A LIST OF CHEAP BOOKS, SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS: PUBLISHED BY MILNER AND SOWERBY, BAGLAN STBEET, HALIFAX, THE COTTAGE LIBRARY— (Halifax.) Boyal 32mo. Cloth. Lettered. Uniformly Bound. A Book that will Suit You JEsop’s Fables Anna Lee; or, Maiden, "Wife, and Mother Arabian Nights’ Entertain- ments American Beceipt Book Anecdotes of Napolen Basket of Flowers; and other Tales Baxter’s Saints’ Everlasting Best Benevolent Jew Berquin’s Children’s Friend Bogatzky’s Golden Treasury — Morning Bogatzky’s Golden Treasury — Evening Brown’s Concordance Bruce’s Travels in Abyssinia Buchan’s Domestic Medicine Butfon’s Natural History Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress Bunyan’s Choice Works — First Series Bunyan’s Choice Works- Second Series Bunyan’s Holy War Burns’ Poetical Works Byron’s Select Works Byron’s Choice Works Captain Canot, the African Slaver Cause and Cure of Infidelity Comic Album and Comic Minstrel Crotchet Children of the Abbey Christian’s Every Day Book Christ’s Famous" Titles Christmas Eve, and other Tales, by the Author of “ The Basket of Flowers” Clater’s Every man his Own Farrier Clater’s Every Man his Own Cattle Doctor Coleridge’s Poetical and Dra- matic Works Cowper’s Poetical Works Cook’s Voyages Cooper’s Last of the Mohi- cans Cooper’s Pilot Cooper’s Sea Lions Cooper’s Spy Cooper’s Deerslayer Cottage Gardener Culpeper’s British Herbal, complete” Culpeper’s Every Man’s Doc- tor Daily Comforter Death-bed Triumphs Dialogues of Devils Diprose’s N ation al Song Book Don Quixote (Adventures of) Don Juan Domestic Cookery Dodd’s Beauties of Shak- speare Dodd’s Beauties of History Dodd’s Discourses to Young Men Doddridge’s Bise and Pro- gress English Popular Ballads Eustace, theChristian Warrior Evenings at Home Farmer of Inglewood Forest MILNER AND SOWERBY’S CHEAP LIST. 2 Fashion and Famine. Fatherless Fanny F ern Leares. By Fanny Fern Finney’s Revivals of Religion Foxes’s Book of Martyrs Glory through Faith Godfrey, the Little Hermit, and other Tales Good Time Coming Gulliver’s Travels Henry Earl of Moreland Herbert’s Poems Hervey’s Meditations History of the Russian "War House of the Seven Gables Italian(The),byMrs.Ratcliffe Kirke White’s Remains Lamplighter Language &Poetry of Flowers Law of Kindness, &c. LenaRivers, bvM.J. Holmes Life of W ellington Life and Exploits of Robin Hood Life of Cromwell Life of Baron Trenck Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Life of the Rev. J. Fletcher Life of Mrs. Fletcher Life of the Rev. John Wesley Life of Joseph, A Death of Abel Life of Christ, by Bromley Lives of Highwaymen, &c. Lives of Pirates& Sea Robbers Longfellow’s Poetical Works Mabel Vaughan Memoirs of the Life of Dr Adam Clarke Milton’s Poetical Works Moore’s Lalla Rookh, and Irish Melodies Moral & Entertaining Anec dotes News from thelnvisible' World Nick of the Woods Old English Baron and Cas- tle of Otranto O’Halloran, the Insurgent Chief Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded 1 leasing Instructor Poe’s Tales of Mystery, &c. Popular Song Book Pope’s Poetical Works Pope’s Homer’s Iliad Pope’s Homer’s Odyssey Power of Prayer (The) Quarle’s Divine Emblems Queechy, by Eliz. Wetherell Reciter for the Million Religious Courtship Robinson Crusoe Romance of the Forest Rose Clark, & other Sketches Ruth Hall, and other Tales Sabbath ]\Xornuig Hemem- hrancer, &c., by Bond Sacred Garland — 1st Series Sacred Garland — 2nd Series Sandford and Merton Scarlet Letter Scottish Chiefs Scott’s Lady of the Lake Scott’s Lord of the Isles Shady Side, hya Pastor’s Wife Shipwrecks and Disasters at Sea i.impson’s Plea for Religion Simpson’s Key to the Prophe- cies Smith’s Bread from Heaven Smith’s Early & Latter Rain Smith s Good Seed for the ( Lord’s Field Smith’s Light for Dark Days Smith’s Sunny Subjects for all Seasons Smith’s A Book you will Like Smith s Pearls from the Ocean Smith’s Fruit from the Tree of Life Smith’s Good News for all Smith’s Rills from the Rock of Ages Smith’s Gleams of Grace Smith’s Glad Tidings of Good Things Stephen’sTravelsinEgypt,&c. St. Clair of the Isles Sunday School Reciter Sunny Memories of For emu Lands, by Mrs. Slowo ° 3 MILNEK AND SOWEliBY’S CHEAP LIST. Swiss Family Robinson Tales and Stories of Ireland Tales of Fairy Land Thomson’s Poetical "Works Todd’s Student’s Manual Todd’sAngelof thelceberg, Src Todd’s Lectures, &c. complete Todd’sSundaySchool Teacher Tregortha’s Bank of Faith Two Years before the Mast Twice-Told Tales, by Haw- thorne TJncle Tom’s Cabin Yara ; or the Child of Adop- tion Wallsend Miner, by.T.Everett Wars of England (The) Watts’ Improvement of the Mind Watts’ World to Come Watts’ Scripture History Watts’ Logic Waverly; or ’Tis Sixty Years since White Slave Wide, Wide World Wit of the World Wilson’s Wonderful Cha- racters Wonders of Nature and Art Wordsworth’s Excursion, Ac. Wordsworth’s Select Poems Young’s Poetical Works Young Man’s Own Book Young Man’s Book of Amuse- ment YoungMan’s BestCompanion Young Woman’s Companion Nearly all the before-mentioned Work ? are printed on extra paper ; got up in lied and Blue Cloth. Poetical Gift Books. — Royal 32mo.— Gilt Edges. Bridal Gift (The) Diadem (The) Evergreen (The) Forget-me-not (The) Gems of Sacred Poetry Gems of Poetry for Those we Love Heart’s Ease (The) Ilcber’s Poems Hcman’s (Mrs.) Songs of the Affections Hours of Thought Language & Poetry of Flowers Moore’s Lalla Rookh Orange Blossoms' Poetical Keepsake Poetry of (Love) The Poetry of the Affections Sacred Harp of American Poetry Saered Ilarp (The) Sighs of Lore Miscellaneous. — Royal 32mo.— Gilt Edges. Abbott’s Teacher & Schoolboy Anecdotes — Religious, Moral, and Entertaining Aunt Emma’s Stories from History Authentic Anecdotes of Chris- tian Martyrs vEsop’s Fables Basket of Flowers 200 Pretty Little Tales Baron Munchausen Beecher’s Lectures to Young Men Berqnin’s Children’s Friend Better Land (The) Bloomfield’s Farmer’s Boy Book of Familvi Worship Book for the Lord’s Day Bremer’s Midnight Sun Bryant’s Poetical Works Bunyan’s Come, & Welcome, to Jesus Christ Byron’s Tales Byron’s Don Juan . Christian’r Pattern, & Wesley on Chris tian'dferlection m ' ■ •***- * - • W Saxifrage. tenant MaUaw. Jcllow Loosestrife . THE And he spake of trees. from the cedai tree that is m I, dm no u, ■ ^ even unto the Hyssop that spnngeth out o.f thrw'il] 1 h cn o, f? IV Ckap 3 3. (’t'HLISHKLi «Y W. MII.NKK HAOJ'A.X ew.N'fttopoeirt CULPEPER’S COMPLETE HERBAL; "WITH NEARLY FOUR HUNDRED MEDICINES, MADE EEOM ENGLISH HERBS, PHYSICALLY APPLIED TO THE CURE OF ALL DISORDERS INCIDENT TO MAN; Wity 2HuIe£ for Compounding t*jc m : ALSO, DIBECTIONS FOB MAKING SYKUPS, OINTMENTS, &c\, &c., &c. HALIFAX: MILNLE AND SOWEJC 3Y. 1860. mn 1/ T'of uni, AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF THE HERBS AND PLANTS, AND THE NAMES OF THE PLANETS WHICH GOVERN THEM 000 PAGE Amara dulcis, is under Mercury 15 All-Heal is under the dominion of Mars 17 Alkanet, is under the dominion of Venus 18 Adder’s Tongue, is under the Moon in Cancer 19 Agrimony, is under Jupiter, and the Sign Cancer 21 Water Agrimony is under Jupiter, and the sign Cancer 22 Alehoof, is under Venus 24 Alexander, or Alisander, is under Jupiter 25 Black Alder Tree, is under Venus 28 Common Alder Tree, is under Venus 28 Angelica, is under the sun in Leo ib. Amaranthus, is under the dominion of Saturn 31 Anemone, is under Mars 32 Garden Arrach, is under the Moon ib. Arrach, wild and stinking, is under the dominion of Venus and the sign Scorpio 33 Archangel, red, white, yellow, are under Venus 34 Arsmart, and Dead Arsmart, under Saturn and Mars . 36 Asarabacca, is under Mars 38 Asparagus, and prickly Sparagus, are under Jupiter .. 40 Artichokes, are under Venus 103 Ash Tree, is governed by the Sun 41 Avens, is under Jupiter 42 Arum, see Cuckoo -point. Alecost, see Costmary. Aparine, see Clevers. Acanthus, see Drank Ursine. Ammi and Ammios, see Bishop’s weed. B Balm, is an herb of Jupiter 43 Barbery, is under Mars 45 Barley is a notable plant of Saturn ib. Garden Basil, or Sweet Basil, is an herb of Mars and under the sign Scorpio 47 The Bay Tree is a tree of the Sun under the sign Leo 48 Beans are under Venus 49 IV A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS. PAGR French Beans belong to "Venus 50 Ladies Bedstraw, is under Venus 51 Beets, the red under Saturn, and the white under Jupiter 53 Water Betony, called also Brown Wort, and Bishop’s Leaves, an herb of Jupiter 54 Wood Betony, appropriated to Jupiter and the sign Aries 55 Beech Tree is under Saturn 58 Bilberries, are under Jupiter 50 Bifoyl is a plant of Saturn <10 Birch-tree is under Venus ib- Birdsfoot belongs to Saturn 61 Bishop’s weed, or Bulwort, is under Venus 02 Bistort is under Saturn 63 One Blade is an herb of the Sun 65 Bramble, or Black-berry bush, a plant of Venus in Aries ib. Blites are under the dominion of Venus 65 Borage and Buglos are under Jupiter 67 Blue-bottle and Blue-blow are under Saturn... 69 Brankursine and Bearsbreech are under the Moon .... 70 Briony is under Mars 7> Brooklime is under Mars ! 73 Butcher’s Broom and Bruscus are under Mars 74 Broom and Broom Rape are under Mars 75 Buckthorn Plantain i3 under Saturn 77 Buckthorn is under Saturn 73 Bugles or Brown Bugles is under Venus 79 Burnet, an herb of the Sun 81 Butter-Bur, an herb of the Sun 82 Burdock, an herb of Venus S3 Bitter-sweet, see Amara dulcis. Spanish Bugloss, see Alkanet, Bruisewort, see Sopewort, Bare-foot, see black Hellebore. Baldmoney, see Gentian. Brimstone-wort, see Fennel. Barba-aron, see Cuckoo-point. Balsam herb, see Costmary. Bull’s-foot, see Colt’s-foot. Blessed Thistle, see Carduus Benedictus. Bipennula, see Burnet. Bastard Agrimony, see Water Agrimony. C Cabbages and Colewort, are herbs of the Mo^n 85 The Sea Colewort, the Moon owns it 86 A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS. V PAGE Calamint, or Mountain Mint, is an herb of Mercury . . 87 Camomile is under the Sun 88 Water Caltrops, or Caltrops, are under the government of the Moon . 90 Campions "Wild, are under the Sun 91 ’ Carduus Benedictus, is an herb of Mars 92 Carrots are under Mercury 93 Carraway is under Mercury 94 Celandine, an herb of the Sun 95 The lesser Celandine is under Mars 98 The ordinary small Centaury, i3 an herb of the Sun. ... 99 The Cherry-Tree is under Venus 100 Winter Cherry, a plant of Venus 101 Sweet Chervil and Sweet Cicely are under Jupiter .... 104 Chesnut Tree is under Jupiter ib. Earth Chesnuts and Ciper Nut3 are under Veuu3 .... 105 Chickweed is under the Moon ib. Chick Pease or Cicers is under Venus 105 Cinquefoil is an herb of Jupiter 108 Cives, Chives, and Chivet are under Mars 110 Clary; or Clear Eyes is under the Moon ib. Wild Clary, or Christ’s Eye is under the Moon 112 Clevers and Clavers are under the Moon ib. Clown’s Wound-wort is under Saturn 114 Cock’s Head is under Venus 115 Columbines are under Venus 116 Coltsfoot or Coughwort is under Venus ib. Comfrey is an herb of Saturn 117 Coralwort is under the Moon 119 Costmary is under Jupiter 120 Cudweed or Cotton Wood is an herb of Venus 121 Cowslips are under Venus 122 Crab’s Claw is under Venus 123 Black Cresses, under Mars 124 Sciatica Cresses, under Saturn ib. Water Cresses, are under the Moon 125 Crosswort is under Saturn 126 Crowfoot is under Mars 127 Cuckowpoint, or Pintle, or Calvesfoot is under Mercury I 28 Cucumbers are under Ihe Moon ’. lai Caterach, see Spleenwort. Carpenter’s herb, see Self-heal. Cammock, see Rest-harrow. Corn Rose, see Poppy. Champetys, see Ground Pine. vi A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS, pag y Callians, see Orchi3. Catmint, see Nep. Cuckoo flowers, see Ladies’ Smock. Christmas Herb, see Black Hellebore. Call-me-to-you, see Heart’s Ease. Crane’s Bill, see Dove’s Foot. Crop, see Darnel. Middle Confound, Comfrey, or Herb Carpenter, see Bugle. Corn Flowers, see Blue Bottle. Cummin Royal, and Ethiopian Cummin Seed, for both, see Bishop’s Wood. Clovewort, see Avens. Catsfoot, see Alehoof. D. Daisies are governed by Venus, and under Cancer .... 132 Dandelion is under Jupiter 133 Darnel is under Saturn 134 Dill is under Mercury 135 Devil’s Bit is under Venus 136 Docks are under Jupiter 137 Dodder of Thyme, and other Dodders are under Saturn 138 Dog’s Grass, under Jupiter 140 Dove’s Foot is a Martial plant 141 Duck’s Meat, Cancer claims the Herb, and the Moon will be Lady of it 142 Down or Cotton Thistle, is under Mars ib. Dragons is a plant of Mars 143 Great round-leaved Dock, or Bastard Rhubarb. Dyer’s Weed, see Wold and Weld. Dittander, see Pepper Wort. Dog's Stone, See Orchis. Dewberry Bush, see Goose-berry bush. Drop Wort, see Filipendula. Dentaria. see Coral Wort. Dragon Wort, see Bistort. Dog’s and Goat’s Arrach, see Arrach wild and stinking. E. Elder Tree, is under Venus 144 Dwarf Elder is under Venus ib. Elm Tree is under Saturn 146 Endive is under Venus 1 47 Elecampane is under Mercury ib. Eringo, a venereal plant 149 A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS, Vll rAOK Eye-bright, the Sun claims dominion over it, and it is under the Lion 15ft Epithimum, see Dodder of Thyme. Earth Nuts, see Earth Chesnuts. English Serpentary. see Bistort. Eupatorium, see Water Agrimony. F. Fern is under Mercury 151 Water Fern is under Saturn 152 Feat’nerfew is under Venus 153 Fennel is an herb of Mercury, and under Virgo 155 Sow Fennel and Hog’s Fennel are herbs of Mercury.... 15(1 Figwort is under Venus 157 Filipendula is under Venus 151 The yellowWater Flag, or Flower-de-luce, under the Moon 1 59 Flax-weed is under Mars Kill Flea Wort is under Saturn 161 Flux-weed is under Saturn 163 Flower-de-luce 164 Fluellin, or Lluellin, is a Lunar herb 16"> Foxglove is under Venus 167 Fumitory is under Saturn 163 Furze Bush, is under Mars 170 Felwort, see Gentian. Frog’s Foot, see Crow’s foot. Fresh Water Soldier, see Crab’s claws. Foal’s foot, see Colt’s foot. Five Finger, or Five-leaved Grass, see Cinquefoil. Figwort, see the Lesser Celandine. Flower-gentle, Florimen, and Velvet Flower, see Aina- ranthus. G. Garlick, is under Mars 17ft Gentian is under Mars 171 Clove Gilliflowers are under the dominion of Jupiter.. 173 Germander is under Mercury ib. Stinking Gladwin is under Saturn 174 Golden-rod, Venus claims it 176 Goat-wort, or Gerrard, Saturn rules it 177 Gromwell, three sorts are uuder Venus 178 Gooseberry bush, under Venus 179 Winter-green is under Saturn 180 Groundsel is under Venus 181 Garden Patience, or Monk's Rhubarb 816 via A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS. PAPB Goat-stones, see Orchis. Gofts, see Furzebush. Q,uick-grass, or Couch-grass, see Dog's grass. Gold Knobs, or Gold Cups, see C’owfoot. Goose-grass, or Goose share, see Clevers. Ground-nuts, see Earth Chesnuts. Gill-go-by-round, and Gill-creep-by-round, see Alehoof. H. Hercules All-heal, see All-heal. Hercules Woundwort, see All-heal. Hearts-ease is Saturnine 182 Heart’s-tongue, under Jupiter 183 Hazel-nut is under Mercury 104 Hawk- weed is under Saturn 105 Hawthorn is under Mars 107 Hemlock is under Saturn ib. Hemp is under Saturn 109 Henbane is under Saturn 190 Hedge-hyssop, under Mars 191 Black Hellebore, an herb of Saturn 1.92 Herb Robert is under Venus 194 Herb Truelove is under Venus 195 Hyssop is under Jupiter 196 Hops are under Mars 197 llorehound is under Mercury b;8 Hone-tail is under Saturn 200 Houseleek is under Jupiter 201 Hound’s-tongue is under Mercury 202 Holly, Holm, or Hulver-bush, is under Saturn 203 Honeysuckle, see Meadow-trefoil. Honey-suckle, see Woodbine. Small Housleek see Stone crop. Heliotropium tee Turnsole. Hook-head, 6ee Self heal. Horse-radish, see Radish. Herb Two-pence, see Money wort. Horse-strange, and Horse-strong, see Hog's Fennel. Horse-hoof, see Colt’s foot. Holy Thistle, see Carduus Benedictus. Harts-horn, Herba-stella, Herba-steUaria, Herb-eye, and Herb-ivy, see Buckthorn. Heart sickle, see Blue bottle. Herb William, see Bishop’s-weed. Herb Bonnet, see Avens. A TABLE OP HERBS AND PLANTS. IX PACK Forse-parsley, see Alexander. Baymaids. see Alehoof. Hepatorium, see Water Agrimony. J. St. John’s Wort is under the Sun, and the sign Leo .. 204 Ivy is under Saturn 205 Juniper-hush is a Solar herb 206 St. James’s-wort, see Rag-wort, Jaray, see Darnel. Jarus, see Cuckoo point. Ground ivy, see Alehoof. K. Kidney-wort is under Venus 208 Knapweed is under Saturn 209 Knot-grass is under Saturn 210 King’s Clever, see Melilot. Knight’s Pound-wort, see Crab’s claws. Knee- holm, Knee-holly, Knee-hulvex, see Butcher’s Broom. L. Lady’s Mantle, is governed hy Venu3 211 Lavender, Mercury owns it 212 Lavender-cotton, Mercury governs it 21:1 Lady’s Smock, the Moon governs it 214 Lettuce, the Moon owns it ib. Water Lily, white and yellow, are under the Moon .. 215 Lily of the Valley, Conval Lily, May Lily, and Lily Constancy, are under Mercury 217 White Lilies are governed by the-Moon ib. Liquorice, Mercury governs it 218 Liverwort, is under Jupiter 219 Loose-strife, under the Moon ib. Loose-strife, with spiked heads of flowers, is an herb of the Moon 220 Lovage, an herb of the Sun 222 Lung wort, an herb of Jupiter 223 Love in Idleness, see Heartsease. Locher’s Goulons, see Crowfoot. Lappa Major, see Burdock, Ladies Seal, see Betony. Langue de heuf, see Borage and Bugloss. M. Moral, see Amara Dulcis. X A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS. PAGE Madder, an herb of Mars 223 Maiden hair, or Wall-rue, is under Mercury 224 Golden Maiden hair, an herb of Mercury 226 Mallows and Marshmallows, are under Venus ib. Maple-tree, is under Jupiter 230 Wild, Bastard, and Grove Marjoram, are under Mercury ib. Sweet Marjoram, an herb of Mercury 231 Marigolds, are herbs of the Sun 232 Master-wort, an herb of Mercury 233 Sweet Maudlin, an herb of Jupiter 234 Medlar, is under Saturn ib. Melilot, or King’s Clover, is under Mercury 236 French and Dog’s Mercury, are under Venus 237 Mint, an herb of Venus 239 Missletoe, under the Sun 242 Money-wort, under Venus 243 Moon-wort, the Moon owns it 244 Mosses, Saturn owns them 246 Mother-wort, under Venus 247 Mouse-ear, under the Moon 248 Mug-wort, under Venus 249 Mulberry-tree, Mercury owns it 250 Mullein, Saturn owns it 251 Mustard is under Mars 253 Hedge Mustard, Mars owns it 255 Medick-fetch, see Cock’s head. Myrrhs, see Chervil. Macedonion Parsley Seed, see Alexander, N. Nailwort 256 Nep Catmint, under Venus ib. Nettles are under Mars 257 Nightshade, under Saturn 259 Dead Nettles, see Archangel. O. Oak, Jupiter owns it 261 Oats 262 One Blade, Sun owns it ib. Orchis, is under Venus 263 Onions, are under Mars ib. Orpine, the Moon owns it 265 One-berry, herb True-love, is under Venus 195 Orgains, Origanum, see Wild Marjoram. A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS. XI TAGE Osmond Royal, see Water Fern. Ox -tongue, see Bugloss. Oyster-loit, see Bistort. P. Parsley is under Mercury 266 Parsley-piert, or Parsley Breakstone 267 Parsnip is under Venus 203 Cow Parsnip, under Mercury ib. Peach-Tree belongs to Venus 270 Pear Tree 272 Pellitory of Spain, under Mercury ib. Pellitory of the Wall, Mercury owns it 274 Penny-royal, Venus owns it 276 Peony, masculine and feminine, the Sun owns them . . 277 Pepper-wort, a martial herb 279 Perriwinkle, Venus owns it 260 St. Peter’s-wort, under the Sun 281 Pimpernel is a Solar herb 2 2 Ground Pine, Mars owns it 288 Plantain is under Venus 285 Plums are under Venus 287 Polypody of the Oak, an herb of Saturn ib. Poplar- tree, under Saturn 289 Poppy, white and black, and the wild poppy, or Corn- rose, the Moon rules 291 Purslain, under the Moon 294 Primroses are under Venus 295 Privet the Moon rules 296 Park-leaves, see Tutsan. Prick-madam, see Stone-crop. Prunel, see Self-head. Pansy, see Heartsease- Piss-a-bed, see Dandelion. Priest-pintle, see Cuckoo-point. Q. Queen of the Meadows, Meadow sweet, or Mead sweet, Venus claims 297 Quince-tree, Saturn owns it 298 R. Radish and Horse Radish are under Mars 299 Ragwort, under Venus 301 IL-utle-grass, red and yellow, both are under the Moon 302 Rest harrow, or Caumiock, are under Mars 303 xii A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS. PAGE Rocket is under Mars 304 Winter rocket, or Winter-cross, is under Venus 308 Red roses are under Jupiter ib. Damask roses are under Venus, White roses are under the Moon 310 Rosa solis, or Sun-dew, the Sun rules it 311 Rosemary, under the Sun 312 Rhubarb, or Raphontick, Mars claims it 314 Garden Patience, or monk’s Rhubarb, or Bastard Rhu- barb, Mars governs them 316 Meadow Rue 319 Garden Rue is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo . . ib. Rupture wort is Saturnine 322 Rushes are under Saturn 323 Rye 324 Ramp and wake Robin, see Cuckoo-point. Red Fatching, see Cockhead. S. Saffron, an herb of the Sun Sage, an herb of Jupiter Wood Sage, under Venus Solomon’s Seal, Saturn owns it Samphire, an herb of Jupiter.. Sanicle, an herb of Venus Saracens confound, or Saracens Wound-wort, Saturn governs it Sauce-alone, under Mercury Winter and Summer Savoury, Mercury governs them . Savine, Mars owns it The common white Saxifrage, the Moon governs Burnet Saxifrage, the Moon governs it Scabious, three sorts. Mercury owns them Scurvy-grass, under Jupiter Self-heal, and Sickle- wort, are under Venus Service-tree is under the dominion of Saturn Shepherd’s purse is under Saturn Smallage, an herb of Mercury Sope-wort is under Venus Sorrel is under Venus Wood Sorrel is under Venus Sow Thistle is under Venus Southern wood is a mercurial plant Spignel is under Venus Spleen- wort is under Saturn 324 325 326 327 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 839 341 312 ib. 343 344 3-1 5 346 A . *T <347 313 349 850 A TABLE OF HEUBS AND PLANTS. xiii PAGE Star-thistle is under Mars 351 Strawberries are under Venus 352 Succory is under Jupiter 3 >3 Stone crop, small houseleek, is under the Moon 354 Septfoil, see Tormentil. Silverwood, see Wild Tansy. Satyrion, see Orchis. Sengreen, see Houseleek. Setter-wort, and Setter-grass, see Black Hellebore. Sulphur-wort, see Sow Fennel. Sea-holly, see Eringo. T. English Tobacco, is a Martial plant 355 Tamarisk- tree is governed by Saturn . 357 Garden Tansy is under Venus il> Wild Tansy, Venu3 rules it.. 359 Thistles. Mars rules them 360 Melancholy Thistle, is under Capricorn, and therefore under Saturn and Mars ib. Our Lady’s Thistle, is under Jupiter 361 Woolly, or Cotton Thistle, is a plant of Mars 363 Fuller’s Thistle, or Teasle, is an herb of Venus ib. Treacle and Mithridate Mustard are herbs of Mars . .. 364 Black Thom, or Sloe Bush 355 Thorough-wax, or Thorough-leaf 366 Thyme 357 Thyme (Mother of ) is under Venus 368 Tormentil, or Septfoil, is an herb of the Sun. ib. Turnsole, or Heliotropium, an herb of the Sun 37<) Meadow Trefoil, or Honey-suckles, under Mercury.... 371 Heart Trefoil, is under the Sun 372 Pearl Trefoil is under the dominion of the Moon ib. Tutsan, or Park-leaves, an herb of the Sun 373 Three Faces in one Hood, see Heart’s Ease. Throat-wort, see Fig-wort. Cotton Thistle, see Down. Twa-blade, see Bi foil. Turnhoof, see Alehoof. V. Garden Valerian, under the government of Mercury .. 374 Vervain, is under Venus 375 The Vine is under Venus 377 Violets are under Venus ib. Viper’s Bugloss, an herb of the Sun 378 lilackand white Vine, Wild or Wood Vine, see Briony. XIV A TABLE OF HERBS AND PLANTS. TAGR w. Wall Flowers, or Winter Gilly-flowers, the Moon rules them 3S0 Walnut, under the Sun 381 Wold, Weld, or Dyer’s Weed, under Mars 383 Wheat is under Venus 384 The Willow-tree, is governed by the Moon 385 Woad, is under Saturn 386 Woodbine, or Honey-suclde, a plant of Mercury 387 Wormwood, an herb of Mars 388 AVineberry bush, see Gooseberry bush. Whins, seethe Furze-bush. Water-flag, see yellow Flower-de-luce. Wall-wort, see Elder-tree. Y. Yarrow, called Nose-bleed Milfoil, and Thousand-leaf, is under the influence of Yenus 397 THE CONTENTS FOR THE DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUrS, CONSERVES, OILS, OINTMENTS, PLAISTERS, &C. OF HERBS, ROOTS, FLOWERS, &C. WHEREBY YOU MAY HAVE THEM READY FOR USE ALL THE YEAR LONG. SECT. I. I The way of gathering, drying’ and preserving Simples, and their Juices. Chap. 1. — Of Leaves, of Herbs, or Trees 399 Chap. 2. — Of Flowers.... 401 Chap. 3.,— Of Seeds ib. Chap- 4. — Of Roots 402 Chap, 5. — Of Barits .... 403 Chap. 6.— Of Juices .... 404 SECT. II. The way of malting and keep- ing all necessary compounds. Chap. 1, — Of distilled Water Chap. 2. — Of Syrups .... 406 Chap. 3. — Of Juleps .... 408 Chap. 4. — Of Decoctions. 4i)9 Chap. 5.— Of Oils 410 Chap. 6. — Of Electuaries. 411 Chap. 7. — Of Conserves.. 412 Chap. 8 — Of Preserves. . 413 Chap. 9- — Of Lohocks .. 415 Chap. 10. — Of Ointments 416 Chap. 11. — Of Plaisters , . 417 Chap. 12. — Of Poultices . ib. Chap. 13. — Of Troches.. 418 Chap. 14.— Of Pills ib. Chap, 15. — The way of mixing Medicines ac- cording to the course of the Disease, and parts of the body afflicted... 419 405 CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HEPBAL. AMARA DULCIS. Considering divers shires in this nation give divers names to one and the same herb, and that the com- mon name which it bears in one country is not known in another, I shall take the pains to set down all the names that I know of each herb. Pardon me for setting that name first which is most common to my- self. Besides Amara dulcis, some call it mortal, others bitter-sweet; some woody night-shade, and others felon-wort. Descrip.— It grows up with woody stalks, even to a man’s height, and sometimes higher. The leaves fall off at the approach of winter, and spring out of the same stalks at spring-time. The branch is com- passed about with a whitish bark, and hath a pith in the middle of it: the main branch brancheth itself into many small ones with claspers, laying hold on what is next to them, as vines do. It bears many leaves : they grow in no order at all, or at least in no regular order. The leaves are longish, though some- what broad, and pointed at the ends : many of them have two little leaves growing at the end of their foot- stalks ; some have but one, and some none. The leaves are of a pale green colour; the flowers are of a purple colour, or of a perfect blue like to violets, and they stand many of them together in knots : the berries are green at first, but when they are ripe they 10 cvlpeper’s herbal. are very red ; if you taste them, you shall find them just as the crabs which we in Sussex call bitter-sweets, viz. sweet at first, and bitter afterwards. Place. — They grow commonly almost throughout England, especialy in moist and shady places. Time. — The leaves shoot out about the latter end of March, if the temperature of the air be ordinary ; it flowereth in July, and the seeds are ripe soon after, usually in the next month. Government and Virtues. — It is under the planet Mercury, and a notable herb of his also, if it be right- ly gathered under his influence. It is excellent good to remove witchcraft both in men and beast, as also all sudden diseases whatsoever. Being tied around about the neck, is one of the admirablest remedies for the vertigo or dizziness in the head that is j and that is the reason (as Tragus saith) the people in Germany commonly hang it about their cattle’s necks, when they fear any such evil hath betided them : country people commonly use to take the berries of it, anil having bruised them, they applied them to felons, and thereby soon rid their fingers of such trouble- some guests. We have now shewed you the external use of the herb, we shall speak a word or two of the internal, and so conclude. Take notice, it is a Mercurial herb, and therefore of very subtle parts, as indeed all Mer- curial plants are ; therefore take a pound of the wood and leaves together, bruise the wood, which you may easily do, for it is not so hard as oak, then put it into a pot, and put to it three pints of white wine, put on the pot-lid and shut it close ; let it infuse hot over a gentle fire twelve hours, then strain it out, so have you a most excellent drink to open obstructions of theliver and spleen, to help difficulty of breath, bruises and falls, and congealed blood in any part of the bo- dy ; it helps the yellow-jaundice, the dropsy and the black jaundice, and to cleanse women newly brought to bed. You may drink a quarter of a pint of the in- CTJLPEI’JiJi’s JIEEBAL. 17 fusion every morning. It purgeth the body very gently, and not churlishly, as some hold; and when you find good by this, remember me. They that think the use of these medicines is too brief, it is only for the cheapness of the book ; let them read those books of mine, of the last edition, viz. — Riverius, Veslingus, Riolanus, Johnson, Senner- tus, and Physic for the Poor. ALL-HEAL. It is called all-heal, Hercules’ all-heal, and Hercu- les’ wound-wort, because it is supposed t hat Hercules learned the herb and its virtues from Chiron, when he learned physic of him. Some call it panay, and others opophane-wort. Dekcrip. — Its root is long, thick, and exceedingly full of juice, of a hot and biting taste : the leaves are great and large, and winged almost like ash-tree leaves, but that they are something hairy, each leaf consist- ing of five or six pairs of such wings set one against the other upon foot-stalks, broad below, but narrow towards the end ; one of the leaves is a little deeper at the bottom than the other, of a fair, yellowish, fresh green colour ; they are of a bitterish taste being chewed in the mouth. From among these ariseth up a stalk, green in colour, round in form, great and strong in magnitude, five or six feet in altitude, with many joints and some leaves thereat: towards the top come forth umbles of small yellow flowers, after which are passed away, you may find whitish, yellow, short flat seeds, bitter also in taste. Place. — Having given you the description of the herb from the bottom to the top, give me leave to tell you that there are other herbs called bv this name ; but because they are strangers in England, I give only the description of this, which is easily to be had in the gardens of divers places. Time. — Although Gerard saith, That they flower from the beginning of May to the end of December, (JO B 18 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. experience teacheth them tliat. keep it in their gar- dens, that it flowers not till the latter end of the summer, and sheds its seed presently after. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Mars, hot, biting, and cholerick ; and remedies what evils Mars afflicts the body of a man with, by sympathy, as vipers’ flesh attracts poison, and the ioadstone iron. It kills the worms, helps the gout, cramps, and convulsions ; provokes urine, and helps all joint aches. It helps all cold griefs of the head, the vertigo, falling sickness, the lethargy, the wind colick, obstructions of the liver and spleen, stone in the kidneys and bladder. It provokes the terras, ex- pels the dead birth : it is excellent for the griefs of the sinews, itch, stone, and tooth-ache, the bite of mad dogs and venomous beasts, and purgeth choler very gently. ALIvANET. Besides the common name, it is called orchanet, and Spanish bugloss, and by apothecaries, enchusa. Descrip. — Of the many sorts of this herb, there is but one known to grow commonly in this nation ; of which one takes thisdescription It hath a great and thick root, of a reddish colour; long, narrow, hairy leaves, green like the leaves of bugloss, which lie very thick upon the ground; the stalks rise up compassed round about, thick with leaves, which are lesser and narrowerthantheforrner; they are tender, and slender, the flowers are hollow, small, and of a reddish colour. Place.— It grows in Kent, near Rochester, and in many places in the west country, both in Devonshire and Cornwall. Time. — They flower in July and beginning of Au- gust, 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. Govei'nment and Virtues.— It is an herb undpr the dominion of Venus, and indeed one of her darlings, Culpeper's herbal. 19 though somewhat hard to come by. It helps old ui- cers, hot inflammat ions, burnings by common tire and Sr. 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, a3 you make vinegar of roses, it helps the morphy and leprosy ; if you ap- ply the herb to the privities, it draws forth the dead child. It helps the yellow jaundice, spleen, and gra- vel in the kidneys. Dioscorides saith, it helps such as are bitten by venemous beasts, whether it be taken inwardly or applied to the wound; nay, he saith fur- ther, if any that hath newly eaten it do but spit into the mouth of a serpent, the serpent instantly dies. It stays the flux of the belly, kills worms, helps the fits of the mother. Its decoction made in wine, and drank, strengthens the back, and easeth the pains thereof. It helps bruises and falls, and is as gallant a remedy to drive out the small pox and measles as any is : an ointment made of it is excellent for green wounds, pricks, or thrusts. ADDER’S TONGUE, or SERPENT’S TONGUE. Descrip. — This herb hath but one leaf, which grows with the stalk a finger’s length above the ground, being flat and of a fresh green colour ; broad like wa- ter plantane, 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 partwhereofissomewhat bigger, and dented with small dents of a yellowish green colour, like the tongue of an adder serpent, (only this is as useful as they are formidable). Tiie roots continue all the year. Place. — It grows in moi3t meadows, and in such like places. Time. — It is to be found in May or April, for it quickly perisheth with a little heat. Government and Virtues. — It, is an herb under the dominion of the Moon and Cancer, and therefore, if the weakness of the retentive faculty be caused by an > 20 CULPEPER'S HER3UL. evil influence of Saturn in any part of the body s ro- verned by the Moon, or under the dominion of Can- cer, this herb cures it by sympathy. It cures these diseases after specified, in any part of the body under the influence of Saturn, by antipathy. It is temperate in respect of heat, but dry in the second decree. 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 suc- cess unto those that are troubled with casting, "vomit- ing, or bleeding at the mouth and nose, or otherwise downwards. The said juice given in the distilled water of oaken buds, is very good for women who have their usual courses, or the whites flowing down too abundantly. It helps sore eyes. Of the leaves infused or boiled in oil, ompliacine, 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 turpentine be dissolved therein. It also stayeth and refresheth all inflammations that arise upon pains by hurts and wounds. What parts of the body are under each planetand sign, and also what disease may be found in my as- troligical judgment of diseases; and for the internal work of nature in the body of man, as vital, animal, natural and procreative spirits of man ; the appre- hension, judgment, memory, ; the external senses, viz. — seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling ; the virtues attractive, retentive, digestive, expulsive, &c. under the dominion of what planets they are, may be found in my Ephemeris for the year ICol : in bot h which you shall find the chaff of authors blowu away by the fame of Dr. Reason, and nothing but rational truths left for the ingenious to feed upon. Lastly. To avoid wetting paper with one thing ma- ny times, and also to ease your jnirses in the price of Culpeper's herbal. 21 the book, and withal to make you studious in physic, you have at the latter end of the book, the way of pre- serving all herbs either in juice, conserve, oil, oiut- ment or plaister, electuary, pills or troches. AGRIMONY. Descrip. — This hath divers long leaves, some great- er, some smaller, set upon a stalk, all of them dented about the edges, green above and greyish underneath, and a little hairy withal; among which 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 down- wards, 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 3mall, hath a reasonable scent. Place. — It groweth upon banks, near the sides of hedges. Time. — It flowereth in July and August, the seed being ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb under Ju- piter and the sign Cancer; and strengthens those parts under the planet and sign, and removes diseases in them by sympathy; and those under Saturn, Mar.., and Mercury, by antipathy, if they happen in any part of the body governed by Jupiter, or under the sitrns Cancer, Sagittary, or Pisces, and therefore must needs be good for the gout, either used outward- ly in oil or ointment, or inwardly in an electuary, or syrup, or concerted juice ; for which seethe latter end of the work. It is of a cleansing and cutting faculty, without any manifest heat, moderately drying and binding. It openeth andcleanseth the liver, helpeth the jaundice, and is very beneficial to the bowels, healing all in- 22 Culpeper's herbal. w ard wounds, bruises, hurts, ami other distempers^- Tue decoction of the herb made with wine, and drank> is good against the biting and stinging of serpents, and helps them that make foul, troubled, or bloody water, and makes them piss clear speedily ; it also lielpeth the colick, 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 ; outward- ly applied, being stamped with old swine's grease, it lielpeth old sores, cancers, and inveterate ulcers, and draweth forth thorns and splinters of wood, nails, or any other such thing gotten into the flesh : it help- eth to strengthen the members that be out of joint ; and being bruised 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 weaker. It is a most admirable remedy for such whose lives are annoyed either by heat or cold. The liver is the former of blood, andblood thenourisher 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 tope- ruse 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. WATER AGRIMONY. It is called in some countries water hemp, bastard hemp, and bastard agrimony ; eupatorium and hepu- torium, because it strengthens the liver. Descrip. — The root continues a long time, having many long slender strings : the stalk grows up about, t wo feet high, sometimes higher ; they are of a dark purple colour: the branches are many, growing ut culpepee's heebal. 23 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 spots, having a substance within the midst of them like that of a daisy ; if you rub them between your fingers they smell like rosin or cedar when it is burnt: the seeds are long, and easily stick to any woollen thing they touch. Place. — They delight not in heat, and therefore they are not so frequently found in the southern parts of England as in the northern, where they grow frequently. You may look for them in cold grounds by the sides of ponds and ditches, as also by running waters ; sometimes you shall find them grow in the midst of the waters Time. — They ail flower in July or August, and the seed is ripe presently after. Government and. Virtues. — It is a plant of Jupiter, as well as t lie other agrimony, only thi3 belongs to the celestial sign Cancer. It healeth and drieth, cutteth and cleanseth thick and tough humours of the Lreast, and for this I hold it inferior to few herb? 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 hard- ness of the spleen, being applied outwardly : it breaks iraposthumes, taken inwardly : it is an excellent re- medy for the third day ague : it provokes urine and the terms : it kills worms, and cleanseth the body of sharp humours, which are the cause of itch and scabs; the herb being burnt, the smoke thereofdrives away flies, wasps, &c. : It strengthens the lungs ex- ceedingly. Country people give it to their cattle when they are troubled with the cough, or broken winded. 21 cxxlpepee’s herbal. ALEHOOF, oil GROUND-IVY. Several counties give it several names, so that there is scarce an herb growing of that bigness, that has got so many. It is called cat’s-foot, ground-ivy, gill-go-by-ground, and gill-creep-by-ground, turn- hoof, hay-maids, and ale-liooof. Descri] o. — This well known herb lieth, spreadeth, and creepeth upon the ground, shooteth forth roots at the corners of tender jointed stalks, set with two round leaves at every joint, somewhat hairy, crum- bled, and unevenly dented about the edges with round dents ; at the joints, likewise, with the leaves to- wards the end of the branches, come forth hollow long flowers, of a blueish purple colour, with small white spots upon the lips that hang down. The root is small, with strings. Place. — It is commonly found under hedges and on the sides of ditches, under houses, or in shadowed lanes and other waste 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 sometimes abide, except the winter be very sharp and cold. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Venus, and therefore cures the diseases she causes by sympa- thy, and those of Mars by ant ipathy ; you may easily find it all the year, except the year be extremely frosty ; it is quick, sharp, and bitter in taste, and is thereby found to be hot and dry ; a singular herb for all inward wounds, exulcerated lungs, or other parts, either by itself, or boiled with other the like herbs ; and being drank, in a short time it easeth all griping pains, windy and choleric humours in the stomach, spleen or belly ; helps the yellow jaundice by opening the stoppings of the gall and liver, and melancholy, by opening the stoppings of the spleen ; expelleth venom or poison, and also the plague: it Culpeper's herbal. 25 provokes urine and women’s courses. The decoction of it in wine drank for some time together, procurer)! ease unto them that are troubled with the sciatica, or hip gout; as also the gout 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 throat, and to wash the sores and ulcers in the privy parts of man or woman ; it speedily help- eth green wounds, being bruised and bound thereto. The juice of it boiled with a little honey and verdi- grease, doth wonderfully cleanse .fistulas, ulcers, and stayeth the spreading or eating of cancers and ulcers ; it helpeth the itch, scabs, weals, and other breakings out in any part of the body. 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, redness and water- ing of them ; as also for the pin and web, skins and films growing over the sight: it helpeth beasts 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 will do the like in a few hours. ALEXANDER. It is also called alisander, horse parsley, and wild parsley, and the black pot-herb ; the seed of it is that which is usually sold in apothecaries’ shops for Mace- donian parslev-seed. Descrip.— It is usually sown in all the gardens in Europe, and so well known, that it needs no farther description. Time. — It flowereth in June and July : the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Jupiter, und therefore friendly to nature, for it warmeth a 28 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. cold stomach, and openeth a stoppage to the liver and spleen ; it is good to move women’s courses, to expel the after-birth, to break wind, to provoke urine, and helpeth the stranguary ; and these things the seeds will do likewise. If either of them be boiled in wine, or bruised and taken in wine, is also effectual in the biting of serpents. And you know what Alexander pottage is good for, that you may no longer eat it out of ignorance, but out of knowledge. THE BLACK ALDER TREE. Descrip — This tree seldom groweth to any great bigness, but for the most part abideth like a hedge- bush, or a tree spreading its branches, the woods of the body being white, and a dark red 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 cornet, or Dog-berry tree, called in Sussex dog-wood, but blacker, and not so long : the flowers are white, coming forthwith the leaves at the joints, which turn into small round berries first green, after- wards red, but blackish when they are thoroughly 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 plenti- fully in St. John’s wood, by Hornsey, and the woods on Hampstead-heath ; as also in a wood called Old Park, in Barcomb, Essex, near the brook’s side. Time. — It flow-ereth in May, and the berries are ripe in September. Government and Virtues. — It is a tree of Venus, and perhaps under the celestial sign Cancer. The in- ner yellow bark hereof purgeth downwards both choler and phlegm, and the watery humours of such that Culpeper's hsebal. 27 have the dropsy, and strengthens the inward parts aL'ain by binding. If the bark hereof be boiled wii.li agrimony, wormwood, dodder, hops, and some fennel with smallage, endive, and succory roots, and a rea- sonable draught taken every morning for some time together, it is very effectual against the jaundice, dropsy, and the evil disposition of the body, espe- cially if some suitable purging medicines have been taken before, to void the grosser excrements ; it pur- geth and strengthened the liver and spleen, cleans- ing them from such evil humours and hardness as they are afflicted with. It is to be understood that these things are performed by the dry bark ; for the fresh green bark taken inwardly provokes strong vomitings, pains in the stomach, and gripings in the belly; yet if the decoction may stand and settle two or three days, until the yellow colour be changed black, it will not work so strongly as before, but will strength- en the stomach, and procure an appetite to meat. The outward bark contrariwise doth bind the body, and is helpful for all lasks and fluxes thereof, but this also must be dried first, whereby it will work the better. The inner bark thereof boiled in vinegar is an appro- ved 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 an handful of elder buds, and having bruised them all, boil them in a gallon of ordinary beer when it is new ; and having boiled them half an hour, add to this three gallons more, and let them work together, and drink a draught of it every morning, half a pint, or thereabouts ; it is an excellent purge for the spring to consume the phlegmatic quality the winter has left behind it, and withal to keep your body in health, 28 Culpeper’s herbal. and consume those evil humours which the heat of summer will readily stir up. Esteem it as a jewel. THE COMMON ALDER TREE. Descrip. — Groweth to a reasonable height, and spreads much if it like the place. It is so generally well known unto country people, that I conceive it needless to tell that which is no news. Place and Time. — It delighteth to grow in moist woods and watery places ; flowereth in April and May, and yielding ripe seed in September. Government and Use. — It is a tree under the domi- nions of Venus, and of some watery sign or other, I suppose Pisces, and therefore the decoction, or distil- led water of the leaves, is excellent against burnings and inflammations, either with wounds or without, to bathe the place grieved with, and especially for that inflammation of the breast, which the vulgar call au ague. If you cannot get the leaves, which in winter is im- possible, make use of the bark in the same manner. The leaves and bark of the alder tre° are cooling, drying, and binding. The fresh leaves laid upon swellings dissolve them, and stay the inflammations. The leaves put under the bare feet gauled with tra- velling, 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- fellows. ANGELICA. To write a description of that which is so well known to be growing almost in every garden, I sup- pose is altogether needless; yet for its virtues it is of admirable use. In time of heathenism, when men had found out any excellent herb, they dedicated it to their god, as culpeper’s herbal. 29 Hie bay-tree to Apollo, the oak to Jupiter, the vine to Bacchus, the poplar to Hercules. These the pa- pist following as the patriarchs, they dedicate to their saints; as our lady’s thistle to the Blessed Vir- gin, St. John’s wort to St. John, and another wort to St. Peter, &c. Our physicians must imitate like apes, though they cannot come off half so cleverly, for they blasphemously call thansies, or heart’s ease, an herb for the Trinity , because it is of three colours ; and a certain ointment an ointment of the Apostles , be- cause it consists of twelve ingredients. Alas! Iam sorry for their folly, and grieved at their blasphemy. God send them wisdom the rest of their age, for they have their share of ignorance already. Oh ! why must ours be blasphemous, because the heathens and papists were idolatrous ? Certainly they have read so much in old rusty authors, that they have lost all their divinity, for unless it were amongst the ranters, I never read or heard of such blasphemy. The hea- thens and papists were bad, and ours worse ; the papists giving names to herbs for their virtue’s sake, not for their fair looks ; and therefore some called this an herb of the Holy Ghost; others more moderate called it Angelica, because of its angelical virtues, and that name it retains still, and all nations follow it so near as their dialect will permit. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Sun in Leo; let it be gathered when he is there, the Moon applying to his good aspect ; let it be gathered either in his hour, or in the hour of Jupiter; let Sol be angular : observe the like in gathering the herbs of other planets, and you may happen to do wonders. In all epidemcal diseases caused by Saturn, that is as good a preservative as grows. It resists poison by defending and comforting the heart, blood, and spi- rits ; it doth the like against the plague and all epi- demical diseases, if the root be taken in powder to the weight of half a drachm at a time, with some good treacle in Carduus water, and the party there- 30 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. upon laid to sweat in his bed ; if treacle be not to be had, take it alone in Carduus water or Angelica wa- ter. The stalks or roots candied and eaten fasting, are good preservatives in time of infection; and at other times to warm and comfort a cold stomach : the root also steeped in vinegar, and a little of that vinegar taken sometimes fasting, and the root smelled unto is good for the same purpose: a water distilled from the root simply, as steeped in wine and distilled in a glass, is much more effectual than the water of the leaves ; and this water, drank two or or three spoons- ful 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 begin- ning, helpeth the pleurisy, as also all other diseases of the lungs and breast, as coughs, phthisic, and short- ness of breath; and a syrup of the stalks doth the like. It helps pains of the cholic, the stranguarv und stoppage of the urine, procureth women’s courses, and expelleth the after birth ; openeth the stop- page of the liver and spleen, and briefly easeth and discusseth all windiness and inward swellings. The decoction drank before the fit of an ague, that they may sweat, if possible, before the fit comes, will, in two or 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 bitingof mad dogsorany other venomous creature, doth wonderfully help. The juice or the water dropped, or tents wet therein, and put into filthy dead ulcers, or the powder of the root, in want of either, doth cleanse and cause them to heal quickly, by covering the naked bones with flo.-dj : the distilled water applied to places pained with the gout, or sciatica, doth give a great deal of ease. cuepepee's hekbel. 31 The wild angelica is not so effectual as the gar- den ; although it may be safely used to all the pur- poses aforesaid. AMARANTHUS. Besides its common name, by which it is best known bv the florists of our days, it is called flower gentle, flower velure, floramor, and velvet flower. Descrip. — It being a garden flower, and well known to every one that keeps it, I might forbear the descrip- tion ; yet, notwithstanding, because some desire it, I shall give it. It runneth up with a stalk a cubit high, streaked, and somewhat reddish toward the root, but very smooth, divided towards the top with small branches, among which stand long broad leaves of a reddish green colour, slippery; the flowers are not properly flowers, but tuffs, very beautiful to be- hold, but of no smell, of reddish colour; if you bruise them, they yield juice of the same colour; being gathered, they keep their beauty a long time: the seed is of a shining black colour. Time. — They continue in flower from August till the time the frost nips them. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Saturn, and is an excellent qualifier of the un- ruly actions and passions of Venus, though Mars should also join with her. The flowers dried and beaten into powder, stop the terms in women, and so do al • most all other red things. And by the icon or image of every herb, the ancients at first, found out their vir- tues. Modern 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 mo- derns have them from the writings of the ancients ; the ancients had no writings to have them from : but to proceed.— The flowers stop all fluxes of blood, whether in man or woman, bleeding either at the nose or wound. There is also a sort of amaranthus that bears a white flower, which stops the whites 32 CULPEEEK’s HEEBAL. in women, and the running of the reins in men, and is a most gallant an ti-venereal, and a singular remedy lor the French pox. ANEMONE. Called also wind flower, because they say the flow- ers never open but when the wind bloweth. Pliny is my author; if it be notso blame him. The seed also, if it bears any at all, flies away with the wind. Place and Time. — They are sown usually in the gardens of the curious, and flower in the spring-time. As for description, I shall pass it, being well known to all those that sow them. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Mars, being supposed to be a kind of crow- foot. The leaves provoke the terms mightily, being boiled, and the decoction drank. The body being ba- thed with the decoction of them, cures the leprosy: the leaves being stamped, and the juice snuffed 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 humours, and is therefore excellent for the lethargy. And when all is done, let physi- cians prate what they please, all the pills in the dis- pensary 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. GARDEN ARRACH. Called also orach, and arage. j Descrip. — It is so commonly known toevery house- wife, it were labour lost to describe it.. Time.— It flowereth and seedeth from June to the end of August. Culpeper’s herbal. 33 Government and Virtues. — It is under the govern- ment of the Moon : in quality cold and moist like un- to her. It softeneth and looseneth the body of man being eaten, and fortifieth the expulsive faculty in him. The herb, whether it be bruised and appled to the throat, or boiled, and in like manner applied, it matters not much, it is excellent good for swell- ings in the throat; the best way, I suppose, is to boil it, having drunk the decoction inwardly, and apply the herb outwardly. The decoction of it besides is an excellent remedy for the yellow jaundice. ARRACH, WILD AND STINKING. Called also vulvaria, from that part of the body upon which the operation is most; also dog’s arrach, goat’s arrach, and stinking motherwort. Descrip. — This hath small and almost round leaves, yet a little pointed, and almost without dent or cut, of a d usky mealy colour, growing on the slender stalks and branches that spread on the ground, with small flowers in clusters set with the leaves, and small seeds succeeding like the rest, perishing yearly, and rising again with its own sowing. It smells like rotten fish, or something worse. Place. — It grows usually upon dunghills. Time— They flower in June and July, and their seed is ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues. — Stinking arrach is used as a remedy to help women pained, and almost strangled with the mother, by smelling to it ; but inwardly taken there is no better remedy under the •noon for that disease. I would be large in commen- dation of this herb, were I but eloquent. It is an herb under the dominion of Venus, and under the sign Scorpio; it is common almost upon every dung- hill. The works of God are given freely to man, his medicines are common and cheap, and easy to be found. (°Tis the medicines of the College of Physi- cians that are so dear and scarce to find.) I commend 95 c 34 CULPEPER?S HERBAL. it for an universal medicine of the womb, and such n medicine as will easily, safely, and speedily cure an diseases thereof, as fits of the mother, dislocation, o' falling out thereof : it cools the womb being over- heated. And let me tell you this, and I will tell yon the truth — heat of the womb is one of the greatest causes of hard labour in child-birth. It makes bar- ren women fruitful : it cleanseth the womb if it be foul, and strengthens it exceedingly : itprovokes rim terms if they be stopped, and stops them if they flow immoderately; you can desire no good 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 worn!) ; and let such as he rich keep it for their poor neigh- bours, and bestow it as freely as I bestow my studies upon them, or else let them look to answer it another day, when the Lord shall come to make the inquisition of blood. ARCHANGEL. To put. a gloss upon their practice, the physicians call an herb (which country people vulgarly know by the name of the dead nettle) archangel : whe- ther they favour more of superstition or folly, I leave to the judicious reader. There is more curiosi- ty than courtesy to my countrymen used by others in the explanation as well of the names, as description of this so well known herb; which, that I may not also be guilty of, take this short description, first of the red archangel. Descrip — This hath divers square stalks, some- what hairy, at the joints whereof grow two sad green leaves dented about t lie edges, opposite to one another to the lowennost, upon long foot stalks, but without any toward the tops, which are somewhat round yet pointed, and a little crumpled and hairy ; round about the upper joints, where the leaves grow thick. Culpeper’s herbul. 35 are sundry gaping flowers of a pale reddish colour ; after which come the seeds three or four in 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 standing straight upward, but bending downward, wherein stand two leaves at a joint, larger and mpr pointed than the other, dented about the edges, and greener also, more like unto nettle leaves, but noi stinking, yet hairy. At the joints with the leaves stand larger and more open gaping white flowers, huski- round about the stalks, but not with such a bush ot leaves as flowers set in the top, as is on the other, wherein stand small rousdish black seed : the root is white, with many strings at it, not growing down- ward, but lying under the upper crust of the earth, and abideth many years increasing : this has not so strong a scent as the former. Yellow archangel is like the white in the stalks and leaves ; but that the stalks are more straight and up- right, and the joints*with leaves are farther asunder, hating larger leaves than the former, and the flowers a little longer arid more gaping, of a fair yellow co- lour in most, in some paler : the roots are like white, only they creep not so much under the ground. Place. — They grow almost every where, unless it be in the middle of the street ; the yellow most usually in the wet grounds of woods, and sometimes in the drier, in divers counties of this nation. Time. — They flower from the beginning of spring all the summer long. Virtues and Use. — The archangels are somewhat hot and drier than the stinging nettles, and used with better success for the stopping and hardness of the spleen, than by using the decoction of the herb in wine, and afterwards applying the herb hot into tiie region of the spleen as plaister, or thedecoc- ti m with sponges. Flowers of the white archangel are preserved or conserved to be used to stay tho 36 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. whites, and the flowers of the red to stay the reds in women. It makes the heart merry, drives away me- lancholy, quickens the spirits, is good against the quartan agues, staunceth 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 an hard tumour or swellihg, or that vulgarilv 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 ofthe joints and sinews. It is also very effectual to heal green wounds and old ulcers ; also to stay their fretting, gnawing, and spreading: it draweth forth splinters, and such like things gotten into the flesh, and is very good against bruises and burnings. But the yellow archangel is most commended for old, filthy, corrupt sores and ulcers, yea, although they be hollow ; and to dissolve tumours. The chief use of them is for wo- men, it being an herb of Venus, ^nd may be found in my Guide for Women. ARSSMART. The hot arssmart is called also water-pepper, or cul- rage. The mild arssmart is called dead arssmart per- cicaria,or peachwort, because the leaves are so like the leaves of a peach-tree: it is also called plum- bago. Descrip, of the Mild. — This hath broad leaves at the great red joints of the stalks, with semi-circular blackish marks on them usually either blueish nr whitish, with such like seed following. The root is long, with many strings thereat, perishing yearly ; this hath no sharp taste (as another sort hath, which is quick and biting) but rather sour like sorrel, or else a little drying, or without taste. Place. — It groweth in watery places, ditches, and the like, which for the most part are dry in summer. Time — It flowereth in June, and the seed is ripe in august. CTTLPEPEB’s HEUBAli. 37 Government and Virtues. — As the virtue of both these is various, so is also their government; for tiiat which is hot and biting is under the dominion of Mars, but Saturn challengeth the other, as appears by that leaden coloured spot he hath placed upon the leaf. It i3 of a cooling and drying quality, and very effectual for putrid ulcers in man or beast, to kill worms and cleanse putrified places. The juice there- of dropped in, or otherwise applied, consumeth all cold swellings, and dissolveth the congealed blood of bruises by strokes, falls, &c. A piece of the root, or some of the seeds bruised and held to an aching tooth, taketh away the pain : the leaves bruised and laid to the joint that hath a felon thereon, taketh it away ; the juice destroyetli worms in the ears, being dropped into them : if the hot arssmart be strewed in a cham- ber, it will soon kill all the fleas; and the herb or juice of the cold arssmart put to a horse or other cattle’s fores, will driv° away the fly in the hottest day of summer : a good handful of the hot biting ars- smart put under a horse’s saddle, will make him tra- vel the better, although he were half tired before. The mild arssmart is good against all imposthurnes and inflammations at the beginning, and to heal all green wounds. All authors chop the virtues of both sorts of ars- smart together, as men chop herbs to the pot, when both of them are of clean contrary qualities. The hot arssmart groweth not so high or so tall as the mild doth, but hath many leaves of the colour ofpeach leaves, very seldom or never spotted ; in other parti- culars it is like the former, but may easily be known from it if you will be pleased to break a leaf of it across your tongue; for the hot will make your tongue to smart, so will not the cold. If you see them to- gether you may easily distinguish them, because the mild hath far broader leaves: and our College Phy- sicians, out of their learned care of the public good, 38 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. anglice, their own grain, mistake the one for the other in their New Master-piece , whereby they dis- cover,— 1. Their ignorance ; 2. Their carelessness ; 4 and he that hath but half an eye may see their pride without a pair of spectacles. I have done what I could to distinguish them in the virtues, and when you find not the contrary named, use the cold. Tiie truth is, I have not yet spoken with Dr. Reason, nor his brother, Dr. Experience, concerning either of them. ASARABACCA. Descrip.— Asarabacca hath many heads rising from the roots, from whence come many smooth leaves, every one upon his own foot stalks which are round- er and bigger than violet leaves, thicker also, and of a dark green shining colour on the upper side, and of a pale yellow green underneath, little or nothing dented about the edges, from among which rise small, round, hollow, brown green husks, upon short stalks, about an inch long, divided at the brims into five divisions, very like the cups or heads of the henbane seed, but that they are smaller ; and these be all the dowers it carrieth, which are somewhat sweet being smelled unto, and wherein, when they are ripe, are contained small corned rough seeds, very like the kernel or stones of grapes or raisins. The roots are small and whitish, spreading divers ways in the ground, increasing into divers heads: but not run- ning or creeping under the ground as some other creeping herbs do. They are somewhat sweet in smell, resembling nardus, but more when they are dry than green ; and of a sharp but not unpleasant taste. Place. — It groweth frequently in gardens. Time. — ' They keep their leaves green all winter ; but shoot forth new in the spring, and with them come forth those heads or flowers which give ripe seed about Midsummer, or somewhat after. Government and Virtues.—’ Tis a plant under the 39 culpepee’s nERBAi. dominion of Mars, and therefore inimical lo nature. This herb being drank, not only provoketli vomiting, but purgeth downward, and by urine also, purgeth both cboler and phlegm. If you add to it some spikenard, with the whey of goat’s milk, or honeyed water, it is made more strong ; but it purgeth phlegm more manifestly than choler, and therefore dotli much help pains in the hips and other parts : being boiled in whey they wonderfully help the obstructions of the liver and spleen, and therefore profitable for the dropsy and jaundice: being steeped in wine and drank, it helps those continual agues that come by the plenty of stubborn humours : an oil made thereof bv setting in the sun, with some laudanum added to it, provoketli sweating, (the ridge of the hack anointed therewith) and thereby driieth 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 down- wards. The common use hereof is to take the juice of five or seven leaves in a little drink to cause vomiting; the t oots have also the same virtue, though they do not operate so forcibly ; they are very effectual against the biting of serpents, and therefore are nut in as an ingredient both into Mithrid te and Venice treacle. The leaves and roots being boiled in lye, arid the head often washed therewith while it was warm, comfortelh the head and brain that 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 beneficial to such as have cancers, or old putri- fiod ulcers, or fistulas' upon their bodies, to take a drachm of them in powder in a quarter of a pint of white wine in the morning. The truth is, I fancy purging and vomiting medicines as little as any man breathing doth, for they weaken nature, nor shall 40 culpepee’s heebal. ever advise them to be used unless upon urgent ne- cessity. If a physician be nature’s servant, it is his duty to strengthen his mistress as much a3 he can, and weaken her as little as may be. ASPARAGUS, SPARAGUS or SPERAGE. Descrip. — It riseth up at first with divers white and green scaly heads, very brittle or easy to break while they are young, which afterwards rise up in very long and slender green stalks, of the big- ness of an ordinary riding wand, at the bottom of most, or bigger or lesser, as the roots are of growth ; on which are set divers branches of green leaves, shorter and smaller than fennel, to the top; at the joints whereof come forth small yellowish flowers, which run into round berries, green at first, and of an excel- ent red colour when they are ripe, shewing like bead or coral, wherein are contained exceeding hard black seeds : the roots are dispersed from a spongeous head into many long, thick, and round strings, wherein is sucked much nourishment out of thegrouud, and in- creaseth plentifully thereby. PRICKLY ASPARAGUS oe SPERAGE. Descrip.— It groweth usually in gardens, and some of it grows wild in Appleton meadows, in Gloucester- shire, where the poor people do gather the buds of young shoots, and sell them cheaper than our garden asparagus is sold in London. Time. — They do for the most part flower and bear their berries late in the year, or not at all, although they are housed in winter. Government and Virtues. — They are both under the dominion of Jupiter. The young buds or brandies boiled in ordinary broth, make the belly soluble and open ; and boiled in white wine, provoke urine being stopped, and is good against the stranguary, or difficulty of making water ; it expelleth the gravel and stone out of the kidnies, and helpeth pains in the Culpeper’s herbal. 41 reins : and boiled in white wine or vinegar, it ispre- valent for them that have their arteries loosened, or are troubled witli the hip-gout or sciatica. The de- coction 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 morn- ings together, stirreth up bodily lust in man or wo- man, whatever some have written to the contrary. The garden asparagus nourisheth more than the wild, yet hath it the same effects in all the afore-mentioned 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 effectual against pains of the reins and bladder, pains of the mother and cholic, and generally against all pain3 that happen to the lower parts of the body, and no less effectual against stiff and benumbed sinews, or those that are shrunk by cramps and convulsions, and helpeth the sciatica. ASH TREE. This is so well known, that time will be misspent in writing a description of it ; and therefore I shall only insist upon the virtues of it. Government and Virtues.— It is governed by the Sun ; and the young tender tops, with the leaves ta- ken inwardly, and some of them outwardly applied, are singular good against the biting of an adder , 'viper, or any other venomous beast ; and the wrater distil- led therefrom being taken, a small quantity every morning fasting, is a singular medicine for those that are subject to the daopsy, or to abate the great- ness 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 cureythe jaundice. The ashes of the bark of the ash made into lye, and those heads bath- ed therewith which are lpprous, scabby, or scald, they are thereby cured. The kernels within the husks, commonly called ashen keys, prevail against 12 Culpeper's herbal. stitches and pains in the side, proceeding of wind nd 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 are good against the biting ot serpents and vipers. I suppose this had its rise from Gerard or Pliny, both which hold, that there is such an antipathy between an ad- der and an ash-tree, that if an adder be encompassed round with ash treeleaves, she will 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, gatheringthem when they are ripe^ AYENS, CALLED ALSO COLEWORT, and HERB BONNET. Descrip. — The ordinary avens have many long, rough, dark green winged leaves rising from the root, everyone made of many leaves set on each side of the middle rib, the largest three whereof grow at the end, and are snipped or dented round about the edges; the other being small pieces, sometimes two and sometimes four, standing on each side of the middle rib underneath them : among which do rise up divers rough or hairy stalks, about two feet high, branching forth with leaves at every joint, not so long as those below, but almost as much cut in on the edges, some into three, 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 tiower is fallen, groweth to be sound, being made of many long greenish purple seeds like grains, which will stick upon your clothes. The root consists of many brownish strings or fibres, smelling somewhat I ke unto cloves, especially those which grow in the 1 igher, hotter, and drier grounds, and in free and clear air. CULrEPEE'S HEEBAL. 43 Place. — Tiiey grow wild in many places under hedges’ sides, and by the path-ways in fields ; yet they rather delight to grow in shadowy than in sunny places. Time. — They flower in May and June for the most part, and their seed is ripe in July at the farthest. Government and Virtues. — It is governed by Ju- piter, and that gives hope of a wholesome, healthful h.-rb. It is good for the diseases of the chest or breast, lor pains and stitches in the side, and to expel crude and raw humours from the belly and stomach, by the sweet savour and warming quality. It dissolves the inward congealed blood happening by falls or bruises, and the spitting of blood,, if the roots, either green or dry, be boiled in wine and drank : as also all manner of inward wounds or outward, if washed or bathed therewith. The decoction also being drank, comforts the heart, and strengthens the stomach and a cold brain, and therefore is good in the spring-time to open obstructions of the liver, and helpeth the wind cholic : 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, i a^e the same effect as the decoction. The root in the spring-time, steeped in wine, doth give it a deli- cate savour and taste, and being drank fasting every morning', comforteth the heart, and is a good preser- vative against the plague or any other poison. It helpeth digestion, warmeth a cold stomach, and op neth obstructions of the liver and spleen. It is very safe ; you need have no dose prescribed • and is very fit to be kept in every body’s house. BALM. This herb is so well known to he an inhabitant al- most in every garden, that I shall not need to give any description thereot, although the virtues thereof, which are many, should not to be omitted. 44 Culpeper's herbal. Government and Virtues. — It isan 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 the book) be kept in every gentlewoman’s house to relieve the weak stomachs and sick bodies of their poor and sickly neighbours; as also the herb kept dry in the house, that so with other convenient sim- ples, you may make it into an electuary with honey, according as the disease is, you shall be taught at the latter end of my book. The Arabian physicians have extolled the virtues thereof to the skies ; al- though the Greeks thought it not worth mentioning. Seraphio saith, it causeth the mind and heart to be- come merry, and reviveth the heart, faintings and swoonings, especially of such who are overtaken in sleep, and driveth away all troublesome cares and Thoughts out of the mind, arising from melancholy and black choler : which Avicen also confirmeth. It is very good to help digestion, and open obstruc- tions of the brain, and hath so much purging quality in it, (saith Avicen) as to expel those melancholy va- pours 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 the biting of mad dogs ; and com- mendeth the decoction 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 bloodv-flux. The leaves also, with a little nitre taken in drink, are good against the surfeit of mush- rooms, and help the griping pains of the belly; and being made into an electuary, it is good for them that cannot fetch their breath : used with salt, if takes away the wens, kernels, or hard swellings in the flesh or throat: itcleanseth foul sores, and easeth pains of the gout. It is good for the liver and spleen. Culpeper’s herbal. 45 A tansy or caudle made with eggs, and juice thereof, while it is young, putting to it some sugar and rose- water, is good for a woman in child- bed, when the after birth is not thoroughly voided, and for their faint- ings upon or in their sore travail. The herb bruised and boiled in a little white wine and oil, and laid warm on a bile, will ripen and break it. BARBERY. The shrub is so well known by every boy and girl that has but attained to the age of seven years, that it needs no description. Government and Virtues. — Mars owns the shrub, and presents it to the use of my countrymen to purge their bodies of choler. The inner rind of the barberry tree boiled in white wine, and a qnarter 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 causeth, such as scabs, itch, tetters, ringworms, yellow jaundice, biles, &c. It is excellent for hot agues, burnings, scaldings, heat of the blood, heat of the liver, bloody fiux, for the berries are as good as the bark, and more pleas- ing ; they get a man a good stomach to his victuals, by strengthening the attractive faculty which is under Mars, as you may see more at large at the latter end of my Ephemeris for the year 1 651 . The hair washed with the lye made of ashes of the tree and water, will make it turn yellow, viz. of Mars’ own colour. The fruit and rind of the shrub, the flowers of broom and of heath, or furze, cleanse the body of choler by sym- pathy, as the flowers, leaves, and bark of the peach tree do by antipathy ; because these are under Mars, that under Venus. BARLEY. The continual usefulness hereof hath made all in general so acquainted herewith, that it is altogether needless to describe it, several kinds hereof plentifully 46 CULPEPEll'S HEEEAIi. growing, being yearly sown in this land. The virtues thereof take as followetli. Government and Virtues. — It is a notable plant of Saturn; if you view diligently its effects by sympa- thy 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 pre- parations thereof, as barley-water and other things made thereof, do give great nourishment to persons troubled with fevers, agues, and heats in the stom- ach. A poultice made of barlev-meal or flour boiled in vinegar and honey, and a few dried figs put in them, dissolveth all hard iraposthumes, and assuag- eth inflammations, being thereto applied : and being boiled with melilot and camomile flowers, and soino linseed, fenugreek 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 applied warm, cureth swelliucs under the ears, throat, neck, and such like ; and a plai- ster made thereof with tar, wax, and oil, helpesu the king’s evil in the throat; boiled with sharp vinegar into a poultice, and laid on hot, helpeth the leprousy ; being boiled in red wine with pomegranate rind, and myrtles, stayeth the lask or other flux o', the belly ; boiled with vinegar and quince, it easeth the pains of the gout: barley flour, white salt, honey t and vinegar mingled together, taketh away the itch speedily and certainly. The water distilled from the green barley, in the end of May, is very good for those that have deflnetions 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. Culpeper’s herbal. 47 GARDEN BAZIL, or SWEET BAZIL. Descrip. — The greater or ordinary bazil riseth up usually with one upright stalk diversely branching forth on all sides, with two leaves at every joint, which are somewhat broad and rouud, yet pointed, of a pale green colour, but fresh ; a little snipped about the edges, and of a strong healthy scent. Tl e 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. Place. — It groweth in gardens. Time. — It must be sown late, and flowers in the heart of summer, it being a very tender plant. Government and Virtue. — This is the herb which all authors are together by the ears about, and rail at one another, like lawyers. Galen and Dioscoride9 hold it not fitting to be taken inwardly, and Chry- sipus rails at it with downright Billinsgate rhetoric: Pliny and the Arabian physicians defend it. For my own part, I presently found that speech true ; Non nostrum inter nos t ant as cnmponere Hies. And away to Dr. Reason went I, who told me it was an herb of Mars, and under the Scorpion, and therefore called basil! icon, and it is no marvel if it carry a kind of virulent quality with it. Being ap- plied to the place bitten by venomous beasts, or stung by a wasp or hornet, it speedily draws the poison to it .—Every like draivs its like. Mizaldus affirms, that being laid to rot in horse-dung, it will breed vpnomous beasts. Hilarious, a French physician, affirms upon his own knowledge, that an acquaintance of his, by common smelling to it, had a scorpion bred in his brain. Something is the matter; this herb and rue will never grow together, no, nor near one another ; and we know rue is as great an enemy to poison as any that grows. 48 CULPEPER'S UERBAIi. To conclude. It expellet.h both birth and after- birth ; and as it helps the deficiency of Venu9 in one kind, so it spoils all her actions in another. I dare write no more of it. THE BAY TREE. This is so well known, that it needs no description ; I shall therefore only write the virtues thereof, which are many. Government, and Virtues. — I shall but only add a word or two to what my iriend 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 nota few' ; for it is the speech of one, and I am mis- taken if it w'ere not Mizaldus, that neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightning, will hurt a man where a bay tree is. Galen said, that the leaves or bark do dry and heal very much, and the berries more than the leaves ; the bark of the root is less sharp and hot, but more bitter, and hath some 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, dropsy, &c. The berries are very effectual against all poisons of venomous creatures, and the sting of w'asps and bees, as also against the pestilence, or other infectious dis- eases, 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 their time, lest they procure abortion, or cause labour too soon. They wonderfully help all cold and rheumatic distillations from the brain to the eyes, lungs, or other parts; and being made into an electuary with honey, do help the consumption, old coughs, shortness of breath, and thin rheums, as also the megrum. They mighty expel the wind, anil pro- CULPEPER’S HERBAL. 49 voke urine ; help the mother, and kill the worms. Tke leaves also work the 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 de- coction likewise of equal parts of bay berries, cumin- seed, hyssop, origanum, and euphorbium, with some honey, and the head bathed therewith, doth wonder- fully help distillations 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 head, 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 by receiving into the ears the fume of the decoction of the berries through a funnel. The oil takes away the marks of the skin and flesh by bruises, falls, &c. and dissolveth the con- gealed bloodinlhem. It helpeth also the itch, scabs, and weals in the skin. BEANS. 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. Government avd Virtues. — They are plants of Ve- nus, and the distilled water of the flower of garden beans is good to clean the face and skin from spots and wrinkles; and the meal or flour of them, or the small beans, doth the same. The w'ater distilled from the green husks, is held to be very effectual 'against the slone,and to provoke urine. Bean flour is used in poultices to assuage inflammations rising 95 D 50 ctjlpepeb’s hekbal. upon wounds, and the swelling of women’s breasts, caused by curdling of their milk, and represseth their milk. Flour of beans 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 egg, being applied to the eyes, helpeth them that are swollen or do water, or have received any blow 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 being set that bleedeth too much, stayeth the bleeding. Bean flour boiled to a poultice with wine and vinegar, and some oil put thereto, easeth both pains and swelling of the cods. The husks boiled in water to the consumption of a third part thereof, stayeth a lask, and the ashes of the husks, made up with hog’s grease, helpeth the old pains, contusions, and wound of the sinews, the sciatica and gout. The field beans have all the afore-mentioned virtues as the garden beans. Beans eaten are extremely windy meat; but if after the Dutch fashion, when they are half boiled you husk them and then stew them,(T cannot tell you how, for I never was cook in all my life) they are wholesome food. FRENCH BEANS. Descrip. — This French or kidney bean ariseth at first but with one stalk, which afterwards divides it- self into many arms or branches, but all so weak that if they be not sustained with sticks or poles, they will be fruitless upon the ground. At several places of these branches grow foot stalks, each with three broad, round and pointed green lea ves 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 sav, white, yellow, red, blackish, or of a deep purple, but CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 51 white is the most usual ; after which come long and slender flat cods, some crooked, some straight, with a string running down the back thereof, wherein is flatfish round fruit made like a kidney: the root long, spreadeth with many strings annexed to it, and pe- risheth every year. There is another sort of French beans commonly growing with us in this land, which is called the the scarlet flowered 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 co- lour, turning black when ripe and dry. The root pe- risheth in winter. Government and Virtues— These also belong to Dame Venus, and being dried and beat to powder, are as great strengthened of the kidnies as any are ; neither is there a better remedy than it: a draclnn at a time taken in white wine, to prevent the stone, or to cleanse the kidnies of gravel or stoppage. The ordinary French beans are of an easy digestion ; they move the belly, provoke urine, enlarge the breast that is straightened with shortness of breath, engen- der 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 ihat they may be discerned a great way, not without admiration of the beholders at a distance. But they will go near to kill the quicksets by clothing them in scarlet. LADIES’ BED-STRAW. Besides the common name above written, it is called cheese rennet, because it performs the same offices ; 52 Culpeper’s herbal. as also gallion, pettimugget, and maid-hair ; and by some wild rosemary. Descrip. — This riseth up with divers small, brown, and square upright, stalks, a yard high or more ; some- times 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 se- veral joints which consist of four leaves a piece, which smell somewhat strong, but not unpleasant. The seed is small and black like poppy seed, two for the most part joined together- The root is reddish, with many small threads fastened to it, which take strong- hold of the ground, and creepeth a ltttle ; and the branches leaning a little down to the ground, take root at the joints thereof, whereby it is easily in- creased. There is another sort of ladies’ bed-straw growing frequently in England, which beareth white flowers, as the other doth yellow ; but the branches of this are so weak, that unless it be sustained by the edges, or other things near which it groweth, it will lie down 10 the ground. The leaves a little bigger than the former, and the flowers not so plentiful as these, and the root hereof is also thready and abiding. Place. — They grow in meadows and pastures, both wet and dry, and by the hedges. Time. — They flower in May for the most part, and the seed is ripe in July and August. Government and Virtues. — They are both herbs of Venus, and therefore strengthening the parts, both internal and external, which she rules. The decoc- tion of the former of those being drank, is good to fret and break the stone, provoke urine, stayeth in- ward bleeding, andhealeth inward wouuds : the herb or flower bruised and put into the nostrils, staymh their bleeding likewise: the flowers and herb being made into an oil by being set iu ihe sun, and changed Culpeper's herbal. 