Nicholas Culpeper, M.D.
The Complete Herbal : Illustrated Edition
TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED, UPWARDS OF ONE HUNDRED ADDITIONAL HERBS, WITH A DISPLAY OF THEIR Medicinal and Occult Qualities PHYSICALLY APPLIED TO THE CURE OF ALL DISORDERS INCIDENT TO MANKIND: TO WHICH ARE NOW FIRST ANNEXED, THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED, AND KEY TO PHYSIC. WITH RULES FOR COMPOUNDING MEDICINE ACCORDING TO THE TRUE SYSTEM OF NATURE. FORMING A COMPLETE FAMILY DISPENSATORY AND NATURAL SYSTEM OF PHYSIC.
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Table of contents
CULPEPER’S
TO HIS DEAREST CONSORT MRS. ALICE CULPEPER.
THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
AMARA DULCIS.
ALL-HEAL.
ALKANET.
ADDER’S TONGUE OR SERPENT’S TONGUE.
AGRIMONY.
WATER AGRIMONY.
ALEHOOF, OR GROUND-IVY.
ALEXANDER.
THE BLACK ALDER-TREE.
THE COMMON ALDER-TREE.
ANGELICA.
AMARANTHUS.
ANEMONE.
GARDEN ARRACH.
ARRACH, WILD AND STINKING.
ARCHANGEL.
ARSSMART.
ASARABACCA.
ASPARAGUS, SPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE.
PRICKLY ASPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE.
ASH TREE.
AVENS, CALLED ALSO COLEWORT, AND HERB BONET.
BALM.
BARBERRY.
BARLEY.
GARDEN BAZIL, OR SWEET BAZIL.
THE BAY TREE.
BEANS.
FRENCH BEANS.
LADIES BED-STRAW.
BEETS.
WATER BETONY.
WOOD BETONY.
THE BEECH TREE.
BILBERRIES, CALLED BY SOME WHORTS, AND WHORTLE-BERRIES.
BIFOIL OR TWABLADE.
THE BIRCH TREE.
BIRD’S FOOT.
BISHOP’S-WEED.
BISTORT, OR SNAKEWEED.
ONE-BLADE.
THE BRAMBLE, OR BLACK-BERRY BUSH.
BLITES.
BORAGE AND BUGLOSS.
BLUE-BOTTLE.
BRANK URSINE.
BRIONY, OR WILD VINE.
BROOK LIME, OR WATER-PIMPERNEL.
BUTCHER’S BROOM.
BROOM, AND BROOM-RAPE.
BUCK’S-HORN PLANTAIN.
BUCK’S HORN.
BUGLE.
BURNET.
THE BUTTER-BUR, OR PETASITIS.
THE BURDOCK.
CABBAGES AND COLEWORTS.
THE SEA COLEWORTS.
CALAMINT, OR MOUNTAIN-MINT.
CAMOMILE.
WATER-CALTROPS.
CAMPION, WILD.
CARDUUS BENEDICTUS.
CARROTS.
CARRAWAY.
CELANDINE.
THE ORDINARY SMALL CENTAURY.
THE CHERRY-TREE.
WINTER-CHERRIES.
CHERVIL.
SWEET CHERVIL, OR SWEET CICELY.
CHESNUT TREE.
EARTH CHESNUTS.
CHICKWEED.
CHICK-PEASE, OR CICERS.
CIVES.
CLARY, OR MORE PROPERLY CLEAR-EYE.
WILD CLARY.
CLEAVERS.
CLOWN’S WOODS.
COCK’S HEAD, RED FITCHING, OR MEDICK FETCH.
COLUMBINES.
COLTSFOOT.
COMFREY.
CORALWORT.
COSTMARY, OR ALCOST, OR BALSAM HERB.
CUDWEED, OR COTTONWEED.
COWSLIPS, OR PEAGLES.
CRAB’S CLAWS.
BLACK CRESSES.
SCIATICA CRESSES.
WATER CRESSES.
CROSSWORT.
CROWFOOT.
CUCKOW-POINT.
CUCUMBERS.
DAISIES.
DANDELION, VULGARLY CALLED PISS-A-BEDS.
DARNEL.
DILL.
DEVIL’S-BIT.
DOCK.
DODDER OF THYME, EPITHYMUM, AND OTHER DODDERS.
DOG’S-GRASS, OR COUGH GRASS.
DOVE’S-FOOT, OR CRANE’S-BILL.
DUCK’S MEAT.
DOWN, OR COTTON-THISTLE.
DRAGONS.
THE ELDER TREE.
THE DWARF-ELDER.
THE ELM TREE.
ENDIVE.
ELECAMPANE.
ERINGO, OR SEA-HOLLY.
EYEBRIGHT.
FERN.
OSMOND ROYAL, OR WATER FERN.
FEVERFEW OR FEATHERFEW.
FENNEL.
SOW-FENNEL, OR HOG’S-FENNEL.
FIG-WORT, OR THROAT-WORT.
FILIPENDULA, OR DROP-WORT.
THE FIG-TREE.
THE YELLOW WATER-FLAG, OR FLOWER-DE-LUCE.
FLAX-WEED, OR TOAD-FLAX.
FLEA-WORT.
FLUX-WEED.
FLOWER-DE-LUCE.
FLUELLIN, OR LLUELLIN.
FOX-GLOVE.
FUMITORY.
THE FURZE BUSH.
GARLICK.
GENTIAN, FELWORT, OR BALDMONY.
CLOVE GILLIFLOWERS.
GERMANDER.
STINKING GLADWIN.
GOLDEN ROD.
GOUT-WORT, OR HERB GERRARD.
GROMEL.
GOOSEBERRY BUSH.
WINTER-GREEN.
GROUNDSEL.
HEART’S-EASE.
ARTICHOKES.
HART’S-TONGUE.
HAZEL-NUT.
HAWK-WEED.
HAWTHORN.
HEMLOCK.
HEMP.
HENBANE.
HEDGE HYSSOP.
BLACK HELLEBORE.
HERB ROBERT.
HERB TRUE-LOVE, OR ONE-BERRY.
HYSSOP.
HOPS.
HOREHOUND.
HORSETAIL.
HOUSELEEK OR SENGREEN.
HOUND’S TONGUE.
HOLLY, HOLM, OR HULVER BUSH.
ST. JOHN’S WORT.
IVY.
JUNIPER BUSH.
KIDNEYWORT, OR WALL PENNYROYAL, OR WALL PENNYWORT.
KNAPWEED.
KNOTGRASS.
LADIES’ MANTLE.
LAVENDER.
LAVENDER-COTTON.
LADIES-SMOCK, OR CUCKOW-FLOWER.
LETTUCE.
WATER LILY.
LILY OF THE VALLEY.
WHITE LILIES.
LIQUORICE.
LIVERWORT.
LOOSESTRIFE OR WILLOW-HERB.
LOOSESTRIFE, WITH SPIKED HEADS OF FLOWERS.
LOVAGE.
LUNGWORT.
MADDER.
MAIDEN HAIR.
WALL RUE, OR, WHITE MAIDEN-HAIR.
GOLDEN MAIDEN HAIR
MALLOWS AND MARSHMALLOWS.
MAPLE TREE.
WIND MARJORAM.
SWEET MARJORAM.
MARIGOLDS.
MASTERWORT.
SWEET MAUDLIN.
THE MEDLAR.
MELLILOT, OR KING’S CLAVER.
FRENCH AND DOG MERCURY.
