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Description.
The Dwarf Elder groweth Wild in many places of England, where being once gotten into a Ground it is not easily gotten forth again.
But the Dwarf Elder, or Wallwort Flowreth somwhat later, and his fruit is not ripe until September.
[EDGENOTE:] Flegm, Choller, Dropsie.
or inner Bark boyled in Water, and given to drink worketh much more violently; and the Berries either green or dry, expel the same humors, and is often given with good success to help the Dropsie. The Bark of the Root
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boyled in Wine, or the Juyce therof drunk, worketh the same effects, but more powerfully than either the Leavs or Fruit. The Juyce of the Root taken doth mightily provoke
[EDGENOTE:] Venemous Beasts, Mad Dogs, Terms provokes. Inflamation, Brain, Ears, Urine provokes, Sunburning, Freckles, Morphew. Headach, Ulcers, Palsey.
Vomit, and purgeth the watery Humors of the Dropsie. The Decoction of the Root taken cureth the biting of the Adder, and biting of Mad Dogs; It mollifieth the hardness of the Mother, if Women sit therin and openeth the Veins, and bringth down their Courses: The Berries boyled in Wine performeth the same effect; and the hair of the Head washed therwith is made black. The Juyce of the green Leavs applied to the hot Inflamations of the Eyes, asswageth them. The Juyce of the Leavs snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Tunicles of the Brain. The Juyce of the Berries boyled with a little Honey and dropped into the Ears, helpeth the pains of them. The Decoction of the Berries in Wine being drunk provoketh Urine. The distilled Water of the Flowers is of much use to clear the Skin from Sunburning, Freckles, Morphew, or the like; and taketh away Headaches coming of a cold caus, the Head being bathed therwith. The Leavs or Flowers distilled in the Month of May, and the Legs often washed with the said distilled Water, it taketh away the Ulcers and Sores of them: The Eyes washed therewith, it taketh away the redness and Bloodshot: And the Hands washed morning and evening therwith helpeth the Palsey, and shaking of them.
[EDGENOTE:] Gout Inflamation, Burning, Scalding, Chollick, Stone, Disury.
The Dwarf Elder is more powerful than the Common Elder, in opening and purging Choller, Flegm, and Water, in helping the Gout, the Piles, and Womens Diseases, coloreth the Hair black, helpeth Inflamation in the Eyes, and pains in the Ears; the biting of Serpents or a Mad Dog, Burnings and Scaldings, the wind Chollick, Chollick and Stone, the difficulty of Urine, the cure of old Sores, and Fistulous Ulcers.
Either Leavs or Bark of Elder stripped upward as you gather it causeth Vomiting, but stripped downward it purgeth downwards. Also Dr. Butler in a Manuscript of his commends Dwarf Elder to the Sky for Dropsies, viz. to drink it being boyled in white Wine, to drink the Decoction I mean, not the Elder.
[EDGENOTE:] Wounds Scurff, Leprosie, Beauty, Ruptures, Swellings, Baldness, Gout, Burning.
Mouth therof being close stopped; and the bottom set upon a lay of ordinary Salt, that the Feces may setttle and the Water become very cleer, is a singular and Soveraign Balm for green Wounds, being used with soft tents: The Decoction of the Bark of the Root fomented mollifieth hard tumors, and the shrinking of the Sinews. The Roots of the Elm boyled for a long time in Water, and the fat rising on the top therof being clean scummed off, and the place anointed therwith that is grown Bald, and the Hair fallen away, will quickly restore them again. The said Bark, ground with Brine and Pickle until it come to the form of a Pultis and laid on the place pained with the Gout, giveth great eas. The Decoction of the Bark in Water is excellent to bath such places as have burned with fire.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Liver, Stomach, Agues, Sharpness of Urine, and Excoriations thereby, Passion of the Heart, Ulcers, Swellings, Eyes, Gout.
