☿ Elecampane.
Description.
THis shooteth forth many large Leavs, long, and broad, lying neer the ground, smal at both ends, somwhat soft in handling, of a whitish green on the upper side, and gray underneath, each set upon a short Footstalk; from among which rise up divers great, and strong hairy Stalks, three or four foot high with some Leavs thereon compassing them a∣bout at the lower ends, and are branched to∣ward the tops, bearing divers great and large Flowers like those of the Corn Marigold, both the Borden of Leavs and the middle thrum being yellow, which turn into Down; with long small brownish Seed among it, and is carried away with the wind. The Root is great and thick, branched forth divers waies, blackish on the outside, and white within, of a very bitter tast, and strong, but good sent, especially when they are dryed, no part els of the Plant having any smel.
Place.
It groweth in the moist Grounds, and shado∣wy places oftner than in the dry and open Bor∣ders of Fields and Lanes, and in other wast places almost in every County of this Land.
Time.
It Flowreth in the end of June and July, and the Seed is ripe in August, The Roots are gathered for use, as well in the Spring be∣fore the Leaves come forth, as in Autumn or Winter.
Vertues and use.
The fresh Roots of Elecampane preserved with Sugar, or made into a Syrup or Conserve, are very effectual to warm a cold and windy Stomach; or the pricking therin, and Stitches in the Sides caused by the Spleen; and to help the Cough, shortness of Breath, and whee∣sing in the Lungs. The dried Root made in∣to Pouder, and mixed with Sugar and taken, serveth to the same purposes, and is also pro∣fitable for those that have their Urine stopped; or the stopping of Womens Courses, the pains of the Mother, and of the Stone in the Reins, Kidneys, or Bladder: It resisteth Poy∣son, and stayeth the spreading of the Venom of Serpents, as also of putrid and pestilential Feavers, and the Plague it self. The Roots and Herb beaten and put into new Ale or Beer, and dayly drunk, cleareth, strengthneth, and quickneth the Sight of the Eyes wonder∣fully. The Decoction of the Roots in Wine or the Juyce taken therin, killeth and driveth forth all manner of Worms in the Belly, Sto∣mach, and Maw; and gargled in the mouth; or the Root chewed fastneth loos Teeth, and helpeth to keep them from Putrefaction: And being drunk is good for those that spit Blood, helpeth to remove Cramps or Con∣vulsions, and the pains of the Gout, the Scia∣tica, the loosness and pains in the Joynts, or those Members that are out of Joynt, by cold or moisture hapning to them, applied out∣wardly as well as inwardly, and is good for those that are bursten, or have any inward, bruis. The Roots boyled well in Vinegar, beaten afterwards and made into an Oynt∣ment, with Hogs Suet or Oyl of Trotters is an excellent remedy for Scabs or Itch in yong or old: The places also bathed or washed with the Decoction doth the same; it also helpeth all sorts of filthy, old, putrid Sores or Cankers wheresoever. In the Roots of this Herb lieth the chief effect for all the Remedies aforesaid: The distilled Water of the Leavs and Roots together is very profitable to clens the Skin of the Face or other parts, from any Morphew, Spots, or Blemishes therein, and maketh it cleer.