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. CXXI. Of Violets.

The Names.

THe Garden Violet is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Viola purpurea by Dio∣scorides, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Viola nigra, and Melanion by The∣ophrastus. Some would have the name to come from Io, whom Jove transformed into a Cow, because she fed on them, cheifly; Others from certain Nymphes of Jonia, who first gave of the Flowers to Jupiter, for a presen•••• others think it to be derived 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quasi••re, aut primum prorumpere: veris enim praevia, est Viola; because it is one of the first herbs that flowreth. The Latines call it Viola Martia, and Herba Violaria▪ Hearts••ease, which is also a kind of Violet, is called in English Pansyes, as also Love in idlenesse, Call me to you, and, Three faces under a hood: in Latine, Viola Tricolor, &c: of the three colours therein.

The Kinds.

There are many sorts of Violets; 1. Single purple Violets; 2. Single white Violets; 3. Double purple Violets; 4. Double white Violets. 5. Upright Violets. 6. Smal narrow Leafed Violets. 7. Mountaine Violets with jag∣ged Leaves. 8. Yellow Violets of Virginia. 9. Yorkeshire striped red Vio∣lets. 10. Wild Violets. 11. Garden Pansyes. 12. Wild Pansyes or Hearts∣ease.

The Forme.

The description of the ordinary Garden Violets being needlesse, I shall set down that of the upright Violet which groweth a foot-high or neere upon, with hard upright stalkes which yet bend down againe their tops, having two Leaves somwhat round, set at each joynt; but longer and more dented about the edges then the Garden kinds, at which joynts with the Leaves, on both sides of the stalkes commeth forth a larger Flower, and more spread open then it, being more like a Pansye; but of a pale purplish colour, almost as sweet as the Violet as Matthiolus, but without scent as Lobel saith.

The Names.

The four first sorts are usuall in Gardens, the fift was found upon Mount Bal∣dus as also upon the Vaganean hills in Narbone, the sixth was found in Spaine by Boel, The Seaventh in Itady by Dr. Mera, The Eight came from Virginia, The Ninth from Yorkeshire, The Tenth grows under Hedges and Bushes almost every where; the last in the Corne fields and in such as ly Ley, and in the borders of o∣ther fields. The Violets Flower in February and March; and after them the Pansies till the end of July.

The Temperature.

The Garden Violets, and so likewise the Wild kinds are cold and moist whil'st they are fresh and green.

The Vertues.

The Flowers of Ʋiolets as well as those of Borage are reckoned to be cheife Cordiall Flowers, and are much used in Cordiall drinks, powders and other Me∣dicines especially where cooling Cordialls as Roses and Saunders are used. They are used to coole any heate or distemperature of the Body either inwardly or out∣wardly in the Inflammation of the Eyes, in the Womb and Fundament when they are fallen down, and are full of paine, Imposthums also, and hot Swellings, to drinke the decoction of the Leaves of Flowers made with Water or Wine or to apply them pultis wise to the place that is grieved; It likewise easeth paines in the Head, which are caused through want of sleep. A dram of the dryed Leaves of the Flowers of Violets doth purge the body of Cholericke humors and asswageth the heat, being taken in a draught of Wine or other drink. The pou∣der of the Leaves of the purple Flowers only pickt and dryed and drunk in pow∣der with Water, is said to help the Quinsie and the Falling sicknesse in Children especially in the beginning of the Disease. The Flowers of the white Violets ripen and dissolve Swellings: The seed being taken resisteth the poyson of the Scorpion. The Herb or Flowers whil'st they are fresh, or the Flowers when they are dry, are effectuall in the Pleurisy and all other diseases of the Lungs, to lenify the sharpnesse of hot Rheums, and the hoarsenesse of the Throat, the heat also of the Urine, and the sharpnesse thereof, and all paines of the back or reines or bladder, They are good also for the Liver and the Jaundise, and in all hot Agues, helping to coole the heat and quench thirst: But the Syrup of Vi∣olets is of most use and of better effect, being taken in some convenient Liquor, and if a little of the Juice, or Syrup of Lemons be put to it, or a few drops of the Oyle of Ʋitriall, it is made thereby the more powerfull to coole the heat, and to quench the thirst, and, besides the effect, giveth to the drink both a Claret Wine colour, and a pleasant tast, Violets taken or made up with honey do more clense then coole, and with Sugar contrarywise.

The Leaves of Violets are used in cooling Plaisters, Oyls, Cataplasms, or Pulti∣ses, and are of great efficacy among other Herbs, as Mercury, Mallowes, &c. to be put in Clysters.