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 ...

B.

Balsom-tree, or the true Balsome.

Names.] THe Arabians call it Balessau; The Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and the Latines Balsamum; the liquor they call Opobalsamum, the berries or fruit of the tree Carpobalsamum, and the sprigs or young branches therof Xylobalsamum;

Descript.] The balsome or balm tree, in the most natural places where it groweth, is never very great, seldome about eight or nine foot high, and in some places much lower, with divers small and straight slender branches issuing from thence, of a brownish red colour, especially the younger twigs, covered with a double bark, the red outermost, and a green one under it, which are of a very fragrant smell, and of an Aromatical quick taste, somewhat Astringent, and gummy, cleaving to the fingers; the wood under the bark is white, and as insipid as any other wood: on these branches come forth sparsedly, & without order, many stalks of winged leaves, somwhat like unto those of the Mastick-tree; the lowest and those that first come forth consisting but of three leaves, others of five or seaven leaves, and seldome above; which are set by couples, the lowest smallest, & the next bigger, & the end-one largest of all; of a pale green colour, smelling and tasting somwhat like the bark of the branches; somewhat clammy also, and abide on the bushes all the year, the flowers are many and small standing by three toge∣ther on small stalks, at the ends of the branches, made of six small white leaves a peece; after which follow small brownish hard berries, little big∣ger than Juniper-berries, small at both ends, crested on the sides, and very like unto the berries of the Turpentine tree, of a very sharp sent, having a yellow hony-like substance in them somwhat bitter but Aromatical in tast, and biting on the tongue like the Opobalsamum; from the body hereof be∣ing cut there issueth forth a liquor (which sometimes floweth without sca∣rifying) of a thick whitish colour at the first, which afterwards groweth cleer, and is somewhat thicker than oyle in Summer, of so sharp a peircing sent, that it will pierce the Nostrills of those that smell thereunto; almost

like unto oyle of spike; but as it groweth older, so it groweth thicker, and not so quick in the smell; and in the colour becoming yellow like honey or brown thick Turpentine as it groweth old.

Place and Time.] The most reputed natural places, where this tree hath been known to grow, both in these and former dayes are Arabia, Foelix, about Mecha, and Medina, and a small village neer them called Bedrumia, & the hills, valleys, and sandy grounds about them; and the Country of the Sabeans adjoyning next thereunto; and from thence transplanted into India and Aegypt; It likewise grew on the hills of Gilead. And it is reported that the Queen of Sheba, brought of the Balsome-trees to Solomon (as the richest of her Presents) who caused them to be planted in Orchards in the Valley of Jericho; where they flourished, and were tended and yearly pruned, untill they together with the Vineyards in that Country were destroyed by that monster of mankind, the savage Bestial Turk. It flowereth in the spring, and the fruit is ripe in Autumn.

Government and Virtues.] This Balsome-tree is a Solar plant, of tem∣perature hot and dry in the second degree, and is sweet in smell, be∣ing of thin parts; but the liquor, or Opobalsamum, is of more thin parts than the plant it self; the fruit or berries is very like it in quality, but far inferior thereunto in the subtilty. The Liquor or Opobalsamum is of great good use against all poisons or infections, both Vipers, Serpents and Scorpions, the Pestilence and spotted Feaver; and other putride, and intermissive Agues that arise from obstructions, and crude cold humors, to take a scruple or two in some drink, for some dayes together, and to sweat theron: for this openeth the obstructions of the Liver, and Spleen, and digesteth those raw humors in them, cherishing the vital spirits, radical moysture, and natural heat in them and is very effectual in all cold griefs, and diseases of the head or stomack, helping the swimmings and turnings of the brain, weak memories and falling-sick∣ness, it cleareth the eyes of films or skins, and ea∣seth paines in the Eares: It helpeth the cough, short∣ness of breath, and consumption of the Lungs, warm∣ing and drying up, the distillations of Rheums upon them, and all other diseases of the stomack proceed∣ing of cold or wind, the cold or windy distempers of the bowels womb or mother, which cause torments or pains, or the cold moystures procuring barrenness. It provoketh the courses, expelleth the dead birth and afterbirth, the flux of the Whites and stopping of Urine; it cleanseth the Reins, and kidneys and expelleth the stone and gravel: it is singu∣lar good against the Palsy, Cramp, tremblings, convuls••ons, shrinking of sinews, and for green wounds.

