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 ...

Eye-bright, in Latin Euphrasia.

'Tis a small Plant, an Hand and an half high. The Root is single, and crooked; it has a few large Fibres; 'tis woody, and white. The Stalks are roundish, hairy, and, where the Sun shines, purplish. They have ma∣ny Branches, which come from the Wings of the Leaves, that are longer sometimes than the middle Stalk. The Leaves are placed by Pairs, on the Stalk, opposite to one ano∣ther, without Foot-stalks, and are like the Leaves of Chick-weed; they are of a deep Green, they shine, are wrinkly, indented, and hairy under, and of a fat and bitterish Taste. The lit∣tle Flowers come from the Wings of the Leaves; they are white, streak'd within with purple Lines, and a yellow Spot is in the middle. The Seeds are oblong, and of an Ash-colour. It grows commonly in barren Pa∣stures,

and flowers about the middle of Summer.

Eye-bright, which Way soever it is taken, either in a Powder by it self, or in White-wine, or the Juice, or the distill'd Water, won∣derfully strengthens the Eyes, and repairs a weak Sight. 'Tis applied out∣wardly, being bruis'd, for Inflammations, and Dim∣ness of Sight: Or the Juice is drop'd into the Eye: But especially the Water. Take of Eye-bright two Ounces, Mace half an Ounce; make a fine Pow∣der: Some add to it Fen∣nel-seed and Sugar. This is good for Dimness of Sight: Take one Dram of it Night and Morning; but the Body must be first well purg'd. Fabritius Hil∣danus, who is an Author of the first Rank, says, That the Virtues of Eye-bright are so effectual in Weak∣ness of Sight, that he had observ'd some of Seventy Years of Age to have reco∣ver'd their Sight (which they had lost by long Watchings, and much Stu∣dy) by the Use of it. The Oculists in England, and Beyond-Sea, use the Herb in Sallets, in Broths, in Bread, and in Table-Beer; and apply it out∣wardly in Fomentations, and other External Medi∣cines for the Eyes. Take of Water of Eye-bright, and Fennel, each one Ounce and an half; of White Rose-water one Ounce, Prepar'd Tutty two Drams, Camphire two Grains; mix them, drop two or three Drops into the Eye, warm, thrice a Day. This is good when the Eye is much bruis'd.