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. CLV. Of Galanga.

The Names.

I Cannot find that this simple is so much as mentioned by Dioscorides, or any o∣ther Greek Author, no nor by few Latine Authors, which makes me imagine that it was not in use in Europe, till these later times, nor so much as known, so that the Greek name thereof, may not be expected. It is called in Latine Galanga, and by the Chinois, from whose Countrey it is brought to us, Lavandon, and by them of Java, Lane••az; in English it is called Galanga, but commonly Galingale.

The Kinds.

There be only two sorts of Galanga mentioned by Authors. 1. The grea∣ter Galanga. 2. The lesser Galanga.

The Form.

The Greater groweth to be two cubits high, having Leaves folding about the Stalke being somwhat long, and narrow at the lower end, and pointed at the end somwhat like a Speares head, of a sad greene colour on the upper side, and paler underneath; The flower is white, but without any scent, the seed is small and neg∣lected; the root is somwhat great at the head, like a reed, and hath beene thought by some to be a kind of Iris, being of a blackish colour on the outside, and whitish within. The lesser ariseth not above a foot high, having Leaves like the Mirtle, the root is small and bunched, firme, and somwhat tough, red both within and without, and smelleth a little sweet or aromaticall.

The Places and Times.

The first groweth in Java, and Malaber, being Countryes of the East-Indies. The other in China▪ concerning the time I find, not any Author that maketh mention.

The Temperature.

Galanga is hot and dry in the second or third degree.

The Vertues and Signature.

This Galanga is also set down by the aforementioned Crollins to have the Sig∣nature of the Stomack, and from thence it hath beene found to be exceeding pro∣fitable in all cold diseases of the Stomack, by helping its concoction, and expelling Wind, and Crudities from it, and strengthening it, if it be boiled in Wine and ta∣ken Morning and Evening. It doth also very much comfort and strengthen a

moyst bram, helps the Vertigo, or swimming of the Head, and avails against the palpitation or beating of the Heart, and is very useful in the gnawing of the sto∣mack, and easeth the Cholick, which proceedeth of Wind, and in the Diseases of the Mother, and stopping of the Urine, and hath a speedy operation to cleanse the passages thereof, from slimy flegm, and stones gathered therein, or in the passages at the neck of the Yard and also to wast and consume any fleshy excrescence in the neck of the Bladder or Yard. Besides, it not only provoketh to Venery, but helpeth Conception; so that there cannot be a better thing for those which de∣sire to supply their want of Children; for it is profitable for them that have cold Reins, and excellent for them that have cold and windy distempers of the Womb. Being boyled in Wine, and so taken, it helpeth a stinking breath, and dissolveth the hardness of the Spleen. There be also to be had at the Apotheca∣ries Shops, both a Powder and Electuary, whose chief Ingredient is Galingall, both which prevail against Wind, sower belchings, and indigestion, grosse humors, and cold Diseases of the Stomach and Liver. You may take half a dram of the powder at a time, or two of the Electuary in the morning fasting, or an houre before meat. If Galingall be drunk with the water or Juyce of Plantane, it stop∣peth the Bloody-Flux, and strengtheneth nature, comforteth the Brain, and help∣eth the trembling of the Heart. Both the sorts above-mentioned, may be used to good purpose in Meats, as well as Medicines; but the lesser is both of more use, and of greater effect, and indeed is to be used only in all the Compositions wherein Galanga is appointed yet, when the one is not to be had, the other may be and is used. The best is full of small holes.