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 ...

About this Item

Title
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 ...
Author
Blagrave, Joseph, 1610-1682.
Publication
London :: Printed for Obadiah Blagrave ...,
1674.
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Subject terms
Botany, Medical -- Early works to 1800.
Materia medica -- Early works to 1800.
Cite this Item
"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 ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A28326.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 19, 2024.

Pages

Page 83

Galangall.

Names.] IT is called in Latine Cyperus.

Descript.] This plant hath long, hard and narrow leaves, the stalk is triangled about a foot and an half long, at the top where∣of grow little leaves, among which are spiky tops, and white seed, the root is long interlaced one within another, having many threds of a brown colour and sweet savor.

Place.] Galangall, as Dioscorides writeth, groweth in low and moist grounds, but is not common in this Country, but as it is planted in some Gardens.

Time.] This herb bringeth forth his spikey top and seed with leaves in June and July.

Government and Vertues.] It is a plant of Mars, the root is hot and dry in the thrid degree. The roots of Galangal, boyled and the de∣coction drunk provoketh Urine, bringeth down Womens Flowers, driveth forth the Stone, and is good for those who are troubled with the Dropsie: the same is also good against the Cough, the stingings of Scorpions, and bitings of Venemous beasts, being taken after the same manner: It is also good against the hardness of the Mother & reme∣dieth Stoppings, and coldness therof, if the Belly be bathed therewith; the same root made into powder closeth up, and healeth old running Sores of the Mouth and secret parts, (although they eat and wast the flesh,) if it be strow∣ed thereon, or laid thereupon with Wine. It is also a very good ingredient to be put into hot oyntments, and matu∣rative plaisters. Pliny saith, that the seeds of Galangal drunk with water stoppeth the Flux of the Belly, the overflowings or immoderat Flux of Womens Flowers, but if it be taken in too great quantity it causeth Head-ach.

Galbanum.

Names.] THe plant out of which the Gum Galbanum, cometh, is called by Pliny, Stagonitis.

Descript.] Galbanum is a gum, or liquor, drawn forth of a plant in Syria called Metopium: the best is gristly between hard and soft, very pure fat, close, and firm without any stalks and splinters of wood amongst it; sa∣ving a few seeds, of a strong savor, not too moist nor too dry.

Place.] The plant out of which Galbanum cometh doth grow upon the Mountain called Amanus in Syria.

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Government and Vertues.] Gum-Galbanum, is hot almost in the third degree and dry almost in the second, a plant of Jupiter. Galbanum is good against an old Cough, and for such as are Tissical or short-Winded, and cannot easily draw their Breath, but are subject to panting: it is very good for those that are bruised inwardly, and against Cramps and shrinking of Sinews: the same drunken with Wine and Myrrhe, is a very good coun∣ter-Poison against any Venome taken into the body, or shot received by poisoned Darts or Arrows, to be taken in the same manner: it provokes the Terms, and driveth forth the Dead-birth, it hath the same vertue if it be conveyed as a Peary into the secret Parts; or the fume thereof receiv∣ed up into the Matrix; and the quantity of a Nut thereof given in a glass of Wine helpeth the painful travail of Wo∣men and causeth easie Delivery: The perfume of Galba∣num, doth help Women that are troubled with rising, suffocation or Strangling of the Mother, and them that have the Falling-sickness; and being laid to the Navel it causeth the Matrix that is removed to settle in its proper place. Galbanum doh mollifie and soften, and draweth forth thores, Splinters, or slivers, and discusseth and disperseth cold humors; and is very good to be laid upon cold Tu∣mors and Swellings, and is a proper substitute in all oynt∣ments, oyles and plaisters, that have power or vertue, to warm, digest; and dissolve, to ripen and break Boyls and Imposthums, and to draw out Thorns and Splinters: It is good to be laid upon the side against pains thereof, and a∣gainst hardness and Stoppings of the Spleen; the same mixed with Nitre and Vinegar and applied, is very good to take away Spots and Freckles of the Face, or any scurff, or Morphew, or other discolourings of the skin: It is good to stop an hollow Tooth to take away Ake and pain of the same. It is also good to cleanse the Eares of corrupt filth, and running matter, being mixed with oyle of Roses and dropped therein.

