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 ...

The Vertues.

Rubarb is so effectuall for the Liver, that it is called the Life, Soul, Heart, and Treacle of the Liver, purging from thence Choler, Phlegme, and watery humours and is therefore usefull in Cholerick, and long continued Feavours, in the Jaun∣dies, Green sicknesse, Dropsy, Stoppings of the Liver, as also against the hardnesse thereof, and intemperate coldnesse, being taken of it selfe made into Powder and drunk in a draught of White-Wine fasting, after it hath been steeped therein all night, or put among other purges as shall be thought convenient. It is likewise good against the Windinesse, Wambling, and Weaknesse of the Stomack, and all paine thereof, the Crampe, gnawing and griping of the Belly, Kidneys, and Bladder, the Ach of the Breasts and Mother, the Sciatica, spitting of blood, Sobbing, Hicket, the bloody Flux, and Lasks, and all Stingings, and venomous bitings, one dram thereof being taken in Hydromel or Honyed Water. The Powder taken with Cassia dissolved, and a little washed Venice Turpentine clenseth the Reines and strengtheneth them afterwards, and is very effectuall to stay the running of the Reines or Gonorrhea. It is also given for paines and swellings of the Head, for those that are troubled with Melancholy, and helpeth the Gout. The Powder of Rubarb taken with a little Mummia, and madder Rootes in some red-Wine dis∣solveth clotted blood in the body, hapning by any fall or bruise, and healeth burst∣ings, and broken parts as well inward as outward: The Oyle likewise wherein it hath beene boyled, worketh the like effects being anointed. It is used to heale the Ulcers that happen in the Eyes and Eyelids, being steeped in White-Wine or any other convenient Liquor and then strained, as also to asswage swelling and inflammations: and applyed with Honey or boyl∣ed in Wine, it taketh away all black and blew spots or markes that happen therein. Whey or White-Wine are the best Liquors to to steep it in, and thereby it worketh more effectually in opening Obstructions and purging the Liver and Stomack; many do use a little Indian Spiknard as the best Corrector thereof. The Seed of Bastard Rubarbe easeth the gnawing and grip∣ing paines of the Stomack, and taketh away the loathing thereof. The Root of it helpeth the Ruggednesse of the Nailes, and being boyled in Wine it helpeth the Kings-evil as also the Swellings of the Kernells of the Eares. It helpeth them that are troubled with the stone, provoketh Ʋrine, and helpeth the dim∣nesse of the sight. It is also used in opening and purging Diet Drinkes, with other things to open the Liver, and to cleanse and coole the blood. The Root of Monkes Rubarbe purgeth likewise, but not so forcibly as either of the former.

The Seed therof contrarily doth bind the belly, and helpeth to stay Laskes and the bloody flux, and so doth the root of the true Rubarbe, if it be toasted at the fire, and drunk with Plantane water, or thick red wine. The distilled water thereof is very profitably used to heal Scabs as also foul ulcerous sores and to allay the inflammations of them. The juyce of the Leaves or roots, or the de∣coction of them in Vinegar is used also as a most effectuall remedy to hea••e Scabs and running Sores. The two last sorts of Rubarb are seldom used, their qualities being more astringent then opening.