126 
i. 
THE COMPLETE HERBAL 
ness of voice: and by the use of the decoc- 
tion thereof for a little space, those have 
been recovered who had utterly lost their 
voice, and almost their spirits also. The 
juice thereof made into a syrup, or licking 
medicine, with honey or sugar, is no less 
effectual for the same purpose, and for all 
other coughs, wheezing, and shortness of 
breath. The same is also profitable for those 
that have the jaundice, pleurisy, pains in 
the back and loins, and for torments in the 
belly, or colic, being also used in clysters. 
The seed is held to be a special remedy 
against poison and venom. It is singularly 
good for the sciatica, and in joint-aches, 
ulcers, and cankers in the mouth, throat, or 
behind the ears, and no less for the hard- 
ness and swelling of the testicles, or of 
women’s breasts. 
NAILWORT, OR WHITLOWGRASS. 
Descript.| Tus very small and common 
herb hath no roots, save only a few strings: 
neither doth it ever grow to be above a 
hand’s breadth high, the leaves are very 
small, and something long, not much unlike 
those of chickweed, among which rise up 
divers slender stalks, bearing many white 
flowers one above another, which are ex- 
ceeding small: 
flat pouches containing the seed, which is 
ee very small, but of a sharp taste. 
_ Place.] It grows commonly upon old 
_ stone and brick walls, and sometimes in 
gravelly grounds, especially if there be 
grass or moss near to shadow it. 
Time.] They flower very early in the 
_ year, sometimes in January, and in Feb- 
-tuary ; for before the end of April they are 
not to be found. 
Government and virtues.] It is held to be 
exceedingly good for those imposthumes in 
ere ae sl which they 
after which come small 
all Viitlows Felon A sang ens 
NEP, OR CATMINT. 
Descript.| Common Garden Nep shoots 
forth hard four-square stalks, with a hoari- 
ness on them, a yard high or more, full of 
branches, bearing at every joint two broad 
leaves like balm, but longer pointed, softer, 
white, and more hoary, nicked about the 
edges, and of a strong sweet scent. The 
flowers grow in large tufts at the tops of 
the branches, and underneath them like- 
wise on the stalks many together, of a 
whitish purple colour. The roots are com- 
posed of many long strings or fibres, fast- 
ening themselves stronger in the ground, 
and abide with green leaves thereon all the 
winter. * 
Place.| It is only nursed up in our gar- 
dens. 
Time.| And it flowers in July, or there- 
abouts. 
Government and virtues.] It is an herb 
of Venus. Nep is generally used for women 
to procure their courses, being taken in- 
wardly or outwardly, either alone, or with 
other convenient herbs in a decoction to 
bathe them, or sit over the hot fumes there- 
of ; and by the frequent use thereof, it takes 
away barrenness, and the wind, and pains 
of the mother. It is also used in pains of © 
the head coming of any cold cause, catarrhs, 
rheums, and for swimming and giddiness — 
thereof, and is of special use for the wind- — 
iness of the stomach and belly. It is ef — 
fectual for any cramp, or cold aches, to dis- 
solve cold and wind that afflicts the place, 
and is used for colds, coughs, and short- 
ness of breath. The juice thereof drank it — 
wine, is profitable for those that are bruised ) 
by an accident. The green herb bruised and | 
applied to the fundament, and lying there — 
two or three hours, eases the pains of the — 
‘piles; the juice also being made up into a0 
easier Ne ee ee 
