72 THE OLD ENGLISH HERBALS 



is an other that is called wylde hony and is found in woodes 

 and is not so good as the other and is more bytter. Also there 

 is a honey called castanea because it is made of chestayne 

 floures that the bees sucketh and is bytter." 



In the Grete Herhall, as in Banckes's Herball, we find numerous 

 instances of the use of herbs as amulets or for their effect on 

 the mind, and for the smoking of patients with their fumes. 

 I quote the following : — 



** Betony. For them that be ferfuU. For them that ben 

 to ferfull gyue two dragmes of powdre hereof wt warme water 

 and as moche wyne at the tyme that the fere cometh." 



*' Buglos. To preserve the mynde. This herbe often eaten 

 confermeth and conserueth the mynde as many wyse maysters 

 sayth." 



" To make folke mery. Take the water that buglos hath 

 be soden in and sprynkle it about the hous or chambre and all 

 that be therein shall be mery." 



" Vervain. To make folke mery at ye table. To make aU 

 them in a hous to be mery take foure leaves and foure rotes 

 of vervayn in wyne, than spryncle the wine all about the hous 

 where the eatynge is and they shall be all mery." 



" Musk. Agaynst weyknesse of the brayne smel to 

 musk." 



" Struciun. Against lytargye bio we the powdre of the sede 

 in to the nose or elles sethe the sede thereof and juice of rue 

 in stronge vyneygre and rubbe the hynder parte of ye head 

 therwith." 



" Artemisia. To make a child mery hange a bondell of 

 mugwort or make smoke thereof under the chylde's bedde for 

 it taketh away annoy for hem." 



" Rosemary. For weyknesse of ye brayne. Agaynst weyk- 

 nesse of the brayne and coldenesse thereof, sethe rosmarin in 

 wyne and lete the pacyent receye the smoke at his nose and kepe 

 his heed warme." 



