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.

Although Mallowes are commonly said to mollifie the belly and make it so∣luble, yet there are other things more effectuall to that purpose; I shall there∣fore appropriate it to the Breasts or Paps of women: for it not onely procureth great store of Milk in the Breasts of those Nurses that eare it, being boyled and buttered, as other herbes commonly, are or shred into their pottage; but also asswageth the hardnesse of them, being boyled and applyed unto them warme: as also all other hard Tumors, Inflammations of Impostums, and swelling of Cods, and other parts, and easeth the paines of them, and likewise the hardnesse of the Liver and Spleen, being applyed to the places, especially if a Pultis be made, by adding some Bean or Barly flower, or Oyle of Roses to them. The Leaves and Roots also boyled in wine, or water, or in broth, with parsley or Fennell Roots; doth help to open the Body, and is very convenient in hot Agues, or other distempers of the body; for by its mollilying quality, it not onely voideth hot cholerick, or other offensive humors; but easeth the paines and torments that come by the stoppings of the belly, and to that end the boyled leaves are apply∣ed warm to the Belly, and it is used in Clisters for the same purpose. The De∣coction of the seed of any of the Common Mallowes made in milk or wine, doth marvellously help Excoriations of the Bowells, Ptisick, Pleuresie, and other dis∣eases of the Chest and Lungs that proceed of hot causes, if it be continued taking for some time together; The Leaves and Roots work the same effects. The juice drunk in wine, or the Decoction made in wine, doth help women to an easy & speedy delivery. The Leaves bruised and laid to the Eys, with a little Hony, taketh away the Impostumation of them. The Leaves rubbed upon any place stung with Bees, Waspes or the like, taketh away the pains, rednesse & swelling thereof. The juice of Mallows boyled in old Oyl, & applyed, taketh away all roughnesse of the skin, as also the falling of the haire, the Scurse, Dandraffe, or Dry-Scabs, in the head, or other parts, if they be anointed therewith, or washed with the De∣coction: the same also is effectuall against Scaldings or Burnings, and to help wild-fire, and all other hot, red, and painfull swellings in any part of the body. The Flowers boyled in water and a little Honey added, is a good Gargle for any sore mouth or throat: If the feet be bathed with the Decoction of the Leaves, Roots and Flowers, it helpeth the flowing down of Rhume from the head, which rose out of the Stomack: the green leaves beaten with Nitre and applyed, draw∣eth out thornes or pricks out of the flesh. The roots being made clean from

the earth and washed and at the end a little ••cotched with a knife, and then rub∣bed hard upon the teeth taketh a way sliminesse of them, and maketh them ve∣ry white. The Vervain-Mallow is thought to be most effectuall for burstings or ruptures and the b••oody s••ix: and also for the shrinking of the Sinewes and Cramp. The diuilled water hereof, being made when it is in flower, worketh the same effects but more weakely, yet it is much commended in hot Agues, and Feavers. Pl••ny saith that whosoever shall take a spoonefull of the juyce of any of the Mallowes, shall for that day be free from all diseases, and it is especiall good for the Falling-Sicknesse; The Syrup also and Conserve made of the flowers are very effectuall to the same diseases and for Costivenesse. The young leaves may be eaten as a Sallet with Salt and Vineger, and so the Nurses may eat them.