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 and Signature.

Both the Centories are commended for gripings in the Belly yet because the lesser it most effectuall to that purpose, I shall set down the Vertues there∣of. The decoction thereof being made in Wine. Ale, or posset drink, is very available in severall diseases of the Belly, as the Chollick, Costivenes, Wormes, and the like, purging Phlegme and Choler and provoking Sweat. It is given with very good successe to those that are perplexed with Agues, for it openeth

the stoppings of the Liver, Gall, and Spleene helping the Jaundise, which the yel∣low sort doth by Signature, for that especially purgeth Choller as the white doth Phlegme and Water; and the Red cleanseth the Blood maketh thin both it and the humors, by the cleansing and bitter qualities. It is usefull in the Scia∣tica, helpeth those that have the Dropsy, and the green sicknesse, for it bringeth down the Courses of women. It helpeth also to avoid the Dead Birth, and help∣eth the paines of the Mother, and is very effectuall in all paines of the Joynts as the Gout, Cramp, or Convulsions. Being boiled in White Wine or Ale with Liquorice and strained and drunk Morning and Evening it openeth the Obstructi∣ons of the Chest and Lungs, and a little Sugar-Candy added it is a good Remedy against Hoarsnesse and the Ptisick. The decoction of the tops of the Stalkes with the Leaves and flowers which are most in use, being taken inwardly, and the boyled Herb that is taken forth applyed ovtwardly, helpeth both the paines of the sides, and hardnesse of the Spleene. A dram of the powder thereof ta∣ken in Wine is a wonderfull good help against the bitting and poyson of any Ve∣nemous Creatures. Being boiled in Water and drunk, it provoketh Appetite, cleans∣eth the Stomack and Breast purgeth the Back and Reines, and healeth whatsoever is amisse in them. The juyce of the Herb mixed with a little Honey is good to cleare the E••••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dimnesse, mists, or Clouds, that hinder the sight, and is sin∣gular good ••or green or fresh wounds, and also for old Ulcers and Sores, to close up the one, and to cleanse the other, and perfectly cure them both, although they be fistulous and hollow, the green Herb especially being bruised & laid to. The decoction thereof being dropped into the Eares, cleanseth them from wormes, cleanseth ••he foule Ulcers, and spreading Scabs of the Head, and taketh away Freckles, Spots, and Markes in the skin, being washed therewith. The greater Centory, is appropriated especially to Wounds, because it helpeth those that spit blood, or bleed much at the Mouth, two drams at the Root (in powder) taken in Wine or Water. Neither is the Root but the whole Plant very available also in all sorts of wounds and Ulcers to dry, sodder, cleanse and heale them, and should be a principall Ingredient in all Wound drinks and Injections. Yet it is effectuall in many other Cases also, for the Roots thereof being steeped in wine and drunk or the powder thereof given in wine is good for such as have the Drop∣sy or Jaundise, or are troubled with the stoppings of the Liver. It is also used for Ruptures, Crampes, and Pleurisies and for an old Cough, shortnesse of breath and other diseases of the Lungs, Gripings in the Belly, and paines of the Mo∣ther. Being scraped and put up as a Pessary it procureth womens Courses, and causeth the Dead Birth to be avoided; the juyce thereof used after the same manner worketh the like Effects. It helpeth the Strangury and pissing by drops, as also the Stone, if the decoction or Powder thereof be taken and the juyce in∣jected; The decoction or juyce of the Root or a dram of the powder thereof drunk, and the wound washed therewith, taketh away the paine and danger of the bitings or Stingings of Venemous Creatures. It helpeth to sharpen the Eye sight, if it be steeped in Water, and dropped into them.