The women in Aegypt preserve their beauty and youth herewith for a long time.

The berries are especially good against poysons and infections, the falling sickness, swimmings and pains in the head, the cough and disea∣ses of the Lungs, windy pains, and Stitches in the sides, stopping of U∣rine rising of the mother, and other diseases thereof to sit in a bath made of them. The wood is also (though in a farre weaker manner) effectual for the same purposes.

Bdellium.

Name.] BOth the tree and Gum are called by one name that is Bdellium, and gum-Bdellium.

Descript.] Dioscorides giveth no description of this tree, but Pliny Lib. 12. cap. 9. setteth it down to be of a sad form, and of the bigness of the white olive tree, having leaves like an oak, and fruit like the wild figtree, the best Gum, is clear like glew, fat on the inside, easily melting or dissolving; pure, or clean from drosse, sweet in the burning like unto Unguis Odoratus, and bit∣ter in tast, but there is hardly any such brought unto us, for we find little bitternesse in any, and lesse sweetnesse, in the burning of it, but strong and unpleasant rather; neither is it soft, or easie to be dissolved, but hard and not to be dissolved Equally, but into graines or knots without warmth, yet it is of a sad brown colour somwhat like glew, and much like unto Myrrhe; so that they are often mistaken one for another, but that Bdellium is harder dry and browner; but there are sundry sorts therof as saith Mathiolus, and Bauhine in his Comment upon him, for the Indians and Arabians, who were the chief merchants for drugs, had learned the art of Adulterat∣ing them, of whom the Jews learned that art, and have since exceeded them therein, as the Vintners, and Coopers study who shall out-doe others in the mysterious Mystery and mischeif of sophisticating and adulterating wines.

Place.] Arabia is said to be the chief place where they naturally, grow; yet in Genesis 2. it is said, it groweth in the land of Havilah, which is compassed by the River Pishon, one of the heads of the River which went out of the Garden of Eden; which land of Havilah, joyn∣eth to Persia Eastward, and doth incline towards the West, where it is said is Gold Bdellium and Onyx stone.

Government and Virtues.] Both tree and Gum-Bdellium are peculiars to the Jurisdiction of Mars; the tree is very sharply armed with cru∣el Thorns, the Properties of the Gum are to heat, and mollifie hard Tumors, and the Nodes or knots in the throat, neck, or Sinews, or of any other parts, any way applied, it provokes Urine and womens courses, and breaketh the Stone, it is good for the Cough; and for those, that are bitten or stung by any Venemous creatures:

It helpeth to discusse the windiness of the Spleen, and the pains of the sides, it is good for those that are bursten, or have the falling of the guts into their Cods; as also for the swellings of the Cods through wind. It expelleth the dead birth, softneth the hard∣ness of the mother, and dryeth up the moysture thereof.

Buckwheat.

Names.] IN most Countries of England this grain goeth by the gene∣rall name of French Wheat especially in Hampshire, Surry, Berkshire, Wiltshire and Buckinghamshire▪ especially in those bar∣ren parts of those countries where it is most usually sown and delight∣eth to grow, it is also in many parts of England called Buckwheat, some take it to be the Erysinum of Theophrastus, and the Ireo of Pliny, and it is called by Mathiolus, Frumentum Sarasenicum, the Dutch names are B••ckweydt, and Buckenweydt.

Descript.] It riseth up with divers round hollow reddish stalks, set with divers leaves each by it self on a stalk, which is broad and round, and lye forked at the bottom, small and painted at the end, somwhat it doth resem∣ble an Ivy leafe, but is softer in handling, at the top of the stalks come forth divers clusters of small white flowers, which turn into small three-cornered blackish seed, with a white pulpe within; the root is small and threddy.

