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Madder.
Description.
THe Garden Madder shooteth forth many very long, weak four square reddish Stalks trailing on the Ground a great way, ve∣ry rough or hairy and full of Joynts; At e∣very of those Joynts come forth divers long, and somwhat narrow Leavs, standing like a Star about the Stalks, rough also and hairy, toward the tops whereof come forth many smal pale yellow Flowers: after which come smal round Heads, green at first, and reddish afterwards, but black when they are ripe, wher∣in is contained the Seed. The Root is not very great, but exceeding long, running down half a mans length into the grouund, red and very clear while it is fresh, spreading divers waies.
Place.
It is only manured in Gardens or larger Fields for the profit that is made thereof.
Time.
It Flowreth towards the end of Summer, and the Seed is ripe quickly after.
Vertues and Use.
It hath an opening quality, and afterwards to bind and strengthen. It is an assured Re∣medy for the yellow Jaundice by opening the Obstructions of the Liver and Gall, and clen∣sing those parts: It openeth also the Obstru∣ctions of the Spleen, and diminisheth the Me∣lanchollick humor. It is available for the Palsey and Sciatica, and effectual for Bruises inward or outward, and is therfore much u∣sed in Vulnerary Drinks.* 1.1 The Root for all those aforesaid purposes, is to be boyled in Wine or Water, as the caus requireth, and some Honey or Sugar put therunto afterwards. The Seed herof taken with Vinegar and Ho∣ney, helpeth the Swellings and Hardness of the Spleen. The Decoction of the Leaves and Branches is a good Fomentation for Wo∣men to sit over thar have not their Courses. The Leavs and Roots beaten and applied to any part that is discoloured with Freckles, Morphew, the white Scurf, or any such defor∣mity of the Skin, clenseth them throughly, and taketh them away.