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. CXXXVII. Of Cinamon.

The Names.

IT is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine likewise Cinnamomum, and Cina∣momum, as also Canella and Cassia, in English Cinamon Canel and Cassia▪ Garcias saith that the name of Cinamomum was given by those o•• Ormus, that bought it of the Chineses, as though it were Ch••na Amomum then which Scaliger in his notes on him, saith▪ Nothing could be more unfit••y or foolishly spoken; for China is but the corrupt pronuntiation of the Portugalls for Sina, and what affinity (saith he) hath Amomum with Cassia Cinamomum being so anci∣ent a word, that we find it in sundry ••laces of the Bib••e as Exod. 30. 23 Proverbs 7. 17. and Cantic. 4. 14. Yet some are of Opinion, that Scaliger is too quick and self-conceited, and that Garcias his sayings may hold good.

The Kinds.

The great distance between Us, and those places where the Cinamon groweth, hath not suffered any of our rare observers of Simples, to continue so long in those parts, as to give Us perfect satisfaction concerning the Sorts of it▪ so that there is a great Dispu••e whether Cinamon, Canell and Cassia, be distinct things, ••r the same, Gerard is of Opinion, that Canel, and Cinamon are the same, and th••••

Cassia lignea is a Bastard kind thereof, being very like in shew, but in sweetness, and other circumstances belonging to Cinamon, f••r inferior.

The Forme.

The Tree which hath the Cinamon for his Bark, hath a Body about the thi••k∣nesse of a Mans Thigh; but that which is taken from the smaller Branches, is much better then that which is taken from the Body, which Branches or Boughs are many, and very straight, whereon do grow beautiful leaves, in shape like those of the Orange-Tree, and of the colour of the Bay-leaf, (not as it hath been reported) like unto the leaves of Flags, or Flower▪ 〈…〉〈…〉uce: amongst these plea∣sant leaves and branches, come for••h many fair white Flowers, which turn into round or black fruit or Berries, of the bigness of an Hazel-Nut, or the Olive-Ber∣ry, and of a black colour: out of which, is pressed an Oyl, having no smell, till it be chafed between the hands: It is covered with a double Bark, the innermost whereof, is the true and pleasant Cinamon, which is taken from the Tree, and cast upon the ground in the heat of the Sun, which maketh it turn and fold it self round together, as may be perceived upon view thereof. The Tree being thus peeled, recovereth a new Bark in the space of three years, and is then ready to be disbarqued as before. That Cinamon which hath a pale colour, hath not been well dryed in the Sun; that of a fair brown colour is best; and that which is blackish, hath been too much dryed, and also hath taken some wet in the time of drying.

The Places and Time.

The chiefest places where the Cinamon-tree groweth, are Zo••lan, and Malavar; but those of Zeilan are the best, they grow in other of the Moluccaes Islands, as Java the greater and the lesse, and also in Mindanoa, for the most part upon Mountains. It groweth green Winter and Summer, as do all other Trees of the Moluccaes, and East-Indies for the most part: The Bark is taken off, at seasona∣ble times, and not without express Licence from the King of the Country.

The Temperature.

Cinamon is hot and dry in the third Degree, or hot in the third Degree, and dry in the second. Cassia lig••ea is hot and dry in the third degree. The first is of subtill parts, and very Aromaticall.

The Vertues.

The distilled water of Cinamon, comforteth the heart, and vitall parts, corro∣borateth and strengtheneth the Stomach, Brain, Nerves, and other cold parts of the Body: it easeth the pains of the Wind-Cholick, provokes the Courses and U∣rine, hasteneth the Birth: it preventeth and correcteth putrefaction of humours, resisteth poyson, stayeth vomiting, and helpeth nauseousness of the Stomach: It is frequently used in Cardiack passions, or passions of the heart, fainting of the Spirits, and in trembling of the heart: It causeth sweetness of breath, and brings a good colour in the face: it strengtheneth the retentive faculty of all the parts, by drying up, and consuming the moysture thereof. It is used in the Dropsie, and Cough proceeding of moysture. In brief, it avails in all cold Diseases of the Head, Stomack, and Womb, and is most convenient for cold and moyst Bodies, and is much used in Lasks, or loosness of the Body, to ease the pains and frettings of the ••uts and Intralls. The Oyl drawn Chymically, prevaileth against the pains of

the Breast, comforteth the Stomack, causeth good digestion, and being mixed with some Honey, taketh away spots from the face, being anointed therewith. Cassia Lig••ea comforteth the Stomack, Liver, and all the principall parts, open∣eth Obstructions or stoppings, di••pe••seth grosse humours, repelleth wind, pro∣vokes Urine, and VVomens Courses, and doth much faci••itate, or has••en the Birth. Being cast on Coals, and the smoke taken at the Nose, dryeth up Rheums and Catarrhs, that proceed from co••d and moyst humours. Also a sustumigation thereof, helpeth the pain of the VVomb, and the stoppings thereof. Being mixed with Honey, and applyed it dissolveth swellings and hard tumours A decoction hereof with VVhite-wine and Rose-water, is commended against the ••••inking of the Arm-holes, if the pla••e be bathed therewith; and the same is good to wash sore mouths and Gums. Both this and Cin••mon are more useful in VVinter, then in Summer.