useful for obstructions of the liver and spleen, and the womb; help the stone and strangury, and scorbutic affections; out* wardly applied, they are commended against cancerous tu- mours in the breasts. Reduced to powder and taken in doees of about a scruple, it stops purging, and is good in all kinds of hemorrliagefly but particularly in excessive men- strual discharges, and spitting of blood. Taken in larger doses, it cures intermitting fevers and agues. A strong de- eoction is good for sore mouths. The leaves infused in the manner of tea allaji the heat in burning fevers. The roots boiled in vinegar, and applied in the form of a poultice, disperaes swellmgs or inflammations in any part of tne body; and applied to old patrid sores, cleanses and disposes them for healing. The juice ii good to bath inflamed and sore 482 culpbper's complete heubai* eyes with, and draok to the amount of four oonces a day for several days together, is a certain cure for the jaundice, [t is of service in the whites and other female disorders. PEACBi'TB.EE,—{Am2/gdcUus Petnca.) Descrip, — The Peach-tree spreads branches reasonably well, from which spring small reddish twigs, whereon are set long and narrow green leaves dented about the edges. The blossoms are large, of a light purple colour ; the fruit is russet, red or yellow, waterish or nrm, with a frieze or cotton all over, with a cleft therein like an apricot, and a large rough stone, with a bitter kernel therein. Place. — It is a native of the East, but flourishes with us, and in warm seasons its fruit ripens without artificial heat, IKme. — It flowers in Spring, and fructifies in Autumr.. Oovemmient and Virtues. — Venus owns this tree. For children and young people, nothing is better to purge cho- ler and the jaundice, than the leaves or flowers of this tree, being made mto a syrup or conserve ; the fruit provokes lust. The leaves bruised and laid on the belly, kill worms ; and boiled io ale and drank, they open the belly ; and if dried it is a safe medicine to discuss humours. The powder, if strewed upon fresh wounds stays their bleeding, and closes them up. The flowers steeped all night in a little warm wine, strained in the morning, and drank fasting, gently opens the belly, and purges. A syrup made as the syrup of roses is made, worts forciblv to provoke vomiting, and spends waterish and dro|jsical numoursby the continuance. The flowers made into a conserve, work the same effect. The liquor that drops from the wounded tree, is given with a decoction of colt's foot, to those who are troubled with a cough or shortness of breath, bv adding thereto some sweet wine and saffron. It is good for hoarseness, loss of voice, and helps defects of the lungs, vomiting and spitting of blood. Two drams given in the juice of lemons or radish, is good for the stone. The kernels of the stones ease the pains of the belly, through wind or sharp humours, and help to make an excellei/« medicine for the stone. The milK or cream of the kernels if drawn forth with some vervain wa- ter, and applied to the forehead and temples, heljjs to pro- cure rest and sleep to sick persons. The oil drawn from the kernels, the temples being therewith anointed, does the iame. This oil put into clysters, eases the pains of the wind x^ ' and anointing the lower part of the belly does the rULP«PBB'S COMPLKTB HERBAL. 268 Mke. Aiiointiug the forehead and temples with it, helps the megrim, and all other parts of the head. If the kernels be bruised and boiled in vinegar, until they become thick, and applied to the head, it marvellously makes the hair to grow again upon bald places, or where it is too thin. PEAB-TREE.— (Pj^ru* Sativa,) E^XAR-TREKsareso well known that they need no description. Oavemment and Virtue*. — This tree is under Venus. For their medicinal use, they are best discerned by their taste. All the sweet and luscious sorts, whether cultivated or wild, help to move the belly downwards, more or less. Those that are hard and sour, do, on the contrary, bind the belly as much, and the leaves do so also : those that are moist in some sort cool, but harsh and wild sorts much more, and are very good in repelling medicines ; and if the wild sorts be boiled with mushrooms, it makes them less dangerous. If boiled with a little honey, they help much the oppressed stomach, as all sorts of them do, some more, some less; but the harsher sorts do more cool and bind, serving well to be bound to green wounds, to cool and stay the blood, and to heal up the wound without further trouble, or inflammation. Wild Pears sooner close the lips of green wounds than others. PELLTTOBY OF SPAIN.— (^^i^Amw Pyretkrum.) Thxrk are two sorts, one is cultivated, the other is wild. Detcrip. — Common Pellitory is a very common plant, but it needs great care and attention in our gardens. The root foes down right into the ground bearing leaves, is long and nely cut upon the stalk, lying on the soiL At the top it has but one large flower at a place, with a border of many leaves, white on the upper side, and reddish underneath, with a yellow thrum in the middle. The other Common Pellitory which grows here, has a root of a sharp biting taste, scarcely discernible by the taste from that before described, from whence arise divers brittle •talks, about a yard high, with narrow leaves, finely dent- ed about the edges, standing one above another to the tops. The flowers are many and white, standing in tufts, with a small yellowish thrum in the middle. The seed is small Place.— The last grows in fields by hedge-tides and }>aths, almost every where. TifM,—li flowers at the latter end of June and July. 099tmmieiU and Virtuss, — It ii undei Merrury, and it 264 CULFEPE&'S COMFLETB HEftfiAL. one of the best purgers of the brain that grows. An onnce of the juice taken in muscadel an hour before the fit of the ague comes, will effectually drive away the ague at the se- cond or third dose at the furthest. Either the herb or dried root chewed in the mouth, purges the brain of phlegmatic humours; thereby not only eases pains in the head and teeth, but also hinders the distillation of the brain upon the lungs and eyes, preventing coughs, phthisics and consumption, the apoplexy and fsdling-sickness. It is an excellent reme- dy in the lethargy. The powder of the herb or root if snuffed up the nostrils, produces sneezing, and eases head- ache ; made into an ointment with hogs' grease, it takes away black and blue spots, and helps both the gout and sciatica. The roots have a hot pungent taste when chewed in the mouth, which, by stimulating the salival glands, promotes a flow of viscid humours from the head and the adjacent parts, and by this means relieves the tooth-ache, head-ache, lethargy, palsy of the tongue, &c. Internally it is taken in small doses, for paralysis and rheumatism. PELLITORY OF THE WALL.— (Parkj^ona OficincUu.) Descrip. — It rises with brownish, red, tender, weak, clear, and almost transparent stalks, about two feet high, upon which grow at the joints two leaves somewhat broad and long, of a dark green colour, which afterwards turn brown- ish, smooth on the edges, but rough and hairy, as the stalks are also. At the joints with the leaves from the middle of the stalk upwards, where it spreads into branches, stand many small, pale, purplish flowers in hairy, rough heads, or husks, after which come small, black, rough seed, which will stick to any cloth or garment that it touches. The root is long, with small fibres, of a dark reddish colour, which abides all winter, although the stalks and leaves perish and spring every year. Place. — It grows wild about the borders of fields, by the sides of walls, and among rubbish. It can be brought up in gardens, if planted on the shady side. Time.— It flowers in June and July ; and the seed it ripe soon after. Oovemment and Virtttee, — It is under Mercury. The dried herb made up into an electuary with honey, or the juice of the herb, or the decoction made up with honey and sugar, is a singular remedy for an old and dry cough, the shortness of breath and wheezing in the throat Three OtrLPBPIR'S OOMPLBTS HBRBAL. 86fr oanoet of the juice taken at a time, wonderf ullj helps stop- ping of the urine, and expels the stone or gravel in the kid- neys or bladder, and is put among other herbs used in clys- ters to mitigate pains in the back, sides, or bowels, pro- ceeding from wind. If the bruised herb, sprinkled with some muscadel, be warmed upon a few quick coals in acha- ting-dish, and applied to the belly, it works the same effect. The decoction, if drunk, eases pains of the mother, brings down the courees, and griefs from obstructions of the liver, spleen, and reins. With a little honey added, the decoction ii also good to gargle a sore throat The juice held in the mouth, eases the pains of the teeth. The distilled water, if drunk with sugar, works the same effect, and cleanses the skin from «pot3, freckles,, pimples, wheals, sunburn, mor- phew, &c. The juice dropped into the ears, eases the nois« in them, and takes away the prickling and shooting pains therein; the same, or the distilled water, assuages hot and ■welling imposthumes, bums and scalds, and all hot tumours and inflammations, and breakings out of heat, if often bath- ed with it ; the juice made into a liniment with ceruse, and oil of loses, and anointed therewith, cleanses foul rotten ulcers, stays spreading ulcers, and running scabs or sores in child reus' heads ; and helps to stay the hair from falling off. The said ointment, or the herb applied to the funda- ment, opens the piles, and eases the pains ; mixed with goat's tallow, it helps the gout ; the juice is very effectual to cleanse fistulas, and to heal them ; or the herb bruised, and aoplied with a little salt. It is effectual to heal green wounas, if bruised and bound thereto three days. A poul- tice made with mallows, and boiled in wine and wheat oran and bean-flour, and some oil put thereto, and applied warm to any bruised sinew, tendon, or muscle, in a short time re- stores them, taking away the pains of the bruises or blows. The juice clarified and boiled in a syrup with honey, and a spoonful drank every morning is ^ood for the dropsy ; by taking the dose once a week, that disease will be cured. PENNY-ROYAL.— ('J^enrAa Pvlegium,) Detcrip. — It has many creeping fibrous roots, from which spring many smooth roundish stalks, slender, leaning to the ground, sending out small fibres, by which it roots itself in the ground. It bears two small, round, pointed leaves, at a joint ; the flowers grow towards the upf)er part of the Drmnches, coming forth just above the leaves in thick close 266 oulpeper's complete hbrbal. whorles ; thej are of a pale purple colour, small and galat- ed, set in small downy caiices^ in which are small seeds. The whole plant has a strong smell, and a hot aromatic taste. Place. — It grows on moist commons and dried pools. It is cultivated in gardens, where it grows tall and large. There is a greater kind than that found wild with us, but it differs from it only in the largeness of the leaves and Btalks, in rising higher, and not creeping on the ground so much. The flowers are purple, crowing in rundles about the stalks like the others. It is found wild by the high- ways from London to Colchester, and in other counties, and is planted in gardens in Essex. Place. — They flower about August. Government and Virtues. — This herb is under Venus. It makes thin, tough phlegm, warms any part to which it is applied, and digests corrupt matter ; if boiled and drank, it provokes womens' courses, and expels the dead child and afterbirth, and stays the disposition to vomit, if taken in water and vinegar mingled together. Being mingled with honey and salt, it voids phlegm out of the lungs, and purg- es by stool. Drank with wine, it is good for venomous bites, and applied to the nostrils with vinegar, revives those who faint and swoon. Dried and burnt, it strengthens the gums, helps the gout, if applied of itself to the place until it is red; and appli^ in a plaster, it takes away spots or marks on the face ; applied with salt, it profits those who are splen- etic, or liver-grown. The decoction helps the itch, if wash- ed therewith : it helps the swellings and hardness of the mother, if the patient bathe by sitting therein. The green herb bruised and put into vinegar, cleanses foul ulcers, and takes away the marks of bruises and blows about the eyes, and burns in the face, and the leprosy, if drank, and appli- ed outwardly ; boiled in wine with honey and salt, it helps the tooth-ache. It helps the cold griefs of the joints, tak- ing away the pains, and warming the cold part, being safe bound to the place, after a bathing or sweating in a hot- house. Penny-R >yal and mints together, help those who swoon and faint, if smelled at, or put into the mouth. It eases head-ache, pains of the breast and belly, and gnawing of the stomach : applied with honey, salt, and vinegar, it helps cramps or convulsions of the sinews ; boiled in milk, and drank, it is effectual for coughs, and for ulcers and sores in the mouth ; the decoction if drank, helps the jaundice and dropsy, and clears the eye-sight It helps the lethargy, CQLPRTER'S COMPLBTX HERBAL. ifff and pat into the ears, eases the pains of thenL It is of sab- tie, warm, and penetrating parts; it is also opening, discus- tive, and canniuative ; it promotes the menses, and loche, and prevents the fluor albus. In asthmatic disoriders it must be sweetened with honey. One spoonful of the juice sweet- ened with sugar-candy, is a cure for the hooping-cough. PENNYWORT (COMMON MARSH.)— (iTycfrocoQ^^* Vulgaris.) Ikaerip. — ^The root is round, tuberous, and famished with fibres at the bottom. The leaves rise in thick and regular clusters, and are supported on footstalks of three inchea long, and these are in the centre, the leaf spreading every way into roundness from them. These leaves are of a blu- ish green, prettily notched round the edges, of a watery taste. The stalk is eight inches, and is round and firm; to- ward the top it divides into two or three branches, and on these hang numerous flowers in long spikes, small, greenish, and dented at the rim. The seeds are numerous and small. Place, — It frequently grows upon walls in Somersetshire, Tinve. — It flowers in July. Government and Virtues, — It is under Venus, and is good to break the stone and void it; also the gravel in the reins or bladder. It helps suppression of urine and the strangury. PEONY (MALE.)— (Pofonta.) Descrip. — It rises up with a brownish stalk, whereon grow green and reddish leaves, without any particular division in the leaf. The flowers stand at the top of the •talks, consisting of five or six broad leaves, of a purplish red colour, with many yellow threads in the middle, stand- ing about the head, which rises up to be the seed-vessels, divided into two, three, or four crooked pods like horns, which, being full ripe, open and turn themselves down back- ward, shewing witnin them divers round, black, shininff seeds, having also many crimson grains intermixed with black. The roots are great, thick, and long, spreading and running down deep in the ground. Place. — It grows in gardena. Time. — It flowers usually aboat May. Oovemment and Virtues. — It ia an herb of the Sun, and under the Lion. Tbo roots are held to be of more virtue than the seed ; next the flowers; and last of all, the leaves. The root, fresh gathered, cures the falling -sickness ; take tb« root, Vashed clean and stamped small, and infuse in sack 168 OULPSPER'S OOMPLBTE HERBAL. for twentj-four hours at the least, afterwards strain it, and take a good draught morDing and evening for days together, this will cure old persons as well as young ones if the disease be not of too long standing and past cure, especially if the body be prepared by taking a drink-posset made of betony, &c. The root is effectual for cleansing the womb after child- birth, and easing the mother. The seed beaten to powder, and given in wine, will answer the same purpose. The black seed taken morning and evening, is effectual for night-mare. It is also good against melancholy dreams. The distilled water or syrup made of the flowers, works the same effects that the root and seed do, although more weakly. PEPPER-^Ptpflr.; There are three sorts, black, white, and long, which all grow alike, and the last differs from the other two only in the fruit. Place. — It is a native of Java, Sumatra, Malabar, &c. (Government and Virtues. — All the peppers are under the dominion of Mars, and of temperature hot and dry, almost to the fourth degree ; but the white is the hottest. It com- forts and warms a cold stomach, consumes crude and moist humours, and stirs up the appetite. It dissolves wind in the stomach or bowels, provokes urine, helps the cough, and other diseases of the breast, and is an ingredient in the great antidotes ; but the white pepper is more sharp and aromatical, and is more effectual in medicine, and so is the long, being used for a^ues, to warm the stomach before the coming of the fit. AJl are used against the quinsey, being mixed with honey and taken inwardly and applied outward- ly, to disperse the kernels in the throat, and other places. PEPPER (GUINEA-)— ("Cajtwicwm Frutescens,) Called also Cayenne Pepper and Bird Pepper. Descrip, — There are several kinds. It grows with an up- right, firm, round stalk, with a certain pith within it, about two or three feet high, spreading into many branches on all sides, from the very bottom, which divide themselves again into other smaller branches, at each joint come two long leaves upon short footstalks, with several veins, not dented about the edges, and of a dark green colour: the flow- ers stand severally at the joints, consisting usually of five, and sometimes six, white, small-pointed leaves, standing >pen like a star, with yellow threads in the middle^ after culpepkr's complktk herbal. 269 which come the fruit, either great or small, long or short, round or square, as the kind is, either standing upright or hanging down, as their flowers show themselves ; the seeds are numerous, kidney-shaped, and a little compressed ; the root annual and tibrous spreading plentifully in the ground, but perishing after it has ripened all its fruit. Place. — It is a native of India, but will bear our climate, and ripen its fruit if brought forward in a hot bed in spring, and afterwards planted out in the open ground. Time. — In India it flowers in August, and the seed-pods ripen in November, where it lives throughout the year, but in this country the seed-pods ripen in the hottest part of summer, and perish with the first frost if not housed. OovemmerU and Virtiies. — All kinds of Guinea Pepper are under Mara, and are of a fiery, sharp, biting taste, and of a temperature hot and dry ; they are so hot tnat they raise a in a of blister in the mouth and throat, or other part of the skin if the seed or husks be used alone ; the vapour from them occasions sneezing, coughing, and even vomiting, and if the hands touch the nose or eyes after handling them, in- flammation of those parts will follow : but though danger- ous, they have great medicinal properties. Take the husks, dry them with flour in an oven, cleanse them from the flour and beat them very small, to every ounce put a pound of flour, with yeast, bake them into cakes, then beat the cakes \o a fine powder, and sift ; this powder is good to season meat, broth, soup, stew, &c. Put m the diet it drives away wind and helps flatulency, taken into a cold stomach with the meat, it gives great relief, causing phlegm to be voided ; it helps digestion, gives appetite, provokes urine ; if taken with saxifrage water it expels the stone in the kid- neys and the phlegm that breeds it, and takes away dimness of the sight if used in meats. Taken with PUlvJas Aleop- hangincBy it helps dropsy ; the powder, taken for three d^xys together in the decoction of penny -royal expels the dead- birth, the powder, taken fasting, for three or four days, with a little fennel seed, will ease all the pains of the mother. If made up with a little powder of gentian and oil of bays, into a pessary, with some cotton wool, it will bring down the ooarses ; the same mixed with an electuary will help an in- Teterate cough ; mixed with honey it helps quiusey. If ap- plied to the throat ; and mado up with turpentine, and laid on bard knots or kernels in any part of the body, it will dis. •olTe them; applied with m%^% it takes away freckles, spots, S70 OnLPBPKR'S COMPLETE HERBAL. morphew, marks and discolourings of the skin : along with hen's grease, it dissolves cold imposthumes and carbuncles; mixed with vinegar it dissolves the hardness of the skin : rubbed upon the back with Unguentum de AlhastrOj it will take away the ague : a plaster made with tobacco, will heal venomous stings and bites. The decoction of the husks is a good gargle for the tooth-ache, and preserves the teeth from rottenness ; the ashes rubbed on the teeth will clean them. The decoction helps watery ruptures, if applied morn- ing and evening. If steeped in aqua vitoB^ it helps the palsy, if the place be bathed with it ; steeped in wine, and two spoonfuls drunk every moming, fasting, makes stinking breath sweet. It is a stimulant in phlegmatic disorders, par- alytic complaints, and relaxations of the stomach, and is put into aloetic and nervous medicines for all female dis- orders. It is good for the quinsey, if put into bread poul- tice, and applied to the part which is .affected. PEPPER (WATER)— ('Po^onum Hydropiper,) Descrip. — It sends forth long broad leaves, finely dented on the edges, pointed at the ends, of a li^ht bluish-grees colour, standing upon round hard stalks, three or four feet high, spreading many branches on all sides, having many small white nowers at the tops, after which come small seeds in small heads. The root is slender, spreads much onder ground, shooting up again in many places; and both leaves and roots are of a very hot and sharp taste. Flace^ — Itgrows naturally in many parts of this country. Time, — It Bowers in the end of June, and in July. Virtues, — It is good for sciatica, gout, or pains in the joints, or any other inveterate disease, if the leaves are bruised and mixed with hog's-grease, and applied to the place, and kept on four hours in men, and two hours in women, the place being afterwards bathed with wine and oil mixed together, and then wrapped up with wool or skins, after which they sweat a little. It amends the de- formities or discolourings of the skin, and helps to take away mailcs, scars, or scabs, produced by burns. PERIWINKLE (GREAT.)— (' Vinca Major.) Descrip. — It has many branches running on the ground, shooting out small fibres, taking hold of the ground, and roots in divers places. At the joints of these branches stand two small, dark, green, shining leaves, and with them CTTLPBPEX'B COMPLETE KEKBA.L. 271 comefoi-th the tlowerd, one at a joint, ataudiug upon a ten- der footstalk, long and hollow, parted at the brims, some- times into four, sometimes into five leaves ; the most ordi- nary sorts are of a pale blue colour, some of a pure white, 5Dd some of a dark reddish purple colour. P'ace, — Those with the pale blue, and those with the white flowers, grow in woods and orchards, by the hedge- sides, in divers parts of this country ; but those with we purple flowers in gardens only. Time. — They flower in March and April Oovemment and Virtiies. — Venus own this herb. It is a great binder, and stays bleedin<^ at the tuouth and nose, if it be chewed. It is a good female medicine, and may be used with advantage in hysteric and other fits. An in- fusion is good to stay the menses ; a two ounce dose will have the same eflfect. It is good in nervous disorders ; the young tops made into a conserve is good for the night-mare. The small Periwinkle ( Vinca Minor) possesses all the vir- toes of the othre kind, and may very properly supply its place. PETER'S WORT. (QT.y-(A8€yrum Starts.) Descrip. — It rises up with square, large, brown, upright stalks, having leaves at every joint, round pointed, with few or no holes to be seen thereon, and sometimes smaller leaves rising from the bosom of the greater, with a little hair thereon. At the tx)ps of the two stalks stand many star-like flowers, with yellow threads in the middle, larger than those of St. John s wort, the seed l)eing like it. The root abides long, sending forth new shoots every year. Place, — It grows in small low woods, in divers placei of this ooQotry, also near water-courses. Time.— It flowers in June and July ; and the seed U ripe in August Oovemment and Virtues, — Two drams of the seed taken at a time in honied water, purges choleric humours, and helps the sciatica. The leaves bruised are goo^l for burn& PILEWORT (COMMON.)— ('/'icaria Vema.) Detcrip. — This small plant, besides the slender, white, fibrous root, has several small, oval, whitish tubercles, re- sembling the piles. The leaves grow on long footstalks, ■nooth and shining, sometimes spotted white. The flowers ffTOW on pretty long stalks, inclining to the earth, with a K'af or two on them more angular, sharper-pointed, and 272 CULPBPBR'S COMPLBTB HERBAL. smaller than the other ; they consist of eight or nine nar- row, sharp-pointed petals of shining yellow colour, with a few yellow stamina in the middle, set about a green head that is composed of small naked seeds. Place,— It grows in moist pastures and by hedge-sides. Time. — It nowers in April. Oovemment and Virtues, — This herb is good for the piles, to ease their pain and swelling, and stop their bleeding ; the roots being taken inwardly, and an ointment being made of the leaves and roots, is cooling and good for in- flamed sores and ulcers. The expressed juice of the plant is used to cure internal wounds, bruises, and spitting oi blood, with good success. The leaves bruised and boiled in ho^s-lard, until they become crisp, and then strained, affords an excellent cooling ointment PIMPERNEL {^ATER.)^(Anagalli8 Aquatica,) Descriv. — It has divers weak souare stalks lying on the ground, oeset with two small and almost round leaves at every joint, one against another, but no footstalks; for the leaves, as it were, compass the stalk, consisting of five small round-pointed leaves, of a pale red colour, tending to an orange, with many threads in the middle, in whose places succeed smooth round heads, wherein is contained small seed. The root is small and fibrous, perishing every year. Place. — It is found only in brooks and running waters. Oovemnient and Virtues, — This plant is warm and dry, with a little stypticity, and is a good vulnerary. The juice mixed with cows milk, is useful in consumptions and dis- tempers of the lungs ; it is put into cordial waters, as an alexipharmic, and good against malignant distempers. It helps bites and stings of venomous creatures, beinc appli- ed either inwardly or outwardly. It also opens oostruc- tions of the liver, and is available against the infirmities of the reins: it provokes urine, and helps to expel the stone and gravel out of the kidneys and blaader, and helps in- ward pains and ulcers. The decoction or distilled water is effectual if applied to green wounds, or old, filthy, fret- ting, and running ulcers, which it speedily cures. A little mixed with the juice, and dropped into the eyes, cleanses them from cloudy mists, or tnick films which grow over them. It helps tooth-ache, being dropped into the ear on the contrary side of the pain. It is also effectual to ease the piles. This herb is a good deobstrueut and antisoor I 'rl. PdilcfyifthtVyi. Spikeneerd. CXJLPKPEB'8 COMPLETE HBBBAL. 27* batic, abounding with volatile parts, good for the scurvy, and ifi aa iDcredient of the antiscorbutic juices and diet drinks for that distemper. It is likewise detersive and eleansing, and useful in many inward obstructions. PINE-TREK— CPtnui Si/lvettris.) DMcnp» — On the continent it grows to a great height, but with us not so tall It is found in parks and inclo- suree. The leaves are short and slender, and the conee are sharp-pointed, including small kernels. Place, — It ows its existence in this country to the curi- ous, who plant it for its beauty and ornament. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is a tree of Mara. From it common turpentine, which is thick, whitish, and opaque, is obtained. It has a strong smell, and is used by farriers from this the distilled oil, sometimes called the spirit of turpentine, is extracted ; what is left at the bottom of the still \& the common rosin, which, if taken out before it is drawn too high, and then washed in water, is called white, or yellow rosm. The black is more evaporated, and not washed at all, they are the same in nature, being used in ointments aod plasters. The kernels are excellent resto- ratives in consumptions, and after long illness. The best way of giving them is in an emulsion beat up with barley- water, which is also very good for heat of urine, and other disorders of the urinary passages. PLANTAIN.— (P/ofUo^o Major.) Descrip. — The root is thick at the head, having whitish fibres grt)wiDg from it. The leaves are broad, large, and oval, waved at the edges, with seven large nerves run nins through the whole length of them, and even the broad hollow footstalks into the root The flowers grow in long spikes, above half the length of the footstalks, small and staminous, cut into four parts, which are succeeded by two small, oblong, shining brown seeds, hollow on the one side, growing in little roundish capsular, which open hori- zontally when the seed is ripe. Place. — It is every where by the way-side. Time. — It flowers in May. The whole plant is used. Oovemment and Virtues. — This is under Venus, and it enres the head by its antipathy to Mars, and the privities t>7 its sympathy to Venus ; neither is there a martial dij»- mat but it care«. The juice, clari&sd and drank for days 274 ovlpvpbb'b oomplete hsbbal. toother, either by itself, or with other drink, helps exco- riations or pains in the bowels, the distillations of rheum from the head, and it stays all manner of fluxes, even wo- mens' courses, when too abundant. It is good to stay spit- ting of blood and bleedings at the mouth, or the making of foul and bloody water, by reason of any ulcer in the reins or bladder ; and staunches the too free bleeding of wounds. The seed is profitable against dropsy, falhng- sickness, yellow-jaundice, and stoppings of the liver and reins. The roots, and Pellitory of Spain, beaten into pow- der, and put into hollow teeth, takes away the pains of them. The juice, or distilled water, dropped into the eyes, cools the inflammations in them, and takes away the pin and web. If the juice be mixed with oil of roses, and the temples and forehead be anointed therewith, it eases the pains of the head proceeding from heat. The same also is Profitably applied to all hot gouts in the hands and feet, t is good if applied to bones out of joint, to hinder in- flammations, swellings, and pains that presently rise there- upon. The powder of the dried leaves taken in drink, kills worms of the belly ; boiled in wine, it kills worms which breed in old and foul ulcers. One part of the herb water and two parts of the brine of powdered beef, boiled toge- ther and clarified, is a remedy for all scabs and itch in the head and body, all manner of tetters, ringworms, the shin- gles, and all other running and fretting sores. All the Plantains are good wound herbs to heal fresh or old wounds, or sores, either inward or outward. PLANTAIN (EUCK'S-IIOBN,)-(Plantago Coronoput,) Descrip. — Like the other, this Plain tain has a slender, fibrous root. The leaves are numerous and beautiful; like a star l3dng on the ground, and spreading every way from the head of the root ; they are long, narrow, and deeply jagged "at the edges, like the horn of a buck, pale green and hairy. The stalks are upright, and like other Plan- tains, with small, irregular, four-leaved flowers, growing on hoary stalks three or four inches long. The seed is small, of a dark brown shining colour. Place. — It grows in sandy grounds, and upon heaths. Time. — It flowers in June. Government and Virtues. — This has the nature of other PUntaini, moderately drying and binding^ and is a good OUIiPSPER'fl COMPLETS HEBBAU 275 ▼ound herb, both inwardly and outwardly; it is commend- etl against venomous bitea, especially those of a mad dog. PLANTAIN {QBASS.)—(PIantaffo Uni/lora.) Dt9crip. — This is a grassy and apparently weedy herb. The leaves are green, curling, entwined with each other in a carious manner, like Sea Grass. The flowers are single, consisting of four white leaves each, with long threads growing out of each centre, at the top are small white but- tons. The whole plant grows about four inches high. Place. — It is common in the Isle of Sheppy, and iii other parte about the sea-coasta. Time, — It flowers in June. Virtues. — The expressed iuice is good against spitting of blood, immoderate flow of the menses, and piles. The seeds reduced to powder, and taken, stop the whites. The fresh leaves bruised, and applied to fresh cuts, soon heal them, and are good to cleanse and heal ulcers. This is astringent, cooling, and healing. A decoction is excellent in all ure- thral and uterine diBorders. PLANTAIN {BlSWO^T.y-CPlantago Lanceolata.) Descrip. — The leaves are narrower than the former, •harp-pointed, having five ribs, or nerves, running (^uite through them to the root, which is less and more stnngy than the former: the flowers grow at the end of long slen- der stalks in oblong spikes, an inch long ; they are small and staminous, witn white apices. The seeds grow like the others, but are somewhat larger. P^ace. — It grows in fields and hedges. THme. — The flowers appear in May and Jane. Virtues.~The leaves are astringent and vulnerary, and are useful for the same purposes as the former. The juice of it is commended for the ague, to lessen its efl'ecte. PLOUGHMAN'S SPIKENARD.— (Conyza SquarroM.) Ikscnjpr.—Thui is a biennial, a coarse, but Ul-iooking plant* The stalk is two feet and a half high, of a ruddy brown, dry, brittle, branchy towards the top. The leaves are broad lanced, rugged on the surface, of a coarse dead green, and a little dented about the edges. The flowers are of a dull yellow, and stand in a close tuft, at the tope of the stalk ; they grow out of an oblong and ruffged cop; the scales are sharp-pointed, stand wide and are b^nt oat 976 otjlpepeb's complets herbal. Place. — It is found by road sides, and in waste places. Time, — The flowers bloom in August. Government and Virtues. — It is under the government of Venus. The leaves, when bruised, emit a quick and aromatic smelL They are bitterish to the taste, with some sharpness. A weak tea made of this herb is good to pro- mote the menses, and much preferable to any mineral. PLUMS.— CPn/nw Domestica.) Thet are so well known that they need no description. Oovemment and Virtttes, — All Plums are under Venus. There is great diversity of kinds, some that are sweet moisten the stomach, and make the belly soluble, those that are sour quench thirst more, and bind the belly; the moist and waterish corrupt the stomach, but the firm do nourish more, and offend less. The dried fruit, under the name of damask Prunes, somewhat loosen the belly, and when stewed, are used, both in health and sickness, to re- lish the mouth and stomach, to procure appetite, and to open the body, allay choler, and cool the stomach. Plum- tree leaves boiled in wine, are good to wash and gargle the mouth and throat, to dry the flux of rheum coming to the palate, gums, or almonds of the ears. The gum of the tree la good to break the stone. The gum or leaves boiled iu Tinegar, and applied, kills tetters and ringworms. POLEY (MOUNTAIN.)— (^TVumwm Folium.) Descrip. — This grows about a foot high, much branch- ed, with squarish woolly husks, having two small white woolly leaves at a joint, not above half an inch long, and scarcely half so broad, blunt pointed, and indented about the edges towards the end. The flowers grow at the ends of the branches, in round woolly thick spikes, small, and of a white colour, labiated, but having no galea, being set in white, hoary, five-pointed calices; £)th leaves and flow- ers have a pleasant aromatic scent. Place. — It is a native of Italy, but will bear the cold of our country, if taken care of in a greeu -house in winter. Time, — it flowers in July and August Govemm^ent and Virtue. — It is under the dominion of Venus. It is opening and attenuatiug, good for obstruc- tions of the- liver and spleen; it is good in dropsy and jaun- dice ; it provokes urine and the menses, and is serviceable in venomous bites. Outwardly applied, it is emollienti il» CUIPEPBR'S COMI»L»Tl HMBBAIk 277 pening Mid dissolving, good for hard tiimoure and ewel ling8,and is put into ointments and planters for that object. FOLYFODY. -^Po'ypodium Vuigare.) Deserip. — This is a perennial herb of the fern tribe, dis- tinguishable by the seeds beine in roundish spots, distri- buted OD the under surface of the leaf. The root is shag^ ged with hairs, and of the thickness of one's little finger, and, when broken, ia found to be green within; and to th« taste at once austere and sweet. Plaee, — It is common amon<^ mossj stones, upon the joints of old walla which are in the shade, and upon the stumps of trees ; but the best sort grows upon the decay- ed parts of old oak trees. Time, — It is in perfection in October and November. Oovemment and Virtties. — It is under Jupiter in Leo. With laxatives it gently carries otf the contents of the bowels without irritation. By itself it is a very mild and useful purge : but being very slow, it is generally mixed by infusion or decoction with other ingredients, or in broths with beets, parsley, mallow, cummin, ginger, fennel and anise. The oest form to take it for a complaint in the in- testines, is as follows: To an ounce of the fresh root bruis- ed, add an ounce and a half of the fresh roots of white beets, and a handful of wild mallow ; pour upon these a pint and a quarter of water, boiling hot, and let it stand till next day, then strain it off. A quarter of a pint of this liqnor contains the infusion of two drams of this root. It ioould be sweetened with sugar-candy, or honey. POMEGBANATE-TREE.--(Pttntca Gh-ajiattm.) jyetcrip, — This is a shrubby plant, covered with a brown- ish berk, and divided into a numl>er of branches, which spieed in an irregular manner, and are armed with sharp- ish spines, and have their upper end pretty thick set with long narrow smooth leaves, two inches in length, to half an inch in breadth ; among these come forth the flowers, of a bright scarlet colour, consisting of five leaves set in a tough brown calyx, which in time enlarging itself becomes the nark or covering of the fruit, having a crown on its upper part, in shape and size like an orange, but with a broader and harder peel, in the inside of which grow a greet number of cornered acini or kernels, compacted to- gether in regular order containing each a sweet vinous joiosb or one more acid, with a snudi stone in the middle. 276 OULPSPEB'S OOMPLETB HBRBAL. Flcioe. — It is a native of Italy and Spain, and needs the ■belter of a green-house in this country. Oovemmeni and Virtiies. — This tree is under Mercury. Both the flowers and bark of the fruit are strongly astrin- gent ; a decoction of them stops bleedings and purgings of all kinds, and is good for the whites. The pulp of the fruit, when in perfection, is very grateful, and has the same gen- eral qualities with the other acid fruits. A strong infusion cures ulcers in the mouth and throat, and fastens teeth. PUMPKIN.— fCwcwrWto Pepo.) Deterip, — This takes up a ^reat compass of around, with iti large, thick, creeping stalks, furnished with large claa- ?3rs : its leaves are large and rough, like those of melons, he flowers are large, like a yellow lily in colour. The fruit ia large, having large, white, oval, flattish seeds. Place,— It is sown on dunghills. TifM, — It is ripe in September and October. Qtyvemment and Virtues, — It is a moist plant under the dominion of the Moon. The seed is cooling, of the nature of the melon and other cold seeds, and may serve very well to make emulsions. It is rarely used in medicine. POPLAB (BJjACK.