The Medicinal Herbs.
Some maintain this Position, That every Country cures the diseases, which it causes, and bringeth remedies, for all the maladies bred therein. An opinion which grant not true, yet may have much of Truth therein, seeing every Country, and England especially affordeth excellent Plants were it not partly for mens laziness, that they will not seek them, partly for their ignorance that they know not when they have found them, and partly for their pride and peevishnesse, because when found, they disdain to use and apply them. Indeed quod charum, charum, what is fetch'd farr, and bought dear, that onely is esteemed; otherwise were many English plants as rare as they are useful we would hug in our hands, what we now trample under our feet.
For proof hereof let not the Reader grudge to peruse these words of a grand Herba∣list, speaking of Virga Aurea, or Golden-rod, growing plentifully, but discovered lately in Middlesex.
Gerard in his Herbal. pag. 430.It is extolled above all other Herbs, for the stopping of blood in Sanguinolent Ulcers, and bleeding Wounds, and hath in time past been had in greater estimation and regard then in these dayes; For in my remembrance I have known the dry Herb which came from beyond the Seas, sold in Bucklars-bury in London, for two shillings six pence the Ounce. But since it is found in Hamsted wood, even as it were at the Towns end, no man will give two shill•…•…ngs six pence for an hundred weight of it, which plainly sets forth our inconstancy and suddain mutability, este•…•… ming no longer of anything (how precious soever it be) then while it is strange and rare.
We may also observe that many base and barren heaths and hills, which afford the least food for beasts, yeeld the best Physick for man, One may also take notice that such places that are nearest to London, Cambridge, Oxford, Bath, or where some eminent Herbalist hath his habitation, afford us the greater variety of medicinal herbes. Not that more have growne but more are knowne there abouts, where the native plants are not better, but more happie in their vicinitie to such discoverers. And now to be always within the reach if not the touch of mine owne calling we may observe in Scrip∣ture that Gods Spirit directs men to the gathering of such Simples of his owne planting. Is there no * balme in Gilead? True in a literal sense, as well as mystically of our Saviour.
Now the reason why I have been so sparing in this Topick, and so seldome insist thereon, is because these Herbs grow equally for goodness and plenty, in all Counties, so that no one Shire can without manifest usurpation intitle it) selfe thereunto. Besides they are so Common, and Numerous, they would justle out matter of more concern∣ment. However we have noted it where the Herb is rare and very useful, and in our fol∣lowing Book (though here the Method be transposed) have placed Medicinal Herbs, next Medicinal waters, conceiving that order most Natural.