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.

Queen of the Meadows, Meadow-sweet, or Mead-sweet.

Description.

THe Stalks of this are reddish, rising to be three foot high, somtimes four or five foot, having at the Joynts there of large winged Leavs, standing one above another at distances, con∣sisting of many and somwhat broad Leavs, set on each side of a middle rib, being hard, rough, or rugged, crumpled much like to Elm Leavs, having also some smaller Leavs with them (as Agrimony hath) somewhat deepiy dented a∣bout the edges, of a sad green colour on the up∣per side, and graish underneath, of a pretty sharp scent and tast, somwhat like unto Bur∣net, and a Leaf hereof put into a Cup of Cla∣ret Wine giveth also a fine rellish to it: At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand ma∣ny tusts of small white Flowers, thrust thick together. which smel much sweeter than the Leavs: and in their places, being fallen, come crooked and cornered Seed; The Root is somwhat woody, and blackish on the outside

and brownish within, with diverse greater strings, and lesser Fibres set thercat, of a strong scent, but nothing so pleasant as the Flowers and Leavs and perisheth not, but abideth ma∣ny yeers, shooting forth anew every Spring.

Place.

It groweth in moist Meadows, that lie much wet, or neer the Courses of Water.

Time.

It Flowreth in some place or other all the three Summer Months, that is, June, July, and August, and their Seed is ripe quickly af∣ter.

Vertues and Use.

It is used to stay all manner of Bleedings, Fluxes, Vomitings, and Womens Courses,* 1.1 and also their Whites, It is said to alter and take away the fits of Quartan Agues, and to make a merry heart, for which purpose some use the Flowers, and some the Leavs. It hel∣peth speedily those that are troubled with the Chollick, being boyled in Wine; and with a little Honey taken warm, it openeth the Bel∣ly: but boyled in red Wine and drunk it stay∣eth the Flux of the Belly. Being outwardly applied, it healeth old Ulcers that are Can∣krous or eaten, or hollow and Fistulous, for which it is by many much commended, as al∣so for the Sores in the Mouth or secret parts.

The Leavs when they are full grown being laid upon the Skin, will in a short time raise Blisters thereon, as Tragus saith. The wa∣ter thereof helpeth the heat and Inflamation in the Eyes.

Venus claims dominion over the Herb.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bleedings, Fluxes, Vemitings Womens Courses, and the u bites, Quartan Ague, Chollick, Opens the Belly, Old ulcers healeth, Sore Mouths, or Secrets, Raise Bli∣sters, Inflamati∣on in the Eyes.