452 
^ Treatise on 
Prunes. 
Prunes Gallic*, Off. Thefe are brought from 
France , where they grow upon the Primus Saliva, 
J. B. Prunus , C. B. They are cooling and moif- 
tening. They temper the Acrimony of the Hu- 
mours, and alfo loofen the Belly, and are therefore 
put into the Lenitive Electuary. They are fome- 
times infufed with Sena, to render its Tafte more 
agreeable to Children, and People of weak Sto- 
machs. 
Aniseed. 
Semen Anift, Off. This is a fmall ftriated Seed, 
of a greenifh Colour, a pleafant Smell, and a warm 
fweet Tafte. The Plant which bears it is the Anifum 
Herbariis , C. B. Apium Anifum diffum, Inft. R. H. 
The Seed is fown in France and Germany , but the 
beft is faid to come to us from Spain. 
This Seed abounds with an acid Salt involved in a 
large Quantity of Oil, and hence arifes its fweetTafte. 
It is one of the four greater hot Seeds : the other 
three are Cummin, fweet Fennel, and Caraway. 
The Ancients have commended the Seed of 
Anife as an excellent Remedy for cold and moift 
Stomachs *, and it is given with Succefs to help Di- 
geftion and prevent Crudities. It hinders the Milk 
from curdling in the Breafts of Nurfes; and in- 
creafes its Quantity very much, if boiled and drank 
in Cow’s Milk. In the Gripes of young Children 
it is very beneficial ; as alfo in their Convulfions 
arifing from bad Humours in the Bowels, and on 
this account Helmont terms it Solamen inteftinorum. 
Heurnius aflerts that $j. powdered and given 
to Children in their Pap, purges them as ef- 
fectually as Rhubarb does older People. It 
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