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. CXLVIII. Of Worm-wood.

The Names.

I It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quasi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 impotabile ob amaritudinem, or ingustabile because Cattle will not ••••••d upon it. Dioscorides calleth it also, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, à profundo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from its extreame bitternesse, whereby it killeth Wormes, and therefore is called in English Wornie-wood in Latine it is called Absinthium.

The Kind••.

There are but three sorts hereof mentioned by ancient Writers, viz. Absin∣thium Ponticum. 2. Seryphium. 3. Santonicum: yet now I find fifteene. 1. Common Worm-wood. 2. True Roman Worm-wood. 3. Common Roman Worm-wood. 4. Five leafed Worm-wood of Austria. 5. Unsavory Worm∣wood. 6. White tufted Worm-wood. 7. White tufted Worm-wood with fine Leaves. 8. The Vasle sians white herb or Worm-wood. 9. Hoary Moun∣taine Worm-wood. 10. English Sea Worm-wood. 11. French Sea Worm∣wood: 12. German Sea Worm-wood. 13. Lavender leafed, Sea Worm-wood. 14. Egyptian Worm-wood. 15. Worm-seed Worm-wood, or Levant Worm∣wood.

The Forme.

Seeing that the Forme of Common Worm-wood, is well known, I shall give you the description of the true Roman kind: It hath more slender and shorter stalkes then the Common sort, and reasonable large Leaves, yet smaller and more finely cut in, and divided then it, but as white and hoary, both in the Leaves and Stalks: The Flowers also are of a pale yellow colour standing upon the small Branches in the same manner; and but that, it is smaller in each part it is altogether like it; the roots likewise are smaller, lesse woody, and fuller of fibres: The smell thereof is somewhat Aromatically sweet; and the bitternesse is not so loathsome to taste as that of the former.

The Places and Times.

The first groweth wild in divers Countryes especially in England; The second groweth naturally on divers high Mountaines in Italy and Germany, whence it is brought into their Gardens, and into some of ours by them that love rare Plants. The third groweth in Hungaria, and Austria, but it is to be found now, in divers of our Gardens. The fourth is found only in Austria. The fift is kept

in Gardens as a ratity, its Originall being unknown; The sixth groweth on the Mountaines of Austria and Stiria, and on the Mountaines thereabouts; The seventh on Mount Baldus, and on Serva one of the Belluni Mountaines; The eighth and ninth on the hills among the Valle••••ans; The tenth on the seacoasts in divers places of this land, as also of the Low Countries; The eleaventh neere the Sea at Marselles and by Venice also, The Twelvth in Misnia in Germany, The thirteenth about the Coasts of the Venetian Gulfe, as also in the Iland of Sio. The fourteenth is said to grow in Egypt, but Pena and Lobel doubt thereof. Ranwol∣fi••s saith, he saw the last growing about Bethlehem in the Land of Jury. It grow∣eth also in other p••aces of Syria and Arabia, whence it hath been brought and made for a while to grow in these parts. They do for the most part Flower in August, saving the two last, which coming out of warme Countryes are later then the rest with us.

The Temperature.

Common Worm-word is hot in the second degree, and dry in the third, and though it be bitter, and cleansing, yet it is binding and strengthning, and as effectuall, if not more, then any of the other.

The Vertues.

Whether Wormwood be taken in powder, in decoction, or the juyce by it selfe or the infusion in Wine, it draweth from the tunicles of the Stomach, and In∣testines, first Choler, then Phlegme, and also doth strengthen the Stomack. like Alees. It purgeth Choler, likewise from the Reines, and Liver, and that by Ʋrine, It doth much prevaile in the Green-sicknesse, Jaundise, and Dropsy, and helpeth such as have obstructed Stomacks, and Livers, the Cholick, and gripings in the bel∣ly. It cleanseth the Womb and uterine parts, helpeth Crudities, driveth away the Hicket, stayeth Vomiting, brings a good Appetite, expelleth Wind, and prevailes in intermittent Agues and Obstructions of the Entralls, It preserveth the blood from Putrefaction, and is usefull in the pestilence; s also for preventing and resist∣ing drunkennesse, Vomiting at Sea, and killing Wormes. The Vinegar wherein Worm-wood is boyled helpeth a stinking Breath that cometh from the teeth or gums or from corruption in the Stomack, and provokes the termes in Women, and if it be but sleeped in the same and drunken, it helpeth such as have made themselves sick with eating Mushromes or Toodstooles. The Wine made hereof is good for all the forementioned purposes, except in such as have Feavers. Be∣ing outwardly applyed, it killeth Wormes in the Belly or Stomack; the juyce with honey helpeth dim eyes, and mingled with Niter it helpeth the Quinsie, be∣ing anointed therewith. It taketh away black and blew spots in the skin, that come after falls or bruises, if it be mingled with honey, and anointed. It help∣eth sore, and running Eares, and easeth the paine of them, if the hot vapors of the decoction be taken-in thereat, by a Funnell or otherwise; It is likewise ef∣fectuall to ease the Tooth-ach. Being bruised and applyed with Rose-water to the Stomack, it gives much ease and comfort to such as have been long sick. It a∣vailes against the hardnesse of the Spleene, or where there is a hot sharpe-water running betweene the flesh and the skin, if it be used with Figges, Vinegar, and meale of darnell, A decoction thereof being made, and the Temples bathed therewith helpeth the Paines of the Head that come of a cold cause. Also being boiled in Vinegar, and the mouth washed therewith, it helpeth a Stinking breath. Being put into Chests or Presses where cloathes are, it preserveth them from Wormes and Moathes. If the skin be rubbed with the juice, or with the Oyle it driveth away Fleas and Gnats. It is said, that if Children before they be three Moneths old, be bathed with a decoction thereof, or their Temples, feet, and hands be nointed with the juyce thereof, and well rubbed in, they shall not

be troubled nor molested with heat or cold all their life-time. It is also com∣mended, being so used as before, for preserving the body, that it shall not be in∣fected with Scah, Leprosy, French disease, Lice, or such like malady, except some heinous crime be to be punished with one of these. Notwithstanding the good qualities aforesaid, the juyce offends the head by raising up Vapours which cause drowsynesse and sleepinesse. Neither is it safe to use it in the Consumption of the Lungs, falling sicknesse, Arthritick paines, Apoplexy, Lethargy and continu∣all Feavers. Where the Stomack is hot, the use is also to be forborne, especially being inflamed.