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Sow-Thistles.
THese are generally so well known that they need no Description.
Place.
They grow in our Gardens and manured Grounds, and somtimes by old Walls, the path sides of Fields and High-waies.
Vertues and use.
Sow-thistles are cooling and somwhat bin∣ding, and are very fit to cool an hot Stomach, and to ease the gnawing pains* 1.1 thereof; The Herb boyled in Wine is very helpful to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach: And the Milk that is taken from the Stalks when they are broken, given in drink, is beneficial to those that are short Winded and have a whee∣sing withal: Pliny saith that it hath caused the Gravel and Stone to be voided by Urine, and that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath: Three spoonfuls of the Juyce thereof taken in white Wine warmed, and some Oyl put thereto causeth Women in Travel to have so easie and speedy delivery, that they may be able to walk presently after: The said Juyce taken in warm drink, helpeth the Strangury and pains in making water.
The Decoction of the Leaves and Stalks, cau∣seth abundance of Milk in Nurses, and their Children to be well coloured, and is good for those whose Milk doth curdle in their Breasts. The Juyce boiled or throughly heated with a little Oyl of Bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomegranate, and dropped into the Ears, is a sure Remedy for Deafness, singings, and all other Diseases in them. The Herb bruised or the Juyce is profitably applied to all hot Infla∣mations in the Eyes, or wheresoever else; and for Wheals, Blisters, or other the like erupti∣ons of heat in the Skin; as also for the heat and itching of the Hemorrhoids, and the heat and sharpness of Humors in the Secret parts of man or Woman: The distilled water of the Herb, is not only effectual for all the Dis∣eases aforesaid to be taken inwardly with a lit∣tle Sugar (which Medicine the daintiest Sto∣mach will not refuse) but outwardly, by apply∣ing Cloathes or Spunges wetted therein: It is wonderful good for Women to wash their Faces therewith, to cleer the Skin, and give a lustre thereto.