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.

Coltsfoot, or Foalsfoot.

♀ Description.

THis shooteth up a fiender Stalk with small yellowish Flowers somwhat early, which fall away quickly, and after they are past, come up somwhat round Leavs, somtimes dented a little about the edges, much lesser, thicker and greener than those of Butterbur, with a little down or Freez over the green Leaf on the upper side, which may be rubbed away, and whitish or mealy underneath. The Root is smal and white spreading much under ground, so that where it taketh, it whil hardly be dri∣ven away again, if any little piece be abiding therin; and from thence springeth fresh Leavs.

Place.

It groweth as well in wet grounds, as in drier places.

Time.

And Flowreth in the end of February, the Leavs beginning to appear in March.

Vertues and use.

The fresh Leavs or Juyce, or a Syrup made therof is good for a hot dry Cough, for whee∣sings and shortness of breath.* 1.1 The dry Leavs are best for those that have thin Rhewms, and Distillations upon the Lungs, causing a

Cough, for which also the dried Leavs taken as Tobacco, or the Root, is very good. The distilled water herof simply, or with Elder Flo∣wers and Nightshade, is a singular remedy a∣gainst al hot Agues,* 1.2 to drink two ounces at a time, and apply Cloathes wet therein to the Head and Stomach; which also doth much good being applied to any hot Swellings or Inflamations, it helpeth St. Anthonies Fire, and Burnings, and is singular good to take a∣way Wheals, and smal Pushes that arise through heat; As also the burning heat of the Piles, or privy parts, cloathes wet therin be∣ing therunto applied.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cough, Wheesing, shortness of breath.
• * 1.2

  Agues, Inflama∣tions, Swelling, St. Antho∣nies fire, Burnings, Chollerich Pushes, Piles, In∣flamations in the Pri∣vities.