Vertues and Vse.
The Leavs of Henbane do cool all hot In∣flamations* 1.1 in the Eyes or any other part of the Body; and are good to asswage all manner of Swellings of the Cods or Womens Breasts, or els where, if they be boyled in Wine, and either applied themselves or the Fomentation warm; it also asswageth the pain of the Gout, the Sciatica and all other pains in the Joynts* 1.2 which arise from an hot caus. And applied with Vinegar to the Forehead and Temples, helpeth the Headach and want of sleep in hot Feavers.* 1.3 The Juyce of the Herb or Seed, or the Oyl drawn from the Seed doth the like. The Oyl of the Seed is helpful for the Deaf∣ness, Nois, and Worms in the Ears,* 1.4 being dropped therein; the Juyce of the Herb, or Root doth also the same. The Decoction of the Herb, or Seed, or both, killeth Lice in Man and Beast. The fume of the dried Herb Stalks and Seed burned, quickly healeth Swel∣lings, Chilblains,, or Kibes* 1.5 in the Hands or Feet, by holding them in the fume thereof. The Remedy to help those that have taken Henbane is to drink Goats Milk, Honyed Wa∣ter or Pine Kernels, with Sweet Wine: or in the absence of these, Fennel Seed, Nettle Seed, the Seed of Cresses, Mustard, or Radish, as also Onions, or Garlick taken in wine, do all help to free them from danger, and restore them to their due temper again.
Take notice that this Herb must never be taken inwardly, outwardly, an Oyl, Oynt∣ment, or Plaister of it, is most admirable for the Gout, to cool the Venerial heat of the Reins in the French Pox,* 1.6 to stop the Tooth∣ach being applied to the aching side, to allay all Inflamations, and to help the Diseases be∣fore premised.
I wonder in my Heart how Astrologers could take on them to make this an Herb of Jupiter, and yet Mizaldus, a man of a pene∣trating Brain, was also of this Opinion as wel as the rest, the Herb is indeed under the Do∣minion of Saturn, and I prove it by this Ar∣gument.
All the Herbs which delight most to grow in Saturnine places, are Saturnine Herbs.
But Henbanc delights most to grow in Satur∣nine places, and whol Cart loads of it may be found neer the places where they empty the common Jakes, and scarce a stinking Ditch to be found without, it growing by it.
Ergo 'tis an Herb of Saturn.