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.

Vertues and Use.

Both the Leaves, Bark, and the Seed are used to stanch bleeding* 1.1 of Wounds, and at Mouth and Nose, spitting of Blood, and all other Fluxes of Blood in man or woman, and to stay Vomiting, and provocation thereunto, if the Decoction of them in Wine be drunk. It hel∣peth also to stay thin, hot, sharp, salt Distilla∣tions from the Head upon the Lungs causing a Consumption: The Leaves bruised with some Pepp••r and drunk in Wine, much helpeth the wind Chollick. The Leaves bruised and boy∣led in Wine and drunk staieth the heat of Lust in man or woman, and quite extinguisheth it, if it be long used; The Seed is also of the same effect. The Water that is gathered from the Willow when it Flowreth, the Bark being slit, and a fitting Vessel set to receive it, is ve∣ry good for redness and dimness of Sight, for films that grow over the Eyes, and stay the Rhewms that fall into them, to provoke Urin

being stopped if it be drunk, and to cleer the Face and Skin from Spots and Discolourings. Galen ••aith, The Flowers have an admirable faculty in drying up Humors, beeing a Medi∣cine without any sharpness or corrosion: You may boyl them in white Wine, and drink as much as you will (so you drink not your self drunk.) The Bark work the same effects, if used in the same manner, and the Tree hath alwaies Bark upon it though not alwaies Flo∣wers: The Burnt ashes of the Bark, being mixed with Vinegar taketh away Warts,* 1.2 Corns, and Superfluous Flesh being applied to the place. The Decoction of the Leaves or Bark in Wine, takes away Scurf or Dandrif by washing the place with it: 'Tis a fine cool Tree, The Boughs of which are very conve∣nient to be placed in the Chamber of one sick of a Feaver.* 1.3

Notes

• * 1.1

  Stanch Bleeding, Spitting of Blood, Fluxes of Blood, Vomiting, Distillati∣ons on the Lungs, Wind Chollick, Heat of Lust, Dimness of sight, & other Dis∣eases in the Eyes, Cleer the Face, Dry up Humors,
• * 1.2

  Warts, Corns & superflu∣ous flesh, Scurf or Dandriff
• * 1.3

  Feaver.