FAMILY HERBAL. 239 



grow from the root, when there is no stalk. They 

 are to he given in decoction against the overflowings 

 of the menses, the bloody flux, the bleedingof the piles, 

 and spitting of blood ; boiled in milk, they are also 

 excellent by way of pultice to the piles, and other 

 painful swellings. 



Mustard. SlnapL 



A common rough looking plant, wild in many 

 places, but kept also in gardens, for the sake of the 

 seed. It grows a yard high. The stalk is round, 

 smooth, thick, and of a pale green ; the leaves are 

 large, and of a coarse green, deeply indented, and 

 placed irregularly ; they hang down, and have a 

 disagreeable aspect. The flowers are small and yel- 

 low ; they grow in great numbers on the tops of the 

 branches, and the pods of ihe seed follow them. The 

 whole plant is of an acrid pungent taste. The root 

 is white. 



The seeds are the part used ; what we call mus- 

 tard is made of them, and it is very wholesome ; it 

 strengthens the stomach, and procures an appetite. 

 The seed bruised and taken in large quantities, works 

 by urine, and is excellent against rheumatisms, and 

 the scurvy. It also promotes the menses. Laid 

 vpon the tongue it will sometimes restore speech in 

 slsies. 



Treacle Mustard. Tklaspi discordts. 



.1 little wild plant with broad leaves, white 

 flowers, and flat pods, common in dry places. It 

 is eight inches high ; the stalk is round and stri- 

 ated. The leaves are oblong, and broad, of a 

 {Mile green colour, and dentated round the edge*. 