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You cannot use it amiss, a Syrup of it is a fine cooling Medicine for Feavers.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Cold, Stomach, Wind, Stitch, Spleen, Cough, Shortness of Breath, Wheesing, Terms provokes, Mother, Stone, Poyson, Venemous Beasts, Pestilence, Eyes, Worms.
stopping of Womens Courses, the pains of the Mother, and of the Stone in the Reins, Kidneys, or Bladder: It resisteth Poyson, and stayeth the spreading of the Venom of Serpents, as also of putrid and pestilential Feavers, and the Plague it self. The Roots and Herb beaten and put into new Ale or Beer, and dayly drunk, cleareth, strengthneth, and quickneth the Sight of the Eyes wonderfully. The Decoction of the Roots in Wine or the Juyce taken therin, killeth and driveth forth all manner of Worms in the Belly, Stomach, and Maw; and gargled in the mouth; or the Root chewed fastneth loos Teeth, and helpeth to keep them from Putrefaction: And being drunk is good for those that spit Blood, helpeth to remove
[EDGENOTE:] Loos Teeth, Spitting Blood, Cramps, Convulsions, Gout, Joynts, Itch, Cankers, Freckles, Morphew, Spots.
Cramps or Convulsions, and the pains of the Gout, the Sciatica, the loosness and pains in the Joynts, or those Members that are out of Joynt, by cold or moisture hapning to them, applied outwardly as well as inwardly, and is good for those that are bursten, or have any inward bruis. The Roots boyled well in Vinegar, beaten afterwards and made into an Oyntment, with Hogs Suet or Oyl of Trotters is an excellent remedy for Scabs or Itch in yong or old: The places also bathed or washed with the Decoction doth the same; it also helpeth all sorts of filthy, old, putrid Sores or Cankers wheresoever. In the Roots of this Herb lieth the chief effect for all the Remedies aforesaid: The distilled Water of the Leavs and Roots together is very profitable to clens the Skin of the Face or other parts, from any Morphew, Spots, or Blemishes therein, and maketh it cleer.
Description.
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[EDGENOTE:] Obstructins, Spleen, Liver, Yellow Jaundice, Dropsie, Chollick, Disury, Strangury, Reins.
The continued use of the Decoction for 15 daies taken fasting and next to Bedward, doth help the strangury, the pissing by drips, the stopping of Urine and Stone, and all defects of the Reins or Kidneys; and if the said drink be continued longer, it is said that it perfectly cureth the Stone, and that experience hath found it so: It is found good against the French Pox. The Roots bruised and applied outwardly, helpeth the Kernels of the Throat, commonly called the Kings evil; or taken inwardly and applied to the place stung or bitten by any Serpent, healeth it speedily. If the Roots be bruised and boyled in old Hogs greas, or salted Lard and applied to broken Bones, Thorns &c. remaining in the Flesh doth not only draw them forth, but healeth up the place again, gathering new Flesh where it was consumed: The Juyce of the Leavs
[EDGENOTE:] French Pox, Kings Evil, Venemous Beasts, Thorns, broken Bones, Splinters, Thorns, Apostums, Melancholly, Quartan, & Quotidian Agues, Wry Necks.
dropped into the Ears, helpeth Imposthumes therin: The Distilled Water of the whol Herb when the Leavs and Stalks are yong, is profitably drunk for all the purposes aforesaid; and helpeth the Melancholly of the Heart, and is available in Quartane and Quotidian Agues, as also for them that have their Necks drawn awry, and cannot turn them, without turning their whol Body.
[EDGENOTE:] Seed breedeth.
The Plant is Venerial, and breedeth Seed exceedingly and strengthens the Spirit procreative, it is hot and moist, and under the Coelestial Ballance.
Description.
The Juyce or distilled Water of Eyebright taken inwardly in white Wine or Broth, or dropped into the Eyes for divers daies together, helpeth all infirmities of the Eyes that caus dimness of Sight: Some make a Conserv of the Flowers to the same effect: Being used any of these waies it also helpeth a weak Brain or Memory, This tunned up with strong Beer that it may work together, and drunk;
[EDGENOTE:] Eyes, Dimness, Brain, Memory.
Or the Pouder of the dried Herb mixed with Sugar, a little Mace, and Fennel Seeds, and drunk or eaten in Broth: Or the said Pouder made into an Electuary with Sugar and taken, hath the same powerful effect to help and restore the Sight decaied through age. And Arnoldus de villa nova, saith, It hath restored Sight to them that have been blind a long time before.