53 after it hath stood ten or twelve days ; or into an ointment, being boiled in axunga, or salad oil, with some wax melted therein after it is strained ; either i he oil made thereof, or the ointment, do help burn- ings with fire, or scaldings, with water. The same also, or the decoction of the herb and flower, is good r.o bathe the feet of travellers and lacquies, whose long running causeth weariness and stiffness in their sinews and joints. If the decoction be used warm, and the joints afterwards anointed with ointment, it helpeth the dry scab and the itch in children ; and the herb with the white flower is also very good for the sinews, arteries, and joints} to comfort and strengthen them after travel, cold, and pains. BEETS. Of beets there are two sorts which are best known generally, and whereof I shall principally treat at this time, viz. the white and red beets, and their virtues. Descrip. — The common white beet hath manv great leaves next the ground, somewhat large, and or' a whitish green colour. The stalk is great, strong, and ribbed, bearing a great store of leaves upon it, almost to the very top of it: the flowers grow in very long tufts, small at the end, and turning down their heads, which are small, pale, greenish yellow buds, giving cornered prickly seeds. The root is great, long, and hard, and when it hath given seed, is of no use at all. The common red beet differeth not from the white, but only it is less, and the leaves and roots are some- what red. The leaves are differently red, some only with red stalks or veins; some of a fresh red, and others of a dark red : the root thereof is red, spungy, and not used to be eaten. Government and Virtues. — The government of these two sorts of beet are far different: the red beet being under Saturn, and the white under Jupiter: therefore take the virtues of them apart, each by it- 54 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. self. The white beet doth much loosen the belly, and is of a cleansing, digestingquality, and provoketh urine: the juice of it openeth obstructions both of the liver and spleen, and is good for the head ache and swimmings therein, and turnings of the brain: and is effectual also against all venomous creatures ; and applied upon the temples stayeth inflammations in the eyes: it helpeth burnings being used without oil, and with a little alum put to it is good for St. An- thony’s fire. It is good for all weals, pushes, blisters, and blains in the skin : the herb boiled and laid upon chilblains or kibes, helpeth them : the decoction thereof in water and some vinegar, healeththe itch if bathed therewith, and cleanseth the head of dand- ruff, scurf, and dry scabs, and doth much good for fretting and running sores, ulcers, and cankers in th-' head, legs, or other parts, and is much commended against baldnes and shedding the hair. The red beet root is good to stay the bloody flux, women’s courses, and the whites, and to help the yellow jaundice : the juice of the root put into the nostrils purgeth the head, helpeth the noise in tiie ears, and the tooth-ache : the juice snuffed up the nose helps a stinking breath, if the cause lies in the nose, as many times it doth, if any bruise had been there; as also want of smell coming that way. WATER BETQNY. Called also brown wort : and in Y orkshire, bishop’s- leaves. De&crip. — First, of the water betonv, which riseth up with sqnare, hard, greenish stalks, sometimes brown, set with broad darh green leaves dented about the edges with notches, somewhat resembling the leaves of the wood betony, but much larger too, for the most part set at a joint. The flowers are many, set at the tops of the stalks and branches, being round bellied and opened at the brims, and divided into two parts the uppermost like a hood, culpepek's hekbal. fi5 ,ind the lowermost like a hip hanging down, of a dark red colour, which passing, there comes in t heir places small round heads with small points at the ends, wherein lie small and brownish seeds. The root is a thick bush of strings and shreds grow- ing from the head. Place.— It groweth by the ditch side, brooks, and other water courses generally through this land, and is seldom found far from the walerside. Time. — Itflowereth about July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — Water betony is an herb of Jupiter in Cancer, and is appropriated more to wounds and hurts in breasts than wood betony, which follows ; it is an excellent remedy for sick hogs— it is of a cleansing quality. The ieaves bruised and applied are effectual for old and filthy ulcers ; and especially if the juice of the leaves be boiled with a little honey and dipped therein, and the sores dressed therewith ; as also for bruises or hurts, whether in- ward or outward. The distilled water of the leaves is used for the same purpose, as also to bathe the face and hands spotted or blemished, or discoloured by sun burning. I confess I do not much fancy distilled waters, I mean such waters as are distilled cold ; some virtues of the herb they may happily have, (it were a strange tiling else) but this I am confident of, that being dis- tilled in a pewter still, as the vulgar and apish fashion is, both chemical oil and salt is left behind, unless you burn them, and then all is spoiled, water and all, which was good for as little as can be by 3uch a dif Ablation in my translation of the London Dispen- satory. WOOD BETONY. De scrip.— Common, or wood betony, hath many leaves rising from the root, which are somewhat broad and round at the end, roundly dented about the edges, 56 cttlpepee’s heebal. standing upon long foot stalks, from among which rise up small, square, slender, but upright hairy stalks, with some leaves thereon to a piece at the joints, smaller than the lower, whereon are set seve- ral spiked heads of flowers like lavender, but thicker and shorter for the most part, and of a reddish or purple colour, spotted with white spots both in the upper and lower part, the seeds being contain^ in the husks that hold the flowers, are blackish, some- what long and uneven. The roots are many whitt tiiready strings ; the stalk perisheth, but the roots with some leaves thereon, abide all the winter. The whole plant is somewhat small. Place. — It groweth frequently in woods, and de- lighteth in shady places. Time. — It floweret!) in July, after which the seed is quickly ripe, yet in its prime in May. Governm merit and Virtues. — The herb is appro- priated to the planet Jupiter, and the sign Aries. Antonius Musa, physician to the Emperor Augustus Caesar, wrote a peculiar hook of the virtues of this herb ; and among other virtues saith of it, that it pre- serveth 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 meat, those that have weak stomachs, or sour belcliings, 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 best 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 inclined to dropsy, those that have con- tinual pains in their heads, although it turn to pliren- sv. The powder mixed with pure honey is no less available for all sorts of coughs or colds, wheesing, or shortness of breath, distillations of thin rheums CULPEPBE/S , HERBAL. .57 npon the lungs, which causeth consumptions. The decoction made with mead and a little penny-royal, is good for those that are troubled with putrid agues, whether quotidian, tertian, ar quartan, and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humours, that by falling into the eyes, do hinder the sight : the de- coction 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 torments 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 those that are troubled with the falling down of the mother, and pains thereof, and causeth an easy and speedy delivery of women in child-birth. It helpeth also to break and expel the stone, either in the bladder or kiduies: the decoction with wine gargled in 1 he mouth easeth the tooth-ache. It is commended against the stinging or biting of ve- nomous serpents, or mad dogs, being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place. A drachm of the powder of betony, taken witli a little honey in some vinegar, doth wonderfully refresh those that are over wearied by travel. It stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose, and helpeth those that piss or spit blood, and those that are bursten or have a rupture, and is good for such as are bruised by any fall or otherwise. The green herb bruised, or the juice ap- plied to any inward hurt, or outward green wound in the head or body, will quickly heal and close it up: as also any veins or sinews that are cut; and will draw forth a brokpn bone or splinter, thorn or other things got into the flesh. It is no less profit- able for old and filthy ulcers; yea, though they be fistulous and hollow. But. some do advise to put a little salt to this purpose, being applied with a little hog’s lard, it helpeth a plague or sore and other biles and pushes. The fume of the decoction while it is warm received by a funnnel into the ears, easeth the 53 Culpeper's herbal. pains of them, destroys the worms, and curetli the running sores in them : the juice dropped into them doth the same. The root of betony is displeasing both to the taste and stomach, whereas the leaves and flowers, by their sweet and spicy taste, are com- fortable both to meat and medicine. These are some of the many virtues Antony Muse, an expert physician, for it was not the practice of Octavius Caesar to keep fools about him, appropriates to betony : it is a very precious herb, that is certain, and most fitting to be kept in a man’s house, both in svrup, conserve, oil, ointment, and plaister. The flowers are usually conserved. THE BEECH-TREE. In treating of this tree, you must understand that I mean the green mast-beech, which is by way of distinction from that other small rough sort, called in Sussex the smaller beech, but in Essex horn bean. I suppose it is needless to describe it, being al- ready too well known to my countrymen. Place. — It groweth in woods among oaks and ether trees, and in parks, forests, and cblaces to feed deer, and in other places to fatten swine. Time. — It bloometli in the end of April or the be- ginning of May for the most part, and the fruit is ripe in September. Government and Vitrues.— It is a plant of Saturn, and therefore performs his qualities and proportion in these operations. The leaves of the beech tree are cooling and binding, and therefore good to be applied to hot swellings to discuss them : the nuts do much nourish such beasts as feed thereon. The water found in the hollow places of decaying beeches will cure both man and beast of any scurf, scab, or running tetters, if they be washed therewith: you may boil the leaves into a poultice, or make an ointment of them when time of year serves. CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 59 BILBERRIES, called by some WHORTS and WHORTLE-BERRIES. Descrip.— Of these there are two sorts which are common in England, viz. — the black and red berries. And first of the black. The small bush creepeth along upon the ground, scarce rising half a yard high, with divers small dark green leaves set in the green branches, not always one against the other, and a little dented about the edges ; at the foot of the leaves come forth small, hollow, pale, blueish coloured flowers, the brims ending in five points, with a reddish thread in the middle, which pass into small jound berries of the bigness and co- lour of the juniper berries, but of a purple, sweetish, harp taste; the juice of them give a purplish colour to the hands and lips that eat and handle them, espe- cially if they break them. The root grovveth aslope under ground, shooting forth in sundry places as it creepeth. This loseth its leaves in winter. The red bilberry, or whortle-bush, riseth up like the former, having sundry hard leaves, like the box- tree leaves, green and round pointed, standing on tiie several branches, at the top whereof only, and not from the sides as in the former, come forth divers round, reddish, sappy berries, of a sharp taste when they are ripe. The root runneth in the ground as in the former, but the leaves of this abide all the winter. Place. — The first groweth in forests, on the heath, and such like barren places. The red grows in the north parts of this land, as Lancashire, Yorkshire, &c. Time. — They flower in March and April, and the fruit of the black is ripe in July and August. Government and Virtues. — They are under the dominion of Jupiter. It is a pity they are used no more in physic than they are. The black bilberries are good in hot agues, and to cool the heat of the liver and stomach: they do somewhat bind the belly, and stay the vomitings and loathings: the juice of the 60 Culpeper’s herbal. berries made into a syrup, or the pulp made into a conserve with sugar, is good for the purposes afore- s lid, as also for an old cough, or an ulcer in thelungs, or other diseases therein. The red worts are more finding, and stop women’s courses, spitting of blood, or any other flux of blood or humours, being used as well outwardly as inwardly. BIFOIL, ou TWABLADE. Descrip. — This small herb, from a root somewhat sweet, shooting downwards many long strings, riseth up a round green stalk, bare or naked next the ground for an inch, two or three to the middle thereof, as it i> in age or growth: as also from the middle upward to the flowers, having only two broad plantain-like leaves, but whiter, set at the middle of the stalk, one against another, compasseth it round at the bottom of them. Place. — It is an usual inhabitant in woods, copses, and in many other places in this land. There is another sort groweth in wet grounds and marshes, which is soinewgat different from the form- er. It is a smaller plant, and greener, having some- times three leaves ; the spike of the flowers is less than the former, and the roots of this do run or creep in the ground. They are much and often used by many to good purposes for wounds, both green and old, to con- solidate or knit ruptures, as well it may, being a plant oi Saturn. THE BIRCII TREE. Descrip. — This groweth a goodly tall straight tree, fraught with many boughs and slender brandies bending downward ; the old being covered with a dis- coloured chopped bark, and the younger being brown- er by much. The leaves at the first breaking out are crumpled, and afterwards like beech leaves, but smaller and greener, and dented about the edges. It culpepee’s heebal. 6J beareth small short cat-skins, somewhat like those of the hazel-nut tree, which abide on the brandies a long time until growing ripe they fall upon the ground, and their seed with them. Place. — It usually groweth in woods. Government and Virtues.— It is a tree of Venus. The juice of the leaves, while they are young, or the distilled water of them, or the water that comes from the tree being bored with an auger, and distilled afterwards ; any of these being drank for some days together, is available to break the stone in the kidnies and bladder, and is good also to wash sore mouths. BIRD'S FOOT. This small herb groweth not above a span high, with many branches spread upon the ground, set wit b many wings of small leaves. The flowers grow upon the branches, many small ones of a pale yellow co- lour being set a head together, which afterwards turneth into small jointed cods, well resembling the claws of small birds, whence it took its name. There is another sort of bird’s foot in all things like the former, but a little larger ; the flowers of a pale whitish red colour, and the cods distinct by joints like the other, but a little more crooked, and the roots do carry many small white knots or kernels among the strings. Place.— These grow on heaths, and many open un- tilled places of this land. Time. — They flower and seed in the end of summer. Government and Virtues. — They belong to Saturn, are of a drying, binding quality, and therefore very good to be used in wound drinks ; as also to apply out- wardly for the same purpose. But the latter bird’s foot is found by experience to break the stone in the back or kidnies, and drives them forth, if the decoction thereof be taken; and it wonderfully helpeth the rupture, being taken inwardlv, and outwardly applied to the place. All suits have best operations upon the stone, asoiuv* 62 cctlpepee’s herbal. merits and plaisters have upon wounds; and therefore you may make a salt of this for the stone : the way how to do so may be found in my translation of the London Dispensatory ; and it may be I may give you it again in plainer terms at the latter end of this book. BISHOP’S WEED. Besides the common name, bishop’s weed, it is usually known by the Greek name cimmi and ammios; some call it ^Ethiopian cummin-seed, and others cuiu- min-royal, as also Herb- William, and bull wort. Descrip. — Common bishop’s weed riseth up w ith a round straight stalk, sometimes as high as a man, but usually three or four feet high, beset with divers small, long, and somewhat broad leaves, cut in some places and dented about the edges, growing one against the other, of a dark green colour, having sundry branches on them, and at the top small umbels of white flowers, which turn into small round seeds, little bigger than parsley-seeds, of a quick hot scent and taste ; the root is white and stringy, perishing yearly, and usually riseth again on its own sowing. Place. — It groweth wild in many places in England and Wales, as between Greenhithe and Gravesend. Government and Virtues.— It is hot and dry in the third degree, of a bitter taste, and somewhat sharp withal : it provokes lust to purpose ; I suppose Venus owns it. It digesterh humours, provoketh urine and women’s courses, dissolveth wiqd, and being taken in wine it easeth pain and griping in the bowels, and is good against the biting of serpents : it is used to good effect in those medicines which are given to hinder the poisonous operation of cantharides upon the passage of the urine : being mixed with honey, and applied to black and blue marks coining of blows or bruises, it. takes them away : and being drank or outwardly ap- plied, it abateth an high colour, and makes it pale; and the fumes thereof taken with rosin or raisins, icanseth the mother. Culpeper’s herbal. 63 BISTORT, or SNAKEWEED. It is.called snakeweed, English serpentary, dragon wort, osterick. and passions. Descrip. — This hath a thick short knobbed root, blackish without, and somewhat reddish within, a little crooked or turned together, of a hard astringent taste, with diver9 black threads hanging there, from whence spring up every year divers leaves standing upon long foot-stalks, being somewhat broad and long like a dock leaf, and a little pointed at the ends, but that it is of a blueish green colour on the upper side, and of an ash- colour grey and a little purplish underneath, with divers veins therein, from among which rise up divers small and slender stalks, two feet high, and almost naked and without leaves, or with a very few and nar- row, bearing a spiky bush of pale-coloured flowei-9; which being past, there abideth small seed, like unto sorrel seed, but greater. There are other sorts of bistort growing in this land, but smaller, both in height, root, and stallo, and especially in the leaves. The root is blackish without, and somewhat whitish within ; of an austere binding- taste, a9 the former. Place. — They grow in shadowy moist woods and at the foot of hills, but are chiefly nourished up in gar- dens. The narrow leafed bistort groweth in the north, in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland. Time. — They flower about the end of May, and the t seed is ripe about the beginning of July. Government and Virtues. — It belongs to Saturn, and is in operation cold and dry : both the leaves and root9 have a powerful faculty to resist all poison. The root in powder taken in drink expelleth the venom of the plague, the small- pox, measles, purples, or any other infectious disease, driving it out by sweating. The root in powder, the decoction thereof in wine being drank, stayeth all manner of inward bleeding, or spitting of blood, and any fluxes in the body of 64 culpepeb’s hebbax. cither man or woman, or vomiting. It i3 also very available against ruptures, or burstings, or all bruises, or falls, dissolving the congealed blood, and. easeth the pains that happen thereupon ; it also helpetk the jaundice. The water distilled from both leaves and roots, is a singular remedy to wash any place bitten or stung t»y any venomous creature ; as also for any of the pur- poses before spoken of, and is very good to wash running sores or ulcers. The decoction of the root in wine being drank, hindereth abortion or miscar- riage in child-bearing. The leaves also kill the worms in children, and is a great help to them that cannot keep their water ; if the juice of the plantain be added rhereto, and outwardly applied, much helpeth the gonorrhoeha, or running of the reins. A drachm of the powder of the root taken in water thereof, where- in some red hot iron or steel hath been quenched, is also an admirable help thereto, so as the body be hist prepared and purged from the offensive humours. The leaves, seed, or roots, are all \ery good in decoc- tions, drinks, or lotions, for inward or outward wounds or other sores; and the powder strewed upon any cut or wound in a vein, stayerh the immoderate bleeding thereof. The decoction of the root in water, whereunto some pomegranate peels and flowers are added, injected into the matrix, stayeth the immode- rate flux of the courses. The root thereof with pellitory of Spain and burnt alum, of each a little quantity, beaten small and made into paste with some honey, and a little piece thereof put into a hollow tooth, or held between the teeth if there beno hollow- ness in them, stayeth the defluxion of rheum upon them, which causeth pains, and helps to cleanse the. head, and void much offensive water. The distilled water is very effectual to wash sores or cankers in i lie nose or any other part, if the powder of the root be applied thereunto afterwards. It is good also to fasten the gums, and to take away the heat and in- Culpeper's herbal. 65 Summations that happen in the jaws, almonds of the, throat and mouth, if the decoction of the leaves, roots, or seeds be bruised, or the juice of them be ap- plied ; but tberoots are mosteffectual to the purposes aforesaid. ONE-LEAF. Descrip.— This small plant never beareth more than one leaf, but only when it riseth up with its stalk, which thereon beareth another, and seldom more, and are of a blueish green colour, broad at the bottom, and pointed with ribs or veins like plantain ; at the top of the stalk grow many small flowers, star fashion, smelling somewhat sweet: after which corneth small reddish berries when they are ripe. The root small, of the bigness of a rush, lying and creeping under the upper crust of the earth, shooting lorth in divers places. Place. — Itgrows in moist, shadowy, grassy places of woods in parts of this realm. Time. — It flowereth about May, and the berries are ripe in June, and then quickly perisheth until the next year, and it springeth from the same again. Government and. Virtues. — It is an herb of the Sun, and therefore cordial : half a drachm, ora drachm, at most, of the roots hereof in powder taken in wine and vinegar, of each a like quantity, and the party pre- sently laid to sweat, is held to be a sovereign remedy for those that are infected with the plague, and have a sore upon them, by expelling the poison and de- fending the heart and spirits from danger. It is also accounted a singular good wound herb, and therefore used with other herbs in making such balms as art* necessary for curing wounds, either green or old, and especially if the nerves be hurt. THE BRAMBLE, OR BLACKBERRY BUSII. It is so well known that it needeth no description. The virtues thereof are as follow, fo 11 66 Culpeper’s herbal. Government and Virtues . — It is a plant of Venus in Aries. You shall have some directions at the latter end of the book for the gathering of all herbs and .plants, &c. If any ask the reason why Venus is so prickly ? Tell them ’tis because she is in the house of Mars. The buds, leaves, and branches, while they are green, are of good use in the ulcers and putrid sores of the mouth and throat, and of the quinsy, and likewise to heal other fresh wounds and sores ; but the flowers and fruits unripe are very binding, and so profitable for the bloody flux, lasks, and area fit remedy for spitting of blood. Either the decoction or powder of the root being taken is good to break or drive forth gravel and the stone in the reins and kidnies. The leaves and brambles, as well green as dry, are excellent good lotions for sores in the mouth or secret parts : the de- coction of them and of the dried branches, do much bind the belly, and are good for too much flowing of women’s courses : the berries of the flowers are a powerful remedy against the poison of the most veno- mous serpents: as well drank as outwardly applied, helpeth the sores of the fundament, and the piles : the juice of the berries mixed with the juice of mulberries do bind more effectually, ami help all fretting and eating sores and ulcers whatsoever. The distilled water of the branches, leaves, and flowers, or of the fruit, is very pleasant in taste, and very effectual in fevers and hot distempers of the body, head, eyes, and other parts, and for the purposes aforesaid. The leaves boiled in lye, and the head washed therewith, healeth the itch and the running sores thereof, and maketli the hair black. The powder of the leaves strewed on cankers and running ulcers, wonderfully helps to heal them. Some use to condensate the juice of the leaves, and some the juice of the berries, to keep for their use all the year for the purposes aforesaid. BLITES. Dcscrip.— Of these there are two sorts, white and Culpeper’s herbal. 67 red. The white hath leaves somewhat like unto beets, but smaller, rounder, and of a whitish green colour, every one standing upon a small long foot-stalk ; the stalk rises up two or three feet high with such like leaves thereon; the flowers grow at the top in long round tufts or clusters, wherein are contained small and round seeds : the root is very full of threads or strings. The red bliteis in all things like the white, but that its leaves and tufted heads are exceeding red at first, and after turn more purplish. There are other kinds of blites which grow, differ- ing from the two former sorts but little, but only the wild are smaller in every part. Place. — They grow in gardens, and wild in many places in this land. Time.— They seed in August and September. Government and Virtues. — They are all of them cooling, drying, and binding, serving to restrain the fluxes of blood in either man or woman, especially the red; which also stayeth the overflowing of the wo- men’s reds, as the white blite stayeth the whites in women. It is an excellent secret; you cannot well fail in the use: they are all under the dominion of Venus. There is another sort of wild blites like the other wild kinds, but have long and spiky heads of greenish seeds, seeming by the thick setting together to be all seed. This sort fishes are delighted with, and it is a good and usual bait, for fishes will bite fast enough at them if you have but wit enough to catch them when they bite. BORAGE and BUGLOSS. These are so well known to the inhabitants in every garden that I hold it needless to describe them. To these I may add a third sort, which is not so common nor yet so well known, and therefore I shall give you its name and description. 68 CUEPEPEITS HEE3AL. It is called langne cle bevf: but why then should they call one herb by the name bugloss and another by the name langue de beuf'l It is some question to me, seeing one signifies ox-tongue in Greek, and the otner signifies the same in French. Descriy. — The leaves thereof are smaller than those of bugloss, but much rougher; the stalks arising up about a foot and a half high, and is most commonly of a red colour; the flowers stand in scaly rough heads, being composed of many small yellow flowers, not much unlike to those of dandelions, and the seed flieth away in down as that doth ; you may easily know the flowers by their taste, for they are very bitter. Place. — It growethwild in many places of this land, and may be plentifully found near London, as between Rotheriiithe and Deptford by the ditch side. Its vir- tues are held to be the same with borage and bugloss, only this is somewhat hotter. Time. — They flower in June and July, and the seed is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues. — They are all three herbs of Jupiter, and under Leo, all great cordials and great strengthened of nature. The leaves and roots are to very good purpose used in putrid and pestilential fevers to defend the heart, and to resist and to expel the poison or venom of other creatures ; the seed is of the like effects; and the seed and leaves are good to increase milk in women’s breasts : the leaves, flowers, and seed, all or any of them, are good to expel pensiveness and melancholy : it helpeth to clarify the blood, and mitigate heat in fevers. The juice made into a syrup prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid, and is put with other cooling, opening, and cleansing herbs to open obstructions and help the yellow jaundice ; and mixed with fumitory, to cool, cleanse, and temper the blood thereby : it helpeth the itch, ringworms, and tetters, or other spreading scabs and sores. The flowers candied or made into a conserve, are helpful in the former cases, CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 69 but are cliiefly used as a cordial, and are good for those that are weak in long sickness, and to comfort the heart and spirits of those that are in a consump- tion, or troubled with often swoonings, or passions of the heart. The distilled water is no less effectual to ull the purposes aforesaid, and helpeth the redness and inflammations, of the eyes being washed there- with : the dried herb is never used, but the green : yet the ashes thereof boiled in mead or honied water, is available against the inflammations and ulcers in the mouth or throat, to gargle ittherewith : the roots of bugloss are effectual, being made into a licking electuary, for the cough, and to condensate phlegm, and the rheumatic distillations upon the lungs. BLUEBOTTLE. It is called cyanus, I suppose from the colour of it : hurtsickle, because it turns the edge3 of the sickles thut reap the corn, blue-blow, corn-flower, and blue- bottle. Descrip. — I shall only describe that which is com- monest, and in my opinion most useful: its leaves spread upon the ground, being of a whitish green colour, somewhat on the edges like those of corn scabious, amongst which ariseth up a stalk divided into divers branches beset with long leaves of a greenish colour, either but very little indented or not at all : the flowers are of a blue colour, from whence it took its name, con- sisting of an innumerable company of small flowers, set in a scaly head, not much unlike those of knap- weed ; the seed is smooth, bright, and shining, wrap- ped up in a woolly mantle j the root perisheth every year. Place. — They gfrow in corn-fields, amongst all sorts of corn, peas, beans, and tares excepted. If you please to take them up from thence and transplant them in your garden, especially towards the full moon, they will grow more double than they are, and many times change colour. ’70 cuepepee’s heebal. Time. — They flower from the beginning of May to the end of harvest. Government and Virtues. — As they are naturally cold, dry, and binding, so they are under the dominion of Saturn. The powder or dried leaves of the blue- bottle, or corn flower, is given with good success to those that are bruised by a fall, or have broken a vein inwardly, and void much blood at the mouth : being taken in the water of plaritaine, horse-tail, or the greater comfrey, it is a remedy against the poison of the scorpion, and resisteth all venoms and poison. The seed or leaves taken in wine, is very good against the plague and all infectious diseases, and is very good in pestilential fevers : the juice put into fresh or green wounds doth quickly solder up the lips of them toge- ther, and is very effectual to heal all ulcers and sores in the mouth ; the juice dropped into the eyes takes away the heat and inflammation of them : the distilled water of this herb hath the same properties, and may be used for the effects aforesaid. BRANK URSINE. Besides the common name brank ursine, it. is also called bear’s breech, and acanthus, though I think our English names to be more proper ; for the Greek word acanthus signifies any thistle whatsoever. Descrip. — This thistle shooteth forth very many large, thick, sad green smooth leaves upon theground, with a very thick and juicy middle rib ; the lea ves are parted with sundry deep gashes on the edges ; the leaves remain a long time before any stalk appears, afterwards riseth up a reasonable big stalk, three or four feet high, and bravely decked with flowers from the middle of the stalk upwards, for on the lower part of the stalk there is neither branches nor leaf : the flowers are hooded and gaping, being white in colour, and standing in brownish husks, with a long, small, undivided leaf under each leaf: t.hev seldom seed in our country. Its roots are many, great, and thick, Culpeper’s herbal. 71 lilackish without and whitish within, full of a clammy sap. A piece of them if you set it in the garden, and defend it from the first winter cold, will grow and flourish. Place. — They are only nursed up in the gardens in England, where they will grow very well. Time. — It flowereth in June and July. Government and Virtues.— It is an excellent plant under the dominion of the moon. I could wish such as are studious would labour to keep it in their gardens : the leaves being boiled and used in clisters, are excellent good to mollify the belly, and make the passage slippery : ihe decoction drank inwardly is excellent and good for the bloody flux: the leaves being bruised, or rather boiled, and applied like a poultice, are very good to unite broken bones, and srrengthen joints that have been put out; the decoc- tion of either leaves or roots being drank, and the de- coction of leaves applied to the place, is excellent good for the king's evil that is broken and runneth ; for by the influence of the moon it reviveth the ends of the veins which are relaxed ; there is scarce a better remedy to be applied to such places as are burnt with fire than this is, for it fetches out the fire, and heals it without a scar : this is an excellent remedy for such as are bursten, being either taken inwardly or applied to the place: in like manner used it helps the cramp and the gout : it is excellent good in hectic fevers, and restores radical moisture to such as are in consumptions. BRIONY, or WILD VINE. It is called wild and wood vine, tamusor ladies' seal. The white is called white vine by some, and the black, black vine. Descrip. — The common white briony groweth ram- ping upon the hedges, sending fortn many long, rough, very tender branches at the beginning, with many very rough and broad leaves thereon, cut (for the 72 Culpeper’s herbal. most part) into five partitions, in form like a vine leaf, but smaller, rough, and of a whitish hoary green colour, spreading very far, and twining with his 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, bearing many white flowers together on a long tuft, consisting of five small leaves a-piece laid open like a star, after which come the berries separated one from another, more than a cluster of grapes, green at first and very ted when they are thoroughly ripe, of no good scent, but of a most loathsome taste, provoking vomit. The root groweth to be exceeding great, with many loner twines or branches going from it, of a pale whitish colour on the outside, and more white within, and of a sharp, bitter, loathsome taste. Place. — It 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. Government and Virtues.— They are furious mar- tial plants. The root of briony purges the beliy with great violence, troubling the stomach and burning the liver, and therefore not rashly to be taken ; hut being corrected, is very profitable for diseases of the head, as falling sickness, giddiness and swimmings, by draw- ing away much phlegm and rheumatic humours that oppress the head, as also the joints and sinews ; and is therefore good for palsies, convulsions, cramps, and stitches in the side, and the dropsy, and in provoking urine: it cleanseth the reins and kidnies from gravel and stone, by opening the obstruction of the spleen, and consumeth the hardness and swelling thereof. The 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 drachm of the root in powder taken in white wine bringeth down the courses. An electuary made of cuetteer's herbal. 73 ■ the roots arid honey, doth mightily cleanse the chest ' of rotten phlegm, and wonderfully helps any old strong i cough, to those that are troubled with shortness of breath, and is very good for them that are bruised in- wardly, to help to expel the clotted or congealed blood. The leaves, fruit, and root, do cleanse old and filthy t sores, are good against all fretting and running can- kers, gangrenes, and tetters, and therefore the berries i are by some country-people called tetter berries. The ■ root cleanseth the skin wonderfully from all black and I blue spots, freckles, morphew, leprosy, foul scars, or i other deformity whatsoever : also all running scabs i and manginess are healed by the powder of the dried t root or the juice thereof, but especially by the fine i white hardened juice. The distilled water of the root f worketh the same effects, but more weakly : the root, I bruised and applied of itself to any place where the bones are broken, helpeth to draw them forth, as also splinters and thorns in the flesh ; and being applied with a little wine mixed therewith, it breaketh biles, and helpeth whitlows on the joints. For all these I latter, beginning at sores, cankers, &c., apply it out- wardly, and take my advice in my translation of the London Dispensatory, among the preparations at the bitter end, where you have a medicine called fceculn brionia, which take and use, mixing it with a little hog’s grease, or other convenient ointment. As for the former diseases where it must be taken inwardly, it purgeth very violently, and needs an abler hand to correct it than most country people have; therefore it is a better way for them, in my opinion, to let the simple alone, and take the compound water ■ of it mentioned in my Dispensatory, and that is far : more safe, being wisely corrected. BROOK LIME, or WATER PIMPERNAL. Dekcrip. — This sendeth forth from a creeping root that shooteth forth strines at every joint as it run- neth, divers and sundry green stalks, round and sappy,. 74 Culpeper’s herbal. 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 sortnothing differing from the for- mer but that it is greater, and the flowers are of a paler green colour. Place. — They grow in small standing waters, and usually near water-cresses. Time. — And flower in June and July, giving seed the next month after. Government and. Virtues. — It is a hot and biting martial plant. Broolc-lime and water cresses are ge- nerally used together in diet drink with other things serving to purge the blood and body from all ill hu- mours that would destroy health, and are helpful to the scurvy. They do all provoke urine, and help to break the stone and pass it away : they procure wo- men’s courses, and expel the dead child. Being fried with butter and vinegar, and applied warm, it.help- eth all maimer of tumours, swellings, and inflam- mations. Such drinks ought to be made o.f sundry herbs ac- cording to the malady. I shall give a plain and easy rule at the latter end of this book. BUTCHER’S BROOM. It is called ruscus, and bruscus, kneekolm, knee- holv, kneehulver, and pettigree. jjescrip. — The first shoots that sprout from the root of butcher’s broom are thick, whitish, and short, somewhat like those of asparagus, but greater, they rising up to be a foot and a half high, are spread into divers branches, green, and somewhat crossed with the roundnes, tough and flexible, whereon are set somewhat broad and almost round hard leaves and pricklv, pointed at the end, of a dark green colour, two for the most pan set at a place very close and CULPEPER S HERBAL. 75 i near together ; about the middle of the leaf, on the hack and lower side from themiddle rib, breaketh fort! i 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, where- in 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 \ lough strings. Place. — It growethin copses, and upon heaths and waste grounds, and often times under or near the holly bushes. Time. — It shooteth forth its young buds in the ' spring, and the berries are ripe about September, the branches of leaves abiding green all the winter. Government and Virtues. — ’Tis a plant of Mars, beingof agallant cleansing and opening quality. The i decoction of the root made with wine openeth ob- structions, provoketh urine, helpeth to expel gravel and the stone, the sranguary and women’s courses, also the yellow jaundice and the head ache : and with some honey or sugar put thereunto, cleanseth the breast of phiegm, and the chest of such clammy humours gathered therein. The decoction of the root drank, and a poultice made of the berries and leaves being applied are effectual in knitting and consolidat- ing broken bones or parts out of joint. The common way of using it is to boil the root, and parsley, fennel, and smallage in white wine, and drink the decoction, adding the like quantity of grass root to them : the more of the root you boil the stronger will the de- coction be ; it works no ill effects, yet I hope you have wit enough to give the strongest decoction to the strongest bodies. BROOM, and BROOM-RAPE. To spend time in writing a description hereof is altogether needless, it being so generally used by all 76 Culpeper's herbal. the good housewives almost throughout this land to sweep their houses with, and therefore very well known to all sorts of people. The broom-rape springeth up on many places from the roots of the broom, but more often in fields, as by hegde-sides and on heaths : the stalk whereof is of the bigness of a finger or thumb, above two feet high, having a show of leaves on them, and many flowers at the top of a reddish yellow colour, as also the stalks and leaves are. Place. — They grow in many places of this land com- monly, and as commonly spoil all the land they grow in. Time. — And flower in the summer months, and give their seed before winter. Government and Virtues. — The juice or decoction of the young branches, or seed, or the powder of the seed taken in drink purgeth downwards, and dravveth phlegmatic and watery humours from the joints, whereby it helpelh the dropsy, gout, sciatica, and pains of the hips and joints ; it also provoketh strong vomits, and helpeth the pains of the sides, and swel- ling of the spleen ; cleansetli also the reins or kidnies, and bladder of the stone, provoketh urine abundantly, and hindereth the growing again of the stone in the body. The continual use of the powder of the leaves and seed doth cure the black jaundice: the distilled water of the flowers is profitable for all the same pur- poses : it also helpeth surfeits, and altereth the fits of agues, if three or four ounces thereof with as much of the water of the lesser centaury, and a little sugar put therein, be taken a little before the fit cometh. and the party be laid down to sweat in his bed : the oil or wa- ter that is drawn from the end of the green sticks heated in the fire, helpeth the tooth-ache: the juice of young branches made into an ointment of old hog’s grease, and anointed, or the young branches bruised and heated in oil or hog’s grease, and laid to the sides pained by wind, as in stitches or the spleen, . easeth them in once or twice using it : the same culpepee’s heebae. 77 boiled in oil is the safest and surest medicine to kill lice in the head or body, it any : and is an especial remedy for joint aches and swollen knees, that come by the falling down of humours. The broom-rape also is not without its virtues. The decoction thereof in wine is thought to be as effectual to void the stone in the kidniesand bladder, and to provoke urine as the broom itself; the juice thereof is a singular good help to cure as well green wounds as old and filthy sores and malignant ulcers ; the insolate oil, wherein there hath been three or four repetitions of infusions of the top stalks, with flowers strained and cleared, eleanseth the skinfrom all man- ner of spots, marks, and freckles thatriseth either by the heat of the sun or the malignity of the humours. As for the broom and broom rape, Mars owns them, and is exceedingly prejudicial to the liver; I suppose by reason of the antipathy between Jupiter and Mars, therefore if the liver be disaffected, minister none of it. BUCK’S-IIORN PLAINTAIN. Descrip. — This being sown of seed, riseth up at first with small, long, narrow, hairy, dark green leaves like grass, without any division or gash in them ; but those that follow are gashed in on both sides, the leaves into three or four gashes, and point- ed at the ends, resembling the knags of a buck’s horn, (whereof it took its name) and being well ground round about the root upon the ground, in order one by another, thereby resembling the form of a star, from among which rise up divers hairy stalks about a hand’s breadth high, bearing every one a long, small, spiky head, like those of the common plantain, having such like bloomings and seed after them. The root is single, long, and small, with divers strings at it. Place.— They grow in sandy grounds as inTothill- fields, by Westminster, and divers other places of this land. Time.— They flower and seed in May, June, and 78 Culpeper’s herbal. July, and their green leaves do in a manner abide fresh all the winter. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Saturn, and is of a gallant, drying, and bind- ing quality. This boiled in wine, and drank, and some of the leaves put to the hurt place, is an ex- cellent remedy lor the biting of the viper or adder, which I take to be one and the same. The same being also drank, helpeth those that are troubled with the stone in the reins or kidnies, by cooling the heat of the parts afflicted, and strengthening them; also weak stomachs that cannot retain but cast up their meat. It stayeth all bleeding both at the mouth and nose, bloody urine, or the bloody flux, andstop- peth the lask of the belly and bowels. The leaves hereof bruised and laid to their sides that have an ague, suddenly easeth the tit; and the leaves and roots being beaten with some bay salt, and applied to the wrists, worketh the same effects. The herb boiled in ale or wine, and given for some mornings and evenings together, stayeth the distillation of hot and sharp rheums falling into the eyes from the head, and helpeth all sorts of sore eyes. BUCK’S HORN. It is called harts-horn, herba-stellaria,sanguinaria, herb-eve, herb-ivy, wort-cresses, and swine-cresses. j Descrip. — They have many small and weak strair- glingbranches trailing here and thereupon the ground; the leaves are many, small, and jagged, not much un- like to those of buck’s horn plantain, but much smaller and not so hairy : the flowers grow among the leaves in small, rough, whitish clusters: the seeds are much smaller and brownish, of a bitter taste. Place. — They grow in dry, barren sandy grounds. Time. — They flower and seed when the rest of the plantains do. Government and Virtues. — This is also under the dominion of Saturn ; the virtues are held to be the cuepepee’s heebae. 79 9arae as buck’s-horn plantain, and therefore b}r all authors it is joined with it : the leaves bruised and applied to the place, stops bleeding ; the herh bruised and applied to warts, will make them consume and waste away in a short time. BUGLE. Besides the name bugle, it is calladmiddle confound and middle comfrey, brown bugle, and of some sickle- wort and herb-carpenter ; though in Essex we call another herh by that name. Descrip. — This hath larger leaves than those of the self-heal, but else of the same fashion, or rather longer, in some green on the upper 9ide, and in others more brownish, dented about the edges, somewhat hairy, as the square stalk is also, which riseth up to be half a yard high sometimes, with the leaves set by couples from the middle almost, whereof upward stand the flowers, together with many smaller and browner leaves than the rest on the stalk below set at a distance, and the stalk bare betwixt, them ; among which flowers are also small ones of a blueish and sometimes of an ash colour, fashioned like the flowers of ground-ivy, after which come small, round, black- ish seeds : the root is composed of many strings, and spreadeth upon the ground. The white flowered bugle differeth not. in form or greatness from the former, saving that the leaves and stalk are always green, and never brown like the other, and the flowers thereof are white. Place. — They grow in woods, copses, and fields ge- nerally throughout England, but the white flowered bugle is not so plentiful as the former. Time. — They flower from May until July, and in the meantime perfect their seed: the roots and leaves next thereunto upon the ground abiding all the winter. Government and Virtues. — This herb belongeth to Dame Venus : if the virtues of it make you fall in 80 cul^eper’s herbal. love with it, (as they will if you be wise) keep a sy- rup of it to take inwardly, and an ointment and plaister of it to use outwardly, always by you. The decoction of the leaves and flowers made in wine, and taken, dissolveth the congealed blood in those that are bruised inwardly by a fall or otherwise, and is very effectual for any inward wounds, thrusts, or stabs in the body or bowels ; and is an especial help in all wound-drinks, and for those that are liver- grown, as they call it. It i3 wonderful in curing all manner of ulcers and sores, whether new and fresh, or old and invetrate j yea, gangrenes and fistulas also, if the leaves bruised and applied, or their juice be used to wash and bathe the place, and the same made into a lotion and some honey and alum, cureth all sores in the mouth and gums, be they ever so foul or of long continuance ; and workethno less powerfully and effectually for such ulcers and sores as happen in the secret parts of men and women. Being also ta- ken inwardly, or outwardly applied, it helpeth those that have broken any bone, or have any member out of joint. An ointment made with the leaves of bugle, scabious and sanicle bruised and boiled in hog’s grease until the herbs be dry, and then strained into a pot for such occaisons as shall require ; it is so singular good for all sorts ofhurts in the body, that none that know its usefulness will ever be without it. The truth is, I have known this herb cure some diseases of Saturn, of which 1 thought good to quote one. Many times such as give tnemselves much to drinking are troubled with strange fancies, strange sights in the night time, and some with voices, as also with the disease ephialtes, or the mare. I take the reason of this to be (according to Fernelius) a melan- choly vapour made thin by excessiye drinking strong liquor, and so flies up and disturbs the fancy, and breeds imaginations like itself, viz. — fearful and trou- blesome ; these I have known cured by taking only two spoonsful of the syrup of this herb after 6upper CULPEPER’S HERBAL. 81 two hours, when you go to bed. But whether this does it by sympathy or antipathy is some doubt in astrology. I know there is a great antipathy be- tween Saturn and Venus in matter of procreation ; yea, such an one, that the barrenness of Saturn can be removed by none but Venus ; nor the lust of Venus be repelled by none but Saturn, but I am not of opi- nion this is done this way, and ray reason is, because these vapours, though in quality melancholy, yet by their flying upward seem to be somewhat aerial; therefore I rather think it is done by sympathy, Sa- turn being exalted in Libra in the house of Venus. BURNET. It is called sanguisorbia, piinpinella, bipulo solbre* grell, &c. The common garden burnet is so well known that it needeth no description. Descrip. — The great wild burnet hath winged leaves rising from the roots like the garden burner., but not so many; yet each of these leaves are at the least twice as large as the other, and nicked in the same manner about the edges, of a greyish colour on the under side ; the stalks are greater and rise higher, with many such like leaves thereon, and greater heads at the top of a brownish colour, and out of them come small dark purple flowers like the former, but greater ; the root is black and long like the other, but great also. It hath almost neither scent nor taste therein-, like the garden kind. Place. — The first grows frequently in gardens. The wild kind groweth in divers counties of this island, especially in Huntingdon and Northampton- shire, in the meadows there ; as also near London by Pancras church, and by a causeway-side in the middle of a field by Paddington. Time.— They flower about the end of June and beginning of July, and their seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — This is an herb the Sun challengeth dominion over, and is a most precious i)o p 82 culpepee’s heebal. herb, little inferior to betony : the continual use of i( preserves the body in health and the spirit in vigour ; for if the sun be the preserver of life under God, 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, because quicker and more aroruati- cal. It is a friend to the heart, liver, and other prin- cipal 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 thereof being taken in some drink, and the party laid to sweat thereupon. They have also a drying and an astringent quality, whereby they are available in all manner of fluxes of blood or humours, to staunch bleedings inward or outward, lasks, scourgings, the bloody-flux, women’s too abundant flux of the courses, the whites, and the choleric belchings and castings of the stomach, and is a singular wound herb for all sorts of wounds both of the head and body, either inward or outward; for all old ulcers, running cankers, and most sores, to be used either by the juice or decoction of the herb, or by the powder of the herb or root, or the water of the distilled herb or ointment by itself, or with other things to be kept; i he seed is also no less effectual both to fluxes, and 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 ointments. THE BUTTER-BUR, or PETASITIS. Descrip. — This riseth up in February, with a thick stalk about a foot high, whereon are set a tew small leaves, or rather pieces, and at the tops a long spike, head ; flowers of a blush or deep red colour, accord- ing to the soil where it groweth, and before the stalk CTTLrEPEE’S HEEBAX. 83 with the flowers have abiden a month aboveground it will be withered and gone, and blown away with the wind, and the leaves will begin to spring, which being full grown are very large and broad, being somewhat thin and almost round, whose thick red foot stalks above a foot long, stand towards the middle of the leaves ; the lower part being divided into two round parts close almost one to another, and are of a pale green colour, and hairy underneath : the root is long, and spreadeth under ground, being in some places no bigger than one’s finger, in others much bigger, blackish on the outside, and whitish within, of a bitter and unpleasant taste. Place and Time. — They grow in low and wet grounds by rivers and water-sides ; their flowers, as is said, rising and decaying in February and March be- fore their leaves, which appear in April. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of the Sun, and therefore is a great strengthener of the heart and cheerer of the vital spirits : the roots thereof are by long experience found to be very avail- able against the plague and pestilential fevers, by pro- voking sweat : if the powder thereof be taken in wine, it also resistetli the force of any other poison : the root hereof taken with zedoary aud angelica, or with- out them, helps the rising of the mother : the decoc- tion of the root, in wine, is singular good for those that wheese much, or are short-winded. It provok- eth urine also, and women’s courses, and killeth the flat and broad worms in the belly. The powder of the root doth wonderfully help to dry up the moisture of the sores that are hard to be cured, and taketh away all spots and blemishes of the skin. It were well if gentlewomen would keep this root preserved to help their poor neighbours. It is Jit the rich should help the poor, for the poor cannot help themselves. THE BURDOCK. They are also called personata, and loppy- major, 84 CULPEPERS HEliBAL. great burdock, and clod-bur; it is so well known even by the little boys, who pull off the burs to throw at- one another, that I shall spare to write any description of it. Place. — They grow plentifully by ditches and wa- ter-sides and by the high-ways almost every where through this land. Government and Virtues. — Venus challengeth this herb for her own ; and by its leaf or seed you may draw the womb which way you please, either upward by applying it to the crown of the head in case it falls out ; or downwards in tits of the mother, by ap- plying' it to the soles of the feet : or if you would" stay it in its place, apply it to the navel, and that is one good way to stay the child in it. See more of it in my Guide for Women. The Burdock leaves are cooling, moderatley drying, and discussing withal, whereby it is good for old ul- cers and sores. A drachm of the roots taken with pine kernels, helpeth them that spit foul, mattery, and bloody phlegm. The leaves applied to the places troubled with the shrinking of the sinews or arteries, give much ease : the juice of the leaves, or rather the roots themselves, given to drink with old wine, doth wonderfully help the biting of any serpents ; the root beaten with a little salt, and laid on the place, sudden- ly easeth the pain thereof, and helpeth those that are bit by a mad dog : the juice of the leaves being drank with honey, provoketh urine and remedieth the pain of the bladder : the seed being drank in wine forty days together, doth wonderfully help the scia- tica; the leaves bruised with the white of an egg and applied to any place burnt with fire, t.aketh out the fire, gives sudden ease, and heals it up afterwards ; the decoction of them fomented on any fretting sore or canker, stayeth the corroding quality, which must he afterwards anointed with an ointment made of the same liquor, hog’s grease, nitre, and vinegar boiled together. The root may be preserved with CULPEPEE’S HEllBAL. 85 sugar, and taken fasting or at other times for the same purposees, and for consumptions, the stone, and t he lask. The seed is much commended to break ti e stone, and cause it to be expelled by urine, and is often used with other seeds and things for that purpose. CABBAGES and COLEWORTS. I shall spare labour in writing a description of these, since almost every one that can but write at all may describe them from his own knowledge, they being so well known that descriptions are altogether neealess. Place.— They are generally planted in gardens. Time. — Their flower time is towards the middle or end of July, and the seed is ripe in August. Govei'nment and Virtues. — The cabbages or cole- worts boiled gently in broth, and eaten, do open the body, but the second decoction doth bind the body, 'file juice thereof drank in winehelpeth those that are bitten by an adder, and the decoction of the flowers bringeth down women’s courses ; being taken with honey it recovereth hoarseness or loss of the voice. The often eating of them well boiled lielpeth those that are entering iuto a consumption. The pulp, or the middle ribs of coleworts boiled in almond milk, and made up into an electuary with honey, being taken often is very profitable for those that are puffy and short winded. Beingboiled twdce,and an old cock boiled in the broth and drank, it lielpeth the pains, and the obstructions of the liver and spleen, and the stone in t he ltidnies. The juice boiled with honey, and dropped into the corners of the eye9, cleareth the sight by con- suming any cloud or film beginning to dim it: it also consuraeth the canker growing therein. They are much commended being eaten before meat to keep one from surfeiting, as also from being drunk with too much wine, or quickly makes a man sober that is drunk be- fore; for, as they say, there is 6uch an antipathy or 86 Culpeper’s herbal. enmity between the vine and the coleworts, that not one will die where the other groweth. The decoction of coleworts taketh away the pain and ache, and allay - eth the swellings of sores and gouty legs and knees, wherein many gross and watery humours are fallen, the place being bathed therewith warm. It helpeth also old and filthy sores being bathed therewith, and healeth all small scabs, pushes, and wheals that break out in the skin : the ashes of colewort stalks mixed with old hog’s grease, are very effectual to anoint the sides of those that have had long pains therein, or any other place pained with melancholy aud windy hu- mours. This was surely Chrysippus’s god, and there- fore he wrote a whole volume of them and their vir- tues, and that none of the least neither, for he would be no small fool: he appropriates them to every part of the body, and to every disease in every part; and honest old Cato, they say, used no other physic. I know not what metal their bodies were made of; this I am su-re, cabbages are extremely windy whether you take them as meat or as medicine ; yea, as windy meat as can be eaten, unless you eat bag-pipes or bellows, and they are but seldom eat in our days; and colewort flowers are something more tolerable, and the whole- somer food of the two : the Moon challengeth the do- minion of the herb. THE SEA COLEWORTS. Descrip.— This hath divers somewhat long and bri>ad, large, and thick wrinkled leaves somewhat crumpled about the edges, and growing each upon a thick foot-stalk, very brittle, of a greyish green colour, from among which riselli up a strong thick stalk two feet high and better, with some leaves thereon to the top, where it branches forth much ; on every branch standeth a large bush of pale whitish flowers, con- sisting of four leaves apiece: the root is somewhat great, shooteth forth many branches under ground, keeping the leaves green all the winter. Culpeper's herbal. 87 Peace.— They grow in many places upon the sea coasts, as well ou the Kentish as Essex shores ; as at Lid, in Kent, Colchester, in Essex, and divers other places, and in other counties of this land. Time. — They flower and seed about the time that other kinds do. Government and Virtues.— The Moon claims the dominion ot these also. The broth, or first decoction of the sea colewort doth by the sharp, nitrous, and hitter qualities therein, open the belly, and purge the body ; it cleanseth and digests more powerfully than the other kind: the seed hereof bruised and drank, killeth w orms : the leaves or the juice of them applied to sores or ulcers cleanseth and kealeth them, and dis- solveth swellings, and taketh away inflammations. CALAMINT, or MOUNTAIN-MINT. Descrip.— This is a small herb, seldom rising: above a foot high, with square, hairy, and woody stalks, and iwo small hoary leaves set at a joint, about the big- ness of marjorum, or not much bigger, a little dented a bout the edges, and of a very fierce or quick scent, as the whole herb is ; the flowers stand at several spaces ol the stalks from the middle almost upwards which are small and gaping like to those of mints, and of a p de blueish colour; after which follow small, round, blackish seed: the root is small and woody, will) divers small strings spreading within the ground, and dieth not, but abideth many years. P lace. — 1 1 groweth on heaths and uplands, and dry grounds in many places of this land. Time.— They flower in July, and their seed is ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of Mer- ely, and a strong one too, therefore excellent good in all afflictions ot the brain; the decoction of the herb being drank bringeth down women’s courses, and pro- voketh urine : it is profitable for those that are bursten, or troubled with convulsions or cramps, with short- 88 culpefee’s heebal. ness of breath or choleric torments and pains in their hellies or stomach : it alsohelpeth the yellow jaun- dice, and stayeth vomiting being taken in wine: ta- ken with salt and honey it killeth all manner of worms in the body. Ithelpeth such as have the leprosy, either taken inwardly, drinking whey after it, or the green herb outwardly applied : it hindereth concep- tion in women; but either burned or strewed in a chamber it driveth away venomous serpents ; it takes away black and blue marks in the face, and maketh black scars become well coloured, if the green herb (not the dry) be boiled in wine and laid to the place, or the place washed therewith. Being applied to the huckle-bone, by continuance of time it spends the humours which causelh the pain of the sciatica: the juice being dropped into the ears, killeth the worms in them ; the leaves boiled in wine, and drank, pro- voke sweat, and open obstructions of the liver and spleen. It helpeth them that have a tertian ague (the body being first purged), by taking away the cold fits; the decoct ion hereof, with some sugar put thereto afterwards, is very profitable for those that are troubled with the overflowing of the gall, and that have an old cough, and that are scarce able to breathe by shortness of their wind , that have any cold distemper in their bowels, and are troubled with the hardness of the spleen, for all which purposes both the powder, called diacaluminthes, and compound syrup of calamint (which are to be had at the apo- thecaries) are the most effectual. Let not women be too busy with it, for it works very violently upon the feminine part. CAMOMILE. It is so well known every where, that it is but lost time and labour to describe it; the virtues thereof are as follovveth. A decoction made of camomile, taketli away all pains and stitches in the side : the flowers of camomile beat- CpLPEPEE S HERBAL. 89 en and made up into balls with oil, drive away all sor!s of agues, if the part grieved be annointed with that oil, taken from the flowers, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, and afterward laid to sweat in bed, and he sweats well; this is Nechessor, an Egyptian’s medicine. It is profitable for all sorts of agues that come either from phlegm, or melancholy, or from an inflammation of the bowels, being appled when the humours causing them shall be concocted ; and there is nothing more profitable tothe sides and region of the jiver and spleen than it : the bathing with a decoct ion of camomile takethaway weariness, easeth pains to what parts soever they be applied. Itcomforteth the sinews that be over-strained, mol- lifieth all swellings : it moderately comforteth all parts that have need of warmth, digesteth and dis • solveth whatsoever hath need thereof by a wonderful speedy property : it easeth all the pains of the cholic and stone, and all pains and torments of the belly, and gently provoketh urine. The flowers boiled in posset-drink provoke sweat, and help to expel all colds, aches and pains whatsoever, is an excellent help to bringdown women’s courses. Syrup made of the juice of camomile, with the flowers in white wine, is a remedy against the jaundice and dropsy : the flow- ers boiled in lee, are good to wash the head and com- fort both it and the brain : the oil made of the flowers of camomile is much used against all hard swellings, pains or aches, shrinking of the sinews, cramps or pains in the joints, or any other part of the body. Being used in glvsters, it helps to dissolve the wind and pains in the belly ; anointed also, it helpeth pains and stitches in the sides. Nichessor saith, the Egyptians dedicated it to the Sun, because it cured agues, and they were like enough to do it, for they were the arrantest apes in their religion I ever read of. Bachinus, Bena, and Lobel, commend the syrup made of the juice of it and sugar, taken inwardly, to be excellent for the 90 culpepbe’s herbal. spleen. Also this is certain, that it most wonderfully breaks the stone; some take it in syrup or decoction, others inject the juice of it into the bladder with a sy- ringe My opinion is, that the salt of it taken half a drachm in the morning in a little white or rhenisk wine, is better than either : that it is excellent for the stone appears in this which I have seen tried, viz. — That a stone that hath been taken out of the body of a man, being wrapped in camomile, will in time dis- solve, and in a little time too. WATER CALTROPS. They are called also tribulus aquaticus, tribulus la- cusoris, tribulus marinus, caltrop, saligos, water nuts, and water chesnuts. Descrip.— As for the greater sort of water caltrop, it is not found here, or very rarely : two other sorts there are, which I shall here describe; the first hath a long creeping and jointed root, sending forth tufts at each joint, from which joints arise long, flat, slen- dor-knotted stalks, even to the top of the water, di- vided towards the top into many branches, each car- rying two leaves on both sides, being about two inches long and half an inch broad, thin and almost trans- parent, they look as if they were torn ; the flowers are long, thick, and whitish, set together almost like a bunch of grapes, which being gone, there succeeds for the most part sharp pointed grains altogether, con- taining a small white kernel in them. The second differs not much from this, save that it delights in more clear water ; its stalks are not flat, but round ; its leaves are not so long but more pointed. As for the place we need not determine, for their name sheweth they grow in the water. Government and. Virtues. — They are under the dominion of the Moon, and being made into a poultice, are excellent good for hot inflammations, swellings, cankers, sore mouths and throats, being washed in thedecoction : it cleanseth and strengthened the neck CULPEPER’S HEKBAL. 91' aud throat, and helps those swellings which, when people have, they sav the almonds of their ears are fallen down ; it is excellent good for the rankness of the gums, a safe and present remedy for the king’s evil : they are excellent good for the stone and gravel, especially the nuts being dried: they also resist poison and bitings of venomous beasts. CAMPION WILD. Descrip. — The wild white campion hath many long and somewhat broad dark green leaves lying upon the ground, and divers ribs therein, somewhat like plan- raiu but somewhat hairy ; broader, and not so long ; the hairy stalks rise up in the middle of them three or four feet high, and sometimes more, with divers great white joints at several places thereon, and two such like leaves thereat up to the top, sending forth branches at several joints also ; all which bear on several footstalks white flowers at the tops of them, consisting of five broad-pointed leaves, every one cut in on the end unto the middle, making them seem to be two a-piece, smelling somewhat sweet, and each of them standing in a large green striped hairy husk, large and round below next to the stalk : the seed is small and greyish in the hard heads that come up af- t erwards : the root is white and long, spreading divers fanes in the ground. The red wild campion groweth in the same manner as the white, but the leaves are not so plainly ribbed, somewhat shorter, rounder, and more woolv in hand- ling. The flow'ers are of the same form and bigness; but in some of a pale, in others of a bright red colour, cut in at the ends more finely, which makes the leaves look more in number than the other. The seeds and 1 lie roots arealike, the roots of both sorts abiding many years. There are forty-five kinds of campion more ; those of them which are of a physical use having the like virtues with those above described, which I take to be the chiefest kinds. 92 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. Place. — They grow commonly through tills land by fields and hedge sides and ditches. Time. — They flower in summer, some earlier than others, and some abiding longer than others. Government and Virtues. — They belong unto Sa- turn ; and it is found by experience that the decoction of the herb, either in white or red wine, being drank doth stay inward bleedings, and applied outwardly it doth the like ; and being drank, helpeth to expel urine b' ing stopned, and gravel or stone in the reins or ltidnies. Two drachms^ of the seed drank in wine jmrgeth the body of choleric humours, and helpeth those that are stung by scorpions or other venomous beasts, and may be as effectual for the plague. It is of very srreat use in old sores, ulcers, cankers, fistulas, arid the like, to cleanse and heal them by consuming Hie moist humours falling into them, and correcting the putrefaction of humours offending them. CARDUUS BENEDICTUS. It is called earduusbenedictus, or blessed thistle, or holy thistle : I suppose the name was put upon it by some that had little holiness in themselves. I shall spare labour in writing a description of this, as almost every one who can but write at all, may describe them from his own knowledge. Time. — They flower in August, and seed not long after. Govemiment and Virtues. — It is an herb of Mars, and under the sign of Aries. Now, in handling this herb, I shall give you a rational pattern of all the rest; and if you please to view them throughout t lie book, you shall to your content find it true. It helps swimming and giddiness of the head , or the disease called vertigo, because Aries is in the house of Mars. It is an excellent remedy against the yellow jaundice and other infirmities of the gall, because Mars governs eholer. It strengthens the attractiye faculty in man, and clarifies the blood, because the one is ruled hy Culpeper’s heebal. 93 Mars. The continually drinking the decoction of it, helps red faces, tetters, and ringworms, because Mars causeth them. It helps the plague, sores, boils, and itch, the bitings of mad dogs and venomous beasts ; all which infirmities are under Mars : thus you see what it does by sympathy. By antipathy to other planets it cureth the French pox. By antipathy to Venus, who governs it, it strengthens the memory, and cures deafness by anti- pathy to Saturn, who hath his fall in Aries, which rules the head. It cures quartan agues and other diseases of melancholy, andadjustscholer, by sympathy to Sa- turn, Mars being exalted in Capricorn. Also it pro- vokes urine, the stopping of which is usually caused by Mars or the Moon. CARROTS. Garden carrots are so well known that they need no description ; but because they are of less physical use than the wild kind (as indeed almost in all herbs the wild are most effectual in physic, as being more powerful in operation than the garden kinds) I shall therefore briefly describe the wild carrot. Descrip. — It groweth in a manner altogether like the tame, but that the leaves and stalks are somewhat whiter and rougher. The stalks bear large tufts of white flowers, with a deep purple spot in the middle, which are contracted together when the seed begins to ripen, that the middle part beincr hollow and low, and the outward stalk rising high, maketh the whole umbel look like a bird’s nest : the root small, long, arid hard, and unfit for meat, being somewhat sharp and strong. Place. — The wild kind groweth in divers parts or this land, plentifully by the field sides and untilled places. Time.— They flower and seed in the end of summer. Government and Virtues. — Wild carrots belong to Mercury, and therefore break wind and remove stitches 94 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. in the side, provoke urine and women’s courses, and helpeth to break and expel the stone ; the seed also of the same worketh the like effect, and is good for the dropsy, and those whose bellies areswollen with wind: helpeth the colic, the stone in the kidnies, and rising of the mother ; being taken in wine, or boiled in wine and taken, it helpeth conception. Tiie leaves being applied with honey to running sores or ulcers, do cleanse them. I suppose the seeds of them perform this better than the roots : and though Galen commended garden carrots highly to break wind, yet experience teacheth they breed it first, and we may thank nature for ex- pelling it, not they ; the seeds of them expel wind indeed, and so mend what the root marreth. CARRAWAY. Descrip. — It beareth'divers stalks of fine cut leaves lying upon the ground, somewhat like the leaves of carrots, but not bushing so thick, of a little quick taste in them, from among which riseth up a square stalk, not so high as the carrot, at whose joints are set the like leaves, but smaller and fitter, and at the top small open tufts or umbels of white flowers, which turn into small blackish seed, smaller than the anniseed, and of a quicker and better taste. The root is whitish, small, and long, somewhat like unto parsnip, but with more wrinkled bark, and much less, of a little hot and quick taste, and stronger than the parsnip, and abid- eth after seed time. Place.— It is usually sown with us in gardens. Time.— They flower in June and July, and seed quickly after. Government and Virtues. — This is also a Mercu- rial plant. Carraway seed hath a moderate sharp quality, whereby it breaketh windand provoketh urine, which also the herb doth. The root is better food than the parsnips ; it is pleasant and comfortable to the stomach, and helpeth digestion. The seed is con- Culpeper’s herbal. 95 ducing to all cold griefs of the head and stomach, bowels, or mother, as also the wind in them, and help- eth to sharpen the eye-sight. The powder of the seed put into a poultice taketh away black and blue spots of blows and bruises. The herb itself, or with some of the seed bruised and fried, laid hot in a bag or double cloth to the lower parts of the belly, easeth the pains of the wind cholic. The roots of carraways eaten as men eat parsnips, strengthen the stomach of ancient peopleexceedinglv, and they need not to make a whole meai ot them neither, and are fit to he planted in every garden. Carraway confects, once only dipped in sugar, and a spoonful of them eaten in the morning fasting, and as many after each meal, is a most admirable remedy for those that are troubled with wind. CELANDINE. Descrip. — This hath divers tender, round, whitish green stalks, with greater joints than ordinary in other herbs, as it were knees, very brittle and easy to break, from whence grow branches with large tender broad leaves divided into many parts, each of them cut in on the edges, set at the joint on both sides of the branches, of a dark blueish green colour on the upper side like columbines, and of a more pale blueish green underneath, full of yellow sap when any part is bro- ken, of a bitter taste and strong scent. The root is somewhat great at the head, shooting forth divers long roots and small strings, reddish on the outside, and yellow within, full of yellow sap therein. Place. — They grow in many places by old walls, hedges, and way-sides, in untilled places ; and being once planted in a garden, especially in some shady places, it will remain there. Time. — They flower all the summer long, and the seed ripeneth in the mean time. Government and Virtues. — This is an herb of the Sun, and under the celestial Lion, and is one of the 06 Culpeper’s heeeal. best cures for the eyes, for all that know any tiling hi astrology know that the eyes are subject to the lumi- naries ; let it then be gathered when the Sun is in Leo, and the Moon in Aries, applying to this time; let Leo arise, then may you make it into an oil or ointment, which you please, to anoint your sore eyes with : I can prove it both by my own experience and the experience of those to whom I have taught it, that most desperate sore eyes have been cured by this only medicine; and then I pray, is not this far better than endangering the eyes by the art of the needle? For if this doth not absolutely take away the film, it will so facilitate the work, that it may be done without danger : the herb or root boiled in white wine and drank, a few anniseeds being boiled therewith, open- eth obstructions of the liver and gall, helpeth the yellow jaundice ; and often using it helps the dropsy and the itch, and those that have old sores in their legs or other parts of the body ; the juice thereof taken fasting, i3 held to be of singular good use against the pestilence: the distilled water with a little sugar and a little good treacle mixed therewith (the party upon the taking being laid down to sweat a little) hath the same effect; the juice dropped into the eyes cleanseth them from films and cloudiness that darken the sight, but it is best to allay the sharpness of the juice with a little breast-milk. It is good in 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 tet- ters, ring-worms, or other spreading cankers, will quickiy 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, tnketh away the griping pains in the belly and bow- els, and all the pains of the mother ; and applied to women’s breasts, stayeth the overmuch flowing of the courses: the juice or decoction of the herb gargled between the teeth that ache, easesth the pain, and the CULPEPER’S HERBAL. 97 powder of tlie 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 auainst the itch, but taketh away all discolourings 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 little vinegar it is helped. Another ill-favoured trick have physicians got to use to the eye, and that is worse than the needle ; which is to take away films by corroding or gnaw- ing 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 dim that they would eat away i. seldom of an equal thickness in every place, and then the tunicle may be eaten asunder in one place before the film may be consumed in another, and so be a readier way to extinguish the sight than to restore it. It is called chelidonium, from the Greek word clie- lidon, 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 recover them again ; but whe- ther with this herb or not I know not. Also I have read, and it seems to be somewhat pro- bable, 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 dra wn apart rectified, the earthly quality still in rectifying them added to the terra damnata (as alchymists call it,) or terra sacratissima (as some philosophers call it.) the elements so rectified are sufficient for the cure of all diseases, the humours offending being known, and the contrary elements given. It is an experiment worth the trying, and can do no harm. a 98 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. THE LESSER CELANDINE, usually known BY THE NAMES OF PILEWORT AND FOG- WORT. I wonder what ailed the ancients to give this the name of celandine, which resembleth it neither in na- ture or form ; it acquired the name of pilewort from its virtues, and it being no great matter where I set it down, so I set down at all, I humoured Dr. Tradi- tion so much as to set him 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, among which rise small yellow flowers consisting of nine or ten small narrow leaves upon slender foot-stalks, very like unto crow’s foot, whereunto the seed is not unlike, being many small kernels, like a grain of corn, some- times twice as long as others, of a whitish colour, with some fibres at the end of them. Place. — It groweth for the most part in moist cor- ners of fields and places that are near water-sides, yet will abide in drier ground if it be but a little shady. Time. — It flowereth about March or April, is quite gone by May, so it cannot be found till it spring again. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Mars, and behold here another verification of the learning of the ancients, viz. that the virtue of an herb may be known by its signature, as plainly ap- pears 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 bv good experience that the decoction of the leaves and roots doth wonderfully help piles and haemorrhoides, also kernels by the ears and throat, called the king’s evil, or any other hard wens or tumours. Here is anolber secret for my countrymen and wo- CULPEPER S HER13UL. 99 men, a couple of them together: pilewort made into an oil, ointment or plaister, 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 touch the place grieved; let poor people make much of it for those uses ; with this I cured my own daughter of the king’s evil, broke the sore, drew out a quarter of a pint of corruption, cured without any scar at all in one week’s time. THE ORDINARY SMALL CENTAURY. 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 verylike those of St. John’s wort, opening themselves in the day-time and closing 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 ordinariiy in fields, pastures, and woods, but that with the white flowers not so fre- quently as the other. Time.