170 
THE COMPLETE HERBAL 
them, which turn into small pods, and 
smaller brownish seed than the former. The 
root is white, small and thready. The taste 
is nothing salt at all; it hath a hot, aroma- 
tical spicy taste. 
Time.| It flowers in April and May, 
and gives seed ripe quickly after. 
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of 
Jupiter. The English Scurvygrass is more 
used for the salt taste it bears which doth 
somewhat open and cleanse; but the Dutch 
Scurvygrass is of better effect, and chiefly 
used (if it may be had) by those that have 
the scurvy, and is of singular good effect to 
cleanse the blood, liver, and spleen, taking 
the juice in the Spring every morning fast- 
ing in a cup of drink. The decoction is good 
for the same purpose, and opens obstruc- 
tions, evacuating cold, clammy and phleg- 
matic humours both from the liver and the 
spleen, and bringing the body to a more 
lively colour. The juice also helps all foul 
ulcers and sores in the mouth, gargled 
therewith; and used outwardly, cleanses 
_the skin from spots, marks, or scars that 
happen therein. 
SELF-HEAL. 
Descript.| Tue common Self-heal which 
is called also Prunel, Carpenter’s Herb, 
Hook-heal, and Sickle-wort, is a small, low, 
creeping herb, having many small, roundish 
pointed leaves, like leaves of wild mints, of 
a dark green colour, without dents on the 
edges; from among which rise square hairy 
stalks, scarce a foot high, which spread 
sometimes into branches with small leaves 
set thereon, up to the top, where stand 
brown spiked heads of small brownish 
leaves like scales and flowers set together, 
almost like the heads of Cassidony, which 
flowers are gaping, and of a blueish purple, 
or more pale blue, in some places sweet, 
but not so in others. The root consists of 
Self-heal and Sanicle to help himself. 
strings also whereby it increases. The 
small stalks, with the leaves creeping on the 
ground, shoot forth fibres taking hold on 
the ground, whereby it is made a great tuft 
in a short time. 
Place.| It is found in woods and fields 
every where. 
Time.| It flowers in May, and some- 
times in April. 
Government and virtues.]| Here is an- 
other herb of Venus, Self-Heal, whereby 
when you are hurt you may heal yourself: 
It is a special herb for inward and outward 
wounds. Take it inwardly in syrups for 
inward wounds: outwardly in unguents and 
plaisters for outward. As Self-heal is like 
Bugle in form, so also in the qualities and 
virtues, serving for all the purposes whereto 
Bugle is applied with good success, either 
inwardly or outwardly, for inward wounds 
or ulcers whatsoever within the body, for 
bruises or falls, and such like hurts. If it 
be accompanied with Bugle, Sanicle, and 
other the like wound herbs, it will be more 
effectual to wash or inject into ulcers in 
the parts outwardly. Where there is caus¢ 
to repress the heat and sharpness of 
humours flowing to any sore, ulcers, inflam- 
mations, swellings, or the like, or to stay 
the fluxes of blood in any wound or part, 
this is used with some good success; as also 
to cleanse the foulness of sores, and causé 
them more speedily to be healed. It is a0 
especial remedy for all green wounds, t0 
solder the lips of them, and to keep the 
place from any further inconveniencies. 
The juice hereof used with oil of roses t© 
anoint the temples and forehead, is very 
effectual to remove head ache, and the same 
mixed with honey of roses, cleanses and 
heals all ulcers in the mouth, and throat, 
and those also in the secret parts. And the 
proverb of the Germans, French, and | 
others, is verified in this, That he needs — 
neither physician nor surgeon that hath 
