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Spignel.
Description.
THe Roots of common Spignel do spread much and deep in the ground, many strings or branches growing from one Head which is hairy at the top, of a blackish brown colour on the outside and white within, smel∣ling well, and of an Aromatical tast, from whence rise sundry long stalks of most fine cut Leaves like hairs smaller than Dill, set thick on both sides of the Stalks, and of a good scent. Among these Leaves rise up round stif stalks, with few Joynts and Leaves at them, and at the tops an Umbel of fine pure white Flowers, at the edges whereof somtimes will be seen a shew of reddish blush colour, especi∣ally before they be full blown, and are succee∣ded by smal somwhat round Seed, bigger than the ordinary Fennel, and of a browner colour, devided into two parts, and crested on the back, as most of the Umbelliferous Seeds are.
Place.
It groweth wild in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and other Northern Countries, and is also planted in Gardens.
Vertues and Use.
Galen saith, The Roots of Spignel are a∣vailable to provoke Urine and Womans Cour∣ses* 1.1 but if too much thereof be taken it cau∣seth Headach: The Roots boyled in Wine or Water and drunk, helpeth the Strangury, and stoppings of the Urine, the Wind, swellings and pains in the Stomach, pains of the Mo∣ther, and all Joynt Aches. If the Pouder of the Roots be mixed with Honey, and the same taken as a licking Medicine, it breaketh tough Flegm, and drieth up the Rhewm that falleth on the Lungs. The Roots are accounted ve∣ry effectual against the stinging or biting of any Venemous Creature, and is one of the Ingredients in Meth••idate, and other Anti∣dotes for the same,