The English physitian, or An astrologo-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation being a compleat method of physick, whereby a man may preserve his body in health, or cure himself being sick for three pence charge, with such things only as grow in England ... / by Nich. Culpeper.

Mousear.

Description.

THis is a low Herb creeping upon the ground by small strings like the Straw∣berry Plant, whereby it shooteth forth smal Roots, whereat grow upon the Ground many small and somwhat short Leavs set in a round form together, hollowish in the middle where they are broadest, of an hoary colour all over, and very hairy, which being broken do give a white Milk: From among these Leavs spring up two or three smal hoary Stalks about a span high, with a few smaller Leavs thereon; At the tops whereof standeth usual∣ly but one Flower, consisting of many paler yellow Leavs broad at the points, and a little dented in, set in three or four rows, the grea∣ter outermost, very like a Dandelyon Flower, and a little reddish underneath about the ed∣ges, especially if it grow in a dry ground: which after they have stood long in Flower, do turn into Down, which with the Seed is carryed away with the Wind.

Place.

It groweth on Ditch Banks, and somtimes in Ditches if they be dry and in sandy Grounds.

Time.

It Flowreth about June and July, and a∣bideth green all the Winter.

Vertues and Use.

The Juyce hereof taken in Wine or the De∣coction thereof drunk doth help the Jaundice* 1.1 although of long continuance, to drink there∣of morning and evening, and abstain from o∣ther drink two or three hours after: It is a special Remedy against the Stone, and the tormenting pains thereof; as also other Tor∣tures and griping pains of the Bowels; The Decoction thereof with Succory and Centaury, is held very eflectual to help the Dropsie, and them that are inclining thereunto, and the Dis∣eases of the Spleen. It stayeth the Fluxes of Blood either at the Mouth or Nose, and in∣ward Bleedings also, for it is a singular Wound Herb for Wounds both inward and outward; It helpeth the Bloody Flux and stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses:

There is a Syrup made of the Juyce hereof and Sugar by the Apothecaries of Italy, and other places, which is of much account with them, to be given to those that are troubled with the Cough or Phtisick:* 1.2 The same also is singu∣lar good for Ruptures or Burstings. The green Herb bruised and presently bound to any fresh cut or Wound, doth quickly soder the lips thereof. And the Juyce, Decoction, or Pouder of the dried Herb, is most singular to stay the Malignity of spreading and fretting Cankers and Ulcers wheresoever, yea in the Mouth, or secret parts: The distilled Water of the Plant is available in all the Diseases a∣foresaid, and to wash outward Wounds and Sores, and to apply Tents, or Cloaths wet therein.

The Moon owns the Herb also, and though Authors cry out upon Alchymists for attemp∣ting to fix Quick Silver by this Herb and Moonwort: A Roman would not have jud∣ged a thing by the success, if it be to be fixed at all, 'tis by Lunar Influence.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Jaundice, Stone, Bellyach, Dropsie, Flux, Wounds, Bloody Flux, Terms stops,
• * 1.2

  Cough, Phtisick, Ruptures, Canker, ulcers, spreading sores.