Winter Rocket, or Cresses.
Description.
VVInter Rocket, or winter Cresses, hath diverse somwhat large sad green Leavs lying upon the ground, torn or cut into divers parts, somwhat like unto Roc∣ket, or Turnep Leavs with smaller pieces next the bottom, and broad at the ends which so a∣bide all Winter (if it spring up in Autumn, when it is used to be eaten) from among which riseth up divers smal round Stalks full of bran∣ches, bearing many smal yellow Flowers of four Leavs apiece, after which come smal long Pods with reddish Seed in them: The Root is somwhat stringy, and perisheth every yeer after the Seed is ripe.
Place.
It groweth of its own accord in Gardens and Fields by the way sides in diverse places, and particularly in the next Pasture to the Conduit-Head behind Grayes-Inne that brings Water to Mr. Lamb's Conduit in Hol∣bourn.
Time.
It Flowreth in May, and Seedeth in June, and then perisheth.
Vertues and Use.
This is profitable to provoke Urine, and helpeth the Strangury.* 1.1 and to expel Gravel and the Stone; It is also of good effect in the Scurvey: It is found by experience to be a sin∣gular good Wound Herb, to clense inward Wounds, the Juyce or Decoction being drunk, or outwardly applied to wash foul Ulcers and Sores, clensing them by sharpness, and hin∣dring or abating the dead Flesh from growing therein, and healing them by the drying quali∣ty.