♃ ♋ Balm.
THis Herb is so wel known to be an Inha∣bitant almost in every Garden, that I shal not need to write any Description thereof, al∣though the Vertues thereof which are many may not be omitted.
Vertues and use.
The Arabian Physitians have extolled the Vertues hereof to the Skyes, although the Greeks thought it not worth mentioning. Se∣••apio saith, It causeth the Mind and Heart* 1.1 to becom merry, and reviveth the Heart fainting into soundings, especially of such who are over taken in their sleep, and driveth away al trou∣blesom cares and thoughts out of the Mind a∣rising from Melancholly, or black Choller; which Avicen also confirmeth. It is very good to help Digestion, and open Obstructions of the Brain; and hath so much purging quality in it (saith Avicen) as to expel those Melan∣cholly vapors from the Spirits & Blood which are in the Heart and Arteries, although it can∣not do so in other parts of the Body. Diasco∣rides saith, That the Leaves steeped in Wine, and the Wine drunk, and the Leavs externally applied is a remedy against the sting of Scor∣pions, and the bitings of mad Dogs, and com∣mendeth the Decoction therof for Women to bath or sit in to procure their Courses; it is good to was••••aching Teeth therwith, and pro∣fitable for those that have the bloudy-Flux. The Leaves also with a little Nitre taken in Drink, are good against a Surfet of Mush∣romes,* 1.2 helps the griping pains of the Belly, and being made into an Electuary is good for them that cannot fetch their breath: Used with Salt it takes away Wens, Kernels, or hard Swellings in the Flesh or Throat; it clenseth foul Sores, and caseth pains of the Gout: It is good for the Liver and Spleen. A Tansie or Cawdle made with Egs and the Juyce therof while it is yong, putting to it some Sugar and Rosewater is good for Women in Childbed when the Af∣ter-birth is not thronghly avoided, and for their faintings upon, or after their sore travel. The Herb bruised and boyled in a little Wine and Oyl and laid warm on a Boil, will ripen and break it.
It is an Herb of Jupiter and under Cancer, and strengthens Nature much in al its actions; let a Syrup made with the Juyce of it and Su∣gar, (as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book) be kept in every Gentlewomans house, to releeve the weak stomachs and sick Bodies of their poor sickly Neighbors; as also the Herb kept dry in the Hous that so with o∣ther convenient Simples you may make it into an Electuary with Hony according as the Dis∣eas is, and as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book.