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 ...

White-Briony, in La∣tin Brionia alba.

The Root is as thick as ones Arm, white and fungous, of a bitter and ac••id Taste. It sends forth pliant Twigs, channell'd, and somewhat hairy; which spread them∣selves far and wide by the help of their Tendrels, and climb up every thing that is near. The Leaves are like Ivy-leaves, but larger; they are hairy, and green. The Flowers, joyn'd toge∣ther, come out of the Wings of the Leaves, and are of a whitish Colour. It grows frequently in Hedges.

It purges strongly Wa∣tery and Phlegmatick Hu∣mours. 'Tis proper for the Diseases of the Spleen, Li∣ver and Womb; for it o∣pens the Obstructions of those Parts. It drains the Water of Hydropical Peo∣ple by Vomit and Stool. It provokes the Courses, helps Delivery, cures the Suffocation of the Womb, and the Asthma.

Juglers and Fortune-tel∣lers make wonderful Mon∣sters of this Root, which, when they have hid in the Sand for some Days, they dig up for Mandrakes; and by this Imposture these Knaves impose on our

Common People. Con∣serve of White Briony-Roots, taken twice a Day, to the quantity of a Nut∣meg, for a long time, cures the Falling-Sickness, and Mother-Fits. A piece of the Root put into the Pot the Sick drinks out of, does the same. The Compound-water of Briony is most in use. I have used this Com∣position that follows, with excellent Success, in Wo∣men's Obstructions; and it is, undoubtedly much better in Hysterick Diseases, than the common Com∣pound-water of the Lon∣don-Dispensatory. Take of dried Briony-Roots, beaten to a gross Powder, two Ounces; of the Leaves of Rue, and dried Mugwort, each half a pound; Savine dried, three quarters of an Handful; of Featherfew, Cat-mint and Penny-royal, dried, each half an Hand∣ful; of the fresh yellow Pill of one Orange; of Mirrh half an Ounce, of Castor two Drams, of the best Nants-Brandy one Quart: Put them into a Glass, and let them infuse six Days in warm Ashes; then strain the Liquor off, and keep it in a Glass-bottle, well stop∣ped. The Dose is half a Spoonful, to be taken in three Ounces of Penny-royal-water, sweetned with Sugar, Morning and Even∣ing.

The Lees of Briony, cal∣led in Latin Foecula Brioniae, are made after the follow∣ing manner: Take what quantity of the Roots of Briony you please, slice them, and press out the Juice; this being kept in Vessels unmov'd, will in a few Hours depose the Lees, or Foecula; which being se∣parated by pouring the Water away gently, must be dried in a Glass-Vessel. They are used in a Drop∣sie.