The herball or Generall historie of plantes. Gathered by Iohn Gerarde of London Master in Chirurgerie very much enlarged and amended by Thomas Iohnson citizen and apothecarye of London

¶ The Vertues.

Auicen affirmeth that it causeth head-ache, and is hurtfull to the braine, which it cannot do by [ A] taking it now and then, but by too much vsing of it: for too much vsing of it cutteth off sleepe, through want whereof the head and sences are out of frame. But the moderate vse of it is good for the head, and maketh the sences more quicke and liuely, shaketh off heauy and drowsie sleepe, and maketh a man merry.

Also Saffron strengthneth the heart, concocteth crude and raw humors of the chest, openeth [ B] the lungs, and remoueth obstructions.

[illustration]

‡ 3 Crocus vernus flore luteo. Yellow Spring Saffron.

[illustration]

‡ 4 Crocus vernus flore albo. White Spring Saffron.

[illustration]

‡ 5 Crocus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flore 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Purple Spring Saffron.

[illustration]

‡ 6 Crocus montanus 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Autumne mountaine Saffron.

It is also such a speciall remedic for those that haue consumption of the lungs, and are, as wee [ C] terme it, at deaths doore, and almost past breathing, that it bringeth breath again, and prolongeth life for certaine dayes, if ten, or twentie graines at the most be giuen with new or sweet Wine. For we haue found by often experience, that being taken in that sort, it presently and in a moment re∣moueth away difficultie of breathing, which most dangerously and suddenly hapneth.

Dioscorides teacheth, That being giuen in the same sort it is also good against a surfet. [ D]

It is commended against the stoppings of the liuer and gall, and against the yellow Iaundise: [ E] And hereupon Dioscorides writeth, That it maketh a man well coloured. It is put into all drinkes that are made to helpe the diseases of the intrailes, as the same Authour affirmeth, and into those especially which bring downe the floures, the birth, and the after burthen. It prouoketh vrine, stirreth fleshly lust, and is vsed in Cataplasmes and pultesses for the matrix and fundament, and also in plaisters and seare-cloaths which serue for old swellings and aches, and likewise for hot swellings that haue also in them S. Anthonies fire.

[illustration]

‡ 7 Crocus montanus Autumnalis flore majore albido caeruleo. Autumne mountaine Saffron with a large whitish blew floure.

[illustration]

‡ 8 Crocus Autumnalis flore albo. White Autumne Saffron.

It is with good successe put into compositions for infirmities of the eares. [ F]

The eyes being annointed with the same dissolued in milke, or fennell or rose water, are preser∣ued [ G] from being hurt by the small pox and measels, and are defended thereby from humours that would fall into them.

The chiues steeped in water, serue to illumine or (as we say) limne pictures and imagerie, as al∣so [ H] to colour sundry meats and confections. It is with good successe giuen to procure bodily lust. The confections called Crocomagna, Oxycroceum, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with diuers other emplaisters and electuaries cannot be made without this Saffron.

The weight of tenne graines of Saffron, the kernels of Wall-nuts two ounces, Figges two oun∣ces, [ I] Mithridate one dram, and a few sage leaues, stamped together with a sufficient quantitie of Pimpernell water, and made into a masse or lumpe, and kept in a glasse for your vse, and thereof twelue graines giuen in the morning fasting, preserueth from the Pestilence, and expelleth it from those that are infected.

[illustration]

‡ 9 Crocus vernus angustifolius flore violaceo. Narrow leaued Spring Saffron with a violet floure.

[illustration]

‡ 10 Crocus vernus latifolius flore flauo strijs violaceis. Broad leaued Spring Saffron with a yellow floure & purple streaks.

[illustration]

‡ 11 Crocus vernus latifolius striatus flore duplici. Double floured streaked Spring Saffron.