Mysterium sigillorum, herbarum & lapidum containing a compleat cure of all sicknesses and diseases of mind and body by means of the influences of the seven planets, adorned with copper plates & figures, shewing the foundation of this astronomical and coelestial science / written originally in Saxon, by ... Israel Hibner ... ; now translated into English for B. Clayton ...

CHAP. XIII. At what Seasons Herbs and Roots are to be gathered.

IT is not enough that we take and use Herbs as they are described in the Herbals; but they must be gathered in their proper Season; for if this be neglected, the Herb will have but little Vertue, and may prove Antipathetick to the Distemper, and make the Disease worse.

The Apothecaries, above all, should ob∣serve this particular, if they would rightly understand their Business.

The Herbs, ought to be gathered, not only when the Heaven is clear, and the Weather fair; for in fair Weather there may happen a contrary Influence of Sol, Mars, and Jupiter; as will happen in April, 1698. when Sol comes to a square of Saturn, and Opposition of Jupiter, and Jupiter to a square of Saturn: And also the time of the Year must be observed; for some are sooner, some later in Per∣fection.

The Age of the Herbs is likewise to be observed; some are to be gathered before

they Blossom; some when in their Blossom; others when they begin to seed. By reason this Observation of Age, and Time, is by many neglected, and the true Time of the Influence not truly Calculated, they have committed great Mistakes; yea, some have described several Herbs, without their Stalks and Flowers, which, nevertheless, have both Stalks and Flowers, because they gave a Description of them before they had Flowers.

The ancient Herbalists say, That who∣ever will gather Herbs and Roots, must have a perfect Knowledge of the Influence of the Heavens and Stars; and also know to what Planets the Herbs are subject, and under what Constellation they should be ga∣thered, even to an Hour and Minute.

These Observations (saith Otto Brunefells, a learned and experienced Physician, who lived 120 years since) the Ancients did punctually observe; and therefore they did more with the Herbs then, than we can do now. Marcilius Ficinus, above 150 years ago, in his third Book, hath writ of this; as also a very ancient Apothecary, in his Book call'd Nicholaus Proepositus's Dispen∣satory; in the which may be seen, how every Herb in particular ought to be ga∣thered

and prepared; and since these, many Eminent Physicians have written of the Heavenly Influences upon Herbs, but very imperfectly, and nothing worth.

Flowers ought to be gathered before they begin to fall: Fruits, when they are ripe, and before they begin to drop: The Seeds, when they are dry, but before they begin to break.

The Juice is to be express'd, when the Herbs are green and juicie, and their Stalk young; and also the Milk of Herbs, the sweating Drops and Gums.