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. CC. Of Organy or Bastard Majerom.

The Names.

IT is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Origanus; concerning the Etymology of which word there be divers opinions: Some will have it so called from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signi∣fying a Mountaine, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gaudium, because it joyeth very much in Mountainous and craggy places; others from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to see and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to cleare, because it cleareth the Eyes; others will have it to come from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to be cold; from whence comes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which by adding▪ unto it becomes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; but then it must be by Antiphrans too, for it is not cold but hot. It is called (or rather sirnamed Heracleot••cum from Heraclea a Citty of Pontus where is groweth plen∣tifully) O••it••s because Asses, and Tragoriganum, because Goats are mightily ta∣ken with it; of divers, Cunila, in shops Origanum Hispanicum, in English Organy and Bastard Marjerom from the likenesse it hath with the true.

The Kindes.

Authors make mention of divers sorts hereof, but those that are best known in these dayes are foure. 1. Organy or Bastard Marjerom. 2. White Organy of Greece. 3. The greater White Organy. 4. Wild Organy.

The Forme.

Bastard Marjerom riseth up with divers hard, round▪ reddish greene stalkes spread∣ing forth into branches, whereon are set sundry Leaves by couples at the Joynts, being somewhat round and of a whitish greene colour very like unto Marjerom, but larger, whiter, and harder or rougher in handling; at the tops of the branches stand such like scalie heads as Marjerom hath, but longer, from whence come small whitish purple flowers, and afterwards small brownish seed. The whole Plant is of a sweet smell and sharpe biting tast like unto Marjerom, but that it is higher, hotter and sharper.

The Places and Time.

It is very likely that not only Greece, but Candy, and Spaine do naturally bear these so••ts of Bastard Marjerome, but which of them is more proper to this or that place is uncertaine. It is commonly about the end of August or beginning of

September, before they put forth their tops or heads in our Country, so that their Flowers, or at least their Seed, ••eldome come to maturity with us.

The Temperature.

All the Sorts of Organies do cut attenuate or make thin▪ dry and heat, and that in the third degree, as Galen saith, who affirmeth that the First is o•• more efficacy then the Third, and the last which is sold in Shops, then either of them.

The Vertues.

The Decoction of Organy in White Wine is given with very good successe to those which have the Dropsy, the Vertue thereof lying not ••o much in the purg∣ing as in the drying quality of it. It is given also with Figs for the same purpose as also to them that are bursten or have a rupture, and to tho••e which are troubled with Convulsions or Cramps. The dryed Herb or juice taken in Honey∣ed Water purgeth downwards Melancholy and Choler••ck humours ••ithout dan∣ger. It is used with Honey as a Lohoc or ••icking Medicine▪ against an old Cough and the Stuffing of the Lungs. The Decoction thereof is very profitable to tho••e that have the Itch, or are Sc••bbed and Mangy, and those that have Jaund••se are much holpen by it, if they take it, whi••est they be in a bath made thereof: also the same with a few Cloves and Sugar he••peth those which have the Hickets exceed∣ingly, openeth the Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen and Womb, and an other stoppings, provoketh Urine and Womens Courses, and is good for such as have foure belchings, or be troubled with a squeamish Stomack: The same is good also for those that are bitten with Serpents or Venemous Beas••s, and for such as have ta∣ken Hemlock or Opium: With Syrup of Vinegar it is good for tho••e that have ta∣ken Poyson, or the root of Cholchicum Ephemeron The juice of the greene Herb healeth the swellings of the almonds of the Eares & the Ulcers o•• the Mouth; it draweth forth Phlegme by the Nostrils, if it be infused in the Oyle of Flower∣deluce, and being used with Milk, it easeth the paines of the Eares. The Pow∣der thereof mixed with a little Salt-Peter and Honey, made into the manne of a thin electuary, and the teeth rubbed often therewith, will make the•• white and firme. It is used in Spaine for the seasoning of Anchoves, for it ••iveth to them an excellent rellish, being made up therewith. Tyme may be used ••or the same purposes, when the other cannot be gotten: Both which, with Penniroyal, Calamint, and such other dry herbes, being strewed both upon and under those which are afflicted with Hydropicall humors, are very profitable for them; for it is marvellous to see how much these dry them up, whil'st the parties are asleep.

These are the Simples, I have judged most proper for the Liver, and in particular for the Dropsy, to which I might adde these which follow, Sagapenum which is the Gum of Ferula when it groweth in Media, as I have said already in the Chapter of Fe••••ell Giant, the pills whereof are profitable in the said disease. Turbith, which is a root brought from beyond Sea, and purgeth Water very violently, Elaterium, which is the juice of Wild-Cucumbers dryed, doth the same; Euphorbium, Spurge, Coloquintida, Carthamu••, Thymaelea, Mezereon, &c: are violent purgers, so that though they be appropriated to the Dropsy, yet I shall not commend them unto or∣dinary people, but desire them to leave them to those that are very skillfull; and con∣tent themselves with those I have purposely spoken to, at large: Besides which, there be others also profitable, as Agrimony, Betony, Dancus, Dodder, Fumitory, Rose-Mary, Sage, Dill, Rue, Camomile, Bayes, Juniper, &c: Some of which I have treated of already, and shall treat of the rest, when I shall come to the parts, to which they are most appropriate. I passe now to the Spleen which is the seat of Melan∣choly, and therefore must be purged, as also opened and strengthned.