DOG MERCURY.
MINT.
MISSELTO.
MONEYWORT, OR HERB TWOPENCE.
MOONWORT.
MOSSES.
MOTHERWORT.
MOUSE-EAR.
MUGWORT.
THE MULBERRY-TREE.
MULLEIN.
MUSTARD.
THE HEDGE-MUSTARD.
NAILWORT, OR WHITLOW-GRASS.
NEP, OR CATMINT.
NETTLES.
NIGHTSHADE.
THE OAK.
OATS.
ONE BLADE.
ORCHIS.
ONIONS.
ORPINE.
PARSLEY.
PARSLEY PIERT, OR PARSLEY BREAK STONE.
PARSNIPS.
COW PARSNIPS.
THE PEACH TREE.
THE PEAR TREE.
PELLITORY OF SPAIN.
PELLITORY OF THE WALL.
PENNYROYAL
MALE AND FEMALE PEONY.
PEPPERWORT, OR DITTANDER.
PERIWINKLE.
ST. PETER’S WORT.
PIMPERNEL.
GROUND PINE, OR CHAMEPITYS.
PLANTAIN.
PLUMS.
POLYPODY OF THE OAK.
THE POPLAR TREE.
POPPY.
PURSLAIN.
PRIMROSES.
PRIVET.
QUEEN OF THE MEADOWS, MEADOW SWEET, OR MEAD SWEET.
THE QUINCE TREE.
RADDISH, OR HORSE-RADDISH.
RAGWORT.
RATTLE GRASS.
REST HARROW, OR CAMMOCK.
ROCKET.
WINTER-ROCKET, OR CRESSES.
ROSES.
ROSA SOLIS, OR SUN DEW.
ROSEMARY.
RHUBARB, OR REPHONTIC.
GARDEN-PATIENCE, OR MONK’S RHUBARB.
GREAT ROUND-LEAVED DOCK, OR BASTARD RHUBARB.
MEADOW-RUE.
GARDEN-RUE.
RUPTURE-WORT.
RUSHES.
RYE.
SAFFRON.
SAGE.
WOOD-SAGE.
SOLOMON’S SEAL.
SAMPHIRE.
SANICLE.
SARACEN’S CONFOUND, OR SARACEN’S WOUNDWORT.
SAUCE-ALONE, OR JACK-BY-THE-HEDGE-SIDE.
WINTER AND SUMMER SAVOURY.
SAVINE.
THE COMMON WHITE SAXIFRAGE.
BURNET SAXIFRAGE.
SCABIOUS, THREE SORTS.
SCURVYGRASS.
SELF-HEAL.
THE SERVICE-TREE.
SHEPHERD’S PURSE.
SMALLAGE.
SOPEWORT, OR BRUISEWORT.
SORREL.
WOOD SORREL.
SOW THISTLE.
SOUTHERN WOOD.
SPIGNEL, OR SPIKENARD.
SPLEENWORT, CETERACH, OR HEART’S TONGUE.
STAR THISTLE.
STRAWBERRIES.
SUCCORY, OR CHICORY.
STONE-CROP, PRICK-MADAM, OR SMALL-HOUSELEEK.
ENGLISH TOBACCO.
THE TAMARISK TREE.
GARDEN TANSY.
WILD TANSY, OR SILVER WEED.
THISTLES.
THE MELANCHOLY THISTLE.
OUR LADY’S THISTLE.
THE WOOLLEN, OR, COTTON THISTLE.
THE FULLER’S THISTLE, OR TEASLE.
TREACLE MUSTARD.
MITHRIDATE MUSTARD.
THE BLACK THORN, OR SLOE-BUSH.
THOROUGH WAX, OR THOROUGH LEAF.
THYME.
WILD THYME, OR MOTHER OF THYME.
TORMENTIL, OR SEPTFOIL.
TURNSOLE, OR HELIOTROPIUM.
MEADOW TREFOIL, OR HONEYSUCKLES.
HEART TREFOIL.
PEARL TREFOIL.
TUSTAN, OR PARK LEAVES.
GARDEN VALERIAN.
VERVAIN.
THE VINE.
VIOLETS.
VIPER’S BUGLOSS.
WALL FLOWERS, OR WINTER GILLI-FLOWERS.
THE WALLNUT TREE.
WOLD, WELD, OR DYER’S WEED.
WHEAT.
THE WILLOW TREE.
WOAD.
WOODBINE, OR HONEY-SUCKLES.
WORMWOOD.
YARROW, CALLED NOSE-BLEED, MILFOIL AND THOUSAND-LEAL.
DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, CONSERVES, &c. &c.
Of gathering, drying, and keeping Simples, and their juices.
Of Leaves of Herbs, or Trees.
Of Flowers.
Of Seeds.
Of Roots.
Of Barks.
Of Juices.
Of making and keeping Compounds.
Of distilled Waters.
Of Syrups.
Of Juleps.
Of Decoctions.
Of Oils.
Of Electuaries.
Of Conserves.
Of Preserves.
Of Lohocks.
Of Ointments.
Of Plaisters.
Of Poultices.
Of Troches.
Of Pills.
The way of mixing Medicines according to the Cause of the Disease, and Parts of the Body afflicted.
THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN AND FAMILY DISPENSATORY.
ROOTS.
BARKS.
WOODS AND THEIR CHIPS, OR RASPINGS.
HERBS AND THEIR LEAVES.
FLOWERS.
FRUITS AND THEIR BUDS.
SEEDS OR GRAINS.
TEARS, LIQUORS, AND ROZINS.
JUICES.
THINGS BRED FROM PLANTS.
LIVING CREATURES.
PARTS OF LIVING CREATURES, AND EXCREMENTS.
BELONGING TO THE SEA.
METALS, MINERALS, AND STONES.
A CATALOGUE OF SIMPLES IN THE NEW DISPENSATORY.
ROOTS.
WOODS.
HERBS.
FLOWERS.
FRUITS.
SEEDS.
METALS, STONES, SALTS, AND OTHER MINERALS.
SIMPLE DISTILLED WATERS.
SIMPLE WATERS DISTILLED
COMPOUNDS. SPIRIT AND COMPOUND DISTILLED WATERS.
TINCTURES.
PHYSICAL WINES.
PHYSICAL VINEGARS.
DECOCTIONS.
SYRUPS.
ALTERING SYRUPS.
PURGING SYRUPS.
SYRUPS MADE WITH VINEGAR AND HONEY.
ROB, OR SAPA: AND JUICES.
LOHOCH, OR ECLEGMATA.
PRESERVED ROOTS, STALKS, BARKS, FLOWERS, FRUITS.
CONSERVES AND SUGARS.
SUGARS.
SPECIES, OR POWDERS.
ELECTUARIES.
PURGING ELECTUARIES.
PILLS.
TROCHES.
OILS.
SIMPLE OILS BY EXPRESSION.
SIMPLE OILS BY INFUSION AND DECOCTION.
COMPOUND OILS BY INFUSION AND DECOCTION.
OINTMENTS.
OINTMENTS MORE SIMPLE.
OINTMENTS MORE COMPOUND.
CERECLOATHS.
PLAISTERS.
A KEY TO GALEN’S METHOD OF PHYSIC.
Of the Temperature of Medicines.
Of the appropriation of Medicines to the several parts of the body.
Of Medicines appropriated to the head.
Of Medicines appropriated to the breast and lungs.
Of Medicines appropriated to the heart.
Of Medicines appropriated to the stomach.
