The Vertues
This Herb is of especiall use in all Lotions, for Sores, or Ulcers in the mouth and throat, or in the privy parts of Man or Woman: The decoction thereof, like∣wise helpeth to fasten the teeth that are loose in the Gums. It is much commen∣ded also against the stone in the Reins and Kidneys, and to provoke Urine in a∣bundance, whereby the gravel or stone engendered in the uritory parts, by raw and tough flegmatick humours, may be washed down into the b••adder, from growing into a stone in those parts, and thence may be avoided with the Urine; the decoction of the Herb, green or dry, or the distilled water thereof, is very ef∣fectuall for inward bruises: as also to be outwardly applyed: the same also stay∣eth bleedings in any part of the body, and of wounds also, and the Fluxes of the menstruall Courses in Women, and the Fluxes of the belly and humours: as also the bloody Flux in Man or Woman; it is no lesse prevalent in all Ruptures, or burstings, to be both drunk, and outwardly applyed: it is the most soveraign wound-Hearb of many, and can do as much therein as any, both inwardly for wounds and hurts in the body, and for either green wounds, quickly to cure them, or old sores and Ulcers that are hardly to be cured, which often come by the Flux of moyst humours thereunto, and hinder them from healing. Gerard saith, that the dry Herb that came from beyond the Seas, was formerly sold for half a Crown an Ounce; but since it was found to be so plentiful on Hampsteed-Heath, and other places in England, no man will give half a Crown for an hundred weight of it. And here I may take an occasion, as Gerrard doth, to specifie the inconstancy, and sudden mutability of the people of this Age, who esteem no longer of any thing (how precious soever it be) then whilst it is strange and rare, verifying that common Proverb, Far fetcht, and de••r bought, is good for Ladies. Neither are many Physicians to be justified in this particular, who though they have found an approved Medicine and perfect Remedy, near home, against any Disease; yet not contented with that, they will seek for new farther off, and by that means, many times hurt more then help. And this is one Reason, that Mr. Culpepper inveighs (I will not say how justly) against the Colledge of Physitians, who chuse rather to make use of forraign Plants, then those of our own grow∣ing.