— They flower in July or thereabouts, and seed within a month after. Government and Virtues. — They are under the dominion of the Sun, as appears in that their flowers open and shut as the sun either sheweth or hideth his face: this herb boiled and drank, purgeth choleric and gross hnmours, and helpeth the sciatica: it openeth obstructions of the liver, gall, and spleen, helpeth the jaundice, and easeth the pains in the sides, and hardness of the spieen, used outwardly, and is 100 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. given with very good effect in agues. It helpeth those that have the dropsy, or the green sickness, being much used by the Italians in powder for that purpose : it killeth the worms in the belly, as is found by ex- perience ; the decoction thereof, viz. the tops of the stalks, with the leaves and flowers, is good against the cholic, and to bring down women’s courses, help- eth to void the dead birth, and easeth pains of the mo- ther, and is very effectual in all old pains of the joints, as the gout, cramps, or convulsions. A drachm 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 perfectly to cure them both, although they are hollow or fistu- lous; the green herb especialy being bruised and laid thereto : the decoction thereof dropped into the ears, cleanseth them from worms, cleanseth the foul ulcers and spreading scabs of the head, and taketh away all freckles, spots and marks in the skin, being washed with it ; the herb is so safe you cannot fail in the using of it, only giving it inwardly for inward diseases : ’tis very wholesome, but not very toothsome. There is, besides these, another small centaury, which beareth a yellow flower ; in all other respects it is like the former, save that the leaves are bigger, and of a darker green, und the stalk passeth through the midst of them as it doth the herb tliorow’an. They are allofthem, a9 I told you, under the government of the Sun ; yet this if you observe it, you shall find an excellent truth : in diseases of the blood, use the red centaury; if of choler, use the yellow; but if phlegm or water, you will find the white best. THE CIIEREY-TREE. I suppose there are few but know this tree for its CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 101 fruit’s sake : and therefore I shall soare writing ade- scrip tion thereof. Place. — For the place of its growth, it is afforded room in every orchard. Government and Virtues. — It is a tree of Venus. Cherries, as they are of different tastes, so they are of different qualities: the sweet pass through the stomach and the belly more speedily, but are of little nourishment : the tart or sour are more pleasing to an hot stomach, procure appetite to meat, and help to cut tough phlegm and gross humours : but when they are dried, they are more binding to the belly than when they are fresh, being cooling in hot diseases and wel- come to the stomach, and provoke urine : the gum of the cherry-tree dissolved in wine, is good for a cold, cough, and hoarseness of the throat ; mending the co- lour in the face, sharpeneth the eye-sight, provoketli aopetite, and helpeth to break and expel the stone : the black cherries bruised with the stones and dissolved, the water thereof is much used to break the stone, and to expel gravel and wind. WINTER CHERRIES. Descrip. — The winter cherry hath a running or creeping root in the ground, of the bigness many times of one’s little finger, shooting forth at several joints in several places, whereby it quickly spreads over a greu t compass of ground ; the stalk riseth not above a yard high, whereon are set many broad and long green leaves, somewhat like night shade, 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 yellowish seeds lying within the fmlp, 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 cherished in gardens for their virtues. 102 Culpeper’s herbal. Time. — They flower not until the middle or latter end of July; and the fruit is ripe in August or the beginning of September. Government and Virtues. — This also is a plant of Venus. They are of great use in physic ; the leaves being cooling, may be used in inflammations, but not opening as the berries and fruit are ; which bv draw- ing down the urine provoke it to be voided plentifully when it is stopped or grown hot, sharp, and painful in the passage; itisgood to expel the stone and gravel out of the reins, kidnies, and bladder, helping to dis- solve the stone, and voiding it by grit or gravel sent forth in the urine : it also helpeth much to cleanse inward iinposthuines or ulcers in the reins or bladder, or those that void a bloody or foul urine : the distil- led water of the fruit, or the leaves with them, or the berries green or dry, distilled with a little milk and drank morning and evening with a little siurar is effec- tual to all the purpose before specified, and especially against the heat and sharpness of the urine. I shall mention one way amongst many others which iniaht be used for ordering the berries, to be helpful for the urine and the stone, which is this take three or four good hands ful of the berries, either green, or fresh, or dried, and having bruised them, put them into so many gallons of beer or ale when it is new and tunned up : this drink taken daily hath been found to do much good to many, both to ease the pains and expel urine and the stone, and to cause the stone not to engender: the decoction of the berries in wine and water is the most usual wav, but the powder of them taken in drink is more effectual. CHERVIL. It is called cerefoliurn, mirrhis,and mirrha, chervil, sweet chervil, and sweet cicely. Descrip. — The garden chervil doth at first some- what resemble parsley, but after it is better grown the lea\ as are more cut in and jagged, resembling Culpeper’s herbal. 103 hemlock, being; a little hairy, and of a whitish green colour, sometimes turnin'? reddish in the summer, with the stalks also; it riseth a little above half a foot high, bearing white flowers in spiked tufts, which turn into long and round seeds pointed at the ends, and blackish when they are ripe ; of a sweet taste but. no smell, though the herb itself smelleth reason- ably well: the root is small and long, and perishetli every year, and must be sown, in spring for seed, and after July for autumn salad. The wild chervil groweth two or three feet hio-h, 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 tufts of flowers, afterward smaller and longer seed : the root is white, hard and endureth long. This hath little or no scent. Place. — The first is 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. Time. — They flower and seed earlv, and thereupon are sown again in the end ofsummer. Government ancl Virtues. — The garden chervil being eaten, doth moderately warm the stomach, and is a certain remedy (saith Tragus) to dissolve con- gealed or clotted blood in the body, or that which is clo:ted by bruises, falls, &c. : the juice or distilled wa- ter thereof being drank, and the bruised leaves laid to the place, being taken either in meat or drink, it is good to help to provoke urine, or expel the stone in the kidnies, to send down women’s courses, and to help the pleurisy and pricking of the sides. The wild chervil bruised and applied dissolveth swellings in any part, or the marks of congealed blood by bruises or blows in a little space. 104 cuepepee’s heesal. SWEET CHERVIL, ok SWEET CICELY. Descrip. — This groweth very like the great hem- lock, having large spread leaves cut into divers parts, but of a fresher green colour than the hemlock, tast- ing as sweet as the anniseed. The stalks rise up a yard high, or better, being cressed 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 spreadingsundry long branch- es therein, in taste and smell stronger than theleaves or seeds, and continuing many years. Place. — This groweth in gardens. Government and Virtues.— These are all three of them of the nature of Jupiter, and under his dominion. This whole plant, besides its pleasantness in 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 phthisic or con- sumption of the lungs; the same drank with wine is a preservation from the plague : it. provoketh women’s courses and expelleth the after-birth ; procureth an appetite to meat, and expelleth wind: the juice is good to heal the ulcers of the head and face: the can- died roots hereof are held as effectual as angelica to preserve from infection in the time of a plague, and to warm and comfort a cold weak stomach. It is so harmless you cannot use it amiss. CHESNUT TREE. It were as needless to describe a tree so common known as to tell a man he had gotten a mouth ; there- fore take the government and virtues ot them thus: The tree is abundantly under the dominion of Ju- piter, and therefore the fruit must needs breed good culpepek’s hekeal. 105 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 q : 'V. that a scruple of it being taken by a man, or t ins by a child, soon stops any flux whatsoever : roe bole nut being dried and beat into powder, and a drachm taken at a time, is a good remedy to stop the terms in women. If you dry chesnuts, (only the kernels I mean) both the barks being taken away, beat them into powder, and make the powder up into an electuary with honey, so have you an admirable remedy for the cough and spitting of blood. EAHTH CHESNUTS. They are ca d earth nuts, earth chesnuts, ground nuts, ciper nu , and in Sussex pignuts. A descrip- tion of them were needless, for every child knows them. Government and Virtues.— They are something hot and dry in quality, under the dominion of Yenus, they provoke lust exceedingly, and stir up these sports she is mistress of; the seed is excellent good to pro- voke urine : and so also is the root, but it doth not perform it so forcibly as the seed doth. The root being dried and beaten into a powder, and the powder made into an electuary, is as singular a remedy for spitting and pissing of blood as the former chesnut was tor cough?. CTIICKWEED. It is so generally known to most people, that. I shall not trouble you with the description thereof, nor myself with setting forth the several kinds, since but only two or three are considerable for their usefulness. Place. — They are usually found in moist and wa- tery places, by wood sides and elsewhere. Time.--'Ybey flower about June, ancl their seed is ripe in July. 106 CUIiPIiPEB’S HERBAL. Government and Virtues. — It is a fine soft pleasing lierb under the dominion of the Moon. It is found to be as effectual as purslain to all the purposes whero- unto it serveth, except for meat only. The herb bruised or the juice applied with cloths or sponges dipped therein to the region of the liver, and as they dry to have it fresh applied, doth wonderfully tem- perate the heat of the liver, and is effectual for all imposthumes and swellings whatsoever, for all red- ness in the face, wheals, pushes, itch, scabs : the juice either simply used or boiled with hog's grease and 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 in the body that arise from heat. It is used also in hot and virulent ulcers and sores in the privy parts of men and women, or on the legs or elsewhere. The leaves boiled with marsh-mallows, and made into a poultice with fenugreek and linseed, applied to swellings and imposthumes, ripen and break them, or assuage the swellings and ease the pains. It helpeth the sinews when they are shrunk by cramp or otherwise, and to extend and make them pliable again by tlu3 medicine. Boil a handful of duckweed and a handful of red rose leaves dried in a quart of muscadine until a fourth part be consumed, then put to them a pint of oil of trotters or sheep’s feet; let them boil a good while still stirring them well, which beingstrained, anoint the grieved part therewith warm against the fire, rubbing it well with one hand ; and bind also some of the herb, if you will, to the place, and with God’s blessing it will help in three times dressing. CHICK-PEASE, or CICERS. Descrip. — The garden sorts, whether red, bla k, or white, bring forth stalks a yard long, whereon do Culpeper’s herbal. 107 grow many small and round leaves dented about, the edges, set on both sides of a middle rib ; at the joints come forth one or two flowers upon sharp foot-stalks, pease fashion, either white or whitish, or purplish red, lighter or deeper, according as the pease that follow will be, that are contained in small, thick and short pods, wherein lie one or two pease, more usually pointed at the lower end, and almost round at the head, yet a little cornered or sharp. The root is small, and perisheth yearly. Place and Time.— They are sown in gardens or fields as pease, being sown later than pease, and ga- thered at the same time with them, or presently after. Government and Virtues.— They are both under the dominion of Venus. They are less windy than beans, but nourish more ; they provoke urine, and are thought to increase sperm ; they have a cleansing faculty, whereby they break the stone in thekidnies; to drink the cream of them being boiled in water is the best way. It moves the belly downwards, pro- vokes women’s courses and urine, and increases both milk and seed. One ounce of cicers, two ounces of French barley, and a small handful of marsh-mallow roots clean washed and cut, being boiled in the broth of a chicken, and four ounces taken in the morning, and fasting two hours after, is a good medicine for a pain in the sides. The white cicers are used more for meat than medicine, yet have the same effects, and are thought more powerful to increase milk and seed. The wild cicers are so much more powerful than the garden kind, by how much they exceed them in heat and dryness ; whereby they do more open obstruc- tions, break the stone, and have all the properties of cutting, opening, digesting, and dissolving ; and this more speedily and certainly than the former. 108 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. CINQUEFOIL, or FIVE-LEAVED GRASS, car- led in some Counties FIVE-FINGERED GRASS. Descrip. — 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 sometimes seven, dented about the edges and somewhat hard. The stalks are slender, leaning downwards, and bear many small yellow flowers thereon, with some yellow threads in the middle standing about a smooth green head, which, when it is ripe, is a little rough, and containeth small brown- ish seeds. The root is of a blackish brown colour, as big as one’s little finger, but growing long with some threads thereat; and by the small strings it quickly spreadeth over the ground. Place — It groweth by wood sides, hedge sides, the pathway in fields, and in the borders and corners of them, almost through all this laud. Time.— It flowereth in summer, some sooner, some later. Government and Virtues. — This is an herb of Ju- piter, and therefore strengthens the part of the body it rules; let Jupiter be angular and strong when ga- thered ; and if you give but a scruple (which is but twenty grains) of it at a time, either in white wine or white wine vinegar, you 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 despise it because it is plain and easy, the ways of God are all such. It is an es- pecial 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, fistu- las, and other corrupt, foul, or running sores. The Juice hereof drank, about four ounces at a time for culpeiee’s heebal. 109 certain days together, cureth the quinsey and yellow jaundice ; and taken for thirty days together, cureth the falling sickness. The roots boiled in milk and drank, is a most effectual remedy for all fluxes in man or woman, whether the white or red, as also the bloody flux. The roots boiled in vinegar, and the decoction thereof held in the mouth, easetli the pains of the toothe-ache. The juice or decoction taken with a little honey helpeth the hoarseness of the throat, and is very good for the cough of the lungs. The distilled water of both roots and leaves is also effectual to all the purposes aforesaid ; and if the hands be often washed therein, and suffered at every time to dry in of itself without wiping, it will in a short time help the palsy or shaking in them. The root boiled in vinegar helpeth all knots, kernels, hard swellings, and lumps growing in any part of the flesh, being thereunto applied ; as also inflammations and St. Anthony’s fire ; all imposthumes and painful sores with heat and putrefaction ; the shingles also, and all other sorts of running and foul scabs, sores, and itch. The same also boiled in wine, and applied to any joint full of pain, ache, or the gout in the hands or feet, or the hip gout, called the sciatica, and the decoction thereof drank the while, doth cure them, and easeth much pain in the bowels. Tiie roots are likewise ef- fectual to help ruptures or burstings, being used with other things available to that purpose, taken either inwardly or outwardly, or both ; as also bruises or hurts by blows, fails, or the like, and to stay the bleeding of wounds in any part inward or outward. Some hold that one leaf cures a quotidian, three a tertian, and four a quartan ague, and a hundred to one if it be not Dioscorides, for he is full of whimsies. The truth is I never stood so much upon the number of the leaves, or whether I give it in powder or decoc- tion : if Jupiter were strong, and the Moon applied to him, and his good aspect at the gathering, I nevei knew' it miss the desired effect. 110 Culpeper's herbal. CIVES. Called also rush leeks, chives, civet, and sweth. Temperature and Virtues.— 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 as they are, and so under the dominion of Mars; if they be eaten raw, (I do not mean raw opposite to roasted or boiled, but raw opposite to chymical preparation) they send up very hurtful vapours to the brain, causing trouble- some sleep, and spoiling the eye-sight ; yet of them, prepared by the art of the alciiymist, may be made an excellent remedy for the stoppage of urine. CLARY, or more properly, CLEAR-EYE. Descrip. — Our ordinary garden clary hath four square stalks, with broad, rough, wrinkled, whitish, o. hoary green leaves, somewhat evenly cut in on the edges, and of a strong sweet scent, growing some near the ground, and some by couples upon stalks The flowers grow at certain distances, with two small Laves at the joints under them, somewhat like unto fl Avers of sage, but smaller, and of a whitish blue co- lour. 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 groweth in gardens. Time. — It flowereth in June and July, some a little later tlion others, and their seed is ripe in August, or thereabouts. Government and Virtues. — It is under the do- minion of the Moon. The seed put into the eyes clears them from motes and such like things gotten within the lids to offend them, as also clears them from white and red spots on them. The mucilage of the seed made with water, and applied to tumours or Culpeper’s herbal. Ill swellings disperseth and taketh them away; as also draweth forth splinters, thorns, or other things gotten into the flesh. The leaves used with vinegar, either by itself or with a little honey, doth help boils, felons, and the hot inflammations 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 conducing to the same ef- fects, and in tansies often. The fresh leaves dipped in a batter of flour, eggs, and a little milk, and fried in butter and served to the table, is not unpleasant to any, but exceedingly profitable for those that are troubled with weak backs, arid the effects thereof. The juice of the herb put into ale or beer, and drank, bringet.h down women’s courses, and expelleth the after- birth. It is an usual course with many men, when they have gotten the running of the reins, or women the whites, they run to the bush of clary: Maid, bring hither the frying-pan, fetch me some butter quickly, then for eating 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 hacks are as much the better as though they had pissed in their shoes ; nay, perhaps 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 bac <., though the back sometimes be weakened by them ; and therefore for medicine in as proper, as for me when my toe is sore to lay a plaister on my nose. 112 culpeper’s herbal. WILD CLARY. Wild clary is most blasphemously called Christ’s eye, because it cures diseases of the eyes. I could wishfrom my soul, blasphemy, ignorance, and tyranny were ceased among physicians, that they may be happy, and I joyful. Descrip. — It is like the other clary, but lesser, with many stalks about a foot and a half high. The stalks are square, and somewhat hairy; the flowers of a blush colour. He that knows the common clary cannot be ignorant of this. Place. — It grows commonly in this nation in bar- ren places, you may find it plentifully if you look in the fields near Gray’s Inn, and the fields near Chelsea. Time. — They flower from the beginuing of June till the latter end of August. Government and Virtues. — It is something hotter and drier than the garden clary is, yet nevertheless under the dominion of the Moon as well as that. The seeds of it being beaten to powder, and drank with wine, is an admirable help to provoke lust. A de- coction of the leaves being drank, warms the stomach, and it is a wonder if it should not, the stomach beinu under Cancer, the house of the Moon : also it helps digestion, scatters congealed blood in any part of the body. The distilled water hereof cleanseth the eyes of redness, waterishness and heat: it is a gallant re- medy for dimness of sight, to take one of the seeds of it and put it into the eyes, and there let it remain till it drops out of itself, the pain will be nothing to speak on ; it will cleanse the eyes of all filthy and putrified matter; and in often repeating it will take off a film which covereth the sight— a handsomer, safer, and easier remedy by a great deal than to tear it off with a needle. CLEAVERS. It is also called aparine, goose-share, goose-grass, and cleavers! Culpeper's herbal. 113 Descrip. — The common cleavers have divers very rough square stalks, not so big as the top of a pint, but rising up to be two or three yards high sometimes if it meet with any tall bushes or tree9 whereon it may climb, yet without any claspers, or else much lower and lying on the ground, full of joints, and at every one of them shooteth forth a branch besides the leaf thereat, which are usually six, set in a round compass like a star or the rowel of a spur: from be- tween the leaves or the joints towards the tops of the branches come forth very small white flowers, at every end upon small thready foot stalks, which, after they have fallen, there do shew two small round and rough seeds joined together like two testicles, which, when they are ripe, grow hard and whitish, having a hole on the side something like a navel. Both stalks, leaves, and seed9 are so rough, that they will cleave to any thing that shall touch them. The root is small and thready, spreading much to the ground, but dieth every year. Place. — It groweth by the hedge and ditcli-sides, in many places of this land, and is so troublesome an inhabitant in gardens, that it rampeth upon and is ready to choak 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, f rom whence it springeth up again, and not from the old roots. Government and Virtues. — It is under the do- minion of the Moon. The juice of the herb and the seed together taken in wine, helpeth those bitten with an adder, by preserving the heart from the venom. It is familiarly taken in broth, to keep them lean and lank that are apt to grow fat. The distilled water drank twice a day helpeth the yellow jaundice; and the decoction of the herb, in experience, is found to do the same, and stayeth lasks and bloody fluxes. The juice of the leaves, or they a little bruised and applied to any bleeding wound, stayeth the bleeding. bo u 114 culpeper’s herbal. The juice also is very good to close up the lips of green wounds, and the powder of the dried herb strewed thereupon doth thesame, and likewise helpeth old ulcers. Being boiled in hog’s grease, it helpeth all sorts of hard swellings or 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 (being first chopped small and boiled well) in water gruel, to cleanse the blood and strengthen the liver, thereby to keep the body in health, and fitting it for that change of season that is coming. CLOWN’S WOUNDWORT. Descrip. — It groweth up sometimes to two or three feet high, but usually about two feet, with square, green, rough stalks, but slender, joined somewhat far asunder, and two very long, somewhat narrow dark green leaves bluntly dented about the edges thereof, ending in a long point. The flowers stand towards the tops, compassing the stalks, at the joints with the leaves, and end likewise in a spiked top, having long and much gaping hoods of a purplish red colour, with whitish spots in them, standing in somewhat round husks, wherein afterwards stand blackish round seeds. The root is composed of many long strings with some tuberous long knobs growing among them, of a pale yellowish or whitish colour ; yet some times of the year these knobby roots in many places are not seen in this plant. The plant smelleth somewhat strong. Place. — It groweth in sundry counties in this land tooth north and west, and frequently by path sides in the fields near about London, and within three or four miles distant about it; yet it usually grows in or near ditches. Time. — It flowereth in June or July, and the seed is ripe soon after. Government and Virtues.— It is under the dotui- culpefer’s herbal. 115 nion of the planet Saturn. It is singularly effectual in all fresh and green wounds, and therefore beareth not this name for nought. It is very available in staunching of blood, and to dry up the fluxes of hu- mours 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, pissing, or vomiting blood. Ruptures are excellently and speedily, even to ad- miration, cured by taking now and then a little of the syrup, and applying an ointment or plaister of this herb to the place. Also if any vein or muscle be swelled, apply a plaister of this herb to it, and if you add a little comfrey to it, it will not do amiss. I assure thee the herb deserves commendation, though it has gotten such a clownish name ; and whoever reads this, if he try as I have done, will commend it; only take notice that it is of a dry earthy quality. COCK’S HEAD, RED PITCHING, or MEDECK FETCH. Descrip. — 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 with- out leaves unto the tops, where there grow many small flowers in manner of a spike, of a pale reddish colour, with some blueness among them ; after which rise up in their places, round, rough, and somewhat flat heads. The root is tough, and somewhat woody, yet liveth and shooteth anew every year. Place.— It groweth under hedges, and sometimes in the open fields in divers places of this land. Time. — They flower all the months of July and August, and the seed ripeneth in the meanwhile. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Venus, it hath power to rurify and digest, and 116 Culpeper’s herbal. therefore the green leaves bruised, and laid as a plais- ter, disperse knots, nodes, or kernels in the flesh; and if when dry it be taken in wine, it helpeth the stranguary ; 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 drink for nurses? COLUMBINES. These are so well known, growing almost in every garden, that 1 think, I may save the expense of time in writing a description of them. Time. — They flower in May, and abide not for the most part when June is past, perfecting their seed in the mean time. Government and. Virtues. — It is also an herb oi Venus. The leaves of columbines are generally useu in lotions with good success for sore mouths and throats. Tragus saith, that a drachm of the seed taken in wine with a little saffron, openeth obstruc- tions of the liver, and is good for the yellow jaundice, if the party after the taking thereof be laid to sweat well in bed. The seed also taken in wine, causeth a speedy delivery of women in child-birth; if onedraugbt suffice not, let her drink the second, and it is effectual. The Spaniards used to eat a piece of the root thereof in a morning fasting, many days together, to help them when troubled with stone in the reins or kiduies. COLT’S FOOT. Called also coughwort, foal’s foot, horse’s hoof, and bull’s foot. Descrip. — This shooteth up a tender stalk, with small yellowish flowers somewhat earlier, which full away quickly, and after they are past come up some- what round leaves, sometimes dented about the edges, much lesser, thicker, and greener than those of but- ter-bur, with a little down or frieze over the green leaf ou the upper side, which may be rubbed away,, CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 117 and whitish or mealy underneath. The root is small und white, spreading much underground, so that where it taketh it will hardly be driven away again if any little piece be abiding therein ; and from thence spring fresh leaves. Place. — It groweth as well in wet grounds as in drier places. Time. — And flowereth in the end of February; the leaves begin to appear in March. Government and Virtues. — The plant is under Venus : the fre>h leaves, or juice, or a syrup thereof, is good for a hot, dry cough, or wheesing, and short- ness 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 good. The distilled water hereof simply, or with elder-flowers and night-shade, is a singularly good remedy against all hot agues, to drink two ounces at a time, aud apply cloths wet therein to the head and stomach, which also does much good being applied to any hot swel- lings or inflammations. It helpeth St. Anthony’s fire, and burnings, and is singular good to take away wheals and small pushes that arise through heat ; as also the burning heat of the piles, or privy parts, cloths wet therein being thereunto applied. COM FREY. Descrip. — The common great corafrey hath divers very large hairy green leaves lying on the ground, so hairy or prickly, that if they touch any tender part of the hands, face, or body, it will cause it Jo 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 some- 118 culpepee’s heebal. what 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 underground, black on the outside and whitish within, short and easy to break, and full of glutinous or clammy juice, of little or no taste atail. There is another sort in all things like this, only somewhat less, and beareth flowers of a pale purple colour. Place. — They grow by ditches and water-sides, and in divers fields that are moist, for therein they chiefly delight to grow; the first generally through all the land, and the other but in some places. By the leave of my authors, I know the first grows in dry places. Time. — They flower in June or July, and give their seed in August. Government and Virtues. — This is an herb of Sa- turn, 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 hurls, bruises, wounds, and ulcers of the lungs, and causes the phlegm that oppresses him to be easily 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 to 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 imme- diately, being bruised and laid thereto : and is special Culpeper’s herbal. 119 good for ruptures and broken bones ; yea, it is said to be so powerful to consolidate and knit together, that if they be boiled with dissevered pieces of flesh in a pot, it will join them together again. It is good to be applied unto women’s breasts that grdw sore by the abundance of milk coming into them ; also to re- press the overmuch bleeding of the haemorrhoids, to cool the inflammation of the parts thereabouts, and to give ease of pains. The roots of cornfrey taken fresh, beaten small, and spread upon leather, and laid upon any place troubled with the gout, doth presently give ease of the pains; and applied in the same man- ner giveth ease to pained joints, and protiteth very much for running and moist ulcers, gangrenes, mor- tifications, and the like, for which it hath by often experience been found helpful. CORALWORT. It is also called by some toothwort, tooth violet, dog-teeth violet., and dentaria. Descrip. — Of the many sorts of this herb, two of them may be found growing in this nation ; the first of which shooteth forth one or two winged leaves upon long brownish foot-stalks, which are doubled down at their first coming out of the ground ; when they are fully opened, they consist of seven leaves, most commonly of a sad green colour, dented about the edges, set on both sides the middle rib one against another, as the leaves of the ash-tree; the stalk beareth no leaves on the lower half of it : the upper half beareth sometimes three or four, each consisting of five leaves, sometimes of three ; on the top stands four or five flowers upon short, foot-stalks, with long husks; the flowers are very like the flowers of stock gilliflowers, of a pale purplish colour, consisting of four leaves a- piece, after which come small pods which contain 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 con- 120 Culpeper’s herbal. sisteth of divers small round knobs set together; towards the top of the stalk there grows some single leaves, by each of which coiueth 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 coralwort which groweth in this nation, it is more scarce than this, being a very small plant much like crowfoot. I know not where to di- rect you to it, therefore I shall forbear the description. Place. — The first groweth in Mayfield in Sussex, in a wood called Highread, 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. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of the Moon. It cleanseth the bladder and pro- voketh urine, expels gravel and the stone ; it easeth pains in the sides and bowels, is excellent good for inward wounds, especially such as are made in the breast or lungs, by taking a drachm 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 wonuds and ulcers, lor it soon drives up the watery humours which hinder the cure. COSTMARY, or ALCOST, or BALSAM HERB. This is so frequently known to be an inhabitant in almost every garden, that I suppose it needless to write a description thereof. Time. — It flowereth in June and July. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Jupiter. The ordinary costmarv, as well as maudlin, provoketh urine abundantly, and moisteneth the hardness of the mother ; it gently purgeth choler and phlegm, extenuating that which is gross, and cutting that which is tough and glutinous, cleanseth that which is foul, and hindereth putrefaction and Culpeper's herbal. 121 corruption ; itdissolveth without attract ion, openeth obstructions and helpeth their evil effects, and it is a wonderful help to all sorts of dry agues. It is as- tringent to the stomach, and strengthened 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 be- ginning of the disease. It is an especial friend and hel p to evil, weak, and cold livers. The seed is familiarly given to children for the worms, and so is the infusion of flowers in white wine given them to the quantity of two ounces at a time : it maketli an excellent salve to cleanse and heal old ulcers, being boiled with oil of olive, and adder’s tongue with it; and after it is strained, put a little wax, rosin, and turpentine to bring it to a convenient body. CUDWEED, or COTTONWEED. Besides cudweed and cottonweed, it is called chaff- weed, 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 sides, 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 yellow as others; in which herbs, after the flowers are fallen come small seed wrapped up with the down therein, and is carried away with the wind : the root is small and thready. There are other sorts hereof, which are somewhat lesser than the former, not much different, save only that the stalks and leaves are shorter, so the flow- ers are paler and move open. CULPEPKE’S HEEBAB. 122 Place. — They grow in dry, barren, sandy, and gravelly grounds in many places of this land. Time. — They flower about July, some earlier, soma later, and tbelr seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — Venus is lady of it. The plants are all astringent, binding, or drying, and therefore profitable for all defluctions of rheum from the head, and to stay fluxes of blood wheresoever, the decoction being made into red wine and drank, or the powder taken therein. It also helpeth the bloody flux, and easeth the torments that come thereby, stay- cth the immoderate courses of women, and is also good for inward or outward wounds, hurts, orbruises, and helpeth children both of burstings and worms ; and being drank or injected for the disease called tenusmus, which is an often provocation to stool without doing any thing. The green leaves bruised and laid to any green wound, stayeth the bleeding and healeth it up quickly. The juice of the herb is, as Pliny saith, a sovereign remedy against the mumps and quinsev : and further saith, that whosoever shall so take it, shall never be troubled with that disease again. COWSLIPS, ou PEAGLES. Both the wild and garden cowslips are so well known, that I will neither trouble myself nor the reader with a description of them. Time— They flower in April and May. Government and Virtues. — Venus lays claim to this herb as her own, and it is under the sign Aries, and our city dames know well enough the ointment or distilled water of it. adds 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 exceedingly ; they re- medy all infirmities of the head coming of heat and CULPEPEll’S HERBAL. 123 wind, as vertigo, ephialtes, false apparitions, phren- sies, falling sickness, palsies, convulsions, cramps, pains in the nerves ; the roots ease pains in the back and bladder, 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 putrify and look green : have a special eye over them, if you let them see the sun once a month, it will do neither the sun nor them harm- Because they strengthen the brain and nerves, and remedy palsies, the Greeks irave them the name/w- ralysis. The flowers preserved or conserved, and the quantity of a nutmeg taken every morning, isa suffi- cient dose for inward diseases, but for wounds spois, wrinkles, and sun-burnings, an ointment is made of the leaves and hog’s grease. CRABS CLAWS. Called also water seagreen, knight’s pond water, water houseleek, pond weed, and fresh-water soldier. Descrip. — It hath sundry long narrow leaves, with sharp prickles on the edges of them, also very sharp- pointed ; the stalks which bear flowers seldom grow so high as the leaves, bearing a forked head like a crab’s claw, out of which eoinc3 a white flower, con- sisting of three leaves, with yellowish hairy threads in the middle : it taketh root in the mud in the bot- tom of the water. Place. — Itgroweth plentifully in the fens in Lin- colnshire. Time. — It flowereth in June, and usually from thence till August. Government and Virtues. — It is a plant under the dominion of Venus, and therefore a great strengthener of the reins: it is excellent good in that inflammation which is commonly called St. Anthony’s fire: itns- suageth all inflammations and swellings in wounds, and an ointment made of it is excellent good to heal 124 culpeper’s herbal. them : there is scarce a better remedy growing than this is for such as have bruised their kidnies, and on that account pissing blood : a drachm of the powder of the herb taken every morning, is a very good remedy to stop the terms. BLACK CRESSES. Descrip. — It hath long leaves deeply cut and jagued on both sides, not much unlike wild mustard ; the .-talk 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 neighbourhood 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 Virtue s. — It is a plant of a hot and biting nature, under the domition of Mars. The seed of black cresses strengthens the brain exceed- ingly, being, in performing that office, little inferior to mustard seed, if at all ; they are excellent good to stay those rheums which may fall down from the head upon the lungs ; you may beat the seed into powder if you please, and make it up into an electuary with honey ; so you have an excellent remedy by you not only for the premises, but also for the cough, yellow jaudice,and sciatica. The herb boiled into a poultice is an excellent remedy for inflammations, both in women's breasts and in men’s testicles. SCIATICA CRESSES. Descrip. — These are of two kinds ; the first riseth up with a round stalk about two feet high, spread into <1 ivers branches, whose lower leaves are somewhat larger than the upper, yet all of them cut or torn on the edges, somewhat like garden cresses, but smaller; Culpeper’s herbal. 125 tlie flowers are small and white, plowin'? at the tons ot branches, where afterwards grow husks with small brownish seeds therein, very strong and sharp in taste, more than the cresses of the garden : the root is lono\ white, and woody. D> 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 that grow up higher are lesser. The flowers and seeds are like the former, and so is the root like- wise, and both root and seeds as sharp as it. Place. — They grow by the way-sides in untilled putces, and by the sides of old walls. Time. — They flower in the end of June, and their seed is ripe in July. Government and Virtues. — It is a Saturnine plant. 1 lie 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 pain- ed with the sciatica, to continue thereon four hours if it be on a man, and two hours on a woman ; the place afrerwards bathed with wine and oil mixed together and then wrapped with wool or skins after they have sueat a little, will assuredly not only cure the same disease in hips, huckle-bone, or other of the joints, as uout in the hands or feet, but all other old griefs of the head, (as inveterate rheums) and other parts of the body that are hard to be cured; and if of the former griefs any parts remain, the same medicine after twenty days is to be applied again. The same is also effectual in the diseases of the spleen ; and applied to the skin it taketh away the blemishes thereof, whether they be scars, leprosy, scabs, or scurf, which, although it ulcerate the part, yet that is to be helped afterwards with a salve made of oil and wax. Esteem tms as another secret. WATER CRESSES. Descrip. — Our ordinary water cresses spread forth 126 culpepee’s heeeax. with many weak, hollow, sappy stalks, shooting out fibres at the joints, and upwards long winged leaves made of sundry broad sappy almost round leaves, of a brownish colour. The flowers are many and white, standing on long foot-stalks, after which come small yellow seed, contained in small long pods like horns. The whole plant abideth green in the winter, and tasreth somewhat hot and sharp. Place. — They grow for the most part in small standing waters, yet sometimes in small rivulets of running water. Time. — They flower and seed in the beginning of the summer. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb under the dominion of the Moon. They are more powerful against the scurvy and to cleanse the blood and hu- mours, than brook-lime is, and serve in all the other uses in which brook-lime is available, as to break the stoue, and provoke urine and women’s courses. The decoction thereof cleanseth ulcers by washing them therewith. The leaves bruised, or the juice, is go-£l to be applied to the face or other parts troubled with freckles, pimples, spots, or the like, at night, and washed away in the morning. The juice mixed with vinegar, and the fore-part of the head bathed therewith, is very good for those that are dull and drowsy, or have the lethargy. Water-cress pottage is a good remedy to cleanse the blood in the spring, and 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. Descrip. — Common crosswort grnweth up with square hairy brown stalks, a little above a foot high, having four small broad and pointed, hairy, yet smooth thin leaves growing at every joint, each culpepeb’s herbal. 127 against other crossway, which has caused the name. Towards the tops of tiie stalks at the joints, with the leaves in three or four rows downwards, stand small, pale, yellow flowers, after which come small blackish round seeds, four for the most part set in every husk. The root is very small, and fuil of fibres, or threads, taking good hold of the ground, and spreading with the branches a great deal of ground, which perish not in winter, although the leaves die every year, and spring again anew. Place.— It groweth in many moist grounds, as well in meadows as untilled places about London, in Hamp- stead churchyard, at Wye iu Kent, and sundry other places. Time. — It flowers from May all the summer long, in one place or another, as they are more open to the sun : the seed ripeneth soon after. Government and Virtues.— It is under the domi- nion of Saturn. This is a singular good wound herb, and is used inwardly not only to stay bleeding of wounds, but to consolidate them, as it doth outwardly any green wound, which it quickly soldereth up anil healeth. The decoction of the herb in wine helpeth to expectorate phlegm out of the chest, and is good for obstructions in the breast, 6tomach, or bowels, and helpeth a decayed appetite. It is also good to wash any wound or sore with, to cleanse and heal it. The herb bruised and then boiled, applied outwardly for certain days together, renewing it often ; and in the mean Lime 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 speed- ily, if it be fresh and lately taken. CROWFOOT. Many are the names this furious biting herb hath obtained, almost enough to make up a Welshman’s pedigree, if he fetch no farther than John of Gaunt, or William the Conquerer; for it is called frog’s-lbot 128 CULPEPER’S IIEKBAL. from the Greek name barrakion ; crowfoot, goldknobs, gold cups, king's knobs, buffiners, troilflowers, polts, locket goulions, and butter flowers. Abundance are the sorts of this herb, that to de- scribe them all would tire the patience of Socrates himself; but because I have not yet attained to the spirits of Socrates, I shall but describe the most usual . Descrip. — The most common crowfoot hath many thin green leaves cut into divers parts, in taste biting and sharp, biting and blistering the tongue; it bears many flowers of a bright resplendent yellow colour; I do not remember that I ever saw any thing yellower — virgins in ancient times used to make powder of them to furrow bride-beds — after which flowers come small heads, some spiked and rugged like a pine apple. Place. — They grow very common every where ; unless you turn your head into a hedge you cannot but see them as you walk. Time. — They flower in May and June, even until September. Government and Virtues. — This fiery and hot- spirited herb of Mars is no way fit to be given inwardly, but an ointment of the leaves or flowers will draw a blister, and may be so fitly applied to the nape of the neck to draw back rheum from the eyes. The herb being bruised and mixed with a little mustard, draws a blister as well, and as perfectly as cantharides, and with far less danger to the vessels of urine, which cantharides naturally delight to wrong. I knew the herb once applied to a pestilential rising that was fallen down, and it saved life even beyond hope: it. were good to keep an ointment and plaister of it, if it were but for that. CUCKOYV-PINT. It is called alronjanus, barba-aron, calve’s foot, ramp, starchwort, cuekow-pintle, priest’s-pintle, and wake robin, Dcscrip. — This shooteth forth three, four, or five Culpeper’s herbal. 129 leaves at the most from one root, every one whereof is somewhat large and long, broad at the bottom next the stalk, and forked but ending in a point, without a cut on the edge, of a full green colour, each standing upon a thick round stalk, of a hand-breadth long or more, among which, after two or three months that they begin to wither, riseth up a bare, round, whitish green stalk, spotted and streaked with purple, some- what higher than the leaves; at the top whereof standeth a long hollow husk close at the bottom, but open from themiddleupw'ards,endingin apoint ; in the middle wdiereof stand the small, long pestle or clap- per, 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 decayeth, and the foot or bottom thereof groweth to be a small long bunch of oerries, green at the first, and of a yellowish red colour w'hen they are ripe, of the bigness of a hazel-nut kernel, which abideth thereon almost until winter ; the root is round and somewhat long, for the most part lying along, the leaves shooting forth at the largest end, which, when it beareth its berries, are somewhat wrinkled and loose, another growing under it w'hich is solid and firm, with many small threads hanging thereat. The whole plant is of a very sharp bitter taste, pricking the tongue as nettles do the hands, and so abideth for a great while without alter- ation. The root thereof wasi^ anciently used instead of of starch to starch linen with. There is another sort of cuckow-pint with lesser leaves 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 grow frequently almost under every hedge-side in many places of this land. Time. — They shoot forth leaves in the spring, and 95 x 130 culpepee's herbal. continue but until the middle of summer or somewhat Inter; their husks appearing: before they fall away, and their fruit showing in April. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Mars. Tragus reporteth that a drachm weight, or more if need be, of the spotted w-ake 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 spoon- ful hath the same effect ; but if there be a little vine- gar added thereto, as well as to the root aforesaid, it somewhat allaveth the sharp biting taste thereof upon the tongue. The green leaves bruised and laid upon any boil or plague-sore, doth wonderfully help to draw forth the poison. A drachm of the powder of tin* dried root taken with twice so much sugar in the form of a licking electuary, or the green root, doth wonderfully help those that are pursy and short- winded, as also those that have a cough ; itbreaketh, digesteth, and riddetli away phlegm from the stomach, chest, and lungs: the milk wherein the root hath been boiled is effectual also for the same purpose. The said powder taken in wine or other drink, or the juice of the berries, or the pow'der of them, or the wine wherein they have been boiled, provoketh urine, and bringethdown women’s courses, and purgeththem effectually after child-bearing, to bring away the after-birth. Taken with sheep’s milk it healeth the inward ulcers of the bowels: the distilled water thereof is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid. A spoonful taken at a time healeth the itch: and an ounce or more taken at a time for some days to- gether doth help the rupture. The leaves either green or dry, or the juice of them, doth cleanse all manner of rotten and filthy ulcers, in what part of the body soever; and healeth the stinking sores in the nose, called polypus. The water wherein the root hath been boiled, dropped into the eyes, cleanseth them from any film or skin cloud or mists, which begin to Culpeper’s herb al. 131 hinder the sight, and heloeth the watering and redness ol' them, or when by some chance tney become black and blue. The root mixed with bean flour and ap- plied to the throat or jaws that are inflamed, helpeth them. The juice of the berries boiled in oil of roses, or beaten into powder mixed with the oil, and drop- ped into the ears, easeth pains in them. The berries or the 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 tumes thereof. The fresh roots bruised and.'distilled with alittlemillc yieldeth a most sovereign water to cleanse the skin f rom scurf, freckles, spots, or blemishes, whatsoever therein. Authors have leftlarge commendations of this herb you see, but for ray part, I have neither spoken with Dr. Reason nor Dr. Experience about it. CUCUMBERS. Government and Virtues— There is no dispute to be made but that they are under the dominion of the Moon, though they are so much cried out against for t heir coldness, and if they were but one degree colder they would be poison. The best of Galenists hold them to be cold and moist in the second decree, 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 inried the unmeasurable 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, and cleanseih the passages inereof when they are stopped ; there is not a better remedy growing for ulcers in 1 he bladdei than cucum- bers are. The usual course is to use the seed in emul- sions, as they make almond milk ; but a far better 132 Culpeper’s herbal. way, in my opinion, is this: When the season of the year is, take the cucumbers and bruise them well and distil the water from them, and let such as are trou- bled with ulcers in the bladder drink no other drink, Tiie face being washed with the same water curetli the reddest face that is ; it is also excellent good for sun-burning, freckles, and morphew. DAISIES. These are so well known almost to every child, that I suppose it needless to write any description of them. Take therefore the virtues of them as followetU. Government 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 plaisters, as also in syrup. The greater wild daisy is a wound herb of good respect, often used 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 heatof 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 breast: the same curetli also all ulcers and pustules in the mouth or tongue, or in the secret parts. The leaves bruised and applied to the cods or any other part that is swol- len and hot, doth dissolve it, and temper the heat. A decoction made thereof, of wall-wort and agrimony, and places fomented or bathed therewith warm, givei li great ease to them that arc troubled with the palsy, sciatica, or the gout. The same also dispersetli and dissolveth the knots or kernels that grow in the flesh of any part of the body, and bruises and hurts that come of falls and blows ; they are also used for ruptures and other inward burnings, with very good success. An ointment made thereof doth wonderfully help all wounds that have inflammations about them, or by reason of moist humours having access unto them i Culpeper's herbal. 133 aie kept long from healing, and such are those for the most part chat happen to joints of the arms and le^s lne juice of them dropped into the running eyeshot any, doth much help them. ° > DANDELION, vulgarly called PISS-A-BEDS. • Deicrip.— -It is well known to have manvlon°- and deep gashed leaves lying on the ground round ahou- tne heads of the roots; the ends of each gash or ia bearing a part of the down on the head of every one, which together is blown avyay with the wind, or may be at once blown awav vith one s mouth. The root growing downwards ex- ceeding deep, which being broken off within the ground Will yet shoot forth again, and will hardly be destroyed where it hath once taken deep root in the ground ^ paftu“egrou.?ds 163 crt .eeber’s herbal. flow* rs. The seed inclosed in these heads is small and shining while il is fresh, very like unto Ik- as both for colour and bigness, but turning black when it growetb old. The root is not long, but white, hard, and woody, perishing every year, and rising again of its own seed, if it be suffered to shed. The whole plant is somewhat whitish and hairy, smelling like resin. There is another sort hereof differing not from the former in the manner of growing, but only that this stalk and branches being somewhat greater do a little more bow down to the ground. The leaves are some- what greater, the heads somewhat lesser, the seed alike; and the root and leaves abide all the winter, and perish not as the former. Place. — The first groweth only in gardens, the se- cond plentifully in fields that are near the sea. Time. — They flower in July, or thereabouts. Government and Virtues.— The herb is cold, dry, and Saturnine. I suppose it obtained the name of flea-wort because the seeds are like fleas. The seed fried, and taken, stayeth the flux or lask of the belly, and the corrosions that come by reason of hot, cho- leric,or sharp and malignant humours, or by too much purging of any violent medicine, as scammony, or the like. The mucilage of the seed made with rose water, and a little sugar-candy put thereto, is very good in all hot agues and burning fevers, and other inflamma- tions, to cool the thirst and lenity the dryness and roughness of the tongue and throat. It helpeth also hoarseness of the voice and diseases of the breast and lungs caused by heat, or sharp salt humours, and.the pleurisy also. The mucilage of the seed made with plantain w'ater, whereunto the yoke of an egg or two, and a little populron are put, is a most safe and sure remedy to ease the sharpness, pricking, and pain of the haemorrhoids, or piles, if it be laid on a cloth and bound thereto. It helpeth all inflammations in any part of the body, and the pains that come thereby, ns tiie head ache and megrims, and ail hot irnposthuu.es, CULPEPKU’S HERBAL. 163 swel/iiigs, or breaking out of the skin, as blains, weals, pushes, purples, and the like ; as also the joints of those that are out of joint, the pains of the gout and sciatica, the burstings of youngchildren, and the swel- lings of the navel, applied with oil of roses and vinegar. It is also good to heal the nipples and sore breasts of women, being often applied thereunto. The juice of the herb with a little honey put into the ears helpeth the running of them, and the worms breeding in them: the same also mixed with hog’s grease, and applied to corrupt and lilthy ulcers, cleanseth and healeth them. FLUXWEED. Descrip. — It riseth up with a round, upright hard stalk, four or five feet high, spread into sundry branches, whereon groweth many greyish green leaves, very finely cut and severed into a number of short si i id almost round parts. The flowers are very small and yellow, growing spike fashion, after which come small long pods with small yellowish seed in them. The root is long and woody, perishing every year. There is another sort differing in nothing save only it hath somewhat broader leaves : they have a strong evil savour, bein°- smelled unto, and are of a drying taste?. Place. — They grow wild in the fields by hedge- sides and highways, and among rubbish and other places. Time. — Tiiey flower and seed quickly after, namely, in June and July. Government and Virtues. — This herb is Saturnine also. Both the herb and seed of flux weed are of ex- cellent use to stay the flux or laslt of the belly, being drank in water wherein gads of steel heated have been often quenched ; and it is no less effectual for the same purpose than plantain or comfrey, and to re- strain any other flux of blood in man or woman, as alr-o to consolidate bones broken or out of joint. Tin- juice thereof drank in wine, or the decoction of the 164 Culpeper’s herbal. herb dranlc, doth kill the worms in the stomach or belly, or the worms that grow in putrid or filthy ul- cers; and made into a salve doth quickly heal all old sores, how foul or malignant soever they be. The distilled water of the herb worketh the same effects, although somewhat weaker, yet it is a fair medicine, and more acceptable to be taken. It is called flux- weed because it cures the flux, and for its uniting broken bones, &c. Paracelsus extols it to the skies. It is fitting that syrup, ointment, and plaisters of it were kept in your houses. FLOWER-DE-LUCE. It is so well known, being nourished up in most gar- dens, that I shall not need to spend time in writing a description thereof. Time. — The flaggy kinds thereof have the most physical uses: the dwarf kinds thereof flower in April, the greater sorts in May. Government and Virtues. — The herb is Lunar. The juice or the decoction of the green root of the flaggy kind of flower-de-luce, with a little honey drank, doth purge and cleanse the stomach of gross and tough phlegm andeholer therein; it helpeth the jaundice and dropsy, evacuating those humours both upwards and downwards ; and because it somewhat hurls the stomach, is not to he taken without honey or spikenard. The same being dran x, doth ease the pains and torments of the belly and sides, the shaking of agues, the diseases of the liver and spleen, the worms of the belly, the stone in the reins, convulsions and cramps that come of old humours : it also helps those whose seed passes from them unawares : it is a remedy against the bitings and stingings of venom- ous creatures, being boiled in water and vinegar and drank : boiled in water and drank, itprovoketh urine, In Ipetli the cholic, bringeth down women’s courses; ami made into a pessary with honey, and put into tin- body, rlraweth forth the dead child. It. is much CULPEPBItS HBBBAL. 1C5 commended asainst the cough, to expectorate tough plilegm ; it inucli easeth pains in the head, and pro- cureth sleep; being put into the nostrils it procureth sneezing, and thereby purgeth the head of phlegm: the juice of the root applied to the piles or haemor- rhoids giveth much ease ; the decoction of the roots gargled in the mouth easeth the tooth-ache, and help- etha stinking breath. Oil called oleum irinum, if it be rightly made of the great broad flag flower-de- luce (and not of the great bulbous blue flower-de- luce. as is used by some apothecaries) and the roots of the flaggy kind, is very effectual, to warm and com- fort all cold joints and sinews, as also the gout and sciatica, and rnollifieth, dissolveth, and consumet.h tu- mours and swellings in any part of the body, as also of the matrix ; it helpeth the cramp or convulsions of the sinews : the head and temples anointed there- with helpeth the catarrh, or thin rheum distilled from thence ; and used upon the breast or stomach, helpeth to extenuate the cold tough phlegm ; itlielp- eHi also pains and noise in the ears, and the stench of the nostrils; the root itself, eithergreen or in powder, helpeth to cleanse, heal, and to incarnate wounds, and to cover the naked bones with flesh again that ulcers have made bare ; and is also very good to cleanse and heal up fistulas and cankers, that are hard to be cured. FLUELLIN, oa LLUELL1N. Descrip. — It shooteth forth many long branches, partly lying upon the ground and partly standing upright, set. with almost red leaves, yet a little point- ed and sometimes more long than round, without order thereon, somewhat hairy, and of an evil green- ish white colour; at the joints all along the stalks and with the leaves come forth small flowers, one at u place, upon a very small short foot-stalk, gaping like snap-dragons, or rather like toad-flax, with the upper jaw of a yellow colour, and the lower of a 166 CTTLPEPETt S ITEBBAL. purplish, with a small heel or spur behind; after which come forth small round heads, containing small black seed. The root is small and thready, dy- ing every year, and raiseth itself again of its own sowing. There is another sort oflluellin which hath longer branches, wholly trailing upon the ground, two or three feet long and somewhat more thin, set with leaves thereon upon small foot-stalks. The leaves are a little larger and somewhat round, and cornered sometimes in some places on the edges ; but the lower part of them being the broadest hath ori each side a small point, making it seem as if they were ears, sometimes hairy, but not hoary, and of a better green colour than the former. The flowers come forth like the former; but the colours therein are more white than yellow, and the purple not so fair ; it is a large flower, and so are the seed and seed vessels. The root is like the other, ond perisheth every year. Place. — They grow in divers corn fields, and in borders about them, and in other fertile grounds about Sout.hfleet, in Kent, abundant : Buchrite, Hamertown and Riehmanworth in Huntingdonshire, and in di- vers otiier places. Time— They are in flower about June, and Ju'y, and the whole plant is dry and withered before Au- gust is over. Government and Virtues. — It is a Lunar herb. The leaves bruised and applied with barley meal to watering eyes that are hot and inflamed by deduc- tions from the head, do very much help them, as also the fluxes of blood or humours, as the lask, bloodv- fltix, women’s courses ; and stayeth all manner of bleeding at the nose, mouth, or any other place, or that cometh by any bruise or hurt, or bursting a vein, it wonderfully helpeth all those inward parts that need consolidating or strengthening, and is no less effectual both to heal and close green wounds than to cleanse and heal all foul or old ulcers, fretting or spreading cankers, or the CULPEPER’S KEPT! AIi. 167 Bees are industrious, and go abroad to gather honey from each piant and flower, but drones lie at home a:.d eat up what the bees have taken pains for: just so do the College of Physicians lie at home and domi- neer, and suck out the sweetness of other men’s la- bour and studies, themselves being as ignorant in the knowledge of herbs as a child of four years old, as I can make appear to any rational man by their last dispensatory. Now then to hide their ignorance, there is no readier way in the world than to hide knowledge from their countrymen, that so nobody might be able so much as to smell out their ignorance. When simples were in use, men’s bodies were better in health by far than now they are, or shall be if the college can help it. The truth is, this herb is of a fine cooling, drying quality, and an ointment or plaist- er of it might do a man a courtesy that hath any hot virulent sores : it is admirable for ulcers of the French pox— if taken inwardly, may cure the disease. It was first called female speedwell, but a shentleman of Wales, whose nose was almost eaten off with the pox, and so near the matter that the doctors com- manded it to be cut off, being cured only by the use of this herb, and to honour the herb for saving bur nose whole, gave it one of hur country names Fluellin. FOX-GLOYES. Descrip. — It hath many long and broad leaves ly- ing upon the ground dented upon the edges, a little soft or woolly, and of a hoary green colour, among which riseth up sometimes sundry stalks, but one very often, bearing such leaves thereon from the bot- tom to the middle, from whence to the top it is stored with large and long hollow reddish purple flowers, a little more long and eminent at the lower edge, with some white spots with them one above another, with small green leaves at every one, but all of them turning their heads one way, and hanging downwards, cth.pefee’s hekbax. 1 63 having some threads also in the middle, from whence rise round heads pointed sharp at. the ends, wherein small brown seed lieth. The roofs are so many small fibres, and some greater strings among them ; the flowers have no scent, but the leaves have a bitter hot taste. Place. — It groweth on dry sandy ground for the most part, and as well on the higher as the lower places under hedge-sides in almost every county of this land. Time. — It seldom floweretli before July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — The plant is under the dominion of Venus, being of a gentle cleansing nature, and withal very friendly to nature. The herb is fami- liarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green wounds, 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 de- coction hereof made up with some sugar or honey, is available to purge and cleanse the body both upward and downward, sometimes of tough phlegm and clammy humours, and to open obstructions of the liver and spleen. It hath been found by experience to be available for the king’s evil, the herb bruised and applied, or an ointment made with the juice thereof and so used : and a decoction of two handsful thereof with four ounces of polypody in ale, hath been found by late experience to cure divers of the falling sickness, that have been troubled with it above twenty years. I am confident that an ointment of it is one of the best remedies for a scabby head that is. FUMITORY. Descrip. — Our common fumitory is a tender sappy herb, sending 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 ieaves of whitish, or rather blueish sea-green CULPEPER S HERBAL. 169 colour; at the top-* of the branches stand many small flowers, as it were in a long spike one above the other, made like little birds, of a reddish 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 while it is green, but quickly perishing with the ripe seed. In tiie corn- iields in Cornwall, it. beareth white flowers. Place. — It groweth in corn-fields almost every- where, as well as in gardens. Time. — It flowereth in May for the most part, and the seed ripeneth shortly after. Government 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. If by my astrological judgment of diseases, from the decumhiture, you find Saturn author of the disease, or if by direction from a nativity you fear a Saturnine disease approaching, you may by this herb prevent it in the one, and cure it in the other, and therefore it is fit that you should keep a syrup always by you. The juice or syrup made thereof, or the decoction made in whey by itself, with some other purging or opening herbs and roots to cause it to work the better, (itself being but weak) is u ry effectual for the liver and spleen, opening the obstructions thereof, and clarifying the blood from saitish, choleric, and adust humours, which cause le- prosy, scabs, tetters, and itches, and such like break- ings out of the skin, and after the purgings doth strengthen all the inward parts. It is also good against the yellow jaundice, and spendeth it by urine, which it procureth in abundance. The powder of the dried herb given for some time together, curetli 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 con- duceth much against the plague and pestilence being taken with good treacle. The distilled water also, 170 Culpeper’s herbal. with a little water and honey of roses, helpeth all the sores of the mouth or throat being gargled often therewith. The juice dropped into the eyes cleareth the sight, and taketh away redness and other defects in them, although it procureth some pain for the pre- sent, and cause tears. Dioscorides saith it hinder- eth any fresh springing of the hairs on the eye-lids, (after they are pulled away) if the eye-lids be anointed with the juice hereof with gum Arabic dissolved therein. The juice of the fumitory and docks mingled with vinegar and the places gently washed or wet therewith, cureth all sorts of scabs, pimples, blotches, wheals and pushes, which arise on the face or hands, or any other parts of the body. THE FURZE BUSII. It is as well known by this name, as it is in some counties by the name of gorz or whins, that I shall not need to write any description thereof, my intent being to teach my countrymen what they know not, rather than to tell them again of that which is gener- ally known before. Place . — They are known to grow on dry barren heaths, and other waste, gravelly, or sandy grounds in all counties of this land. Time.— They also flower in the summer months. Government and. Virtues. — Mars owns the herb. They are hot and dry, and open obstructions of the liver and spleen. A decoction made with the flowers thereof hath been found effectual against thejaundice, as also to provoke urine, and cleanse the kidnies from gravel or stone engendered in them. Mars doth also this by sympathy. GARLICK. The offensiveness of the breath of him that hath eaten garlick, will lead by the nose to the knowledge hereof, and instead of a description, direct you to the places where it groweth in gardens, wnicli kinds are the best and most physical. CULPEPEIt’S HEEBAL. 171 Government and Virtues. — Mars owns this herb. This was anciently accounted the poor man’s treacle, it being a remedy for all diseases and hurts except those which itself breeds. It provoketh urine and women’s courses, helpeth the biting of mad dogs and other venomous creatures ; killeth worms in children, curteth and voideth tough phlegm, purgeth the head, helpeth the lethargy, is a good preservative against and a remedy for any plague, sore, or foul ulcer; taketh away spots and blemishes in the skin, easet.h pains in the ears, ripeneth and breaketh imposthumes and other swellings ; and for all these diseases the onions are as effectual. But the garlick hath some more peculiar virtues besides the former, viz. it hath a special quality to discuss inconveniences coming by corrupt acmes or mineral vapours, or by drinking cor- rupt and stinking waters: as also by taking wolf- h .ne, hen-bane, orother poisonousor dangerous herbs. It is held good in hydropic diseases, the jaundice, falling sickness, cramps, convulsions, the piles or haemorrhoids, or other cold diseases. Many authors quote many diseases this is good for, but conceal its v ices. Its heat is very vehement, and all vehement hot things send up but ill-favoured vapours to the brain. In choleric men it will add fuel to the fire; in men oppressed by melancholy, it will attenuate the humour, and send up strong fancies, and as many strange visions to the head ; therefore let it be taken inwardly with great moderation— outwardly you may make more bold with it. GENTIAN, FELWORT, ok BALDMONY. It is confessed that gentian which is most used amongst us is brought over from beyond sea, yet we have two sorts of it growing frequently in our nation, which, besides the reasons so frequently alleged why English herbs should be fittest for English bodies, hath been proved by the experience of divers physi- cians to be not a whit inferior in virtue to that which 172 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. cometh from beyond sea; therefore be pleased to take the description of them as folioweth. Descrip. — The greater of the two hath many small long roots thrust down deep into the ground, and abiding all the winter. The stalks are sometimes more, sometimes fewer, of a brownish green colour, which is sometimes two feet high if the ground be fruitful, having many long, narrow dark green leaves set by couples up to the top; the flowers are long and hollow, of a purple colour, ending in flue corners. The smaller sort which is to be found in our land, groweth up with sundry stalks not a foot high, parted into several small branches, whereon grow divers small leaves together, very like those of the lesser centaury, of a whitish green colour; on the the tops of these stalks grow divers perfect blue flowers stand- ing in long husks, but not so big as the other; the root is very small and full of threads. Place.— The first groweth in divers places of both the east and west countries, and as well in wet as in dry grounds, as near Longfield by Gravesend, near Cobharn in Kent, near Lillinstone in Kent ; also in a chalk pit, hard by a paper-mill not far from Dart- ford in Kent. The second groweth also in divers places in Kent, as about Southfleet and Longfield ; upon Barton’s Hill in Bedfordshire: also not far from St. Albans, upon a piece of waste chalky ground, as you go out. of Dunstable way towards Gorliambury. Time. — They fluwer in August. Government and Virtues. — They are under the dominion of Mars, and one of the most principal herbs lie is ruler of. They resist putrefaction, poison, and a more sure remedy cannot be found to prevent the pestilence than it is ; it strengthens the stomach ex- ceedingly, helps digestion, comforts the heart, and preserves it against faintings and swoonings. The powder of the dry roots helps the biting of mad dogs and venemous beasts, opens obstructions of the liver, and restoreth an appetite of their meat to such as culpeper's herbal. 173 have lost it. The herb steeped in wine, and the wine drank, refresheth such as he over weary with travel, and grow lame in their joints either by cold or evil lodgings; it helps stitches and pains in the sides: i3 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 arc troubled with cramps and convulsions, to drink the decoction; also they say it breaks the stone, and helps ruptures most certainly ; it is excellent in all cold diseases, and such as are troubled with tough phlegm, scabs, itch, or any fretting sores and ulcers; it is an admirable remedy to kill the worms, by taking half a drachm of the powder in a morning in any convenient liquor; the same is excellent good to be taken inwardly for the king’s evil. It helpeth agues of all sorts, and the yel- low jaundice, as also the bot3 in cattle : when kine are bitten on the udder by any venomous beast, do but stroke the place with the decoction of any of these, and it will instantly heal them. CLOVE GILL l FLOWERS. It is vain to describe an herb so well known. Government and Virtues. — They are gallant, fine, t( mperate flowers, of the nature and under the domi- nion of Jupiter; yea, so temperate, that no excess neither in heat, cold, dryness, nor moisture can be perceived in them ; they are great strengthened both of the brain and heart, and will therefore do either for cordials or cephalics, as your occasion will serve. There is both a syrup and a conserve made of them alone, commonly to be had of any apothecary. To take now and then a little of either, strengthens na- ture much in such as are in consumptions; they are excellent good in hot pestilent fevers, and expel poison GERMANDER. Dcscrip. — Common germander shooteth fort h sun- 174 CUI/PSPER'S HERBAL. dry stalks with small and somewhat round leaves, dented about the edges ; the flowers stand at the tops of a deep purple colour ; the root is composed of di- vers sprigs, which shoot forth a great way round about, quickly overspreading a garden. Place. — It groweth usually with us in gardens. Time. — And flowerethin June and July. Government and Virtues.— It is a most prevalent herb of Mercury, and strengthens the brain and ap- prehensions exceedingly : (you may see what human virtues are under Mercury, in the latter end of my Ephemeris for 16-V2, ) strengthens them when weak, and relieves them when drooping. This taken with honey, (saith Dioscorides) is a remedy for coughs, hard- ness of the spleen, and difficulty of urine, and helpeth those that are fallen into a dropsy, especially at the beginning of the disease, a decoction being made thereof when itis green, and drank : it also bringeth down wo- men’s courses, and expelleth the dead child. Itis most effectual against the poison of all serpents, being drankin wine, andfhe bruised herb outwardly applied. Used with honey it cleanseth old and foul ulcers ; and made into an oil and the eyes anointed therewith, ta- keth away the dimness and moistness: it is also good for the pains in the sides and cramps. The decoction thereof taken for four days together, driveth away and cureth both tertian and quartan agues. It is likewise good against all diseases of the brain, as con- tinual head-ache, falling sickness, melancholy, drow- siness, and dulness of spirits, convulsions and palsies. A drachm of the seed taken in powder purgeth by urine, and is good against the yellow jaundice: the juice of the leaves dropped into the ears killeth the worms in them. The tops thereof, when they are in flower, steeped twenty-four hours in a draught of white wine, and drank, killeth the worms in the belly. STINKING GLADWIN. Descrip. — This is one of the kiuds of flower-de-luce CITLFEPEfiS herbal. 175 having divers leaves arising from t lie roots very like a flower-de-luce, but that they are sharp-edged bn both sides, and thicker in the middle, of a deeper green co- lour, narrower and sharper pointed, and a strong ill scent, if they be bruised between the fingers. In’tlie middle riseth up a reasonable strong stalk, a yard high at the least, bearing three or four flowers at the top, made somewhat like the flowers of the flower- de-luce, with three upright leaves, of a dead purple ash colour, with some veins discoloured in them: the other three do not fall down, nor are the three other small ones so arched nor cover the lower loaves as the flower-de-luce doth, but stand loose or asunder from them. After they are past, there come up three square hard husks, opening wide into three parts w lien they are ripe, wherein lie reddish seed, turning black when it hath abidenlong. The root is like that of the flower-de-luce, but reddish on the outside, and whitish within, very sharp and hot in taste, of as evil scent as the leaves. Place. Tbisgroweth as well in upland grounds as in moist places, woods, and shadowy places bv the sea side in many places of this land, and is generally nurs- ed up in gardens. Time. — It flowereth not until July, and the seed is ripe in August or September ; yet the husks after they are ripe, opening themselves, will hold their 3eed with them tor two or three months, and not shed them. Govern! ment and Virtues. — It is supposed to be un- der the dominion of Saturn. It is used by many country people to purge corrupt phlegm and choler, which they do by drinking the decoction of the roots ; and some to make it more gentle, do but infuse the sliced roots in ale ; and some take the leaves, which serve well for the weaker stomachs. Thejuice hereof put up, orstuffvdup the nose, causeth sneezing, and draweth from the head much corruption ; arid the powder doth the same. The powder thereof drank 173 cui.peplk’s heub-al. in wine, helpcth those that are troubled with cramps and convulsions, or with the gout and sciatica, and giveth ease to those that have griping pains in their body and belly, and helpeth those that have the stran- gury. It is given with much profit to those that have had long fluxes by the sharp and evil quality of humours which it stayeth, having first cleansed and purged them by the drying and binding property therein. The root boiled in wine and drank, doth effectually procure women’s courses; and used as a pessary, worketh the same effect ; but eauseth abor- tion in women with child. Halt a drachm ot tne seed beaten into powder, and taken in wine, doth speedily cause one to piss, which otherwise cannot. The same taken with vinegar dissolveth the hardness and swelling of the spleen.' The root is very effectual in all wounds, especially ot the head : as also to draw forth any splinters, thorns, or broken bones, or any other thing sticking in the flesh without causing pain, being u-^ed with a'little verdigrease and honey, and the great centaury root ; the same boiled in vine- gar, and laid upon any tumour or swelling, doth very effectually dissolve and consume them ; yea, even the swellings of the throat called kings evil. The juice of the leaves or roots healeth the itch, and all running or spreading scabs, sores, blemishes, or scars in the skin wheresoever they be. GOLDEN ROD. Descrip. — ' This arisetlt up with brownish small round stalks, two feet high and sometimes more, hav- ing thereon many narrow and long dark green leaves, very seldom with any dents about the edges, or any stalks or white spots therein, yet they are sometimes so found divided at the top into many small branches, with divers small yellow flowers on every one of the a, till which are turned one way, and being ripe do turn into dow’n, and are carried away by the wind. The root consists of many small fibres, which grow not deep into OULrEPBIt’s HERB AX. 177 the ground, but abideth all the winter therein, shoot - intr forth new branches every year, the old one lying down to the ground. Place. — It groweth in the open places of woods and copses, both moist and dry grounds, in many places of tin's land. Time. — It flowerth about, the month of July. Government and Virtues.— V e nus claims the herb, and therefore to be sure it respects beauty lost. Ar- noldus de Villa Nova commends it much against the stone in the reins and kidnies, and to provoke urine in abundance, whereby also the gravel and stone inav be voided. The decoction of the herb, green or dry, or the distilled water thereof, is very effectual for inward bruises ; as also to be outwardly applied it stayeth bleeding in any part of the body, and of wounds; also the fluxes of humours, the bloody flux and women’s courses; and is no less prevalent in all ruptures or burstings, being drank inwardly and out- wardly applied. It is a sovereign wound herb, infe- rior to none both for inward and outward hurts; green wounds, old sores, and ulcers, are quickly cured there- with. It is also of especial use in all lotions for sores or ulcers in the mouth, throat, or privy parts in man or woman. The decoction also helpeth to fasten the teeth that are loose in the gums. GOUTWORT, or HERB GERRARD. Descrip. — It is a low herb, seldom rising above half a yard high, having bundry leaves standing on brownish green stalks bv threes, snipped about, and of a strong unpleasant savour ; the umbels of the flow- ers are white, and the seed blackish ; the root runneth in the ground, quickly taking a great deal of room. Place. — It groweth by hedge and wall-sides, and often in the borders and corners of fields, and in gar- dens also. Time. — It flowereth and seedeth about the end of July. 05 A1 173 CULPEPEB's HERBAL. Government and Virtue* -- Saturn rules it. Nei- ther is it to be supposed goutwort hath its name for nothing, but upon experiment it will be found to heal the gout and sciatica ; as also joint aches and other cold griefs. The very hearincr of it about one easeth pains of the gout, and defends him that bears it from the disease. GROMEL. Of tnis I shall briefly describe the kinds which are principally used in physic, the virtues whereof are alike, though somewhat different in their manner and form of growing. Descrip. — The greater gromel groweth up with slender, hard, and hairy stalks, trailing and taking root in the ground as it lieth thereon, and parted into many other small branches, with hairy dark green leaves thereon. At the joints with the leaves come forth very small blue flowers, and after them hard stony roundish seed. The root is long and woody, abiding the winter, and shooteth forth fresh stalks ia the spring. The smaller wild gromel sendeth forth divers up- right hard branched stalks two or three feet high, full of joints, at every one of which groweth small, long, hard, and rough leaves like the former, but lesser; among which leaves come forth small white flowers, and after them greyish round seed like the former. The root is not very big. but with many strings thereat. The garden gromel hath divers upright, slender, woody, hairy stalks, blown and cressed, very little branched, with leaves like the former, and white flowers ; after which, in rough brown husks, is con- tained a white, hard, round seed, shining like pearls, and greater than either of the former: the root is like the first described, with divers branches and sprigs thereat, which continueth (as the first doth) all the winter. Place. — The two first grow wild in barren or un- CULFEPEK’S IIEEBAL. 179 tilled places, and by the way-sides in many places of this land. The last, is a nursling in the gardens of the curious. lime. They all flower from Midsummer until September sometimes, and in the meantime the seed ripeneth. Government and Virtues.