106 THE COMPLETE HERBAL 



of a strong, though pleasing smell; the; birth. The root roasted, and mixed with a 



* iLJ I ^_J % 



beriies are red, not much unlike those of 

 Asparagus. 



Placed] They grow plentifully upon 

 Hampstead-Heath, and many other places 

 in this nation. 



little hog's grease, makes a gallant poultice 

 to lipen and break plague-sores. The 

 ointment is excellently good for swellings 

 in the privities, and will cure burnings and 

 scaldings without a scar, and trimly deck a 



Time.'] They flower in May, and the blank place with hair. 



seed is ripe in September. 



/-. , T T.. j u LIQUORICE. 



(jovemment ana virtues.] It is under thej 



dominion of Mercury, and therefore it; Descript.] OUR English Liquorice rises 

 strengthens the brain, recruits a weak up with divers woody slalks, whereon are 

 memory, and makes it strong again : The I set at several distances many narrow, long, 

 distilled water dropped into the eyes, helps I green leaves, set together on both sides of 

 inflammations there ; as also that infirmity ; the stalk, and an odd one at the end, very 

 which they call a pin and web. The spirit ; well resembling a young ash tree sprung up 

 of the flowers distilled in wine, restores lost 5 from the seed. This by many years con- 

 speech, helps the palsy, and is excellently I tinuance in a place without removing, and 

 good in the apoplexy, comforts the heart j not else, will bring forth flowers, many 

 and vital spirits. Gerrard saith, that the -standing together spike fashion, one above 

 tlowers being close stopped up in a glass, J another upon the stalk, of the form of pease 

 >ut into an ant-hill, and taken away again \ blossoms, but of a very pale blue colour, 

 a month after, ye shall find a liquor in the | which turn into long, somewhat flat and 

 glass, which, being outwardly applied, helps I smooth cods, wherein is contained a small., 

 the gout. ground, hard seed : The roots run down ex- 



jceeding deep into die ground, with divers 

 j other small roots and fibres growing with 



IT were in vain to describe a plant so I them, and shoot out suckers from the main 

 commonly known in every one's garden ; | roots all about, whereby it is much increas- 

 therefore I shall not tell you what they are, Jed, of a brownish colour on the outside, 

 but what they are good for. sand yellow within. 



Government and virtues.'] They are under; Place."] It is planted in fields and gar- 

 the dominion of the Moon, and by anti- j dens, in divers places of this land, and 

 pathy to Mars expel poison ; they are ex- j thereof good profit is made, 

 cellently good in pestilential fevers, the- Government and virtues.'] It is under the 

 roots being bruised and boiled in wine, and I dominion of Mercury. Liquorice boiled 

 the decoction drank ; for it expels the > in fair water, with some Maiden-hair and 

 venom to the exterior parts of the body : j figs, makes a good drink for those that have 

 The juice of it being tempered with barley j a dry cough or hoarseness, wheezing or 

 meal, baked, and so eaten for ordinary > shortness of breath, and for all the griefs ol 

 bread, is an excellent cure for the dropsy : 5 the breast and lungs, phthisic or consump- 

 An ointment made of the root, and hog's jtions caused by the distillation of sail 

 grease, is excellently good for scald heads, ! humours on them. It is also good in all 

 unites the sinews when they are cut, and \ pains of the reins, the stranguary, and heat 

 cleanses ulcers. The root -boiled in any; of urine: The fine powder of Liquorice 

 convenient decoction, gives speedy delivery j blown through a quill into the eyes that 

 to women in travail, and expels the after- ; have a j>in and web (as they call it) 01 



