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 Vertues and Signature.

The roots or Leaves of nettles boyled or the Juyce of either of them or both made into an electuary, with hony or Sugar is safe and sure medicine, to open the Pipes and Passages of the Lungs, which is the cause of wheesing and shortnesse of breath, and helpeth to expectorate tough flegme, as also to raise the Impo∣stumated Plurisie and spend it by spitting: the same helpeth the swelling of the Almonds of the Throat, the Mouth and Throat, being gargled therewith. The juyce is also effectual to settle the Palate of the mouth in its place, and to heal and temper the inflammations and sorenesse of the Mouth and Throat. The de∣coction of the leaves in wine being drunk, is singular good to provoke Womens Courses, and settle the suffocation or strangling of the Muther, and all other di∣seases thereof, as also applyed outwardly with a little Myrrh. The same also or the seed provoketh Urine, and expelleth the Gravel or Stone in the Reins or Bladder as hath been often and effectually proved in many that have taken it. The same killeth the Worms in Children, easeth pains in the sides and dissolveth the windinesse in the Spleen, as also in the body, although others think it to pro∣voke Venery, which it may be said to do by Signature. The Juyce of the Leaves taken two or three daies together, stayeth bleeding at the mouth. The seed being drunk, is a remedy against the stinging of venemous Creatures, the biting of mad Dogs, the poysonous qualities of Hemlock, Henbane, Nightshade; Man∣drak, or other such like herbs that stupifie and dull the sences; as also the Lethar∣gy especially to use it outwardly to rub the Forehead or Templs in the Lethargy and the places bitten or stung with beasts, with a little Salt. The distilled wa∣ter of the herb is also effectuall (although not so powerful••) for the diseases afore∣said, as for outward wounds and sores to wash them, and to cleanse the skin from Morphew, Leprosie, and other discolourings thereof; The seed of leaves brui••ed and put into the Nostrils stayeth the bleedings of them, and taketh away the flesh growing in them called Polypus. The juyce of the leaves or the decoction of them or of the roots is singular good to wash either old rotten or stinking ••ores or Fistulaes or Gangrenes, and such as are eating fretting or corroding scabs manginesse and itch in any part of the body; as also green wounds by washing

them therewith, or applying the green herb bruised thereunto, yea though the flesh were separated from the bones. The same applyed to wearied members refresh them, or to places that have been out of joynt being first set again, strengthning, drying, and comforting them, as also those places that are troubled with Aches and Gouts, and the defluxions of humours upon the joynts or Si∣news, it easeth the paines, and dryeth or dissolveth the defluxions. An oint∣ment made of the juyce, oyl, and a little wax, is singular good to rub cold benum∣med Members, to bring them to their proper activity again. An handful of the green Leaves of Nettles, and another of Wallwort or Danewort, bruised and ap∣plyed simply of themselvs to the Gout, Sciatica, or Joynt-Aches in any part hath been found to be an admirable help thereunto. It is said that if green Nettles be put into the Urine of a sick body, if it be fresh and green after it hath lyen four and twenty hours therein, the party shall recover of that sicknesse, but if it do not abide green, it signifieth death or danger. It is said, likewise that if the Juyce of the roots of Nettles, be mixed with Ale or Beer, and given to one that is suspe∣cted to have lost her maidenhead, if it remain with her she is a maid, otherwise not. If you give Hens some dry Nettles broken small with their meat in Winter it will make them lay eggs all the Winter more plentifully, It is said also that if the herb be rubbed on the privities of female beasts that will not suffer the males to cover them; it will cause them the more willingly to suffer them to do it. The oyl of Roses, or Sallet Oyl boyled with the juyce, or the juyce of the Leaves themselves, is a present Remedy to take away the stinging of Nettles: To all the purposes aforesaid, the Roman Nettle is held the most effectual; yet where it cannot be had, the others are in a degree next it, as effectual. Nettle tops are usually boyled in Pottage in the Spring time, to consume the Phlegmatick super∣fluities in the body of Man, that the coldnesse and moisture of the Winter hath left behind.