— The herb belongs to dame Venus ; and therefore if Mars cause the cholic or stone, as usually he doth if in Virgo, this is your cure. These are accounted to be of as singular force as any herb or seed whatsoever, to break the stone and to void it, and the gravel, either in the reins or bladder ; as also to provoke urine being stopped, and to help the strangury. The seed is of greater use, bemg bruised and boiled in white wine or in broth, or the like, orthepowderof theseed taken therein. Two drachms of the seed in powder taken with women’s breast milk, is very effectual to procure a speedy de- li veiy to such women as have sore pains in their tra- vail, and cannot be delivered. The herb itself (when the seed is not to be had) either boiled, or the iuice t icreot drank, is effectual to all the purposes afore- said, but not so powerful and speedy in operation. GOOSEBERRY-BUSH. Called also feadberrv, and, in Sussex, dewberry- bush, and in some counties wineberry. Government and Virtues. — They are under the dominon of Venus. The berries, while they are un- ripe, being scalded or baked, are good to stir up a minting or decayed appetite, especially such whose stomachs are afflicted by choleric humours: they are excellent good to stay the longings of women with child : you may keep them preserved with sugar all the year long. The dpcoction of the leaves of the tree cools hot swellings and inflammations ; as also St. An- thony s fire. The ripe gooseberries being eaten, are an excellent remedy to alia v the violent heat both of the stomach and liver. The young tender leaves 180 CULPEPEE'S HEEBAIi. break the stone, and expel gravel botn Trora the kid- nies and bladder. All the evils they do to the body of man is, they are supposed to breed crudities, and by crudities, worms. WINTER-GREEN. Descrip. — This sends forth seven, eight, or nine leaves, from a small brown creeping root, every one standing upon a long foot-stalk, which are almost as broad as long, round pointed, of a sad green colour, and hard in handling, and like the leaf of a pear-tree; from whence ariseth a slender weak stalk, yet stand- ing upright, bearing at the top many small white sweet- smelling flowers laid open like a star, consist- ing of five round pointed leaves, with many yellowish threads standing in the middle about a green head, and a long stalk with them, which in time groweth to be the seed-vessel, which being ripe is found five square, with a small point at it, wherein is con- tained seed as small as dust. Place. — It groweth seldom in fields, but frequently in the woods northwards, viz. in Yorkshire, Lanca- shire, and Scotland. Time. — It flowereth about June and July. Government and Virtues.— Winter green is under the dominion of Saturn, and is a singular good wound herb, and a good remedy to heal green wounds speed- ily, the green leaves being bruised and applied, or the juice of them. A salve made of the green herb stamp- ed, or the juice boiled with hog’s lard, or with salad oil and wax, and some turpentine added unto it, is a sovereign salve, and highly extolled by the Germans who use it to heal all manner of wounds and sores. The herb boiled in wine and water, and given to drink to them that haveany inward ulcers in their kidnies or neck of the bladder, doth wonderfully help them. It stayeth all fluxes, as the lask, bloody tluxs, women s courses, and bleeding of wounds, and taketh away in- flammations rising upon pains of the heart; it is no Culpeper’s herbal. 181 less helpful for foul ulcers hard to be cured ; a9 also for cankers or fistulas. The distilled water of the herb doth effectually perform the same things. GROUNDSEL. Descrijj. — Our common groundsel hath a round greenand somewhat brownish stalk3preading towards the top into branches, set with long and somewhat narrow green leaves cut in on the edges, somewhat like oak leaves, but lesser, and round at the end. At the tops of these branches stand many small green heads, out of which grow many small yellow threads or thumbs, which are the flowers, and continue many days blown in this manner before it pass away into down, and with the seed is carried away in the wind. The root is small and thready, and soon perisheth, and as soon riseth again of its own sowing, so that it may be seen many months in the year, both green and in flower and seed • for it will spring and seed twice a year at least if it be suffered in a garden. Place. — This groweth almost every where, as well on tops of walls as at the foot, amongst rubbisli and untilled grounds, but especially in gardens. Time. — It flowereth, as is said before, almost in every month throughout the year. Government and Virtues. — This herb is Venus’s mistress -piece, and is as gallant and universal a medi- cine for all diseases coming of heat, in what part of the body soever they be, as the sun shines upon : it is very safe and friendly to the body of man, yetcauseth vomiting if the stomach be afflicted ; if not, purging ; and it doth it with more gentleness than can be ex- pected : it is moist and somewhat cold withal, thereby causing expulsion, and repressing the tieat caused by the motion of the internal parts in purges and vomits. Lay by our learned receipts; take so much senna, si much scammony, so much colocynthis, so much infu- sion of crocus rnetallorurn, &c. this herb alone pre- served in a syrup, in a distilled water, or in an oint- 182 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. ineut, shall do the deed for you in all hot disea???, and shall do it, 1. — safely, 2. — speedily. The decoction of the herb, saith Dioscorides, made with wine and drank, helpeth the pains in the sto inach, proceeding of choler, (which it may do well by a vomit) as daily experience sheweth. The juice thereof taken in drink, or the decoction of it in ale gently performeth the same. It is good against the jaundice and falling sickness, being taken in wine ; as also against difficulty of making water. It pro- vokes urine, expelleth gravel in the reins or kidnies, a drachm thereof giv?n in oxymel after some walking and stirring of the body. It helpeth also the sciatica, griping of the belly, the cholic; defects of the liver, and provoketh women’s courses. The fresh herb hoi ed 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 funda- ment, or the arteries, joints, and sinews when they are inflamed or swollen, doth much ease them ; and used with some salt, helpeth to dissolve knots or ker- nels in any part of the body. The juice of the herb, or, as Dioscorides saith, the leaves and flowers, with some frankincense in powder, used in wounds of the body, nerves, or sinews, do singularly help to heal them. The distilled water of the herb performeth well all the aforesaid cures, but especially for inflam- mations or waterings of the eyes, by reason of the de- fine tion of rheum into them. HEART’S EASE. This is that herb which such physicians as are li- censed to blaspheme by authority, without danger of having their tongues burned through with an hot iron, called an herb of the Trinity : it is also called by those that are more moderate, three faces in a hood, live in idleness, cull me to you; and in Sussex we call them pancies. Place. — Resides those which are brought up in Culpeper's herbal. 183 gardens, they grow commonly wild in the fields, es- pecially in such as are very barren : sometimes you may find it on the tops of the high hills. Time. — They flower all the spring and summer long. Government and Virtues. — The herb is really Sa- turnine, something cold, viscous, and slimy. A strong decoction of the herb and flowers (if you will you may make it into syrup) is an excellent remedy for the French-pox, the herb being a gallant anti-venerian ; and that anti-venerians are the best cure for that disease, far better ■and safer than to torment them with the flax, divers foreign physicians have confes- sed. The spirit of it is excellent good for the convul- sions in children, as also for the falling sickness, and a gallant remedy for the inflammation of the lungs and breast, pleurisy, scabs, itch, &c. It is under the celestial sign Cancer. ARTICHOKES. The Latins call them cinera, only our college calls them antichocus. Government and Virtues. — They are under the dominion of Venus, and therefore it is no marvel if they provoke lust, as indeed they do, being somewhat windy meat: and yet they stay the involuntary course of natural 9eed in man, which is commonly called nocturnal pollutions. And here I care not greatly if I quote a little of Galen’s nonsense in his Treatise of the faculties of nourishment. He saith they contain plenty of choleric juice, (which, notwithstanding, I can scarcely believe) of which he saith is engendered melancholy juice, and of that melancholy juice, thin choleric blood. But to proceed; this is certain, that the decoction of the root boiled in wine, or the root bruised and distilled in wine in an alembic, and being drank, purgeth by urine exceedingly. HART’S TONGUE. Descrip. — This hath divers leaves arising from the 184 culpepee's heebal. root, every one severally, which fold themselves in their first springing and spreading ; when full grown, they are about a foot long, smooth and green above, but hard and with but little sap in them, streaked on the back, thwart on both sides of the middle rib, with small, and somewhat long brownish marks ; the bot- toms of the leave? are a little bowed on each side of the middle rib, somewhat narrow with the length, and somewhat small at the end. The root is of many blaci- threads folded or interlaced together. Time. — It is green all the winter, but new leaves spring every year. Government and Virtues. — Jupiter claims domini- on oyer this herb, therefore it is a singular remedy for the liver, both to strengthen it when weak, and ease it, when afflicted ; you shall do well to keep in a svrup nil the year ; for though authors say it. is green all rhe year, I searce can believe it. Hart’s tongue is much commended against the hardness and stoppings of the spleen and liver, and against the heat of the liver and siomach, and against lasks and the bloody-flux. The distilled water thereof is also very good against, the passions of the heart, and to stay the hiccough, to help the failing of the palate, and to stay the bleeding of the gums, being gargled in the mouth. Dioscoridea saith, it is good against the stinging and biting of ser- pents. As for the use of it, my direction at the latter end will be sufficient, and enough for those that are studious in physic, to whet their brains on for a year or two. HAZEL-NUT. Hazel-nuts are so well known to every body, that they need rio description. Government and Virtues.— They are under the dominion of Mercury. The parted kernels made info an electuary, or the milk drawn from the kernels with mead or honied water, is very good to help an old cough, and being parched and a little pepper put 1 1 Culpeper’s herbal. IBS them and drank, digesteth the distillations of rheum from the head. The dried husks and shells to the weight of two drachms, taken in red wine, stayeth lasksand women's courses, and so doth the red skin that covers the kernels, which is more effectual to stay women’s courses. And if this be true, as it is, then why should the vulgar so familiarly affirm, that eating nuts causeth shortness of breath ? than which nothing is falser. For how can that which strengthens the lungs cause shortness of breath? I confess the opinion is far older than I am ; I knew tradition was a friend to error be- fore, but never that he was the father of slander ; or are men’s tongues so given to slandering one another, that they must slander nuts too to keep their tongues in use? If any thing of the hazel-nut bestopping, it is the husks and shells, and nobody is so mad to eat them unless physically ; and the red skin which covers the kernel you may easily pull off. And so thus have I made an apology for nuts, which cannot speak for themselves. HAWK-WEED. Descrip. — It hath many large leaves lying upon the ground, much rent or torn on the sides into gashes like dandelion, but with greater parts, more like the smooth sow thistle, from among which riseth a hol- low rough stalk, two or three feet high, branched from the middle upward, whereon are set at every joint longer leaves, little or nothing rent or cut, bearing on their top sundry pale yellow flowers, consisting of many small narrow leaves, broad pointed, and nicked in at the ends, set in a double row or more, the out- ermost being larger than the inner, which form most of the hawk-weeds (for there are many kinds of them) which turn into down, and with the small brown- ish seed is blown away with the wind. The root is long and somewhat greater, with many small fibres thereat. The whole plant is full of bitter milk. 186 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. Place. — It groweth in divers places about tbe field sides, and the path ways in dry grounds. Time. — It flowereth and flies away in the summer months. Government and Virtues. — Saturnownsit. Hawk- weed, saith Dioscorides, is cooling, somewhat drying and binding, and therefore good for the heat of the stomach and gnawings therein; for inflammations and the hot fits of agues. The juice thereof in wine lielpeth digestion, discusseth wind, hindering crudi- ties abiding in the stomach, and helpeth the difficulty of making water, the biting of venomous serpents, and stinging of the scorpion, if the herb be also out- wardly applied to the place, and is very good against all other poisons. A scruple of the dried root given in wine and vinegar, is profitable for those who have the dropsy. The decoction of the herb taken with honey, digesteth the phlegm in the chest or lungs, and with hyssop helpeth the cough. The decoction thereof, and of wild succory, made with wine and taken, helpeth the •wind cholic and hardness of the spleen; it procureth restand sleep, hindereth venery and venerous dreams, cooling heats, purgeth the sto- mach, increaseth blood, and helpeth the diseases of the reins and bladder. Outwardly applied, it is singular good for all the defects and diseases of the eyes, used with some women’s milk ; and is used with good success in fretting or creeping ulcers, especially in the begin- ning. The green leaves bruised, and with a little salt applied to any place burnt with tire before blisters do arise, helpeth them ; also inflammations, St. Antho- ny’s fire, and all pushes and eruptions, hot and salt phlegm. The same applied with meal and fair water, in manner of a poultice, to any place affected witli convulsions and the cramp, such as are out of joint, doth give help and ease. The distilled water cleanseth the skin, and taketh away freckles, spots, morphew, or wrinkles in the face. CULPEPER’S VERBAL. 187 HAWTHORN. It is not my intent to trouble you with a descrip- tion of this tree, which is so well known, that it need- eth none. It is ordinarily but a hedge bush, although being pruned and dressed, it groweth to a tree of a reasonable height. As for the hawthorn tree at Glastonbury, which is said to flower yearly on Christmas-day, it rather shews the superstition of those that observe it for the time of its flowering, than any great wonder, since the like may be found in divers other places of this laud ; as in Whey-street in Romney-marsh, and near unto Nantwich in Cheshire, by a place called White- green, where it flowereth about Christmas and May. If the weather be frosty, it flowereth not until Janu- ary, or until the hard weather be over. Government and Virtues. — It is a tree of Mars. The seeds in the berries beaten to powder, being drank in wine, are held singular good against the stone and the dropsy: the distilled water of the flower staveth the lask. The seed, cleared from the down, bruised and boiled in wine, and drank, is good for inward tormenting pains. If cloths and sponges be wet in the distilled water, and applied to any place wherein thorns and splinters, or the like, do abide in the flesh, it will notably draw them forth. And thus you see the thorn gives a medicine for its own pricking, and so doth almost every thing else. HEMLOCK. Descrip. — The common great hemlock groweth up with a green stalk four or five feet high or more, full of red spots sometimes, and at the joints very large winged leaves set at them, which are divided into many other winged leaves, one set against the other, dented about the edges, of a sad green colour, branched towards the top, where it is full of umbels of white flowers, and afterwards with whitish flat seed ; 188 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. the root is long, white, and somewhat crooked, and hollow within. The whole plant and every part hath a strong, heady, and ill-savoured scent, much offending the senses. Place. — It groweth in all counties of this land, by walls and hedge-sides, in waste grounds and until- led places. Time. — It flowereth and seedeth in July, or there- abouts. Government andVirtues. — Saturn claims dominion over this herb, yet I wonder why it may not be ap- plied to the privities in a priapism, or continual stand- ing of the yard, it being very beneficial to that dis- ease ; I suppose my author’s judgment was first upon the opposite disposition of Saturn to Venus in those faculties, therefore he.forbad the applyingofitto those parts, that it might not cause barrenness or spoil the spirit procreative ; which if it do, yet applied to the privities, it stops its lustful thoughts. Hemlock is exceedingly cold, and very dangerous, especially tobe taken inwardly. It may safely be applied to inflam- mations, tumours, and swellings in any part of the body, (save the privy parts) as also to St. Anthony’s fire, wheals, pushes, and creeping ulcers that arise of hot sharp humours, by cooling and repelling the heat: the leaves bruised and laid to the brow or forehead are good for the eyes that are red and swollen, as also to take away the pin and web growing in the eye ; this ss a tried medicine. Take a small handful of this herb *nd half so much bay salt beaten together, and applied to the contrary wrist of the hand for twenty- four hours, doth remove it in thrice dressing. If the root thereof be roasted under the embers, wrapped in double wet paper until it be soft and tender, and then applied to the gout in the hands and fingers, it will quickly help this evil. If any through mistake eat the herb hemlock instead of parsley, or the root in- stead of parsnip (both of which it is very like) where- by happenerh a frenzy or perturbation of the senses, Culpeper’s herbal. 139 as if they were stupid and drunk, the remedy is as Pliny saith, to drink of the best and strongest pure wine, before it strikes to the heart, or gentian put in wine, ora draught of vinegar, wherewith Tragus doth affirm that he cured a woman that had eaten of the root. HEMP. This is so well known to every good housewife in the country, that I shall not need to write any de- scription of it. Time. — It is sown in the end of March, or the be- ginning of April, and is ripe in August or in Seu- teinber. Government and Virtues. — It is a plant of Saturn, and good for something else, you see, than to make halters only. The seed of hemp consumeth wind, and by too much use disperseth it so much that it drietii up the natural seed for procreation ; yet being boiled in milk and taken, helpeth such as have a iiot dry cough. The Dutch make an emulsion out of the seed and give it with good success to those that have the jaundice, especially in the beginning of the disease, if there be no ague accompanying it, for itopeneth ob- structions of the gall, and causeth digestion of choler. The emulsion or decoction of the seed stayeth lasks and continual fluxes, easeth the cholic, and allayeth the troublesome humours in the bowels, and stayeth bleed- ing at the month and nose, or other places, some of the leaves t si/ig fried with the blood of those that bleed, and so given them to eat. It is held very good to kill the worms in men or beasts ; and the juice drop- ped into the ears killeth the worms in them, and dravv- eth forth earwigs, or other living creatures gotten into them. The decoction of the root allayeth inflamma- tions of the head or any other parts ; the herb itself, or the distilled water thereof, dotii the like. The de- coction of the roots easeth pains of the uout, the hard humours or knots in the joints, the pain and shrinking 190 Culpeper’s herbal. of the sinews and pains of the hips. The fresh juice mixed with a little oil and butter, is good for any place that hath been burnt with tire, being thereto applied. HENBANE. Descrip. — Our common henbane hath very large thick, soft woolly leaves lying on the ground, much cut in or torn on the edges, of a dark ill greyish green colour, among which arise up divers thick and short stalks two or three feet high, spread into divers small branches with lesser leaves on them, and many hol- low flowers, scarcely appearing above the husks, and usually torn on one side, ending in five round points, growing one above another, ofa deadish yellow colour, somewhat pale, towards the edges, with many pur- plish veins therein, and of a dark yellowish purple in the bottom of the flowers, with a small point of the same colour in the middle, each of them standing in a hard close husk, which, after the flowers are past, grow- eth very like the husk of assarabacca, and somewhat sharp at the top points, wherein is contained much small seed very like poppy seed, but of a dusky grey- ish colour. The root is great, white, and thick, branch- ing forth divers ways under ground, so like a parsnip root (but that it is not so white) that it hath deceived others. The whole plant, more than the root, hath a very heavy, ill, soporiferous smell, somewhat offensive. Place. — It commonly groweth by the way-sides, and under hedge-sides and walls. Time. — It flowereth in July, and springeth again yearly of its own seed. I doubt my authors mistook July for June, if not for May. Government and Virtues. — I wonder how astro- logers could take on them to make this an herb of J u- piter; yet Mezaldus, a man of a penetrating brain, was of that opinion as well as the rest : the herb is in- deed under the dominion of Saturn, and I prove it by this argument : — All the herbs which delight most to grow in Saturnine places are Saturnine herbs ; but the culpepee’s heebax. 191 henbane delights most to grow in Saturnine places, and whole cart loads of it maybe found near places where they empty the common jacks, and scarce a ditch is to be found without it growing by it : ergo it is an herb of Saturn. The leaves of henbane do cool all hot in- flammations in the eyes or any other part of the body ; and are good to assuage all manner of swellings of the cods, or women’s breasts, or elsewhere, if they be boil- ed in wine, and either applied themselves, or the fo- mentation warm ; it also assuageth the pains of the gout, the sciatica, aud other pains in the joints, which arise from a hot cause : and applied with vinegar to the forehead and temples, helpeth the head-ache and want of sleep in hot fevers. The juice of the herb or seed, or the oil drawn from the seed does the like. Tiie oil of the seed is helpful for deafness, noise, and worms in the ears, being dropped therein: the juice of the herb or root doth the same. The decoction of the herb or seed, or both, kiileth lice in man or beast. The fume of the dried herb, stalks and seed, burned, quickly healeth swellings, chilblains or kibes in the hands or feet, by holding them in the fumes thereof. The re- medy to help those that have taken henbane is to drink goat’s milk, honeyed water, or pine kernels, with sweet wine ; or, in the absence of these, fennel-seed, nettle- seed, the seed of cresses, mustard, or radish j as also onions or garlic taken in wine do all help to free them from danger, and restore them to their due temper again. Take notice, that this herb must never be taken in- wardly ; outwardly, an oil, ointment, or plaister of it is most admirable for the gout, to cool the venereal heat of the reins in the French pox ; to stop the tooth- ache, being applied to the aching side ; to allay all in- flammations, and to help the diseases before promised. HEDGE HYSOP. Descrip. — Divers sorts there are of this plant ; the first of which is an Italian by birth, and only nursed 192 Culpeper’s uesbajo. up here in the gardens of toe curfous. Two or three sorts are found commonly growing wild here, the de- scription of two of which I shall give you. The first is a smooth, low plant, not a foot high, very bitter in taste, with many square stalks diversely branched from the bottom to the top, with divers joints, and two small leaves at each joint, broader at the oottom than they are at the end, a little dented about the edges, of a sad green colour, and full of veins. The flowers stand at the joints, being of a fair purple colour, with some white spots in them, in fashion like thoseof dead nettles. The seed is small and yellow, and the roots spread much under ground. The second seldom groweth half a foot high, send- ing up many small branches, whereon grow many small leaves set one against the other, somewhat broad but very short. The flowers are like those of the other in fashion, but of a pale reddish colour. The seeds are small and yellowish. The root spread- eth like the other, neither will it yield to its fellow one ace of bitterness. Place. — They grow in low wet grounas, and by the water-sides: the last may be found among the bogs on Hampstead-heath. Time. — They flower in Tune and July, and the seed is ripe presently after. Government and Virtues. — They are herbs of Mars, and as choleric and churlish a3 he is, being most vio- lent purges, especially of choler and phlegm. It is not safe taking them inwardly, unless they be well rectified by the art of the alchymist, and only the purity of them given ; so used they may be very help- ful both for the dropsy, gout, and sciatica; outwardly used in ointments they kill worms, the belly anointed with it, and *"re excellentgood to cleanse old and filthy ulcers BLACK HELLEBORE. It is also called setter-wort, setter-grass, blur's foot, Christmas herb, and Christmas flower. CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 193 Descrip.— It hath sundry fair green leaves rising from the root, each of them standing about an hand- ful high from the earth ; each leaf is divided into seven, eight, or nine parts, dented from the middle of the leaf to the point on both sides, abiding green all the winter: about Christmas-time, if the weather be any thing temperate, the flowers appear upon foot- stalks, also consisting of five large, round, white leaves a-piece, which sometimes are purple towards the edges, with many pale yellow thumbs in the middle; the seeds are divided into several cells like those of columbines, save only that they are greater ; the seeds are in colour black, and in form long and round : the root consisteth of numberless blackish strings all united into one head. There is another black hellebore which groweth up and down in the woods very like this, but only that the leaves are smaller and narrower, and perish in the winter, which this doth not. Place. — The first is maintained in gardens. The second is commonly found in the woods in Northamp- tonshire. Time. — The first fiowereth in December, or Janu- ary, the second in February or March. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Saturn, and therefore no marvel if it hath some sullen condi- tions with it, and would be far safer being purified by the art of the alchymist,than given raw. If any have taken any harm by taking it, the common cure is to take goat’s milk ; if you cannot get goat’s milk, you must make a shift with such as you can get. The roots are very effectual against all melancholy dis- eases, especially such as are of long standing, as quar- tan agues, and madness ; it helps the falling sickness, the leprosy, both the yellow and black jaundice, the gout, sciatica, and convulsions, and this was found out by experience, that the root of that which groweth wild in our country, works not so churlishly as thos? do which are brought from beyond sea, as being inaiv 95 N 194 culpepee’s herbal. tained by a more temperate air. The root used as a pessary, provokes the terras exceedingly; also being beaten into powder and strewed upon foul ulcers, consumes the dead flesh, and instantly heals them ; nay, it will help gangrenes in the beginning. Twenty grains taken inwardly is a sufficient dose for one time, and let that be corrected with half so much cinnamon; country people used to rowel their cattle with it. If a beast be troubled with a cough, or have taken any poison, they bore a hole through his ear and put a piece of the root in it, this will help him in twenty- four hours’ time. Many other uses farriers put it to, which 1 shall forbear to mention. HERB ROBERT. Descrip. — It riseth up with a reddish stalk two feet high , having divers leaves thereon upon very long and reddish foot-stalks, divided at the ends into three or five divisions, each of them cut in on the edges some deeper than the others, and all dented likewise about the edges, which sometimes turn reddish. At tops of the stalks come forth divers flowers made of live leaves much larger than the dove’s foot, and a more reddish colour ; after which come black heads, as in others. The root is small and thready, and smelleth as the whole plant, very strong, almost stinking. Place. — This groweth frequently everywhere by the way-sides, upon ditch banks and waste grounds wheresoever one goeth. Time— It flow'ereth in June or July chiefly, and the seed is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Venus. Herb Robert is commended not only against the stone, but to stay blood where or howso- ever flowing; it speedily healeth all green wounds, and is effectual in old ulcers in the privy parts or elsewhere. You may persuade yourself this is true, and also conceive a good reason for it, do but. consider it is an herb of Venus, for all it hath a man’s name. cui/peper’s herbal. 195 HERB TRUE-LOVE, or ONE-BERRY. Descrip. — Ordinary herb true-love hath a small creeping root running under the uppermost crust of the ground, somewhat like couch-grass root, but not so white, shooting forth stalks with leaves, some whereof carry no berries, the others do ; every stalk smooth, without joints, and blackish green, rising about half a foot high if it bear berries, otherwise seldom so high, bearing at the top four leaves, set directly one against another, in manner of a cross or ribband tied (as it is called) in atrue-love’s knot, which are each of them apart, somewhat like unto a night- shade leaf, but somewhat broader, having sometimes three leaves, sometimes five, sometimes six, and those sometimes greater than in others; in the middle of the fourleaves riseth up one small slender stalk, about an inch high, bearing at the tops thereof one flower spread open like a star, consisting of four small and long narrow-pointed leaves of a yellowish green colour, and i >ur others lying between them lesser than they ; in me middle whereof stands a round dark purplish but- ton or head, compassed about with eight small yellowr mealy threads with three colours, making it the more conspicuous and lovely to behold. This button or head in the middle, when the other leaves are withered, becometh a blackish purple berry full of juice, of the bigness of a reasonable grape, having within it many white seeds. The whole plant is without any mani- fest taste Place. — It groweth in woods and copses, and some- times in the corners or borders of fields and waste grounds in very many places of this land, and abun- dantly in the woods, copses, and other places about Chislehurst, and Maidstone, in Kent. Time. — They spring up in the middle of April or May, and are in flower soon after. The berries are ripe in the end of Mav, and in some places in June. Government and Virtues. — Veuus owns it. The 196 CTTLPEPEE’S HEEBA-L. leaves or berries hereof are effectual to expel poison of all sorts, especially that of the aconites: as also the plague and other pestilential disorders. Matthiolu* saith, that some that have lain long in a lingering sickness, and others by witchcraft (as it was thought) were become half foolish, by taking & drachm of the seeds or berries hereof in powder every day for twenty days together, were restored to their former health. The roots in powder taken in wine, easetli the pains of the cholic speedily. The leaves are very effectual, as well for green wounds as to cleanse anil heal up filthy old sores and ulcers: and are very pow- erful to discuss old tumours and swellings in the cods, privy parts, the groin, or any part of the body, and speedily to allay all inflammations. The juice of the leaves applied to felons, or those nails of the hands or toes that have imposthumesor sores gathered together at the roots of them, healeth them in a short space. This herb is not to be described for the premises, but is fit to be nourished in every good woman’s garden. HYSSOP. Hyssop is so well known to be an inhabitant in every garden, that it will save me labour in writing a de- scription thereof. The virtues are as follow : Temperature and Virtues.— The herb is Jupiter’s, and the sign Cancer. It strengthens all the parts of ihe body under Cancer and Jupiter; which what they may be, is found amply discussed in my astrological judgment of diseases. Dioscorides saith, that hyssop boiled with rue and honey, and drank, helpeth those that are troubled with coughs, shortness of breath, wheezing and rheumatic distillations upon the lungs : taken also with oxymel, it purgeth gross humours by stool; and with honey, killeth worms in the belly; and with fresh and new figs bruised, helpeth to loosen the belly,, and more forcibly if the root, of flower-de- luce and cresses be added thereto. It amendeth and cherisheth the native colour of the body spoiled by Culpeper's herbal. 197 the yellow jaundice; and being taken with figs and nitre, helpeth the dropsy and spleen ; being boiled with wine, it is good to wash inflammations, and taketh away the black and blue spots and marks that come by strokes, bruises, or falls, being applied with warm water. It is an excellent medicine for the quinsev, or swelling in the throat, to wash and gargle it, being boiled iu figs : it helpeth the tooth-ache, being boiled in vinegar and gargled therewith. The hot vapours of the decoction taken by a funnel in at the ears, easeth the inflammations and 9inging noise of them. Being bruised, and salt, honey, and cummin-seed put to it, helpeth those that are stung by serpents. The oil thereof (the head being anointed) killeth lice, and taketh away itching of the head. It helpeth those that have the falling sickness, which way soever it be applied. It helpeth to expectorate tough phlegm, and is effectual in all cold griefs or diseases of the chest or lungs, being taken either in syrup or licking medicine. The green herb bruised, and a little sugar applied thereto, doth quickly heal any cut or green wounds, being thereunto applied. HOPS. These are so well known that they need no descrip- tion ; I mean the manured kind, which every good husband or house-wife is acquainted with. Descrip. — The wild hop groweth up as the other doth, romping upon trees and edges that stand next to them, with rough branches and leaves like the former, but it giveth smaller heads, and in far less plenty than it, so that there is scarce a head or two seen in a year on divers of this wild kind, wherein consisteth the chief difference. Place.— They delight to grow in low moist grounds, and are found in all parts of this land. Time. — They spring not up until April, and flower not until the latter end of June ; the heads are not gathered until the middle or latter end of September. 1.98 CTJI/PEPEB,*8 HEKBA.L. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Mars. This, in physical operations, is to open obstructions of the liver and spleen, to cleanse the blood, to loosen the belly, to cleanse the reins from gravel and provoke urine. The decoction of the tops of hops, as well of the tame as the wild, worketh the same effects. In cleansing the blood they help to cure the French disease, and all manner of scabs, itch, and other breakings out of the body ; as also all tetters, ring-worms, and spreading sores; the mor- phew, and all discolourings of the skin. The decoc- tion of the flowers and tops do help to expel poison that any one hath drank. Half a drachm of the seed in powder taken in drink, killeth worms in the body, biingeth down women’s courses, and expelleth urine. A syrup made of the juice and sugar cureth the yel- low jaundice, easeth the head-ache that comes of heat, and tempereth the heat of the liver and stomach, and is profitably given in long and hot agues that riseth in choler and blood. Botli the wild and the manured are of one property, and alike effectual in all the aforesaid diseases. By all these testimonies beer appears to be better than ale. Mars owns this plant, and then Dr. Reason will tell you how it performs these actions. HOREHOUND. Dcscrip. — Common horehound groweth up with square hairy stalks, half a yard or two feet high, set at the joints with two round crumpled rough leaves of a sullen hoary green colour, of a reasonable good scent, but very bitter taste. The flowers are small, white, and gaping, set in a rough, hard, prickly husk round about the joints, with the leaves in the middle of the stalk upwards, wherein afterwards is found small round blackish seed. The root is blackish, hard, and woody, with many strings, and abideth many years. Place. — It. is found in many parts of this land mdry grounds and waste green places. culpepee’s herbal. 193 Time. — It floweretli in July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of Mer- cury. A decoction of the dried herb, with the seed, or thejuice of the green herb taken with honey, is a remedy for those that are short winded, have a cough, or are fallen into a consumption, either through long sickness or thin distillations of rhuem upon the lungs. It helpeth to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest, being taken from the roots of Iris or Orris. It is given to women to bring down their courses, to expei their after-birth, and to them that have sore and long travails ; as also to those that have taken poison, or are stung or bitten by venomous serpents. The leaves used with honey, purge foul ulcers, stay running or creeping sores, and the growing of the flesh over the nails ; it also helpeth pains of the aides. The juice thereof with wine and honey, helpeth to clear the eye-sight; and snuffed up into the nostrils purgeth away the yellow jaundice ; and with a little oil of roses dropped into the ears, easeth the pains o, them. Galen saith, it openeth obstructions of the liver and spleen, and purgeth the breast and lungs ol phlegm; and used outwardly it both cleanseth and digesteth. A decoction made of horehound (saith Matthiolus) is available for those that have hard livers, and for such as have itches and running tetters. The powder hereof taken, or the decoction, killeth worms. The green leaves bruised and boiled in old hog’s grease into an ointment, healeth the bitings of dogs, abateth t lie swellings and pains that come by any pricking of thorns, or such like means ; and used with vinegar, cleanseth and healeth tetters. There is a syrup made of horehound to be had at the apothecary’s, very good for old coughs, to rid phlegm ; as also to void cold rheums from the lungs of old people, and also for those that are asthmatic or short-winded. 200 CULPEPKIi’s HEEBA1 HORSETAIL. Of this there are many kinds, but I shall not trou- ble you nor myself with any large description of them, which to do, were but as the pro-erb is — to find a knot in a rush— all the kinds thereof being nothing else but knotted rushes, some with leaves and some without. Take the description of the most eminent sort as followeth. Descrip. — The great horsetail at the first spring- ing hath heads somewhat like those of asparagus, and grow after to be hard, rough, hollow stalks, jointed at sundry places up to the top, a foot high, so made as if the lower parts were put into (he upper, where grow on each side a bush of small long rush-like hard leaves each part resembling a horse-tail, from whence it is so called. At the tops of the stalks come forthsmall cat-kins like those of trees. The rootcreepeth under ground, havingjointsat sundry places. Place.— This, as most of the other sorts hereof, grow- eth in wet grounds. Time. — They spring up in April, and their bloom- ingcat-kins in July, seeding for the most partin Au- gust, and then perish down to the ground, rising afresh in the spring. Government and Virtues.— The herb belongs to Saturn, yet it is very harmless, and excellent good for the things following ; Horsetail, the smoother rather than the rough, and the leaved rather than the bare, is most physical. It is very powerful to staunch bleed- ing, either inward or outward, the juice or the decoc- tion thereof being drank, or the juice, decoction, or distilled water applied outwardly. It also stayeth all sorts of fluxes in manor woman, and the pissing o*' blood ; and healeth also not only the inward ulcers and the excoriation of the entrails, bladder, &c. but all other sorts of foul, moist, and running ulcers, and soon soldereth together the tops of green w-ounds : it curetli all ruptures in children. The decoction thereof CTTLPEPEE/S HERBAL. 201 In wine being drank, provoketh urine, and helpeth tlie stone and strangury ; and the distilled water thereof drank twoor three times in aday,andasmallquantity at a time, also easeth the entrails or guts, and is effec- tual against a cough that comes by distillation from the head. The juice or distilled water being warmed, and hot inflammations, pustules, or red wheals, and other breakings out in the skin being bathed there- with, doth help them, and doth no less ease the swel- ling heat and inflammations of the fundament, or privy parts in men and women. HOUSELEEK, or SENGREEN. Both these are so well known to mv countrymen, that I shall not need to write any description of them. Place. — It groweth commonly upon walls and house-sides, and flow'ereth in July. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of Jupi- ter; and it is reported by Mezaldus to preserve what it grows upon from fire and lightning. Our ordinary houseleek is good for all inward heats, as well as out- ward, and in the eyes or other parts of the body : a posset made of the juice of houseleek, is singular good in all hot agues, for it cooleth and tempereth t lie blood and spirits, and quencheth the thirst ; and is also good to stay all hot defluctions or sharp and salt rheums in the eyes, the juice being dropped into them. If the juice be dropped into the ears, it easeth pain. It helpeth also otherfluxes of humours in the bowels, and the immoderate courses of women. It cooleth and restraineth all hot inflammations, Str. Anthony’s fire, scaldings and burnings, the shingles, fretting ul- cers, cankers, tetters, ringworms, and the like; and much easeth the pain of the gout proceeding from a hot cause. The juice also taketh away warts and corns in the hands and feet, being often bathed there- with, and the skin and leaves being laid on them af- terwards: it easeth also the head-ache, and distem- pered heat of the brain in trenzies, or through want 202 culpepee’s hereal. oF sleep, being applied to the temples and forehead. The leaves bruised and laid upon the crown or seam of the head, stayeth bleeding at the nose very quickly. The distilled water of the herb is profitable for all the purposes aforesaid. The leaves being gently rubbed on any place stung with nettles or bees, doth quickly take away the pain. HOUND’S TONGUE. Descrip. — The great ordinary hound’s tongue hath many long, and somewhat narrow, soft, hairy, darkish green leaves, lying on the ground, somewhat like unto bugloss leaves, from amongst which riseth up a rough hairy stalk about two feet high, with some smaller leaves thereon, and branched at the tops into divers parts, witji a small leaf at the foot of every branch, which is somewhat long, with many flowers set along the same, which branch is crooked or turned inwards before it fiowereth, and openeth by degrees as the flowers do blow, which consist of small purplish red leaves of a dead colour, rising out of the husks wherein they stand with some threads in the middle: it hath sometimes a white flower. After the flowers are past, there cometh rough flat seed with a small pointal in the middle, easily cleaving to any garment that it toucheth, and not so easily pulled ott' again. The root is black, thick, and long, hard to break, and full of clammy juice, smelling somewhat strong of an evil scent, as the leaves also do. Place. — It groweth in most places of this land, in waste grounds and untilled places, by high-way sides, lanes, and hedge-sides. Time. — It fiowereth about May or June, and the seed is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues. — It is a plant under the dominion of Mercury. The root is very effectual used in pills, as well as the decoction or otherwise, to stay all sharp and thin defluxions of rheum from the head into the eyes or nose, or upon the stomach or lungs, Culpeper's herbal. 203 as also for coughs and shortness of breath. The loaves boiled in wine (saith Dioscorides, but others do rather appoint it to be made with water, and do add thereto oil and salt) mollifieth or openeth the belly downwards. It also helpeth to cure the biting of a mad dog, some of the leaves being also applied to the wound. The leaves bruised, or the juice of them boil- ed in hog’s lard, and applied, helpeth the falling away of the hair which cometh of hot and sharp humours ; as also for any place that is scalded or burnt : the leaves bruised and laid to any green wound doth heal it quickly ; the root baked under the embers, wrap- ped in paste or wet paper, or in a wet double cloth, and thereof a suppository made, and put up into or applied to the fundament, doth very effectually help the painful piles or haemorrhoids. The distilled wa- ter of the herbs and roots is very good to all the pur- poses aforesaid, to be used as well inwardly to drink, as outwardly to wash any sore place; for it healet.h all manner of wounds and punctures, and those foul ulcers that arise by the French pox. Mizaldus adds, that the leaves laid under the feet will keep the dogs from barking at you. It is called hound’s-tongue, because it ties the tongues of hounds ; whether true or not I never tried ; yet I cured the biting of a mad dog with this only medicine. HOLLY, HOLM, HULVER BUSH. For to describe a tree so well known is needless. Government and Virtues.— The tree is Saturnine. The berries expel wind, and therefore are held to be very profitable in the cholic. The berries have a strong faculty with them ; for if youeatadozenof them in the morning fasting, when they are ripe and not dried, they purge the body of gross and clammy phlegm; but if you dry the berries and beat them into powder, they hind the body, and stop fluxes, bloody-fluxes, and the terms in women. The bark of the tree, and also the leaves, are excellent good being used in fomentations 204 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. for broken bones, and such members as art. out of joint. Pliny saith the branches of the tree defend nouses from lightning, and men from witchcraft. ST. JOHN'S WOHT. Descrip.— Common St. John’s wort shootetli forth brownish, upright, hard round stalks, two feet high, spreading branches from the sides up to the tops of them, with two small leaves set one against another at every place, which are of a deep green colour, somewhat like the leaves of the lesser centaury, but narrow, and full of small holes in every leaf, which cannot be so well perceived as when they are held up to the light ; at the tops of the stalks and branches stand yellow flowers of five leaves a-piece, with many yellow threads in the middle, which being bruised, do yield a reddish juice like blood ; after which come small round heads, wherein is contained small black- ish seed, smelling like rosin. The root is hard and woody, with divers strings and fibers at it of a brown- ish colour, which abideth in the ground many years, shooting anew every spring. Place. — This groweth in woods and copses, as well those that are shady, as open to the sun. Time. — They flower about midsummer and July, and their seed is ripe in the latter end of July or Au- gust. Government and Virtues. — It is under the celes- tial sign Leo, and the dominion of the Sun. It may be if you meet a papist he will tell you, especially if he be a lawyer, that St. John made it over to him by a letter of attorney. It is a siugular wound herb: boiled in wine and drank it healeth inward hurts or bruises; made into anointment, it opens obstructions, dissolves swellings, and closes up the lips of wounds. The decoction of the herb and flowers, especially of the seed, being drank in wine with the juice of knot grass, lielpeth all manner of vomiting and spittiug of blood, is good for those thatare bitten or stung by any CULPEPER’S HERBAL. 205 venomous creature, and for those that, cannot make water. Two drachms of the seed of St. John’s wort made into a powder, and drank in a little broth, doth gently expel choler or congealed blood in the stomach. The decoction of the leaves and seed drank somewhat warm before the fits of agues, whether they be tertian or quartan, alter the fits, and by often using, doth take them quite away. The seed ismueh commended being drank for forty days together, to help the scia- tica, the falling sickness, and ihe palsy. IVY. It is well known, to every child almost, to grow in woods upon the trees, and upon the stone walls of churches, houses, &c. and sometimes to grow alone of itself, though but, seldom. Time. — It flowereth not until July, and the berries are not ripe until Christmas, when they have felt the winter frosts. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Saturn. A pugil of the flowers, which may be about a drachm, (saith Dioscorides,) drank twice a day in red wine, helpeth the lask and bloody-flux. It is an enemy to the nerves and sinews being mud' taken inwardly, but very helpful unto them being outwardly applied. Pliny saith, the yellow berries are good against the jaundice ; and taken before one be set to drink hard, preserveth from drunkenness, and helpeth those that spit blood ; and the white berries being taken inwardly, or applied outwardly, killeth worms in the belly. The berries are a singular re- medy to prevent the plague, as also to free them from it that have got it, by drinking the berries thereof made into a powder, for two or three days together : they being taken in wine, do certainly help to break the stone, provoke urine, and women’s courses. The fresh leaves of ivy boiled in vinegar, and applied warm to the sides of those that are troubled with the spleen, ache, or stitch in the sides, do give much ease: the 206 Culpeper's herbal. same applied with rose water and oil of roses to the temples and forehead, easeth the head-ache, though it he of long continuance. The fresh leaves boiled in wine, and old filthy ulcers hard to be cured washed therewith, do wonderfully help to cleanse them : it also quickly healeth green wounds, and is effectual to heal all burnings and scaldings, and all kinds of ex- ulcerations coming thereby, or by salt phlegm or hu- mours in other parts of the body. The juice of the berries or leaves snuffed up into the nose, purgeth the head and brain of rheun that maketh deductions into the eyes and nose, and curing the ulcers and stench therein j the same dropped into the ears, helpeth the old and running sores of them ; those that are trou- bled with the spleen, shall find much ease by conti- nual drinking of a cup made of ivy, so as the drink may stand some small time therein before it be drank. Cato saith, that wine put into the cup, will soak through it by reason of the antipathy there is be- tween them. There seems to be a very great antipathy between wine and ivy ; for if one hath got a surfeit by drink- ing wine, his speediest cure is to drink a draught of t he same wine wherein a handful of ivy leaves being first bruised, have been boiled. JUNIPER BUSH. For to give a description of a bush so commonly known is needless. Place. — They grow plentifully in divers woods in Kent,WurneyCommon, near Brentford, in Essex, upon Finchley Common without Ilighgate; hard by the New-found Wells, near Dulwich, upon a common be- tween Mitcham and Croydon, in the Highgate, near Amersham, in Buckinghamshire, and many other places. Time. — The berries are not ripe the first year, but continue green two summers and one winter before they are ripe, at which time they are all of a black ct)- Culpeper’s herbal. 207 lour, and therefore you shall always find upon the oush green berries ; the berries are ripe about the fall of the leaf. Government and Virtues. — This admirable solar shrub is scarce to be paralleled for its virtues. The berries are hot in the third degree, and dry but in the first, being a most admirable counter poison, and as great resister of the pestilence as any growing: they are excellent good against the bitings of venomous beasts : they provoke urine exceedingly, and there- foreareverv available todysuries and stranguries. It is so powerful a remedy against the dropsy, that the very lee made of the ashes of the herb being drank, cures the disease : it provokes the terms, helps the fits of the mother, strengthens the stomach exceed- ingly, and expels the wind ; indeed there is scarce a better remedy for wind in any part of the body, or the cholic, than the chemical oil drawn from the ber- ries. Such country people as know not how to draw the chemical oil, may content themselves by eating ten or a dozen of the ripe berries every morning fast- ing. They are admirable good for a cough, shortness oi breath, consumptions, pains in the belly, ruptures, cramps, and convulsions. They give safe and speedy delivery to women with child : they strengthen the brain exceedingly, help the memory, and fortify the sight by strengthening the optic nerves : are excel- lent good in all sorts of agues, help the gout and scia- tica, and strengthen all the limbs of the body. The ashes of the wood is a speedy remedy to such as have the scurvy, to rub their gums with. The berries stay all fluxes, help the haemorrhoids or piles, and kill worms in children. A lee made of the ashes of the wood, and the body bathed therewith, cures the itch, scabs, and leprosy. The berries break the stone, pro- cure apetite when it is lost, and are excellent good for all palsies, and falling sickness. *208 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. KIDNEYWORT, or WALL PENNYROYAL, or WALL PENNYWORT. Descrip. — It hath many thick, flat, andround leaves growing from the root, every one having a long foot- stalk, fastened underneath about the middle of it, and a little unevenly weaved sometimes about the edges, of a pale green colour, and somewhat yellow on the upper side like a saucer; from among which arise one or more tender, smooth, hollow stalks, half afoot high, with two or three small leaves thereon, usually not round as those below, but somewhat long and di- vided at the edges; the tops are somewhat divided into long branches bearing a number of flowers, set round about a long spike one above another, which are hollow like a little bell, of a whitish green colour, after which come small heads containing very small brownish seed, which falling on the ground, will plen- tifully spring up before winter if it have moisture. The root i3 round, and most usually smooth, greyish without and white within, having small fibres at the head of the root and bottom of the stalk. Place. — It groweth very plentifully in many place.* of this land, but especially in all the west parts thereof, upon stone and mud walls, upon rocks also, and in stony places upon the ground, at the bottom of old trees, and sometimes on the bodies of them that are decayed and rotten. Time. — It usually floweret h in the beginning of May, and the seed ripeneth quickly after, ^ shedding itself, so that about the end of May usually the leaves and stalks are withered, dry, and gone until Septem- ber, when the leaves soring up again, and so abide all winter. Government and Virtues. — Venus challengeth the herb under Libra. The juice or the distilled water being drank, is very effectual for all inflammations and unnatural heats, to cool a fainting hot stomach, a hot liver, or the bowels; the herb, juice, or distil- culpepee’s heebax. 209 led water thereof outwardly applied, healeth pimples, St. Anthony’s fire, and other outward heats. The said juice or water helpeth to heal sore kidnies torn or fretted by the stone, or exulcerated within; italso provoketh urine, is available for the dropsy, and iielpeth to break the stoue. Being used as a bath, or made into an ointment, it cooleth .lie painful piles or haemorrhoidal veins. Itis no less effectual to give ease to pains of the gout, the sciatica, and the inflamma- tions and swellings of the cods ; it helpeth the kernels or knots in the neck or throat, called the king’s evil ; healing kibes or chilblains if they be bathed with the juice, or anointed with ointment made thereof, and some of the skin of the leaf upon them : itis also used in green wounds to stay the blood, and to heal them quickly. KNAPWEED. Descrip. — The common sort hereof hath many lone: and somewhat broad dark green leaves, rising from the root, dented about the edges, and sometimes a little rent or torn on both sides in two or three places, and somewhat hairy withal ; amongst which ariseth a long round stalk four or five feet high, divided into many branches, at the tops whereof stand great scaly green heads, and from the middle of them thrust forth a number of dark purplish red thrumbs or threads, which after they are withered and past, there are found divers black seeds lying in a great deal of down, somewhat like unto thistle seed, but smaller; the root is white, hard, and woody, and divers fibres an- nexed thereunto, which perisheth not, but abideth with leaves thereon all the winter, shooting out fresh every spring. Place.— It groweth in most fields and meadows, and about their borders and hedges, and in many waste grounds also every where. Time. — It usually flowereth in June or July, and the seed is ripe shortly after, 95 o ‘ 210 CULPEPEU’S HEBI3A.Ii. Government, and Virtues. — Saturn challenged) the herb for his own. The knapweed helpeth to stay duxes, both of blood at the mouth and nose or other outward parts, and those veins that are inwardly broken, or inward wounds, as also the fluxes of the belly ; it staveth distillations of thin and sharp hu- mours from the head upon the stomach and lungs: it is good for those that are bruised by any falls, blows, or otherwise, and is profitable for those that are bursten and have ruptures, by drinking the decoction of the herb and roots in wine, and applying the same outwardly to the place. It is singularly good in all running sores, cancerous and fistulous, drying up the moisture, and healing them up gently without, sharpness ; it doth the like to running sores or scabs of the head or other parts. It is of special use for the soreness of the throat, swelling of the uvula and jaws, and excellent good to stay bleeding, and heal up all greeu wounds. KNOTGRASS. This is generally known so well, that it needeth no description. Place. — It groweth in most fields and meadows, by the high-wav sides, and by foot-paths infields; us also by the sides of old walls. Time. — It springeth up late in the spring, and abideth until the winter, when all the branches perish. Government and Virtues. — Saturn seems to me to own the herb, and yet some hold the Sun ; out of all doubt ’tis Saturn. The juice of the common kind of knotgrass is most effectual to stay bleeding of the mouth, being drank in steeled or red wine ; and the bleeding at the nose, to be applied to the forehead or temples, or to be squirted up into the nostrils. It is no less effectual to cool and temper the heat of the blood and stomach, and to stay any flux of the blood and humours, as lasks, bloodv-flux, women’s courses, and running of the reins. It is singular good to pro- culpepeb's hebbal. 211 voke urine, help the strangury, and allayeth the heat that eoineth thereby ; and is powerful by urine to expel the gravel or stone in the kidnies and bladder, a drachm of the powder of the herb being taken in wine for many days together ; being boiled in wine and drank, it is profitable to those that are stung or bilten by venomous creatures, and very effectual to stay all deductions of rheumatic humours upon the stomach, and killeth worms in the belly or stomach, quieteth inward pains that arise from the heat, sharp- ness and corruption of blood and choler. The distil- led water hereof taken by itself, or with the powder of the herb or seed, is very effectual to all the pur- poses aforesaid, and is accounted one of the most sovereign remedies to cool all manner ofinflammations, breaking out through heat, hot swellings and irnpos- thumes, gangrene and fistulous cankers, or foul filthy • ulcers, being applied or put in them ; but especially for all sorts of ulcers or sores happening in the privy parts of men or women. It helpetb all fresh and green wounds, and speedily healetii them. The juice drop- ped into the ears cleanseth them, being foul, and hav- ing running matter in them. It is very prevalent for the premises, as also for broken joints and ruptures. LADIES’ MANTLE. Descrip. — It hath many leaves rising from the root standing upon long hairy foot-stalks, being almost round and a little cut on the edges into eight or ten parts, making it seem like a star with so many cor- ners or points, and dented round about, of a light, colour, somewhat hard in handling, and as it were folded or plaited at first, and then crumpled in divers places, and a little hairy, as the stalk is also, which riseth up among them to the height of two or three feet ; and being weak, is not able to stand upright, but bendeth to the ground, divided at the top into two or three branches, with small yellowish green heads, 212 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. and flowers of a whitish colour breaking out of them : which being past there corneth a small yellowish seed like unto poppy -seed : the root is somewhat long and black, with many strings and fibres thereat. Place. — Itgroweth naturally in many pastures and woodsides in Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, and Kent, and other places of this land. Time — Itflowereth in May and June, abiding after seed time green all the winter. Government and Virtues. — Venus claims the herb as her own. Ladies’ mantle is very proper for those wounds that have inflammations, and is very effectual to stay bleeding, vomitings, fluxes of all sorts, bruis- es by falls or otherwise, and helpeth ruptures : and such women or maids as have over great flagging breasts, causing them to growless and hard, being both drank and outwardly applied : thedistilled water drank for -20 days together, helpeth conception, and to retain the birth, if the woman do sometimes also sit in a bath made of the decoction of the herb. It is one of the most singular wound herbs, and therefore highly prized and praised by the Germans, who use it in all wounds inward and outward, to drink a decoction thereof, and wash the wounds therewith, or dip tents therein and put them into the wounds, which wonderfully drieth up all humidity of the sores, and abateth inflamma- tions therein. It quickly healeth all green wounds, not suffering any corruption to remain behind, and cureth all old sores, though fistulous and hollow. LAVENDER. Being an inhabitant almost in every garden, it is so well known that it needeth no description. Time. — It flowereth about the end of June, and beginning of July. Government and. Virtues.— Mercury owns the herb, nnd it carries his effects very potently. Lavender is of special good use for all the griefs and pains of the head and brain that proceed of a cold cause, as the Culpeper’s herbal. 213 npoplexy, falling sickness, the dropsy, or sluggish malady, cramps, convulsions, palsies, and often faiut- ings. It strengthens the stomach, and freeth the liver and spleen from obstructions, provoketh women’s courses, and expelleth the dead child and after-birth. The flowers of lavender steeped in wine, helpeth them to make water that are stopped, or are troubled with the wind or cholic, if the place be bathed therewith. A decoction made with the flowers of lavender, liore- hound, fennel, and asparagus root, and a little cinna- mon, is very profitably used to help the falling sick- ness, and the giddiness or turning of the brain ; to gargle the mouth with the decoction thereof, is good against the tooth-ache. Two spoonsful of the distil- led water of the flowers taken, helpeth them that have lost their voice, and also the tremblings and passions of the heart, and faintings and swoonings, not only being drank, but applied to the temples, or nostrils to he smelt unto ; but it is not safe to use it where the body is replete with blood and humours, because of the hot and subtle spirits wherewith it is posses?-!-d. The chemical oil drawn from lavender, usually called oil of spike, is of so fierce and piercing a quality, that it is cautiously to be used, some few drops being suffi- cient, to be given with- other things, either for inward or outward griefs. LAVENDER COTTON. It being a common garden herb, I shall forbear gi- ving a description, only take notice, that it flowereth in June and July. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domini- on of Mercury. It resisteth poison, putrefaction, and heals the biting of venomous beasts; adrachmofthe powder of the dried leaves taken every morning fast- ing, stops the running of the reins in men, and whites in women. The seed beaten into powder, and taken as worm-seed, kills the worms, not only in ch ildren. bu t also in people of riper years ; the like doth the herb 214 cuipeper’s herbax. itself, being steeped in milk and the milk drank ; the body bathed with the decoction of it helps scabs and itch. LADIES’ SMOCK, or CUCKOW-FLOWERS. Descrip. — The root is composed of many small white threads, from whence spring up divers long stalks of winged leaves, consistingof round, tender, dark green leaves set one against another upon a middle rib, the greatest being at the end, amongst which arise up di- vers weak, round, green stalks, strpaked, with longer and smaller leaves upon them ; on the tops of which stand flowers, almost like the stock gilliflowers, but rounder, and not so long, and of a blushing white co- lour ; the seed is reddish, and groweth to small bunches, being of a sharp biting taste, and so hath the herb. Place. — They grow in moist places, and near the brook-sides. Time. — They flower in April and May, and the lower leaves continue green all the winter. Govei'mnent and Virtues. — They are under the do- minion of the Moon, and very little inferior to water- cresses in all their operations ; they are excellent good for the scurvy ; they provoke urine and break the stone, and excellently warm a cold and weak stomach, restoring lost appetite, and help digestions. LETTUCE. It is so well known, being generally used as a salad hei b, that it is altogether needless to write any de- scription thereof. Government and Virtues.— The Moon owns them, and that is the reason they cool and moisten what heat and dryness Mars causeth, because Mars hath his fall in Cancer ; and they cool the heat because the sun rules it, between whom and the Moon is u reception in the generation of men, as you may see in my Guide for Women The juice of lettuce mixed or CITLPEPEE’S HERBA.L. 215 boiled with oil of roses, applied to the forehead and temples, procureth sleep, and easeth the head-ache pro- ceeding of an hot cause. Being eaten boiled, it helpeth to loosen the belly ; it helpeth digestion, quencheth thirst, increaseth milk in nurses, easeth griping pains in the stomach and bowels that come of choler ; it abateth bodily lust, represseth venerous dreams, being outwardly applied to the cods with a little camphire. Applied in the same manner to the region of the heart, liver, or reins, or by bathing the said place with the juice of distilled water, wherein some white Sanders, or red roses are put ; also it not only represseth the heat and inflammations therein, but strengthens and comforts those parts, and also tempereth the heat oi urine. Galen adviseth old men to use it with spice ; and where spices are wanting, to add mints, rochet, and such like hot herbs ; or else citron, lemon, or orange seeds, to abate the cold of one, and heat of the other. The seed and distilled water of the lettuce work the same effects in all things ; but the use of lettuce is chiefly forbidden to those that are short- winded, or have any imperfection in the lungs, or spit blood. WATER LILY. Of these there are two principally noted kinds, viz. — the white and the yellow. Descrip. — The white lily hath very large and idiick dark green leaves lying on the water, sustained by long and thick foot-stalks, that arise from a great, thick, round, and long tuberous black root, spongy or loose, with many knobs thereon, like eyes, and whitish within; from amidst which arise other the like thick, green stalks, sustaining one large great flower thereon, given ori the outside, but as while as snow within, consisting of divers rows of long and somewhat thick and narrow leaves, smaller and thinner the more inward they he, encompassing a head with many yellow threads or thrums in the middle; where, after thcj are past, stand 21 G CULPEPER’S HERBAL round poppy-like heads, full of broad, oily, and bitter seed. The yellow kind is little different from the former, save only that it hath fewer leaves on the flowers, greater and more shining seed, and a whitish root both within and without. The root of both is somewhat sweet in taste. Place. — They are found growing in great pools and standing waters, and sometimes in slow running rivers and lesser ditches of water, in sundry places of this land. Time. — They flower more commonly about the end of May, and tiieir seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — The herb is under the dominion of the Moon, and therefore cools and moist- ens like the former. The leaves and flowers of the lilies are cold and moist, but the roots and seeds are cold and dry; the leaves do cool all inflammations, both outward and inward heats of agues ; and so doth tin* flowers also, either by syrup or conserve: the syrup helpeth much to procure rest, and to settle the brain of frantic persons, by cooling the hot distemperatures of the head. The seed, as well as the root, is effectual to stay fluxes of blood or humours, either of wounds or of the belly : but the roots are most used and more effectual to cool, bind, and restrain all fluxes in men or women: also running of the reins, and passing away of the seed when one is asleep ; but the frequent use hereof extinguisheth venerous actions. The root is likewise very good for those whose urine is hot and sharp, to be boiled in wine and water, and the decoc- tion drank. The distilled water of the flowers is very effectual for all the diseases aforesaid, botli inwardly taken and outwardly applied ; and is much commend- ed to take away freckles, spots, sunburn, and inor- pliew from the face, or other parts of the body. The oil made of the flowers, as oil of roses is made, is pro- fitably used to cool ail hot tumours, and to ease the puins and help the sores. CriPL'PEU’S HEKBAL. 217 LILY OF THE VALLEY. Called alsoconval lily, male lily, and lily constancy. Descrip. — The root is small, andcreepeth far in the ground, as grass roots do. The leaves are many, against which riseth up a stalk half a foot high, with many white flowers, like little bells with turned edges, of a strong though pleasing smell ; the berries are red, not much unlike those of asparagus. Place. — They grow plentifully upon Hampstead- beatli, and many other places of this nation. Time. — They flower in May, and the seed i3 ripe in September. Government and Virtues,. — It i3 under the domini- on of Mercury, and therefore strengthens the brain, recruits a weak memory, and makes, it strong again. The distilled water dropped into the eyes, helps in- flammations there, as also that infirmity which they call a pin and web. The spirit of the flowers distilled in wine, restoreth lost speech, helps the palsy, and is exceeding good in the apoplexy, comforteth the heart .•aid vital spirits. Gerrardsaith, that the flowers being close stopped up in a glass, put into an ant-hill, and taken away again a month after, ye shall find a liquor in the glass, which being outwardly applied, helps the gout. WHITE LILIES. It were in vain to describe a plant so commonly known in every one’s garden, therefore I shall not tell you what they are, but what they are good for. Government and Virtues. — They are under the dominion of the Moon, and by antipathy to Mars ex- pel poison ; they are excellent good in pestilential fevers, the roots being bruised and boiled in wine, and the decoction drank, for it expels the venom to the exterior parts of the body ; the juice of it being tem- pered with barley-meal, baked, and so eaten for ordi- nary bread, is an excellent cure lor the dropsy. An 218 CULPlin^'E.’^ H3KBA1. ointment made of the root and hog’s grease, is excel- lent good for scald heads, unites the sinews when they are cut, and cleanseth ulcers. The root boiled in any convenient decoction, gives speedy delivery to women in travail, and expels the after-birth. The root roast- ed, and mixed with a little hog’s grease, makes a gal- lant poultice to ripen plague sore3. The ointment is excellent good for swellings in the privities, and will cure burnings and scaldings without a scar, and trimly deck a blank place with hair. LIQUORICE. Descrip. — Our English liquorice riseth up with divers woody stalks, wherein are set at several dis- tances many narrow, long, green leaves, set together on both sides of the stalk, and an odd one at the end, very well resembling a young ash tree sprung up from the seed. This by many years’ continuance in a place, without removing, and not else, will bring forth flowers, many standing together, spike fashion, one above another upon the stalk, of the form of pea blossom, but of a very pale blue colour, which turn into long somewhat flat and smooth cods, wherein is contained a small, round, hard seed: the roots run down exceedingly deep into the ground, with divers other small roots and fibres growing with them, and shoot out suckers from the main root all about, whereby it is much increased, of a brownish colour on the outside, and yellow within. Place. — It is planted in fields and gardens in divers places of this land, and thereof good profit is made. Government and Virtues.— It is under the domi- nion of Mercury. Liquorice boiled in fair water, with some maiden-hair and figs, maketh a good drink for those that have a dry cough or hoarseness, wheez- ing, or shortness of breath, and for all the diseases of the breast and lungs, phthisic, or consumptions caused by the distillation of salt humours upon them. It is also good in all pains of the reins, the strangury CULPEPER'S HERB AX, 21.9 nnd heat of urine. The fine powder of liquorice blown t hrough a quill into the eves that have a pin-and-weh, as they call it, or rheumatic distillation in them, doth cleanse and help them ; the juice of liquorice is as effectual in all the diseases of the breast and lungs, the reins and the bladder, as the decoction; the juice distilled in rose-water, with some gum tragacanth, is a line licking medicine for hoarseness, wheezing, See. LIVERWORT. Descrip. — Common liverwort groweth close, and spreadeth much upon the ground in moist and sandy places, with many small green leaves, or rather stick- ing flat to one another, very unevenly cut in on the edges, and crumpled ; from among winch arise small ■.lender stalks an inch or two high at most, bearing small star-like flowers at the top ; the roots are very fine and small. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Jupiter, and under the sign Cancer It is a singular good herb for all diseases of the liver, both to cool and cleanse it, and helpeth inflammations in any part, and the yellow jaundice likewise; being bruised and boiled in small beer, and drank, it coolet.h the heat of the liver and kidnies, and helpeth the running of the reins in men, and the whites in women ; it is a singular remedy to stay the spreading of tet- ters, ringworms, and other fretting and running sores or scabsj and is an excellent remedy for such whose livers are corrupted by surfeits, which cause their bodies to break out, for itfortifieth the liver exceed- ingly, and makes it impregnable. LOOSESTRIFE, or WILLOW-HERB. Descrip. — Common yellow loosestrife groweth to be four or five feet high, or more, with great round stalks a little crested, diversely branched from the middle of them to the tops into greatand long branches, on all which at the joints grow long and narrow leaves, 220 CULPEPER'S HEEBAL. but broader below, and usually two at a joint, yet sometimes three or four, somewhat like willow leaves, smooth on theedges, and of a fairgreen colour from the upper joints of the branches, and at the tops of them also stand many yellow flowers of five leaves a-piece, with divers yellow threads in the middle, which turn into small round heads containing small cornered seeds: the root creepeth under ground almost like couch grass, but greater, and shooteth up every spring brownish heads, which afterwards grow up into stalks. It hath no scent or taste, but only astringent. Place. — It groweth in many piaces of this land, in moist meadows, and by water-sides. Time. — It flowereth from June to August. Government and Virtues. — Thi3 herb is good for all manner of bleeding at the mouth, nose, or wounds, and all fluxes of the belly, and the bloody flux, given either to drink, or taken by clyster; it stayeth also the abundance of women’s courses ; it is a singular good wound herb for green wounds, to stay the bleed- ing, and quickly close together the lips of the wound, if the herb be bruised, and the juice only applied. It is often used in gargling for sore mouths, as also for the secret parts. The smoke hereof, being burned, driveth away flies and gnats, which in the night time molest people inhabiting near marshes and in the fenny countries. LOOSESTRIFE, WITH SPIKED HEADS OP FLOWERS. Descrip. — This groweth with many woody, square stalks, full of joints, three feet high at least ; at every one whereof stand two long leaves, shorter, narrower, and a larger green colour than the former, and some brownish ; the stalks are branched into many long stems of spiked flowers half a foot long, growing in bundles one above another out of small husks, very like the spiked heads oflavender, each of which flow- ers have five round-pointed leaves of a purple violet CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 221 colour, or somewhat inclining to redness ; in which husks stand small round heads after the flowers are fallen, wherein is contained small seed. The root ci’eepeth under ground like unto the yellow, but is greater than it, and so are the heads of the leaves when they first appear out of the ground, and more brown than the other. Place. — It groweth usually by river and ditch-sides in wet grounds, as about the ditches at and near Lam- beth, and in many other places of this land. Time.— It flowerethin the monthsof June and July. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Moon, and under the sign Cancer; neither do I know a better preserver of the sight when it is well, nor a better cure for sore eyes than eyebright taken in- wardly, and this used outwardly — it is cold in quality. This herb is no whit inferior to the former, it having not only all the virtues which the former hath, but some peculiar virtues of its own, found out by expe- rience; as, namely, the distilled water is a present remedy for hurts and blows on the eyes, and for blind- ness, so as the crystalline humours be not perished or hurt; and this hath been sutficiently proved true by the experience of a man of judgment, who kept it long to himself as a great secret. It cleareth the eyes of dust or any thing gotten into them, and preserveth the sight. It is also very available against wounds and thrusts, being made into an ointment in this man- ner : — To every ounce of water add two drachms of May butter without salt, and of sugar and wax, of each as much also, let them boil gently together ; let tents dipped into the liquor that remaineth after it is cold be put into the wounds, and the place covered with a linen cloth doubled and anointed with the ointment; and this is also an approved medicine. It likewise cleanseth and healeth all foul ulcers and sores whatso- ever, and stayet.h their inflammations by washing them with the water, and laying on them a green leaf or two in the summer, or dry leaves in the win - cttlpefek’s heebae. 222 ter. This water gargled warm in the mouth, and sometimes drank also doth cure the quinsey, or king’s evil in the throat. The said water applied warm, taketh away all spots, marks, and scabs in the skin ; and a little of it drank, quencheth thirst when it is extraordinary. LOVAGE. Descrip. — It hath many long and green stalks of large winged leaves, divided into many parts like smallage, but cut much larger and greater, every leaf being cut about the edges, broadest forward, and smallest at the stalk, of a sad green colour, smooth and shining, from among which rise up sundry strong, hollow, green stalks, five or six, sometimes seven or eight feet high, full of joints, but lesser leaves set on them than grow below; and with them towards the tops come forth large branches, bearing at their tops large umbels of yellow flowers, and after them flat brownish seed. The root groweth thick, great, and deep, spreading much, and enduring long, of a brown- ish colour on the outside, and whitish within. The whole plant and every part of it smelling strong and aromatically, and is of a hot, sharp, biting taste. Place. — It is usually planted in gardens, where, if it be suffered, it groweth huge and great. Time. — It flowereth in the end ot July, and serd- eth in August. Government and Virtues. . — It is an herb of the Sun, under the sign Taurus. If Saturn offend the throat (as he always doth if he be the occasion of the malady , and in Taurus is the Genesis) this is your cure. It openeth, eureth, and digesteth humours, and migh- tily provoketh women’s courses and urine. Half a drachm at a time of the dried root in powder taken in wine, doth wonderfully warm a cold stomach, helpeth digestion, and consumeth all raw and superfluous moisture therein; easeth all inward gripings and pains, dissolveth wind and resisteth poison and infection. CULPEPEE'S JTEEItAJL 223 It is a known and much praised remedy to drink the decoction of the herb for any sort of ague, and to help ihe pains and torments of the body and bowels com- ing of cold. The seed is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, except the last, and worketh more power- fully. The distilled water of the herb helpeth the quinsey in the throat, if the mouth and throat be gar- gled and washed therewith, and helpeth the pleurisy being drank three or four times. Being dropped into the eyes it taketh away the redness or dimness of them ; it likewise taketh away spots or freckles in the face. The leaves bruised and fried with a little hog’s lard, and laid hot to any blotch or boil, will quickly break it. LUNGWORT. Descrip. — This is a kind of moss that groweth on sundry sorts of trees, especially oaks and beeches, with broad, greyish, tough leaves diversly folded, crumpled, and gashed in on the edges, and some spotted also with many small spots on the upper side. It was never seen to bear any stalk or flower at any time. Government and Virtues. — Jupiter seems to own this herb. It is of great use to physicians to help the diseases of the lungs, and for coughs, wheezings, and shortness of breath, which it cureth both in man and beast. It is very profitable to put into lotions that are taken to stay the moist humours that flow to ulcers and hinder their healing, as also to wash all other ulcers in the privy parts of a man or woman. It is an excellent remedy boiled in beer for brokeu- winded horses. MADDER. Descrip. — Garden madder shooteth forth many very long, weak, four-square, reddish stalks, trailii g on the ground a great way, very rough and hairy, and full of joints ; at every one of these joints come 224 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. forth divers long and narrow leaves, standing like a star about the stalks, rough also and hairy, towards the tops whereof come forth many small pale yellow flowers, after which come small round heads, green at first and reddish afterwards, but black when they are ripe, wherein is contained the seed. The root is not very great, but exceeding long, running down half a man’s length into the ground, red and very clear while it is fresh, spreading divers ways. Place. — It is only manured in gardens or large fields for the profit that is made thereof. Time. — It flowereth towards the end of summer, and the seed is ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of Mars. It hath an opening quality, and afterward to bind and strengthen. It is a sure remedy for the yellow jaun- dice, by opening the obstructions of the liver and gall, and cleansing those parts : it openeth also the ob- structions of the spleen, and diminisheth the melan- choly humour ; it is available for the palsy and scia- tica, and effectual for bruises inward and outward, and is therefore much used in vulnerary drinks. The root for all those aforesaid purposes is to be boiled in wine or water, as the cause requireth, and some honey and sugar put thereunto afterwards. The seed hereof taken in vinegar' and honey, helpeth the swelling and hardness of the speen. The decoction of the leaves and branches is a good fomentation for women to sit over that have not their courses. The leaves and roots beaten and applied to any part that is discoloured with freckles, morphew, the white scurf, or any such deformity of the skin, cleanseth thoroughly and tak- eth them away. MAIDEN HAIR. Descrip.— Our common maiden-hair doth, from a number of hard black fibres, send forth a great many blackish shining brittle stalks, hardly a span long, in many not half so long, on each side set very thick, CULPEPER'S ♦HERBAL. 99% with small, round, dark green leaves, and spitted on the back of them like a fern. Place. — Itgroweth upon old stone walls in the west parts in Kent, and divers other places in this land ; it delighteth likewise to grow by springs, wells, anti rocky, moist and shady places, and is always green. WALL RUE, oh WHITE MAIDEN HAIR. Descrip. — This hath very fine pale, green stalks, almost as fine as hairs, set confusedly with divers pale green leaves on very short foot-stalks, somewhat near unto the colour of garden rue, and not much differing in form, but more diversely cut in on the edges, and thicker, smooth on the upper part, and spotted finely underneath. Place. — It groweth in many places of this land, at Dartford, and the bridge at Ashford, in Kent; at Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire; at Wolly, in Hun- tingdonshire; on Framingham Castile, in Suffolk; on the church walls at Mayfield, in Sussex ; in Somerset- shire, and divers other places of this land ; and L<* green in winter as well as summer. Government and Virtues.