The English physitian: or an astrologo-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation.
Culpeper, Nicholas (1616–1654)
London: Peter Cole, 1652. (first edition)
Harvey Cushing's copy.
This version was prepared by Richard Siderits, MD, and colleagues by keying from the copy at the Historical Library, Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Yale University.
Culpeper, Nicholas (1616–1654)
London: Peter Cole, 1652. (first edition)
Harvey Cushing's copy.
This version was prepared by Richard Siderits, MD, and colleagues by keying from the copy at the Historical Library, Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Yale University.
TO THE READDR
Courteous Reader,
Aristotle, in his Metaphysicks writing of the Nature of Man, hit the Nail on the Head when he said, That Man is naturally enclined to, and desirous of Knowledg: and indeed it is palpable and apparent, that as Pride is the first visible sin in a child, whereby we may gather that it was the first sin of Adam; so Knowledg being the first Vertue a Child minds, as is apparent to them that do but with the eye of Reason heed their actions even whilst they are very yong, even before they are a yeer old, even by natural instinct, whereby a man may more than guess that Knowledg was the greatest loss, or at least one of the greatest we lost by the fall of Adam: Knowledg, saith Aristotle, is in Prosperity an Ornament, in Adversity a Refuge; and truly there is almost no greater enemy to Knowledg in the world that Pride and Covetousness; Excellently said, Juvenal, Sat. 7.
Scire volunt omnes, mercedem solvere nemo.
Although all men, in Knowledg take delight,
Yet they love money better, that's the spight.
And again, some men are so damnable proud and envious withal, that they would have no body know any thing but themselves; the one I hope will shortly learn better manners, and the other be a burden too heavy for the Earth long to bear.
The Subject which I here fixed my thoughts upon is not only the Description and Nature of Herbs, which had it been all, I had authority sufficient to bear me out in it, for Solomon employed part of that wisdom he asked, and received of God in searching after them, which he wrote in Books, even of all Herbs, Plants and Trees; some say those Writings were carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar; being kept in the Temple at Jerusalem for the publick view of the People, but being transported to Babylon in the Captivity, Alexander the GREAT TYRANT at the taking of Babylon gave them to his Master Aristotle, who committed them to the mercy of the fire.
But since the daies of Solomon, many have those famous men been that have written of this Subject, and great Encouragements have been given them by Princes, of which I shall quote an example or two, Mathiolus his greediness was such to finish his Comment upon Dioscorides, which Book is yet in use in the famous Universities in Leyden in Holland, & Mountpilier in France, that he forgot to count what the charges of it might amount to, although I rather comend him for his dilligence in Studie and Care of the Worlds good, than harbor the least ill thought of him for not counting the middle and both ends before he began the Work, I say when he came to count the charges of Printing and cutting the Cuts, it far surmounted his Estate; in this he was abundantly furnished by Ferdinand the Emperor, and diverse other Princes of Germany, as himself confessed furnished him with great sums of money, for perfecting that so great, so good a Work; the Prince Elector of Saxony sent him much money towards his charge, as also Joachim, Marquess of Brandenburg, who as he was neighbor to Saxony in Place, so was he in Affection to so good a Work; Frederick, Count Palatine of the Rhine, the Cardinal Prince of Trent, the Arch Bishop of Saltzberg, the Dukes of Bavaria and Cleveland, and the Free State of Norimberg, together with many others, so that he had the help of the Emperor, of Arch Dukes, Dukes, Electors, Cardinals, Princes. Happie is that Nation whose Magistrates countenance such as mind and study their Good: I might instance in many more, and thereby give you a glimps how Magistrates formerly favored this Art, and which is more, how studious they were in it. Bellonius a man that soared high in the Nature of Herbs, also professed he had the helping hand of Kings and Cardinals to maintain him in his Studies, and more than this, kings themselves were Studious in it; amongst which (Solomon excepted) Mithridates that renowned King of Pontus seems to bear away the Bell, his Writings after his death were found in his Country Mannor by Pompey the great, but never a Roman of them all had the honesty to print them with his name in the Frontispiece, so that we have nothing of them but what is quoted by some honest Authors, especially by Plutarch.
Ad nos vix tenuis fame dilabitur aura.
Men mind our good, but such cross times do fall,
We only hear they did, and that is all.
Mesue King of Damascus, Avicenna, and Evax King of Arabia, labored much in this Study, and I could well have afforded to have mentioned Dioclesian the Roman Emperor had he not washed out his Vertues, and defiled them with a Purple stain, in a most bloody persecution of Christians. It is quoted in Virgil, that when a famous Prince was proffered by Apollo to be taught his Arts, viz. Physick, Musick, Augury, and the Art of Shooting in the Bow, he made choice of Physick and to know the Nature of Herbs.
Ipse suas artes, sua munera, laetus Appollo
Augurium, Citheramq; dedit, celerefs; sagittas,
Ille, ut depositi preferret fata Parentis
Scire potestates Herbarum, usumq; Medendi
Maluit: & mutas agitare(inglorias) Artes.
His Arts to him, when great Appollo gave,
He did nor Augury, nor Arrows crave,
Nor the Melodius Lute, but to prevent
His Fathers death, who now with age was spent,
To be an Herbarist, and Medicine
To learn, he rather did his thoughts incline.
So precious hath the knowledg of the Vertues of Herbs been in former times to men of quality, and indeed happy is that Nation, whose Rulers mind Knowledg, as Solomon saith on the contrary, Wo to that Nation whose King is a Child, and indeed in Ancient times people need little other Physick than such Herbs as grew neer them, some Footsteps of which and but a few only, are now in use with us to this day, as people usually boyl Fennel with Fish, and know not why they do it but only for custom, when indeed the Original of it was founded upon Reason, because Fennel consumes that Flegmatick quality of Fish, which is obnoxious to the Body of man, Fennel being an Herb of Mercury, and he so great an Enemie to the Sign Pisces.
In this Art the Worthies of our own Nation, Gerard, Johnson, and Parkinson are not to be forgotten, who did much good in the Studie of this Art, yet they and all others that wrote of the Nature of Herbs, gave not a bit of a reason why such an Herb was apropriated to such a part of the Body, nor why it cured such a Disease; truly my own body being sickly brought me easily into a capacitie to know that Health was the greatest of all Earthly Blessings, and truly he was never sick that doth not beleeve it; then I considered that all Medicines were compounded of Herbs, Roots, Flowers, Seeds &c. and this first set me awork in studying the Nature of Simples, most of which I knew by sight before, and indeed all the Authors I could reade gave me but little satisfaction in this particular, or none at all; I cannot build my faith upon authors words, nor beleeve a thing because they say it, and could wish every bodie were of my mind in this, to labor to be able to give a reason for every thing they say or do; they say reason makes a man differ from a Beast, if that be true, pray what are they that instead of Reason for their judgment, quote old Authors, perhaps their Authors knew a reason for what they Wrote, perhaps they did not, what is that to us, do we know it? Truly in writing this Work first, to satisfie my self I drew out all the Vertues of vulgar Herbs, Plants, and Trees &c. out of the best and most approved Authors I had or could get, and having done so, I set my self to studie the Reason of them; I knew well enough the whol world and every thing in it was formed of a Composition of contrary Elements, and in such a harmony as must needs shew the wisdom and Power of a great God. I knew as well this Creation though thus composed of contraries was one united Body, and man an Epitome of it, I knew those various affections in man in respect of Sickness and Health were caused Naturally (though God may have other ends best known to himself) by the various operations of the Macrocosm; and I could not be ignorant, that as the Cause is, so must the Cure be, and therefore he that would know the Reason of the operation of Herbs must look up as high as the Stars; I alwaies found the Disease vary according to the various motion of the Stars, and this is enough one would think to teach a man by the Effect where the Cause lay: Then to find out the Reason of the Operation of Herbs, Plants, &c. by the Stars went I, and herein I could find but few Authors, but those as full of nonsense and contradictions as an Egg is full of meat, this being little pleasing, and less profitable to me, I consulted with my two Brothers, Dr. REASON, and Dr. EXPERIENCE, by whose advice together with the help of Dr. DILLIGENCE, I at last obtained my desires, and being warned by Mr. HONESTY, a stranger in our daies to publish it to the World, I have done it.
But you will say, What need I have written of this Subject, seing so many famous and learned men have written so much of it in the English Tongue, nay much more than I have done?
To this I Answer,
1. All that have written of Herbs either in the English or not in the English Tongue, have no waies answered my intents in this Book, for they have intermixed many, nay very many outlandish Herbs, and very many which are hard, nay not at all to be gotten, and what harm this may do I am very sensible of. Once a Student in Physick in Sussex sent up to London to me, to buy for him such and such Medicines, and send them down, which when I viewed, they were Medicines quoted by authors living in another Nation, and not to be had in London for Love nor Money, so the poor man had spent much pains and Brains in studying Medicines for a Disease that were not to be had; so a man reading Gerards or Parkinsons Herbal for the Cure of a Disease so may as like as not, light on an Herb that is not here to be had, or not without great diffuculty, if possible; but in mine, all grow neer him.
2. My last, though not the least of my Reasons is, Neither Gerard nor Parkinson nor any that ever wrote in the like Nature, ever gave one wise Reason for what they wrote, and so did nothing els but train up yong Novices in Physick in the School of Tradition, and teach them just as a Parrot is taught to speak, an Author saith so, therefore 'tis true, and if all that Authors say be true, why do they contradict one another? But in mine, if you view it with the Eye of Reason, you shall see a Reason for every thing that is written, whereby you may find the very Ground and Foundation of Physick, you may know what you do, and wherefore you do it, and this shall call me Father, it being (that I know of) never done in the world before.
I have now but two things more to write and then I have done.
1. What the profit and benefit of this Work is.
2. Instructions in the Use of it.
1. The Profit and Benefits arising from it, or that may acrue to a wise man, from it are many, so many that should I sum up all the particulars, the Epistle would be as big as the Book; I shall only quote some few general Heads.
First, The admirable Harmony of the Creation is herein seen, in the Influence of Stars upon Herbs and the Body of man, how one part of the Creation is subservient to another, and all for the use of man whereby the Infinite Power and Wisdom of God in the Creation appears; and if I do not admire at the simplicity of the Ranters, never trust me, who but viewing the Creation can hold such a sottish Opinion, as that it was from eternity, when the Mysteries of it are so cleer to everie eye; but that Scripture shall be verified to them, Rom. I. 20. The invisible things of Him from the Creation of the world are cleerly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. And a Poet could teach them a better Lesson.
Excideret ne tibi divini muneris author
Presentem monstrat; qualibet Herba Deum.
Because out of thy thoughts God should not pass,
His Image stamped is on every Grass.
This indeed is true, God hath stamped his Image upon every Creature, and therefore the abuse of the Creature is a great sin; but how much more doth the Wisdom and Excellencie of God appear if we consider the Harmony of the Creation in the Vertue and Operation of every Herb; this is the first.
Secondly, Hereby thou maist know what infinite Knowledg Adam had in his Innocencie, that by looking upon a Creature, he was able to give it a name according to his Nature, and by knowing that, thou maist know how great thy fall was, and be humbled for it even in this respect, because hereby thou are so ignorant.
Thirdly, Here is the right way for thee to begin the study of Physick if thou art minded to begin at the right end, for here thou hast the Reason of the whol Art. I wrote before in certain Astrological Lectures which I read, and printed, intituled Semeiotica Uranica what Planet caused (as a second Cause) every Disease, and how it might be found out what Planet caused it; here thou hast what Planet cures it by Sympathy and Antipathy; and this brings me to my last premise, Viz.
2. Instructions for the right use of the Book.
And herein let me promise a word or two, Many Herbs, Plants, &c are not in the Book apropriated to their propper Planets, the Reason was, want of time, or some other thing else, which many that know me will easily guess at; at last the Book hanging longer in the Press that I imagine it would, I took the time and pains (though I could ill have spared either) to apropriate them all, and have for thy benefit (Courteous Reader) inserted them in order after the Epistle, now then for thy Instruction,
First, Consider what Planet causeth the Disease; that thou maist find in my Semeiotia.
Secondly, Consider what part of the Body is afflicted by the Disease, and whether it lie in the Flesh, or Blood, or Bones, or Ventricles.
Thirdly, Consider by what Planet the afflictd part of the Bodie is governed; that my Semeiotica will inform you in also.
Fourthly, You have in this Book the Herbs for Cure apropriated to the Several Diseases, and the Diseases for your ease set down in the Margin, whereby you may strengthen the part of the Bodie by its like, as the Brain by Herbs of Mercury, the Breast and Liver by Herbs of Jupiter, the Heart and Vitals by Herbs of the Sun, &c.
Fifthly, You may oppose Diseases by Herbs of the Planet opposite to the Planet that causeth them, as Diseases of Jupiter by Herbs of Mercury, and the contrary; Diseases of the Luminaries by Herbs of Saturn, and the contrary; Diseases of Mars by Herbs of Venus, and the contrary.
Sixthly, There is a way to cure Diseases somtimes by Sympathy, and so every Planet cures his own Diseases, as the Sun and Moon by their Herbs cure the Eyes, Saturn the Spleen, Jupiter the Liver, Mars the Gall and Diseases of Choller, and Venus Diseases in the Instruments of Generation.
Seventhly, There was a small Treatise of mine of Humane Vertues, printed at the latter end of my Ephemeris for the yeer 1651. I suppose it would do much good to yong Students to peruse that with this Book.
Eighthly, Yong Students would do themselves much good, and benefit themselves exceedingly in the Study of Physick if they would tak the pains to view the Vertues of the Herbs &c. in the Book, and compare them to these Rules, they shall to their exceeding great content find them all agreeable to them, and shall thereby see the reason why such an Herb conduceth to the Cure of such a Disease.
Ninthly, I gave you the Key of al in the Herb Wormwood, which if because of the volubility of the Language, any think it would not fit the Lock, I will here give it you again in another Herb of the same Planet which in the Book either through my own forgetfulness, or my Amanuensis was omitted, and here I shal give it you plainly without any circumstances.
The Herb is Carduus Benedictus.
It is called Carduus Benedictus, or blessed Thistle or holy Thistle, I suppose the name was put uppon it by some that had little Holiness in themselves: It is an Herb of Mars, and under the Sign 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 the Book, you shall to your content find it true.
It helps Swimming and giiddiness of the Head, or the Disease called Vertigo, because Aries is the House of Mars.
It is an excellent Remedy against the yellow Jaundice, and other infirmities of the Gall, because Mars governs Choller.
It strengthens the attractive faculty in man, and clarifies the Blood, because the one is ruled by Mars.
The continual drinking the Decoction of it helps red Faces, Tetters, and Ringworms because Mars causeth them.
It helps Plague sores, Boils, and Itch, the Biting of mad Dogs and venemous Beasts, all which infirmities are under Mars. Thus you see what it doth by Sympathy.
By Antypathy to other Planets.
It cures the French Pox by Antypathy to Venus who governs it.
It strengthens the Memory and cures Deafness by Antipathy to Saturn who hath his Fall in Aries which Rules the Head.
It cures Quartan Agues, and other Diseases of Melancholly and adult Choller by Sympathy to Saturn, Mars being exalted in Capricorn.
Also it provokes Urine, the stopping of which is usually caused by Mars or the Moon.
If you please to make use of these Rules, you shall find them true throughout the Book, and by heeding them, you may be able to give a Reason of your Judgment to him that asketh you: I assure you it gave much content to me, and for your goods did I pen it; but I must conclude, my Epistle having exceeded its Bounds alreadie; hereby you see what Reason may be given for Medicines, and what necessity there is for every Physitian to be an Astrologer, you have heard it before I suppose, but now you know it; what remains, but that you labor to glorifie God in your several places, and do good to your selves first by encreasing your Knowledg, and to your Neighbors afterwards by helping their Infirmities; some such I hope this Nation is worthy of, and to such shall I remain a Friend, during life, readie to my poor power to help.
Nich. Culpeper.
Spittle-fields next door
to the red Lyon.
Novemb. 6. 1652.
Aristotle, in his Metaphysicks writing of the Nature of Man, hit the Nail on the Head when he said, That Man is naturally enclined to, and desirous of Knowledg: and indeed it is palpable and apparent, that as Pride is the first visible sin in a child, whereby we may gather that it was the first sin of Adam; so Knowledg being the first Vertue a Child minds, as is apparent to them that do but with the eye of Reason heed their actions even whilst they are very yong, even before they are a yeer old, even by natural instinct, whereby a man may more than guess that Knowledg was the greatest loss, or at least one of the greatest we lost by the fall of Adam: Knowledg, saith Aristotle, is in Prosperity an Ornament, in Adversity a Refuge; and truly there is almost no greater enemy to Knowledg in the world that Pride and Covetousness; Excellently said, Juvenal, Sat. 7.
Scire volunt omnes, mercedem solvere nemo.
Although all men, in Knowledg take delight,
Yet they love money better, that's the spight.
And again, some men are so damnable proud and envious withal, that they would have no body know any thing but themselves; the one I hope will shortly learn better manners, and the other be a burden too heavy for the Earth long to bear.
The Subject which I here fixed my thoughts upon is not only the Description and Nature of Herbs, which had it been all, I had authority sufficient to bear me out in it, for Solomon employed part of that wisdom he asked, and received of God in searching after them, which he wrote in Books, even of all Herbs, Plants and Trees; some say those Writings were carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar; being kept in the Temple at Jerusalem for the publick view of the People, but being transported to Babylon in the Captivity, Alexander the GREAT TYRANT at the taking of Babylon gave them to his Master Aristotle, who committed them to the mercy of the fire.
But since the daies of Solomon, many have those famous men been that have written of this Subject, and great Encouragements have been given them by Princes, of which I shall quote an example or two, Mathiolus his greediness was such to finish his Comment upon Dioscorides, which Book is yet in use in the famous Universities in Leyden in Holland, & Mountpilier in France, that he forgot to count what the charges of it might amount to, although I rather comend him for his dilligence in Studie and Care of the Worlds good, than harbor the least ill thought of him for not counting the middle and both ends before he began the Work, I say when he came to count the charges of Printing and cutting the Cuts, it far surmounted his Estate; in this he was abundantly furnished by Ferdinand the Emperor, and diverse other Princes of Germany, as himself confessed furnished him with great sums of money, for perfecting that so great, so good a Work; the Prince Elector of Saxony sent him much money towards his charge, as also Joachim, Marquess of Brandenburg, who as he was neighbor to Saxony in Place, so was he in Affection to so good a Work; Frederick, Count Palatine of the Rhine, the Cardinal Prince of Trent, the Arch Bishop of Saltzberg, the Dukes of Bavaria and Cleveland, and the Free State of Norimberg, together with many others, so that he had the help of the Emperor, of Arch Dukes, Dukes, Electors, Cardinals, Princes. Happie is that Nation whose Magistrates countenance such as mind and study their Good: I might instance in many more, and thereby give you a glimps how Magistrates formerly favored this Art, and which is more, how studious they were in it. Bellonius a man that soared high in the Nature of Herbs, also professed he had the helping hand of Kings and Cardinals to maintain him in his Studies, and more than this, kings themselves were Studious in it; amongst which (Solomon excepted) Mithridates that renowned King of Pontus seems to bear away the Bell, his Writings after his death were found in his Country Mannor by Pompey the great, but never a Roman of them all had the honesty to print them with his name in the Frontispiece, so that we have nothing of them but what is quoted by some honest Authors, especially by Plutarch.
Ad nos vix tenuis fame dilabitur aura.
Men mind our good, but such cross times do fall,
We only hear they did, and that is all.
Mesue King of Damascus, Avicenna, and Evax King of Arabia, labored much in this Study, and I could well have afforded to have mentioned Dioclesian the Roman Emperor had he not washed out his Vertues, and defiled them with a Purple stain, in a most bloody persecution of Christians. It is quoted in Virgil, that when a famous Prince was proffered by Apollo to be taught his Arts, viz. Physick, Musick, Augury, and the Art of Shooting in the Bow, he made choice of Physick and to know the Nature of Herbs.
Ipse suas artes, sua munera, laetus Appollo
Augurium, Citheramq; dedit, celerefs; sagittas,
Ille, ut depositi preferret fata Parentis
Scire potestates Herbarum, usumq; Medendi
Maluit: & mutas agitare(inglorias) Artes.
His Arts to him, when great Appollo gave,
He did nor Augury, nor Arrows crave,
Nor the Melodius Lute, but to prevent
His Fathers death, who now with age was spent,
To be an Herbarist, and Medicine
To learn, he rather did his thoughts incline.
So precious hath the knowledg of the Vertues of Herbs been in former times to men of quality, and indeed happy is that Nation, whose Rulers mind Knowledg, as Solomon saith on the contrary, Wo to that Nation whose King is a Child, and indeed in Ancient times people need little other Physick than such Herbs as grew neer them, some Footsteps of which and but a few only, are now in use with us to this day, as people usually boyl Fennel with Fish, and know not why they do it but only for custom, when indeed the Original of it was founded upon Reason, because Fennel consumes that Flegmatick quality of Fish, which is obnoxious to the Body of man, Fennel being an Herb of Mercury, and he so great an Enemie to the Sign Pisces.
In this Art the Worthies of our own Nation, Gerard, Johnson, and Parkinson are not to be forgotten, who did much good in the Studie of this Art, yet they and all others that wrote of the Nature of Herbs, gave not a bit of a reason why such an Herb was apropriated to such a part of the Body, nor why it cured such a Disease; truly my own body being sickly brought me easily into a capacitie to know that Health was the greatest of all Earthly Blessings, and truly he was never sick that doth not beleeve it; then I considered that all Medicines were compounded of Herbs, Roots, Flowers, Seeds &c. and this first set me awork in studying the Nature of Simples, most of which I knew by sight before, and indeed all the Authors I could reade gave me but little satisfaction in this particular, or none at all; I cannot build my faith upon authors words, nor beleeve a thing because they say it, and could wish every bodie were of my mind in this, to labor to be able to give a reason for every thing they say or do; they say reason makes a man differ from a Beast, if that be true, pray what are they that instead of Reason for their judgment, quote old Authors, perhaps their Authors knew a reason for what they Wrote, perhaps they did not, what is that to us, do we know it? Truly in writing this Work first, to satisfie my self I drew out all the Vertues of vulgar Herbs, Plants, and Trees &c. out of the best and most approved Authors I had or could get, and having done so, I set my self to studie the Reason of them; I knew well enough the whol world and every thing in it was formed of a Composition of contrary Elements, and in such a harmony as must needs shew the wisdom and Power of a great God. I knew as well this Creation though thus composed of contraries was one united Body, and man an Epitome of it, I knew those various affections in man in respect of Sickness and Health were caused Naturally (though God may have other ends best known to himself) by the various operations of the Macrocosm; and I could not be ignorant, that as the Cause is, so must the Cure be, and therefore he that would know the Reason of the operation of Herbs must look up as high as the Stars; I alwaies found the Disease vary according to the various motion of the Stars, and this is enough one would think to teach a man by the Effect where the Cause lay: Then to find out the Reason of the Operation of Herbs, Plants, &c. by the Stars went I, and herein I could find but few Authors, but those as full of nonsense and contradictions as an Egg is full of meat, this being little pleasing, and less profitable to me, I consulted with my two Brothers, Dr. REASON, and Dr. EXPERIENCE, by whose advice together with the help of Dr. DILLIGENCE, I at last obtained my desires, and being warned by Mr. HONESTY, a stranger in our daies to publish it to the World, I have done it.