}—(Populu8 Nigra,) Detcrip, — This tree grows higher and straighter than the white, with a greyish bark, bearing broad green leaves, like ivy leaves, not cut on the edges, but whole and dent- ed, ending in a point, and not white underneath, hanging by slender long footstalks, which are continually shaking. The catkins are greater than those of the white, composed of round green berries, as if set together in a long cluster, containing much downy matter, which being ripe is blown away with the wind. The clammy heads hereof, before they spread into leaves, are of a yellowish green colour, ■and small, somewhat sweet, but strong. Place. — It grows in moist woods, and by water-sides in sundry places in England. Time, — The catkins come out before the leaves in summer. Oovemmeni and Virtues, — Saturn has dominion over both White and Black Poplars. The White is of a cleans- ing property; one ounce of the powdered bark drunk, is a remedy for the sciatica, or the strangury. The juice of the leaves dropped into the ears, eases the pains in theoL The young clammy buds or eyes, before they break out into oiTLPBPSB*! ooicpurra hurbal. 179 leaves, brolBed, and a little honey pat to them, is a good medicine for dull si^ht. The Blact ia more cooling; than the White ; the leaves bruised, and applied with vinegar, help the gout. The seed drank in vinegar, is good against falling-sickness. The water that drops from the hollows of this tree, takes away warts, pushes, wheals, and break- ings-out of the body. The leaves and buds are used to make the Unguent PopuJeon ; but as the Black is hot, the ointment cannot receive virtue from its leaves or bads, but from the other ingredients which are put in it. POPLAR (WHITE.)--(^Pop2*ZtM Alba.) Descrip. — This kind grows gr^t and high, covered with thick, smooth, white bark, especially the branches, having long leaves cut into several divisions almost like the vine leaf, but not so deep green on the upper side, and hoary white underneath, of a reasonable good scent, the whole representing the form of coltsfoot The catkins which it brings forth before the leaves, are long, and of a faint red- dish colour, which fall away, bearing seldom good seed with them. The wood is smooth, soft, and white, very finely waved, whereby it is much esteemed. POPPY {BLkCK.)^( Fapaver Nigrum,) Dfcrip, — This does not grow so high as the White, bat in other respects it is much like it. The chief difference is in the flower, which in this is of a purplish colour, with a black bottom ; and in the heads which do not grow the same nize, and contain black seed. The roots of ooth are ■ticky, and perish when the seed is ripe. place, — It is sown in gardens. Tim^—XX. flowers in June and July. FiWt^e*.— The heads are rarely used, being left alone with the other. The flowers are however of a gentle sudo- niic nature, and are peculiarly good in pleurisies, quinaieSy and all disorders of the breast POPPY (CROWFOOT.)— (PapavtfT Ranuncului Lati/olius.) Descrip. — The stalk is thick and naked, round and fleshy. The leaves are irregular and few, stripped into many divi- ded aegmenU, and of a jpale green colour. The flower is large and single, growing at the top of the stalk; the usnal colour of it is bright scarlet, but it is sometimes yellow or white. In the middle ia a to^t of yellow threads. B80 OTTLPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBALp Pldce. — It is sown onlj in gardens. Time, — It flowers in June. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under Saturn, and good to remove warts. The expressed juice is used to make way for the iostruments of surgery; and the whole plant bruis- ed has been applied to remove head-ache, but care must be taken to keep it from the eyes, or it will inflame them. POPPY (VIOLET UOIiTiED.y^Chelidoniim Comiculatum.) Descrip. — This diflfers from the others, only the leaves are diviaed into numerous fine segments, in a double pin- nated manner. The stalk is four or five feet high, having no branches at the top, and but two or three at most be- low, bearing every one but one head wrapped up in a thin skin, which bows down before it is ready to bloom, and then rising, and being broken, the flower within it spreads itself open, consisting of very large white round leaves, with many whitish round threads in the middle, set about a small, round, green head, having a horn or star-like point shooting out at the head, which, growing ripe, becomes as large as a great apple, wherein are contained a great num- ber of small round seeds in several partitions next to the •hell, the middle thereof remaining hollow and empty. Place. — It is common in corn-fields. Time. — It flowers in July. Virtties. — An infusion of the flowers boiled into a syrup, partakes slightly of the nature of opium. The juice is of the same acrid and bitter taste with the other species. POPPY (WHITE, OR OTlUM.)—(Fapaver Somniferum.) Detcrip. — This is cultivated for its medicinal uses. It has many large, long, whitish green leaves, much torn and cut in on the edges. The stalk is smooth and round, grow- ing five or six feet high; towards the top it is divided into three or four branches, having at the end of each a round head, hanging down at first, but as the flower comes on to open, it grows erect The flower consists of four large leaves, inclosed in a couple of green skinny busks, which soon drop ofl^ when the nower opens; when the flowers are fallen, tne seed-vessel grow as Dig as a large orange, hav- ing a denticillated crown on the head ; it is divided into membraneous partitions, to the sides of which grow the OITLFKPIR'S OOMPLXTl HSEBAL. t81 snuJl white seed. The whole plant is full of a bitter milk, of a strong, virose, unpleasant smell. Place, — It grows wild in Ireland, but it is cultivated in the gardens in England. Time. — It flowers during the months of Summer. Oovemment and Virtues.— It is under the dominion of the Moon. The seed-vessels are the parts to use. Syrup of diacodium is a strong decoction of them, boiled to a con- sistence with sugar. The syrup is a gentle narcotic, eas- ing pain, and causing sleep ; half an ounce is a full dose for an upgrown person, for younger it must be diminish- ed accordingly. The seeds, beaten into an emulsion, with barley-water, are good for the strangury, and heat of the urine; but they have none of the sleepy virtues of the sy- rup, nor of the other parts of the preparations of the pop- py. Opium is nothing more than the milky juice of this plant, concreted into a solid form. It is procured by wounding the heads, when they are almost ripe, with a five- edged instrument, which makes as man^ parallel inci- sions from top to bottom; and the juice which flows from these wounds is the next day scraped off", and the other side of the head wounded in like manner. When a quantity of this juice is collected, it is worked together with a little water, till it acquires the consistence and colour of pitch, when it is tit for use. Opium has a faint disagreeable smell, and a bitterish, hot, oiting taste ; taken in proper doMa, it procures sleep, and a short respite from pam, but great caution is required in administering it, for it is a very powerful, and, consequently, a very dangerous medi- cine in unskilful handa It relaxes the nerves, abates cramps, and spasmodic complaints ; but it increases para- lytic disorders, and such as proceed from weakness of the nervous system. It incrassates thin serous acrid humours, and thus proves a speedy cure for catarrhs and tickling coughs, but must never he given in phthisical or inflamma- tory compUiints ; for it dangerously checks perspiration, un- less its effects are counteracted by the addition of amiuoniac or SQuills, and by producing a fulness and distention of the whole habit, it exasperates all inflammatory symptoms, whether internal or external. It promotes perspiration, but checks all evacuations, and is good for stopping purg- ing! and vomitings ; and this is effected by small aoses, judiciously given. With regard to the dose, half a grain. or at most, a grain, in all common cases is sufficient : ana tren when larger dotes are required, it is more advisable 282 oulpbpik'b ooxplbtb hbrbal. to repeat them more frequently, than to gire a larger quantity. An over-dose causes immoderate mirth or ecu- piditj, redness of the face, swelling of the lips, relaxation of the joints, giddiness of the head, deep sleep, accompa- nied with turbulent dreams and convulsive starting, cold iweats, and frequently death. FOFTY (WlLB,y-(Fapav€r Ehceat,) Called also Com Rose. Descrip, — This has long narrow leaves, very much cut in on the edges into many divisions, of a light green co- lour, sometimes hairy; the stalk is blackish and hairy, but not 80 tall as the garden-kind, having such like leaves as ^row below, whereon grow small hairy heads bowing down before the skin breaks, wherein the flower is inclosed, which, when it is full blown, is of a fair yellowish red or crimson colour, and in some much paler, without any spots at the bottom of the leaves, having many black soft threads in the middle, compassing a small green head, which, when ripe, is not bigger than one's little Anger's end, wherein is contained much black seed, smaller than that of the gar- den. The root perishes every vear, and springs again of its own sowing. Of this kind there is one lesser in all the parts thereof and differs in nothing else. This is called the Welsh Poppy, or Papaver Cambricum. Place. — They are sown in gardens. The Wild Poppy, or Corn Rose, is plentiful in the com- fields in all parts of this country, upon ditch-banks, and by hedge-sides. The smaller wild kind is also found in corn-fields and other places, but is not so plentiful. Time. — The garden kinds are sown in Spring, and flow- er in May. The wild ones flower from May until July ; and the seed of them is ripe soon after the flowering. Government and VirtTies. — The herb is Lunar ; and a syrup is made of the seed and flowers, which is useful to give sleep and rest to invalids, and to stay catarrhs and defluxions of rheums from the head into the stomach and lungs, which causes a continual cough, the forerunner of consumption ; it helps hoarseness of the throat, and loss of voice, which the oil of the seed does likewise. The black seed boiled in wine, and drank, stays the flux of the belly, and womens' courses. The poppy-heads are usually boiled in water, and given to procure rest and sleep; so do the leaves in the same manner ; if the head and temples be bathed with the warm decoction, or with the oil, the cttlpepbr's complete hsbbal 288 green leaves or heads bruised, and applied with a little vinegar, or made into a poultice witn barley-water, or hog's-grease, cools and tem])er8 all inflammations, and St. Anthony's fire. It is generally used in treacle and mithri- c^ate, and in all other medicines that are made to pi'ocuie sleep and rest, and to ease pains in the head as well as in other parts. It cools inflammations, and agues. It is put in hollow teeth, to ease the pain; it is also good for the gout POPPY (YELLOW HORNED.)— fG'^aMctwm lAUeutn.) Detcrip, — The root is long and thick at tHe head, divi- ded into branches which fix themselves deep in the earth, from which spring blueish-green winged leaves dividea generally into five parts, the section at the end being the largest The stalk grows to be a foot or more high, full of thick joints, having two smaller leaves at each joint ; the flowers grow together upon a footstalk three or four inches long, each having a shorter of its own ; they consist of four small yellow leaves, included in calyces of two hol- low parts; and after they are fallen, they are followed bv long, narrow pods, full of small, round, shining black seed. Every part of the plant, when broken, emits a yellow, bit- ter, acrid jaice. Place, — It CTOws among waste grounds and mbbish, upon walls and buildings. TxTM, — It flowers in May. OovemmerU and Virtues. — It is under the Sun in Leo ; and is aperative and cleansing, opening obstrutitions of the spleen and liver, and of ^reat use in curing the jaundice and scurvy. Outwardly it is' used for sore eyes, to dry up the rheum, and take away specks and films, as also against tetters and ringworms, and the breakings-out of scurvy. The root dried and powdered, is balsamic and sub-astrin- gent. It is given against bloody-fluxea, and in other he- morrhages, half a dram for a doee. PRIMROSE.— fPrimuZa Vulgaris,) Deterip. — This has a perennial root consisting of a short thick head, furnished with a great number of thick and long fibres. The leaves arising from the root make a large tnft ; they are Urge, oblong, without leaf-stalks, wriukleid on the surface, entire at the edges, of a deep ^reen colour. The flowers are supported singly on long slender hairy ■talks: which rise immediately nrom the root ; they are 2!)4 ctulpvpsb's complste herbal. large, and of a white or pale yellow colour. The seeds ar« onall, numeroas, and of a roundish figure. Flctce. — It is common in woods, hedges, and thicketsj, tarticularly in a clayey soil. Time. — The flowers appear in March and April. Government and Virtues. — It is under the aominion of f enus. The roots are used as a sternutatory to the head: the best way of using them is to bruise them, and express the juice, which, beiug snuffed up the nose, occasions vio- lent sneezing, and brings away a great deal of water, but without being productive of any bM&d effect Dried and re- duced to powder, it will produce the same effect, but not ■0 powerfully. Id this state it is good for nervous disoi den, but the dose must be small. A dram and a half of the dried roots, taken in autumn, ia a strong, but safe emetic. V^(lVWl.—(Ligu8trum Vulgare.) Detcrip. — This bush does not grow large, it has many smooth, tough, pliant branches, clothed with small oblong leaves, broadest in the middle, and sharp-ix)inted at the end. It bears long and narrow green leaves dv the couples, and sweet-smelling white flowers in tufts at the ends of the branches, which turn into small black berries that have a purplish juice in them, and some seeds that are flat on the one side, with a hole or dent therein. Place, — It grows in this country, in divers woods. Tim^. — It flowers in June and July ; and the berries are ripe in 'August and September. Government and Virtues. — The Moon owns this herb. It is used more especially in lotions to wash sores, and sore mouths, to cool inflammatious, and dry up fluxe& The sweet water distilled from the flowers, is good to heal all those diseases that need cooling and drying, and help all fluxes of the belly and stomach, bloody-fluxes, and wo- mens' courses, if drunk or applied; as the voiding of blood at the mouth, or any other place, for distilling rheum from the eyes, especially if it be used with Tutia. PUESLANE.— CPorrw/oca Oleracea.) Descrip. — This plant is so well known that a short de* ■cription may serve, it having round, smooth, reddish, and succulent brittle stalks, with fat thick leaves, and broader at the end than next the stalk. The flowers grow on the tops of the stalks among the leaves, being small, five- lea v. OTTLPBPSR'S OOMPLITK HSllBAli. 286 od and rellow, succeeded bj roundish seed-vessels, includ- ing small, black, rugged seed. The root is small and fibrous. Plac^ — It is sown in ^s^ardens ; the leaves and seeds are used The seed is one of the lesser cold seeds. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Moon. It is good to allay the heat of the liver, blood, reins, stomach, and hot agues : it stays hot and choleric fluxes of the belly, womens' courses, the whites, and gonorrhoea, the distilla- ation from the head, and pains therein proceeding from heat, want of sleep, or the frenzy. The seed is more effec- tual than the herb, and is good to cool the heat and sharp ness of urine. The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and given to children, expels the worms. The juice of the herb is effectual to all the purposes aforenamed ; also to stay vomitings, and taken with sugar and honey, helps an old and dry cough, shortness of breath, and the phthisic, and stays immoderate thirst. The distilled water is preferred by many, and it works the Hitme effects. The juice is good for inflammations and ulcers iu the secret parts, as well as in the bowels, and hemorrhoids, when they have excoria- tions in them ; the herb bruised and applied to the fore- head and temples, allays excessive heat therein, that hin- den rest and sleep ; and applied to the eyes it takes away inflammation in them, those other parts where pushes, wheals, pimples, St. Anthony's fire, and the like, break forth; if a little vinegar be put to it, and laid to the neck, with M much of gall and linseed together, it takes away the pains therein, and the crick in the neck. Applied to the gLMi, it eases the pains, and helps the hardness of the sinews, if it come not of the cramp or a cold cause. QUICK GRASS.— M^o#/«.; /)e#t?r»]p.— There are several aorta. 1. Common Quick Oram (A. Vulgarity ) which creeps about under ground, with long white jointed roots, and small fibres almost at erery joint 2. Quick Grass (A. Plumoaay) with a more spreading penicle. 3. Smaller Quick Grass {A, CaninOy) with a spreading tnft. 4. Low-bending Quick Qraaa {A. Alba.) 5. Quick Grass (A. MuticOy) with a penicle that doea not spreail. 6. Small Sweet Graas {A. Pumila^) with many low creepint;^ branchea. Piaee. — The first is common in ploughed grounds and ^Mvlaoa; the second and third are more scarce, and delight lo asndy or chalky grpinda; the three oezt are alao found In ploughed tields. t86 OULPBPBB'S COMPLETE HERBAL. 7Vwi«.— They flourish In the beginning of summer. Oovemment and Virtues. — These are plants of Mercury. The Quick Grass, the root of which is of temperature cold and dry, and has a little mordacity in it and some tenuity of parts, is the most medicinal of all other sorts : a decoc- tion thereof drank, opens obstructions of the spleen and liver, stoppings of urine, to ease the griping pains in the belly and inflammations, and to waste the excrementitious matter of the stone in the bladder and the ulcers thereof : the root being bruised and applied, knits together and con- solidates wounds. The seed more powerfully expels wind, binds the belly, and stays vomiting. The distilled water is good to be given to children for worms. QUINCE TREE.—(Pyru8 (Cydonia.) Detcrip, — This tree grows to the height of a good-sized apple-tree, crooked, with a rough bark, spreading branches far abroad. The leaves resemble those of the apple-tree, but thicker, broader, and fuller of veins, and whiter on the under-side, not dented about the edges. The flowers are large and white, somewhat dashed over with a blush. The fruit is yellow, being near ripe, and covered with a white frieze ; thick set on the younger, growinjjj less as they get nearer ripe, bunched out oftentimes in some places : some being like an apple, some like a pear, of a strong heady scent, and not durable to keep ; it is sour, harsh, and of an unpleasant taste to eat fresh ; but being scalded, roast- ed, baKed, or preserved, becomes more pleasant. PJace. — It grows plentifully near ponds and water sides. Tims, — It flowers not until the leaves come forth. The fruit is ripe in September or October. Oovemment arid Virtttes. — Saturn owns this tree. The fruit has a strong, very pleasant smell, and acid taste. Its expressed juice, taken in small quantities, is a mild, astrin- gent stomachic medicine, and is of ef&cacy, in sickness, vo- miting, eructations, and purgings. A grateful cordial, and lightly restringent syrup, is made by digesting three pints of the clarified juice, with a dram of cinnamon, half a dram of ginger, the same of cloves, in warm s^hes, for six hours, then adding a pint of red port, and dissolving nine pounds of sugar in liquor, and straining it And a useful jelly is made by boiling the juice with a sufficient quantity of su- gar, till it attains a due consistence. The seeds abound with a ioft mucilaginous substance, which they readily im- OULPBPKR's OOMPLITS HSRBAL. S87 part to boiling water, making it like the white of au egg. This is excellent for sore mouths, and useful to soften and moisten the mouth and throat in fevers, and other diseasea. The green fruit helps all sorts of fluxes in man or woman, and in choleric laxes. The crude juice is preservative against the force of poison. The oil is useful to bind and cool outwardly hot mixes; it strengthens the stomach and belly bj anointing, and the sinews that are loosened by sharp humours falling on them, and restrains immoderate sweat- ings. The mucilage taken from the seeds, and boiled in water, is good to cool the heat, and heal the sore breasts of women. The same, with a little sugar is good to leuify the harshness and soreness of the throat, and the roughness of the tongue. The cotton or down boiled, and applied to plague sores, heals them up; and laid as a plaster, made up with wax, it brings hair to those who are bald, and keeps it from falling ofi^ if it be ready to shed. RADISH (COMMON GARDEN. )^R(j^hanu8 Sativut.) This plant is so well known that it needs do description. Place. — It is planted in gardens. Time.— It flowers in May. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under Mara, and is open- ing, attenuating, and antiscorbutic ; it does not give much nourishment, and is very windy ; it provokes urine and is good for the stone and gravel. The expressed juice of the root, with the addition of a little wine, ia an admirable remedy for gravel. The roots eaten plentifully sweeten the blood and juicea, and are good against the scurvy. RADISH (WILD, or RORSE.)—{Cocklearia Armoracia,) Descrip. — The first leaves rise before winter, a foot and a half long, cut on the edges in many parts, of a dark green colour, with a white rib in the middle ; after these have t^en up a while, others follow, which are taller, rougher, broader, and longer, whole and not divided at first, dented about the edges. The root is great, white, and rough, send- ing up divers heads of leaves, which may be parted for in* crease, but it doth not creep in the ground, nor run above, it is of a strong, sharp taste, almost like mustard. Pfac€. — lt is founa wild in some places, but ia chiefly planted in gardens, in moist and shady places. Time. — It seldom flowers, but when it does, it ia in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — It ia under Mars. The juio* 288 ottlpepbr's oomfletc hxrbal. of the root drank, is efFectual for scurvy. It kills wormi in children, if given to drink. The bruised root laid to the part affected with the sciatica, joint-ache, or the hard swel- lings of the liver and spleen, helps them all. The distilled water of the herb and root is more familiar to be taken with a little sugar for all the purposes aforesaid. RAMPION (ROBNm),y^Phyteuma Obiculart.) Descrip. — This rises from a long, thick, white, and fibrous root. The lower leaves are short, and almost round, but pointed at the end, and some few of them at times oval, or oblong : they have long footstalks, and are serrated at the edgea The stalk is tender, striated, or hollow, about a foot high. The leaves stand irregularly on it, and are al- together unlike those from the root: they are long, narrow, and sharp- pointed, serrated at the edges, and of a pale green ; those towards the bottom have long footstalks, but those towards the upper parts have none. The flowers staod at the top of the stalk in a round thick head ; they are small and purple, close together, and curled round like r horn, from which the plant derives its name. Place, — It is a perennial plant, and not uncommon in the hilly pastures of Kent and Sussex. Time. — It flowers in August Oovemment and Virtriee. — There are several species of this plant, but this possesses most virtue. The roots of any of them may be eaten as a salad in spring, they are well tasted, and full of a milky juice. They are under Venus. The root, if eaten in due quantity, operates by urine, and may be good to create an appetite. RAMPION {SREET^S,)—(Janone Montana.) Descrip. — The root, from a small head, shoots out many fibres. The stalk is upright, of a pale green, and rises to about three feet in height. The leaves are of a faint green, divided at the edges into small segments. The flowers grow in a large head like scabious, and are of a fine blue ; but they are sometimes found of a reddish or white colour. P^aoe. — It is a biennial ; common on high pastures. Time. — It flowers in August. Oovemment and Virtue*. — It is under the dominion of Mercury, and of a bitter, light, astringent quality, excellent against disorders of the breast, such as coughs, asthmatic ^fectiona, diificalty of breathing, &c, for which purpose an I J OULPBPEB'S GOMPLETS HIBBAL. 289 infusion of the dowers is the best preparation. The flowers are good against feverish complaints; the juice applied ex- ternally heals foulness and discolourings of the skin. RAMPION (HAIRY SB.EEra.)'-( Phyteuma Spicatum,) Descrip. — Grows upon a dry, brittle stock, slender, and of a Dale green. The leaves are of a pale dead green, and % little hairy; milk runs from them when broken, and pres- aed. The flowers are a beautiful blue, pale, and elegant Plladder : and the dropsy, by carrying oflf the water. RATTLE QiRii&a.^(Rh%nanthu9,) Or this there are two kinds, which I shall speak of, viz.. the red and yellow. Descrip. — The common Red Rattle ( PedicvlarU Sylva- tica)\idi% reddish, holiowstalks, sometimes green, rising from the root, lying mostly on the ground, some spring more up- right, with many small reddish or green leaves, set on both sides of a middle rib finely dented about the edges : the flowers stand on the tops of the stalks and branches, of a pur- plish red colour ; after which come blackish seed in small ooaka, which lying loosely, will rattle with shaking. The root consists of two or three small whitish strings with ■ome fibres thereat The common Yellow 'RaXi\e( RhinantkiLs Critta Qalli) has seldom above one round great stalk, rising from the foot, about a yard or two feet high, with but few branches, having two long broad leaves set atajoint,deeblycutin on the edges, broadest next to the stalk, and smaller to the end. The flowers grow at the tops of the stalks, with some shorter leaves with them, hooded after the manner that the others are, but of a fair, yellow colour, some paler, and others more white. The seed is contaiued in husks, and when ripe, rattle same as the red kiud does. The root is small and slender, jierishing yearly. Place. — They grow in the meadows and woods through* oat tLi« country. 290 CtTLPBPES'S OOMPLBTS HBBBAL. Time. — They flower from Midsummer until August is past, sometimes. Gavemment and Virttbes, — Tliey are both uuder the do - minion of the Moon. The Red Rattle is profitable to heal fistulas and hollow ulcers, and to stay the flux of humours in them, and the abundance of womens' courses, or othex fluxes of blood, if boiled in wine, and drank. The Yellow JElattle is good for cough, or dimness of sight, if the herb boiled with beans, and some honey put thereto, be drunk, or dropped into their eyes. The whole seed being put into the eyes, draws forth any skin, dimness of film, from the sight, without pain or trouble. UAS^BEBS,Y,—(Ru^ Idceus ffortenns,) Callbd also Hindberry. Uescrip. — This cannot properly be called a fruit-tree, yet, as the fruit is valuable, something is expected of the shrub that produces it. Besides the small flowering sort, the com- mon small red and white, there are other sorts much larger of the same colour, called Rombullions ; the former has the richest flavour, but in dry seasons they are apt to wither. It is so well kuown that it needs no further description. Place. — It grows wild in woods in England and Wales, and is plentifully cultivated in fruit-gardens. Time, — It flowers in May, and the fruit is ripe in Jane and July. Oovemm^nt and Virtues. — Venus owns this shrub. The fruit, which is the only part used, has a pleasant grateful smell and taste, is cordial and strengthens the stomach, stays vomiting, is somewhat astringent, and good to prevent miscarriage. The fruit is very grateful as nature presents it, but made into a sweetmeat with sugar, or fermented with wine, the flavour is improved. It is fragrant, a little acid, and of a cooling nature. It dissolves the tartarous concre- tions on the teeth, but is inferior to strawberries for that purpose. The juice of the ripe fruit boiled into a syrup, with refined sugar, is pleasant and agreeable to the sto- mach, and prevents sickness and retchings. REST RARROW.— (Ononis.) Galled also Cammock. Desorip. — Common Rest Harrow riaes up with divers woody twigs, half a yard or a yard high, set at the joints without order, having little roundish leaves, sometimes more th&o two or three at a place ; of a dark green colour, OTTLPEPKB'B OOICPLSTB HERBAL. 291 without thorns when they are young, but afterwards arm- ed in sundry places with short and sharp thorns. The flow- ers come forth at the tops of the twigs and branches, like peas and broom blossoms, but lesser, flatter, and somewhat closer, of a faint purplish colour; after which come small pods, containing small, flat, round seed ; the root is black- ish on the outside, and whitish within, very rough, and hard to break when it is fresh and green, and as hard as horn when it is dried. Place.— It grows in many places in this Ian i, as well in *he arable as waste ground. Time. — It flowers in July, the seed is ripe in August. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under tne dominion of Mam It is excellent to provoke urine, and to break and expel the stone, which the bark of the root taken in wine performs efl^ectually. The decoction with some vinegar used to wash out the mouth, eases tooth -ache, especially when it comet of rheum ; it is powerful to open obstructions of the liver and spleen, and other parts. The powder of the root made into an electuary, or lozenges, with sugar, as also the bark of the fresh roots boiled tender, and afterwards beaten to a conserve with sugar, works the like effect. The powder of the roots strewed upon the brims of ulcers, or mixed with anv other convenient thing, and applied, con- somefl the hardness, and causes them to heal the better. RKVBABB.— (Rheum Falmatum.) DtBcrip, — This has a long, thick, perennial root, of a yel- low colour on the outside, and marbled within, full of red- dish veins ; Arm, but not too hard or heavy, of a pretty strong smell, of a bitterish, somewhat styptic taste, tmgiug the spittle of a yellow satijron colour. Place. — The roots are brought from China, Turkey, Rua- fia, and Siberia ; but as good rhubarb plants now grows in our botanic gardens as any that come irom abroad. Time. — It flowers in June and July. Government and Virtues. — It is a mild purgative, and also a mild astringent. It strengthens the intestines, and gen- erally leaves the belly costive, for which reason it is prefer- ed to other purgatives, in obstinate purgiugs, aud bloody flux. It is given more as a strengtheuer than hs a purgar tive. That of a bright, or light texture, moi:it, fragrant^ and aoand, «)hould be chosen, as being milder in its opera- tioD, more grateful to the stomach, and more likely to ans- wer the purpose of an astringent a diuretic, or an al terative^ 892 CTTLPEPBR'8 COMPLITI HSBBAL. In acute fevers, where it ia dangerous to take parcativea, rhubarb may u^ safely given. In bloody flui, and those loosenesses occasioned by acrid matter remainiug in the in- testines, this root is very useful. There is a spirituous tinc- ture sold in the shops, intended as a streogtheuer and pur- gative ; for the first of these purposes, two or three spoon- fuls is a sufficient dose at a time; but for the latter, two of three ounces is frequently necessary. RHUBARB (CULINAEY, or TAUT.) -(Rheum Rhxiponticum.) Descrip, — This has a larije root, thick at the head, and divided mto many branches, of a dark brown on the out- side, and a deep yellow colour within, of a bitterish taste. From the root arise several large, somewhat crumpled, green leaves; roundish, but pointed at the end, of a sourish taste, growing on reddish footstalks, from among these arises a thick stalk three or four feet high, having smAll leaves, and a numerals company of white staminous SL\-Ieaved flowers, succeeded by large, shining, triangular, brown seed. Place. — It is a native of Scythia, but grows in our gardens. Time, — It flowers in the middle of summer. Oovemment and Virtues, — It is ujider the dominion of Mars. As to its purgative quality, it is much weaker than Ehubarb, but is more astringent, and good in fluxes, and weakness of the stomach, spitting of blood, and making bloody urine. It is good against venomous bites. RHUBARB (GREAT MONK'S.>-C/?ttm«:r Alpinm Called also Great Garden Patience. Descrip. — At its first appearance, when the winter ia jxi^t, it hath a great round brownish head, rising from the mid- dle or sides of the root, which opens itself into sundry leaves one after another, very much crumpled or folded together at the first, and brownish ; but afterwards it spreads itself, and becomes smooth, very large and almost round, every one standing on a brownish stalk of the thickness of a man s thumb, when they are grown to their fulness, and most of them two feet or more in length, especially when they grow in any moist or good ground; and the stalk of the leaf, from the bottom thereof to the leaf itself, being also two feet, the breadth thereof from edge to edge, in the broadest nlace, being two feet, of a sad or dark green colour, of a one tart or sourish taste, much more pleasant than the gar- ottlpeper's complete herbal. 293 den or wood aorrel. The root grows very great, with divers great spreading branches from it, of a dark brownish or reddish colour on the outside, with a pale yellow skin uuder it, which covers the inner substance or root, which rind and skin being pared away, the root appears of so fresh and lively a colour, with fresh coloured veins running through it, that the choicest of the Rhubarb that is brought from be- yond the seas cannot excel it, which root, if it be dried care- fully, by the gentle heat of a fire, and every piece kept from touching one another, will hold its colour almost as well as when it is fresh, and hath been approved of and commend- ed by those who have oftentimes used it. Place. — It grows in gardens, and flowers in June ; the ■eed is ripe in July. Time.— The roots that are to be dried and kept all the {rear following, are not to be taken up until the stalk and eaves are quite withered and gone, and that is not until the middle or end of October ; and if they be taken a little be- fore the leaves spring, or when they are sprung up, the roots will not have half so good a colour in them. OovemmerU and Virtues. — Mars claims dominion over all these wholesome herbs. A dram of the dried root, with a scruple of ginger made into powder, and taken fasting in a drauL;ht of warm broth, purges choler and phlegm aown- wards very gently and safely, without danger. The seed thereof bin(£ the bellv, and helps to stay bloody -flux. The distilled water heals foul ulcerous sores, and allays inflam- mation of them ; the juice of the leaves or roots, or the de- coction of them in vinegar, is used as a most effectual reme- dy to heal running sores. The Culinary Rhubarb has all the properties of Monk's Rhubarb, but is more eff'ectual both for inward and outward diseases. The decoction without vinegar dropped into the ears, takes away the pains ; garb- led in the mouth, takes away the tooth -ache; and if drank, heala the jaundice. The seed taken, eases the griping pains of the stomach, and takes away the loathing unto meat The root helps the ruggeduess of the nails; and if boiled in wine, helps the swelling of the throat, called king's-evil, as well as the swellings of the kernels of the ears. It expelf the stoDe, provokes urine, and helps the dimness of sight The Culiuary Rhubarb purges the cnoler and phlegm, taken either by itself, made into powder, and dranx in a draught of white wine, or steeped therein all nicbt, and taken fast- ing, or put into other purgatives, as uiail bs oouveuieiii| S94 OirLPXPEB'S CM>MPLETB HEBBAL. cleansing the stomach, liver, and blood, it opens obstruc. tions, and helps those diseases that come thereof, as the jaun* dice, dropsy, swelling of the spleen, tertian and daily agues, and pains in the sides. It also stays spitting of blood. The powder taken with cassia dissolved, and washed Venice tur- pentine, cleanses the reins, and strengthens them, and is effectual to stay gonorrhoea. It is also taken for pains and swellings in the head, and melancholy, and helps the sciati- ca, gout, and cramp. The powder taken with a little mum- mia and madder roots in red wine, dissolves clotted blood in the body, which comes by falls or bruises, and helps all burstings and broken parts, as well inward as outward. It ia useful to heal those ulcers that happen in the eyes or eye- lids, if steeped and strained; as also to lessen the swellings and inflammations; and applied with honey, boiled in wine, it takes away all blue spots or marks that happen therein. Whey or white wine are the best liauors to steep it in, and thereby it more effectually opens oostructions and purees the stomach. Indian spikenard is the best corrector of it. RICE.— (Oryza ScUiva.) Ths foreign plant which produces this useful grain has no medicinal virtues, a description of it is therefore unnecessary. Place. — It grows very plentifully in the East Indies, all through Ethiopia, Africa, Syria, Es^ypt, Italy, &c. Time, — It is ripe about the middle of autumn ; in some places it yields two crops a year. Cfovemment and Virtues. — It is a Solar grain, and it stays laxes and fluxes of the stomach and belly, especially if it be parched before it is used, and hot steel quenched in the milk wherein it is boiled, bein^ somewhat drying and binding. The flour of the rice has tne same property, and is put into cataplasms to repel humours from flowing to the place, and also to womens' oreasts to stay inflammations. EOCEJET CRESS {ANmJAJj.y-{Hesperi8 Matronalit.) Descrip. — This plant is sometimes improp)erly called Cres- ling. The root is slender, long, hard, furnished with many fibres : the first leaves are numerou^ long* and irregularly divided in the pinnated manner, with a pointed odd seg- ment at the end. The stalks are numerous, round, upright, and the leaves stand on them irregularly ; they resemble those from the root, but they are more deeply ^vided, and OTTLPIPEB'S OOKPLSTl RXBBiiL. 2M of a lighter greeiL The flowers stand In a loose spike at the top of the stalks, of a faint yellow, with streaks of black. Place, — It has been found upon Salisbury Plain. Time. — It is an annual, and olooms in July. OocemmerU and Virtiies, — This species is under Venus, and the juice is excellent in asthmas, and all diseases of the lungs. The best way of using it is in the form of a syrup ; it will relieve oppression and obstructions of the breast, and core inveterate coughs and severe colds in the stomach. ROCKET CRESS (DWARF.)— {76«rw Nudicaulut,) Descrip, — This is a small plant, with pale leaves, which fffow near the bottom, they grow in a thick tuft, without Footstalk, but are narrowest at the base, and broadest to- wards the end ; they are notched at the edges. The stalk ia round, upright, and divided into many branches. It is of a pale green colour, and about ten inches high. The flowers stand in great numbers on the tops of the branches, and they are small and white. Place. — It is an annual, and grows upon commons. It ia found about Putney and Barnes Common. Place, — It flowers in May. Oovemmeni and Virtues. — This is under the Moon. All these Cresses are celebrated as remedies for all the diseases of the urinary passage. The expressed juice, or the infusion of the whole plant, is the best way of taking it. ROCKET (GARDEN.)— (J^rwca Sativa.) Detcrip. — This has a slender, white woody root, of a hot taste ; the leaves are shaped like mustard, but smoother ; the stalks grow two or three feet high, clothed with lesser leaves, having on their tops many flowers of a whitish yel- low colour, full of dark purple veins ; the seed-vessels are long, slender, and smooth, parted in two by a thin mem- brane, and open at the sides when the seed is ripe. Place. — It is sown in gardens. Time. — It flowers here in August Oavemment and Virtites.—Al\ this kind of Rockets are martial plants. This species is celebrated against diseases of the longs. The juice is excellent in asthmas, and a syrup of it in all oppressions and obstructions of the breast ; as siso against inveterate coughs. 196 OVLPEPaBB COMPLETS HEBBAI* ROCKET (PURPLE SEA-)— (CoK?*? Mantima.) Called also Red Banny. Deacrip, — This is a tall plant, with long leaves deeply di- vided into segments; they have large veins, and are of a deep green. The stalk is thick, tough, and of a pale green. The flowers are purple, and grow in spikes on the tops of the stalks. It has a very di^reeable smell. Place. — It is an annual, frequent in salt-marshes, and about the sea-coast in Cornwall, and the Isle of Man. Time, — It flowers in July. OovemmerU and Virtue*. — It is a martial plant, of a hot nature, and bitterish taste, opening and attenuating, good to cleanse the lungs of tough viscid phlegm, and of great service in asthmas, and difficulty of breathing ; and is often used as an emetic, and to help the jaundice and dropsy. ROCKET (WILD.)