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NExt to Sow-Fennel, I have placed Sow-Thistles, which amongst o∣thers, hath a vertue, that it is very soveraign for the Ears, with which I shall finish the Plants appropriated to them. It is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quod salubrem fundat succum. The Latines also call it, Sonchus, which is divided into Asperum and Laevem, and into As∣periorem & Laeviorem. We in English call them Prickly and Smooth Sow-thistles,
and sometimes Ha••es Lettice, which because of their like Vertue I have Joyned together. They are called of divers Cicerbita Lactucella, and Lacterones; of Apulelus, Lactula Leporina; of some, Brassica Lep••rina, or Hares-Coleworts, Palatium, Leporis; and some have it Leporum▪ Cubile.
To reckon up all the sorts of these, that are to be found in other Herbals; would not be to much purpose; and therefore I shall content my self, to men∣tion those only which I find in the Phytologia Britannica, being in number Eight. 1. Tree-Sow-Thistle. 2. Wall or Ivy-leafed Sow-Thistle. 3. Lesser Prickly Sow-Thistle. 4. An Elegant Sow Thistle with a white flower, having yellow in the middle. 5. Narrow leafed Sow-Thistle. 6. Broad leafed Sow-Thistle. 7. Prickly Sow-Thistle. 8. Common Sow-Thistle: which last I shall on∣ly describe.
The Common Sow-Thistle is well known to rise up with a round ••ollow stalk two or three foot high or more sometimes, if it grow in good grounds and Gardens, as u••ually it doth; set with many long and much torn leaves, of a whitish green colour, not having that roughnesse or those sharp prickles on them which some of them have, branching forth towards the top, into divers branches, bearing pale yellow flowers, which passe away into a down, and with the seed into the wind. The root groweth down right, and hath many fibres thereat, perishing likewise every year, and raising its self of its own ••owing; and is plentifull in giving Milk which is somewhat pleasanter, and not so bitter as that of the prickly ones.
All the Sow-Thistles above named, grow in unmanured as well as in ma∣nured soyls, some in Gardens, and Orchards where the leaves are usually lesser and lesser divided, than in the rough and unmanured grounds; and sometimes by and upon old walls, the pathsides of fields and highwaies: but the first is seldom seen, save in the Gardens of Herbarists, and the fourth groweth only in Yorkeshire and Cheshire naturally. They do flower and shed their seed from Midsummer or thereabout all the Summer long, and sometimes till August be past.
The Sow Thistles as Galen writeth, are of a mixt temperature: for they con∣sist of a watery and earthy Substance, cold and likewise binding.
Least any one should think Nightshade too cool, or Sow-Fennel too hot, I have added Sow Thistle as being more moderate, as long as they are young and tender, and being so, they are eaten familiarly by those beyond the Seas, but the roots are much more esteemed by them being very tender and sweet. The Juyce boyled or throughly heated with a little oyl of bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomgranate, is a sure remedy for deafnesse and singings, and all other di∣seases in the Ears; and it is said, that the herb bruised and bound upon Warts, will quickly take them away. The herb bruised or the Juice is profitably ap∣plyed to all hot inflammations in the Eyes or wheresoever else, and Pustules, Wheales, Blisters, or other the like Eruptions of heat in the Skin: as also for
the heat and itchings of the Hemorrhoïdes or Piles, and the heat and sharp∣nesse of humours hapning in the secret parts of man or woman. The disti••ed water of the herb, is not only effectual for all diseases aforesaid, to be taken inwardly with a little Sugar, which Medicine the dantiest Stomach that is, will not refuse; or outwardly by applying Cloathes or Spunges wetted therein: it is likewise wonderfully good for women to wash their faces, to clear the skin, and give a lustre thereunto. The herb it self is very fit to cool an hot Stomach, and to ease the gnawing paines thereof; and are therefore eaten by some as Sallet herbs in Winter and Spring: being boyled in wine, it is very helpfull to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach; and the milk that is taken from the stalks when they are broken, given in drink, is beneficial to those that are short winded, and have a wheesing withal: Erisistratus, saith Pliny, did therewith cause the gravel and stone to be voided by Urine; and saith, that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath: The Juyce thereof to the quantity of three spoonfuls taken in Wine warmed, and some Oyl put thereto, cau∣seth Women in Travel of Child, to have so easie and speedy deli∣very, that they may be easie to walk presently after: the said juyce taken in warm drink, helpeth the Strangury, or pissing by drops, and pains in making water. The decoction of the Leaves and stalks given to Nurses, causeth abun∣dance of milk, and maketh their Childrens faces to be well coloured, and is good for those, whose milk doth curdle in the Breasts, and this it doth by sig∣nature. When Sowes have Piggs, they do most greedily desire it, because they know by a certain natural inflinct, wherewith most Brutes are indued, that it doth very much increase their milk; and for that Reason, I conceive it is called by the name of Sow-Thistle.