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. CLXVI. Of Coriander.

The Names.

IT is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and so in Latine also Corion, and Cori∣anon; but usually Coriandrum, being derived from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifyeth that kind of noisome Worme, which breedeth in some Walls and rotten-Wood, and is called a Wall-louse or puny in English, whose stinking smell, Coriander doth much imitate. We in England call it Corionder and Coliander.

The Kinds.

Though former Ages would allow of but one sort of Coriander, supposing there had been no more, yet these aftertimes have testified that there are three sorts of it. 1. Ordinary Coriander. 2. The lesser sweet Coriander. 3. The stinking Coriander.

The Form.

The ordinary Coriander is a very stinking herbe, having a round stalk, full of branches, which are about two foot in length when they are at their full growth, whose Leaves at the first coming up are somwhat broad, very like unto Parsly, which afterwards are smaller and finer, every one then the other up to the top, where stand small loose Ʋmb••lls of white Flowers, turning into round striped hal∣low seed, of a whitish yellow colour, when it is ripe; and of a pleasant scent or sa∣vour when it is dry, but not before. The root is hard and of a Woddy substance but dyeth when the seed is ripe; which being suffered to fall, will increase migh∣tily.

The Places and Time.

The two first, seeing their naturall places are not yet manifest, are said no where to be found wild, but are by us now, as they were by the Ancients former∣ly, sown in Gardens. The last was sent from Barcinona to Lyons, by Myconus to Molinaus, who hath set it forth in Historia Lugdunensi. They do all flower in Jun•• and July, and their seed is ripe about the later end of August.

The Temperature.

The greene and stinking Leaves of Coriander are cold and dry, very naught, un∣wholesome and hurtfull to the whole body, if they should be taken inwardly, and so are the seeds as long as they are green, but being steeped in Vinegar and dryed, or only dryed, they are moderately hot and dry, and very convenient for severall purposes as you shall heare.

The Vertues.

Simeon Sethi, with whom many other learned Authors do agree, affirmeth that the Seed of Coriander is marvellous good for the Stomack, not only retaining the food untill it be thoroughly digested, but withall doth strengthen and inable it to do the same. The prepared seeds being covered over with Sugar as comfits and taken after meat, are of great efficacy to close up the mouth of the Stomack, to stay Vomiting, helpe digestion, to represse Vapours, that ascend from the Stomack to the Head, and are likewise good for those that are troubled with Rheumes. The same do very much prevaile against the Gout, being taken in some small quantity before dinner, upon a fasting Stomack, and after dinner, and after Supper the like, without drinking, within two or three houres after. The seeds only being taken in Wine do bring forth Wormes, stop the Laske, and bloody Flux, and all other ex∣traordinary issues of blood. It resisteth forcibly, the paines of the Wind Chollick▪ and the stopping of Ʋrine. It is said that for so many seeds as are drunk thereof so many dayes shall the Courses of that ••oman that drinketh them cease, as the following verses do also intimate;

Xenocrates inquit, totidem cessare diebus Menstrua, quot mulier Coriandri grana vorabit.

The powder of the seed cast upon Meates causeth them to digest the better, and with sweet Wine it moveth lust and increaseth the naturall seed, if it be taken moderately, but too much use of it breedeth the Phrensy and raging, and is hurt∣full for such as have the head-ach, falling sicknesse, and swimming of the Head. The said powder boyled with Rue in water of Mints, and held in the mouth after it is cold, helpeth the Vvula or Palate of the mouth being fallen down, the juyce of the herb taken inwardly, is deadly both to man and beast, yea the smell only of the herb killeth Fleas, if it be laid where they are. The green herb boyled with Crums of Bread or Barly meale, consumeth all hot swellings and inflammations, & with Beane meale dissolveth the Kings evill, Wennes, and hard Lumps. The juyce of the Leaves mixed and laboured in a leaden Mortar, with Ceruse, Litharge of Silver, Vinegar and Oyle of Roses, cureth St. Anthonies fire, and taketh away all inflammations whatsoever.