There is likewise by the Antients a more than ordinary, yea, a mi∣raculous vertue ascribed to this Galbanum; as may be found amongst the stupendious wonders of Pliny, and the imaginary miracles of Mizaldus, Albertus Magnus, and many more; that is to say, that wheresoever this Gum is burned all manner of Serpents, noisome and Venemons Creatures, will presently fly away and dare not come with in the seent thereof; and that no Venemous Creature, whether it be a flying Insect, creeping Serpent, or Poisonous Beast whatsoever, that is any wayes inimical to mankind, have any power to hurt such as be a∣nointed with this Galbanum. And that those Venemous beasts or Ser∣pents,

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as be but touched with Galbanum, mingled with oyle, and the seed or root of Spondilium or Angelica, it will cause them presently to dye: The same is truly reported of the New-England and Virginia Snake-weed; that it will kill those Rattle-Snakes if touched therewith, or come within the scent of it: and it is probable that the Galbanum, in the Country where is groweth naturally, those parts being much subject to be infested with those Venemous Creatures, it may there work the same effects upon them.

Stock-Gillow-flowers.

Kinds and Names] THere are found two kinds of these Gillow-flo∣wers; the one is great and called the Castel or Stock-Gillow-flower, which may be kept both Winter and Summer, the other is not so big, and is called the small Stock-Gillow-flower; which must be sown newly every Spring and bringeth forth his flower and seed the same year, they are called Leucoion and Violae albae or white violets, because the leaves be white: but the leaves of the flo∣wers (for they be of divers colours) late writers do call them violae ma∣tronles, or Dames Violets.

Descript.] These two kinds of Gillow-flowers are not much unlike Wall-flowers, but that their leaves are whiter and softer.

The great Castel or Stock-Gillow-flower his leaves be hard and straight, at the height of two or three foot, with long, narrow, and soft leaves like Molleyn; far greater, longer and larger then the leaves of Wall-flowers or Yellow-Gillow-flowers, the flowers be of a fragrant or pleasant smell, much like to those of Harts-ease or Wall-flowers, but much larger, of colour sometimes white, and sometimes Ash-clour, Carnation, and sometimes in∣clining to Scarlet and sometimes purple or violet colour, after which flowers, there come long husks or Cods, wherein the seed is contained being flat and large.

The small Stock-Gillow-flower, is like to the great in his stalks, and whitish, woolly, soft leaves, also in the sweet smell and fragrant savor of his flowers, in the diversity of colours in his Cods, and seed, saving that it is smaller in all respects, not exceeding the length of a mans foot in height; and perisheth every year, after his seed is ripe.

Place.] These kinds of Gillow-flowers, are sown and planted in Gardens in this Country; they are hardly sound els-where.

Time.] The great Castel Gillow-flower, floureth in March and Aprill, the second year after it is sown; but the smaller Stock-Gillow-flower, yeeldeth its flowers in July and August the same year in which it is first sown.

Government and Virtues.] The Stock-Gillow-flowers are of tempera∣ture hot and dry, and of nature somewhat like unto the Yellow-Gil∣low-flowers

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or Wall-flowers; they are plants of Mercury. The flo∣wer of the Stock-Gillow-flower boyled in wa∣ter and drunk is good against difficulty of brea∣thing, and the Cough; these flowers do like∣wise drive down Womens Courses, and pro∣voke Urine, and a bath made of the decoction thereof doth cause Sweat, if one sit over it.

The Wall, or Yellow-Gillow-flower.

Names.] THe Yellow-Gillow-flower is reputed amongst the kinds of Violets. It is a little shrub or bush, and is called in Latine Leucoia Lutea, and by the Apothecaries Keyri, in English Yellow-Gillow-flowers and Wall-Gillow-flowers.

Descript.] The Yellow-Wall-Gillow-flower is a little shrub, that is green both Winter and Summer; the stalks thereof are hard, and of a woody sub∣stance, and full of branches, the leaves are thick set thereupon, long, narrow, and green, at the tops of the stalk do grow the flowers, which are of a very fair, yellow colour, a strong, but pleasant smell, every flower divided into four small leaves; after the flowers are fallen away there succeed long Cods or husks wherein is contained, large, flat and yellow-seed.