It is under the Sign of the Lyon, and Sol claims Dominion over it.
Description.
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Swelling and hardness of the Spleen. The green Leavs eaten, purgeth the Belly and Chollerick and waterish humors, but it troubles the Stomach. They are dangerous for Women with Child to meddle with, by reason they caus
[EDGENOTE:] Worms, Spleen, Choller, Flegm, Stomach, Wounds, Ulcers, Serpents, Gnats, Venemous Beasts.
abortment. The Roots bruised and boyled in Oyl or Hogs greas, maketh a very profitable Oyntment to heal Wounds, or pricks gotten into the Flesh. The Pouder of them used in foul Ulcers, drieth up their Malignant moisture, and causeth their speedier healing: Fern being burned, the smoke therof driveth away Serpents, Gnats, and other noisom Creatures, which in the Fenny Countries do in the night time trouble and molest people lying in their Beds with their Faces uncovered it causeth Barrenness.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Wounds, Bruises, Broken Bones, Chollick, Spleen, Ruptures, Disury.
in Wounds, Bruises or the like, the Decoction to be drunk, or boyled into an Oyntment or Oyl, as a Balsom or Balm, and so it is singular good against Bruises, and Bones broken or out of joynt, and giveth much eas to the Chollick, and Splenetick Diseases; as also for Ruptures, or burstings. The Decoction of the Root in white Wine provokes Urine exceedingly and clenseth the Bladder and passages of Urine.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Mother, Womb, Terms provokes, Dead Birth, Afterbirth.
with some Sugar or Honey put therto, is used by many with good success, to help the Cough, and stuffing of the Chest by cold, as also to clens the Reins and Bladder, and help to expel the stone in them. The Pouder of the Herb taken in Wine, with some Oximel purgeth both Choller and Flegm, and is available for those that are short winded; and are troubled with Melancholly and Heaviness or sadness of the Spirits. It is very effectual for all pains in the Head coming of a cold caus, the Herb being bruised, and applied to the crown of the Head; as also for a Vertigo, that is a turning or swimming in the Head. The Decoction therof
[EDGENOTE:] Cough, Reins, Bladder, Choller, Flegm, Melancholly, Sadness, Headach, Vertigo.
drunk warm, and the Herb bruised with a few Corns of Bay Salt and applied to the Wrists before the coming of the Ague Fits, doth take them away. The distilled Water taketh away Freckles & other Spots and Deformities in the Face. The Herb bruised and heated on a Tyle, with some Wine to moisten it, or fried with a little Wine and Oyl in a frying Pan, and applied warm out-
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wardlly to the places, helpeth the wind and Chollick in the lower part of the Belly: It is an especial Remedy against Opium taken too liberally.
[EDGENOTE:] Ague, Deformity of the Skin, Wind, Chollick, Opium.
Venus commands the Herb and hath commanded it to succour her Sisters [Women] and to be a general strengthner of their Wombs and remedy such infirmities, as a careless Midwife hath there caused, if they will be but pleased to make use of her Herb boyled in white Wine, and drink the Decoction, it clenseth the Womb, expelleth the Afterbirth, doth the Woman all the good she can desire of an Herb. And if any grumble because they cannot get the Herb in Winter, tell them if they pleas they may make a Syrup of it in Summer.
[EDGENOTE:] Wind, Disury, Stone, Encreaseth Milk, Amends Milk, Hiccough, Loathing of meat, Venemous Beasts, Poyson, Mushroms.
oftentimes hapneth to the Stomachs of Sick, and Feaverish Persons, and allayeth the heat therof. The Seed boyled in Wine and drunk, is good for those that are bitten by Serpents, or have eaten Poyson full Herbs or Mushroms: The Seed and the Root much more helpeth to open Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, and Gall, and thereby helpeth the painful and windy swellings of the Spleen, and the yellow Jaundice, as also the Gout and Cramps. The
[EDGENOTE:] Obstructions in the Liver, Spleen, and Gall, Yellow Jaundice, Gout, Cramp, Wheesing, Terms provokes, After Delivery, Clens, open, Fatness, Eyes.
