12(J THE COMPLETE HERBAL 



of voice : and by the use of the decoction 1 



thereof for a little space, those have been; NET. OR CATMINT. 



Recovered who had utterly lost their voice, 



nd almost their spirits also. The juice; DescnptJ] COMMON Garden Nep shoots 

 thereof made into a syrup, or licking medi- $ forth hard four-square stalks, with a hoari- 

 cine, with honey or sugar, is no less effec- ! ness on them, a yard high or more, full of 

 t.ual for the same purpose, and for all other ! branches, bearing at every joint two broad 

 coughs, wheeling, and shortness of breath, j leaves like balm, but longer pointed, softer, 

 The same is also profitable for those that j white, and more hoary, nicked about the 

 have the jaundice, pleurisy, pains in the } edpes, and of a strong sweet scent. The 

 back and loins, and for torments in the \ flowers grow in large tufts at the tops of the 

 belly, or cholic, being also used in clysters. I branches, and underneath them likewise on 

 The seed is held to be a special remedy ? the stalks many together, of a whitish pur- 

 figainst poison and venom. It is singularly 1 pie colour. The roots are composed of 

 good for the sciatica, and in joint-aches, j many long strings or fibres, fastening them- 

 ;jJcers, and cankers in the mouth, throat, or \ selves stronger in the ground, and abide 

 behind the ears, and no less for the hard- j with green leaves thereon all the winter, 

 ness and swelling of the testicles, or of j Place.~\ It is only nursed up in our 

 women's breasts. j gardens. 



Time.~] And it flowers in July, or there- 

 NAILWORT, OR WHITLOW-GRASS. jabouts. 



Government and virtues.] It is an herb of 



DescriptJ] Tins very small and common > Venus. Nep is generally used for women 

 herb hath no roots, save only a few strings:! to procure their courses, being laKen in- 

 neither doth it ever grow to be above a | wardly or outwardly, either alone, or with 

 hand's breadth high, the leaves are very | other convenient herbs in a decoction to 

 small, and something long, not much unlike { bathe them, or sit over the hot fumes there- 

 those of Chickweed, among which rise up j of; and by the frequent use thereof, it takes 

 divers slender stalks, bearing many white I away barrenness, and the wind, and pains 

 flowers one above another, which are ex-} of the mother. It is also used in pains of 

 ceeding small; after which come small j the head coming of any cold cause, catarrhs, 

 Hat pouches containing the seed, which is I rheums, and for swimming and giddiness 

 very small, but of a sharp taste. \ thereof, and is of special use for the wind- 



Place.'] It grows commonly upon old \ iness of the stomach and belly. It is ef- 

 stone and brick walls, and sometimes in \ fectual for any cramp, or cold aches, to dis- 

 gravelly grounds, especially if there be j solve cold and wind that afflict the place, 

 grass or moss near to shadow it. * and is used for colds, coughs, and short- 



Time.] They flower very early in the j ness of breath. The juice thereof drank 

 year, sometimes in January, and in \ in wine, is profitable for those that are 

 February; for before the end of April they ' bruised by an accident. The green herb 

 are not to be found. j bruised and applied to the fundament a id 



Government and virtues.'] It is held to be ! lying there two or three hours, eases the 

 exceedingly good for those imposthumes in \ pains of the piles; the juice also being made 

 the joints, and under the nails, which they | up into an ointment, is effectual for the 

 call Whitlows. Felons, Andicorns and Nail- i same purpose. The head washed with a 

 wheals. [decoction thereof, it takes nway scabs, 



