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 ...

Carthamus, or Ba∣stard-Saffron.

The Flowers bruis'd are used instead of Sauce; and they colour the Meat of a Saffron-co∣lour.

They loosen the Bel∣ly, and are good in the Jaundice. But the chief use of the Flowers is, for dying of Silks and Cloth. Some adulterate Saffron, by mixing it with these Flowers. The Seed of it bruis'd, and taken in Broth, purges clammy Flegm by Vomit and Stool; upon which Account it is rec∣kon'd amongst Flegma∣goges. 'Tis very good for the Breast, and is excel∣lent for expelling Wind; wherefore it is very good for Cholicks, and an Ana∣sarca. But it is offensive to the Stomach, and there∣fore Stomachicks ought to be mix'd with it; as An∣nise-seeds, Galangal, Cin∣namon, and the like. The Operation of it should be quicken'd, by adding things that are acrid; as Carda∣moms, Ginger, Sal Gem∣mae, and the like. The Dose of it, in Infusion, is from three Drams to six. Hofmannus says, the Husk should be taken off with a Knife, tho' it be difficult; for the beating of it with a Pestle, loses the Oyly Sub∣stance, wherein the Virtue lies. The Electuary, cal∣led Diacarthamum, of the London-Dispensatory. Take of the Species of Diatraga∣canth frigid half an Ounce, of the Pulp of Preserv'd Quinces one Ounce, of the Marrow of the Seeds of the Bastard-Saffron half an Ounce, of White Ginger two Drams, of Diagrydi∣um powder'd a-part, three Drams, of White Turbith six Drams, of Manna two Ounces, of Solutive Hony of Roses strain'd, and Sugar-candy, each one Ounce; of Hermodactils half an ounce, of White Sugar, boyl'd to the Consistence of a solid Ele∣ctuary, ten Ounces and an half; when it is hot, mix with it the Hony, Manna, and the Pulp of Quinces; then add the Powders, and make a solid Electuary, to be form∣ed into Tablets.