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.

Agrimony. ♃

Description.

THis hath divers long leaves (some greates, some smaller) set upon a Stalk, all of them dented about the edges••, green above, and

grayish underneath, and a little hairy withal: Among which ariseth up usually, but one strong, round, hairy, brown Stalk, two or three Foot high, with smaller Leaves set here and there upon it, at the top wherof grow ma∣ny smal yellow Flowers one above another in long Spikes: after which come rough heads of Seeds hanging downwards which wil cleave to and stick upon Garments or any thing that shal rub against them. The Root is black, long, and somwhat woody, abiding many yeers and shooting afresh every Spring which Root, though smal hath a reasonable good scent.

Place.

It 'groweth upon Banks near the sides of Hedges, or Pales.

Time.

And it Flowreth in July and August, the Seed being ripe shortly after.

Vertues and uses.

It is of a clensing* 1.1 and cutting faculty with∣out any manifest heat, moderately drying and binding; It openeth and clenseth the Liver, helpeth the Jaundice, and is very beneficial to the Bowels, healing all inward Wounds, Brui∣ses, Hurts, and other distempers. The Deco∣ction of the Herb made with Wine and drunk is good against the stinging and biting of Ser∣pents, and helps them that have foul, trou∣bled, or bloody waters, and makes them piss cleer spedily; It also helpeth the Chollick, clenseth the Breast, and rids away the Cough. A draught of the Decoction taken warm before the Fit, first removes, and in time rids away the Tertian or Quartan Agues: The Leaves and Seed taken in Wine, Stayeth the Bloody Flu••. •••• app••••••, being stamped with old Swines grease, it helpeth old sores, Can∣cers, and inveterate Ulcers; and draweth forth Thorns, Splinters of Wood, Nails, or any other such thing gotten into the Flesh; it hel∣peth to strengthen the Members that be out of joynt; and being bruised and applied, or the Juyce dropped in, it helpeth foul and impost∣hu••ned Ears.

The distilled Water of the Herb is good to all the said purposes, either inward or out∣ward, but a great deal weaker.

It is an Herb under Jupiter, and the Sign cancer, and therfore strengthens those parts under that Planet and Sign, and removes Dis∣eases in them by Sympathy, and those under Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, by Antip••thy. If they happen in any part of the Body gover∣ned by Jupiter, or under the Signs, Cancer, Sagitary, or Pisces, and therfore must needs be good for the Gout, either used ••outwardly in an Oyl or Oyntment, or inwardly in an Electuary or Syrup, or concreated Juyce, for which see the latter end of the Book.

It is a most admirable remedy for such whole Livers are annoyed either by heat or cold. The Liver is the former of Blood, and Blood the Nourisher of the Body, and Agri∣mony and Strengthner of the Liver.

I cannot stand to give you a Reason in eve∣ry Herb why it cureth such Diseaess, but if you please to peruse my Judgment in the Herb Wormwood you shall find them there, and it will be well worth your while to consider it in every Herb, you shall find them true through∣out the Book.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Clensing, Drying, Binding, Liver, Jaundice, Inward Wounds, Inward Bruises, Bloody and trou∣bled urin, Chollick, Breast, Cough, Tertain and Quar∣tan Agues, Bloody Flux, ul∣cers, Can∣cers, Thorns, Splinters and Nails in the flesh Members out of joynt, A∣posthumes.