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 ...

Tormentil, in Latin Tormentilla.

The Root is sometimes as thick as the Thumb; sometimes it grows streight, sometimes awry; it has reddish Fi∣bres, and is of an astrin∣gent Taste. The Stalks lie on the Ground, having ma∣ny short Leaves; sometimes they grow upright, and are two Foot high; they are small, hairy, and reddish. The Flowers are small, and yellowish, and consist of four Leaves. Note, the Leaves are like the Leaves of Cinquefoil, but longer, and less dented.

It dries, and is very a∣stringent; wherefore there

is no Remedy more proper for Fluxes of the Belly and Womb, than the Roots of Tormentil. Besides, they are Diaphoretick, and A∣lexipharmick; wherefore they are used in all Medi∣cines for the Plague, and Malignant Diseases, espe∣cially when Fluxes of the Belly accompany them. Moreover, they are mix'd with Vulnerary Potions, Ointments, and Plasters; for they cure old and pu∣trid Ulcers. Half a Dram, or a Dram of the Extract of Tormentil is much com∣mended for curing an Epi∣demick Dysentery; Ru∣barb being used before, if there be occasion. A Wo∣man that was wont to mis∣carry after the Second Month, was cured in the following manner: She was purg'd, and took Sage with her Meat and Drink, and as much of the following Powder as would lie on a Groat was given at a time: Take of Cochinele, Pre∣par'd Pearl, and Tormen∣til-roots, each one Dram; of Mastick half a Dram; mingle them, and make a Powder. The following Plaster was applied to the Loins, and the Os sacrum: Take of the purest Labda∣num one Ounce and an half; of Galls, Oak-Moss, Bole-Armoniack, Cypress-Nuts, Seal'd-Earth, Mirtles, Red Roses, Dragon's-blood, and Balaustians, each half an Ounce; of Ship-Pitch two Ounces, of Turpen∣tine six Ounces; make a Plaster. After the use of these things, she went out her Time, and had a lu∣sty Child; and after that more.