THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 2 If 



Descript.'] Common Mugwort hath divers leaves lying 

 upon the ground, very much divided, or cut deeply ia 

 about the brims, somewhat like wormwood, but much 

 larger, of a dark green colour on the upper side, and 

 very hoary white underneath. The stalk rises to be four 

 or five feet high, having on it such like leaves as those 

 below, but somewhat smaller, branching forth very much 

 towards the top, whereon are set very small, pale, yel- 

 lowish flowers, like buttons, which fall away, and after • 

 thera coflie small seeds inclosed in round heads. The root 

 is long and hard, Avith many small fibres growing from it, 

 whereby it taketh strong hold on the ground ; but both 

 stalks and leaf do lie down every year, and the root 

 shooteth anew in the Spring. The whole plant is of a 

 reasonable scent, and is more easily propagated by the slips 

 than the seed. 



Place.'] It groweth plentifully in many places of this 

 land by the water-sides ; as also by small water-courses, 

 and in divers other places. 



Titne.l It flowcreth and sccdeth in the end of Summer. 

 Government and Virtiies.~\ This is an herb of Venus, 

 therefore maintaineth the parts ot the body she rules, re- 

 medies theMiseases of the parts that arc under her signs, 

 Taurus and Libra. Mugwort is with good success put 

 among other herbs that are boiled for women to sit over 

 the hot dcco(5liou to draw doAvn their courses, to help 

 the delivery of their birth, and expel the after-birth. As 

 also for the obstructions and inflammations of the mother. 

 It brcaketh the stone, and causeth one to make Avatcr 

 where it is stopped. The juice thereof made up with 

 myrrh, and put under as a pessary, worketh the same 

 etfc6]s, and so doth the root also. Being made up with 

 hog's grease into an ointment, it taketh away Avens and 

 hard knots, and kernels that grow about the neck and 

 throat, and easeth the pains about the neck more effec- 

 tually, if some field daisies be put Avith it. The herb it- 

 self being fresh, or the juice thereof taken, is a special 

 remedy upon the overmuch taking of opiym. Three 

 drams of the powder of the dried leaves taken in wine 

 is a speedy and the best certain help for the sciatica. A 

 decoction thereof made Avith camomile and agrimony, and 



