The compleat herbal of physical plants containing all such English and foreign herbs, shrubs and trees as are used in physick and surgery ... : the doses or quantities of such as are prescribed by the London-physicians and others are proportioned : also directions for making compound-waters, syrups simple and compound, electuaries ... : moreover the gums, balsams, oyls, juices, and the like, which are sold by apothecaries and druggists are added to this herbal, and their irtues and uses are fully described / by John Pechey ...

L.

COmmon Ladies-bed-straw, in Latin Gal∣lium luteum vulgare.

This Ladies-bed-straw rises up with several small, brown

and square, upright Stalks, a Yard high, or more; sometimes branch'd forth into many Parts, full of Joints, and with several very small, fine Leaves at every one of them, little, or not at all rough. At the Tops of the Branches grow many long Tufts, or Branches of yellow Flow∣ers, set very thick together, one above another; they smell pretty strong and re∣sinous. The Seed is small, and black; and two, for the most part, joyn'd toge∣ther. The Root is red∣dish, and has many small Fibres.

The Tops of it turn Milk, like Rennet. The Herb, or the Powder of it, stops Bleeding; and is commended for Cancerous Ulcers.

Ladies-mantle, in La∣tin Alchimilla.

It has a Root of the thickness of the Little Finger, or Thumb, consisting of many Fibres, that are astringent, and drying. Some thin, hairy Stalks arise, branching out about nine Inches high; upon which there are small Flowers, of a Grass-colour, placed in a Circle; each consists of eight Leaves, four large, and four small; placed alternately; in the middle whereof are little yellow Tufts. The Flow∣ers grow on the uppermost Seminal Vessels; two small, shining Seeds are contain'd in each Vessel, not exactly round, but somewhat long in one part. Some of the Leaves arise immediately from the Root, with long, hairy Foot-stalks, about one Handful and an half long: Others adhere to the Stalk, by a short, or no Foot-stalk at all. As to other things, the Leaf is like a Mallow, of a Colour betwixt yellow and green, and hairy under; divided into eight or nine obtuse Angles, peculiar Nerves coming into each Angle, from the Foot-stalks; they are neatly indented about the Edges. It grows in Meadows and Pastures, especially on hilly Grounds, spontaneously. There is abundance of it in the North of England, in York∣shire and Derbyshire, where

it is commonly called Bear's-foot.

'Tis an excellent Wound-herb. 'Tis hot and dry, and astringent. It stops Bleeding, the Courses, and the Whites. The Leaves, the Tops, and the Roots are used in Vulnerary Po∣tions, Powders, Plasters, and Ointments. Rags dip∣ped in a Decoction of it, and applied to Women's Breasts when they are very lax, renders them hard and solid. It agglutinates in∣ward Wounds, and Rup∣tures. And the Decoction of it, or the Powder of the dried Herb, taken in the Decoction, or in the di∣still'd Water, is excellent in curing Children's Burst∣en Bellies. The Astringent Quality is chief in this Plant; by means whereof it does what it does. Take of Ladies-mantle, Sanicle, Golden-rod, Sengreen, Be∣tony and Agrimony, each one Handful; Marsh-mal∣lows two Handfuls; Fern, Flowers of Camomile, St. John's-wort, Mugwort, Briars, Origanum, and Tor∣mentil-Leaves and Roots, each one Handful; put them into three Bags, then boyl them in the Faeces of Red Wine; and apply them one after another. These are very astringent, and of good use to stop Fluxes.

Ladies-smock, in La∣tin Cardamine.

The Root is white, thick, and has many small Fibres. It has most commonly but one Stalk, upright, round, firm and smooth, and about nine Inches high, reddish near the Earth. 'Tis divided into Branches, at the top whereof are many Flowers together, of a light-purple Colour; they are large, and consist of four obtuse, veiny Leaves. The Cods are of a deep purple Co∣lour, and a Finger in length, or longer; they are upright, rigid, and some∣what flat. The Leaves are of two sorts; the Lower lie on the Earth, and are divided into four or five small Leaves, sticking to the Rib by Intervals; the Uppermost, on the Stalk, have no Foot-stalks; they are smooth, and divided into small pieces. It

tastes like Water-cres∣ses.

Take of the Conserve of Ladies-smock and Brook-lime, made with an equal weight of Sugar, each three Ounces; of the Species of the three Sanders, of Diar∣rhod••, Abbatis, each one Dram and an half; of Ivo∣ry powder'd one Dram, of Pearl half a Dram, of Salt of Wormwood and Tama∣ris, each one Dram; make an Electuary, with a suffi∣cient quantity of Syrup of Coral: Take the quantity of a Nutmeg Night and Morning. This is good in an hot Scurvy.

Lavender, in Latin Lavendula.

