50 



THE COMPLETE HERBAL 



running and foul scabs, sores and itch. 

 The same also boiled in wine, and applied 

 to any joint full of pain, ache, or the gout 

 in the hands or feet, or the hip gout, called 

 the Sciatica, and the decoction thereof 

 drank the while, doth cure them, and eases 

 much pain in the bowels. The roots are 

 likewise effectual to help ruptures or burst- 

 ing, being used with other things available 

 to that purpose, taken either inwardly or 

 outwardly, or both; as also bruises or 

 hurts by blows, falls, or the like, and to 

 stay the bleeding of wounds in any parts 

 inward or outward. 



Some hold that one leaf cures a quo- 

 tidian, three a tertain, and four a quartan 

 ague, and a hundred to one if it be not 

 Dioscorides ; for he is full of whimsies. 

 The truth is, -I never stood so much upon 

 the number of the leaves, nor whether I 

 give it in powder or decoction : If Jupiter 

 were strong, and the Moon applying to 

 him, or his good aspect at the gathering, 

 I never knew it miss the desired effect. 



GIVES. 



c ALL ED also Rush Leeks, Chives, Civet, 

 and Sweth. 



Government and virtues.~\ I confess I had 

 not added these, had it not been for a coun- 

 try gentleman, who by a letter certified 

 me, that amongst other herbs, I had left 

 these out ; they are indeed a kind of leeks, 

 hot and dry in the fourth degree as they 

 are, and so under the dominion of Mars ; 

 "if they be eaten raw, (I do not mean raw, 

 opposite to roasted or boiled, but raw, 

 opposite to chymical preparation) they send 

 up very hurtful vapours to the brain, caus- 

 ing troublesome sleep, and spoiling the 

 eye-sight, yet of them prepared by the art 

 of the alchymist, may be made an excellent 

 remedy for the stoppage of the urine. 



CLARY, OR MORE PROPERLY CLEAR-EYE. 



Detcript.'] OCR ordinary garden Clary 



has four square stalks, with broad, rough, 

 wrinkled, whitish, or hoary green leaves 

 somewhat evenly cut in on the edges, and 

 of a strong sweet scent, growing some near 

 the ground, and some by couples upon 

 stalks. The flowers grow at certain dis- 

 tances, with two small leaves at the joints 

 under them, somewhat like unto the flowers 

 of Sage, but smaller, and of a whitish blue 

 colour. The seed is brownish, and some- 

 what flat, or not so round as the wild, The 

 roots are blackish, and spread not far, and 

 perish after the seed time. It is usually 

 sown, for it seldom rises of its own sowing. 



Place. ~] This grows in gardens. 



Time.'] It flowers in June and July, some 

 a little later than others, and their seed is 

 ripe in August, or thereabouts. 



Government and virtues. ,] It is under the 

 dominion of the Moon. The seed put into 

 the eyes clears them from motes, and such 

 like things gotten within the lids to offend 

 them, as also clears them from white and 

 red spots on them. The mucilage of the 

 seed made with water, and applie3 to 

 tumours, or swellings, disperses and takes 

 them away ; as also draws forth splinters, 

 thorns, or other things gotten into the flesh. 

 The leaves used with vinegar, either by 

 itself, or with a little honey, doth help boils, 

 felons, and the hot inflammation that are 

 gathered by their pains, if applied before 

 it be grown too great. The powder of the 

 dried root put into the nose, provokes 

 sneezing, and thereby purges the head and 

 brain of much rheum and corruption. The 

 seed or leaves taken in wine, provokes to 

 venery. It is of much use both for men 

 and women that have weak backs, and 

 helps to strengthen the reins : used either 

 by itself, or with other herbs conducing to 

 the same effect, and in tansies often. The 

 fresh leaves dipped in a batter of flour, 

 eggs, and a little milk, and fried in butter, 

 and served to the table, is not unpleasant 

 to any, but exceedingly profitable for those 