Of Medicines appropriated to the liver.
Of Medicines appropriated to the spleen.
Of Medicines appropriated to the reins and bladder.
Of Medicines appropriated to the womb.
Of Medicines appropriated to the joints.
Of the propriety or operation of Medicines.
Of Emolient Medicines.
Of hardening Medicines.
Of Loosening Medicines.
Of drawing Medicines.
Of discussive Medicines.
Of repelling Medicines.
Of cleansing Medicines.
Of Emplasters.
Of suppuring Medicines.
Of Medicines provoking urine.
Of Medicines breeding flesh.
Of glutinative Medicines.
Of Medicines resisting poison.
Of purging Medicines.
CULPEPER’S LAST LEGACIES.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Credits
THE
COMPLETE HERBAL;
TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED, UPWARDS
OF
ONE HUNDRED ADDITIONAL
HERBS,
WITH A DISPLAY OF THEIR
Medicinal and Occult
Qualities
PHYSICALLY APPLIED TO
THE CURE OF ALL DISORDERS INCIDENT
TO MANKIND:
TO WHICH ARE NOW FIRST ANNEXED,
THE
ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED,
AND
KEY TO PHYSIC.
WITH
RULES FOR COMPOUNDING MEDICINE
ACCORDING TO THE TRUE SYSTEM OF NATURE.
FORMING A COMPLETE
FAMILY DISPENSATORY AND NATURAL
SYSTEM OF PHYSIC.
————————————
BY NICHOLAS CULPEPER, M.D.
————————————
TO WHICH IS ALSO ADDED,
UPWARDS OF FIFTY CHOICE
RECEIPTS,
SELECTED FROM THE AUTHOR’S LAST
LEGACY TO HIS WIFE.
A NEW EDITION,
WITH A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL
DISEASES TO WHICH THE HUMAN BODY IS LIABLE,
AND A GENERAL INDEX.
ILLUSTRATED EDITION.
First Black Feline edition 2022
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————————————
CULPEPER’S
ORIGINAL EPISTLE TO THE READER.
T
AKE
Notice, That in this Edition I have made very many Additions to
every sheet in the book: and, also, that those books of mine that
are printed of that Letter the small Bibles are printed with, are
very falsely printed: there being twenty or thirty gross mistakes
in every sheet, many of them such as are exceedingly dangerous to
such as shall venture to use them: And therefore I do warn the
Public of them: I can do no more at present; only take notice of
these Directions by which you shall be sure to know the True one
from the False.
The first Direction.—The true one hath this Title over the
head of every Book, The Complete Herbal and English Physician
enlarged. The small Counterfeit ones have only this Title, The
English Physician.
The second Direction.—The true one hath these words,
Government and Virtues, following the time of the Plants flowering,
&c. The counterfeit small ones have these words, Virtues and
Use, following the time of the Plants flowering.
The third Direction.—The true one is of a larger Letter than
the counterfeit ones, which are in Twelves, &c., of the Letter
small Bibles used to be printed on. I shall now speak something of
the book itself.
All other Authors that have written of the nature of Herbs,
give not a bit of reason why such an Herb was appropriated to such
a part of the body, nor why it cured such a disease. Truly my own
body being sickly, brought me easily into a capacity, to know that
health was the greatest of all earthly blessings, and truly he was
never sick that doth not believe it. Then I considered that all
medicines were compounded of Herbs, Roots, Flowers, Seeds, &c.,
and this first set me to work in studying the nature of simples,
most of which I knew by sight before; and indeed all the Authors I
could read gave me but little satisfaction in this particular, or
none at all. I cannot build my faith upon Authors’ words, nor
believe a thing because they say it, and could wish every body were
of my mind in this,—to labour to be able to give a reason for every
thing they say or do. They say Reason makes a man differ from a
Beast; if that be true, pray what are they that, instead of reason
for their judgment, quote old Authors? Perhaps their authors knew a
reason for what they wrote, perhaps they did not; what is that to
us? Do we know it? Truly in writing this work first, to satisfy
myself, I drew out all the virtues of the vulgar or common[iv]
Herbs, Plants, and Trees, &c., out of the best or most approved
authors I had, or could get; and having done so, I set myself to
study the reason of them. I knew well enough the whole world, and
every thing in it, was formed of a composition of contrary
elements, and in such a harmony as must needs show the wisdom and
power of a great God. I knew as well this Creation, though thus
composed of contraries, was one united body, and man an epitome of
it: I knew those various affections in man, in respect of sickness
and health, were caused naturally (though God may have other ends
best known to himself) by the various operations of the Microcosm;
and I could not be ignorant, that as the cause is, so must the cure
be; and therefore he that would know the reason of the operation of
the Herbs, must look up as high as the Stars, astrologically. I
always found the disease vary according to the various motions of
the Stars; and this is enough, one would think, to teach a man by
the effect where the cause lies. Then to find out the reason of the
operation of Herbs, Plants, &c., by the Stars went I; and
herein I could find but few authors, but those as full of nonsense
and contradiction as an egg is full of meat. This not being
pleasing, and less profitable to me, I consulted with my two
brothers, Dr. Reason and Dr. Experience, and took a voyage to visit
my mother Nature, by whose advice, together with the help of Dr.
Diligence, I at last obtained my desire; and, being warned by Mr.
Honesty, a stranger in our days, to publish it to the world, I have
done it.
But you will say, What need I have written on this Subject,
seeing so many famous and learned men have written so much of it in
the English Tongue, much more than I have done?
To this I answer, neither Gerrard nor Parkinson, or any that
ever wrote in the like nature, ever gave one wise reason for what
they wrote, and so did nothing else but train up young novices in
Physic in the School of tradition, and teach them just as a parrot
is taught to speak; an Author says so, therefore it is true; and if
all that Authors say be true, why do they contradict one another?
But in mine, if you view it with the eye of reason, you shall see a
reason for everything that is written, whereby you may find the
very ground and foundation of Physic; you may know what you do, and
wherefore you do it; and this shall call me Father, it being (that
I know of) never done in the world before.
I have now but two things to write, and then I have
done.
1. What the profit and benefit of this Work is.
2. Instructions in the use of it.
1. The profit and benefit arising from it, or that may occur
to a wise man from it are many; so many that should I sum up all
the particulars, my Epistle would be as big as my Book; I shall
quote some few general heads.
First. The admirable Harmony of the Creation is herein seen,
in the influence of Stars upon Herbs and the Body of Man, how one
part of the Creation is subservient to another, and all for the use
of Man, whereby the infinite power and wisdom of God in the
creation appear; and if I do not admire at the simplicity of the
Ranters, never trust me; who but viewing the Creation can hold such
a sottish opinion, as that it was from eternity, when the mysteries
of it are so clear to every eye? but that Scripture shall be
verified to them, Rom. i. 20: “The invisible things of him from the
Creation of the World are clearly seen, being understood by the[v]
things that are made, even his Eternal Power and Godhead; so that
they are without excuse.”—And a Poet could teach them a better
lesson;
“Because out of thy thoughts God shall not pass,
“His image stamped is on every grass.”
This indeed is true, God has stamped his image on every
creature, and therefore the abuse of the creature is a great sin;
but how much the more do the wisdom and excellency of God appear,
if we consider the harmony of the Creation in the virtue and
operation of every Herb!
Secondly, Hereby you may know what infinite knowledge Adam had
in his innocence, that by looking upon a creature, he was able to
give it a name according to its nature; and by knowing that, thou
mayest know how great thy fall was and be humbled for it even in
this respect, because hereby thou art so ignorant.