Seed is of good use in Medicines to help shortness of breath, and Wheesing by stopping of the Lungs. It helpeth also to bring down the Courses and to clens the parts after delivery. The Roots are of most use in Physick Drinks and Broths that are taken to clens the Blood, to open Obstructions of the Liver to provoke Urine, and amend the ill colour in the Face after Sickness, and to caus a good habit through the Body: Both Leavs, Seeds, and Roots hereof are much used in Drinks or Broths, to make people more spare and lean that are too fat. The distilled Water of the whol Herb or the condensate Juyce dissolved, but especially the Natural Juyce that in hot Countries issueth out thereof of its own accord, dropped into the Eyes, clenseth them from mists and films that hinder the sight. The sweet Fennel is much weaker in Physical uses, than the common Fennel. The wild Fennel is stronger and hotter than the tame; and therefore most powerful against the Stone, but not so effectual to encreas Milk, because of its driness.
One good old fashion is not yet quite left off, viz. To boil Fennel with Fish, for it consumes that Flegmatick humor which Fish most plentifully afford and annoy the body by, therefore it is a most fit Herb for that purpose though few that use it know why or wherfore they do it, I suppose the Reason of its benefit this way is becaus it is an Herb of Mercury and under Virgo, and therfore bears Antipathy to Pisces. Dill is also an Herb of Mercury, which I forgot to certifie you of before.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Lethargy, Frenzie, Vertigo, Falling-Sickness, Headach, Palsey, Sciatica, Cramp, Sinews, Cramp, Shortness of breath, Wind, Spleen.
troubled with the Lethargy, the Frensie, the turning or Giddiness of the Head, the Falling-Sickness, long and inveterate Headach, the Palsie, Sciatica, and the Cramp, and generally all the Diseases of the Sinews, used with Oyl and Vinegar. The Juyce dissolved in Wine, or put into an Eg, is good for the Cough, or shortness of Breath and for those that are troubled with the Wind in the Body; It purgeth the Belly gently, helpeth the hardness of the Spleen, giveth eas to Women that
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have sore travail in Childbirth, and easeth the pains of the Reins and Bladder, and also of the Womb. A little of the Juyce dissolved in
[EDGENOTE:] Childbirth, Reins, Bladder, Womb, Ears, Hollow Teeth, Ulcers, broken Bones, Thorns, Wounds.
Wine and dropped into the Ears, easeth much of the pains in them; and put into an hollow Tooth, easeth the pain therof. The Root is less effectual in all the aforesaid Diseases: yet the Pouder of the Root clenseth foul Ulcers being put into them; and taketh out Splinters of broken Bones or other things in the Flesh and healeth them up perfectly, as also it dryeth up old and inveterate running Sores, and is of admirable Vertue in all green Wounds.
[EDGENOTE:] Congealed Blood by Wound, Bruise, or Fall, Kings Evil, Wens, Hemorrhoids, Fundament, Ulcers, Scurff, Spots, Freckles, Deformity, Leprosie.
congealed Blood within the Body, coming by any Wound, Bruis, or Fall; and is no less effectual for the Kings Evil, or any other Knots, Kernels, Bunches or Wens growing in the Flesh whersoever, and for the Hemorrhoids or Piles, or other Knobs or Kernels which somtimes grow about the Fundament: An Oyntment made hereof, may be used at all times when the fresh Herb is not to be had. The distilled Water of the whol Plant, Roots and all is used for the same purposes, and drieth up the superfluous virulent moisture of hollow and corroding Ulcers; It taketh away all redness, Spots and Freckles in the Face, as also the Scurff or any foul Deformity therin, and the Leprosie likewise.