But you will say, What need I have written of this Subject, seing so many famous and learned men have written so much of it in the English Tongue, nay much more than I have done?
To this I Answer,
1. All that have written of Herbs either in the English or not in the English Tongue, have no waies answered my intents in this Book, for they have intermixed many, nay very many outlandish Herbs, and very many which are hard, nay not at all to be gotten, and what harm this may do I am very sensible of. Once a Student in Physick in Sussex sent up to London to me, to buy for him such and such Medicines, and send them down, which when I viewed, they were Medicines quoted by authors living in another Nation, and not to be had in London for Love nor Money, so the poor man had spent much pains and Brains in studying Medicines for a Disease that were not to be had; so a man reading Gerards or Parkinsons Herbal for the Cure of a Disease so may as like as not, light on an Herb that is not here to be had, or not without great diffuculty, if possible; but in mine, all grow neer him.
2. My last, though not the least of my Reasons is, Neither Gerard nor Parkinson nor any that ever wrote in the like Nature, ever gave one wise Reason for what they wrote, and so did nothing els but train up yong Novices in Physick in the School of Tradition, and teach them just as a Parrot is taught to speak, an Author saith so, therefore 'tis true, and if all that Authors say be true, why do they contradict one another? But in mine, if you view it with the Eye of Reason, you shall see a Reason for every thing that is written, whereby you may find the very Ground and Foundation of Physick, you may know what you do, and wherefore you do it, and this shall call me Father, it being (that I know of) never done in the world before.
I have now but two things more to write and then I have done.
1. What the profit and benefit of this Work is.
2. Instructions in the Use of it.
1. The Profit and Benefits arising from it, or that may acrue to a wise man, from it are many, so many that should I sum up all the particulars, the Epistle would be as big as the Book; I shall only quote some few general Heads.
First, The admirable Harmony of the Creation is herein seen, in the Influence of Stars upon Herbs and the Body of man, how one part of the Creation is subservient to another, and all for the use of man whereby the Infinite Power and Wisdom of God in the Creation appears; and if I do not admire at the simplicity of the Ranters, never trust me, who but viewing the Creation can hold such a sottish Opinion, as that it was from eternity, when the Mysteries of it are so cleer to everie eye; but that Scripture shall be verified to them, Rom. I. 20. The invisible things of Him from the Creation of the world are cleerly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. And a Poet could teach them a better Lesson.
Excideret ne tibi divini muneris author
Presentem monstrat; qualibet Herba Deum.
Because out of thy thoughts God should not pass,
His Image stamped is on every Grass.
This indeed is true, God hath stamped his Image upon every Creature, and therefore the abuse of the Creature is a great sin; but how much more doth the Wisdom and Excellencie of God appear if we consider the Harmony of the Creation in the Vertue and Operation of every Herb; this is the first.
Secondly, Hereby thou maist know what infinite Knowledg Adam had in his Innocencie, that by looking upon a Creature, he was able to give it a name according to his Nature, and by knowing that, thou maist know how great thy fall was, and be humbled for it even in this respect, because hereby thou are so ignorant.
Thirdly, Here is the right way for thee to begin the study of Physick if thou art minded to begin at the right end, for here thou hast the Reason of the whol Art. I wrote before in certain Astrological Lectures which I read, and printed, intituled Semeiotica Uranica what Planet caused (as a second Cause) every Disease, and how it might be found out what Planet caused it; here thou hast what Planet cures it by Sympathy and Antipathy; and this brings me to my last premise, Viz.
2. Instructions for the right use of the Book.
And herein let me promise a word or two, Many Herbs, Plants, &c are not in the Book apropriated to their propper Planets, the Reason was, want of time, or some other thing else, which many that know me will easily guess at; at last the Book hanging longer in the Press that I imagine it would, I took the time and pains (though I could ill have spared either) to apropriate them all, and have for thy benefit (Courteous Reader) inserted them in order after the Epistle, now then for thy Instruction,
First, Consider what Planet causeth the Disease; that thou maist find in my Semeiotia.
Secondly, Consider what part of the Body is afflicted by the Disease, and whether it lie in the Flesh, or Blood, or Bones, or Ventricles.
Thirdly, Consider by what Planet the afflictd part of the Bodie is governed; that my Semeiotica will inform you in also.
Fourthly, You have in this Book the Herbs for Cure apropriated to the Several Diseases, and the Diseases for your ease set down in the Margin, whereby you may strengthen the part of the Bodie by its like, as the Brain by Herbs of Mercury, the Breast and Liver by Herbs of Jupiter, the Heart and Vitals by Herbs of the Sun, &c.
Fifthly, You may oppose Diseases by Herbs of the Planet opposite to the Planet that causeth them, as Diseases of Jupiter by Herbs of Mercury, and the contrary; Diseases of the Luminaries by Herbs of Saturn, and the contrary; Diseases of Mars by Herbs of Venus, and the contrary.
Sixthly, There is a way to cure Diseases somtimes by Sympathy, and so every Planet cures his own Diseases, as the Sun and Moon by their Herbs cure the Eyes, Saturn the Spleen, Jupiter the Liver, Mars the Gall and Diseases of Choller, and Venus Diseases in the Instruments of Generation.
Seventhly, There was a small Treatise of mine of Humane Vertues, printed at the latter end of my Ephemeris for the yeer 1651. I suppose it would do much good to yong Students to peruse that with this Book.
Eighthly, Yong Students would do themselves much good, and benefit themselves exceedingly in the Study of Physick if they would tak the pains to view the Vertues of the Herbs &c. in the Book, and compare them to these Rules, they shall to their exceeding great content find them all agreeable to them, and shall thereby see the reason why such an Herb conduceth to the Cure of such a Disease.
Ninthly, I gave you the Key of al in the Herb Wormwood, which if because of the volubility of the Language, any think it would not fit the Lock, I will here give it you again in another Herb of the same Planet which in the Book either through my own forgetfulness, or my Amanuensis was omitted, and here I shal give it you plainly without any circumstances.
The Herb is Carduus Benedictus.
It is called Carduus Benedictus, or blessed Thistle or holy Thistle, I suppose the name was put uppon it by some that had little Holiness in themselves: It is an Herb of Mars, and under the Sign 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 the Book, you shall to your content find it true.
It helps Swimming and giiddiness of the Head, or the Disease called Vertigo, because Aries is the House of Mars.
It is an excellent Remedy against the yellow Jaundice, and other infirmities of the Gall, because Mars governs Choller.
It strengthens the attractive faculty in man, and clarifies the Blood, because the one is ruled by Mars.
The continual drinking the Decoction of it helps red Faces, Tetters, and Ringworms because Mars causeth them.
It helps Plague sores, Boils, and Itch, the Biting of mad Dogs and venemous Beasts, all which infirmities are under Mars. Thus you see what it doth by Sympathy.
By Antypathy to other Planets.
It cures the French Pox by Antypathy to Venus who governs it.
It strengthens the Memory and cures Deafness by Antipathy to Saturn who hath his Fall in Aries which Rules the Head.
It cures Quartan Agues, and other Diseases of Melancholly and adult Choller by Sympathy to Saturn, Mars being exalted in Capricorn.
Also it provokes Urine, the stopping of which is usually caused by Mars or the Moon.
If you please to make use of these Rules, you shall find them true throughout the Book, and by heeding them, you may be able to give a Reason of your Judgment to him that asketh you: I assure you it gave much content to me, and for your goods did I pen it; but I must conclude, my Epistle having exceeded its Bounds alreadie; hereby you see what Reason may be given for Medicines, and what necessity there is for every Physitian to be an Astrologer, you have heard it before I suppose, but now you know it; what remains, but that you labor to glorifie God in your several places, and do good to your selves first by encreasing your Knowledg, and to your Neighbors afterwards by helping their Infirmities; some such I hope this Nation is worthy of, and to such shall I remain a Friend, during life, readie to my poor power to help.
Nich. Culpeper.
Spittle-fields next door
to the red Lyon.
Novemb. 6. 1652.
AUTHORS MADE USE OF IN THIS TREATISE
A |
D |
G |
M |
R |
Aegineta. Aetius. Aristotle. Avicenna. Averrois. Avenaris. Andreas Caesalpinus. Antonius Musa. |
Dodoneus. Dioscorides. |
Gesner. Galen. Gerrhard. |
Mathiolus. Mesue. Mizaldus. |
Dr. Reason. Rhazis. |
B |
E |
I/J |
O |
S |
Baubine. Bellus. Bartholomeus Anglus. Butler, a Manuscript. |
Dr. Experience. |
Isidore. Johnson. |
Otho Brunfelsius. |
Serapio. |
C |
F |
L |
P |
T |
Clusius. Cameravius. |
Fabius Columna. Fuchsius. |
Leonicerus. Lobel. Lugdunensis. |
Parkinson. Pliny. Pena. Platearius. Pona. |
Taberna Montanus. Theophrastus. Turner. Tragus. |
CATALOGUE OF HERBS AND PLANTS IN THIS TREATISE, APROPRIATED TO THEIR SEVERAL PLANETS
Under Saturn are, |
Under Mars are, |
Under Venus are, |
Under the Moon are, |
Barley Red Beets Beech-tree Bifoyl, or Twayblade Birdsfoot Bistort, or Snakeweed Blewbottles Buckshorn-Plantane Wild Campions Pilewort Cleavers, or Goosgrass Clowns Woundwort Comfry Cudweed, or Cottonweed Sciatica Cresses Crosswort Darnel Doddar Epithimum Elm-tree Osmond Royal Fleawort Flixweed Fumitory Stinking Gladwin Goutwort Wintergreen Haukweed Hemlock Hemp Henbane Horstail Knapweed Knotgrass Medlar-tree Moss Mullein Nightshade Polypodium Poplar-tree Quince-tree Rupture-wort Rushes Solomons-Seal Sarazens Confound Service-tree Spleenwort, or Cetrach Tamaris Melancholly-Thistle Blackthorn Throughwax Tutsan, or Parkleaves Woad. |
Arsesmart Asarabacca Barberry-bush Sweet Bazil Bramble-bush Briony Brooklime Butchers-broom Broom Broomrape Crowfoot Cuckoopint, or Wake-Robin Cranebil Cotton-Thistle Flax-weed, or Toad-flax Fursebush Garlick Hawthorn Hops Naddir Masterwort Mustard Hedg-Mustard Mettles Onions Pepperwort, or Dittander Carduus Benedictus, in the Epistle Rhadish Horse Rhadish Rhubarb Rapontick Bastard Rhubard Thistles Star-thistle Tobacco Wolly Thistle Treacle Mustard Mithridate Mustard Wold, Weld, or Dyers Weed Wormwood. |
Alehoof, or Ground-Ivy Black Alder-tree Alter-Tree Apple-Tree Stinking Arrach Arch-Angel, or Dead Nettles Beans Ladies Bedstraw Birch-tree Bishops Weed Blites Bugle Burdock Cherry-tree Winter Cherries Chickweed Cichpease Clary Cocks-head Coltsfoot Cowslips Daisies Devils-bit Elder Dwarf Elder Eringo Featherfew Figwort Filipendula Foxgloves Golden-rod Gromwel Groundsel Herb Robert Herb Truelove Kidneywort Ladies Mantle Mallows Marsh-Mallows Mercury Mints Motherwort Mugwort Nep, or Catmint Parsnip Peach-tree Pear-tree Penyroyal Plantane Plum-tree Primroses Ragwort Rocket Winter-Rocket Damask Roses Wood Sage Sanicle Selfheal Sopewort, or Bruisewort Sorrel Wood Sorrel Sowthistles Spignel Strawberries Garden Tansy Wild Tansy, or Silver-weed Teazles Vervain Vine-tree Violets Wheat Yarrow. |
Adders Tongue Cabbages Coleworts Sea Coleworts Columbines Watercresses Duckmeat Yellow Waterflag Flower-de-luce Fluellin Ivy Lettice Water-Lillies Loosestrife, with, and without spiked Heads Moonwort Mousear Orpine Poppies Purslain Privet Rattle-grass White Roses White Saxifrage Burnet Saxifrage Wall-flowers, or Winter-gilliflowers Willow-tree |
Under Jupiter are, |
Under the Sun are, |
Under Mercury are, |
|
Agrimony Alexanders Asparagus Avens Bay-tree White Beets Water-Bettony Wood-Bettony Bilberries Borrage Bugloss Chervil Sweet Cicely Cinkfoyl Costmary, or Alecost Dandelyon Docks Bloodwort Dog, or Quich-grass Endive Hartstongue Hysop Housleek, or Sengreen Liverwort Lungwort Sweet Maudlin Oak-tree Red Roses Sage Sauce alone, or Jack by the Hedg Scurvy-grass Succory Our Ladies Thistles. |
Angelica Ash-tree Bawm One-blade Burner Butter-bur Chamomel Chelondine Centaury Eyebright St. Johns wort Lovage Marigolds Misleto Peony St. Peters wort Pimpernel Rosa Solis Rosemary Rhue Saffron Tormentil Turnsole, or Heliotropium Vipers Bugloss Walnut-tree |
Calaminth, or Mountain Mint Carrots Carraway Dill Elicampane Fern Fennel Hogs Fennel Germander Hazel Nut-tree Horehound Houndstongue Lavender Liquoris Wall-Rhue Maidenhair Golden Maidenhair Sweet Marjoram Melilot Moneywort Mulberry-tree Oats Parsley Cow Parsnep Pellitory of the Wall Groundpine, or Chamepitys Rest-Harrow, or Chamock Sampire Summer and winter Savory Scabious Smallage Southernwood Meadow Trefoyl Garden Valerian Woodbind, or Honey-Suckles. |
DIRECTIONS.
Having in diverse places of this Treatise promised you the way of making Syrups, Conserves, Oyls, Oyntments, &c. of Herbs, Roots, Flowers &c. wherby you may have them ready for your use at such times when otherwise they cannot be had; I come now to perform what I promised, and you shall find me rather better than worse than my word.
That this may be done Methodically, I shall devide my Directions into two grand Sections, and each Section into several Chapters, and then you shall see it look with such a Countenance as this is.
SECT. 1. Of gathering, drying, and keeping Simples and their Juyces
.
CHAP. 1. Of Leaves of Herbs &c.
CHAP. 2. Of Flowers
CHAP. 3. Of Seeds.
CHAP. 4. Of Roots.
CHAP. 5. Of Barks.
CHAP. 6. Of Juyces
SECT. 2. Of making and keepiNg Compounds.
CHAP. 1. Of Distilled Water.
CHAP. 2. Of Syrups
. CHAP. 3. Of Juleps.
CHAP. 4. Of Decoctions.
CHAP. 5. Of Oyls.
CHAP. 6. Of Electuaries.
CHAP. 7. Of Conserves.
CHAP. 8. Of Preserves.
CHAP. 9. Of Lohochs.
CHAP.10. Of Oyntments.
CHAP.11. Of Plaisters.
CHAP.12. Of Pultisses.
CHAP.13. Of Troches.
CHAP.14. Of Pills
CHAP.15. The way of fitting Medicines to Compound Diseases.
All of these in order.
That this may be done Methodically, I shall devide my Directions into two grand Sections, and each Section into several Chapters, and then you shall see it look with such a Countenance as this is.
SECT. 1. Of gathering, drying, and keeping Simples and their Juyces
.
CHAP. 1. Of Leaves of Herbs &c.
CHAP. 2. Of Flowers
CHAP. 3. Of Seeds.
CHAP. 4. Of Roots.
CHAP. 5. Of Barks.
CHAP. 6. Of Juyces
SECT. 2. Of making and keepiNg Compounds.
CHAP. 1. Of Distilled Water.
CHAP. 2. Of Syrups
. CHAP. 3. Of Juleps.
CHAP. 4. Of Decoctions.
CHAP. 5. Of Oyls.
CHAP. 6. Of Electuaries.
CHAP. 7. Of Conserves.
CHAP. 8. Of Preserves.
CHAP. 9. Of Lohochs.
CHAP.10. Of Oyntments.
CHAP.11. Of Plaisters.
CHAP.12. Of Pultisses.
CHAP.13. Of Troches.
CHAP.14. Of Pills
CHAP.15. The way of fitting Medicines to Compound Diseases.
All of these in order.
SECT. 1. The way of gathering, drying. And preserving Simples and their Juyces..
Chap. 1. Of Leaves of Herbs or Trees.
1. Of Leaves, chuse only such as are green and full of Juyce, pick them carefully, and cast away such as are any way declining, for they will putrifie the rest, so shall one handful be worth ten of those you buy in Cheap-side.
2. Note in what place they most delight to grow in, and gather them there, for Bettony that grows in the shadow is far better than that which grows in the Sun, because it delights in the shadow; so also such Herbs as delight to grow neer the Water, though happily you may find some of 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 not known, or through negligence forgotten, you had better take the top and the Flower than the Leaf.
4. Dry them well in the Sun, and not in the shadow as the swinge of Physitians is, for if the Sun draw away the Vertues of Herbs, it must needs do the like by Hay by the same Rule, which the experience of every Country Farmer will explode for a notable piece of non-sense.
5. Such as are Artists in Astrology (and indeed none else are fit to make Physitians) 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 Ascendent, in the Herbs of Mars,let Mars be in the Mid-heaven, for in those Houses they delight, let the Moon apply to them by good Aspect, and let her not be in the Houses of their Enemies: If you cannot well stay till she apply to them, let her apply to a Planet of the same Triplicity, if you cannot wait that time neither, let her be with a fixed Star of their Nature.
6. Having well dryed them put them up in brown Papers, sewing the Paper up like a Sack, and press them not too hard together, and keep them in a dry place neer the fire.
7. As for the duration of dryed Herbs, a just time cannot be given, let Authors prate their pleasures: For,
First, Such as grow upon dry grounds will keep better than such as grow on moist.
Secondly, Such Herbs as are full of Juyce will not keep so long as such as are dryer.
Thirdly, Such Herbs as are well dryed will keep longer than such as are ill dried.
Yet this I say, by this you may know when they are corrupted, viz. 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.
2. Note in what place they most delight to grow in, and gather them there, for Bettony that grows in the shadow is far better than that which grows in the Sun, because it delights in the shadow; so also such Herbs as delight to grow neer the Water, though happily you may find some of 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 not known, or through negligence forgotten, you had better take the top and the Flower than the Leaf.
4. Dry them well in the Sun, and not in the shadow as the swinge of Physitians is, for if the Sun draw away the Vertues of Herbs, it must needs do the like by Hay by the same Rule, which the experience of every Country Farmer will explode for a notable piece of non-sense.
5. Such as are Artists in Astrology (and indeed none else are fit to make Physitians) 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 Ascendent, in the Herbs of Mars,let Mars be in the Mid-heaven, for in those Houses they delight, let the Moon apply to them by good Aspect, and let her not be in the Houses of their Enemies: If you cannot well stay till she apply to them, let her apply to a Planet of the same Triplicity, if you cannot wait that time neither, let her be with a fixed Star of their Nature.
6. Having well dryed them put them up in brown Papers, sewing the Paper up like a Sack, and press them not too hard together, and keep them in a dry place neer the fire.
7. As for the duration of dryed Herbs, a just time cannot be given, let Authors prate their pleasures: For,
First, Such as grow upon dry grounds will keep better than such as grow on moist.
Secondly, Such Herbs as are full of Juyce will not keep so long as such as are dryer.
Thirdly, Such Herbs as are well dryed will keep longer than such as are ill dried.
Yet this I say, by this you may know when they are corrupted, viz. 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.
Chap. 2. Of Flowers.
1. The Flower which is the beauty of the Plant, and of none of the least use in Physick, groweth yeerly, and is to be gathered when it is in its prime.
2. As for the time of gathering them, let the Planetary hour, and the Planet that rules the Plant they come of, be observed, as we shewed you in the foregoing Chapter; as for the time of the day let it be when the Sun shines upon them that so they may be dry, for if you gather either Herbs or Flowers when they are wet or dewy, they will not keep, and this I forgot before.
3. Dry them well in the Sun, and keep them in Papers neer the fire, as I shewed you in the foregoing Chapter.
4. So long as they retain their colour and smel they are good, either of them being gone so is the Vertue also.
2. As for the time of gathering them, let the Planetary hour, and the Planet that rules the Plant they come of, be observed, as we shewed you in the foregoing Chapter; as for the time of the day let it be when the Sun shines upon them that so they may be dry, for if you gather either Herbs or Flowers when they are wet or dewy, they will not keep, and this I forgot before.
3. Dry them well in the Sun, and keep them in Papers neer the fire, as I shewed you in the foregoing Chapter.
4. So long as they retain their colour and smel they are good, either of them being gone so is the Vertue also.
Chap. 3. Of Seeds.
1. The Seed is that part of the Plant which is endewed with a vitall faculty to bring forth its like, and it contains potentially the whol Plant in it.
2. As for place let them be gathered from the plants where they delight to grow.
3. Let them be full ripe when they are gathered, and forget not the Coelestial Harmony before mentioned, for I have found by experience that their Vertues are twice as great at such times than at others: There is an appointed time for every thing under the Sun.
4. When you have gathered them dry them a little, and but a little in the Sun before you lay them up.
5. You need not be so careful of keeping them so neer the fire as the other before mentioned, because they are fuller of Spirit, and therefore not so subject to corrupt.
6. As for the time of their duration 'tis palpable they will keep good many yeers, yet this I say, they are best the first yeer, and this I make appear by a good argument, They will grow soonest the firt yeer they be set, therefore then are they in their prime, and 'tis an easie matter to renew them yeerly.
2. As for place let them be gathered from the plants where they delight to grow.
3. Let them be full ripe when they are gathered, and forget not the Coelestial Harmony before mentioned, for I have found by experience that their Vertues are twice as great at such times than at others: There is an appointed time for every thing under the Sun.
4. When you have gathered them dry them a little, and but a little in the Sun before you lay them up.
5. You need not be so careful of keeping them so neer the fire as the other before mentioned, because they are fuller of Spirit, and therefore not so subject to corrupt.
6. As for the time of their duration 'tis palpable they will keep good many yeers, yet this I say, they are best the first yeer, and this I make appear by a good argument, They will grow soonest the firt yeer they be set, therefore then are they in their prime, and 'tis an easie matter to renew them yeerly.
Chap. 4. Of Roots.
1. Of Roots chuse such as are neither rotten nor wormeaten, but proper in their tast, colour, and smell, such as exceed neither in softness nor hardness.
2. Give me leave to be a little critical against the Vulgar received Opinion, which is, That the Sap falls down into the Root in Autumn, and rises again in Spring, as men go to Bed at night and rise in the morning; and this idle tale 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 to this Argument, If the Sap fall into the Root in the fall of the Leaf, and lie there all the Winter, then must the Root grow only in the Winter, as experience witnesseth, but the Root grows not at all in the Winter, as the same experience teacheth, but only in the Summer. Ergo,
If you set an Apple Kernel in the Spring, you shall find the Root to grow to a pretty bigness in that Summer, and be not a whit bigger next Spring: What doth the Sap do in the Root all that while? pick straws? For God's sake build not your faith upon Tradition, 'tis as rotten as a rotten Post.
