Blagrave's supplement or enlargement to Mr. Nich. Culpeppers English physitian containing a description of the form, names, place, time, coelestial government, and virtues, all such medicinal plants as grow in England, and are omitted in his book, called, The English-physitian, and supplying the additional virtues of such plants wherein he is defective : also the description, kinds, names, place, time, nature, planetary regiment, temperature, and physical virtues of all such trees, herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, excrescencies of plants, gums, ceres, and condensate juices, as are found in any part of the world, and brought to be sold in our druggist and apothecaries shops, with their dangers and corrections / by Joseph Blagrave ... ; to which is annexed, a new tract for the cure of wounds made by gun-shot or otherways, and remedies for the help of seamen troubled with the scurvy and other distempers ...

Mechoacan and Jalap.

Kinds and Names.] THe Mechoacan of Peru, is called also in Latine, Brionia alba Peruana, sive Mechoacan. There is also another kind called Wild Mechoacan, and a third sort called black Mechoacan or Jalap.

Descript.] 1. The Mechoacan of Peru, that hath grown in these parts, sendeth forth divers dark greyish long branches, winding themselves about poles, that are set for them, or any other things that are next unto them whereon do grow fair broad leaves pointed at the ends, of a dark green colour, thin and hard in handling, seeming so dry as if they had no juice in them; the flowers are ma∣ny standing in long clusters, (of a sullen yellow colour in the Indies, as Monardus saith, and as large as an Orenge-flower, with an Umbone in the middle which afterwards cometh to be the fruit; which when it is ripe, is as big as an Hazel-nut; divided by a thin skin in the middle, in each side whereof lye two black seeds of the bigness of Pease) of a dark whitish colour, in the warmer Countryes of Europe; but not with us, yeelding berries and seed, but not so large; the root groweth to be as large as any Briony-root, being not bitter, or loathsome to tast as it is, but rather without either tast or smell, having many circles in it, as may be discerned in the dry roots, and may easily be brought in∣to powder.

Descript.] 2. Wild Mechoacan, called in Latine Mechoacan Sylvestris, is altogether like the other, both in manner of growing, with branches leaves, flowers, and roots but in every particular lesser; and the root (wherein is the chiefest difference) being sharp and loathsome, pro∣cureth Vomiting and troubling the Stomack, when it is taken, asmuch as any ordinary Briony.

Descript.] 3. Mechoacan nigricans sive Jalopium, black Mechoacan or Jalap. The dryed roots of this plant, are brought as a Merchandize unto us in England: It cometh to us in small thin peeces, some greater, some smaller; yet nothing so large as the greater, but rather as the smaller peeces of Mechoacan; of a brownish black Colour, some∣what more solid compact and Gummy, for out of it will rise a black Gum, being laid on a burning Coal, and of no unpleasant tast, but stick∣ing a little in the Teeth when it is chewed.

Place.] Mechoacan groweth beyond Mexico in the Province of Mechoacan: but since hath been plentifully brought from the main Land of Nicaragna; and Quito. The wild Mechoacan was brought from the Promontory of St. Helen, which is on the same Conti∣nent with Nicaragna. The last is brought from a place in the Indies called Chelapa, or Calapa, from whence it obtained the name of Jalap.

Time.] They flower in the months of July and August, some earlier or later than others, as their original is from colder or hotter Cli∣mates; and do seed soon after, where they give any.

Government and Vertues.] The Mechoacans are plants of Mars; the Mechoacan of Peru is a familiar Medicine, used by many; It is given to all Ages young and old, and to young Children and Women with child, without any harm or danger; as also at all times of the year: for, being without any evil taste or smell, it may be the better taken of the most delicate and tender stomachs, that loath all other medi∣cines; It is most usually being made into powder taken in wine, or the Root may be boyled in a little broth or wine and so taken. The Dose in powder is from half a dram to a whole dram, or a dram and an half or two drams, as there is cause, and according to the Age, and strength of the Patient.

It purgeth cholerick and Flegmatick, gross viscous and putrid humours whatsoever, as also the yellow waterish humours of the Dropsie, with much ease and facility; It cleanseth the Liver and Spleen, strength∣neth the Stomach and corroborates the inward parts, after purging and opening the obstructions of them; It helpeth also all diseases proceeding from them, as Dropsie, Jaundice; it rectifieth the evil constitution of the Liver, openeth and dissolveth the hardness thereof; as also of the Spleen and Stomach and ex∣pelleth wind; It helpeth and taketh away all old and inveterate pains in the head, by cleansing the brain; and the nerves, and purging those Rheumatick distil∣lations and humours that are in them; It helpeth al∣so Joynt-Aches or Gout-pains in the bladder and Reins, provokes Urine. It helps the Chollick, powerfully expelling the wind. It al∣so helps pains and windiness of the Mother, shortness of breath, and an old Cough. It is also effectual in the French disease, by taking it as often as there is cause, purging old peccant humours, especially if the disease be not of any long continuance. It takes away also the cause of old and long lingring Agues.

The Jalap is in operation and purging somewhat like unto the Me∣choacan, but worketh more strongly, and somewhat more churlish∣ly both upon Flegmatick, and watry humours, yet it strengthens

both the Liver and Stomach. The manner to take it, is, being made in∣to powder to drink it in White wine fasting; or in the distilled wa∣ter of Cichory or Borrage, or else in broth made with cold herbs, and some use to drink it in Posset-drink.

Notes

• Choler, Flegm, putrid hu∣mours. Liver Spleen. Dropsie Jaun∣dice, Wind, Pains in the head, Bladder, Reins Ʋrine Cholick Mo∣ther shortness of breath, Cough, French Pox.