AND COMPLETE HERBAL. 113 
Description. It groweth in a manner altogether like the tame, but that the 
leaves and ftalks:are fomewhat whiter and rougher ; the ftalks bear large tufts of 
white flowers, with a deep purple {pot in the middle, which are contracted together 
when 
and fkilful phyficians, Matrutotus and Fucnsius, have. written hereof in Latin; whofe 
words, as perhaps, they may bring fome credit to that which is already written; fo in them 
fomething more may be learned, or at the leaft fomething is uttered for the better underftanding 
of that aforefaid. Their words in Englifh are as followeth; Carduus benedi&us is a plant of 
great virtue, efpecially againft the peftilence, and alfo againkt deadly poifons, as well taken in- 
wardly as outwardly applied to the ftingings and bitings of venomous beatts > they alfo are healed 
with this herb, that are troubled with a quartan or other agues, that come by a cold, and, that 
by drinking of the decoétion or diftilled water, or a drachm of the powder: in like manner being 
drank, it helpeth infants that are troubled with the falling ficknefs. The decotica taken in wine 
doth mitigate the pain of the guts ahd reins, and other griefs of the belly 5 it provoketh fweat, 
it killeth worms, and is good’ againft other difeafes of the womb ; the herb itfelf as well green as 
dried, both drank and laid outwardly ‘to the grief, doth heal ulcers ; on fuch extraordinay oc- 
cafions. it is mingled with the drink made of gvacum, wine and water for the French difeafe. 
Learned writers affirm that it taketh away the ftoppings of the inward bowels; it provoketh 
urine, breaketh the ftone, and helpeth thofe that are ftung of venomous beafts. They fay alfo 
that thofe cannot be infected who take it in their meat or drink, before they come into the evil 
air, that it helpeth them much that are already infe@ted : moreover, moft agree, that it is a re- 
medy againft the bitings of ferpents. Finally, to conclude, late writers fay, that it cureth the pains 
of the head, taketh away giddinefs, recovereth the memory, being taken in meat or drink. Alfo 
it helpeth feftering fores, efpecially of the paps and teats, if the powder thereof be laid upon it. 
By this we may in part uncerftand, with how great virtue God hath indued, and I may fay, blefled 
this herb. “To fum up all, it helpeth the body inwardly and outwardly ; it ftrengthens almoft all 
the principal members of the body, as the brain, the heart, the ftomach, the liver, lungs, and kid- 
nies. It is alfo a prefervative againt- all difeafes, for it provoketh fweat, by which the body is 
purged of much corruption which breedeth difeafe.. It expellcth the venom of infection, it con- 
fumes ill blood, and all naughty humours, whereof difeafes are engendered. Therefore giving 
God thanks for his goodnefs which hath given us this herb, and all other things for the benefit of 
our health ; it will in the next place’be convenient to confider how to make ufe of it in the appli- 
Citing 883) B08 61 peaebiss qed oly meses a 
It is to be obferved, that we may wfé this herb, andenjoy the virtues thereof four ways: Firft, 
in the green leaf. Seconilly, in the powder. ‘Thirilly, in the juice. And fourthly in the diftil- 
lation. ‘The green leaf imiay be taken with bread and butter, as we ue to take {age and parfley in 
4 morning for breakfaft : and ifit be too bitter, it may be taken with honey inftead of butter, It 
‘nay be taken in pottage’boiled ‘among other hiérbs; or being ‘hred {mall, it may be drank with, _ 
ale, beer or wine. Itis for 
Nos 9. 
ies given ia beewith gh cmpytay and that int Barmy 
aH when 
