Vertues and use.
The yong tender Tops with the Leaves ta∣ken inwardly, and some of them outwardly applied are singular good against the biting of the Viper, Adder,* 1.1 or any other Venemous Beast: And the Water distilled therfrom, be∣ing taken a smal quantity every morning fa∣sting, is a singular Medicine for those that are subject to a Dropsie, or to abate the greatness of those who are too gross or fat. The Deco∣ction of the Leaves in white Wine, helpeth to break the Stone and expel it, and cureth the Jaundice. The Ashes of the Bark of the Ash made into Ly, and those Heads bathed ther∣with which are Leprous, Scabby, or Scal'd, they are therby cured. The Kernels within the Husks commonly called Ashen Keys, pre∣vaileth against Stitches and pains in the sides proceeding of Wind, and avoideth away the stone by provoking Urin.
I can justly except against none of all this save only the first, viz. That Ash-tree Tops and Leaves are good against the biting of Ser∣pents and Vipers, and I suppose this had its rise from Gerard, or Pliny, both which hold that there is such an Antipathy between an Adder and an Ash-tree, that if an Adder be compassed round with Ash-tree Leaves, she wil sooner run through the fire than through the Leaves, the contrary to which is the truth, as both my eyes are witnesses: the rest are Vertues somthing likely; only if it be in Win∣ter when you cannot get the Leaves, you may safely use the Bank instead of them, the Keys you may easily keep all the year, gathering them when they are ripe.