'Tis Cephalick, and good for the Nerves; and is much of the same Virtue with Staechas. 'Tis chiefly used in Catarrhs for Palsies, Convulsions, Gid∣diness, Lethargy, and the like. It provokes Urine, and the Courses, and ha∣stens Delivery: And it is used for Flatulent Gripes. 'Tis used outwardly in Fo∣mentations. The distill'd Water, the Conserve, and the Oyl are in use. The following Medicine is counted excellent to hasten Delivery: Take of the Seeds of Lavender half a Dram, of the Seeds of Plan∣tane and Endive, each two Scruples; make a Powder: Take it in the Waters of Endive and Holly, each three Ounces. The Oyl of it kills Lice in Children's Heads, their Heads being anointed with it. The Spi∣rit of it is most in use, and is, indeed, an excellent Me∣dicine. 'Tis made in the following manner: Take of the Flowers of Lavender one Gallon, pour on them three Gallons of the best Brandy, and stop the Ves∣sel close; let them infuse in the Sun for the space of six Days, then distil them in an Alembeck. Take of the Flowers of Sage, Rose∣mary and Betony, each one Handful; of Borrage, Bug∣loss, Lilly of the Vallies, and Cowslips, each two Handfuls; infuse all these Flowers, gather'd in Sea∣son, in a Gallon of the best Brandy, and mingle it with the Spirit of Lavender a∣bove-mention'd, adding of

the Leaves of Balm, Fever∣few, Oranges, and Lawrel-berries, each one Ounce: After sufficient Digestion, distil them again; and at length add of Orange and Citron-Peel, and the Seed of Peony, each six Drams; Cinnamon, Nurmegs, Mace, Cardamoms, Cubebs, and Yellow-Sanders, of each half an Ounce; of the Wood of Aloes one Dram; digest them twenty four Hours, strain them, then add of prepar'd Pearl two Drams; of Amber-grease, Musk and Saffron, each half a Scruple; of dried Roses, and Red-Sanders, each half an Ounce; of Yellow-Sanders, and the Bark of dried Citron, each two Drams; hang the Spe∣cies in a Rag, in the Spirit above-mention'd.

Common Lavender-c••t∣ton, in Latin Abrotanum faemina vulgare.

The Root is thick, hard and woody. The Twigs are above two Foot high; they are woo∣dy, tender, and white with Down, and are divided in∣to many Branches, and are encompass'd by the Leaves, which are about an Inch long, and a little indented; they have a Physical Smell, and a bitter and acrid Taste.

'Tis chiefly used in Ob∣structions of the Liver and Kidnies, and to cure the Jaundice. It kills Worms. And the dried Leaves do good for the Whites.

Spurge-Laurel, in Latin Laureola.

'Tis about four Foot high, or higher. The Stalk is sometimes single, and sometimes divided in∣to Branches. The Bark is whitish. The Stalk bends easily, but is hard to break. The Leaves are placed at the top of the Stalk; they are like Laurel-leaves. The whole Plant tastes hot.

Being chew'd, it in∣flames the Jaws. Taken inwardly, it provokes Vo∣miting; and hurts and burns the Stomach, and in∣ward Parts; and there∣fore, by reason of its great Acrimony, 'tis seldom pre∣scrib'd by Physicians. The Powder of it infus'd in

Vinegar, and sprinkled up∣on Cancers, does good be∣fore they are ulcer'd.

Leeks, in Latin Por∣rum.

They have the same Virtue with Onions.

Garden-Lettice, in La∣tin Lactuca sativa.

It cools the Stomach, and qualifies Choler and Heat, and dis∣poses to Rest, and increases Milk, and yields good Nourishment. In Fren∣zies, Madness, and Burn∣ing Fevers, and the like, apply to the Temples, and the Coronal Suture, and also to the Wrists, double Rags, dip'd in Lettice-wa∣ter wherein Sal prunella has been dissolv'd, viz. half an Ounce to a Pint of the Water.

Lilly of the Vallies, in Latin Lilium convalli∣um.

It has a small, white, fibrous Root. The Stalk is angular, and about an Hand high. The Leaves are like the Leaves of the smallest Water-Plantane. It has small, white Bell-Flowers, of a pleasant Smell.

The Flowers and Leave are counted good in Apo∣plexies, Palsies, for the Falling-sickness, and Gid∣diness, and other cold Dis∣eases of the Head. Take of Conserve of Lilly of the Vallies six Ounces, of the Powder of the Root of Male-Peony half an Ounce, of Humane-skull prepar'd three Drams, of the Seeds and Flowers of Male-Peo∣ny powder'd, each two Drams; of Red Coral pre∣par'd, of Pearl, and the whitest Amber, each one Dram; of Salt of Coral four Scruples, of the Syrup of the Flowers of Male-Peony a sufficient quanti∣ty; make an Electuary: The Dose is two Drams, Morning and Evening. This is commended in an Apo∣plexy.

Water-Lilly, in Latin Nymphaea.

The Roots, the Leaves, the Flowers, and Seeds of the Yellow and White Water-Lilly are used in Fluxes; especially for a Gonorrhaea, and nocturnal Pollutions. They are said to lessen Venery. The Root of the White Water-Lilly

moderates the Flux of the Courses. Take of the Wa∣ters of Purslane, Lettice, Roses and Water-Lillies, each one Ounce; of Syrup of Violets, and of Water-Lillies, each six Drams; of Sal prunella one Dram: Take this often, and it will cure the Heat of U∣rine.

White-Lilly, in Latin Lilium.

The distill'd Wa∣ter of it is given to Women that have hard Labours, and to expel the After-birth. The Root is com∣monly used in Cataplasms to asswage Pain, and to ri∣pen Tumours. The Oyl of Lillies serves for the same purpose. 'Tis said, many People in Dropsies have been cured with the Juice mix'd with Barly-flower, and made into Bread; which Bread they must use only for the space of a Month, or six Weeks.

Lime-tree, in Latin Tilia.

The Bark and the Leaves repel, and dry, and provoke Urine, and the Courses. A Mucilage of the Bark does much Good in Burns and Wounds. The Leaves rub'd, and sprinkl'd with Water, dis∣cuss Swellings of the Feet. The Flowers are Cepha∣lick, and smell sweet. The distill'd Water of them is frequently used for the Fal∣ling-sickness, Giddiness, and Apoplexies: The Dose is one Ounce, or one Ounce and an half. Women use it to beautifie their Faces: And some take it for the Gripes. The Berries pow∣der'd, are much commend∣ed for the Bloody-Flux, and other Fluxes of the Belly. Being rub'd with Vinegar, and put up the Nostrils, they stop Bleed∣ing at the Nose: And some of them taken inwardly, do the same.

Liquorish, in Latin Gly∣cyrr••iza.

'Tis good for the Lungs, and the Reins. It mitigates Acrimony, and helps Expectoration, and gently loosens Children's Bellies. 'Tis chiefly used for Coughs, Hoarsness, Consumption, Pleurisie, E∣rosions of the Bladder, and Sharpness of Urine. Syrup

of Liquorish is made in the following manner: Take of Green Liquorish, cleans∣ed and bruis'd, two Oun∣ces; of White Maiden-hair one Ounce, of Hyssop half an Ounce; pour on them three Pints of hot Fountain-water, let them stand in Infusion twenty four Hours; strain it, and clarifie it; and with the best Hony, and Fine Su∣gar, each ten Ounces, make a Syrup, according to Art.

Liverwort, in Latin Hepatica vulgaris.

The Root of it is as fine as Silk. The Leaves are a Fingers-breadth, and twice as long, or longer; above they are green, or a little yellowish; they are scaly, like the Skin of a Serpent; they have no Flowers. The Stalk is white, firm and juicy, and about four Inches long; upon which there is, as it were, a small Fungus. It grows in shady, wet places, among Stones. It tastes a little bitterish, and astrin∣gent.

'Tis chiefly used in Ob∣structions of the Liver and Bladder. 'Tis good in the Jaundice, for the Itch, and a Gonorrhaea. Outwardly applied, it stops Blood in Wounds.

Lovage, in Latin Le∣visticum.

The Stalk is as high as a Man, thick-joint∣ed, hollow, and channel'd. The Leaves are large, and divided into Wings; they are of a shining Green, and of a strong Smell. At the top of the Stalks and Branches are large Tufts of yellow Flowers. The Seed is pretty large, and flat. The Root is thick, and woody.

'Tis Alexipharmick, Di∣uretick, and Vulnerary. It strengthens the Stomach, and does good in an Asth∣ma. It forces the Courses, and the Monthly Purga∣tions; and expels a dead Child. It opens Obstru∣ctions of the Liver and Spleen; and cures the Jaundice. 'Tis used out∣wardly, in Baths, and Ca∣taplasms for the Womb. The Virtues of it are much the same with Angelica,

and Master-wort. Half a Dram of the Seed provokes the Courses. The Juice of the Leaves expels the After-birth.

Lung-wort, in Latin Muscus arboreus.

It grows on old Oaks and Beeches, in dark, shady, old Woods. It has broad, grayish, rough Leaves, variously folded, crumpl'd and gash'd on the edges, and sometimes spot∣ted on the upper side. It bears no Stalk, nor Flower.

'Tis Drying, and Astrin∣gent. It stops Bleeding, and cures fresh Wounds. It stops the Courses, and the Flux of the Belly. The Powder, the Syrup, and the distill'd Water of it are commonly used for Diseases of the Lungs; as, Coughs, Short Breath, Consumptions, and the like. That which grows on an Oak is excellent in curing the Jaundice: Take one Handful of it, and boyl it in a Pint of Small Beer, in a Pot well stop∣ped, till half is consum'd: Take thirteen Spoonfuls of it warm, Morning and Evening.

Lupines, in Latin Lu∣pinus sativus.

Inwardly ta∣ken, it kills Worms. But it is chiefly used outward∣ly, in Cataplasms for Gan∣greens, and malignant Ul∣cers, and the like.