Place.] The Yellow-Gillow-flower plentifully groweth upon the old ruined Stones of the walls of Monasteries, Castles, and such old buildings: it is likewise very frequently planted in Gardens, where it usually grows very full set with double flowers, but those which grow naturally upon the old walls have onely single flowers.

Time.] The Yellow-Gillow-flower usually flowers in March, April, and May.

Government and Vertues.] The Yellow Violets or Wall-Gillow-flowers are hot and dry plants of the Sun, whose influence they are subject unto, and are of subtill parts. Wall-flowers dryed and boyled in water provoke Urine, and drive down Womens Terms, it helpeth the Scirrhus, or hard Imposthumes of the Matrix, when the same is fomented therewith, a plaister made of the same flowers with oyle and Wax, do heal chops of the Fundament, and falling down thereof, and closeth up old Sores, the same flour mingled with hony cureth Ulcers and Sores of the Mouth; two drams of the seed hereof drunk in Wine, driveth down the Terms, Secondine and Dead child: a pessary made of the same and put up into the Matrix worketh the same effects; the juice of this Gillow-flower dropped into the Eyes, taketh away Spots and dimness of the same; and the root, stamp∣ed with Vinegar & applied to the Spleen helpeth the hardness therof.

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The Gall-Oake.

Descript.] THe strong or Gall-Oak, so called because it beareth Gauls, groweth not so great or high as other Oaks, but shorter and more crooked with fair spreading branches and long leaves very much cut in on the edges and hoary underneath; this tree also floureth and beareth Acorns, and besides those it beareth also a round woody substance, which is called a Gaul, the wood or Timber hereof is hardly to be bored; of this kind there be divers sorts some growing much lower then others, some having their leaves lesse cut in, or jagged on the edge, & some bearing more store of Gauls; and others no Acorns at all: some bear great Gauls, others smaller, some knobbed or bunched, others smooth: and of colour some white-some red, others yellow, and some small and green which is the Omphacitis.

Place.] These Oaks grow frequently in Italy, Spain, and other hot Countries.

Time.] They put forth their long Catkins or bloomings early in the Spring, which fall away for the most part, before the leaves do come forth; the Acorns are not ripe until October.

Government and Vertues.] My intention here is to declare the tem∣perament use and virtues of the Gauls of these forreign trees; their Acorns, being like those of our English Oaks.

The small Gaul called Omphacitis, is dry in the third de∣gree, and cold in the second; Saturnine, of a soure, harsh nature: it it fit to draw together and fasten faint and loose parts, as the overgrowing of the flesh: it expelleth and drieth up rheums and other fluxes; especially those that fall upon the Gums, Almonds of the Throat and other places of the Mouth.

The other whiter Gaul doth also bind and dry but not so much as the former; having a lesser quantity of sower harshness in it, and is good against the dysentery or bloody Flux.

The decoction of them in water is of a mean astriction; but in Wine is stronger, and in harsh or red Wine strong∣est; this decoction being warm is good for Women to sit in that are troubled with the falling down of the Mother; the Gauls themselvs after the boyling being bruised and ap∣plied to the Fundament that is fallen down, or hath any hot Swelling or inflamation doth wonderfully help them, the coals of them when they are burned and quenched in Wine or Vinegar is good to be applied to stanch bleeding in any place.

They dye the hairs black, and with them is made our writing Ink, and they are used by dyers for a black dye.

Page 88

The Oak-Apple is much of the nature of the Gaul yet much inferior thereunto, but may be used (for want of Gauls) for Rheums fluxes and other such distempers.

Sweet Gaul.

Names.] IT is called also Sweet, Willow, Rhus Silvestris in Latine, and Myrtus Anglica, English Myrtle.

Descript.] It is a small low shrub, or woody bush not above a yard in height, having spreading slender branches, with many brown, yellowish, green leaves, somewhat long, narrow, thick and fattish; round-pointed, re∣sembling both box, and Myrtle-leaves in some sort, having a strong sweet smell: the flowers are yellow and stand upon short stalks, coming forth at the joints with the leaves in small tufts, many set together; which being past, the said stalks are plentifully stored with cornered yellow seeds, bedewed with a clammy moisture, of a very bitter tast, but a strong sweet sent; the root is hard and woody.

