58 A Treatise on 
The Plant is called Gramen Cyperoides , aroma! hum 7 
Indieum , Breyn. 2. Prodrom. It grows in Java in 
great Plenty, where it is much ufed by the Natives 
in the Kitchen to feafon Victuals. 
From the Tafle and Smell of Indian Nard we 
may conjecture that its Virtues are owing to a vo- 
latile oily Salt, enveloped with a large Quantity of 
jixt Sait and Earth. 
It is alexiterial, cephalick, ftomachick, and ne- 
phritick, and good in malignant Diftempers It 
Hops Catarrhs falling from the Head upon the 
Bread: or Stomach. It alfo ftrengthens the Stomach 
and helps Digefiion, whether taken inwardly or 
outwardly applied. It brings all cold Difeafes to 
Concodtion, provokes the Menfes and Urine, and 
is of Service for refolving Obftrudtions of the Liver, 
Spleen, and Mefentery. Galen cured the Emperor 
Marcus of a Weaknefs of his Stomach, and bad Di- 
geftion, by applying the Unguentum nardinum Plaif- 
ter-wife to the Part upon Wool. Bontius tells us, 
that dry Spikenard infufed in Vinegar and Sugar 
is. taken by the Indians in Obflrudtions of the 
Liver, Spleen, and Mefentery, which are very 
common Diforders in thofe Climates *, as alfo againft: 
the Bites and Stings of Serpents and other poifon- 
ous Animals, being in thefe Cafes either put upon 
the Wound, or given inwardly. In an Haemorrhage 
of the Nofe Kaverins commends it as an excellent 
and approved Remedy, being reduced to a fine 
Powder and taken in Broth, Plan tain- Water, or 
any other fuitable Liquor. The Dofe is from ^fs. 
to gij. in Subilance, and to ^fs. in Infufion. 
The Ancients prepared of it Colly riu ms and 
Unguents. The Unguentum nardinum , according to 
Diofcorides , was made of Schgnanth, Cojlus , Amo- 
mum 7 Spikenard , Myrrh , Balm of Gilead , and the 
Oleum Bdaninum or Omphacinum , To thefe was 
Sometimes added the Indian Leaf. 
2. Nardus 
