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.

Cuckowpint, or VVake∣Robin. ♂

Description.

THis shooteth forth three, four, or five Leavs at the most from one Root, every one wherof is somwhat large and long, broad at the bottom next the Stalk, and forked, but ending in a point, without cut on the edges, of a ful green colour, each standing upon a thick round Stalk, of a hands breadth long or more: among which after two or three Months that they begin to wither, riseth up a bare round whitish green Stalk, spotted and straked with purple, somwhat higher than the Leavs: at the top wherof standeth a long hollow Hose or Husk, close at the bottom, but open from the middle upwards ending in a point; in the middle wherof standeth a smal long Pestle or Clapper, smaller at the bottom than at the top, of a dark purple colour as the Husk is on the inside, though green without; which after it hath so abidden for some time, the Husk with the Clapper decayeth, and the foot or bottom therof groweth to be a smal long Bunch of Berries, green at the first, and of a yellowish red colour when they are ripe, of the bigness of an Hazel Nut Kernel; which abide ther∣on almost until Winter; The Root is round

and somwhat long, for the most part lying a∣long, the Leavs shooting forth at the bigger end, which when it beareth his Berries, is somwhat wrinkled and loos, another being growing under it, which is solid and firm with many smal threads hanging therat: The whol Plant is of a very sharp biting tast, pricking the Tongue as Nettles do the Hands, and so abideth for a great while without alteration: The Root hereof was anciently used instead of Starch to starch Linnen withal.

There is another sort of Cuckowpint, with lesser Leavs than the former, and somwhat; harder, having blackish spots upon them which for the most part abide longer green in Summer than the former; and both Leavs and Roots are more sharp and fierce than it: In al things els it is like the former.

Place.

These two sorts grow frequently almost un∣der every Hedg side in many places of this Land.

Time.

They shoot forth Leavs in the Spring, and continue but until the middle of Summer, or somwhat later, their Husks appearing before they fall away; and their Fruit shewing in August.

Vertues and Vse.

Tragus reporteth that a dram weight, or more if need be, of the spotted Wake-Robin, either fresh and green, or dried, being beaten and taken is a most present and sure Remedy for Poyson and the Plague.* 1.1 The Juyce of the Herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect. But if there be a little Vine∣gar added therunto as well as unto the Root a∣foresaid, it somwhat all ayeth the sharp biting tast therof upon the Tongue. The green Leavs bruised and laid upon any Boyl* 1.2 or Plague Sore, doth wonderfully help to draw forth the Poyson. A dram of the Pouder of the dried Root taken with twice so much Su∣gar in the form of a licking Electuary, or the green Root doth wonderfully help those that are pursie and short winded, as also those that have a Cough; it breaketh, digesteth, and riddeth away Flegm* 1.3 from the Stomach, Chest, and Lungs. The Milk wherin the Root hath been boyled is effectual also for the same pur∣pose. The said Pouder taken in Wine or o∣ther Drink; or the Juyce of the Berries, or the Pouder of them; or the Wine wherein they have been boyled, provoketh Urine, and bringeth down Womens Courses, and purgeth them effectually after Child-bearing to bring away the After-birth. Taken with Sheeps Milk it healeth the inward Ulcers* 1.4 of the Bo∣wels. The distilled Water herof is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid; A spoonful ta∣ken at a time healeth the Itch; And an ounce or more taken at a time for some daies toge∣ther doth help the Rupture;* 1.5 The Leavs ei∣ther green or dry, or the Juyce of them, doth clens all manner of rotten and filthy Ulcers in what part of the Body soever, and healeth the stinking Sores in the Nose called Polipus.* 1.6 The Water wherin the Root hath been boyled dropped into the Eyes,* 1.7 clenseth them from a∣ny Film or Skin, Clouds or Mists which begin to hinder the Sight, and helpeth the watering or redness of them; or when by some chance they become black and blue. The Root mix∣ed with Bean Flower and applied to the Throat or Jaws* 1.8 that are inflamed helpeth them. The Juyce of the Berries boyled in Oyl of Roses, or beaten into Pouder and mixed with the Oyl, and dropped into the Ears and easeth pains in them. The Berries or the Roots beaten with hot Ox Dung, and applied, easeth the pains of the Gout. The Leavs and Roots boyled in Wine with a little Oyl, and applied to the Piles, or the falling down of the Funda∣ment easeth them; and so doth sitting over the hot fumes therof. The fresh Roots brui∣sed, and distilled with a little Milk, yieldeth a most Sovereign Water to clens the Skin from Scurff, Freckles, Spots, or Blemishes* 1.9 whatso∣ever therin.

Authors have left large Commendation of this Herb you see, but for my part I have nei∣ther spoken with Dr. Reason, nor Dr. Expe∣rience about it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Poyson, Plague,
• * 1.2

  Boyl,
• * 1.3

  Difficulty of breath, Cough, Flegm,
• * 1.4

  Disury, Terms provokes, Afterbirth Ulcers,
• * 1.5

  Itch, Rup∣tures.
• * 1.6

  Polipus,
• * 1.7

  Eyes
• * 1.8

  Throat, Jaws,
• * 1.9

  Gout, Piles, or Hemor∣rhoids, Funda∣ment fal∣ling down, Scurf, Freckles, Spots, Blemishes.