216 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



after fhoy have stood lonf> in flower, do turn into down, 

 which with the seed is carried away with the wind. 



Place.'] It growoth on ditch banks, and sometinies ia 

 ditches, if they be dry, and in sandy grounds. 



Time.'] It tlowcrcth about June or July, and abidcth 

 green ail the Winter. 



Government and Virtues.'] The Moon owns tliis herb 

 also ; and though authors cry out upon alchymists, for 

 attempting to fix quicksiiver by this herb and Aloonwort, 

 a Roman would not have judged a thing by the success ; 

 if it be to be fixed at all, it is by lunar influence. 'J'lie 

 juice thereof taken in vine, or the dccodtion thereof 

 drank, doth help the jaundice, although of long con- 

 tinuance, to drink thereof morning and evening, and 

 abstain from other drink two or three hoursalter. It is a 

 special remedy against the stone, and the tormenting pains 

 thereof; as also other tortures and griping pains of the 

 bowels. Thedecoftion thereof with succory and centaury 

 is held very eflectual to help the dropsy, and them that 

 are inclining thereto, and the diseases of the spleen. It 

 stayeth the lluxes 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 helpeth the 

 Lloody-flux, and helpeth 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 phthisick. The same 

 is also singular 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, decoftion, or powder of the dried herb, is most 

 singular to stay malignity of spreading and fretting 

 cankers and ulcers whatsoever; yea, in the mouti' and 

 secret parts. The distilled water of the plant is available 

 in all diseases aforesaid, and to wash outward wounds and 

 sores, and apply tents of cloths wet therein. 



Mugwort $. (h. 1. d. 2.) 



Tins is a very common herb, but its virtues much 

 negleded. 



