Wheat.
THe several kinds hereof are so well known unto almost all people that it is altogether needless to write any Description thereof.
Vertues and Use.
Dioscorides saith, That to eat the Corns of green Wheat is hurtful to the Stomach, and breedeth Worms. Pliny saith, That the Corns of Wheat toasted upon an Iron Pan and eaten, is a pleasant Remedy for those that are chilled with cold.* 1.1 The Oyl pressed from Wheat between two thick Plates of Iron or Copper heated, healeth all Tetters and Ring∣worms* 1.2 being used warm, and hereby Galen saith he hath known many to be cured. Ma∣thiolus commendeth the same Oyl to be put into hollow Ulcers* 1.3 to heal them up, and it is also good for Chops in the Hands or Feet, and to make a rugged Skin smooth.
The green Corns of Wheat being chewed, and applied to the place bitten by a mad Dog, hea∣leth it: Slices of Wheat Bread soaked in Red Rose-water, and applied to the Eyes* 1.4 that are hot, red, and inflamed, or blood-shotten, hel∣peth them. Hot Bread applyed for an hour at a time three daies together, perfectly hea∣leth the Kernels in the Throat commonly cal∣led the Kings Evil.* 1.5 The Flower of Wheat mixed with the Juyce of Henbane, stayeth the Flux of Hurhors to the Joynts being laid ther∣on: The said Meal boyled in Vinegar hel∣peth the shrinking of the Sinews* 1.6 saith Pliny; and mixed with Vinegar and Honey boyled together, healeth all Freckles, Spots, and Pimples on the Face. Wheat Flower, mixed with the Yolk of an Eg, Honey, and Turpen∣tine, doth draw, clense, and heal, and Boyl, Plague Sore, or foul Ulcer. The Bran of Wheat Meal steeped in sharp Vinegar, and then bound in a Linnen Cloth, and rubbed on those places, that have the Scurf, Morphew, Scabs, or Leprosie,* 1.7 wil take them away, the Bo∣dy being first well purged and prepared. The Decoction of the Bran of Wheat or Barley, is of good use to bath those places that are Bursten by a Rupture: and the said Bran boy∣led in good Vinegar, and appled to swollen Breasts, helpeth them, and stayeth all Infla∣mations; it helpeth also the bitings of Vi∣pers (which I take to be no other but our English Adder) and all other Venemous* 1.8 Creatures. The Leaves of Wheat Meal ap∣plied with some Salt, taketh away hardness of the Skin, Wharts, and hard Knots in the Flesh. Starch moistned with Rosewater and laid to the Cods taketh away their Itching.* 1.9 Wafers put in Water and drunk, stayeth the Lask and Bloody Flux, and is profitably used both inward and outwardly for the Ruptures in Children: Boyled in Water unto a thick Gelly and taken, it stayeth spitting of Blood: and boyled with Mints and Butter it helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat.* 1.10