AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 187 



these roots spring up many green leaves, j virtue against the plague, the decoction 

 which at first are somewhat broad and long, \ thereof being drank, and the root being 

 without any divisions at all in them, or dent- ju^ed to smell to. It helps to expel the 

 ing on the edges ; but those that rise up j wind in the belly. The green herb with 



aftet are more and more divided on each ', 

 side, some to the middle rib, being winged, 

 as made of many leaves together on a stalk, 



the root taken fresh, being bruised and ap- 

 plied to the head, takes away the pains and 

 prickings there, stays rheum and thin dis- 



and those upon a s talk, in like manner morel filiation, and being boiled in white wine, 

 divided, but smaller towards the top than j and a drop thereof put into the eyes, takes 

 below ; the stalk rises to be a yard high or j away the dimness of the sight, or any pin 

 more, sometimes branched at the top, with 5 or web therein. It is of excellent property 

 many small whitish flowers, sometimes j to heal any inward sores or wounds, and 



dashed over at the edges with a pale pur- 

 plish colour, of a little scent, which passing 

 away, there follows small browinsh white 

 seed, that is easily carried away with the 

 wind. The root smells more strong than 

 either leaf or flower, and is of more use in 

 medicines. 



PlaceJ] It is generally kept with us in 



also for outward hurts or wounds, and 

 drawing away splinters or thorns out of the 

 flesh. 



VERVAIN. 



Descript.~\ THE common Vervain hath 

 somewhat long broad leaves next the ground 

 deeply gashed about the edges, and some 



gardens. * only deeply denied, or cut all alike, of a 



Time.'] It flowers in June and July, and j blackish green colour on the upper side, 

 continues flowering until the frost pull it j somewhat grey underneath. The stalk is 

 down. i square, branched into several parts, rising 



Government and virtues.'] This is under 5 about two feet high, especially if you 

 the influence of Mercury. Dioscorides reckon the long spike of flowers at ihe tops 

 saith, That the Garden Valerian hath ajof them, which are set on all sides one above 

 warming faculty, and that being dried and ' another, and sometimes two or three toge- 

 given to drink it provokes urine, and helps ; ther, being small and gaping, of a blue 

 the stranguary. The decoction thereof j colour and white intermixed, after which 

 taken, doth the like also, and takes away ! come small round seed, in small and some- 



pains of thesides, provokes women's courses, j what long heads. The root is small and 

 and is used in antidotes. Pliny saith, That \ long. 



the powder of the root given in drink, or! Place.] It grows generally throughout 

 the decoction thereof taken, helps all stopp- j this land in divers places of the hedges and 

 ings and stranglings in any part of the j way-sides, and other waste grounds, 

 body, whether they proceed of pains in the \ Time.'] It flowers in July, and the seed 

 chest or sides, and takes them away. The j is ripe soon after. 



root of Valerian boiled with liquorice, rai- \ Government and virtues.] This is an herb 

 sins, and anniseed, is singularly good for J of Venus, and excellent for the womb to 

 those that are short-winded, and for those j strengthen and remedy all the cold griefs of 

 that are troubled with the cough, and helps i it, as Plantain doth the hot. Vervain is 

 to open the passages, and to expectorate | hot and dry, opening obstructions, cleans- 

 phlegm easily. It is given to those that are j ing and healing. It helps the yellow jaun- 

 bitten or stung by any venomous creature, j dice, the dropsy and the gout ; it kills and 

 being boiled in wine. It is of a special^ expels worms in the belly, and causes a 



' 3c 



