The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tome

CHAP. XX. [unspec K]

¶ Of French Nard, and Saffron. The medicinable vertues of Saffron, and the cake or dregs thereof. Of Saliunca, Polium, and Floure de-lis. Of Holochry∣son, Chrysocome, and Melilote.

FOrasmuch as some haue taken rustick-Nard to be the root of Bacchar, and so named it: the which hath put me in mind of French Nard, and the promise which I made in my treatise of strange and forrein trees, to put off no longer than this place for to speake of it, and the properties thereto belong. To acquit my selfe therefore, I will here set down the vertues of the said Nard, as touching the vse thereof in Physicke. First therefore, if two drammes of French [unspec L] Nard be taken in wine, it is singular against the sting and biting of serpents. Item, if one drinke it either in wine or water, it easeth the passions of the Collick, proceeding from the inflamma∣tion of the gut Colon. In like sort it cureth the inflaammtion of the liuer and the reins, the o∣uerflowing also of the gal, and the Iaunise thereupon. Taken alone by it selfe or with Worme∣wood, it is a good remedy for the Dropsie. It represseth the immoderat flux of womens fleurs.

As touching Setwall or Valerian, which in the foresaid place we named Phu; the * root ei∣ther beaten into pouder, or sodden and so giuen in drinke, is excellent for the rising of the Mo∣ther, * 1.1 which threatneth suffocation; for the pains of the breast and pleurisie. The same prouo∣keth the course in womens terms, so it be taken in wine.

Saffron will not resolue nor be mixed wel with hony or any sweet thing. Howbeit, in wine or [unspec M] water, it wil dissolue very soon and be incorporated therewith. A soueraign spice this is, & sin∣gular for many maladies. The best way to keep saffron is within a box of horn. It discusseth ve∣rily all inflammations, but principally those of the eies, if together with an egge it be applied in forme of a liniment. Excellent it is for the suffocation of the matrice, the exulcerations

of the stomacke, breast, kidnies, liuer, lungs, and bladder: and more particularly, if any of these [unspec A] parts be enflamed, a proper remedie also it is in that case. Likewise it cureth the cough & pleu∣risie. It killeth an itch, and prouoketh vrin. Our wine-knights when they purpose to sit square at the tauerne and carouse lustily, if they drinke Saffron, neuer feare surfeit nor the ouerturning of their braine: and they are verily persuaded, that this keepeth them from drunkennesse, and ma∣keth them carie their drinke well. Certes, a Chaplet of Saffron vpon the head, dooth allay the fumes ascending vp thither, and preuent drunkennesse. Saffron induceth sleep, but it troubleth the braine * 1.2 somewhat it pricketh forward to wanton lust. The floure of Saffron reduced into a liniment with white Fullers earth, helpeth the Shingles and S. Anthonies fire. And saffron it self entereth into very many compositions of Physicke. One Collyrie or * 1.3 eye-salue there is, which taketh the name also of saffron. And when the ointment made of Saffron called Crocinium, is [unspec B] strained and pressed out, the grounds which remaine is named Crocomagma, which also is not without some speciall vses, for it cureth the suffusion of the eyes, or the cataract: but it causeth ardeur and heat of vrine more than Saffron it selfe. The best is that accounted, which if a man tast in his mouth, doth colour his spittle and staine his teeth.