— Both this and the for- mer are under the dominion of Mercury, and so is that also which followeth after, and the virtues of both these are so near alike, that though I have described them and their places of growing severally, yet I shall in writing the virtues of them, join them both together as followeth. The decoction of the herb maiden-hair being drank, helpeth those that are troubled with the cough, short- ness of breath, yellow jaundice, diseases of the spleen, stopping of urine, and helpeth exceedingly to break the stone in the kidnies ; (in all which diseases the wall rue is also very effectual.) It provoketh women's courses, and stays both bleedings and fluxes of the stomach and belly, especially when the herb is dry; for being green, it looseneth the belly, and voideth choler and phletrm from the stomach and liver; it 95 ' p 226 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. cleanseth the lungs, arid by rectifying the blood, causeth a good colour to the whole body. The herb boiled in oil of camomile, dissolveth knots, allayeth swellings, and drieth up moist ulcers. The lee made thereof is singular good to cleanse the head from scurf, and from dry and running sores, stayeth the falling or shedding of the hair, and causeth it* to grow thick, fair, and well coloured; for which purpose some boil it in wine, putting some smallage seed thereto, and afterwards some oil. The wall rue is as effectual as maiden hair in all the diseases of the head, or falling and recovering of the hair again, and generally for all the afore-mentioned diseases. And besides the powder of it taken in drink for forty days together, helpeth the burstings in children. GOLDEN MAIDEN HAIR. To the former give me leave to add this, and I shall no more but only describe it unto you, and for the vir- tues refer you to the former, since whatsoever is said of them, may be also said of this. Descrip. — It hath many small, brownish, red hairs to makeup the form of leaves growing about the ground from the root ; and in the middle of them, in summer rise small stalks of the same colour, set with very tine yellowish green hairs on them, and bearing a small, gold yellow head, lesser than a wheat corn, stand- ing in a great husk. The root is very small and thready. Time. — It groweth in bogs and moorish places, and also on dry and shady places, as Hampstead-heath, and elsewhere. MALLOWS AND MARSIIMALLOWrS. Common mallows are generally so well known, that tiiey need no description. Our common marshmallows have divers soft, hairy white stalks, rising to be three or four feethigh, spread- ctjlpepee’s heebal. 227 ing forth many branches, the leaves whereof are soft and hairy, somewhat lesser than the other mallow leaves, but longer pointed, cut, for the most part, into 3ome few divisions, but deep. The flowers are many, but smaller also than the other mallows, and white, or tending to a blueish colour; after which come such long round cases and seeds as in the other mallows. The roots are many and long, shooting from one head, of the bigness of a thumb or finger, very pliant, tough, and being like liquorice, of a whitish yellow colour on the outside, and more white within, full of slimy juice, which being laid in water, will thicken as if it were a jelly. Place. — The common mallows grow in every coun- ty of this land. The common marshmallows in most, salt marshes from Woolwich down to the sea, both on the Kentish and Essex shores, and in divers other places of this land. Time. — They flower all the summer months, even until the winter doth pull them down. Government and Virtues. — Yenus owns them both. The leaves of either of the sorts before specified, and the roots also boiled in wine and water, or in broth with parsley or fennel roots, do help to open the body, and are very convenient in hot agues, or other distem- pers of the body, to apply the leaves sowarmed to the belly. It not only voideth hot, choleric, and other of- fensive humours, buteaseth the pains and torments of the belly coming thereby, and are therefore used in all clysters conducing to those purposes: the same used liy nurses procureth them stores of milk. The decoc- tion of the seed of any of the common mallows made in milk or wine, doth marvelously help excoriations, the phthisic, pleurisy, and other diseases of the chest and lungs that proceed of hot causes, if it be conti- nued taking for some time together. The leaves and roots work the same effects ; they help much in the excoriations of the guts and bowels, and hardness of the mother, and in all hot and sharp 223 cuxpefee’s heebae. diseases thereof. The juice drank in wine, or the de- coction of them therein, doth help women to a speedy and easy delivery. Plinv saith, that whosoever shall take a spoonful of any of the mallows, shall that day be free from all diseases that may come unto him, and that it is special good for the falling sickness. The syrup also and conserve made of the flowers, are very effec- tual for the same diseases, and to open the body, heing costive. The leaves bruised, and laid to the eyes with a little honey, take away the imposthumes of them ; the leaves bruised or rubbed upon the place stung with bees, wasps, or the like, presently take away the pain, and swellings that arise thereupon. Dioscorides saith. the decoction of the roots and leaves helpeth all sorts of poison, so as the poison be presently voided by vo- mit. A poultice made of the leaves boiled and bruised with some bean or barley flour, and oil of roses added, is an especial remedy against all hard tumours and inflammations, or imposthumes, or swellings of the cods and other parts, and easeth the pains of them ; as also against the hardness of the liver or spleen, being applied to the places. The juice of mallows boiled hi old oil and applied, taketh away all roughness of the skin, as also the scurf, dandriff, or dry scabs in the head or other parts, if they be anointed therewith, or washed with the decoction, and preserveth the hair from falling off. It is also effectual against scaldings and burnings, St. Anthony's fire, and all hot, red, and painful swellings in any other part of the body. The flowers boiled in oil or water (as every one is disposed) whereuntoa little honey and alum is put, is an excellent gargle to wash, cleanse, or heal any sore mouth or throat in a short time. If the feet be bathed or washed with the decoction of the leaves, roots, and flowers, it helpeth much the deduction of rheum from the head : if the head be washed there- with, it stayeth the falling and shedding: of the hair. The green leaves (saith Pliny) beaten with nitre and upplied, draw out thorns or prickles in the flesh. CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 229 The marshmallows are more effectual in all the dis- eases before-mentioned : the leaves are likewise used to loosen the belly gently, and in decoctions for clysters re ease all pains of the body, opening the straight passage and making them slippery, whereby the stone may descend more easily and without pain, out of the reins, kidnies, and bladder, and to pase tbe torturing pains thereof. But the roots are of more special use for those purposes, as well for coughs, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and wheezings, being boiled in wine or honied water and drank. The roots and seeds hereof boiled in wine or water, are with good success used by them that have excoriations in the guts, or the bloody flux, by qualifying the violence of sharp fret- ting humours, easing the pains, and healing the sore- ness. It is profitably taken of them that are troubled with ruptures, cramps, or convulsions of the sinews ; and boiled in white wine for the imposthumes of the throat, commonly called the king’s evil, and of those kernels that rise behind the ears, and inflammations and swellings in women’s breasts. The dried roots boiled in milk and drank, is special good for the chin- cough. H ippocrates used to give the decoction of the roots, or the juice thereof, to drink, to those that are wounded and ready to faint through loss of blood, and applied the same mixed with honey and rosin to the wounds ; as also the roofs boiled in wine, to those that have received any hurts by bruises, falls, or blows, or had any bone or member out of joint, or any swel- ling pain or ache in the muscles, sinews, or arteries. The mucilage of the roots, and of linseed and fenu- greek put together, is much used in poultices, oint- ments, and plaisters. to mollify and digest all hard swellings, and the inflammation of them, and to ease pains in any part of the body. The seed either green or dry, mixed with vinegar, cleanseth the skin of mor- phevv, and all other discolourings, being boiled there- with in the sun. You may remember that r.ot long since there wan 230 culpepee’s heebal. a racing disease called the bloody flax : the college of physicians not knowing what to make of it, called it the plague of the guts, for their wits were at ne plus ultra about, it. My son was taken with the same disease, and the excoriation of his bowels was exceeding great; myself being in the country, was sent for up ; the only thing I gave him was mallows, bruised and boiled both in milk and drink ; in two days (the blessing of God being: upon it) it cured him. And 1 here, to show my thankfulness to God in com- municating it to his creatures, leave it to posterity. MAPLE TREE. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Jupiter. The decoction either of the leaves or bark must needs strengthen the liver much, and so you shall find it to do if you use it. It is excellent, good to open obstructions of the liver and spleen, and easeth pains of the sides thence proceeding. WILD MARJORAM. Called alsoorigane, origanum, eastward marjoram, wild marjoram, and grove marjoram. Descrip. — Wild or field marjoram hath a root which creepeth much underground, which continueth a long time sending np sundry brownish, hard square stalks, with small dark green leaves, very like those of sweet marjoram, but harder, and somewhat broader: at the top of the stalks stand tufts of flowers, of a deep purplish red colour. The seed is small and some- thing blacker than that of sweet marjoram. Place. — It groweth plentifully in the borders of corn-fields, and in some copses. Time. — It flowereth towards the latter end ofsurn- mer. Government and Virtues. — This is also under the dominion of Mercury. It strengthens the stomach and head much, there being scarce a better remedy growing for such as are troubled with a sour humour culpepee’s herbal. 231 in the stomach ; it. restores the appetite being lost ; helps the cough and consumption of the lungs ; it cleanseth the body of choler, expelleth poison, and reinedieth the infirmities of the spleen ; helps the bitings of venomous beasts, and helps such as have poisoned themselves by eating hemlock, henbane, or opium. It provoketh urine and the terms in women, helps the dropsy and the scurvy, scabs, itch, and yel- low jaundice. The juice being dropped into the ears, helps deafness, pains and noise in the ears. And thus much for this herb, between which and adders there is a deadly antipathy. SWEET MARJORAM. This is so well known, being an inhabitant in every garden, that it is needless to write a description thereof, neither of the winter sweet marjoram, or pot marjoram, Place. — They grow commonly in gardens ; some sorts there are that grow wild in the borders of corn- fields and pastures, in sundry places of this land ; but it is not my purpose to insist upon them, the garden kinds being most used and useful. Time. — They flower in the end of summer. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of Mer- cury and under Aries, and therefore is an excellent ivmedy for the brain, and other parts of the body and mind under the dominion of the same planet. Our common sweet marjoram is warming and comfortable in cold diseases of the head, stomach, sinews, and other parts, taken inwardly, or outwardly applied. Thedecoction thereof being drank, helpeth all diseases of the chest which hinder the freeness of breathing, and is also profitable for the obstructions of the liver and spleen. It helpeth the cold griefs of the womb, and the windiness thereof; and the loss of speech by resolution of the tongue. The decoction thereof made with some pellitory of Spain and long pepper, or with u little acorns or origanum, being drank is good for 232 cui/peper’s herbal. those that are beginning to fall into a dropsy, for those that cannot make water, and against pains and torments in the belly : it provoketh women’s courses if it be used as a pessary. Being made into powder and mixed with honey, it taketh away the black marks of blows or bruises, being thereunto applied ; it is good for the inflammations and watering of the eyes, being mixed with fine flour and laid upon them. The juice droped into the ears easetli the pains and singing noise in them. It is profitably put into those ointments and salves that are warm, and com- forts the outward parts, as the joints and sinews; for swellings also, and places out of joint. Tiie powder thereof snuffed up into the nose, provoketh sneezing, and thereby purgeth the brain ; and chewed in the mouth, draweth forth much phlegm. The oil made thereof is very warm and comfortable to the joints that are stiff, and the sinews that are hard, to mollify and supple them. Marjoram is much used in all odo- riferous waters, powders, &c. that are for ornament or delight. MARIGOLDS. These being so plentiful in every garden, are so well known that they need uo description. Time. — They flower all the summer long, and some- times in winter if it be mild. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. They strengthen the heart ex- ceedingly, and are very expulsive, and little less effec- tual in the small pox and measles than saffron. The juice of marigold leaves mixed with vinegar, and any hot swellings "bathed with it, instantly giveth ease, and assuageth it. The flowers, either green or dried, are much used in possets, broths, and drink, as a comfort- er of the heart and spirits, and to expel any malignant or pestilential quality which may annoy them. A plaister made with the dried flowers in powder, hog’s- grease, turpentine, and rosin, applied to the breast, st rengthens and succours the heart infinitely in fevers, whetner pestilential or not pestilential. Culpeper's herbal. 233 MASTEBWORT. Descrip. — Common masterwort hath divers stalks of winged, leaves divided into sundry parts, three for the most part standing together at small foot-stalks on both sides of the greater, and three likewise at the end of the stalk, somewhat broad, and cot in on the edges into three or four divisions, all of them dented about the brims, of a dark green colour, somewhat resembling the leaves of angelica, but that these grow lower to the ground, and on lesser stalks : among which rise up two or three short stalks about two feet high, and slender, with such like leaves at the joints which grow below, but with lesser and fewer divisions, bearing umbels of white flowers, and after them thin, flat, blackish seeds, bigger than dill-seeds. The root is somewhat greater, and growing rather sideways than down deep in the ground, shooting forth sundry heads, which taste sharp, biting on the tongue, and is the hottest and sharpest part of the plant, and the seed next unto it being somewhat blackish on the outside, and smelling well. Place. — It is usually kept in gardens with us in England . Time. — It flowereth and seedeth about the end of August. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of Mars. The root of Masterwort is hotter than pepper, and very available in cold griefs and diseases both of the stomach and body, dissolving very powerfully both upwards and downwards. It is also used in a decoc- tion wilh wine against all cold rheums, distillations upon the lungs, or shortness of breath, to be taken morning and evening. It also provoketh urine, and helpelh to break the stone, and expel the gravel in the kidnies ; provoketh women’s courses, and expid- leth the dead birth. It is singular good lor strangling of the mother and other such like feminine diseases. It is effectual also against the dropsy, cramps, and 234 CULPEPEE;S HEEBAL. falling sickness ; for the decoction in wine being gar- gled in the month, draweth down much water and phlegm from the brain, purging and easing it of what oppresseth it. It is of a rare quality against all sorts of cold poison, to be taken as there is a cause; itpro- voketh sweat. But lest the taste hereof, or of the seed, (which worketh to the like effect, though not so powerfully) should be too offensive, the best way is to take the water distilled both from the herb and root. The juice hereof dropped, or tentsdipped therein and applied either to green wounds or tiltliy rotten ulcers, and those that come by envenomed weapons, doth soon cleanse and heal them. The same is also very good to help the gout coming ol a cold cause. SWEET MAUDLIN. Descriv. — Common maudlin hath somewhat long and narrow leaves, snipped about the edges. Tlui stalks are two feet high, bearing at the tops many yel- low flowers set round together, and all of an equal height, in umbels or tufts like unto tansy, after which followeth small whitish seed, almost as big asworm- seed. Place and Time.— If growethin gardens, and flow- ereth in June and July. Government and Virtues. — The virtues hereof being the same with costmary or alecost, I shall not make any repetition thereof, lest my book grow too bis, but rather refer you unto costmary for satisfaction. THE MEDLAR. Descrip. — The tree groweth near the bigness of the quince tree, spreading brandies reasonably large, with longer and narrower leaves than either the apple or quince, and not dented about the edges. A t. tiie end of the sprigs stand the flowers, made of five white, great, broad-pointed leaves, nicked in the middle with some white threads also ; after which eometh the fruit, of a brownish green colour being ripe, bearing ctji/pepeb’s herbal. 235 a crown as it wereonthe top, which were the fivegreen leaves; and being: rubbed off, or fallen away, the head of the fruit is seen to be somewhat hollow. The fruit is very harsh before it is mellowed, and has usually five hard kernels within it. There is another kind hereof nothing differing from the former, but that it hath some thorns on it in several places, which the other hath not, and usually the fruit is small, and not so pleasant. Time and Place. — They grow in this land, and flower in May for the most part, and bear fruit in Sep- tember and October. Government and Virtues. — The fruit is old Sa- turn’s, and sure a better medicine he hardly hath to strengthen the retentive faculty ; therefore it stays women's longings: the good old man cannot endure women’s minds should run a gadding. Also a plaister made of the fruit dried before they are rotten, and other convenient things, and applied to the reins of the back stops miscarriage in women with child. They are very powerful to stay any fluxes of blood or humours in men or women ; the leaves also have this quality. The fruit eaten by women with child, stayeth their longing after unusual meats, and is very effectual, for 1 hem that are apt to miscarry, and may be delivered before their time, to help that malady and make them joyful mothers. The decoction of them is good to gar- gle and wash the mouth, throat, and teeth, when there is any defluctionsof blood to stay it, or humours which causeth pains and swellings. It is a good bath for women to sit over that have their courses flowing: too abundant ; or for the pile3 when they bleed too much. If a poultice or plaister be made with dried medlars, beaten and mixed with the juice of red roses, where- unto a few cloves and nutmegs may be added, and a little red coral also, and applied to the stomach that is given to casting or loathing of meat, it effec- i uallv helpeth. The dried leaves in powder strewed on fresh bleeding wounds restrained! the blood and 236 Culpeper's herbal. healeth up the wound quickly. The medlar-stenes made into powder, and drank in wine, wherein some parsley roots have been infused all night, or a little boiled, do break the stone in the kidnies, helping to expel it. MELLILOT, or KING’S CLAVER. Descrip — This hath many green stalks two or three ieet high, rising from a tough, long, white root, which dietli not every year, set round about at the joints with small and somewhat long, well-smelling leaves, set three together, unevenly dented about the edge. The flowers are yellow, and well-smelling also, made like other trefoil, but small, standing in long spikes one above another, for an hand-breadth long or better, which afterwards turn into long crooked cods, wherein is contained flat seed, somewhat brown. Place.— It groweth plentifully in many places of this land, as in the edge of Suffolk, and in Essex; as also in Huntingdonshire and in other places ; but most usually in corn-flelds and in corners of meadows. Time. — It flowereth in June and July, and the seed is ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues. — Mellilot boiled in wine and applied, mollifieth all hard tumours and inflamma- tions that happen in the eyes, or other parts of the body, as the fundament or the privy parts of men and women; and sometimes the yolk of a roasted egg, or fine flour or poppv-seed, or endive is added to it. It helpeth the spreading ulcers in the head, it being washed with a lee made thereof. It helpeth the pains of the sto- mach being applied fresh, or boiled with any of the afore-named things; also the pains of the ears, being dropped into them ; and steeped in vinegar or rose water, it mitigateth the head-ache. The flowers of mellilot and camomile are much used to be put to- gether in clysters to expel wind, and ease pains ; and nlso in poultices for the same purpose, and to assuage swelling tumours in the spleen or other parts, and culpepek’s hsbbal. 237 helpeth inflammations in any part of the body. The juice dropped into the eyes, is a singular good medi- cine to take away the film or skin that cloudeth or dimmeth the eye-sight. The head often washed with the distilled water of the herb and flower, oraleemade therewith, is effectual for those that suddenly loose t heir senses; as also to strengthen the memory, to comfort the head and brain, and to preserve them from pain and the apoplexy. FRENCH and DOG MERCURY. Descrip. — This riseth up with a square great stalk full of joints, two feet high or thereabouts, with two leaves at every joint, and the branches likewise from both sides of the stalk set with fresh gteen leaves, somewhat broad and long, about the bigness of the leaves of basil, finely dented aboutthe edges; towards the tops of the stalks and branches come forth at every joint, in the male mercury, two small round green head3 standing together upon a short foot-stalk, which growing ripe, are seeds not having flowers. The female stalk is longer, spike-fashion, set round about with small green husks, which are the flowers, made like small bunches of grapes, which have no seed, but abide long upon the stalks without shedding. The root is composed of many small fibres, which perisheth every year at the approach of winter, and riseth again of its own sowing; and if once it is suffered to sow itself, the ground will never want afterwards, even both sorts of it. DOG MERCURY. Having described unto you that which is called French mercury, I come now to show you a descrip- tion of this kind also. Descrip.— This is likewise of two kinds, male and female, having many stalks slender and lower than mercury, without any branches at all upon them ; the root is set with two leaves at every joint, somewhat 238 culpepee’s heebae. greater than the female, but more pointed and full of veins, and somewhat Harder in handling, of a dark green colour, and less dented or snipped about the edges; at the joints with the leaves come forth longer stalks than the former, with two hairy round seeds upon them, twice as big as those of the former mer- cury ; the taste hereof is herby, and the smell some- what strong and virulent. The female has much harder leaves standing upon longer foot-stalks, and the stalks are also much longer ; from the joints come forth spikes of flowers like the French female mer- cury. The roots of them both are many, and full of small fibres, which run underground and mat them- selves very much, not perishing as the former mercu- ries do, but abiding the winter, and shoot forth new branches every year, for the old lie down to the ground. Place— The male and female French mercury are found wild in divers places of this land : as by a vil- lage called Brookland, in Romney Marsh, in Kent. The dog mercury in sundry places of Kent also, and elsewhere; but the female more seldom than the male. Time. — They flower in the summer months, and therein give their seed. Government and Virtues.— Mercury they say owns the herb, but 1 rather think it is Venus’s, and I am partly confident of it too, for I never heard that Mer- cury ever minded women’s business so much ; I be- lieve he minds his study more. The decoction of the leaves of mercury, or the juice thereof in broth, or drank with a little sugar put to it, purgeth choleric and waterish humours. Hippocrates commended it wonderfully for women’s diseases, and applied to the secret parts to ease the pains of the mother ; and used the decoction of it both to procure women’s courses, and to expel the after-birth ; and gave the decoction thereof with myrrh or pepper, or used to apply the leaves outwardly against the strangury and dis- eases of the reins and bladder. He used it also culpepee’s herbal. 239 for sore and watering eyes, and for deafness and pains in the ears, by dropping the juice thereof into them, and bathing them afterwards in white wine. The decoction thereof made with water and a cock thicken, is a most safe medicine against the hot fits of agues. It also cleanseth the breast and lungs of phlegm, but a little offendeth the stomach. The juice or distilled water snuffed up into the nostrils, purgeth the head and eyes of catarrhs and rheums. Some used to drink two or three ounces of the distil- led water, with a little sugar put to it, in the morn- ing fasting, to open and purge the body of gross, vis- cuous, and melancholy humours. It is wonderful (if \t be not fabulous) what Dioscorides and Theophrastus jo relate of it, viz. — That if women use these herbs either inwardly or outwardly, for three days together after conception, and their courses be past, they shall bring forth male or female children, according to that kind'of herb they use. Matthiolus saith, that the seed both of the male and female mercury boiled with wormwood and drank, cureth the yellow jaundice in a speedy manner. The leaves or the juice rubbed upon warts, taketh them away. The juice mingled with some vinegar, helpeth all running scabs, tetters, ringworms, and the itch. Galen saith, that being applied in manner of a poultice to any swelling or inflammation, it digesteth the swellings and allayeth the inflammation, and is therefore given in clysters to evacuate from the belly offensive humours. The dog mercury, although it be less used, yet may serve in the same manner, to the same purposes, to purge wa- terisli and melancholy humours. MINT. Of all the kinds of mint, the spear mint, or heart mint, being most usual, I shall only describe as fol- lows: JDcscrip. — Spear mint hath divers round stalks, and long but narrowish leaves set thereon, of a dark green 240 CULPEPEE’s HEBBA1, colour. The flowers 6tand in spiked heads at the tops of the branches, being of a pale blue culour. The smell or scent thereof is somewhat near unto bazil ; it increaseib by the root under ground, as all the others do. Place. — It is an usual inhabitant in gardens; and because it seldom giveth any good seed, the defect is recompensed by the plentiful increase of the roof, which being once planted in a garden, will hardly be rid out again. Time. — Jt flowereth not until the beginning of Au- gust, for the most part. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Venus. Dioscorides saith it hath a heating, binding, and dry- ing quality, and therefore the juice taken in vinegar stayeth bleeding; it stirreth up venery or bodily lust; two or three branches thereof taken in the juice of four pomegranates, stayeth the hiccough, vomiting, and allayeth the clioler. It dissolveth imposthumes being laid to with barley-meal. It is good to repress the milk in women’s breasts, and for such as have swol- len, flagging, or great breasts. Applied with salt, it helpeth the biting of amad dog: with mead and honied water it easeth the pains of the ears, and taketh away the roughness of the tongue being rubbed thereupon. It suffereth not milk to curdle in the stomach, if the leaves thereof be steeped or boiled in it before you drink it : briefly, it is very profitable to the stomach. The often use hereof is a very powerful medicine to stay women’s courses and the whites. Applied to the forehead and temples, it easeth the pains in the head, and is good to wash the heads of young children there- with, against all manner of breakings out, sores or scabs therein, and healeth the chops of the fundament : it is also profitable against the poison of venomous creatures. The distilled water from mint is available to all the purposes aforesaid, yet more weakly. But if a spirit thereof be rightly and chemically drawn, it is much more powerful than the herb itself. Simeon CtTLFEPEIt'S HEEBAE. 241 Setlii saitli, it helpeth a cold liver, strengthened the belly, causeth digestion, stayeth vomits and the hiccough ; it is good against the gnawing of the heart, provoketh appetite, taketli away obstructions of the liver, and stirreth up bodily lust ; but therefore too much must not be taken, because it maketli the blood thin and wheyish,and turneth it into choler, therefore choleric persons must abstain from it. It is a sale medicine for the biting of a mad dog, being bruised with salt and laid thereon. The powder of it being dried and taken after meat, helpeth diges- tion and those that are splenetic. Taken with wine, it helpeth women in their sore travail in child-bear- ing. It is good against the gravel and stone in the kidnies, and the strangury. Being smelled unto, it is comfortable for the head and memory. The decoction hereof being gargled in the mouth, cureth the gums and mouth that are sore, and mendeth an ill-savoured breath, as also the rue and coriander, causeth the palate of the mouth to turn to its place, the decoction hereof being gargled and held in the mouth. The virtues of the wild horse-mint, such as grow in ditches (whose description I purposely omitted in regard they are well enough known) are especial to dissolve wind in the stomach, to help the cholic, and those that are short winded, and are an especial re- medy for those that have venereal dreams and pollu- tions in the night, being outwardly applied to the tes- i icles or cods. The juice dropped into the ears easeth the pains of them, and destroyeth the worms that breed therein. They are good against the venomous biting of serpents. The juice laid on warm helper the king’s evil, or kernels in the throat. The de- coction or distilled water helpeth a stinking breath, proceeding from corruption of the teeth, and snuffed up the nose, purgeth the head. Pliny saith, that eating of the leaves hath been found by experience to cure the leprosy, applying some of them to the face, and to help the scurt or dandriff of the head, used bo Q 2-1-2 Culpeper’s herbal. with vinegar. They are extremely bad for wounded people : and they say a wounded man that eats mint, his wounds will never be cured, and that is a long day. MISSELTOE. Descrip. — Thisriseth up from the branch or arm of the tree whereon it groweth, with a woody stein, put- ting itself into sundry branches, and they again divided iuto smaller twigs interlacing themselves one within another, very much covered with a greyish green bark, having two leaves set at every joint, and at the ends likewise, which are somewhat long and narrow, small at the bottom, but somewhat broader towards the end. At the knots or joints of the boughs or branches grow small yellow flowers, which run into small, round, white, transparent berries, three or four toge- ther, full of a glutinous moisture, with a blackish seed in each of them, which was never yet known to spring, being put into the ground, or any where else to grow. Place. — It trroweth very rarely on oaks with us; but upon sundry others, as well timber as fruit trees, plentifully in woody groves and the like, through all this land. Time. — It flowereth in the spring-time, but the berries are not ripe until October, and abideth on the branches all the winter, unless the blackbirds and other birds do devour them. Government and Virtues. — This is under the do- minion of the Sun, I do not question; and can also take for granted that that which grows upon oaks participates something of the nature of Jupiter, be- cause an oak is one of his trees ; as also that which grows upon pear-trees and apple-trees participates something of his nature, because he rules the tree it grows upon, having no root of its own. But why that should have most virtues that grows upon oaks I know not, unless because it is rarest and hardest to come by ; and our college’s opinion is in this contrary to scripture, which saitli, God's tender mercies are CULPEPER* S hekeal. 243 over all his works; and so it is, let the college of phy- sicians walk as contrary to him as they please, and that is as contrary as the east to the west. Clusius affirms that which grow's upon pear-trees to be as prevalent, and gives order that it should not touch the ground after it is gathered ; and also saith, that being hung about the neck, it remedieth witchcraft. Both the leaves and berries of missel toe do heat and dry, and are of subtle parts; the birdlime doth mollify hard knots, tumours, and imposthumes; ripenetliand discusseth them, and draweth forth the thick as well as thin humours from the remote parts of the body, digesting and separating them. And being mixed with equal parts of rosin and wax, doth mollify the hardness of the spleen, and helpeth old ulcers and sores. Being mixed with sandarick and orpiment, it helpeth to draw off foul nails; and if quicklime and wine lees be added thereunto, it worketh the stronger. The misseltoe itself of the oak (as the best) made into powder, and given in drink to those that have the falling-sickness, doth assuredly heal them, as Mat- thiolus saith ; but it is fit to use it for forty days together. Some have so highly esteemed it for the virtues thereof, that they have called it lignun sanc- tce crucis, wood of the holy cross, believing it helps the falling sickness, apoplexy, and palsy very spee- dily, not only to be inwardly taken, but to be hung at their neck. Tragus saith, that the fresh wood of any misseltoe bruised, and the juice drawn forth and dropped into the ears that have imposthumes in them, doth help and ease them within a few days. MONEYWORT, or HERB TWOPENCE. Descrip. — The common moneywort sendeth forth from a small thready root, divers long, weak, and slender branches, lying and running upon the ground two or three feet long or more, set with leaves two at a joint one against another at equal distances, which are almost round, but pointed at the ends, smooth, 244 culpepeb’s herbal. 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 foot-stalk, and made of five leaves, narrower-pointed at the ends, with some yellow threads in the middle, which being past, ther .- stand in the}r places small round heads of seed. Place. — It groweth plentifully in almost all places of this land, commonly in moist grounds by hedge- sides, and in the middle of grassy fields. Time. — They flower in June and July, and their sepd is ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues. — Venus owns it. Mo- neywort is singularly good to stay all fluxes in man or woman, whether they be lasks, bloody-fluxes, the flowing of women’s courses, bleeding inwardly or outwardly, and the weakness of the stomach that is given to casting. It is very good also for the ulcers or excoriations of the Junes, or other inward parts. It is exceeding good for all wounds, either fresh or green, to heal them speedily, and for all old ulcers that are of a spreading nature. For all which purposes the juice of the herb, or the powder drank in water wherein hot steel has been often quenched ; or the decoction of the green herb in wine or water drank, . or used to the outward place to wash or bathe them, . or to have tents dipped therein and put into them, are effectual. MOONWORT. Descrip. — It riseth up usually but with one dark, green, thick and flat leaf, standing upon a short foot- stalk not above two fingers’ breadth ; but when it flowers it may be said to bear a small slender stalk about four or five inches high, having but one leaf in the middle thereof, which is much divided on both sides into sometimes five or seven parts on a side, some- times more ; each of which parts is small like the mid- dle rib, but broad forwards, pointed and round, re- ctjlpepee’s herbal. 2j:5 sembling therein a half moon, from whence it took the name ; the uppermost parts or divisions being bigger than the lower. The stalks rise above this leaf two or three inches, bearing many branches of small long tongues, every one like the spiky head of the adder’s tongue, of a brownish colour, (whether I shall call them flowers or the seed I know not) which afier they have continued a while, resolve into a mealy dust. The root is small and fibrous : this hath sometimes divers such like leaves as are before described, with so many branches or tops rising from one stalk, each divided from the other. Place ■ — Itgroweth on hills and heaths, yet where there is much grass, for therein it delighteth to grow. Time. — It is to be found only in April and May ; fcr in June, when any hot weather cometh, for the most part it is withered and gone. Government and Virtues. — The Moon' owns the herb. Moonwort is cold and drying more than adder’s tongue, and is therefore held to be more available for all wounds both inward and outward. The leaves boiled in white wine, and drank, stays the immoderate flux ofwomen’s courses, and the whites. It also stay- eth bleeding, vomiting, and other fluxes. It helpeth all blows and bruises, and to consolidate all fractures and dislocations. It is good for ruptures, but it is chiefly used by most with other herbs to make oils or balsams to heal fresh or green wounds, a3 I said be- fore, either inward or outward, for which it is excel- lent good. Moonwort is an herb which, they say, will open locks and unshoe such horses as tread upon it ; this some laugh to scorn, and those no small fools neither, but country people that I know call it unshoe the horse. Besides, I have heard commanders say that on White Down, in Devonshire, near Tiverton, there were found thirty horse-shoes, pulled off from the Earl of Essex’s horses, being there drawn up in a bo- dy, many of them being newly shod, and no reason 246 Culpeper's herbal. known, which caused much admiration, and the herb described usually grows upon heaths. MOSSES. I shall not trouble the reader with a description of these, since my intent is to speak only of two kinds, as the most principal, viz. around moss and tree moss, both of which are very well known. Place. — The ground moss erow'eth in our moist woods, and in the bottom of hills, in boggy grounds and in shady ditches, and many other such like places. The tree moss groweth only on trees. Government and Virtues. — All sorts of mosses are under the dominion of Saturn. The ground moss is said to be singular good to break the stone, and to ex- pel and drive it forth by urine, being boiled in wine and drank. The herb being bruised, boiled in water, and applied, easeth all pains coming from an hot cause, and is therefore used to ease the pains of the gout. The tree mosses are cooling and binding, and partake of a digesting and mollifying quality withal, (as Galen saith.) But each moss doth partake of the nature of the tree from whence it is taken : therefore that of the oak is more binding, and is of good effect to stay fluxes in man or woman ; as also vomiting or bleeding, the powder thereof being taken in wine. The decoc- tion thereof in wine is very good for women to be bathed or to sit in, that arc troubled with the overflowing of their courses. The same being drank stayeth the sto- mach that is troubled with casting, or the hiccough ; and as Avicena saith, it comforteth the heart. The powder thereof taken in drink for some time together, is thought available for the dropsy. The oil that, has had fresh moss steeped therein for a time and after- wards boiled and applied to the temples and forehead, doth marvelously ease the head ache coming of a hot cause: as also the distillations of hot rheums or hu- mours in the eyes or other parts. The ancients much used it in their ointments and other medicines against Culpeper’s herbal. 247 the lassitude, and to strengthen and comfort the si news, for which if it was good then, I know no reason but it may be found so still. MOTHERWORT. Descrip. — This hath a hard, square, brownish, rough, strong stalk, rising three or four feet high at least, spreading into many branches, whereon grow leaves on each side with long foot-stalks, two at every joint, which are somewhat broad and long, as if it were rough or crumpled, with many great veins therein of a sad green colour,and deeply dented about the edges, and almostdivided. From the middle ofthe branches up to the tops of them, which are long and small, grow the flowers round them at distances, in sharp- pointed, rough, hard husks, of a more red or purple colour than balm or horehound, but in the same man- ner or form as the horehounds, after which come small, round, blackish seeds in great plenty. The root send- eth forth a number of long strings and small fibres, ta- king strong hold in the ground, of a dark yellowish or brownish colour, and abideth as the horehound doth; the smell of this not much differeth from that. Place. — It groweth only in gardens with us in England. Government and Virtues. — Venus owns the herb, and it is under Leo. There is no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it, and make a merry, cheerful, blythe soul than this herb. It may be kept in a syrup, or conserve ; therefore the Latins called it cardiaca. Besides, it makes wo- men joyful mothers ofchildren, and settles their worn bs as they should be, therefore they call it motherwort. It is held to be of much use for the trembling of the heart, and faintings and swoonings ; from whence it rook the name cardiaca. The powder thereof, to the cp!antity of a spoonful, drank in wine, is a wonderful In lp to women in their sore travail, as also for the suf- focating or risings of the mother; and for these effects culpepee’s heebal. 213 it is likely it took the name of raothervvort with us. It also provoketk urine and women’s courses, cleanseth the chest of cold phlegm oppressing it, and killeth worms in the belly. It is of good use to warm and dry up the cold humours, to digest and disperse them that are settled in the veins, joints, and sinews of the body, and to help cramps and convulsions. MOUSE-EAR. Descrip. — Mouse-ear is a low herb, creeping upon the ground by small strings like the strawberry plant, whereby it shooteth forth small roots, whereat grow upon the ground many small and somewhat short leaves, set in a round form together, and very hairy, which being broken do give a whitish milk : from among Ihese leaves spring up two or three small hoary stalks about a span high, with a few smaller leaves thereon ; at the tops whereof standeth usually but but one flower, consisting of many pale yellow leaves broad at the point and a little dented in, set in three or four rows (the greater uppermost) very like a dan- delion flower, and a little reddish underneath about the edges, especially if it grow in a dry ground ; which after they have stoodlong in flower, do turn into down, which with the seed is carried away with the wind. Place. — Itgroweth on ditch banks, and sometimes in ditches if they be dry, and in sandy grounds. Time. — It flowereth about J une or J uly , and abideth green all the winter. Government andVirtves. — TheMoon owns this herb also; and though authors cry out upon alchymists for attempting to fix quicksilver by this herb and moonwort, a Roman would not have judged a thing by the success, if it be to be fixed at all, it is by Lunar influence. The juice thereof taken in wine, or the de- coction drank, doth help the jaundice although of long continuance, to drink thereof morning and even- ing, and abstain from other drink two or three hours alter. It is a special remedy against the stone, and CULi'-t-PER’s HEKBAL. 249 the tormenting pains thereof ; as also all other tor turns and griping pains of the bowels. The decoction there- of with succory and centaury, is held very effectual to help the dropsy, and them that are inclining thereto and the diseases of the spleen. It stayeth the Auxps of blood either at the mouth or nose, and inward bleeding also; for it is a singular wound herb for wounds both inward and outward ; it helpeth the bloody-flux, and helpeth the abundance of women’s courses. There is a syrup made of thejuice hereof and sugar, by the apothecaries of Italy, and other places, which is of much account with them to be given to those that are troubled with the cough and phthisic : the same is also singular good for ruptures or burstings. The green herb bruised, and presently bound to any cut or wound, doth quickly solder the lips thereof ; and the decoction, or powder of the dried herb, is most singular to stay the malignity of spread- ing and fretting cankers and ulcers whatsoever; yea, in the mouth and secret parts. The distilled water of the plant is available in all the diseases aforesaid, and to wash out ward wounds and sores, and apply tents of cloths wet therein. MUG WORT. Descrip. — Common mugworthath divers leaves ly- ing on the ground, very much divided, or cut deeply in about the brims, somewhat like wormwood, but much larger, of a dark green colour on the upper side, and very hoary white underneath. The stalks rise to befourorfive feethigh, having on it such like leaves as those below, but somewhat smaller, branching forth very much towards the top, whereon are set very small, pale, yellowish flowers, like buttons, which lull away, and after them come small seeds inclosed in round heads. The root is long and hard, with many small libres growing from it, whereby it taketh strong hold on the ground ; but both stalks and leaves do lie down every year, and the root shooteth anew in the 250 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. spring. The whole plant is of a reasonable scent, and is more easily propagated by the slip than the seed. Place. — It groweth plentifully in many places of this land by the water-sides; as also by small water- courses, and in divers other places. Time. — It flowereth and seedeth in the end of Summer. Government and Virtues. — This is an herb of Ve- nus, therefore maintaineth the parts of the body she rules, remedies the diseases of the parts that are under her signs Taurus and Libra. Mugwort is with good success put among other herbs that are boiled for wo- men to sit over the hot decoction to draw down their courses, to help the delivery of their birth, and expel the after birth ; as also for the obstructions and in- flammations of the mother. It breakerh the stone, and causeth one to make water where it is stopped. The juice thereof made up with myrrh and put under as a pessary, worketh the same effects, and so doth the roots also. Being made up with hog’s grease into an ointment, it taketh away wens and hard knots, and kernels that grow in the neck and throat, and easerh the pains about the neck more effectually if some field daisies be put with it. The herb itself being fresh, or the juice thereof taken, is a special remedy upon the overmuch taking of opium. Three drachms of the powder of the dried leaves taken in wine, is a speedy and the best certain help for the sciatica. A decoc- tion thereof made with camomile and agrimony, and the place bathed therewith while it is warm, taketli away the pains of the sinews and the cramp. THE MULBERRY TREE. This is so well known where it groweth, that it need- eth no description. Time. — It beareth fruit in the months of July and of August. Government and Virtues. — Mercury rules the tree. culpepee’s heebai,. 251 therefore are its effects variable as his are. The mul- berry is of different part s : the ripe berries by reason of their sweetness and slippery moisture, opening the body, arid the unripe binding it, especially when they are dried, and then they are good to stay fluxes, lasks, and the abundance of women’s courses. The bark of the root killeth the broad worms in the body. The juice or the syrup made of the juice of the berries, helpeth all inflammations or sores in the mouth or throat, and palate of the mouth when it is fallen down. The juice of the leaves is a remedy against the bitings of serpents, and for those that have taken aconite. The leaves beaten with vinegar are good to lay on any place that is burnt with fire. A decoction made of the bark and leaves is good to wash the mouth and teeth when they ache. If the root be a little slit or cut, and a small hole made in the ground next there- unto in the harvest time, it will give out a certain juice, which being hardened the next day, is of good use to help the tooth-ache, to dissolve knots, and purge the belly. The leaves of mulberries are said to stay bleeding at the mouth or nose, or the bleeding of the piles or of a wound, being bound unto the places. A branch of the tree taken when the moon is at the full, and bound to the wrist of a woman’s arm whose courses come down too much, doth stay them in a short space. MULLEIN. Descrip. — Common white mulicin hath many fair, large, woolv, white leaves lying next the ground, somewhat larger than broad, pointed at the ends, and as it were dented about the edges. The stalk riseth up to be four or five feet high, covered over with such like leaves, hut lesser, so that no stalk can be seen for the multitude of leaves thereon up to the flowers, which come forth on all sides of the stalk, without any branches for the most part, and are many set to- gether in a long spike, in some of a yellow colour, in 252 CTTEPEPEE’S HEEBAIi. others more pale, consisting of five round-pointed leaves, which afterwards have small round heads, wherein is small brownish seed contained. The root is long, white, and woody, perishing after it hath borne seed. Place. — It groweth by way-sides and lanes in many places of this land. Time. — It flowereth in July, or thereabouts. Government and Virtue s. — It is under the domi- nion of Saturn. A small quantity of the root given in wine, is commended by Dioscorides against lasks and fluxes of the belly. The decoction hereof drank, is profitable for those that are burster), and for cramps and convulsions, and for those that are troubled with an old cough. The decoction thereof gargled easeth the pains of the tooth-ache; and the oil made by the often infusion of the flowers, is of good effect, for the piles. Tiie decoction of the root in red wine or in water, (if there be an ague) wherein red hot steel hath been often quenched, doth stay the bloody-flux. The same also openeth obstructions of the bladder and reins when one cannot make water. A decoction of the leaves hereof, and of sage, marjoram, and camo- mile flowers, and the places bathed therewith, that have sinews stiff with cold or cramps, doth bring them much ease and comfort. Three ounces of the distilled water of the flowers drank morniug and evening for some days together, is said to be a most excellent remedy for the gout. The juice of the leaves and flowers being laid upon rough warts, also the powder of the dried roots rubbed on, doth rasily take them away, but doth no good to smooth warts. The powder of the dried flowers is an especial remedy for those that are troubled with the belly-ache, or the pains of the cholic. The decoction of t lie root, and so likewise of the leaves, is of great effect to dissolve the tumours, swellings, or inflammationsof the throat. The seed and leaves boiled in wine, and applied, draw forth speedily thorns and splinters gotten into the Culpeper’s herbal. 253 flpsli, case the pain, and heal them also. The leaves bruised and wrapped in double papers, and covered with hot ashes and embers to bake awhile, and theu taken forth and laid warm on any blotch or boil hap- pening in the groin or share, doth dissolve and heal them. The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and laid on any member that, hath been out of joint, and newly set again, taketh away all swelling and pain thereof. MUSTARD. Descrip. — Our common mustard hath large and broad rough leaves, very much jusged with uneven and unorderly gashes, somewhat like turnip leaves, but lesser and rougher. The stalk riseth to be more than a foot high, and sometimes more than two feet high, being round, rough, and branched at the top, bearing such like leaves thereon as grow below, but lesser, and less divided, and divers yellow flowers one above another at the tops, after which come small rough pods, with small, lank, flat ends, wherein is contained round yellowish seed, sharp, hot, and biting upon the tongue. The root is small, long, and woody when it beareth stalks, and perisheth every year. Place. — This groweth with us in gardens only, and other manured places. Time. — It is an annual plant, flowering in July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — It is an excellent sauce for such whose blood wants clarifying, and for weak stomachs, being an herb of Mars, but naught for cho- leric people, though as good for such as are aged or troubled with cold diseases. Aries claims something to do with it, therefore it strengthens the heart and resisteth poisons. Let such whose stomachs are so weak they cannot digest their food, or appetite it, take of mustard-seed a drachm, cinnamon as much, and having beaten them to powder, and half as much mastick in powder, and with gum arabic dissolved in rose water, make it up into troches, of which they 254 ctjlpeper’s herbai. may take one of about half a drachm weight an hour or two before meals ; let old men and women make much of this medicine, and they will either give me thanks, or shew manifest ingratitude. Mustard-seed hath the virtue of heat, discussing, rari tying, and drawingout spiintersof bones, and other things of the flesh. It is of good effect to bring down women’s courses, for the falling sickness or lethargy, drowsy forgetful evil, to use it both inwardly and out- wardly, to rub the nostrils, forehead, and temples, to warm and quicken the spirits, for by the fierce sharp- ness it purgeth the brain by sneezing, and drawing down rheum and other viscous humours, which by their distillations upon the lungs and chest, procure coughing, and therefore, with some honey added thereto, doth much good therein. The decoction of the seed made in wine and drank, provoketh urine, resisteth the force of poison, the malignity of mush- rooms, and venom of scorpions or other venomous creatures, if it be taken in time ; and taken before the cold fitsof agues, alterethjlesseneth, and cureth them. The seed taken either by itself or with other things, either in an electuary or drink, doth mightily stir up bodily lust, and helpeth the spleen and pains in the sides, and gnawings in the bowels ; and used as a gar- gle, draweth up the palate of the mouth being fallen down ; and also it dissolveth the swellings about the throat if it be outwardly applied. Being chewed in the mouth, it oftentimes helpeth the tooth-ache. The outward application upon the pained placeofthescia- tica, discusseth the humours, and easeth the pains, as also the gout and other joint-aches; and is mucl^and often used to ease pains in the sides or loins, the shoul- ders, or other parts of the body, upon the applying thereof to raise blisters, and cureth the disease by drawing it to the outward parts of the body. It is also used to help the falling- oft' of the the hair. The seed bruised, mixed with honey, and applied, or made up with wax, taketh away the marks and black and blue Culpeper’s herbal. 235 sprits of bruises or the like, the roughness or scabbi- ness of the skin, as also the leprosy and lousy evil. It helpeth also the crick in the neck. The distilled water of the herb, when it is in flower, is much used to drink inwardly to help in any of the diseases aforesaid, or to wash the mouth when the palate is down, and for the diseases of the throat to gargle, but outwardly also for the scabs, itch, or other the like in- firmities, and cleanseth the face from morphew, spots, freckles, and other deformities. THE HEDGE MUSTARD. Descrip. — This groweth up usually but with one blackish green stalk, tough, easy to bend, but not to break, branched into divers parts, and sometimes into stalks set full of branches, whereon grow long, rough or hard, rugged leaves, very much tore or cut on tiie edges in many parts, some bigger, and some lesser, of" a dirty green colour. The flowers are small and yellow, that grow on the tops of the brandies in long spikes, flowering by degrees ; so that continuing long in flower, the stalk will have small round cods at the bottom, growing upright and close to the stalk, while the top flowers yet shew themselves, in whicii are contained small yellow seed, sharp and strong, as the herb is also. The root groweth down slender and woody, yet abiding and springing again every year. Place. — This groweth frequently in this land by the ways and hedge-sides, and sometimes in the open fields. Time. — Itflowereth most usually about July. Government and Virtues. — Mars owns this herb also. It is singular good in all diseases of the chest and lungs, hoarseness of voice, and by the use of the decoction thereof for a little space, those have been recovered who had utterly lost their voice, and almost their spirits also. The juice thereof made into a sy- rup or licking medicine with honey or sugar, is no less effectual for the same purpose, and for all coughs, 2'G Culpeper’s herbal. wheezing, and shortness of breath. The same is aiso profitable for those that have the jaundice, pleurisy, pains in the back and loins, and i'or torments in the belly, or cholic, being also used in clysters. The seed is held to be a special remedy against poison and ve- nom. 1 1 is singular good for the sciatica, and in joint aches, ulcers, and cankers in the mouth, throat, or be- hind the ears, and no less for the hardness and swel- ling of the testicles, vr women’s breasts. NAILWORT, or WHITLOW-GRASS. Descrip. — This very small and common herb hath no roots, save only a few strings, neither doth it ever grow to be above a hand’s breadth high, the leaves are very small and somewhat long, not much unlike those of chickweed, among which rise up divers slender stalks bearing many white flowers one above another, which are exceeding small ; after which come small flat pouches containing the seed, which is very small, but of a sharp taste. Place. — It grows commonly upon old stone and brick walls, and sometimes in dry gravelly grounds, especially if there be grass or moss near to sha- dow it. t Time. — They flower very early in the year, some- times in January and February ; for before the end of April they are not to be found. Government and Virtues. — It is held to be exceed- ing good for those imposthumes in the joints, and un- der the nails, which they call whitlows, felons, audi- cons, and nail wheals. Such as would be knowing physicians, let them read those books of mine of the last edition, viz. Reverius, Riolanus, Johnson, Vestin- gus, Sencrtes. NEP, ou CATMINT. Descrip. — Common garden nepshooteth forth hard four-square stalks, with a hoariness on them, a yard high or more, full of branches, bearing at every jolut Culpeper’s herbal. 257 two broad leaves like balm, but longer-pointed, softer, and more hoary, nicked about the edges, and of a strong sweet scent. The flowers grow in large tufts at the tops of the branches, and underneath them likewise on the stalks, many together, of a whitish purple colour. The roots are composed of many long strings or fibres, fastening themselves stronger into the ground, and abide with green leaves thereon all the winter. Place. — Tt is only nursed up in our gardens. Time. — It flowereth in July, or thereabouts. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Venus. Nep is generally used for women to procure their courses, being taken inwardly, or outwardly applied, either alone or with other convenient herbs in a de- coction to bathe them, or sit over the hot fumes thereof; and by the frequent use thereof it taketh away barrenness, the wind and pains of the mother. It is also used in pains of the head coming of any cold cause, catarrhs, rheums, and for swimming and gid- diness thereof, and is of special use for the windiness of the stomach and belly. It is effectual for any cramp or cold aches, to dissolve cold and wind that afflicteth the place, and is used for colds, coughs, and shortness of breath. The juice thereof drank in wine, is profitable for those that are bruised by an accident. Tiie green herb bruised and applied to the fundament, and lying there two or three hours, easeth the pains of the piles ; the juice also being made up into an ointment is effectual for the same purpose. The head washed with a decoction thereof, it taketh away scabs, and may be effectual for other parts of the body also. NETTLES. Nettles are so well known, that they need no de- scription ; they may be found by feeling in the dark- est night. Government and Virtues.— This is also an herb 95 K 258 CUIiPEPEE’S HERB AIi. Mars claims dominion over. You know Mars i9 hot and dry, and you know as well that winter is cold and moist; then you may know as well the reason why- nettle tops eaten in the spring consumeth the phlegma- tic superfluities in the body of man, that the coldness and moistness of winter hath left behind. The roots or leaves boiled, or the juice of either of them, or both made into an electuary with honey and sugar, is a safe and sure medicine to open the pipes and passages of the lungs, which is the cause of wheezing and shortness of breath, and helpeth to expectorate tough phlegm, as also to raise the imposthumed pleurisy, and spend it by spitting ; the same helpeth the swel- ling of the almonds of the throat, the mouth and throat being gargled therewith. The juice is also ef- fectual to settle the palate of the mouth in its place, and to heal and temper the inflammations and soreness of the mouth and throat. The decoction of the leaves in wine being drank, is singular good to provoke wo- men’s courses, and to settle the suffocation, strangling of the mother, and all other diseases thereof; as also applied outwardly with a little myrrh. The same also, or the seed, provoketh urine and expelleth the gravel and stone in the reins or bladder, often proved to be effectual in many that have taken it. The same kil- leth worms in children, easeth pains in the sides, and dissolveth the windiness of the spleen, as also in the body, although others think it only powerful to provoke venery. The juice of the leaves taken two or three days together, stayeth bleeding at the mouth. The seed being drank, is a remedy against the stinging of venomous creatures, the biting of mad dogs, the poisonous qualities of hemlock, henbane, night-shade, mandrake, or such like herbs that stupefy or dull the senses; as also the lethargy, especially to u9e it out- wardly, to rub the forehead or temples in the lethargy, and the places stung or bitten with beasts with a little salt. The distilled water of the herb is also effectual (though not so powerful) for the diseases aforesaid ; ctjlpepee’s heebal. 239 *3 for outward wounds and sores to wash them, and cleanse the skin from morphew, leprosy, and other discolourings thereof. The seed or leaves bruised and put into the nostrils, stayeth the bleeding of them, and taketh away the flesh growing in them called polypus. The juice of the leaves, or the decoction of them or the roots, is singular good to wash either old, rotten, or stinking sores, or fistulas and gangrenes, and such as fretting, eating, or corroding scabs, man- giness and itch in any part of the body, as also green wounds, by washing them therewith, or applying the green herb bruised thereunto, yea, although the flesh were separated from the bones ; the same applied to our wearied members refresh them, or to place those that have been out of joint, being first set up again, strengtheneth, drieth, and comforteth them; as also those places troubled with aches and gouts, and the defluction of humours upon the joints and sinews; it easeth the pains, and drieth or dissolveth the de* Auction. Anointment made of the juice, oil, and a little wax, is singular good to rub cold and benumbed jnembers. A handful of the leaves of green nettles, and another of wallwort, or deanwort, bruised and applied simply themselves to the gout, sciatica, or joint aches in any part, hath been found to be an ad- mirable help thereunto. NIGHTSHADE. Descrip. — Common nightshade hath an upright, round, green, hollow stalk, about a foot or half a yard high, bushing forth in many branches, whereon grow many green leaves somewhat broad, and pointed at the ends, soft and full of juice like unto bazil, but longer, and a little unevenly dented about the edges ; at the tops of the stalks and branches come forth three or four more white flowers, made of five small pointed leaves a-piece, standing on a stalk together one above another, with yellow pointels in the mid- dle, composed of lour or five yellow threads set toge- 260 Culpeper’s herbal. tlier, which afterwards run into so many pendulous green berries, of the bigness of small peas, full of green juice, and small, whitish, round, flat seed lying within it. The root is white, and a little woody when it hath given flower and fruit, with many small fibres at it : the whole plant is of a waterish insipid taste, but the juice within the berries is somewhat viscous, and is of a cooling and binding quality. Place. — It groweth wild with us under walls in rubbish, the common paths, and sides of hedges and fields, also in our gardens here in England, without planting. Time. — It lieth down every year, and riseth again of its own sowing, but springeth not until the latter end of April at the soonest. Government and Virtues. — It is a cold Saturnine plant. The common nightshade is wholly used to cool hot inflammations either inwardly or outwardly, being no ways dangerous to any that use it, as most other nightshades are, yet it must be used moderate- ly. The distilled water only of the whole herb is fit- test and safest to be taken inwardly; the juice also, clarified and taken, being mingled with a little vine- gar, is good to wash the mouth and throat that is inflamed; but outwardly the juice of the herb and berries, with oil of roses and a little vinegar and ceruse laboured together in a leaden mortar, is very good to anoint all hot inflammations in the eyes. It also doth much good for the shingles, ringworms, and in all running, fretting, and corroding ulcers, upplied there- unto. A pessary dipped in the juice and dropped into the matrix, staveth the immoderate flux of wo- men’s courses; a cloth wet therein, and applied to the testicles or cods, upon any swelling therein, giveth much ease, also to the gout that cometh of hot and sharp humours. The juice dropped into the ears easeth pains thereof that arise of heat or inflammations; and Pliny saith it i9 good for hot swellings under the throat. CULPEPER’S HERBAL. 2G1 Have a care you mistake not the deadly nightshade for this ; if you know it not, you may then let them both alone, and you will take no harm, having other medicines sufficient in the book. THE OAK. It is so well known (the timber thereof being the glory and safety of this land by sea) that it needeth no description. Government and Virtues. — Jupiter owns the tree. The leaves and bark of the oak and the acorn cups do bind and dry very much. The inner bark of the tree, and the thin skin that covereth the acorn, are much used to stay the spitting of blood and the bloody flux. The decoction of that bark and the powder of the cups, do stay vomitings, spitting of blood, bleeding at the mouth, or other fluxes in men or women ; lasksalso, and the involuntary flux of natural seed. The acorn in powder taken in wine, provoketh urine, and resist- eth the poison of venomous creatures. The decoction of acorns and the bark made in milk and taken, resist- eth the force of poisonous herbs and medicines, as also the virulencyof cantharides, when one by eatingthem hath his bladder exulcerated, and pisseth blood. Hip- pocrates saith he used the fumes of oak leaves to wo- men that are troubled with strangling of the mother; and Galen applied them being bruised to cure wounds. The distilled water of the oaken bud, before they break out into leaves, is good to be used either inwardly or outwardly to assuage inflammations, and stop all man- ner of fluxes in man or woman. The same is singu- lar good in pestilential and hot burning levers, for it resisteth the force of the infection, and allayeth the heat ; it cooleth the heat of the liver, breaketh tlie stone in the kidnies, and stayeth women’s courses. The decoction of the leaves worketh the same effects. The water that is found in the hollow places of old oaks, is very effectual against foul or spreading scabs. The distilled water (or decoction, which is better) 262 CUXPEPEE’S HEEBAX. of the leaves, is one of the best remedies that I know of for the whites in women. OATS Are so well known that they need no description. Government and Virtues. — Oats fried with bay- salt and applied to the sides, take away the pains of stitches and wind in the sides of the belly. A poultice made of the meal of oats, and some oil of bays put thereunto, helpeth the itch and leprosy, also the fis- tulas of the fundament, and dissolveth hard impos- thumes. The meal of oats boiled with vinegar and applied, taketh away freckles and spots in the face, and other parts of the body. ONE BLADE. JDescrip. — This small plant never beareth more than one leaf, but only when it riseth up with his stalk, which thereon beareth another, and seldom more, which are a blueish green colour, pointed with many ribs or veins therein, like plantain. At the top of the stalk grow many small white flowers star- fashion, smelling somewhat sweet ; after which come small red berries, when they are ripe. The root is small, of the bigness of a rush, lying and creeping under the upper crust of the earth, shooting forth in divers places. Place. — It groweth in moist, shadowy, and grassy places of woods in many places of t his land Time. — It flowereth about May, and the berries are ripe in June,! and then quickly perisheth, until in the next year, it springeth from the same root again. Government andVirtues.— It is a precious herb of the Sun. Half a drachm or a drachm at most, in pow- der of the roots hereof taken in wine and vinegar, of each equal parts, and the party laid to sweat there- upon, is held to be a sovereign remedy for those that are infected with the plague, and have a sore upon them, by expelling the poison and infection, and de- CTJLPEPEE’S HEEBAL. 263 fending the heart and spirits from danger. It is a sin- gular good wound herb, and is thereupon used with other the like effects in many compound balsams for curing of wounds, be they fresh and green, or old and malignant, and especially if the sinews be burnt. ORCHIS. It hath gotten almost as many several names at- tributed to the several sort.-, of it as would almost fill a sheet of paper ; as dog-stones, goat-stones, fool- stones, fox-stones, satirion, cullions, together with a variety of others too tedious to rehearse. Descrip. — To describe all the several sorts of it would be an endless piece of work ; therefore I shall only describe the roots, which are to be used with some discretion. They have each of them a double root within, some of them are round, in others like a hand : these alter every year by course, when the one risetli and waxeth full the other waxeth lank and perisheth : now it is that which is full which is to be used in medicines, the other being either of no use, or else, according to the humours of some, it destroys and disannuls the virtue of the other, quite undoing what that doth. Time.— One or other of them may be found in flower from the beginning of April to the latter end of Au- gust. Temperature and Virtues. — They are hot and moist in operation, under the dominion of Dame Venus, and provoke lust exceedingly, which, they say, the dried and withered roots do restrain. They are held to kill worms in children ; as also, being bruised and applied to the place, to heal the king’s evil. ONIONS. They are so well known, that I need not spend time about writing a description of them. Government and Virtues. — Mars owns them, ana they have thisquality, to draw any corruption to them, 264 CTJLPEPEK’s UEKBAIi. for if you peel one, and lay it upon a dunghill, you shall find it rotten in half a day by drawing putrefaction to it : then being bruised and applied to a plague sore, it is very probable it will do the like. Onions are flatulent or windy, yet they do somewhat pro- voke appetite, increase thirst, ease the belly and bow- els, provoke women's courses, help the biting of a mad dog, and of other venomous creatures, to be used with honey and rue, increase sperm, especially the seed of them. They also kill worms in children if they drink the water fasting wherein they have been steeped all night. Being roasted under the embers and eaten with honey or sugar and oil, they much con- duce to help an inveterate cough, and expectorate the tough phlegm. The juice being snuffed up into the nostrils, purgeth the head, and helpeth the le- thargy ; yet the often eating them is said to procure pains in the head. It hath been held by divers coun- try people a great preservative against infection, to eat onionsfasting with bread and salt; as also to make a great onion hollow, filling it with good treacle, and afterwards to roast it well under the embers, which, after taking away the outermost skin thereof, being beaten together, is a sovereign salve for either plague or sores, or any other putriiied ulcer. The juice of onions is good for either scaldings or burnings by fire, water, or gunpowder, and used with vinegar, taketh away all blemishes, spots, and marks in the skin; and dropped into the ears, easeth the pains and noise of them. Applied with figs beaten together, helpeth to ripen and break imposthumes and other sores. Leeks are as like them in quality as the pome-water is like an apple : they are a remedy against a surfeit of mushrooms, being baked under the embers and ta- ken : and being boiled and applied very warm, help the piles. In all other things they have the same pro- perty as the onions, although not so effectual. Culpeper’s herbal. 265 ORPINE. JDcscrip. — Common orpine risethup with divers round brittle stalks, thick set with flat and fleshy leaves, without any order, and little or nothing dented about the edges, of a green colour. The flowers are white, or whitish, growing in tufts, after which come small chaffy hu6ks, with seeds like dust in them. The roots are divers thick, round, white, tuberous clogs ; and the plant groweth not so big in some places as in others where it is found. Place. — It is frequent in almost every county in this land, and is cherished in gardens with us, where it groweth greater than that which is wild, and groweth in shady sides of fields, and in woods. Time. — Itflowereth about July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — The Moon owns the herb, and he that knows but her exaltation, knows what I say to be true. Orpine is seldom used in in- ward medicines with us, although Tragus saith from experience in Germany, that the distilled water there- of is profitable for gnawings or excoriations in the sto- mach or bowels, or for ulcers in the lungs, liver, or other inward parts, as also in the matrix, and help- eth all those diseases, being drank for certain days to- gether. It stayeth the sharpness of humours in the bloody-flux, and other fluxes in the body, or in wounds. The root thereof also performeth the like effects. It is used outwardly to cool heat or any inflammation upon any hurt or wound, and easeth the pains of them; as also to heal scaldings and burnings, the juice thereof being beaten with some green salad oil and anointed. The leaf bruised and laid to any green wound in the hand or legs, doth heal them quickly, and being bound to the throat, much helpeth the quinsy ; it helpetii also ruptures and burstenness. If you please to make the juice thereof into a syrup with honey or sugar, you may safely take a spoonful or two at a time, (let 266 culpepee’s herbal. my author say what he will) for a quinsy, and you shall find the medicine more pleasant, and the cure more speedy, than if you had taken a dog’s turd, which is the vulgar cure. PARSLEY. This is so well known that it needs no description. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Mercury ; it is very comfortable to the sto- mach ; helpeth to provoke urine and women’s courses, to break wind both in the stomach and bowels, and doth a little open the body, but the root much more. It openeth obstructions both of the liver and spleen, and is therefore accounted one of the five opening roots. Galen commended it against the falling sick- ness, and to provoke urine mightily, especially if the roots be boiled, and eaten like parsnips. The seed is effectual to provoke urine and women’s courses, to ex- pel wind, to break the stone, and ease the pains and torments thereof ; it is also effectual against the venom of any poisonons creature, and the danger that cometh to them that have the lethargy, and is as good against the cough. The distilled water of parsley is a familiar medicine with nurses to give their children when they are troubled with wind in the stomach and belly, which they call the frets ; and is much available to them that are of great years. The leaves of parsley laid to the eyes that are inflamed with heat, or swol- len, doth much help them if it be used with bread or meal ; and being fried with butter, and applied to women’s breasts that are hard through the curdling of their milk, it abateth the hardness quickly, and also taketh away black and blue marks coming of bruises and falls. The juice thereof dropped into the ears with a little wine, easeth the pains. Tragus setteth down an excellent medicine to help the falling- sickness and the jaundice, the dropsy and stone in the kidnies, in this manner: take of the seed of parsley, fennel, annise, and carraway, of each an ounce; of the CULPEPER’S HEUEAJj. 267 roots of parsley, burnet, 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 in steep in a bottle of white wine, and in the morning be boiled in a close earthen vessel until a third part or more be wasted ; which being strained and cleared, take four ounces thereof morning and evening, first and last, abstaining from drink after it for three hours. This openeth obstructions of the liver and spleen, and expelleth the dropsy orjaundice by urine. PARSLEY PIERT, or PARSLEY BREAK- STONE. Descrip. — The root, although it be very small and thready, yet it continues many years, from whence arise many leaves lying on the ground, each standing upon a long small foot-stalk, the leaves as broad as a man’s nail, very deeply dented on the edges, somewhat like a parsley leaf, but of a very dusky green colour. The stalks are very weak and slender, about three or four fingers in length, set so full of leaves that they can hardly be seen, either having no foot-stalks at all, or but very short ; the flowers are so small they can hardly be seen, and the seed as small as may be. Place. — It is a common herb throughout the na- tion, and rejoiceth in barren, sandy, moist places. It may be found plentifully about Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park, and in Tothill Fields. Time. — It may be found all the summer time, even from the beginning of April to the end of October. Government and Virtues. — Its operation is very prevalent to provoke urine, and to break the stone. It is a very good salad herb. It were good the gen- try would pickle it up as they pickle up samphire for their use all the winter. I cannot teach them how to do it ; yet this I can tell them, it is a very wholesome herb. They may also keep the herb dry or in a syrup if they please. You may take a drachm of the pow- 268 CULPEFEE’s HEEBAl. der of it in white white wine : it would bring: away gravel from the kidnie9 insensibly and without paiu. It also helps the strangury. PARSNIPS. The garden kind thereof is so well known (the root being commonly eaten) that I shall not trouble you with any description of it. But the wild being of more physical use, I shall in this place describe it unto you. Descrip. — The wild parsnip differeth little from the garden, but groweth not so fair and large, nor hath so many leaves, and the root is shorter, more woody, and not so fit to be eaten, and therefore more medicinal. Place. — The name of the first showeth the place of its growth. The other groweth wild in divers places, a.9 in the marshes by Rochester and elsewhere, and flowereth in July ; the seed being ripe about the be- ginning of August the second year after the sowing; for if they do flower the first year, the country peo- ple call them madneps. Government and, Virtues. — The garden parsnips are under Venus; it nourisheth much, and is good und wholesome, but a little windy, whereby it is thought to procure bodily lust: but it fatteneth the body much if much used. It is conducible to the stomach and reins, and provoketh urine. The wild parsnip hath a cutting, attenuating, cleans- ing, and opening quality therein. It resisteth and lielpeth the biting of serpents, easeth the pains and stitches in the sides, and dis9olvetli wind both in the stomach and bowels, which is the cholic, and provoketh urine. The root is often used, but the seed much more. The wild being better than the tame, shews Dame Nature to be the best physician. COW PARSNIP. Descrip. — This groweth with three or four large spread-winged, rough leaves, lying often on theground, Culpeper’s herbal. 269 or else raised a little from it, with long, round, hairy foot-stalks under them, parted usually into five divi- sions, the two couples standing each against the other; and one at the end, and each 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 strongly; among which riseth up a round, crusted, hairy stalk, two or three feet high, with a few joints and leaves thereon, and branched at the top, where stand large umbels of white, and sometimes of reddish flowers, and after them flat, whitish, thin, winged seed, two always joined together. The root is long and white, with two or three long strings growing down into the ground, smelling likewise strongly and unpleasant. Place. — It groweth in moist meadows, the borders and corners of fields, and near ditches through this land. Time. — It flowereth in July and seedeth in August. Government and Virtues. — Mercury hath the do- minion over them. The seed thereof, as Galen saith, is of a sharp and cutting quality, and therefore is a fit medicine for a cough and shortness of breath, the falling sickness and jaundice. The root is available to all the purposes aforesaid, and is also of great use to take away the hard skin that groweth on a fistula, if it be but scraped upon it. The seed hereof being drank, cleanseth the belly from tough phlegmatic mat- ter therein, easeth them that are liver-grown, women’s passions of the mother, as well being drank as the smoke thereof received underneath, and likewise ri- seth such as are fallen into a deep sleep, or have the lethargy, by burning it under their nose. The seed and root boiled in oil, and the head rubbed therewith, helpeth not only those that are fallen into a frenzy, but also the lethargy or drowsy evil, and those that have been long troubled with the head-ache, if it be likewise used with rue. It helpeth also the running scab and the shingles. The juice of the flowers drop- 270 culpepek’s herbal. ped into the ears that run and are full of matter, cleansetli and healeth them. THE PEACH TREE. Descrip. — A peach-tree groweth not so great as the apricot tree, yet spreadeth branches reasonable well, from whence spring smaller reddish twigs, whereon are set long and narrow green leaves dented about the edges ; the blossoms are greater than the plum, and of a light purple colour; the fruit round, and sometimes as big as a reasonable pippin, others smaller, as also differing in colour and taste, as russet, red, or yellow, waterish or firm, with a frize or cotton all over, with a cleft therein like an apricot, and a rugged, furrowed, great stone within it, and a bitter kernel within the stone. It sooner waxethold, and decayeth than the apricot. Place. — They are nursed in gardens and orchards through this land. Time. — They flower in the spring, and fructify in the Autumn. Govrenment and Virtues. — Lady Yenus owns this tree, and by it opposeth the ill effects of Mars ; and indeed for children and young people nothing is better to purge choler and the jaundice than the leaves or flowers of this tree, being made into a syrup or con- serve ; let such as delight to please their lust regard this fruit ; but such as have lost their health or their children’s, let them regard what I say; they may safely give two spoonsful of the syrup at a time— it is as gentle as Yenus herself. The leaves of peaches bruised and laid on the belly, kill worms: and so they do also being boiled in ale and drank, and open the belly likewise ; and being dried is a safer medicine to discuss humours. The powder of them strewed upon fresh bleeding wounds stayeth their bleeding and closeth them up. The flowers steeped all night in a little wine standing warm, strained forth in the morning, and drank fasting, doth gently open the CULPEPEfi’s HERBAL. 