394 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
and a bitter, fragrant taste; its name abrotanuni signifies 
having delicate fibres—abros, delicate; tonos, a fibre. ‘‘ Old 
Man ” signalizes its use, advised by Pliny, and as explained 
by Macer :— 
““ Hee etiam venerem pulvino subdita tantum 
Incitat.” 
Pliny says further that this herb is potent against syphilis. 
Its lemon-like odour depends on the essential volatile oil ‘‘ absin- 
thol.” The other appellation of the plant “ Lad’s love,” has 
been given because of an ointment being made with its ashes for 
use by youngsters towards promoting their growth of a beard. 
Cinis abrotani barbam segnius tardiusque enascentem, cum aliquo 
dictorum oleorum, elicit. The Southern-wood (in Lincolnshire, 
Mother-wood ”’), is hostile to moths by its presence, and hence 
is derived one of its French names, garde robe. 
Akin to Spinach (p. 108), is the pot-herb, Good King Henry, 
another Goosefoot, known also as an English Marquery, or Mer- 
cury ; furthermore, it bears the name of “ allgood,” from a rustic 
conceit that it will cure all hurts. ‘‘ Wherefore the leaves are now 
a constant plaster among countryfolk for every green wound.” 
This plant is grown by cottagers, particularly in Lincolnshire, for 
a pot herb. Its young shoots, peeled, and boiled, are eaten as 
asparagus, being gently laxative. The young leaves are often put 
into broth, being also cooked as a vegetable after the manner oi 
spinach, and without its earthy taste. Each of these affords soda 
in abundance. The Good King Henry grows plentifully on waste 
ground near villages, being a dark green plant, about a foot high, 
with thickish, arrow-shaped, succulent leaves, the taste of which, 
says Evelyn, is “ insipid enough.” Because of its excellent 
remedial qualities against biliary disorders, this herb bears its 
title English Mercury, carrying into effect the pertinent proverb, 
“ Be thou sick, or whole, put mercury in thy koole.” Poultices 
made from the leaves are applied to cleanse, and heal chronic 
sores, which, as Gerarde teaches, ‘‘ they do scour, and mundify.” 
The epithet “Henricus,’ which some persons suppose to be 
associated with Harry the Eighth, and his varicose legs, is more 
likely derived from “ heinrich,” an elf, or goblin, as indicating 
certain reputed magical virtues in the plant. This has a some- 
what mealy appearance, and produces seeds useful for expelling 
- round worms. 
