Healths improvement: or, Rules comprizing and discovering the nature, method, and manner of preparing all sorts of food used in this nation. Written by that ever famous Thomas Muffett, Doctor in Physick: corrected and enlarged by Christopher Bennet, Doctor in Physick, and fellow of the Colledg of Physitians in London.

Actiana.

The blackest of all be called Actians, because they were brought from Actium a promontory of Epire. In England we have also seen white Cherries growing, wherein the artificial choler marred the good nature and taste of them; wherefore I will not commend them for wholesomness, but shew their rareness.

Concerning their uses, let us remember thus much; that the Coeurs or French Cherries are most cordiall, the common and pulpy Cherries most nourishing, the black Cherries kernel is the best meat, but his flesh un∣wholesome and loathsome to the stomach.

Furthermore our common Cherries being ripe and eaten from the Tree in a dewy morning, loosen the belly: when contrariwise Coeurs and red soure Cherries bind the same, being of a more dry and astringent fa∣culty.

All Cherries (saving them which are black) slake thirst, cool moderately, and procure appetite. Sweet and ripe Cherries should be eaten formost; others are 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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to be eaten last, either scalded or baked, or made into tart stuff, or preserved with sugar, or rather dried after the German manner; which they keep all the year long to quench thirst in agues, to cool choller, to stir up appetite, to unfur the tongue and rellish the mouth, to stay puking, vomiting, and all kind of fluxes.