320 FAMILY HERBAL 



and dcnfated at the edges : the flowers are small 

 and blue ; they grow in slender spikes, arising 

 from the bosoms of the leaves ; the. root is small 

 and fibrous. 



The whole herb is used, and it is best fresh- An 



infusion of it drank in quantities, works by urine^ 



and opens all obstructions : it promotes the menses. 



There was an opinion lately that this plant would 



cure the* gout. The dried leaves picked from the 



stalks, were sold in our markets, and people made a 



tea of them. The opinion was so prevalent, that 



the plant was in a manner de^royed for many 



miles about London, but like all other things, 



that want truth for their foundation, it came to 

 BOthing. ' 



Spignel. J[Ieum. 



f 



s ^ 



E 



A; WILD plant not altogether unlike fennel. 

 It grows two or three feet high. Thq stalks are 

 round, striated, and branched. The leaves arfe 

 large, and divided like those of fennel, but into 

 narrower and finer parts, and they are of a verj 

 dark green colour. The flowers are Vittle and 

 white, but thev stand in clusters at the tops of the 

 stalks, and are conspicuous by their number. The 

 root is long and brown, and there are always a 

 quantity of filaments at the head of it like hairs : 

 these are the fibres of the stalks of former leaves. 



The root is used, and it is best fresh taken up. 

 An infusion of it is excellent medicine in the gravel ; 

 It also opens obstructions, and promotes the menses. 

 The root dried and given in powder strengthens tbe 



st— ich, creates an appetite^ and is good against 

 the colic. 