Place.] It groweth in boggy, moorish grounds, in lower Danmoore at Hailshot in Hampshire, and at Bramsil, in a boggy Moore of William Turners, which they call Gold-Moore.

Time.] It blossomes about August, and the seed is ripe in September, or thereabouts.

Government and Vertues.] Saturn ownes this plant; the nature of it is by the bitterness and harshness found to be drying, and dicussing, and is very effectual to kill Worms, in the Belly or Stomach. It mightily affecteth the Brain, causing first, perturbations, and then stupifying the senses: It is much used to be laid in Wardrobes, Chests, Presses; and the like, to keep Moths from Cloaths, and to give them a good scent.

Ginger.

Names, Description, and Place.] THe Latine appelltion is Zinbiber; Ginger groweth in all Countries of the East Indies, and many parts of the West as in Baradoes. It is planted either by the root or sown of seed: we have two sorts of Ginger brought unto us, differing in the substnce and colour of the roots, but not in the form, sa∣ving that the one is more slender which is the blacker, than the white; for the one is white within and cutteth soft, which is the Ginger which is wholly sed with us both in Meats and Medicins; the other is hard and al∣most woody, and cutteth blackish within, so that it may be very probable that the one sort with the soft white root, hath flag-like-leaves, and seed

Page 89

also like Iris. The other root which is more slender and black, yet of the same fashion may be that which beareth seed like leaves described by Lo∣bel: rather to be preserved than for ordinary use with us, but both sorts are preserved best while they are fresh and green, and the black sort aswel also after it is dryed, by steeping it, and then boyling it to make it tender; but the white sort will not so well serve to be preserved or candied after it is dry∣ed, but is best being preserved green.

Government and Vertues.] Ginger is a Solar plant: it is of excellent use to warm a cold Stomack, to help Digestion, and to dissolve Wind both in the Stomack and Bowels; the Indians eat it in Sallads while it is fresh, the root being sliced and put a∣mong the herbes; and it helpeth to mollifie and loosen the Belly, while it is moist, much of the heat which it hath be∣ing dry, being abated by the moisture; the Candied or Green-ginger is most comfortable to the Stomack, and is profitable for all the pur∣poses aforesaid.

Guiacum.

Names.] IT is also called Lignum Sanctum; Lignum-vitae, and Lignum Indicum.

Descript.] The Guiacum, that groweth in some parts of the Indies, is better than in others, yet the wood of all is hard firm, close and heavy, so that it will sink in water more than Ebony, and not swim: it is of an hot sharp, and resinous tast, somewhat burning in the Throat; the blacker or browner is better then the yellow, being in a manner all heart: the yellow being as it were but the sap. The tree groweth great, with a reasonable thick greenish, gummy bark, the tree is also spread with sundry Armes and branches great and small, and on them winged leaves set by couples one a∣gainst another, which are small, thick, hard and almost round with divers veines in them; and continue always green: at the joints and ends of the branches come forth many flowers standing in a tuft together every one on a long footstalk consisting of six small whitish yellow leaves with some threds in the middle, which turn into flat yellowish gristly fruit of the fashion of the seed Vessel of Shepherds purse; it yeeldeth forth also a gum, or Rozen, of a dark colour which will easily burn.

Government and Virtues.] Mars ownes this tree: boh the wood, bark, and gum, are hot and dry, and are used for all cold flegmarick and windy humors, and are effectual against the Epilepsie, Falling-s ck∣ness, Catharrhs, Rheums, and cold distillations on the Lungs, or other parts, Coghs and Consumptions, the Gout and all Joint-aches, and many other like diseases, and to make the Teeth white and firm, if they be often washed with the decoction

Page 90

thereof; but most particularly it is appropriated to the cure of the French-pox by drinking the decoction of the wood and bark, which by reason of its heat and dryness is somewhat rough in the Throat; it may be mollified by adding Licoris and other proper qualifications.

There may an extract be made thereof which is not unpleasant to take, and most effectual for the French-Pox; which is made in this manner.