— (^"^ SylveitrU.) Descrip. — This has long narrow leaves, divided into slen- der cuts and ja£^s on both sides of the middle rib more than the garden kinds ; of a sad green colour, from among which rise stalks two or three feet high, set with the like yellow leaves, but smaller upwards, branched in the middle into stiff stalks, bearing yellow flowers on them, made of four leaves each, as the others are, which afterwards yield small reddish seed, in small long pods, of a more bitter and hot taste than the garden kinds, as the leaves are also. Place. — It is found wild in several parts of this country. Time. — It flowers about June or July, and the seed is ripe in August. Oovemment and Virtues. — This plant is forbidden to be ased alone, because its sharpness strikes into the head, causing aches and pains therein. It serves to help digestion, and provokes urine abundantly. The seed cures the cites of venomous reptiles, and other poisons, and expels worms and other noisome creatures that breed in the belly. The herb boiled or stewed, and sugar added, helps the cough in chil- dren, if taken often. The seed taken in drink, carries away the ill-scent of the arm-pits, increases milk in nurses, and wastes the spleen. The seed mixed with honey, and used on the face, cleanses the skin from morphew, and used with vinegar takes away freckles and redness of the face, and other parts; and with the i^ll of an ox, it amends foul scars. black and blue spots, and the marks of the small-pox. CULPIPBB'8 COMPLSTB HXBBAL. 90T ROCKET (WINTEB.)— (.fih^ca Brumalit.) Called also Winter Creesea. DescHp. — This plant has large sad green leaves lying on the ground, torn in different parts, like turnip-leaves, with smaller pieces next the bottom, and broad at the ends, from which rise up small round stalks, full of branchos, bearing many small yellow flowers of four leaves each, after which come small pods with reddish seed in them ; the root is ra- ther stringy, and perishes every year after the seed is ripe. Place, — It grows of its own accord in gardens and fields^ by the way-sides, in many places. TifM, — It flowers in May, seeds in June, and then dies. Oovemment and Virtues. — This is profitable to provoke urine, to help strangury, and expel gravel and the stone. It is good for the scurvy, and serviceable to cleanse aU inward wounds ; if the juice or decoction be drunk, or out- wardly applied to wash foul ulcers and sores, cleanses them by sharpness, hinders and abates the dead flesh from grow- ing therein, and heals them by a drying qoaUty. EOOT OF 8CABjCrrY,—{Beta Altissima.) DMcrip. — This is a species of the beet-root, and grows io the same manner. In Germany, it is called Dick Keubeu, (the Great Turnip) ; Dick Wurzel, (the Great Root) ; and Mangel Wurzel, (the Root of Scarcity). It is known by the name of Mangel Wurzel in this country. Oavem$HierU and VirtvLei. — This root is under Saturn. It ii easy to cultivate it, and its nourishing Qualities are so many that it ought to be cultivated every where. Insects and vermin which destroy other roots and plants, will not touch or injure it : it is not affected by mildew, or blasted by drought. It not only does not draw the virtues from the soil, but the better prepares it for the reception of corn or other seed which may oe pat in. Cattle, sheep, and horses will readily eat the leaves, and poultry may be fed upon the rooto if nut small and mixed with bran. When the crops have failed, or provender is scarce, this plant will be found one of the cheapest, most valuable and wnolesome roots that has ever been introduced into this country, and is prslsn^ ble to either turnips, carrots, or beet-root. 898 ouLrspsR's oomplxts ekkbal. A very agreeable dish may be prepared for the table, by taking the root and dressing it as spinach. ROSE (DAMASK.)— '{Rosa JDamcucena.) Descrip. — This does not grow tall or large as the white, but yet taller and fuller of prickles than the red, especially about the stalk* The leaves are whiter and more hairy. The flowers are less double than the Provence Rose, the beards prickly. They are a pale red colour, and of a pleasant scent Place, — A native of France, but is common in our gardens. Time. — It blooms in June and July. Oovemment and Virtiies. — It is under the dominion of Ve nus. -Botanists describe a vast number of roses, but this, and the common red rose, and the dog rose, or hip, are the only kinds regarded in medicine. There is a syrup made from the flowers of the damask rose, by infusing them twen* ty-four hours in boiling-water, and then straining off the hquor, adding twice the weight of refined sugar to it. This syrup is an excellent purge for children and grown people of a costive habit ; a small ouantity taken every night will keep the bowels repilar. There is a conserve made of the unripe flowers, which has the same properties as the syrup; there is likewise a conserve made of the fruit of the wild or dog rose, which is very pleasant, and of considerable efficacy for common colds and coughs. The flowers of the common red rose dried, are given in infusions, and sometimes in pow- der, against overflowings of the menses, spitting of blood, and other hemorrhages. There is likewise an excellent tinc- ture made from them by pouring a pint of boiling water on an ounce of the dried petals, and adding fifteen drops of oil of vitriol, and three or four drams of the finest sugar in pow- der, after which they are to be stirred together, and left to cooi This tincture, when strained, is of a beautiful red co- lour. It may be taken to the amount of three or four spoon- fuls, twice or three times a day, for strength en insf the sto- mach, and preventing vomiting. It is a powerful and plea- sant remedy in immoderate discharges of the menses, and all other fluxes and hemorrhages. The damask rose, on ac- count of its fragrance, belongs to the cephaltics ; but the next valuable virtue it possesses, consists in its cathartic quality. After the water, which is a good cordial, is drawn off in a hot still, the remaining liquor, strained, will make a very good purging syrup from two drams to two ounces. An infusion made of half a dram to two drams of the dried leaves, answers the same purpose. oulpspbr's oomplbtb hbrsull. S80 ROSE (HIP.)— fiJoja Canincu) Callrd also Wild Briar. Descrip, — This grows in the hedges, has wiuged leaves like garden roses, but smoother and greener ; the tiowers are sin- cle, of five white, and sometimes pale red leaves, when they tall, thej are followed by red seed-vessels, full of pulp, inclo eing white, cornered seed, covered with short stiff hairs. Pace, — It grows eveir where in the hedges. Time.— It flowers in June, and the hips are fit to be ga- thered about the end of September. Oovemment and Virtues. — This is under Jupiter. The flowers are accounted more astringent than the garden rosea, and are a specific for the excess of the catamenia. The pulp of the hipe has a grateful acidity, strengthens the stomach, cools the heat of fevers, is pectoral, good for coughs and spitting of blood, and in cases where astringents are safe ; thev are a good ingredient in compositions for the whites, and too great a discharge of the menses. The hips are grate- ful to the taste, and a considerable restorative, fitly given to consumptive persons ; the conserve is proper in all distem- pers of the breast, and in coughs and tickling rheums. The white and red roses are cooling and drying ; the bitterness in the roses when they are fresh, especially the juice, purg- es choler, and watery humours ; but being dried, ana that heat which caused the bitterness being consumed, they have then a binding and astringent Quality : those also that are not full blown, do both cool ana bind more than those that are full blown, and the white rose more than the red. The decoction of red roses made with wine and used, is very good for head-ache, and i)ain8 in the eves, ears, throat and gums; a« also for the funcfament, and the lower parts of the belly and the matrix, being bathed or put into them. The same decoction, with the roses remaining in it, is applied to the region of the heart to ease the inflammation therein, as also St Anthony's fire, and other diseases of the stomach. Being dried and beaten to powder, and taken in steeled beer or water, it helps to stay womens' courses. The yellow threads In the middle of the roses being powdered, and drunk, in the distilled water of quinces, stays the overflowing of womens' ooursee, and stays the defluxions of rheum upon the gumi and teeth, preserving them from corruption, and fastening tbem if thev be loose. If washed therewith, and some vine- gar of squills added. The heads with the seed being used 900 oulpipxr's coxplets hxrbau in powder, or in a decoction, stays the lax and spitting of blood. Bed roses strengthen the heart, the stomach, the li- ver, and the retentive faculty ; they mitigate the pains that arise from heat, cool inflammations, procure rest and sleep, stay both the whites and reds in women, the gonorrhoea, or running of the reins, and fluxes of the bellv; the juice purg- es and cleanses the body from choler and phlegm. The husks, with the beards and nails of the roses, are binding and cooling, and the distilled water is good for the heat and redness in the eyes, and to stay and dry up the rheums and watering of them. The electuary of roses is purging ; two or^three drams taken by itself, or in some convenient liquor, is a purge sufficient for a weak constitution, but may be in- creased to six drams, according to the strength of th6 pati- ent It purges choler without trouble, and is good in hot fevers, and pains in the head, which arise from hot choleric humours, and heat of the eyes; the jaundice also, and joint- aches proceeding of hot humour. The moist conserve is of much use, both binding and cordial^ for until it is about two years old, it is more binding than cordial, and after that more cordial than binding. Some of the younger conserve taken with mithridate, is good for those troubled with de- fluxions of rheum in the eyes, and mixed with the powder of mastic, is good for gonorrhoea, and looseness of humours in the body. The old conserve mixed with aromattcum ro- sarum^ is a remedy for those who faint, swoon, or are trou- bled with weakness and tremblings of the heart, it strength- ens both it and a weak stomach, helps digestion, stays cast- ing, and is a preservative in the time of infection. The dry conserve, which is called the sugar of roses, strengthens the heart and spirits, and stays defluxiona The syrup of dried roses strengthens a stomach given to casting, cools an over- heated liver, and the blood in agues, comforts the heart, and resists putrefaction and infection, and helps to stay laxesand flukes. Honey of roses is used in gargles and lotions to wash sores, either in the mouth, throa^ or other parts, both to cleanse and heal them, and stay the fluxes of humours that fall upOn them. It is used in clysters both to cool and cleanse. The cordial powders, called diarrhodon abbatis and aromati- cum rosarum, comfort and strengthen the heart and stomach, procure an appetite, help digestion, stay vomiting, and are very good for those that have slippery bowels, to strength- en them, and to dry up their moisture : red rose-water is weU known, and of a similar use on all occasions, and better OULPIPKIl's COlfPLSTI HSRBAL. 801 than the daraaak roae-water, it is cooling, cordial, refresh- ing, quickening the weak and faint spirits, used either in meats or broths, to wash the temples, to smell at the nose, or to smell the sweet vapours out of a perfume pot, or cast into a hot fire-shoveL ft is of much use against the redness and inflammations of the eyes to bathe therewith, and the temples of the head. The ointment of roses is much used against heat and inflammations of the head, to anoint the forehead and temples, and if mixed with the UnguerUum Papulean procures rest ; it is also used for the heat of the liver, the oack, and reins, and to cool and heal pushes, wheals, and other red pimples rising in the face and other parts. Oil of roses is used by itself to cool hot inflamma- tion or swellings, and to bind and stay fluxes of humours to sores, and is also put into ointments and plasters that are cooling and binding, and restraining the nux of humours. The dried leaves of the red roses are used both outwardly and inwardly ; they cool, bind, and are cordial, for of them are made aromaticum rotarum, diarrhodon abbatity and iaccharum rosarum. Hose-leaves and mint, heated and ap- plied outwardly to the stomach, stay castings, strengthen a weak stomach, and, applied as a fomentation to the region of the liver and heart, greatly cool and temper them ; qaiet the over-heated spirits, and cause rest and sleep. The pyrup of damask-roses, is both simple and compound, and made with agaric. The simple solusive syrup is a familiar, safe, gentle, and easy medicine, purging choler, taken from one ounce to three or four. The conserve and preserved leaves of those roses operate by mildly opening the belly. The hips of wild roses, when ripe, are maae into a conserve with sugar, of a pleasant taste, it binds the belly, and stays defluxions from the head upon the stomach, and dries up the moisture, and helps digestion. The pulp of the hips dried to a hard consistence, that it may be powdered, and this powder taken in drink, speedily stays the whites. It is often used in drink, to break the stone, provoke urine when it ii stopped, and ease and help the colic ; some persona bum it and then take it for the same purpose. ROSE (RED.)— CA>«a Rubra./ Ihiorip. — This has lower bnshes than the former ; the flowers nave few prickles on the stalks, and the calyx, or beards, are shorter and smoother; they are less double than eitber the damask or white, having a great many yellow antbera In the middle. SOS oulpbpbr's oomplbtb hxbbal. Virtues. — This binds more and is more restringent than any of the other species, good against all kinds of fluxes ; it strengthens the stomach, prevents vomiting, stops tick- ling coughs, by preventing the defluxion of the rheum; and is of service in consumptions ; the anthera, or apices, are ac- counted cordial. The conserve of the red buds is excellent in consumptive cases, especially In spitting of blood. The distilled water, made of the full-blown flower, is cooling, of good use in recent inflammations of the eyes, if it be dis- solved in a small quantity of rock saltpetre. Some apply the conserve for that purpose. A strong tincture, drawn from the dried red roses, makes a pleasant julep, and helps the bark in its operations. ROSE (WRlTE.)'-( Rosa Alba.) Descrip. — This tree grows taller than most other kinds of roses, having fewer prickles on the branches, and those pret- ty large ; the leaves are of a dark green colour ; the flowers white and more double, or fuller of leaves than the damask or red, having a less fragrant scent than either of them. Oovemment and Virtues. — This is under the Moon. The flowers only are used, being drying, binding, and pooling ; the water distilled from them is uwid in collyriums for sore inflamed eyes, it is the only officinal preparation from them. ROSEMARY.— C-ftMwianniM Oficinalis.) Descrip. — ^This rises from a long woody divided root, a little fibrous. The shrub is covered with a brown tough bark ; and the youug shoots are of a greyish green. The leavesare numerous, and of a firm substance ; they are oblong, narrow, sharp-pointed, not at all indented at the edges, and of a very fragrant smell : they are of a beautiful green on the upper side, and silvery grey underneath. The flow- ers rise in great numbers from the bosom of the leaves to- ward the upper part of the branches; they are large, and of a pale blue, variegated with white. The seeds are small and oblong. The whole plant has a fragrant and aromatic smell; it is lighter and more delicate in the flower, and stronger in the leaves. The taste is pleasant, warm, and aromatic Place.— It is cultivated plentifully in gardens. TifM. — It flowers in April and May, sometimes in August Oovemment and Virtues. — ^The Sun claims dominion over it. The decoction of Rosemary in wine, helps the cold dis- tillations of rheums into the eyes, and other cold diseases OXILPXPKR'8 COlCPLSn HKBBAL. SOS of the head and brain, as the ffiddiuesa and Bwimmings therein, drowsiness or dulness, the dumb palsy, or loss of speech, the lethargy, the falling-sickness, to be both drunk and the temples bathed therewith. It helps the pains in the gums and teeth, by rheum falling into them, not by pu- trefaction, causing an evil smell from them, or stinking breath. It helps a weak memory, and quickens the senses. It is very comfortable to the stomach in all the cold mala- dies thereof ; helps both the retention of meat, and diges- tion, the decoction of the powder being taken in wine. It is a remedy for the windiness in the stomach, bowels, and spleen, and expels it powerfully. It helps those that are liver-grown, by opening the obstructions tnereof. It helps dim eyes, and procures a clear sight, the flowers thereof if taken all the while it is flowering, every morning fasting, with bread and salt. Both the flowers and leaves are very f)rofitable for the whites, if they be taken daily. The dried eavee shred small, and smoked as tobacco, helps those that have any cough, phthisis, or consumption, by warming and drying the thin distillations which cause those diseases. Tbe leaves are very much used in bathings ; and made into oint- ment* or oil, are good to help cold benumbed joints, sinews, or members. The chymical oil drawn from the leaves and flowers, is a sovereign help for all the diseases aforesaid, to touch the temples and nostrils with two or three drops for all the diseases of the head and brain spoken of before ; as alao to take one drop, two or three, as the case requires, for the inward diseases ; yet it must be done with discretion, for it is very quick and piercing, and therefore but a little must be taken at a time. There is also another oil made by insolation in this manner: — Take what quantity you will of the flowers, and put them into a strong glass close stopped, tie a fine linen cloth over the mouth, and turn the mouth down into another strong glass, which being set in the sun, an oil will distil down into the lower glass, to be preserved as precious for divers uses, both inward and outward, as a lOT«rei^ balsam to heal the diseases before mentioned, to eiieMr dim sight, and take away spots, marks, and scars in the skin. Hungary water is made by distilling a pure spirit from the tope of this plant ; or in a coarser way, by mixing a few drops of its oil in such a spirit. 804 ROSEMARY (MABSB-.y-^Andromeda Polifolia.) Called also Wild Cestus. Descrip, — This is a smaller plant than the former, but In general appearance it is somewhat like. The stalk is woody and brown without. The leaves of a firm consist- ence : they are oblong, narrow, sharp-pointed, not indent- ed, and of a beautiful green. The flowers are of a pale blue, variegated with white and purple. PloM. — This is perennial, but not common. It is some- times found in low damp woods, and near waters. Time, — It flowers in April. Oovemment and Virtues. — This is under Mars. It is very restringent, drying, and binding, good for diarrhoeas aud dysenteries, spitting of blood, and all kinds of hemorrhages; it fastens loose teetn, stops the bleeding of the gums, and helps the scurvy in them. RUE (GARDEN.)— (72uto Oraveolens,) Descrip. — This is a shrubby plant, whose elder branches are tough and woody, having smooth blueisb green leaves, divided into a certain number of small oval sections, which are somewhat thick and fat, and round-pointed at the end, abiding all winter. The flowers grow on the tops of the younger shoots, consisting usually of four yellow, hollow, scoop-like leaves, torn in about the edges, and having eight yellow stamina encompassing a roundish green head, cut as it were into four parts, growing large, and seemingly punched full of holes, containing small black rough seed. The root is woody, having many fibres. Place. — It is planted in gardens ; the leaves and seed are used. The whole plant has a very strong scent. Time. — It generally flowers in August Oovemm,erU and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. It provokes urine and womens' courses, if taken in meat or drink. The seed taken in wine, is an an- tidote against all dangerous medicines or deadly poisons. A decoction made with some dried dill-leaves and flowers, eases all inward pains and torments, if drunk, and out- wardly applied warm to the part affected. The same if drunk, helps the pains of the chest and sides, coughs and hardness of oreathiug, inflammations of the lungs, and the tormenting pains of the sciatica and the joints, if anointed, or laid to the places ; as also the shaking fits of agues, to 0ULPKPKU8 COMPLJETC HBRBilL. 30ft take a draue^ht before the fit comes on; being boiled in oi]« it is good to help the wind colic, the hardness and windi ness of the mother, and frees women from the strangling or suflfocation thereof, if the parts be anointed with it ; it kills and drives forth the worms of the bellj-, if it be drunk after it has been boiled in wine to the half, with a little ho- nej ; it helps the gout or pains in the joints, hands, feet or knees, applied thereto ; and with figs it helps the drop- sy, if bathed therewith ; bein^ bruised and put into the nostrils, it stays the bleeding; it helps the swelling of the testicles, if bathed with the decoction and bay leaves. It takes away wheals and pimples, if bruised with a few myr- tle leaves it be made up with wax, and applied. It cures the morphew, and takes away all sorts of warts, if boiled in wine with some pepper and nitre, and the place rubbed therewith ; and with almond and honey, helps the dry scabs, or any tetter or ringworm. The juice warmed in a pomegranate shell or rind, and dropped into the ears, helps the pains of them. An ointment made of the juice with oil of ruses, ceruse, and a little vinegar, and anointed, cures St. Anthony's fire, and all running sores in the head. It helps disorders in the head, nerves, and womb, convulsions and hysteric fits, the colic, and weakness of the stomach and bowels ; it resists poison, and cures venomous bites. RUE (MEADOW or WlLD,)—(ThalictimFlavum,) Detcrip. — ^Thifl rises up with a yellow stringy root, much ■preadin^ in the ground, shooting forth new sprouts round about, with many herby green stalks, two feet high, crest- ed all the length of them, set with joints here and there, and many large leaves on them, being divided into smallei leaves, nicked or dented in the fore part of them, of a red green colour on the upper side, and pale green under- neath : toward the top of the stalk there shoots forth divers short branches, oi\ every one whereof stand two, three, or four small heads, which breaking the skin that incloeee them, shoot forth a tuft of p ile greenish yellow threads, which falling away, there comes in their places nmll three-cornered pods, containing small, long, and round eeed. The whole plant has a strong unpleasant scent. Place.— It ^prows in many places of tDis country, in the br>rders of moist meadows, and ditch-sidee. Tim$, — It flowers about July, or beginning of Aogoet Oovemrmnt and Virtiutt. — TTiis herb braised and appli* 806 oulpepbr's completb hbrbal. ed, perfectly heals old sores, and the distilled water of the herb and flowers does the like. It is iised amoug other pot-herbs to open the body, and make it soluble ; but the roots washed clean, and boiled in ale and drank, provoke to stool more than the leaves, but yet very gently. RUGGED WORT.— (Jocofcca HihemiccL) Descrip. — Its flowers grow large and yellow in some, in others paler and moderate small. The stalk is two feet high, upright, and divided into many branches. Place, — It is common on salt-marshes in Lincolnshire Time. — It flowers in July. Government and Virtues. — It is under the Moon. The juice taken in wine, or the decoction drank morning and evenine, helps the jaundice, but all other drink must be avoided for three hours after the dose is taken. Added to centaury and succory, it helps the dropsy and the diseases of the spleen. It is also good for inward bleeding and the bloody-flux, and it is a good wound-herb. RUFTURE- WORT.— (iTemioria Vulgaris.) Descrip, — This spreads very many thready branches round about on the ground, about a span long, divided into many other smaller parts full of small joints set very thick together, whereon come two very small leaves of a French yellow, and green coloured branches, where grow forth also a number of exceeding small yellowish flowers, scarce to be discerned from the stalks and leaves, which turn into seeds as small as dust. The root is very long and small, thrusting deep into the ground. This has neither smell or taste at first, afterwards it has an astringent taste, without any manifest heat, yet a little bitter and sharp withal. Place. — It grows in dry, sandy, and rocky placea Timc^lt is green all summer, but flowers in July. Government and Virtues. — It is Saturn's own, and is & noble anti-venerean, found by experience to cure rupture also, not only in children, but older persons, if the disease be not too inveterate, by taking a dram of the powder of the dried herb, every day in wine, or a decoction made and drank for some days togeiher. The juice or distilled water of the green herb, taken in the same manner, helps all other fluxes either in man or woman ; vomitings also, and the gonorrhoea, being taken any of the ways aforesaid. It helps those that have the strangury, or are troubled with oulpbpir's com purrs herbal. 307 the stone or gravel in the reius or bladder. The same also heli>6 stitchea iu the sides, griping pains of the stomach or oelly, the obstructions of the liver, and cures the yel- low-jaundice ; it likewise kills worms in children. Being outwardly applied, it conglutinates wounds notably, and helps much to stay defluxions of rheum from the head to the eyes, nose, and teeth, being bruised green, and bound thereto ; or the forehead, temples, or the nape of the neck behind, bathed with the decoction of the dried herb. It also dries up the fistulous ulcers or any other that are foal and spreading. HUSH (SQUINANTH.)— C/ttn, and must be given with caution. The root Doiled in water, to the consumption of one third, helps the oooi^b. d06 OULPKPKB'8 COMPLKTK HEBBALi RUSHY GLONDE, or AWh-W ORT.—iSuindana Aquatica.) Descrip. — This grows from a root composed of long aad thick fibres. The leaves are long, slender, and sharp-point- ed ; they stand upright, and are of a deep green^ and very rough and harsh to the touch : they are rounded on the back, and flat on the upper side, biggest at the bottom, and smallest at the extremity. The stalk is slender and green, there are no leaves on it, but single white flowers at dia- tancea, four-leaved, greenish white, seldom quite open. Place. — It is found at the bottom of fish-ponds in the Dorthem parts of England and Wales. TifM. — It flowers in August. Oovemment and Virtue*. — This is a Lunar plant The flowers are seldom used, but the leaves are put in cooling ointments, being good for bums, inflammations, and hot •wellings, and are an ingredient in the Unguentum Populeon, RYE.^{Secale Cereale.) Descrip. — Farmers cultivate the Winter Rye, which has the largest grain. In many of the northern counties rye and wheat are often mixed and sown together. Place. — It is generally sown and thrives best in poor, limestone, dry, gravelly, and sandy soils. Time, — It is sown in autumn, and rises in a much short- er time than wheat Virtues. — It is more digesting than wheat ; the bread and the leaven of it ripens and breaks imposthuraes, boils, and other swellings ; the meal put between a double cloth, and moistened with a little vinegar, and heated in a pew- ter-dish, set over a chafing-dish of coals, and bound fast to the head while it is hot, eases continual pains therein. SAFFR0N.--(6>«ci« Sativus.) Descriv. — The plant that producer the true Saffron has a round bulbous root, the size of a nutmeg, flatted at bot- torn, from which spring several white fibres ; it is covered outwardly with a yellowish brown skin, but is white in the inside. From this root arise the flowers, inclosed in a thin skin or husk, being naked and without stalks, made up of six long, but roundish-pointed, purple leaves, ioclosingin their middle three stamina, of a fiery, yellow, red colour : which being gathered, and carefully dried in a Saffron- kiln, and meAt into square cakeu, is sold in shop*. OULPKPXR's CX>lfPLSTK HSRBAL. 100 Pfoce. — It grows in various parts of the world, bat it ii no better than that which grows in England. At present it grows plentifully in Cambridgeshire Time. — The Saffron-flowers bloom in September ; but the leaves come not forth till the spring. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Sud^ and under the Lion. Not above ten grains must be given at one time ; a cordial if taken in an immoderate quantity, hurts the heart instead of helping it. It quickens the brain; helps consumptions of the lungs, and difficulty of breathing, it is excellent in epidemical diseases, as pestilence, small- pox, and measles. It is a notably expulsive medicine, and a good remedy in the yellow- jaundice. It is a useful aro- matic, of a strong penetrating smell, and a warm, pungent, bitterish taste. It is said to oe more cordial, and exhilar- ating than any of the other aromatics, and is particularly serviceable in disorders of the breast in female obstruc- tions, and hysteric depressions. Saffron is endowed with f reat virtues, for it refreshes the spirits, and is good against fainting-fits and the palpitation of the heart ; it strength- ens the stomach, helps digestion, cleanses the lungs, and is good in coughs. It is said to open obstructions of the vis- cera, and is good in hysteric disorders. Hov/ever, the use of it ought to be moderate and reasonable ; for when th» doee is too large, it produces a heaviness of the head and sleepiness ; some have fallen into an immoderate convul- sive laughter, which ended in death. A few grains of this ia commonly a dose, though some have prescribed it from half a scruple to a scruple and a half. SATFEON (MEADOW.)— (Co^cAunm Autwmruj^'e,) Detcrip. — This has a large roundish root, and the leaves aie numerous, long, and, when fully expanded, very broad; they naturally appear at a different time from the flower; and if any chance to rise with it they are narrower. The flower rises out of the ground without any stalk, its own tubular base serving for that purpose; it is very large, and of a pale, but elegant purple. The segments are naturally six, but sometimes they are found double that number ; and sometimes, instead of an uniform purple, the flower is streaked with white, or is white throughout Plar* ~It is commonly found in meadows. Time. — It blooms in September. OovemnuTU and Virtues. — It ia under Saturn. Iiuli*- 810 otlpspbb'b completib herbal. creetly used, this root is poisonous. A single grain onl^ being swallowed by a person in health, by way of exj>en- ment, produced heat in the stomach, and soon after flush- ing heats in various parts of the body, with frequent shi- verin^'s, which were followed by colicky pains, afterwhich an itching in the loins and urinary passages was perceived, and presently there came a continued inclination to make water, with a tremour, pain in the head, great thirst, a very quick pulse, and other disagreeable symptoms. Not- withstanding these symptoms, it is, when properly prepar- ed, a safe, but powerful medicine ; the best way of doing this is to make it into a kind of syrup, by digesting an ounce of the roots, sliced thin, in a pint of white-wine vinegar, over a gentle fire, for the space of forty-eight hours, and then mixing two pounds of honey with the strained liquor, and letting it boil gently afterwards till it comes to a proper consistence. This syrup is agreeably acid, gently bites the tongue, is moderately astringent, and excellent for cleansing the tongue from mucus. In an in- creased dose, it vomits, and sometimes purges, but its most eommon operation is by urine, for which it is a remarka- bly powerful medicine. The dose at first should be but imall, half a tea-spoonfnl twice or three times a day is enough to begin with, and the quantity may afterwards be gradually increased, as the stomach will bear it, or the case may require. It has been given with the most astonish- ing success in dropsies and tertian agues ; and it frequent- ly succeeds as an expectorant, when all other means fail. SAFFRON (WILD,) or SAFFIjOW^K—C Carthamut Tinctorius,) Descrip. — This is an annual plant, having a small woody root which does not run deep in the earth. The lower leaves are pretty broad, long, and round-pointed; the stalk grows to be two or three feet high, cornered, and without prick- les, branching into several divisions towards the top ; be- set with lesser leaves an inch broad, and two inches long, inted, and having a few, not very hard, prickles grow- ng on them. The nowers stand on the heads of the branch- es, consisting of round scaly heads, having a few spinula CTowing out of them, out of the middle of which spring tiirums of a Saflfron -coloured fistular flowers, succeeded by whit^comered, longish seed, narrow at one end. Flace, — It is sown in fields and gardens. DO ini ottlpepib'i oomplsts hbbbal. Sll Tims, It flowers In Jnly. The flower \a called Safflow. «r. The seed only is used in the shops. Oavemment and Virtues. — It is Saturnine, and account- ed a pretty strong cathartic, evacuatinj? touffh viscid phlegm, both upwards and downwards, and by that means clears the lungs and helps phthisis. SAGE (COMMON GARDEl^.)— (Salvia Officinalis.) Descrip. — This is a shrubby plant found in every garden, and is well known to have long, rough, wrinkled leaves, sometimes of a hoary green, and sometimes of a reddish purple colour, of a pretty strong smell : the flowers grow on long stalks set on verticillatim in spikes ; they are large and galeated, having the galea crooked and hollow, and the labella broad, of a blueish purple colour, set in clammy ca- lices; in the bottom of which grow four smooth round seeda Place, — It is planted in gsirdeus. Tims, — It flowers in May. Leaves and flowers are used. OovemnierU and Virtues, — Jupiter claims this ; and it is TOod for the liver and to breed olood. A decoction of the leaves and branches made and drank provokes urine, ex- pels the dead child, brings down worn ens' courses, and causes the hair to become olack. It stays the bleeding of wounds, and cleanses foul ulcers or sores. Three spoon- fuls of the juice taken fasting, with a little honey, stays the spitting or casting of blood of those in consumptions. These pills are much commended : — Take of spikenard, ginger, of each two drams ; of the seed of Sage toasted at the fire, eight drams; all these being^ brought into powder, put thereto as much of the juice of Sage as may make them into a mass of pills, take a dram of them every morning and night, fasting, and drink a little pure water afterward. It is profitable for all kinds of pains in the head coming of cold and rheumatic humours; as also for all pains of the joints, whether inwardly or outwardly, and helps falling- sickness, the lethargy, lowness of spirits, and the palsy ; it ia also useful in deduxions of rheum in the head, and for diie—et of the chest or breast. The leaves and nettles if braised and laid upon the imposlhumes that rise behind the ears, aasuages them much. The juice taken in warm water, helps hoarseness and a cough. The leaves sodden in wine, and laid upon the place aiffected with the palsy, helps much, if the decoction be drunk also : Sage taken with wormwood ia good for the bloody-flux. It also helps 312 oxtlpefeb'8 complete hebbal. the memory, warmiug and qaickening the seDses; and the conserve made of the flowers is used for the same purpose, and also for all the former recited diseases. The juice if drank with vinegar, is good for the plague. Gargles are made with Sage, rosemary, honeysuckles, and plantain, boiled in wine or water, with some honey or alum added, to wash sore mouths and throata Sage is boiled with other hot and comforting herbs, to bathe the body and the legs in the summer-time, especially to warm cold joints or sinews, troubled with the palsy and cramp, and to comfort and strengthen the parts. It is recommended against the stitch, or pains in the side coming of wind, if the place be fomented warm with the decoction thereof in wine, and the herb also after boiling be laid warm thereunto. SAGE (SMALL,) or SAGE OF YIRTVK--^ Salvia Minor Virtutis.) Descrip. — This is smaller than the other sages, having less, narrower, and smoother leaves, of a whitish hoary green colour, with two small pieces or ears growing on them next the stalk, which in some plants are wanting, in others but on one side. It is milder m scent than the com- mon, and has smaller flowers, but of the same colour, flow- ering at the same time, and is also planted in gardens. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under Venus, and has the same virtues as the wood sage. An infusion operates powerfully by sweat and urine, and removes female ob- structions. The expressed juice drunk for a considerable time is excellent against rheumatic pains ; and was for- merly celebrated against venereal diseases, but since the introduction of mercury, its use has been set aside. SAGE {W0OD.)'-( Salvia Agreatis.) Descrip. — This rises with square hoary stalks, two feet high, witt two leaves set at every joint, like other sage- leaves, but smaller, softer, whiter, and rounder, a little dented about the edges, and smelling somewhat stronger. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand the flowers, on a slender spike, turning themselves all one way when they bloom, and are of a paler and whiter colour, smaller than sage, but hooded and gaping like unto them. The seed is blackish and round ; the root is long and stringy, with divers fibres thereat, and abides many years. Place, — It grows in woods, and by wood-sides ; as also in divers fields and bye-lanes in England. OITLPSPSRIB OOMPLSn HSRBAXi. 3l1l Tims. — It flowers in Jane, July, and August. OovemmerU and VirtuM. — The Sages are under Venua, The decoction of Wood-sage provokes urine and womeus* courses ; it provokes sweat, di.;est8 humours, and discus- ses swellings and nodes in the flesh, and is therefore good against the venereal disease. The decoction of the green herb, made with wine, is a safe and sure remedy for those who by falls, bruises, or blows, suspect some vein to be inwardly broken, to disperse and void the congealed blood, and to consolidate the veins. The drink used inwardly, and the herb used outwardly, is found to be a sure reme- dy for the palsy. The juice of the herb, or the powder of it is good for moist ulcers and sores in the legs, and other parts, to dry and heal them more speedily. It is no less <»tfectual in green wounds, to be used upon any occasion. SALTWORT.— f^o^^o^a Kali,) Callsd also Kali, Qlasswort, Sea Grass, and Marsh Sam- phire. Descriv.— This plant grows usually with one upright, round, tnick, and almost transparent stalk, a foot high, or more; thick set and full of joints, without any leaves; the joints shooting forth one out of another, with short pods at the heads of them, and such like snialler branches on each side which are divided into smaller ones ; the root is small, long and thready. Some other kinds there are dif- fering somewhat in the form of the joints, and one kind wholly reddish, and differing from the other in nothing else. There are four kinds of Saltwort, or Qlasswort, viz : 1. Kali Majut CocfUeatvaa, Great Glasswort, with snail- like seed. 2. Ka'i Minui Albuniy Small Glasswort. 3. Kali jEgyptiacum^ Glasswort of Egypt. And 4. Kali Oeii' ticu/atumy sive Salicomia, Jointed Glasswort. Place. — The first and third are absolute strangers in this eountry, but grow in Syria, E^y pt, Italy, and Spain : the seooud, not only grows in those countries but in colder cli- mates, upon many parts of our own coasts, especially in the west The last grows in all countries, including our own, on the sea-ooast where the salt-water flows. Time. — Thev all flourish in summer, and those that die give their seed about August ; the last abides all winter. Chvemment and Virtuee, — They are under the dominion of Mars, and are of a cleansing quality, without any great •r Buoiifest heat ; the powder of any of them, or the foio^ SI 4 OULPSPBB'S OOXFLBTX wimnAT^ which is much better, taken in drink, purges downward! phle^atically, whitish, melancholy, and a^ust humours, and IS eflfectual for the dropsy, to provoke urine, and ex- pel the dead child. It opens stoppings of the liver and and spleen, and wastes the hardness thereof ; but it must be used with discretion, as a great quantity is hurtful and dangerous. The ashes are sharp and biting, like a caustic, and the lye that is made thereof is so strong that it will fetch off the skin from any part of the body ; but it may be mixed with other moderate medicines, to take away scabs, leprosy, and to cleanse the skin. SAMPHIRE (PBlCKLY.)