70 THE COMPLETE HERBAL 
Spring before the leaves come forth, as in 
Autumn or Winter. 
Government and virtues.| It is a plant 
under the dominion of Mercury. The fresh 
roots of Elecampane preserved with sugar, 
or made into a syrup or conserve, are very 
effectual to warm a cold windy stomach, 
or the pricking therein, and stitches in the 
sides caused by the spleen; and to help the 
cough, shortness of breath, and weezing in 
the lungs. The dried root made into pow- 
der, and mixed with sugar, and taken, serves 
to the same purpose, and is also profitable 
for those who have their urine stopped, or 
the stopping of women’s courses, the pains 
of the mother, and the stone in the reins, 
kidneys, or bladder; it resists poison, and 
stays the spreading of the venom of ser- 
pents, as also putrid and pestilential fevers, 
and the plague itself. The roots and herbs 
beaten and put into new ale or beer, and 
daily drank, clears, strengthens, and quick- 
ens the sight of the eyes wonderfully. The 
decoction of the roots in wine, or the juice 
taken therein, kills and drives forth all 
manner of worms in the belly, stomach, 
and maw; and gargled in the mouth, or the 
root chewed, fastens loose teeth, and helps 
to keep them from putrefaction; and being 
drank is good for those that spit blood, 
helps to remove cramps or convulsions, 
gout, sciatica, pains in the joints, applied 
outwardly or inwardly, and is also good for 
those that are bursten, or have any inward 
bruise. The root boiled well in vinegar 
beaten afterwards, and made into an oint- 
ment with hog’s suet, or oil of trotters, is an 
excellent remedy for scabs or itch in young 
or old; the places also bathed or washed 
_ with the decoction doth the same; it also 
helps all sorts of filthy old putrid sores or 
_ eankers whatsoever. In the roots of this 
_herb lieth the chief effect for the remedies 
aforesaid. The distilled water of the leaves | 
_ and roots together, is very profitable to 
| Stone, 
from any morphew, spots, or blemishes 
therein, and make it clear. 
ERINGO, OR SEA-HOLLY. 
Descript.| Tue first leaves of our ordi- 
nary Sea-Holly, are nothing so hard and 
prickly as when they grow old, being almost 
round, and deeply dented about the edges, 
hard and sharp pointed, and a little crum- 
pled, of a bluish green colour, every one 
upon a long foot stalk; but those that grow 
up higher with the stalk, do as it were com- 
pass it about. The stalk itself is round and 
strong, yet somewhat crested, with joints 
and leaves set thereat, but more divided, 
sharp, and prickly; and branches rising 
from thence, which have likewise other 
small branches, each of them having several 
bluish round prickly heads, with many 
small jagged prickly leaves under them, 
standing like a star, and sometimes found 
greenish or whitish: The root grows won- 
derfully long, even to eight or ten feet in 
length, set with rings and circles toward the 
upper part, cut smooth and without joints 
down lower, brownish on the outside, and 
very white within, with a pith in the mid- 
dle; of a pleasant taste, but much more, be- 
ing artificially preserved, and candied with 
sugar. 
Place.] It is found about the sea coast 
in almost every county of this land which 
borders upon the sea. 
Time.] It flowers in the end of Sum- 
mer, and gives ripe seed within a month 
after. 
Government and virtues.] The plant is 
venereal, and breeds seed exceedingly, and 
strengthens the spirit procreative; it is hot 
and moist, and under the celestial Balance. 
The decoction of the root hereof in wine; 
is very effectual to open obstructions of the 
spleen and liver, and helps yellow jaun- 
dice, dropsy, pains of the loins, and wind 
cholic, provokes urine, and expels the 
cures women’s courses. The con- 
a 
Pea 
