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Pellitory of the Wall.
Description.
THis riseth up with many brownish, red, tender and weak, clear, and almost tran∣sparent stalks about two foot high, upon which grow at the several Joynts, two Leavs somwhat broad and long, of a dark green co∣lour, which afterwards turn brownish, smooth on the edges, but rough and hairy as the Stalks are also At the Joynts with the Leavs from the middle of the stalks upwards, wher it spreadeth into some branches, stand many smal pale, pur∣plish Flowers, in hairy rough Heads or Husks; after which come smal black and rough Seed, which will stick to any cloth or Garment that shall touch it. The Root is somwhat long with many smal Fibres thereat, of a dark red∣dish colour, which abideth the Winter, al∣though the Stalks and Leavs perish and spring afresh every yeer.
Place.
It groweth wild generally through this Land, about the borders of Fields, and by the sides of Walls, and among Rubbish; It will endure well being brought into Gardens, and planted on the shady side, where it will spring of its own sowing.
Time.
It flowreth in June and July, and the Seed is ripe soon after.
Vertues and Use.
The dried Herb Pellitory made up into an Electuary with Honey, or the Juyce of the Herb, or the Decoction thereof made up with Sagar or Honey, is a singular Remedy for any old or dry Cough,* 1.1 the shortness of breath, and Wheesing in the Throat. Three ounces of the Juyce thereof taken at a time, doth won∣derfully help stopping of the Urine, and to ex∣pel the Stone or Gravel in the Kidneys or Bladder•• and is therfore usually put among o∣ther Herbs, used in Clisters to mitigate pains in the Back, Sides, or Bowels proceeding of wind, stopping of Urine, the Gravel or Stone as aforesaid: If the bruised Herb sprinkled with some Muskadine be warmed upon a Tile; or in a Dish upon a few quick coals in a Cha∣sing-dish, and applied to the Belly, it wor∣keth the same effect. The Decoction of the Herb being drunk, easeth pains of the Mo∣ther,* 1.2 and bringeth down Womens Courses; it also easeth those griefs that arise from Ob∣structions of the Liver, Spleen, and Reins: The same Decoction with a little Honey ad∣ded thereto is good to gargle a sore Throat. The Juyce held a while in the Mouth, easeth pains in the Teeth. The distilled water of the Herb drunk with some Sugar worketh the same effects; and clenseth the Skin from Spots, Freckles,* 1.3 Purples, Wheals, Sunburn, Morphew, &c.
The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the noise in them, and taketh away the pricking and shooting pains therein: The same or the distilled Water, asswageth hot and swelling Impostumes, Burnings and Scaldings by fire or Water, as also all other hot Tumors and Inflamations, or breakings out of Heat, be∣ing bathed often with wet Cloathes dipped therein. The said Juyce made into a Liniment with Ceruss and Oyl of Roses and anointed therewith, clenseth foul rotten Ulcers, and stayeth spreading or creeping Ulcers, and the running Scabs or Sores in Childrens Heads: and helpeth to stay falling of the Hair from off the Head. The said Oyntment, or the Herb applied to the Fundament openeth the Piles and easeth their pains; and being mixed with Goats Tallow, helpeth the Gout. The Juyce is very effectual to clens Fistulaes, and to heal them up safely; or the Herb it self bruised, and applied with a little Salt. It is likewise so effectual to heal any green Wound, that if it be bruised and bound thereto for three daies, you shall need no other Medicine to heal it further. A Pultis made hereof with Mallows, and boyled in Wine, with Wheat Bran, and Bean Flower; and some Oyl put thereto, and applied warm to any bruised Sinew, Tendon, or Muscle, doth in a very short time restore them to their strength, taking away the pains of the Bruises; and dissolveth the congealed Blood coming of Blows or Falls from high places.
The Juyce of Pellitory of Wall clarified and boyled into a Syrup with Honey, and a spoon∣ful of it drunk every morning, by such as are subject to the Dropsie, if continuing that cours though but once a week, if ever they have the Dropsie, let them come but to me, and I will cure them gratis.