271 belly, and move it downward. A syrup made of them, as the syrup of roses is made, worketh more forcibly than that of roses, for it provoketh vomiting, and spendeth waterish and hydropic humours by the con- tinuance thereof. The flowers made into a conserve, worketh the same effect. The liquor that droppeth from the tree, being wounded, is given in the decoction of colt’s-foot to those that are troubled with the cough or shortness of breath, by adding thereunto some sweet wine, and putting some saffron also therein. It is good for those that are hoarse, or have lost their voice ; helpeth all defects of the lungs, and those that vomit and spit blood. Two drachms hereof, in the juice of lemons or of raddish, is good for them that are troubled with the stone. The kernels of the stones do wonderfully ease the pains and wringings of the belly, through wind or sharp humours, and help to make an excellent medicine for the stone upon all occasions in this manner : I take fifty kernels of joeach stones , and one hundred of the kernels of cherry stones, a handful of elder flowers fresh or dried, and three pints of muscadel ; set them in a close pot into a bed of horse dung for ten days , after which distil in a glass with a gentle fire, and keep it for your use: you may drink upon occasion three or four ounces at a time. The milk or cream of these kernels being drawn forth with some vervain water, and applied to the forehead and temples, doth much help to procure rest and sleep to sick persons wanting it. The oil drawn from the kernels, the temples therewith anointed, doth the like. The said oil put into clysters, easeth the pains of the wind cholic; and anointed on the lower parts of the belly doth the like; and dropped into the ears easeth the pains in them : the juice of the leaves doth the like. Being also anointed on the forehead and temples it helpeth the megrim, and all other pains in the head. If the ker- nels be bruised and boiled in vinegar until they be- come thick, and applied to the head, it marvelously 272 CULPEPERS HEEBAE. procures the hair to grow again upon any bald places, or where it is too thin. THE PEAR-TREE. Pear-trees are so well known, that it would be need- le.-s to write any description of them. Government and Virtues. — The tree belongs to Venus, and so doth the apple-tree. For their physi- cal use they are best discerned by their taste. All the sweet and luscious sorts, whether manured or wild, do help to move the belly downwards more or less. Those that are hard and sour, do on the contrary, bind the belly as much, and the leaves do so also : those that are moist do in some sort cool, but harsh or wild ones much more, and are very good in repel- ling medicines ; and if the wild sort be boiled with mushrooms, it makes them less dangerous. The said pears boiled with a little honey, helps much the op- pressed 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 in green wounds to cool and stay the blood, and heal up the wound without any further trouble or inflammation, as Galen saith he found it by experience. The wild pears do sooner close up the lips of green wounds than others. Schola and Salerni ad visetli to drink much wine after pears, or else, they say, they are as bad as poison ; nay, and they curse the tree for it too ; but if a poor man find his stomach oppressed by eating pears, it is but working hard, and it will do as well as drinking wine. PELLITORY OF SPAIN. Common pellitory of Spain, if it be planted in our gardens, it will prosper very well ; yet there is one sort growing ordinarily here wild, which 1 esteem to be little inferior to the other, if at all. I shall, how- ever, not deny you the description of them both. Descrip. — Common pellitory is a very common plant, and will not be kept in our gardens without di- CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 273 ligent looking to. The root goes down right into the ground, bearing leaves, being long and finely cut upon the stalk, lying on the ground, much larger than the leaves of camomile are. At the top it bears one single large flower at a place, having a border of many leaves, white on the upper side, and reddish underneath, with a yellow thrumb in the middle, not standing so close as that of camomile doth. The other common pellitory which groweth here, hath a root of a sharp biting taste, scarcely discerni- ble by the taste from that before described, from whence arise divers brittle stalks a yard high or more, with narrow long leaves finely dented about the edges, standing one above another up to the tops. The flowers are many and white, standing in tufts like those of yarrow, with a small, yellowish thrumb in the middle. The seed is very small. Place. — The last groweth in fields, by the hedge 6ides and paths almost every where. Time. — It fiowereth at the latter end of June and in July. Government and Virtues. — It is under the govern- ment of Mercury, and I am persuaded it is one of the best purgers of the brain that grows. An ounce of the juice taken in a draught of muscadel an hour be- forethe fitof the ague comes, will assuredly driveaway the ague at the second or third time taking at the ‘arthest. Either the herb or root dried and chewed in -he mouth, purgeth the brain of phlegmatic humours: thereby not only easing pains in the head and teeth, but also hindereth the distilling of the brain upon the lungs and eyes, thereby preventing coughs, phthisics, and consumptions, the apoplexy and falling sickness. It is an excellent approved remedy in the lethargy. The powder of the herb or root being snuffed up the nostrils, procureth sneezing, and easeth the head-ache; being made into an ointment with hog’s grease, it takes away black and blue spots occasioned by blows or falls, and helps both the gout and sciatica. Uo s 274 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. PELLITORY op THE WALL. Descrip. — Itriseth witli brownish, red, tender, weak, clear, ami almost transparent stalks about two feet high, upon which grow at the joints two leaves some- what broad and long, of a dark green colour, which afterwards turn brownish, smooth on the edges, but rough and hairy, as the stalks are also. At the joints with the leaves from the middle of the stalk upwards, where it spreadeth into branches, stand many small, pale, purplish flowers in hairy rough heads or husks, after which come small, black, rough seed, which will stick to any cloth or garment that shall touch it. The root is somewhat long, with small fibre? thereat, of a dark reddish colour, which abideth the winter, al- i hough the stalks and leaves perish and spring every year. Place. — It groweth wild generally through the land, about the borders of fields and by the sides of walls and among rubbish. It will endure well being brought up in gardens, and, planted on the shady sides, where it will spring again of its own sowing. Time. — It flowereth in June and July, and the seed is ripe soon after. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Mercury. The dried herb pellitorv made up into an electuary with honey, or the juice of the herb, or the decoction thereof made up with sugar or honey, is a singular remedy for an old or dry cough, the short- ness of breath, and wheezing in the throat. Three ounces of the juice thereof taken at a time, doth wonderfully help stoppings of the urine, and to expel the stone or gravel in the kidnies or bladder, and is therefore usually put among other herbs used in clys- ters to mitigate pains in the back, sides, or bowels, proceeding of wind, stopping of urine, the gravel or stone, as aforesaid. If the bruised herb sprinkled with some muscadel, be warmed upon a tile, or in a disli Culpeper's herpal. 07c Lm i tj upon a few quick coals in a chafing dish, and applied to the belly, it worker li tire same effect. The decoc- tion of the herb beinyf drank, easeth pains of the mo- ther, bringeth down women’s courses ; it also easeth those griefs that arise from obstructions of the liver, spleen, and reins. The same decoction with a little honey added thereto, is good to gargle a sore throat. The juice held awhile in the mouth, ehseth pains in the teeth. The distilled water of the herb drank with some sugar, worketh the same effects, and cleanseth the skin from spots, freckles, purples, wheals, sun- burn, morphew, &c. The juice dropped into the ears, easeth the noise in them, and taketh away the prick- ing and shooting pains therein : the same, or the dis- tilled water, assuageth liotandswelling imposthumes, burnings, and scaldings by fire or water; as also all other hot tumours and inflammations, or breakings out of heat, being bathed often with wet cloths dipped therein ; the said juice made into a liniment with ce- ruse and oil of roses, and anointed therewith, cleans- eth foul rotten ulcers, and stayeth spreading or creeping ulcers, and running scabs or sores in chil- dren’s heads; and helpeth to stay the hair from falling off the head. The said ointment or the herb applied to the fundament, openeth the piles and easeth their pains ; and being mixed with goat’s fallow, helpeth the gout: the juice is very effectual to cleanse fistulas, and to heal them up safely : or the herb itself bruised and applied with a little salt. It is likewise effectual to heal any green wound ; if it be bruised and bound thereto for three days, you shall need no other medicine to heal it further. A poultice made hereof with mallows, and boiled in wine and wheat bran and bean flour, and some oil put thereto and applied warm to any bruised sinews, tendon, or m uscle, doth in a very short time restore them to their strengh, taking away the pains of the bruises, and dis- solved the congealed blood coming of blows, or falls from high places. 276 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. The juice of pellitoryof the wall clarified and boil* ed in a syrup with honey, and a spoonful of it drank every morning by such as are subject to the dropsy; by continuing that course, though but once, if ever they have the dropsy let them but come to me, and I will cure them gratis. PENNYROYAL. Pennyroyal is so well known unto all, I mean the com- mon kind, that it needeth no description. There is a greater kind than the ordinary sort found wild with us, which so abideth being brought into gar- dens, and differeth not from it, but only in the large- ness of the leaves and stalks, in rising higher, and not creeping upon the ground so much ; the flower* whereof are purple, growing in rundels about thf stalks, like the other. Place. — The first, which is common in gardens, groweth also in many moist and watery places of this land. The second is found wild in divers places by the high ways from London to Colchester, and thereabouts, more abundantly than in any other counties, and is also planted in their gardens in Essex. Time. — They flower in the latter end of summer, about August. Government and Virtues. — The herb is under Ve- nus. Dioscorides saith, that pennyroyal maketh thin tough phlegm, warmeth the coldness of any part where- to it is applied, and digesteth raw or corrupt matter ; being boiled and drank, it provoketh women’s courses, and expelleth the dead child and after-birth, and stay- eth the disposition to vomit being taken in water and vinegar, mingled together. And being mingled with honey and salt, it voideth phlegm out of the lungs, and purgeth melancholy by stool. Drank with wine, it helps such as are bitten and stung by venomous bea3ts, and applied to the nostrils with vinegar, reviveth those that are fainting and swooning. Being dried and cuepepek’s herbal. 277 burnt, it strengthens the gums. It is helpful to those t hat are troubled with the gout, being applied of itself to the place until it was red ; and applied inaplaister it takes away spots or marks in the face: applied with salt, it profiteth those that are splenetic or liver grown. The decoction doth help the itch if washed therewith; being put into baths for women to sit therein, ithelpcth the swellings and hardness of the mother. The green herb bruised and put into vinegar, cleanse th foul ulcers, and taketh away the marks or bruises and blows about the eyes, and all discolourings of the face by fire ; yea, and the leprosy, being drank and outwardly applied. Boiled in wine with honey and salt, ithelpeth the tooth- ache. It helpeth the cold griefs in the joints, taking away the pains, and warmeth the cold part, being fast bound to the place, after a bathing or sweating inahot- house. Pliny addeth, that pennyroyal and mints to- gether, help fain tings, being put into vinegar and smel- led unto, or put into the nostrils or mouth. It eas- eth head-aches, pains of the breast and belly, and gnawing of the stomach ; applied with honey, salt, and vinegar, it helpeth cramps or convulsions of the sinews. Boiled in milk and drank, it is effectual for the cough, and for ulcers and sores in the mouth; drank in wine it provoketh women’s courses, and ex- pelleth the dead child and after-birth. Matthiolus saith, the decoction thereof being drank, helpeth the jaundice and dropsy, all pains of the head and sinews that come of a cold cause, and cleareth the eyesight. Ithelpeth the lethargy, and applied with barley-meal, helpeth burnings, and put into the ears easeth the pain of them. MALE and FEMALE PEONY. Descrip. — Male peony riseth up with brownish stalks, whereon grow green and reddish leaves, upon a stalk without uny particular division in the leaf at all. The flowers stand at the top of the stalks, con- sisting of five or six broad leaves of a fair purplish 278 Culpeper’s herbal. red colour, with many yellow thread? in the middle, standing about the head, which after riseth up to be the seed vessels, divided into two, three, or four crook- ed pods like horns, which being full ripe, open and turn themselves down backward, shewing within them divers round, black, shining seeds, having also many crimson veins intermixed with black, whereby it. inaketh a very great show. The roots are great, thick, and long, spreading and running down deep in the ground. The ordinary female peony hath as many stalks and more leaves on them than the male ; the leaves not so large, but nicked on the edges, some with great and deep, others with smaller cuts and partitions, of a dead green colour. The flowers are of a strong heady scent, usually smaller, and of a more purple colour than the male, with yellow thrumbs about he head, as the inale hath. The seed vessels are like horns, as in the male, but smaller; the seed is black, hut less shining. The roots consist of many short tuberous clogs fastened at the end of long strings, mid all from the head of the roots, which is thick and short., and of the like scent with the male. Place and Time. — They grow in gardens, and flower usually about. May. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Sun, aud under the Lion. Physicians say, male peony roots are best ; but Dr. Reason told me mule peony was best for men, and female peony for women, and he desires to be judged by his brother Dr. Expe- rience. The roots are held to be of more virtue than the seeds ; next the flowers, and last of all the leaves. The root of the male peony fresh gathered, having been found by experience to cure the falling-sickness ; but the surest, way is, besides hanging it about the neck, by which children have been cured, to take the root of the male peony washed clean, and stamped somewhat small, and laid to infuse in sack for twenty- four hours at least, afterwards strain it, and take it Culpeper’s hebbal. 279 first and last morning and evening, a good draught for sundry days together before and after a full moon, and this will also cure older persons if the disease be not grown too old and past cure, especially if there be a due and orderly preparation of the body with posset made of betony. See. The root is also effectual for women that are not sufficiently cleansed after child birth, and such as are troubled with the mother; for which likewise the black seed beaten to powder, and given in wine, is also available. The black seed also taken before bed-time and in the morning, is very effectual for such as in their sleep are troubled with the disease called Ephialtes, or Incubus, but we do commonly call it the Night-mare; a disease which melancholy persons are subject unto; it is also good against melancholy dreams. The distilled water or syrup made of the flowers, worketh the same effects that the root and the seed do, although more weakly. The female is often used for the purposes aforesaid, by reason the male is so scarce a plant that it is pos- sessed by few, and those great lovers of rarities in this kind. PEPPERWORT, or DITTANDER. Descrip. — Our common pepperwort sendeth forth somewhat long and broad leaves, of a light blueish green colour, finely dented about the edges, and pointed at the ends, standing upon round hard stalks three or four feet high, spreading many branches on all sides, and having many small white flowers at the tops of them, after which follow small seeds in small heads. The root is slender, running much under- ground, and shooting up again in many places, and both leaves and roots are very hot and sharp of taste, like pepper, for w’hich cause it took the name. Place. — It groweth naturally in many places of tliis land, as at Clare, in Essex : also near unto Exe- ter, in Devonshire ; upon Rochester Common, in Kent; in Lancashire, and divers other places ; but usually kept in gardens. 280 CTJLPEPEE’S HEEBAIi. Time. — It flowereth in the end of June and in July. Government and Virtues. — Here is another mar- tial herb for you, make much of it. Pliny and Paulus iEgineta say, that pepperwort is very successful for the sciatica, or any other gout or pain in the joints, or any other inveterate grief: the leaves hereof to be bruised and mixed with old hog’s grease, and applied to the place, and to continue thereon four hours in men, and two in women, the place being afterwards bathed with wine and oil mixed together, and then wrapped up with wool or skins after they have sweat a little. It.alsoamendeth the deformities or discolourings of the skin, and helpeth to take away marks, scars, and scabs, or the foul marks of burning with fire or iron. The juice hereof is by some used to be given in ale to drink to women with child, to pro- cure them a speedy deliverence in travail. PERR1 WINKLE. Descrrp. — The common sort hereof hath many branches trailing or running upon the ground, shoot- ing out small fibres at the joints as it runneth, taking thereby hold in the ground, and rooteth in divers places. At the joints of these branches stand two small dark green shining leaves, somewhat like bay leaves, but smaller, and with them come forth also the flowers, one at a stalk, standing upon a tender foot-stalk, being somewhat long and hollow, parted at the brims sometimes into four, sometimes into five leaves; the most ordinary sorts are of a pale blue colour: some are pure white, and some of a dark red- dish purple colour. The root is little bigger than a rush, bushing in the ground and creeping with his branches far about, whereby it quickly possesseth a great compass, and is most usually planted under hedges where it may have room to run. Place. — Those with the pale blue, and those with the white flowers, grow in woods and orchards, by the hedge sides, in divers places of this land; but those with the purple flowers in gardens only. cttlpeper’s herbal. 281 Time. — They flower in March and April. Government and Virtues. — Venus owns this herb, and saith that the leaves eaten together by man and wife, causeth love between them. The periwinkle is a great binder, stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose, if some of the leaves be chewed. The French use it to stay women’s courses. Dioscorides, Galen, and iEgiueta commended it against the lasks and fluxes of the belly to be drank in wine. ST. PETER S WORT. If superstition had not been the father of tradition, as well as ignorance the mother of devotion, this herb (as well as St. John’s wort) had found some other name to be known by ; but we may say of our fore- fathers as St. Paul of the Athenians, I perceive in many things ye are too superstitious. Yet seeing it is come to pass that custom having got into posses- sion, pleads prescription for the name, I shall let it pass, and come to the description of the herb, which take as followeth : Descrip. — It riseth up with square upright stalks for themost part, some what greater and higherthan St. John’s wort, (and good reason too, St Peter being the greater apostle, ask the Pope else ; for though God would have the saints equal, the pope is of another opinion) but brown in the same manner, having two leaves at every joint somewhat like, larger than St. John’s wort, a little rounder pointed, with a few or no holes to be seen thereon, and having some smaller leaves rising from the bosom of the greater, and some- times a little hairy also. At the tops of the stalks stand many star-like flowers, with many threads in the middle, very like those of St. John’s wort, inso- much that it is hardly discerned from it but only by the largeness and height, the seed being alike also in both. The root abideth long, sending forth new shoots every year. Place.— It groweth in many groves and small low 282 ctjepeeee’s heeeax. woods in divers places of this land, as in Kent, Hun- tingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire; as also near water-courses in other places. Time. — It flowereth in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — There is not a straw to choose between this and St. John’s wort, only St. Pe- ter must have it lest he should want pot herbs ; it is of the same property as St. John’s wort, but somewhat weak, and therefore more seldom used. Two drachms of the seed taken at a time in honied water, purgeth choleric humours, as saith Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen, and therefore helpetli those that are troubled with the sciatica. The leaves are used as St. John’s wort, to help those places of the body that have beeu burnt with tire. PIMPERNEL. Descrip — Common pimpernel hath divers weak square stalks lying on the ground, beset all along with two small and almost round leaves at every joint, one against another, very like chiekweed, but hath no foot-stalks, for the leaves as it were compass the stalk; the flowers stand singly each by themselves at them and the stalk, consisting offive small round point- ed leaves of a pale red colour tending to an orange, with so inanv 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 growoth every where almost, as well in meadows and corn-fields, as by the way-sides and in gardens, arising of itself. Time. — It flowereth from April until May, and the seed ripeneth in the mean time and falleth. Government and Virtues.— It is a gallant Solar herb, of a cleansing attractive quality, whereby it draweth forth thorns and splinters, or other such like things gotten into the flesh, and put into the nostrils ctjlpepkk’s herbal. 283 purgeth the head ; and Galen saith also, they have a drying faculty, whereby they are good to solder the lips of wounds, and to cleanse foul ulcers. The dis- tilled water or juice is much celebrated by French dames to cleanse the skin from any roughness, deform- ity, or discolourings thereof ; being boiled in wine and given to drink, it is a good remedy against the plague, and other pestilential fever, if the party after taking it be warm in his bed, and sweat for two hours after, and use the same for twice at least. It helpeth also all stinging or biting of venomous beasts or mad doss, being used inwardly, and applied outwardly. The same also openeth obstructions of the liver, and is very available against infirmities of the reins; it pro- voketh urine, helpeth to expel the stone and gravel out of the kidnies and bladder, and helpeth much in all inward pains and ulcers. The decoction or dis- tilled water is no less effectual to be applied to all wounds that are fresh and green, or old, filthy, fret- ting, and running ulcers, wh icli it very effectually euro in a short space. A little honey mixed with the juice and dropped into the eyes, cleanseth them from cloudy mists or thick films which grow over them and hinder the sight. It helpeth the tooth-ache, being dropped into the ear on the contrary side of the pain ; it is also effectual to ease the pains of the haemorrhoids or pile3. GROUND PINE, oh, CHAMEPITYS. Descrip.— Out common ground pine groweth low, seldom rising above a hand’s breadth high, shooting forth divers small branches set with slender, small, long, narrow, greyish or whitish leaves, somewhat hairy, and divided into three parts, many bushing together at a joint, some growing scatteringly upon the stalks, smelling somewhat strong like unto rosin : the flowers are small, and of a pale yellow colour, growing from the joint of the stalk all along among the leaves ; after which come small and round husks. The root is small and woody, perishing every year. 284 cuipeper’s herbal. Place. — It groweth more plentifully in Kent than in any other county of this land j as, namely, many places on this side Dartford, along to Southfleet, Chatham, and Rochester, and upon Chatham Down hard by the Beacon, and half a mile from Rochester, in a field nigh a house called Selesys. Time. — It floweret h and giveth seed in the summer. Government and Virtues. — Mars owns the herb. The decoction of ground pine drank, doth wonderfully prevail against the strangury or any inward pains arising from the diseases of the reins and urine, and is special good for all obstructions of the liver and spleen, and gently openetk the body ; for which purpose they were wont in former times to make pills wit ii the powder thereof and the pulp of figs. It marvelously helpetii all diseases of the mother, inwardly or outwardly ap- plied, procuring women’s courses, and expelling the dead child and after-birth ; yea, it is so powerful upon those feminine parts, thatitis utterly torbidden for women with child, for it will cause abortion or de- livery before the time. The decoction of the herb in wine taken inwardly or applied outwardly, or both for some time together, is also effectual in all pains and diseases of the joints, as gouts, cramps, palsies, sciatica and aches ; for which purpose the pills made with powder of ground pmr-, and of herraodactvls with Venice turpentine, are very effectual. The pills also, continued for some time, are special good for those that have the dropsy, jaundice, griping pains of the joints, belly, or inward parts. It. helpeth also all ^diseases of the bruin, proceeding of cold and phleg- matic humours and distillations, as also for the falling sickness. It is a special remedy for the poison of the aconites and other poisonous herbs, as also against the stinging of any venomous creature. It is a good re- medy for a cold cough, especially in the beginning. For all the purposes aforesaid, the herb being tunned in new drink und drank, is almost as effectual, but far more acceptable to weak and dainty stomachs. The Culpeper’s herbal. 285 distilled water of the herb hath the same effects, but more weakly. The conserve of the flowers doth the like, which Matthiolus much cornmendeth against the palsy. The green herb, or the decoction thereof being applied, dissolveth the hardness of women’s breasts, and all other hard swellings in any other part of the body. The green herb also applied, or the juice there of with some honey, not only cleanseth putrid, stink- ing, foul, and malignant ulcers ar.d sores of all sorts, but healeth and soldereth up the lips of the green wounds in any part also. Let women forbear it they be with child, for it works violently upon the femi- nine part. PLANTAIN. This groweth usually in meadows and fields, and by path 6ides, and is so well known that it needeth no description. Time.— It is in its beauty about June, and the seed ripeneth shortly after. Government and Virtues.— It is true, Mizaldus and others, yea, almost all astrology-physicians, hold this to be an herb of Mars, because it cureth the diseases of the head and privities, which are under the houses of Mars, Aries, and Scorpio; the truth is, it is under command of Venus, and cures the head by antipathy to Mars, and the privities by sympathy to Venus ; neither is there hardly a martial disease but it cures. The juice of plantain clarified and drank for divers days together, either of itself or in other drink, pre- vaileth wonderfully against all torments or excoria- tions in the guts or bowels, helpeth the distillations of rheum from the head, and stayeth all manner of fluxes, even women’s courses when they flow too abundantly. It is good to stay spitting of blood and other bleedings of the mouth, or the making of foul and bloody water, by reason of any ulcer in the reins or bladder, and also the too free bleeding of wounds. It is held an especial remedy for those that are trou* 288 culpepek’s heebax. bled with the phthisic, or consumption of the lunes, or ulcers of the lungs, or coughs that come of heat. The decoction or powder of the roots or seeds, is much more binding for all the purposes aforesaid than the leaves. Dioscorides saith, that three roots boiled in wine and taken, helpeth the tertian ague, and for the quartan ague, (but letting the number pass as fabu- lous) I conceive the decoction of divers roots may be effectual. The herb, but especially the seed, is held to be profitable against the dropsy, the falling-sick- ness, the yellow jaundice, and stoppings of the liver and reins. The roots of plantain and pellitory of Spain, beaten into powder and put into the hollow teeth, taketh away the pains of them. The clarified juice, or distilled water dropped into the eyes, cooleth the inflammations in them, and taketh away the pin and web ; and dropped into the ears easeth the pains in them, and helpeth and removeth the heat. The same also with the juice of houseleek, is profitable against all inflammations and breakings out of the skin, and against burning? and scaldings by fire and water. The juice or decoction made either of itself or other things of the like nature, is of much use and good effect for old hollow ulcers that are hard to be cured, and for cankers and sores in the mouth or privy parts of man or woman ; and helpeth also the pains of the piles in the fundament. The juice mixed with oil of roses, and the temples and forehead anointed there- with, easeth the pains of the head proceeding from heat, and helpeth lunatic and frantic persons very much; as also the biting of serpents or a mad dog. The same also is profitably applied to all hot gouts in the feet and hands, especially in the beginning. It is tt Iso good to be applied where any bone i? out of joint, to hinder inflammations, swellings, and pains that presently rise thereupon. The powder of the dried leaves taken in drink, killeth worms in the belly ; and boiled in wine, killeth worms that breed in old and foul ulcers. One part of plantain water, aud two cuepepeb's hebbax. 237 parts of the brine of powdered beef, boiled together and clarified, is a most sure remedy to heal all spread- ing scabs or itch in the head and body, all manner of tetters, ringworms, the shingles, and all other running and fretting sores. Briefly, the plantains are singu- lar good wound herbs to heal fresh or old wounds or sores, either inward or outward. PLUMS Are so well known that they need no description. Government and Virtues. — All plumbs are under Yeuus, and are, like women, some better and some worse, as there is great diversity of kinds, so there is in the operation of plums, for some that are sweet moisten the stomach and make the belly soluble ; those that are sour quench thirst more anil bind the belly; the moist and waterish do sooner corrupt in the stomach, but the firm do nourish more, and offend less. The dried fruit sold by the grocers under the name of dama?-k prunes, do somewhat loosen the belly, and being stewed, are often used both in health and sickness, to relish the mouth and stomach, to procure appetite, arid a little to open the body, allay choler, and cool the stomach. Plum-tree leaves boiled in wine, are good to wash and gargle the mouth and throat, to dry the flux of rheum coming to the palate, gums, or almond3 of the ears. The gum of the tree is good to break the stone. The gum or leaves boiled in vinegar and applied, kills tetters and ring- worms. Matthiolus saith, the oil pressed out of the kernels of the stones, as oil of almonds is made, is good against the inflamed piles, and tumours or swel- lings of ulcers, hoarseness of the voice, roughness of the tongue and throat, and the pains in the ears. And that five ounces of the said oil taken with one ounce of muscadel, driveth forth the stone, and helpeth the cholic. POLYPODY of tub OAK. Descriv. — This is a small herb consisting of nothing 288 Culpeper’s herbal. Dut roots and leaves, bearing neither stalk, flower, nor seed, as it is thought. It hath three or four leaves rising from the root, every one single by itself, ot about a hand length, are winged, consisting of many small narrow leaves cut into the middle rib, standing on each side of the stalk, large below and smaller up to the top, not dented nor notched at the edges at all, as the male fern hath, of a sad green colour, and smooth on the upper side, but on the other side some- what rough by reason of some yellowish spots set thereon. The root is smaller than one’s little finger, lying aslope or creeping along under the upper crust of the earth, brownish on the outside and greenish within, of a sweetish harshness in taste, set with cer- tain rough knag3 on each side thereof, having also much mossiness or yellow hairiness upon it, and some fibres underneath it, whereby it is nourished. Place. — It groweth as well upon old rotten stumps or trunks of trees, as oak, beech, hazel, willow, or anv other, as in the woods under them, and upon old mud walls, as also in mossy, stony, and gravelly places near unto wood. That which groweth upon oak is ac- counted the best; but the quantity is scarce sufficient for common use. Time. — Itbeing always green, maybe gathered for use at any time. Government and Virtues. — And why, I pray, must polypodium of the oak only be used, gentle college of physicians? can you give me but a glimpse of reason for it? — It is only because it is dearest. Will you never leave off your covetousness till your lives leave you? The truth is, that which grows upon the earth is best (it js an herb of Saturn, and he seldom climbs trees) to purge melancholy: if the humour be otherwise, choose your polypodium accordingly. Meuse (who is called the physician’s evangelist, for the certainty of his medicines, and the truth of his opinion) saith, that it driethup thin humours, digesteth thick and tough, and purgeth burnt choler, and especially tough and CULPEPER’S herbal. 289 thick phlegm, and thin phlegm also, even from the joints, and therefore good for those that are troubled with melancholy or quartan agues, especially if it be taken in whey or honied water, or in barley water, or t he broth of a chicken with epithymum, or with beets and mallows. Itisgood for the hardness of the spleen, and for pricking or stitches in the sides, as also for tiie cholic ; some use to put to it some fennel seeds, or anise seeds, or ginger, to correct that loathing it. bringeth to the stomach, which is more than needeth, it being a safe and gentle medicine, fit for all persons, which daily experience contirmeth ; and an ounce of ir may be given at a time in a decoction, if there be not senna or some other strong purger put with it. A drachm or two of the powder of the dried roots taken fasting in a cup of honied water, worketh gen- tly, and for the purposes aforesaid. The distilled water both of roots and leaves, is much commended for the quartan ague, to be taken for many days to- gether, as also against melancholy, or fearful and troublesome sleeps or dreams; and with some sugar- candy dissolved therein, is good against the cough, shortness of breath, wheezings, and those distillations of thin rheum upon the lungs, which cause phthisics, and oftentimes consumptions. The fresh roots beaten small, or the powder of the dried roots mixed with ho- ney, and applied to the member that is out of joint, doth much help it; and applied to the nose, cureth the disease called polypus, which is a piece of flesh growing therein, which in time stoppeth the pas- sage of breath through that nostril ; and it helpeth those clefts or chops that come between the fingers or toes. THE POPLAR TREE. There are two sorts of poplars which are most fa- miliar with us, viz. black and white, both which 1 shall here describe unto you. JJescrip. — The white poplar groweth great, and rea- Uo x 290 CEEPEPEJi’s HEEBAIi. sonablyhigh, covered with thick, smooth, white bark, especially the branches, having long leaves cut into se- veral divisions almost like a vine leal, but not of so deep a green colour on the upper side, and hoary white un- derneath, of a reasonable good scent, the whole form representing the form of colt’s foot. The cat-kins which it bririgeth forth before the leaves, are long, and of a faint reddish colour, which fall away, bearing sel- dorngood seed with them. The wood hereof issmooth, soft, and white, very finely waved, whereby it is much esteemed. The black poplar groweth higher and straighter than the white, with a greyish bark, bearing broad green leaves sovvewhat like ivy leaves, not cut in on the edges like the white, but whole and dented, end- ing in a point, and not white underneath, hanging by slender long foot-stalks, which, with the air, are con- tinually shaken like as the aspen leaves are. The cat-kins hereof are greater than those of the white, composed of many round green berries, as if they were set together in a long cluster, containing much downy matter, which being ripe is blown away with tlfe wind. The clammy buds hereof, before they spread into leaves, are gathered to make ungnentum popul- neuin, and are of a yellowish green colour, and small, somewhat sweet, but strong. The wood is smooth, tough, and white, and easy to be cloven. On both these trees groweth a sweet kind of musk, which in former times was used to putinto sweet ointments. Place. — They grow in moist woods, and by water- sides in sundry places of this land ; yet the white is not so frequent as the other. Time. — Their time is also expressed before. The cat-kins coming forth beiore the leaves in the end of summer. Government and Virtues. — Saturn hath dominion over both. White poplar, saith Galen, is of a cleans jug property; the weight of one ounce in powder of tiie bark thereof being drank, saith Dioscorides, is a culpeper?s herbal. 291 remedy for those that are troubled with the sciatica or the strangury. The juice of the leaves dropped warm into the ears, easeth the pains in them. The young clammy buds or eyes before they break out in to leaves, bruised and a little honey put to them, is a good medicine for a dull sight. The black poplar is held to be more cooling than the white, and therefore the leaves bruised with vinegar and applied, help the pout. The seed drank in vinegar is held good against the falling sickness. The water that droppeth from the hollow places of this tree, taketh away warts, pushes, wheals, and other the like breakings out of the body. The young black poplar buds, saitli Matthio- lus, are much used by women to beautify their hair, bruising them with fresh butter, straining them alter they have been kept for some time in the sun. The ointment called populneum , which is made of this poplar, is singular good for all heatand inflammations in any part of the body, and tern pereth the heat of wounds. It is much used to dry up the milk in wo- men’s breasts when they have weaned their children. POPPY. Of this I shall describe three kinds, viz. the white and black of the garden, and the erratic wild poppy, or corn rose. Descrip. — The white poppy hath at first four or five whitish green leaves lying on the ground, which rise with the stalk, compassing it at the bottom of them, and are very large, much cut or torn on the edges, and dented also besides ; the stalk, which is usually four or five feet high, hath sometimes no branches at the top, and usually but two or three at most, bearing everyone but one head wrapped up in a tliin skin, wliich boweth down before it is ready to blow, and then rising and being broken, the flower within it spreading itself open, and consisting of four very large white, round leaves, with many whitish round threads in the middle, set about a small, round, green head, 292 culpepee’s hebbal. having a crown or star-like cover at the head thereof, which growing ripe, becomes as large as a great apple, wherein are contained a great number of small round seeds, in several partitions or divisions next unto the shell, the middle thereof remaining hollowand empty. The whole plant, both leaves, stalks, and heads, while they are fresh, young, and green, yield a milk when they are broken of an unpleasant bitter taste, almost ready to provoke casting, and of a strong heady smell, which being condensate is called opium. The root is white and woody, perishing as soon as it hath given ripe seed. The black poppy little differethfrom the former, un- til it beareth its flower, which is somewhat less, and of a black purplish colour, but without any purple spots in the bottom of the leaf. The head of the seed is much less than the former, andopeneth itself a little round about to the top, under the crown, so that the seed which is very black will fall out, if one turn the head thereof downward. The wild poppy, or corn rose, hath long and narrow leaves, very much cut in on the edges, into many di- visions, of a light green colour, sometimes hairy with- al ; the stalk is blackish and hairy also, but not so tall as the garden kind, having some such like leaves thereon as grow below, parted into three or four branch- es sometimes, whereon grow small hairy heads, bow- ing down before the skin break, wherein the flower is, which when it is fullblown open, isof a fair yellow- ish red or crimson colour, in some much paler, with- out any spot in the bottom of the leaves, having ma' y black soft threads in the middle, compassing a small green head, which, when it is ripe, is not bigger than one’s little finger’s end, wherein is contained much black seed, smaller by half than that of the garden. The root perisheth every year and springeth again of its own sowing. Of this kind there is one lesser in all the parts thereof, and differeth in nothing else. Place. — The garden kinds do not naturally grow Culpeper’s herbal. 2°3 wiM in any place, but are sown in gardens where they grow. The wild poppy, or corn rose, is plentiful enough, and many times too much in the corn fields of all coun- ties through this land, and also upon ditch banks and by hedge sides. The smaller wild kind is also found in corn fields, and in some other places, but not so plentifully as the former. Time. — The garden kinds are usually sown in the spring, which then flower about the end of May, and somewhat earlier if they spring of their own sowing. The wild kind flower usually from May until July, and the seed of them is ripe soon after the flowering. Government and Virtues.— The herb is Lunar, and of the juice of it is made opium ; only for lucre of money they cheat you, and tell you it is a kind of tear, or some such like thing, that drops from pop- pies when they weep, and that is somewhere beyond the seas, I know not where beyond the moon. The garden poppy heads with speds made into a syrup, is frequently and to good effect used to procure rest and sleep in the sick and weak, and to stay ca- tarrhs and defluctions of thin rheums from the head into the stomach and lungs, causing a continual cough, the forerunner of a consumption; it helpeth also hoarseness of the throat, when one hath lost their voice, which the seed doth likewise. The black seed boiled in wine and drank, is said also to stay the flux of the belly, and women’s courses. The empty shells or poppy heads are usually boiled in water, and given to procure rest and sleep; so do the leaves in the same manner; as also if the head and temples be bathed with the decoction warm, or with the oil of poppies, the green leaves or heads bruised and applied with a little vinegar, or made into a poultice with barley meal, or hog’s grease, eooleth and temperetli all inflammations, as also the disease called St. An- thony’s fire. It is generally used in treacle and mi- thridate, and in all other medicines to procure rest Culpeper's herbal. 204 and sleep, and to ease pains in the head as well as in oilier parts. It is also used to cool inflammations, agues, and frenzies, or to stay defluctions which cause a cough, or consumption, and also other fluxes of the belly, or women’s courses; it is also put into hollow teeth to ease pain, and hath been found by experience to ease the pains of the gout. The wild poppy, or corn rose, as Matthiolus saith, is good to prevent, the falling sickness. The syrup made with the flowers, is with good effect given to those that have the pleurisy ; and the dried flowers also, either boiled in water, or made into powder and drank, either in the distilled water of them or some other drink, worketh the like effect. The distilled water of the flowers is held to be of much good use against surfeits, being drank evening and morning; it is also more cooling than any of the other poppies, and therefore cannot but be as effectual in hot agues, frenzies, and other inflammations either inward or outward. Galen saith, the seed is dangerous to be used inwardly. PURSLAINE. Garden purslaine, being used as a salad herb, is so well known that it needeth no description. I shall therefore only speak of its virtues as followeth. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of theMoon. It is good to cool any heat in the liver, blood, reins, and stomach, and in hot agues nothing better; it stayeth hot and choleric fluxes of the helly, women’s courses, the whites and gonorrhoea, or running of the reins, the distillation from the head, and pains therein pro- ceeding from heat, want of sleep, or the frenzy. The seed is more effectual than the herb, and is of singu- lar good use to cool the heat and sharpness of urine, and the outrageous lust of the body, venerous dreams, and the like ; insomuch that the over frequent use hereof extinguisheth the heat and virtue of natural procreation. The seed bruised and boiled in wine, Culpeper’s herbal. 295 and given to children, expelleth the worms. The juice of the herb is held effectual to all the purposes aforesaid; as also to stay vomitings, and taken with some sugar or honey, lielpeth an old dry cough, short- ness of breath, and the phthisic, and stayeth immo- derate thirst. The distilled water of the herb is used by many as the more pleasing, with a little sugar, to work the some effects. The juice also is singular good iu the inflammations and ulcers in the secret parts of man or woman, as also the bowels and haemorrhoids when they are ulcerous, or excoriations in them. The herb bruised and applied to the forehead and temples, allays excessive heat therein that hinders rest and sleep, and applied to the eyes taketh away the red- ness and inflammations in them, and those other parts where pushes, wheals, pimples, St. Anthony’s fire, and the like, break forth ; if a little vinegar be put to it, and laid to the neck with as much of galls and lin- seed together, it taketh away the pains therein, and the crick in the neck. The juice is used with oil of roses for the same causes, or for blastings by light- ning, and burnings by gunpowder, or for women’s sore breasts, and to allay the heat in all other sores or hurts, applied also to the navels of children that stick forth, it lielpeth them ; it is also good for sore mouths and gums that are swollen, and to fasten loose teeth. Camerarius saith, that the distilled water took away the pains in the teeth when all other remedies failed, and the thickened juice made into pills with thepowderof gum tragacanth and arabic being taken, prevaileth much to help those that make bloody wa- ter. Applied to the gout it easeth pains thereof, and lielpeth the hardness of the sinews, if it come not of the cramp, or a cold cause. PRIMROSES. They are so well known that they need no descrip- tion. Of the leaves of primroses is made as fine a salve to 29o culpebee’s heebai.. heal wounds 39 any I know; you shall be taught to make salves of any herb at the latter end of the book ; make this as you are taught there, and do not (you that have ingenuity in you,) see your poor neighbours go with wounded limbs when a halfpenny cost will heal them. PRIVET. Descrip. — Our common privet is carried up with many slender branches to a reasonable height and breadth, to cover arbours, bowers, and banqueting houses, and brought, wrought, and cut into so many forms of men, horses, birds, &c. which though at first, supported, groweth afterwards strong of itself. It beareth long and narrow green leaves by 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 with them, and some seeds that are flat on the one side, with a hole or dent therein. Place. — It groweth in this land in divers woods. Time. — Our privet flowereth in June and July, find the berries are ripe in August and September. Govrenment and Virtues. — The moon is lady of it. It is little used in physic with us in these times, more than in lotions to wash sores and sore mouths, and to cool inflammations and dry up fluxes. Yet MattLi- olus saith, it serveth to all the purposes for which cy- press or the east privet is appointed by Dioscorides and Galen. He farther saith, that the oil that is made of the flowers of privet infused therein, and set in the sun, i9 good for the inflammations of wounds, and for the head-ache coming of a hot cause. There is a sweet water also distilled from the flowers that i9 good for all those diseases that need cooling and drying, and therefore helpeth all fluxes of the belly or stomach, bloody fluxes and women’s courses, be- ing either drank or applied ; as also those that void blood at the mouth or any other place, and for distil- lations of rheum in the eyes, especially if it be used with tutia. culpepee’s herbal. 297 QUEEN OF THE MEADOWS, MEADOW SWEET, oh MEAD SWEET. Descrip.— The stalks of this are reddish, rising to be tli ree feet high, sometimes four or five feet, having at the joints thereof large winged leaves standing one above another at distances, consisting of many and somewhat broad leaves set on each side of a middle rib, being hard, rough, or rugged, crumpled much like unto elm leaves, having also some smaller leaves with them, (as agrimony hath) somewhat deeply dented about the edges, of a sad green colour on the upper side, and greyish underneath, of a pretty sharp scent and taste, somewhat like unto the burnet, and a leaf hereof put into a cup of claret wine, giveth also a fine relish to it. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand many tufts of small white flowers thrust thick together, which smell much sweeter than the leaves ; and in their places, being fallen, some crooked and cornered seed. The root is somewhat woody, and blackish on the outside, and brownish within, with, divers great strings and lesser fibres set thereat, of a strong scent, but nothing so pleasant as Ihe flowers and leaves, and perishing not, but abideth for many years, and shooteth forth anew every spring-time. Place. — It groweth in moist meadows that lie much wet, or near the courses of water. Time. — It flowereth in some place or other all the three summer months, that is, June, July, and Au- gust, and the seed is ripe soon after. Government and Virtues. — Venus claims diminion over the herb. It is used to stay all manner of bleed- ings, fluxes, vomitings, and women’s courses, as also their whites. It is said to alter and take away the fils of the quartan agues, and to make a merry heart, for which purpose some use the flowers and some the haves. It helpeth speedily those that are troubled with the cholic ; being boiled in wine, and with a lii- tle honey taken warm, it openeth the belly, but boiled 298 culpepeb’s heebax. in red wine and drank, it stayeth the flux of the belly. Outwardly applied it helpeth old ulcers that are can- cerous, or hollow and fistulous, for which it is by many much commended, as also for the sores in the mouth, or secret parts. The leaves when they are full grown being laid on the skin, will in a short time raise blis- ters thereon, as Tragus saith. The water thereof help- eth the heat and inflammation in the eyes. THE QUINCE TREE. Descrip. — The ordinary quince tree groweth often to the height and bigness of a reasonable apple tree, bur more usually lower and crooked, with a rough bark, spreading arms and branches far abroad. The leaves are somewhat like those of the apple tree, but thicker, broader, and fuller of veins, and whiter on the other side, not dented at all about the edges. The flowers are large and white, sometimes dashed over with ablush. The fruit that followeth is yellow being near ripe, and covered with a white frieze, or cotton, thick set on the younger, and growing less as they grow to be thorough ripe, bunched out oftentimes in some places, some being like an apple, and some a pear, of a strong heady scent, and not durable to keep, and is sour, harsh, and of an unpleasant tatsteto eat fresh ; butbeing scalded, roasted, baked, or preserved, becoraeth more pleasant. Place. — It best likes to grow near ponds and wa- ter-sides, and is frequent through this land. Time. — It flowereth not until the leaves be come forth. The fruit is ripe in September or October. Government and Virtues. — Old Saturn owns the tree. Quinces when they are green, help all sorts ol fluxes in men or women, and choleric lasks, casting, and whatever needeth astriction, more than any wa\ prepared by fire; yet the syrup of the juice, or the conserve, are much conducible, much of the binding quality being consumed by the tire; il a little vinegar be added, it stirreth up the languishing appetite, and CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 209 the stomach given tocasting ; some spices being added, comfortethand strengthened the decaying and faint- ing spirits, and helpeth the liver oppressed, that it cannot perfect the digestion, or correcteth choler and phlegm. If you would have them purging, put ho- ney to them instead of sugar ; and if more laxative, for choler, rhubarb ; for phlegm, turbith ; for watery humours, scaminony ; but if more forcibly to bind, use the unripe quinces, with roses and acacia, hypo- ristis, and some torrified rhubarb. To take the crude juice of quinces, is held a preservative against the force of deadly poison ; for it hath been found most certainly true, that the very smell of the quince hath taken away all the strength of the poison of white hel- lebore. If there be need of any outwardly binding and cooling of hot fluxes, the oil of quinces, or other medicines that may be made thereof, are very avail- able to anoint the belly or other parts therewith ; it likewise strengthens the stomach and belly, and the sinews that are loosened by sharp humours falling on them, and restraineth immoderate sweatings. The mucilage taken from the seeds of quinces and boiled ia a little water, is very good to cool the heat and heal 1 be sore breasts of women. The same with a little sugar, is good to lenify the harshness and hoarseness of the throat, and roughness of the tongue. The cot- ton or down of quinces boiled and applied to plague sores, healeth them up : and laid as a plaister made up with wax, it hringeth hair to them that are bald, and keepeth it from falling off if it be ready to shed. RADISH, oh HORSE-RADISH. The garden radish is so well known, that it needeth no description. Descrip. — The horse radish hath its first leaves that rise before winter about a foot and a half long, very much cut in or torn on the edges into many parts, of a dark green colour, with a great rib in themiddle ; after these have been up a while, others follow, which 300 Culpeper’s herbal. are greater, rougher, broader, and longer, whole and not divided at first, but only somewhat rougher dent- ed about the edges ; the stalks when it beareth flow- ers, which is seldom, are great, rising up with some few lesser leaves thereon to three or four feet hi^h, spreading at the top many small branches of whitish flowers, made of fourleaves a-piece ; after which come mall pods like those of shepherd’s purse, but seldom with any seed in them. The root is great, long, white and rugged, shooting divers heads of leaves, which may be parted for increase, but it doth not creep in the ground, nor run aboveground, and is of a strong sharp and bitter taste, almost like mustard. Place. — It is found wild in some places, but is chiefly planted in our gardens, and joy eth in moist and in shady places. Time. — It seldom flowereth, but when it doth it is in J uly. Government and Virtues. — They are both under Mars. The juice of horse-radish given to drink, is held to be very effectual for the scurvy. It killeth worms in children, being drank, and also laid upon the belly. The root bruised and laid to the place grieved with the sciatica, joint-ache, or the hard swel- lings of the liver and spleen, doth wonderfully help them all. The distilled water of the herb and root is more familiar to be taken with a little sugar for all the purposes aforesaid. Garden radishes are in wantonness by the gentry eaten as a salad, but they breed scurvy humours in the stomach, and corrupt the blood, andthen send for a physician as fast as you can ; this is one cause which makes the owners of such nice palates s un- healthful ; yet for such as are troubled with the gra- vel, stone, or stoppage of urine, they are good physic, if the body be strong that takes them ; you may make the juice of the roots into a syrup if you please, for that use. They purge by urine exceedingly. culpeeee’s heebal. 301 RAGWORT. It is also called St. James’ wort, stagger wort, stammer wort, and segrum. Descrip. — The greater common ragwort hath many large and long dark green leaves lying on the ground, very much rent and torn on the sides in many places ; from among which rise up sometimes but one, and sometimes two or three square or crested blackish or brownish stalks, three or four feet high, sometimes branched, bearing divers such like leaves upon them at several distances unto the top, where it branches forth into many stalks bearing many flowers, consist- ing of divers leaves set as a pale or border, with a dark yellow thrumb in the middle, which do abide a great while, but at last are turned into down, and with the small blackish grey seed are carried away with the wind. The root is made of many fibres, whereby it is firmly fastened into the ground, and abidetii many years. There is another sort thereof different from the former only in this, that it risetli not so high, the leaves are not so finely jagged, nor of so dark a green colour, but rather somewhat whitish, soft and woolly, and the flowers usually paler. Place. — They grow both of them wild in pastures and unfilled grounds in many places, and oftentimes both in one field. Time. — They flower in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — Ragwort is under the command of Dame Venus, and cleanseth, digestetli, and discusseth. The decoction of the herb is good to wash the mouth or throat that hath ulcers or sores therein ; and for swellings, hardness, or imposthumatious, for it thoroughly cleanseth and healeth them ; as also the quinsy and the king’s evil. It helpeth to stay catarrhs, thin rheums, and define* lions Irons the head into the eyes, nose, or lungs. The 302 CULPEPEK’s HEEBAL. juice is found by experience to be singular good to heal green wounds, and to cleanse and heal all old and filthy ulcers in the privities and in other parts of the body, as also inward wounds and ulcers ; staveth the malignity of fretting and running cancers, and hollow fistulas, not suffering them to spread farther. It is also much commended to help aches and pains either in the fleshy parts, or in the nerves and sinews; as also the sciatica, or pain of the hips or huckle-bone, to bathe the places with the decoction of the herb, or to anoint them with an ointment made of the herb bruised and boiled in old hog’s suet, with some mas- tich, and olibanum in powder added unto it after it is strained forth. In Sussex we call it ragweed. RATTLE GRASS. Of this there are two kinds, which I shall speak of, viz. the red and yellow. Descrip. — The common red rattle hath sundry red- dish, hollow stalks, and sometimes green, rising from the root, lying for the most part on the ground, some growing more upright, with many reddish or green leaves set on both sides of a middle rib, finely dented about the edges ; the flowers stand at the tops of the stalks or branches, of a fine purplish red colour, like small gaping hooks, after which come blackish seed in small husks, which lying loose therein will rattle with shaking. The root consists of two or three small whitish strings with some fibres thereat. The common yellow rattle hath seldom above one round great stalk, rising from the foot about half a yard or two feet high, and but few branches thereon, having two long and somewhat broad leaves set at a joint, deeply cut in on the edges, resembling the comb of a cock, broadest next to the stalk and smaller to i he end. The flowers grow at the tops of the stalks with some shorter leaves with them, hooded after the same manner that the others are, but of a fair yellow colour, or in some paler and in some more white. The Culpeper’s herbal. 303 seed fa contained in large husks, and being ripe will rattle or make a noise with lying loose in them. The root is small and slender, perishing every year. Place. — They grow in meadows and woods gener- ally throughout this land. Time. — They are in flower from midsummer until August be past, sometimes. Government and Virtues. — They are both of them under the dominion of the Moon. The red rattle is accounted profitable to heal up fistulas and hollow ulcers, and to stay the flux of humours in them, as also the abundance of women’s courses, or any other flux of blood, being boiled in red wine and drank. The yellow rattle, or cock’s-corab, is held to be good for those that are troubled with a cough or dimness of sight, if the herb, being boiled with beans arid some honey put thereto, be drank or dropped into the eyes. The whole seed being put into the eyes, draw- etb forth any skin, dimness, or film from the sight, without trouble or pain. REST HARROW, or CAMMOCK. Descrip. — Common rest harrow riseth up with divers rough woody twigs, half a yard or a yard high, set at the joints without order, with little roundish leaves, sometimes more than two or three at a place, of a dark green colour, without thorns wdiile they are young; but afterwards armed in sundry places with short and sharp thorns. The flowers come forth at the tops of the twigs and branches, whereof it is Full fashioned like peas or broom blossoms, but lesser, flatter, and somewhat closer, of a faint purplish colour; after which come small pods, containing small, flat, round seed: the root is blackish on the outside, and whitish within, very rough, and hard to break when it is fresh and green, and as hard as a horn when it is dried, thrusting down deep into the ground, and spreading likewise, every piece being apt to grow again if it be left in the ground. 301 Culpeper’s herbal. Place. — It groweth in many places of this land, as well in the arable as waste ground. Time. — It flowereth about the beginning or middle Of July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Mars. It is singular good to provoke urine when it is stopped, and to break and drive forth the stone, which the powder of the bark of the root taken in wine performeth effectually. Matthiolus caith, the same helpetli the disease called hernia carnosa , the fleshy rupture, by taking the said powder for some months together constantly, and that it hath cured some which seemed incurable by any other means than cutting or burning. The decoction thereof made with some vinegar, gargled in the mouth, easeth 1 lie tooth-ache, especially when it comes of rheum; and the said decoction is very powerful to open ob- structions of the liver and spleen, and other parts. A distilled water in Balneo Marice, with four pounds of the root hereof first sliced small, and afterwards steeped in a gallon of Canary wine, is singular good for all the purposes aforesaid, and to cleanse the pas- sages of the urine. The powder of the said root made into an electuary, or lozenges with sugar, and also the bark of the fresh roots boiled tender, and after- wards beaten to a conserve with sugar, worketh the like effect. The powder of the root strewed upon the brims of ulcers, or mixed with any other convenient thing, and applied, consumetk the hardness and caus- eth them to heal the better. ROCKET. In regard the garden rocket is rather used as a salad herb than to any physical purposes, 1 shall omit it, and only speak of the common wild rocket, the description whereof take as followeth. Descrip. — The common wild rocket hath longer and narrower leaves, mucn more divided into slender cuts and jags on botli sides the middle ribs than the CULPEPER’S HEKBAIj. 305 garden kinds liave, of a sad green colour: from among which rise up divers stalks two or three feet high, sometimes set with the like leaves, but smaller anti smaller upwards, branched from the middle into di- vers stiff stalks, bearing sundry yellow flowers on them made of four leaves a-piece, as the others are, which afterwards yield small reddish seed in very small long pods, of a more bitter and hot biting taste than the garden kinds, as the leaves are also. Place . — It is found wild in divers places of this land. Time. — It flowers about June or July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — The wild rockets are forbidden to be used alone, in regard their sharp- ness fumeth into the head, causing aches and pains therein, and are less hurtful to hot and choleric per- sons, for fear of inflaming their blood, and therefore for such we may say a little doth but a little harm, for angry Mars rules them, and he sometimes will be rusty when he meets with fools. The wild rocket is more strong and effectual to increase sperm and ve- nomous qualities, whereunto all the seed is more ef- fectual than the gardenkind. It serveth also to help digestion, and provoketh urine exceedingly. The seed is used to cure the biting of serpents, the scorpion, and the shrew mouse, and other poisons, and expel- leth worms, and other noisome creatures that breed in the belly. The herb boiled or stewed, and some sugar put thereto, helpeth the cough in children, being taken often. The seed also taken in drink, taketli away the ill scent of the arm- pits, increaseth milk in nurses, and wasteth the spleen. The seed mixed with lioney, and used on the face, cleanseth the skin from morphew, and used with vinegar, taketli away freckles and redness in the face or other parts ; and wit lithe gall of an ox, it mendeth foul scars, black and blue spots, and the marks of the small pox. i)o u 305 Culpeper's herbal. WINTER ROCKET, or CRESSES. Descrip. — Winter rocket, or winter cressps, hath divers somewhat large sad green leaves lying upon the ground, torn or cut in divers parts, somewhat like uuto rocket, or turnip leaves, with smaller pieces next the bottom, and broad at the ends, which so abide all the winter, (if it spring up in autumn, when it is used to be eaten) from among which rise up divers small round stalks full of branches, bearing many small yellow flowers of four leaves a-piece, after which come small pods with reddish seed in them. The root is somewhat stringy, and perisheth every year after the seed is ripe. Place.— Itgrowethofits own accord in gardens and fields, by the way-sides in divers places, and particu- larly in the next pasture to the Conduit Head behind Gray's Inn, that brings, water to Mr. Lamb’s conduit, in Holborn. Time. — Itflowereth in May, seedeth in June, and then perisheth. Government and Virtues. — This is profitable to provoke urine, to help strangury, and expel gravel and the stone. It is good for the scurvy, and found by experience to be a singular good wound-herb to cleanse inward wounds ; the juice or the decoction being drank, or outwardly applied to wash foul ul- cers and sores, cleansing them by sharpness, and hindering or abating the dead flesh from growing therein, and healing them by the drying quality. ROSES. I hold it altogether needless to trouble the reader with a description of any of these, since both the garden roses and the roses of the briars are well enough known : take therefore the virtue of them us followeth: And first I shall begin with the garden kinds. Government and Virtues. — What a pother have CULPEPEE’S HESBAIn 307 sufhors made with roses ! What a racket have they kept! I shall add, that red roses are under Jupiter, damask under Venus, white under the Moon, and Pro- vence under the King of France. The white and red roses are cooling and drying, and yet the white is taken to exceed the red in both the properties, but is seldom used inwardly in any medicine. The bitterness in the roses when they are fresh, especially the juice, purgeth cholerand watery humours: but being dried, and that heat which causeth the bitterness being con- .-uiued, they have then a binding and astringent qua- lity ; those also that are not full blown, do both cool and bind more than those that are full blown, and the white rose more than the red. The decoction of red roses made with wine and used, is very good for the head-ache, and pains in the eyes, ears, throat, and gums ; as also for the fundament, the lower parts of the belly, and the matrix, being bathed, or put into them. The same decoction with the roots remaining in it, is profitably applied to the region of the heart to ease the inflammation therein ; as St. Anthony’s lire, and other diseases of the stomach. Being dried and beaten to powder, and taken in steeled wine or water, it lielpeth to stay women’s courses. The yel- low threads in the middle of the roses, (which are erroneously called the rose seed) being powdered and drank in the distilled water of quinces, £tayeth the over- flowings of women’s courses, land doth wonderfully stay the deductions of rheum upon tiie gums and teeth, preserving them from corruption and fastening them if they be loose being washed and gargled therewith, and some vinegar of squills added thereto. The heads with the seed being used in powder, or in a decoction, stayeth the lask and spitting of blood. Red roses do strengthen the heart, the stomach, the liver, and the retentive faculty : they mitigate the pains that arise from heat, assuage inflammations, procure rest and sleep, stay both whites and reds in women, the gonor- rhoea, or running ol the reins or fluxes of the belly : 308 CUEPEEEJi’S IIEKEAli. the juice of them doth purge and cleanse the body from choler and phlegm. The husks of the roses, with the beards and nails of the roses, are binding and cooling; and the distilled water of them is good for the heat and redness of the eyes, and to stay and dry up the rheums and watering of them. Of the red roses are usually made many composi- tions, all serving to sundry good uses, viz. electuary of roses, conserve, both moist and dry, which is more usually called sugar of roses, syrup of dry roses, and honey of roses. The cordial powder called diarrho- den abbatis, and aromatica rosarum. The distilled water of roses, vinegar of roses, ointment, and oil of roses, and the rose leaves dried, are of very great use and effect. To write at large of every one of these, would make my book swell too big, it being sufficient for a volume itself to speak fully of them. But briefly, the elec- tuary is purging, whereof two or three drachms taken by itself in some convenient liquor, is a purge suffi- cient for a weak constitution, but may be increased to six drachms, according to the strength of the pa- tient. It purgeth choler without trouble, and is good in hot fevers, and pains of the head arising from hot choleric humours, and heat in the eyes, the jaundice also, and joint-aches proceeding of hot humours. The moist conserve is of much use, both binding and cor- dial ; for until it be about two years old, it is more binding than cordial, and after that, more cordial than binding. Some of the younger conserve taken with mithridate mixed together, is good for those that are troubled with distillations of rheum from the brain to the nose, and defluctions of rheum into the eyes; as also for fluxes and lasks of the belly; and being mixed with the powder of inastich, is good for the running of the reins, and for the looseness of hu- mours in the body. The old conserve mixed with aro- maticum rosarum, is a very good cordial against hunt- ings, swoonings, weakness and trembling of the heart, ctjlpeper’s herbal. 309 strengthens both it and a weak stomach, helpeth di- gestion, stayeth casting, and is a very good preserva- tive in the time of infection. The dry conserve, which is called the sugar of roses, is a very good cordial to strengthen the heart and spirits, as also to stay de- fiuctions. The syrup of dried red roses strengtheneih a stomach given to casting, cooleth an over-heated liver, and the blood in agues, comforteth the heart, and resisteth putrefaction and infection, and helpeth to stay lasks and fluxes. Honey of rose3 is much used in gargles and lotions to wash sores, either in the mouth, throat, or other parts, both to cleanse and heal them, and to stay the fluxes of humours faliing upon them. It is also used in clysters both to cool and cleanse. The cordial powders, called diarrhoden abbatis, and aromatica rosarum, do comfort and strengthen the heart and stomach, procure an appe- tite, help digestion, stay vomiting, and are very good for those that have slippery bowels, to strengthen them, and to dry up their moisture. Red rose water is well known, and of a familiar use on all occasions, and better than damask rose-water, being cooling and cordial, refreshing, quickening the weak and faint spirits, used either in meats or broths, to wash the temples, to smell at the nose, or to smell the sweet vapours thereof out of a perfuming pot, or cast into a hot tire shovel. It is also of much good use against the redness and inflammations of the eyes, to bathe them therewith, and the temples of the head ; as also against pain and ache, for which purpose also vine- gar of roses is of much good use, and to procure rest and sleep, if some thereof and rose-water together be used to smell unto, or the nose and temples moist- ened therewith, but more usually to moisten a piece of a red rose-cake cut for the purpose, and heated between a double-folded cloth, with a little beaten nutmeg and poppy-seed strewed on the side that must lie next to the forehead and temples, and bound there- to all night. The ointment of roses is much used 310 ctjlpepee’s heebal. against heat and inflammations in the head, to anoint the forehead and temples, and being mixed with unguentum populneum, to procure rest ; it is also used for the heat of the liver, the back and reins, and to cool and heal pushes, wheals, and other red pimples rising in the face or other parts. Oil of roses is not only used by itself to cool any hot swellings or inflammations, and to bind and stay fluxes of humours unto sores, but is also put into ointments and plaisters that are cooling and binding, and restraining the flux of humours. The dried leaves of the red roses are used both inwardly and outwardly, both cooling, binding, and cordial, for with them are made both aromaticum rosarum, diarrhoden abbatis, and saccha- ruin rosarum, each of whose properties are before declared. Rose leaves and mint, heated and applied outwardly to the stomach, stay castings, and very much strengthen a weak stomach ; and applied as u fomentation to the region of the liver and heart, do much cool and temper them, and also serve instead of a rose-cake (as is said before) to quiet the over-hot spirits, and cause rest and sleep. The syrup of damask roses is both simple and com- pound, and made with agaric. The simple solutive syrup, is a familiar, safe, gentle, and easy medicine, purging choler, taken from one ounce to three or four, yet this is remarkable herein, that the distilled water of this syrup should notably bind the belly. The syrup with agaric is more strong and effectual, for. one ounce thereof by itself will open the body more than the other, and worketh as much on phlegm as choler. The compound syrup is more forcible in working on melancholic humours ; and available against the leprosy, itch, tetters, &c. and the French disease ; also honey of roses solutive is made of the same infusions that the syrup is made of, and there- fore worketh the same effect, both opening and purg- ing, but is oftener given to phlegmatic and choleric [ ersons, uud is more used in clysters than in potions, culpepeb’s hebbal. 311 ns the syrup made witli sugar is. The conserve and preserved leaves of those roses are also operative in gently opening the belly. The simple water of the damask roses is chiefly used for fumes to sweeten things, as the dried leaves thereof to make sweet powders, and till sweet bags; and little use they are put to in physic, although they have some purging quality ; the wild roses are few or none of them used in physic, but are generally held to come near the nature of the manured roses. The fruit of the wild briar, which are called heps, being thoroughly ripe and made into a conserve with sugar, besides the pleasantness of the taste, doth gently lurid the belly, and stay defluctionsfrom thehead upon the stomach, drying up the moisture thereof, and helpeth digestion. The pulp of the heps dried into a hard consistence, like to the juiceofliquorice,orsodried that it may be made into a powder and taken in drink, stayeth speedily the whites in women. The briar ball is often used, being made into powder and drank, to break the s one, and to provoke urine when it is stop- ped, and to ease and help the cholic ; some appoint it 10 be burnt, and then taken for the same purpose. In the middle of the balls are often found certain white worms, which being dried and made into powder and some of it drank, is found by experience to kill and drive forth the worms of the belly. ROSA SOLIS, or SUN-DEW. Descrip. — It hath divers small, round, hollow leaves, soinewhatgreenishjbutfull of certain red hairs, which make them seem red, every one standing udoii his own foot-stalk, reddish, hairy likewise. The leaves are continually moist in the hottest day, yea, the hot- ter the sun shines on them, the moister they are, with a sliminess that will rope, as we say, the small hairs always holding this moisture. Among these leaves ri -e up slender stalks, reddish also, three or four fin- gers high, bearing divers small white knobs one above 312 CULPEPEE’S HEEBAi. anotlier, wliich are flowers ; after which in the heads are contained small seeds. The root is a few small hairs. Place. — It groweth usually in bogs and wet places, and sometimes in moist woods. Time. — It flowereth in June, and then the leaves are fittest to be gathered. Government and Virtues. — The sun rules it, and it is under the sign Cancer. Rosa solis is accounted good to help those that have a salt rheum distilling on the lungs, which causeth consumption, and there- fore the distilled water in wine is held fit and profit- able for such to drink, which w'ater will be of a good yellow colour. The same water is held to be good for all other diseases of the lungs, as phthisics, wheez- ings, shortness of breath, or the cough ; as also to heal the ulcers that happen in the lungs ; and it com- forteth the heart and fainting spirits. The leaves out- wardly applied to the skin will raise blisters, which has caused some to think it dangerous to be taken inwardly. There is an usual drink made thereof with aqua vitae and spices frequently, and without any offence or danger, but to good purpose used in qualms and passions of the heart. ROSEMARY. Our garden rosemary is so well known, that I need not describe it. Time. — It flowereth in April and May, with us some- times again in August. Government and Virtues. — The sun claims privi- lege in it, and it is under the celestial Ram. It is an herb of a3 great use with us in these days as any whatsoever, not only for physical but civil pur- ooses. The physical use of it (being my present task) j very much both lor inward and outward diseases, for by the warm and comforting heat thereof it it helpeth all cold diseases, both of the head, sto- mach, liver, and belly. The decoction thereof culpepbe’s herbal. 313 in wine helpeth the cold distillations of rheums in the eyes, and all other cold diseases of the head and brain, as the giddiness or swimmings therein, drovv- sinesss or dullness of the mind and senses, like a stu- pidness, the dumb palsy, or loss of speech, the lethargy aud falling sickness, to be drank and the temples bathed therewith. It helpeth the pains in the gums arid teeth by rheum falling into them, not by putre- faction, causing an evil smell from them, ora stinking breath. It helpeth a weak memory, and quickeneth the senses. It is very comfortable to the stomach in all the cold griefs thereof, helpeth both retention of meat and digestion, the decoction or powder being ta- ken in wine. It is a remedy for windiness in the sto- mach, bowels, and spleen, and expels it powerfully. It helpeth those that are liver-grown, by opening the obstructions thereof. It helpeth dim eyes, and pro- cureth clear sight, the flowers thereof being taken all the while it is flowering, every morning, fasting, with bread and salt. Dioscorides and Galen say, that if a decoction be made thereof with water, and they that have the yellow jaundice exercise their bodies pre- sently after the taking thereof, it will certainly cure them. The flowers and conserve made of them, are singular good to comfort the heart, and to expel the contagion of the pestilence : to burn the herb in houses and chambers, correcteth the air in them. Both the flowers and leaves are very profitable for women that lire troubled with the whites, if they be daily taken. The dried leaves shred small, and taken in a pipe as tabacco is taken, helpeth those that have any cough, phthisic, or consumption, by warming and drying the thin distillations which cause those diseases. The leaves are very much used in bathings ; made into ointments or oil, are singular good to help cold and benumbed joints, sinews, or members. The chymi- cal oil drawn from the leaves arid flowers, is a sover- eign help for all the diseases aforesaid; to touch the temples and nostrils with two or three drops for ail 314 culpepee’s heebal. tlie diseases of the head and brain spoken of before : as also to take one drop, two, or three, as the case re- quireth for the inward griefs ; yet it must be done with discretion, for it is very quick and piercing, and therefore very 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 in- ward and outward, as a sovereign balm to heal the diseases before mentioned, to clear dim sight, and take away spots, marks, and scars in the skin. RHUBARB, oe RAPHONTICK. Do not start and say, this grows you know not how far off', and then ask me how it comes to pass that I bring it among our English simples? For though the name may speak it foreign, yet it grows with us in England, and that frequent enough in our gardens ; and when you have thoroughly pursued its virtues, you will conclude it nothing inferior to that which is brought out of China ; and by the time this hath been as much used as that hath been, the name which the other hath gotten will be eclipsed by the same of this. Take therefore a description at large of it as followelh. Descrip. — At the first appearing out of the ground, when the winter is past, it hath a great round brown- ish head rising from the middle or sides of the root, which openeth itself into sundry leaves one after an- other, very much crumpled or folded together at the firsthand brownish; but afterwards it spreadeth itself, and becometh smooth, very large and almost round, every one standing on a brownish stalk of the thick- ness of a man’s thumb when they are grown to their fulness, and most of them two leet and more in length, CELPEPEES HEB.BAL. 315 especially when they grow in moist and good ground; Hud the stalk of the loaf, from the botttom thereof to the leaf itself, being also two feet, the breadth thereof from edge to edge, in the broadest place, being also two fret, of a sad or dark green colour, of a fine tart or sourish taste, much more pleasant than the garden or wood sorrel. From among these risetli up some, but not every year, strong thick stalks, not growing so high as the patience, or garden dock, with such round leaver as grow below, but smaller at every joint up to the top, and among the flowers, which are wnite, spreading forth into many branches consisting of five or six small leaves a-piece, hardly to be discerned from the white threads in the middle, and seeming to be all threads, after which come brownish three square seed, like unto other docks, but larger, whereby it may be plainly known to be a dock. The root grows in time to bevery great, with diversand sundry great spread- ing branches. from it, of a dark brownish or reddish colour on the outside, with a pale yellow skin under it, which covereth the inner substance or root, which rind and skin being pared away, the root appears of so fresh and lively a colour, with fresh coloured veins running through it, that the choicest of that rhubarb that is brought us from beyond the seas cannot excel it ; which root, if it be dried carefelly and as it ought, (which must be in our country by the gentle heat of a tire, in regard the sun is not hot enough here to do it, and every piece kept from touching one another) will hold its colour almost as well as when it is fresh, and hath been approved of and commended by those who have oftentimes used them. Place. — It groweth in gardens, flowereth about the beginning or middle of June, and the seed is ripe iu July. Time. — The roots that are to be dried and kept all the next year, are not to be taken up before the stalks and leaves be quite withered and gone, and that is not until the middle or end of October, and if they be 316 culpepeb's heebal. taken a little before the leaves do spring, or when they are sprung up, the roots will not have so good a co- lour in them. I have given the precedence unto this because in virtues also it hath the pre-eminence. I coine now to describe unto you that which is called patience, or monk’s rhubarb ; and next unto the great round- leafed dock, or bastard rhubarb, for the one of these may supply in the absence of the other, being not much unlike in their virtues, only one more powerful and efficatious than the other; and lastly, will show you the virtues of all the three sorts. GARDEN PATIENCE, ok MONK'S RHUBARB. Descrip. — This is a dock bearing the name of rhu- barb for some purging quality therein, and groweth up with large tall stalks set with somewhat broad and long fair green leaves, not dented at all. The tops of the stalks being divided into many small branches, bear reddish or purple flowers, and three-square seed like unto other dock. The root is long, great, and yellow, like unto the wild docks, but a little redder ; and if it be a little dried, shewetli less store of disco- loured veins than the next doth when it is dry. GREAT ROUND-LEAVED DOCK, or BAS- TARD RHUBARB. Descrip. — This hath divers large, round, thin, yel- lowish green leavesrising from the root, a little waved about the edges, every one standing upon a thick and long brownish foot-stalk, from among which riseth up a pretty big stalk about two feet high, with some such like leaves growing thereon, but smaller; at the top whereof stand in a long spike many small brown- ish flowers, which turn into a hard, three-square, shining brown seed, like the garden patience before described. The root groweth greater than that, with many branches of great fibres thereat, yellow on the outside, and somewhat pale, yellow within, with some CULPEPEB’S HEBBAB. 