Extractum Ligni Guiaci, pro mor∣bo Gallico.

Take of the chips of Guiacum one ounce, bark of the same half an ounce: let them stand in digestion in Spirit of Wine 15 days, sepa∣rating it so often until all the strength thereof be extracted; then eva∣porate the Spirit by distillation, untill it come to the consistence of hony, then take this matter while it is hot and cast it into an earthen pan, wherein is cold water, and it will forthwith coagulate into a sub∣stance, like Pitch or Aloes.

This may be formed into pills of the bigness of Pease, whereof may given two or three: it is a most excellent Sudorifick, and Bezo artick remedy, which will so mundifie, and cleanse the body and whole Mass of blood, as that it will suffer no corruption to abide therein: it doth wonderfully provoke Sweat and Urine, and takes down the great Bellies and Swelling legs of hydropick bodies.

The dose is from two pills to three, or at the most in strong bodies to four, drinking after it some water of Carduus Benedictus.

The ordinary diet drink for the French Disease, is thus prepa∣red.

Take of Guiacum four ounces, of the bark thereof one ounce and an half, Sarsa-parilla eight ounces, Sassafras one ounce, China-root sliced three ounces; let them stand in infusion hot in Spring water three gal∣lons, by the space of 24 hours, adding towards the end, Raisins of the Sun stoned, half a pound, Harts-horn and shavings of Ivory, of each one ounce, fine Cinnamon one ounce and an half, Coriander-seeds prepared one ounce, strain it and let the patient drink it for an ordina∣ry drink forbearing all other.

Although this be appropriated chiefly to the cure of the French-Pox, yet it is effectual and profitable to be used for the Scurvy, Dropsie, Jaundies, Gout, Leprosie, old putrified Agues and Feavers, and indeed all Chronick diseases.

An excellent purging Ale may also be here with made, effectual not onely for all the purposes before mentioned, but for Coughs, Con∣sumptions, shortness of Breath, Tissicks: it restores natural heat, helps the Memory, quickens the senses, helps Cramps and Palsies, stiches and

Page 91

pains that come of Wind; and is good to prevent Miscarriages, and o∣pens obstructions of the Liver, Reins and Bladder: It is thus made.

Take Guiacum 6 ounces; bark of the same, one ounce and an half, Sarsaparilla half a pound, China-root and Sassafras, each two ounces, Lignum Aloes, Coriander-seed, Annise, and sweet Fennel-seeds of each three ounces, Citron peeles two ounces, leaves of Colts-foot, Ceterach, Maiden-hair, Sage, Rue, Harts-tongue, Scabious, Egremony, each one handful, Sena, and Carthamum-seeds, each 6 ounces; Rhubarb, Hermodactils each four ounces, Liquorice three ounces; infuse all in 8 gallons of Ale; and let it work together, adding of the juice of Gar∣den-Scurvy-grasse, Water-Cresses, and Brook-lime each a pint, with two Orenges sliced: after it is three daies old, drink it, a pint in the morning and asmuch at four a Clock in the Afternoon.

Gum Arabick.

Names, Descript.] THis Gum cometh forth of a tree called Acacia seu Spina Aegyptia vera, the true Acacia Aegyptian thorn, or Binding-bean-tree, which yeeldeth of its own accord a bright Gum, in small curled peeces, and greater round peeces if it be wounded, which is called Gummi Arabicum, and Gum Arabick, which being broken is clear, pure, white and transparent: some are very long and large peeces, and cleer and transparent but reddish; this gum will dissolve of it self in waters and serveth as a glew to stiffen, bind, and fasten things: it di∣stilleth and droppeth out of the tree in bigger, or lesser peeces, as either issu∣ing forth, or helped by slitting the bark and giving it way.

Place and Time.] This tree groweth in Arabia in many places, and in Aegypt, and floureth and beareth fruit twice a year, and hath alwayes green leaves.

Government and Vertues.] It is Saturnine: the gum hath a thickning condensing and cooling property, and is very effectual to represse and cool the heat and sharpness of humors, and to bind or close up the o∣pen passages of the skin, and keeping the places from blistering that are burnt with fire, being dissolved with the white of an Egg and ap∣plied. It is also very serviceable for Limners, Dyers, to make the best writing Ink, and many other external uses.

