184 THE COMPLETE HERBAL 



phrenzy or lethargy, although they are two j is an ingredient in all antidotes or counter 

 contrary diseases : It helps spitting and j poisons. Andreas Urlesius is of opinion 

 voiding of blood, coughing, and vomiting ;: that the decoction of this root is no less 

 it comforts and strengthens the head, 1 effectual to cure the French pox than Gui- 

 stomach, reins, and womb, expels wind, I acurn or China ; and it is not unlikely, 

 and breaks the stone. \ because it so mightily resists putrefaction. 



jThe root taken inwardly is most effectual 

 to help any flux of the belly, stomach, 

 spleen, or blood ; and the juice wonder- 



TORMENTIL, OR SEPTFOIL. 



Descripi.~] THIS hath reddish, slender,: 



weak branches rising from the root, lying j fully opens obstructions of the liver and 

 on the ground, rather leaning than standing Hungs, and thereby helps the yellow jaun- 

 upright, with many short leaves that stand! dice. The powder or decoction drank, or 

 closer to the stalk than cinquefoil (to which ; to sit thereon as a bath, is an assured remedy 

 this is very like) with the root-stalk com- 1 against abortion, if it proceed from the 

 passing the branches in several places ; but { over flexibility or weakness of the inward 

 those that grow to the ground are set upon i retentive faculty ; as also a plaster made 

 long foot stalks, each whereof are like the I therewith, and vinegar applied to the reins 

 leaves of cinquefoil, but somewhat long and j of the back, doth much help not only this, 

 lesser dented about the edges, many of j but also those that cannot hold their water, 

 them divided into five leaves, but most: the powder being taken in the juice of 

 of them into seven, whence it is also called 1 plaintain, and is also commended against 

 Septfoil ; yet some may have six, and some j the worms in children. It is very powerful 

 eight, according to the fertility of the soil. |in ruptures and burstings, as also for bruises 

 At the tops of the branches stand divers | and falls, to be used as well outwardly as 

 small yellow flowers, consisting of five j inwardly. The root hereof made up with 

 leaves, like those of cinquefoil, but smaller.} pellitory of Spain and allum, and put into 

 The root is smaller than bistort, somewhat la hollow tooth, not only assuages tne pain, 

 thick, but blacker without, and not so red j but stays the flux of humours which causes 

 within, yet sometimes a little crooked, \ it. Tormentil is no less effectual and 

 having blackish fibres thereat. j powerful a remedy against outward wounds, 



Placed] It grows as well in woods and j sores and hurts, than for inward, and is 

 shadowy places, as in the open champain j therefore a special ingredient to be used in 

 country, about the borders of fields in many | wound drinks, lotions and injections, for 

 places of this land, and almost in every j foul corrupt rotten sores and ulcers of the 

 broom field in Essex. i mouth, secrets, or other parts of the body. 



Time.'] It flowers all the Summer long. iThe juice or powder of the root put in 

 Government and virtues.] This is a gallant! ointments, plaisters, and such things that 

 herb of the Sun. Tormentil is most ex- \ are to be applied to wounds or sores, is very 

 cellent to stay all kind of fluxes of blood or { effectual, as the juice of the leaves and the 

 humours in man or woman, whether at I root bruised and applied to the throat or 

 nose, mouth, or belly. The juice of the jaws, heals the king's evil, and eases the 



herb of the root, or the decoction thereof, 

 taken with some Venice treacle, and the 



pain of the sciatica; the same used with a 

 little vinegar, is a special remedy against 



person laid to sweat, expels any venom or Uhe running sores of the head or other 

 poison, or the plague, fever, or other con- j parts ; scabs also, and the itch or any such 

 tagious diseases, as pox, measles, &c. for it {eruptions in the skin, proceeding of salt and 



