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. CLXXXI. Of Succory.

The Names.

UNder the title of Succory, three sorts of Plants are comprehended, viz: Cichory, Endive, and Dandelyon, differing not so much in operation as in forme, all which are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Greek by one general name▪ yet for distincti∣on sake common Succory is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because as it seemes it grew wild there; and that which hath broad Leaves Pliny nameth Hedypnois; and the bitterer, Dioscorides calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifies bitternesse, in Latine Cichoreum & Cicorea, Inty••us and Intybum, all which words are used promiscuously, both for Succory and Endive, but commonly they are distinguished; Dandelion is called Dens Leonis in Latine, from the likenesse the jagged Leaves have with a Lyons tooth, as also Taraxacon.

The Kinds.

The subdivision of these three sorts put together will make tenne. 1 Garden Succory. 2. Broad Garden Succory. 3. Yellow Succory. 4. Wild Succory. 5. Common Garden Endive. 6. Curled Endive. 7. Medow Endive. 8. Wild Endive. 9. Dandelion. 10. Succory Dandelion.

The Forme.

Common-Garden Succory hath broad Leaves somwhat hairy, not much unlike to Endive, but narrower and many times deeply cut in on the edges, amongst which do rise up stalkes, upon which are placed the like Leaves but smaller. The sta••ke divideth it selfe towards the top into many branches, whereon do grow little b••e••v Flowers consis••ing of many small Leaves, after which followeth white seed. The Root is toug••, long, and white of colour, continuing many yeares; from which as from every part of the Plant doth issue forth, white bitter and milky jui••e: the whole Plant is of a bitter tast likewise.

The Places and Time.

The two first are commonly sowen in Gardens, yet it is said likewise that they grow by high way-sides, and in untilled and barren ground; but I suppose that is meant only of the wild sorts, though Gerard affirme it of those of the Garden. The two first of Endive which are the fifth and sixth in the Catalogue of the Kinds▪ are also Inhabitants of the Garden, and no other place that I can find; If it be sown in the Spring, it quickly cometh up to Flower, seedeth in harvest▪ and afterwards dyeth; but if it be sown in July, it remaineth till Winter, and then if it be taken up by the rootes, and suffered to lye two houres, till it be so tough that it may be wrapped very close together; and afterwards buryed in the Earth with the rootes upward it is called Whited Endive, and may be taken up at convenient times, and used in Sallets all Winter. The sorts of Wild-Endive being the seaventh and eighth grow wild in sundry places in England, upon untilled barren grounds especially in chalky and stony places, flowring in August. The ninth and tenth are found almost in every place, and Flower almost at all times, but especially in March, if the cold weather hinder them not.

The Temperature.

Endive and Succory are cold and dry in the second degree, but the VVild-sorts of them as also of Dandelion are somwhat dryer, than those of the Gardens, and cleanse, and open more by reason of the bitternesse, which is joyned with them, and in some cases are more effectuall,

The Vertues.

The Leaves of the Garden kinds are used both for Meat and Medicine, for they may be boyled and eaten with Butter and Vinegar, either by themselves, or with other Herbs, as Lettice, Spinage, &c. or chopped into brothes as other Pot-herbs are. The Whited Endive is the most rare, and that may be eaten, either raw in Sallets, or boyled in broth as aforesaid. Both Endive and Succory any waies used, as long as they be greene, do coole the heate of the Liver, and by a speciall property do strengthen it, and open the obstructions thereof, for which vertues they do deserve to be much esteemed; For it is a great preservation of health to have the Liver temperate and unstopped, seeing it is the place, whither the nutriment is sent from the Stomack to be wrought and disposed of, for the good of the whole body, so that if this part do not rightly performe its offiice, which is cheifely to convert the purer part in∣to blood, and to send away the rest by those conveyances which are destinated for the purpose, all things will not go well. It is effectuall also to helpe the stop∣ping of the Gall, yellow Jaundise, lack of sleepe, stopping of Urine, hot burning Feavours, and great heat of the Stomack. A handfull of the Leaves or Roots

boyled in Wine or Water, and a draught thereof drunk fa••••ing, d••iveth forth Chollerick and Phlegmatick humours, helpeth the Dropsy, and those that have an e∣v••ll disposition in their bodies, by reason of long sickne••••e, evill dyet, &c. where∣by the nutriment of the body is converted into some predominant humour to the great prejudice of the rest. A decoction either of Succory Endive or Dandelion or of all three made with Wine and drunk is very effectuall against long lingering A∣gues; and a dram of the seed in Powder, drunk in Wine before the Fit of an A∣gue, helpeth to drive it away, and is also available for the Faintings, Swooning and Passions of the heart, outwardly applyed, they serve to allay the sharp humours which are the cause of fretting Ulcers, hot Tumors, and Swellings, and Pestile〈…〉〈…〉 Sores, and wonderfully help not only the rednesse and inflammations of the Eyes but the dimnesse of the sight also. They are also used to allay the paines of the Gout. The distilled Water of these Herbes are effectuall for all the purposes afore∣said, and being taken Morning and Evening, helpeth the straightnesse and stopping of the Breast, and is good for VVomen with Child, to strengthen them and their senses, and likewise for Children that are troubled with Head-ach proceeding or Heat; The said water, or the juice or the Leaves bruised, is very effectuall for Nurses Breasts, that are pained with abundance of Milk, allayeth Swellings, In∣flammations, St. Anthonies fire, Pushes, VVheales, and Pimples, especially used with a little Vinegar; as also to wash Pestiferous sores.