Thirdly, Here is the right way for thee to begin at the study
of Physic, if thou art minded to begin at the right end, for here
thou hast the reason of the whole art. I wrote before in certain
Astrological Lectures, which I read, and printed, intituled,
Astrological Judgment of Diseases, what planet caused (as a second
cause) every disease, how it might be found out what planet caused
it; here thou hast what planet cures it by Sympathy and Antipathy;
and this brings me to my last promise, viz.
Instructions for the right use of the book.
And herein let me premise a word or two. The Herbs, Plants,
&c. are now in the book appropriated to their proper planets.
Therefore,
First, Consider what planet causeth the disease; that thou
mayest find it in my aforesaid Judgment of Diseases.
Secondly, Consider what part of the body is afflicted by the
disease, and whether it lies in the flesh, or blood, or bones, or
ventricles.
Thirdly, Consider by what planet the afflicted part of the
body is governed: that my Judgment of Diseases will inform you
also.
Fourthly, You may oppose diseases by Herbs of the planet,
opposite to the planet that causes them: as diseases of Jupiter by
herbs of Mercury, and the contrary; diseases of the Luminaries by
the herbs of Saturn, and the contrary; diseases of Mars by herbs of
Venus, and the contrary.
Fifthly, There is a way to cure diseases sometimes by
Sympathy, and so every planet cures his own disease; as the Sun and
Moon by their Herbs cure the Eyes, Saturn the Spleen, Jupiter the
liver, Mars the Gall and diseases of choler, and Venus diseases in
the instruments of Generation.
NICH. CULPEPER.
From my House in Spitalfields,
next door to the Red Lion,
September 5, 1653.
TO HIS DEAREST CONSORT MRS. ALICE CULPEPER.
My
dearest,
THE works that I have published to the world (though envied by
some illiterate physicians) have merited such just applause, that
thou mayest be confident in proceeding to publish anything I leave
thee, especially this master-piece: assuring my friends and
countrymen, that they will receive as much benefit by this, as by
my Dispensatory, and that incomparable piece called, Semiotica
Uranica enlarged, and English Physician.
These are the choicest secrets, which I have had many years
locked up in my own breast. I gained them by my constant practice,
and by them I maintained a continual reputation in the world, and I
doubt not but the world will honour thee for divulging them; and my
fame shall continue and increase thereby, though the period of my
Life and Studies be at hand, and I must now bid all things under
the sun farewell. Farewell, my dear wife and child; farewell, Arts
and Sciences, which I so dearly loved; farewell, all worldly
glories; adieu, readers,
Nicholas Culpeper.
Nicholas Culpeper, the Author of this Work, was son of
Nicholas Culpeper, a Clergyman, and grandson of Sir Thomas
Culpeper, Bart. He was some time a student in the university of
Cambridge, and soon after was bound apprentice to an Apothecary. He
employed all his leisure hours in the study of Physic and
Astrology, which he afterwards professed, and set up business in
Spitalfields, next door to the Red Lion, (formerly known as the
Half-way House between Islington and Stepney, an exact
representation of which we have given under our Author’s Portrait),
where he had considerable practice, and was much resorted to for
his advice, which he gave to the poor gratis. Astrological Doctors
have always been highly respected; and those celebrated Physicians
of the early times, whom our Author seems to have particularly
studied, Hippocrates, Galen, and Avicen, regarded those as
homicides who were ignorant of Astrology. Paracelsus, indeed, went
farther; he declared, a Physician should be predestinated to the
cure of his patient; and the horoscope should be inspected, the
plants gathered at the critical moment, &c.
Culpeper was a writer and translator of several Works, the
most celebrated of which is his Herbal, “being an
astrologo-physical discourse of the common herbs of the nation;
containing a complete Method or Practice of Physic, whereby a Man
may preserve his Body in Health, or cure himself when sick, with
such things only as grow in England, they being most fit for
English Constitutions.”
This celebrated, and useful Physician died at his house in
Spitalfields, in the year 1654. This Book will remain as a lasting
monument of his skill and industry.
“Culpeper, the man that first ranged the woods and climbed the
mountains in search of medicinal and salutary herbs, has
undoubtedly merited the gratitude of posterity.”— Dr.
Johnson.
THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
AMARA DULCIS.
CONSIDERING divers shires in this nation give divers names to one
and the same herb, and that the common name which it bears in one
county, is not known in another; I shall take the pains to set down
all the names that I know of each herb: pardon me for setting that
name first, which is most common to myself. Besides Amara Dulcis,
some call it Mortal, others Bitter-sweet; some Woody Night-shade,
and others Felon-wort.
Descript.] It grows up with woody stalks even to a man’s
height, and sometimes higher. The leaves fall off at the approach
of winter, and spring out of the same stalk at spring-time: the
branch is compassed about with a whitish bark, and has a pith in
the middle of it: the main branch branches itself into many small
ones with claspers, laying hold on what is next to them, as vines
do: it bears many leaves, they grow in no order at all, at least in
no regular order; the leaves are longish, though somewhat broad,
and pointed at the ends: many of them have two little leaves
growing at the end of their foot-stalk; some have but one, and some
none. The leaves are of a pale green colour; the flowers are of a
purple colour, or of a perfect blue, like to violets, and they
stand many of them together in knots: the berries are green at
first, but when they are ripe they are very red; if you taste them,
you shall find them just as the crabs which we in Sussex call
Bittersweet, viz. sweet at first and bitter afterwards.
Place.] They grow commonly almost throughout England,
especially in moist and shady places.
Time.] The leaves shoot out about the latter end of March, if
the temperature of the air be ordinary; it flowers in July, and the
seeds are ripe soon after, usually in the next month.
Government and virtues.] It is under the planet Mercury, and a
notable herb of his also, if it be rightly gathered under his
influence. It is excellently good to remove witchcraft both in men
and beasts, as also all sudden diseases whatsoever. Being tied
round about the neck, is one of the most admirable remedies for the
vertigo or dizziness in the head; and that is the reason (as Tragus
saith) the people in Germany commonly hang it about their cattle’s
necks, when they fear any such evil hath betided them: Country
people commonly take the berries of it, and having bruised them,
apply them to felons, and thereby soon rid their fingers of such
troublesome guests.
We have now showed you the external use of the herb; we shall
speak a word or two of the internal, and so conclude. Take notice,
it is a Mercurial herb, and therefore of very subtile parts, as
indeed all Mercurial plants are; therefore take a pound of the wood
and leaves together, bruise the wood (which you may easily do, for
it is not so hard as oak) then put it in a pot, and put to it three
pints of white wine, put on the pot-lid and shut it close; and let
it infuse hot over a gentle fire twelve hours, then strain it out,
so have you a most excellent drink to open obstructions of the
liver and spleen, to help difficulty of breath, bruises and falls,
and congealed blood in any part of the body, it helps the yellow
jaundice, the dropsy, and black jaundice, and to cleanse women
newly brought to bed. You may drink a quarter of a pint of the
infusion every morning. It purges the body very gently, and not
churlishly as some hold. And when you find good by this, remember
me.
They that think the use of these medicines is too brief, it is
only for the cheapness of the book; let them read those books of
mine, of the last edition, viz. Reverius, Veslingus, Riolanus,
Johnson, Sennertus, and Physic for the Poor.
ALL-HEAL.
