184 CULPEPER’s ENGLISH PHYSICIAN, . 
to open obftructions of the liver and fpleen. A decoction made with the flowers, 
is effe€tual againft the jaundice, as alfo to provoke urine, and cleanfe the kidnies 
from the gravel and ftone, ; Pe 
Mtb FENUGREEX. 
Names. IT is called in Latin foenum grecum, or otherwife greek-hay. 
Descriprion. It groweth up with tender ftalks, round, blackifh, hollow, and 
full of branches; the leaves are divided into three parts, like thofe of trefoil; the 
flowers are pale or whitifh, not much unlike the bloffoms of lupines, but fmaller, 
‘After thefe are fallen away, there follow long cods or hufks, crooked and fharp 
pointed, wherein is contained the feed, which is of a yellowifh colour. The root is 
full of {mall hanging hairs. . 3 
Prace. It very feldom groweth in this kingdom, unlefs planted in the gardens 
of botanitts, 
Timez. It bloffoms in July, and the feed is ripe in Auguft, _ 
GoveRNMENT AND Virturs. Fenugreck-feed is hot in the fecond degree, and 
dry in the firft, and under the influence of the planet Mercury. The feed which is 
fold by druggifts and apothecaries is only ufed in medicine, The decoétion or 
broth of the feed, drank with a little vinegar, expelleth and purgeth all fuperfluous 
- humours which cleave to the bowels ; the fame deco@ion firft made with dates, and 
afterwards made into a fyrup with honey, mundifieth and cleanfeth the breaft, cheft, ; 
: and lungs, and may be taken with fuccefs for any grief attendant thereon, provided 
the patient be not afflicted with a fever or head-ach, as this fyrup, being hurtful to 
the head, would rather increafe than alleviate thofe diforders. Itis of a fofteningand — 
_ diffolving nature, therefore the meal thereof being boiled in mede or honey-water, ~ 
: doth confume, foften, and diffolve hard fwellings and impofthumes; alfo a pafte 
‘made thereof with faltpetre and vinegar, doth foften and wafte the hardnefs and fwel- — 
upg OF the fpleen. It is good for women who are afflicted with an impofthume, — 
oppage in the matrix, to bathe and fit in a decoétion thereof; alfo a fup- 
of the juice of this plant and conveyed to the neck of the matrix, will 2 
‘fotten all hardnefs thereof. The decoétion of fenugreek is an excellent os 
rns ge as it cleanfeth the head of every kind of dirt, viz. fcurf, fcales, 
sae > TS Or applied with honey, it cleanfeth the face and other parts of 
pimples, puthes, w als, and other blemifhes ; it healeth the itch, and preventeth 
es Cifagreeable fmell which oftentimes proceeds from perfpiration. The feed being — 
prepared, after the manner ¢ ee . : 
a“ OF supines, and eaten, will cradually and gently purg 
ihe belly of coftive humourg, 5: ae : og wire 
| ss FISTICK 