Some Latin Authors call it Cervicria becaus 'tis apropriated to the Neck, and we Throatwort becaus 'tis apropriated to the Throat: Venus owns the Herb, and the Coelestial Bull will not deny it, therefore a better Remedy cannot be for the Kings Evil, becaus the Moon that rules the Diseas is exalted there, nor for any Diseas in the Neck, the rest of the Diseases specified, you may if you look see a very good reason for their cure by this Herb.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Disury, Strangury, Reins, Bladder, Stone, Gravel, Wind, Lungs, Wheesing, Hoarseness, Cough, Flegm.
done by taking the Roots in Pouder, or a Decoction of them in white Wine, whereunto a little Honey is added: The same also helpeth to expel the Afterbirth. The Roots made into Pouder and mixed with Honey into the form of an Electuary doth much help
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them whose Stomachs are swollen, dissolving and breaking the Wind which was the cause therof, and is also very effectual for all diseases of the Lungs, as shortness of breath, wheesings, hoarsness of the Throat, and the Cough, and to expectorate cold Flegm, or any other parts thereabouts.
It is called Dropwort becaus it helps such as piss by drops.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Binds, Cools, Dries, Flux, Bloody flux, Bleeding, Terms stops, Eyes, Spots, Blemishes, Inflamations, Sore Breasts, Cankers, Ulcers, Noli me tangere.
Cloathes or Spunges wetted therin and applied to the Forehead; It also helpeth the Spots or Blemishes that happen in or about the Eyes, or in any other parts: The said water fomented on Swellings and hot Inflamations of Womens sore Breasts, upon Cankers also, and those spreading Ulcers called Noli me Tangere, doth much good: It helpeth also foul Ulcers in the privy parts of man or woman, or elswhere. An Oyntment made of the Flowers is better for these external applications.
Take notice that the Moon rules the Plant and then I have done.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Disury, Dropsie, Obstructions of the Liver, yellow Jaundice, Dead Child and Afterbirth, Inflamations, Eyes, Ulcers, Cancers, Fistulaes, Leprosie, Scabs, Pimples, Freckles.
and Afterbirth. The Distilled water of the Herb and Flowers is eflectual for all the same purposes, especially being drunk with a dram of the Pouder of the Seeds, or Bark of the Root of Walwort and a little Cinnamon for certain daies together, is held a singular Remedy for the Dropsie: The Juyce of the Herb or the distilled Water dropped into the Eyes is a certain Remedy for all heat, Inflamations and redness in them. The Juyce or water put into foul Ulcers whither they be Cancrous or Fistulous with tents rouled therin, or the parts washed or injected therwith clenseth them throughly from the bottom, and healeth them up safely. The same Juyce or Water also clenseth the Skin wonderfully of all sorts of deformity thereof, as Lepry, Morphew, Scurff, Wheals, Pimples, or any other Spots or Marks in the Skin, applied of it self, or used with some Pouder of Lupines.
Mars owns the Herb, in Sussex we call it,
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Gall-wort and lay it in our Chickens water, to cure them of the Gall I think, I am sure it releevs them when they are drooping.
Description.
There is another sort hereof differing not from the former in the manner of growing, but only that his Stalk and Branches being somwhat greater do a little more bow down to the ground: The Leavs are somwhat larger; the Heads somewhat lesser, the Seed alike; and the Root and Leavs abide all the Winter, and perish not as the former.
[EDGENOTE:] Flux, Corrosion, Chollerick, Humors, Agues, Feavers, Inflamation, Thirst, Hoarseness, Salt Humors, Pleuresie.
voice, and Diseases of the Breast and Lungs caused by heat, or sharp salt humors, and the Pluresie also. The Muccilage of the Seed made in Plantane Water, whereunto the Yolk of an Egg or two, and a little Populeon is put, is a most safe and sure Remedy to eas the sharpness, prickings, and pains of the Hemorrhoids or Piles, if it be
[EDGENOTE:] Hemorrhoids, Headach, Megrim, Apostums, Blains, Wheals, Pushes, Purples, Gout, Joynts, Sciatica, Nipples, Sore Breasts, Ears, Worms, Ulcers.
laid on a cloath and bound therto. It helpeth also all Inflamations in any parts of the Body and the pains that come thereby, as the Headach and Megrim, and all hot Imposthumes or Swellings, or breakings out of the Skin, as Blains, Wheals, Pushes, Purples, and the like; as also the pains of the Joynts, and of those that are out of joynt; the pains of the Gout and Sciatica, the Bursting of yong Children, and the swelling of the Navel applied with Oyl of Roses and Vinegar. It is also very good to heal the Nipples and Sore Breasts of Women being often applied thereonto. The Juyce 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 Hogs Greas, and applied to corrupt and filthy Ulcers and Sores, clenseth and healeth them.