It is
called All-heal, Hercules’s All-heal, and Hercules’s Woundwort,
because it is supposed that Hercules learned the herb and its
virtues from Chiron, when he learned physic of him. Some call it
Panay, and others Opopane-wort.
Descript.] Its root is long, thick, and exceeding full of
juice, of a hot and biting taste, the leaves are great and large,
and winged almost like ash-tree leaves, but that they are something
hairy, each leaf consisting of five or six pair of such wings set
one against the other upon foot-stalks, broad below, but narrow
towards the end; one of the leaves is a little deeper at the bottom
than the other, of a fair yellowish fresh green colour: they are of
a bitterish taste, being chewed in the mouth; from among these
rises up a stalk, green in colour, round in form, great and strong
in magnitude, five or six feet in altitude, with many joints, and
some leaves thereat; towards the top come forth umbels of small
yellow flowers, after which are passed away, you may find whitish,
yellow, short, flat seeds, bitter also in taste.
Place.] Having given you a description of the herb from bottom
to top, give me leave to tell you, that there are other herbs
called by this name; but because they are strangers in England, I
give only the description of this, which is easily to be had in the
gardens of divers places.
Time.] Although Gerrard saith, that they flower from the
beginning of May to the end of December, experience teaches them
that keep it in their gardens, that it flowers not till the latter
end of the summer, and sheds its seeds presently after.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars,
hot, biting, and choleric; and remedies what evils Mars inflicts
the body of man with, by sympathy, as vipers’ flesh attracts
poison, and the loadstone iron. It kills the worms, helps the gout,
cramp, and convulsions, provokes urine, and helps all joint-aches.
It helps all cold griefs of the head, the vertigo,
falling-sickness, the lethargy, the wind cholic, obstructions of
the liver and spleen, stone in the kidneys and bladder. It provokes
the terms, expels the dead birth: it is excellent good for the
griefs of the sinews, itch, stone, and tooth-ache, the biting of
mad dogs and venomous beasts, and purges choler very gently.
ALKANET.
Besides the common name, it is called Orchanet, and Spanish
Bugloss, and by apothecaries, Enchusa.
Descript.] Of the many sorts of this herb, there is but one
known to grow commonly in this nation; of which one take this
description: It hath a great and thick root, of a reddish colour,
long, narrow, hairy leaves, green like the leaves of Bugloss, which
lie very thick upon the ground; the stalks rise up compassed round
about, thick with leaves, which are less and narrower than the
former; they are tender, and slender, the flowers are hollow,
small, and of a reddish colour.
Place.] It grows in Kent near Rochester, and in many places in
the West Country, both in Devonshire and Cornwall.
Time.] They flower in July and the beginning of August, and
the seed is ripe soon after, but the root is in its prime, as
carrots and parsnips are, before the herb runs up to stalk.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb under the dominion of
Venus, and indeed one of her darlings, though somewhat hard to come
by. It helps old ulcers, hot inflammations, burnings by common
fire, and St. Anthony’s fire, by antipathy to Mars; for these uses,
your best way is to make it into an ointment; also, if you make a
vinegar of it, as you make vinegar of roses, it helps the morphew
and leprosy; if you apply the herb to the privities, it draws forth
the dead child. It helps the yellow jaundice, spleen, and gravel in
the kidneys. Dioscorides saith it helps such as are bitten by a
venomous beast, whether it be taken inwardly, or applied to the
wound; nay, he saith further, if any one that hath newly eaten it,
do but spit into the mouth of a serpent, the serpent instantly
dies. It stays the flux of the belly, kills worms, helps the fits
of the mother. Its decoction made in wine, and drank, strengthens
the back, and eases the pains thereof: It helps bruises and falls,
and is as gallant a remedy to drive out the small pox and measles
as any is; an ointment made of it, is excellent for green wounds,
pricks or thrusts.
ADDER’S TONGUE OR SERPENT’S TONGUE.
Descript.] This herb has but one leaf, which grows with the stalk a
finger’s length above the ground, being flat and of a fresh green
colour; broad like Water Plantain, but less, without any rib in it;
from the bottom of which leaf, on the inside, rises up (ordinarily)
one, sometimes two or three slender stalks, the upper half whereof
is somewhat bigger, and dented with small dents of a yellowish
green colour, like the tongue of an adder serpent (only this is as
useful as they are formidable). The roots continue all the
year.
Place.] It grows in moist meadows, and such like places.
Time.] It is to be found in May or April, for it quickly
perishes with a little heat.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb under the dominion of
the Moon and Cancer, and therefore if the weakness of the retentive
faculty be caused by an evil influence of Saturn in any part of the
body governed by the Moon, or under the dominion of Cancer, this
herb cures it by sympathy: It cures these diseases after specified,
in any part of the body under the influence of Saturn, by
antipathy.
It is temperate in respect of heat, but dry in the second
degree. The juice of the leaves, drank with the distilled water of
Horse-tail, is a singular remedy for all manner of wounds in the
breast, bowels, or other parts of the body, and is given with good
success to those that are troubled with casting, vomiting, or
bleeding at the mouth or nose, or otherwise downwards. The said
juice given in the distilled water of Oaken-buds, is very good for
women who have their usual courses, or the whites flowing down too
abundantly. It helps sore eyes. Of the leaves infused or boiled in
oil, omphacine or unripe olives, set in the sun four certain days,
or the green leaves sufficiently boiled in the said oil, is made an
excellent green balsam, not only for green and fresh wounds, but
also for old and inveterate ulcers, especially if a little fine
clear turpentine be dissolved therein. It also stays and refreshes
all inflammations that arise upon pains by hurts and wounds.
What parts of the body are under each planet and sign, and
also what disease may be found in my astrological judgment of
diseases; and for the internal work of nature in the body of man;
as vital, animal, natural and procreative spirits of man; the
apprehension, judgment, memory; the external senses, viz. seeing,
hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling; the virtuous, attractive,
retentive, digestive, expulsive, &c. under the dominion of what
planets they are, may be found in my Ephemeris for the year 1651.
In both which you shall find the chaff of authors blown away by the
fame of Dr. Reason, and nothing but rational truths left for the
ingenious to feed upon.
Lastly. To avoid blotting paper with one thing many times, and
also to ease your purses in the price of the book, and withal to
make you studious in physic; you have at the latter end of the
book, the way of preserving all herbs either in juice, conserve,
oil, ointment or plaister, electuary, pills, or troches.
AGRIMONY.
Descript.] This has divers long leaves (some greater, some smaller)
set upon a stalk, all of them dented about the edges, green above,
and greyish underneath, and a little hairy withal. Among which
arises up usually but one strong, round, hairy, brown stalk, two or
three feet high, with smaller leaves set here and there upon it. At
the top thereof grow many small yellow flowers, one above another,
in long spikes; after which come rough heads of seed, hanging
downwards, which will cleave to and stick upon garments, or any
thing that shall rub against them. The knot is black, long, and
somewhat woody, abiding many years, and shooting afresh every
Spring; which root, though small, hath a reasonable good
scent.
Place.] It grows upon banks, near the sides of hedges.
Time.] It flowers in July and August, the seed being ripe
shortly after.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb under Jupiter, and the
sign Cancer; and strengthens those parts under the planet and sign,
and removes diseases in them by sympathy, and those under Saturn,
Mars and Mercury by antipathy, if they happen in any part of the
body governed by Jupiter, or under the signs Cancer, Sagitarius or
Pisces, and therefore must needs be good for the gout, either used
outwardly in oil or ointment, or inwardly in an electuary, or
syrup, or concerted juice: for which see the latter end of this
book.