-{Ihhinoph(}ra Spinosa.) Called also Sea Fennel Bescrip. — It is a much lower plant than the common Fennel, having, broader, shorter, thicker leaves, of a dull green colour; the stalk grows scarcely a foot high, having the like leaves on it ; and on the top it bears umbels of small yellowish flowers, and after them roundish seed, like fennel seed, but larger. The root is thick and long, con- tinuing several yeara It has an aromatic smell and taste. Place. — It grows on rocks by the sea-side, in many parts of England, as in liancashire, Sussex, and Faversham. Oovemmerit and Virtiies. — This is a martial plant, and is more agreeable as a pickle than useful as a medicine. It is, however, strengthening to the stomach, and procures an appetite, provokes urine, opens obstructions of the bowels, and helps the jaundice. SAMPHIRE (RCM:JK or SMALUy^Crithmum Maritimv/m.) Descrip, — It grows up with a tender ffreen stalk about a half yard or two feet high at the most, branching forth al- most from the bottom, and stored with sundry thick and almost round leaves, of a deep green colour, sometimes two together, and sometimes more on a stalk, sappy, and of a pleasant hot and spicy taste. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand umbels of white flowers, and after them come the seed larger than fennel-seed, but somewhat like it. The root is great, white, and long, continuing for many years ; and is of a hot and spicy taste likewise. Place, — ^It jgrows on rocks that are washed by sea- water, TifM, — It flowers and seeds in July and August. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Jupiter, and was formerly used more than it is now. It is well-knowB OITLFXPKR'k OOICPLKTS HIEBAL. SIB that {ndigestion and obstructions are the cause of most of the diseases that the fniil nature of man is subject to; both of which might be remedied by a more frequent use of this herb. It is safe, very pleasant both to the taste and stomach, helping digestion, and opening obstructions of the liver and spleen ; provokes urine, and nelps to take away the gravel and stone engendered in the kidneys or bladder, SANlChK—CSanumla Ewrojxxa,) Descrip. — It sends forth many round leaves, standing on long brownish stalks, every one divided into five or six parts, some of them cut like a crow's-foot, and finely dent- ed about the edges, smooth, and of a dark shining colour, and sometimes reddish about the brims; from among which rise up small, round green stalks, without any joint or leaf thereon, except at the top, where it branches forth into flowers, having a leaf divided into three or four parts at that joint with the flowers, which are small round green- ish yellow heads, many standing together in a tuft, in which afterwards the seeds are contained, which are small round burs, somewhat like the leaves of Cleavers, and stick in the same manner upon any thing that they touch. The root is composed of many blackish fibres, set together in a long head, which abides green all the winter, and dies not Place. — It is found in many shady woods, and other places of England. Time, — It flowers in June, the seed is ripe shortly after. Oovemment and Virtues. — Mars owns this herb. It heals green wounds speedily, or any ulcers, imposthumes, or in- ward bleedings, also tumours on any parts of the body ; the decoction or powder in drink taken, and the juice used outwardly, dissipates the humours; and there is not found any herb that can give such present help either to man or beast, when the disease falls upon the lungs or throat, and to heal up putrid malignant ulcers in the mouth, throat, and privities, by gargling with a decoction of the leaves %nd roots made in water, and a little honey put thereto. It helps to stay womens courses, and all other fluxes of blood, either by the mouth, urine, or stool, and laxes of the belly ; the ulcerations of the kidneys also, the pains in the bowels, and gonorrhoea, or running of the reins, beinf boiled in wine or water, and drunk. dl6 cxtlpepeb's complete hsbbal. SARACEN'S CONSOUND, or GREAT BROAD- LEAVED B,AQWORT.—{Senecio Saracenicus.) Descrip. — ^This is a robust conspicuous plant, which rises Bometimes to five feet high; brownish or green stalks, with narrow green leaves snipped about the edges, somewhat like those of the peach tree, or willow leaves, but not of 80 light a green. The stalk spreads at the top, and is fur- nished with many yellow star-like flowers, wnich grow in a cup that is fringed, or surrounded with short leaves at the t>ottom. The seed is long, small, and of a brown co- lour, wrapped in down ; and, when ripe, is carried away with the wind. The root consists of fibres set together at a head, which survives the winter, although the stalks dry away, and the leaves then disappear. The taste and smell of the whole plant is raw and unpleasant. Place. — This perennnial commonly grows in the mea- dows of Yorkshire and Wiltshire, in moist and wet lands, by wood -sides, and sometimes by the water-side. Time.— It flowers in July : tho seed is soon ripe; and is carried away with the wind. Government and Virtues. — This is an herb of Saturn. It is balsamic and diuretic. If boiled in wine, and drank, it helps the indisposition of the liver, and frees the gall from obstructions ; whereby it is good for the yellow-jaundice, and for the dropsy in the beginning of it ; for all inward ulcers of the reins, mouth or throat, and inward wounds and bruises; likewise for such sores as happen in the privy parts of men or women : being steeped in wine, and then distilled, the water thereof drank, is singularly good to eaije all gua wings of the stomach, or other pains of the body; as also the pains of the mother : and being boiled in wa- ter, it helps continual agues ; and the said water, or the simple water of the herb distilled, or the juice or decoc- tion, are very effectual to heal any green wound, or old Bore or ulcer whatsoever, cleansing them from corruption, and quickly healing them up: briefly, whatsoever has been said of Bugle or Sanicle, may be found herein. SARSAPARILLA.— ("A^miYflfcr Sarsaparilla.) Descrip. — This is leckoned among the sorts of prickly Bindweeds, of which there are three sorts : one with red berries, another with black berries, and a third with large leaves, of an oval figure, very entire on the edges, smooth and shining on the surface^ of a dark green ooloar, and sup- tftJLPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBA.L. 317 ported OQ shortish leaf-staiks. The flowers are small, and of a yellowish colour. Place, — The two first jirrow in Italj, Spain, and other warm conutries, throughout Europe and Asia. The third is found odIj in the West Indies. Time. — It has ripe berries early In hot countries. Oovemmeni and Virtue*. — These are all plants of Mars; of a healing quality howsoever used. Both leaves and ber- ries, being drunk before or after taking any ove another which being past, follow small round pofls, wherein are cotitaiued round seed •omewhat blackish. The root sstriugy aud thready, per- 818 oulpxpeb'b oohplbtx hxbbal. Ishes every year after it has given seed, and raises itself again of its own sowing. The plant, or any part thereof, if bruised, smells of garlic, but more pleasantly, and tastes somewhat hot and sharp, almost like rocket. Place, — It grows under walls, and by hedge-sides^ and path-ways in fields in many placea Time. — It flowers in June, July, and August. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is an herb of Mercury. It warms the stomach, and causes digestion : the juice boiled with honey, is as good as hedge-mustard for thecough, to cut and expectorate the tough phlegm. The seed bruised and boiled in wine, is a good remedy for the wind colic, or the stone, if drank warm ; it is given to women troubled with the mother, both to drink, and the seed put into a cloth, and applied while it is warm, is of singular good use. The leaves also, or the seed boiled, is good to be used in clys- ters to ease the pains of the stone. The green leaves are held to be good to heal the ulcers in the legs. SAVINE. — (Sabina Junipenit.) Deicrip. — This is a small evergreen shrubby tree, hav- ing its branches set close together, clothed with short, nar- row, somewhat prickly leaves, almost resembling cypress, of a very strong smell ; among these, after the tree is old, and has stood loug in a place, grow small mossy greenish flowers, which are succeeded by small flattish berries, less than those of Juniper, of the same blackish blue colour. Place. — Though it does not grow naturally in England, yet it is planted in gardens, where it seldom produces fruit, and has therefore generally been reputed barren. Government and Virtites. — It is under the dominion of Mars, being hot and dry, in the third degree ; and being of exceeding clean parts, it is of a very digesting quality. It is hot and dry, opening and attenuating, and a power- ful provoker of the catamenia, causing abortion, and ex- pelling the birth ; it is good to destroy worms in children. The juice mixed with milk, and sweetened with sugar, is an excellent medicine for that purpose : beaten into a cat- aplasm with hog's-lard, it cures children's scabby heads. It is a most powerful detersive, and has so violent an eff'ect upon the uterine passages if used imprudently, that wick- ed women have employed it to very ill purposes. It is a very fine opener of obstructions of any kind, whence in composition! for the jaundice, dropsy, scurvy, rheumatism, cttlpepeb's complsts hbbbal. 819 &c^ it makes a very useful ingredient. It is also an enemy to worms, and its chymical oil rubbed upon and about the navel of children, has often had a wonderful eflfoct in expelling them. It deserves the regard of surgeons, as it is a very potent scourer and cleanser of old sordid stinking tdcera, either used in lotions, fomentations, ointments, or even the powder mixed with honey. SAVORY {SVrMMEK)—(ScUureia Hortensis,) Descrip. — This has small stringy roots, from which rise a great many woody branches, eight or nine inches high, a little hairy, having two long, narrow leaves at a joint, narrowest next the stalk. The flowers grow next the tops in small whorles, of a whitish colour, with a blush of red, pleated and labiated, set in five-pointed calices, contain- in*; four small dark brown seeds. Place. — It is sown in gardens. THme, — It flowers in June. The leaves and tops are used There is another species of Savory, which is sometimes used, viz. SAVORY (WlKTEKy-CSatureta Montana.) Descrip. — This is more woody and shrubby than the fo^ mer, witn leaves like hyssop, stiffer and harder, and seem- ingly pierced full of holes, and ending in spinulss : the flow- ers are of the colour of the former, and the seed much alike PloM. — This is likewise cultivated in gardens. Oovemment and Virtues. — They are both under Mercury, being heating, drying, and carminative, expel ling wind from the stomach and bowels, and are good in asthma, and other affections of the breast ; they open obstructions of the womb, and promote menstrual evacuations. Winter Sa- vory is a ffood remedy for the colic and iliac passion; keep it dry, make conserves and syrups of it for your use ; for which purpose the Summer kind is the best This kind is both hotter and drier than the Winter kind, and is much commended for pregnant women to take inwardly, and to smell often unto. It expels tough phlegm from the chest and luugs ; quickens the dull spirits in tne lethargy, if the juice be snuffed up the nose ; dropf)ed into the eyes it clears them of thin cold humours proceeding from the brain. The juice heated with oil of roses, dropped into the ears, eaaes them of the noises in them, and deafness also ; outwardly Applied with wheat flour, as a poultice, it eases sciatica and palsied members. It eases pain from stings of wasps, boL«s^^ 920 CULPBPSB'S COMPLETE HEBBAl.. SAWWORT (COMMON.)— ('>S'4rrarw/a Tinctoricu) Descrip. — This has a white fibrous root The first leaves are undivided, oblong, broad, of a beautiful green ; some- times deeply cut in a pinnated form; they vary upon the stalks, being in some plants undivided, and in others very deeply jagged, while the species is the same. In both forms they are regularly notched on the edges. The stalk is round, upright, and slender, about two feet high. The flowers are in small heads, of a fine purple; but the poverty of some soils produce them quite white. The seeds are oblong and large. Place. — It is common about woods. Time, — It flowers in August. Government and Virtites. — This is under Saturn, and is Tulnerary and astringent. It has a little sourish, styptic taste. It is very drying and binding, useful for diarrhoea and dysentery, the Jlicxue hepaticus^ the excess of catamenia and fluor albus, and against vomiting and spitting of blood. SAXIFRAGE (GREAT BURNET.)— ("-Pi^inW^ Saxifraga Major.) Descrip. — The root is thick at the head, spreading into several branches, growing deep in the earth, of a whitish colour, and a hot taste, from which spring several pinnated leaves, having three or four pinn«, set opposite, with an odd one at the end ; they are hard in handling. The stalk is about a yard high, stiff, jointed, and full of branches, clothed with narrower leaves, with umbels of white flowers at the ends, followed by very snail, dark brown, striated ■eeda Place, — It grows in gravelly places, especially in Kent Time. — The seed is ripe in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the Moon. The root is hot and dry, expelling wind, good for the colic, and weakness of the stomach ; they are diuretic, useful against the stone, gravel, and scurvy. It has the properties of th» parsleys, but eases pains and provokes urine more effect-- ally. The roots or seed used either in powder or decoction, helps the mother, procures the courses, removes phlegm, and cures venom, &c. The distilled water, boiled with casto- rieum, is good for cramps and convulsions, and the seed used in comfits (like carraway seeds) will answer the same p)irpose. The juice of the herb dropped into bad wounds iv the head, dries up their moisture, and heals them. CULPBPEB'S OOMPLXTE HBBBiX. 381 SAXIFRAGE (SMALL BTTRSlET.y^Fimptndla Saxifraga Minor,) Descj-ip. — This has a round, slender root, divided into ae- venl reddish branches, among which are found certain red grains, which are called wild cochineal. The stalks are red, angular, and branched; the leaves are oblong or roundish, dented on the edges, in pairs on the ribs. The flowers grow at the ends of the Btalks, in round heads, and consist of a single petal, divided into four parts, of a purple colour; in the middle is a tuft of long stamina; the flowers are of two sorts, one barren, furnished with stamina, the other fruit- ful, having a pistil This is succeeded by a quadrangular fruit generally pointed at both ends, of an aah-colour when ripe, containing oblong, slender T-eddish-brown seeds, with an astringent and somewhat bitter taste. Place, — It resembles true -^xif rafije in its wild state, for which it is often mistaken. It is cultivated in gardens. Time. — It flowers about the end of June, and the seed is ripe about August. Oouemment and Virtues. — I is under the dominion of the Moon. The whole plant is binding ; the leaves put into wine give it a ^ood flavour and the young shoota make a good salad. It is a cordial and promoter of sweat. The root dried and powdered, stops purgings; and a strong de- coction of it, or the juice of the leaves, is good for the same purposes. In the composition of the Syrupus Attheas it is generally used instead of the Great Burnet Saxifrage. SAXIFRAGE (WKlTE.)—( Scun/raga Alba.) Descrip. — This has a few small reddish kernels of roots covered with some skins, lying among small blackish fibres, which send forth round, faint, or yellow green leaves, and §reyiBh underneath, lying above the ground, unevenly ented about the etlges, and somewhat hairy, every one on a little footstalk, from whence rise up round, brown, hairy, green stalks, two or three feet high, with such like round leaves as grow below, but smaller, and branched at the top, whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five leaves i-piece, with some yellow tlireads in the middle, standing in a long created, brownish, green husk. After theflowei-s &re passed, there rises a rouitd hanl bead, forked at the top, wherein is contained Mmall black seed, but they often fall away without seed, and it is the kernels of the root that are usually called tb« White Sikxifiago-tieed, and 40 used. Its OULPIPBR's OOMFLSra HABAX.. Place, — It grows in many places of this country, as well m the lower, as in the upper dry comers of meadows, and sandy grassy places. THme. — It flowers in May, and then gathered, as well for that which is called the seed, as to distil, for it quickly per- ishes down to the ground when any hot weather comes. OovemmentandVirtttes,—Thia is governed by the Moon. It Is very effectual to cleanse the reins and bladder, and to dissolve the stone engendered in them, and to expel it and the gravel by urine; to help the strangury; for wnich pur- pose the decoction of the nerb or roots in white wine, is most useful, or the powder of the small kemelly root, taken in white wine, or in the same decoction made with white wine, is most usual. The distilled water of the whole herlr, root and flowers, is most familiar to be taken. It provokes womens' courses, and frees and cleanses the stomach and lungs from thick and tough phlegm that troubles them. There is no better medicine tnan this to break the stone. 8AXIFKAGE (WILD, or MEADOW.)— (^/S«M«f Pratense Carni/olia,) Descrip, — The root is about a finger thick, striking deep in the ground, of a brownish colour on the outside, whitish within, of a hot aromatic taste and smell; and from which spring several winged leaves, not very large, cut into long narrow segments. The stalks are channelled, rising about two feet high, beset with smaller leaves, and having on their tops umbels of pale, yellow, small five-leaved flowers, and after them come short striated reddish brown seeds. Place. — It grows common in meadows and pasture lands. Time, — It flowers in August. Virtues. — The root, herb, and seed are used, being all accounted good to provoke urine, and serviceable in gravel, and distempers of the kidneys ; as also in expelling wind. There is another more slender Saxifrage, with smaller flowers, white also, but has larger leaves of a deep green. It differs in nothing else from the former. Place. — It grows in meadows and damp pastures. Time. — It flowers in May and June. Virtues. — This little plant is an excellent diuretic ; an infusion of the whole plant operates powerfully and safely by iirin«^ and clears the passages from gravel OULPIPBR'B OOXPLBTX HDliiAX.. 323 SCABIOUS (DEVIL'S BIT.)— (^>ScaWo*a Succita,) Callkd also The Blae Devil's Bit Descrip. — The lower leaves are rough and hairy, four or five inchea long, an inch or more broad, sometimes deeply cut in, and often almost whole, without any incisions, on breaking asunder, drawing out into long threads. The stalks grow to be two or three feet high, round and hairy, having two smaller and more finely cut leaves set at a joint, and on their tope are placed the flowers, which are of a fine cerulean blue. Place. — It may be found in dry fields, but it is not so plentiful as the Field Scabious. SCABIOUS (FlEluD.y-CKnautia Arvensis.) Descrip. — This rises with many hairy, soft, whitish green leaves, some a little torn on the edges, others much rent on the sides, and have threads, which are seen upon breaking, from which rise up hairy green stalks, three or four feet high, with such like hairy n-een leaves on them, but more deeply and finely divided, branched forth a little ; at the tops, which are naked of leaves for a good space, stand round heads of flowers, of a pale blueish colour, set toge- ther in a head, the outermost are lar^^er than the inward, with many threads in the middle, flat at the top, as is the head with the seed; the root is i^reat, white and thick, grow- ing down deep into the ground, and abides many years. Place. — It grows in meadows, especially about London. SCABIOUS (LESSER FIELD,}— {Scabiosa Columharia,) This is like the Devil's Bit but smaller. The Corn Sca- bious is greater in all respects than the Field, its flowers are more inclined to purple. The roots creep under the upper crust of the earth, not so deep as the the first one does. place. — It grows in standing corn, or fallow-fields. Time.—rli flowers in June and July, and some abide flowering until it be late in August ; and the seed is ripe in the mean time. Oovemment and Virtites. — Mercury owns the plant It ia effectual for all sorts of coughs, shortness of breath, and all other diseases of the breast and lungs, ripening and digesting cold phlegm, and other tough humour, voiding them forth by coughin;^ and spitting ; it ripens all aorta ci kiward nWn and impuflthumes ; plenriiy also. If the (W- 321»r oolpkpbr's complktb hkrbai^ coction of the herb dry or greea be made in wine, aud drank for some time together. If four ounces of the juice be taken in a morning, fasting, with a dram of mithridate, or Venice treacle, it will free the heart from any infection of pestilence, after taking it the party should get a two hours' sweat in bed ; repeat this medicine as often as necessary. The green herb bruised and applied to any carbuncle or plague sore, will dissolve and break it in three hours. The same decoction drank, helps the pains and stitches in the side. The decoction of the roots taken for forty days toge- ther, or a Oram of the powder of them taken at a time in whey, helps those that are troubled with running or spread- ing ulcers, tetters, or ringworms. The juice or decoction drank, helps also scabs and breakings out of the itch, and the like. The juice made into an ointment and used, 1? effectual for the same purpose. The same also heals all in- ward wouuds by the drying, cleansing, and healing quality therein ; and a syrup made of the juice and sugar, is very effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and so is the distill- ed water of the herb and flowers made in due season, espe- cially to be used when the green herb is not in force to be taken. The decoction of the herb and roots outwardly ap- plied, helps all sorts of hard and cold swellings in any part of the body, is good for shrunk sinews or veins, and heals green wounds, old sores and ulcers. The juice made up with the powder of borax and samphire, cleanses the skin of the face and other parts of the body, not only of freck- les and pimples, but also of morphew and leprosy ; the head washed with the decoction, cleanses it from dan- druff, scurf, sores, itch, and the like, used warm. The herb bruised and applied, in a short time loosens and draws out any splinter, or broken bone lying in the flesh. SCAMMONY OR GREAT WHITE BINDWEED.— (Convolvulus Sepiuiru) Descrip. — This is a pernicious weed for the gardener. Its roots creep under the earth to a great distance ; they are larger than those of couch-grass, and would be more easily destroyed if they were not so brittle. The flowei-sare snowy white, some of a flesh or rose-colour, with a tint of purple. Place. — It grows most frequently in the Isle of Wight. Oovernmeni and Virtues. — This is the plant which pro- duces the Scaramony. It does not grow so large here as abroad. The concrete juice of the root ia the Scamraony of ODLPKPllt's COMPLBTB HKKBAU 325 the shops. The best Scammony is black, resinous, and shin- ing, when iu the lump, but of a whitish ash-colour, when powdered, of a pretty strong smell, but of no very hot taste, turning milky, when touched by the tongue. The smallnees of our English root prevents the juice be- ing collected aa the foreign; but an extract made from the expressed juice of the roots, or any preparation of them, bAve the same purgative quality, only in less degree. SCIATICA- WORT, oe SCIATICA-GRASS.— ((7arc/ mantice.) Descrip. — The lower leaves are two or three inches long, and about half an inch broad, indented pretty deeply on the edges, growing on long footstalks. The upper leaves are long and narrow, not cut in, and set on without foot- ■talks ; it rises about a foot high, branched, and bearing on the top spikes of small, white, four-leaved flowers, suo- K*eeded by round seed-vessels, containing small reddish seed: the root is woody and fibrous, and dies yearly after ripen- ing seed« Place. — It grows wild in the warmer countries, but with OS only in gardens. Place. — It flowers in June. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is a very useful Saturnine plant, good for rheumatism. It is little inferior in virtue to the sciatica cress, which it slightly resembles. If the root be bruised in a mortar, mixed with hog's-lard, and rubbed on the parts aflected, it will cure the most acute rheumatic. SCORPION GRASS (MOUSE EAR.)— (Cera^awwi Arvense.) De*crip, — This ia a low creeping plant, sending from a small stringy root, several trailing oranches lying on the ground, and shooting out fibres from the joints, by which it takes root. The leaves grow alternately on the stalks, of an oval form, about an inch long, and an inch broad, sharp- pointed, green above, and whitish underneath, cover- ed thick with stiS^ long, brown hairs : the flowers stand on footatalks four or five inches lonjj, of the shape of dandelion, but smaller, of a whitish yellow colour above, with several purplish streaks underneath : the stalks, when broken, emit a whitish milk in a small nuautity. The flow- en pass away in white down, wherein lies small long seed. P/oce, — It grows every where upon h^athnand oommonik Tinu, — It flowers most (Art of the summer. 918 OULPBPBR'B OOlCFLVrB HSSBAL. Government and Virtues. — It is uoder Mercury. It is of A bitterish styptic taste, and is drying and binding, and a good vulnerary, helpful for all kinds of fluxes: a decoction used as a gargle is commended for ulcers in the mouth. SCURVY-GRASS (COMMON GARDEN.) -('CocA- learia Oficinalis.) Deecrip. — This has thick flat leaves more long than broad, and sometimes longer and narrower ; sometimes also smooth on the edges, and sometimes a little waved ; sometimes plain, smooth, and pointed, of a sad green, and sometimes a blueish colour, every one standing itself upon a long footstalk, which is brownish or greenish also, from which arise many slender stalks, bearing few leaves like the other, but longer and lesser for the most part ; at the tops grow many whitish flowers, with yellow threads in the middle, standing about a green head, which becomes the Beed-vessel, and is sometimes flat when it is ripe, wherein is contained reddish seed, tasting rather hot. The root is made of many white strings, which stick deeply into the mud, wherein it chiefly delights, yet it will abide in the more upland and drier ground, and tastes brackish there, but not 80 much as where it feeds upon the salt water. Place. — It grows upon the sides of the Thames, both on the Essex and Kentish shores, from Woolwich round the sea coasts to Dover, Portsmouth and Bristol plentifully ; the other with round leaves, grows in Lincolnsnire, by the sea-coast. SCURVY-GRASS (DUTCH ROUND-LEAVED.)— (Cochlearia Rotundifolia.) Deecrip. — The root is long and full of fibres, from it springs a number of flattish succulent green leaves on long footstalks, which are round and rather hollow, resembling A spoon, whence it has its name Cochlearia. The stalks grow eight or nine inches high, brittle, and clothed with the like leaves, which are more angular and pointed ; the flowers grow in tufts on the tops of the stalks, consisting of four small white leaves, which are succeeded by little, round, swelling seed-vessels, parted in the middle by a thin film, and containing small round seeds : both leaves and flowers have a biting not taste. PUice, — It grows wild in the north of England, by tb« sea-side ; but is very much cultivated in gardens. Time. — It flowers in April. inTLPKPIB'a OOMPLBTX HBRBAL. St7 HKJURVY-GRASS (GREENLAND.)— {'CbcA/wna (Jrcenlandica.) Detcrip. —This does not rise so large as the common Dutch Scarvy-graas, jet in some rich lands, the leaves grow very large, not dented on the edges, of a fresh green colour, rising from the root, standing on a long footstalk ; from among these rise long slender stalks, with white flowers at the tops of them, which tnrn into small pods, and smaller brownish seed than the former. The root is white, small, and thready. The taste ts not salty, but hot and aromatic. Place, — it srrows in gardens mostly. Tims, — It flowers in April and May. Oovemment and Virtues. — They are all herbs of Jupiter. This abounds with fine volatile parts; infused or the juice expressed, is better than the decoction, because the volatile parts are loet in boiling : it is a specific remedy against scurvy, purifying the juices of the body from the bad ef- fects of that distemper; it clears the skin from scabs, pin> plea, and foul eruptions. Officinal preparations are th» simple water, the spirit, and a conserve. SCUEVY-GRASS (lYY-LEAYED,)^ Coohlearia Danica,) Descrip. — The only difference in this plant from the others is, the leaves are more divided, so that they appear angular. The colour is light green, and the flowers are ■mailer, and white like the former. Place* — It is common on the sea-shore, and in many other places, by the sides of little rills, down the sides of mountains, and in gardens. Time, — It blooms in April and May. Virtues, — This plant possesses a considerable degree of ■crimony ; it is antiscorbutic, and a powerful remedy in moist asthma, or scorbutic rheumatism. A distilled water, tnd a conserve, are prepared from the leaves, and sold in the shops, its juice together with that of Seville oranges is known by the name of antiscorbutic juicesw The leaves bmiaed, and laid t> the face, or any other part, takes away tpota, freckles, and sun-burns ; but those of delicate com- plczioQS cannot bear the application without injuring them 888 CTTLPRPBR'8 complwi herbau SCURVY-GRASS (HORSE-RADTSH.)--<^o«^««^ Armorada.) Descrtp. — This has larger leaves than the former speciefc the upper ones are of a lighter green than the lower, of a fleshy substance, and full of juice ; and their colour is an obscure green. The stalks are numerous, thick, juicy, of a iale green, ten or twelve inches high. The flowers, like the iprmer, are small and white, at the tops of the branches. Flcuje, — It grows upon the muddy parts of the sea-shore. Time.— It flowers in July, A species is found in the north with a pale purple flower. Virtues, — The English Scurvy-Grass is more used for the salt it bears, which opens and cleanses; but theDutch is of better etfect, and ofteuer used for the scurvy; and purifies the blood, liver, and spleen, by taking the juice every morning fasting, in a cup of drink. The decoction answers the same purpose, and opens obstructions, evacuating cold, clammy and phlegmatic humours both from the liver and the spleen, and bringing the body to a more lively colour. The juice also helps all foul ulcers and sores in the mouth, gargled therewith ; and used outwardly, cleanses the skin From spots, marks^ or scars that happen therein. SCURVY-GRASS {SEA.)—(Cochlearia Anglica,) Descrip. — This grows about as high as the former, but the leaves are thicker, longer, narrower, and more pointed at the ends, frequently finuated about the edges, of a duller grreen than the garden ; the flowers and seed are alike in both ; of a Salter taste, but not so hot and pungent as that. Place.— It grows in salt-marshes, and particularly by the Thames-side, all the way below Woolwich. Time. — It flowers rather later than the garden kind. Virtues. — This kind is used along with the others as an- tiscorbutics, but wanting in fine volatile parts, it is not so prevalent, but abounding more in saline, it may be used to good purpose as a diuretic. SELF-HEAL.— ("Prwne^^a Vulgaris.) Descrip. — This is a small, low, creeping herb, havinff many small roundish pointed leaves, like leaves of wild mint, of a dark green colour, without dents on the edges; from among which rise square hairy stalks, scarce a foot high, which spread sometimes into branches with small CULPKPSR'8 OOMPLBTB HXllBAL. 319 leaves eet thereon, up to the topa, where stand brown spiked heads of small brownish leaves like scales and flow- ers set together, of a blueish purple, in some places sweet, bat not so in others. The root consists of many fibres downward, and spreads strings also, whereby it increases. The small stalks, with the leaves creeping on the ground, shoot forth fibres taking hold on the ground, whereby it is a ffreat tuft in a short time. Place. — It is found in woods and fields every where. Time, — It flowers in May, and sometimes in ApriL Chvemme'it and Virtues. — This is under Venus, and is a special remedy for inward and outward wounds. Taken in syrups for inward wounds ; for outward wounds in un- guents and plasters. It is like Bugle in form and qualities, answers the same purposes, and if accompanied with it and sanicle, and other wound-herbs, it is more effectual to wash any wounds or inject into ulcers in the parts outwardly. Where the sharp humours of sores, ulcers, inflammations or swellings need to be repressed, this compound will be effectual ; it will also stay the flux of blood from wounds, and solder up their lips, and cleanse the foulness of sores, and speedily heal them. It is a remedy for green wounds. Anoint the temples and forehead with the juice and the oil of roses, to remove the head-ache ; the same mixed with honey of roses, cleanses and. heals all ulcers in the mouth and throat) and those also in the secret parts. SENNA (RED-FLOWERED BLADDER.)— (Co^vtM Cruenta,) Detcrip, — It has winged leavea, each entire leaf is com- posed of six pair of smaller leaves without an odd one at the end, these are of an oblong form, pointed, and of a whitish green colour. The flowers are produced in longisli •pikes at the tops of the branches, moderately large, of a yellow colour, and striped with red. The root is woody, divided, and spreading. Place. — It is a native of the East OovemmerU and Virtuet, — It is under Mercury. The leaves (which are the only parts used) are hot, dry, and of a purging quality, but afterwards have a binding effect. It opens obstructions ; corrected with carra way-seed, ani- seea, or ginger, a dram taken in wine, ale, or broth, fast- ing, comforts and cleanses the stomach, purees melancholy, cholsr and phlegm from the he.id and onun, lungi, heart. 330 OULPSPSR'B OOMFLSTie HXBBAL liver, and spleen, cleansing those parts of evil humours ; strengthens the senses, procures mirth, and is also good in chronic agues, whether quartan or quotidian. It cleanses and purities the blood, and causes a fresh and lively habit of the body, and is an especial inj,'redient in diet-drinks, and to make purging-ale for cleansing the blood. The Common Bladder Senna {Colutea Arborescens) works very violently both upwards and downwards, offending the stomach and bowels. SEE MOUNTAIN."-<^orfl?yattw Officinale.) JDescrip. — This is sometimes called Hartwort, has a large thick root, that strikes deep into the earth, with many stringy fibres at the bottom. The stalk rises as high as a man, full of branches, having many large winged leaves, as it were encompassing the stalks with a thin sheath, cut into several segments, each of which is usually divided into five, and at the end three oval smaller leaves, smooth, and pointed at the end. It has large umbels of small, five- leaved, white flowers, each of which is succeeded by two large long seeds, striated on the back, having a leafy bor- der on each side, of a brown colour, a pretty strong smell, and a hot bitterish taste. Place. — It grows upon the Alps, but with us is found only in some gardens. Time. — It flowers in June. Oovemment and Virtues, — It is a warm martial plant, both heating and drying ; it provokes urine and the men- ses, expels the birth and after-birth ; and is good in disor- ders of the head and womb. The seeds are put both into Theriaca and Mithridat^. SERVICE TREE (COMMON.)— (Pyn« Torminatie.) Descrip. — This grows to be a pretty large tree, whose branches are clothed with winged leaves, consisting of se- ven or nine serrated pinnae, each leaf terminating in an odd one. It has several clusters of five-leaved white flowers, which are followed by fruit of the shape and size of a small pear, growing several together on footstalks an inch long; they are of a greenish colour, with a mixture of red, as they are more or less exposed to the sun ; of a rough, austere, choky taste ; but when ripe or mellow, sweet and pleasant. Place. — It is found wild in some parts of England, as in Staffordshire and Cornwall. oulpxpxr'b oomflstb hkrbau 9S1 Time.— li flowers in May ; but the seed is not ripe till November. The fruit is used. OavemmeTit and VirtiLes. — It Is under Saturo, and reck- oned to be very restringent and useful for all kinds of flux- es ; but whei ripe, not altogether so binding. This fruit is seldom to bA met with in our markets, and therefore, for a succedaneum, we use the following. SKRVICE TREE (MANURED.)— ('Pyn^* JDofMttica,) (Pyrus SorhuSy) (Sorhut Dome*tica,) Detcrip. — This grows tall in good ground, having a whi- tish bark, and leaves that differ from those of the former, in not being winged, though larger and longer, being cut into seven sharp-pointed and serrated segments, the two next the stalk, being cut in deepest, of a pale green above, and whitish underneath. The flowers grow in clusters like the former, of a yellowish-white colour ; and the fruit is set in the same manner on long footstalks, more than twice the size of common haws; they are likewise umbilicated at the top, of a harsh restringent taste when green, but when mellowed, sweet and pleasant, having a stony substance in the middle, including two seeda Place, — It grows frequently in woods aud thickets, and flowers with the former, the fruit being ripe as late. Oovemment and Virtv^s. — It is under the dominion of Saturn. The fruit is used as the former, and is of the same nature, or rather more restringent and binding, be- ing good for all kinds of fluxes, either of blood or humours; when ripe, it is pleasant and grateful to the stomach, pro- moting digestion, and preventing the too hasty passage of the food out of the bowels ; and is commended in fevers attended with diarrhoea. They may be kept all the year, if dried before they are mellow, and may be used in decoctions for the said purpose, either to drink, or bathe the parts reauiring it; and are profitably used in that man- ner to stay the bleeding of wounds, and of the morth o nose, to be applied to the forehead, and nape of the neck. SHEPHERDS NEEDLE (COMMON.)— (^/Scarw^w: Pecten Veneris.) Jkeerip, — This has a long, slender, white root, hung with a few slight fibres : the leaves are small, and supported on short foo/stalks ; they are finely divided, aud their colour ji of a very dark green. The stalks are numerous, green, branched, a foot high. The leaves stand irregularly on S3i OULPBFBR'S OOMPLBTE HBRBAU them, like those from the root; but they are smaller. The flowers are moderately large, and grow in umbels like those of hemlock chervil; tney are white, with very little smelL Place, — It is common in corn-fields. Time. — It flowers in August. Oovernment and Virtues. — This is under Venus. When taken as a medicine, it operates by urine, and is good against obstructions of the viscera. SHEPHEED'S NEEDLE (ROVQR.y^Chafropht/Uum Temulentum.) Called also Hemlock-CherviL Descrip. — This ^ows from a long, slender, white fibrous root, witn finely divided leaves, which are deeply serrated, of a pale green. The stalk is round, upright, green, and a yard high. The flowers grow in little umbels on the tope of the branches, surrounded by slender leaves, forming a kind of cup. The seeds are small, brown, and striated. Place. — It is common in hedges, on ditch banks, and in gardens. Time. — It is an annual, and flowers in May. Oovernment and Virtues. — It is under Venus, and should be gathered when that planet is in exaltation. It is hot and dry, comforting the nead and stomach, and helping ver- tiginous disorders. It is likewise a good deobstruent, open- ing obstructions of the womb, and procuring the catamenia. SHEPHERD'S l^VBJaE.