or onion root: the best of which kind, groweth in the Island of Crete: next to it in goodnesse, is [unspec A] that of the Isle Naxos: and in a third degree, is to placed that of Phoenice: and indeed that of Crete or Candy, in whitenesse and odor commeth neere to Nard. The Naxian Cypirus hath a quicker sent: the Phoenician Cypirus smelleth but a little: as for that in Egypt, it hath no sa∣uor at all; for there also groweth Cypirus. But now to come vnto the properties thereof, it hath vertue to discusse and resolue hard swellings in the body. For now my purpose is to speake of their medicinable vertues, forasmuch as there is great vse in Physicke, as well of such aromati∣call simples, as odoriferous floures. As touching Cypirus therefore, I professe verily that I will follow Apollodorus, who forbiddeth expressely to take Cypirus inwardly in any drink: and yet he protesteth, that it is most effectuall for them that be troubled with the stone, and full of grauel; but, by way of fomentation onely. He affirmeth moreouer, that without all doubt it causes wo∣men [unspec B] to trauell before their time, & to slip their vntimely fruit. But one miraculous effect ther∣of he reports, namely, that the Barbarians vse to receiue the fume of this herb into their mouth, and thereby wast and consume their swelled Spleens: also, they neuer go forth of dores, before they haue drunk a pipe therof in that maner: for persuaded they are verily (saith he) that by this means they are more youthful, liuely, and strong. He saith moreouer, that if it be applied as a liniment with oile, it healeth all merry-gals and raw places where the flesh is rubbed off or cha∣fed: it helpeth the rank rammish smel vnder the arm-holes; and without faile cureth any chil∣ling, numnesse, and through cold. Thus much of Cypirus.
As for Cyperus, a Rush it is (as I haue said) growing square and cornered: neere the ground it is white; toward the top, of a dark blackish green, and fattish: the vnder leaues that be lowest, are slenderer than leek-blades; the vppermost in the head, are smal, among which is the seed: the [unspec C] root is like vnto a black oliue, which if it grow long-wise, is called Cyperis, and is of singular operation in Physick. The best Cyperus is that which groweth amongst the sands in Africke, neere the temple of Iupiter Ammon: in a second rank, is that of Rhodes: in a third place may bee ranged the Cyperus in Thracia: and in the lowest degree, that of Egypt. And hereupon came the confounding of these two plants, Cyperus and Cypirus, because both the one and the other grow there. But the Cyperus of Egypt is very hard, and hath no smell at all; whereas in the o∣ther, there is a sauor resembling the very Spikenard. There is another herb also comming from the Indians, called Cyperis, of a seuerall kind by it selfe, in forme like vnto ginger: if a man chew it in the mouth, it coloureth the spittle yellow, like as Saffron.
But to come again to Cyperus, and the medicinable properties therof, It is counted to haue [unspec D] a depilatory vertue for to feth off haire. In a liniment it is singular good for the excrescence of the flesh about the naile roots, or the departure and loosenesse therof about them; which both imperfections be called Pterygia: it helpeth the vlcers of the secret parts, and generally all ex∣ulcerations proceeding of rheumatick humors, as the cankers in the mouth. The root of Cype∣rus is a present remedy against the stinging of serpents, and scorpions specially. Taken in drink it doth desopilat & open the obstructions of the matrice: but if a woman drink too much ther∣of it is so forcible that it will driue the matrice out of the body. It prouoketh vrine, so as it ex∣pelleth the stone and grauell withall; in which regard also, it is an excellent medicine for the dropsie. A liniment thereof is singular for cancerous and eating sores, but especially for those [unspec E] that be in the stomack, if it be annointed with wine or vineger tempered with it.
As concerning the rushes beforesaid, their root sodden in three hemines of water, vntill one third part be consumed, cureth the cough. The seed parched against the fire, and so drunk in wa∣ter, staieth the flux of the belly, and stoppeth the immoderat course of womens moneths; but it procureth head-ach. As for the rush called Holoschoenos, take that part of it which is next the root, and chew it; then lay it to the place that is stung with a venomous spider, it is an approo∣ued remedie. I find one sort more of Rushes, which they cal Euripice; and this property withal, That it bringeth one to sleepe: but it must be vsed with moderation, for otherwise it breedeth drowsinesse, sib to the lethargy. Now seeing I am entred into the treatise of rushes, I must needs set down the medicinable vertues of the sweet Rush called Squinanth; and the rather, because [unspec F] (as I haue already shewed) it groweth in Syria surnamed Coele. The most excellent Squinanth commeth out of Nabataea, and the same is knowne by the addition or syrname Teuchites. In a second place is that of Babylon. The worst of all is brought out of Africke, and it is altogether without smell. Squinanth is round, of an hote and fiery taste, biting at the tongues end.