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 ...

W.

WAlnut-tree, in La∣tin Juglans.

The outward Bark dried, vo∣mits strongly: The Cat∣kins are a gentler Vomit. The fresh Nuts move the Belly: The Dry are hot, and hard to digest; they increase Choler, and cause a Cough. The Juice of the outward Bark gargl'd in the Mouth, is very useful in a Relaxation of the Al∣monds, and for an Inflam∣mation of the Throat. A Decoction of the outward Bark of the green Nut for∣ces Worms out of their Holes. The green and un∣ripe Nuts candied with the Bark on, gently move the Belly, two or three being taken at Bed-time. The Tree tap'd in the Spring, yields a great quantity of Liquor, but it is not so pleasant as that of the Birch-tree. 'Tis said to be peculiarly proper for Ob∣structions

of the Courses. The Nuts being infus'd in Water till the Skin of the Kernels comes off, then in∣fuse them two Days in A∣qua vitae: Take two or three of them daily, in the Morning fasting, for ten Days before the usual time of their Flowing. The Oyl of the Nut, mix'd with Oyl of Almonds, is excel∣lent in the Stone; two or three Ounces of it may be taken inwardly at a time. See Mr. Boyl, of Specifick Remedies, pag. 163.

Wall-flower, in Latin Leucoium luteum.

It grows every where on Walls.

The Flowers are cordial, and good for the Nerves: They ease Pain, provoke the Courses, expel the Se∣cundine, and a dead Child. The Conserve of the Flowers, the distil'd Wa∣ter, and the Oyl made of the Flowers by Infusion, are in use for Apoplexies, and Palsies. The Oyl is very Anodine in Wounds, and Inflammations of the Nervous Parts.

Way-faring-tree, in Latin Viburnum.

It some∣times spreads much, tho' it is not high. The Wood of it is fungous and pithy. The Branches are about a Finger thick, and four Foot long, or longer. The Bark is of a dark-gray Colour; but the Bark of the Branch∣es is whitish. The Leaves are somewhat like the Leaves of the Alder; they are broad, longish and thickish, and indented about the Edges; they are hairy and white, like Meal, especial∣ly below. The Flowers are placed in Umbels, and smell like the Flowers of Elder; they are white, and consist of five Leaves. The Berries are first green, then red, and lastly black; they are sweet, and clammy. Some Country-people eat them. It grows commonly in Hedges.

The Leaves and Berries are dry, and astringent. They are used for Inflam∣mations of the Throat and Almonds, and for the Re∣laxation of the Ʋvula, and to settle the Teeth when they are loose, and also for

Fluxes of the Belly. A Decoction of the Leaves makes the Hairs black, and prevents their fal∣ling.

Wheat, in Latin Triti∣cum.

The Juice of it is good to take off Spots. The Flower mix'd with Bean-shell-water, takes out Wrinkles from the Face. A Cataplasm made with Water and Oyl, and the Flower, takes off the Hard∣ness of the Breast, and ri∣pens Swellings. The Bran cleanses the Hands, and makes them soft and white.

Common Whitlow-grass, in Latin Parony∣chia vulgaris.

It has a small, fibrous Root, and many Leaves, that lie on the Ground; they are scarce an Inch long; they are pointed, hairy, some∣times green, sometimes reddish, and a little indent∣ed; and taste somewhat astringent at first, after∣wards acrid. It has some∣times one, sometimes two or three Stalks, or more; they are round, and about an Hand high, and some∣times not so much; they have no Leaves on them, but they have many little, white Flowers, which con∣sist of four Leaves; they have small, flat Pouches. It grows on Walls and Houses.

Rue Whitlow-grass, in∣fus'd in Small Beer, and drank for some Days, cures King's-Evil-Swellings, with∣out any sensible Evacua∣tion. See Mr. Boyl, of Spe∣cifick Remedies, pag. 155. Take of Whitlow-grass half an Handful, fry it with Flower, and an Egg: Take it in a Morning fasting, for two Days. This cures the Whites.

Winter-cherry, in La∣tin Alkekengi.

The Berries are Diuretick, Nephritick, and Lithontriptick. They are also good for the Jaun∣dice; they may be either infus'd in Wine, or boyl••d in Posset-drink, or pow∣der'd, and taken in any Li∣quor. One that took eight of the Cherries every Change of the Moon, was cured of the Gout; tho'

before, he was miserably afflicted with it. Take of Chios-Turpentine two Drams, of the Balsam of Tolu half a Dram, with a sufficient quantity of the Troches of Alkakengi; make Midling Pills: Take four at Bed-time. These Pills are good for the Stone in the Kidnies.

Winter-green, in La∣tin Pyrola.

Five or six of its Leaves lie on the Ground; they are like the Leaves of a Pear; they are thick, of a dark Green, smooth, and shining above. The Foot-stalks are near an Hand long. The Stalk is nine Inches high, and an∣gled, and has on it some small, sharp Leaves; and a Spike of fine, white Flowers, consisting of five Leaves. The whole Plant tastes bitter. It grows in the North, near Halifax.

'Tis an excellent Vulne∣rary Herb, either taken inwardly, or outwardly ap∣plied.

Woodroof, in Latin A∣sperula.

'Tis divided into many Joints. The Root is small, and creeps on the top of the Earth, sending down Capillary Fibres. The Stalks are small, four∣square, an Hand or nine Inches high. The Leaves are placed on the Joints, like those of Madder; they are larger than Cleaver-leaves, and of a lighter Green; they shine a little, and are a little hairy. The Stalk is divided at the top into two or three Branches, upon which the Foot-stalks sustain the little Flowers, that smell sweet, and are compos'd of four small Leaves. The Seeds are small, and very hairy, and in shape like a Kidny; they stick to the Clothes, as the Seeds of Clevers do. It grows in hilly Woods, and among Bushes. It flowers in May.

'Tis used for Obstru∣ctions of the Liver, and Gall-bladder; and to cool an hot Liver. It procures Mirth, as they say, being put into Wine, and gives it a pleasant Taste; for which Reason 'tis frequently used among the Germans.

Common Wormwood, in Latin Absinthium vulgare.

It strengthens the Stomach and Liver, excites Appe∣tite, opens Obstructions, and cures Diseases that are occasion'd by them; as, the Jaundice, Dropsie, and the like. 'Tis good in long, putrid Fevers, it carries off vitious Humours by Urine, it expels Worms from the Bowels, and preserves Clothes from Moths. The Juice, the distill'd Water, the Syrup, the fixed Salt, and the Oyl of it are used; but the Wine or Beer seems to be the best. It strength∣ens the Stomach, creates an Appetite, opens Obstru∣ctions, and provokes U∣rine. The Simple Water is more Languid, and of less Virtue. The fixed Salt, if it be wholly sepa∣rated from the other Parts, by the force of the Fire, differs nothing, in my O∣pinion, neither in Taste nor Virtue, from the Fixed Salt of any other Plant. A Scruple or half a Dram of the Salt, accor∣ding to the Strength and Age of the Sick, taken in a Spoonful of the Juice of Limon, scarce ever fails to cure Vomiting. Green Wormwood bruis'd, and mix'd with Lard, and ap∣plied, cures Tumors of the Kernels of the Throat, and the Quinsie.