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.

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Title
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.
Author
Culpeper, Nicholas, 1616-1654.
Publication
London :: Printed by Peter Cole,
1652.
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Subject terms
Botany, Medical -- Early works to 1800.
Materia medica.
Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- Early works to 1800.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A35365.0001.001
Cite this Item
"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." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A35365.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 8, 2024.

Pages

Vertues and use.

It is an especial Herb used in all Inflamati∣ons and Feavers* 1.1 whether Infectious or Pesti∣lential; or among other Herbs to cool, and temper the Blood and humors in the Body; As also for all Lotions, Gargles, Injections, and the like for sore Mouths, Ulcers, Cankers, Fistulaes, and other corrupt, Foul, or running Sores. The Juyce herof drunk about four ounces at a time for certain daies together, cureth the Quinsie, and the yellow Jaundice, and taken for thirty daies together cureth the Falling-sickness. The Roots boyled in Milk and drunk is a most effectual remedy, for all Fluxes in Man or Woman, whether the

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Whites, or Reds, as also the Bloody Flux. The Roots boyled in Vinegar, and the Deco∣ction therof held in the Mouth, easeth the pains of the Toothach. The Juyce or Deco∣ction taken with a little Honey, helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat, and is good for the Cough of the Lungs. The distilled Water of both Roots and Leavs is also effectual to all the purposes aforesaid: and if the Hands be often washed therin, and suffered at every time to dry in of it self without wiping, it wil in short time help the Palsy or shaking in them. The Root boyled in Vinegar, helpeth all Knots, Kernels, hard swellings, and lumps growing in any part of the Flesh, being ther∣to applied; as also al Inflamations, and St. Anthonies Fire, all Imposthumes, and pain∣ful Sores, with heat and putrefaction; the shingles also, and all other sorts of running, and soul Scabs, Sores, and Itch. The same also boyled in Wine, and applied to any Joynts full of pain and achor the Gout in the Hands or Feet, or the Hip-gout, called the Sciatica, and the Decoction therof drunk the while, doth cure them; and easeth much pains in the Bowels. The Roots are likewise effectual to help Ruptures or Burstings, being used with other things available to that purpose, taken either inwardly or outwadly, or both; as al∣so for Bruises, or Hurts by Blows, Falls, or the like, and to stay the bleeding of Wounds in any part inward or outward.

This is an Herb of Jupiter, and therfore strengthens the parts of the Body that he rules, let Jupiter be angular and strong when it is gathered, and if you give but a scruple (which is but twenty grains of it) at a time, either in white Wine, or white Wine Vinegar, you shal very seldom miss the cure of an Ague be it what Ague* 1.2 soever in three Fits, as I have often proved to the admiration both of my self and others, let no Man despise it becaus it is plain and easie, the waies of God are all such, 'tis the ungodliness and impudency of Man that made things hard, and hath (by so doing) made sport for al the Devils in Hell, and grieved the good Angels, and when you reade this, your own Genius, if you be any thing at al acquainted with it, may dictate to you many as good Conculsions both of this and other Herbs.

Some hold that one Leaf cures a Quotidian, three a Tertian, and four a Quartan Ague; and a hundred to one if it be not Dioscorides, for he is ful of such Whimseys. The truth is, I never stood so much upon the number of the Leavs, nor whether I gave it in Pouder or Decoction: If Jupiter were strong and the Moon applying to him or his good aspect at the gathering of it, I never knew it miss the desired effects.

Notes

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