138 
THE COMPLETE HERBAL 
wise the black seed beaten to powder, and 
given in wine, is also available. The black 
seed also taken before bed-time, and in 
the morning, is very effectual for such as in 
their sleep are troubled with the disease 
called Ephialtes, or Incubus, but we do 
commonly call it the Night-mare; a disease 
which melancholy persons are subject unto: 
It is also good against melancholy dreams. 
The distilled water or syrup made of the 
flowers, works the same effects that the root 
and seed do, although more weakly. The 
Female is often used for the purpose afore- 
said, by reason the Male is so scarce a 
plant, that it is possessed by few, and those 
great lovers of rarities in this kind. 
PEPPERWORT, OR DITTANDER. 
Descript.| Our common Pepperwort 
sends forth somewhat long and broad 
leaves, of a light blueish green colour, finely 
dentéd about the edges, and pointed at the 
ends, standing upon round hard stalks, 
three or four feet high, spreading many 
branches on all sides, and having many 
small white flowers at the tops of them, 
after which follow small seeds in small 
heads. The root is slender, running much 
under ground, and shooting up again in 
many places, and both leaves and roots are 
very hot and sharp of taste, like pepper, for 
which cause it took the name. 
Place.| It grows naturally in many 
places of this land, as at Clare in Essex; 
also near unto Exeter in Devonshire; upon 
Rochester Common in Kent; in Lanca- 
shire, and divers other places; but usually 
kept in gardens, 
_ -Time.] It flowers in the end of June, 
and in July. 
Government and virtues.]| Here is an- 
_ other martial herb for you, make much of it. 
_ Pliny and Paulus Zgineta say, that Pep- 
perwort is very successful for the sciatica, 
any other Aimee or sek in the joints, or 
hereof to be bruised, and mixed with old 
hog’s grease, and applied to the place, and 
to continue thereon four hours in men, and 
two hours in women, the place being after- 
wards bathed with wine and oil mixed to- 
gether, and then wrapped up with wool or 
skins, after they have sweat a little. It also 
amends the deformities or discolourings of 
the skin, and helps to take away marks, 
sears, and scabs, or the foul marks of burn- 
ing with fire or iron. The juice hereof is by 
some used to be given in ale to drink, to 
women with child, to procure them a speedy 
delivery in travail. 
PERIWINKLE. 
Descript.| Tur common sort hereof 
hath many branches trailing or running 
upon the ground, shooting out small fibres 
at the joints as it runs, taking thereby hold 
in the ground, and rooteth in divers places. 
At the joints of these branches stand two 
small, dark,green,shining leaves,somewhat 
like bay leaves, but smaller, and with them 
come forth also the flowers (one at a joint) 
standing upon a tender foot-stalk, being 
somewhat long and hollow, parted at the 
brims, sometimes into four, sometimes into 
five leaves: The most ordinary sorts are of 
a pale blue colour; some are pure white, 
some of a dark reddish purple colour. The 
root is little bigger than a rush, bushing in 
‘the ground, and creeping with his branches 
far about, whereby it quickly possesses 
a great compass, and is therefore most 
usually planted under hedges where it may 
have room to run. 
Place.| Those with the pale blue, and 
those with the white flowers, grow in woods 
and orchards, by the hedge-sides, in divers 
places of this land; but those with the pur- 
ple flowers in gardens only. 
Time.] They flower in March and April. 
Government and virtues.| Venus owns 
this herb, and saith, That the leaves eatet 
by man and wife — cause lis be- . 
