108 THE COMPLETE HERBAL 



a foot long, growing in bundles one above j the place covered with a linen cloth doubled 

 another, out of small husks, very like the j and anointed with the ointment ; and this 

 spiked heads of Lavender, each of which \ is also an approved medicine. It likewise 

 flowers have five round-pointed leaves of a I cleanses and heals all foul ulcers, and sores 

 purple violet colour, or somewhat inclining \ whatsoever, and stays their inflammations 

 to redness ; in which husks stand small I by washing them with the water, and lay- 

 round heads after the flowers are fallen, j ing on them a green leaf or two in the 

 wherein is contained small seed. The root | Summer, or dry leaves in the Winter. This 

 creeps under ground like unto the yellow, j water, gargled warm in the mouth, and 

 but is greater than it, and so are the heads j sometimes drank also, doth cure the quinsy, 

 of the leaves when they first appear out of I or king's evil in the throat. The said 

 the ground, and more brown than the j water applied warm, takes away all spots, 

 other, j marks, and scabs in the skin ; and a little 



Place.'] It grows usually by rivers, and of it drank, quenches thirst when it is ex- 

 ditch-sides in wet ground, as about the treme. 

 ditches at and near Lambeth, and in many 



i / t .i'ii 9 JjOVACrE. 



places of this land. 



Time.'] It flowers in the months of June | Descript.] IT has many long and green 

 and July. ; stalks of large winged leaves, divided into 



Government and virtues.'] It is an herb 

 of the Moon, and under the sign Cancer; 

 neither do I know a better preserver of the 



many parts, like Smallage, but much larger 

 and greater, every leaf being cut about the 

 edges, broadest forward, and smallest at the 



sight when it is well, nor a better cure for j stalk, of a sad green colour, smooth and 

 sore eyes than Eyebright, taken inwardly, ' shining ; from among which rise up sundry 

 and this used outwardly; it is cold in quality.! strong, hollow green stalks, five or six, 

 This herb is nothing inferior to the for- sometimes seven or eight feet high, full of 

 mer, it having not only all the virtues which joints, but lesser leaves set on them than 

 the former hath, but more peculiar virtues j grow below; and with them towards the 

 of its own, found out by experience ; as, j tops come forth large branches, bearing at 

 namely. The distilled water is a present ! their tops large umbels of yellow flowers, 

 remedy for hurts and blows on the eyes, i and after them flat brownish seed. The 

 and for blindness, so as the Christalline I roots grow thick, great and deep, spreading 

 humours be not perished or hurt ; and this ! much, and enduring long, of a brownish 

 hath been sufficiently proved true by the i colour on the outside, and whitish within, 

 experience of a man of judgment, who kept! The whole plant and every part of it smell- 

 it long to himself as a great secret. It I ing strong, and aromatically, and is of a 

 clears the eyes of dust, or any thing gotten I hot, sharp, biting taste. 

 into them, and preserves the sight. It is I Place.'] It is usually planted in gardens, 

 also very available against wounds and | where, if it be suffered, it grows huge and 

 thrusts, being made into an ointment in | great. 



this manner: To every ounce of the water,} Time.'] It flowers in the end of July, 

 add two drams of May butter without salt, ! and seeds in August. 



and of sugar and wax, of each as muchj Government and virtues^] It is an herb 

 also; let them boil gently together. Let J of the Sun, under the sign Taurus. If 

 tents dipped into the liquor that remains j Saturn offend the throat (as he always doth 

 after it is cold, be put into the wounds, and \ if he be occasioner of the malady, and in 



