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. LXXI. Of Barley.

The Names.

THis Grain is generally in Greek called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine Hordeum; but two of the kindes are distinguished into Distichon, and Polystic••n, which last is most likely to be that which Galen calleth Gymnocrith••n, that is, Hordeum nudum; not that the Ears are without rowes, but be∣cause the Grain is Huskless: and may be also the Cantherinum of Columella, which he saith, the Countrymen called Hexasticum. We have a small kind of Grain brought from Germany to our Druggists, in great quantity, termed French Bar∣ley, and is probable to be this Barley which Cordus saith, was sent him out of Ita∣ly, having six rowes in the Ears. There is a kind also, which by Tragus and Cor∣dus is called Hordeum minus; and by Columella, Hordeum Galaticum, because it is whiter; from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Milk which is of a white colour.

The Kinds.

The Sorts of Barley are in number four. 1. Bear Barley, or common Barley. 2. Big Barley. 3. Winter Barly. 4. Naked or bare Barly.

The Forme.

The ordinary Barly is so well known to all sorts of people, that to describe it, were to teach them that which they know already, and therefore I shall describe that which is called naked or bare Barly. It hath many rowes of Corns in the Eare, which are inclosed in the Husks, having not that skin on them, that the o∣ther hath, being lank, small, yellow, and short, almost like Wheat, but lesse. The stalks are like unto the common Barly, saving that it hath not so many stalks, ri∣sing from the Roots; so that though the one have six rowes, yet the other hath thirty or forty stalks to countervail them.

The Place and Time.

The first is Our usuall Barly, in all the South parts of this Nation: the other in the North parts only: the third is not very frequent in our Land; but the last is more rare: yet it hath been sowen in our Gardens in April, and not before, and was ripe in the beginning or middle of August. The usuall time for the or∣dinary sort being in March, as to the sowing; and the latter end of August, as to the mowing.

The Temperature.

Barly is cooling, and drying in the first Degree. It hath also a little abstersive, or cleansing quality, and doth dry, somewhat more then Bean Meal.

The Vertues.

The Meal of Barley and Fleawort, being boyled in water, and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies, applyed warm, cureth Tumours under the Ears, Throat, Neck, and such like places. A Plaister thereof with Tar, Wax, and Oyl, helpeth the hard swellings of the Throat, called the Kings Evill. A Pultis made of Barley, Meal, or Flower, boyled with Vinegar and Honey, and a few dry Figs put unto them, dissolveth all hard Impostumes, and excrescences upon the Eye-lids, growing in the form of a Barley Corn by S••gnature and asswageth In∣flammations also, being applyed. And being boyled with Melilote and Camomile Flowers, and some Linseed, Fennigreek, and Rue in Powder, and applyed warm, it easeth the pains in the sides and stomack, and the windinesse of the Spleen: boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis, and layd on hot, helpeth the Leprosie: being boyled in red Wine, with Pomegranat Rinds, and Myrtills, it stayeth the Lask, or other Flux of the Belly: boyled with Vinegar, and a Quince, it easeth the hot pains of the Gout. Barley Flower, white Salt, Honey and Vinegar ming∣led together, is used by divers, to take away the Itch speedily, and certainly. The distilled water of green Barley stilled in the end of May, is very good for those that have Defluxions in the Eyes, to stay the humours, and to ease the pains, be∣ing dropped into them, or white bread layd to steep therein, and bound thereto, doth the same. All the preparations of it, as Barley-water, and other things made thereof, do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers, Agues, and Heats in the Stomach. French Barley is much used in pectorall Diseases, or Dis∣eases of the Breast, helpeth the sharpnesse of the Throat, and increaseth Milk, es∣pecially boyled with Fennel. It provoketh Urine, and is very profitable in Cho∣letick Feavers, if it be thus administred; Take two Ounces of French-Barley, boyl it in two fresh waters, then boyl it again in a quart of water, (adding half an Ounce of Licorish, and an handful of Violet Leaves, and as many Strawberry Leaves) to a pint, or a pint and a half, strain it; and put thereto of Syrup of Vio∣lets two Ounces, or for the poorer sort, you may sweeten it with a little Sugar. It is used outwardly, to soften hard swellings, and is good for Inflammations, and sorenesse of the Throat, being boyled alone, or with other fitting Herbs, and the Mouth and Throat washed therewith. Take Mallowes, Violet, Beets, black Hel∣lebore, Fumitory, of each three handfuls, of French Barley, six handfulls, boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water for a Bath, and use it against the Scab, Itch, &c. you shall find it very effectuall.