96 culpepeb's complete hesbal^ 



Government and Virtues, — It is governed by Jupiter, 

 and that gives hope of a wholesome, healthful herb. It 

 is ffood for the diseases of the chest or breast, for paint 

 and stitches in the side, and to expel crude and raw hu- 

 mours from the belly and stomach, by the sweet savour 

 and warming quality. It dissolves the inward congealed 

 blood happening by falls or bruises, and the spitting of 

 blood, if the roots, either green or dry, be boiled in wine 

 and drunk : as also all manner of inward wounds or out- 

 ward, if washed or bathed therewith. The decoction also 

 being drunk, comforts the heart, and strengthens the sto- 

 mach and a cold brain, and therefore is good in the spring- 

 time to open obstructions of the liver, and helpetn the 

 wind colic : it also helps those that have fluxes, or are 

 bursten, or have a rupture : it taketh away spots or marks 

 in the face being washed therewith. The juice of the fresh 

 root, or powder of the dried root, have the same effect as 

 the decoction. The root in the spring-time, steeped in 

 wine, doth give it a delicate flavor and taste, ana being 

 drunk fasting every morning, comforteth the heart, and 

 is a good preservative against the plague or any other 

 poison. It helpeth digestion, warmeth a cold stomach, 

 and openeth obstructions of the liver and spleen. 



It is very safe ; you need have no dose prescribed ; and 

 is very fit to be kept in every body's house. 



BAIM.^C Melissa Offlcinalis.) 



This herb is so well known to be an inhabitant almost In 

 every garden, that I shall not need to give any descrip- 

 tion thereof, although the virtues thereof, which are many, 

 should not be omitted. 



Oavemment and Virtues. — It is an herb of Jupiter, and 

 under Cancer, and strengthens nature much in all its 

 actions. Let a syrup made with the juice of it and sugar 

 (as you shall be taught at the latter end of this book) be 

 kept in every gentlewoman's house to relieve the weak 

 stomachs and sick bodies of their poor and sickly neigh- 

 bours ; as also the herb kept dry in the house, that so 

 with other convenient simples, you may make it into an el- 

 ectuary with honey, according as the disease is, you shall 

 be taught at the latter end of my book. The Arabian 

 physicians have extolled the virtues thereof to the skies ; 

 although the Greeks thought it not worth mentioning. 

 Seraphio saith, it causeth the mind and heart to become 



