90 . CULPEPER*’s ENGLISH PHYSICIAN, 
they are fharper edged and thicker in the middle, of a deeper green colour, narrower 
and fharper pointed, and of a ftrong difagreeable fmell if they are preffedsbetween 
the fingers; in the middle rifeth up a reafonable fized ftalk, about a yard high, bear. 
itig three or four flowers at the top, made fomewhat like thofe of the flower-de-luce, 
with three upright leaves, of a dead purpleifh afh-colour, with veins in them of a 
different colour, the other three leaves do not fall down, neither are the three {mall - 
ones fo finely arched, nor do they cover thofe at the lower part ; in thefe particulars. 
it differs fomewhat from that aforefaid. Thefe are fucceeded by three-{quare hard 
hufks, opening wide into three parts when they are ripe, wherein lie reddifh feed, 
which in time turneth black. The root is like that of the flower-de-luce, but red- 
difh on the outfide and whitifh within, of a very fharp and hot tafte, and of an ex- 
ceeding difagreeable {mell. , 
‘Piacs. This groweth as well on the upland grounds as in woods and moift 
fhadowy places, as alfo by the fea-fide, in many parts of this = and is often ~ 
cultivated in gardens. 
Time. It bloffoms in July, and the feed is ripe in Auguft and September; yet — 
the hufks when they are ripe, will open themfelves, and contain their feed two or three 
months before they thed it. . 
‘Government and Viatuss. It is fuppofed to be under the dominion of. Saturn. 
A decoétion. of the roots, purgeth corrupt phlegm and choler, but when wanted to 
operate more gently, a few flices of the roots infufed in ale, will anfwer the purpofe, 
though thofe whofe ftomachs will not admit of this, make ufe of the leaves only: 
The j juice hereof fnuffed up the noftrils, caufeth fneezing, and thereby draweth from . 
the head much corruption; or the powder thereof ufed the fame way, produceth the 
like effect. The powder drank in wine, helpeth thofe who are troubled with cramps 
as and, convulfions, or with the gout or fciatica, and eafeth the gripings of the bellys 
=o. it helpeth the ftranguary, and cleanfeth, purgeth, and ftayeth the fharp and evil hu- 
~ Mours which caufeth long fluxes. The root boiled in wine and drank, doth effectu- 
womens? courfes, and ufed as a peflary, worketh the fame effect, but — 
in women with child. Half adrachm of the feed beaten to powder 
ne, doth fpeedily caufe an evacuation of urine; or taken with vine- — 
he hardnefs and fwellings of the fpleen. The root is very effectual 
n all wounds, and particularly thofe of the head ; as alfo to draw forth fplinters, 
thorns, broken be any other thing fticking in the flefh, by being ufed with a 
little verdigreafe and honey, together with the great centaury root. The fame boiled 
in vinegar, diffolveth anc confumeth tumours and fwellings; the j juice of the leaves 
and roots healeth the itch, and cleanfeh the kin from all blemifhes. 
GOLDEN 
