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THere be sundry kindes of herbes called in Latine Hepatica or Iecora∣ria, that is to say, Lyuerwurtes, whiche are commended, and founde good agaynst the diseases of the Lyuer, whereof wee shall describe three kindes in this Chapter vnknowen to the old wryters. The two first kindes are Bastarde Agrimonie. The third is Three leaued Agrimonie, or Noble Lyuerwurte.
[ 1] THe male Bastarde Agrimonie, hath a long round stalke, full of white pith within, at the whiche groweth long blakish leaues, somewhat rough and hearie, snipte and cut round about, almost like the leaues of Hempe, and bitter. At the toppe of the stalkes groweth many small floures, of incarnate co∣lour, clustering or growing thicke togither in tuftes, the whiche being withe∣red and chaunged into seede, it fleeth away with the winde. The roote is full of threddy strings.
[ 2] The female Bastard Agrimonie, hath also a roūd purple stalke, about three foote long and full of braunches. The leaues be long and dented or snipt round about, like the leaues of Hempe or of the other Agrimonie, sauing that they be a littell larger. At the toppe of the branches, and round about the stalke, grow∣eth three or foure small leaues growing harde one by an other after the fashion of a starre, amongst whiche is a knap or button that bringeth forth a yellow floure intermengled with blacke, within whiche being withered, is conteyned the seede whiche is long, flatte, and rough, and hangeth vpon garments whan it is rype.
[ 3] The leaues of Hepatica are broade, and diuided into three partes, not much vnlike the leaues of Cockow bread, sower Tryfoly, or Alleluya, but larger. A∣mongst the leaues groweth fayre azured or blew floures, euery one growing vpon a single stemme, the whiche do change into small bullets or bolyns, wher∣in the feede is conteyned. The roote is blacke and full of small hearie strings.
The Bastard Agrimonies do grow in moyst places, by diches, and standing pooles. Hepatica groweth not of his owne kinde in this countrey, but it is planted in gardens.
The Bastard Agrimonies do floure in Iuly and August, but the Noble or great Lyuerwurt floureth in Marche.
[ 1] The male Bastarde Agrimonie, is called in Shoppes Eupatorium, and is wrongfully taken of them for the right Agrimonie, the which is described in the former chapter. The learned mē in these dayes do call it Pseudohepatorium, and Eupatorium aquaticum, or Adulterinum: Of Baptistus Sardo, Terzola: in highe Douch Kunigundkraut, Wasserdost, & Hirssenclee: in base Almaigne Conin∣ghinne cruyt, Hertsclaueren, and Boel∣kens cruyt manneken.
[ 2] We haue named the second Pseudo∣hepatorium foemina: in base Almaigne Boelkens cruyt wijfken: it is thought to be that Agrimonie whereof Auicen writeth Chap. ccxliiij. and therfore some haue called it Eupatorium Auicennae.
[ 3] The third, which is called at this day in Latine Hepatica, and of some Her∣ba Trinitatis: may be called in English Hepatica, Noble Agrimonie, or Three leafe Lyuerwurte: in French Hepatique: in high Douch Leberkraut, Edel leuer cruyt. We know of none other name except it be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Balaris, whereof Hesy∣chius writeth.
The two Bastard Agrimonies are hoate and dry, as their bitternesse doth manifestly declare. Hepatica doth coole, dry, and strengthen.
[ 1] [ A] The male Bastarde Agrimonie boyled in wine or water, is singuler good against the old stoppings of the Lyuer, and Melte or Splene. Also it cureth old feuer tertians, being dronken.
The Decoction thereof dronken, healeth all hurtes, & woundes, for whiche purpose it is very excellent, [ B] and to heale all manner woundes both outwarde and inwarde.
[ 2] [ C] The female Bastard Agrimonie is of the same operation, and is vsed more than the other in wounde drenches.
[ 3] [ D] The Hepatica, or Noble Lyuerwurte, is a soueraigne medicine, against the heate and inflammation of the Lyuer, and all hoate Feuers or agues.