♂ Masterwort.
Description.
Common Masterwort hath divers stalks of winged Leaves devided into sun∣dry parts, three for the most part standing together at a small footstalk on both sides of the greater, and three likewise at the end of the stalk, somwhat broad and cut in on the edges, into three or more devisions all of them dented about the brims, of a dark green colour, somwhat resembling the Leaves of Angelica, but that these grow lower to the ground, & on lesser stalks: among which rise up 2. or 3. short stalks about 2. foot high, and slender, with such like Leavs at the Joynts as grow below, but with lesser & fewer devisions, bearing Umbels of white Flowers, and after them small, thinne, flat, blackish seed bigger than Dil seeds: The Root is somwhat greater and groweth rather sideways than down deep into the ground, shooting forth sundry heads, which tast sharp, biting on the Tongue, and is the hottest and sharpest part of the Plant, and the seed next unto it, beiug somewhat blackish on the outside, and smelling well.
Place.
It is usually kept in Gardens with us in England.
Time.
It Flowreth and seedeth about the end of August.
Vertues and Use.
The Root of Masterwort is hotter than Pep∣per and very available in all cold Grelfes and Diseases both of Stomach and body, dissol∣ving very powerfully upward and downward: It is also used in a decoction with wind a∣gainst all cold rhewms,* 1.1 or distillations upon the Lungs, and shortnes of breath, to be taken morning and evening; it also provokerh Urin and helpeth to break the Stone, and expel the Greavell from the Kidneys, procuereth wo∣mens Courses, and expelleth the dead birth; is singular good for the strangling of the Mother, and other such like Feminine Dis∣eases. It is effectuall also aganist the Dropsie, Cramps, and the Falling sicknes, for the de∣cection in wine being gargled in the Mouth draweth down much water and flegm from the brain, purging & easing it of what oppres∣seth it. It is of a rare quality against al sorts of cold poyson, to be taken as there is cause, It provoketh sweat. But left the tast herof, or of the seed (which worketh to the like effect though not so powerfully) should be too of∣fensive; the best way is to take the water distilled both from the Herb and Root. The Juyce herof dropped or Tents dipped therin, and applyed either to green wounds, or filthy rotten Ulcers* 1.2 and those that come by inveno∣med Weapons, doth soon clens and heal them, or isthey be bathed with the distilled water. The same is also very good to help the Gout coming of a cold cause.
It is an Herb of Mars.