As touching the Flower-de-lis, the red is thought to be better than the white. Certes if lit∣tle infants do wear it tied about them by way of necklace, collar, or girdle, it is supposed to be a singular remedie, especially when they breed teeth or haue the chincough. Also if they be trou∣bled with the * 1.4 worms, they hold it good gently to instill the same in the body [either by drink or clystres.] All other operations that the Flour-de-lis hath, differ not much in effect from ho∣ny. [unspec C] A singular property it hath to clense the head from sores and skalls, and generally to mun∣difie all impostumat vlcers. Two drams thereof taken with hony, easeth the belly, & prouoketh to the stoole. Giuen in ordinary drink; it staieth the cough, appeaseth wrings, & dissolueth ven∣tosities in the belly. In vinegre it openeth the opilations of the spleene. And being taken with water and vinegre together, it is an effectuall remedie against the stinging of serpents and spi∣ders. The weight of two drams eaten with bread or drunk in water, resisteth the poison of scor∣pions. Being made into a liniment with oile, and so applied, it cureth the bitings of mad dogs, and heateth the parts mortified with extreame cold. In like manner also it allaieth the paines of the sinews. Reduced into an ointment with Rosin, it is singular for the paine of the loins and the gout Sciatica. This root is hot in operation. If it be drawne or snuffed vp into the nose, it causeth sneesing, and purgeth the head. A liniment of it and Pome-quinces or Peare-quinces, [unspec D] easeth the head-ach: it represseth also the vapours flying vp into the head, causing distempera∣ture of the braine, in a surfeit of wine or strong drinke. It helpeth streightnesse of breath, and such as cannot take their winde but sitting vpright. It prouoketh vomit, if it be taken to the weight of 2 Oboli. A cataplasme of it and hony together, draweth forth spils of broken bones. The pouder of it is much vsed for Whit-flawes: and the same applied with wine, taketh away cornes and werts: but it must lie on three daies before you vnbind and take it from the place. The very chewing of it, correcteth a strong and stinking breath: as also the filthie fauour of the arme-holes. The juice thereof doth mollifie all hard tumors. It prouoketh sleepe, but it consu∣meth sperme or natural seed. The Fissures in the seat, as also the blind and swelling piles in the fundament and all superfluous excrescences of the bodie, it cureth.

There is a wild kind of Floure-de-lis, which some call Xyris: the root of this herb is good to [unspec E] resolue & discusse the swelling kernels named the Kings euil, hot biles, & risings in the groin. Howbeit for to work these effects, there be certain ceremonies precisely to be obserued, name∣ly, That it be taken out of the ground with the left hand in any case. Item, that they who gather it do say in the gathering, For whose sake they pluck it vp; and withall, name the person: & here in making mention of this matter, I canot but detect the knauery of these Harbarists and sim∣plers: Their maner is not to employ & occupie all that they haue gathered, but reserue & keep part thereof, as also of some other hearbes, as namely of Plantaine, and if they be not well con∣tented, nor thinke themselues paied thoroughly for their paines in the cure, they make no more ado but burie and couer within the earth that part which they kept by them, in the same place where it was digged forth. And I beleeue verily they haue an vnhappy meaning and a certaine [unspec F] kind of witchcraft herin: forsooth, That the maladies which they seemed to haue healed, should breake out and be sore again, to the end that they might be set on work anew. As touching Sa∣liunca, the decoction of it in wine and so taken, staieth vomits, and corrobroateth the stomack.

Musaeus and Hesiodus the Poets haue a great opinion of Polium: for they giue counsell to all [unspec G] those that would come to preferment & promotion, for to be anointed all ouer with a liniment thereof: such also as be desirous of renowme and glory, to be euer handling of it, to set it also, and maintaine it in their gardens. True it is, that solke docarie Polium about them ordinarily, or lay it vnder their beds for to chase away serpents. Physicians do seeth it either new & green, or drie, in wine, and therof make a liniment: or els they giue it to drink in vinegre, to those that be pained with the jaundise; yea, & to such as be newly fallen into the dropsie, they giue coun∣sell to drinke the decoction thereof, being sodden in wine. And of it so prepared, they make a liniment for to be applied vnto green wounds. Moreouer, this herb is very good to send out the after-burden in women newly brought to bed, and to expell the dead infant out of the mothers wombe. And otherwise it serueth well to mitigate any paines of the body. It doth purge and [unspec H] euacuate the bladder: and in a liniment applied to the eyes, restraineth their excessiue watering. I know not any other hearbe better to goe with other ingredients into antidots or countrepoi∣sons (named of the Greeks Alexipharmaca) than this. Howbeit, some denie all this, and are of * 1.5 opinion that it is hurtful to the stomacke, that the drinking of it stuffeth the head, and causeth women to fal into labor before their time. They say also, that this cerimonie would be precise∣ly obserued, That in the very place where this plant is found, so soone as euer it is gathered it should be hanged presently vpon the necke of the partie, with a speciall care that it touch not the ground first, and then is it an excellent remedie for the cataract in the eye. And these au∣thors describe this hearbe to haue leaues like Thyme, but that they be softer and couered ouer with a more hoarie and woollie downe. Being taken with wild Rue in raine water, so that it be [unspec I] beaten before into pouder, it doth mitigat (by report) the deadly paines caused by the sting of the Aspis, it bindeth and draweth vp a wound, it keepeth corrosiue sores from festering and go∣ing farther, as well as the floures of the Pomegranate.

