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.

♄ Birds-Foot.

THis smal Herb groweth not above a span high, with many Branches spread on the ground, set with many wings of small Leaves; The Flowers grow upon the Bran∣ches, many smal ones of a pale yellow colour, being set at a head together, which afterwards turn into so many smal joynted Cods with Seeds in them; the Cods well resembling the Claws of smal Birds, whence it took its name.

There is another sort of Birds-Foot in all

things like the former, but a little larger; the Flowers of a pale whitish red colour, and the Cods distinct by Joynts like the other, but a little more crooked, and the Roots do carry many smal white Knots or Kernels amongst the Strings.

Place.

These grow on Heaths, and many open un∣tilled places of this Land.

Time.

They flower and seed in the end of Sum∣mer.

Vertues and use.

They are of a drying, binding* 1.1 quality, and therby very good to be used in Wound-drinks, as also to apply outwardly for the same pur∣pose. But the latter Birds-foot is found by ex∣perience to break the Stones in the Back or Kidnies, and drive them forth, if the Decocti∣on therof be taken; and it wonderfully hel∣peth the Rupture, being taken inwardly, and outwardly applied to the place.

All Salts have best operation upon the Ston, as Ointments & Plaisters have upon Wounds; and therfore if you may make a Salt of this for the Stone, the way how to do so may be found in my Translation of the London Dispensatory, and it may be I may give you again in plainer terms at the latter end of this Book.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dry, Bind, Wounds, Stone, Ruptures.