Adam in Eden, or, Natures paradise the history of plants, fruits, herbs and flowers with their several names ... the places where they grow, their descriptions and kinds, their times of flourishing and decreasing as also their several signatures, anatomical appropriations and particular physical vertues together with necessary observations on the seasons of planting and gathering of our English simples with directions how to preserve them in their compositions or otherwise : ... there is annexed a Latin and English table of the several names of simples, with another more particular table of the diseases and their cures ... / by William Coles ...

CHAP. CXX. Of Borage.

The Names.

IT is called by the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Euphrosyne ab efficienda animi volupta•••• from causing mirth. Apul••••us said, that Buglossum (meaning our Bo∣rage was called by them of Luca, Corrag••, quod cordis affectibus medetur, be∣cause it is very Cordiall, which by the alteration of one letter is Borrage, and from thence as is supposed came the name Borrage, which is not found in a∣ny of the ancient Writers, whom I can perceive to make little or no difference between it and Buglosse, but rather that it is the same that was formerly so call∣ed, yet we have them growing in distinct formes in our Gardens.

The Kinds.

And of Borage commonly so called, I find five sorts; 1. Garden Borage with blew Flowers; 2. Garden Borage with white Flowers; 3. Everlasting Borage; 4. Small creeping Borage; 5. Small wild Borage.

The Forme.

And because the first Garden Borrage, is so well known, I shall describe the Everlasting Borage, which hath very many broad Leaves, rough and hairy, of a black darke green colour, amongst which rise up stiffe hairy stalkes, whereupon do grow faire blew Flowers, ripe seed, and buds for new Flowers all at once, whereupon it is called Everlasting, and that very properly, because it lasteth both Summer and Winter, and is seldom without Flowers, buds, ripe or unripe seed, whereby it greatly increaseth. The roote is very durable.

The Places and Time.

The first groweth in most Gardens, and there increaseth very much after it is once sown, the second and third are not so common, yet found in divers Gardens of those that affect rarities; the last in Germany, as Lobel saith: and in Naples, as Columna saith; and in Kent, if Mr. Parkinson mistake not. The fourth came to us out of the Low-Countrys, and prospereth well in the Physick-Garden at Oxfora; they do all Flour in the moneths of June and July; except the Creeping Borage, which Lobel saith flow••eth both in the Spring and in August, and their seed doth ripen quickly after; both ripe seed & Flowers, may at one time be gathered from many of them.

The Temperature.

The Garden kinds are temperate, and accounted rather hot, and moist in the first degree then cold, and yet for their cordiall properties, are often used amongst other cold herbs, as conducing to the like effect.

The Vertues.

The Leaves, Flowers, and Seeds of Borage, all, or either of them are very Cor∣diall, and helpe to expell sadnesse and melancholy, arising without manifest

cause, whereof came the saying Ego Borrago gaud a semper ago: I Bo rage bring all∣waies Courage. It helpeth also to clarify the blood, is to very good purpose, used in all putrid or Pestilentiall Feavers to de end the Heart, and to help to re••st and expell the poyson, or the venome of other Creatures. The juice made into a Syrup, prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid, and is also put with other cooling, opening, and clensing herbs to open obstructions, and to help the yellow Jaundise, to coole and clense the blood, and temper the heate and sharpnesse thereof, especially with Fumitory, and thereby to helpe the Itch, Ring-wormes or Tetters, or other spreading Scabs or Sores, that arise from adust and sharp hu∣mors, and for that purpose is put into the Syrupus Byzantinus which worketh to the same effect. The Conserve made of the Flowers, or the Flowers candyed are helping also in those causes, but are chiefely used as a Cordiall, and good for those that have been long sick or in a Consumption, to comfort the Heart and Spirits, and is thereby good for those that are troubled with often swouning or passions of the Heart. The distilled Water, is no lesse effectuall to all the pur∣poses aforesaid, and the eyes washed therewith helpeth the rednesse or inflamati∣on of them. The dryed Herb is almost uselesse, yet the Ashes thereof boiled in Meade or Honyed water is available against Inflammations & Ulcers in the mouth or Throat, to wash and gargle it therewith. The green Leaves and stalkes with the Flowers on them are frequently used in the summer-time to be put in Wine or Beere; for the comforting the Heart, and giving a better rellish thereunto. Syrup made of the Juice of Borage and Sugar, having some of the powder of the Heart-bone or a Hart put into it, is good against swouning, the Cardiack passion of the Heart, against melancholly, and the falling sicknesse. The wild Borage is, somwhat hotter and dryer, and is very neere the property of Vipers Buglosse, which differeth little from what hath been already said of Borage, as you shall heare hereafter.