-{Capsella Bursa Pastarit.) Descrip. — The root is small, white, and perishes yearly. The leaves are small and long, of a pale green colour, and deeply cut in on both sides, among which spring up a stalk which is small and round, containing small seed upon it even to the top. The flowers are very small and white ; after which come the little cases which hold the seeds, which a|p flat, almost in the form of a heart. P/oce.— They frequent the path-ways of this country. Time. — They flower all the summer , dome twice a year. Oovernment and Virtues. — It is uurhr the dominion of Saturn, and of a cold, dry, binding nature. It helps all fluxes of blood, caused by either inward or outward wounds; as also flux of the belly, and bloody-flux, spitting and void- ing of blood, and stops the terms in wonjen ; if bound to the wrists, or the soles of the feet, it helps the jaundice. The herb coade into poultice, helps inflammation and St. Antho oulpkpkr's cokpleti herbal. .^33 ny'fc dre. The juice dropped into the ears, heals the painu, noise, aud matterings tnereof. A good ointment may be made of it for all wounds, especially wounds in the head. SHEPHERD'S ROD.— ( Dipsacus PUosus,) Descrip. — This grows with a fleshy, thick, and somewhat hairy stock. The bottom leaves are large and rough, and grow with thick footstalks, from whence arise two smaller leaves. The upper leaves have a beautiful appearance, of a fine green, and deeply serrated. The flowers are of a gold {rellow, and followed by heads of a green and purple co- our, stuck round with prickles of a very tenacious sub- stance. In some counties they call it Small Wild Teazle, and sometimes it is found with white flowera Plctce, — It is a biennial, frequently found in hedges. Time. — It flowers in August. Government and Virtues. — It is a plant of Mars. The root is bitter, given in a strong infusion strengthens the atomach, and creates an appetite ; it is also good against obstructions of the liver, and the jaundice. SICKLE- WORT.— (Diapenticu) Descrip. — This plant has a small, stringy, fibrous root, from which rise the leaves on long footstalks ; they are five-cornered, resembling somewhat those of the lesser ma- le, and are serrated about the edges, of a dark green co- our, smooth, and shining : its stalks grow about a foot high, bare of leaves to the top, on which grow little um- bels of five-leaved white flowers, small, and full of stami- na ; each flower is succeeded by two rough bur-like seeds. Place, — It grows in woods aud thickets. TSme. — It flowers in May. The leaves are used. Government and Virtues, — This is one of our prime vul- nerary plants, and is frequently put in wound-arinks, and traumatic apozems ; and is good for rupture% inward bruises, spitting of blood, or any hemorrhages, and for wounds both inward and outward. It is under Yenus 81LYERWEED,^( PotentUla Anserina,) Descrip. — The root is large, stringy, and full of fibres* ■ending out pretty large, yellowish, green winged leaves, divided into several deeply serrated segments set opposite to one another, with one cut into three parts at the end, qI a pleasant grateful sceot. The stalks rise about two feet Ic 1S4 oulpspbr's oompistb herbal. uigh, and on the tops are placed the flowers. They are very large and beautiful, composed of five petals of a rc^mdish figure, not dented at the tops; and are of a most beautiful shining yellow ; in the middle of each there is a tuft of threads with yellow buttons, but smaller than in cinguefoil, and of a paler yellow. PJdce, — It is common by road-sides, and in low pastures. Time. — It flowers in June. Oovemnient and Virtues. — This plant is under Venus, mnd deserves to be universally known in medicine. It is of the nature of tansy. The leaves are mildly restringent; dried, and given in powder they cure agues and intermit- ments; the usual dose is a table-spoonful of the powder every three or four hours. The roots are more astringent than the leaves, and may be given in powder, in doses of a scruple or more in obstinate purgings, attended with bloody stools, and immoderate menses. An infusion of the leaves stops the bleeding of the piles; and, sweetened with a little honey, it is an excellent gargle for sore throats. SIMSON (BLUE.)— (jEW^eron Acre.) Called also Sweet Fleabane. Deicrip. — The flowers stand separate, one above ano- ther, alternately ; they grow in a cyliDdric cup, with awl- shaped scales, placed erect, aod the rays are narrow. The leaves are a dull green, and grow on a ruddy, firm, dry stalk. The flowers are of a purplish blue, and never spread wide open, but the rays always stand open. Place, — This is a perennial ; native of our high dry grounds ; a strange plant that appears twice a year, and wears two different aspects. Time. — In April we see it weak, lying on the ground, and scarce six inches high : in August and September it flowers a second time, and is then robust, upright, about ten inches high, and carries larger flowers. Qovemment and Virtues. — Mars governs this plant. It is a sharp acrid plant It is a rem^y for disorders of the breast, if they arise from tough phlegm. Yet it is one of those things that should be cautiously tampered with. SKIERET.— (^SttwTi Sisarum.) Deserip. — The root is composed of numerous, oblong, tu- berous pieces, brownish on the outside, white within, and of a pleasant flower. The stalk is striated, firm, branched. OXTLPKPXR's OOMPLITK HBRBAL. SSS a foot and a half high. The leaves are pinnated, nerrated, ah arp- pointed, and of a pleasant green. The flowers are white ; and, toward the evening, they have a light fra- grance. The seeds are small and brown. Place. — It is a native of Spain, but is cultivated in our gardens for the root, which is pleasant and wholesome. Time. — It flowers here in June and July. Oavemment and Virtues. — It is under Venus. The root is opening, diuretic, and cleansing, useful in opening ob- structions of the reins and bladder, and frees them from slimy phlegm. It is serviceable against dropsy, by causing §reat plenty of urine, helps the jaundice, and liver disor- ers. The young shoots are pleasant and wholesome food, of a cleasing nature, and easy digestion, provoking urine. SLOE BUSH.— (Prunw Spinosa,) Callko also Black Thorn. Descrip. — This is a bush, whose tough branches are hard sharp thorns, sending forth white five- leaved flowers early in the spring, before the leaves appear, which are small and oblong, finely dented on the edges. The flowers are succeeded by small round fruit growing on short stalks, green at first, but when ripe of a fine purplish black co- lour, of a sour austere taste, and not fit to be eaten until mellowed by the frost. Place. — It grows every where in the hedges. Oovemment and Virtiies. — This is a Saturnine plant. The fruit is chiefly used, and is restringent and binding, gooik for all kinds of fluxes and hemorrhages. It is serviceable in washes for sore mouth and gums, to fasten loose teeth, &c. A handful of the flowers infused, is an easy purge ; and, if taken in wine and water, is excellent to dispel windy colic. The bark reduced to powder, and taken in doses of two drama, has cured agues. The juice expressed from the unripe fruit is a very good remedy for fluxes of the bow- els ; it may be reduced by a gentle boiling to a solid cou- tistence, in which state it will keep the year round. SMALLAGE. — (Apium GraveoUmt.) Detcrip. — The roots are about a finger thick, wrinkled, and sinking deep in the earth, of a white colour, from which aprixig many winged leaves, of a yellow colour, each single leaf is three square ; the stalks rise about three feet high, •mooth ohanoellt»d, rather angular, and very much bran<'li- ;I36 OULPEPBB'S COMPLBTB RSRBAL. ed; at the division of the brauches, come forth umbels of small yellow flowers, followed by smaller seeds, paler and hotter. The whole plant has a strong ungrateful flavour. Place, — It grows in marshy, watery places. Time. — It flowers and ripens seed in the summer months. Oovernment and Virtues. — It is under Mercury. The roots are diuretic, effectual for the stoppage of urine, and the stone and gravel ; they open obstructions of the liver and spleen; help the dropsy and jaundice, and remove fe- male obstructions. The leaves are of the same nature, and eaten in the spring, sweeten and purify the blood, and help the scurvy : the seed is hot and carminative. The roots, leaves, and seed, are used. SNEEZEWORT.— (^cAiZ^M Ftcurmica,) Callbd also Bastard Pellitory. Descrip. — This has a perennial, long, slender, and fibrous root. The stems are a little angular, upright, woolly and branched, two feet high, having long narrow leaves, finely serrated about the edges, growing on them without any order ; the flowers grow umbel-fashion on the tops of the stalks, and consist of a border of white petala, set about a tistular thrum; they are larger than the flowers of yarrow. Place.^it grows in moist meadows and watery places. Time. — It dowers in July. Virtues. — It has a hot biting taste, and in salads is used to correct the coldness of other herbs. The root held in the mouth helps the tooth-ache, by evacuating the rheum ; the powder of the herb snuffed up the nose, causes sneez- ing, and cleanses the head of tough slimy humours. SOAPWORT.--(*S'aponana Officinalis,) Callbd also Bruisewort Descrip, — It is a species of Lychnis, having many creejv ing roots arising from a thick woody head ; it sends forth reddish stalks about a foot high, full of knots, which are encompassed by the broad footstalks of the leaves ; these are smooth, of a pale green colour, broad and sharp-point- ed, about two inches long, with three pretty high veins on their b&ck. The flowers grow on the tops of the stalks, large, of a pale purple colour, each made of five large round- pointed leaves, set in a smooth long calyx; the seed is small and round, growing in long roundish seed-vessels. Place, — It grows in wateiy placet, and near riven. oulpbpeb'8 complete herbal. 38IT Time, — It flowers in June. Oovtmment and Virtues. — Venus owns this plant. The whole plant is bitter; bruised and agitated witn water, it raises a lather like soap, which easily washes greasy spots out of clothes ; a decoction of it, applied externally, cures the itch« It cures gonorrhoea, by taking the inspissated juice of it to the amount of hall an ounce daily. SO'LANVM..—(Atropa Belladonna,) Called also Dwale, Solanum Lethale, S. Maniacum. Descrip. — This is the largest of the Nightshades, having many thick, long, spreading roots, that shoot forth many tall angular stalks, to a man's height or more, beset with dull green leaves, larvrer than common Nightshade. The flowers are set on among the leaves, singly on long foot- stalks, and are large, hollow, and bell-fashioned, divided into six segments at the ends, of a dusky brown, greenish colour on the outside, and purplish within ; succeeded by large, round, shining, blact berries, the size of cherries, set on a brownish calyx, which contain a purplish juicy pulp of a nauseous sweet taste, full of small flat seeds. Place. — It ^rrows not unf requently in many parts of thii eountry, but it is a native of America. Time, — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — Experience has proved this to be one of the deadly poisons that nature produces. It has a very beautiful apj)earance, but should be kept out the way of children and others who may be attracted by it. SOLANUM (BERRY BEARING.)— (^o/anwrn Bacciferum.) Deterip. — The roots of this her'h creep along the surface of the earth, are slender, and of a brown colour, shooting up, here and there, round ttalks about a foot high, with four, though sometimes five or six leaves, which are broad ana roundish, narrowest next the stalk, and ending in a sharp point; from arooni? these a slender stalk arises two or three mches high, bearing a flower, composed of four green leaves, with as many narrow ones under them, of the same colour, with several stamina among them ; in the middle grows a round black berry, the siz«* of a graf)e, of an insipid taste. Place. — It is found in eood soil in moist shady woods. Time.~li flowers in May, and the berry ri|>ens in July. Oovemment and Virtues.— It is under the dominion of 8atam. It iji not poisonous, but is an excellent oouiHer- 888 cul^eper's complete herbal. poison, and an alexipharmic, good in malignant and pesti- lential fevers. The roots boiled in wine help the colic, and the leaves applied outwardly repress inflammations and tumours, especially in the scrotum and testicles, and ripen pestilential tumours. SOLDIEK (COMMON WATER.)-(Strat(ntesAl(ndet,) Descrip. — The root is composed of several long, thick, white fiores, with tufted ends ; they are naked n*om the bottom to the top, but just at the extremity they have se- reral small, short filaments, which spread every way. From this root rise numerous leaves of a singular figure ; they are long and narrow, thickest and broadest at the base, and sharp at the point : they are fieshy, firm, of a deep green purple, and armed with slight prickles along the edges. The stalks rise among these, and are naked, round, thick, and of a pale green. The flowers are large and white, with a pretty tuft of yellow threads in the middle. place, — It swims in the water, and is common in the fen countries, as the Isle of Ely, and elsewhere. Time, — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is a cold watery plant, un- der the Moon in the celestial sign of Piscea Externally used, it is cooling and repellant. It is a specific against the king's-evil and scrofulous swellings, both taken in- wardly, and applied outwardly. It is said likewise to pro- voke urine, ana to be useful in hysteric disorders. SOLOMON'S ^EA\j,--( Polygonatum Multifiorum,) (Couvallaria Midtifiora.) Deecrip. — This rises with a stalk half a yard high, bow- ing down to the ground, set with single leaves one above another, somewhat large, with a blueish eye upon the green, some with ribs, and yellowish underneath. At the foot of -every leaf, almost from the bottom to the top of the stalk, come forth small, long, white, and hollow pendulous leaves, with long points, for the most part together, at the end of a long footstalk, and sometimes but one, and some- times two stalks, with flowers at the foot of a leaf, which are without any scent at all, and stand on one side of the stalk. After they are past, come in their places small round ber- ries, great at first, and blackish green, tending to blueness when they are ripe, wherein are small, white, hard, and ^tony seeds. The root is a finger or thumb thick, white Ad knotted In some places, a flat round circle repreoent- OirLPEPEB*8 OOMPLBTl HKBBAL. 839 li*g a seal, whereof it took its name, lying all along with the up|>er crust of the earth, and not growing downward, but with many tihres underneath. P'ac^ — it is frequent in ditferent parts of England. Time,—lX. fl >wer8 in May ; the root abides and shoots a-new every year. Oovemtnent and Virtues. — Satam owns the plant. The root is available for wounds, hurts, and outward sores, to heal and close up those that are green, and to dry and re- strain the flux of humours of old ones. It stays vomitings, bleedings, and fluxes in man or woman. It stays joints that do not remain firm when set, and broken bones in any part of the body, if the roots be bruised and applied. Th., decoction of the root8 bruised in wine or other drink, after a night's infusion, strained and drank, helps both man and beast whose bones have been broken ; it aloo helps rup- tures, if drank or applied outwardly to the place affected. The powdered root in broth acts the same. It dispels con- gealed blood that comes of blows, bruises, &c., also takes away both the pains and black and bl.i marks that come from the same cause. The distilled water of the whole plant takesHway morphew, freckles &c« from any part of the body SORREL (COMMON.)— ('^umcjr Acetota.) Detcrip. — The leaves are smooth, succulent, and tender, long and sharp- pointed, ending next the footstalk in two sharp ears like spinach, of a very sour taste ; the stalk is long and slender, set with two or three smaller leaves, and at the top a long reddish spike of small staminous flowers, •uccee.-~(I^ardostach7/s Jatamanei.) Virtues, — This is a native of India, of a heating, drying faculty, good to provoke urine and ease pains of the stone in the reins and kidneys, being drunk in cold water. It helps loathinus, swellings or gnawing in the stomach, the jaundice, and such as are liver-grown. It is a good ingre- dient in Mithridate, and other antidotes against poison; to pregnant women it is forbidden to be taken inwardly. The oil is good to warm cold places, and to digest crude and OTTLnniR'B OOlTPLVrE HKBBAL. S4T .mw hurooara : it works powerfullj oo old cold griefs of the head aod brain, stomach, liver, spleen, reins, and bladder. It purges the brain of rheum, being snutfed up the nos- trils. It comforts the braina, and helps cold pains in the head, and the shaking palsy. Two or three spoonfuls, if taken, help passions of the heart, swoonings, and the colic: and bein^ ma'LEAVED.)-'( Euphorbia Fori- landicay) (Euphorbia PlatyphylUi,) Deserip, — This does not rise so high, nor are the leaves ■0 broad as some, but they are longer, not dented on the edges; it spreads itself at the top like a tree ; the leaves are very green, and the flowers are white. SPURGE (COBN.)'^( Euphorbia Segetalu.) Deserip,— Th\9 has numerous thick blueish green leaves without footstalks ; they are long and narrow, and stand up almost straight The stalks are round, thick, green, or sometimes radish, and spead at the top like the others, but the flowers are small and green, and have a pretty appearance at the tops of the stalks. Place, — It is freouently observed about Cambridge. Oovemment and virtues, — Spurges are mercurial plants, and abound with a hot and acrid juice, which, when ap- plied outwardly, eats away warts and other excresences. ' SPUEGE (DWARJ*.)— C.%)AorWa Exigua, Z)6«cn».— This has a less root than the Petty Spurge, and sends, forth many stalks not much branched, about a foot high, thick-set with long narrow leaves like toad-flax, but rounder pointed : the tops of the stalks are divided into several partitions like umbels, with hollow cup-like leaves pierced through the stalks of the flowers, which are small and yellow ; the seed-vessel is three-square. Plaae. — A native of France, but it grows in our gardens. Virtues. — ^The virtues are same as the former, a strong aud violent cathartic and emetic, but now out of use. CVLPEFBB'B COMPLBTB HERBAXk 349 SPURGE (GARDEN. )-riS^pAorWa Hortente.) Descrip. — This grows with a thick reddish stalk, beset irith loug aod narrow blueish green leaves, and so contin- ues, without running into branches, till the next year, when it rises three or four feet high, with many branchet toward the top; on which, at every division, grow broad* er and somewhat triangular leaves, set on without foot- stalks ; the flowers are small and yellow, standing In round hollow leaves, which encompass the stalk like a cup, and these are followed by three square seed-vessels, con- taining three oblong seeds. The whole plant is so full of milk, that if you cut off a branch, it will run out by drops in some quantity, which milk is of a hot fiery burning taste, inflaming the mouth and throat for a great while. Place, — It grows in gardens, where it springs of its own sowing, dying after it has brought its seed to perfection. Virtues, — This is much of the nature of the foregoing plant, but is rather stronger and more violent in its oper- ation. The milk is good to take away warts. SPURGE (GREATER)— CJE'ttpAor6ia Major,) Ducrip. — This plant grows as tall as a little tree, with a smooth jointed hollow stalk, about a finger thick, cover- ed with a glacuous mealiness. The leaves are lar^ round' ish, but cut into five, seven, or sometimes nine sharp- pointed, and serrated divisions ; the footstalks are long, in the centre of the back part of the leaves. The flowers are small and staminous, growing on the top of the stalks; but lower down, and upon the body of the plant, grow bunches of rough triangular husks, each including three white seeds less than horse-l>eans, which, in their brittle ■hells, contain spotted kernels of a sweetish oily taste* place, — It grows in Essex, and other countiea 7Sme,—li flowers in August Virtuet. — The kernels, which are the only parts used, |yarge watery humours both upwards and downwards with great violence. The expressed oil from the seeds, is good to kill lice in children's neads. SPURGE (KNOrrY-ROOTED.)-/^i*pAorWa Bi/berna.) Descrip, — The stalks are numerous, weak, round, of a pale green, and a foot high ; the leaves are many, thick, 850 OULPBPXB'8 complite hsbbal. of a pale green : thej are not at all indented, and termin- ate in a round blunt end. The flowers are Hniall and yellow and form a kind of umbel at the tops of the branches. Plcuie. — This ia frequent in the corn-fields of Ireland. SPUKGE (OLIVE.)— (Z>apA7w Mezereum.) Descrip, — This is a low shrubby tree, with many flexi- ble branches, seldom growing above four or five feet high, shooting out clusters of flowers, all round the upper parta of the branches, early in the spring, before the leaves ap- pear : they are of a pale purple, or peach colour, of a sin- gle tuberous leaf, cut into four segments at the end, of a pleasant, sweet smell; and are succeeded by small, longish round berries, of a red colour. The leaves grow thick to- gether on the tops of the twigs, two inches long, and scarce naif so broad at the end, where they are broadest. The root is full of branches, and runs deep in the earth PIAor6ia Portlandica,) Descrip. — This has fair green leaves, and the flowers are of a blueish green : in every other respect it resembles the other kinds already described. Flac€. — They are found upon the Island of Portland SPURGE (RED,y^{£upkorlna Charaeias.) Bescrip. — This has long, narrow, sharp-pointed ends \ they have short footstalks, and are smooth, of a dead green at first, but afterwards red : they are of a hard, firm sub- stance, and differ as much in that as colour from those of the preceding species. Towards the top the stalk divides in a number of branches, on which stand the flowers in umbels ; they are dmall, numerous, and of so deep a purple, that they appear nearly black. The seed is very large, and the whole plant becomes red, after standing some time. Place. — It is found wild in Staffordshire : and also on the mountains in the north of Ireland. Time. — It flowers in May. SPURGE (ROUGH YRVIT ED.) ^(Euphorbia Ven-ucosa.) Dcscrip. — The leaves stand irregularly ; and are broad, short, sharp- pointed, smooth, of a pale green, and some* what sermted at the edges. The flowers stand in small tufts at the top of the plant, they are a little round, of a yellowish green. The seed-vessel is roundish, large and rough, it is more conspicuous than in the other kinds, and haa been compared to a wait, the seeds are as large. SPURGE (SEA.)— {Euphorbia Faralias.) Descrtp. — This has a singular appearance ; the leaves encompass the stalk : and has. small trreeuish flowers at the top of the stalk ; the whole plant is perfectly smooth, and a blueish green colour, SPURGE (SVJ!f.)-(EupKorbia Eelioscopia.) De4crip.—The leaves are numerous, oblong, of an invert- oval tigure, and serrated at the edges : they have no foot- stalks, and are smallest at the base, when they are broad- er all the way to the end : their colour is blueish green. The flowers stand at tbe top of the stalk, in a broad spread- ing umbel ; they are of a yellowish green. S61 OULPEPER's COMPLBTK HIRBAL. P^oca.— This sort is often cultivated oo garden borders, and OD other cultivated grounds. Time, — It flowers in July and August SPURGE (WOOD.y-iEuphorbia Amygdaloidei,) Descrip. — The stalks are numerous and firm, they are thick, upright, and round, and have a reddish bark, and under that a green one ; they grow a yard high, and not branched, except where they spread at the top for flower- ing. The leaves are large and numerous ; they are lone, narrow, and soft to the touch ; their colour is a deep greyisn green, and they are hairy on the upper side, but more so underneath, and their middle rib is red toward the base. The flowers are greenish, small, and very numerous, they ftand at the top of the stalks on small divided branch es which spread into a kind of umbel, and which have at their insertions and divisions, shorter leaves than those on the stalks. The figure and disposition of the petals of the flower, form numerous crescents, insomuch, that the whole top in flower has a beautiful appearance. The whole plant is full of a caustic milky juice. Place, — This is frequent in woods and on heaths. Time, — It flowers in June. SQUILL.— (ASciZZa Maritima,) (S, Ornithogalvm,) Called also Sea Onion. Descrip. — This has a perennial root, consisting of a very large coated bulb, full of a thick slimy juice, and a large cluster of long, thick, white fibres, proceedinor from its base. The leaves are three or four inches broad, of a thick juicy substance, smooth on the surface, entire at the edfi:e& and of a fine brijfht green colour. The stem some- times grows to be three feet high, is round, slender, and of a tender succulent substaoce. The flowers grow in longish spikes, and they are small and white. P ac«.— -It is a native of the sea-coasts of Italy and Spain, but here it is found only in the gardens of the curious. Time, — It flowers here in the middle of summer. Government and Virtues. — This is a hot biting martial plant. The root is bitter to the taste, and so acrid as to blister the skin if it is much handled ; taken internally in doses of a few grains, it promotes the expectoration and urine; in larger doses it vomits, and sometimes purges. It is one of the most certain diuretics in dropsical cases, and CCLPXPKR's OOMPLBtS BXRBAI^ 85S expectorants in asthmtical ooea, where the lungs or sto- mach are oppressea by tough viecid phlegm, or injured bj the imprudent use of opiates. Being disagreeable in taste, it is given in the form of pill, made of the powdered root beaten into a mass, with the addition of syrup, or mucil- age of gum arabic. STAR- WORT (GARDEN.)— (ila^«r Hortense.) Descrip, — This grows to about a foot and a half high, with hairy leaves set on the branches, without order : to- ward the top it is divided into three or four branches, at the end of which j/rows a yellow flower like a marigold, but with a broader thrum and narrower petala ; close un- der each dower grow six or seven stiff roundish leaves, in form of a star, whence it takes its name ; the seed is ob- long, thin, and fiat, of a blackish colour: the root is small and fibrous, perishiui^ every year. Place.— it is a native of the southern part of £urope, and grows in this couotry only in gardens. Place. — It flowers iu July. Oovemmient and Vi-tiies. — This is under the dominion of Mercury. The leaves are only used, which are com- mended against buboes and swellings in the groin. STAJt-WORT (SEA.)-'{A8ter Tripoliurx,) {Tripolium Vulgare.) De^erip. — This grows spontaneously in the fields. It is a perennial; native of our damp grounds near the sea, and nt rivers; a handsome plant, of a yard high, with a rud- •rancheiJ stalk. The leaves are smooth, narrow, of a fine green. The flowers are numerous, large, and blue. Time. — They bloom in August Oovemment orM Virtue*. — This is under the dominion of Mercury. The leaves are cooling, and good for burns, •calds, and inflammations, in any part. The seed is nar- ootic and soporiferoua, and rarely used. A slight tincture or infusion of the plant promotes perspiration, and is good in feverish complaiuU. The juice boiled into a syrup with honey, is excel leut in asthmatical complainta, ana other disorders of the lungs ; and outwardly applied, is a cure for the itch, and other cutant'ous disorders. STAR- WORT (SPRING-WATER. )—(Ca//i:rri:cAtf Vema.) Descrip. — This ia like Fleaimue, but smaller. The root is small and fibrous ; the stalk is round, reddish, upright, S54 CrULPEPSR'S COMPLETE HKRBAL. and a foot high ; the leaves are long, narrow, and of a live- ly greeu ; the flowers staud at the tops of the braoches, which they termiuate, and are small and white. Place. — It is found in many oarts of England, but ■eems owing to seeds scattered and blown out of gardens. Time. — 1 his sort flowers in May. STAR-WOBT (AUTUMNAL W AH^B^y^iflaLlitriche AutumnaJis,) Detcrip. — This differs from the former only in the time of flowering and the colour of the flower, which is some^ times of a pale blue, sometimes purplish, just according to the accidents of the soil. Another of the species is found frequently in our salt-marshes with yellow flowers, but their shape and virtues are the same. Oovemmentand rirfi^e*.— These are under Mercury, but are seldom used ; however, it would be worth trying ; they are unpleasant, but are excellent pectorals. STAVES-ACRE.— (Z)«/pAtnwm JStaphisagricu) Called also Lousewort. Descrip. — This plant grows from a foot and a half to two feet high ; the lower leaves are large and round, divi- ded into seven sharp-pointed segments deeply cut in. The leaves grow on the stalk, which is round and somewhat downy, are less, but alike in shape. The flowers grow on the tops of the stalk, of a blue colour, each flower is sue- ceedea by three or four crooked pods which contain two or three large brown wrinkled angular seeds. Place. — A native of warm countries, but grows in gardens. Time.— it flowers in July. Ihe seed only is used. Virtue. — It is seldom taken inwardly, being of a hot burning taste. It is sometimes used in masticatories and f^argarisms for the tooth-ache. The powder is used to kill ice. The seed is given in small doses against rheumatic and venereal disonlers ; they roughly vomit and purge, and it is better to omit their use internally. Chewed in the mouth, they largely expel watery humours from adja- cent parts, and are of service in disorders of the head. STONE CTy.OF,-^{Sedum Acre.) Called also Prick Madam, Small Houseleek, and Wall Pepper. Descrip. — It grows with trailing branches on the ground, set with many thick, flat, roundish, whitiah green leaves, CT7LPEPEBB OOMPLKTS HSRBAL. 355 pointed at the euda. The flowers stand together loosely. The root« are Boiall, and run creeping under ground. Place, — It is found on stone and mud walls, upon th« tUe^ of houses, among rubbish, and in gravelly parts. T'im*.— It dowers in June and July, and the leaves are green all the winter. Oovemment and Virtues, — It is under the dominion of the Moon, cold in quality, and somewhat binding, very good to stay defluxions, especially such as fall on the eyes. It stops bleeding, both inwardly and outwardly, helps can- kers, and fretting sores and ulcer; it prevents diseases that arise from choleric humours, expels poison, resists pesti- lential fevers, and is good for tertian agues; the decoction answers the same purposes. It is a harmless herb, bruis- ed and applied to the place, it helps king's-evil, and other knots or kernels in the flesh: as also the piles, but it should be used with caution. The juice taken inwardly excites vomiting. In scorbutic cases, and quartan agues, it is a most excellent medicine, under proper management. STORAX TREK-^Liquidambar Styracifiua.) Detcrx'p. — This tree grows like the Quince tree both in size and form ; the leaves are long and round, white un- derneath and stiff. The flowern stand both at the joints with leaves, and at the ends of the branches, and consist of 6ve or six white ones, with some threads in the middle, after which come berries set in the cups that were flowers l)«fore, pointed at the ends, and hoary all over, each on a long footstalk, containing within them certain kernels in small shells, and yields a clear fragrant gum of the colour of brci^n honey. Another kind has three or 6ve broad leaves, which come forth out of knots from a round root, covered with a crested, or jointed luirk, standing on small blackish long ttalUs, divided into three or five parts, full of veins, dented about the edges, and pointed at the ends. A third sort is called the lied Storax. /*/ac«.— The first grows in France, and Italy, Candy, Greece, and Turkey, where it yields no gum ; but in Sy- ria, Cilicia, Paniphylia,Cyprus,and those hotter countries, it thrives considerably. Time- It flowers in spring, yields fruit in September. Oovemment and Virtues. — This is a S<:)lar plant, and only the gum is used. It is hot in the second dei^ree, and dry in the first It heals, mollifies, and digests, rvnd is good 856 oitlpepsb'b complbtk herbal. for coaghsy catarrhs, distillatious of rheum and hoarsenesfii Pills made with a little turpentine, gently loosens the bel' ly. It resists cold poisons. Dropped into the ears, it helps the singing and noise in them. STRAWBERRIES.-Y/Va^a^-ta Vesca,) This plant is so well known that it needs no description. Place, — It grows in woods, and is planted in gardens. Time. — It flowers in May, the fmit ripens soon after. Oovemment and VirtiLes, — Venus owns the herb. The fruit when green, is cool and dry; but when ripe cool and moist; the berries cool the liver, the blood, and the spleen, or a hot choleric stomach ; refresh and comfort f am ting spirits and quench thirst; they are good for inflammations, yet it is best to refrain from them in a fever, lest by their putrefying in the stomach, they increase the fits. The roots and leaves boiled in wine and water, and drank, cool the liver and blood, and assuage all inflammations in the reins and bladder, provoke urine, and allay their heat and sharp- nesa The same if drank, stays the bloody flux and wo- mens' courses, and helps the swelling of the spleen. The water of the berries carefully distilled, is a remedy and cordial in the panting and beating of the heart, and good for the jaundice, ^e juice dropped into foul ulcers, or washed therewith, or the decoction of the herb and root, cleanses and helps to cure them. Lotions and gargles for sore mouths, or ulcers therein, or in the privy parts or elsewhere, are made with the leaves and roots thereof ; it is also good to fasten loose teeth, and to heal spongy gums. It helps to stay catarrhs, or defluzious of rheum in the mouth, throat, teeth, or eyes. The juice or water is sin- gularly good for hot or in^amed eyes, if dropped into them, or they bathed therewith. STRAWBERRY CmqVETOlL.--'(Potentilla Fraga- riastrum,) (Fragaria Sterilit.) Detcrip. — The root is large, reddish, and woody, divided at the the top into several heads, and has a few fibres. The footstalks of the leaves are four inches long, tender, and hairy. The leaves are broad, oblong, hairy, serrated, and not unlike those of strawberry, but less, of the winged kind, not fingered as in the ordinary Cinquefoils. The stalk is rouu(^ firm, erect, about two and a half feet high The flowers are numero"% large, and white. They stand at culpeper's complete hebbau 367 the tops of the branches, socceeded each by a cluster of seeds, resembling a strawberry, whence the name. Place, — It grows wild in Cumberland and Wales. Time. — It nowers in May and June. ChvernmerU and Virtues. — It is under Jupiter. The root pooocoBoe a considerable astringency, and is excellent in the orerflowing of the menses, and in bloody stoola The best way of giving it is in powder, its dose is a scruple. The young leaves m an infusion are diuretic. It is good in intermittant fevera SUCCORY (GARDEN.)— (CicAoriMm Sativum,) Descrip. — This has longer and narrower leaves than the Endive, and more cut on the edges, the root abides many years. It bears blue flowers, and the seed is hardly dis- tinguishable from the seed of ordinary Endive, SUCCORY (WILD.)— (CicAorium IrUylnu.) Detcrip. — The difference between this and the garden kind is, its growing wild, and not rising on the ground, much cut in on both the edges, even to the middle rib, endiniif in a point; sometimes it has a rib down to the mid- dle of the leaves, from among which rises up a round, hard, woody stalk, spreading into many branches, set with ■mailer and lessor divided leaves on them up to the tops, where stand the flowers, which are like the garden kind, and the seed is also ; the root is white, but more woody and hard than the garden kind. The whole plant is ex- ceedingly bitter. Place. — It grows in many parts of England, in waste, nntilled and barren fields. The other only in gardens. Oavernment and Virtues, — It is under Jupiter. Thegar^ den kind, as it is more dry and less cold than Endive, so it opens more. A handful of the leaves or roots, boiled in wine or water, and drank fasting, drives forth choleric and phlegmatic humours, opens obstructions of the liver, gall, and spleen, helps the jaundice, the heat of the reins, and of urine. A decoction made of the wine, and drank, is ef- fectual against lingering agues; and a dram of the seed in powder, drank in wine, before the fit of ague, helps to drive it away. The distilled water of the herb and flow- ers has the like properties, and is good for hot stomachs, and in agues, either pestiieutial or of long continuance ; foi swooning and passious of the heart, for neat and h#«»4- 858 OlTLPXPEBl COMPLETI RSBBAJL ache in children, and for the blood and liver. The water, or the juice, or the braised leaves applied outwardly, al- lays swellings, inflammations, St. Anthoo/s fire, pudhes, wheals and pimples, especially used with a little viuegar; as also to wash pestiferous sores. The water is effectual also for sore eyes that are inflamed, for nurses' breasts that are pained by the abundance of milk. SUCCOEY (YELLOW.)— ("CicAortttm Hieracioides.) Detcrip. — This has a thick taper root, brown on the outside, and white within, full of bitter milk. It grows deep in the ground ; the lower leaves resemble those of the dandelion in shape, and tooth-like sectious ; but they are larger and hairy ; the stalk rises about a yard high, striated, hairy, and angular, with leaves set on without footstalks, almost encompassing the stalk, being sharp- pointed at the end. Among these grow the flowers, set on close to the stalk several together, of a fine gold yellow, composed of several rows of flat petala indented at the ends : the seed is brown and longish, and grows not in down like the seed of the Dandelion. Pf ace.— It is planted in gardens. THme. — It flowers in June. Oovemment and Virttiss.— It is under Jupiter, and is aperative and diuretic, opening obstructions of the liver, and is good for the iaunaice: the seed partakes of the same virtues, in a lower degree; it is also good to destroy worms. The rooty leaves, flowers, and seed, are used. 8\mACR,— (Rhus Cotinut.) Detcrip, — The root is large, long, divided, and woody. The stem is shrubby, thick, and covered with a brown rough bark ; it is divided into several branches, the bark of which is of a lighter colour, set with thorns. The leaves are winged ; they grow in pairs, are notched round the edges, attached to the middle rib, and terminated by an odd one; their colour is dark green. The flowers are pro- duced in spikes at the extremities ; these spikes are long, thick, and woolly, and the flowers are small and purple. Pfojce. — It is a native of the wanner climates, but we have it in our gardens. Time, — It flowers in the summer months. Oovemment and Virtttes, — It is under the dominion of Jupiter. The seeds dried, reduced to powder and taken ottlpxpeb's complete hssbau 859 Id sidaII doaea, stop pur^uga and hemorrha:.re8, the joune sboou have great etficacy in atreugtheuing the atoraach aud bowels, if taken iu a strong infusion The bark of the roots haa the same virtues, but iu an inferior degree. SUN DEW .—( Droaera Anglica.) Detcrip, — It has small, round, hollow leaves, somewhat greenish, but full of red haira, which make them look very red, every one standing upon its own footstalk, reddish, and hairy likewise. The leaves are continually moist in the hottest day, yea, the hotter the sun shines, the moist- er they are, the small hairs always holding this moisture. Among these leaves rise up slender stalks, reddish also, three or four tiugers high, bearing small whitish knobs one above another, these are flowers, which afterwards con- tain small seed. The root is a few small hairs. Place. - It grows usually in bogs and wet places, and sometimes in moist woods. Time.—\\. flowers in June, and then the leaves are fit- test to be gathered. Oovemment and Virtues. — The Sun rules it, and it !■ onder the sign Cancer. The leaves, bruised and applied to the skin, erode it, and bring out such inflammations as are not easily removed. The juice destroys warts and corns, if a little be frequently put upon them. SW ALLOW 'WORT.'