122 : 
THE COMPLETE HERBAL 
MOUSE-EAR. 
Descript.| Movusr-rar is a low herb, 
creeping upon the ground by small strings, 
like the strawberry plant, whereby it shoots 
forth small roots, whereat grow upon the 
ground many small and somewhat short 
leaves, set in a round form together, and 
very hairy, which being broken do give a 
_whitish milk: From among these leaves 
spring up two or three small hoary stalks 
about a span high, with a few smaller leaves 
thereon; at the tops whereof stands usually 
but one flower, consisting of many pale yel- 
low. leaves, broad at the point, and a little 
dented in, set in three or four rows (the 
greater uppermost) very like a dandelion 
flower, and a little reddish underneath about 
the edges, especially if it grow in a dry 
ground; which after they have stood long 
in flower do turn into down, which with the 
seed_.is carried away with the wind. 
Place.| It grows on ditch banks, and 
sometimes in ditches, if they be dry, and in 
sandy grounds. 
Time.| It flowers about June or July, 
and abides green all the Winter. 
Government and virtues.| The Moon 
owns this herb also; and though authors cry 
out upon Alchymists, for attempting to fix 
quicksilver by this herb and Moonwort, a 
Roman would not have judged a thing by 
the success; if it be to be fixed at all, it is 
by lunar influence. The juice thereof 
taken in wine, or the decoction thereof 
drank, doth help the jaundice, although of 
long continuance, to drink thereof morn- 
ing and evening, and abstain from other 
drink two or three hours after. It is a 
special remedy against the stone, and the 
tormenting pains thereof: as also other tor- 
__ tures and griping pains of the bowels. The 
_ decoction thereof with succory and centaury 
_is held very effectual to help the dropsy, 
va Ses that are — thereunto, and 
fluxes of blood, either at the mouth or nose, 
and inward bleeding also, for it is a singular 
wound herb for wounds both inward and 
outward: It helps the bloody flux, and helps 
the abundance of women’s courses. There 
is a syrup made of the juice hereof, and 
sugar, by the apothecaries of Italy, and 
other places, which is of much account with 
them, to be given to those that are troubled 
with the cough or phthisic. The same also is 
singularly good for ruptures or burstings. 
The green herb bruised and_ presently 
bound to any cut or wound, doth quickly 
solder the lips thereof. And the juice, de- 
coction, or powder of the dried herb is most 
singular to stay the malignity of spreading 
and fretting cankers and ulcers whatso- 
ever, yea in the mouth and secret parts. The 
distilled water of the plant is available in 
all the diseases aforesaid, and to wash out- 
ward wounds and sores, and apply tents of 
cloths wet therein. 
MUGWORT. 
Descript.]| Common Mugwort hath 
divers leaves lying upon the ground, very 
much divided, or cut deeply in about the 
brims, somewhat like wormwood, but much 
larger, of a dark green colour on the uppeF 
side, and very hoary white underneath. The 
stalks rise to be four or five feet high, hav- 
ing on it such like leaves as those below, 
but somewhat smaller, branching forth 
very much towards the top, whereon are 
set very small, pale, yellowish flowers like 
buttons, which fall away, and after them 
some small seeds inclosed in round heads. 
The root is long and hard, with many small 
fibres growing from it, whereby it takes | 
strong hold on the ground; but both stalks 
and leafs do lie down every year, and the 
root shoots anew in the Spring. The whole 
plant is of a reasonable scent, and is more — 
easily propagated by the slips than the 
seed. | 
- Place.| It grows plentifully in many | 
eens 
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sae eee 
