Briony, or VVild Vine.
♂ Description.
THe Common white Briony groweth ram∣ping upon the Hedges, sending forth many long rough very tender branches at the begin∣ning, with many very rough broad Leavs ther∣on, cut (for the most part) into five partitions, in form very like a Vine Leaf, but smaller, rougher, aud of a whitish or hoary green co∣lour, spreading very far, spreading and twi∣ning with his smal Claspers (that come forth at the Joynts with ••he Leavs) very far on whatsoever standeth next it: At the several Joynts also (especially towards the top of the Branches) cometh forth a long Stalk bearing many whitish Flowers, together in a long tuft, consisting of five smal Leaves apiece, laid open like a Star: after which come the Berries, separated one from another more than a Cluster of Grapes, green at the first, and ve∣ry red when they are through ripe, of no good sent, but of a most loathsom tast provoking Vomit: The Root groweth to be exceeding great with many long Twines or Branches growing from it of a pale whitish colour on the outside, and more white within, and of a sharp, bitter loathsom tast.
Place.
It groweth on Banks, or under Hedges, through this Land the Roots lie very deep.
Time.
It Flowreth in July and August, som earlier and some later than others.
Vertues and Vse.
The Roots of the Briony purge the Bell, with great Violence, troubling the Stomach, and hurting the Liver, and therfore not rash∣ly to be taken, but being corrected is very pro∣fitable for the Diseases of the Head, as Fal∣ling-sickness,* 1.1 Giddiness, and Swimmings, by drawing away much Flegm and Rhewmatick humors that oppress the Head, as also the Joynts and Sinews, and is therfore good for Palseys, Convulsions, Cramps, and Stitches in the Sides, and the Dropsie; and in pro∣voking Urin it clenseth the Reins and Kidnies from Gravel and the Stone, by opening the Obstructions of the Spleen, and consumeth the hardness and swellings therof. The De∣c••ction of the Root in Wine drunk once a week at going to bed, clenseth the Mother, and helpeth the rising therof, expelleth the dead Child, and Afterbirth, but is not to be used by Women with Child, for fear of abortion; a dram of the Root in Pouder taken in white Wine bringeth down their Courses. An E∣lectuary made of the Roots and Honey, doth mightily clens the Chest of Rotten Flegm, and wonderfully help an old strong Cough,* 1.2 those that are troubled with shortness of Breath, and is very good for them that are bru∣sed inwardly, to help to expel the clotted or congealed Blood. The Leavs, Fruit, and Root, do clens old and filthy Sores, are good against al fretting and running Cankers, Gan∣grenes, and Tetters, and therfore the Berries are by some Country People called Tetter∣Berries. The Root clenseth the Skin wonder∣fully from al black and blow Spots, Freckles, Morphew, Leprosie, soul Scars, or other de∣formity whatsoever: as also al running Scabs, and Manginess are healed by the Pouder of the dried Root, or the Juyce therof, but especially by the fine white hardned Juyce: The distil∣led water of the Roots worketh the same effects but more weakly. The Root bruised and ap∣plied of it self to any place where the Bones are broken,* 1.3 helpeth to draw them forth, as also Splinters and Thorns in the Flesh; and be∣ing applied with a little Wine mixed therwith it breaketh Boyls, and helpeth Whitlows on the Joynts.
For al these latter beginning at Sores, Can∣kers &c. apply it outwardly and take my ad∣vice along with you, you shal find in my Tran∣slation of the London Dispensatory, among the Preparations at latter end, a Medicin cal∣led Foeculae Brioniae, take that and use it, you have the way there how to make it, and mix that with a little Hogs Greas or other conve∣nient Oyntment, and use it at your need.
As for the former Diseases where it must be taken inwardly, it purgeth very Violently, and