The truth is, when the Sun declines from the Tropick of Cancer, the Sap begins to congeal both in Root and Branch, when he toucheth the Tropick of Capricorn and ascends to us ward, it begins to wax thin again, and by degrees as it congealed: But to proceed.
3. The dryer time you gather your Roots in the better they are, for they have the less excrementitious moisture in them.
4. Such Roots as are soft, your best way is to dry in the Sun, or else hang them up in the Chimney corner upon a string; as for such as are hard you may dry them any where.
5. Such Roots as are great will keep longer than such as are small, yet most of them will keep a yeer.
6. Such Roots as are soft it is your best way to keep them alwaies neer the fire, and take this general Rule, If in Winter time you find any of your Roots, Herbs or Flowers begin to grow moist, as many times you shall, especially in the Winter time (for 'tis your best way to look to them once a month) dry them by a very gentle fire, or if you can with convenience keep them neer the fire, you may save your self the labor.
7. It is in vain to dry such Roots as may commonly be had, as Parsly, Fennel, Plantane &c. but gather them only for present need.
2. Give me leave to be a little critical against the Vulgar received Opinion, which is, That the Sap falls down into the Root in Autumn, and rises again in Spring, as men go to Bed at night and rise in the morning; and this idle tale 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 to this Argument, If the Sap fall into the Root in the fall of the Leaf, and lie there all the Winter, then must the Root grow only in the Winter, as experience witnesseth, but the Root grows not at all in the Winter, as the same experience teacheth, but only in the Summer. Ergo,
If you set an Apple Kernel in the Spring, you shall find the Root to grow to a pretty bigness in that Summer, and be not a whit bigger next Spring: What doth the Sap do in the Root all that while? pick straws? For God's sake build not your faith upon Tradition, 'tis as rotten as a rotten Post.
The truth is, when the Sun declines from the Tropick of Cancer, the Sap begins to congeal both in Root and Branch, when he toucheth the Tropick of Capricorn and ascends to us ward, it begins to wax thin again, and by degrees as it congealed: But to proceed.
3. The dryer time you gather your Roots in the better they are, for they have the less excrementitious moisture in them.
4. Such Roots as are soft, your best way is to dry in the Sun, or else hang them up in the Chimney corner upon a string; as for such as are hard you may dry them any where.
5. Such Roots as are great will keep longer than such as are small, yet most of them will keep a yeer.
6. Such Roots as are soft it is your best way to keep them alwaies neer the fire, and take this general Rule, If in Winter time you find any of your Roots, Herbs or Flowers begin to grow moist, as many times you shall, especially in the Winter time (for 'tis your best way to look to them once a month) dry them by a very gentle fire, or if you can with convenience keep them neer the fire, you may save your self the labor.
7. It is in vain to dry such Roots as may commonly be had, as Parsly, Fennel, Plantane &c. but gather them only for present need.
Chap.5. Of Barks.
1. Barks which Physitians use in Mediscines are these sorts, of Fruits, of Roots, of Boughs.
2. The Barks of Fruits is to be taken when the Fruit is full ripe, as Orrenges, Lemmons, &c. but because I have nothing to do with Exoticks here, I shall pass them without any more words.
3. The Barks of Trees are best gathered in the Spring, if it be of great Trees, as Oaks or the like, because then they come easiest off, and so you may dry them if you please, but indeed your best way is to gather all Barks only for present use.
4. As for the Bark of Roots, 'tis this, and thus to be gotten, Take the Roots of such Herbs as have a pith in them, as Parsly, Fennel, &c. slit them in the middle, and when you have taken out the pith (which you may easily and quickly do) that which remains is called (though somthing improperly) the Bark and indeed is only to be used.
2. The Barks of Fruits is to be taken when the Fruit is full ripe, as Orrenges, Lemmons, &c. but because I have nothing to do with Exoticks here, I shall pass them without any more words.
3. The Barks of Trees are best gathered in the Spring, if it be of great Trees, as Oaks or the like, because then they come easiest off, and so you may dry them if you please, but indeed your best way is to gather all Barks only for present use.
4. As for the Bark of Roots, 'tis this, and thus to be gotten, Take the Roots of such Herbs as have a pith in them, as Parsly, Fennel, &c. slit them in the middle, and when you have taken out the pith (which you may easily and quickly do) that which remains is called (though somthing improperly) the Bark and indeed is only to be used.
Chap. 6. Of Juyces.
1. Juyces are to be pressed out of Herbs when they are yong and tender, and also out of some Stalks, and tender tops of Herbs and Plants, and also out of some Flowers.
2. Having gathered your Herb you would preserve the Juyce of, when it is very dry (for otherwise your Juyce will not be worth a Button) bruise it very wel in a stone Mortar with a wooden Pestle, then having put it into a Canvas Bag (the Herb I mean, not the Mortar for that will yield but little Juyce) press it hard in a press, then take the Juyce and clarifie it.
3. The manner of clarifying of it is this, put it into a Pipkin or Skillet, or some such thing and set it over the fire, and when the Scum riseth, take it off, let it stand over the fire till no more Scum rise, then have you your Juyce clarified, cast away the Scum as a thing of no use.
2. Having gathered your Herb you would preserve the Juyce of, when it is very dry (for otherwise your Juyce will not be worth a Button) bruise it very wel in a stone Mortar with a wooden Pestle, then having put it into a Canvas Bag (the Herb I mean, not the Mortar for that will yield but little Juyce) press it hard in a press, then take the Juyce and clarifie it.
3. The manner of clarifying of it is this, put it into a Pipkin or Skillet, or some such thing and set it over the fire, and when the Scum riseth, take it off, let it stand over the fire till no more Scum rise, then have you your Juyce clarified, cast away the Scum as a thing of no use.
SECT. 2. The way of making and keeping all Necessary Compounds.
Chap. 1. Of Distilled Waters.
Hitherto we have spoken of Medicines which consist in their own Nature, which Authors vulgarly call Simples, though somthing improperly, for indeed and in truth, nothing is Simple but the pure Elements; all things else are compounded of them: We come now to treat of the Artificial Medicines, in the front of which (because we must begin somewhere) we place distilled Waters; In which consider,
1. Waters are distilled out of Herbs, Flowers, Fruits, and Roots.
2. We treat not here of strong Waters but of cold, as being to act Galen's Part and not Paracelsus.
3. The Herbs ought to be distilled when they are in their greatest vigor, and so ought the Flowers also.
4. The vulgar way of Distillation which people use, because they know no better, is in a Peuter Still, and although Distilled Waters are the weakest of all Artificial Medicines, and good for little unless for mixtures of other Medicines, yet this way distilled 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 by writing, I would attempt it.
5. When you have distilled your Water put it into a Glass, and having bound the top of it over with a Paper pricked full of holes, that so the excrementitious and fiery vapors may exhale (which indeed are they that cause that setling in distilled Waters called the Mother, which corrupts the Waters and might this way be prevented) cover it close and keep it for your use.
6. Stopping distilled Waters with a Cork makes them musty, and so will a Paper also if it do but touch the Water, your best way then is to stop them with a Bladder, being first wet in Water, and bound over the top of the Glass.
Such cold Waters as are distilled in a Peuter Still (if well kept) will endure a yeer, such as are distilled in Sand, as they are twice as strong, so will they endure twice as long.
1. Waters are distilled out of Herbs, Flowers, Fruits, and Roots.
2. We treat not here of strong Waters but of cold, as being to act Galen's Part and not Paracelsus.
3. The Herbs ought to be distilled when they are in their greatest vigor, and so ought the Flowers also.
4. The vulgar way of Distillation which people use, because they know no better, is in a Peuter Still, and although Distilled Waters are the weakest of all Artificial Medicines, and good for little unless for mixtures of other Medicines, yet this way distilled 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 by writing, I would attempt it.
5. When you have distilled your Water put it into a Glass, and having bound the top of it over with a Paper pricked full of holes, that so the excrementitious and fiery vapors may exhale (which indeed are they that cause that setling in distilled Waters called the Mother, which corrupts the Waters and might this way be prevented) cover it close and keep it for your use.
6. Stopping distilled Waters with a Cork makes them musty, and so will a Paper also if it do but touch the Water, your best way then is to stop them with a Bladder, being first wet in Water, and bound over the top of the Glass.
Such cold Waters as are distilled in a Peuter Still (if well kept) will endure a yeer, such as are distilled in Sand, as they are twice as strong, so will they endure twice as long.
Chap. 2. Of Syrups.
1. A Syrup is a Medicine of a Liquid form, composed of Infusion, Decoction and Juyce; and 1. for the more grateful tast, 2. 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 then that this Aphorism devides it self into three Branches, which deserve severally to be treated of, viz.
1. Syrups made by Infusion.
2. Syrups made by Decoction.
3. Syrups made by Juyce.
Of each of these (for your Instruction sake kind Country men and women) I speak a word, or two or three apart.
First, Syrups made by Infusion are usually made of Flowers, and of such Flowers, as soon lose both colour and strength by boyling, as Roses, Violets, Peach-Flowers &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 ad three pound (or three pints, which you will for it is all one) of Spring Water made boyling hot by the fire, first put your Flowers in a Peuter Pot with a cover, then powr the Water to them, then shutting the Pot, let it stand by the fire to keep hot twelve hours, then strain it out (in such Syrups as purge, as Damask Roses, Peach-Flowers, &c. the usual and indeed the best way is to repeat this Infusion, adding fresh Flowers to the same Liquor diverse times that so it may be the stronger) having strained it out, put the Infusion into a Peuter Bason, or an Earthen one well glassed, and to every pint of it, ad two pound of fine Sugar, which being only melted over the fire without boyling, and scummed, will produce you the Syrup you desire.
Secondly, Syrups made by Decoction are usually used of Compounds yet may any Simple Herb be thus converted into Syrup; Take the Herb, Root, or Flower you would make into Syrup and bruise it a little, then boyl it in a convenient quantity of Spring Water, the more water you boyl it in the weaker will it be, a handful of the Herb, Root, &c. is a convenient quantity for a pint of Water; boyl it till half the water be consumed, then let it stand till it be almost cold, and strain it (being almost cold) through a woollen cloth, letting it run out at leisure without pressing, to every pint of this Decoction ad one pound of Sugar and boyl it over the fire till it come to a Syrup, which you may know if you now and then cool a little of it in a spoon, scum it all the while it boyls, and when it is sufficiently boyled, whilst it is hot strain it again through a woollen cloth, but press it not; thus have you the Syrup perfected.
Thirdly, Syrups made of Juyces are usually made of such Herbs as are full of Juyce, 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 out the Juyce and clarifie it as you were taught before in the Juyces, then let the Juyce boyl away till a quarter of it (or neer upon) be consumed, to a pint of this ad a pound of Sugar, and boyl it to a Syrup, alwaies scumming it, and when it is boyled enough, strain it through a woollen cloth as we taught you before, and keep it for your use.
3. If you make Syrups of Roots that are any thing hard, as Parsley, Fennel, and grass Roots &c. when you have bruised them, lay them in steep some time in that Water which you intend to boyl them in, hot, so will the Vertue the better come out.
4. Keep your Syrups either in Glasses or stone Pots, and stop them not with Cork, nor Bladder, unless you would have the Glass break and the Syrup lost; and as many Opinions as there are in this Nation, I suppose there are but few or none of this, only bind a Paper about the Mouth.
5. All Syrups if well made will continue a yeer, with some advantage yet of all, such as are made by Infusion keep the least while.
2. You see at the first view then that this Aphorism devides it self into three Branches, which deserve severally to be treated of, viz.
1. Syrups made by Infusion.
2. Syrups made by Decoction.
3. Syrups made by Juyce.
Of each of these (for your Instruction sake kind Country men and women) I speak a word, or two or three apart.
First, Syrups made by Infusion are usually made of Flowers, and of such Flowers, as soon lose both colour and strength by boyling, as Roses, Violets, Peach-Flowers &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 ad three pound (or three pints, which you will for it is all one) of Spring Water made boyling hot by the fire, first put your Flowers in a Peuter Pot with a cover, then powr the Water to them, then shutting the Pot, let it stand by the fire to keep hot twelve hours, then strain it out (in such Syrups as purge, as Damask Roses, Peach-Flowers, &c. the usual and indeed the best way is to repeat this Infusion, adding fresh Flowers to the same Liquor diverse times that so it may be the stronger) having strained it out, put the Infusion into a Peuter Bason, or an Earthen one well glassed, and to every pint of it, ad two pound of fine Sugar, which being only melted over the fire without boyling, and scummed, will produce you the Syrup you desire.
Secondly, Syrups made by Decoction are usually used of Compounds yet may any Simple Herb be thus converted into Syrup; Take the Herb, Root, or Flower you would make into Syrup and bruise it a little, then boyl it in a convenient quantity of Spring Water, the more water you boyl it in the weaker will it be, a handful of the Herb, Root, &c. is a convenient quantity for a pint of Water; boyl it till half the water be consumed, then let it stand till it be almost cold, and strain it (being almost cold) through a woollen cloth, letting it run out at leisure without pressing, to every pint of this Decoction ad one pound of Sugar and boyl it over the fire till it come to a Syrup, which you may know if you now and then cool a little of it in a spoon, scum it all the while it boyls, and when it is sufficiently boyled, whilst it is hot strain it again through a woollen cloth, but press it not; thus have you the Syrup perfected.
Thirdly, Syrups made of Juyces are usually made of such Herbs as are full of Juyce, 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 out the Juyce and clarifie it as you were taught before in the Juyces, then let the Juyce boyl away till a quarter of it (or neer upon) be consumed, to a pint of this ad a pound of Sugar, and boyl it to a Syrup, alwaies scumming it, and when it is boyled enough, strain it through a woollen cloth as we taught you before, and keep it for your use.
3. If you make Syrups of Roots that are any thing hard, as Parsley, Fennel, and grass Roots &c. when you have bruised them, lay them in steep some time in that Water which you intend to boyl them in, hot, so will the Vertue the better come out.
4. Keep your Syrups either in Glasses or stone Pots, and stop them not with Cork, nor Bladder, unless you would have the Glass break and the Syrup lost; and as many Opinions as there are in this Nation, I suppose there are but few or none of this, only bind a Paper about the Mouth.
5. All Syrups if well made will continue a yeer, with some advantage yet of all, such as are made by Infusion keep the least while.
Chap. 3. Of Juleps.
1. Juleps were first invented as I suppose in Arabia, and my reason is because the word Juleb is an Arabick word.
2. It signifies only a pleasant Potion, and was vulgarly used (by such as were sick and wanted help, or such as were in health, and wanted no money) to quench thirst.
3. Now a daies 'tis commonly used,
1. To prepare the Body for Purgation.
2. To open Obstructions and the Pores.
3. To digest tough Humors.
4. To qualifie hot distempers &c.
4. It is thus made (I mean Simple Juleps for I have nothing to say to Compounds here; all Compounds have as many several Idea's as men have crotchets in their Brain) I say Simple Juleps are thus made: Take a pint of such distilled Water as conduceth to the cure of your distemper, which this Treatise will plentifully furnish you withal, to which add two ounces of Syrup conducing to the same effect (I shall give you Rules for it in the last Chapter) mix them together and drink a draught of it at your pleasure; If you love tart things ad ten drops of Oyl of Vitriol to your pint and shake it together, and it will have a fine grateful tast.
5. All Juleps are made for present use, and therefore it is in vain to speak of their duration.
2. It signifies only a pleasant Potion, and was vulgarly used (by such as were sick and wanted help, or such as were in health, and wanted no money) to quench thirst.
3. Now a daies 'tis commonly used,
1. To prepare the Body for Purgation.
2. To open Obstructions and the Pores.
3. To digest tough Humors.
4. To qualifie hot distempers &c.
4. It is thus made (I mean Simple Juleps for I have nothing to say to Compounds here; all Compounds have as many several Idea's as men have crotchets in their Brain) I say Simple Juleps are thus made: Take a pint of such distilled Water as conduceth to the cure of your distemper, which this Treatise will plentifully furnish you withal, to which add two ounces of Syrup conducing to the same effect (I shall give you Rules for it in the last Chapter) mix them together and drink a draught of it at your pleasure; If you love tart things ad ten drops of Oyl of Vitriol to your pint and shake it together, and it will have a fine grateful tast.
5. All Juleps are made for present use, and therefore it is in vain to speak of their duration.
Chap. 4. Of Decoctions.
1. All the difference between Decoctions and Syrups made by Decoction is this, Syrups are made to keep, Decoctions only for present use, for you can hardly keep a Decoction a week at any time, if the weather be hot, not half so long.
2. Decoctions are made of Leaves, Roots, Flowers, Seeds, Fruits, or Barks, conducing to the cure of the Disease you make them for; in the same manner are they made 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 Decoction to clense the passages of Urine, or open Obstructions, your best way is to make it with white Wine instead of Water, because that is most penetrating.
4. Decoctions are of most use in such Diseases as lie in the Passages of the Body, as the Stomach, Bowels, Kidneys, Passages of Urine, and Bladder, because Decoctions pass quicker to those places than any other form of Medicines.
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 done.
6. If in a Decoction you boyl both Roots, Herbs, Flowers, and Seeds together, let the Roots boyl a good while first, because they retain their Vertue longest, then the next in order by the same Rule; viz. 1. the Barks, 2. the Herbs, 3. the Seeds, 4. the Flowers, 5. the Spices if you put any in, because their vertue
comes soonest out.
7. Such things as by boyling cause sliminess to a Decoction, as Figs, Quince Seeds, Linseed &c. your best way is, after you have bruised then, to tie them up in a linnen rag, as you tie up a Calves Brains, and so boyl them.
8. Keep all Decoctions in a Glass close stopped, and in the cooler place you keep them, the longer will they last ere they be sowr.
Lastly, The usual Dose to be given at one time, is usually two, three, four, or five ounces, according to the age and strength of the Patient, the season of the yeer, the strength of the Medicine, and the quality of the Disease.
2. Decoctions are made of Leaves, Roots, Flowers, Seeds, Fruits, or Barks, conducing to the cure of the Disease you make them for; in the same manner are they made 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 Decoction to clense the passages of Urine, or open Obstructions, your best way is to make it with white Wine instead of Water, because that is most penetrating.
4. Decoctions are of most use in such Diseases as lie in the Passages of the Body, as the Stomach, Bowels, Kidneys, Passages of Urine, and Bladder, because Decoctions pass quicker to those places than any other form of Medicines.
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 done.
6. If in a Decoction you boyl both Roots, Herbs, Flowers, and Seeds together, let the Roots boyl a good while first, because they retain their Vertue longest, then the next in order by the same Rule; viz. 1. the Barks, 2. the Herbs, 3. the Seeds, 4. the Flowers, 5. the Spices if you put any in, because their vertue
comes soonest out.
7. Such things as by boyling cause sliminess to a Decoction, as Figs, Quince Seeds, Linseed &c. your best way is, after you have bruised then, to tie them up in a linnen rag, as you tie up a Calves Brains, and so boyl them.
8. Keep all Decoctions in a Glass close stopped, and in the cooler place you keep them, the longer will they last ere they be sowr.
Lastly, The usual Dose to be given at one time, is usually two, three, four, or five ounces, according to the age and strength of the Patient, the season of the yeer, the strength of the Medicine, and the quality of the Disease.
Chap. 5. Of Oyles.
1. Oyl Olive, which is commonly known by the name of Sallet Oyl, I suppose because it is usually eaten with Sallets 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 Oyls, some are Simple, and some are Compound.
3. Simple Oyuls are such as are made of Fruits or Seeds, by expression, as Oyl of sweet and bitter Almonds, Linseed, and Rapeseed Oyl &c. of which see my Dispensatory.
4. Compound Oyls are made of Oyl 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 would make your Oyl of, put them in an Earthen pot, and to two or three handfuls of them, powr a pint of Oyl, cover the pot with a paper, and set it in the Sun, about a Fortnight or less according as the Sun is in hotness; then having warmed it very well by the fire, press out the Herbs &c. very hard in a press, and ad as many more Herbs to the same Oyl, bruised (the Herbs I mean not the Oyl in like manner, set them in the Sun as before, the oftner you repeat this the stronger will your Oyl be; at last when you conceive it strong enough, boyl both Herbs and Oyl together till the Juyce be consumed which you may know by its leaving its bubling, and the Herbs will be crisp, then strain it, whilst it is hot, and keep it in a stone or Glass Vessel for your use.
6. As for Chymical Oyls, I have nothing to say in this Treatise.
7. The General use of these Oyls is for pain in the Limbs, roughness of the Skin, the Itch &c. as also for Oyntments and Plaisters.
8. If you have occasion to use it for Wounds or Ulcers, in two ounces of Oyl, dissolve half an ounce of Turpentine, the heat of the fire will quickly do it, for Oyl it self is offensive to Wounds, and the Turpentine qualifies it.
2. Of Oyls, some are Simple, and some are Compound.
3. Simple Oyuls are such as are made of Fruits or Seeds, by expression, as Oyl of sweet and bitter Almonds, Linseed, and Rapeseed Oyl &c. of which see my Dispensatory.
4. Compound Oyls are made of Oyl 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 would make your Oyl of, put them in an Earthen pot, and to two or three handfuls of them, powr a pint of Oyl, cover the pot with a paper, and set it in the Sun, about a Fortnight or less according as the Sun is in hotness; then having warmed it very well by the fire, press out the Herbs &c. very hard in a press, and ad as many more Herbs to the same Oyl, bruised (the Herbs I mean not the Oyl in like manner, set them in the Sun as before, the oftner you repeat this the stronger will your Oyl be; at last when you conceive it strong enough, boyl both Herbs and Oyl together till the Juyce be consumed which you may know by its leaving its bubling, and the Herbs will be crisp, then strain it, whilst it is hot, and keep it in a stone or Glass Vessel for your use.
6. As for Chymical Oyls, I have nothing to say in this Treatise.
7. The General use of these Oyls is for pain in the Limbs, roughness of the Skin, the Itch &c. as also for Oyntments and Plaisters.
8. If you have occasion to use it for Wounds or Ulcers, in two ounces of Oyl, dissolve half an ounce of Turpentine, the heat of the fire will quickly do it, for Oyl it self is offensive to Wounds, and the Turpentine qualifies it.
Chap. 6. Of Electuaries.
Physitians make more a quoil than needs behalf about Electuaries: I shall prescribe but one general way of making them up, as for the Ingredients you may vary them as you please, and according as you find occassion by the last Chapter.
1. That you may make Electuaries when you need them, it is requisite that you keep alwaies Herbs, Roots, Seeds, Flowers &c. ready dried in your House, that so you may be in readiness to beat them into pouder when you need them.
2. Your better way is to keep them whol than beaten, for being beaten they are the more subject to lose their strength, because the Air soon penetrates them.
3. If they be not dry enough to beat into pouder when you need them, dry them by a gentle fire till they are so.
4. Having beaten them, sift them through a fine Tiffany Searce, that so there may be no great pieces found in your Electuary.
5. To an ounce of your Pouder, ad three ounces of clarified Honey, this quantity I hold to be sufficient; I confess Authors differ about it: If you would make more or less Electuary, vary your proportions accordingly.
6. Mix them well together in a Mortar, and take this for a truth, you cannot mix them too much.
7. The way to clarifie Honey is to set it over the fire in a convenient vessel till the scum arise, and when the scum is taken off it is clarified.
8. The usual Dose of Cordial Electuaries is from half a dram to two drams, of purging Electuaries from half an ounce to an ounce.