It is of a cleansing and cutting faculty, without any manifest
heat, moderately drying and binding. It opens and cleanses the
liver, helps the jaundice, and is very beneficial to the bowels,
healing all inward wounds, bruises, hurts, and other distempers.
The decoction of the herb made with wine, and drank, is good
against the biting and stinging of serpents, and helps them that
make foul, troubled or bloody water.
This herb also helps the cholic, cleanses the breast, and rids
away the cough. A draught of the decoction taken warm before the
fit, first removes, and in time rids away the tertian or quartan
agues. The leaves and seeds taken in wine, stays the bloody flux;
outwardly applied, being stamped with old swine’s grease, it helps
old sores, cancers, and inveterate ulcers, and draws forth thorns
and splinters of wood, nails, or any other such things gotten in
the flesh. It helps to strengthen the members that be out of joint:
and being bruised and applied, or the juice dropped in it, helps
foul and imposthumed ears.
The distilled water of the herb is good to all the said
purposes, either inward or outward, but a great deal weaker.
It is a most admirable remedy for such whose livers are
annoyed either by heat or cold. The liver is the former of blood,
and blood the nourisher of the body, and Agrimony a strengthener of
the liver.
I cannot stand to give you a reason in every herb why it cures
such diseases; but if you please to pursue my judgment in the herb
Wormwood, you shall find them there, and it will be well worth your
while to consider it in every herb, you shall find them true
throughout the book.
WATER AGRIMONY.
It is
called in some countries, Water Hemp, Bastard Hemp, and Bastard
Agrimony, Eupatorium, and Hepatorium, because it strengthens the
liver.
Descript.] The root continues a long time, having many long
slender strings. The stalk grows up about two feet high, sometimes
higher. They are of a dark purple colour. The branches are many,
growing at distances the one from the other, the one from the one
side of the stalk, the other from the opposite point. The leaves
are fringed, and much indented at the edges. The flowers grow at
the top of the branches, of a brown yellow colour, spotted with
black spots, having a substance within the midst of them like that
of a Daisy: If you rub them between your fingers, they smell like
rosin or cedar when it is burnt. The seeds are long, and easily
stick to any woollen thing they touch.
Place.] They delight not in heat, and therefore they are not
so frequently found in the Southern parts of England as in the
Northern, where they grow frequently: You may look for them in cold
grounds, by ponds and ditches’ sides, and also by running waters;
sometimes you shall find them grow in the midst of waters.
Time.] They all flower in July or August, and the seed is ripe
presently after.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant of Jupiter, as well as
the other Agrimony, only this belongs to the celestial sign Cancer.
It heals and dries, cuts and cleanses thick and tough humours of
the breast, and for this I hold it inferior to but few herbs that
grow. It helps the cachexia or evil disposition of the body, the
dropsy and yellow-jaundice. It opens obstructions of the liver,
mollifies the hardness of the spleen, being applied outwardly. It
breaks imposthumes away inwardly: It is an excellent remedy for the
third day ague. It provokes urine and the terms; it kills worms,
and cleanses the body of sharp humours, which are the cause of itch
and scabs; the herb being burnt, the smoke thereof drives away
flies, wasps, &c. It strengthens the lungs exceedingly. Country
people give it to their cattle when they are troubled with the
cough, or broken-winded.
ALEHOOF, OR GROUND-IVY.
Several counties give it different names, so that there is scarcely
any herb growing of that bigness that has got so many: It is called
Cat’s-foot, Ground-ivy, Gill-go-by-ground, and
Gill-creep-by-ground, Turn-hoof, Haymaids, and Alehoof.
Descript.] This well known herb lies, spreads and creeps upon
the ground, shoots forth roots, at the corners of tender jointed
stalks, set with two round leaves at every joint somewhat hairy,
crumpled and unevenly dented about the edges with round dents; at
the joints likewise, with the leaves towards the end of the
branches, come forth hollow, long flowers, of a blueish purple
colour, with small white spots upon the lips that hang down. The
root is small with strings.
Place.] It is commonly found under hedges, and on the sides of
ditches, under houses, or in shadowed lanes, and other waste
grounds, in almost every part of this land.
Time.] They flower somewhat early, and abide a great while;
the leaves continue green until Winter, and sometimes abide, except
the Winter be very sharp and cold.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Venus, and therefore
cures the diseases she causes by sympathy, and those of Mars by
antipathy; you may usually find it all the year long except the
year be extremely frosty; it is quick, sharp, and bitter in taste,
and is thereby found to be hot and dry; a singular herb for all
inward wounds, exulcerated lungs, or other parts, either by itself,
or boiled with other the like herbs; and being drank, in a short
time it eases all griping pains, windy and choleric humours in the
stomach, spleen or belly; helps the yellow jaundice, by opening the
stoppings of the gall and liver, and melancholy, by opening the
stoppings of the spleen; expels venom or poison, and also the
plague; it provokes urine and women’s courses; the decoction of it
in wine drank for some time together, procures ease to them that
are troubled with the sciatica, or hip-gout: as also the gout in
hands, knees or feet; if you put to the decoction some honey and a
little burnt alum, it is excellently good to gargle any sore mouth
or throat, and to wash the sores and ulcers in the privy parts of
man or woman; it speedily helps green wounds, being bruised and
bound thereto. The juice of it boiled with a little honey and
verdigrease, doth wonderfully cleanse fistulas, ulcers, and stays
the spreading or eating of cancers and ulcers; it helps the itch,
scabs, wheals, and other breakings out in any part of the body. The
juice of Celandine, Field-daisies, and Ground-ivy clarified, and a
little fine sugar dissolved therein, and dropped into the eyes, is
a sovereign remedy for all pains, redness, and watering of them; as
also for the pin and web, skins and films growing over the sight,
it helps beasts as well as men. The juice dropped into the ears,
wonderfully helps the noise and singing of them, and helps the
hearing which is decayed. It is good to tun up with new drink, for
it will clarify it in a night, that it will be the fitter to be
drank the next morning; or if any drink be thick with removing, or
any other accident, it will do the like in a few hours.
ALEXANDER.
It is
called Alisander, Horse-parsley, and Wild-parsley, and the Black
Pot-herb; the seed of it is that which is usually sold in
apothecaries’ shops for Macedonian Parsley-seed.
Descript.] It is usually sown in all the gardens in Europe,
and so well known, that it needs no farther description.
Time.] It flowers in June and July; the seed is ripe in
August.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of Jupiter, and
therefore friendly to nature, for it warms a cold stomach, and
opens a stoppage of the liver and spleen; it is good to move
women’s courses, to expel the afterbirth, to break wind, to provoke
urine, and helps the stranguary; and these things the seeds will do
likewise. If either of them be boiled in wine, or being bruised and
taken in wine, is also effectual against the biting of serpents.
And you know what Alexander pottage is good for, that you may no
longer eat it out of ignorance but out of knowledge.
THE BLACK ALDER-TREE.
Descript.] This tree seldom grows to any great bigness, but for the
most part abideth like a hedge-bush, or a tree spreading its
branches, the woods of the body being white, and a dark red colet
or heart; the outward bark is of a blackish colour, with many
whitish spots therein; but the inner bark next the wood is yellow,
which being chewed, will turn the spittle near into a saffron
colour. The leaves are somewhat like those of an ordinary
Alder-tree, or the Female Cornet, or Dogberry-tree, called in
Sussex Dog-wood, but blacker, and not so long. The flowers are
white, coming forth with the leaves at the joints, which turn into
small round berries, first green, afterwards red, but blackish when
they are thorough ripe, divided, as it were, into two parts,
wherein is contained two small round and flat seeds. The root
runneth not deep into the ground, but spreads rather under the
upper crust of the earth.
