♀ The Common Alder-Tree.
Description.
GRoweth to a reasonable heighth, and spreads much if it like the place; It is so generally wel known unto Country People that I conceive it needless to tel them that which is no news.
Place and Time.
It delighteth to grow in moist Woods and watry places, Flowring in April or May, and yeilding ripe Seed in September.
Vertues and Use.
The Leaves and Bark of the Alder-Tree, are cooling, drying, and binding,* 1.1 The fresh Leaves laid upon swellings, dissolveth them, and staieth the Inflamations; The Leaves put under the bare Feet gauled with travelling are a great refreshing to them: The said Leaves gathered while the morning dew is on them, and brought into a Chamber troubled with Fleas, wil gather them therinto, which being suddenly cast out wil rid the Chamber of those troublesom Bed-fellows.
It is a Tree under the Dominion of Venus, and of some warry Sign or other, I suppose Pisces, and therfore the Decoction, or distil∣led Water of the Leaves is excellent against Burnings, and Inflamation,* 1.2 either with Wounds or without, to bath the place grieved with, and especially for that inflamation in the Breast which the vulgar call an Ague.
If you cannot get the Leaves, as in Winter ••tis impossible, make use of the Bark in the same manner.