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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.