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.

Tormentil.

Description.

THis hath many reddish slender weak Branches rising from the Root, lying up∣on the ground, or rather leaning than standing upright, with many short Leaves that stand closer to the Stalks than Cinkfoyl doth (which this is very like) with the Footstalk encompas∣sing the Branches in several places, but those that grow next to the ground are set upon long Footstalks, each whereof are like the Leaves of Cinkfoyl, but somwhat longer and lesser, and dented about the edges, many of them devided but into five Leaves, but most of them into sevens whence it is also called Setfoyl; yet some may have six and some eight, according to the fertility of the Soyl: At the tops of the Branches stand diverse smal yellow Flowers consisting of five Leaves, like those of Cinkfoyl, but smaller. The Root is smaller than Bistort, somwhat thick, but blac∣ker without, and not so red within, yet som∣times a little crooked, having many blackish fibres thereat.

Place.

It groweth as well in Woods and shadowy places, as in the open Champion Country, a∣bout the borders of Fields in many places of this Land, and almost in every Broom Field in Essex.

Time.

It Flowreth all the Summer long.

Vertues and Use.

Tormentil is most excellent to stay all kind of Fluxes of Blood* 1.1 or Humors, in man or wo∣man, whether at Nose, Mouth, Belly, or any Wound in the Veins or elswhere: The Juyce of the Herb or Root taken in drink, not only resisteth all Poyson and Venom of any Crea∣ture, but of the Plague it self, and Pestilen∣tial Feavers, and contagious Diseases, as the Pox, Measels, Purples, &c. expelling the Ve∣nom and Infection from the Heart by swea∣ting, if the green Root be not at hand to be had, the Pouder of the dry Root is as effe∣ctual, a dram thereof being taken every mor∣ning: The Decoction likewise of the Herbs and Roots made in Wine and drunk worketh the same effect; and so doth the distilled wa∣ter of the Herb and Root being steeped in Wine for a night, and then distilled in Balneo Mariae. This Water thus distilled taken with some Venice Treacle, and the party presently laid to sweat will certainly (with Gods help) expel any Venom or poyson,* 1.2 or the Plague, Feaver, &c. for it is an ingredient of especial respect in all Antidotes or Counterpoysons. There is not found any Root more effectual to

help any Flux of the Belly, Stomach, Spleen,* 1.3 or Blood than this, to be taken inwardly, or applied outwardly. The Juyce taken doth wonderfully open Obstructions of the Liver and Lungs, and thereby in short space helpeth the yellow Jaundice. Some use to make Cakes hereof as well to stay all Fluxes, as to restrain all Chollerick Belchings, and much Vomi∣tings with Loathings in the Stomach: The Pouder of the d••••ed Root made up with the white of an Egg and baked upon a hot Tile will do it.

Andreus Valesius is of opinion, That the Decoction of this Root is no less effectual to cure the French Pox,* 1.4 than Guajacum, or China and 'tis not unlikely, because it so mightily resisteth putrefaction: Lobel saith, That Ron∣delitius used it as Hermodactils for Joynt-a∣ches: The Pouder also, or Decoction to be drunk, or to sit therein as a Bath is an assured Remedy against abortion in Women, if it proceed from the over Fluxibility or weakness of the inward retentive faculty: as also a Plaister made therewith and Vinegar applyed to the Roins of the Back, doth much help not only this but also those that cannot hold their Water, the Pouder being taken in the Juyce of Plantane; and it is also commended against the worms in Children.* 1.5* 1.6 It is very powerful in Ruptures and Burstings: as also for Brui∣ses and Falls, to be used as well outward as in∣wardly. The Root hereof made up with Pel∣litory of Spain and Allum, and put into an hollow Tooth,* 1.7 not only asswageth the pain, but staieth the Flux of Humors which caused it, Tormentil is no less effectual and power∣ful a Remedy for outward Wounds, Sores,* 1.8 and Hurts, than for inward, and is therefore a special Ingredient meet to be used in all Wound drinks, Lotions, and Injections for foul corrupt rotten Sores and Ulcers, of the Mouth, Secrets, or other parts of the Body. And to put either the Juyce or Pouder of the Root into such Oyntments, Plaisters, and such things that are to be applied to Wounds and So∣es: it also dissolveth all Knots, Ker∣nels, and hardness gathered about the Ears, the Throat, and Jaws and the Kings Evil if the Leaves and Roots be bruised and applied thereto: The same also easeth the pains of the Sciatica or Hip-gout* 1.9 by restraining the sharp Humors that flow thereto. The Juyce of the Leaves and Roots used with a little Vinegar, is also a special Remedy against the running Sores of the Head or other parts, Scabs also and the Itch, or any such eruptions in the Skin proceeding of Salt and sharp Humors:* 1.10 The same also is effectual for the Piles or Hemor∣rhoids if they be washed and bathed therwith, or with the Distilled water of the Herb and Roots: It is found also helpful to dry up any sharp Rhewm that distilleth from the Head into the Eyes causing, redness, pain, waterings, Itchings, or the like, if a little pre∣pared Tutia, or white Amber be used with the Distilled water hereof: Many Women use this Water as a secret to help themselves and others when they are troubled with the too much flowing of the Whites or Reds, both to drink it, and inject it with a Syringe. And here's enough, only remember, the Sun chal∣lengeth the Herb.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Flux, Bleeding, Veins cut, terms stops, Feavers, Pestilence, Smal pox Measels Purples,
• * 1.2

  Poyson
• * 1.3

  Speen, Blood Inflamed, Liver, Lungs, Yellow Jaundice,
• * 1.4

  French Pox
• * 1.5

  Miscar∣riage,
• * 1.6

  Diabetes, Worms, Ruptures,
• * 1.7

  toothach,
• * 1.8

  Wounds, Sores, Hurts,
• * 1.9

  Gout,
• * 1.10

  Srabby Heads.