Sage.
OUr ordinary Garden Sage needeth no Description.
Time.
It Flowreth in or about July.
Vertues and use.
A Decoction of the Leavs and Branches of Sage made and drunk, saith Dioscorides pro∣voketh Urine,* 1.1 bringeth down Womens Cour∣ses, helpeth to expel the dead Child, and cau∣seth the hairs to become black; It staieth the bleeding of Wounds, and clenseth foul Ulcers or Sores; The seid Decoction made in Wine taketh away the itching of the Cods if they be bathed therwith. Agrippa saith, That: if Women that cannot conceive by reason of the moist slipperiness of their Wombs shall take a quantity of the Juyce of Sage with a little Salt for four daies before they company with their Husbands, it will help them not only to Conceive, but also to retain the Birth with∣out miscarrying. Orpheus saith, Three spoonfuls of the Juyce of Sage taken fasting with a little Honey, doth presently stay the spitting or casting up of Blood. For them that are in a Consumption, these Pills are much commended. Take of Spicknard and Ginger of each two drams; of the Seed of Sage toasted at the fire, eight drams, of long Pepper twelve drams, all these being brought into fine Pouder, put thereto so much Juyce of Sage as may make them into a Mass for Pills, taking a dram of them every morning fasting, and so likewise at night, drinking a little pure Water after them.* 1.2 Mathiolus saith, it is very profitable for all manner of pains of the Head coming of cold and Rhewmatick Humors, as also for all pains of the Joynts, whether used inwardly or outwardly, and therfore helpeth the Falling-sickness, the Lethargy, such as are dull and heavy of spirit, the Palsey, and is of much use in an Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head, and for the Diseases of the Chest or Preast. The Leavs of Sage and Nettles brui∣sed together, and laid upon the Impostume that riseth behind the Ears, doth aslwage it much: The juyce of Sage taken in warm wa∣ter, helpeth a Hoarsness and the Cough. The Leavs sodden in Wine and laid upon the place affected with the Palsey helpeth much, if the Decoction be drunk also. Sage taken with Wormwood is used for the bloody Flux. Pliny saith, it procureth Womens Courses, and stay∣eth them coming down too fast, helpeth the stinging and biting of Serpents, and killeth the Worms that breed in the Ears and in Sores. Sage is of excellent use to help the Memory, warming and quickning the senses; and the Conserve made of the Flowers is used to the same purpose, and also for all the former recited Diseases. The Juyce of Sage drunk with Vi∣negar hath been of good use in the time of Plague at all times. Gargles likewise are made with Sage, Rosemary, Honeysuckles, and Plantane boyled in Wine or Water, with some Honey and Allum put thereto, to wash sore Mouthes and Throats, Cankers, or the secret parts of man or woman as need requi∣reth. And with other hot and comfortable Herbs. Sage is boyled to bath the Body or Legs in the Summer time, especially to warm cold Joynts or Sinews troubled with the Palsey or Cramp, and to comfort and strengthen the parts. It is much commended against the Stitch or pains in the side coming of Wind, if the place be fomented warm with the Decocti∣on thereof in Wine, and the Herb after the boyling be laid warm also thereunto.
Jupiter claims this, and bid me tell you it is good for the Liver, and to breed good Blood.