-(Asclepias Syriaca,) Deaerip. — The roots are slender and stringy, spreading much in the ground, sending up many tough stalks, aI>out two feet high, very slender, set opposite to one another, on very short footstalks, round at the base, an inch and a half broad at the widest part, and about three inches long, growiDi^ narrower, and snarp- pointed; on the tops of the stalks come forth small bunches of Ave- leaved star- fashion white flowers ; each of them in warm countries where it is natnml, is succee^led by two long slender pods, which Contain small flat need, lying among a silky down. place. — ll jzrows with us only in gardens. Time. — It flowers in June. Oaoemment and Virtues. — Jupiterowns this plant. The root, which is the only part used, is a counter- poison, both against the bad eifects of |x>isonous herbs, and the bites and stings of venomous creatures ; it is helpful against malignant pestilential fevers, which it carries off by sweat; it is likewise good against the dropsy and Jaundioe. 860 culpbpbb's gomplets rebbal^ SYCAMORE TB£:E.— (Acer Fseudo-platantu.) Deacrip. — There are two sorts of this tree, the one bear- ing fruit out of the body and erreater arms of the tree only, the other upon stalks without leaves. The first grows larger than the mulberry-tree, with round long leaves, \>oiuted at the ends, and dented about the edges; it bears fruit, but no flower, differing in that from all other trees. The whole tree abounds with milk. The root is solid and black, and abides fresh long after it is felled. The other, which is called the Sycamore of Cyprus, grows as tall as a plum tree, with broad and somewhat round leaves. Pldce, — The first grows chiefly in Egypt, Syria, and Arabia, and the other in Cyprus, Cari^ Rhodes, &c. Oovemment and Virtuet. — They are under the particu- lar influence of Venua The fruit makes the belly soluble, but by its over-much moisture troubles the stomach and ffives little nourishment. The milk taken from the tree, by gently piercing the bark, afterwards dried and made Into troches, softens and dissolves tumours, and solders and closes together the lips of green wounds. The £ruit| being applied as a plaster, has the same effect. TAMARISK-TREE.— (^ramorur Ocdlioa.) Descrip. — This never grows to any great size in Eng- land, though in its native country it does, with a brown rough dark bark. The younger branches are a chestnut solour, clothed with fine tender green leaves, thinner and finer than those of cypress; the flowers grow in rough spikes at the ends of the younger shoots, about an inch long, se- veral spikes growing together, each consisting of a great many small, five-leaved, pale red flowers, which are suc- ceeded by very small seed, included in a downy substance. PUice. — It is planted only in gardens in England, its native pl^fcce is Spain, and the southern parts of France The wood, bark, and leaves are used. Time, — It flowers about the end of May, or in Jane ; and the seed is ripe in the beginning of September. Oovemment ana VirttLes,—ThiB a Saturnine herb. The root, leaves, young branches, or bark boiled in wine, and drank, stays the bleeding of the hemorrhoidal veins, the spitting of blood, the too abounding of womens* courses, the jaundice, the colic, and the bites of venomous serpents; outwardly applied, it is powerful against the hardness r4 oulpxpxr's oomplitb herbal. SOI the spleen, the tooth ache, pains in the ears, red and water- ing eyes. The decoction, with some honey added, is^ood to stay gangrenes and fretting ulcers, and to wash those that are subject to nits and lice. Its ashes heal bums and scalda It helps the dropsy, arising from the hardness of the spleen, ana therefore to drink out of cups made of the wood is good for splenetic persons. It is helpful for me- lancholy, and the black jaundice that arises tnerefrom. TANSY {C01AU0^,)—(Tannacetum Vulgare.) Ihterip. — The leaves are of a bright and pleasant green, and a very fra^i^rant smell, not coarse as that of the garden Tansy, but a pleasant aromatic. The stalk grows upright, branchy, of a light green, and a yard high; the flowers are large, of a bright yellow. The leaves are winged, the small ones deeply cut in; and the root is of a dark brown colour. Place,— Thi% sort is most frequently found wild on high grounds, and dry pastures. It is a perennial Time, — It blooms in July and August. Oovemmentand Virtues. — This is under Venus. It is an agreeable bitter, a carminative, and a destroyer of worms, for which a powder of the flowers should be taken from six to twelve grains at night and morning. Care is re- quired in collecting them, to obtain their virtue. Clip ofl" a quantity of Tansy-flowers, before they are over- blown, close to the stalk. This must be done in the middle of a dry day ; spread them on the bottom of a hair-sieve turn- ed upside down ; shake them often about, and let the wind pan through them, but keep them from the sun, and thus you may have them always. The leaves only are used, \nd are astringent and vulnerary, good to stop all kinds of fluxes and preternatural evacuations, to dissolve congealed olood, to help those who are bruised by falls : outwardly it is used as a cosmetic, to take off freckles, sun-burn, and morphew ; as also in restringent gargarisms. The powder of the herb taken in some of the distilled water, helps the whites in women, but more especially if a little coral and ivory in powder be put to it. It helps children that have a rupture, if boiled in water and salt. If boiled in water and drank, it eases the griping pains of the bowels, and ia good for the sciatica and joint aches. The same boiled in ▼iiMgar, with honey and alum, and gargled in the mouth, • a l ea the tooth-ache, fastens loose teeth, helps the guma that are sore, settles the palate of the mouth to ita plaei^ 868 OVLFEPEB'S OOMPLXn RISBAU when it baa fallen down. The distilled water cleaofief th« skin of all discolouriugs, as mor{)how, sun-burns, pioiplea, freckles, &c. ; dropped inU) the ejea, or cloths wet therein and applied, takes away their heat and indammatiooa. TANSY (QAB,DEN.)—{Tannacetum Hortit.) Deacrip, — This is a low plant, which never rises up to stalk, but creeps upon the ground, emitting tibres from the joints, by which it roots in the earth, and spreads out much ; the leaves are made up of several pinnae set oppo- site, each about an inch long, and not half so broad, ser- rated about the edges, covered with a shining silver-co- loured down : the flowers grow at the joints, on long foot- stalks, of five leaves, like Cinquefoil. The root is slender, with many tibres of a dark brown colour. Pface, - It grows in gardens, and botanical plantations. Oovemment and Virtttes, — Venus owns this nerb, which when bruised and applied to the navel, stays miscarriages. It consumes phlegmatic humours which the cold and moist constitution of winter usually atfects the body with, and that was the first reason for eating Tansies in the spring. The decoction, or the juice drank m wine, is a remedy for all disorders that come by the stopping of urine, helps the strangury, and weak reins a:^d kidneys. It is profitable to to expel wind from the stomach, belly, and bowels, to pro- cure womens' courses, and expel windiuess in the matrix, if bruised and applied to the lower |>art of the belly. The herb fried with eggs, helps to digest and carry down- wards those bad humours that trouble the stomach. The seed or juice given in drink to children is effectual to cure worms. If boiled in oil, it is good for shrunken sin- ews, or when pained with cold, if applied thereto. TARE (VETCH COMMON BLACK. WJShmm iTir- stUuniy) ( Vicia Hirsuta.) Deacrip, — The stalks are angular, weak, and leaning, beset alternately at the joints with long leaves, with a ten- dril at their end, made of ten or a dozen small roundish pinnae, a little hollowed in, with a spinulaat the end: they are sometimes a little hairy. The flowers usually grow two together, upright, of a purple colour, followed by small flattish pods, containing three or four small black seeds. Place, — It is sown in the fields. Time. — It flowers in May, the seed is ripe in Augost «nd September. I ouLPim'f ooMPurri hs&iull. 961 Government and Virtitet. — It is ander the Moon in an airy figure. It is rarely used in medicine, but it isffiven in a decoction made of milk, to drive out the amall-poz and measles. TABJ^AQO'S.^Artemina Dracunculut.) Detcrip. — This has many round stalks full of branches, clothed with long narrow leaves, sharp-pointed, smooth, and Hhioing ; on the top of the stalks grow the flowers small and greenish, few in number, and thin set, on long footstalks. The leaves have a strong smell and taste. Plnce, — It is planted in gardens. Time, — It flowers in July and August. Oovemment and Virtue*. — The leaves, which are chiefly used, are heating and drying, and good for those that have the flux, or any preternatural discharge. It is a mild mar- tial plant. An infusion of the young tops increases the orinary discharge, and gently promotes the menses. TEA.— ("nca^oA^o,; (CameUia Bohea,) Descrip. — It has a woody spreading root, several slen- der branches, with numerous oblong leaves, flowers like thoee of the dog-rose, and a fruit composed of one, two, or three berries. Only one species is known, and the difler- ence there is when it comes to us proceeds from the soil, age, climate, method of collection, and curing. The pre- paration of the leaves consists in drying and roasting them over the fire in an iron pan, and rolling them, while hot, with the hand on a mat, till they become curled, it is then sent to this country in air-tight chests of tin and lead. Place, — It is a native of China and Japan, and is culti- ▼ated in ail the Eastern parts. Fir^M««.—Green Tea (Thea ViridieJ (Camdlia Vu ridity) is diuretic, and carries an agreeable roughness with it into the stomach, which gently astringes the fibres of that organ, and gives such a tone as is neces- sary for a good digestion : the Bohea is softening and nutritious, and proper in all inward decays. Strong tea is prejudicial to weak nerves, but is salutary for vio- lent hea4i-ache and sickness occasioned by inebriation. TEASEL (MANURED.)— C/>ip#aci« FiUlonum.) Callxd also Fuller's Thistle. Descrip. — This grows tall, with a stiflF, hard-furrowed, Ttry prickly stalk. Tht lower leaves are long, large, and S64 oulpkpkr's oomplbtb hebbal. ■harp-pointed, iDdented about the edges, smooth above, but with the middle rib of the upper part full of prickles. The leaves, which grow on the stalks, like a trough, catch the dew or rain which falls, and are likewise prickly un- demeath. The stalks are divided into several branches, bearing on their top large heads full of crooked prickly hooka, among whicn grow several purplish hollow dowers, each in a particular cell ; and after them come lougish, iquare, striated seed. The root is pretty large and whitish. Place,— It is cultivated in the field. Time. — It flowers in July. TEASEL (WlLD,)—(I>ipsacusSilvestru.) Deicrip. — This grows larger and higher than the former with the like stiff-crested and prickly stalk, especiallv in the upper part; the stalk is single, divided into branches ; the lower leaves are long, narrow, and prickly underneath. The leaves, which grow on the stalk, are joined together, encompassing the stalk, and catching the raio ; but it more particularly differs in the heads, which hare their prickles growing erect, not hooked like the former; and each head having at the bottom several stiff prickly radii growing in a circle; the flowers grow like the former, succeeded by the like seed. The root is thick, and full of fibres. Ylojce. — It grows upon banks in the borders of fielda Time. — It lowers m Juoe and July. Chvemment and Virtues, — The virtues of both Teasels are the same; the roots, which are the only p)arts used, are said to have a cleansing faculty. The water found in the hollow of the leaves is commended as a colly rium to cool inflammation of the eyes, and as a cosmetic to render the face fair. They are under the dominion of Venus. THISTLE (BLESSED.)— ((7arc?ttf« ^en«c?Mjri«.) Deicrip, — From asmall woody root, which perishes, after the seed is ripe, there rises several reddish hairy stalks, about two feet high, on which rise long hairy green leaves, cut in on both sides into several lacinise or jags, each ter- minating in a small harmless spinula. On the top of the stalks grow the flowers in round heads, encompassed with leaves smaller and shorter than those below, less jagged, lomewhat more prickly : they are yellow andfistular, stand- ing in scaly calices, each scale of which ends in a slender long spine, denticulated on both sidea The seed is longish, lound, and striated, of a brown colour, encompassed at the ovlpvpbr's complstb hsrbal. 365 top with & crown of stitf bristles, staDding out like the feathers of a shuttlecock. The whole plant is rery bitter. Place. — It is sown every year in gardens. T'lm*.— It flowers in June. Government arid Virtue*. — Mars rules this Thistle. It is cordial and sudorific, food for all sorts of malignant and pestilential fevers, and for agues of all kinds. It destroys worms in the stomach, and is good against all sorts of poison. THISTLE UPON THISTLE.— (Po^ycan/Aa Crupa,) Detcrip. — This has long thick roots with many fibres ; the leaves are long and narrow, of a deep green, divided at the edges, and very prickly ; the stalks are numerous, tough, upright, branched, and edged with sharp prickles ; the flowers stand on the tops of the branches in numerous heads, and they are of a pale red. Place, — It is common under edges. Time, — It flowers in July. THISTLE (DWARF MAY.)— (Po^ycan^Aa Acaidot.) Descrip, — In some placed it is called the Dwarf Carliue Thistle. It has a long and thick root, with many fibres ; the leaves lie spread upon the ground, long and large, set with sharp prickles ; the flowers grow low and large in the middle, scarcely rising from the ground, of a fine purple. place.— li is common in dry pastures in many of our •outhem counties, and likewise upon Blackheath. Time, — It flowers in July, THISTLE (LADY*8,y^Carduus Marianut,) (SUylrum liarianum, Descrip,^Th\M is a stately and beautiful plant. The root is long, and furnished with many fibres. The stalk is upright, firm, regularly branched, five feet high. The leaves ▼ery large, long, broad, irregularly notched at the edges, of a deep green, veined and variegated with blueish white. The flowers are Urge and purple, with prickly heads. Place, — It is common in open pastures and waste places. Time, — It flowers in July. THISTLE (LANCED GENTLE.)— (CHicwjZayMjeo^afto,) {Cirtium Lanceolatum,) Descrip. — It grows upright, from which it is denomina- ted a lance. T*he root is long and 8lender,but the stalk, though toft, ie tough, three feet high, not divided into 866 brauches. The leaves are greyish green, regularly notch- ed and sinuated at the edges. The stalk as well as the leaves is beset with many sharp prickles. The flower CTows in a stately mauuer single upon the top of the branches, and is of a beautiful blueish purple. Place, — It grows in damp ground. Time, — It flowers in July. THISTLE (MARSH.)— ((7nu?i« Pdtustria,) (Cirtium Palustre,) Descrip, — The root has tough brown fibres, with an up- right root, not much branched, seven feet high, usually of a brownish colour, tinged with purple, and very prickly. The leaves are broadish and long, of a deep green, set with thorns. The flowers stand at the tops of the stalks, six or eight together ; and they are of a deep purple. Place. — It is frequent in meadows in the Isle of Ely. Time, — It flowers in June. THISTLE (MUSK.)— (Carrfuia Nutans,) Detcrip. — The root is thick, long, and furnished with fibres. The stalk is five feet high, upright, of a brownish colour. The leaves are many, large, and divided at the edges, of a dusky colour, and beset with prickles. The flowei-8 are large and purple, and frequently there is one at the extremity of the stalk, which hangs drooping. Place. — It is frequent in damp pasturea. Time. — It flowers in June. THISTLE (SAINT BARNABY'S.)— (Carc/uiw SoUii^ tiaria Fiava,) Deecrip, —The root is long, slender, black, and has few fibres. The first leaves s])read circularly on the ground ; they are long, deeply divided, of a faint green. The stalk is tough, firm, upright, and two feet high : the leaves on it resemble those from the root ; and tney are of a faint green also. The flowers ptand in small prickly heads at the tops of the branches ; and they are of a beautiful yellow. Place, — We have it in dry pastures in some parts of England ; but it is not common. Time, — It flowers in June. THISTLE (SPEAR.)— (^wa'ea, Carduus Lanceolata,) Deecrip, — The root is long and has many fibres. The ■talk is upright, six feet high, very prickly, and divided into many branches. The leaves are long and large : theii cxji^eper'b complete herbal. 367 ecloar is a pale green, and they are deeply divided at the ed>re8 into pointed segments; and at the end are formed in the same manner, like the point of a spear. The flowers grow at the tops of the branches, and are large and purple. P/ ace,— li is common in waste grounds. TifM, — It flowers in July. THISTLE (STAR.)--iCeniaurea Calcitrapa.) Descrip. — This has narrow leaves lyinff next the ground, cut deeply on the edges, soft, a little woolly, green all over, among which rise up weak stalks parted into branches, all lying to the ground, so it seems a pretty bush, set with the same kind of leaves up to the tops, where severally stand small whitish green beads, set with sharp white pricks, which are somewhat yellowish; out of the middle whereof rises the flowers, composed of many small reddish purple threads ; and in the heads, after the flowers are past, come small whitish round seed lying down as the others do. The root is small, long, and woody, perishing every year, and rising again of its own sowing. Place. — It erows wild in the fields about London. Time. It flowers early, and seeds in July, and some- times in August. Virtuee. — The seed made into powder, and drank in wine, provokes urine, and helps to break the stone, and expel it. The root pwwdered, and taken in wine, is good against the plague and nestilence ; drank in the morning fasting, it is tery profltaole for a fistula in any part of the body. THISTLE ^KY.y-{CnicusArvensii,) {Cirsium Arvente,) {Serratvia Arvensis.) Detcrtp. — The root is white and creeping; the stalks are numerous, tough, of a pale KXeen, smooth, not much branched, and a yard high. The leaves are numerous, long, moderately broad, and of a strung green ; they are deeply and irregularly notched and siniiated on the edges, beuBet by long prickles. The flowers terminate the branches in numerous small heads, and are of a pale purple. place. — It is common in fields ana unaer hedges. Time, — It flowers in July. THISTLE (WELTED TAAY,)—{Carduut Acanthoides.) Deecrip, — The root is long, thick, and furnished with many fibres. The stalk is three feet high, with prickly membranes from the base of the leaves, of a duaky green. 868 ottlpeper's complete heebau The leaves are oblong, very broad, dented and sinnated at the edges, and very prickly. The flowers grow in small heads at the tops of the stalks, and among the upper leaves, and they are of a pale red. Place. — It is usually found on ditch-banks in loamy soils. Time,— It flowers in August. Oovemment and Virtues, — The Thistles in general are under Jupiter. Their medicinal properties are very few. They are celebrated by German physicians as stomachic and sudorific, but are not esteemed by our physicians. THISTLE (WILD CARLINE.)-((7ar^ina Vulgaris.) Descrip. — The root has numerous fibres connected to a large head. The stalk is upright, firm, branched towards the top, seven or eight feet high. The leaves are large, long, and very broad, of a fine deep green, and divided in the spear- pointed manner at the sides and ends. The flow- ers terminate the branches : they are very large, of a fine purple, and when quite open, have a grand appearance. Place, — It is common m our northern counties, and ia also found in the neighbourhood of Bristol. Time,— It flowers in July and August. THISTLE (WOOLLY.HEADED.H(7nun«.EHopAorM#.) Detcriv. — The root is fibrous. The stalk upright, thick, brancheo, and five feet high. The leaves are long, and ra- ther broad, beautifully divided, like Spear Thistles, but with more numerous and more regular segments. Their colour is deep green. The flowers grow at the tops of the branches in large woolly heads ; of a fine deep purple. Place, — It is found in our western counties, but is scarce. Time, — It flowers in August. THORN-APPLE.— (Z)flrfMra Stramonium.) Descrip, — It has a large divided and fibrcus root ; the stem is tnick, firm, upright, branched, and two or three feet high : the leaves are large, broad, sharp- pointed, sup- ported on short, firm leaf-stalks, a little indented at the edges, of a firmish texture, and a dark green colour. The flowers come out at the divisions of the stem and branches; large and white ; the seeds are many and kidney-shaped. P/ace, — It is a native of the southern parts of America, but flourishes very well in our gardexuu Tims, — It flowers in April. OT7IJ>BF£B'8 COMPLETE HEBBAL. 309 Govemfnent and Virtues, — Jupiter governs this plant. The juice pressed out of the fresh plant, and inspissated to an extract, has been taken in doses from haif a grain to a dram, in twent j-four hours, in epileptic disorders, convul- sions, and madness. An ointment made of the leavefl is cooling and repelling. THORNBERRY (BhACK.) —(Acacia aermanica,) Descrip,— This shrub rises about four feet high. The branches are thorny, and have a deep brown bark ; the leaves are oblong, broad, and of a fine green ; the flowers are white ; and the berries when ripe of a dark purple, and covered with a ^yish dust. Place, — It grows in the hedges and borders of fields. Time. — it flowers in March and April, but the fruit ri- pens after ail other plums whatsoever, and it is unfit to eat until the autumn frost mellows it. Oovemment and Virtues,— AW the parts of this bush are binding, cooling, and dry, and all etfectual to stay bleed- ing at the nose and mouth, or any other place, the lax of the belly or stomach, or the bloodv-flux, or the too much abouudiug of womens' courses, and helps to ease the paine of the sides, and bowels, that come by over-much scour- ing, to drink the decoction of the bark of the roots, or the decoction of the berries, either fresh or dried. The leaves are good to make lotions to gargle and wash the mouth and throat wherein are swellings, sores, or kernels, and to stay the defluxions of rheum to the eyes, or other parts; to cool the heat and inflammations of them, and to ease hot pains of the head, by bathing the temples and forehead there wi tit THOROUGH-LEAF.— (i?*w/>/*wrttm Campestris,) Desert^. — This sends forth & straight round stalk, two feet high, whose lower leaves are of a blueish colour, and smaller and narrower than those higher up, and stand close thereto. The flowers are small and yellow, standing in tufta at the heads of the branches, where afterwards grow the eeed, which is blackish. The root is small, long, and woody, perishes annually, after seed-time, and haee again plentifully of its own sowing. Place,— It is found in com-fielda. THme. — It blooms in July. O ^wt nmu ntand FtrtuM.— Saturn hie the doninicB vi 87U oitlpkpxb's covplxtx hbbbi^ thit plant It is useful for all sorts of bruises and wounds either inward or outward ; and old ulcers and sores like- wise, if the decoction of the herb with water and wine be drunk, and the place washed therewith, or the juice of the green herb bruised, or boiled, either by itself, or with other herbs, in oil or hog's-grease, to be made into an oint- ment to serve all the year. THOBOUGH-WAX (COMMON.) -(5wp?«irMm Rotundifolium.) Deserip, — ^The root is long, slender, white, and furnish- ed with a few fibres. The leaves are large, broad, ob- long, undivided, of a blueish ^reen. The tiowers stand at the tops of the branches, and are moderately large and yellow. The seeds are large and round. Place. — It is sometimes found in com-fieldi. Time. — It flowers in August. OovemmerU and Virtues. — This is under Jupiter, and is excellent to stay all kinds of fluxes of blood, or humours in man or woman, whether at nose, mouth, or belly. The juice of the herb or root, or the decoction, taken with some Venice treacle, and the person laid to sweat, expels any ▼enom or poison, or the plague, fever, or other contagious diseases. THOROUGH WAX (WRITE.)— {Bupleurum RotundijoLium Album,) Deserip. — This has a small fibrous, sticky root, from which rise smooth, and frequeotly reddish stalks. The leaves are of a blueish green colour, of an oval shape, smooth, not indented on the edges, full of nerves, which run obliquely from the centre to the circumference of the leaf; they are perforated by the stalk, which runs through them, and is divided towards the top iuto several branch- es, at the ends of which grow small umbels of yellow flow- ers, usually five together, upon one stalk, with as many small leaves under each umbel, the three outermost being largest; each flower is succeeded by two oblong seeds. Pace. — It grows only among the corn. Ti7M. — It tiowers in J une and J uly. The whole plant \BUsed. Gi/oernmeat and KtXwM.— This is a plant of Jupiter in Virao. it is among the vulnerary plants, serviceable In green wounds, braises, ruptures, contusions, old ulcers and sores, either given in powder or the decoction. OiriiPSPXBB COMPLKTE HEBBAIb 871 THRIFT (COMMON.)— (-<4rm«rui Mantima^) (Armeria Vw'gariSf) {Statice Armeria.) />«crt>).— This has lonj^, narrow, grassy green leaves ; they Are smooth, uiidiviw tube, divided at the top into five segments, with as many apices, of a white colour. Pf ace,— It is planted in gardens, and is found wild in some parts of Yorkshire. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under Mercury, and is alexipharmic, sudorific, and cephalic, and useful in malig' nant fevers, and pestilential distempers ; it helps in ner- vous complaints, head-aches, trembling, palpitations of the heart, vapours, &c. It is good in hysteric cases, and epi- tepsies have been cored by the use of this herb. \* ff^S OULl*SPEB'8 COM PLSTK HIBBAL. VALERIAN (WATER,)— (Valeriana Aquatiecu) Desorip. — The roots are long, slender, and creeping, sending out a few small white fibres. The leaves which spring from them are almost round, but somewhat point- ed. The leaves which grow on the stalks, are like those of the garden kind, but less. We have two species of this Vale- rian, one rises higher than the other, having three pairs of leaves set opposite; the umbels grow closer, and the flow- ers are a great deal smaller than the other, which rise not 80 high, and has but two pairs of leaves on the stalks. The flowers are much larger, and like the garden Valerian, but of a uale purple colour, as are also the former. Place, — They grow promiscuously in marshy grounds and moist meadows. jr»TO«.~They flower in May. VALERIAN (TRUE WlhD,y-( Valeriana Si/lveetrit,) Descrip — This has a root divided into several white thick strings, of no scent when taken out of the ground, but smelling very strong when dry. The stalks rise about a yard high, hollow, and channelled, having several long winged leaves, whose pinnae are long, sharp-pointed, and serrated about the edge»y high- veined, and rather hairy ; the leaves which grow on the stalks are narrow. The flow- ers are of a purple colour ; both flowers and seeds are shaped like the garden Valerian. It grows in woods and dry places ; and flowers in May. Pf ace.— It is found on dry heaths and in high pastures. Virtues. — The root has a strong and disagreeable smell, warm to the taste, bitter, and a little acrid. In habitual costiveness, it is an excellent medicine, and will loosen the belly when other purgatives prove inefl'ectual. It is excel- lent against nervous affections, such as head-aches, trem- bling, palpitations, vapours, and hysteric complaints. VERVAIN {COM.M.O^.)—( Verbena OJicinalie.) Descrip. — This has broad leaves next the ground, deep- ly crashed about the edges, of a blackish green colour on the upper side, somewhat greyish underneath. The stalk is square, branched into several parts, rising about two feet high, with a long spike of flowers of a blue colour and white in^rraixed, after which come small round seeds in small rather long heads ; the root ia small, but of no qm. CUXPSPER'8 OOVPLm HXRBIX 879 F'etee.—li jpx>w% in waate grounds almoet everywhere. 7H'fA4.— It flowers in Jul?, and the seed ripens soon after. Oovemment and Virtvs», — T\\\% is au herb of Veuus, and excellent for the womb to strengthen and remedy all the cold di8temf>ers of it, as plantain does the hot. It is hot and dry, opening obstructionii, cleansing and healing : it helps the yellow jaundice, the dropsy and the gout, kills aueiliug the gravel and stone. It is excellent against venomous bites, and tertian and quartan agues. It consolidates and heals all wounds, both inward and outward, stays bleeding, and used with honey, heals old ulcers and tistulas in the legs and other parts of the body, and ulcers that come in the mouth ; or used with lard, it helps the swellings and pains in the secret parts. VINE TREE.— { ViHa Vim/era.) Descrip. — The root is woody, divided, and spreading. The stem is covered with a rough brown bark, divided into many long straggling branches, which are too weak to support themselves. The leaves are large, numerous, and very beautiful, of a roundish figure, but deeply divid- ed into five or more lobes, shiir|>- pointed, notched at the edges ; they are supported on longish leaf-stalks,and from the base of these there frequently rises long, and very ro- bust tendrils. The flowers are produced in clusters on long leaf-stalks, which rise together with the leaf-stalks and tendrils; they are small, and of a green or whitish colour. Oovemment and Virtues, — This is a fine plant of the Sun. The dried fruit, as it comes from abroad under the nam^ of raisins, and currants, is t^ood in coughs, consump- tions, and other disorders of the breast The leaves of the £u:^dish Vine boiled, make a good lotion for sore mouths; if boiled with barley-meal into a poultice, it cools inflam- mations of wounds ; the droppings of the Vine, when it is cnt in the spring, boiled with sugar into a syrup, and taken Inwardly, is excellent to stay womens' longings when preg- nant The decoction of the leaves in white wine, does the same ; or the tears of the Vine, drank two or three spoonfuls at a time, breaks the stone in the bladder. Th» ashes of the burnt branches make discoloured teoth white 880 otjxpbpeb's complete herbal. by nibbing in the morning. It is a most gallant tree of the Sun, yery sympathetica! with the body; that is the reason why spirit of wine is the greatest cordial among vegetables. VIOLET.— (Fio^a Odorata,) Descrip, — The root is perennial ; it is long, slender, crooked, and fibrous ; they are supported on long slender leaf-stalks, of a roundish figure, heart-shaped at the base, slightly notched at the edges, and of a dark green colour, several slender creeping stems rise from among them, which take root at the joints, and so propagate the plant. The flowers are supported singly on long, slender, fruit-stalka, which rise direct from the root; they are large, of a beau- tiful deep blue or purple, and extremely fragrant. The seeds are egg-shaped, numerous, and furnished with appendages. Place, — It is common on warm banks, and produces its blossoms in March and April. Time. — It flowers until the end of July, but it is best in March, and the beginning of April Oovemment and Virtues. — It is a fine, pleasing plant of Venus, of a mild nature, and no way hurtful. It is cold and moist while fresh and green, and is used to cool any heat or distemperature of the body, either inwardly or outwardly, as inflammations in the eyes, in the matrix or fundament, in imposthumes also, and hot swellings, to drink the decoction of the leaves and flowers made with water or wine, or to apply them as poultices to the affect- ed parts ; it eases pains in the head, caused through want of sleep; or any pains arising from heat, if applied in the same manner, or with oil of roses. A dram weight of the dried leaves or flowers pur^^es the body of choleric hu- mours, if taken in a draught of wine or other drink ; the powder of the purple leaves of the flowers, only picked and dried, and drank in water, helps the quinsy, the falling- sickness in children, especially at the beginning of the dis- ease. The flowers of the white Violets ripen and dissolve swellings. The herb or flowers, while they are fresh, or the flowers that are dry, are effectual in the pleurisy, and all diseases of the lungs, to lenify the sharpness of hot rheums, and hoarseness of the throat, heat and sharpness of urine, and all pains of the back, or reins, and bladder. VIOLET (WATER.)— (^o«o»ta Palustris,) Descrip. — The root is a tuft of long, black, and slender fibres, wnich penetrate deep into the mud. The leaves are ctjlpbpeb's comflbt* rsbbai.. 881 long, large, aud beautifully pinnated; they consist each of ten, twelve, or more pairs of long and narrow 8egments^ regularly disposed, and an odd one at the end. From the base of this cluster of leaves, there are propagated some long, slender stalks, which take root again as they run on the surface of the mud, and in those places send up fresh clusters of leaves. In the centre of these leaves rises the stalk which is to support the flowers ; this is tall, up- right, round, slender, ana naked. The flowers stand in little clusters at and near the top ; they are moderately large, very pretty, and of a whitish colour tinged with red. The seed is single and small. Place. — It is frequent on the muddy bottoms of waters. Time, — It flowers in June. Oovemment and Virtues. — Saturn governs this plant. The leaves are cooling, externally applied ; but they are more used by country-people than by physicians. The flowers are accounted a specific against the fluor albus, and are frequently made use of in a conserve or decoction for that purpose, which is to be continued for some time. Some commend the herb as of great use against the king's eril, and ail scrofulous swellings. VIPER'S BUGLOSS.— (jEbAiwrn Vutgare,) Descrip. — This has many long rough leaves lying on the ground, from which rise up hard round stalks, whereon are set rough, hairy, or pnckly sad green leaves, rather narrow ; the middle rib for the most part being white. The flowers stand at the top of the stalk, branched forth in many long spiked leaves of flowers, all opening for the most part on one side, which are long and hollow, turning up the brims a little, of a purplish violet colour in them that are fully blown, but more reddish while they are in the bud, but in some places of a paler purple colour, with a long pointel in the middle, feathered or parted at the top. After tne flowers are fallen, the seeds become ripe, black- ish, cornered, aud pointed like the head of a viper. The root is somewhat great and blackish. P^ace, — It grows wild almost every where. Tirrve. — It flowers in summer, the seed ripens soon after. Oovemment and Virtites. — It is an herb of the Sun. It is an especial remedy against both poisonous bites, and poisonous herbs. The seeil drauk in wine, produces abun- danoe of milk in nuraei' breasts. The same if taken, eases 883 ottlpspeb's complxtb hebbal. the pains in the back, loins, and kidneys. The distilled water when the herb is in flower, or its chief strength, ap- plied inwardly or outwardly, is good for the same purposes. WAKE ROBIN (GOLDEN.)— {^ rum Macufatum.) Detcrip. — This neglected plant has a roundish tuberous root, brown on the outside, white within, placed at no con- siderable depth,aud furnished with a few fibres. The leaves, which are marked with beautiful gold-coloured veins, rise alternately across the stock ; they are oblong, smooth at the edges, pointed at the en^s, and of a fine fresh green, and often some spots of white are visible on them. The stem is round, thick, and ten inches or a foot hivh. On its top stands a single flower, of a tine yellow, which is after- wards succeeded by fine bri^jht red berries. Place.— \X is found under hedges, and in moist meadows. Time. — It flowers in May. Government and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of the Sun. The root is a powerful antiscorbutic, and by the activity of its subtle parts, it cuts all vitscidities, and is of service in humourous asthmas, in which case it should h« bruised and gently boiled in a closed vessel, in half white- wine, and half water, and sweetened with houey of roses. The root bruised and mixed with cows' dung, and applied warm in a fit of gout and rheumatic pains will ease them. The root beat up with vinegar and laid upon a bruised part will dissipate stagnant blood, and prevent blackness of the skin. WALL-FLOWER (COMMON.)— (CAwran^Aia Ch^H.) Descrip. — The root is divided into a number of strag- gling parts, each furnished with numerous fibres. The stalk is round, firm, upright, hard, and very much branch- ed. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a fresh green ; They have no footstalk, they adhere by the base, and are undivided at the edges. The flowers grow in spikes at the top of the stalks and branches, and are large, yellow, and sweet scented. The pods are long, slender and whitish ; the seeds are flatted and small. Place. — It is common on old walls, and in some places on rocks ; and has thence, for its beauty and fragjrance, been Introduced into gardens, where the flower, and indeed the whole plant, grow much larger than in the wild state. TVfiiA — It flowers in May and June. ottlpeper's oomplxts rbbbal. M WALL-FLOWER {SEA.)— {Cheiranthvs Tricuipidaiui,) DMcrip. — This is less than the foregoing, with a long, slender root, furnished with a few fibres. The stalks are numerous, weak, bmoched ; they stand irregularly, of a pale colour, aud a little hairy. The leaves are long, nar- row, and deeply indented at the edges ; they grow with- out footstalks, and are somewhat hairy, and their colour is a pale whitish green. The flowers stand at the tops of the stalks and branches ; and they are large and white. WALL-FLOWERS (Wl'LD.)—{Leucoium Sylve»tri$,) Descrip. — The common single Wall-flowers, which grow wild abroad, have sundry small, loog, narrow, dark green leaves, set without order upon small, round, whitish woody * stalks, which bear at the tops single yellow flowers one above another, every one bearing three leaves each, and of a very sweet scent ; after which come long pods, contain- ing a reddish seed. The roots are white, hard, and thready. Fface, — It grows upon old walls; the other sort in gar- dens only. Time. — All the single kinds flower many times in the end of autumn ; but double kinds do not Oovernment and Virtues. -~1l\\q Moon rules them. It cleanses the blood, and frees the liver and reins from ob- structions, provokes woraeus' courses, expels the secundine, and the dead child ; helps the hardness and pains of the mother, and of the spleen also ; stays inflammations and swellings, comforts and strengthens any weak part, or oat of joint; helps to cleanse the eyes from films, and to cleanse filthy ulcers in the mouth, or any other part, and is a sin- gular remedy for the gout, and all aches and pains in the joints and sinews. A cons<'rve made of the flowen, if QMd as a remedy both for this apoplexy and palsy, WALNUTS.— (/tt^/arw Regia,) Descrip. — This tree rises to a ereat height, and spreads irregularly iuUi branches. The leaves are pinnated ; the pinnte vast, oblong, and of a fine green. The catkins are Drowuirtli, with a tinge of green, and the fruit is covered with a green rind. place. — it grows wild iij many places in Scotland ; and b planted every where for the fruit. TifM. — It blossoms early before the Imtm oom« forth, %ZKi the fruit is ripe in bepiembtr. 384 CULPEPEB'S OOMPLStE HERBAL. Oovemment and Virt'ues. — This is a plant of the Sun. Let the fruit of it be gathered accordinglj, which has the most virtue whilst ^reeu, before it shells. The bark binds and dries very much, and the leaves are much of the same temperature, out when they are older, are heating and dry- ing in the second degree, and are harder of digestion than when fresh; if taken with sweet wine, they move the bel- ly downwards, but if old they grieve the stomach ; and in hot bodies, cause the choler to abound, producing head- ache, and are an enemy to those that have the cough; but are less hurtful to those that have a colder stomach, and kill the broad worms in the stomach or belly. If taken with onions, salt, and honey, they help the bites of mad dogs, or poisonous bites of any kind. The juice of the green husks boiled with honey, is an excellent gargle for sore mouths, or the heat and inflammations in the throat and stomach. The kernels, when they grow old, are more oily, and unfit to be eaten, but are then used to heal the wounds of the sinews, gaugreaea, and carbuncles. If burned, these kernels are very astrin/ent, and will stay laxes and wo- mens' courses, when taken in red wine, and stays the fall- ing o5 the hair, and makes it fair, being anointed with oil and wine. The green husks will act the same, if used in the same manner. The kernels beaten with rue and wine, and applied, helf)s the quinsy ; bruised with honey, and applied to the ears, eases pains and inflammations therein. The distilled water of the green leaves in the end of May, cures foul running ulcers and sores, to be bathed with wet cloths or sponges applied to them every morning. WATER- WORT (CHICKWEED.)