Place and Time.] It is said to have its original birth-place in Arabia, whereby it had the Latine name of Frumentum Sarasenicum; and was transplanted from thence into Italy, but now it is very commonly sown in most of our Northern countries, where for the use and profit made of it many fields are sown therwith, it is not usually sown before April, and sometimes in May, for at its first springing up, a frosty night kills it all, and so it will do the flowers when it blossomes, it is ripe at the latter end of August, or beginning of September, and will grow in a dry hungry ground, for which it is held as good as a dunging.

Government and Virtues.] This grain is attributed to Venus, it doth nourish lesse then wheat, Rye, or barly, but more then millet, or Pa∣••ick, and the bread or cakes made of the meal thereof, doth easily di∣gest and soon passe out of the stomack (yet some hold the contrary): it giveth small nourishment though not bad, and is withal a little statu∣••ent or windy, yet Country-people in divers places of Germany, and Italy, do feed hereon as almost their onely bread-corn, and are strong ••nd lusty Persons, following hard Labor, for the bread or cakes made ••herof are pleasant, but do somwhat presse or lye heavy on the sto∣mack. I never knew any bread or cakes made of it for people to eat ••n this Country; but it is generally used to fatten Hogs, and Poultry of ••ll sorts, which it doth very exceedingly, and quickly; The physical

uses of it are these, It provoketh Urine, increaseth milk, loosneth the belly, and being taken in wine is good for melancholy persons; the juice of the leaves dropped into the eyes, cleareth the sight.

Bane-wort.

Names.] IT is also called in some places of England, Sperewort.

Descript.] This plant hath reddish stalks full of knees or joynts, upon which grow long narrow leaves, almost like the leaves of Withy but longer, and a little snipt or toothed round about, especially those that grow lowest: the flowers are yellow as Gold, somwhat rough in the middle, in Fashion and Colour like those of Golden Crowfoot. After the flowers be past, there succeed knops or heads like those of Crowfoot, the reed is threddy.

Place.] It groweth in moist medows, watry places, and standing puddles.

Time.] It flowreth in May, and yeeldeth his seed soon after.

Government and Vertues.] This is an herb of fiery Mars, hot and dry in the fourth degree, it blistereth the body as Ranunculus doth, and is like it in complexion, and operation.

This herb is no way to be given inwardly; for it is hurtful both to man and beast: the sheep which happen to eat thereof are troubled with a greivous inflamation, which burneth up and consumeth their Livers whereof they dye; the Dutchmen call it Egelcoolen, because sheep that have eaten of it, have a disease which they call Egel, that is, the blistering and inflamation of the Liver.

Spanish-Broom.

Names.] IT is also called, Italian-Broom.

Descript.] The Spanish-Broom hath woodish stems from which grow up long slender and pliant twiggs, which be bare and naked without leaves, or at least having very few small leaves set here and there, far apart from one another, the flowers are yellow not much unlike the flo∣wers of our English Broom, after which it hath Cods wherein are contained brown and flat seed.

Place.] This Broom groweth in dry places in Spain and Languedoc, and is not found in this Countrey but in the Gardens of Herbarists: It is plentifull in the Physick Garden at Westminster.

Time.] It flowers in this Countrey in June, and somwhat after; the seed is ripe in August.

Government and Vertues.] It is under the planetary influence of Mars hot and dry of temperature, the flowers and seed of Spanish Broom,

the quantity of a dram, being drunk in mede, or honyed-water cause strong Vomiting, but without danger, the seed taken alone looseth the belly, and bringeth forth great plenty of watry and tough humors, out of the twigs, or little bran∣ches being steeped in water, is pressed forth a juice, which taken in quantity of a little glass full fasting, is good against the Squinancy, and also is good against the Sciatica.

Base-broom.

Name.] IT is called also in English Woodwoseen.

Descript.] This is not much unlike the common broom, saving that it is not so high nor so straight, but lieth along almost upon the ground, with many small branches, proceeding from a woody stem, and set with little long small leaves, and at the top with small fair yellow flowers not much unlike those of the Common Broom, but smaller, after them come narrow husks or Cods, wherein is a flat seed; the root is hard and of a woodish substance.