Page 92

Gum Tragacanth.

Names and Descript.] THe tree hereof is called Goats-thorn, which is a small bushy plant, rising up with many tough pliant or flexible woody stems, about two foot high, divided into many slen∣der branches covered with a white hoariness; with divers long white thorns, in a double row, among which rise up many small, long and round leaves, which abide always green: there grow flowers at the tops of the branches and amongst the leaves, of a pale yellow colour, which turn into small white cods, containing in them, small, whitish cornered seed: the root is great and long, much spreading in the ground; which being cut or broken yeeldeth a pure white shining Gum, in small crooked peeces, of a sweet tast.

Place.] All sorts of these trees are found in Candia, and about Mar∣selles, and Mompelier.

Time.] In the places where they naturally grow they flower and seed in the beginning of Autumne.

Government and Vertues.] There is no physical use known of either the leaves, flowers, seeds or roots of Tragacantha, but onely of the gum it self, which partaketh of the influence of Venus: it is of a tem∣perate property, and besides the medicinal uses thereof, it serveth for many external purposes, as a starch or glew, for which young Ladies use it to make their Artificial flowers and other gum-works.

This gum being dissolved is often used to be mixed with pectoral syrrups, honey or juice of Liquorice, to help the Cough or Hoarseness in the Throat, salt and sharp distillations of Rhume upon the Lungs, being taken as an Electuary, or put under the tongue, so to go gently down: he said gum di••••olved in sweet Wine, a dram at a time and drunk, is pofitable for the knawing pains in the Bowells, and the sharpness of Urine, and frettings either in the Reins or Bladder; especially if it be mixed with some burnt Harts-horn: the said Gum is also good for the Eye sight, being used alone or mixed with other things proper for the same purpose, to allay the heat, and sharpness of hot Rhumes; the said gum, mingled with milk taketh away white spots growing in the black of the Eyes, and the Itching of the Eyes, and Wheals, or scabs upon the Eye-lids; and being mixed with the juice of Quinces, and used in a glister, is good against the Bloody-flux, and is generally used where there is cause of making smooth, the Lungs, breast or Throat, or the wind-pipe, being grown sharp or harsh by Rhumes, and is excellent to represse and dry up sharp and thin matter, and is excellent for Ulcers in any of the parts before-named.

Page 93

Gum Elemni.

Description and Vertues.] WHat tree this gum is taken from, we have no certain description; it is a yellowish gum, cleer and transparent, which being broken sheweth more white and gummi within, it will easily take fire, and is of a quick scent and tast. The properties of it are these; It is of excellent use for all wounds and fractures of the Head and skull, to be mixed with Balsomes and Oynt∣ments for that purpose, and is good for the Tooth-ach when Rhumes fall into them to be applied unto the Temples as Mastick.

Gum Tacamahacca.

THis Gum is reported to be gathered from a tree like unto Poplar, being very sweet having a red fruit or berry like unto a Peony.

Government and Vertues.] Mercury rules it: the gum is good for many external uses, but not being known to be given inwardly: it is useful for Women, to retain the mother in its place, by laying a plaister thereof upon the Navel, and putting a little Musk, Amber, or a little Civet in the middle of the plaister.

This gum being applied as a plaister spread upon leather, to the side or Spleen, that is grown hard and Windy, disperseth the Wind, and dissolveth the Tu∣mors, and is effectual in all Tumors, and pains of the body, or Joints, which come from cold raw, and Win∣dy humors, applied thereon.

Take of this gum, with a third part of Sorax, a little Ambergreese, and some Wax, and make a plaister thereof, and apply it to the Stomack, doth much strengthen the weakness thereof, and digestion, provokes appetite, and breaks Wind: it is good in the Headach, and to strengthen the Brain and Memory, as also in all defluxions from the Head, into the Face, Eares, or Teeth; to be applied to the Temples, or to be put into the Ear tyed in a little fine silk or Cloth: it is good also for pains in the joints, Gout and Sciatica, it speedily helpeth Punctures, and Wounds in the joints; it is hot almost in the third degree, and dry in the second, with much astriction.

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