‘ 
AND COMPLETE HERBAL. 345 
peabutes EM FH EAL. 
Names. IT is called prunel, carpenters herb, hook-heal, and fickle-wort. 
Description. The common felf-heal is a fmall, low, creeping, herb, having 
many {mall roundifh pointed leaves, fomewhat like the leaves of wild mints, of a 
dark green colour, without any dents on the edges, from among which rife divers 
fmall leaves up to the tops, were ftandbrownith fpiked heads, of many fmall 
brownith leaves like {cales and flowers fet together, almoft like the head of caffidony, 
which flowers are gaping, and of a bluifh purple, or more pale below, in fome places 
{weet, but not fo in others. The root confifts of many ftrings or fibres downward, 
and fpreadeth ftrings alfo, whereby it increafeth. The {mall ftalks, with the leaves, 
creeping upon the ground, fhoot fortn fibres taking hold of the ground, whereby it 
is made a great tuft in a fhort time. 
Pracx. It is found in woods and fields every where in this kingdom. 
Time: It flowereth in May, and fometimes in April. : 
GoveRNMENT AND Virtues. This isan herb of Venus. Itisa fpecial herb 
for inward and outward wounds: take it inwardly in fyraps for inward wounds ; 
outwardly, in unguents and plafters, for outward, As felf-heal is like bugle in 
form, fo alfoin the qualities and virtues, ferving for all the purpofes whereto bugle 
is applied, with good fuccefs, either inwardly or outwardly. If it be accompanied 
with bugle, fanicle, and other the like wound-herbs, it will bethe more effectual ; and 
to wath or inje&t into ulcers, inthe parts outwardly, where there is caufe to reprefs 
the heat and fharpnefs of humours flowing to any fore ulcer, inflammation, fwelling, 
or the like; or to ftay the flux of blood in any wound or part; this is ufed with 
good fuccefs ; as alfo to cleanfe the foulnels of fores, and caufe them more fpeedily 
to be healed. It is a good remedy for green wounds, to clofe the lips of them, and 
to keep the place from any further inconvenience. The juice thereof, ufed with oil 
of rofes, to anoint the temples and forehead, is very effectual to remove the head-ach ; 
and the fame, mixed with honey of rofes, cleanfeth and healeth all ulcers in the 
mouth and throat, from what caufe foever. : 7 : 
.. LT is-fo well known in the places where it grows, that it needeth no defcription: 
 'Pims, . It flowereth before the end of May, and the fruit isripe in October, 
 GovernMENT AnD Virtues. Services, when they are mellow, are fit to be. 
taken to ftay the fluxes, cowering, and caftings, yet lefs than medlars ; if — 