9. The manner of keeping them is in a pot.
10. The time of taking them, is either in the morning fasting, and fasting an hour after them, or a night going to bed three or four hours after supper.
1. That you may make Electuaries when you need them, it is requisite that you keep alwaies Herbs, Roots, Seeds, Flowers &c. ready dried in your House, that so you may be in readiness to beat them into pouder when you need them.
2. Your better way is to keep them whol than beaten, for being beaten they are the more subject to lose their strength, because the Air soon penetrates them.
3. If they be not dry enough to beat into pouder when you need them, dry them by a gentle fire till they are so.
4. Having beaten them, sift them through a fine Tiffany Searce, that so there may be no great pieces found in your Electuary.
5. To an ounce of your Pouder, ad three ounces of clarified Honey, this quantity I hold to be sufficient; I confess Authors differ about it: If you would make more or less Electuary, vary your proportions accordingly.
6. Mix them well together in a Mortar, and take this for a truth, you cannot mix them too much.
7. The way to clarifie Honey is to set it over the fire in a convenient vessel till the scum arise, and when the scum is taken off it is clarified.
8. The usual Dose of Cordial Electuaries is from half a dram to two drams, of purging Electuaries from half an ounce to an ounce.
9. The manner of keeping them is in a pot.
10. The time of taking them, is either in the morning fasting, and fasting an hour after them, or a night going to bed three or four hours after supper.
Chap. 7. Of Conserves.
1. The way of making Conserves is two-fold, one of Herbs and Flowers, and the other of Fruits.
2. Conserves of Herbs and Flowers are thus made, If you make your Conserves of Herbs, as of Scurvy-grass, Wormwood, Rue, or the like, take only the Leaves and tender tops (for you may beat your heart out before you can beat the Stalks small) and having beaten them, waigh them, and to everie pound of them ad three pound of Sugar, beat them verie well together in a Mortar, you cannot beat them too much.
3. Conserves of Fruits, as of Barberries, Sloes, and the like is thus made; First scald the Fruit, then rub the pulp through a thick hair Sieve made for the purpose, called a pulping Sieve, you may do it for a need with the back of a Spoon, then take this Pulp thus drawn, and ad to it its waight of Sugar and no more, put it in a Peuter Vessel, and over a Charcoal fire stir it up and down till the Sugar be melted, and your Conserve is made.
4. Thus have you the way of making Conserves, the way of keeping of them is in Earthen pots.
5. The Dose is usually the quantity of a Nutmeg at a time morning and evening, or (unless they be purging) when you please.
6. Of Conserves, some keep many yeers, as Conserves of Roses, others but a yeer, as Conserves of Borrage, Bugloss, Cowslips and the like.
7. Have a care of the working of some Conserves presently after they are made, look to them once a day and stir them about; Conserves of Borrage, Bugloss, and Wormwood have gotten an excellent faculty at that sport.
8. You may know when your Conserves are almost spoiled by this, you shall find a hard crust at top with little holes in it as though Worms had been eating there.
2. Conserves of Herbs and Flowers are thus made, If you make your Conserves of Herbs, as of Scurvy-grass, Wormwood, Rue, or the like, take only the Leaves and tender tops (for you may beat your heart out before you can beat the Stalks small) and having beaten them, waigh them, and to everie pound of them ad three pound of Sugar, beat them verie well together in a Mortar, you cannot beat them too much.
3. Conserves of Fruits, as of Barberries, Sloes, and the like is thus made; First scald the Fruit, then rub the pulp through a thick hair Sieve made for the purpose, called a pulping Sieve, you may do it for a need with the back of a Spoon, then take this Pulp thus drawn, and ad to it its waight of Sugar and no more, put it in a Peuter Vessel, and over a Charcoal fire stir it up and down till the Sugar be melted, and your Conserve is made.
4. Thus have you the way of making Conserves, the way of keeping of them is in Earthen pots.
5. The Dose is usually the quantity of a Nutmeg at a time morning and evening, or (unless they be purging) when you please.
6. Of Conserves, some keep many yeers, as Conserves of Roses, others but a yeer, as Conserves of Borrage, Bugloss, Cowslips and the like.
7. Have a care of the working of some Conserves presently after they are made, look to them once a day and stir them about; Conserves of Borrage, Bugloss, and Wormwood have gotten an excellent faculty at that sport.
8. You may know when your Conserves are almost spoiled by this, you shall find a hard crust at top with little holes in it as though Worms had been eating there.
Chap. 8. Of Preserves.
Of Preserves are sundry sorts, and the Operations of all being somthing different we will handle them all apart.
There are preserved with Sugar,
1 Flowers.
2 Fruits.
3 Roots.
4 Barks.
1. Flowers are but very seldom preserved, I never saw any that I remember save only Cowslip Flowers, and that was a great fashion in Sussex when I was a boy; It is thus done, first, take a flat Glass, we call them jarr Glasses, strew in a lain of fine Sugar, on that a lain of Flowers, on that another lain of Sugar, on that another lain of Flowers, do so til your Glass be full, then tie it over with a paper, and in a little time you shall have very excellent and pleasant Preserves.
There is another way of Preserving Flowers, namely with Vinegar and Salt, as they pickle Capers and Broom Buds, but because I have little skill in it my self I canot teach you.
2. Fruits, as Quinces and the like are preserved two waies.
First, Boyl them well in Water, and then pulp them through a Sieve as we shewed you before; then with the like quantity of Sugar boyl the Water they were boyled in to a Syrup, viz. a pound of Sugar to a pint of Liquor, to every pound of this Syrup ad four ounces of the Pulp, then boyl it with a very gentle fire to the right consistence, which you may easily know if you drop a drop of it upon a Trencher, if it be enough it will not stick to your fingers when it is cold.
Secondly, Another way to preserve Fruits is this, First pare off the rind, then cut them in halves and take out the Core, then boyl them in Water till they are soft, If you know when Beef is boyled enough you may easily know when they are; then boyl the Water with its like waight of Sugar into a Syrup, put the Syrup into a Pot, and put the boyled Fruit as whol as you left it when you cut it into it, and let it so remain till you have occasion to use it.
3. Roots are thus preserved, First, scrape them very clean, and clense them from the Pith if they have any, for some Roots have not, as Eringo and the like, boyl them in Water till they be soft as we shew you before in the Fruits, then boyl the Water you boyled the Roots into a Syrup as we shewed you before, then keep the Roots whol in the Syrup till you use them.
4. As for Barks we have but few come to our hands to be done, and those of those few that I can remember, are Orrenges, Lemmons, Citrons, and the outer Bark of Walnuts which grows without the Shell, for the Shels themselves would make but scurvy Preserves, there be they I can remember, if there be any more put them into the number.
The way of Preserving these is not all one in Authors, for some are bitter, some are not, such as are bitter, say Authors, must be soaked in warm Water, often times changed till their bitter tast be fled, but I like not this way, and my reason is, because I doubt when their bitterness is gone, so is their Vertues also; I shall then prescribe one commmon way, namely the same with the former, viz. First boyl them whol till they be soft, then make a Syrup with Sugar and the Liquor you boyled them in, and keep the Barks in the Syrup.
5. They are kept in Glasses or glassed Pots.
6. The preserved Flowers will keep a yeer if you can forbear eating of them, the Roots and Barke much longer.
7. This Art was plainly and cleerly at first invented for delicacy, yet came afterwards to be of excellent use in Physick; For,
First, Hereby Medicines are made pleasant for sick and queazy Stomachs, which else would loath them.
2. Hereby they are preserved from decaying a long time.
There are preserved with Sugar,
1 Flowers.
2 Fruits.
3 Roots.
4 Barks.
1. Flowers are but very seldom preserved, I never saw any that I remember save only Cowslip Flowers, and that was a great fashion in Sussex when I was a boy; It is thus done, first, take a flat Glass, we call them jarr Glasses, strew in a lain of fine Sugar, on that a lain of Flowers, on that another lain of Sugar, on that another lain of Flowers, do so til your Glass be full, then tie it over with a paper, and in a little time you shall have very excellent and pleasant Preserves.
There is another way of Preserving Flowers, namely with Vinegar and Salt, as they pickle Capers and Broom Buds, but because I have little skill in it my self I canot teach you.
2. Fruits, as Quinces and the like are preserved two waies.
First, Boyl them well in Water, and then pulp them through a Sieve as we shewed you before; then with the like quantity of Sugar boyl the Water they were boyled in to a Syrup, viz. a pound of Sugar to a pint of Liquor, to every pound of this Syrup ad four ounces of the Pulp, then boyl it with a very gentle fire to the right consistence, which you may easily know if you drop a drop of it upon a Trencher, if it be enough it will not stick to your fingers when it is cold.
Secondly, Another way to preserve Fruits is this, First pare off the rind, then cut them in halves and take out the Core, then boyl them in Water till they are soft, If you know when Beef is boyled enough you may easily know when they are; then boyl the Water with its like waight of Sugar into a Syrup, put the Syrup into a Pot, and put the boyled Fruit as whol as you left it when you cut it into it, and let it so remain till you have occasion to use it.
3. Roots are thus preserved, First, scrape them very clean, and clense them from the Pith if they have any, for some Roots have not, as Eringo and the like, boyl them in Water till they be soft as we shew you before in the Fruits, then boyl the Water you boyled the Roots into a Syrup as we shewed you before, then keep the Roots whol in the Syrup till you use them.
4. As for Barks we have but few come to our hands to be done, and those of those few that I can remember, are Orrenges, Lemmons, Citrons, and the outer Bark of Walnuts which grows without the Shell, for the Shels themselves would make but scurvy Preserves, there be they I can remember, if there be any more put them into the number.
The way of Preserving these is not all one in Authors, for some are bitter, some are not, such as are bitter, say Authors, must be soaked in warm Water, often times changed till their bitter tast be fled, but I like not this way, and my reason is, because I doubt when their bitterness is gone, so is their Vertues also; I shall then prescribe one commmon way, namely the same with the former, viz. First boyl them whol till they be soft, then make a Syrup with Sugar and the Liquor you boyled them in, and keep the Barks in the Syrup.
5. They are kept in Glasses or glassed Pots.
6. The preserved Flowers will keep a yeer if you can forbear eating of them, the Roots and Barke much longer.
7. This Art was plainly and cleerly at first invented for delicacy, yet came afterwards to be of excellent use in Physick; For,
First, Hereby Medicines are made pleasant for sick and queazy Stomachs, which else would loath them.
2. Hereby they are preserved from decaying a long time.
Chap. 9. Of Lohochs.
1. That which the Arabians call Lohoch, and the Greeks Eclegma, the Latins call Linetus, and in plain English, signifies nothing else but a thing to be licked up.
2. Their first invention was to prevent and remedy afflictions of the Breast and Lungs, to clense the Lungs of Flegm, and make it fit to be cast out.
3. They are in Body thicker than a Syrup, and not so thick as an Electuary.
4. The manner of taking them is often to take a little with a Liquoris stick and let it go down at leisure.
5. They are easily thus made, make a Decoction of any pectoral Herbs, the Treatise will furnish you with enough, and when you have strained it, with twise its waight of Honey or Sugar, boyl it to a Lohoch; If you are molested with tough Flegm, Honey is better than Sugar, and if you ad a little Vinegar to it you will do well, if not, I hold Sugar to be better than Honey.
6. It is kept in Pots and will a yeer and longer.
7. Its use is excellent for roughness of the Windpipe, Inflamations of the Lungs, Ulcers in the Lungs, difficultie of Breath, Asthmaes, Coughs and distillation of Humors.
2. Their first invention was to prevent and remedy afflictions of the Breast and Lungs, to clense the Lungs of Flegm, and make it fit to be cast out.
3. They are in Body thicker than a Syrup, and not so thick as an Electuary.
4. The manner of taking them is often to take a little with a Liquoris stick and let it go down at leisure.
5. They are easily thus made, make a Decoction of any pectoral Herbs, the Treatise will furnish you with enough, and when you have strained it, with twise its waight of Honey or Sugar, boyl it to a Lohoch; If you are molested with tough Flegm, Honey is better than Sugar, and if you ad a little Vinegar to it you will do well, if not, I hold Sugar to be better than Honey.
6. It is kept in Pots and will a yeer and longer.
7. Its use is excellent for roughness of the Windpipe, Inflamations of the Lungs, Ulcers in the Lungs, difficultie of Breath, Asthmaes, Coughs and distillation of Humors.
Chap. 10. Of Oyntments.
1. Various are the waies of making Oyntments which Authors have left to posteritie, which I shall omit and quote one which is easiest to be made, and therefore most beneficial to people that are ignorant in Physick, for whose sakes I write this; It is thus done.
Bruise those Herbs, Flowers, or Roots you would make an Oyntment of, and to two handfuls of your bruised Herbs ad a pound of Hogs Grease tryed, or clensed from the skins, beat them very well together in a stone Mortar with a wooden Pestle, then put it in a stone Pot (the Herbs and Grease I mean, not the Mortar) cover it with a paper, and set it either in the Sun or some other warm place three, four, or fivs daies, that it may melt, then take it out and boyl it a little, then whilst it is hot, strain it out, pressing it out very hard in a Press, to this Grease ad as many more Herbs bruised as before, let them stand in like manner as long, then boyl them as you did the former, if you think your Oyntment be not strong enough you may do it the third and fourth time; yet this I tell you, the fuller of Juyce your Herbs are, the sooner will your Oyntment be strong, the last time you boyl it, boyl it so long till your Herbs be crisp and the Juyce consumed, then strain it, pressing it hard in a Press, and to every pound of Oyntment, ad two ounces of Turpentine, and as much Wax, because Grease is offensive to Wounds as well as Oyl,
2. Oyntments are vulgarly known to be kept in Pots, and will last above a yeer, above two yeer.
Bruise those Herbs, Flowers, or Roots you would make an Oyntment of, and to two handfuls of your bruised Herbs ad a pound of Hogs Grease tryed, or clensed from the skins, beat them very well together in a stone Mortar with a wooden Pestle, then put it in a stone Pot (the Herbs and Grease I mean, not the Mortar) cover it with a paper, and set it either in the Sun or some other warm place three, four, or fivs daies, that it may melt, then take it out and boyl it a little, then whilst it is hot, strain it out, pressing it out very hard in a Press, to this Grease ad as many more Herbs bruised as before, let them stand in like manner as long, then boyl them as you did the former, if you think your Oyntment be not strong enough you may do it the third and fourth time; yet this I tell you, the fuller of Juyce your Herbs are, the sooner will your Oyntment be strong, the last time you boyl it, boyl it so long till your Herbs be crisp and the Juyce consumed, then strain it, pressing it hard in a Press, and to every pound of Oyntment, ad two ounces of Turpentine, and as much Wax, because Grease is offensive to Wounds as well as Oyl,
2. Oyntments are vulgarly known to be kept in Pots, and will last above a yeer, above two yeer.
Chap. 11. Of Plaisters.
1. The Greeks made their Plaisters of diverse Simples and put Mettals in most of them if not in all, for having reduced their Mettals into Pouder they mixed them with that fatty substance, whereof the rest of the Plaister consisted. whilst it was yet hot, continually stirring it up and down lest it should sink to the bottom, so they continually stirred it till it was stiff, then they made it up in rolls, which when they need for use they could melt by the fire again.
2. The Arabians made up theirs wih Meals, Oyl, and Fat, which needed not so long boyling.
3. The Greeks Emplasters consisted of these Ingredients, Mettals, Stones, diverse sorts of Earths, Feces, Juyces, Liquoiris, Seeds, Roots, Herbs, Excrements of Creatures, Wax, Rozin, Gums.
2. The Arabians made up theirs wih Meals, Oyl, and Fat, which needed not so long boyling.
3. The Greeks Emplasters consisted of these Ingredients, Mettals, Stones, diverse sorts of Earths, Feces, Juyces, Liquoiris, Seeds, Roots, Herbs, Excrements of Creatures, Wax, Rozin, Gums.
Chap. 12. Of Pultisses.
1. Pultisses are those kind of things which the Latins call Cataplasmata, and our learned Fellows that if they can read English thats all, call them Cataplasms, because 'tis a crabbed word few understand; it is indeed a very fine kind of Medicine to ripen Sores,
2. They are made of Herbs and Roots fitted to the Disease and Member afflicted, being chopped smal and boyled in Water almost to a Jelly, then by adding a little Barley Meal or Meal of Lupines, and a little Oyl or rough Sheep Suet, which I hold to be better, spread upon a cloath and applied to the grieved place.
3. Their use is to ease pains, to break Sores, to cool Inflamations, to dissolve hardness, to ease the Spleen, to concoct Humors, to dissipate Swellings.
4. I beseech you take this Caution along with you, Use no Pultissees (if you can help it) that are of a heating Nature; before you have first clensed the Body, because they are subject to draw the Humors to them from every part of the Body.
2. They are made of Herbs and Roots fitted to the Disease and Member afflicted, being chopped smal and boyled in Water almost to a Jelly, then by adding a little Barley Meal or Meal of Lupines, and a little Oyl or rough Sheep Suet, which I hold to be better, spread upon a cloath and applied to the grieved place.
3. Their use is to ease pains, to break Sores, to cool Inflamations, to dissolve hardness, to ease the Spleen, to concoct Humors, to dissipate Swellings.
4. I beseech you take this Caution along with you, Use no Pultissees (if you can help it) that are of a heating Nature; before you have first clensed the Body, because they are subject to draw the Humors to them from every part of the Body.
Chap. 13. Of Troches.
1. The Latins call them Placentule, or little Cakes (and you might have seen what the Greeks call them too, had not the last Edition of my London Dispensatory been so hellishly printed, that's all the Commonwealth gets by one Stationer's printing anothers Coppies, viz. To plague the Country with false Prints, and disgrace the Author) [Greek script] they are usually little round flat Cakes, or you may make them square if you will.
2. Their first invention was, that Pouders being so kept might resist the intromission of Air and so endure pure the longer.
3. Besides, they are the easier carried in the Pockets of such as travel; many a man (for example) is forced to travel whose Stomach is too cold, or at least not so hot as it should be, which is most proper, for the Stomach is never cold till a man be dead; in such a case 'tis better to carry Troches of Wormwood or of Galanga, in a Paper in his Pocket and more convenient behalf than to lug a Gall-pot along with him.
4. They are thus made, At night when you go to bed, take two drams of fine Gum Tragacanth, put it into a Gally-pot, and put half a quarter of a pint of any distilled Water fitting the purpose you would make your Troches for, to it, cover it, and the next morning you shall find it in such a Jelly as Physitians call Mussilage, with this you may (with a little pains taking) make any Pouder into Past, and that Past into little Cakes called Troches.
5. Having made them, dry them well in the shadow and keep them in a Pot for your use.
2. Their first invention was, that Pouders being so kept might resist the intromission of Air and so endure pure the longer.
3. Besides, they are the easier carried in the Pockets of such as travel; many a man (for example) is forced to travel whose Stomach is too cold, or at least not so hot as it should be, which is most proper, for the Stomach is never cold till a man be dead; in such a case 'tis better to carry Troches of Wormwood or of Galanga, in a Paper in his Pocket and more convenient behalf than to lug a Gall-pot along with him.
4. They are thus made, At night when you go to bed, take two drams of fine Gum Tragacanth, put it into a Gally-pot, and put half a quarter of a pint of any distilled Water fitting the purpose you would make your Troches for, to it, cover it, and the next morning you shall find it in such a Jelly as Physitians call Mussilage, with this you may (with a little pains taking) make any Pouder into Past, and that Past into little Cakes called Troches.
5. Having made them, dry them well in the shadow and keep them in a Pot for your use.
Chap. 14. Of Pills.
1. They are called Pilulae because they resemble little Balls, the Greeks call them Catapotia.
2. It is the Opinion of Modern Physitians that this way of making up Medicines was invented only to deceive the Pallat, that so by swallowing them down whol, the bitterness of the medicine might not be perceived or at least it might not be unsufferable, and indeed most of their Pills though not all are very bitter.
3. I am of a clean contrary Opinion to this, I rather think they were done up in this hard form that so they might be the longer in digesting, and my Opinion is grounded upon Reason too, not upon Fancy nor Hear-say; The first invention of Pills was to purge the Head, now as I told you before, such Infirmities as lay neer the passages, were best removed by Decoctions, because they pass to the grieved part soonest, so here, if the infirmity lie in the Head or any other remote part, the best way is to use Pills, because they are longer in digestion, and therefore the better able to call the offending Humor to them.
4. If I should tell you here a long Tale of Medicines working by Sympathy and Antipathy, you would not understand a word of it, they that are fit to make Physitians may find it in the Treatise: All Modern Physitians know not what belonged to a Sympathetical Cure, no more than a Cookoo knows what belongs to Flats and Sharps in Musick, but follow the vulgar road, and call it a hidden quality because 'tis hid from the Eyes of Dunces, and indeed none but Astrologers can give a reason of it, and Physick without Reason is like a Pudding without Fat.
5. The way to make Pills is very easie, for with the help of a Pestle and Mortar and little diligence, you may make any Pouder into PiIls, either with Syrup or the Jelly I told you of before.
2. It is the Opinion of Modern Physitians that this way of making up Medicines was invented only to deceive the Pallat, that so by swallowing them down whol, the bitterness of the medicine might not be perceived or at least it might not be unsufferable, and indeed most of their Pills though not all are very bitter.
3. I am of a clean contrary Opinion to this, I rather think they were done up in this hard form that so they might be the longer in digesting, and my Opinion is grounded upon Reason too, not upon Fancy nor Hear-say; The first invention of Pills was to purge the Head, now as I told you before, such Infirmities as lay neer the passages, were best removed by Decoctions, because they pass to the grieved part soonest, so here, if the infirmity lie in the Head or any other remote part, the best way is to use Pills, because they are longer in digestion, and therefore the better able to call the offending Humor to them.
4. If I should tell you here a long Tale of Medicines working by Sympathy and Antipathy, you would not understand a word of it, they that are fit to make Physitians may find it in the Treatise: All Modern Physitians know not what belonged to a Sympathetical Cure, no more than a Cookoo knows what belongs to Flats and Sharps in Musick, but follow the vulgar road, and call it a hidden quality because 'tis hid from the Eyes of Dunces, and indeed none but Astrologers can give a reason of it, and Physick without Reason is like a Pudding without Fat.
5. The way to make Pills is very easie, for with the help of a Pestle and Mortar and little diligence, you may make any Pouder into PiIls, either with Syrup or the Jelly I told you of before.
Chap. ult.
The way of mixing Medicines according to the Cause of the Disease and part of the Body afflicted. This being indeed the Key of the Work, I shall be somthing, the more dilligent in it: I shall deliver my self thus;
1. To the Vulgar.
2. To such as study Astrology, or such as study Physick Astrologically.
First to the Vulgar: Kind souls I am sorry it hath been your hard mishap to have been so long trained in such Egyptian darkness, even darkness which to your sorrows may be felt; the vulgar road of Physick is not my practice, and I am therefore the more unfit to give you advice; and I have now published a little Book which will fully instruct you not only in the knowledg of your own Bodies but also in fit Medicines to remedy each part of it when afflicted, mean season take these few Rules to stay your Stomachs.
