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 Leavs and Roots have have a po∣werful faculty to resist al Poyson.* 1.1 The Root in Pouder taken in drink expelleth the Venem of the Plague, the smal Pox, Meazles, Purples, or any other infectious Diseas, driving it out by sweating: The Root in Pouder or the Decoction therof in Wine being drunk, stayeth al manner of inward bleedings* 1.2 or spittings of Blood, and any Fluxes in the Body of either Man or Woman, or Vomitings; it is also ve∣ry available against Ruptures or Burstings, or all bruises or fals, dissolving the congealed Blood, and easeth the pains that happen there∣upon it also helpeth the Jaundice. The Wa∣ter

distilled from both Leavs and Roots, is a singular remedy to wash any place bitten or stung by any venemous* 1.3 creature; as also for any of the purposes before spoken of.

And is very good to wash any running Sores or Ulcers.* 1.4 The Decoction of the Root in Wine being drunk, hindreth Abortion* 1.5 or Mis∣carriage in Child-bearing. The Leavs also kil the Worms in Children, and is a great help for them that cannot keep their Water, if the Jayce of Plantane be added therto. And out∣wardly applied, much, helpeth the Gonorrhea, or running of the Reins.* 1.6 A dram of the Pou∣der of the Root taken in the Water thereof, wherein som red hot Iron or Steel hath been quenched is also an admirable help thereto, so as the Body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humors. The Leaves, Seed, or Roots are al very good in Decoctions, Drinks or Lotians, for inward or outward Wounds* 1.7 or other fores: and the Pouder strewed upon any cut or wound in a Vein, stayeth the im∣moderat bleeding* 1.8 thereof. The Decoction of the Roots in Water whereunto som Pomgra∣nate Pils and Flowers are added, injected into the Matrix,* 1.9 stayeth the access of humors to the Ulcers therof, and bringeth it to its right place, being fallen down, and stayeth the im∣moderat flux of the Courses.* 1.10 The Root here∣of with Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allum of each a like quantity, beaten smal and made in∣to Past, with some Honey, and a little Picce thereof put into an hollow-Tooth,* 1.11 or held be∣tween the Teeth if there be no hollowness in them, stayeth the defluxion of Rhewm upon them, which causeth pains, and helps to clense the Head,* 1.12 and avoid much offensive Water. The Distilled Water is very effectual to wash Sores or Cankers* 1.13 in the Nose or any other part, if the Pouder of the Root be aplied ther∣unto afterwards. It is good also to fasten the Gums,* 1.14 and to take away the heat and inflama∣tions that happen in the Jaws, Almonds of the Throat or Mouth, if the Decoction of the Leavs, Roots, or Seeds be used, or the Juyce of them; but the Roots are most effectual to all the purposes aforesaid.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Poyson, Plague, Smal pocks Meazles, Purples, Epidemi∣cal Dise••∣ses.
• * 1.2

  Inward bleeding, Flux, Vo∣miting, Ruptures, Jaundice,
• * 1.3

  Venemous Beasts.
• * 1.4

  Ulcers,
• * 1.5

  Abortion, Worms, Diabites,
• * 1.6

  Running of the Reins.
• * 1.7

  Wounds,
• * 1.8

  Bleeding,
• * 1.9

  Matrix,
• * 1.10

  Terms stops,
• * 1.11

  Tooth-ach,
• * 1.12

  Head.
• * 1.13

  Cankers,
• * 1.14

  Gums, In∣flamations Almonds of the Ears.