Place.] This tree or shrub may be found plentifully in St.
John’s Wood by Hornsey, and the woods upon Hampstead Heath; as also
a wood called the Old Park, in Barcomb, in Essex, near the brook’s
sides.
Time.] It flowers in May, and the berries are ripe in
September.
Government and virtues.] It is a tree of Venus, and perhaps
under the celestial sign Cancer. The inner yellow bark hereof
purges downwards both choler and phlegm, and the watery humours of
such that have the dropsy, and strengthens the inward parts again
by binding. If the bark hereof be boiled with Agrimony, Wormwood,
Dodder, Hops, and some Fennel, with Smallage, Endive, and
Succory-roots, and a reasonable draught taken every morning for
some time together, it is very effectual against the jaundice,
dropsy, and the evil disposition of the body, especially if some
suitable purging medicines have been taken before, to void the
grosser excrements: It purges and strengthens the liver and spleen,
cleansing them from such evil humours and hardness as they are
afflicted with. It is to be understood that these things are
performed by the dried bark; for the fresh green bark taken
inwardly provokes strong vomitings, pains in the stomach, and
gripings in the belly; yet if the decoction may stand and settle
two or three days, until the yellow colour be changed black, it
will not work so strongly as before, but will strengthen the
stomach, and procure an appetite to meat. The outward bark
contrariwise doth bind the body, and is helpful for all lasks and
fluxes thereof, but this also must be dried first, whereby it will
work the better. The inner bark thereof boiled in vinegar is an
approved remedy to kill lice, to cure the itch, and take away
scabs, by drying them up in a short time. It is singularly good to
wash the teeth, to take away the pains, to fasten those that are
loose, to cleanse them, and to keep them sound. The leaves are good
fodder for kine, to make them give more milk.
If in the Spring-time you use the herbs before mentioned, and
will take but a handful of each of them, and to them add an handful
of Elder buds, and having bruised them all, boil them in a gallon
of ordinary beer, when it is new; and having boiled them half an
hour, add to this three gallons more, and let them work together,
and drink a draught of it every morning, half a pint or
thereabouts; it is an excellent purge for the Spring, to consume
the phlegmatic quality the Winter hath left behind it, and withal
to keep your body in health, and consume those evil humours which
the heat of Summer will readily stir up. Esteem it as a
jewel.
THE COMMON ALDER-TREE.
Descript.] This grows to a reasonable height, and spreads much if
it like the place. It is so generally known to country people, that
I conceive it needless to tell that which is no news.
Place and Time.] It delights to grow in moist woods, and
watery places; flowering in April or May, and yielding ripe seed in
September.
Government and virtues.] It is a tree under the dominion of
Venus, and of some watery sign or others, I suppose Pisces; and
therefore the decoction, or distilled water of the leaves, is
excellent against burnings and inflammations, either with wounds or
without, to bathe the place grieved with, and especially for that
inflammation in the breast, which the vulgar call an ague.
If you cannot get the leaves (as in Winter it is impossible)
make use of the bark in the same manner.
The leaves and bark of the Alder-tree are cooling, drying, and
binding. The fresh leaves, laid upon swellings, dissolve them, and
stay the inflammation. The leaves put under the bare feet galled
with travelling, are a great refreshing to them. The said leaves,
gathered while the morning dew is on them, and brought into a
chamber troubled with fleas, will gather them thereunto, which
being suddenly cast out, will rid the chamber of those troublesome
bed-fellows.
ANGELICA.
To
write a discription of that which is so well known to be growing
almost in every garden, I suppose is altogether needless; yet for
its virtue it is of admirable use.
In time of Heathenism, when men had found out any excellent
herb, they dedicated it to their gods; as the bay-tree to Apollo,
the Oak to Jupiter, the Vine to Bacchus, the Poplar to Hercules.
These the idolators following as the Patriarchs they dedicate to
their Saints; as our Lady’s Thistle to the Blessed Virgin, St.
John’s Wort to St. John and another Wort to St. Peter, &c. Our
physicians must imitate like apes (though they cannot come off half
so cleverly) for they blasphemously call Phansies or Hearts-ease,
an herb of the Trinity, because it is of three colours; and a
certain ointment, an ointment of the Apostles, because it consists
of twelve ingredients. Alas I am sorry for their folly, and grieved
at their blasphemy, God send them wisdom the rest of their age, for
they have their share of ignorance already. Oh! Why must ours be
blasphemous, because the Heathens and infidels were idolatrous?
Certainly they have read so much in old rusty authors, that they
have lost all their divinity; for unless it were amongst the
Ranters, I never read or heard of such blasphemy. The Heathens and
infidels were bad, and ours worse; the idolaters give idolatrous
names to herbs for their virtues sake, not for their fair looks;
and therefore some called this an herb of the Holy Ghost; others,
more moderate, called it Angelica, because of its angelical
virtues, and that name it retains still, and all nations follow it
so near as their dialect will permit.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of the Sun in Leo; let
it be gathered when he is there, the Moon applying to his good
aspect; let it be gathered either in his hour, or in the hour of
Jupiter, let Sol be angular; observe the like in gathering the
herbs of other planets, and you may happen to do wonders. In all
epidemical diseases caused by Saturn, that is as good a
preservative as grows: It resists poison, by defending and
comforting the heart, blood, and spirits; it doth the like against
the plague and all epidemical diseases, if the root be taken in
powder to the weight of half a dram at a time, with some good
treacle in Carduus water, and the party thereupon laid to sweat in
his bed; if treacle be not to be had take it alone in Carduus or
Angelica-water. The stalks or roots candied and eaten fasting, are
good preservatives in time of infection; and at other times to warm
and comfort a cold stomach. The root also steeped in vinegar, and a
little of that vinegar taken sometimes fasting, and the root
smelled unto, is good for the same purpose. A water distilled from
the root simply, as steeped in wine, and distilled in a glass, is
much more effectual than the water of the leaves; and this water,
drank two or three spoonfuls at a time, easeth all pains and
torments coming of cold and wind, so that the body be not bound;
and taken with some of the root in powder at the beginning, helpeth
the pleurisy, as also all other diseases of the lungs and breast,
as coughs, phthysic, and shortness of breath; and a syrup of the
stalks do the like. It helps pains of the cholic, the stranguary
and stoppage of the urine, procureth womens’ courses, and expelleth
the after-birth, openeth the stoppings of the liver and spleen, and
briefly easeth and discusseth all windiness and inward swellings.
The decoction drank before the fit of an ague, that they may sweat
(if possible) before the fit comes, will, in two or three times
taking, rid it quite away; it helps digestion and is a remedy for a
surfeit. The juice or the water, being dropped into the eyes or
ears, helps dimness of sight and deafness; the juice put into the
hollow teeth, easeth their pains. The root in powder, made up into
a plaster with a little pitch, and laid on the biting of mad dogs,
or any other venomous creature, doth wonderfully help. The juice or
the waters dropped, or tent wet therein, and put into filthy dead
ulcers, or the powder of the root (in want of either) doth cleanse
and cause them to heal quickly, by covering the naked bones with
flesh; the distilled water applied to places pained with the gout,
or sciatica, doth give a great deal of ease.
