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.

Eringo, or Sea-Holly. ♀ ♎

Description.

THe first Leavs of our ordinary. Sea-Holly, are nothing so hard and prickly as when they grow old, being almost round and deep∣ly dented about the edges; hard, and sharp pointed, and a little crumpled, of a bluish green colour, every one upon a long Footstalk: but those that grow up higher with the Stalk, do as it were compass it about. The stalk it self is round and strong, yet somwhat crested with Joynts and Leavs set therat, but more divided, sharp, and prickle; and branches ri∣sing from thence, which have likewise other smaller Branches, each of them bearing several bluish round prickly Heads, with many smal jagged prickly Leavs under them standing like a Star, and are somtimes found greenish or whitish: The Root groweth wonderful long, even to eight or ten Foot in length, set with Rings or Circles, toward the upper part, but smooth and without Joynts down lower, brow∣nish on the outside, and very white within, with a pith in the middle, of a pleasant tast, but much more being artificially preserved and candy'd with Sugar.

Place.

It is found about the Sea Coasts, in almost every Country of this Land which bordereth upon the Sea.

Time.

It Flowreth in the end of Summer, and gi∣veth ripe Seed within a Month after.

Vertues and use.

The Decoction of the Root herof in Wine is very effectual to open the Obstructions of the Spleen and Liver,* 1.1 and helpeth the yellow Jaundice, the Dropsie, the pains in the Loins, and wind Chollick, provoketh Urine, and ex∣pelleth the Stone, and procureth Womens Courses, The continued use of the Decocti∣on for 15. daies taken fasting and next to Bed∣ward, doth help the strangury, the pissing by drops, the stopping of Urine and Stone, and all defects of the Reins or Kidneys; and if the said drink be continued longer, it is said that it perfectly cureth the Stone, and that experi∣ence hath found it so: It is found good a∣gainst the French Pox.* 1.2 The Roots bruised and applied outwardly, helpeth the Kernels of the Throat, commonly called the Kings evil; or taken inwardly and applied to the place stung or bitten by any Serpent, healeth it speedily. If the Roots be bruised and boyled in old Hogs greas, or salted Lard and applied to broken Bones, Thorns* 1.3 &c. remaining in the Flesh doth not only draw them forth, but healeth up the place again, gathering new Flesh where it was consumed: The Juyce of the Leavs dropped into the Ears, helpeth Im∣posthumes therin: The Distilled Water of the whol Herb when the Leavs and Stalks are yong, is profitably drunk for all the purposes aforesaid; and helpeth the Melancholly of the Heart, and is available in Quartane and Quotidian Agues, as also for them that have their Necks drawn awry, and cannot turn them, without turning their whol Body.

The Plant is Venerial, and breedeth Seed* 1.4 exceedingly and strengthens the Spirit procre∣ative, it is hot and moist, and under the Coe∣lestial Ballance.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Obstructi∣ons, Spleen, Liver, yellow Jaundice, Dropsie, Chollick, Disury, Strangury, Reins,
• * 1.2

  French Pox, Kings Evil, Venemous Beasts,
• * 1.3

  Thorns, broken Bones, Splinters, Thorns, Apostums, Melan∣cholly, Quartan, & Quoti∣dian A∣gues, Wry Necks,
• * 1.4

  Seed bree∣deth.