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 Signature and Vertues.

The seed of Red Darnell boyled in Red Wine, and the Decoction thereof drunk stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses by Signature, and it is said to do the same if it be but put into a piece of Crimson Leather or of Scarlet Cloath, & bound unto the Thigh, or any other convenient place. It is also effectuall to stay the Lask and all other Fluxes, and restraineth the sudden passing away of Ʋrine. The Meale of White Darnell is very good to stay Gangrenes, and other such like fret∣ting

and eating Cancers, and putrid Sores. If the same be applyed with Salt and Raddish roots to any Leprosie, Morphew, Ringworm, or the like, it helpeth it, and cleanseth the skin: with quick Brimstone and Vinegar it dissolveth Knots and Kernells, and if it be boyled in Wine with Pidgeons dung and Linseed, it breaketh those Knots and Kernells that are hard to be dissolved. A Decoction made there∣of with Water and Honey, and the place bathed therewith, is profitable for the Sciatica. If a Woman sit over the fumes of it, Barly meal, Myrrhes and Frankin∣sence, it is thought to help Conception, as likewise if it be made into the form of a Plaister, and laid upon the Belly. Being made into a Pultis with Swines greace, it draweth out all Splinters, Thornes, and broken Bones that are in any part: The Root boyled in Wine, and drunk, after it hath stood certain dayes, killeth the Wormes. Whosoever reads these properties of Darnell, will think it to be a very vertuous Plant, but its faults are behinde, which are not a few; for besides that it pestereth Husbandmen, as I have said, it troubleth the Braine and Senses, procu∣ring troublesome Dreams, if the seeds happen into Bread, and if it happen into Drink, it will make a man drunk, or giddy-headed presently. And it is so naught for the Eyes both wayes, that it was formerly proverbially objected to one that was ill-sighted, that he had eaten Darnell.