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¶ The Vertues.
If any man would haue thicke and tough humours which are gathered in the chest and lungs to be clensed and voided out by coughing, then that Cuckowpint is best that biteth most.
It is eaten being sodden in two or three waters, and fresh put to, whereby it may lose his acri∣monie; and being so eaten, they cut thicke humors meanely, but Dragons is better for the same purpose.
Dioscorides sheweth, that the leaues also are preserued to be eaten; and that they must be eaten after they be dried and boyled; and writeth also, that the root hath a peculiar vertue against the gout, being laid on stamped with Cowes dung.
Beares after they haue lien in their dens forty dayes without any manner of sustenance, but what they get with licking and sucking their owne feet, do as soone as they come forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the herbe Cuckowpint, through the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nature whereof the hungry gut is opened 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to receiue sustenance: for by abstaining from food so long a time, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 close together, that in a manner it is quite shut vp, as Aristotle, Aelianus, Plutarch, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 do write.
The most pure and white starch is made of the roots of Cuckowpint; but most hurtfull to the hands of the Laundresse that hath the handling of it, for it choppeth, blistereth, and maketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hands rough and rugged, and withall 〈◊〉〈◊〉.