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. XVII. Of Fennel.

COme we now from the Hair to the Eyes, and in the first place treat of those five things, which Schola Salerni commendeth for the Eyes, in these Verses.

Foeniculus, Verbena, Rosa, Chelidonia, Ruta: Ex istis fit aqua, quae lumina reddit acuta.

The first whereof is Fennel.

The Names.

The Greeks called it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which is thought to come from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifies Marcesco, because it is very good to season many things, even when it is withered. The Latines call it Faeniculum, quod quasi fanum in hyemes arefactum vel marcidum reponatur, because it is laid up against Winter, being dryed and withered, just like Hay, or as some think, quod magno cum faen••re se∣men reddat, because it makes so plentiful a return of seed, when it is sowen.

The Kindes▪

1. Common Fennel. 2. Sweet Fennel. 3. Small round. 4. Wilde Fennel. 5. Great Fennel of Candy. 6. Great round-headed Fennel. The common Fen∣nel being generally known, I shall chuse rather to describe the sweet Fennel.

The Forme.

Sweet Fennel groweth no otherwise then the former doth, having both Roots, Leaves, Stalks and Flowers after the same manner, saving, that this nei∣ther beyond Sea, nor in our Country doth rise so high, and hardly endureth the sharpness of our VVinters: the Seed is larger, yellower, and sweeter in taste, neerer unto Anniseed, then the former, which so continueth in hot Countries; but will not hold, either colour, largeness, or sweetness long in ours: It de∣cayeth yearly, and after the third years sowing, yieldeth as bitter, small, and sad coloured seed, as any in any other Garden or Country in this Land, so that you may hereby certainly know, that it is the Climate only, that changeth it to be larger or smaller, longer or shorter, yellower or paler then others, and also giveth the tast to be sweeter or bitterer, which divers have thought to be differ∣ing sorts. Some also think that the Cardus Fennel, as the Italians call it, is diffe∣rent from the other sweet sort, when as it is only the Art in ordering it by transplanting and whitening it, that maketh the leaves grow so thick, bushing to∣gether more then the ordinary, and the whitening giveth it a sweeter relish, and a shorter crisp tast in eating.

The Place and Time.

Some of these sorts of Fennel grow in hot Countries, as Italy, Spain, Candy, &c. and some of them are sowen in Gardens amongst us, though the Climate altereth even the best and sweetest. The common sort flowreth in June and July, and the Seed is ripe in the end of August, but the strange sorts do not perfect their Seed, unless the year be kindly. It is to be sowen in the end of February, and that in sunny places, and somewhat stony.

The Temperature

There be different opinions concerning the temperature of this Plant. One saith, it is hot and dry in the second degree; but most affirm it to be hot in the third, and dry only in the first. Gerard saith, that the Seed is hot, and dry in the third Degree.

The Vertues.

The distilled water of Fennel dropped into the Eyes, clense them from all enormities rising therein; but the condensate Juyce dissolved, or as some take it, the natural Juyce or Gum that issueth out thereof, of its own accord in hot Countries, doth cleanse the Eyes from mists and films that hinder the Eye∣sight: Some for this purpose take the green stalks of Fennel, and holding them to the fire in Autumne while they are green, cause a certain Juyce or Liquor to drop from them, which they apply to the Eyes, as holding it to be more ef∣fectuall, then either the condensate Juyce, or naturall Gum. And some yet more neatly make a water to clear the Eye-sight in this manner: They powder some white Sugar Candy very finely, and put that Powder into the hollow green stalk of Fennel, while it groweth a foot above the ground, so that it be between two joynts, which having remained therein two or three dayes, and the hole covered and bound close over, that no rain get in, they open it at the lower joynt, having first placed a good peece of soft wax, made a little hollow, gutter-wise, under the hole, which may serve to carry the liquor from falling down the stalk into a Vessel▪ or thing set of purpose, thereto to receive it. Nei∣ther is it only good for the Eys, but for many other uses. It is used to lay upon Fish, and other viscous meats, to digest the crude Phlegmatick quality thereof, and to boil it with them, and the seed is oftentimes put in bread to break wind, and to make a long breath. It provoketh Urine, and easeth the pains of the Stone, and helps to break it, and being boyled in Barley water, and drunk, it is good for Nurses, to increase their milk, and to make it the wholsomer for their Nurse-Children. The leaves boyled in water, but much more the seed stayeth the Hickock, and taketh away that loathing which often happeneth to the sto∣macks of sick or feavourish persons, and allayeth the heat thereof. The seed boyled in Wine, is good for them that are bitten by Serpents, or have eaten poysonous ••••erbs, or Mushromes; the Seed and the Root much more helpeth to open the obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, and Gall, and thereby much con∣duceth to all the Diseases arising from them, as the painful and windy swellings of the Spleen, and yellow Jaundies, as also the Gout and Cramp. The seed is of good use in pectorall Medicines, and those which help the shortness of the breath, and wheesings by obstructions of the Lungs, it helpeth also to bring down the Courses, and to cleanse the parts after delivery. The Roots are of most use in Physick Drinks and Broths, that are taken to cleanse the blood, to open the obstructions of the Liver, to provoke Urine, to amend the evill colour or complexion in the face, after long sickness, and to cause a good colour, and a

good habit throughout the whole body. Fennell both Leaves and Seeds or roots, are much used in drinks and broths, for those that are grown fat to abate their unweldinesse, and make them more gaunt and lank. The sweet Fennel by reason of its sweetnesse is much weaker then the ordinary, which is better for all the Physicall purposes aforesaid; And therefore they do but deceive themselves and others that use the sweet Fennel Seed, in compositions as thinking it better, when as it is much weaker by want of the bitternesse which is most operative. The Juyce killeth the worms in the ears, if it be dropped therein. The wild Fennel is stronger and hotter then the tame, and therefore more powerfull against the stone, but not so effectual to increase milk, because of its dryness. Let them that live in those Countryes where there be any Serpents or Snakes, have a care they wash their Fennel before they use it: be∣cause they delight much to be amongst it; it is thought that they make use of it to preserve their Eyesight. Fennel roots are one of the five opening roots; the other four being Smallage, Asparagus, Parsly, Kneeholly or Butchersbroom, called in Latine, Ruscus Bruscus