324 The Ufeful Family Herbal. 
naked: On its Top grows a little round Clufter 
of Flowers: They are fmall and white, and each 
is fucceeded by two little rough Seeds. The 
Root is fibrous. 
The Leaves are ufed.. A ftrong Decottion of 
them is good againft the Overflowing of the 
Menfes, and the Bleeding of the Piles. It has 
been vattly celebrated for the Cure of Ruptures, 
bur that is idle. | 
‘The SarRSAPARILLA PLANT. 
Set: SARSAPARILLA. 
Plant of the climbing Kind, Native of the 
“* warmer Countries. The Stalks run to ten or 
twelve Feet in Length, but are weak, and fupport 
themfelves among Bufhes: They are whitifh, an- 
gular, and ftriated, and are full of fmall. Prickles. 
The Leaves are an Inch long, or more, and 
above half an Inch broad, of an oval Figure, of 
a deep Green on the upper Side, and white un- 
_ derneath, firm in their Texture, and very Beer. 
the Flowers are little and yellowith. The Ber- 
ries are black, round, and of the Bignefs of @ 
fmall Pea. The Root is very large and flender. 
The Root is ufed. Our Druggifts keep it: 
They fplit it in two, It is brown on the Outfide, 
and white within; and its Tafte is infipid. It is 
fuppofed to have great Virtues, but they are not 
perfectly eftablifhed, T hey have been- at Times _ 
difputed, and at Times fupported. Given in De- 
ottion, it promotes Sweat’ and Urine. It has 
been efteemed good againft the Scurvy, anc 
i 
2 ae 
m general, accounted a Sweetener of the Blo ood 
, fa 
mous in the Cure of the Venereal Difeafe. It is.” 
wie 
i ; oe a 