317 discoloured veins like the rhubarb which is first de- scribed, but much less than it, especially when it is dry. Place and Time. — These also grow in gardens, and flower and seed at or near the same time that our true rhubarb doth, viz. they flower in June, and tire seed is ripe in July. Government and Virtues. — Mars claims predom- inancy over all those wholesome herbs; you cry out upon him for an unfortunate, when God created him for vour good, only he is angry with fools. What dishonour is this, not to Mars, but to God himself? A drachm of the dried root of monk’s rhubarb, with a scruple of ginger made into powder, and taken fast- ing in a draught or mess of warm broth, purgeth both eholer and phlegm downwards very gently and safely. The seed thereof, on the contrary, doth bind the belly, and helpeth to stay any sort of lasks or bloody-flux. The distilled water thereof is very profitably used to heal scabs ; also foul ulcerous sores, and to lay the in- flammation of them ; the juice of the leaves or roots, or the decoction of them in vinegar, is used as a most effectual remedy to heal scabs and running sores. The bastard rhubarb hath all the properties of the monk’s rhubarb, but more effectual for both inward and outward diseases. The decoction thereof, with- out vinegar, dropped into the ears, taketh away the pains; gargled in the mouth, taketh away the tooth- ache; and being drank, healeth the jaundice. The seed thereof taken, easeth the gnawing and griping pains of the stomach, and taketh away the loathings thereof unto meat. The root thereof helpeth the ru2gedness of the nails, and being boiled in wine, helpeth the swelling of the throat, commonly called the king’s evil, as also the swellings of the kernels of the ears. 1 1 helpeth them that are troubled witli the stone, provoketh urine, and helpeth the dimness of the sight. The roots of this bastard rhubarb are used in opening and purging diet drinks, with other things, to open the liver, and cleanse and cool the blood. 318 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. Tlie properties of that which is called the Engilsh rhubarb are the same with the former, but much more effectual, and hath all the properties of the true Italian rhubarbs, except the force in purging, wherein it is but of half the strength, and therefore a double quantity must be used ; it likewise hath not that bit- terness and aslriction ; in other things it worketh al- most in an equal quantity, which are these It purg- eth the body of clioler and phlegm, being either taken of itself made into powder and drank in a draught of white wine, or steeped therein all night and taken fasting, or put among other purges as shall be thought convenient, cleansing the stomach, liver, and blood ; opening obstructions, and helping those griefs that come thereof, as the jaundice, dropsy, swelling of the spleen, tertian and daily agues, and pricking pains of the sides ; and also it staveth spitting of blood. The powder taken with cassia dissolved, and washed Ve- nice turpentine, cleanseth the reins and strengtheneth them afterwards, and is very effectual to stay the running of the reins, or gonorrhoea. It is also given for swellings and pains in the head, for those that are troubled with melancholy, and helpeth the scia- tica, gout, and cramp. The powder of the rhubarb taken with a little mummia and madder roots in some red wine, dissolveth clotted blood in the body hap- pening by any fall or bruise, and helpeth burstings and broken parts, as well inward as outward. The oil likewise wherein it hath been boiled worketh the like effects, being anointed. It is used to heal tho-e ulcers that happen in the eyes or eye-lids, being steeped and strained ; as also to assuage the swellings and inflammations ; and applied with honey boiled in wine, it taketh away all blue spots or marks that happen therein. Whey or white wine are the best liquors to steep it in, and thereby worketh more effectually in opening obstructions, and purging the stomach and liver. Many use a little Indian spike- nard as the best corrector thereof. culpeper's herbal. 319 MEADOW RUE. Descrip. — Meadow rue riseth up with a yellow stringy root, much spreading in the ground, shooting forth new sprouts roundabout, with many herby green stalks two feet high, crested all the length of them, set with joints here and there, and many large leaves upon them, above as well as below, being divided into smaller leaves nicked or dented in the fore part of them, of a red green colour on the upper side, and pale green underneath ; towards the top of the stalk there shooteth forth branches, on every one whereof stand two, three, or four small heads or buttons, which, breaking the skin that incloses them, shooteth forth a tuft of pale greenish yellow threads, which falling away, there come in their places small three- cornered cods, wherein is contained small, long, and round seed. The whole plant hath a very strong and unpleasant scent. Place. — It groweth in many places of this land, in the borders of moist meadows and ditch-sides. Time. — It flowereth in July, or the beginning of August. Government and Virtues. — Dioscoridessaith, that, this herb bruised and applied, perfectly healeth old sores, and the distilled water of the herb and flowers doth the like. It is used by some among other pot herbs to open the body and make it soluble ; but the roots washed clean and boiled in ale and drank, pro- voke to stool more than the leaves, but yet very gen- tly. The root boiled in water, and the places of the body most troubled with vermin and lice washed therewith while it is warm, destroyeth them utterly. In Italy it is used against the plague, and in Saxony against the jaundice, as Caraerarius saith. GARDEN-RUE. Garden Rue is so well known by this name, and the name herb of grace, that I shall not need to write a 320 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. further description of it, but shall only shew the virtue of it as followeth. Government and Virtves. — It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. It provoketh urine and women’s courses, being taken either in meat or drink. The seed thereof taken in wine, is an antidote against all dangerous medicines or deadly poisons. The leaves taken either by themselves or with figs and walnuts, is called Mithridates’ counter poison against the plague, and causeth all venomous things to become harmless; being often taken in meat and drink, it abateth ve- nery, and destroyeth the ability to get children. A decoction made thereof with some dried dill leaves and flowers, easeth all pains and torments, inwardly to be drank, and outwardly applied warm to the place grieved. The same being drank, helpeth the pains both of the chest and sides, as also coughs and hard- ness of breathing, the inflammation of the lungs, and the tormenting pains of the sciatica and joints, being anointed or laid to the places ; as also the shaking fits ol’agues, to take a draught before the fit comes ; being boiled or infused in oil, -it is good to help the wind cholic, the hardness and windiness of the mother, and freeth women from the strangling or suffocation thereof, if the share and the parts thereabouts be anointed therewith: itkillethand driveth forth worms in the belly, if it be drank after it is boiled in wine to the half, with a little honey ; it helpeth the gout or pains in the joints, hands, feet, or knees, applied thereunto ; and with figs it helpeth the dropsy, being bathed therewith ; being bruised and put into the nostrils, it stayeth the bleeding thereof ; it helpeth the swellings of the cods if they be bathed with a de- coction of rue and bay-leaves. It taketh away wheals and pimples, if, being bruised with a few myrtle leaves, it be made up with wax, and applied. It cureth the morphew, and taketh away all sorts of warts, if boiled in wine with some pepper and nitre, and the place rubbed therewith ; and with almonds and houey help- CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 321 eth the dry scabs, or any tetter or ringworm. The juice thereof warmed in a pomegranate shell or rind, and dropped into the ears, helpeth the pains of them. The juice of it and fennel, with a little honey and the gall of a cock put thereto, helpeth the dimness of the eye-sight. An ointment made of the juice thereof, with oil of roses, ceruse, and a little vinegar, and anointed, cureth St. Anthony’s fire, and all running sores in the head, and the stinking ulcers of the nose or other parts. The antidote used by Mithridates every morning, fasting, to secure himself from any poison or infection, was this: take twenty leaves of rue, a little salt, two walnuts and two figs, beaten together into a mess with twenty juniper berries, which i3 the quantity appointed for every day. Ano- ther electuary is made thus: take of nitre, pepper, and cummin-seed, of each equal parts; of the leaves of rue clean picked, as much in weight as all the other three weighed ; beat them well together, and put as much honey as will make it up into an electuary, (but you must first steep your cummin-seed in vine- gar twenty-four hours, and then dry it, or rather roast it in a hot fire shovel or in an oven) and it is a remedy for the pains and griefs of the chest or sto- mach, of thespleen, belly, or sides, by wind or stitches; of the liver by obstructions, of the reins and bladder by the stopping of urine, and helpeth also to to ex- tenuate fat corpulent bodies. What an infamy is cast upon the ashes of Mithri- dates, or Methridates (as the Augustines read his name) by unworthy people. They that deserve no good report themselves, love to give none to others, viz. that renowned king of Pontus fortified his body by poison, against poison. (He cast out devils by Beelzebub, prince of the devils.) What a sot is lie that knows not if he had accustomed his body to cold poisons, hot poisons would have dispatched them? On the contrary, if not, corrosions would have done it. The whole world is at this present time beholden oi) X 322 culpeper’s herbal. to him for his studies in physic, and he that uses the quantity but of an hazel nut of that receipt every morning, to which his name is adjoined, shall to ad- miration preserve his body in health, if he do but consider that rue is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo, and gather it and the rest accordingly. RUPTURE WORT. Descrip. — This spreads very many thready branches round about upon the ground, about a span long, di- vided into many other several parrs full of small joints set very thick together, whereat corne forth two very small leaves of a French yellow, green co- loured branches and all, where groweth forth also a number of exceeding small yellow flowers, scarce to be discerned from the stalks and leaves, which turn into seeds as small as the very dust. The root is very long and small, thrusting down deep into the ground. This hath neither smell nor taste at first, but after- wards hath a little astringent taste, without any manifest heat; yet a little bitter and sharp withal. Place. — It groweth in dry, sandy, and rocky places. Time. — It is fresh and green all the summer. Government and Virtues.— They say Saturn caus- eth ruptures ; if he do, he doth no more than he can cure : if you want wit he will teach you, though to your cost. This herb is Saturn’s own, and is a noble anti-venerean. Rupture wort hath not its name in vain ; for it is found by experience to cure the rup- ture, not only in children, but also in elder persons if the disease be not too inveterate, by taking a draclnn of the powder of the dried herb every day in wine, or a decoction made and drank forcertain days together. The juice or distilled water of the green herb, taken in the same manner, helpeth all other fluxes either of man or woman ; vomitings also, and the gonorrhea ©r running of the reins, being taken any of the ways aforesaid. It doth also most assuredly help those that have the strangury, or are troubled with the culpepee’s herbal. 323 stone or gravel in the reins or hlndiler. The same also helpeth stitches in the sides, griping pains of the sto- mach or belly, the obstructions of theliver, and cureth the yellow jaundice ; likewise it kills the worms in children. Being outwardly applied, itconglutinateth wounds notably, and helpeth much to stay defluctions of rheum from the head to the eyes, nose, and teeth, being bruised green and bound thereto ; or the fore- head, temples, or nape of the neck behind, bathed with the decoction of the dried herb. It also drieth up the moisture of fistulous ulcers, or any other that are foul and spreading. RUSHES Although there are many kinds of rushes, yet I shall only here insist upon those which are best known, and most medicinal ; as the bulrushes and others of the soft and smooth kinds, which grow so commonly in almost every part of this land, and are so gene- rally noted, that I suppose it needless to trouble you with any description of them. Briefly then take the virtues of them as followeth. Government andVirtues. — The seed of the soft rushes, saith Dioscorides and Galen, (toasted, saith Pliny) being drank in wine and water, stayeth the lask and women’s courses, when they come down too abundantly : but it causeth head*aehe ; it provoket.h sleep likewise, but must be given with caution. The root boiled in water to the consumption of one third helpeth the cough. Tlius you see that conveniences have their incon- veniences, and virtue is seldom unaccompanied with 6orae vices. What I have written concerning rushes is to satisfy my countrymen’s question : Are our rushes good for nothing ? Yes, and as good to let them alone as taken. There are remedies enough without them for any disease, and therefore as the old proverb is, I care not a rush for them ; or rather, they will do you as much good as if one Jiad given you a rush. 324 CULPEPEK’S KEKBAIi. RYE. This is so well known in all the counties of this land, and especially to country people, who feed much upon it, that if I did describe it, they would presently say I might have spared that labour. Its virtues follow. Government and Virtues.— Rye is more digesting than wheat; the bread and leaven thereof ripeneth ana breaketh iraposthume3, boils, and other swellings; the meal of rye put between a double cloth and moist- ened with a little vinegar, and heated in a pewter dish set over a chafing dish of coals, and bound fast to the head while it is hot, doth much euse the con- tinual pains in the head. Matthiolus sairh that the ashes of rye-straw put into water and steeped therein a day and a night, and the chops of the hands or feet washed therewith, doth heal them. SAFFRON. The herb needs no description, it being known ge- nerally where it grows. Place. — It grows frequently at Walden, in Essex, and in Cambridgeshire. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of the Sun, and under the Lion, and therefore you need not demand a reason why it strengthens the heart so ex- ceedingly. Let not above ten grains be given at a time, for the sun, which is the fountain of light, may dazzle the eyes and make them blind : a cordial being taken in an immoderate quantity hurts the heart instead of helping it. It quickeneth the brain, for the Sun is exalted in Aries, as he hath his house in Leo. It helps consumptions of the lungs and diffi- culty of breathing, it is excellent in epidemical dis- eases, as pestilence, small pox, and measles. It is a notable expulsive medicine and remedy for the yel- low jaundice. My opinion is, but. I have no author for it, that hermodactyls are nothing else but the Culpeper’s herbal. 325 roots of saffron dried; and my reason is, that the roots of all crocus, both white and yellow, purge phlegm, as hermodactyls do ; and if you please to dry the roots of any crocus, neither your eyes nor taste shall distinguish them from hermodactyls. SAGE. Our ordinary garden sage needeth no description. Time. — Itfiowereth in or about July. Government and Virtues.— Jupiter claims this herb, and bids me tell you it is good for the liver, and to breed blood. A decoction ol' the leaves and branches of sage made and drank, saith Dioscorides, provokes urine, bringeth down women’s courses, helps to expel the dead child, and causeth the hair to be- come black. It stayeth the bleeding of wounds, and cleanseth foul ulcers and sores. The decoction made in wine, taketh away the itching of the cods, if they be bathed therewith. Agrippa saith, that if women that cannot conceive, by reason of the moist slipper- iness of their wombs, shall take a quantity of the juice of sage with a little salt, four days before they company with their husbands, it will help them not only to conceive, but also to retain the birth without miscarrying. Orpheus saith, three spoonsful of the juice of sage, taken fasting, with a little honey, doth presently stay the spitting or casting of blood in them that are in a consumption. These pills are much commended : — Take of spikenard and ginger of each two drachms ; of the seed of sage toasted at the fire, eight drachms; of long pepper, twelve drachms; all these being brought into powder, put thereto so much juice of sage as may make them into a mass of pills, taking a drachm of them every morning fast- ing, and so likewise at night, drinking a little pure water after them. Matthiolus saith, it is very pro- fitable for all manner of pains in the head coming of cold and rheumatic humours; as also for all pains in the joints, whether inwardly or outwardly, and there- 323 Culpeper's herbal. fore helpeth the falling sickness, the lethargy, such as are dull and heavy of spirits, the palsy, and is of much use In all defluctions of rheum from the head, and for the diseases of the chest or breast. The leaves of sage and nettles bruised together, and laid upon the imposthume thatriseth behind the ears, doth as- suage it much. The juice of sage taken in warm water helpeth a hoarseness and cough. The leaves soddened in wine, and laid upon the place affected with the palsy, help- eth much if the decoction be drank; also sage taken with wormwood is good for the bloody-flux. Pliny saith, itprocureth women’s courses, and stayeth them coming down too fast ; helpeth the stinging and biting of serpents, and killeth the worms that breed in the ear, and in sores. Sage is of excellent use to help the memory, warming and quickening the senses; and the conserve made of the flowers is used to the same purpose, and also for all the former recited dis- eases. The juice of sage drank with vinegar hath been of good use in the time of the plag ue, at all times. Gargles likewise are made with sage, rosemary, honey- suckles and plantain, boiled in wine or water with some honey or alum put thereto, to wash sore mouths and throats, cankers, or the secret parts of man or woman, as need requireth. And with other hot and comfortable herbs sage is boiled to bathe the body and legs in the summer time, especially to warm cold joints or sinews troubled with the palsy or cramp, and to comfort and strengthen the parts. It is much commended against the stitch or pains in the sides coming of wind, if the place be fomented warm with the decoction thereof in wine, and the herb also after boiling be laid warm thereunto. WOOD SAGE. Descrip. — Wood sage riseth up with square hoary ' stalks, two feet high at. least, with two leaves set at every joint, somewhat like other sage leaves, but Culpeper’s herbal. 327 smaller, softer, whiter, and rounder, and a littledented about the edges, and smelling somewhat stronger. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand the flowers, on slender-like spikes, turning themselves all one way when they blow, and are of a pale and whitish colour, smaller than sage, but hooded and gaping like unto them. The seed is blackish and round ; four usually seem in a husk together ; the root is long and stringy, with divers fibres thereat; and abideth many years. Place. — It groweth in woods and by wood-sides; as also in divers fields and bye-lanes in the land. Time. — It flowereth in June, July, and August. Government and. Virtues. — The herb is under Ve- nus. The decoction of the wood sage provoketh urine and women’s courses. It also provoketh sweat, digesteth humours, and discusseth swellings and nodes in the flesh, and is therefore thought to be good against the French Pox. The decoction of the green herb made with wine, is a safe and sure remedy lor those who by falls, bruises, or blows, suspect some vein to be inwardly broken, to disperse ^jid void the congealed blood, and consolidate the veins. The drink used inwardly and the herb outwardly, is good for such as are inwardly or outwardly bursten, and is found to be a sure remedy for the palsy. The juice of tiie herb, or the powder thereof dried, is good for moist ulcers and sores in the legs and other parts, to dry them and cause them to heal more speedily. It is no less effectual also in green wounds, to be used upon any occasion. SOLOMON’S SEAL. Descrip. — The common Solomon’s seal riseth up with a round stalk half a yard high, bowing or bend- ing down to the ground, set with single leaves one above another, somewhat large, and like the leaves of the lily convally, or May lily, with an eye of blue- ish upon the green, with some ribs therein, and more 320 CULPEPER'S HERBAJL. yellowish underneath. At tlie foot of every leaf, al- most from the bottom up to the top of the stalk, come forth small, Ions, white, and hollow pendulous flow- ers, somewhat like the flowers of May lily, but end- ing in live long points, for the most part two together, at the end of a long foot-stalk, and sometimes but one, and sometimes also 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 berries, great at the first, and blackish green, tending to blueness when they are ripe, wherein lie small, white, hard, and stony seeds. The root is of the thickness of one’s finger or thumb, white and knotted in some places, a flat round circle representing a seal, whereof it took the name, lying along under the upper crust of the earth, and not growing downward, but with very many fibres underneath. Place. — It is frequent in divers places of this land ; as, namely, in a wood two miles from Canterbury, by Fish- pool Hill; as also in Bushy Close, belonging to the parsonage of Alderburv, near Clarendon, two miles from ^Salisbury ; in Cheffon-wood, on Chesson Hill, between Newington and Sittingbourn, in Kent, and divers other places in Essex, and other counties. Time.— It flowereth about May ; the root abideth and shooteth anew every year. Government and Virtues. — Saturn owns the plant, for he loves his bones well. The root of Solomon s seal is found by experience to be available in wounds, hurts, and outward sores, to heal and close up the lips of those that are green, and to dry up and re- strain the flux of humours to those that are old. It is singular good to stay vomitings and bleedings wheresoever, as also all fluxes in man or woman, whether whitesor reds in women, or the running of the reins in men ; also to knit any joint, which by weak- ness useth to be out of place, or will not stay in long when it is set ; also, to knit aud join broken bones in CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 329 anv part of the body, the roots being bruised and applied to the places ; yea, it hath been found by late experience that the decoction of the root in wine, or the bruised root put into wine or other drink, and after a night’s infusion, strained forth hard and drank, hath helped both man and beast whose bones have been broken by any occasion, which is the most as- sured refuge of help to people of divers counties of the land that they can have. It is no less effectual to help ruptures and burstings, the decoction in wine, or the powder in broth or drink being inwardly taken, and outwardly applied to the place. The same is also available for outward or inward bruises, falls, or blows, both to dispel the congealed blood, and to take away both the pains and the black and blue marks that abide after the hurt. The same also, or the dis- tilled water of the whole plant, used to the face or other parts of the skin, cleanseth it from morphew, freckles, spots, or marks whatsoever, leaving the place fresh, fair, and lovely ; for which purpose it is much used by the Italian dames. SAMPHIRE. Descrip. — Rock samphire groweth up with a ten- der green stalk, about half a yard or two feet high at the most, brandling forth almost from the very bottom, and stored with sundry thick, and almost round (somewhat long) leaves, of a deep green colour, sometimes two together, and sometimes more on a stalk, and sappy, and of a pleasant, hot, and spicy taste. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand umbels of white flowers, and after them come large seed bigger than fennel seed, yet somewhat like it. The root is great, white, and long, continuing many years, and is of an hot and spicy taste also. Place. — It groweth on the rocks that are often moistened at the least, if not overflowed with the sea- water. Time. — And it flowereth and seedeth in the end of July and August. 330 Culpeper’s herbal. Government and Virtues. — It isan herb of Jupiter and was in former times wont to be used more than now it is ; the more is the pity. It is well known iilmost to every body, that ill digestions and obstruc- tions are the cause of most diseases which the frail nature of man is subject to ; both which might be re- medied by the frequent use of this herb. If people would have sauce to their meat, they may take some for profit as well as for pleasure. It is a safe herb, very pleasant both to taste and stomach, helpeth di- gestion , and in some sort openeth obstructions of the liver and spleen ; provoketh urine, and helpeth there- by to wash away the gravel and stone engendered in the kidnies or bladder. SANICLE. Descrip. — Ordinary sanicle sendeth forth many great round leaves, standing uponlong brownish stalks, every one somewhat deeply cut or divided into live or six parts, and some of these also cut in somewhat like the leaf of crow’s-foot, or dove’s-foot, and finely dented about the edges, smooth, and of a dark shining colour, and sometimes reddish about the brims ; from among which rise up small, round green stalks, with- out any joint or leaf thereon saving at the top, where it branches forth into flowers, having a leaf divided into three or four parts at that joint with the flowers, which are small and white, starting out of small, round, greenish yellow heads, many standingtogether in a tuft, in which afterwards are the seeds contained, which are small round burs, somewhat like the leaves of cleavers, and stick in the same manner upon any tiling that they touch. The root is composed of many blackish strings or fibres, set together at a little long head, which abideth with green leaves all the winter, and perisheth not. Place. — It is found in many shadowy woods, and other places of this land. Time. — It flovvereth in June, and the seed is ripe shortly after. CULPEPER S HERBAL. 331 Govermnmt and Virtues. — This is one of Venus’s herbs to cure the wounds or mischief's Mars inflicteth upon the body of man. It heals green wounds speed- ily, or any ulcers, imposthumes, or bleedings inward, also tumours in any part of the body ; for the decoc- tion or powder in drink taken, and the juice used out- wardly, dissipateth the humours; and there is not found any herb that can give such present help either to man or beast when the disease falleth upon the lungs or throat, and to heal up putrid malignant ul- cers in the mouth, throat, and piivities, by gargling or washing with the decoction of the leaves and roots in water, and a little honey put thereto. It helpeth to stay women’s courses and all other fluxes of the blood, either by the mouth, urine, or stool, and lasks of the belly ; the ulcera tions of the kidnies also, and the pains in the bowels and gonorrhoea, or running of the reins, being boiled in wine or water, and drank. The same also is no less powerful to help any rup- tures or burstings, used both inwardly and outwardly ; and briefly, it is effectual in binding, restraining, consolidating, heating, drying, and healing, as com- frey, bugle, self-heal, or any other of the vulnerary herbs whatsoever. SARACEN’S CONFOUND, or SARACEN’S WOUND-WORT. Descrip. — This groweth high sometimes, with brownish stalks, and other whiles with green, to a mun’s height, having narrow green leaves snipped about the edges, somewhat like those of the peach- tree or willow leaves, but not of such a white green colour. The tops of the stalks are furnished with many yellow star-like flowers standing in green heads, which when they are fallen and the seed ripe, which is somewhat long, small, and of a brown colour, wrap- ped in down, is therewith carried away with the wind. The root is composed of fibres set together at a head, winch perisheth not iu whiter, although the stalks 332 Culpeper’s herbal. dry away, and no leaf appearetb in the winter. The taste hereof is strong and unpleasant, and so is the smell also. Place.— It groweth in moist and wet grounds by woodsides, and sometimes in the moist places of sha dowv groves, as also the water sides. Time. — It flowereth in July, and the seed is soon ripe, and carried away with the wind. Government and Virtues. — Saturn owns the herb, and it is of a sober condition, like him. Amongtlie Ger- mans this wound herb is preferred before all others of the same quality. Being boiled in wine and drank, it helpeth the indisposition of the liver, and freeth the gall from obstructions, whereby it is good for the yel- low 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 ofraen or women ; being steeped in wine, and then distilled, the water thereof drank, is singular good to ease all gnawings in the stomach or other pains of the body, as also the pains of the mother : and being boiled in water, it helpeth continual agues : and the said water, or the simple water of the herb distilled, or the juice or decoction, are very effectual to heal any green wound, or old sore or ulcer whatsoever, cleansing them from corrup- tion, and quickly healing them up. Briefly, what- soever hath been said of bugle or sanicle may be found herein. SAUCE-ALONE, or JACK by the HEDGE- SIDE. Descrip. — The lower leaves of this are rounder than those that grow towards the tops of the stalks, and are set singly on the joint, being somewhat round and broad, pointed at the ends, deuted also about the edges, somewhat resembling nettle leaves for the form, but of a fresher green colour, not rough or pricking : the flowers are white, growing at the tops CULPEPER’S HERBAL. 333 of the stalks one above another, which being past, follow small round pods, wherein are contained round seed somewhat blackish. The root stringy and thready, perisheth every year after it hath given seed, and raiseth itself again of its own sowing. The plant, or any part thereof being bruised, smelleth of garlic, but more pleasantly, and taste th somewhat hot and sharp, almost like unto rocket. Place. — It groweth under walls and by hedge sides, and path- ways in fields in many places. Time. — It flowereth in June, July, and August. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb ol Mer- cury. This is eaten by many country people as sauce to their salt fish, and helpeth well to digest the crudi- ties and other corrupt humours engendered thereby. It warmetli also the stomach, and causeth digestion. The juice thereof boiled with honey, is accounted to be as good as hedge mustard for the cough, to cut and expectorate the tough phlegm. The seed bruised and boiled in wine is a singular good remedy for the wind cholic or the stone, being drank warm : it is also given to w'omen 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 clysters to ease the pains of the stone. The green leaves are held to be good to heal the ulcers in the legs. WINTER and SUMMER SAVORY. Both these are so well known, being entertained as constant inhabitants in our gardens, that they need no description. Government, and Virtues. — Mercury claims the dominion over this herb, neither is there a better re- medy against the cholic and iliac passion than this herb; keep it dry by you all the year, if you love yourself and your ease, and it is a hundred pounds to a penny if you do not; keep it dry, make conserves and syrups of it, for your use, and withal, take notice, culpeper’s herbal. ooa 0 0*x that the summer kind is the best. They are both of them hot and dry, especially the summer kind, which is both sharp and quick in taste, expelling wind in the stomach and bowels, and is a present help for the rising of the mother procured by wind: provoketb urine and women’s courses, and is much commended for women with child to take inwardly, and to smell often unto. It cureth tough phlegm in the chest and lungs, and helpeth to expectorate it the more easily : quickens the dull spirits in a lethargy, the juice there- of being snuffed into the nostrils. The juice dropped into the eyes cleareth a dull sight, if it proceed of thin cold humours distilled from the brain. The juice heated with oil of roses and dropped into the ears eas- eth them of the noise and singing in them, and of deaf- ness also. Outwardly applied with wheat flour in manner of a poultice, it giveth ease to the sciatica and palsied members, heating and warming them, and taketh away their pains. It also taketh away the pain that comes by stinging of bees, wasps, &c. SAVINE. To describe a plant so well known is needless, it being nursed up almost in every garden, and abiding green all the winter. Government and Virtues.— It is under the domi- nion of Mars, being hot and dry in the third degree, and being of exceeding clean parts, is of a very digest- ing quality. If you dry the herb into powder, and mix it with honey, it is an excellent remedy to cleanse old filthy ulcers and fistulas ; but it hinders them from healing. The same is excellent good to break carbuncles and plague sores ; also helpeth the king’s evil, being applied to the place. Being spread over a piece of leather, and applied to the navel, kills the worms in the belly, helps scabs and itch, running sores, cankers, tetters, and ringworms, and being ap- plied to the place, may haply cure venereal sores. This i thought good to speak of, as it may be safely culpepee’s herbal. 333 used outwardly, for inwardly it cannot be taken with- out manifest danger. THE COMMON WHITE SAXIFRAGE. Descrip. — This hath a few small reddish kernels of roots covered with some skins, lying among divers small blackish fibres, which send forth divers round, faint or yellow green leaves, and greyish underneath, lying above the ground, unevenly dented about the edges, and somewhat hairy, every one upon a little foot-stalk, from whence riseth round, brownish, hairy green stalks two or three feet high, with such like round leaves as grow below, but smaller, and some- what branched at the top, whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five leaves a-piece,\vith some yellow low threads in the middle, standing in a long, crested, brownish green husk. After the flowers are past, there ariseth sometimes a round hard head, forked at the top, wherein is contained small black seed, but usually they fall away without any seed, and it is the kernels or grains of the root which are usually called the white saxifrage-seed, and so used. Place. — It groweth in many places of this land, as well in the lowermost as in the upper dry corners of meadows, and grassy sandy places. It used to grow near Lamb’s Conduit, on the backside of Gray’s Inn. Time. — It flowereth in May, and then gathered, as well for that which is called the seed, as to distil, for it quickly perisheth down to the ground, when any hot weather comes. Government and Virtues. — It is very effectual to cleanse the reins and bladder, and to dissolve the stone engendered in them, and to expel it and the gravel by urine ; to help the strangury ; for which purpose the decoction of the herb or roots in white wine is most usual, or the powder of the small kernelly root, which is called the seed, taken in white wine, or in the same decoction made with white wine is most usual. The 336 CULPEPER’S HEBBA.Ii. distilled water of the whole herb, root, and flowers, is most familiar to be taken. It provoketh also wo- men’s courses, and freeth and cleanseth the stomach and lungs from thick and tough phlegm that trouble them. There are not many better medicines to break the stone than this. BURNET SAXIFRAGE. Descrip. — The greatest sort of our English burnet saxifrage groweth up with divers long stalks of winced leaves set directly opposite one to anot her on both sides, each being somewhat broad, and a little pointed and dented about the edges, of a sad green colour. At the top of the stalks stand umbels of white flowers, after which come small and blackish seed. The root is long and whitish, abiding long. Our lesser burnet saxifrage hath much finer leaves than the former, and very small, and set one against another, deeply jagged about the edges, and of the same colour as the former. The umbels of the flow- ers are white, and the seed very small, and so is the root, being also somewhat hot and quick in taste. Place.—' These grow in moist meadows of this land, and are easy to be found, being well sought for among the grass, wherein many times they lay hid and are scarcely to be discerned. Time. — They flower about July, and their seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — They are both of them herbs of the Moon. The saxifrages are as hot as pep- per; and Tragus saith, by his experience, that they are wholesome. They have the same properties the parsleys have, but in provoking urine, and easing tiie pains thereof, and of the wind and cholic, are much more effectual, the roots or seeds being used either in powder or in decoction, or any other way; aid likewise helpeth the windy pains of the mother, and to procure their courses, and to break android the stone in the kidnies, to digest cold, viscous, and tough 337 CULPH TEE’S HEJtBAL. phlegm in tlie stomach, and is an especial remedy against all kind of venom. Castoreum being boiled in tlie distilled water thereof, is singular good to be given to those that are troubled with cramps and convulsions. Some do use to make the seeds into comfits, as they do carraway seeds, which is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid. The juice of the herb dropped into the most grievous wounds of the head, drieth up their moisture and healeth them quickly. Some women use the distilled water to take away freckles or spots in the skin or face ; and to drink the same sweetened with sugar for all the purposes aforesaid. SCABIOUS, (three sorts.) Descrip. — Common field scabbiousgroweth up with many hairy, soft, whitish green leaves, some whereof are very little, if at all jagged upon the edges, others very much rentand torn on the sides, and have threads in them, which upon breaking may be plainly seen ; from among which rise up divers hairy green stalks three or four feet high, with such like hairy green leaves on them, but more deeply and finely divided, branched forth a little ; at the tops thereof, which are naked and bare of leaves for a uood space, stand round heads of flowers of a pale bluei9h colour, set together in a head, the outermost whereof are larger than the inward, with many threads also in the mid- dle, somewhat flat at the top, as the head with the seed is likewise. The root is great, white, and thick, growing down deep in the ground, and abideth many years. There is another sort of field scabious dif- fering in nothing from the former, but only it is smaller in all respects. The corn scabious difFereth little from the first, but that it is greater in all respects, and the flowers more inclined to purple, and the root creepeth under the upper crust of the earth, and runneth not deep into the ground as that of the first doth* y 338 cui.peper’s herbax. Place. — The first groweth usually in meadows es- pecially about London everywhere. The second in some of the dry fields about this city, 6ut not so plentiful as the former. The third in standing corn or fallow fields, and the borders of such like fields. Time. — They flower in June and July, and some abide flowering until it be late in August, and the seed is ripe in the mean time. There are many other sorts of scabious, but I take these which I have here described to be most familiar with us: the virtues of both these and the rest being much alike, take them as followetli : Government Virtues. — Mercury owns the plant. ScabiEas is very effectual for all sorts of coughs, shortness of breath, and all other diseases of the breast and lungs, ripening and digesting cold phlegm and other tough humours, voideth them forth by coughing and spitting. It ripeneth also all sorts of inward ulcers and imposthumes; pleurisy also, if the decoction of the herb dry or green be made into wine, and drank for some time together. Four ounces of the clarified juice of scabious taken in the morning fasting, with a drachm of mithridate or Venice trea- cle, freeth the heart from any infection or pestilence, if after the taking of it the party sweat two hours in bed, and this medicine be again and again repeated if need require. The green herb bruised and applied to any carbuncle or plague-sore, is found by certain experience to dissolve and break it in three hours’ space. The same decoction also drank, helpeth the pains and stitches in the sides. The decoction of the roots taken for forty days together, or a drachm of the powder of them taken at a time in whey, doth, as Matthiolus saith, wonderfully help those that are troubled with running and spreading scabs, tetters, ringworms, yea, although they proceed from the French pox, which, he saith, he hath tried by expe- rience. The juice or decoction drank, helpeth also culpepeb’s herbal. 33.9 scabs and breakings out of the itch, and the like. The juice also made up into an ointment and used, is effectual for the same purpose. The same also heal- eth ali inward wounds by the drying, cleansing, and healing quality therein ; and a syrup made of the juice and sugar, is very effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and so is the distilled water of the herb and flowers made in due season, especially to be used when the green herb ic not in force to be taken. The decoction of the herb and roots outwardly applied, doth wonderfully help all sorts of hard or cold swellings in any part of the body, is effectual for shrunk sinews or veins, and healeth green wounds, old sores, and ulcers. The juice of sca- bious made up with the powder of borax and sam- phire, cleanseth the skin of the face, or any other part of the body, not only from freckles and pimples, but also from morphewand leprosy; the head washed with the decoction, cleanseth from dandriff, scurf, sores, itch, and the like, used warm. The herb bruised and applied, doth in a short time loosen and draw forth any splinter, broken bone, arrow head, or other such like thing lying in the flesh. SCURVY-GRASS. Descrip. — Our ordinary English scurvy-grass hath many thick flat leaves, more long than broad, and sometimes longer and narrower ; sometimes also smooth on the edges, and sometimes a little waved ; sometimes plain, smooth, and pointed, of a sad green, and sometimes a blueish colour, every one standing by itself upon a long foot-stalk, which is brownish or greenish also, from among which rise many slender stalks bearing few leaves thereon like the other, but longer and lesser for the most part ; at the tops whereof grow many whitish flowers, with yellow threads in the middle, standing about a green head, which becometh the seed vessel, which will be some- what flat when it is ripe; wherein is contained red- 340 cuxpepee’s heebal. dish seed tasting somewhat hot. The root is made of many white strings which stick deeply into the mud, wherein it chiefly delights, yet it will well abide in the more upland and drier ground, and tasteth a little brackish and salt even there, but not so much so as where it hath the salt water to feed upon. Place. — It groweth all along the Thames side, both on the Essex and Kentish shores, from Wool- wich round about the sea coastto Dover, Portsmouth, and even to Bristol, where it is had in plenty; the other with round leaves groweth in the marshes in Holland, in Lincolnshire, and other places of Lincoln- shire by the sea-siue. Descrip. — There is also another kind called Dutch Scurvy-grass, which is most known and frequent in gardens, which hath fresh, green, and almost round leaves rising from the ground, not so thick as the former, yet in some rich grounds very large, even twice as big as in others, not dented about the edges or hollow in the middle, standing on a long foot-stalk ; from among these rise long, slender stalks, higher than the former, with more white flowers at the tops of them, which turn into small pods, and smaller brownish seeds than the former. The root is white, small, and thready. The taste is nothing salt at all : it hath a very hot, aromatical, and spicy taste. Time. — It flowereth in April and May, and giveth ripe seed quickly after. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of Jupi- ter. The English scurvy grass is more used for the salt taste it beareth, which doth somewhat open and cleanse, but the Dutch scurvy-grass is of better ef- fect, and chiefly used, if it may be had, by those that have the scurvy, and is of singular good effect to cleanse the blood, liver, and spleen, taking the juice in the spring every morning, in a cup of drink. The decoction is good for the same purpose, and openeth obstructions, evacuating cold, clammy, and phlegmal ic humours, both from the liver and spleen, and bring- Culpeper’s herbal. 341 ing the body to a more lively colour. The juice also helpeth all foul ulcers and sores in the mouth, g;irg- led therewith ; and being used outwardly, cleanseth the skin from spots, marks, or scars that happen therein. SELF-HEAL: called also PRUNEL, CAR- PENTER’S HERB, HOOK-LIEAL, and SIC- KLE-WORT. Descri.p. — The common self-heal is a small, low, creeping herb, having 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 leaves set thereon up to the tops, where stand brown spiked heads of small brownish leaves like scales and flowers set toge- ther, almost like the head of cassidony, which flowers are gaping, and of a blueish purple, or more pale blue, in some places sweet, but not so in others. The roots consist of many fibres downwards, and spreadeth strings also whereby it increaseth. The small stalks, with the leaves creeping on the ground, shoot forth fibres taking hold on the ground, whereby it is made a great tuft in a short time. Place. — It is found in woods and fields every where. Time. — It flowereth in May, and sometimes in April. Government and Virtues. — Here is another herb of Venus, self-heal, whereby, when you are hurt, you may heal yourself ; it is an especial herb for inward and outward wounds. Take it inwardly in syrups for inward wounds; outwardly in unguents and plan- ters for outward. As self-heal is like bugle in form, so also in the qualities and virtues, serving for all the purposes whereunto bugle is applied with good suc- cess,either inwardly oroutwardly; for inward wounds or ulcers whatsoever within the body, for bruises 07 falls, or such like hurts. If it be accompanied with 242 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. bugle, sanicle, and other the like wound-herbs, it will be more effectual to wash or inject into ulcers in the parts outwardly. Where there is cause to repress the heat and sharpness of humours flowing to any sores, ulcers, inflammations, swellings, and the like, or to stay the flux of blood in any wound or part, this is used with some good success ; as also to cleanse the foulness of sores, and cause them more speedily to be healed. It is an especial remedy for all green wounds, to solder the lips of them, and to keep the place from further inconveniences. The juice hereof used with oil of roses to anoint the temples and forehead, is very effectual to remove the head-ache, and the same mixed with honey of roses, cleanseth and healeth all alcers in the mouth and throat, and those also in the secret parts. And the proverb of the Germans, French, and others, is verified in this, that he needeth neither physician nor surgeon that hath self-heal and sanicle to help himself. THE SERVICE TREE. It is so well known in the place where it grows, that it needeth no description. Time. — It flowereth before the end of May, and the fruit is ripe in October. Government and Virtues. — Services, when they are mellow, are fit to be taken to stay fluxes, scour- ing, and casting, yet less than medlars. If they be dried before they be mellow, and kept all the year, they may be used in decoctions for the said purpose, either to drink, or to bathe the part9 requiring it ; and are profitably used in that manner to stay the bleeding of wounds, and of the mouth or nose, to be applied to the forehead and nape of the neck; and are under the dominion of Saturn. SHEPHERD’S PURSE. It is called whoreman’s permacety, shepherd’s scrip, shepherd’s pounce, toywort, pickpurse, and lasewort. culpepeb’s heebal. 343 Descrip. — The root is small, white, and perishing; every year. The leaves are small and long, of a pale green colour, and deeply cut in on both sides, among which spring up a stalk which is small and round, containing small leaves upon it even to the top. The flowers are white and very small ; after which come the little cases which contain the seed, which are flat, almost in form of a heart. Place. — They are frequent in this nation, almost by every path-side. Time. — They flower all the summer long ; nay, some of them are so fruitful that they flower twice a year. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Saturn, and of a cold, dry, and binding nature, like to him. It helps all fluxes of blood, either caused by inward or outward wounds; as also flux of the belly and bloody-flux, spitting and pissing of blood, stops the terms in women ; being bound to the wrists of the hands, and the soles of the feet, it helps the, yellow jaundice. The herb being made into a poultice helps inflammations and St. Anthony’s fire. The juice being dropped into the ears, heals the pains, noise, and matterings thereof. A good ointment may be made of it for all wounds, especially wounds in the head. SMALLAGE. This is also very well known, and therefore I shall not trouble the reader with any description thereof. Place. — It groweth naturally in dry and marshy ground ; but if it be sown in gardens, it there prosper- eth very w'ell. Time. — It abideth green all the winter, and seedeth in August. Government and Virtues. — It i9 a herb of Mer- cury. Smallage is hotter, drier, and much more me- di.iual than parsley, for it much moreopenelh obstruo- 314 Culpeper's herbal. tionsof the liver and spleen, rarifieth thick phlegm, and cleanseth it arid the blood withal. It provoketh urine and women’s courses, and is singular good agains t the yellow jaundice, tertian and quartan agues if the juice thereof be taken, but especially made into syrup. The juice also put to honey of roses and barley water, is very good to gargle the mouth and throat of those that have sores and ulcers in them, and will quickly heal them. The same lotion also cleanseth and heal- eth all other foul ulcers and cankers elsewhere, if they he washed therewith. The seed is especially used to break and expel wind, kill worms, and to help a stinking breath. The root is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and is held to be stronger in operation than the herb, but especially to open ob- structions, and to rid away any ague, if the juice thereof be taken in wine, or the decoction thereof in wine be used. SOPEWORT, or BRUISE WORl Descrip. — The root creepeth under ground far and near, with many joints therein, of a brown colour on the outside, and yellowish within, shooting forth iu di- vers places weak and round stalks full of joints, set with two leaves a-piece at every one of them on the the contrary side, which are ribbed somewhat like the plantain, and fashioned like the common field white campion leaves, seldom having any branches from the sides of the stalks, but set with flowers at the top, standing in long husks, like-the wild cam- pions, made of five leaves a-piece, round at the ends, and dented in the middle, of a rose colour, almost white, sometimes deeper, and sometimes paler, and of a rea- sonable scent. Place. — It groweth wild in many low and wet grounds of this land, by brooks and the sides of run- ning waters. Time. — It flowereth usually in July, and so con- tinueth all August and part of September, before they he quite spent. culpepek’s herbal. 315 Government and Virtues. — Venus owns it. The country people in divers places do use to bruise tiie leaves of sopewort, and lay it to their fingers, hands, or legs when they are cut, to heal them up again. Some make great boast thereof that it it is diuretical to provoke urine, and thereby to expel gravel and the stone in the reins or kidnies, and do also account it singular good to void hvdropical wa- ters ; and they no less extol it to perform an absolute cure in the French pox, more than sarsaparilla, guia- cum, or china can do ; which how true it is, I leave others to judge. SORREL. Our ordinary sorrel which grows in gardens, and also wild in fields, is so well known, that it needeth no description. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Venus. Sorrel is prevalent in all hot diseases, to cool any inflammation and heat of blood in agues, pestilential or choleric, or sickness and fainting, arising from heat, and to refresh the overspent spirits with the violence of furious or fiery fits of agues ; to quench thirst, and procure an appetite in fainting or decaying stomachs. It resisteth putrefaction of the blood, killeth worms, and is a cordial to the heart, which the seed doth more effectually, being more drying and binding, andthereby stayeth the hot fluxes of women’s courses, or of humours in the bloody-flux, or flux in the stomach. The root also in a decoction, or in powder, is effectual for all the said purposes. Both roots and seed, as well as the herb, are held powerful to resist the poison of the scorpion. The decoction of the roots is taken to help the jaundice, and to expel the gravel and stone in the reins orkid- nies. The decoction of the flowers made with wine and drank, helpeth the black jaundice, as also the in- ward ulcers of the body and bowels. A syrup made with the juice of sorrel and fumitory, is a sovereign 343 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. help to kill those sharp humours that cause the itch. The juice thereof with a little vinegar, serveth well to he used outwardly for ihe same cause, and is also profitable for tetters, ringworms, &c. It helpeth also to discuss the kernels in the throat; and the juice gargled in the mouth helpeth the sores therein. The leaves wrapped in a colewort leaf and roasted in the embers, and applied to a hard imposthurue, blotch, boil, or plague sore, doth ripen and break it. The distilled water of the herb is of much good use for all the purposes aforesaid. WOOD SORREL. Descrip. — This groweth upon the ground, having a number of leaves coming from the root, made of three leaves like tre-foil, but broad at the ends and cut in the middle, of a yellowish green colour, every one standing on a long foot-stalk, which at their first coming up are close folded together to the stalk, but opening themselves afterwards, and are of a fine sour relish, and yielding a juice which will turn red when it is clarified, and maketh a most dainty clear syrup. Among these leaves rise up divers slender, weak foot- stalks, with every one of them a flower at the top, consisting of five small-pointed leaves, star-fashion, of a white colour in most places, and in some dashed over with a small show of blueish, on the backside only. After the flowers are past, follow small round heads with small yellow seeds in them. The roots are no- thing but small strings fastened to the end of a small long piece ; all of them being of a yellowish colour. Place. — It groweth in many places of our land, in woods and wood sides where they be moist and sha- dowed, and in other places not too much open to the sun. Time. — It flowereth in April and May. Government and Virtues. — Venus owns it. Wood sorrel serveth to all the purposes that the other sor- rels do, and is more effectual in hindering putrefuc- CULPEPER'S HERBAL. 347 tion of the blood, and ulcers in the mouth and body, and to quench thirst, to strengthen a weak stomach, to procure an appetite, to stay vomiting, and very excellent in any contagious sickness or pestilential fevers. The syrup made of the juice is effectual in all the cases aforesaid, and so is the distilled water of the herb. Sponges or linen cloths wet in the juice, and applied outwardly to any hot swelling or inflamma- tion, doth much cool and help them. The same juice taken and gargled in the mouth, and after it is spit forth taken afresh, doth wonderfully help a foul stinking canker, or ulcers therein. It is singular good to heal wounds, or to stay the bleeding of thrusts or stabs in any part of the body. SOW THISTLE. Sow thistles are generally so well known that they need no description. Place.— They grow in gardens and manured grounds, sometimes by old walls, path-sides of fields, and high-ways. Government and Virtues.— This and the former are under the influence of Venus. Sow thistles are cooling and somewhat binding, and are very fit to cool a hot stomach and ease the pains thereof. The herb boiled in wine, is very helpful to stay the disso- lution of the stomach, and the milk that is taken from the stalks when they are broken, given in drink, is very beneficial to those that are short-winded, and have a wheezing. Pliny saith, that it hath caused the gravel and stone to be voided by urine, and that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath. The decoction of the leaves and stalks causeth abundance of milk in nurses, and their children to be well-co- loured. The juice or distilled water is good for all inflammations, wheals, and eruptions or heat in the skin, and itching of the haemorrhoids. The juir boiled or thoroughly heated in a little oil of bitter al- monds in the peel of a pomegranate, and dropped into 340 culpepee's heebal. tlie ears, is a sure remedy for deafness, sinking, &c. Three spoonsful of the juice taken warmed in white wine, and some wine put thereto, causeth women in travail to have so easy and speedy a delivery, that they may be able to walk presently after. It is won- derful good for women to wash their faces with, to clear the skin and give it lustre. SOUTHERN WOOD. Southern wood is so well known to be an ordinary inhabitant in our gardens, that I need not trouble you with any description thereof. Time. — It flowereth for the most part in July and Auaust. Government and Virtues. — It is a gallant Mer- curial plant, worthy of more esteem than it hath. Dioscorides saith, that the seed bruised, heated in warm water, and drank, helpeth those that are burs ten, or troubled with the cramp or convulsions of the sinews, the sciatica, or difficulty in making water, and bringing down women’s courses. The same taken in wine is an antidote, or counter-poison against all deadly poison, and driveth away serpents and other venomous creatures : also the smell of this herb being burnt doth the same. The oil thereof anointed on the back bone before the tits of the agues come, tak- eth them away ; it taketh away inflammations in the eyes, if it be put with some part of a roasted quince, and boiled with a few crumbs of bread, and applied. Boiled with barley-meal, it taketh away pimples, pushes, or wheals that arise in the face or other parts of the body. The seed as well as the dried herb is often given to kill worms in children. The herb bruised and laid to, helpeth to draw forth splinters and thorns out of the flesh. The ashes thereof drieth up and healet.h old ulcers that are without inflamma- tion, although by the sharpness thereof it bitethsore, and putteth them to sore pains ; as also the sores in tlie privy partsof man or woman. The ashes mingled with Culpeper's heeeal. 349 old salad oil, lielpeth those who have their hair fallen, and are bald, causing the hair to grow again either on the head or beard. Darentes saith, the oil made of southern wood put among the ointments that are used against the French disease, is very effectual, likewise killeth lice in the head. The distilled water of the herb is said to help them much that are troubled witli the stone, as also for the diseases of the spleen and mother. The Germans commend it for a singular wound-herb, and therefore call it stab-wort. It is held by all writers, ancient and modern, to be more offensive to the stomach than wormwood. SPIGNEL. Descrip. — The roots of common spignel do spread much and deep in the ground, many strings or branch- es growing from one head, which is hairy at the to j » , of a blackish brown colour on the outside, and white within, smelling well, and of an aromotic taste, from whence arise sundry long stalks of most fine cut leaves like hair, smaller than dill, set thick on both sides of the stalks, and of a good scent. Among; these leaves rise up round stiff stalks with a few joints and leaves on them, and at the tops an umbel of pure white flow- ers ; at the edges whereof sometimes will be seen a show of the reddish bluieish colour, especially before they be full blown, and are succeeded by small, some- what round seeds, bigger than the ordinary fennel, and of a brown colour, divided into two parts, and crusted on the back, as most of the umbelliferous seeds are. Place. — It groweth wild in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and other northern counties, and is also planted in gardens. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Ve- nus. Galen saith, the roots of spignel are available to provoke urine and women’s courses; but if too much be taken, it causeth head-ache. The roots boiled in wine or water, and drank, helpeth the strau- 350 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. gury and stoppings of urine, the wind, swellings and pains in the stomach, pains of the mother, and all joint aches. If the powder of the root be mixed with honey, and the same taken as a licking medicine, it breaketh tough phlegm, and drieth up the rheum that falleth on the lungs. The roots are accounted very effectual against the stinging or biting of any venomous creature, and is one of the ingredients in, Mithridate, and other antidotes of the same. SPLEENWORT, or CETERACH. Descrip. — The smooth spleenwort, from a black, thready, and bushy root,sendeth forth many long single leaves cut in on both sides into round deut3 almost to the middle, which is not so hard as that of poly- pody, each division being not always set opposite unto the other, but between each, smooth, and of a light green on the upper side, and a dark yellowish roughness on the back, folding or rolling itself inward at the first springing up. Place.— It groweth as well upon stone walls as moist and shadowy places, about Bristol and other the west parts plentifully; as also on Framlingham Castle, on Beaconsfield Church, in Berkshire, »t Stroud, in Kent, and elsewhere, and abideth green all the winter. Government and Virtues. — Saturn owns it. It is generally used against infirmities of the spleen ; it helpeth the strangury, and wasteth the stone in the bladder, and is good against the yellow jaundice and the hiccough, but the juice of it in women hindereth conception. Matthiolus saith, that if a drachm of the dust, that is on the backside of the leaves be mixed with half a drachm of amber in powder, and taken with the juice of purslain or plantain, it helps the running of the reins speedily, and that the herb and roots being boiled and taken, helpeth all melan- choly diseases, and those especially that arise from tiie French disease. Camerarius saith, that the dis- culpepeu's herbal. 351 tilled water thereof being drank, is very effectual against the stone in the reins and bladder ; and that the lee that is made of the ashes thereof being drank for some time together, helpeth splenetic persons. It is used in outward remedies for the same purpose. STAR THISTLE. Descrip. — A common star thistle hath divers nar- row leaves lying next the ground, cut on the edgeo somewhat deeply into many parts, soft or a little woolly, all over green, among which rise up divers weak stalks parted into many branches, all lying down to the ground, that it seemeth a pretty bush, set with divers the like divided leaves up to the top, where severally do stand small whitish green heads set with sharp white pricks (no part of the plant else being prickly) which are somewhat yellowish ; out of the middle whereof riseth 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 a3 others do. The root is small, long and woody, perishing every year, and rising again of their own sowing. Place. — It groweth wild in the fields about London in many places, as at Mile-end Green, in Finsbury fields, beyond the Windmills, and many other places. Time.— It flowerth early, and seedeth in July, some- times in August. Government and Virtues. — This, and almost all thistles, are under Mars. The seed of this star thistle made into powder, and drank in wine, provoketh urine, and helpeth to break the stone and driveth it forth. The root in powder given in wine and drank, is good against the plague and pestilence, and drank in the morning fasting for some time together, is very pro- fitable for a fistula in any part of the body. Baptista Sardas doth much commend the distilled water hereof, being drank, to help the French disease, to open ob- structions of the liver, and cleanse the blood from cor- S52 CULPEPEE’s HEEBAI.. rupfed humours, and is profitable against the quoti- dian or tertian ague. STRAWBERRIES. These are so well known through this land, that they need no description. Time. — They flower in May ordinarily, and the fruit is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues. — Venus owns the herb. Strawberries, when they are green, are cool and dry, but when they, are ripe, they are cool and mpist: the berries are excellent good to cool the liver, the blood, and the spleen, oran hot choleric stomach ; to refresh and comfort the fainting spirits, and quench thirst ; they are good also for other inflammations ; yet it is not amiss to refrain from them in a fever, lest by their putrifying in the stomach they increase the fits. The leaves and roots boiled in wine and water, and drank, do likewise cool the liver and blood, and assuage all inflammations in the reins and bladder, provoke urine, and allay the heat and sharpness thereof. The same also being drank, stayeth the bloodv-flux, and women’s courses, and helps the swelling of the spleen. The water of the berries carefully distilled, is a sovereign remedy and cordial in the pantins: anil beating of the heart, and is good for the yellow jaundice. The juice dropped into foul ulcers, or washed therewith, or the decoction of the herb and root, doth wonderfully cleanse and help to cure them. Lotions and gargles for sore mouths, or ulcers therein, or in the privy parts or elsewhere, are made with the leaves and roots thereof ; which is also good to fasten loose teeth, and to heal foul spongy gums. It helpeth to stay ca- tarrhs, or deductions of rheum in the mouth, throat, teeth, or eyes. The juice or water is singular good for hot and red inflamed eyes, if dropped into them, or they be bathed therewith. It is also of excellent property for all pushes, wheals, and other breakings forth of hot and sharp humours in the face <>nd hands, CULPEPER’ S HERBAL, 353 and other parts of the body, to bathe them therewith, and to take away any redness in the face, or spots, or otiier deformities in the skin, and to make it clear and smooth. Some use this medicine : — Take so many strawberries as you shall think fitting, and put them into a distillatory, or body of glass fit for them, which being well closed, set it in a bed of horse-dung for your use. It is an excellent water for inflamed eyes, and to take away a film or skin that beginneth to grow over them, and for such other defects in them, as may be helped by any outward medicine. SUCCORY. Descrip. — The garden succory hath longer and nar- rower leaves than the endive, and more cut in or torn on the edges, and the root abideth many years. It beareth also blue flowers like endive, and the seed is hardly distinguished from the seed of the smooth, or ordinary endive. The wild succory hath divers long leaves lying on the ground, very much cut in or torn on the edges, on both sides even to the middle rib, ending in a point; sometimes it hath a rib down the middle of the leaves from among which riseth up a hard, round, woody stalk, spreadinginto many branches, set with smaller and lesser divided leaves on them up to the tops, where stand the flowers, which are like the garden kind, as the seed is also; (only take notice that the flowers of the garden kind are gone in on a sunny day, they being so cold that they are not able to bear the beams of the sun, and therefore more delight in the shade,) theroot is white, but more hard and woody than the garden kind. The whole plant is exceeding bitter. Place. — This groweth in many places of our land, in waste, untilled, and barren fields. The other in gardens. Government and Virtues.— It is an herb of Jupiter. Garden succory, as it is more dry and less cold than (J5 z culpeeee’s herbal. 354 endive, so it openeth more. A handful oftlie leaves or roots boiled in wineor water, and a draught drank lasting, drivetli forth choleric and phlegmatic hu- mours, openeth obstructions of the liver, gall, and spleen ; helpeth the yellow jaundice, the heat of the reins, and oftlie urine; the dropsy also, and those that have an evil disposition in their bodies by reason of long sickness, evil diet, &c. which the Greeks call cachexia. A decoction thereof made with wine, and drank, is very effectual against long lingering agues; and a drachm of the seed in powder drank in wine, before the fit of the ague, helpeth to drive it away. The distilled water of the herb and flowers (if you can take them in time) hath the like properties, and is especially good for hot stomachs and in agues, either pestilential or of long continuance; for swoon- ings and passions of the heart, for the heat and head- ache in children, and for the blood and liver. The said water, or the juice, or the bruised leaves applied outwardly, allay swellings, inflammation, St. An- thony’s fire, pushes, wheals, and pimples, especially used with a little vinegar, as also to wash pestiferous sores. The said water is very effectual for sore eyes that are inflamed with redness, and for nurses’ breasts that are pained by the abundance of milk. The wild succory, as it is more bitter, so it is more strengthening to the stomach and liver. STONE-CROP, PRICK-MADAM, or SMALL HOUSE-LEEK. Descrip. — It growethwith divers trailing branch- es upon the ground, set with many thick, flat, round- ish, whitish green leaves, pointed at the ends. The flowersstand raanyof them together somewhat loosely. The roots are small, and run creeping under ground. Place. — It groweth upon the stone walls and mud walls, upon the tiles of houses, and pent houses, and amongst rubbish, and in other gravelly places. Time.— It floweret!) in June and July, and the leiues are green all the winter. CULPEPER'S HERB AIi. 855 Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of the Moon, cold in quality, and something binding, and therefore very good to stay defluctions, especially such as fall upon the eyes. It stops bleed- ing both inward and outward, helps cancers and all fretting sores and ulcers. It abates the heatofcholer, thereby preventing diseases arising from choleric hu- mours. It expels poison much, resisteth pestilential fevers, being exceeding good also for tertian agues ; you may drink the decoction of it if you please for all the foregoing infirmities. It is so harmless an herb, you can scarce use it amiss. Being bruised and ap- plied to the place, it helpeth the king’s evil, and any other knots or kernels in the flesh j as also the piles. ENGLISH TOBACCO. Descrip. — This risetli up with a round thick stalk, about two feet high, whereon do grow thick, flat, green leaves, nothing so large as the other Indian kind, somewhat round-pointed also, and nothing dented about the edges. The stalk branches forth, and bear- eth at the tops divers flowers set on great husks, like the other, but nothing so large : scarce standing above the brims of the husks, round-pointed also, and of a greenish yellow colour. The seed that fol- loweth is not so bright, but larger, contained in the like great heads. The roots are neither so great nor so woody : it perisketh every year with the hard frosts in the winter, but risetli generally of its own sowing. Place. — This came from some part of Brazil, as it is thought, and is more familiar in our country than any of the other sorts ; early giving ripe seed, which the others seldom do. Time. — It flowereth from Julie sometimes to the end of August, or later, and the seed ripeneth in the meantime. Government and Virtues.— It is a martial plant. It is found by good experience to be available to ex- 356 ctjlpeper’s herbal. peclorate tough phlegm from the stomach, chest and lungs. The juice thereof made into a syrup, or the distilled water of the herb drank with some sugar, or without if you will, or the smoke taken by a pipe, as is usual, but fasting, helpeth to expel worms in the stomach and belly, and to ease the pains in the head, or megrim, and the griping pains in the bowels. It is profirable for those that are troubled with the stone in the kiduies, both to ease the pains by provoking urine, and also to expel gravel and the stone engendered therein, and hath been found very effectual to expel windiness, and other humours, which causeth the strangling of the mother. The seed hereof is very ef- fectual to expel the tooth-ache, and the ashes of the burnt herb to cleanse the gums, and make the teeth white. The herb bruised and applied to the place grieved with the king’s evil, helpeth it in nine or ten days effectually. Monardus saith, it is a counter- poison against the biting of any venomous creature, the herb also being outwardly applied to the hurt place. The distilled water is often given with some sugar before the fit of an ague, to lessen it and take it away in two or three times using. If the distilled faeces of the herb, having been first bruised before the distillation, and not distilled dry, be set in warm dung for fourteen days, and afterwards be hungup in a bag in a wine cellar, the liquor that distilleth therefrom is singularly good to use in cramps, aches, the gout and sciatica, and to heal itches, scabs, and running ulcers, cancers, and all foul sores whatsoever. Tiie juice is also good for all the said griefs, and like- wise to kill lice in children’s heads. The green herb bruised and applied to any green wounds, cureth any fresh wound or cut whatsoever; and the juice put into old sores, both cleanseth and healeth them. There is also made hereof a singular good salve to help irn- posthumesjhard tumours, and other swellings by blows and lulls. CULPEPEE'S HEEBAIi. 357 THE TAMARISK TREE. It is so well known in the places where it grows, that it needeth no description. Time. — It flowereth about the end of May, or in June, and the seed is ripe and blown away in the be- ginning of September. Government and Virtues.— A. gallant Saturnine herb it is. The root, leaves, young branches, or bark boiled in wine, and drank stays the bleeding of the haemorrhoidal veins, the spitting of blood, the too abounding of women’s courses, the jaundice, the cholic, and the biting of all venomous serpents, except the asp ; and outwardly applied, is very powerful against the hardness of the spleen, the tooth-ache, pains in the ears, and red and watering eyes. The decoction with some honey put there- to, is good to stop gangrenes and fretting ulcers, and to wash those that are subject to nits and lice. Alpinus and Veslingus affirm, that the Egyptians do with good success use the wood of it to cure the French disease, as others do with lignum vitce or guiacura ; and give it also to those who have the leprosy, scabs, ulcers, or the like. Its ashes doth quickly heal blisters raised by burnings or scaldings. It helps the dropsy arising from the hardness of tiie spleen, and therefore to drink out of cups made of the wood is good for splenetic persons. It is also heipikl for melancholy and the black jaundice that ariseth therefrom. GARDEN TANSY. Garden tansy is so well known, that it needeth no description. Time. — It flowereth in June and July. Government and Virtues. — Dame*Venus was mind- ed to pleasure women with child by this herb, for there grows not a herb fitter for their use than this is; it is lust as tho’ it were cut out lor the purpose. S58 CULPEPER'S HEEBAi. Tl)i3 herb bruised and applied to tlie navel, stays miscarriages ; I know no herb like it for that use ; boiled in ordinary beer, and the decoction drank, doth the like • and if her womb be not so as she would have it, this decoction will make it so. Let those women that desire children love this herb, it is their best companion, their husbands excepted. Also it con- sumes the phlegmatic humours, the cold and moist constitution of winter most usually affects the body of man with, and that was the first reason of eating tansies in the spring. At last, the world being over- run with popery, a monster called Superstition perks up his head, and as a judgment of God, obscures the bright beams of knowledge by his dismal looks; phy- sicians seeing the pope and his imps selfish, they be- gan to be so too, and now, forsooth, tansies must be eaten only on Palm and Easter Sundays, and their neighbour days. At last superstition being too hot to hold, and the selfishness of physicians walking in the clouds ; after the friars and monks had made the people ignorant, the superstition of the time was found out, the herb hidden, and now it is almost, if not altogether, left off. Surely our physicians are be- holden to none so much as the monks and friars. For want of eating this herb in spring, makes people sickly in summer ; and that makes work for the physician. If it be against any man or woman’s conscience to eat tansy in the spring, I am a3 unwilling to burthen their conscience as I am that they should burthen mine ; they may boil it in wine and drink the decoc- tion—it will work the same effect. The decoction of the common tansy, or the juice drank in wine, is a singular remedy for all the griefs that come by stop- ping of the urine, helpeth the strangury, and those that have weak reins and kidnies. It is also very pro- fitable to dissolve and expel wind in the stomach, belly, or bowels, to procure women’s courses, and expel windiness in the matrix, if it be bruised and often smelled unto, as also applied to the lower part of the Culpeper's herbal. 359 belly. It is also very profitable for such women as are given to miscarry in child bearing, tocau9e them to go out their full time: it is used also against the stone in the reins, especially in men. The herb fried with eggs (as it is the custom in spring-time) which is called a tansy, helpeth to digest and carry down- ward those bad humours that trouble the stomach. The seed is very profitable given to children for the worms, and the juice in drink is as effectual. Being boiled in oil, it is good for the sinews shrunk by cramps, or pained with colds, if thereto applied. WILD TANSY, OR SILVER WEED. This is an herb so well known, that it needeth no description. Place. — It groweth almost in every place. Time. — It flowereth in June and July. Government and Virtues.— Now Dame Venus hath fitted women with two herbs of one name, one to help conception, the other to mantain beauty, and what more can be expected of her ? What now remains for you but to love your husbands, and not to be want- ing to your poor neighbours? Wild tansy stayeth the lask,and all fluxes of blood in men and women, which some say it will do, if the green herb be worn in the shoes, so it be next the skin; and it is true enough that it will stop the terms if worn so, and the whites too for aught I know ; it stayeth also spitting or vomiting of blood. The powder of the herb taken in some of the distilled water, helpeth the whites in women, but more especially if a little coral and ivory in powder be put to it. It is also commended to help children that are bursten and have a rupture, being boiled in water and salt; it easetli the griping pains of the bowels, and is good for the sciatica and joint aches. The same boiled in vinegar, with honey and alum, and gargled in the mouth, easeth the tooth- ache, fasteneth loose teeth, helpeth the gums that are sore, and settleth the ualutc of the mouth in its place 360 culpeeee's jieeeae. when it is fallen down. It cleanseth and liealeth ul cers in the mouth or secret parts, and is very good for inward wounds, and to close the lips of green wounds, and to heal old, moist, and corrupt running sores in the legs or elsewhere. Being bruised and applied to the soles of the feet and hand wrists, it wonderfully cooleth the hot fits of the agues, be they never so vio- lent. The distilled water cleanseth the skin from all discolourings therein, as morphew, sun-burnings, &c. as also pimples, freckles, and the like, and dropped into the eyes, or cloths wet therein and applied, ta- keth away the heat and inflammations in them. THISTLES. Of these there are many kinds growing here in Eng- land, which are so well known that they need no de- scription. Their difference is easily known by the places where they grow, viz. Place.— Some grow in fields, some in meadows, and some among the corn ; others on heaths, greens, and waste grounds in many places. Time.— They flower in July and August, and their seed' is ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues. — Surely Mars rules it, it is sucli a prickly business. All these thistles are good to provoke urine, and to mend the stinking smell thereof; as also to mend the rank smell of the arm- pits, or the whole body ; being boiled in wine and drank, they are said to help a stinking breath, and to strengthen the stomach. Pliny saitli, that the juice bathed on the place that wanteth hair, it being fallen off, will cause it to grow again speedily. THE MELANCHOLY THISTLE. Descrip. — It risetli up with tender, single, hoary, green stalks, bearing thereon four or five green leaves, dented about the edges ; the points thereof are little or nothing prickly, and at the top usually but one head , yet sometimes from the bosom of the uppermost CULEEPER’S HERBAL. 361 leaves there shootetli forth another small head, scaly and prickly, with many reddish thrumbs or threads in the middle, which being gathered fresh, will keep the colour, and fade not from the stalk for a long time, while it perfects the seed, which is of a mean bigness, lying in the down. The root hath many strings fastened to the head or upper part, which is blackish, and perisheth not. There is another sort little differing from the for- mer, but that the leaves are more green above, and more hoary underneath, and the stalk, being two feet high, beareth but one scaly head, with threads and seeds as the former. Place. — They grow in many moist meadows in this land , as well in the southern as in the northern parts. Time. — They flower about July or August, and flieir seed ripeneth shortly after. Government and Virtues. — It is under Capricorn, and therefore under both Saturn and Mars ; one rids melancholy by sympathy, the other by antipathy. Their virtues are but few, but those not to be despised: for the decoction of the thistle in wine being drank, expels superfluous melancholy out of the body, and makes a man as merry as a cricket ; superfluous me- lancholy causeth care, fear, sadness, despair, envy, and many evils more besides ; but religion teaches us to wait upon God’s providence, and cast our care upon him thatcareth forus. What a fine thing were it if men and women could live so! and yet seven years care and fear makes a man never the wiser, nor a farthing richer. Dioscorides saith, the root borne about one doth the like, and removes all diseases of melancholy. Modern writers laugh at him ; Let them laughthat icin', my opinion is, that it is the best re- medy against all melancholy diseases that grows ; they that please may use it. OUR LADY’S THISTLE. Descrip. — Our lady’s thistle hath divers very large 362 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. arid broad loaves lying on the ground, cut in and dented on the edges, of a white green shining colour, wherein are many lines and streaks of a milk-white colour running all over, and set with many hard and stiff prickles all about, among which riseth up one or more strong, round, and prickly stalks, set full of the like leaves up to the top, where at the end of every branch comes forth a great prickly thist.le-like head, strongly armed with prickles, and with bright purple thrums rising out of the middle. After they are past, the seed groweth in the said heads lying in soft white down, which is somewhat in the ground, and many strings and fibres fastened thereunto. All the whole plant is bitter in taste. Place. — It is frequent on the banks of almost every ditch. Time. — Itflowereth and seedeth in June, July, and August. Government and Virtues.