The Herb is cold and dry, Saturnine, I suppose it obtained the name Fleawort becaus the Seeds are so like Fleas.
Description.
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Worms that grow in putrid and filthy Ulcers; And made into a Salve doth quickly heal all old sores, how foul or Malignant soever they be. The distilled water of the Herb worketh the same effects although somwhat weaker, yet is a fair Medicine, and more acceptable to be taken.
It is called Flixweed becaus it cures the Flux, and for its uniting broken Bones, &c. Paracelsus extols it to the Skies. It is fitting Syrups, Oyntments, and Plaisters of it were kept in our Houses.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Stomach, Flegm, Choller, Jaundice, Dropsie, Belly, Sides, Agues, Liver, Spleen, Stones, Convulsion, Cramp, Venemous Beasts, Disury, Chollick, Terms provokes, Cough.
shaking of Agues, the Diseases of the Liver and Spleen, the Worms in the belly, the Stone in the Reins, Convulsions or Cramps that come of cold Humors, it also helpeth those whose Seed passeth from them unawars; It is a Remedy against the bitings and stingings of Venemous Creatures being boyled in Water and Vineger and drunk: Being boyled in Wine and drunk it provoketh Urine, helpeth the Chollick, bringeth down Womens Courses; and made up into a Pessary with Honey, and put up into the Body, draweth forth the dead Child. It is much commended
[EDGENOTE:] Sneesing, Hemorrhoids, Toothach, Joynts, Sinews, Gout, Sciatica, Womb, Rhewm, Breast, Wounds, Ulcers, Fistulaes, Cankers.
against the Cough to expectorate tough Flegm; It much easeth pains in the Head, and procureth sleep: Being put into the Nostrils it procureth Neesing, and therby purgeth the Head of Flegm: The Juyce of the Root applied to the Piles or Hemorrhoids giveth much eas. The Decoction of the Roots gargled in the Mouth easeth the Toothach, and helpeth a Stinking breath. The Oyl called Oleum Irinum if it be rightly made of the great broad Flag Flower-de-luce (and not of the great Bulbous blue Flower-de-luce as is used by some Apothecaries) and Roots of the same of the Flaggy kinds is very effectual to warm and comfort all cold Joynts and Sinews, as also the Gout and Sciatica, and mollifieth, dissolveth, and consumeth Tumors or Swellings in any part of the Body, as also of the Matrix: It helpeth the Cramp and Convulsion of the Sinews: The Head and Temples anointed therwith helpeth the Catark or thin Rhewm distilling from thence; and used upon the Breast or Stomach, helpeth to extenuate the cold tough Flegm. It helpeth also the pains and noise in the Ears, and the stench of the Nostrils. The Root it self either green or in Pouder helpeth to clens, heal, and incarnate Wounds, and to cover the naked Bones with Flesh again that Ulcers have made bare; and is also very good to clens and heal up Fistulaes and Cankers that are hard to be cured.
Description.
There is another sort of Lluellin which hath longer Branches wholly trailing upon the ground two or three foot long, and somtimes more, thinner set with Leavs theron, upon smal Footstalks: The Leavs are a little larger and somwhat round, and cornered somtimes in some places on the edges; but the lower part of them being the broadest, hath on each side a smal point, making it seem as if they were Ears, somwhat 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 larger Flower, and so are the Seed, and Seed Vessels: The Root is like the other, and perisheth every yeer.
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grounds, about Southfleet in Kent abundantly, at Buckworth, Hamerton, and Richwesworth in Huntingtonshire; and in divers other places.
