521 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



Descripi.'] This liatli a thick short greyish root, lying 

 for the nioht part above ground, t-hootinj; forth on aU 

 other sides such like small pieces of roots, m liicii have all 

 of them many long green strings and fibres under them in 

 the ground, whereby it drawedi nourishment. From fhc 

 head of (heso roo(s spring up many green leaves, Avhich 

 at first arc somewhat broad and long, without any divisions 

 at all in them, or denting on llic edges ; but those that rise 

 up after are more and more divided on each side, some to 

 the middle rib, being winged, as made of many leaves 

 together on a stalk, and those upon a stalk, in like 

 manner more divided, but smaller towards (he top than 

 fcclow ; the stalk riscth to be a yard high or more, some- 

 times branched at the toj), with many small whitish 

 flowers, sometimes dashing over the edges with a pale 

 purplish colour, of a little scent, which passing away, 

 there followeth small brownish white seed, that is easily 

 carried away with the wind. The root smelleth more 

 strong than either leaf or flower, and is of more use in 

 medicines. 



Place.~\ It is generally kept with us in gardens. 



Time.'] it llov^ereth in June and July, and contiuueth 

 flowering until the frost pull it down. 



Government and Piriues.] 'Ihis is under the inllucnce 

 of Mercury. Dio.'corides saith, that the Garden Valerian 

 hath a warming faculty, and that being dried and given 

 to drink, itprovoketh urine, and helj/Cth the stranguary. 

 The decoction thereof taken, doth the like also; and 

 takcth away j)ains of the sides, provoketh the women's 

 courses, and is used in antidotes. Pliny saith, That the 

 powder of the root given in drink, or the decoftion 

 thereof taken, hclpeth all stoppings and stranglings in 

 any part of the body, whether thejj proceed of pains iu 

 the chest or sides, and taketh them away. 'J'he root of 

 Valerian boiled with liquorice, raisins, and anniseed, is 

 singular good for those that are short-winded, and for 

 those (hat are troubled with tlie cough, and helpeth to 

 open the passages, and to expectorate phlegm easily. It 

 is given to those thet are bitten or stung by any venom- 

 ous creature, bting boiled in viine. Jt js of a sjjecial 

 virtue against (he league, the decoction thereof being 

 drauk^ and the root being ustd to smell to. It helpclh 