— Our lady’s thistle is under Jupiter, and thought to be as effectual as car- duus benedictus for agues, and to prevent and cure the infection of the plague ; as also to open obstruc- tions of the liver and spleen, and thereby is good against the jaundice. It provoketh urine, breaketh and expelleth the stone, and is good for the dropsy. It is effectual also for the pains in the sides, and many other inward pains and gripings. The seed and dis- tilled water are held powerful to all the purposes aforesaid, and besides, it is often applied outwardly with cloths or spunges, to the region of the liver, to cool the distemper thereof, and to the region of the heart, against swoonings and passionsofit. It clean seth the blood exceedingly ; and in spring, if you please to boil the tender plant (but cut off the prickles, un- less you have a mind to choak yourself) it will change your blood as the season changeth, and that is the way to be safe. CULPEPER’S HEREAL. 3G3 THE WOOLLEN, or COTTON-THISTLE. Descrip. — This hath many large leaves lying upon the ground, somewhat cut in and as it were crumpled on the edges, of a green colour on the upper side, hut covered over with a long hairy wool or cotton down, set with most sharp and cruel pricks ; from the mid- dle of whose heads of flowers come forth many purp- lish crimson threads, and sometimes white, although but seldom. The seed that folio wetli in those white downy heads is somewhat large and round, resem- bling the seed of lady’s thistle, but paler. The root is great and thick, sprea'ding much, yet usually dieth after seed-time. Place. — It groweth on divers ditch hanks, and in the corn-fields and highways generally throughout the land, and is often growing in gardens. Government and Virtues. — It is a plant of Mars. Dioscorides and Pliny write, that the leavesand roots hereof taken in drink, help those that have a crick in their neck, that they cannot turn it, unless they turn their whole body. Galen saith, that the roots and leaves hereof are good for such persons as have their bodies drawn together by some spasm or con- vulsion, or other infirmities; as the rickets (or as the College of Physicians would have it, rachites, about which name they have quarrelled sufficiently) in children, being a disease that hindereth their growth by binding their nerves, ligaments, and whole struc- ture of their body. THE FULLER’S THISTLE, on TEASLE. It is so well known that it needs no description,' being used with the cloth-workers. The wild teasle is in all things like the former, but that the prickles are small, soft, and upright, not hooked or stiff, and the flowers of this are of a fine blueish, or pale carnation colour, but that of the ma- nured kind, whitish. 3G4 culpepee’s hemjajl. Place— The first groweth, being sown in gardens or fields for the use of cloth-workers : the other near ditches and rills of water in many places of this land. Time. — They flower in July, and are ripe in the end of August. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Ve- nus. Dioscorides saith that the roots bruised and boiled in wine till it be thick, and kept in a brazen vessel, and after spread as a salve and appliad to the frndament, doth heal the cleft thereof, cankers and and fistulas therein, also taketh away warts and wens. The juice of the leaves dropped into the ears, killetb the worms. The distilled water of the leaves drop- ped into the eyes, taketh away redness and mists that hinder the sight, and is often used by women to preserve their beauty, and to take away redness and inflammations, and all other heats and discolourings. TREACLE MUSTARD. Descrip. — It riseth with a hard round stalk about a foot high, parted into some branches, having divers soft green leaves long and narrow, set thereon, waved, but not cut into the edges, broadest towards the ends, somewhat round pointed ; the flowers are white that grow at the tops of the branches, spike fashion, one above another ; after which come round pouches part- ed in the middle with a furrow, having one blackish brown seed on either side, somewhat sharp in taste, and smelling of garlic, especially in the fields where it is natural, but not so much in gardens. The roots are small and thready, perishing every year. Give me leave here to add mithridate mustard, al- though it may be seen more properly by the name to belong to M, in the alphabet. MITHRIDATE MUSTARD. Descrip. — This groweth higher than the former, spreading more and higher branches, whose leaves Culpeper’s iierisal. 3G5 are smaller and narrower, sometimes unevenly dented about the edges. The flowers are small and white, growing on long branches, with much smaller and rounder vessels after them, and are parted in the same manner, having smaller brown seeds than the former, and much sharper in taste. The root perisheth alter seed time, but abideth the first winter after springing. Place. — They grow in sundry places in this land, as half a mile from Hatfield, by the river side, under a hedge as you go to Hatfield, and in the street of Peckham on the Surry side. Time. — They flower and seed from May to August. Government and Virtues. — Both of them are herbs of Mars. The mustards are said to purge the body both upwards and downwards, and procureth women’s courses so abundantly, that it sufi'ocateth the birth. It breaketh inward iraposthumes, beingtaken inwardly ; and used in clysters helpeth the sciatica. The seed applied doth the same. It is an especial ingredient unto mithridate and treacle, being of itself an anti- dote, resisting poison, venom, and putrefaction. It is available in many cases for which the common mus- tard is used, but somewhat weaker. THE BLACK THORN, or SLOE-BUSH. It is so well known, that it needeth no description. Place. — It groweth in every county, in the hedge; and borders of fields. Time. — It flowereth in April, and sometimes in March, but the fruit ripeneth after all other plums whatsoever, and is not fit to be eaten until the au- tumn frosts mellow them. Government and Virtues. — All the parts of the sloe-bush are binding, cooling, and dry, and all effec- tual to stay bleeding at the nose and mouth, or any other part; the laskof the belly or stomach, or bloody flux; the too much abounding of women’s courses, and helpeth to ease the pains of the bowels, sides, and 3GG CtriPEPEK’S HERBAL. guts that come by overmuch scouring, to drink the decoction of the bark of the roots, or more usually the decoction of the berries, either fresh or dried. The conserve also is of very much use, and more famili- arly taken for the purpose aforesaid. But the dis- tilled water of the flowers first steeped in sack for anight, and drawn therefrom, by the heat of the Bal- neum Anglico, a bath, is a most certain remedy, tried and approved, to ease all manner of gnawings in the stomach, the sides and bowels, or any griping pains in any of them. The leaves are good to make lotions to gargle the mouth and throat, wherein are swelling sores, or kernels ; to stay the defl uction of rheum to the eyes, or other parts ; and to cool the heat and inflam- mations of them, and ease hot pains of the head, to bathe the forehead and temples therewith. The sim- ple distilled water of the flowers is very effectual for the said purposes, and the condensate juice of the sloes. The distilled water of the green berries is used also for the said effects. THOROUGH WAX, oh THOROUGH LEAF. Descrip. — Common thorough wax sendeth forth a straight round stalk two feet high or better, whose lower leaves being of ablueish colour, are smaller and narrower than those up higher, and stand close thereto, not compassing it ; but as they grow higher they do moreencompass the stalks, untilitwholly passthrough them, branching towards the top into many parts, where the leaves grow smaller again, every one stand- ing singly, and never two at a joint. The flowers are small and yellow, standing in tufts at the heads of the branches, where afterwards grow the seed, being blackish, many, thick thrust together. The root is small, long, and woody, perishing every year, after seed-time," and rising again plentifully of its own sowing. Place. — It. is found growing in many corn-fields and pasture grounds in this land. cuLrErEu’s herbal. 3G7 Time.— 1 1 flowereth in July, and the seed is ripe in August. Government and Virtues. — Both tills and the former are under the influence of Saturn. Thorough wax is of singular good use for all sorts of bruises and wounds either inward or outward ; and old ulcers and sores likewise, if the decoction of the herb with wa- ter and wine be drank, and the place washed there- with, 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 oin ment to serve all the year. The decoction of the herb, or powder of the dried herb taken inwardly, and the same or the leaves bruised and applied outwardly, is singular good for all ruptures and burstings, especially in children be- fore they be too old. It being also applied with a lit tie flour and wax to children’s navels that stick forth, ithelpeth them. THYME. It is in vain to describe an herb so commonly known. Government and Virtues. — It is a noble strength- ener of the lungs, as notable a one as grows: neither is there scarce a better remedy growing for that dis- ease in children which they call the chin-cough than it is. It purgeth the body of phlegm, and is an ex- cellent remedy for shortness of breath. It kills worms in the belly, and being a notable herb of Venus, pro- vokes the terms, gives safe and speedy delivery to women in travail, and brings away the after-birth. It is so harmless you need not fear the use of it. An ointment made of it takes away hot swellings and warts, helps the sciatica and dulness of sight, and takes away pains and hardness of the spleen. ’Tis excellent for those that are troubled with the gout ; as also to anoint the cods that are swelled. It easeth pains in the loins and hips. The herb taken any wav inwardly comforts the stomach much, and expels wind. 368 CULPEPER’S HERBAL. WILD THYME, or MOTHER-OF-THYME. Wild thyme also is so well known that it needeth no description. Place.— It may be found commonly on commons, and other barren places throughout this nation. Government and Virtues. — It is under the domi- nion of Venus, and under the sign Aries, and there- fore chiefly appropriated to the head. It provoketh urine and the terms, and easeth the griping pains of the belly, cramps, ruptures, and inflammation oi the liver. If you make a vinegar of the herb, as vi- negar of roses is made, (you may find out the way. in my translation of the London Dispensatory) and anoint the head with it, it presently stops the pains l hereof. It is excellent good to be given either in piirenzy or lethargy, although they are two contrary diseases. It helps spitting and pissing of blood, coughing, and vomiting ; it comforts and strength- ens the head, stomach, reins, and womb ; expels wind, and breaks the stone. TORMENTIL, or SEPTFOIL. Descrip. — This hath reddish, slender, weak branch- es rising from the root, lying on the ground, rather leaning than standing upright, with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalk9 than cinque-foil (to which this is very like) with the foot-stalk compas- sing the branches in several places ; but those that grow to the ground are set upon long foot-stalks, each whereof are like the leaves of cinquefoil, but some- what longer, and less dented about the edges, many of them divided but into five leaves, but most of them into seven, whence it is called septfoil : yet some; may have six and some eight, according to the fertility of the soil. At the tops of the branches stand divers small yellow flowers consisting of five leaves, like those of cinquefoil, hut smaller. The root is smaller than bistort, somewhat thick, but blacker without. Culpeper's herbal. 309 nml not so ml within, yet sometimes a little crooked, having blackish fibres thereat. Place. — It groweth as well in woods and shadowy places, as in the open chainpain country, about the borders of fields in many places of this land, and al- most in every broom-field in Essex. Time. — It flowereth all the summer long. Government and Virtues. — This is a gallant herb of the Sun. Tormentil is most excellent to stay all fluxes of blood or humours in man or woman, whether at nose, mouth, or belly. The juice of the herb and root, or the decoction thereof, taken with some Ve- nice treacle, and the person laid to sweat, expels any venom or poison, or the plague, fever, or other con- tagious diseases, as the pox measles, &c. for it is an ingredient in all antidotes or counter-poisons. An- dreas Valesus is of opinion, that the decoction of this root is no less effectual to cure the French pox than guiacum or China: and it is not unlikely, because it resisteth putrefaction. The root taken inwardly is most effectual to help any flux of the belly, stomach, spleen or blood ; and the juice wonderfully opens ob- structions of the spleen and lungs, and thereby lielp- cth the yellow jaundice. The powder or decoction drank, or to sit thereon as a bath, is an assured re- medy against abortion in women, if it proceed from the over-flexibility or weakness of the inward reten- tive faculty ; as also a plaster made therewith and vinegar applied to the reins of the back, doth much help not only this, but also those that cannot hold their water, the powder being taken in the juice of plantain, and is commended against the worms in children. It is very powerful in ruptures and burst- ings, as also for bruises and falls, to be used as well outwardly as inwardly. The root hereof made up \yth pellitory of Spain and alum, and put into a hol- low tooth, not only assuageth the pain, but stayeth the flux of humours which causeth it. Tormentil is no less effectual and powerful a remedy against out- ! iu ‘2 v 370 cuj.peper’s herbal. ward wounds, sores and hurts, than for inward, and is therefore a special ingredient to be used in wound drinks, lotions, and injections, for foul corrupt rotten sores and ulcers of the mouth, secrets, or other parts of the body. The juice or powder of the roots put in ointments, plaisters, and such things that are applied to wounds or sores, is very effectual, as the juice of the leaves and the root bruised and applied to the throat or jaws, healetli the king’s evil, and easeth the pains of the sciatica ; the same used with a little vi- negar is a special remedy against the running sores of the head or other parts ; scabs also and the itch, or any such eruptions in the skin, proceeding of salt and sharp humours. The same is also effectual for i lie piles or haemorrhoids, if they be washed or bathed therewith, or with the distilled water of the herb and roots. It is found also helpful to dry up any sharp rheum that distilleth from the head into the eyes, causing redness, pain, waterings, itching, or the like, if a little prepared tutia, or white amber, be used with the distilled water thereof. Many women use this water as a secret to help themselves and others when they are troubled with too much flowing of the whites and reds, both to drink it, or inject it with a syringe. And here is enough, only remember the Sun challengeth this herb. TURNSOLE, or HELIOTROPIUM. Descrip. — The greater turnsole riseth with one upright stalk about a foot high or more, dividing it- self almost from the bottom into divers small branches of a hoary colour; at each joint of the stalk and branches grow small broad leaves, somewhat white and hoary. At the tops of the stalks and branches stand small white flowers consisting of four, and Mimetimes of five leaves, set in order one above ano- ilier, upon a small crooked spike, which turneth in- wards like a bowed finger, opening by degrees as the flowers blow open ; after which in their place come culi-epee's heeeae. 371 forth cornered seed, four for the most port standing together: the root is small and thready, perishing every year, ami the seed shedding every year, raiseth it again the next spring. Place. — It groweth in gardens, and flowereth and seedeth with us, notwithstanding it is not natural to this land, but to Spain and Fiance, where it grows plentifully. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of the Sun, and a good one too. Dioscorides saitli, that a good handful of that which is called the great turn- sole, boiled in water and drank, purgetli both choler and phlegm ; and boiled with cummin, helpeth the stone in the reins, kidnies, or bladder, provoketh urine and women's courses, and cuuseth an easy and speedy delivery in child-birth. The leaves bruised and applied to places pained with the gout, or that have been out of joint and newly set, and full of pain, do give much ease ; the seed and juice of the leaves also being rubbed with a little salt upon warts or wens, and other kernels in the face, or eye-lids, or in any part of the body, will, by often using, take them away. MEADOW TREFOIL, or HONEYSUCKLES. It is so well known, especially by the name of ho- neysuckles, white and red, that I need not describe them. Place. — They grow al most every where in this land. Government and Virtues. — Mercury hath the dominion over the common sorts. Dodoneds saith, the leaves and flowers are good to ease the griping pains of the gout, the herb being boiled and used in a clyster. If the herb be made into a poultice, and applied to inflammations, it will ease them. The juice dropped in the eyes, is a familiar medicine with many country people to take away the pin and web, as they call it, in the eyes; it also allayetli the heat and oloodshooting of them. Country people do also in 072 CULPEPER'S HERBAL. many places drink the juice thereof against the bit- ing of an adder ; and having boiled the herb in water, they first wash the place with thedecoction,and then lay some of the herb also to the hurt place. The herb also boiled in swine’s grease, and so made into an ointment, is good to apply to the biting of any venom- ous creature. The herb also bruised and heated be- tween tiles, and applied to the share, causeth them to make water who had it stopped before. It is held likewise to be good for wounds, and to take away seed. The decoction of the herb and flowers, with the seed and root taken for some time, helpeth wo- men that are troubled with the whites. The seed and flowers boiled in water, and after made into a poultice with some oil, and applied, helpeth hard swellings and impost humes. HEART TREFOIL. Besides the ordinary sort of trefoil, here are two more remarkable, and one of which may be probably called heart trefoil, not only because the leaf is trian- gular, like the heart of man, but also because each leaf contains the perfect icon of a heart, and that in its proper colours, viz. a flesh colour. Place. — It groweth between Longford and Bow. and beyond Southwark, by the highway, and parts adjacent. Government and Virtues.— It is under the domi- nion of the Sun, and if it were used it would be found as great a strengthener of the heart, and cherisher ot the vital spirits, as any that grows ; relieving the body against faintings and swoonings, fortifying it against poison and pestilence, defending the heart againsl the noisome vapours of the spleen. PEARL TREFOIL. It differs not from the common sort, save only in this one particular, it hath a white spot on the leal like a pearl. It is particularly under the dominion Culpeper’s herbal. S73 of the Moon, and it3 icon sheweth that it is of sin- gular virtue against the pearl, or pin and web in the eyes. TUTSAN, or PARK LEAVES. Descrip.— It hath brownish, shining, round stalks, crested the length thereof, rising two by two, and sometimes three feet high, branching forth even from the bottom, having divers joints, and at each of them two fair large leaves standing, of a dark blueish green colour on the upper side, and of a yellowish green underneath, turning reddish towards autumn. At the top of the stalks stand large yellow flowers, and heads with seed, which, beinggreenish at the hi st, and afterwards reddish, turn to be of a blackish pur- ple colour when they are ripe, with small brownish seed within them ; they yield a reddish juice or li- quor somewhat resinous, of a harsh styptic taste, as the leaves and flowers be, although much less, but do not yield such a clear claret wine colour as some say it doth. The root is brownish, somewhat, great, hard, and woody, spreading well iu the ground. Place. — It grovveth in many woods, groves, and woody grounds, as parks and forests, and by hedge sides, in many places of this land, as in Hamp- stead-woods, by ltatly in Essex, and in the wilds of Kent, and in many other places needless to recite. Time. — It fiowereth later than St. John’s or St. Peter's-wort. Government and Virtues. — It is an herb of Saturn, and a most noble antivenerean. Tutsan purgeth cho- leric humours, as St. Peter’s-wort is said to do, for therein it. worketh the same effects, both to help sci- atica arid gout, and to heal burnings by fire ; it stay- eth all the bleedings of wounds, if either the green herb be bruised or the powder of the dry be applied thereto. It hath been accounted, and certainly it is, a sovereign herb to heal either wounds or sores either outwardly or inwardly, and therefore always used in drinks, lotions, balms, ointments, or any other Si ft* culpepek’s hebbal. 74 of green wounds, old ulcers, or sores, in all wliicl: the continual experience of former ages hath continued the use thereof to be admirable good, though it he not so much in use now as when physicians and sur- geons were so wise as to use herbs more than now they do. GARDEN VALERIAN. Descrip. — This hath a thick, short, greyish root, lying for the most part above ground, shooting forth on all other sides such like small pieces ofroots, which have all of them many long green strings and fibres under them in the ground, whereby it draweth nour- ishment. From the head of these roots spring up many green leaves, which at first are somewhat broad and long, without any division at all in them, or dent- ed on the edges ; but those that rise up after are more and more divided on each side, some to the mid- dle rib, being winged, as made of many leaves together on a stalk, and those upon a stalk, in like manner more divided, but smaller towards the top than below ; the stalk riseth to be a yard high or more, sometimes branched at the top, with many small whitish flowers, sometimes dashed over at the edges with a pale purplish colour, of a little scent, which passing away, there followeth small brownish white seed, that is easily carried away with the wdnd. The root srael- leth more strong than either leaf or flower, and is of more use in medicines. Place. — It is generally kept with us in gardens. Time. — It flowereth in June and July, and conti- r.ueth flowering until the frost pull it down. Government and Virtues. — This is under the in- fluence of Mercury. Dioscorides saith, that the gar- den valerian hath a warming faculty, and that being dried and given to drink, it provoketh urine, ami helpeth the ‘strangury. The decoction thereof taken doth the like also, and luketh away pains of the sides, provoketh women’s courses, and is used in antidotes. Eliny saith* that the powder of the root Culpeper’s herbal. 375 given in drink, or the decoction thereof taken, helpeth nil stoppings and strangling in any part of the bodv, whether they proceed of pains in the chest or sides, and taketh them away. The root of valerian boiled with liquorice, raisins, and anniseed, is singular good for those that are short-winded, and for those that, are troubled with a cough, and helpeth to open the passages and to expectorate tough phlegm easily. It is given to those that are bitten or stung by any venomous creature, being boiled in wine. It is a spe- cial remedy against the plague, the decoction thereof being drank, and the root being used to smell unto. It helpeth to expel the wind in the belly. The green herb with the root taken fresh, being bruised and im- plied to the head, taketh away the pains and prick- ings there, stavetli rheum and thin distillation*, and being boiled in white wine, and a drop thereof put in- to the eyes, taketh away the dimness of the sight, or any pin or web therein. It is of excellent property to heal any inward sores or wounds, and also for outward hurts or wounds, and drawing away splinters or thorns out of the flesh. VERVAIN. Descrip. — The common vervain hath somewhat long, broad leaves next the ground, deeply gashed about the edges, and some only deeply dented, or cut all alike, of a blackish green colour on the upper side, somewhat greyish underneath. The stalk is square, branched into several parts, rising about two feet high, especially if you reckon the long spike of flow- ers at the tops of them, which are set on all sides one iibove another, and sometimes two or three together, being small and gaping, of a blue colour and white intermixed ; after which come small round seed, in small and somewhat long heads. The root is sman and long, but of no use. Place. — It groweth generally throughout the land in divers places of the edges and way -sides, and oilier waste grounds. 37 G culpepek’s hesbal. Time.— It flowered in July, ami the seed is ripe shortly after. Government and Virtues. — This is an herb of Ve- nus, and excellent good for the womb to strengthen and remedy all the cold griefs of it, as plantain doth the hot. Vervain is hotand dry, opening obstructions, cleansing and healing. It helped the yellow jaun- dice, the dropsy, and the gout; itlcilleth and expelleth worms in the belly, and causeth a good colour in the face and body, strengthened as well as corrected the diseases of the stomach, liver, and spleen; helps the cough, wlieezings, and shortness of breath, and all the defects of the reins and bladder, expelling the gravel and stone. It is held to be good against the biting ofserpent.s and other venomous beasts, against the plague, and both tertian and quartan agues. It consolidated and healed all wounds both inward and outward, stayed bleedings, and used with honey, healed all old ulcers, and fistulas in the legs or other parts of the body ; as also those ulcers that happen in the mouth; or used with hog’s grease, it helpeth the swellings and pains of the secret parts in man or woman, also for the piles or haemorrhoids ; applied with some oil of roses and vinegar unto the forehead and temples, it eased the inveterate pains and aches of the head, and is good for those that arc frantic. The leaves bruised, or the juice of them mixed with some vinegar, doth wonderfully cleanse the skin, and tuketli away morphews, freckles, fistulas, and other such like inflammations and deformities of the skin in any part of the body. The distilled water of the herb when it is in full strength dropped into the eves, cleansed them from films, clouds, or mists thatdarken the sight, and wonderfully strengthens the optic nerves; the said water is very powerful in all the diseases aforesaid, either inward or outward, whether they be old corroding sores or green wounds. CTTI.rSPEB’S IIEKBA.Ii. OHW o/7 THE VINE. The leaves of the English vine (I do not mean to send you to the Canaries for a medicine) being boiled, make a good lotion for sore mouths ; being boiled with barley meal into a poultice, itcools inflammations of wounds; the dropping of the vine when it is cut in the spring, which country people call tears, being boiled in a syrup with sugar and taken inwardly, is excellent to stay women’s longings after every thing they see, which is a disease many women with child are subject to. The decoction of vine leaves in white wine doth the like ; also the tears of the vine drank two or three spoonsful at a time, breaks the stone in the bladder. This is a very good remedy, ■and it is discreetly done to kill a vine to cure a man, but the salt of the leaves are held to be better. The ashes of the burnt branches will make teeth that an; as black as a coal to be as white as snow, if you but every morning rub them with it. It is a gallant tree of the Sun, very sympathetical with the body of man, and that is the reason spirits of wine is the greatest cordial among all vegetables. VIOLETS. Both the tame and the wild are so well known that they need no description. Time. — They flower until the end of July, but are best in March and the beginning of April. Government and Virtues. — They are a fine pleas- ing plant of Venus, of a mild nature, no way harmful. All the violets are cold and moist while they are fresh and green, and are used to cool any heat or distem- perature of the body, either inwardly or outwardly, as inflammations in the eyes, in the matrix or funda- ment, in imposthurnes also and hot swellings, to drink the decoction of the leaves and flowers made with water and wine, or to apply them poultice-wise to the grieved places: it likewise easeth pains in the head 878 CULPEPER’S HEBE AL. caused through want of sleep; or any other pains arising of heat being applied in the same manner, or with oil of roses. A drachm weight of the dried leaves or flowers of violets, but the leaves more strongly, doth purge the body of choleric humours, and assuageth the heat, being taken in a draught of wine or any other drink ; the powder of the purple leaves of the flowers only picked and dried and drank in water, is said to help the quinsy and the falling- sickness in children, especially in the begin- ning of the disease. The flowers of the white violets ripen and dissolve swellings. The herb or flowers, while they are fresh, or the flowers when dry, are effectual in the pleurisy, arid all diseases of the lanes, to leuefy the sharpness of hot rheums, and the hoarse- ness of the throat, the heat and sharpness of urine, and all the pains of the back, or reins and bladder. It is good also for the liver and jaundice, and all hot agues, to cool the liver and quench the thirst ; but the syrup of violets is of most use and of better ef- fect., being taken in some convenient liquor; and if a little of the juice or syrup of lemons be put to it, or a few drops oi the oil of vitriol, it is made thereby the more powerful to cool the heat and quench the thirst, and giveth to the drink a claret wine colour, and a line tart relish, pleasing the taste. Violets taken or made up with honey, do more cleanse and cool, and with sugar, contrary-wise. The dried flowers of violets are accounted among the cordial drinks, pow- ders, and other medicines, especially where cooling cordials are necessary. The green leaves are used with other herbs to make plaisters and poultices for inflammations and swellings, and to ease all pains whatsoever, arising of heat, and for the piles also, being fried with yolks of eggs and applied thereto. VIPER'S BUG LOSS. Desnrip. — This hath many long rough leaves lying on the ground, from among which arise up diwrs CULPErEH'S HERBAL. o*rr\ C i d hard round stalks, very rough, as if they were thick set with prickles or hairs, whereon are set such like rough, hairy, or prickly sad green leaves somewhat narrow ; theraiddlerib being for the most part white. The flowers stand at the top of the stalk branched forth in many long spiked leaves of flowers, bowing or turning like the turnsole, all opening or turning for the most part on the one side, which are long and hollow, turning up the brims a little, of a purplish violet colour in them that are fully blown, but more reddish while they are in the bud, as also upon their decay and withering; but in some places of a paler purple colour, with a long pointel in the middle, fea- thered or parted at the top. After the flowers are fallen, the seeds growing to be ripe are blackish, cor- nered and pointed somewhat like the head of a viper. The root is somewhat great and blackish, and woolly when it groweth towards seed-time, and perisheth in the winter. There is another sort little differing from the former only in this, that it heareth white flowers. Place. — The firstgroweth wild almost every where. That with the white flowers about the castle walls in Lewes, in Sussex. Time — They flower in summer, and their seed is ripe quickly after. Government and Virtues.— It is a most gallant herb of the Sun ; it is a pity it is no more in use than it is. It is an especial remedy against the biting of the viper, and all other venomous beasts or serpents ; as also against poison or poisonous herbs. Diosco- rides and others say, that whosoever shall take of the herb or root before they be bitten, shall not be hurt by the poison of any serpent. The root or seed is thought to be most elfectual to comfort the heart, and expels sadness or causeless melancholy ; it tem- pers the blood, and allayeth hot fits of agues. The seed drank in wine, procureth abundance of milk in women’s breuots. The same also being taken, easclh 380 CtrxrEPEE’s UEE13AL. the pains in the loins, back and kidnies. The distil- led water of the herb, when it is in flower, or its cliier strength, is excellent to be applied inwardly or out- wardly for all the purposes aforesaid. There is a sy- rup made hereof very effectual for the comforting the heart, and expelling sadness and melancholy. WALL-FLOWERS, on WINTER GILLI- FLOWERS The garden kind are so well known that they need : no description. Descrip.— The common single wall-flowers, which grow wild abroad, have sundry small, long, nar- row, dark green leaves, set without order upon sm all, round, whitish woody stalks, which bear at the top divers single yellow flowersoneaboveanother. -very one bearing four leaves a-piece, and of a very sweet scent ; after which come long pods containing a reddish seed. The roots are white, hard, and thready. Place— It groweth upon church walls and old walls of many houses, and other stone walls in divers places. The oilier sort in gardens only. Time. — All the single kinds do flower many times in the end qf autumn ; and if the winter be mild, all the winter long, but especially in the months of Feb- ruary, March, and April, until the heat of the spring do spend them. But the double kinds continue not flowering in that manner all the year long, although they flower very early sometimes* and in some places very late. ( Government, and Virtues.— The Moon rules them. Galen in his seventh book of simple medicines sni h, that the yellow wall-flowers work more powerfully than any of the other kinds, and are therefore of, more use in physic. It eleanseth the blood, and freeth the liver and reins from obstructions, provoketh women’s courses, expelleth the secundine and the dead child • helpeth the hardness and pains of the mother, and of Culpeper's herbal. 331 the spleen also ; stayeth inflammations and swellings, comforteth and strengtheneth any weak part, or out of joint; helpeth to cleanse the eyes from mistiness or films upon them, and to cleanse the filthy ulcers in the mouth, or any other part, and is a remedy for the gout, and all aches and pains in the joints and sinews. A conserve made of the flowers, is used as a remedy both for the apoplexy and palsy. THE WALNUT-TREE. It is so well known that it needeth no description. Time. — It blossometh early before the leaves come forth, and the fruit is ripe in September. Government and Virtues. — This is also a plant of the Sun. Let the fruit of it be gathered accordingly, which you shall find to be of most virtues whilst they are green, before they have shells. The bark of the tree doth bind and dry very much, and the leaves are much of the same temperature ; but. the leaves when they are older, are heating and drying in the second degree, and harder of digestion than when they are fresh, which, by reason of their sweetness are more pleasing and better digested in the stomach ; and ta- ken with sweet wine, they move the belly downwards, hut being old, they grieve the stomach : and in hot bodies cause the choler to abound, and the head-ache, and are an enemy to those that have the cough ; but they are less hurtlul to those that have a colder sto- mach, and are said to kill the broad worms in the belly or stomach. If hey be taken with onions, salt, and honey, they help the biting of a mad dog, or the venom or infectious poison of any beast, &c. Caias Pompeius found in the treasury of Mithri- dates, king of Pontus, when he was overthrown, a scroll of his own hand-writing, containing a medicine against poison or infection, which is this: — Take two dry walnuts and as many good tigs, and twenty leaves of rue, bruised and beaten together with two or three corns of salt, and twenty juniper berries, which taken CULPEPER S HERBAL. ('very morning, fasting, preserveth from danger of poison and infection that day it. is taken. The juice of the other green husks boiled with honey, is an ex- cellent gargle for a sore mouth, or the heat and in- flammations in the throat and stomach. The kernels, when they grow old, are more oily, and therefore not fit to be eaten, but are then used to heal the wounds of the sinews, gangrenes, and carbuncles. The said kernels being burned, are then very astringent., and will stay lasks and women’s courses, being taken in wine; and stay the falling of the hair, and make it fair, being anointed with oil and wine. The green husks will do the like being used in the-same manner. The kernels beaten with vue and wine, being applied, 1 lel petli the quinsy ; and bruised with rueand wine, and applied to the ears,easeth the pains and inflammations or them. A piece of t.he green husk put into a hollow tooth easeth the pain. The catkins hereof, taken be- fore they fall off, dried, and given a drachm thereof in powder with wine, wonderfully helpeth those that are troubled with the rising of the mother. The oil that is pressed out of the kernels, is very profitable taken inwardly like oil of almonds, to help the cholic and to expel wind very eflec.ually ; an ounce or two thereof may be taken at. any time. The young green nuts taken before they be half ripe and preserved with su- gar, are of good use for those that have weak stomachs, or defluctions thereoo. The distilled water of the green husks before they be half ripe, is of excellent use to cool the heat of agues, beingdrank an ounce or two at a time ; as also to resist the infection of the jdague, if some of the same be also applied to the sores thereof. The same also cooleth the heat of green wounds and old ulcers, and healeth them, being bathed therewith. The distilled water of the green husks being ripe, when they are shelled from the nuts, and drank with a little vinegar, is good for the plague, so as before the taking thereof a vein he opened. The said water is very good against the quinsy, being Culpeper's herbal. non olio gargled and babied therewith, and wonderfully help- eth deafness and noise, and other pains in the ears. The distilled water of the young green leaves in the end of May, performeth a singular cure on foul run- ning ulcers and sores, to be bathed with wet cloths or sponges applied to them every morning. WOLD, WELD, or DYER’S WEED. The common kind groweth bushing with many leaves, long, narrow, and flat upon the ground, of a dark blueish green colour, somewhat like unto woad, but nothing so large, a little crumpled and as it were round-pointed, which do so abide the first year ; and the next spring, from among them rise uo divers round stalks two or three feet high, beset with many such like leaves thereon, but smaller and shooting forth small branches, which with the stalks carry many small yellow flowers in a long spiked head at the top of them : where afterwards come the seed, which is small and black, inclosed in heads that are divided at the tops into four parts. The root is long, white, and thick, abiding the winter. The whole herb changeth to be yellow after it hath been in flower awhile Place. — It groweth every where by the wav-sides, in moist grounds as well as dry, in corners of fields and bye-lanes, and sometimes all over the field. In Sussex and Kent they call it green weed. Time. — It floweret.h about June. Government and Virtues. — Matthiolus saith, that the root hereof cureth tough phlegm, digestetli raw phlegm, thinneth gross humours, disolveth hard tu- mours. and openeth obstructions. Some do highly commend it against the biting of venomous creatures, to be taken inwardly and applied outwardly to the hurt place; as also for the plague or pestilence. The people in some counties of this land do use to bruise the herb, and lay it to cuts or wounds in the hands or legs to heal them. 384 Culpeper’s herbal. WHEAT. All the several kinds hereof are so well known unto almost all people, that it is altogether needless to write a description thereof. Government and Virtues. — It is under Venus. Dioscorides saith, that to eat the corns of green wheat is hurtful to the stomach, and breedeth worms. Pliny saith that the corns of wheat roasted upon an iron pan and eaten, are a present remedy for those that are chilled with cold. The oil pressed from wheat between two thick plates of iron or copper heated, healeth all tetters or ringworms being used warm ; and hereby Galen saith he hath known many to be cured. Matthiolus commendeth the same to be put into hollow ulcers to heal them up, and it is good for chops in the hands or feet, and to make rugged skin smooth. The green corns of wheat being chewed and applied to the place bitten by a mad dog, heal it; slices of wheat bread soaked in red rosewater, and applied to the eyes that are hot, red, and in- flamed, or blood-shotten, helpeth them. Hot bread applied for an hour at times for three days together, perfectly healeth the kernels in the throat, commonly called the king’s evil. The flower of wheat mixed with the juice of henbane, stayeth the flux of humours in the joints being laid thereon. The said meal boiled in vinegar helpeth the shrinking of the sinews, saith Pliny ; and mixed with vinegar, and boiled together, helpeth all freckles, pimples, and spots on the face. Wheat flour mixed with the yolk of an egg, honey, and turpentine, doth draw, cleanse, and heal any boil, plague-sore, or foul ulcer. The bran of wheat meal steeped in vinegar, and bound in a linen cloth and rubbed on the places that have the scurf, morphew, scabs, or leprosy, will take them away, the body be- ing first well purged and prepared. The decoction of the bran of wheat or barley, is of good use to bathe \uoMi places that are bursten by a rupture, and the culpeier’s herbal. 3S*> said bran boiled in good vinegar and applied to swol- len breasts, helpetli them, and stayeth all inflamma- tions. It helpetli also the bitings of vipers (which I take to be no other than our English adder) and all other venomous creatures. The leaves of wheat meal applied with salt, take away hardness of the skin, warts, and hard knots in the flesh. Starch moistened in rose water and laid to the cods, taketh away their itching. Wafers put in water and drank, stayeth the lasks and bloody-flux, and are profitably used both inwardly and outwardly for the ruptures in children. Boiled in water unto a thick jelly, and taken, it stayeth spitting of blood : and boiled with mint and butter, it helpetli the hoarseness of the throat. THE WILLQW TREE These are so well known that they need no des- cription. I shall therefore only shew you the virtues thereof. ^ Government and Virtues. — The Moon owns it. Both the leaves, bark and the seed are used to staunch bleeding of wounds at the mouth and nose, spitting of blood, and other fluxes of blood in man or woman, and to 6tav vomiting and provocation thereunto, if 1 he decoction of them in w^ne he drank. It helpetli also to stay thin, hot, sharp, distillations from the head upon the lungs, causing a consumption. The leaves bruised with some pepper and drank in wine, helps much the wind cholic. The leaves bruised and boiled in wine, stayeth the heat of lust in man or woman, and quite extinguished it if it be long used ; the seed is also of the same effect. Water that is gathered from the willow when it flowereth, the bark being slit and a vessel fitting to receive it, is very good for redness and dimness of sight, or films that grow over the eyes, and stay the rheums that fall into them ; to provoke urine being stopped, if it be drank ; to clear the face and skin from spots and discolour- 05 b 386 Culpeper's herbal. ings. Galen saith, 'the flowers have an admirable faculty in drying up humours, being a medicine with- out any sharpness or corrosion ; you may boil them :n white wine and drink as much as you will, so you drink not yourself drunk. The bark works the same effects if used in the same manner, and the tree hath always a bark upon it, though not always flowers ; the burnt ashes being mixed with vinegar taketh away warts, corns, and superfluous flesh, being ap- plied to the place. The decoction of the leaves or bark in wine takes away scurf and dandriffby wash- ing the place with it. It is a fine cool tree, the boughs of which are very convenient to be placed in the cham- ber of one sick of a fever. WOAD. Descrip. — It hath div>ers large leaves, long and somewhat broad withal, like those of the great plan- tain, but larger, thicker, and of a greenish colour, somewhat blue withal. Fronyamong which leaves riselh up a lusty stalk three or four feet high, with divers leaves set thereon ; the higher the stalk risetli the smaller are the leaves ; at the top it spreadeth divers branches, at the end of which appear very pretty little yellow flowers, and after they pass away like all other flowers of th^field, come husks long anil somewhatflat withal ; in form they resemblea tongue, in colour they are black, and they hang bobbing downwards. The seed contained within these husks, if it be a little chewed, gives an azure colour. The root is white and long. Place. — It is sowed in fields for the benefit of it, where those that sow it cut it three time a year. Time. — It flowers in June, but it is long after be- fore the seed is ripe. G over mnent and Virtues. — It is a cold and drv plant of Saturn. Some people affirm the plant to be destructive to bees, and fluxes them, which if it be, I cannot help it. I should rather think, unless bees culpepee’s herbal. 387 be contrary to other creatures, it possessetli them with the contrary disease, the herb being exceeding dry and binding. However, if any bees be dis- eased thereby, the cure is, to set urine by them, but set it in a vessel that they cannot drown themselves, which may be remedied if you put pieces of cork in. The herb is so drying and binding that it is not fit to be given inwardly. An ointment made thereof stauncheth bleeding. A plaister made thereof and applied to the region of the spleen which lies on the left side, takes away the hardness and pains thereof. The ointment is excellent good in such ulcers as abound with moisture, and takes away the corroding and fretting humours. It cools inflammations, quench- eth St. Anthony’s fire, and stayeth defluctions of the biood to any part of the body. WOODBINE, or HONEY-SUCKLES. It is a plant so common that every one who hath eyes knows it, and he that hath none cannot read a description, if I should write it. Time. — They flower in June, and the fruit is ripe in August. Government and Virtues.— 'Doctor Tradition, that grand introducer of errors, that hater of truth, that lover of folly, and that mortal foe to Doctor Reason, hath taught the common people to use the leaves or flowers of this plant in mouth water, and by long continuance of time hath so grounded it in the brains of the vulgar, that you cannot beat it out without a beetle. All mouth waters ought to be cool and dry- ing, but honey -suckles are cleansing, consuming, and digesting, and therefore no way fit for inflammations ; thus, Dr. Reason. Again, if you please, we will leave Dr. Reason awhile, and come to Dr. Experience, a learned gentleman, and his brother. Take a leaf and chew it in your mouth, and you will quickly find it likelier to cause a sore mouth and throat than cure it. If it be not good for this, what is it good for? It is 388 culpepeb’s herbal. pood for somethin", for God and nature made nothin? in vain. It i9 an herb of Mercury, and appropriated to the lungs; the celestial Crab claims dominion over it, neither is it a foe to the Lion ; if the lungs be af- flicted by Jupiter, this is your cure. It is fitting a conserve made of the flowers should be kept in every gentlewoman’s house ; I know no better cure for the asthma than this : besides it takes away the evil of the spleen, provokes urine, procures speedy delivery of women in travail, helps cramps, convulsions, and palsies, and whatsoever griefs come of cold or stop- ping ; if you please to make use of it as an ointment, it will clear the skin of inorphew, freckles, and sun- burnings, or whatever else discolours it, and then the maids will love it. Authors 9ay, the flowers are of more effect than the leaves, and that is true : but they say the seeds are least effectual of all. But Dr. Reason told me that there was a vital spirit in every seed to beget its like ; and Dr. Experience told me that there was a greater heat in the seed than in any other part of the plant; and withal, that heat wa9 the mother or action, and then judge if old Dr. Tra- dition (who may well be honoured for his age but not for his goodness) hath not so poisoned the world with errors before I was born, that it was never well in its wits since, and there is great fear it will die mad. WORMWOOD. Three wormwoods are familiar with us ; one I shall not describe, another I shall describe, and the third be critical at ; and I care not greatly if I begin with the last first. Sea Wormwood, hath as many names as virtues, and perhaps no more, seriphian, santonieon, belchion, narbinense, hentonicon, misneule, and a matter of twenty more which I shall not blot paper withal. A papist got the toy by the end, and he called it holy wormwood ; and in truth I am of opinion their giv- ing so much holiness to herbs is the reason there re- Culpeper’s repeal. 3SD mains so little in themselves. The seed of this worm- wood is that which usually women give their chil- dren for the worms. Of all wormwoods that grow here, this is the weakest, but doctors commend it and apothecaries sell it ; the one must keep his credit, and the other get money, and that is the key of the work. The herb is good for something, because God made nothing in vain. Will you give me leave to weigh things in the ba- lance of reason with you ; then thus : The seed of the common wormwood is far more prevalent than the seed of this to expel worms in children, or people of ripe age ; of both some are weak, some are strong. The seraphian wormwood is the weakest, and haply may prove fittest for the weak bodies, for it is weak enough of all conscience. Let such as are strong take the common wormwood, for the others will do but little good. Again, near the sea many people live, and seraphian grows near them, and therefore is more fitting for their bodies because nourished by the same air; and this I had from Doctor Reason. In whose body Dr. Reason dwells not, dwells Dr. Madness, and he brings in his brethren, Dr. Ignorance, Dr. Folly, and Dr. Sickness, and these together make way for death, and the latter end of that man is worse than the beginning. Pride was the cause of Adam’s fall ; pride begat a daughter, I do not know the father of it, unless the devil, but she christened it and called it Appetite, and sent her daughter to taste these wormwoods, who finding this the least bitter, made the squeamish wench extol it to the skies, though the virtues of it never reached the middle region of the air. Its due praise is this : it is weakest, therefore fittest for weak bodies, and fitter for those bodies that dwell near it than those that live far from it; my rea- son is, the sea (those that live far from it know when they come near it) casteth not such a smell as the land doth. The tender mercies of God being over all hi9 works, hath by his eternal providence planted se- 390 CULPEPER’S HERB AX.' riphian by the sea-side, as a fit medicine for the bo- dies of those that live near it. Lastly, it is known to all that know any thins: in the coarse of nature, that the liver delights in sweet things, if so, it abhors bitter ; then if your liver be •weak it is none of the wisest things to plague it with an enemy. If the liver be weak a consumption fol- lows. Would you know the reason? It is this; a man’s flesh is repaired by blood, by a third concoc- tion, which transmutes the blood into flesh ; it is well I said concoction, say I, if I had said boiling, every cook would have understood me. The liver makes blood, and if it be weakened that it makes not enough, the flesh wasteth ; and why must flesh always be re- newed ? Because the eternal God, when he made the creation, made one part of it in continual dependency upon another. And why did he so? Because himself only is permanent to teach us, that we should not fix our affections upon what is transitory, but what en- dures for ever. The result of this is, if the liver be weak and cannot make blood enough (I would have said sanguify if I had only written to scholars) the se- riphian, which is the weakest of wormwoods, is bet- ter than the best. I have been critical enough, if not too much. Place — It grows familiarly in England by the sea- side. Descrip. — It starts up out of the earth with many round, woody, -hairy stalks from one root. Its height is four feet, or three at least. The leaves in longitude are long, in latitude narrow, in colour white, in form lioary, in similitude like southern wood, only broader and longer; in taste rather salt than bitter, because it grows near the salt water. At the joints with the leaves towards the tops, it bears little yellow flowers. The root lies deep and is woody. Common Wormwood I shall not describe, for every boy that can eat an egg knows it. Roman Wormwood : and why Roman, seeing it culpepee’s heebal. 301 arrows familiarly in England ; it may be so called, be- cause it is good for a stinking breath, which the Ro- mans cannot be very free from, mantaining so many bawdy houses by authority of his Holiness. Descrip. — The stalks are slender, and shorter than 1 he common wormwood by one foot at least1; the leaves are more finely cut and divided than they are, but somewhat smaller; both leaves and stalks are hoary, the flowers of a pale yellow colour; it is altogether like the common wormwood save only in bigness, for itis smaller; in taste, foritisnotso bitter; in smell, for it is spicy. Place. — Itgroweth upon the tops of the mountains (it seems ’tis aspiring,) there ’tis natural, but usually nursed up in gardens for the use of the apothecaries in London. Time. — All wormwoods usually flower in August, a little sooner or later. Government and Virtues. — Will you give me leave to be critical a little ? I must take leave. Worm- wood is an herb of Mars, and if Pontanus says other- wise, he is beside the bridge. I prove it thus : What delights in martial places is a martial herb; but worm- wood delights in martial places, (for about forges and iron works you may gather a cart-load of it) ergo, it is a martial herb. It is hot and dry in the first degree, viz. just as hot as your blood, and no hotter. It re- medies the evils choler can inflict on the body of man by sympathy. It helps the evils Venus and the wan- ton Boy produce, by antipathy ; and it doth some- thing else besides. It cleanseth the body of choler (who dares say Mars doth no good ?) It provokes urine, helps surfeits, or swellings in the belly ; it causeth appetite to meat, because Mars rules the at- tractive faculty in man. The sun never shone upon a better herb than this is for the yellow jaundice. Why should men cry out so much upon Mars for an unfortunate, (or Saturn either?) Did God make creatures to do the creation a mischief? Tills herb^tes- 392 Culpeper's herbal. tifies, that Mars is willing to cure all the diseases he causes ; the truth is Mars loves no cowards, nor Sa- turn fools, nor I neither. Take of the flowers of worm- wood, rosemary, and black-thorn, of each a like quan- tity, half that quantity of saffron ; boil this in Rhen- ish wine, but put it not into saffron till it is almost boiled ; this is the way to keep a man’s body in healtii, appointed by Camerarius,in his book entitled Horti/g Meclicus, and it is a good one too. Besides all this, wormwood provokes the terms. I would willingly teach astrologers, and make them physicians, if I knew how, for they are most fitting for the calling; if you will not believe me, ask Dr. Hippocrates and Dr. Galen, a couple of gentlemen that our College of Physicians keep to vapour with, not to follow. In this herb I shall give the pattern of a ruler, the sons of art rough cast, yet as near the truth as the men of Benjamin could throw a stone: whereby my brethren, the astrologers, may know bv a penny how a shilling is coined. As for the College of Physicians, they are too stately to learn, and too proud to continue. They say a mouse is under the dominion of the Moou, and that is the reason they feed in the night ; the house of the Moon is Cancer : rats are of the same nature with mice, only they are a little bigger ; Mars receives his fall in Cancer, ergo , wormwood, being an herb of Mars, is a present reme- dy for thebiting of rats and mice. Mushrooms (I cannot give them the title of herba,frntex, or arbor) are under the dominion of Saturn, and take one time with another, they do as much harm as good ; if any have poisoned himself by eating them, wormwood, an herb of Mar9, cures him, because Mars is exalted i-i Capricorn, the house of Saturn, and this it doth by sympathy as it doth the other by antipathy. Wheals, pushes, black and blue spots coming either by bruises or beatings, wormwood, an herb of Mars, helps, be- cause Mars (as bad as you love him, and as you hate him) will notbreak your head, but will giveyoua plais- Culpeper’s herbal. 393 ter. If he do but teach you to know yourselves, his courtesy is greater than his discourtesy. The great- est antipathy between the planets is between Mars and Venus; one is hot the other cold ; one is diurnal, the other nocturnal; one dry, the other moist; their hous- es are opposite, one masculine, the other feminine ; one public, the other private; one is valiant, the other effeininite ; one loves the light, the other hates it. ; one loves the fields, the other sheets ; then the throat is under Venus, the quinsy lies in the throat, and is an inflammation there; Venus rules the throat, it being under Taurus, her sign. Mars eradicates all diseases in the throat by his herbs, of which worm- wood is one, and sends them to Egypt on an errand never to return more, this is done by antipathy. The eyes are under the Luminaries; the right eye of a man and the left eye of a woman, the Sun claims domi- nion over ; the left eye of a man and the right eye of a woman are privileges of the Moon ; wormwood, an herb of Mars, cures both ; what belongs to the Sun by sympathy, because he is exalted in his house ; but what belongs to the Moon by antipathy, because he hath his fall in her’s. Suppose a man to be bitten or stung by a martial creature, imagine a wasp, a hornet, or a scorpion, wormwood, an herb of Mars, giveth you a present cure ; then Mars, choleric as he is, hath learned that patience to pass by your evil speeches of him, and tells you, by my pen, that he gives you no affliction, but he gives you a cure; you need not run to Apollo, nor iEsculapius ; and if he was so choleric as you make him to be, he would have drawn his sword in anger, to see the ill condition of those peo- ple that can spy his vices and not his virtues. The eternal God, when he made Mars, made him for pub- lic good, and the sons of men shall know it in the lat- ter end of the world. Et caelum Mars solus habet. You say Mars is a destroyer; mix a little wormwood, an herb of Mars, with your ink, neither rats nor mice touch the paper written with it, and then Mars is a 394 CULPEPEli’s HEBBAL. preserver. Astrologers think Mar^ causeth scabs and itch, and the virgins are angry with him because wanton Venus told them he deforms their skins; but quoth Mars, my only desire is that they should know themselves; my herb wormwood will restore them to the beauty they before had, and in that I will not come an inch behind my opposite, Venus; for wdiich doth the greatest evil, he that takes away an innate beauty, and when he has done, knows how to restore it again? or she that teaches a company of wanton lasses to paint their faces? If Mars be in a virgin, in the na- tivity, they say he causeth the cholic, (it is well God hath set somebody to pull down the pride of man.) He in the virgin troubles none with the cholic, but them that know not themselves (for who knows him- self may easily know all the world.) Wormwood, an herb of Mars, is a present cure for it; and whether it be most, like a Christian to love him for his good, or hate him for his evil judge ye. I had almost forgotten that charity thinks no evil. I was once in the Tower and viewed the wardrobe, and there was a great many fine clothes : (I can give them no other title, for I was never either linen or woollen-draper) yet as brave as they looked, my opinion was, that the moths might consume them, moths are under the dominon of Mars; this herb, wormwood, being laid among cloeths, will make a moth scorn to meddle with the clothes, as much as a lion scorns to meddle with a mouse, or an eagle with a fly. You may say Mars is angry, and it is true enough he is angry with many countrymen, i'or being such fools as to be led by the noses by the College of Physicians, as they lead bears to Paris garden. Melancholy men cannot endure to be wronged in point of good fame, and that doth sorely trouble old Saturn, because they call him the greatest unfortunate ; in the body of man he rules the spleen, (and that makes covetous men so splene- tic) the poor old man lies crying out of his leftside ; father Saturn's angry, Mars comes to him ; come Culpeper's herbal. 395 brother, I confess thou art evil spoken of, and so am I ; thou knowest I have my exaltation in thy house, I give him an herb of mine, wormwood, to cure the poor man: Saturn consented, but spoke little, and so Mars cured him by sympathy. When Mars was free from war (for he loves to be lighting, and is the best friend a soldier hath), I say, when Mars was free from war, lie called a council of war in his own brain, to know how lie should do poor sinful man good, de- siring to forget his abuses in being called an unfor- tunate. He musters up his own forces, and places them in battalia. Oh! quoth he, why do I hurt a poor silly man or woman ? His angels answer him, ‘ It is because they have offended their God.’ (Look back to Adam !) Well, says Mars, though they speak evil of me, I will do good to them; Death’s cold, my herb shall heat them ; they are full of ill-humours (else they would never have spoken ill of me ;) my herb shall cleanse them, and dry them ; they are poor weak creatures, my herb shall strengthen them ; they are dull-witted, my herb shall fortify their apprehen- sions; and yet among astrologers all this does not deserve a good word : Oh the patience of Mars ! Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, Inque domus superum scandere curafacit. Oh happy he that can the knowledge gain, To know th’ eternal God made nought in vain. To this I add, I know the reason causeth such a dearth Of knowledge; ’tis because men love the earth. The other day Mars told me he met with Venus, and he asked her. What was the reason that she ac- cused him for abusing women? He never gave them the pox. In the dispute they fell out, and in anger parted, and Mars told me that his brother Saturn told him, that an anti-venerian medicine was the best against the pox. Once a month he meets with the Aloon. Mars is quick enough of speech, and the moon is not much behind hand (neither are most women.) 390 culpepeb’s herbal. The moon looks much after children, and children are much troubled with the worms; she desired a medi- cine of him, he bid her take his own herb, wormwood. He had no sooner parted with the moon but he met with Venus, and she was as drunk as a bitch : alas ! poor Venus, quoth he, what! thou a fortune, and be drunk? I’ll give thee an antipathetical cure; take my herb, wormwood, and thou shalt never get a sur- feit by drinking. A poor silly countryman hath got an ague, and cannot go about his business; he wishes he had it not, and so do I ; but I will tell him a re- medy, where he shall prevent it : take the herb of Mars, wormwood, and if infortunes will do good, what will fortunes do ? Some think the lungs are under Jupiter; and if the lungs, then the breath; and though sometimes a man gets a stinking breath, and yet Jupiter is a fortune, forsooth ; up comes Mars • to him ; come, brother Jupiter, thou knowest I sent thee a couple of trines to thy house last night, the one from Aries, and the other from Scorpio ; give me thy leave by sympathy to cure this poor man with drinking a glass of wormwood beer every morning. The moon was weak the other day, and she gave a man two terrible mischiefs, a dull brain and a weac sight; Mars laid by his sword, and comes to her! Sister Moon, said he, this man hath angered thee, but I beseech thee take notice he is but a fool ; prithee be patient, I will with my herb, wormwood, cure him of both infirmities by antipathy, for thou knowest thou and I cannot agree ; with that the Moon began to quarrel ; Mars (not delighting much in women’s tongues) went away, and did it whether she would or no. He that reads this and understands what he reads, hath a jewel of more worth than a diamond ; he that understands it not, isaslittlefittogive physic. There lies a key in these words which will unlock (if it be turned by a wise hand,) thecahinetof physic. I have delivered it as plain as I durst ; it is not only upon wormwood as I wrote, but upon all plants, trees, and CULPEPER S HERBAL. 397 herbs : lie that understands it. not, is unfit in my opin- ion. to give physic. This shall live when I am dead : arid thus i leave it to the world, not caring a farthing whether they like or dislike it. The grave equals all men, and therefore shall equal me with all princes ; until which time the eternal providence is over me ; then the ill tongue of a prating fellow, or one that hath more tongue than wit, or more proud than ho- nest, shall never trouble me, Wisdom is justified by her children. And so much for wormwood. YARROW, CALLED NOSE-BLEED, MILFOIL, AND THOUSAND-LEAF. Descrip. — It hath many long leaves spread upon the ground, finely cut, and divided into many small parts; its flowers are white, but not all of a whiteness, and stayed in knots, upon divers green stalks which rise from among the leaves. Place. — It is frequent in all pastures. Time. — It flowereth late, even at the end of August. Government and Virtues.— It is under the influ- ence of Venus. An ointment of tiiem cures wounds, and is most fit for such as have inflammations, it being an herb of dame Venus ; it stops the terms in women, being boiled in white wine, and the decoction drank ; as also the bloody flux ; the ointment of it is not only good for green wounds, but also for ulcers and fistu- las, especially such as abound with moisture ; it stays the shedding of hair, the head being bathed with the decoction of it ; inwardly taken it helps the reten- tive faculty of the stomach ; it helps the running of the reins in men, and the whites in women, and helps 6uch as cannot hold their water; and the leaves chew- ed in the mouth easeth the tooth-ache ; and these virtues being put together, shew the herb to be dry- ing and binding. Achilles is supposed to be the first that left the virtues of it to posterity, having learned them of his master, Chiro, the Centaur : and cer- tainly a very profitable herb it is in cramps, and therefore culled Miltaris. DIRECTIONS MAKING SYRUPS, &c. — ooo FOR Haying in divers places of this Treatise promised you (he way of making Syrups, Conserves, Oils, Oint- ments, &c. of herbs, roots, flowers, &c. whereby you may have them ready for your use at such times when they cannot be had otherwise ; I come now to per- form what I promised, and you shall find me rather • better than worse than my word. That this may be done methodically, I shall divide 1 my directions into two grand sections, and each sec- tion into several chapters, and then you shall see it . look with such a countenance as this is. OF GATHERING, DRYING, AND KEEPING SIMPLES, AND THEIR JUICES. SECTION I Chap. I. Of leaves of Chap. IV. Of Roots. herbs, &c. V. Of Barks. II. Of Flowers. VI. Of Juices. — III. Of Seeds. DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, &C. 390 SECTION II. OF MAKING AND KEEPING COMPOUNDS. Chap. I. Of distilled Waters. II. Of Syrups. III. Of Juleps. IV. Of Decoc- tions. V. Of oils. ■ VI. Of Electua- ries. VII. OfConserves VIILOfPreserves Chap. IX. Of Lohocks X. OfOintments XI. OfPlaisters XII. Of Poultices XIII. Of troches. XIV. Of Pills. XV. The way of lifting Medicines to compound dis- eases. Of all these in order. CHAP. I Of leaves of Herbs , or Trees. 1. Of leaves choose only such as are green and full of juice ; pick them carefully, and exist away such as I are declining, for they will putrify all the rest. So shall one handful be worth ten of those you buy in Cheapside. 2. Note what places they most delight to grow in, and gather them there ; forbetony that grows in the shade is far better than that growing in the sun, be- cause it delights in the shade ; so also such herbs as deli” lit to grow near the water, shall be gathered near it, though haply you may find someof them upon dry ground. The treatise will inform you where every herb delights to grow. 3. The leaves of such herbs as run up to seed are not so good when they are in flower as before, (some few excepted, the leaves of which are seldom or never used) in such cases, if through ignorance they were riot known, or through negligence forgotten, yon had better take the top and the flowers than the leaf. 100 DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, &C. 4. Dry them well in the sun, and not in the shade, as the saying of the physician is ; for if the sun draw away the virtues of the herb, it mustneedsdo the like by hay, by the same rule, which the experience of every country farmer will explode for a notable piece of nonsense. 5. Such as are astrologers (and indeed none else are fit to make physicians) such I advise; let the planet that governs the herb be angular, and the stronger the better; if they can, in herbs of Saturn, let Saturn be in the ascendant; in the herb of Mars, let Mars be in the Mid-heaven, for in those houses they delight; let the Moon apply to them by good as- pect, 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 sametriplicity ; if you cannot wait that time neither, let her be with a fixed star of their nature. 6. Having well dried them, put them up in brown paper, sewing the paper up like a sack, and press them not too hard together, and keep them in a dry place near the fire. 7. As for the duration of dried herbs, a just time cannot be given, let authors prate at their plea- sure ; for, 1st. Such as grow upon dry grounds will keep bet- ter than such as grow on moist. 2dly. Such herbs as are full ofjuice will not keep so long as such as are dryer. 3dly. Such herbs as are well dried, will keep long- er than such as are slack dried. Yet you may know when they are corrupted by their loss of colour, or smell, or both : and, if they be corrupted, reason will tell you that they must needs corrupt the bodies of those people that take them. 8. Gather all leaves in the hour of that planet that governs them. DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, &C. 401 CHAP. II. Of Flo wers. The flower, which is the beauty of the plant, and of none of the least use in physic, groweth yearly, and is to be gathered when it is in its prime. 2. As for the time of gathering them, let the plan- etary hour, and the plant they come off be observed, as we shewed you in the foregoing chapter: as for the time of the day, letit 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 dewy, they will not keep. 3. Dry them well in the sun, and keep them in pa- pers near the fire, 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 vir- tue also. CHAP. III. Of Seeds. 1. The seed is that part of the plant which is en- dowed with a vital faculty to bring forth its like, and it contains potentially the whole plant in 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 forget notthe celestial harmony before mentioned ; for I have found by experience that their virtues ure 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 lit- tle, and but a very little, in the sun before you lay them up. 5. You need not be so careful of keeping them so near the fire as the other before mentioned, because Do 2 c 4U2 DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPY, &C. fliey are fuller of spirit, and therefore not so subject to corrupt. 6. As for the time of their duration, it is palpable they will keep a good many years ; yet they are best the first year, and this I make appear by a good ar- gument. They will 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. CHAP. IV. Of Roots. 1. Of roots choose neither such as are rotten or worm-eaten, but proper in their taste, colour, and smell, such as exceed neither in softness nor hardness. Give me leave to be a little critical against the vul- gar received opinion, w'hichis, that the sap falls down into the root in the autumn, and rises in the spring, as men go to bed at night and rise in the morning ; and this idle talk of untruth is so grounded in the heads, not only of the vulgar but also of the learned, that a man cannot drive it out by reason. I pray, let such sap-mongers answer me this argument: If the sap falls into the roots in the fall of the leaf, and lies there all the winter, then must the root grow only in the winter. But the root grows not at all in winter, as experience teacheth, but only in summer; there- fore if you set an apple kernel in the spring, you shall find the root grow to a pretty bigness in the summer, and be not a whit bigger next spring. What doth the sap do in the root all that while? Prick straws? Tis as rotten as a post. The truth is, when the sun declines from the tropic of Cancer, the sap begins to congeal both in root and branch : when he touches the tropic of Capricorn, and ascends to us-ward, it begins to wax thin again, and by degrees, as it congealed. But to proceed. S. The drier time you gather the roots in, the better they are, for they have the les.i ex^rementitous mois- ture in them. DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, &C. 403 4. Such roots as are soft, your best way is to dry in the sun, or else ban" them in the chimney corner upon a string ; as tor such as are hard, you may dry them anywhere 5. Such roots as are great, will keep longer than such as are small ; yet most of them will keep all the year. 6. Such roots as are soft, it is your best way to keep them always near the fire, and take this general rule for it. If in winter time you find any of your herbs, roots, or flowers begin to be moist, as many times you shall (for it is your best way to look to them once a month) dry them by a very gentle fire, or, if you can, with convenipncy, keep them near the fire, you may save yourself the trouble. 7. It is in vain to dry roots that may commonly be had, as parsley, fennel, plantain, &c. but gather them only for present need. CHAP. V. Of Barks. 1. Barks, which physicians use in medicine, are of these sorts : of fruits, of roots, of boughs. 2. The barks of fruits are to be taken when the fruit is full ripe, as oranges, lemons, &c. but because I have nothing to do with exotics here, I pass them without any more words. 3. The bark 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 im- properly, the bark, and indeed is only to be used. 404 DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, &C. CHAP. VI. Of J uices. 1. Juices are to be pressed out of herbs when they are young and tender, out of some stalks, and tender tops of herbs and plants, and also out of some flowers 2. Having gathered the herb, if you would preserve the juiceofitwhen itis very dry (for otherwise thejuice will not be worth 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 hard in a press, then take thejuice and clarify it. 3. The manner of clarifying it is this: Put it into a pipkin or skillet, or some such thing, and set it over the fire ; and when the scum ariseth take it off ; let it stand over the fire till no more scum arise; when you have your juice clarified, cast away the scum as a thing of no use. 4. When you have thus clarified it, you have two ways to preserve it all the year. 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 from coming to putrify it. When you intend to use it, pour it into a porringer, and if any oil come out with it, you may easily scim 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 preserved this way. When you have clarified it, boil it over the fire, till being cold it be of the thickness of honey. This is most commonly used for diseases of the mouth, and is called roba and saba. And thus much for the first section, the second follows. DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING STRUTS, «Scc. 405 SECTION II. THE .VAY OF MAKING AND KEEPING ALL NECES- SARY COMPOUNDS. CHAP. I. • Of Distilled Waters. Hitherto we have 9poken of medicines which con- sist in their own 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 cold, as being to act Galen’s part, and not Paracelsus’s. '6. The herbs ought to be distilled when they are in the greatest vigour, and so ought the flowers also. 4. The vulgar way of distillations which people use because they know no better, is in a pewter still ; and although distilled waters are the weakest of artificial medicines, and good for little but mixtures of other medicines, yet they are weaker by many degrees than they would be were they distilled in sand. If I thought it not impossible to teach you the way of distilling in sand, I would attempt it. 5. When you have distilled your water, put it into a glass covered over with a paper pricked full of holes, so that the excrementitious and fiery vapours may exhale, which cause that settling in distilled waters called the mother, which corrupt them, then cover it dose and keep it for your use. 106 DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING STRUTS, &C. 6. Stopping distilled waters with a cork makes tlmm musty, and so does paper if it hut touch the water ; it is best to stop them with a bladder, being first put in water, and bound over the top of the glass. Such cold waters as are distilled in a pewter still (if well kept) will endure a year ; such as are distilled in sand, as they are twice as strong, so they endure twice as long. CHAP. II. Of Syrups. 1. A Syrup is a medicine of a liquid form, composed of infusion, decoction, and juice. And 1st. For the more graceful taste. 2dly. For the better keeping of it ; with a certain quantity of honey or sugar hereafter mentioned, boiled to the thickness of new honey. 2. You see at the first view that this aphorism di- vides itself into three branches, which deserves sever- ally to be treated of, viz. 1. Syrups made by infusion. 2. Syrups made by decoction. 3. Syrups made by juice. Of each of these, for your instruction’3 sake, kind countrymen and women, I speak a word or two apart. 1st. Syrups made by infusion are usually made of flowers, and of such flowers as soon loose their colour and strength by boiling, as roses, violets, peach-flow- ers, &c- My translation of the London Dispensatory will instruct you in the rest. They are thus made; Having picked your flowers clean, to every pound of them, add three pounds, or three pints, which you will, for it is all one, of spring water, made boiling hot ; but first put your flowers into a pewter pot with a cover, and pour the water on them ; then shutting the pot let it stand by the fire to keep hot twelve hours, and strain it out; (in such syrups as purge, as damask roses, peach-flowers, &c. the usual, and indeed the best way, DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, &C. 407 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, or an earthren one well glazed, and to every pint of it add two pounds of sugar, which being ouly melted over the fire without being boiled, and then 6Cimmed, will produce you the syrup you desire. -dly. Syrups made by decoction are usually made of compounds, yet may any simple herb be thus con- verted into syrup. Take the herb, roots, or flowers you would make into a syrup, and bruise a little ; then boil it in a convenient quantity of spring water; the more water you boil it in the weaker it will be ; a handful of the herb or root is a convenient quantity for a pint of water ; boil it till half the water be con- sumed, then let it stand till it be almost cold, and strain it through a woollen cloth, letting it run out at leisure, without pressing. To every pint of this de- coction add one pound of sugar, and boil it over the fire till it comes to a syrup, which you may know it' you now and then cool a little of it with a spoon; sciin it all the while it boils, and when it is sufficiently boiled, whilst it is hot strain it again through a piece of woollen cloth, but press it not. Thus you have the syrup perfected. 3dly. Syrups made of juice are usually made of such herbs as are full of juice, and indeed they are better made into a syrup this way than any other ; the operation is thus : having beaten the herb in a stone mortar with a wooden pestle, press outthe juice and clarify it, as you are taugh 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 syrup, always scimming it, and when it is boiled enough, strain it through a woollen cloth, as we taught you before, and keep it for your use. 3. If you make a syrup of roots, that are anything hard, as parsley, fennel, and grass roots. &c. when you 408 DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, &C. have bruised them, lay them to steep in that watei that you intend to boil them, hot, so will the vir- tues the better come out. 4. Keep your syrups either in glasses or stone pots, and stop them not with cork or bladder, unless you would have the glass break and the syrup lost, only bind paper-about the mouth. All syrups, if well made, will continue a year with some advantage ; yet such as are made by infusion keep shortest. CHAP. III. Of Juleps. 1. J uleps 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. 3. JSTow-a-day it is commonly used, 1. To prepare the body for purgation. 2. To open obstructions and the pores. 3. To digest tough humours. 4. To qualify hot distempers, &c. 4. Simples, juleps, (for I have nothing to say to compounds here) are thus made : Take a pint of such distilled water as conduces to the cure of your dis- temper, which this treatise will plentifully furnish you with, to which add two ounces of syrup conducing to the same effect ; (I shall give you rules for it in the next chapter) mix them together and drink a draught of it at your pleasure. If you love tart things, add ten drops of oil of vitrol to your pint, and shake it to- gether, and it will have a fine grateful taste. 5. All juleps are made for present use, and there* tore it is in vain to speak of their duration. DIJliiCTlONS FOR MAKING SYRUrS, &C. 409 CHAP. IV. Of Decoctions. 1. All the difference between decoctions, and syrups made by decoction, is this ; syrups are made to keep, deeoctions 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 leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, fruit, or barks, conducing to the cure of the dis- ease you make them for, and are made in the same manner as we shewed you in syrups. 3. Decoctions made with wine last longer than such as are made with water; and if you take your de- coction to cleanse thepassage of the urine or open ob- structions, 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 tiie passage of the body, as thestomach, bowels, kidnies, passages of urine and bladder, because decoc- tions pass quicker to those places than any other form of medicine. 5. If you will sweeten your decoction with sugar, or any syrup fit for the occasion you take it for, which is better, you may, and no harm. 6. If in a decoction you boil both roots, herbs, flow- ers and seed together, let the roots boil a good while first, because they retain their virtues longest; then the next in order by the same rule, viz. 1. the barks, 2. the herbs. 3. the seedsj. 4. the flowers. 5. the spices, if you put any in, because then the virtues come soonest out. 7. Such things as by boiling cause sliminess to a decoction, as figs, quince-seed, linseed, &c. your best way is, after you tiave bruised them, to tie them up in a linen rag, as you tic up calf’s brains, and so boil them. b. Keep all decoctions in a glass close stopped, and 410 DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, &0. the cooler place you keep them in the longer they will last ere they be sour. Lastly. The usual dose to be given at one time is two, three, four, or five ounces, according to the age and strength of the patient, the season of the year, the strength of the medicine, and the quality of the disease. CHAP. V. Of Oils. 1 . Oil Olive, which is commonly known by the name of salad oil, I suppose, because it is usually eaten with salads by them that love it; if it be pressed out of ripe olives, according to Galen, is temperate, and exceeds in no one quality. 2. Of oils, some are simple, and some are compound. 3. Simple oils are such as are made of fruits or seeds by expression, as oil of sweet or bitter almonds, linseed and rape seed oil, &c. of which see in my dis- pensatory. 4. Compound oils are made of oil of olives, and other simples, imagine herbs, flowers, roots, &c. 5. The way of making them is this : having bruised the herbs or flowers you make your oil of, put them into an earthen pot, and to two or three handsful of them pour a pint of oil, cover the pot with a paper,