Great-Comfrey, in La∣tin Cons••lida major.
It grows in moist and good Ground. The Root is thick, and full of Sprigs, and very clammy, and taste insipid. The Stalks are two Foot and an half high, and higher, a Finger thick, empty, hairy, and rough. The Flowers are many together, upon the Tops of the Stalks and Branches, of a pale-yellow Colour, and sometimes in∣cline to a Purple. The Leaves are sharp, wrinkly, prickly, equal about the Edges, and dispos'd in no Order. The Seeds are like the Seeds of Viper-Bugloss. It grows in watery Places, or near Rivers; and flow∣ers in May.
'Tis an excellent Wound-Herb, is Musilaginous and Thickning, and qualifies the Acrimony of the Hu∣mours. 'Tis used in all Fluxes, especially of the Belly; and for a Consum∣ption. The Flowers boyl'd in Red Wine, are very pro∣per for those that make a Bloody Urine. Outward∣ly applied, it stops the Blood of Wounds, and helps to unite broken Bones; wherefore 'tis cal∣led Bone-set. It eases the Pain of the Gout, and cures Eating-Ulcers: Take of the Root as much as you think convenient, beat it in a Mortar till it is reduc'd to a Mass; spread it on Leather, and apply it to the Part affected. This is excellent for Abating Gou∣ty Pains, and the Sciatica; and for Pains in the Arms; and has been also us'd for Venereal Pains, with good Success. Take of Com∣frey-Roots half a Pound, slice them, and put them into an Earthen Pipkin, with half a Pint of Alicant, and half a Pound of Loaf-Sugar; cover it with a Paper, and bake it in an Oven, as you do Apples: