The English physitian, or An astrologo-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation being a compleat method of physick, whereby a man may preserve his body in health, or cure himself being sick for three pence charge, with such things only as grow in England ... / by Nich. Culpeper.

Vertues and Vse.

It is chiefly used for the Diseases of the Mo∣ther, whether it be the strangling or rising of the Mother,* 1.1 or Hardness or Inflamations of the same, applied outwardly thereunto: or a Decoction of the Flowers in Wine with a lit∣tle Nutmeg or Mace put therin, and drunk of∣ten in a day, & is an approved Remedy to bring down Womens Courses speedily, and helpeth to expel the dead Birth and Afterbirth.* 1.2 For a Woman to sit over the hot fumes of the De∣coction of the Herb made in Water or Wine is effectual also for the same; and in some cases to apply the boyled Herb warm to the privy parts. The Decoction therof made, with some Sugar or Honey put therto, is used by many with good success, to help the Cough,* 1.3 and stuffing of the Chest by cold, as also to clens the Reins and Bladder, and help to ex∣pel the stone in them. The Pouder of the Herb taken in Wine, with some Oximel pur∣geth both Choller and Flegm, and is available for those that are short winded; and are trou∣bled with Melancholly and Heaviness or sad∣ness of the Spirits. It is very effectual for all pains in the Head coming of a cold caus, the Herb being bruised, and applied to the crown of the Head; as also for a Vertigo,* 1.4 that is a turning or swimming in the Head. The Decoction therof drunk warm, and the Herb bruised with a few Corns of Bay Salt and ap∣plied to the Wrists before the coming of the Ague* 1.5 Fits, doth take them away. The distilled Water taketh away Freckles, & other Spots and Deformities in the Face. The Herb bruised and heated on a Tyle, with some Wine to moisten it, or fried with a little Wine* 1.6 and Oyl in a frying Pan, and applied warm out∣wardly

to the places, helpeth the wind and Chollick* 1.7 in the lower part of the Belly: It is an especial Remedy against Opium taken too liberally.

Venus commands the Herb and hath com∣manded it to succour her Sisters [Women] and to be a general strengthner of their Wombs and remedy such infirmities, as a careless Mid∣wife hath there caused, if they will be but plea∣sed to make use of her Herb boyled in white Wine, and drink the Decoction, it clenseth the Womb, expelleth the Afterbirth, doth the Woman all the good she can desire of an Herb. And if any grumble becaus they cannot get the Herb in Winter, tell them if they pleas they may make a Syrup of it in Summer.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mother, Womb, Terms, provokes,
• * 1.2

  Dead Birth, After∣birth,
• * 1.3

  Cough, Reins, Bladder, Choller, Flegm, Melan∣cholly, Sadness.
• * 1.4

  Headach, Vertigo,
• * 1.5

  Ague, Deformety of the skin
• * 1.6

  Wind,
• * 1.7

  Chollick, Opium.