1. With the Disease regard the Cause and part of the Body afflicted, for example, suppose a Woman be subect to miscarry through wind, thus do,
1. Look [Abortion] in the Table of Diseases, and you shall be directed by that how many Herbs prevent miscarriage.
2. Look [Wind] in the same Table, and you shall see how many of those Herbs expell wind.
These are the Herbs Medicinal for your Grief.
2. In all Diseases strengthen the part of the Body afflicted.
3. In mixed Diseases there lies some difficulty, for somtimes two parts of the Body are afflicted with contrary Humors the one to the other, somtimes one part is afflicted with two contrary Humors, as somtimes the Liver is afflicted with Choller and Water, as when a man hath both a Dropsie and the yellow Jaundice, and this is usually mortal.
In the former, suppose the Brain be too cold and moist, and the Liver too hot and dry, thus do,
1. Keep your Head outwardly warm.
2. Accustom your self to smell of hot Herbs.
3. Take a Pill that heats the Head at night going to bed.
4. In the morning take a Decoction that cools the Liver, for that quickly passeth the Stomach, and is at the Liver immediately.
You must not think (Courteous People) that I can spend time to give you examples of all Diseases, these are enough to let you see so much light as you without Art are able to received, If I should set you to look upon the Sun I should dazle your eyes and make you blind.
Secondly, To such as study Astrology (who are the only men I know that are fit to study Physick, Physick without Astrology, being like a Lamp without Oyl) you are men I exceedingly respect, and such Documents as my Brain can give you at present (being absent from my study) I shall give you, and an example to shew the proof of them.
1. Fortifie the Body with Herbs of the Nature of the lord of the Ascendent, 'tis no matter whether he be a Fortune or an Infortune in this case.
2. Let your Medicine be somthing Antipathetical to the lord of the sixth.
3. Let your Medicine be somthing of the Nature of the Sign ascending.
4. If the lord of the Tenth be strong, make use of his Medicines.
5. If this cannot well be, make use of the Medicines of the light of time.
6. Be sure alwaies fortifie the grieved part of the body by Sympathetical Remedies.
7. Regard the Heart, keep that upon the Wheels because the Sun is the Fountain of Life, and therefore those Universal Remedies Aurum potabile, and the Phylosophers Stone, cure all Diseases by only fortifying the Heart.
But that this may appear unto you as cleer as the Sun when he is upon the Meridian, I here quote you an Example, which I performed when I was as far off from my study as I am now, yet am I not ashamed the world should see how much or little of my Lesson I have learned without Book.
On July, 25. 1651. there came a Letter to me out of Bedfordhsire, from a Gentleman (at that time) altogether to me unknown, though since well known, who was a Student both in Astrologie and Physick: The words which are these;
Mr. Culpeper,
My Love remembred unto you, although I know you not by face; yet because I do much respect that pretty little Lark, you so lately let fly into the world, which you call Semeiotica Uranica, which I have lately taken into my Cage; I am therefore imboldned to write unto you in the behalf of a Neighbors Wife, who is taken with a very violent Disease which began in the lowr parts of her Body, but is now ascended upwards, and tormenteth her in her Breast, Throat, Tongue, and Lips: This Disease took possession of her (as she relateth to me) about a fortnight before Michaelmas last, but the certain day and hour she is not able to nominate; she sent for me, and enquired whether she were not under an ill Tongue or not, or of what nature the Disease was: I have sent you the enclosed Scheam, I could find but one testimony of Fascination or Witchcraft, which was one Sign possessing the Cusps of the Twelfth and First Houses, which to me holds forth no more than a strong suspition of it by the Querent; However I am confident there is a natural Disease which hurts much, because the Lord of the Sixt, which usually gives signification of Natural Diseases, is now placed in the Ascendent; but at present I forbear to make any large discours of mine own Opinions, being desirous that you would endeavor your Skill in this Cure, for there is not a Doctor of them all far or near that have been so skilful to find out the Disease, much less to effect the Cure. Sr. I expect your Answer; mean time bid you farewel, and remain yours in Affection, &c.
The inclosed Scheam.
[Image of Scheme]
My Answer to the Letter, was to this effect.
Sir,
I received yours, July 25. wherein I find your enclosed Scheam, and (I suppose) the nature of the Disease, and have sent you such an Answer as I could, being far from my Study, which I entreat you to take in good part, being Fastinanti calamo Conscripta. As for the ignorance of your Country Doctors, they wanting the true Judgment of Astrology, is to me no waies admirable; I perceive you to be a yong man by the time of your Genesis, which you also sent me, beware whom you trust with that, he that knows your Nativity knows when ill Directions operate, and if he be an Enemy, knows when to do you a mischief; If Cecil had not had Essex his Nativity, he had never gotten his Head off, but to instruct you being a yong Student, I shall give you my Judgment Methodically.
Diacritica.
You say you can find no Arguments of Witchcraft, but only one Sign possessing the Cusps of both Twelth and Ascendent, but if you had regarded the Propinquity of Venus to Saturn you would have made another of that, yet do not I think she is bewitched, because of other more prevalent testimonies; the Moon passing from the beams of Mars to the beams of Venus may seem to give some suspition of Honesty, and the Disease to come that way, which is encreased by Mars his being in the Ascendent in Scorpio, and the Dragons Tail upon the Cusp, yet I can hardly beleeve this, for Cauda in a humane Sign usually gives Slanders and not Tales of Truth, 'tis a hundred to one if she suffer not in point of good name by the vulgar [this was too true] Besides, the neerness of Venus to Saturn may well shew trouble of mind, and it being in the ninth House, pray enquire whether she have not been troubled about some tenents in Religion [the trouble of mind was true, but it was about a stranger, which the ninth House also signifies.]
Diagnostica.
Venus, Lady of the Twelfth, and Ascendent, and Kigth, shews her alwaies to be her own foe in respect of Health; and truly I beleeve the original of the Disease was a Surfet either by eating moist Fruits, or else by catching wet in travelling; Venus with Saturn who is in square to the Ascendent troubles her Breast with tough Flegm and Melancholly: Besides, there being a most forcible reception between the Moon and Venus from fruitful Signs, I question whether she be not with Child or not, the Moon being in the fifth House, Mars is lord of the Disease, really in the Scorpion, and accidentally in the Ascendent, together with Aries on the sixt, shew the Disease keeps his Court in the Womb, and accidentaly afflicts the Head from thence, so that heat of the Womb must needs be cause of the present distemper, and Mars in a moist Sign in the first neer the second may well denote heat, and breaking out about her Face and Throat.
Prognostica.
Whether she be curable or not, or how or when the Disease will end is our next Point; Truly I can see no danger of death the Moon being strong in her hain, and applying by Trine with a strong reception to the Lady of the Ascendent; yet this is certain, Mars strong in a fixed Sign will maintain the Disease stoutly, her hopes will be but smal when Venus comes to the Body of Saturn, viz. August 2. for she will be overpressed with Melancholly, the time I suppose of her Cure may be (if good courses be taken) when Mars leaves the Sign he is in, and comes to the place where the Body of Jupiter is, or at least then it may turn to another Disease more propitious; the Sun strong in the Tenth shews she may be cured by Medicine, and he being exalted in the seventh, and caput there, I do not know but you are as likely a man to do it as any.
Indications Curative.
It is confessed here that the Sun being exceeding strong in the tenth House, should naturally signifie the curative Medicine, and as true that the evils of Mars, viz. heat in the Womb, and a salt humor in the blood ought to be removed before you meddle with the tough Flegm in the Breast, but yet seeing the Disease seems rather to participate of offending heat than any other Simple quality, you must have a care of hot Medicines lest you go about ignem oleo extinguere, the Medicines must 1. be cool, 2. strengthning the Womb, 3. repressing the vapors, 4. of the nature of Sol and Venus.
Therapeutice.
To this intent, I first commend unto you stinking Arrach, a pattern whereof I have sent you enclosed, you may find it upon Dunghils, especially such as are made of Horse dung: It is cold and moist, an Herb of Venus in the Scorpion; Also Ros Solis an Herb of the Sun and under the Coelestial Crab, may do very well, and the better because Venus is in Cancer: It grows upon Bogs in untilled places, and is in flower about this time, it grows very low, with roundish green leaves full of red hairs, and is fullest of dew when the Sun is hottest, whence it took its name; to these you may ad Tansie, which I take to be an Herb of Venus in Libra, and Lettice if you please which is an Herb of the Moon, Mars having his fall in Cancer they are all harmless, you may use them according to your own descretion: also Orpine, another Herb of the Moon is very good in this case.
Sir, I wish you well, and if you esteem of my Lark above his deserts, I pray trim his Feathers for him (correct the Errors by the Errata) else will he make but unpleasing Musick. Thus remain yours, &c.
I the rather chose this Figure to judg of, because none should have just occasion to say of us Astologers that we do as Physitians vulgar practice is, when they judg of Piss; first pump what they can out of the Querent, and then judg by his words; of which I will rehearse you one merry story, and so I will conclude the Book.
A Woman whose Husband had bruised himself, took his Water, and away to the Doctor trots she; the Doctor takes the Piss and shakes it about, How long hath this party been ill (saith he) Sr. saith the Woman, He hath been ill these two daies, This is a mans water quoth the Doctor presently, this he learned by the word HE; then looking on the water he spied blood in it, the man hath had a bruise saith he, I indeed saith the woman, my Husband fell down a pair of stairs backwards, then the Doctor knew well enough that what came first to danger must needs be his back and shoulders, said, the Bruise lay there; the woman she admired at the Doctors skil, and told him, that if he could tell her one thing more she would account him the ablest Physitian in Europe; well, what was that? How many Stairs her Husband fell down, this was a hard Question indeed, able to puzle a stronger Brain than Mr. Doctor had, to pumping goes he, and having taken the Urinal and given it a shake or two, enquires whereabout she lived, and knowing well the place, and that the Houses thereabouts were but low built Houses, made answer (after another view of the urine for fashion sake) that probably he might fall down some seven or eight stairs; ah, quoth the woman, now I see you know nothing, my Husband fell down thirty; thirthy! quoth the Doctor, and snatching up the Urinal, is here all the water saith he? no saith the woman, I spilt some in putting of it in, look you there quoth Mr. Doctor, there were all the other stairs spilt.
Yet mistake me not, I do not deny but such whose daily experience is to judg Waters, and usually judg a hundred in a day may know somthing by them: If any thing may be known by Urine, I am sure it may by Art, put them both together, vis unita fortior. Thus I take my leave of you; be diligent and I am yours.
Nich. Culpeper.
1. To the Vulgar.
2. To such as study Astrology, or such as study Physick Astrologically.
First to the Vulgar: Kind souls I am sorry it hath been your hard mishap to have been so long trained in such Egyptian darkness, even darkness which to your sorrows may be felt; the vulgar road of Physick is not my practice, and I am therefore the more unfit to give you advice; and I have now published a little Book which will fully instruct you not only in the knowledg of your own Bodies but also in fit Medicines to remedy each part of it when afflicted, mean season take these few Rules to stay your Stomachs.
1. With the Disease regard the Cause and part of the Body afflicted, for example, suppose a Woman be subect to miscarry through wind, thus do,
1. Look [Abortion] in the Table of Diseases, and you shall be directed by that how many Herbs prevent miscarriage.
2. Look [Wind] in the same Table, and you shall see how many of those Herbs expell wind.
These are the Herbs Medicinal for your Grief.
2. In all Diseases strengthen the part of the Body afflicted.
3. In mixed Diseases there lies some difficulty, for somtimes two parts of the Body are afflicted with contrary Humors the one to the other, somtimes one part is afflicted with two contrary Humors, as somtimes the Liver is afflicted with Choller and Water, as when a man hath both a Dropsie and the yellow Jaundice, and this is usually mortal.
In the former, suppose the Brain be too cold and moist, and the Liver too hot and dry, thus do,
1. Keep your Head outwardly warm.
2. Accustom your self to smell of hot Herbs.
3. Take a Pill that heats the Head at night going to bed.
4. In the morning take a Decoction that cools the Liver, for that quickly passeth the Stomach, and is at the Liver immediately.
You must not think (Courteous People) that I can spend time to give you examples of all Diseases, these are enough to let you see so much light as you without Art are able to received, If I should set you to look upon the Sun I should dazle your eyes and make you blind.
Secondly, To such as study Astrology (who are the only men I know that are fit to study Physick, Physick without Astrology, being like a Lamp without Oyl) you are men I exceedingly respect, and such Documents as my Brain can give you at present (being absent from my study) I shall give you, and an example to shew the proof of them.
1. Fortifie the Body with Herbs of the Nature of the lord of the Ascendent, 'tis no matter whether he be a Fortune or an Infortune in this case.
2. Let your Medicine be somthing Antipathetical to the lord of the sixth.
3. Let your Medicine be somthing of the Nature of the Sign ascending.
4. If the lord of the Tenth be strong, make use of his Medicines.
5. If this cannot well be, make use of the Medicines of the light of time.
6. Be sure alwaies fortifie the grieved part of the body by Sympathetical Remedies.
7. Regard the Heart, keep that upon the Wheels because the Sun is the Fountain of Life, and therefore those Universal Remedies Aurum potabile, and the Phylosophers Stone, cure all Diseases by only fortifying the Heart.
But that this may appear unto you as cleer as the Sun when he is upon the Meridian, I here quote you an Example, which I performed when I was as far off from my study as I am now, yet am I not ashamed the world should see how much or little of my Lesson I have learned without Book.
On July, 25. 1651. there came a Letter to me out of Bedfordhsire, from a Gentleman (at that time) altogether to me unknown, though since well known, who was a Student both in Astrologie and Physick: The words which are these;
Mr. Culpeper,
My Love remembred unto you, although I know you not by face; yet because I do much respect that pretty little Lark, you so lately let fly into the world, which you call Semeiotica Uranica, which I have lately taken into my Cage; I am therefore imboldned to write unto you in the behalf of a Neighbors Wife, who is taken with a very violent Disease which began in the lowr parts of her Body, but is now ascended upwards, and tormenteth her in her Breast, Throat, Tongue, and Lips: This Disease took possession of her (as she relateth to me) about a fortnight before Michaelmas last, but the certain day and hour she is not able to nominate; she sent for me, and enquired whether she were not under an ill Tongue or not, or of what nature the Disease was: I have sent you the enclosed Scheam, I could find but one testimony of Fascination or Witchcraft, which was one Sign possessing the Cusps of the Twelfth and First Houses, which to me holds forth no more than a strong suspition of it by the Querent; However I am confident there is a natural Disease which hurts much, because the Lord of the Sixt, which usually gives signification of Natural Diseases, is now placed in the Ascendent; but at present I forbear to make any large discours of mine own Opinions, being desirous that you would endeavor your Skill in this Cure, for there is not a Doctor of them all far or near that have been so skilful to find out the Disease, much less to effect the Cure. Sr. I expect your Answer; mean time bid you farewel, and remain yours in Affection, &c.
The inclosed Scheam.
[Image of Scheme]
My Answer to the Letter, was to this effect.
Sir,
I received yours, July 25. wherein I find your enclosed Scheam, and (I suppose) the nature of the Disease, and have sent you such an Answer as I could, being far from my Study, which I entreat you to take in good part, being Fastinanti calamo Conscripta. As for the ignorance of your Country Doctors, they wanting the true Judgment of Astrology, is to me no waies admirable; I perceive you to be a yong man by the time of your Genesis, which you also sent me, beware whom you trust with that, he that knows your Nativity knows when ill Directions operate, and if he be an Enemy, knows when to do you a mischief; If Cecil had not had Essex his Nativity, he had never gotten his Head off, but to instruct you being a yong Student, I shall give you my Judgment Methodically.
Diacritica.
You say you can find no Arguments of Witchcraft, but only one Sign possessing the Cusps of both Twelth and Ascendent, but if you had regarded the Propinquity of Venus to Saturn you would have made another of that, yet do not I think she is bewitched, because of other more prevalent testimonies; the Moon passing from the beams of Mars to the beams of Venus may seem to give some suspition of Honesty, and the Disease to come that way, which is encreased by Mars his being in the Ascendent in Scorpio, and the Dragons Tail upon the Cusp, yet I can hardly beleeve this, for Cauda in a humane Sign usually gives Slanders and not Tales of Truth, 'tis a hundred to one if she suffer not in point of good name by the vulgar [this was too true] Besides, the neerness of Venus to Saturn may well shew trouble of mind, and it being in the ninth House, pray enquire whether she have not been troubled about some tenents in Religion [the trouble of mind was true, but it was about a stranger, which the ninth House also signifies.]
Diagnostica.
Venus, Lady of the Twelfth, and Ascendent, and Kigth, shews her alwaies to be her own foe in respect of Health; and truly I beleeve the original of the Disease was a Surfet either by eating moist Fruits, or else by catching wet in travelling; Venus with Saturn who is in square to the Ascendent troubles her Breast with tough Flegm and Melancholly: Besides, there being a most forcible reception between the Moon and Venus from fruitful Signs, I question whether she be not with Child or not, the Moon being in the fifth House, Mars is lord of the Disease, really in the Scorpion, and accidentally in the Ascendent, together with Aries on the sixt, shew the Disease keeps his Court in the Womb, and accidentaly afflicts the Head from thence, so that heat of the Womb must needs be cause of the present distemper, and Mars in a moist Sign in the first neer the second may well denote heat, and breaking out about her Face and Throat.
Prognostica.
Whether she be curable or not, or how or when the Disease will end is our next Point; Truly I can see no danger of death the Moon being strong in her hain, and applying by Trine with a strong reception to the Lady of the Ascendent; yet this is certain, Mars strong in a fixed Sign will maintain the Disease stoutly, her hopes will be but smal when Venus comes to the Body of Saturn, viz. August 2. for she will be overpressed with Melancholly, the time I suppose of her Cure may be (if good courses be taken) when Mars leaves the Sign he is in, and comes to the place where the Body of Jupiter is, or at least then it may turn to another Disease more propitious; the Sun strong in the Tenth shews she may be cured by Medicine, and he being exalted in the seventh, and caput there, I do not know but you are as likely a man to do it as any.
Indications Curative.
It is confessed here that the Sun being exceeding strong in the tenth House, should naturally signifie the curative Medicine, and as true that the evils of Mars, viz. heat in the Womb, and a salt humor in the blood ought to be removed before you meddle with the tough Flegm in the Breast, but yet seeing the Disease seems rather to participate of offending heat than any other Simple quality, you must have a care of hot Medicines lest you go about ignem oleo extinguere, the Medicines must 1. be cool, 2. strengthning the Womb, 3. repressing the vapors, 4. of the nature of Sol and Venus.
Therapeutice.
To this intent, I first commend unto you stinking Arrach, a pattern whereof I have sent you enclosed, you may find it upon Dunghils, especially such as are made of Horse dung: It is cold and moist, an Herb of Venus in the Scorpion; Also Ros Solis an Herb of the Sun and under the Coelestial Crab, may do very well, and the better because Venus is in Cancer: It grows upon Bogs in untilled places, and is in flower about this time, it grows very low, with roundish green leaves full of red hairs, and is fullest of dew when the Sun is hottest, whence it took its name; to these you may ad Tansie, which I take to be an Herb of Venus in Libra, and Lettice if you please which is an Herb of the Moon, Mars having his fall in Cancer they are all harmless, you may use them according to your own descretion: also Orpine, another Herb of the Moon is very good in this case.
Sir, I wish you well, and if you esteem of my Lark above his deserts, I pray trim his Feathers for him (correct the Errors by the Errata) else will he make but unpleasing Musick. Thus remain yours, &c.
I the rather chose this Figure to judg of, because none should have just occasion to say of us Astologers that we do as Physitians vulgar practice is, when they judg of Piss; first pump what they can out of the Querent, and then judg by his words; of which I will rehearse you one merry story, and so I will conclude the Book.
A Woman whose Husband had bruised himself, took his Water, and away to the Doctor trots she; the Doctor takes the Piss and shakes it about, How long hath this party been ill (saith he) Sr. saith the Woman, He hath been ill these two daies, This is a mans water quoth the Doctor presently, this he learned by the word HE; then looking on the water he spied blood in it, the man hath had a bruise saith he, I indeed saith the woman, my Husband fell down a pair of stairs backwards, then the Doctor knew well enough that what came first to danger must needs be his back and shoulders, said, the Bruise lay there; the woman she admired at the Doctors skil, and told him, that if he could tell her one thing more she would account him the ablest Physitian in Europe; well, what was that? How many Stairs her Husband fell down, this was a hard Question indeed, able to puzle a stronger Brain than Mr. Doctor had, to pumping goes he, and having taken the Urinal and given it a shake or two, enquires whereabout she lived, and knowing well the place, and that the Houses thereabouts were but low built Houses, made answer (after another view of the urine for fashion sake) that probably he might fall down some seven or eight stairs; ah, quoth the woman, now I see you know nothing, my Husband fell down thirty; thirthy! quoth the Doctor, and snatching up the Urinal, is here all the water saith he? no saith the woman, I spilt some in putting of it in, look you there quoth Mr. Doctor, there were all the other stairs spilt.
Yet mistake me not, I do not deny but such whose daily experience is to judg Waters, and usually judg a hundred in a day may know somthing by them: If any thing may be known by Urine, I am sure it may by Art, put them both together, vis unita fortior. Thus I take my leave of you; be diligent and I am yours.
Nich. Culpeper.
ADDERS TONGUE
Description.
This small Herb hath but one Leaf; which grows with the Stalk a fingers length above the ground, being fat, and of a fresh green colour, broad like the Water Plantane (but less) without any middle Rib in it: from the bottom of which Leaf on the inside, riseth up (ordinarily) one, somtimes two or three small slender stalks, the upper half wherof is somwhat bigger, and dented with smal round dents of a yellowish green colour, like the Tongue of an Adder or Serpent (only this is as useful as they are formidable) The Root continues all the year.
Place.
It groweth in moist Meadows, and such like places.
Time.
And is to be found in April and May, for it quickly perisheth with a little heat.
Vertues and Use.
It is temperate, in respect of heat, but dry in the Second Degree. The Juyce of the Leaves drunk with the distilled Water of Horstail is a singular Remedy for all manner of wounds in the Breast, Bowels, or other parts of the body, and is given with good success unto those who are troubled with Casting, Vomiting, or bleeding at the Mouth or Nose, or otherwise downwards. The said Juyce 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. The Leaves infused or boyled in Oyl Omphacine, or unripe Olives set in the Sun for certain daies, or the green Leaves sufficiently boyled in the said Oyl, is made an excellent green Balsom, not only for green and fresh Wounds, but also for old and inveterate Ulcers, especially if a little fine clear Turpentine be dissolved therin: It also stayeth and represseth all inflamations that arise upon pains, by Hurts, or Wounds.
[EDGENOTE:] Wounds in the Breast, Bowels, Vomiting, Bleeding, Terms stops, Whites, Wounds, Ulcers, Inflamations in Wounds.
It is an Herb under the Dominion of the Moon in Cancer, and therfore if the weakness of the Rententive Faculty be caused by an evil influence of Saturn, in any part of the Body governed by the Moon, or under the Dominion of Cancer, this Herb cures it by Sympathy: It cures those Diseases before specified in any part of the Body under the influence of Saturn, by Antypathy.