The wild Angelica is not so effectual as the garden; although
it may be safely used to all the purposes aforesaid.
AMARANTHUS.
Besides its common name, by which it is best known by the florists
of our days, it is called Flower Gentle, Flower Velure Floramor,
and Velvet Flower.
Descript.] It being a garden flower, and well known to every
one that keeps it, I might forbear the description; yet,
notwithstanding, because some desire it, I shall give it. It runs
up with a stalk a cubit high, streaked, and somewhat reddish
towards the root, but very smooth, divided towards the top with
small branches, among which stand long broad leaves of a reddish
green colour, slippery; the flowers are not properly flowers, but
tuffs, very beautiful to behold, but of no smell, of reddish
colour; if you bruise them, they yield juice of the same colour,
being gathered, they keep their beauty a long time; the seed is of
a shining black colour.
Time.] They continue in flower from August till the time the
frost nips them.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Saturn,
and is an excellent qualifier of the unruly actions and passions of
Venus, though Mars also should join with her. The flowers dried and
beaten into powder, stop the terms in women, and so do almost all
other red things. And by the icon, or image of every herb, the
ancients at first found out their virtues. Modern writers laugh at
them for it; but I wonder in my heart, how the virtues of herbs
came at first to be known, if not by their signatures; the moderns
have them from the writings of the ancients; the ancients had no
writings to have them from: but to proceed. The flowers stop all
fluxes of blood; whether in man or woman, bleeding either at the
nose or wound. There is also a sort of Amaranthus that bears a
white flower, which stops the whites in women, and the running of
the reins in men, and is a most gallant antivenereal, and a
singular remedy for the French pox.
ANEMONE.
Called also Wind flower, because they say the flowers never open
but when the wind blows. Pliny is my author; if it be not so, blame
him. The seed also (if it bears any at all) flies away with the
wind.
Place and Time.] They are sown usually in the gardens of the
curious, and flower in the Spring-time. As for discription I shall
pass it, being well known to all those that sow them.
Government and virtues.] It is under the dominion of Mars,
being supposed to be a kind of Crow-foot. The leaves provoke the
terms mightily, being boiled, and the decoction drank. The body
being bathed with the decoction of them, cures the leprosy. The
leaves being stamped and the juice snuffed up in the nose, purges
the head mightily; so does the root, being chewed in the mouth, for
it procures much spitting, and brings away many watery and
phlegmatic humours, and is therefore excellent for the lethargy.
And when all is done, let physicians prate what they please, all
the pills in the dispensatory purge not the head like to hot things
held in the mouth. Being made into an ointment, and the eyelids
anointed with it, it helps inflammations of the eyes, whereby it is
palpable, that every stronger draws its weaker like. The same
ointment is excellently good to cleanse malignant and corroding
ulcers.
GARDEN ARRACH.
Called also Orach, and Arage; it is cultivated for domestic
uses.
Descript.] It is so commonly known to every housewife, it were
labour lost to describe it.
Time.] It flowers and seeds from June to the end of
August.
Government and virtues.] It is under the government of the
Moon; in quality cold and moist like unto her. It softens and
loosens the body of man being eaten, and fortifies the expulsive
faculty in him. The herb, whether it be bruised and applied to the
throat, or boiled, and in like manner applied, it matters not much,
it is excellently good for swellings in the throat: the best way, I
suppose, is to boil it, apply the herb outwardly: the decoction of
it, besides, is an excellent remedy for the yellow jaundice.
ARRACH, WILD AND STINKING.
Called also Vulvaria, from that part of the body upon which the
operation is most; also Dog’s Arrach, Goat’s Arrach, and Stinking
Motherwort.
Descript.] This has small and almost round leaves, yet a
little pointed and without dent or cut, of a dusky mealy colour,
growing on the slender stalks and branches that spread on the
ground, with small flowers set with the leaves, and small seeds
succeeding like the rest, perishing yearly, and rising again with
its own sowing. It smells like rotten fish, or something
worse.
Place.] It grows usually upon dunghills.
Time.] They flower in June and July, and their seed is ripe
quickly after.
Government and virtues.] Stinking Arrach is used as a remedy
to women pained, and almost strangled with the mother, by smelling
to it; but inwardly taken there is no better remedy under the moon
for that disease. I would be large in commendation of this herb,
were I but eloquent. It is an herb under the dominion of Venus, and
under the sign Scorpio; it is common almost upon every dunghill.
The works of God are freely given to man, his medicines are common
and cheap, and easily to be found. I commend it for an universal
medicine for the womb, and such a medicine as will easily, safely,
and speedily cure any disease thereof, as the fits of the mother,
dislocation, or falling out thereof; cools the womb being
over-heated. And let me tell you this, and I will tell you the
truth, heat of the womb is one of the greatest causes of hard
labour in child-birth. It makes barren women fruitful. It cleanseth
the womb if it be foul, and strengthens it exceedingly; it provokes
the terms if they be stopped, and stops them if they flow
immoderately; you can desire no good to your womb, but this herb
will affect it; therefore if you love children, if you love health,
if you love ease, keep a syrup always by you, made of the juice of
this herb, and sugar (or honey, if it be to cleanse the womb), and
let such as be rich keep it for their poor neighbours; and bestow
it as freely as I bestow my studies upon them, or else let them
look to answer it another day, when the Lord shall come to make
inquisition for blood.
ARCHANGEL.
To
put a gloss upon their practice, the physicians call a herb (which
country people vulgarly know by the name of Dead Nettle) Archangel;
whether they favour more of superstition or folly, I leave to the
judicious reader. There is more curiosity than courtesy to my
countrymen used by others in the explanation as well of the names,
as discription of this so well known herb; which that I may not
also be guilty of, take this short discription: first, of the Red
Archangel. This is likewise called Bee Nettle.
Descript.] This has divers square stalks, somewhat hairy, at
the joints whereof grow two sad green leaves dented about the
edges, opposite to one another to the lowermost, upon long foot
stalks, but without any toward the tops, which are somewhat round,
yet pointed, and a little crumpled and hairy; round about the upper
joints, where the leaves grow thick, are sundry gaping flowers of a
pale reddish colour; after which come the seeds three or four in a
husk. The root is small and thready, perishing every year; the
whole plant hath a strong smell but not stinking.
White Archangel hath divers square stalks, none standing
straight upward, but bending downward, whereon stand two leaves at
a joint, larger and more pointed than the other, dented about the
edges, and greener also, more like unto Nettle leaves, but not
stinking, yet hairy. At the joints, with the leaves, stand larger
and more open gaping white flowers, husks round about the stalks,
but not with such a bush of leaves as flowers set in the top, as is
on the other, wherein stand small roundish black seeds: the root is
white, with many strings at it, not growing downward but lying
under the upper crust of the earth, and abides many years
increasing; this has not so strong a scent as the former.
Yellow Archangel is like the White in the stalks and leaves;
but that the stalks are more straight and upright, and the joints
with leaves are farther asunder, having longer leaves than the
former, and the flowers a little larger and more gaping, of a fair
yellow colour in most, in some paler. The roots are like the white,
only they creep not so much under the ground.
Place.] They grow almost every where (unless it be in the
middle of the street), the yellow most usually in the wet grounds
of woods, and sometimes in the dryer, in divers counties of this
nation.
Time.] They flower from the beginning of the Spring all the
Summer long.
