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. CCLXVI. Of Water-Betony.

The Names.

IT is called in Latine (for the Greek name is no where expressed) Betonica Aquatica, and Aquatilis most commonly, yet there be that call it Ocymast••um majus, Clymenon, and Scrophularia, the likenesse of the Plants causing the in∣terposition of Names, as being mistaken one for another; And so likewise in English some have called it Brownwort, which is the same with Scrophularia or Figgewort, but usually it is called Water-Betony, and of some Bishops-Leaves and Brook-Betony.

The Kindes.

The sorts hereof are quickly reckoned up, for they are but two. 1 The great∣er Water-Betony. 2 The lesser Water-Betony.

The Forme.

The greater Water-Betony, which is most common, riseth up somewhat like Figwort, but many times higher, with square hard greenish stalks, and some∣times brown, set with such like dark broad green Leaves, so very like unto those of Figwort, that they have been often mistaken one for another, being also dent∣ed about the edges, but with rounder notches, by the diligent observance where∣of they may be distinguished, in that respect somewhat resembling the Wood-Betony Leaves, yet of a larger Sise, and two for the most part set at a joynt; At the tops of the branches, and likewise at the joynts, where the Leaves co••e out from the middle of the Stalke upwards, come forth many round bellyed Flow∣ers, which being fully blown, are open at the brims, yet divided into two parts, so the uppermost is like a hood, and the lowermost like a lip hanging down, of a darke red colour, which passing away, there succeed round heads, which is smal and of a brownish colour. The Root consisteth of a great number of fibres, or

stringes, which being fastened to the bottome of the stalk, feedeth it with suffici∣ent nutriment in the Summer, but not in the Winter, for then the stalk perisheth.

The Places and Time.

The first groweth in our Land as frequently as any Plant whatsoever, by Brooks and other Water-courses, but is seldome found for from the Water side, unlesse it hath been purposely removed into a Garden or so; The second grow∣eth in the like places of Germany about Basil, and will abide in Gardens, if it be brought thither for rarity sake. They flower in July and August, and their seed is ripe sh••rtly after.

The Temperature.

It is said that Water-Betony is hot and dry, but the operations that proceed therefrom, do speak it rather to be of a cold quality.

The Vertues.

Mr. Langbam, a well experienced and industrious Practitioner of Physick, in his Garden of Health, doth in divers places of that Chapter, which he writes con∣cerning Water-Betony, commend it for the Piles or Hemorrhoides whether the Root be eaten, or stamped, and applyed thereunto, or the Leaves and Seed-ca∣ses bruised and applyed outwardly likewise, or the Powder of it drunk, or strewed thereon. The Leaves, Stalkes, Seed, Root or Juyce, are likewise good to wast and dissolve any other swelling or hardnesses, in any part whatsoever being stamped with Vinegar, and applyed Morning, Noon and Night. The leavs only stamped and applyed to old rotten, corrupt, spreading and fretting sores, and Pocks, heal••th them, and Canckers also, being applyed with Salt. The juyce being pressed forth of the whole herb and drunk, helpeth those that spit blood or are troubled with any Flux or excesse of Flowers, or bleeding at the Nose, and driveth out the botch in the Throat. A dram of the seed drunk in Wine, is ef∣fectuall to expell all sorts of Wormes out of the Belly or parts adjacent, and so it is a remedy against venemous bitings. The said seed taken in Wine with Myrrhe and Pepper is very good for the Sciatica. The Leaves or Seed-cases brui∣sed, and applyed unto fresh sores, healeth and skinneth them, and so it doth rotten sores, swellings, and Lepry, and so doth the juyce of the whole Herb and Root taken in May, and kept in a close glasse for your use, which must be order∣ed in this manner, as often as need is: Take thereof with Wax and Oyl of each a like quantity, which boyled till it be an Oyntment, will be fit for the pur∣pose. The juyce boyled with a little Honey, and tents dipped therein, are very effectual to cure such sores as are dressed therewith, whether they be old or fresh, and is good for bruises and hurts, whether inward or outward. The herb alone sodden in Spring Water, quencheth all unkind heats without danger, and ex∣ceedeth all other Medicines for the Lepry, Scab, Itch, Boyles, Wheales, Push∣es, &c. and the stamped Leaves and Creame are used for the same purposes. The distilled Water of the Leaves is available for many of the like uses, as also to bath the face and hands that are discoloured by the sun, or have any spots or blemishes thereon, as also for any rednesse or high colour of the face. The said Water, or the juyce of the Leaves mixed with a little Brimstone and Salt-Peter, taketh away the ach of the eyes, and the seed mixed with honey, and applyed to the forehead, stoppeth the running of them, and the juyce of it, and Comfrey re∣moveth the dulnesse of them.

Those parts which serve for Nutrition being thus spoken to, as also those that are subser∣vient to them; I shall now, without saying any thing more of such Plants as might be referred to the last Transition, passe unto those parts which are ordained for Generation, and first I shall speak of such Simples as provoke Lust. Secondly, of such as abate Lust. Thirdly, of such as provoke Womens Courses. Fourthly, of such as stop Womens Courses. Fifthly, of such as help the Disease called the Mother, and other effects of the Wombe. Sixthly, of such as are profitable for Ruptures. And Seventhly, of such as help the Diseases of the Privy Members, to every of which Heads I shall appropriate divers Plants, and speak to

them in order. And first to those which provoke Lust, of which there may be some occasion to persons that are married, and destitute of Children, single persons having more need to observe the next head then this.