What parts of the Body are under each Planet and Sign, and also what Diseases may be found in my Astrological Judgment of Diseases, and for the internal Work of Nature in the Body of Man, as Vital, Animal, Natural, and Procreative Spirit of Man, The Apprehension, Judgment, Memory, the external Sences, viz. Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, and Feelings; the Vertues, Attractive, Retentive, Digestive, Expulsive &c. under the Dominion of what Planets they are, may be found in my Ephemeris for the yeer 1651. in both which you shall find the Chaff of Authors blown away by the Fame of Dr Reason, and nothing but Rational Truths left for the Judgment of the Ingenious to feed upon.
Lastly, To avoid blotting Paper with one thing many times, and also to ease your Purses in the price of the Book, and withal to make you Studious in Physick, you have at the latter end of the Book, the way of preserving all Herbs either in Juyce, Conserve Oyl, Oyntment, or Plaister, Electuary Pill or Troches.
This small Herb hath but one Leaf; which grows with the Stalk a fingers length above the ground, being fat, and of a fresh green colour, broad like the Water Plantane (but less) without any middle Rib in it: from the bottom of which Leaf on the inside, riseth up (ordinarily) one, somtimes two or three small slender stalks, the upper half wherof is somwhat bigger, and dented with smal round dents of a yellowish green colour, like the Tongue of an Adder or Serpent (only this is as useful as they are formidable) The Root continues all the year.
Place.
It groweth in moist Meadows, and such like places.
Time.
And is to be found in April and May, for it quickly perisheth with a little heat.
Vertues and Use.
It is temperate, in respect of heat, but dry in the Second Degree. The Juyce of the Leaves drunk with the distilled Water of Horstail is a singular Remedy for all manner of wounds in the Breast, Bowels, or other parts of the body, and is given with good success unto those who are troubled with Casting, Vomiting, or bleeding at the Mouth or Nose, or otherwise downwards. The said Juyce 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. The Leaves infused or boyled in Oyl Omphacine, or unripe Olives set in the Sun for certain daies, or the green Leaves sufficiently boyled in the said Oyl, is made an excellent green Balsom, not only for green and fresh Wounds, but also for old and inveterate Ulcers, especially if a little fine clear Turpentine be dissolved therin: It also stayeth and represseth all inflamations that arise upon pains, by Hurts, or Wounds.
[EDGENOTE:] Wounds in the Breast, Bowels, Vomiting, Bleeding, Terms stops, Whites, Wounds, Ulcers, Inflamations in Wounds.
It is an Herb under the Dominion of the Moon in Cancer, and therfore if the weakness of the Rententive Faculty be caused by an evil influence of Saturn, in any part of the Body governed by the Moon, or under the Dominion of Cancer, this Herb cures it by Sympathy: It cures those Diseases before specified in any part of the Body under the influence of Saturn, by Antypathy.
What parts of the Body are under each Planet and Sign, and also what Diseases may be found in my Astrological Judgment of Diseases, and for the internal Work of Nature in the Body of Man, as Vital, Animal, Natural, and Procreative Spirit of Man, The Apprehension, Judgment, Memory, the external Sences, viz. Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, and Feelings; the Vertues, Attractive, Retentive, Digestive, Expulsive &c. under the Dominion of what Planets they are, may be found in my Ephemeris for the yeer 1651. in both which you shall find the Chaff of Authors blown away by the Fame of Dr Reason, and nothing but Rational Truths left for the Judgment of the Ingenious to feed upon.
Lastly, To avoid blotting Paper with one thing many times, and also to ease your Purses in the price of the Book, and withal to make you Studious in Physick, you have at the latter end of the Book, the way of preserving all Herbs either in Juyce, Conserve Oyl, Oyntment, or Plaister, Electuary Pill or Troches.
AGRIMONY
Description.
This hath divers long leaves (some greater, some smaller) set upon a Stalk, all of them dented about the edges, green above, and grayish underneath, and a little hairy withal: Among which ariseth up usually, but one strong, round, hairy, brown Stalk, two or three Foot high, with smaller Leaves set here and there upon it, at the top wherof grow many smal yellow Flowers one above another in long Spikes: after which come rough heads of Seeds hanging downwards which wil cleave to and stick upon Garments or any thing that shal rub against them. The Root is black, long, and somwhat woody, abiding many yeers and shooting afresh every Spring which Root, though smal hath a reasonable good scent.
Place.
It groweth upon Banks near the sides of Hedges, or Pales.
Time.
And it Flowreth in July and August, the Seed being ripe shortly after.
Vertues and Uses.
It is of a clensing and cutting faculty without any manifest heat, moderately drying and binding; It openeth and clenseth the Liver, helpeth the Jaundice, and is very beneficial to the Bowels, healing all inward Wounds, Bruises, Hurts, and other distempers. The Decoction of the Herb made with Wine and drunk is good against the stinging and biting of Serpents, and helps them that have foul, troubled, or bloody waters, and makes them piss cleer spedily; It also helpeth the Chollick, clenseth 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 Seed taken in Wine, stayeth the Bloody Flux. Outwardly applied, being stamped with old Swines grease, it helpeth old sores, Cancers, and inveterate Ulcers; and draweth forth Thorns, Splinters or Wood, Nails, or any other such thing gotten into the Flesh; it helpeth to strengthen the Members that be out of joynt; and being bruised and applied, or the Juyce dropped in, it helpeth foul and imposthumed Ears.
[EDGENOTE:] Clensing, Drying, Binding, Liver, Jaundice, Inward Wounds, Inward Bruises, Bloody and troubled urin, Chollick, Breast, Cough, Tertian and Quartan Agues, Bloody Flux, ulcers, Cancers, Thorns, Splinters and Nails in the flesh, Members out of joynt, Aposthumes.
The distilled Water of the Herb is good to all the said purposes, either inward or outward, but a great deal weaker.
It is an Herb under Jupiter, and the Sign of Cancer, and therfore strengthens those parts under that Planet and Sign, and removes Diseases in them by Sympathy, and those under Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, by Antipathy. If they happen in any part of the Body governed by Jupiter, or under the Signs, Cancer, Sagitary, or Pisces, and therfore must needs be good for the Gout, either used outwardly in an Oyl or Oyntment, or inwardly in an Electuary or Syrup, or concreated Juyce, for which see the latter end of the Book.
It is a most admirable remedy for such whose Livers are annoyed either by heat or cold. The Liver is the former of Blood, and Blood the Nourisher of the body, and Agrimony and Strengthner of the Liver.
I cannot stand to give you a Reason in every Herb why it cureth such Diseases, but if you please to peruse my Judgment in the Herb Wormwood you shall find them there, and it will be well worth your while to consider it in every Herb, you shall find them true throughout the Book.
This hath divers long leaves (some greater, some smaller) set upon a Stalk, all of them dented about the edges, green above, and grayish underneath, and a little hairy withal: Among which ariseth up usually, but one strong, round, hairy, brown Stalk, two or three Foot high, with smaller Leaves set here and there upon it, at the top wherof grow many smal yellow Flowers one above another in long Spikes: after which come rough heads of Seeds hanging downwards which wil cleave to and stick upon Garments or any thing that shal rub against them. The Root is black, long, and somwhat woody, abiding many yeers and shooting afresh every Spring which Root, though smal hath a reasonable good scent.
Place.
It groweth upon Banks near the sides of Hedges, or Pales.
Time.
And it Flowreth in July and August, the Seed being ripe shortly after.
Vertues and Uses.
It is of a clensing and cutting faculty without any manifest heat, moderately drying and binding; It openeth and clenseth the Liver, helpeth the Jaundice, and is very beneficial to the Bowels, healing all inward Wounds, Bruises, Hurts, and other distempers. The Decoction of the Herb made with Wine and drunk is good against the stinging and biting of Serpents, and helps them that have foul, troubled, or bloody waters, and makes them piss cleer spedily; It also helpeth the Chollick, clenseth 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 Seed taken in Wine, stayeth the Bloody Flux. Outwardly applied, being stamped with old Swines grease, it helpeth old sores, Cancers, and inveterate Ulcers; and draweth forth Thorns, Splinters or Wood, Nails, or any other such thing gotten into the Flesh; it helpeth to strengthen the Members that be out of joynt; and being bruised and applied, or the Juyce dropped in, it helpeth foul and imposthumed Ears.
[EDGENOTE:] Clensing, Drying, Binding, Liver, Jaundice, Inward Wounds, Inward Bruises, Bloody and troubled urin, Chollick, Breast, Cough, Tertian and Quartan Agues, Bloody Flux, ulcers, Cancers, Thorns, Splinters and Nails in the flesh, Members out of joynt, Aposthumes.
The distilled Water of the Herb is good to all the said purposes, either inward or outward, but a great deal weaker.
It is an Herb under Jupiter, and the Sign of Cancer, and therfore strengthens those parts under that Planet and Sign, and removes Diseases in them by Sympathy, and those under Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, by Antipathy. If they happen in any part of the Body governed by Jupiter, or under the Signs, Cancer, Sagitary, or Pisces, and therfore must needs be good for the Gout, either used outwardly in an Oyl or Oyntment, or inwardly in an Electuary or Syrup, or concreated Juyce, for which see the latter end of the Book.
It is a most admirable remedy for such whose Livers are annoyed either by heat or cold. The Liver is the former of Blood, and Blood the Nourisher of the body, and Agrimony and Strengthner of the Liver.
I cannot stand to give you a Reason in every Herb why it cureth such Diseases, but if you please to peruse my Judgment in the Herb Wormwood you shall find them there, and it will be well worth your while to consider it in every Herb, you shall find them true throughout the Book.
ALEHOOF, OR GROUND-IVY
Description.
This well known Herb, lieth, spreadeth, and creepeth upon the ground, shooting forth Roots, at the corners of the tender joynted Stalks, set all along with two round Leavs at every Joynt, somwhat hairy, crumpled, and unevenly dented about the edges with round dents: at the Joynts likewise with the Leaves towards the end of the Branches come forth hollow long Flowers of a blewish 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 wast grounds in almost every part of the Land.
Time.
They Flower somwhat early, and abide so a great while; the Leaves continue green untill Winter, and somtimes abide, except the Winter be very sharp and cold.
Vertues and Use.
It is quick, sharp, and bitter in tast, and is therby found to be hot and dry, a singular Herb for all inward Wounds, exulcerated Lungs, or other parts, either by it self or boyled with other the like Herbs: And being drunk, it in short time easeth all griping Pains, Windy and Chollerick Humors in the Stomach, Spleen, or Belly: helps the yellow Jaundice by opening the stoppings of the Gaul and Liver, and Melancholly by opening the stoppings of the Spleen, expelleth Venom or Poyson, and also the Plague, it provoketh Urin, and Womens Courses. The Decoction of it in Wine drunk for some time together procureth ease unto them that are troubled with the Sciatica or Hip Gout, as also the Gout in the Hands, Knees, or Feet: and if you put to the Decoction, some Honey, and a little Burnt Allum, 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 healeth green Wounds being bruised and bound therunto: The Juyce of it boyled with a little Hony & Verdigrees, doth wonderfully clens Fistula's Ulcers, and stayeth the spreading or eating of Cancers and Ulcers, It helpeth the Itch, Scabs, Wheals, and other breakings out in any part of the Body. The Juyce of Celondine, Field Daysies, and Ground-Ivy clarified, and a little fine Sugar dissolved therin and dropped into the Eyes is a Sovereign Remedy for all the Pains, Redness, and Watering of them; as also for the Pin and Web, Skins, and Films growing over the Sight; It helpeth Beasts as well as Men; The Juyce dropped into the Ears 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 so clarifie it in a night, that it will be the fitter to be drunk the next morning; or if any Drink be thick with removing or any other accident, it will do the like in a few hours.
[EDGENOTE:] Inward Wounds, Pains Gripping, Wind, Choller, Stomach, Spleen, Belly, Stopping in the Liver, Gaul, Plague, Poyson, Gout, Sciatica, sore Mouth & Throat, Ulcers in the Privities, Itch, Scabs, Pain in the Eye Redness watering of them, Ulcers, noise in the Ears Deafness.
It is an Herb of Venus, and thefore cures her Diseases by Sympathy, and those of Mars by Antipathy; how to preserve it all the yeer you shall find at the latter end of the Book.
This well known Herb, lieth, spreadeth, and creepeth upon the ground, shooting forth Roots, at the corners of the tender joynted Stalks, set all along with two round Leavs at every Joynt, somwhat hairy, crumpled, and unevenly dented about the edges with round dents: at the Joynts likewise with the Leaves towards the end of the Branches come forth hollow long Flowers of a blewish 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 wast grounds in almost every part of the Land.
Time.
They Flower somwhat early, and abide so a great while; the Leaves continue green untill Winter, and somtimes abide, except the Winter be very sharp and cold.
Vertues and Use.
It is quick, sharp, and bitter in tast, and is therby found to be hot and dry, a singular Herb for all inward Wounds, exulcerated Lungs, or other parts, either by it self or boyled with other the like Herbs: And being drunk, it in short time easeth all griping Pains, Windy and Chollerick Humors in the Stomach, Spleen, or Belly: helps the yellow Jaundice by opening the stoppings of the Gaul and Liver, and Melancholly by opening the stoppings of the Spleen, expelleth Venom or Poyson, and also the Plague, it provoketh Urin, and Womens Courses. The Decoction of it in Wine drunk for some time together procureth ease unto them that are troubled with the Sciatica or Hip Gout, as also the Gout in the Hands, Knees, or Feet: and if you put to the Decoction, some Honey, and a little Burnt Allum, 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 healeth green Wounds being bruised and bound therunto: The Juyce of it boyled with a little Hony & Verdigrees, doth wonderfully clens Fistula's Ulcers, and stayeth the spreading or eating of Cancers and Ulcers, It helpeth the Itch, Scabs, Wheals, and other breakings out in any part of the Body. The Juyce of Celondine, Field Daysies, and Ground-Ivy clarified, and a little fine Sugar dissolved therin and dropped into the Eyes is a Sovereign Remedy for all the Pains, Redness, and Watering of them; as also for the Pin and Web, Skins, and Films growing over the Sight; It helpeth Beasts as well as Men; The Juyce dropped into the Ears 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 so clarifie it in a night, that it will be the fitter to be drunk the next morning; or if any Drink be thick with removing or any other accident, it will do the like in a few hours.
[EDGENOTE:] Inward Wounds, Pains Gripping, Wind, Choller, Stomach, Spleen, Belly, Stopping in the Liver, Gaul, Plague, Poyson, Gout, Sciatica, sore Mouth & Throat, Ulcers in the Privities, Itch, Scabs, Pain in the Eye Redness watering of them, Ulcers, noise in the Ears Deafness.
It is an Herb of Venus, and thefore cures her Diseases by Sympathy, and those of Mars by Antipathy; how to preserve it all the yeer you shall find at the latter end of the Book.
ALEXANDER
Description.
It is usually sown in all the Gardens in Europe, and so well known, that it needs no further Description.
Time.
They Flower in June and July, and the Seed is ripe in August.
Vertues and Use.
It warmeth a cold Stomach, and openeth stoppings of the Liver and Spleen, it is good to move Womens Courses to expel the After-birth, to break Wind, to provoke Urine, and help the Strangury; and these things the Seeds wil do likewise, if either of them be boyled in Wine, or being bruised and taken in Wine, it is also effectual against the biting of Serpents. And now you know what Alexander Porredg which is so familiar in this City is good for, that you may no longer eat it out of ignorance but out of knowledg.
[EDGENOTE:] Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, provokes the Terms, Afterbirth, Wind, provokes urin, biting of Serpents.
It is usually sown in all the Gardens in Europe, and so well known, that it needs no further Description.
Time.
They Flower in June and July, and the Seed is ripe in August.
Vertues and Use.
It warmeth a cold Stomach, and openeth stoppings of the Liver and Spleen, it is good to move Womens Courses to expel the After-birth, to break Wind, to provoke Urine, and help the Strangury; and these things the Seeds wil do likewise, if either of them be boyled in Wine, or being bruised and taken in Wine, it is also effectual against the biting of Serpents. And now you know what Alexander Porredg which is so familiar in this City is good for, that you may no longer eat it out of ignorance but out of knowledg.
[EDGENOTE:] Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, provokes the Terms, Afterbirth, Wind, provokes urin, biting of Serpents.
BLACK ALDER-TREE
Description.
This Tree seldom groweth to any great bigness, but for the most part abideth like a Hedg, Bush, or Tree spreading into Branches, the Wood of the Body being white, and of a dark, red Core or Heart; the outward Bark is of a blackish colour, with many white spots theron: but the inner Bark next unto the Wood is yellow, which being chewed will turn the Spittle neer unto a Saffron colour. The Leaves are somwhat like those of the ordinary Alder-Tree, or the Foemale Cornel, or Dogberry-Tree, called in Sussex Dog-wood, but blacker, and not so long. The Flowers are white, coming forth with the Leaves at the Joynts, which turn into small round Berries, first green, afterwards red, but blackish when they are through ripe, divided as it were into two parts, wherin is contained two small round and flat Seeds: The Root runneth not deep into the Ground, but spreadeth rather under the upper crust of the earth.
Place.
This Tree or Shrub may be found plentifully in St. Johns Wood by Hornsey, and in the Woods upon Hamsted Heath; as also at a Wood called the old Park in Barcomb in Sussex, near the Brooks side.
Time.
It Flowereth in May, and the Berries are ripe in September.
Vertues and Use.
The inner yellow Bark herof purgeth downwards both Choller & Flegm, & the watry humors of such as have the Dropsie, and strengtheneth the inward parts again by binding.
[EDGENOTE:] Choller, Flegm.
If the Bark hereof be boyled with Agrimony, Wormwood, Dodder, Hops, and some Fennel, with Smalledg, Endive, and Succory Roots, and a reasonable draught taken every morning for some time together, it is very effectual against the Jaundice, Dropsie, and the evil disposition of the Body, especially if some sutable purging Medicine have been taken before to avoid the grosser excrements;
[EDGENOTE:] Jaundice, Dropsy, Cachexia, Liver, Spleen.It purgeth and strengtheneth the Liver and Spleen, clensing them from such evil humors, and hardness as they are afflicted with: It is to be understood that these things are performed by the dryed Bark, for the fresh green Bark taken inwardly provoketh strong Vomitings, pains in the Stomach, and gripings in the Belly: Yet if the Decoction may stand and settle two or three daies until the yellow colour be changed black, it will not work so strongly as before, but will strengthen the Stomach, and procure an Appetite to Meat.
[EDGENOTE:] Stomach weak, Apetite lost, Flux, Lice, Itch, Scabs, Tooth-ach, Teeth loos.
The outer Bark contrarywise doth bind the Body, and is helpful for all Lasks and Fluxes therof, but this must also be dried first, wherby it wil work the better. The inner Bark herof boyled in Vinegar, is an approved remedy to kill Lice, to cure the Itch, and take away Scabs by drying them up in a short time: It is singular good to wash the Teeth, to take away the Pains, to fasten those that are loos, to clens them, to keep them sound. The Leaves are good Fodder for Kine to make them give more Milk.
If in the Spring time you use the Herbs before mentioned and will but take a handful of each of them, and to them ad a handful of Elder Buds, and having bruised them all, boyl them in a Gallon of ordinary Beer when 'tis new, and having boyled them half an hour, ad this to three Gallons more, and let them work together, and drink a draught of it every morning half a pint or there about: It is an excellent Purge for the Spring, to consume that Flegmatick quality the Winter hath left behind it, and withal keep your Body in health, and consume those evil humors which the heat of Summer will readily stir up, esteem it as a Jewel.
This Tree seldom groweth to any great bigness, but for the most part abideth like a Hedg, Bush, or Tree spreading into Branches, the Wood of the Body being white, and of a dark, red Core or Heart; the outward Bark is of a blackish colour, with many white spots theron: but the inner Bark next unto the Wood is yellow, which being chewed will turn the Spittle neer unto a Saffron colour. The Leaves are somwhat like those of the ordinary Alder-Tree, or the Foemale Cornel, or Dogberry-Tree, called in Sussex Dog-wood, but blacker, and not so long. The Flowers are white, coming forth with the Leaves at the Joynts, which turn into small round Berries, first green, afterwards red, but blackish when they are through ripe, divided as it were into two parts, wherin is contained two small round and flat Seeds: The Root runneth not deep into the Ground, but spreadeth rather under the upper crust of the earth.
Place.
This Tree or Shrub may be found plentifully in St. Johns Wood by Hornsey, and in the Woods upon Hamsted Heath; as also at a Wood called the old Park in Barcomb in Sussex, near the Brooks side.
Time.
It Flowereth in May, and the Berries are ripe in September.
Vertues and Use.
The inner yellow Bark herof purgeth downwards both Choller & Flegm, & the watry humors of such as have the Dropsie, and strengtheneth the inward parts again by binding.
[EDGENOTE:] Choller, Flegm.
If the Bark hereof be boyled with Agrimony, Wormwood, Dodder, Hops, and some Fennel, with Smalledg, Endive, and Succory Roots, and a reasonable draught taken every morning for some time together, it is very effectual against the Jaundice, Dropsie, and the evil disposition of the Body, especially if some sutable purging Medicine have been taken before to avoid the grosser excrements;
[EDGENOTE:] Jaundice, Dropsy, Cachexia, Liver, Spleen.It purgeth and strengtheneth the Liver and Spleen, clensing them from such evil humors, and hardness as they are afflicted with: It is to be understood that these things are performed by the dryed Bark, for the fresh green Bark taken inwardly provoketh strong Vomitings, pains in the Stomach, and gripings in the Belly: Yet if the Decoction may stand and settle two or three daies until the yellow colour be changed black, it will not work so strongly as before, but will strengthen the Stomach, and procure an Appetite to Meat.
[EDGENOTE:] Stomach weak, Apetite lost, Flux, Lice, Itch, Scabs, Tooth-ach, Teeth loos.
The outer Bark contrarywise doth bind the Body, and is helpful for all Lasks and Fluxes therof, but this must also be dried first, wherby it wil work the better. The inner Bark herof boyled in Vinegar, is an approved remedy to kill Lice, to cure the Itch, and take away Scabs by drying them up in a short time: It is singular good to wash the Teeth, to take away the Pains, to fasten those that are loos, to clens them, to keep them sound. The Leaves are good Fodder for Kine to make them give more Milk.
If in the Spring time you use the Herbs before mentioned and will but take a handful of each of them, and to them ad a handful of Elder Buds, and having bruised them all, boyl them in a Gallon of ordinary Beer when 'tis new, and having boyled them half an hour, ad this to three Gallons more, and let them work together, and drink a draught of it every morning half a pint or there about: It is an excellent Purge for the Spring, to consume that Flegmatick quality the Winter hath left behind it, and withal keep your Body in health, and consume those evil humors which the heat of Summer will readily stir up, esteem it as a Jewel.
COMMON ALDER-TREE
Description.
Groweth to a reasonable heighth, and spreads much if it like the place; It is so generally wel known unto Country People that I conceive it needless to tel them that which is no news.
Place and Time.
It delighteth to grow in moist Woods and watry places, Flowring in April or May and yeilding ripe Seed in September.
Vertues and Use.
The Leaves and Bark of the Alder-Tree, are cooling, drying, and binding, The fresh Leaves laid upon swelling, dissolveth them, and staieth the Inflamations; The Leaves put under the bare Feet gauled with travelling are a great refreshing to them: The said Leaves gathered while the morning dew is on them, and brought into a chamber troubled with Fleas, wil gather them therinto, which being suddenly cast out wil rid the Chamber of those troublesom Bed-fellows.