-(^a^»n« AUinastrum,) Descrip. — This has often been mistaken for Fluellin. It has a small white fibrous root The first leaves are small, narrow, and pointed ; they increase in size as they rise to the middle, and then gradually diminish to the top; they have no footstalks, and are of a grassy green colour : the stem is so weak, it scarce holds itself upright, but trains some part of its length on the ground. The flowers grow in the Dosom of the leaves ; they are small, and supported on slender and short footstalks ; they are of a yellowish aud dark purple. The seed is very minute aud brown. Place, — It grows upon the borders of corn-fields, and by running shallow waters. TiiM* — It ia in flower in May. OULPEPES'S OOMPLBTE fiEBfiAL. 385 Oovernment and Virtues. — It is a moist, cooliug plant, under the Moon. The juice cleanses and heals old ulcers ; and it has at former times been in esteem as an inward medicine for internal bruisea The flowers and leaves beaten into a conserve, is the best way of taking it for anj inward purpose. WELD, OR WOLD.— (i2e#eia Lateola.) Called also Dyers' Weed and Willow-leaved Yellow Herb. Descrip.—li grows about a yard high, having hollow channelled stalks, covered with long narrow green leaves, set on without footstalks; of a dark blueish green colour, a little crumpled, as it were round- pointed, which so abides the first year; and the uext sprin^r, from among them, rise up divers rouud stalks, two or three feet high, beset with many such-like leaves thereon, but smaller, and shooting forth small branches, which, with the stalks, carry many small yellow flowers, in a long spiked head at the top of them, where afterwanls come the seed, which is small and bkck, inclosed in heads that are divided at the tops into four parts. The root is lonsr, white, and thick. The whole herb becomes yellow, after it has been in flower a while. Place. — It grows every where by way-sides, in moist grounds. Time,— It flowers about June. Oovernment and Virtues. — The root cures tough phlegm, digests raw phlegm, thins gross humours, dissolves hard tumours, and opeusobstructious. It is commended against venomous bites, to be takeu inwardly and applied out- wardly to the hurt place.as also for the plagueor pestilence. WREAT.—iTriticum.) Tht8 useful plant is so well known that it needs no de- •cription. P ace. — It is sown in fields every where. Time.— it is reajjed in July and August. Oovernment and Virtues. — It is uuder Venus. The oil presided from Wheat by means of plates of iron or copper, heals tetters and ringworms, if used warm. The kfreen noni't chewed, and applied to the bites uf mad dogs, heals them; wheHt-brend poultices made with red wine, and ap- Clied tu hot, inrtained, ur bltxHi-rihot eyes, helpn them. Hot read poultices ajiplied three days to^'ether. heals kernels In tho throat. Wheat-flour mixed with juice of henbane. $86 OTTLPBFEB'S COMPLBTI HEBBAIi. stays the flux of humours to the joints, if laid thereto; or mixed with the yolk of an egg, honej, or turpentine, draws, cleanses, and heals boils, plague sores, or foul ulcers. It is more useful for food than medicine ; though a poul- tice made of it with milk, eases pains, ripens tumours and impo8lhumations ; and a piece of toastea bread dipped in wine, and applied to the stomach, is good to stay vomiting. WHITLOW-GBASa— (ZVofta Vema,) Deacrip. — Ithasan annual fibrous root; the stem is round, branchy, hairy, of a red colour, and four or five inches high ; the leaves are pretty numerous, small, broadest at the extremity, and divided into three segments ; their colour is reddish. The flowers terminate the stem and branches in considerable numbers ; white, small, but conspicuous. The seeds are numerous and very minute. Pf ace.— It grows on the roofs of houses, old walls, and among rubbish. Time. — It tiowers in April. Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under Jupiter. A strong infusion of the whole plant, fresh gathered, is an excellent sweetener of the blood and juices, and good against scor- butic complaints in general. Those who wish to use it all the year, should make a syrup of its juice in the spring, or beat the leaves into a conserve with su^jar, for the dried plant loses all its virtues, and is only to be had fresh for a short time in the spring. WHORTLE.— ( Vaccinium MyrtUlu$, Descrip.— It is a small shrub, with slender purplish branches. The leaves are round, obtuse at the ends, and not serrated on the edges. The flowers are greenish, with a tinge of red ; the berries are round, red, and well tasted. Plaice, — This species of the Bilberry- bush is common in our northern counties on boggy ground. Time. — It flowers in May. Virtues. — The bark of the root is warm and dry, it opens obstructions of the liver and spleen. The unripe fruit is drying and binding, good for fluxes of all kinds, and in- flammations in the mouth and throat. The ripe fruit is cooling, good to allay the heat of burning fevers ; it ifl grateful to the stomach, and creates an appetite. CULPIPE&'S COMPLXTI RXBBAl* 887 WILLOW-HERB.— {ZynmocAia J^emorvm.) Descrip.-^Thia is a shrubby plaut It has large, hollow chanuelled sulks, divided intomauy brauches full of leaves, three growing together on long footstalks, indented a little about the edges. The flowers grow in short rouud spikes, set on long stalks, of a pale blue, small and papilionaceous, set each in a particular calyx, succeeded by short pods, coutai ni ng smal 1 yellow seeds. The root is woody and fi brous. P^ace. — It grows in damp woods and marshy places, and has been observed near the banks of the Severn. Time, — It flowers in July. WILLOW-HERB(CR£EPING.)— (^t^o*i«*^^^/>»»*<*«»-) De9crip. — The root is small and fibrous ; the stalks are round, weak, and slender : they trail on the ground and ta^e root as they lie, only part approaching to an erect posture. The leaves stand in pairs : they are short, bn)ad, and of an oval figure, pointed at the ends, smooth, round, of a deep j^reen ; and those towards the tops of the stalks are smaller and narrower. The flowers are small, pale red« place. — It grows in our woods and meadows. Time. — It flowers early in summer. WILLOW-HERB (GREAT FLOWERED.)— (^SJw^o- hium llamosum.) Descrtp. — This is a fine tall plant. The stem is thick, firm, uprijrht, and five feet high. The leaves are broaSa/ir Alba.) Descrip. — The White Willow grows to be a large tree. The bark is rough, of a pale brown colour on the trunk, but on the branches it is whitish grey. The leaves are long, narrow, sharp- pointed, and light green. The catkins are orown. Place, — It is common by water-sides all over the land. Time. — The flowers appear early in spring. Oovemmejit and Virtues. — The Moon owns it The leaves, bark, and seed are used to stanch the bleeding of wounds, and at mouth and nose, spitting of blood, and other fluxes of blood in man or woman, to stay vomiting, and the provocation thereto, if the decoction of them in wine be drunk. It helps to stay thin, hot, sharp, salt dis- tillations from the head upon the lungs, causing consump- tion. The leaves bruised with pepper, and drank in winQ, help in the wind-colic Water that is gathered from the oulfips^'b complete herbal. 891 Willow, when it flowers, the bark being slit, if rery good for dimness of sight, or tilms that grow over the eyea, itaying the rbeums that fall into them; it provokes urine, if drank, and cleai-s the face and skin from spots and dia- colourings. The decoction of the leaves or bark in wine, takes away scurf and dandrif by washing the place with it WINTER GREEN.— (PyroZa Minor.) Detcrip. — The leaves resemble those of the Pear-tree^ bat not so large ; they grow on footstalks two or three inches long, smooth, and of firm texture. The stalks grow A foot high, bearing on their tops several small five leav- ed white flowers, having a few stamina in the middle, ris- ing one above another in a loose spike, succeeded by cor- nered seed-vessels, full of small seed ; the root is small, ■lender, and fibrous. P^ace, — It erows in woods, both in tha north and west. Time, — It flowers in July. Oovemment and Virtues. — This is another Lunar plant The leaves are the only part used, are cooliug and drying, and a good vulnerary both for inward and outward wounds and hemorrhages, ulcers in the kidneys or bladder : as also Againit making bloody water, and excess of the catamenia. WOAD (COMMON.)— (/w^w Tinctoricu) Detcrip. —It has large leaves, long and broad, of a green- ish colour, somewhat blue. From amon^^ these leaves rises up a lusty stalk, three or four feet high, with leaves set thereon; the higher the stalk rises, the smaller are the leaves ; at the top it spreads divers branches, at the end of which appear very pretty little yellow flowers, and after they pass away, come husks, lon^, and rather flat ; in form they resemble a tongue ; in colour they are black, and bang downwards. The root is white and long. Place. — It is sown in fields,and reaped three times a year. Time. — It flowers in June, but it is long after before the seed is ripe. Oovemment and Virtue*. — It is a cold and dry plant of Saturn. An ointment made of the leaves stanches bleed- ing. A plaster raaiie thereof, and applied to the region of the spleen which lies on the left side, takes awa^ the hard- ness and pains thereof. The ointment is good m such ul- cers as abound with moisture, and takes away the corrod- ing and fretting humours ; it cools inflammations, quench- 092 CXTLPEPEB'S COMPLBTK REBBAli es St. AntboDj's fire, and stajs defloxion of the blood to any part of the body. WOODRUFFE (SQUINANCY.)-(il*p«ru^ Cynanchica.) Callkd also Woodrow and Woodrowel. Deacrip,—Tht stalks grow about a foot high, square and slender, and but little branched, having seven or eight long green leaves, growing in a circle at every joint, with little or no roughness : the flowers grow on the tops of the stalks in small umbels, of little single-leaved white flowers, spread like a bell, of a sweet smell ; each is succeeded by two roughish seed. The root is small, slender, and creep- ing under the upper surface of the earth. Place. — It grows in woods and copses. Time. — It flowers in May. Oovemmentand Virtues. — Mars rules it. The green herb should be used. It is good in the jaundice, and all diseases of the stomach and liver, opening obstructions, and caus- ing appetite. Bruised, it heals fresh wounds and cuts. WOODRUFFE (SWEET.)— (Jj^o^rMZa Odorata.) Descrip. — This has a spreading fibrous root, with a square stock, upright, not much branched, and eight inches high : of a pale green, and slender substance. The leaves, like the former, are placed at the joints in a stel* lated manner, but more considerable, broader and larger ; they are sharp-pointed, smooth, of a dark green. The flow- ers are small and white, but a variety is found with pale blue flowers. The seeds are small and round. Virtues. — It is nourishing and restorative, good for weak consumptive people : it opens obstructions of the liver and spleen, and is said to be a provocative to venery. WORMSEED (TRE ACLE.)-(^«m«m Cheiranthoides.) Descrip. — The roots are long, slender, and furnished with many strings ; the leaves are long and narrow, of a pale green; the stalk a yard high. It is not much branch- ed, at the top grow the flowers in a spiky order; they are small and yellow, and the seed-vessels resemble pea- pods, only they are angular. The seed is small and brown, and the whole plant very much resembles hedge mustard. Place. — It grows upon rotten moist grounds. 'ISme, — It flowers in May and June. OULPEPKB'8 COMPLXn HERBAL. 893 Oovemment and Virtues. — It is under the dominion of Mara The whole plant has a hot taste, and so have the seeds, which are good in rheumatic complaints, and in ob- structions of the viscera, and in scorbutic disorders. A poultice of the roots disperses hard tumours in any part of the body. Small doses of the juice given in white wine, promote the meuses, and hasten delivery ; and in lar^zer domam it ift an excellent medicine in the jaundice, dropsy, and complaints of the like nature, ^ade into syrup with honey, and a small quantity of v^iuegar, it is beneficial in asthmatic complaints It kills worms in the stomach and intestines ; and it is good in small quantities in hysteric cases, if the use be continued for some time. WOBMWOOD.--{Artemina AbsyrUhium.) Detcrip, — This useful plant grows about a yard high ; the stalk is pale green, tough, upright, and divided wildly into many branches : the leaves are of a pale green on both sides, divided into many p)arts, soft to the touch, but make the fingers bitter. The flowers are numerous, small, chaffy, hang down, and of a pale olive colour at first ; but^ after standing a while, they grow brownish. P/oce.— This is a perennial plant, mowing every where. Time. — It blooms in June and July. Oovemment and Virttie*.—ThiB is a martial herb, and is governed by Mars. This is the strongest, the Sea Worm- wood is the second in bitterness, and the Roman joins a great deal of aromatic flavour, with but little bitterness ; to acquire and enjoy the full powers they possess, they must be well known, for each kind has its particular vir- tues. The two first grow wild in this country ; the third it frequent in our botanic ^rdens, but is not confined to tbeie places. The common kind is excellent in weakness of tbeitcxDach, gout and gravel. The lea ves and flowers are used. WORMWOOD (COMMON BROAD- LEA VED.>- {Abtyntkium Lati/olium Vulgar e,) Deeerip, — The root is thick and woody, divided intose* Tend branches, enduring many years, holding its lower leaves all winter, which are large and winged, and divided into small parts, very much cut in ; greenish above, and wnite underneath. In summer it sends out woody, striat- ed, hoaiT stAlks, two or three feet hi^h, full of white pith, haviui{ fenw Uayet growing upon them ; thoM towards 394 CULPEPEB'8 COMPLETE BEBBAL. the top are long, narrow, and a little indeDted. The flow- era rise among these in a kiud of loowe spikes at the tops of the stalks, and look naked ; they are orownish yellow, ^wing many together, banging dovrn their heads, inclos- ing small seed. The whole plant has a very bitter taste. Place, — A wild plant, and frequent by way-sides, ditch- banks, and in church-yards. Time, — It flowers in July and August. OovemmerU and Virtiies. — It is a martial herb, as before observed. The tops of the plant are to be used fresh ga- thered ; a very slight infusion is excellent for all disordera of the stomach, prevents sickness after meals, and creates an appetite ; but if made too strong, it dingusts the taste. The tops with the flowers on them, dried and powdered, are good a^inst agues, and have the same viitues with wormseed in killing worms ; in fact, they are much bet- ter than the wormseed sold in the shopti, which is gener- ally too much decayed. The juice of the large leaves of Wormwood, which grow from the root, before the stalk appears, is the best against the dropsy and jaundice, for it opens obstructions, and works powerfully by urine. It ia good in all agues, in decoction or infusion, in water, ale, wine, or in the juice only ; but its infusion in wine or ale is an easy, and as good a preparation as any. The infusion, drank morning and evening for some time, helps hysterics, obstructions of the spleen, and weakness of tue stomach. Its oil, taken on sugar, and drank after, kills worms, re- flists poison, and is good for the liver and jaundice. The root haa a slow bitterness, which affects not the head and eyes, like the leaves, hence the root should be accounted among the best stomachics. The oil of the seed, given from half a scruple to half a dram, in some liquor, or a spoonful of the juice in some wine, taken before the fit comes on, and the patient put to bed, cures quotidians and Quartans. In a looseness from eating too much fruit, after tne use of rhubarb. Wormwood wine is excellent. A fomentation of the herb boiled with water, and strained, has been success- fully applied to a jipreading gangrene. Poultices of Worm- wood boiled in grease, barm, or wine, may be applied with good success to white swellings. Boiled in Urd, and laid to swellings of the tonsils and quinsey, is serviceable. Its internal use is good :n such diseases as come from gross blood, or obstruction B of the capillaries, or in viscidities^ or phlegm, which line the inaides of the stomach, bowels cttlpepeb's completb hbbbau 895 or veasela, or in too great sharpDess of the blood, by its opeuiag obstructions, cleansini^, bracing, and promoting perepiratiou and urine. It Is admirable against surfeits, it not only cures the pain of the stomach, weakness, indi- gestion, want of appetite, vomiting, and loathing, but hard swell in u's of the belly. This, with rosemary, saffron, and turmeric root infused in rhenish wine, is a cure for the jaundice, and brings down the menses; or a decoction of it, broom-tops, greater celandine, white horehound, lesser centaury, flowers of hypericon, barberry- bark, turmeric, and madder-roots, strained, and hoglice-wine added, is very good to cure the jaundice. Wormwood and vinegar are an antidote to the mischief of mushrooms and henbane, and the biting of the sea-fiah, called Draco marinua^ or quaviver ; mixed with honey, it takes away blackness after falls, bruises, &c All other Wormwoods, the nearer they approach in taste to pleasant or palatable, they are so much the worse, for they are weaker, their use requires so much longer time, larger doses, and yet less success follows. The herb and Pellitory of the Wall boiled in water till they are soft, then strained, and a fomentation of the liquor aaed, and the herbs laid on after in a poultice, eases all outward pains ; or the herb boiled in oil till the oil is al- most wasted, strained, and anoiuteenetrates and destroys the vi- tal functions, without immediately affecting the animal. These observations are made as a caution against any rash application of it, for, though it is sometimes given usefully in obstructions of the liver and bilious complaints, those experiments seem too few to recommend it to be used witnout the greatest caution. The deleterious qual- itiat of laurel-water are more than equalled by thi& YUCCA, OR JVCCA^^Fucca Oloriosa,) Called also Adam's Needle. Descnp. — This Indian plant has a thick tuberous root, spreading in time into many tuberous heads, whence shoot forth many long, hard, and hollow leaves, very sharp- pointed, compassing one another at the bottom, of a grey- ish green colour, abiding continually, or seldom falling away, with sundry hard threads running in them, and when withered, become pliant to bind things with. From the midst of these spring forth a strong round stalk, divi- ded into several branches, whereon stand divers somewhat large white flowers, hanging downwards, consisting of six leaves, with divers veins, of a weak reddish, or blueish colour, spread on the back of the outer leaves from the middle to the bottom, not reaching to the edge of any leaf, which abide not lon^, but quickly fall awsy. P'ace.—li grows in divers places of the West-Indies, ai in Virginia and New England, Tims. — It flowers about the latter end of July. Virtues. — It has no properties, as yet known of, for medicinal use. The natives in Virginia use the roots for bread. The raw juice is dangerous, if not deadly, and it is suppoHetj the Indians poisoned the heads of their 'Urts therewith. WKECHONS FOR MAZING STUUPS, &t Having in divers places of this Treatise promised you the way of making Syrups, Conserves, Oils, Ointments, &c of herbs, roots, flowers, &c whereby you may have them ready for your use at such times when they cannot be had other- wise ; I come now to perform what 1 promised, and you shall find me rather better than worse than my word. That this may be done methodically, 1 shall divide my di- rections into two grand sections, and each section into seve- ral chapters, and men you shall see it look with such a coun- tenance as this is. SECTION I. OV OATHEBINa, DRYING, AND KEEPING SIMPLEfl, AND THEIB JUICES. Chap. I. Of leaves of herbs &c II. Of Flowers. IIL Of Seeds. Chap. IV. Of Roots. V. Of Barks, VL Of Juices. SECTION IL or MAKINO AND EEEPINO COMPOUNDS. Chap. I. -II. -IIL -IV. -V, -VI. VII. -VIIL Of distilled Wa- ters. Of Syrups, Of Juleps. Of Decoctions. Of Oils. Of Electuaries. Of Conserves, Of Preserves, Chap. IX. Of Lohocks. X. Of Ointments. XI. OfPlaisters. XII. Of Poultices. XII I. Of Troches. XIV. Of Pills. XV. The way of flt- ting Medicines to com- pound diseases. Of all these in order. 400 DiaBCTIOXH FOR MAKIV9 STROrB. <&0- 401 CUAFTEK I. Of LeavM of Herbsj or Trees. L Of leaves choose only such as are green and full of juice ; pick them carefully, and cast away such as are declining, tor ihey will putrify all the rest. So shall one handlul bo worth ten of those you buy in Cheapside. 2. Note what places they most delight to grow in, and gather them there ; for betony that grows in the shade is far better than that growing in the sun, because it delights in the shade ; so al:^ such herbs as delight to grow near the water, shall be gathered near it, though haply you may find some of them upon dry ground. The treatise will inform you where ever>' herb delights to grow, 3. The leaves of such herbs as run up to seed are not so good when they are in tlower as before, (some few excepted, the leaves of which are seldom or never used) in such cases, if through ignorance they were not known, or through neg- ligence forgotten, you had better take the top aad the liowers than the leaf. 4. Dry them well in the sun, and not in the shade, as the saving of the physician is ; for if the eon draw away the virtues of the herb, it must needs do the like by hay, by the same rule, which the experience of every country larmer will explode for a notable piece of non.sense. 6. Such as are astrologers ^and indeed none else are fit to make physicians) such I advise ; let the planet that gove^s the herb be angular, and the stronger the better; if they can, in herbs of Saturn, let Saturn be in the ascendant; in the herb of Mars, let Mars be in the Mid-heaven, for in those houses they delight; let the Moon apply to them by good aspect, and let her not be in the houses of her enemies ; if you cannot well stay till she apply to them, let her apply to a planet of the same triplicity ; if you cannot wait that time neither, let her l>e with a fixed star of their nature. G. Having well dried them, put them up in brown paper, ■ewing the paper up like a sack, and press them not too hard U)gether, and Keep them in a dry place near the fire. 7. As for the duration of dried herbs, a just time cannot b« given, let authors prate at their pleasure ; for, Ist, Such as grow upon dry grounds will keep better than inch af grow on moist. 2dly. Such herbs as are full of juice will not keep so long M such as are dryer. Sdly. Such herbs as are well dried, will keep longer than fftich as are Hlack dried. Yet yoa may know when tDey are O 402 DIRICTIOVB FOft MAKIKO 8TRUP&, &a ooiTupted by their loss of colour, or smell, or both : an!, if they be corrupted, reason will tell you that they must ueeda corrupt the bodies of those people that take them. 4. Gather all leayes in the hour of that planet that goTenu them. CHAPTER II. Of Flowers, 1. The flower, which is the beauty of the plant, and ol none of the least use in physic, groweth yearly, and is to be ga- thered when it is in its prime. 2. As for the time of gathering them, let the planetary hour, and the plant they come on be observed, as we shew- ed you in the luregoing chapter: as for the time of the day, let it be when the sun shines upon them, that so they may be dry ; for if you gather either flowers or herbs when they are wet or dewj', they will not keep. 3. Dry them well in the sun, and keep them in papers near the ftre, as i shewed you in the foregoing chapter. 4. So long as they retain the smell and colour, they are good ; either of them being gone, so is their virtue also. CHAPTER III. Of Seed*. 1. The seed is that part of the plant which is endowed with a vital faculty to brin^ torth its like, and it contains potentially the whole plant m it , ^ , 2. As for the place, let them be gathered from the place where they most delight to grow. 3. Let them be full ripe when they are gathered, and for- get not the celestial harmony before mentioned; for I have found by experience that their virtues are twice as great at such times as others : " There is an appointed time for every thing under the sun." 4. When you have gathered them, dry them a uttle, acn but a very little, in the sun before you lay them up. 6. You need not be so careful of keeping them so near the Hre as the other before mentioned, because they are fuller of spirit, and therefore not so subject to corrupt. 6. As for the time of their duration, it is palpable they will keep a good many years ; yet they are best the flrbt Year, and this I make appear by a good argument. They inll grow soonest the first year they be set, therefore then they are in their prime ; and it is an easy matter to renew them yearly. OmiCTIOKB FOR MAKING STROPS, te. 40> CHAPTER IV. OJ RooU. 1. Of roots choose neither such as are rotten or worm- eaten, but proper in their ta^^te, colour and smell, buch as exceed neither in softness nor hardness. Give me leave to be a little critical against the vul^;rar re- oeived opinion, which is, that the sap falls down into the root in the autumn, and rises in the spring, as men go to bed at night and ra^ in the morning; and this idle talk of untruth is so grounded in the heads, not only of the vulvar but also of the learned, that a man cannot drive it out by reason. I pray, let such sai>-mongers answer me this argu- ment : If toe sap falls into the roots in the fall of the leaf, and lies there all the winter, then must the root grow only m the winter. But the root grows not at all in winter, as experience teaclieth, but only in summer ; therefore if you set an apple kernel in the spring, you shall find the root STOW to a pretty bigness in the summer, and be not a whit bigger next spring. What doth the sap do in the root all that while ? Prick straws P Tis as rotten as a post 2. The truth is, when the sun declines from the tropic of Cancer, the sap begins to congeal both in root and branch : when he touches the tropic of Capricoru, he ascends to ua- ward, it begins to wax thin again, and by degrees, as it con- gealed. But to proceed. Sh The drier time you gather the roots in, the better they are, for they have the less excrementitous moisture in them. 4. Such root* as are soft, your best way is to dry in the sun, or else hang them in the chimney comer upon a string ; as for such as are hard, you may dry them anywhere. 6. Such roots as are great, will keep longer than such as are small ; yet most of them will keep all the year. 6w 8ucb roots as are soft, it is your best way to keep them always near the fire, and take this general nUe for it. If in winter time you find any of your herbs, roota, or flowers begin to be moist, as many times you shall (for it is your best wav to look to them once a month ) dry them by a very gaDtle fire, or, if you can, with convenience, keep them near the fire, yon may save yourself the trouble. 7. It is in vain to dry roots that may commonly be had. as parv1<»v, fennel, plantain, kc but gather them only iiir 404 DIRBCTTO!(f FOB MAKIVO 8TBUPS, ko. CHAPTER V. 0/ /iarkt, 1. fiarks, which physidans use in medicine, are of these ■orta : of fruits, of roots, of boughs. 2. The barks of fruits are to be taken when the fruit is fall ripe, as oranges, lemons, &c but because I have nothing to do with exotics here, I pass them without any more words. 3w The barks of trees are best gathered in the spring, if of oak or such great trees ; because then they come easier off, and so you may dry them if you please ; but indeed the best way is to gather all barks only for present use. 4. As for the bark of roots, 'tis thus to be gotten : Take the roots of such herbs as have a pith in them, as parsley, fennel, &c. slit them in the middle, and when you have taken out the pith, which you may easily do, that which remains is called, though improperly, the bftrV, and indeed is only to be used. CHAPTER VL 0/ Juices, 1. Juices are to be pressed out of herbs when they are ▼oung and tender, out of some stalks, and tender tops of herbs and plants, and also out of some flowers. 2. Having gathered the herb, if you will preserve the juice of it when it is very dry (for otherwise the juice will not be •rorth a button) bruise it well in a stone mortar with a wooden pestle, then having put it into a canvass bag, the herb I mean, not the mortar, for that will give but little juice, press it bard in a press, then take the juice and clarify it. 3. The manner of clarifying it is this : Put it into a pip- kin or skillet, or some such thing, and set it over the nre ; and when the scum ariseth take it off; let it stand over the fire till no more scum arise ; when you have your juice clari» fled, cast away the scum as a thing of no use. 4. When you have thus clarified it, you have two ways to preserve it all the year. 1st. When it is cold put it into a glass, and put so much oil on it as will cover it to the thickness of two fingers ; the oil will swim at the top, and so keep the air irom coming to putrify it. When you intend to use it, pour it into a por- ringer, and if any oil come out with it, you may easily sldm it off with a spoon, and put the juice you use not into the glass again, it will quickly sink under the oil 2nd. The second way is a little more difficult, and the juice of fruits is usually ; reserved thii way. When you DiaSCTIOHS fOB MAKIV« STBUPf, Sm, 406 h*ve clarified it, boU it over the fire, till being oold it be of the thickness of honey. This is most commonly used for disea^«s of the month, and is called roba and saba. And thus much for the first section, the second foUowi, SECTION n. THB WAY OF MAKINO AND KEBPINO ALL NSCX88ABT COMPOUNDS. CHAPTER L Of Distilled Waten. HiTHKBTO we have spoken of medicines which consist in theirown nature, which authors vulgarly call Simples, though something improperly ; for in truth, nothing is simple but pure elements ; all things else are compounded of them. We come now to treat of the artificial medicines, in the form of which, because we must begin somewhere, we shall place distilled waters ; in which consider, 1. Waters are distilled of herbs, of flowers, of fruits, and of roots, 2. We speak not of strong waters, but of oold, as being to act Galen^ part, and not Paracelsus's. S. The herbs ought to be distilled when they are in the greatest yigour, and so ou^ht the flowers also. 4. The Tulgar way of distillations which people nse be- cause they know no better, is in a pewter still ; and although distilled waters are the weakest ot artificial medicines, and good for little but mixtures of other medicines, yet they are weaker by many degrees than they would be were thev dis- tilled in sand. If 1 thought it not impossible to teach you the way of distilling in sand, I would attempt it. 5. When you have distilled your water, put it into a glass covered over with a paper pricked full or holes, so that the excrementitious and fiery vapours may exhale, which cause that settling in distilled waters called the mother, which corrupt them, then cover it close and keep it for your use. fl. Stopping distilled waters with a cork makes them musty, and so does paper if it but touch the water ; it is best to stop them with a bladder, being first put in water, and bound over the top of the glass. Such cold waters as are distilled in a pewter stiU (if well kept) will endure a year; such as are aietilled in sand, at they are twice as strong, so they endure twice as lung. 406 DIRKCTI0V8 FOR MAKIHO BTRUPS, fta CHAPTER IL Of Syrupt. 1. A Syru]) is a medicine of a liamd form, composed of infusion, decoction, and juice. And lot. For the more graceful taste. 2dly. For the better keeping of it ; with a certain quan- tity of honev or sugar hereafter mentioned, boiled to the thickness of new honey. 2. You see at the first view that this aphoripm divides it- self into three branches, which deserves severally to be treat- •do^vix* 1. Syrups made by infufdon. 2. S>Tup8 ma' will in5»truct you in the rest. They are thus made: Having picked your flowers clean, to every pound of them, add three pounds, or three Sints, which vou will, for it is all one, of spring water, made Dilinghot; but firtit put your flowers into a pewter pot with a a>ver, and pour the water on them ; then shutting the pot let it stand by the fire to keep hot twelve hours, and strain, it out ; (in such sj-rups as purge, as damask roses, peach-flowers, &c. me usual, and indeed the best way is to repeat this infusion, adding fresh flowers to the same liquor divers times, so that it may be stronger) having strained it out, put the infusion into a pewter bason,oran earthren one well glazed, and to every pint ot it add two pounds of sugar, which bein^ only melted over the Are without being boiled, and then skimmed, will produce you the syrup you desire. 2ndly. Syrups made by decoction are usually made of com- pounds, yet may any simple herb be thus converted into syrup. Take the herb, roots, or flowers vou would make into a syrup, and bruise a little ; then boil it in a conveni- ent quantity of spring water ; the more water you boil it in the weaker it will be ; a handful of the herb or rootisa con- Tenieni quantity for a pint of water; boil it till half the water be consumed, then let it stand till it be almost cold, and strain it through a woollen cloth, letting it run out at leisure, without pressmg. To every pint of this decoction add one pound of sugar, and boil it over the fire till it comes to a syrup, which you may know if you now and then cool DtRSCTIOKS fOB MAKHTQ 8TR17P8, &CL 407 a little of it with a spoon; skim it all the while it boils, and when it is sufficiently boiled, whilst it is hot strain it again, through a Diece of woollen cloth, but press it not. Thus you have the syrup perfected. 3rdly. Syrups made ot juice are usually made of such herbs as are full of juice, and indeed they are better made into a s}Tup this way than any other; the operation is thus : hay- ing beaten the herb in a stone mortar with a wooden pestle, press out the juice and clarify it, as you are taught in the juices ; then let the juice boil away till about a quarter of it be consumed ; to a pint of this add a pound of sugar, and boil it to a 8}Tup» always skimming it, and when it is boiled enough, strain it through a woollen cloth, as we taught yoa before, and keep it for your use, 4. If you make a syrup of roots, that are anj'thing hard, as parsley, fennel, and grass roots, &c. when you liave bruis- ed ihem, lay them to steep in that water that you intend to boil them in, hot, so wiU the virtues the belter come out. 6. Keep your 8jTups either in glasses or stone pots, and stop thenr. not with cork or bladder, unless you would have the glass break and the syrup lost, only bind paper about the mouth. Ail syrups, if well made, will continue a year with some advantage; yet such ai> are made by infu^sion keep shortest. CHAPTER III. Of Juleps, 1. Juleps were first invented, as I suppose, in Arabia, and my reason is, because the word julep is an Arabic word. 2. It signifies only a pleasant potion, as is vulgarly used by such as are sick and want help, or such as are in health, and want no money to quench their thirst. 3w JKow-i^a\' it is commonly used, 1. To prepare the body for purgation. 2. To open obstructions and the pores. 3. To digest tough humours. 4. To qualify hot distempers, &c 4. Simples, juleps, (for I have nothing to say to com- pounds nere^ are thus made: Take a pint of such distilled wmter as oonauoes to the cure of your di.stemper, which this treatise will plentifully furnish you with, to which add two ounces of syrup conducing to the same efiect ; (1 shall give you rules for it in the next chapter) mix them together and drink a draught of it at your pleasure. If you love tart things, add ten drops of oil of vitrol to your pint, and shake it together, and it will have a fine grateful taste. 5. All julep** Hre made for pru.*4eut use, and therefore it is ia vain to speak of tbeii doratioo. 408 OIREOTIO:* FOR MAKINa STRUPfl, &0, CIIAPTEB IV. 0/ Decoctions. 1. All the diflferenoe between decoctions, and syrups made by decoction, is this : syrups are made to keep, decoctions only for present use ; for you can hardly keep a decoction a week at any time ; if the weather be hot, you cannot keep it half so long. 2. Decoctions are made of leaTes, roots, flowers, seeds, fruits, or barks, conducing to the cure of the disease you make them for, and are made in the same manner as wehaye shew- ed you in syrups. 3. Decoctions made with wine last longer than such are made with water ; and if you take your decoction to cleanse the passage of the urine or open obstructions, your best way is to make it with white wine instead of water, because this is penetrating. 4. Decoctions are of most use in such diseases as lie in the passage of the body, as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, passages of urine and bladder, because decoctions pass quick- er to those places than any other form of medicine. 6. If you will sweeten your decoction with sugar, or any eyrup fit for the occasion you take it for, which is better, you may, and no harm. 6. If in a decoction you boil both roots, herbs, flowers, and seed together, let the roots boil a good while tlrst, be- cause they retain their virtues longest ; then the next in order by the same rule, viz. 1. the barks, 2. the herbs. 3. the seeds. 4. the flowers. 6. the spices, if you put any in, because then the virtues come soonest out. 7. Such things as by boiling cause sliminess to a decoo- tion, as figs, (jumce-seed, linseed, &c. your best way is, after you have brmsed them, to tie them up in a linen rag, as you tie up calf s brains, and so boil thenu 8. Keep all decoctions in a glass close stopped, and the cooler place you keep them in the longer they will last ere they be sour. Lastly. The usual dose to be ^ven at one time is two, three, four, or five oufices, accordmg to the age and strength of the patient, the season of the year, the strength of th« medicine, and the quality of the disease. CnAPTER V, 0/ Oils, 1. Oil Olive, which is commonly known by the name of salads oil, I suppose, because it is usually eaten with salads by them that love it ; if it be pres^d out of ripe oUves. ac- cording to Oalen, if* temperate, and exceeds in no one quality. OIRXCTIOlfS FOR MAKING 8TEUP8, kc 40t % Of oils, some &re simple, and some are compound. S. Simple oils are such as are made of fruits or seeds by expression, as oil of sweet or bitter almonds, linseed and rape seed oil, &c of which see in my dispensatory. 4. Compound oils are made of oil of oliyes, and other amples, imagine herbs, flowers, roots, &c. 5. The way of making them is this; haying bruised the herbs or flowers you make your oil of, put them into an earthen pot, and to two or three handfuls of them pour a pint of oilj cover the pot with a paper, set it in the sun about a fortnight or so, according as the sun is in hotness : then hav- ing warmed it very well by the fire, press out the herb, &c very hard in a press, and add as many more herbs to the same oil ; bruise the herbs (I mean not the oil) in like man- ner, set them in the sun as before ; the oftener you repeat this, the stronger your oil will be ; at last, when you con- ceive it strong enough, boil both oil and herbs together, till the juice be consumed, which you may know by its leaving its bubbling, and the herbs will be crisp ; then strain it while it is hot, and keep it in a stone or glass vessel for your use. 6. As for chemical oils, I have nothing to say here. 7. The general use of these oils is for pains in the limbs, roughness in the skin, the itch, &c as also for ointments and plaisters. 8. If you have occasion to use it for wounds or ulcers, in two ounces of of oil, dissolve half an ounce of turpentine, the heat of the fire will quickly do it ; for oil itself is offensive to wounds, and turpentine qualifies it CHAPTER VL 0/ EUciuariei, Physicians make more a quoil than needs by half about electuaries. I shall describe but one general way of mak- ing them up ; as for ingredients you may vary them as you please, and as you find occasion, by the last chapter. 