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.

The Seed is used to be put into the Eyes* 1.1 to cleer them from Moats, or other such like things gotten within the Lids to offend them, as also to clear them from white or red spots in them. The Muccilage of the Seed made with Water, and applied to Tumors and swellings,* 1.2 disperseth and taketh them away, as also dra∣weth forth Splinters, Thorns,* 1.3 or other things gotten into the Flesh. The Leavs used with Vi∣negar either by it self or with a little Honey, doth help hot Inflamations, as also Boyls, Fe∣lons,* 1.4 and the hot Inflamations that are gathe∣red by their pains, if it be applied before they be grown too great. The Pouder of the dri∣ed Leavs put into the Nose provoketh neesing, and therby purgeth the Head and Brain* 1.5 of much Rhewm and Corruption. The Seed or Leavs taken in Wine provoketh to Venery. It is of much use both for Men and Women that have weak Backs, to help to strengthen the Reins, used either by it self or with other Herbs conducing to the same effect, and in Tansies often: The fresh Leavs dipped in a Batter of Flower, Egs, and a little Milk, and fried in Butter, and served to the Table, is not unpleasant to any, but exceeding profitable for those that are troubled with weak Backs, and the effects therof. The Juyce of the Herb put into Ale or Beer, and drunk, brin∣geth down Womens Courses, and expelleth the After-birth.* 1.6

It is an usual cours with Men when they have gotten the running of the Reins, or Wo∣men the Whites, then run to the bush of Clary; Maid bring hither the Frying Pan, fetch me some Butter quickly, then to eating fryed Cla∣ry just as Hogs eat Acorns, and this they think wil cure their Diseas (forsooth) wheras when they have devoured as much Clary as wil grow upon an Acre of ground, their Backs are as much the better as though they had pissed in their shoos, nay perhaps much wors.

As for that trick of curing the Eyes by it, I can as yet say nothing to it, for the rest it may be effectual.

We will grant that Clary strengthens the Back, but this we deny, That the cans of the running of the Reins in Men, or the Whites in Women lies in the Back (though the Back may somtimes be weakned by them) and ther∣fore the Medicine is as proper, as for me when my Toe is sore, to lay a Plaister to my Nose.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Eyes
• * 1.2

  Swellings,
• * 1.3

  Splinters, Thorns,
• * 1.4

  Inflamati∣ons, Boyls, Felons,
• * 1.5

  Head, Brain, Lust pro∣vokes, Back, Terms provokes,
• * 1.6

  Afterbirth