Foxglove.
Description.
THis hath many long and broad Leavs ly∣ing upon the Ground dented about the edges, a little soft or woolly, and of a hoary green colour among which rile up somtimes sundry Stalks, but one very often bearing such Leavs thereon from the bottom to the middle, from whence to the top it is stored with large and long hollow reddish Purple Flowers, a little more long and eminent at the lower edg, with some white Spots within them, one above another, with smal green Leavs at every one, but all of them turning their. Heads one way and hanging downwards, having some threds also in the middle, from whence rise round Heads pointed sharp at the ends, wherein smal brown Seed lieth. The Roots are many smal Huskie Fibres, and some greater strings among them; The Flower hath no scent; but the Leavs have a bitter hot tast.
Place.
It groweth on the dry sandy Grounds for the most part, and as well on the higher as lower places under Hedg-sides in almost every County of this Land.
Time.
It seldom Flowreth before July, and the Seed is ripe in August.
Vertues and use.
This Herb is familiarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green Wound,* 1.1 the Leavs being but bruised and bound thereon; and the Juyce therof is also u∣sed in old Sores, to clens, dry, and heal* 1.2 them. The Decoction hereof made up with some Su∣gar or Honey is available to clens and purge the Body, both upwards and downwards som∣times of tough Flegm and clammy Humors and to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen;* 1.3 It hath been found by experience to be available for the Kings Evil, the Herb bruised and applied; or an Oyntment made with the Juyce thereof and so used: And a Decoction of two handfuls therof with four Ounces of Polipody in Ale, hath been found by late experience to cure divers of the Falling∣sickness, that have been troubled with it above twenty yeers.
My self am confident that an Oyntment of it is one of the best Remedies for a Scabby Head that is.