1. That you may make electuaries when you need them. It if requisite that you keep always herbs, roots, flowers, •eeds, &c ready dried in your house, that so you may be in readiness to beat them into a powder when you do need them. 2. It is better to keep them whole than beaten ; for being beaten, they are more subject to lose their strength, because the air soon penetrates them. 3. Ifthev oe not dry enough to beat into powder when you need them, dry them by a gentle fire till they are so. 4. Having beaten them, sift them through a fine tifiany •earce, that no great pieces may be found in your electuary. 5. T ? one ounce of your powder add three oudcsjh of clan- 410 DIRBCTI0V8 FOR MAKIVO STRUPSf &0, fled honey ; this quantity I hold to be suificient. If yoc would make more or leas electuary, vary your proportion ao- cordiagly. 6. Mlx them well together in a mortar, and take this for a truth, you cannot mix them too much. 7. The way to clarity honey, is to set it over the Are in a convenient vessel till the scum arise, and when the scum is taken ofi' it is clarified. 8. The usual dose of cordial electuaries is &om half a dram to two drams; of purging electuaries, irom half an ounce to an ounce. 9. The manner oi keeping them is in a pot. 10. The time of taking them is either m a morning fast- ing, and lasting an hour after them ; or at night gomg to bed, three or ibui hours alter supper. CHAPTER VIL 0/ Conserves, 1. The way of making conserves is two-fold ; one of herbs and flowers, and the other ol fruits. 2. Conserves of herbs and flowers are thus made : if you thus make your conserve of herbs, as of scurvy grass, worm- wood, rue, and the like, take only the leaves, and the tender tops (for you may beat your heart out belbre you can beat the stalks small) and having beaien them, weigh them, and to every pound ot them add three pounds of sugar ; you can- not beat them too much. S. Cse, called a pulping sieve; you may doit lor a need with the back of a spoon, thentiedce this pulp thus drawn and add to it its weight of sugar, and no more ; put it into a pewter vestel and over a charcoal Are : stir it up and down till the sugar be melted, and your conserve is made. 4. Thus you have the way of making conserves ; the way of keeping them is in earthem pots. 5. The dose is usually the quantity of a nutmeg at a time, morning and evening, or (unless they are purging) when you please. 9. Of conserves, some keep many years, as conserve of roses ; others but a year, as conserve of borage, bugloss, cowslips, and the like. 7. Have a care of the working of some conserves pre- sently after they are made ; look to them once a day, and stir them about. Conserves oi borage, bugloss, and wormwood, have an excellent faculty at that spurt. S, Tou may know when your conserves are almost spoiled CIRKCTIOM8 rOB HAKIHU STRUPS, &C. 411 by thia; yoa shall find a hard crust at the top witL littls holM in it as though wormH had been eating there, CHAPTER VllL Of PrutTVts, Of preeervee are sundry sorts, and the operation of al being somewhat difierent, we shall handle them all apart. These ar- ^.tvserved with sugar, 1. Flowers, 2. Fruita. 3. R.)0t8. 4. Barks. 1. Flowers are very seldom preserved; I never saw any that I remember save only cowslip Ho wers, and that was a great fa.<>hiun in Sus^mx when I wa.>? a boy. It is thus done. Take a flat gla^ss, we call them jar-^ lasses, strew on a laying otHne sugar, on that a lading of dowers, and on that another laying of sugar, on that another laying oi flowers, so do till your glass b« tull ; theu tie it over wiib a paper, and in aUt- tle time you shall have very excellent and pleasant preserves. There is another way of preserving flowers, namely with vinegar and salt, as they pickle cauers and broom buds; but as 1 have little skill in it myselt, I cannot teach you. 2. Fruits, as quinces and the like, are preserved two differ- ent waya 1 St. B) rup till yo'i usR th«»m. 41 S DIRCGTI05S rOR MAKING STRUF8, &0. 4. As for barks, we have but few come to our hands to b« done, and of those the few that I can remember, are orange.s, lemons, citrons, and the outer barks of walnuts which grow, without-side the shell, for the shells themselves would make but scurvy preserves; these be they I can remember, if there be any more put them into the number. The way of pre8erving these is not all one in authors for some are bitter, some are hot : such as are bitter, say authors, must be soaked in warm water, oftentimes chang- ing till the bitter taste be fled ; but I like not this way, and my reason is this, because I doubt when their bitterness is gone so is their virtue also ; I shall then prescribe one com- mon way, the same with the former, viz. first boil thera whole till they be soft, then make a syrup with sugar and the liquor you boil them in, and keep the barks in the syrup. 6. They are kept in glasses or in glazed pots. ft. The preserved flowers will keep a year, if you can for- bear eating of them ; the roots and barks much longer. 7. This art was plainly and first invented for delicacy, yet came afterwards to be of excellent use in physic ; for 1st Hereby medicines are made pleasant for sick and squeamish stomachs, which would else loath them. 2dly. Hereby they are preserved from decaying a long time. CHAPTER IX. OfLohockt. i. That which the Arabians call lohocks, and the Greeks eclegmia, the Latins call linctus, and in plain English signi- fies nothing else bat a thing to be licked up. 2. Their firdt invention was to prevent and remedy afflic- tions of the breast and lungs, to cleanse the lungs of phlegm, and make it fit to be cast out. 5. They are in body thicker tbnn a syrup, and not so thick as an electuary. 4. The manner of taking them is often to take a little with liquorice stick, and let it go down at leisure. 5. They are easily thus made : Make a decoction of peo- toral herbs, and the treatise will furnish you with enough, and when you have strained it with twice its weight of honey or sugar, boil it to a lohock ; if you are molestea with much Ehlegm, honey is much better than sugar, and if you add a ttle vinegar to it you will do well ; if not, I hold sugar to be better than honey. 0. It is kept in pots, and may be kept a year and longer. 7. It is excellent for roughness of the wind-pipe, innam- mations and ulcers of the lungs, difficulty of )raathin|B asthma% coughs, and distillations of huxnoTurs. DIBBCTIOK8 I-VK MAKIVO ITRUPB, &0, 41S CllAl»rER X, 0/ OirUmniU, L VariouB are Ui*) ways of making uiiitmeots, which au- thors have left to posterity, and which I shall omit, and quote one which is easiest to be made, and therefore most beneficial to people that are ignorant in physic, for whose lake I write this. It is thus dune : Bruise those herbs, flowers, or roots, you will make an ointment of, and to two handfuls of your bruised herbs add tpound of hojif's f^^rease dried, or cleansed from the skins, beat them very well together in a stone mortar with a wood- en pestle, then put it into a stone pot, (the herb and grea.se I mean, not the mortar) cover it with a paj^r, and set it either in the sun or some other warm place, three, four, or five days, that it may melt; then take it out and boil it a little, and whilst it is hot strain it out, pressing it out very bard in a press ; to this grease add as many more herbs as before, let them stand in like manner as long, then boil them as you did the former. If you think your ointment not strong enough, you may do it the third and fourth time ; yet this I will tell you, the fuller of juice the herbs are, the sooner will your ointment be strong : the last time you boil it, boil it so long till your herbs be crisp, and the juice consumed, then strain it, pressing it hard in a press, and to every pound of ointment aidd two ounces of turpentine and as much wax. because grease is offensive to wounds as well as oil. 2. Ointments are vulgarly known to be kept in pots, and will last above a year, sometimes above two yeara, CHAPTER XI. Of PlaUtert. 1. The (ireeka made their piaisters of divers simples, and put metaU into most of them, if not all ; for having reduced their metals into powder, they mixed them with the (atty substances whereof the rest of the plaister consisted whilst it wa.o yet hot, continually stirring it up and down lest it should sink to the bottom ; so they contmually stirred it till it was stiff*; then they made it into mils, which when they needed for use, they could melt it by the fire again. 2. The Arabians made up theirs with oil and fat, which needeth not so long boiling. 3^ The Greeks' eiuplaisters consisted of thene ingredients, metala, stones, divers 8<)rts of earth, foeces, juices, liquors, •eecU, root«, excrements of creatures, wax, ro^in, and guma. CHAPTER XII. 0/ Poultices. Ividuoo* are thonp kind of things which the Latim cail 414 DIRKCTIOJI8 FOB MAKI»0 flTmCI-S, &C. cacapl(uinatay and our learned fellows, that if they can read English, that's all, call them cataplasms, because 'tis a crab- bed word few understand ; it is indeed a Tery tine kind of medicine to ripen sores. 2. They are made of herbs and roots fitted for the di». ease aforesaid, being chopped small and boiled in water to a jelly ; then adding a little barley meal, or meal of lupins, and a little oil or rough sweet suet, which I hold to be better, spread upon a cloth and applied to the grieved part. 3. Their use is to ease pains, to break sores, to cool in- flammations, to dissolve hardness, to ease the spleen, to con- coct humours, and dissipate swellings. 4. I beseech you to take this caution along vnth you : Use no poultices, if you can help it, that are of an healing nature, before you have first cleansed the body, because they are subject to draw the humours to them firom every part of the body. CHAPTER XIII. 0/ Troches. 1. The Latins call them jalacentiUa^ or little cakes, and the Qree^aprochikoiSykukliscot^ajOidartiscoi ; they are usually litr lie round flat cakes, or you may make them square if you wiU. 2. Their first invention was, that powders being so kept, might resist the intermission of air, and so endure pure longer. 3. Besides, they are easier carried in the pockets of such as travel ; as any man, for example, is forced to travel whose stomach is too cool, or at least not so hot as it should be, which is more proper, for the stomach is never cold till a man be dead ; in such a case ii. is better to carry troches of wormwood or galangal, in a paper in his pocket, than to take a gallipot along with him. 4. They are made thus: At night when yon go to bed, take two drams of fine gum iragacanth ; put it into a galli- pot, and put half a quarter of a pint of any distilled water fitting for the purpose you would make your troches for to cover it, and the next morning you shall find it such a jelly as the physicians call mucilage : with this you may, (with a little pains taken) make a powder into a paate, and that paste into cakes called troches. 5. Having made them, dry them in the shade, and keep them in the pot for your use. CHAPTER XJV. 0/ PUU, 1. Th^y are called piltUcBj because they resemble Mttle bnMs; the Greeks call them catapolia. J. It is the opinion of modem physicians, that this way of making medicines was invented only to deceire the palate, DimBCTIOFB FOR MAKIVO ST11ITP8, &0. il5 that ao hj swallowing them whole, the bitterness of the me- dicine might not be perceived, or at least might not be in- Bufierable ; and indeed most of their pilla, though not all, are very bitter. 3. 1 am of clean contrary opinion to this, I rather think they were done up in this hard form that so they might be the longer digesting. The ftrst invention of pills was to purge the head; now, as I told you before, such mfirmities as Ue near the passages were best removed by decoctions, because they pass to the grieved parts soonest ; so here, if the infir- mity lies in the head or any other remote part, the best way ia to use pills, because they are longer m digesting, and therefore oetter able to call the offenciing humours to theuL 4. If I should tell you here a long taJe of medicines work- ing by sympathy and antipathy, you would not understand a word of it ; they that are set to make physicians may find it in the treatise. All modem physicians know not what be- longs to a 8-\Tnpathetical cure, no more than a cuckoo what belongs to flats and sharps in music, but follow the vulgar road, and call it a hidden ouality, because it is hidden from the eyes of dunces, and indeed none but astrologers can give a reason for it ; and physic without reason is uke pudding without fat. 6. The way to make pills is very easy, for with the help of a pestle and mortar, and a little diligence, vou may make any powder into pills, either with syrup or tne jelly 1 told Tou before. CHAPTER XV. The %Day of mixing Medicijies according to the cause of the Disease^ and part of the body ajfflicted. This being indeed the key of the work, I shall be some- what the more diligent in it. I shall deliver myself thus : 1. To the vulgar. 2. To such as study astrology ; or such as study physic ».-irologically. Ist. To the vulgar. Kind souls, I am sorry it hath been your sad mishap to have been so long trained in such Egyp- tian dArknesa, even darkness which to your sorrow may be felt. The vulgar road of physic is not in my practice, and I am therefore the more unfit to give you advice. I have now pubUohed a httle b(X)k, (Every Mrni his own Doctor) *vhich will fully instruct you, not only in the knowledge of your own boct tc mii«cnrry through wind, Lhuit da: 416 dtubctioiis tor makivo btrups, dto. ( K ) Look out abortion in the table of diseases, and you shftfi be directed by that how many herbs prevent miscarriage. (2.) Look out wind in the same table and you shall see how many of these herbs expel wind, 1. These are the herbs medicinal for your grief. 2. In all diseases strengthen the parts of the body afflicted. ^ 3. In mixed diseases there lies some difficulty, for some- times two parts of the body are afflicted with contrary hu- mours, as sometimes the liver is afflicted with choler and water, as when a man hath had the dropsy and yellow jaun dice ; and this is usually mortal. In the former, suppose the brain to be too cold and moist, and the liver to be hot and dry ; thus do : 1. Keep your head outwardly warm. 2. Accustom vouraelf to the smell of hot herbs. 3. Take a pill that beats the head at night going to bed. 4. In the morning take a decoction that cools the liver, or that quickly passeth the stomach, and is at the liver im- mediately. You must not think, courteous people, that I can spend time to give you examples of all diseases. These are enough to let you see so much light as you without art are able to receive. If I should set you to look at the sun, I should dazzle your eyes and make you blind. 2ndly. To such as study astrology, (who are the only men I know that are fit to study physic, physic, without astro- logy, being like a lamp without oil) you are the men I ex- ceedingly respect, and such documents as my brain can give you at present, being absent from my study, I shall give you. 1. Fortify the body with herbs of the nature of the Lord of the Ascendant, 'tis no matter whether he be a Fortune or In- fbrtune in this case. 2. Let your medicine be something anti-pathetical to tn* \jOTd of the Sixth. 5. Let your medicine be something of the nature of hii i>ign ascending. 4. If the Lord of the Tenth be strong, make use of his me- dicines. 6. If this cannot well be, make use of the medicines of the Light of Time. o. Be sure always to fortify the grieved part of the body I J sympathetica! remedies, 7. Regard the heart, keep that upon the wheels, becauae kfae sun is the foundation of lifia, and therefore those univer* sal remedies Aarum PotabiU, and the Philosopher's stone cure ail diseases by fortifying the heart. OF WITH THE NAMES OF THE HERBS THAT WILL CURE THEM, AND THE Number of Page upon which each Herb can be founi Ths iohoU ieing a Complete Guide to CulpeperU Herbal. A Aboktiov— Bistort, or Snakeweed, SS, Fern, 138, Qlafe). ■i4d, Plaiitam. ^4. Bbsath. stiukiu)< - Mint (wiM), j.16, Hosemary, aos. SmalUMre, S»9. BwKATHlNQ. aitUculty of-AiiKelioa, m. Bay-tree. 40. Bean* (French), 43, Betouy (wooil). 47, Caiatmut, 73, Horehounl, IW. Uouud's TooKue, 1»5, iCue^K^nleuX *>4. Lareotler, iio, Mabterwort. 228, Ro(»emary.3U3, Scabioiu*, 323, Tbyme (jfardeu). 371, Vervain, 379. AjDffUca, 2«. Arsaiuan, 31. Aveu.^ 36. Betony (wood), 48, Bit- er bweet, M. Brauk Ursine, 58. Bugle, 66. Clary, W, Crab'« Claws, 102. Daidiea. 118, I>uve>-i'^oot. 124, Fern (water), 139, FiT' trtM), 144, Nail wort. 248, Pennyroyal, 286, berviue-tree, 331, ThorouKh-Wax (white), 370. BimiriNGS— Alkauet, 16, Briouy. 6U, Hemlock, 188, Ivy, 90S, Liverwort, 8U, at. Peter** Wort, 871, Tamarisk-tree, 861. OacH E 1 1 4— Agrimony (water), 10, CleftTers, M, Dandelion, 114. CAMCBlia— A^nmouy, 18, Aleboof, 81. CAarcjcaa-BLMtort, m. Bumet, 68, Uamplon (wild), 76, Elecampane, ISi, Fluellem 1&5. KoutKrass. 2U8, daxilrage, 830. CijrrHABiDK —Bistort. 53, Oats. 254. Ca* UWCLKS— iicabioos, 324. Wallimts, SSi. Gattlk, poi:»oned - Herb Tni»-Liove, 187. CATARUHd— DoK-Kose. 123. ChI1J>-BxbtB AveuA, 36. Chujjuun!* Btu.uy (water), 46. Fitrwort, 143, Hyssop, 801, Kidney* wort. 206. CHOl.Ka— Alexander, 21. Asarabaca, 38, Caraway, 78. Cherr>-tree, 84. Daudeli.m, 114, Dodder of Thyme, 120, fcilder (dwarf), 188, Fleur-»e (hip), 3U0, 8orrei, 840, Tutsan, 876, Valerian (gardenX S77, Violet. 380. CBOLSB PUSHBa— Colts' Foot (common), 97. Cuoi.KRIC FLUXB8 -Poppy (wild;, 2o2. Chols&IC UJMOUBS-Ouion, 254. Poppy (wild), 988, RoM (hip), 999, ttutvory (wildj, 367. Tausy (cttmmon). 361, Wormwood, 394. CHOLTO-Ajfrimony, 18, AJehoof, 20. Angelica, 86, Avein, 36, Camomile, 74. Caraway. 78, (irouiidael (common), 173, i£y»»<>p, 2ui, Mus- tard (black). 2M, Polypody, 277, Quince- tree, 287, Hose (damaskl CM. Ru:>li, 307, Hauce-Alone. 318, tiavory (winter), 819, tiaxi- tra^e (xreat buniet). :)2o. CilAPs .SaKe (wooeudiila, 144, Hawk- Wetxi, 178. ilajiel Nut, 179. Hemp, 18.}. Uorehound, 198. Hound's ToMKue. 196, Liquoritw. 816, Lungwort. 22U. Marsh Hallows, 221, Marjoram (common wild), 226, Mustard (black). 946. Nep, 249. Parsley (oommuu). 868, I'amulp (cow), 880, Popyy (wild). 282. Ki, 94A Peiiuyfoyal, 8t«. Ha»lfrag<; (.(rr<«it). 8A). 4«0 INDEX OF DISEASES. AND HERBS THAT CURB. D Danb&itff— Beets, 4fi, SoabiouB, 324, Willow-tree, 80). D^AI> Child— Aikanet, 16, Adder's Tongue, 17, Brioay,60, Centaury, 88, Fleur-de-Lys, 164, Glad win, lt>4, Masterwort, 239, Penuyru\ al, 266, Satfe, 311. DkaPWESS— Alehoof, 21, Carduus Benedictus, 77, Fennel (sow), 138, Henbane, 184, Marjoram, 226, TamariAk-tree. 360. DmrLUXiONa-Kupture-Wort, 307, ttorrel, 339, ttuooory, 867, Woad, 89^ Yarrow. 397. Diabetes— Bistort, 53, Thyme (wild), 372, Yarrow, 897. DlQESTlON— Coleworts (the sea), 72, Gentiao, 162, Hawk- Weed, 178. Lettuce, 212, Lovage, 219, Mint, 234, Mustard (black), 244, Rosa (hip), 299, Kosemary, 303, Sorrel (common), 339, Saracen's Con- sound, 316. DanouLTT OF BBSATHiNa— Beets, 46, Fennel (sow), 186, Mustard (black), 244. Ddcnbss of Sioht— Rosemary, 303, Rhubarb (great monk's), 293, Sar- saparilla, 317, Savory (winter), 319, Willow-tree, 891. Disease, sudden- Aikanet, 16. Dislocations— Brauk Ur.sine, 59, Butcher's Broom, O. Doos— Horehound, 192. Hound's Tonjfue, 196. Dreams— Lettuce, 213. Purslane, 286. DaOPST— Acrimony (water). 20, Angelica, 86, Asarabaoa, 82, Ash-tree, 88, Bay-tree, 40. Betouy (wood), 47, Broom, 63, Elder (dwarf), 129, Eringo, 133, Flax-weed, 147, (ilatlwin, 164. Hawk- Weed, 171, Jumper-tree, 204, Kidneywort, 206. Marjoram, 226, Mas- terwort. 229, Moss (Kround)L2;i9. Mug wort. 241, Parsley (com- mon). 258, Pellitory of the Wall, 266, Pimpernel (water), 878, Saracen's Consuund, 316, Succory, 367. DbOWSINESs -Kosemary, 303. Deunkknness— Ivytree, 2'U. Dullness of Spihits— Lang de Boeuf, 210. DisUBY— Asparaxus, 34, Bay-tree, 40, Beans (French), 48, Brank Ursine, 69, Brook Lime, 61. Butter-Bur, 69, (>al>imint, 73, Cardur«i Benedictus. 77, Eringo, 188, Ivy-tree, 801, Tansy (garden), 362, Turnsole, 376. -Agrimony, 19, Alehoof, 81, Ouckoo-Pint, 106, Elder (dwarf), 128, Eringo, 133, Fennel (sow), 136, Fleur-de-Lys (garden), 163, Ivy-fcree, 202, Marjoram (wildh 228, Marjoram (sweet), 227. Mint (water), 236, Parsley, 268, Parsnip (cow), 281, Pellitory <» the Wall, 265. Rose (hip), 299, Savory (winter), 819. EABirro— Comtrey, 98 and 99. Epidemical Diseases -Ant^ellca, 26, Betony (wood), 47, Bistort, 68, Burnet, 68. Butter- Bur, 69, Walnuto, 884. Ephialtes— Cudweed. 109, Peony (male), 267. ExccBiATiONS— Marsh Mallows, 224, Plantains, 874, Purslain, 285. Ens— Alehoof, 21, Angelica, 27. Bay-tree, 4C» Beans, 41. Betony (wood), ^ Blue Bottle, 58, Caoba>;es, 71, Celandine, 79, Centaury, 88, Clary (wild), 93, Chrowfoot, 106, Cuckoo-Pint, 108, Cucumbers, 106, Dwarf (elder), 129, Flaxweed, 148, Fumitory, 157, (iround- ■el, 173, Horehound, 192, Houseleek, 196, Lily of the Valley, 114, Lovage, 219. Sweet. Marjoram. 227, Melilot, 232, Moss i ground), 239, Nightshade, 252, Parsley, 258, Pennyroyal, 266, Hmpemel, 272, Rose (hip), 809, Tansy (common), 862, Vio- let, 880. F Fags— Bay-tree, 41, Carduus Benedictua, 77, Cresses (sciatlCA), lOS, Devil's Bit, 116, Lovage, 219, Pennyroyal, 2^6, Willow- tree, 891. FAHmHO— Honeysuckle. 190, Lavender, 810, Motherwort, 239, Penny- royal, 266, Rose (hip), 300. Falls— Aikanet, 16, Bugle. 66, Fig- Wort, 143, Sage (wood), 81S. FalunO SICKNESS— Betony (wood), 47, Briony, 60, Cowslips, 101, Fennel (sow), 186, Fox-(Jlove, 156, Gentian, 162, HelUbore (black), 181, Mweh MRliowfi. 284, Masterwort. 229. Mismltoe, 237, MostArd, INDEX OF DISIASBS, AND HKRBS THAT CURE. 4*1 (blAck). S46, PAraley. SM. Parsnip (oow), (60, FeonjToyX, M«, Pliintain. 274, Poplar (bUok), t79. SatZron, 900. Fat, m dacrsase of —Cleavers. M. Fkix)N8— Arssmart, 31, Bitter-dweet, M, Herb True-Lore, 187, Nail- wort, »48. FZTKB*-BuniK«. 57. Oamomlla. 74, Clary, M. DandeUon, 114, LII7 of thf VaUey^U. tiouthemwood, 341. Fxua nr th» Etm— Clary («riid), »J, Strawborrlee, S5«. FUTULAS— Airrimoiiy (water). SO, Aiehoof, Si, Bugle, 66. Clary 91, Dove'a-Foot, 1S4. Fleur-Ue-Lys, IM, Nettle (oommuu), S5l. Verrain (oommoo), s;». Winter Qreen, 391, Yarrow, S98. FosasTFULirxa»— Agrimony (water), SO, Ajwmbaoa, SS, Water Lily 216. Flxas— Aider (oommon), S4, Aaarabaoa, SS. Fliks, to ke«p from— Acrimony (water), SO. FLAOiLNO B&SAtfTS— L^diee Mautle, SOO. Flux or Bux)o— Agnmony, 18, Ajnaranthns. t4, Barberry, 87, Basil (gardm), 39, Bay-tree. 40. Bebusb, 166, Oolden iiod, 168, UroundMek (eoouaon), 178, Knotgrass. 908. Mallows (oommon). Via, Murnh- ■•Uows, 994. Nettles (common), 960, Parsler Piert. 960 H^i«h (common), 9tr, Rocket (winter), 997, Rupturo-wort, •or, tSamphire, 81ft, Haxifrage (whlteX 80, Vsrraln (common), 870. Or.rraro— Dog's-grass. 191, GLa'iwln, 164, Qroondsel (common), irt Ii««taes (oommon), 212, Lorage, 119, Mouse ear, 940. Plantain. 974, TlmDS(oommoti', 17 1. (HTKS -Bis«sv«^ Bogle, m. Mmt ' wUd). S»l, TsDsy (oommoa). ao 493 [NDKX OF DTSEASKS, AND HERBS THAT CZR^ H Haib, to niAke grow— Glnquefoil« 90. ^^ , HAnt, to restore— Elmtreo. 131. Hound's-Tonffue, 196. Lily (white), fl6j Mai.ien-hHir (wbite), *«. Mallows (marsh), 224, Mustard (white), 346, Petich-tree, 263, Thorough-leaf. SIO. IlKAl>— AsarabHCA, 33. Blackberry-bush, 66, OUry (wild), 93, Fluelleln, 166, Knot- grass, ««. Maideu-huir (>rt)l'leu), !W2, Marsh Mallows, 224, Marjoram (sweet), 227. MiutUfarden), 234, Mustard (black), 246, Nep, 24y. Kose (hip), 299. E[BAI>-acHB— Butcher's Brt)om, 62. Cudweed, 109, Du^k's-meat. 127, Fennel (sow). 136. Horehound. 192, ivy-tree, 202. Moss (>f round), 239. Peach-tree. 263, Poppy (crowtoot/, **), R»)se (hip), 29H, Self- heal, 329, Succory (wUd), 867, Thomberry (black), 369, Valerian (wild), 378, Violet, 3«0. Hkat— Hawk- weed, I7tt, Hemlock, 182, Liquorice, 217, Sun-dew, 369. Hkabt— Balm, 37, Burnet. 68. Cleavers, 94, aentian, 162. 71«MOBBHOU>3^ohn'8 Wort (St.), 203, Knapweed, 207, Privet, 88i, Ciouthemwood, 341, Tumarisk-tree, 3tiu. HlOOOUOH— Dill, 117, Fennel, 136, Hifcrt'* Tongfue, in. Mint (gap. den), 233. High GoLOiTB-Bishop's Weed, 69. Hips— Thyme (common garden), 371. HOAaaKNBas— Cabbaxee. 71, Fleawort, 162, Liquorice, 216, Marsh Mal- lows, 224. Nep, 249, Peach-tree, 282, Fluma, iltf. Poppy (wild), 282, Sage (common), 311, Violet, auOb Httkottrs- Horse-radi.sh. 288. HTPOCHONSaiA- Darnel, 116, Eringo, 131. Iliao Passioit— 6avine, 318. Imposthuxk - Alehoof, 20, Asarabaoa, 82, Basil (garden). S2, Dandelion, 114, St. John's Wort, 203, Orpine, 257, Peter's Wort, 271, Kusll (squinanth). 307, Sage (woml). 313, Saracen's Consound, ai6k >k»biou8 (lesser field), 323, Teasel, 364. InfLAMH .TIONS- Asarabaoa, 32. Beans, 41, Bistort, 68, Borage, 67, hrook Lime, 61, Campion (wild), 76, Clary, 92, Clown's Woundwort, 96, Comfrey. 98, Elder (dwarf). 1-29, Hemlock. 182, Henbane, 184, Kidney wort, 206, Lettuce (common). 212, Liver- wort, 218, M.eadow-sweet, 2:)0, MeUlot, 231, Poppy (wildX 23a, Parsley (common), 258, Pimpernel (water). 272, Privet, 384. Rhubarb (great mouk'sj, 293. S«>rrel (oommon), 3-19, Thorough-wax (white). 370, Vine-tree, 879, Violet, 380, Wal- nuts, 384, Yarrow (common), 398. IWFKOnON, to preserve from— Uog's Mercury, 122, Parsnip (cow), 260. INDIOESTION— Angelica, 96, Balm, 86, Barberry, 87, Beets, 44, Bur* dock, 70. IXOH— All-Heal, 16, Agrimony (water), 20, Alehoof, 21, Betony (water), 46, Blackberry-bush, 66, Borage, 67, Caniuus Benedictas, 77, Celandine, 80, Cuckoo Pint, 107, Horehound, 192. Marjoram (wild). 226, Scabious (lesser field), 824, Sorrel (common), 840, Tormentil, 873. J ' /AxmDiOB, Black— Hellebore (black), 181. JauNDIOX, Yellow— Ash-tree. 34, Betony (wood), 47, Bistort, 63, But- cher's Broom, 62, Calamint, 73, Camomile, 74, Cresses (black), 102, Dandelion, 114, Fumitory, 167, Hellebore (black), 181, Hemp, 183, Herb True- Love, 187, Ivy-tree, 201, Parsley Piert, 259, Parsley (oommon stone), 260, Peach-tree, 262, Plan- tain, 274. Jonrw—Beans, 41, Broom. «S, Chamomile, 74, Clary. 92, Comfrey, 9C, Dragon, 196, tihround Pine, 172, Masterwort, 228, Rose (hip), 800, Rue (garden), 804, Spleen Wort, 847, Tansy (oommon), 361, Trefoil, 874. K Kx&NXii»— Colts' Foot (common), 97, Darnel, lis, Flgwort, 148, Oround- sel (oommon), 178, Misseltoe, 236, Mugwort (oommon), 241, Son-dl ((^OTDinon). MO. St^nn Crop, 3^, Wtaytuu (oommoui, 878. INDEX or DISEASES. AND HERBS THAT CURE. 423 Ktbu— Fi^wort, li3, Henbaoe (cummon}. 184, Kifineywort. :i08. KlDNBYa-Cn»b !♦ <;Uw8, liw. Dove'i^ Fcxjt. lu, EriuKo. 13», FurM-bosh, 16H, Ch>u«f berry-imub, l(>9. Kidiieywurt. -JU6, Liverwurt, Si8, Puni>eruel. .i72, 6auicle, 316, Tausy (K»rvien). 362. Kna'sETU.— Alaur (black;, 'a, (Jumuoiile. 74, Cainpioa, 76, Carduiu B«uedictuj», 77, CIowu'h \V<)uiiawi)rt. 06, EriiiKO. 133, Fumi- tory, 167, QeutiHa, lt>2. (iokieu Koii. 168, Kiv-t«frwort. 228. Moneywort, 237, Mu.ttard (hedxe). 246, Nettle (common). 26«J, Pennyroyal, 266. line (Kardeu). 304. Satfroa, 8u«, ."^un Dew. 36V. Thyme (common), 371, WiUow-tree, 3»), LTTBV, to provoke— AsparaKtu» (pricklv), 84, Do»f's Meruury, 182, Mint (Karden). 184. Mustanl (white), 246, Onion, 164. LUBT, to stop- Hemlock. Utt, Lady's Smook, lue. M MAl>KSaa-Hellebore(bUu:k), 181. Mad Dof. 21. Arracb, 18, Balm, 86. BUtes, 66, Bumet, 69, Cnbbngt*!*. 71. Uotf's (irasA, 121. Fever Ft^w. 140, Fumitory. 167, Oeutian. 162. Herb Kobert, 186, Marsh Mallow, 224, Moium- ear, 24u. Pe Alone, 318. daxitrage (common), 322, tksabioua (leaser field), 3X3, ttyii^nel, 3M, duocory (wild), 367, Thyme (oommou), 871, Tumeole, sre. PXLI8-Bil berries, 49, (Jelandine (leaser), 82, (bolts' Foot, 97, Cuckoo- Pint, 106, Flea- wort. 162. Hound's Tontfue, 196. Kidney wort, i06. MuUein (blaok). 242. Mullein (white). 243, PeUitory of the Wall, 266, Plautaia (graas), 276. Pdctlv— Bistort. 63, Cresses (sciatica), 108, Fumitory, 167, Honey- suckle, 190, Rue vtrarden), 306. Pis ahi) WsB-Hemluck. 182, Honeysuckle, 190, Lily of the Valley. S14, Tormentil, 373, Valerian (ijardeu), 377. Pabtiho with Blooi>— Aimmoiiy, 18, Basil (ijarden), 39. PLBuaUY-AuKelica, 26, Heart's En.-*e, 180. MutiUird (hedge), 246, Nettle (oommon), 260, bcabious (lesser Held). 323. POXSOV— Angelica, 26, Balm, 37, Bistort, 63, Blackberry-bush, 6S, Blae Bottle. 68, C^iitrops (water), 76, Cuckoo Piut, 107, Devil's Bit, 116, Fleur-de-Lys, 16.1, Hawk-weed, 178, Herb True- Love, 187, Hops, 191, Lavender (cotton), 211, Quince-tree, 287, Rue (gar- den), 304, ek>rrel (sheep's;, 340, Viper's Bugloss, 381. POLTFUB— Cuckoo Pint, 108, Dittander, 117, Dragon, 126, Nettle (oom- mon), 250. Pbititxxs— Black berrvbush, 66, Bugle. 66, Cucumbers, 108, Duck's Meat, 127. Flea-wort, 162, Golden Rod (oommon), 168, Hen- bane, 184, Horsetail, 194, Moon wort, 238. PU8H«B— Chick wood, art^Colts' Foot (oommon). 97, Devil's Bit. 116, Fumitory, 167, Wormseed (treacle). 388. Q QVAXLLK Aana»- Archangel, 30, Betony. 46, Erlngo, 133, QsrUo, 160, Hell- ebore (black), 181. Plantain (rib-wort), 276. Polyyody.277, Vei^ vain (commoQ), 379, Wormwood, 394. QX70CT>iAif Aaus8-Be^ >ny (wood). 46, Costmary. 100, Eringo, 188, Wormwood, to4. QXTDrST— A4wort, 807, ttege (oommon). 811. -Amaranthus, 14. Asparagus (prickly ), 84, Bistort. 68, Eringo, 133, Hawk-weed (oommon), 178, Knotgrass, 206. Mullein (white), U3, Pimpernel (water). Vt, Rue (garden), 806. Rup- ture-wort, 307. bage (wood), 818, Saniole, SU, Tansy (garden), 881, Vervain (oommon). 379, Violet, 880. Down, or Cotton Thistle. 116. taau- Borage. 67. Bhony.60. Ordaus Benedlctos, TT. Oelandine, m, DameLii6, Hops, 191. Liverwort, 118, Nightshade (oom- moo). 162, Plantain. 174. Savins. 818. ttoabious (lesser held), 814, Sorrel (common). 840. Rurrxnm Agrimony. 18, Betony (wood), 47, Bishop's Weed, at, Bi» tort, 68. Brank Uniine. 60, Caiamdit, 73, CinquefoU, 91, Oom- 86, Coraiwort, 100, Croaswort, 106. Cuckoo Plot, loi, m Rod (commonX 168. Moneywort, 137, Mullein (blackl •48, Orpine, IS?, Tansy (gardeo), 8611. Thorough W%z ^whit^T 4^6 INDEX OF DISSA.SKS, ANI> HERBS THAT CURE. a Scabby HBAiw-Blackberry-biish, 66, Foxglove. 166, Lily (whiteX UN Mallows (marsh), 224, Nep, 249, Peter's Wort (at,.), 271. Scabs— Al'jhooi:, 21, Alder (black), 23, Ashtree, 34, Beets. 46, Bugle, 66, Fumitory, 157, Hops, I9l, Kadiieywort, 206, Marjoram (wild), 226, Mustard (black). 246, Nettle (common), 251, Plantain, 274, Rocket (winter), ii97, Hue (garden), iM>6, boabiuus (lesser field), 824, Tormentil, 373. 80AB8— Calamint, 73, Tormentil, S7S. SCXATIOA— Alehoof, 21, AuKelica, 26, (Dabbages, 71, Oalamint, 73, Cen- taury (small), 83, Clary, 92, Cresses (sciatica), 103, Daisies, 112, Henbane, 184, Herb Kobert, 186, Kidney wort, ;S06, Moiis^ ear, 240, Mustard (hedne). 246, Kbubarb (xreat monk's), 294, Savory (winter), 819, Tansy (common), 361, Tutsan, 876. SCUBVT— Briony, 60, Cresses (sciatica), 103, KMneywort, iiM, Lavender (cotton), 211, Radish (horse), 288, Saxilrage (great bumet), 820, Tormentil, 373. 8BKD, to increase— ErinKO, 132. Rose (hip), 800. 8Kiu>E>rrs, Biting of-Agrimony, lb, Alexander. Si. 8Hii*ai.Kd -Clary, 92, Houseleek, 196, Nightshade (common), t5S, Parsnip (cow), 2«1. SXKKW»-All-heal, 16, Betony (wood), 47, Blackberry-bush, 66, Bur- dock, 70, Camomile, 74, Chick weed, 88, Down, 125. Fleur-de- Lys, 154, Ivy-tree, 201, Lily (white). 215, Marjoram (sweet), 07 M >therwort, 239, Mugwort, 241, Scabious (lesser held}. 824, Walihowers (wild), 383. Snir— Calamint. 73, Ck)wslips, 101, Elm-tree. 131, Endive. 13S, Hemlock, 182, Loveage, 219, bcurvy-grass, 327. Sleep, to procure— Poppy (white), 281, Privet, 284. SXALL Pox-Alkanet, 16, Bistort, 63, Lovage, 219, Tormentil, 3T8. Smelx lost, belpeth— Beets, 45. So&KS— AKrimouy. 18, Archangel, 80, Bistort, 68, Burdock, 70, Carduua Benedictus, 77, Erin^o, 133, Fumitory, 167. Qolden Rod (nar- row leaved), 168, Herb True-Love, 187, Hops, 191. Knapweed (common), 207, Knotgrass, 208, Liverwort (common), 218, Mouse-ear, 910, Nettle (common), 260, Rhubarb (great monk's), 293, Sage, 811, Sage (woixl), 818, Saraoen's Con- sound, 316. 8PBB0B, Lost— Lily of the Valley, 214, Rosemary, 303. Spleen- AU-heal, 16. Alehoof, so. Alder (black), 22, Archangel, 29, Broom, 63, Camomile, 74, Creases (sciatica), 103, Dojf's Qrass, 121, Fennel (common), 135, Fleur-de-Lys, 153, (germander. 163, Hawk-weed. 178. Hops, 191, Hyssop, 2uo, Marjoram (common wild), 226. Melilot. 2:i2, Poley (mountain), 276, Scabiou.^ (les- ser held). 324, Spleen- wort, 847, Strawberries, 866, Tamarisk- tree, 361, Tormentil, 373. Splintebs- Agrimony, 18. Briony, 61, Clary, 92, Hawthorn, 179, Mus- tard (black), 246. Stitches— Ash-tree, 36, Betony (wood), 47, Briony, 60, Camomile, 71, Carrots, 78, Elecampane, 131, Gentian, 162. SrolCAGH-Alder (black), 23, Avens, 86, Betony (wood), 47, Bilberries, 49, Broom, 63, Caraway, 78, Chervil, 86, Cuckoo Pint, 107, Elecampane. 1.%, Gentian. 162. Groundsel, 173, Hawk-weed, 178. Hops, 192, Marjoram (wild), 226, Mint (garden), 2;i4. Stowe -All-heal, 16, Asparajfus (prickly), 34, Bay-tree, 40, Beans. 41, Birch-tree, 60, Briony, 80, Buek^s-Hom Plantain, 65, Cabbages, n. Camomile. 74, Carrots, 78, Columbines. 97, Coralwort, 100, Dog's Grass, 121, Eriiigo, 133, Madder, 221, Mallows (marsh), 284, Medlar, 231, Moss (ground), 238, Mouse-ear, 240, Mug- wort, 241, Rest Harrow, 291, Sowerweed (kidney-leav- ed), 848. BnuNOUBT-Alexander, 21, Asparagus (prickly), .34, Butcher's Broom, 68, Filipendula, 144, (iladwin, 164, Horse-tail, 194, Liquorice, 217, Pimpernel, 272, Poplar (black), 278, Rocket (winter), 297. BUW-BxrBNiNOS— Betony (water), 48, Cucumbers, 109. Sxmnnxs— Oabba^'ca, 71, >Vurmwuo«i (oonuaon broad-leavadX Mft. INDEX OF OISKASKS, AND HBRBS THAT Ct;llK. ^MJ BWELLUiti- Aidor (common), M, Buiey. as. Betony (woodX 47, iirook x^une, 61, (JabbMKt««. 71, Camumile. 74, Chickweeil, tj». Cleavers, frt, Clowu'e Wuuu.iwort. »6. Eudive. ia«, Fleuelleiu. 166. (iUkd- win, 164, Ueuiiuck, itfit, Herb Hubert. 18B. Juhu'H Wort [tit).^ 3u3. Madder, -/il. MexUar, XJl. Mustard (black), M6, bcabloiU (leaser Qeld), ^\. Wurmwuod (common), 3H4. B-wooiruraci-BorHtfe, 67, Laveader, iio, Pecmyi-oyiJ« JM. Teeth— Rose (hip), aw. Tmmmm, lo provuke-Alkmnet, 16, A^Timony (water), 10, Alehoof, n, Aiitfeliua. m, balm, 87, Betouy (wood). 47, Brook Lame, 61, Uelaudme, 80, Clary, 98, Crtk»»ee ( water), 104. DevU'a Bit, 116 EnuKO. 133, Uarlio, ItfO, Hops. IM, Ivy-tree, 9ui, LovaK**, 8i». Maeterwort. :ai, Nep. Si», Pantiey, 868, ttatirou, 309, Siavory (wiuter), ai9. TXBMS, t^»stop-Amaranthu0, 84, Beeta, 46, Bilberriea, 49, Burnet, 68. Comlrey. 9t», Fi^wort (waterX l-t3< LooiMMtrife, ilu. Medlar, t.n. .vlucM (tfruuudn t*i, NiKbtslia^le (oummuu). 858, Kattle OniHS. 89u. Tamari^k-uee. 3au. Waiimta, atM. — BMia^e,67. brtuuy, tiU. CarduuB Beuedictus, 77, HojM, 191, jtiuii»eieek. liM, Laverwort, 818, Plumit, 876. Rhubarb (great mouK'ttj, 894, Hue(Kardeu). 3U6, borrel (commou), 840. •JdariKold (ouroj, 888. Purslane, 886, dorrel (oommoo), 839, Sor* rel (wuoil). 341, bpieeuwort, 347. ThboaT— AieUool. 81, Balm. 37, Borate, 67, CJaltropa (water), 75, 0)lum- biuee, M, iiytMMip, 8uo. LooiieHtrife. 8itf, Lovage, 819, Koae (hip), £«. se J-heal. S/H, Vervain (uummou), 37W. Thobh*— Axnmouy, 18, bnouy, «l, Clary. 98, tiouthemwood- 841. TOOTU-ACUK - Aii-heal. 16, Angelica, 86, ArsHiuart, 81, Blf tort, 6S. i<'euiiel {oom I, 136, UyiMop, 800, Mulberry-tree, 848, JPuayernel (water). 878. Poppy (wdd), 883, lamariak-tree, 861. TaxfAiL ui WoMXN -Motherwort, 839. Tuuoua» -tiee » weilings. V Vxvoic -Saxifrage (great bumet), 880, Teasel (manured), 868. VuMS B&oKJSN-Blue Bottle, 68, (jlown'ti Woundwort. 96, Tonnen- til.373. VsnsT— Lettuce (common), US, Mint (garden), 884, Nettle (common), 860, iiotte (hip), 300. Vmtioo- Ail-heal. 16. Bitter Sweet. 64, Briony,60. Carduus Benedictus, 77, Cowrtlipa. 101. VoXTnvo-BUi>eme«. 49, Bistort, 63. Buck's-Hom Plantain, 66, (Jlown'a Woundwort. 96. Elder (dwart), 189, John's Wort (8t.), 803, JdUnt (garden), 834, Moneywort. 837, Moas (ground), 838, Oak- tree, 863, Pennyroyal, 866, Purslane, 886. U Ulcxb*— Alkanet, 16, Adder's Tongue, 17, Agrimony. 18, Alehoof, tl. Asarabaoa, 38. Beets, 46. Betony (wood), 48, Bistort, 68, Borage. 67, Bugle, 67. Burnet. 68. Carrots, 78. Clary (wUd), 96, Cluwn's Woundwort, 96, Oostmary, lui, OresMS (sciatica). 108, Cuckuo Pint. 1U8. Daisies, 118, Fleuiwle-Lys. IAS, FlueUeiu. 166, Oukl«n Bod (uarrow leave*!), 168, UeUebore (black), 181. Herb iytM»-LoTe, 187. Horse-tail, 194, Ivy-tree, 908. Knapweed (oom- Boo). 107, Muuse-ear. 840, Oak-tree, 863, Pliuperuel (water), S78, PurBlane. .M&, iieet Harrow, 891, Kupture-wort, 807, Banl den), 234. Wind, Breaniuif— Alder (black), 22, Angelica, 26, Bay-ta-ee, 40, Broom, 63, Dili, 117, Hawk-weed, 178, Orpine, 257. Rosemary, 803, 8mallage, 336, Tamarisk- tree, 360 Wormwood (lloman), 396. Womb— Arrach (wild), 28, Briony, 60, Molherwon, 238, Vervain (com- mon), 379. WoBMS-AU-heal, 16, Arssmart, 81, Bay-tree, 40, Betony (wood), 47, Bistort, 63, Calamint, 78, Cudweed, 109, Fleur-de-Lya, 168, Qentian, 162, Hemp, 183, Hops, 192, Hvssop (hedge), 201. Lavender (cotton), 211, Motlierwort, 239, Mustard (hedge), 248, Orchis, 256, Peach-tree, 262, Tansy, 361, Walnuts, 384. WOXTNSS— Alkanet, 16, Adder's Tongue, 17. Alehoof, 20, Avens, 86, Beans, 41, Bishop's Weed, 62, Black berry- bush, 66, Buck's- Horn Plantain, 64, Cleavers, 94, Clown's Woundwort, 96, Coralwort, 100, Cudweed, 100, Daisies, 112, Down, 126, Elm- tree, 131, Golden Kod (common), 167, Golden Kod (narrow leaved), 168, Golden Rod (Welsh), 168, Green (winter), 171, Herb Trae-Love, 187, Knotgrass, 208, Loosestrife, 218, Money- wort, 2:^7, Mouse-ear, 240, Privet. 284, Rue (garden), 306, tjars- cen's Consouud, 316, bolomon's tSeal, 839, Tansy (common), 361, Tutsan, 373, Yarrow, 898. Wbinilks— Cuckoo Pint, 108. YSLLOW Jaundicb— Alkanet, 16, Agrimony. 18, Alehoof, 10 JSorage, 07, Butcher's Broom, 62, Carduus Benedictus, 77, Eringo, 188, Flax- weed, 147, Fumitory, 167, Hops, 192, Horchound, 192, Liverwort (common), 218, Mustard (hedge), 246, Plantain, 274, Biiubarb (great mouk's), 294, Rose (hip), 3U0, baracen's Con- aound, 316, borrel (common), 340. bpleenwort. 847, Straw- berries, 356, Succory (wild), 867, Tormentil, 873, Wormwood (oommou broad-leaved)> 884. DIREOnONB FOB MAKINQ SYBUPS. Em SECTION L PXOB Or Qathsbino, Dbthto, Ajsm Kxspjsq Socplbs, and thbib JOTCBS 400 CHAPTER L OV LBATEa OV HSBBS, OB T&BBS 401 OHAPTEBH. OvFlowsbs 40i CHAFTEB ni. Or Skkds . •. Ml OHAPTEBIV. Of Boon 4W OHAPTEB V. 0» Bajqxb .^-.. .«.. 40i IKDBX TO TBI ART OF MAXIMO HBRBAj. MEDICINK. 429 SECTION n. PJLOS Tmm Wat of Maxxvo aks Ksbiuhq all Nkctmajbt Compoxtioxi 40i OHAPTEBL O7 DxanxxsD Watzbs »»»^ ^» 40f OHAPTEB n. OfSTBITIS ^^ ^ «M CHAFTEBm. Or JxTLxn ^ ^^^^.^^ 4or OHAPTEB IV. 07 Daoocnomi MS ohapteb v. OfOxu ^ , 408 OHAPTEB YL Ow ELmoTVAMxm 40t OHAPTEB Vn. OPOoireBBTM «.«.. 410 OHAPTEB VnL Ow FasBKsrm 411 OHAPTEB IX. Ow TiOWOflW 411 OHAPTEB X. OHAPTEB XI. Op PuoflTEM 413 CHAPTEBXn. Of FouxoiOli 411 OHAPTEB Xin. Of Tboobh 414 OHAPTEB ZIV. OfPXZXS -.^- ^.. 414 OHAPTEB XV. TVB Wat of Mizuro MzDioDrae Aooosdxzvo to thb Oauum of TUB t^ibxjub, ijo) Past of tbs Boot affuotsd.....^.. 4ti 430 INDEX TO COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS OF HERBS. Cup M088, W. Saxifrage, Yellow Loosestrife, St. John's Wort, Pimpernel, Vervain Mallow, Rest Arrow Frontis. FACING PAGE Adder's Tongue, Agrimony, Agrimony Hemp, All-heal, Amonum, Avens, Black Alder, Behan (white), Bedstraw, Bugler 48 Baxen Wort, Butcher's Broom, -Calamint, Camomile, Comfrey, Crofs Wort, Cudweed, Great Celandine, Little Celandine, Wild Carrots.. 49 Betony, Bistort, Bitter-sweet, Buckbean, Briony, Brook'lime, Burnet, Burnet Saxifrage, Bur B-eed 80 Cat Mint, Centau^, Coltsfoot, Com Marygold, Cow Wheat, Cranesbill, Crowfoot, Cuckoo Flower, Long Cyperus, Wart Cress 81 Chickweed, Devil's Bit, Dodder, Dropwort, Dyers' Weed, Barth Nut, Eye Bright, Pointed Dock, Red Darnel. Sciatica Cress 144 Bringo, Fever Few, Figwort, Fleuellin, Flux Weed, Foolston, Fox Glove, Frogbit, Purging Flax, Yellow Flag 145 Flea Bane, Fumitory, Gladwin, Glasswort, Goutwort, Groundpine, Hogs' Fennel, Male Fern, Sweet Flag 176 Black Horehound, Goatsbeard, Gold of Pleasure, Golden Rod, Grom- well. Harts' Tongue, Hemlock, Henbane, Hounds' Tongue, White Horehound 177 Good King Henry, Haresfoot, Honeywort, Jack by the Hedge, Jacinth, Juniper, Knapweed, Least Houseleek, Liver Wort, Milk Wort, Water Mint 240 Marsh MaUow, BCeadow Sweet, Mother of Thyme, Mother Wort, Mug Wort, Ox Bye, Feraicaria, T. Mustard, Water Lily, W. MuUein 241 Mouse Ear, Pellitory of the Wall, Purple Loosestrife, Scurvy Grass, Sneeze Wort, Wild Parsnip, Wood Sage 272 Soap Wort, Spikenard, Tansy, Violet, Wood Sorrel 273 ^BARY OP THt A fill; OF PHARMACY 1158 nuv 1 11992