[EDGENOTE:] Cooling, Drying, Binding, Swellings, Fleas.
It is a Tree under the Dominion of Venus, and of some watry Sign or other, I suppose Pisces, and therfore the Decoction, or distilled Water of the Leaves is excellent against Burnings, and Inflamation, either with Wounds or without, to bath the place grieved with, and especially for that inflamation in the Breast which the vulgar call an Ague.
[EDGENOTE:] Burnings, Inflamations.
If you cannot get the Leaves, as in Winter 'tis impossible, make use of the Bark in the same manner.
Groweth to a reasonable heighth, and spreads much if it like the place; It is so generally wel known unto Country People that I conceive it needless to tel them that which is no news.
Place and Time.
It delighteth to grow in moist Woods and watry places, Flowring in April or May and yeilding ripe Seed in September.
Vertues and Use.
The Leaves and Bark of the Alder-Tree, are cooling, drying, and binding, The fresh Leaves laid upon swelling, dissolveth them, and staieth the Inflamations; The Leaves put under the bare Feet gauled with travelling are a great refreshing to them: The said Leaves gathered while the morning dew is on them, and brought into a chamber troubled with Fleas, wil gather them therinto, which being suddenly cast out wil rid the Chamber of those troublesom Bed-fellows.
[EDGENOTE:] Cooling, Drying, Binding, Swellings, Fleas.
It is a Tree under the Dominion of Venus, and of some watry Sign or other, I suppose Pisces, and therfore the Decoction, or distilled Water of the Leaves is excellent against Burnings, and Inflamation, either with Wounds or without, to bath the place grieved with, and especially for that inflamation in the Breast which the vulgar call an Ague.
[EDGENOTE:] Burnings, Inflamations.
If you cannot get the Leaves, as in Winter 'tis impossible, make use of the Bark in the same manner.
ANGELICA
To write a Description of that which is so well known to be growing in almost every Garden, I suppose is altogether needless: yet for its Vertues it is of admirable use.
In times of Heathenism when men had found out any excellent Herb &c. they dedicated it to their gods, As the Bay-tree to Apollo, the Oak to Jupiter, the Vine to Bacchus, the Poplar to Hercules: These the Papists following as their Patriarchs, they dedicate them to their Saints, as our Ladies Thistle to the Blessed Virgin, St. Johns Wort to St. John, and another Wort to St. Peter, &c. Our Physitians must imitate like Apes, (though they cannot come off half so cleverly) for they Blasphemously call Pansies, or Hartseas, an Herb of the Trinity, because it is of three colours: and a certain Oyntment, an Oyntment of the Apostles, because it consisteth of twelve Ingredients; Alas poor Fools, I am sorry for their folly, and grieved at their Blasphemy; God send them the rest of their Age, for they have their share of Ignorance already; O! why must ours be Blasphemous becaus the Heathens and Papists were Idolatrous? certainly they have read so much in old rustie Authors, that they have lost all their Decmity, for unless it were amongst the ranters, I never read or heard of such Blasphemy: The Heathens and Papists were bad, and ours wors, the Papists giving Idolatrous Names to Herbs for their Vertues sake, not for their fair looks; and thefore some called this an Herb of the Holy Ghost, others more moderate called it Angelica, becaus of its Angelical Vertues, and that name it retains still, and all Nations follow it so near as their Dialect will permit.
Vertues and Uses.
It resists Poyson, by defending and comforting the Heart, Bleed, and Spirits, it doth the like against the Plague, and all Epidemical Diseases if the Root be taken in pouder to the waight of half a dram at a time with some good Triacle in Cardus Water, and the party therupon laid to sweat in his Bed. If Treacle be not at hand, take it alone in Cardus or Angelica Water.
[EDGENOTE:] Poyson, Pestilence, Epidemical Diseases.
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 somtimes fasting, and the Root smelled unto is good for the same purpose. A water distilled from the Root simply, or steeped in Wine and distilled in Glass, is much more effectual than the Water of the Leaves; and this Water drunk two or three spoonfuls at a time, easeth all Pains and Torments coming of Cold and Wind, so as the Body be not bound: and taken with some of the Root in Pouder at the beginning helpeth the Pluresy, as also all other Diseases of the Lungues and Breast, as Coughs, Phthisick, and shortness of Breath; and a Syrup of the Stalks doth the like: It helps pains of the Colick, the Strangury, and stopping of the Urin, procureth Womens Courses, and expelleth the After-birth, openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen, and briefly easeth and discusseth al windiness and inward swellings.
[EDGENOTE:] Chollick, provokes the Terms, afterbirth, stoppings of the Liver and Spleen, Indigestion, Surfets, Toothach, biting of Mad-dogs.
The Decoction drunk before the fit of an Ague, that they may sweat (if possible) before the fit come, wil in two or three times taking rid it quite away: It helps digestion, and is a remedy for a Surfet. The Juyce or the Water being dropped into the Eyes or Ears, helps dimness of sight and deafness: The Juyce put into the hollow Teeth, easeth their pains. The Roots in Pouder made up into a Plaister with a little Pitch; and laid on the biting of a mad-Dog, or any other venemous creature, doth wonderfully help: The Juyce or the Water dropped, or tents wet therin, and put into old filthy deep Ulcers, Or the Pouder of the Root (in want of either) doth clens and cause them to heal quickly, by covering the naked Bones with Flesh. The distilled Water applied to places pained with the Gout or Sciatica, doth give a great deal of ease.
[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Gout, Sciatica.
The wild Angelica is not so effectual as the Garden, although it may be safly used to all the purpose aforesaid.
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 Plants, and you may happen do wonders. In all Epidemical Diseases caused by Saturn this is as good a Preservative as grows.
In times of Heathenism when men had found out any excellent Herb &c. they dedicated it to their gods, As the Bay-tree to Apollo, the Oak to Jupiter, the Vine to Bacchus, the Poplar to Hercules: These the Papists following as their Patriarchs, they dedicate them to their Saints, as our Ladies Thistle to the Blessed Virgin, St. Johns Wort to St. John, and another Wort to St. Peter, &c. Our Physitians must imitate like Apes, (though they cannot come off half so cleverly) for they Blasphemously call Pansies, or Hartseas, an Herb of the Trinity, because it is of three colours: and a certain Oyntment, an Oyntment of the Apostles, because it consisteth of twelve Ingredients; Alas poor Fools, I am sorry for their folly, and grieved at their Blasphemy; God send them the rest of their Age, for they have their share of Ignorance already; O! why must ours be Blasphemous becaus the Heathens and Papists were Idolatrous? certainly they have read so much in old rustie Authors, that they have lost all their Decmity, for unless it were amongst the ranters, I never read or heard of such Blasphemy: The Heathens and Papists were bad, and ours wors, the Papists giving Idolatrous Names to Herbs for their Vertues sake, not for their fair looks; and thefore some called this an Herb of the Holy Ghost, others more moderate called it Angelica, becaus of its Angelical Vertues, and that name it retains still, and all Nations follow it so near as their Dialect will permit.
Vertues and Uses.
It resists Poyson, by defending and comforting the Heart, Bleed, and Spirits, it doth the like against the Plague, and all Epidemical Diseases if the Root be taken in pouder to the waight of half a dram at a time with some good Triacle in Cardus Water, and the party therupon laid to sweat in his Bed. If Treacle be not at hand, take it alone in Cardus or Angelica Water.
[EDGENOTE:] Poyson, Pestilence, Epidemical Diseases.
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 somtimes fasting, and the Root smelled unto is good for the same purpose. A water distilled from the Root simply, or steeped in Wine and distilled in Glass, is much more effectual than the Water of the Leaves; and this Water drunk two or three spoonfuls at a time, easeth all Pains and Torments coming of Cold and Wind, so as the Body be not bound: and taken with some of the Root in Pouder at the beginning helpeth the Pluresy, as also all other Diseases of the Lungues and Breast, as Coughs, Phthisick, and shortness of Breath; and a Syrup of the Stalks doth the like: It helps pains of the Colick, the Strangury, and stopping of the Urin, procureth Womens Courses, and expelleth the After-birth, openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen, and briefly easeth and discusseth al windiness and inward swellings.
[EDGENOTE:] Chollick, provokes the Terms, afterbirth, stoppings of the Liver and Spleen, Indigestion, Surfets, Toothach, biting of Mad-dogs.
The Decoction drunk before the fit of an Ague, that they may sweat (if possible) before the fit come, wil in two or three times taking rid it quite away: It helps digestion, and is a remedy for a Surfet. The Juyce or the Water being dropped into the Eyes or Ears, helps dimness of sight and deafness: The Juyce put into the hollow Teeth, easeth their pains. The Roots in Pouder made up into a Plaister with a little Pitch; and laid on the biting of a mad-Dog, or any other venemous creature, doth wonderfully help: The Juyce or the Water dropped, or tents wet therin, and put into old filthy deep Ulcers, Or the Pouder of the Root (in want of either) doth clens and cause them to heal quickly, by covering the naked Bones with Flesh. The distilled Water applied to places pained with the Gout or Sciatica, doth give a great deal of ease.
[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Gout, Sciatica.
The wild Angelica is not so effectual as the Garden, although it may be safly used to all the purpose aforesaid.
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 Plants, and you may happen do wonders. In all Epidemical Diseases caused by Saturn this is as good a Preservative as grows.
APPLES
A Word or two of the most usual kinds of Apples, though the Colledg of Physitians make use of none but such as Vulgo vulgati, Pearmains, vel Pippins.
[EDGENOTE:] Fainting Stomach, Loos Bellies, Thirst, Flegm.
Apples in general are cold and windy, and being of sundry tasts, Galen sheweth thereby how to distinguish them: Som have a sharp tast, and are good for fainting Stomachs and loos Bellies; others sowr, good to cool and quench thirst; som sharp, fit to cut gross flegm; som sweet, soon destributed in the Body, and as soon passed away, yet sooner corrupted in the Stomach if they be staid: The best sorts before they be throughly ripe are to be avoided; then to be roasted or scalded is the best way to take them and a little Spice or Seeds cast upon them and taken after meat, do strengthen both Stomach and Bowels, especially in those that loath, or hardly digest their meat, or are given to casting, or have a Flux or Lask: Those that are a little sowr and harsh used in that manner are fittest: Sweet Apples loosen the Belly and drive forth Worms; Sowr Apples stop the Belly, and provoke Urin; and Crabs for this purpose are fittest: The sweet Apples as the Pippin and Pearmain, help to dissolve Melancholly humors, and to procure Mirth, and therfore are fittest for Confectio Alkermes, and Syrupus de Pomis.
[EDGENOTE:] Stomach, Bowels, Vomiting, Flux, Loosen Worms, Melancholly, Agues, heat of the Liver and Stomach.
The Leavs boyled and given to drink in hot Agues, where the heat of the Liver and Stomach causeth the Lips to break out, and the Throat to grow dry, harsh and furred, is very good to wash and gargle it withal, and to drink down som. This may to good purpose be used when better things are not at hand, or cannot be had. The Juyce of Crabs either Verjuyce or Cider, is of singular good use in the Heat and faintings of the Stomach, and against Casting to make a Posset with, or taken som of it alone by it self. The Juyce of Crabs, or Cider applied with wet cloaths therein to scalded or burnt places, cooleth, healeth, and draweth forth the Fire. A rotten Apple applied to Eyes bloodshotten, or enflamed with heat, or that are black and blue about them by any stroke of fall, and bound too all day or night, helpeth them quickly.
[EDGENOTE:] Scalding, Burning, Eyes, Inflamation, Ulcers, Spots, Freckles.
The distilled Water of rotten Apples doth cool the heat and inflamations of Sores, and is good to bath foul creeping Ulcers, and to wash the Face to take away Spots, Freckles or other discolorings. The distilled Water of good and sound Apples is of special good use to procure Mirth, and expel Melancholly. The ointment called Pomatum, if sweet and well made, helpeth the Chops in the Lips or Hands, and maketh smooth and supple the rough Skin of the Hands or Face parched with wind or other accidents.
[EDGENOTE:] Chaps in the Lips & Hands.
Thus my Authors.
All that I can say of Apples is this:
1 That they are extream windy.
2 That they provoke Urin, being roasted (especially Pomwaters) and mixed with fair Water, and drunk up at night going to bed; half a dozen great ones mixed with a quart of Water, excellently provokes Urin, if there be no material stone in the Body: This I had of Gerhard, and have often known it proved, and alwaies with good success. All Apples loosen the Belly and pleasure the Stomach by their coolness.
[EDGENOTE:] Fainting Stomach, Loos Bellies, Thirst, Flegm.
Apples in general are cold and windy, and being of sundry tasts, Galen sheweth thereby how to distinguish them: Som have a sharp tast, and are good for fainting Stomachs and loos Bellies; others sowr, good to cool and quench thirst; som sharp, fit to cut gross flegm; som sweet, soon destributed in the Body, and as soon passed away, yet sooner corrupted in the Stomach if they be staid: The best sorts before they be throughly ripe are to be avoided; then to be roasted or scalded is the best way to take them and a little Spice or Seeds cast upon them and taken after meat, do strengthen both Stomach and Bowels, especially in those that loath, or hardly digest their meat, or are given to casting, or have a Flux or Lask: Those that are a little sowr and harsh used in that manner are fittest: Sweet Apples loosen the Belly and drive forth Worms; Sowr Apples stop the Belly, and provoke Urin; and Crabs for this purpose are fittest: The sweet Apples as the Pippin and Pearmain, help to dissolve Melancholly humors, and to procure Mirth, and therfore are fittest for Confectio Alkermes, and Syrupus de Pomis.
[EDGENOTE:] Stomach, Bowels, Vomiting, Flux, Loosen Worms, Melancholly, Agues, heat of the Liver and Stomach.
The Leavs boyled and given to drink in hot Agues, where the heat of the Liver and Stomach causeth the Lips to break out, and the Throat to grow dry, harsh and furred, is very good to wash and gargle it withal, and to drink down som. This may to good purpose be used when better things are not at hand, or cannot be had. The Juyce of Crabs either Verjuyce or Cider, is of singular good use in the Heat and faintings of the Stomach, and against Casting to make a Posset with, or taken som of it alone by it self. The Juyce of Crabs, or Cider applied with wet cloaths therein to scalded or burnt places, cooleth, healeth, and draweth forth the Fire. A rotten Apple applied to Eyes bloodshotten, or enflamed with heat, or that are black and blue about them by any stroke of fall, and bound too all day or night, helpeth them quickly.
[EDGENOTE:] Scalding, Burning, Eyes, Inflamation, Ulcers, Spots, Freckles.
The distilled Water of rotten Apples doth cool the heat and inflamations of Sores, and is good to bath foul creeping Ulcers, and to wash the Face to take away Spots, Freckles or other discolorings. The distilled Water of good and sound Apples is of special good use to procure Mirth, and expel Melancholly. The ointment called Pomatum, if sweet and well made, helpeth the Chops in the Lips or Hands, and maketh smooth and supple the rough Skin of the Hands or Face parched with wind or other accidents.
[EDGENOTE:] Chaps in the Lips & Hands.
Thus my Authors.
All that I can say of Apples is this:
1 That they are extream windy.
2 That they provoke Urin, being roasted (especially Pomwaters) and mixed with fair Water, and drunk up at night going to bed; half a dozen great ones mixed with a quart of Water, excellently provokes Urin, if there be no material stone in the Body: This I had of Gerhard, and have often known it proved, and alwaies with good success. All Apples loosen the Belly and pleasure the Stomach by their coolness.
ARRACH WILD & STINKING
Description.
This hath small and almost round Leaves, yet a little pointed and without dent or cut, of a dusky mealy colour, growing on the slender Stalks and Branches that spread on the ground, with smal Flowers in clusters set with the Leaves, and small Seeds succeeding like the rest, perishing yearly, and rising again with its own sowing. It smels like old rotten Fish, or somthing worse.
Place.
It grows usually upon Dunghills.
Time.
They flower in June and July, and their Seed is ripe quickly after.
Vertues and Use.
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 not a better Remedy under the Moon for that Disease. I would be large in commendation of this Herb, were I but Eloquent.
[EDGENOTE:] Mother, Womb.
It is an Herb under the dominion of Venus, and under the sign Scorpio: It is common almost upon every Dunghil. The Works of God are given freely to Man, his Medicins are common and cheap, and easie to be found: 'tis the Medicines of the Colledg of Physitians that are so dear and scarce to find) I commend it for an Universal Medicine for the Womb, and such a Medicine as will easily, safly, and speedily cure any Diseas therof, as the fits of the Mother, Dislocation or falling out therof; it cools the
Womb being over-heated. (And let me tel you this, and I wil tel you but the truth, Heat of the womb is one of the greatest causes of hard labor in Childbirth) It makes barren women fruitful, it clenseth the Womb if it be foul and strengthens it exceedingly; it provokes the 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; therfore if you love Children, if you love Health, if you love Ease, keep a Syrup alwaies by you made of the juyce of this Herb and Sugar (or Honey if it be to clens the Womb) and let such as be rich keep it for their poor neighbors, and bestow it as freely as I bestow my studies upon them, or els let them look to answer it another day when the Lord shall come to make inquisition for Bloud.
This hath small and almost round Leaves, yet a little pointed and without dent or cut, of a dusky mealy colour, growing on the slender Stalks and Branches that spread on the ground, with smal Flowers in clusters set with the Leaves, and small Seeds succeeding like the rest, perishing yearly, and rising again with its own sowing. It smels like old rotten Fish, or somthing worse.
Place.
It grows usually upon Dunghills.
Time.
They flower in June and July, and their Seed is ripe quickly after.
Vertues and Use.
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 not a better Remedy under the Moon for that Disease. I would be large in commendation of this Herb, were I but Eloquent.
[EDGENOTE:] Mother, Womb.
It is an Herb under the dominion of Venus, and under the sign Scorpio: It is common almost upon every Dunghil. The Works of God are given freely to Man, his Medicins are common and cheap, and easie to be found: 'tis the Medicines of the Colledg of Physitians that are so dear and scarce to find) I commend it for an Universal Medicine for the Womb, and such a Medicine as will easily, safly, and speedily cure any Diseas therof, as the fits of the Mother, Dislocation or falling out therof; it cools the
Womb being over-heated. (And let me tel you this, and I wil tel you but the truth, Heat of the womb is one of the greatest causes of hard labor in Childbirth) It makes barren women fruitful, it clenseth the Womb if it be foul and strengthens it exceedingly; it provokes the 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; therfore if you love Children, if you love Health, if you love Ease, keep a Syrup alwaies by you made of the juyce of this Herb and Sugar (or Honey if it be to clens the Womb) and let such as be rich keep it for their poor neighbors, and bestow it as freely as I bestow my studies upon them, or els let them look to answer it another day when the Lord shall come to make inquisition for Bloud.
ARCHANGEL
To put a gloss upon their practice; the Physitians call an Herb (which Country people vulgarly know by the name of Dead-Nettles) Archangel, wherein whether they favor of more Superstition or Folly I leave to the judicious Reader. There is more curiosity than courtesie to my Countrymen used by others in the explaination, aswel of the Names as Description of this so wel-known an Herb; which that I may not also be guilty of, Take this short Description first of the Red-Archangel.
Description.
This hath divers square stalks somwhat hairy, at the joynts whereof grow two sad green Leaves dented about the edges, opposit to one another, the lowermost upon long footstalks, but without any toward the tops which are somwhat round, yet pointed, and a little crumpled and hairy: Round about the upper Joynts where the Leaves grow thick, are sundry gaping Flowers of a pale reddish colour, after which com the Seeds three or four in a Husk. The Root is small and thriddy, perishing every year: the whol Plant hath a strong scent, but not stinking.
White-Archangel hath diverse square stalks not standing streight upright but bending downward, wheron stand two Leavs at a Joynt, larger and more pointed than the other, dented about the edges and greener also more like unto Nettle-Leavs, but not stinking, yet hairy: At the Joynts with three Leavs stand larger and more open gaping white Flowers, in Husks round about the Stalks (but not with such a bush of Leavs, as Flowers set in the top, as in on the other) wherin stand smal roundish black Seeds: The Root is white, with many strings at it, not growing downward but lying under the upper crust of the Earth, and abideth many years encreasing: This hath not so strong a scent as the former.
Yellow-Archangel is like the White in the Stalks and Leavs, but that the Stalks are more streight and upright, and the Joynts with Leaves are further asunder, having longer Leavs than the former; and the Flowers a little larger and more gaping, of a fair yellow colour in most, in som paler. The Roots are like the White, only they creep not so much under the ground.
Place.
They grow almost everywhere, (unless it be in the middle of the street) the Yellow most usually in the wet grounds of Woods, and somtimes in the dryer, in divers countries of this Nation.
Time.
They flower from the begining of the spring all the summer long.
Vertues and Use.
The Archangels are somwhat hot and dryer than the stinking Nettles, and used with better success for the stopping and hardness of the Spleen than they by using the Decoction of the Herb in Wine, and afterwards applying the Herb hot unto the Region of the Spleen as a Plaister, or the Decoction with Spunges.
[EDGENOTE:] Spleen.
The Flowers of the White Archangel are preserved, or conserved to be used to stay the Whites and the Flowers of the Red to stay the Reds in Women. It makes the Heart merry, drives away Melancholly, quickens the Spirits, is good against Quartan Agues, stancheth bleedings at Mouth or Nose, if it be stamped and applied to the nape of the Neck: The Herb also brused and with some Salt and Vinegar, and Hogs Greas laid upon any hard tumor or swelling; or that which is vulgarly called the Kings Evil, doth help to dissolve or discuss them, and being in like manner applied doth much allay the pains and give eas to the Gout, Sciatica, and other aches of the Joynts and Sinews: It is also very effectual to heal all 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 filty corrupt Sores and Ulcers, yea, although they grow to be hollow; and to dissolve tumors. The chief use of them is for Women it being an Herb of Venus, and may be found in my Guide for Women.
[EDGENOTE:] White, Red and yellow Flux. Melancholy, Quartan Agues, Bleeding at Nose, Swelling, Kings Evil, Gout, Sciatica, Joynts, Ulcers, Old sores, Bruises, Burnings.
Description.
This hath divers square stalks somwhat hairy, at the joynts whereof grow two sad green Leaves dented about the edges, opposit to one another, the lowermost upon long footstalks, but without any toward the tops which are somwhat round, yet pointed, and a little crumpled and hairy: Round about the upper Joynts where the Leaves grow thick, are sundry gaping Flowers of a pale reddish colour, after which com the Seeds three or four in a Husk. The Root is small and thriddy, perishing every year: the whol Plant hath a strong scent, but not stinking.
White-Archangel hath diverse square stalks not standing streight upright but bending downward, wheron stand two Leavs at a Joynt, larger and more pointed than the other, dented about the edges and greener also more like unto Nettle-Leavs, but not stinking, yet hairy: At the Joynts with three Leavs stand larger and more open gaping white Flowers, in Husks round about the Stalks (but not with such a bush of Leavs, as Flowers set in the top, as in on the other) wherin stand smal roundish black Seeds: The Root is white, with many strings at it, not growing downward but lying under the upper crust of the Earth, and abideth many years encreasing: This hath not so strong a scent as the former.
