AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 
121. 
Mosses are under the dominion of Saturn. 
The Ground Moss is held to be singularly 
good to break the stone, and to expel and 
drive it forth by urine, being boiled in wine 
and drank. The herb being bruised and 
boiled in water, and applied, eases all in- 
flammations and pains coming from an hot 
cause; and is therefore used to ease the 
pains of the gout. 
The tree Mosses are cooling and binding, 
and partake of a digesting and molifying 
quality withal, as Galen saith. But each 
Moss doth partake of the nature of the tree 
from whence it is taken; therefore that of 
the oak is more binding, and is of good effect 
to stay fluxes in man or woman; as also 
vomiting or bleeding, the powder thereof 
being taken in wine. The decoction thereof 
in wine is very good for women to be 
bathed in, that are troubled with the over- 
flowing of their courses. The same being 
drank, stays the stomach that is troubled 
with casting, or hiccough; and, as Avicena 
saith, it comforts the heart. The powder 
thereof taken in drink for some time 
together, is thought available for the 
dropsy. The oil that has had fresh Moss 
steeped therein for a time, and afterwards 
boiled and applied to the temples and fore- 
head, doth marvellously ease the head-ache 
coming of a hot cause; as also the distilla- 
tions of hot rheums or humours in the eyes, 
or other parts. The ancients much used it 
in their ointments and other medicines 
against the lassitude, and to strengthen 
and comfort the sinews: For which, if it was 
good then, I know no reason but it may be 
found so still. 
MOTHERWORT. 
Descript.| Tuis hath a hard, square, 
brownish, rough, strong stalk, rising three 
or four feet high at least, spreading into 
many branches, whereon grow leaves on 
each side, with long foot-stalks, two at 
every joint, which are somewhat broad and 
long, as if it were rough or crumpled, with 
many great veins therein of a sad green 
colour, and deeply dented about the edges, 
and almost divided. From the middle of the 
branches up to the tops of them (which are 
long and small) grow the flowers round 
them at distances, in sharp pointed, rough, 
hard husks, of a more red or purple colour 
than balm or horehound, but in the same 
manner or form as the horehounds, after 
which come small, round, blackish seeds in 
great plenty. The root sends forth a num- 
ber of long strings and small fibres, taking 
strong hold in the ground, of a dark yellow- 
ish or brownish colour, and abides as the 
horehound doth: the smell of the one not 
much differs from the other. 
Place.| It grows only in gardens with us 
in England. 
Government and virtues.| Venus owns 
the herb, and it is under Leo. There is no 
better herb to take melancholy vapours 
from the heart, to strengthen it, and make a 
merry, chearful blithe soul than this herb. 
It may be kept in a syrup or conserve; 
therefore the Latins called it Cardiaca. Be- 
sides it makes women joyful mothers of 
children, and settles their wombs as they 
should be, therefore we call it Motherwort. 
It is held to be of much use for the trem- 
bling of the heart, and faintings and swoon- 
ings; from whence it took the name Cardi- 
aca. The powder thereof, to the quantity of 
a spoonful, drank in wine, is a wonderful 
help to women in their sore travail, as also 
for the suffocating or risings of the mother, 
and for these effects, it is likely it took the 
name of Motherwort with us. It also pro- 
vokes urine and women’s courses, cleanses 
the chest of cold phlegm, oppressing it, kills _ 
worms in the belly. It is of good use to _ 
warm and dry up the cold humours, to di- 
gest and disperse them that are settled in 
the veins, joints, and sinews of the body, 
—— ulsic 
