AND COMPLETE HERBAL. 243 
5 
umbels of white flowers; and, after them, fmall, thinyeflat,, blackith feed, larger 
than dil-feeds ; the root is fomewhat greater, and groweth lanting i into the ground, 
fhooting forth fundey heads, which taftefharp, biting the tongue, and is the hottet 
and fharpeft part of the plant; the feed, next unto it, being fomewhat blackifh on 
the outfide, and {melling well. 
Prace. Itis ufually grown in gardens in this kingdom. 
Time. It flowereth and feedeth about the end of Augutt. 
- Description AnD Namgs. It is an herb of Mars. The root of mafter-wort is 
hotter than pepper, and very available in all cold eriefs and ‘difeafes both of the 
ftomach and body, operating very powerfully both upwards and downwards, It is 
alfo ufed in a decoction, with wine, againft all cold rheums, or dittillations upon 
the lungs, and fhortnefs of breath, if taken mornings and evenings. It alfo pro- 
_voketh urine ; helps to break the ftone, and expel the gravel from the kidneys ; 
procureth women’s courfes, and expelleth the dead birth: is fingularly good for 
ftrangling of the mother, and other fimilar feminine difeafes. It is effectual againit 
the dropfy, cramps, and the falling ficknefs.- The decoétion, in wine, being 
gargled in the mouth, extracteth much water and phlegm from the brain, purging 
and eafing it of what oppreffeth it, It is an excellent remedy againtt all forts of cold 
poifon ; it provoketh fweat: but, left the tafte hereof or of the feed (which work- 
eth to the like effet, though not fo powerfully) fhould be too offenfive, the bett 
Way is to take the water diftilled from both the root and herb. The juice thereof, 
Or tents dipped therein, applied either to green wounds or to filthy rotten. 
ulcers, and fuch as are given by envenomed weapons, doth very foon cleanfe and 
heal them. [t is alfo a very good preventative againft the rheumatifm and gout, 
when they originate from cold. 
SWEET MAUDLIN. 
Description. COMMON maudlin has fomewhat long and narrow leaves, 
{nipped about the edges; the ftalks are two feet high, bearing at the tops many 
yellow flowers, fet round together, and all of an equal height, in umbels, with 
tufts like tanfy, after which flowereth fmall whitith feed, almoft as big as worm- 
feed. ‘This herb is both fweet and bitter. 
Piacz anp Time, It groweth in gardens, and flowereth in June and de. : 
Government AND Virtues. The virtues of this herb are {jmilar to that of: 
Softmary, or alecoft ; it is therefore unneceffary to repeat them. 
No. 17, 3S 
