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.

Vertues and use.

It is good to cool any heat in the Liver, Blood, Reins, and Stomach, and in hot A∣gues, nothing better; It stayeth hot and Chollerick Fluxes of the Belly, Womens Courses, the Whites, and Gonorrhea, or run∣ning of the Reins, the Distillations from the Head, and pains therein proceeding of heat, want of sleep, or the Phrensie.* 1.1 The Seed is more effectual than the Herb, and is of singu∣lar good use to cool the heat and sharpness of Urine, and the outragious Lust of the Body, Venerious Dreams, and the like, insomuch that the overfrequent use hereof, exinguisheth the Heat and Vertue of Natural Procreation. The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine and gi∣ven to Children, expelleth the Worms. The Juyce of the Herb is held as effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, as also to stay Vomitings; and taken with some Sugar or Honey, helpeth an old and dry Cough, shortness of Breath, and the Phtisick, and stayeth immoderate Thirst. The Distilled water of the Herb is used by many (as the more pleasing) with a little Sugar, to work the same effects. The Juyce also is singular good in the Inflamati∣ons and Ulcers of the secret parts in man or woman, as •••• of the Bowels and Hemor∣rhoids, ••hen they are Ulcerous, or Excoria∣tions

in them. The Herb bruised and applied to the Forehead and Temples, allayeth exces∣sive heat therein, hindring rest and sleep; and applied to the Eyes taketh away the redness* 1.2 and Inflamation in them, and those other parts, where Pushes, Wheals, Pimples, St. Antho∣nies Fire and the like break forth, especially if a little Vinegar be put to it: And being laid to the Neck with as much of Galls and Linseed together, taketh away the pains there∣in, and the Crick in the Neck. The Juyce is used with Oyl of Roses for the said causes, or for Blastings by Lightning, and Burnings by Gun-Pouder, or for Womens sore Breastss, and to allay the heat in all other Sores or Hurts: applied also to the Navels of Children that stick forth, it helpeth them: It is also good for sore Mouths, and Gums that are swollen to fasten loos Teeth. Camerarius saith, That the distilled water used by some, took away the pain of their Teeth when all other Reme∣dies failed, and that the thickned Juyce made in Pills with the Pouder of Gum Tragacanth, and Arabick, being taken prevaileth much to help those that make a bloody water. Applied to the Gout, it easeth pains thereof, and hel∣peth the hardness of Sinews if it come not of the Cramp, or a cold caus.

'Tis an Herb of the Moon. See Lettice.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cooleth heat of Blood in hot Agues, Chollerick Fluxes, womens Courses, the whites & Genor∣rhea, Distillati∣ons, Phrensie, Heat of Urine, Lust, and Venercoue Dreams worms, Vomiting, old, ••dry cough, Short Breath, & Phtisick Ulcers, in the se∣cret parts,
• * 1.2

  Redness of the Eyes, and Inflama∣tions, Crick, or pain in the Neck, Blastings by Light∣ning Burning by Gun∣pouder, Sore Breasts, Childrens Navils, Sore Mouths, & swollen Gums, Fastneth Teeth, Toothach, Bloody Urine, Gout, cramp, & stifness of the Si∣news.