The hearb Holochrysos if it be taken in wine, helpeth the strangury, and such as cannot pisse but by drops. And a liniment therof is passing good to represse the flux of humors to the eyes. If it bee incorporat with Tartar or wine lees burnt into ashes, and drie Barley groats; it mundi∣fieth the skin, and riddeth away ring-wormes, tettars, and such like wild fires.

As for Chrysocome, the root of it is hot, and yet astringent. It is giuen to drinke for the dis∣eases of the liuer and the lights. And being sodden in honied water, it assuageth the paines in∣cident to the matrice. It prouoketh womens monthly purgation: and being giuen in drink raw, [unspec K] it purgeth waterie humors gathered in the dropsie.

Touching Baulm, which the Greeks call Melittis or Melissophyllon: if Bee-hiues be rubbed all ouer and besmeared with the juice thereof, the Bees will neuer away, for there is not a floure whereof they be more desirous and faine, than of it: and in truth, looke in what garden there groweth abundance of this hearbe, the Bees there when they swarme, will be soone intreated to tarie, & not be hastie to wander far abroad. The same is a most present remedy not only against their stings, but also of wespes, spiders, and Scorpions. And being tempered with a little nitre, it is singular against the * 1.6 strangulation of the mother. Taken in wine, it pacifieth the wrings and torments of the belly. The leaues therof being sodden with salt, and brought into an ointment, are singular good for to be applied vnto the scrophules or swelling kernills called the Kings e∣uill: [unspec L] and likewise to the accidents of the seat and fundament, as the swelling haemorrhoids or piles. The juice taken in drinke, bringeth women to their ordinary monethly courses: it discus∣seth •…•…eutosities, and healeth vlcers: it allaieth the paines of any gouts, and cureth the biting of mad dogs: it is good for the bloudy flix that hath run on a long time: as also those fluxes which proceed from the imbecillitie of the stomack: it helpeth them that be streight in the chest, and cannot take their wind but bolt vpright: it mundifieth also the vlcers within the breast. To con∣clude, it is said to be a singular remedie & none like vnto it, for to dispatch the webs in the eye, if they be annointed with the juice thereof and honey tempered together.

Melilot is thought also to be good for the eyes, if it be applied with milk or line seed. It as∣suageth also the paine of the jawes and head, if it be laid too with oile of Roses: likewise it doth mitigat the paine of the ears, if it be instilled or dropped into them with wine cuit. Moreouer, [unspec M] the tumors and breaking out of the hands it helpeth. Being boiled in wine or stamped green, it easeth the griefe of the stomacke. The same effect it hath in the pain of the matrice. But if the cods be amisse, if the Longaon or tuill bee fallen, and beare out of the bodie; or if that part bee

affected with other accidents, Bath the place with a decoction of it, boiled greene in water or [unspec A] cuit, and the patient shal find ease. But if there be an ointment made of it and oile of Roses in∣corporat together, it is a soueraign remedie for all cancerous sores. If it be boiled first in sweet wine or cuit, it is the better for the purpose aforesaid: and so prepared, a speciall and effectuall thing it is for the wens called Melicerides: wherein is engendred matter resembling honey.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Zedo•…•…rium.
• * 1.2

  Nay it is a great enemie vnto it.
• * 1.3

  Dia crocis. Paul. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• * 1.4

  Tine•…•…rum 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Plinie com∣monly: taketh Tin•…•…as for wormes in the belly: al∣though other∣wise it betoke∣neth sores and skals in the head.
• * 1.5

  As namely Di∣oscorides.
• * 1.6

  Dioscorides hath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. Mushromes: whereof there be some that be daungerous for suffocati∣on. But Plinie as it should seeme; read it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and accordingly hath transla∣ted it.