Place.] It groweth in untilled places that lye low, and is very fre∣quent in moist clay pasture grounds.

Time.] It flowers in July and August and sometimes after, and shortly after the seed is ripe.

Government and Virtues.] It is hot and dry of temperature, and un∣der the same planetary influence as the other Brooms; and is in na∣ture and operation like unto the common Broom but not so powerful; It is seldom suffered to grow while the seed is ripe in the Country, they gather it while it is in flower for the dyers, who dye clothes yel∣low with it.

Behen.

Names.] IT is also called Been-album, and Polemonium.

Descript.] Behen hath tender stalks, with joynts; the leaves are meetly broad, set two at every Joynt one against another, at the highest of the stalks grow white flowers, hanging down, and joyning one to another like a little nose-gay, after the flowers there cometh black seed inclosed in round huskes, the root is white plain and long.

Place.] Behen groweth upon mountains, and rough stony places, but is planted here in Gardens.

Time.] It flowers in June and July.

Government and Vertues.] It is dry in the second degree, a Satur∣nine plant, the root being drunk in wine, is good a∣gainst the bloudy Flux, and the bitings and stingings of Venemous beasts, the same drunk in water Provokes Urine, and helps the strangury, and pains in the huckle

bone. It is good to be taken with Vinegar, against the hard∣nesse and stoppings of the Spleen, and all pains thereof, be∣ing chewed in the mouth, it helpeth the Tooth-ach; the same being pounded and applied, cureth the stingings of Scorpions; and is reported to have so great Antepitheticall power against Scorpi∣ons, that whosoever doth but hold the same in his hand, cannot be stung by any Scorpion.

Black-bind-weed.

Name.] IT is also called With-wind.

Descript.] Black-bind-weed, hath smooth red branches ve∣ry small, like great threds, wherewithal it wrappeth and windeth it self about trees, hedges, staks, and all things it can lay hold upon; the leaves are like to Ivy, but smaller and tenderer, the flowers be white and very small, the seed is black tryangled or three square, small and black, growing thick together, every seed is encl••sed and covered with a little skin, the root is also small and tender as a thred.

Place.] It groweth in borders of Fields and Gardens; and about hedges and ditches, and amongst herbs.

Time.] It delivereth 'its seed in August and September, and after∣wards perisheth.

Government and Virtues.] Bind-weed is a plant of Mercury of a hot na∣ture, and of subtil parts, having power to dissolve, the juice of the leaves being drunk do loosen and open the belly, and being pounded, and laid to the grieved place, dissolveth, wasteth and consumeth hard swellings.

Rough bind-weed.

Names.] IT is also called prickly Bind-weed, and commonly known in shops by the name of Sarsa-parilla;

Descript.] Rough or prickly Bind-weed groweth with tender stalks, and branches, garnished or set round about, with many sharp prickles or thorns, winding it self about trees, hedges and bushes, like our English Bind-weed; taking hold with its clasping branches upon every thing stands near it; the leaves be something like those of our Ivy but longer, and sharper at the point, the flowers are white; and the fruit are red berries, when they be ripe clu∣stering like Grapes, the root is of a thick hard substance.

Place.] It groweth in the West-Indies, as in Peru and Virginia, de∣lighting in places that incline to moisture, and in low and shadowy Valleys, and is sometimes found in the Gardens of curious herba∣rists.

Time.] In its natural Country, it flowers in Spring and Autumn.

Government and Virtues.] It is hot and dry of temperature but of subtile and thin parts; under the influence of Mars; to which plant he flies for cure; after he hath been too much inflamed in his fiery assaults with Venus, the decoction of this plant is excellent for the French-pox; and is good in Rhumes, Gouts, and cold diseases of the head, and stomach, and expelleth Wind, from the Stomach and Mother: it helpeth also Catharrs, and salt distillations from the Head, it is good in Tumors and the Kings-Evill. A dram of the powder, with the like quantity of Tamarisk, being ta∣ken in Ale, or Wine, mollifies Tumors, and hardness of the Spleen.

