Mallows, and Marsh∣Mallows.
THe Common Mallowes are generally so well known that they need no Description.
Our common Marsh-mallows have diver•• soft hoary white stalkes rising to be three or four foot high, spreading forth many Branches the Leavs wherof are soft and hairy, somwhat lesser then the other Mallow Leaves but longer pointed, cut (for the most part) into some few deivisions, but deep: The Flowers are many but smaller also then the other Mal∣lows & white, or tending to a blush colour. After which come such like round cases and Seed as in the other Mallows. The Roots are many and long, shooting from one Head, of the bigness of a Thumb or Finger, very pliant, tough and bending like Liquoris, of a whitish yellow colour on the outside, and more white within, full of a slimy juyce which being, layd in water will thicken it as if it were gelly.
Place.
The Common Mallows grow in every coun∣trey of this Land.
The Common Marsh Mallowes in most of the Salt Mashes from Woolwich, downe to the Sea, both on the Kentish and Essex Shoares and in diverse other places of this Land.
Time.
They Flower all the Summer Months, even until the Winter do pull them down.
Vertues and Use.
The Leavs of either of the sorts above na∣med, and the Roots also boyled in Wine or Water, or in Broth, with Parsley or ••ennel Roots, doth help to open the Body, and is very convenient in hot Agues* 1.1 or other di∣stempers of the Body to apply the Leavs so boyled warm to the Belly; It not only voi∣deth hot Chollerick* 1.2 and other offensive Hu∣mors but easeth the pains and torments of the Belly coming thereby; and are therefore used in all Clysters conducing to those purpo∣ses: The same used by Nurses, procureth them store of Milk.
The Decoction of the Seed of any of the common Mallows, made in Milk or Wine doth Merveilously help excoriations,* 1.3 the Phtisick, Plurisie, and other Diseases of the Chest and Lungues that proceed of hot causes, if it be continued taking for some time together: The Leavs and Roots work the same effects: They help much also in the excoriations of the Guts and Bowels and hardness of the Mother, and in all hot and sharp diseases thereof. The Juyce drunk in Wine, or the Decoction of them therein doth help Women to a speedy and easie Deli∣very.* 1.4 Pliny saith, That whosoever shal that take a spoonful of any of the Mallows, shal that day be free from all Diseases that may come unto him; and that it is special good for the Fal∣ling-sickness.* 1.5 The Syrup also and Conserve made of the Flowers are very effectual for the the same Diseases, and to open the Body being costive: The Leavs bruised and laid to the Eyes* 1.6 with a little Honey, taketh away the Im∣postumations of them. The Leavs bruised or rubbed upon any place stung with Bees, Wasps* 1.7 or the like, presently taketh away the pains, redness, and Swellings that rise thereupon : and Dioscorides saith, The Decoction of the Leavs and Roots helpeth all sorts of Poyson,* 1.8 so as the Poyson be presently voided by Vo∣mit. A Pultis made of the Leavs boyled and bruised, whereunto some Bean or Batley Flo∣wer and Oyl of Roses is an especial Remedy a∣gainst all hard Tumors and Inflamations of Impostums and Swellings of the Cods and other parts, and easeth the pains of them; as also against the hardness of the Liver or Spleen, being applied to the places.* 1.9 The Juyce of the Mallows boyled in old Oyl and applied, taketh away al roughness of the Skin,