[EDGENOTE:] Eyes, Flux.
and staieth all manner of bleeding at Nose, Mouth, or any other place, or that cometh by any Bruis, or Hurt, or bursting a Vein; and wonderfully it helpeth all those inward parts that need consolidating or strengthening: and is no less effectual both to heal and close green Wounds, as to clens or heal all foul or old Ulcers, fretting or spreading Cankers or the like.
[EDGENOTE:] Bloody Flux, Terms stops, Wounds, Ulcers, Cankers.
Bees are industrious and go abroad to gather Honey from each Plant and Flower, but Drones lie at home, and eat up what the Bees have taken pains for; Just so do our Colledg of Physitians, lie at home and domineer, and suck out the Sweetness of other Mens Labors and Studies, themselvs being as ignorant in the Knowledg of Herbs as a Child of four yeers old, as I can make appear to any Rational man by their last Dispensatory, now then to hide their Ignorance, there is not a readier way in the World, than to hide Knowledg from their Country men, that so no Body might be able so much as to smel out their Ignorance, when Simples were more in use mens Bodies were in better health by far than now they are, or shall be if the Colledg can help it. The truth is, this Herb is of a fine cooling, drying quality, and an Oyntment or Plaister of it, might do a Man a courtsie that hath any hot virulent Sores, 'tis admirable for the Ulcers of the French Pox, and being a gallant Antivenerian Medicine, under the Dominion of Saturn, if taken inwardly may cure the Diseas. It was at first called Faemale Speedwel, but a Shentle man of Wales whose Nose was almost eaten off with the Pox, and so neer the matter, that the Docters commanded it to be cut off, being cured by only the Use of this Herb, to honor the Herb for saving his Nose whol, gave it one of her own Country names, Lluellin.
Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Wounds, Clens, dry, Heal, Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen, Kings Evil, Falling-sickness, Scabby Heads.
available to clens and purge the Body, both upwards and downwards somtimes of tough Flegm and clammy Humors and to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen; It hath been found by experience to be available for the Kings Evil, the Herb bruised and applied; or an Oyntment made with the Juyce thereof and so used: And a Decoction of two handfuls therof with four Ounces of Polipody in Ale, hath been found by late experience to cure divers of the Falling-sickness, that have been troubled with it above twenty yeers.
My self am confident that an Oyntment of it is one of the best Remedies for a Scabby Head that is.
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Description.
[EDGENOTE:] Liver, Spleen, Choller, Adult Melancholly, Madness, Forgetfulness, Jaundice, yellow & black.
which cause Lepry, Scabs, Tetters, and Itches, and such like breakings out of the Skin, and after the Purging doth strengthen all the inward parts; it is good also against the yellow Jaundice, and spendeth it by Urin, which it procureth in abundance. The Pouder of the dried Herb given for some time together cureth Melancholly, but the Seed is strongest in operation for all the former Diseases. The dististilled Water of the Herb is also of good effect in the former Diseases, and conduceth much against the Plague and Pestilence, being taken with good
[EDGENOTE:] Pestilence, Sore Mouth & Throat, Eyes, Hairs, Scabs, Itch, Pimples, Wheals.
Treacle. The Distilled Water also, with a little Water and Honey of Roses helpeth all the Sores of the Mouth or Throat, being gargled often therwith. The Juyce dropped into the Eyes cleareth the Sight, and taketh away redness and other defects in them, although it procure some pain for the present and cause Tears. Dioscorides saith it hindreth any fresh springing of hairs on the Eyelids (after they be pulled away) if the Eyelids be anointed with the Juyce hereof with Gum Arabick dissolved therin. The Juyce of Fumitory and Docks mingled with Vinegar, and the places gently washed or wet therwith, cureth all sorts of Scabs, Pimples, Itches, Wheals, or Pushes which arise on the Face or Hands, or any other part of the Body.
Saturn owns the Herb and presents it to the World as a Cure for his own Diseases, and a strengthner of the parts of the Body he rules: If by my Astrological Judgment of Diseases, from the Decombiture, 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 therfore 'tis fit you keep a Syrup of it alwaies by you.
[EDGENOTE:] Obstructions, Liver, Spleen, Yellow Jaundice, Disury, Gravel, Stone.
It is a Plant of Mars, and doth all this by Sympathy.