Yellow-Archangel is like the White in the Stalks and Leavs, but that the Stalks are more streight and upright, and the Joynts with Leaves are further asunder, having longer Leavs than the former; and the Flowers a little larger and more gaping, of a fair yellow colour in most, in som paler. The Roots are like the White, only they creep not so much under the ground.
Place.
They grow almost everywhere, (unless it be in the middle of the street) the Yellow most usually in the wet grounds of Woods, and somtimes in the dryer, in divers countries of this Nation.
Time.
They flower from the begining of the spring all the summer long.
Vertues and Use.
The Archangels are somwhat hot and dryer than the stinking Nettles, and used with better success for the stopping and hardness of the Spleen than they by using the Decoction of the Herb in Wine, and afterwards applying the Herb hot unto the Region of the Spleen as a Plaister, or the Decoction with Spunges.
[EDGENOTE:] Spleen.
The Flowers of the White Archangel are preserved, or conserved to be used to stay the Whites and the Flowers of the Red to stay the Reds in Women. It makes the Heart merry, drives away Melancholly, quickens the Spirits, is good against Quartan Agues, stancheth bleedings at Mouth or Nose, if it be stamped and applied to the nape of the Neck: The Herb also brused and with some Salt and Vinegar, and Hogs Greas laid upon any hard tumor or swelling; or that which is vulgarly called the Kings Evil, doth help to dissolve or discuss them, and being in like manner applied doth much allay the pains and give eas to the Gout, Sciatica, and other aches of the Joynts and Sinews: It is also very effectual to heal all 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 filty corrupt Sores and Ulcers, yea, although they grow to be hollow; and to dissolve tumors. The chief use of them is for Women it being an Herb of Venus, and may be found in my Guide for Women.
[EDGENOTE:] White, Red and yellow Flux. Melancholy, Quartan Agues, Bleeding at Nose, Swelling, Kings Evil, Gout, Sciatica, Joynts, Ulcers, Old sores, Bruises, Burnings.
ARSMART
Description of the Mild.
This hath broad Leaves set at the great red Joynts of the Stalks, with semicircular blackish marks on them usually, yet somtimes without: The Flowers grow in long Spikes usually either blush or whitish with such like Seed following. The Root is long with many strings therat perishing yeerly; this hath no sharp tast (as another sort hath, which is quick and biting) but rather sowr like Sorrel, or els a little drying without tast.
Place.
It grows in watery Plashes, Ditches, and the like, which for the most part are dry in Summer.
Time.
It Flowreth in June, and the Seed is ripe in August.
Vertues and Use.
It is of a cooling and drying quality, and very effectual for putrified Ulcers in Man or Beast, to kill the worms and clens the putrified Places: The Juyce therof 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 Seed bruised and held to an aching Tooth, taketh away the pain. The Leaves bruised and laid to the Joynt that hath a Fellon theron, taketh it away.
[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Cold swellings, Bruises, Congeled Blood, Toothach, Felons, or Andicoms, Worms in the Ears, Fleas, Tired Horses, Impostums Inflamations, Wounds.
The Juyce destroyeth Worms in the Ears being dropped into them: if the hot Arsmart be strewed in a Chamber it will soon kill all the Fleas; and the Herb or Juyce of the cold Arsmart put to Horses or other Cattels sores will drive away the Flie in the hottest time of Summer: A good handful of the hot biting Arsmart put under a Horses Saddle will make him travel the better although he were half tired before: The mild Arsmart is good against hot Imposthumes and Inflamations at the beginning and to heal green Wounds.
All Authors chop the Vertues of both sort of Arsmart together, as men chop Herbs for the Pot, when both of them are of clean contrary qualities, The hot Arsmart groweth not so high or tall as the mild doth, but hath many leaves of the colour of Peach leaves, very seldom or never spotted, in other particulars it is like the former, but may easily be known from it, if you will be but pleased to break a Leaf of it cross your Tongue, for the hot will make your Tongue to smart, so will not the cold; if you see them both together you many easily distinguish them, becaus the mild hath far broader Leaves: And our Colledg of Physitians out of their learned care for the publick good, Anglice their own gain, mistake the one for the other in their New-Master-Piece, wherby they discover, 1. Their Ignorance, 2. Their Carelesness, 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 their Vertues, and when you find not the contrary named, use the cold. The truth is, I have not yet spoken with Dr. Reason, nor his Brother Dr. Experience, concerning either of them both.
This hath broad Leaves set at the great red Joynts of the Stalks, with semicircular blackish marks on them usually, yet somtimes without: The Flowers grow in long Spikes usually either blush or whitish with such like Seed following. The Root is long with many strings therat perishing yeerly; this hath no sharp tast (as another sort hath, which is quick and biting) but rather sowr like Sorrel, or els a little drying without tast.
Place.
It grows in watery Plashes, Ditches, and the like, which for the most part are dry in Summer.
Time.
It Flowreth in June, and the Seed is ripe in August.
Vertues and Use.
It is of a cooling and drying quality, and very effectual for putrified Ulcers in Man or Beast, to kill the worms and clens the putrified Places: The Juyce therof 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 Seed bruised and held to an aching Tooth, taketh away the pain. The Leaves bruised and laid to the Joynt that hath a Fellon theron, taketh it away.
[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Cold swellings, Bruises, Congeled Blood, Toothach, Felons, or Andicoms, Worms in the Ears, Fleas, Tired Horses, Impostums Inflamations, Wounds.
The Juyce destroyeth Worms in the Ears being dropped into them: if the hot Arsmart be strewed in a Chamber it will soon kill all the Fleas; and the Herb or Juyce of the cold Arsmart put to Horses or other Cattels sores will drive away the Flie in the hottest time of Summer: A good handful of the hot biting Arsmart put under a Horses Saddle will make him travel the better although he were half tired before: The mild Arsmart is good against hot Imposthumes and Inflamations at the beginning and to heal green Wounds.
All Authors chop the Vertues of both sort of Arsmart together, as men chop Herbs for the Pot, when both of them are of clean contrary qualities, The hot Arsmart groweth not so high or tall as the mild doth, but hath many leaves of the colour of Peach leaves, very seldom or never spotted, in other particulars it is like the former, but may easily be known from it, if you will be but pleased to break a Leaf of it cross your Tongue, for the hot will make your Tongue to smart, so will not the cold; if you see them both together you many easily distinguish them, becaus the mild hath far broader Leaves: And our Colledg of Physitians out of their learned care for the publick good, Anglice their own gain, mistake the one for the other in their New-Master-Piece, wherby they discover, 1. Their Ignorance, 2. Their Carelesness, 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 their Vertues, and when you find not the contrary named, use the cold. The truth is, I have not yet spoken with Dr. Reason, nor his Brother Dr. Experience, concerning either of them both.
ASARABACCA
Asarabacca hath many Heads rising from the Roots, from whence come many smooth Leavs, every one upon his own Footstalk, which are rounder and bigger than Violet Leaves, thicker also, and of a darker green shining colour on the upper side, and of a paler yellow green underneath, little or nothing dented about the edges; from among which rise smal 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 Flowers it carrieth, which are somwhat sweet, being smelled unto, and wherein when they are ripe is contained smal cornered, rough Seeds, very like the Kernels or Stones of Grapes or Raisons. The Roots are small and whitish spreading divers waies in the ground, and encreasing into divers Heads; but not running or creeping under ground as some other creeping Herbs do; They are somwhat sweet in smell, resembling Nardus, but more when they are dry, than green; and of a sharp but not unpleasant tast.
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 somwhat after.
Vertues and Use.
This Herb being drunk, not only provoketh vomiting, but purgeth downward, and by Urin also, purging both Choller and Flegm: if you ad to it some Spicknard, with the Whey of Goats Milk or Honeyed Water, it is made more strong, but it purgeth Flegm more manifestly than Choller, and therfore doth much help pains in the Hips and other parts, it being boyled in Whey, it wonderfully helpeth the Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen, and therfore profitable for the Dropsie and Jaundice being steeped in Wine and drunk.
[EDGENOTE:] Causeth Vomiting, Choller, Flegm, Urin, Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, Dropsy, Jaundice, Agues.
It helps those continual Agues that come by the plenty of stubborn humors: An Oyl made therof by setting it in the Sun, with some Laudanum added to it, provoketh sweating (the ridg of the Back being anointed therwith) and therby driveth away the shaking Fits of Agues. It will not abide any long boyling, for it loseth its chiefest strength therby; nor much beating; for the finer Pouder doth provoke Vomit and Urin, and the courser purgeth downwards.
The common Use herof is to take the Juyce of five or seven Leavs in a little Drink to caus Vomitings: The Roots have also the same Vertue, though they do not operate so forcibly, yet they are very effectual against the biting of Serpents, and therfore is put as an ingredient both into Methridate and Venice Treacle. The Leaves and Roots being boyled in Ly, and the Head often washed therwith, while it is warm, comforteth the Head and Brain that is ill affected by taking cold, and helpeth the Memory.
[EDGENOTE:] Serpents. Head. Memory.
I shall desire Ignorant people to forbear the use of the Leavs, the Roots purge more gently, and may prove beneficial in such as have Cancers, or old putrified Ulcers, or Fistulaes upon their Bodies, to take a dram of them in Pouder 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 never advise them to be used unless upon urgent necessity. If a Physitian be Natures servant, it is his duty to strengthen his Mistris as much as he can, and weaken her as little as may be.
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 somwhat after.
Vertues and Use.
This Herb being drunk, not only provoketh vomiting, but purgeth downward, and by Urin also, purging both Choller and Flegm: if you ad to it some Spicknard, with the Whey of Goats Milk or Honeyed Water, it is made more strong, but it purgeth Flegm more manifestly than Choller, and therfore doth much help pains in the Hips and other parts, it being boyled in Whey, it wonderfully helpeth the Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen, and therfore profitable for the Dropsie and Jaundice being steeped in Wine and drunk.
[EDGENOTE:] Causeth Vomiting, Choller, Flegm, Urin, Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, Dropsy, Jaundice, Agues.
It helps those continual Agues that come by the plenty of stubborn humors: An Oyl made therof by setting it in the Sun, with some Laudanum added to it, provoketh sweating (the ridg of the Back being anointed therwith) and therby driveth away the shaking Fits of Agues. It will not abide any long boyling, for it loseth its chiefest strength therby; nor much beating; for the finer Pouder doth provoke Vomit and Urin, and the courser purgeth downwards.
The common Use herof is to take the Juyce of five or seven Leavs in a little Drink to caus Vomitings: The Roots have also the same Vertue, though they do not operate so forcibly, yet they are very effectual against the biting of Serpents, and therfore is put as an ingredient both into Methridate and Venice Treacle. The Leaves and Roots being boyled in Ly, and the Head often washed therwith, while it is warm, comforteth the Head and Brain that is ill affected by taking cold, and helpeth the Memory.
[EDGENOTE:] Serpents. Head. Memory.
I shall desire Ignorant people to forbear the use of the Leavs, the Roots purge more gently, and may prove beneficial in such as have Cancers, or old putrified Ulcers, or Fistulaes upon their Bodies, to take a dram of them in Pouder 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 never advise them to be used unless upon urgent necessity. If a Physitian be Natures servant, it is his duty to strengthen his Mistris as much as he can, and weaken her as little as may be.
ASPARAGUS, SPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE
Description.
It riseth up at first with divers whitish green scaly Heads very brittle or easie to break while they are yong, which afterwards rise up into very long and slender green stalks, of the bigness 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 Leavs, shorter and smaller than Fennel to the top, at the joynts wherof come forth small mossie yellowish Flowers, which turn into round Berries, green at the first, and of an excellent red colour when they are ripe, shewing like Beads of Corral, wherin are contained exceeding hard, black Seeds. The Roots are dispersed from a spongeous Head into many long, thick, and round strings, wherby it sucketh much Nourishment out of the ground, and encreaseth plentifully thereby.
It riseth up at first with divers whitish green scaly Heads very brittle or easie to break while they are yong, which afterwards rise up into very long and slender green stalks, of the bigness 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 Leavs, shorter and smaller than Fennel to the top, at the joynts wherof come forth small mossie yellowish Flowers, which turn into round Berries, green at the first, and of an excellent red colour when they are ripe, shewing like Beads of Corral, wherin are contained exceeding hard, black Seeds. The Roots are dispersed from a spongeous Head into many long, thick, and round strings, wherby it sucketh much Nourishment out of the ground, and encreaseth plentifully thereby.
PRICKLY ASPARAGUS, SPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE
Description.
It groweth usually in Gardens; and some of it grows wild, in Appleton Meadow in Gloucestershire, where the poor people do gather the Buds, or yong Shoots, and sell them cheaper than our Garden Asparagus is sold at London.
Time.
They do for the most part Flower, and bear their Berries late in the yeer, or not at all, although they are housed in Winter.
Vertues and Use.
The yong Bud or branches boyled in ones ordinary broth, maketh the Belly soluble and open, and boyled in white Wine, provoketh Urin being stopped, and is good against the Strangury, or difficulty of making water; it expelleth the gravel and stone out of the Kidneys, and helpeth pains in the Reins: And boyled in white Wine or Vinegar it is prevalent for them that have their Arteries loosned, or are troubled with the Hip-Gout, or Sciatica. The Decoction of the Roots boyled in Wine and taken is good to cleer the sight, and being held in the Mouth easeth the Toothach: And being taken fasting several mornings together stirreth up bodily lust in Man or Woman (whatsoever some have written to the contrary.) The Garden Asparaus nourisheth more than the wild; yet hath it the same effects in al the aforementioned Diseases.
[EDGENOTE:] Belly, Strangury, Disury, Gout, Sciatica, Eyes, Tooth-ach.
The Decoction of the Roots in white Wine, and the Back and Belly bathed therwith, or kneeling or lying down in the same, or sitting therin as a Bath, hath been found effectual against pains that happen to the lower parts of the Body; and no less effectual against stiff and benummed Sinews, or those that are shrunk by Cramps, and Convulsions, and helpeth the Sciatica.
[EDGENOTE:] Reins, Bladder, Mother, Cramp, Chollick, Convulsion.
It groweth usually in Gardens; and some of it grows wild, in Appleton Meadow in Gloucestershire, where the poor people do gather the Buds, or yong Shoots, and sell them cheaper than our Garden Asparagus is sold at London.
Time.
They do for the most part Flower, and bear their Berries late in the yeer, or not at all, although they are housed in Winter.
Vertues and Use.
The yong Bud or branches boyled in ones ordinary broth, maketh the Belly soluble and open, and boyled in white Wine, provoketh Urin being stopped, and is good against the Strangury, or difficulty of making water; it expelleth the gravel and stone out of the Kidneys, and helpeth pains in the Reins: And boyled in white Wine or Vinegar it is prevalent for them that have their Arteries loosned, or are troubled with the Hip-Gout, or Sciatica. The Decoction of the Roots boyled in Wine and taken is good to cleer the sight, and being held in the Mouth easeth the Toothach: And being taken fasting several mornings together stirreth up bodily lust in Man or Woman (whatsoever some have written to the contrary.) The Garden Asparaus nourisheth more than the wild; yet hath it the same effects in al the aforementioned Diseases.
[EDGENOTE:] Belly, Strangury, Disury, Gout, Sciatica, Eyes, Tooth-ach.
The Decoction of the Roots in white Wine, and the Back and Belly bathed therwith, or kneeling or lying down in the same, or sitting therin as a Bath, hath been found effectual against pains that happen to the lower parts of the Body; and no less effectual against stiff and benummed Sinews, or those that are shrunk by Cramps, and Convulsions, and helpeth the Sciatica.
[EDGENOTE:] Reins, Bladder, Mother, Cramp, Chollick, Convulsion.
ASH-TREE
This is so wel known that time wil be misspent and Paper wasted in writing a Description of it; and therfore I shal only insist upon the Vertues of it.
Vertues and Use.
The yong tender Tops with the Leaves taken inwardly, and some of them outwardly applied are singular good against the biting of the Viper, Adder, or any other Venemous Beast: And the Water distilled therfrom, being taken a smal quantity every morning fasting, is a singular Medicine for those that are subject to a Dropsie, or to abate the greatness of those who are too gross or fat.
[EDGENOTE:] Adders & Vipers biting, Dropsy, Stone, Jaundice, Leprosie, Scabs, Scald Heads, Stitches, Stone, Disury, Rickets.
The Decoction of the Leaves in white Wine, helpeth to break the Stone and expel it, and cureth the Jaundice. The Ashes of the Bark of the Ash made into Ly, and those Heads bathed therwith which are Leprous, Scabby, or Scal'd, they are therby cured. The Kernels within the Husks commonly called Ashen Keys, prevaileth against Stitches and pains in the sides proceeding of Wind, and avoideth away the stone by provoking Urin.
I can justly except against none of all this save only the first, viz. That Ash-tree Tops and Leaves are good against the biting of Serpents and Vipers, and I suppose this had its rise from Gerard, or Pliny, both which hold that there is such an Antipathy between an Adder and an Ash-tree, that if an Adder be compassed round with Ash-tree Leaves, she wil sooner run through the fire than through the Leaves, the contrary to which is the truth, as both my eyes are witnesses: the rest are Vertues somthing likely, only if it be in Winter when you cannot get the Leaves, you may safely use the Bark instead of them, the Keys you may easily keep all the year, gathering them when they are ripe.
Vertues and Use.
The yong tender Tops with the Leaves taken inwardly, and some of them outwardly applied are singular good against the biting of the Viper, Adder, or any other Venemous Beast: And the Water distilled therfrom, being taken a smal quantity every morning fasting, is a singular Medicine for those that are subject to a Dropsie, or to abate the greatness of those who are too gross or fat.
[EDGENOTE:] Adders & Vipers biting, Dropsy, Stone, Jaundice, Leprosie, Scabs, Scald Heads, Stitches, Stone, Disury, Rickets.
The Decoction of the Leaves in white Wine, helpeth to break the Stone and expel it, and cureth the Jaundice. The Ashes of the Bark of the Ash made into Ly, and those Heads bathed therwith which are Leprous, Scabby, or Scal'd, they are therby cured. The Kernels within the Husks commonly called Ashen Keys, prevaileth against Stitches and pains in the sides proceeding of Wind, and avoideth away the stone by provoking Urin.
I can justly except against none of all this save only the first, viz. That Ash-tree Tops and Leaves are good against the biting of Serpents and Vipers, and I suppose this had its rise from Gerard, or Pliny, both which hold that there is such an Antipathy between an Adder and an Ash-tree, that if an Adder be compassed round with Ash-tree Leaves, she wil sooner run through the fire than through the Leaves, the contrary to which is the truth, as both my eyes are witnesses: the rest are Vertues somthing likely, only if it be in Winter when you cannot get the Leaves, you may safely use the Bark instead of them, the Keys you may easily keep all the year, gathering them when they are ripe.
AVENS
Description.
The ordinary Avens hath many long, rough, dark green, winged Leavs rising from the Root, every one made of many Leavs set on each side of the middle Rib, the largest three wherof grow at the ends and are snip'd or dented round about the edges: the other being smal pieces, somtimes two and somtimes four standing on each side of the middle rib underneath them; among which do rise up divers rough or hairy Stalks about two foot high branching forth with Leavs at every Joynt, not so long as those below, but almost as much cut in on the edges, some into three parts, some into more: On the Tops of the Branches stand smal pale yellow Flowers consisting of five Leavs, like the Flowers of Cynkfoyl, but larger in the middle, wherof standeth a smal green Head, which when the Flower is fallen groweth to be rough and round, being made of many long greenish purple Seeds (like grains) which wil stick upon your Cloathes. The Root consists of many brownish strings or fibres, smelling somwhat like unto Clover, especially those which grow in the higher, hotter, and drier grounds, and in the freer and clear Air.
Place.
They grow wild in many places under Hedg sides, and by the Pathwaies 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 furthest.
Vertues and Use.
It is good for the Diseases of the Chest or Breast, for pains and Stitches in the Sides, and to expel crude and raw humors from the Belly and Stomach by the sweet savor and warming quality; it dissolveth the inward congealed Blood hapning by falls or bruises, and the spitting of Blood, if the Roots either green or dryed be boyled in Wine and drunk, as also al manner of inward Wounds or outward if they be washed or bathed therwith.
[EDGENOTE:] Breast, Stitches, Wind, Belly, Stomach Inward Wounds, Heart, cold Brain, Obstructions, Chollick, Fluxes, Ruptures, Spots and Marks in the Face, Plague, Poyson, Indigestion.
The Decoction also being drunk comforteth the Heart, and strengtheneth the Stomach, and a cold Brain, and therfore is good in the Spring time to open Obstructions of the Liver, and helpeth the wind Chollick; it also helpeth those that have Fluxes; or are bursten, or have a Rupture; It taketh away spots or marks in the Face, being washed therwith: The Juyce of the fresh Root or Pouder of the dried Root hath the same effect with the Decoction. The Root in the Spring time steeped in Wine doth give it a delicat savor and tast, and being drunk fasting every morning comforteth the Heart, and is a good Preservative against the Plague, or any other Poyson; it helpeth Digestion, and warmeth a cold Stomach, and openeth the 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 good bodies house.
The ordinary Avens hath many long, rough, dark green, winged Leavs rising from the Root, every one made of many Leavs set on each side of the middle Rib, the largest three wherof grow at the ends and are snip'd or dented round about the edges: the other being smal pieces, somtimes two and somtimes four standing on each side of the middle rib underneath them; among which do rise up divers rough or hairy Stalks about two foot high branching forth with Leavs at every Joynt, not so long as those below, but almost as much cut in on the edges, some into three parts, some into more: On the Tops of the Branches stand smal pale yellow Flowers consisting of five Leavs, like the Flowers of Cynkfoyl, but larger in the middle, wherof standeth a smal green Head, which when the Flower is fallen groweth to be rough and round, being made of many long greenish purple Seeds (like grains) which wil stick upon your Cloathes. The Root consists of many brownish strings or fibres, smelling somwhat like unto Clover, especially those which grow in the higher, hotter, and drier grounds, and in the freer and clear Air.
Place.
They grow wild in many places under Hedg sides, and by the Pathwaies 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 furthest.
Vertues and Use.
It is good for the Diseases of the Chest or Breast, for pains and Stitches in the Sides, and to expel crude and raw humors from the Belly and Stomach by the sweet savor and warming quality; it dissolveth the inward congealed Blood hapning by falls or bruises, and the spitting of Blood, if the Roots either green or dryed be boyled in Wine and drunk, as also al manner of inward Wounds or outward if they be washed or bathed therwith.
[EDGENOTE:] Breast, Stitches, Wind, Belly, Stomach Inward Wounds, Heart, cold Brain, Obstructions, Chollick, Fluxes, Ruptures, Spots and Marks in the Face, Plague, Poyson, Indigestion.
The Decoction also being drunk comforteth the Heart, and strengtheneth the Stomach, and a cold Brain, and therfore is good in the Spring time to open Obstructions of the Liver, and helpeth the wind Chollick; it also helpeth those that have Fluxes; or are bursten, or have a Rupture; It taketh away spots or marks in the Face, being washed therwith: The Juyce of the fresh Root or Pouder of the dried Root hath the same effect with the Decoction. The Root in the Spring time steeped in Wine doth give it a delicat savor and tast, and being drunk fasting every morning comforteth the Heart, and is a good Preservative against the Plague, or any other Poyson; it helpeth Digestion, and warmeth a cold Stomach, and openeth the 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 good bodies house.