It is so great an Antidote against Poyson, that it doth not serve on∣ly for Venome, received before hand, but also against all poyson, after that one hath taken hereof; so that whosoever taketh thereof daily, no Venome can hurt him; it is also reported of this plant, that if the juice thereof be given to a child newly born, no Poyson shall ever after hurt him.

Bombace-tree.

Name.] IT is also called the Cotton-Tree.

Descript.] This plant is but a shrub, or low-tree, which grow∣eth not very high; the leaves be broad with deep cuts, or slits somewhat like Vine leaves, but smaller; the flowers be yellow, and somwhat purple in the middle, jagged about the edges, the fruit is almost like unto Filberds, broad and flat, and full of fair white Cotton or Bombace; in which the seed lyeth hidden.

Place.] The Bombace, or Cotton-tree groweth in Egypt, Candy, Maltha, and the Indies, it is now very plentifully planted in the Island of Barbadoes.

Government and Vertues.] This plant is under the dominion of Venus; the seed whereof is of temperature moderatly hot and moist; and is very good against a Cough, and all cold diseases of the breast. It augmenteth natural strength, increasing the seed of Generation; and exciteth and stirreth up the desire to Venus sports.

Box-tree

Names.] IT hath been also called Palm-tree, because on Palm-sunday people use to dresse up Churches, and their houses ther∣with.

Descript.] It is so well known a description is needlesse.

Place.] It delighteth in hilly Grounds, as Boxwood in Surry can testifie, they usually plant it to make knots in Gardens.

Time.] It is planted in the beginning of November, it floureth in Fe∣bruary and March, and the seed is ripe in September or thereabouts.

Government and Vertues.] It is a Saturnine plant; the leaves are hot and dry▪ and astringent; It is not useful in any medicine, but rather hurtful, for box taken into the body doth not only hurt the head and brain; but the very smell thereof is hurtfull unto the brain, and causeth Head-ach.

Some writers do affirm, that the lye wherein boxen leaves have been steeped, make the hair yellow if the head be often washed there∣with.

Prickly-Box.

Names.] IT is called also Box-thorn, Asses-box, and Thorn-box.

Descript.] It is a tree not much unlike the other Box; the leaves be thick and somewhat round like boxen leaves, and amongst them grow sharp prickles, the flowers grow amongst the leaves, and after them, there cometh a black round seed, as big as a pepper corn, the roots are wood∣ish and spread much abroad.

Of the small branches and roots of this tree steeped in water and boyled, or of the pressing forth of the juice of the seed they make Licium, which for∣merly was in much use with Physitians.

Place.] The prickly Box-tree, groweth in Capadocia, Lybia, and in some parts of Italy, and Slavonia.

Government and Vertues.] Mercury governs it, the dryed Licium, is of subtil parts and astringent, it helpeth those who have the Lask and Bloudy-flux; as also those that spit Bloud or have a Cough.

It stoppeth the inordinat course of the flowers either taken inwardly, or applyed outwardly, it is good a∣gainst corrupt Ulcers, and running Scabs, running of the Eares, inflamation of the Gums, and against chops of the lips and fundament, being applied thereto.

It cleereth the sight and cureth scurvy festred sores of the eye lids, and corners of the Eyes.

Notes

• Poys ns, Vipers, Scorpions, Pe∣stilence, Spotted Feaver, Liver, Spleen, Head, Stomack, brain Memory, Fal∣ling-sickness Eyes, Eares, Coughs, Con∣sumption, Cold, Wind, Bowells Mother, Bar∣renness, Dead-birth, Whites Ʋrine, Stone, Gravel, Palsy, Cramp, Sinews Green, Worms,
• Tumors, Nodes, knots, Terms, Stone, cough, serpents, Spleen, Sides, Burstness, Cods, Dead-birth, Mother,
• Ʋrine, Milk, Belly, Melan∣choly, Sight.
• Vomiting
• Belly loosned.
• flux, Venemous, bitings, Ʋrine, Strangury.
• Spleen
• Tooth-ach
• Pox, Rhumes, Gouts, Stomach Catharrs Kings-Evill Spleen.
• Lask, Bloudy-flux Spitting-bloud Cough Ʋlcers▪ Gums, Lipps, Eyes