Pimpernel.
Discription.
COmmon Pimpernel hath diverse weak square Stalks lying on the ground beset all along with two smal and almost round Leavs at every Joynt one against another, very like Chickweed, but hath no Footstalks, for the Leavs do as it were compass the Stalk: The Flowers stand singly each by themselvs at them and the Stalks, consisting of five round small pointed Leavs of a fine pale red colour, tending to an Orange, with so many threds in the middle, in whose places succeed, smooth round Heads, wherein is contained smal Seed. The Root is smal and fibrous perishing every yeer.
Place.
It groweth every where almost, as well in the Meadows and Cornfields, as by the Way∣sides, and in Gardens arising of it self.
Time.
It Flowreth from May unto August, and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time and falleth.
Vertues and Use.
This is of a clensing and attractive qua∣lity, whereby it draweth forth Thorns or Splinters,* 1.1 or other such like things gotten in∣to the Flesh, and put up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head; and Galen saith also they have a drying faculty, whereby they are good to soder the lips of Wounds, and to clens foul Ulcers. The distilled Water or Juyce is much esteemed by French Dames to clense the Skin from any roughness, deformity, or discolou∣ring thereof: Being boyled in Wine, and given to drink, it is a good Remedy a∣gainst the Plague, and other Pestilential Fea∣vers, if the Party after taking it warm lie in his bed and sweat for two hours after, and use the same twice at least. It helpeth also all stin∣gings and bitings of Venemous Beasts or mad Dogs, being used inwardly and applied out∣wardly: The same also openeth the Obstru∣ctions of the Liver, and is very available a∣gainst the Infirmities of the Reins, it provo∣keth Urine, and helpeth to expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Kidneys and Bladder, and