The idea of practical physick in twelve books ... / written in Latin by John Johnston ... ; and Englished by Nich. Culpeper, Gent. ... and W.R.

Article, II. Of Vegitable Medicaments.

Vegitable Medicaments are, trees, shrubs, and herbs; inasmuch as they serve to remove the disorders of the Body, either in whol or in part, viz. By their roots, woods, barkes,

leaves, tops, flowers, fruits, and humors. I. Those Trees are.

• I. Aple-bearers, as the Apple tree, the Quince tree, the Citron tree, the Orenge tree, the Peach tree, the pear tree, the Fig tree, the Sycomore tree, the Mulbery tree, the Crab tree, the Medlar tree, the Service tree, the Apricock tree, the Malacotone tree, the Damsin tree, Myrobalan∣plum tree, the Sebesten tree, the Jujubee tree, the Cornel tree, the Lotus, the Cherry tree, to which we may ad the Ebeny and the Guaiacum trees.
• II. The Nut-bearers, the Almond tree, the Walnut tree, the Hasel tree, the Filberd tree, The Chestnut tree, the Pistachio tree, Glans unguentaria tree, the Styrax tree, to which many out-landish Nuts, must be referred.
• III. Date-bearers, such as the Palme,
• IV. Mast-bearers, as the Beech, the Oake, The Cork, the Suber, the Ilex and Smilax of the Arabians, whereunto also belong Misletoe, Galls and Oake apples.
• V. Berrie-bearers, as the Sanders tree, The Mastick tree, the Frankincense tree, the Terpentine tree, the Balsam tree, the Sumach tree, the Cocconilea, the Ash tree, the Holme tree, the Linden tree, the Wild vine, the Ostrys tree, the Cotton tree the Maple, the Plantane, the Sassafras, the Ricinus, the Barbery tree, the Gooseberry tree, the Elder, the Laurel and bay tree, the Chame∣lea, the Thymelea, the Cheoron, the Myrtle, the Butchers Broome, the Rasberry tree, the Box tree, the Olive tree, the Agnus castus tree, the Privet; the Primprint, the Philyra, the White bramble, Box thorne, the black berry bush, the Capat tree, the Savine tree, the Cedar tree, the Cypress tree, the Juniper tree, the Asparagus, the Eugh, and Dragon tree.
• VI. Spice-bearers, the Nutmeg tree, the Mace tree, Macer tree, the Cassia lignea or Canella, the Cinnamon tre•• the Folium tree, the Clove tree, the Peper tree, the Cubebes tree, the Amomum tree, the Graines of paradice tree, and the Cardamom tree. Hither also may Lignum Aloes tree be referred.
• VII. Cod bearers, as the Cytisus, Anagyris, the Acacia the Aspalathus Genista or Brown, Spartium, Scorpius, Cliothen, Sena, Euonymus Nerion.
• VIII. Cone bearers as the conebear∣ing Ceader, the Pine, the Larch tree, the Pitch tree, the Fir tree.
• IX. Cotkin or cats taile bearers as the willow, the Alder, the Elme, which beares also bladders, the Poplar tree.
• X. Rose bearers, the Rose tree, the Cistus and Cistus Ledum. &c.
• XI. Brush trees, Tamar∣iske, Heath &c.

II Also Herbes are variously divided. For they are.

• I. It we regard their roots, Bul∣bous, as the Bulbous flower delize, the stock gilloflower, Safron, Colchicum, the Onion, the Leek, the Squil, Garlik, Moly, Orchis or Cullions, and Satyrium or Dogs-stones &c.
• II. If we consider their Leaves they are,
  • I. Long leaved and stalked, as Grass, Rushes, Nardus, Cyperus, Horstaile, the Reed, Pa∣pyrus or Egptian paper, Xyris, Orice, Acorus, Galangal, Ginger, Zedoary, Costus, &c.
  • 2. Thick-leaved as Houseleek, Venus navel, Aloes, Rhodia, Telephium, Purslane, Cepea Crithmum, Kali, Tragum.
  • 3. Hairie lea∣ved, Gromwel, Cynoglossum, or Hounds tongue.
  • 4. Nervy leaved as Gen∣tian, Plantan, Flea wort, Bistort, Pond weed, Water-lilly, Cucko-pintle, Heliebore &c.
  • 5. Round leaved, the two Birth∣worts, Colts foot, Broad dock, Bur dock, Asarum.
  • 6. Hair like, as Phyllitis, Hemi∣onitis, Asplenium, Lunaria, Maiden haire, Polytrichum, Wal rue, Ros-solis, Ferne, Poly podie, and others.
  • 7. Thorny or prick∣ly, as the Thistle, Scolymus of Theophrastus Venus bason, Eryngos, Euphorbium, Dra∣gant &c.
  • 8. Three leaved, five leaved &c.
  • 9. Soft leaved as Marsh mallowes, Mercury, Rhubarbe. &c.
• III. If they beare flowers they are.
  • 1. Turn crowned and helmet fashiond, as Mints, Calamints, Origanum, Penyroyal, Hyssop, Time, Stechas of Arabia, Lavendar, Vulgar spike, Ground pine, Oake of Jerusalem, Sage, Nettle, Betony, Eye bright, Scrophularia, Prunella, Hedge hyssop, Dictamnus &c.
  • 2. Star fashioned, as Ru∣bia, Gallion, Cruciata, Rue.
  • 3. Spur fashiond or lark heeld, Aquilegium, Roial Comfrey, Toad flaxe &c.
  • 4. Button tufted, as Cumin, Fenel, Dil, pellitory, Fennel∣giant, Thapsia, Turpit, Hogs-fennel, Carot, Chervil, Smallage, Angelica, Imperatoria, Laserpitium, Panax, Caraway, Coriander, Anise, Pimpernel, Myrthis, Hemlock, Lo∣vage, Filipendula.
  • 5. Berry bunched Ele∣campane, Pellitorie, Mugwort, Sneezwort, Wormwood &c.
  • 6. Headed, Scabious, Jacea, Cyanus, Scorzonera, Caltha, Succisa, Cardus, &c.
• IV. If Fruit, they are
  • 1. Apple-bearers, Mandrake, Cucumber, Melon, Pompion, Anguria, Gourd, Coloquintida, wild or Ass cowcumber.
  • 2, Codded, as are besides the pulses, and the pot-herby sort, Hedysarum, Ornithopodium, Polygala, Onobrychis, Galega, Glycyrthize, Fumitory, Cesondine, Aquilegia, Nigella.
  • 3. Case carriers, Garden Cresses, Shephards-pouch, Scurvy grass, wild radish &c.
  • 4. Vessel-bearers, as Centorie, Mouse

• ...
  • eare, Flax, St. Johns wort, Anagallis, Mo∣ny wort, Rupture wort, Poppie &c.
• V. If we regard their use, they are.
  • 1. Cornes, as Wheate, Spelt, Barley, Rie, Oates, Blasted Corne, Rice, Milium, Panicum, Phalaris, Indian Corne.
  • 2. Kitching hearbs, as Rapes, smal turneps, Iberis, Taragan, Campanula, Rapistrum, Rocket. Mustard, Alliaria, Cole wort, Docks, and Patientes, Betes, Blites, Centaury the greater, Orach, Pellitorie, Mercurie, Lettice, sowchistle, Cichory &c.
  • 3. Pulses which are gathered, as Beanes, French Beanes, Pease, Tares, Fetches, Lentils, Orobus, Cicer, the Lupine, Fenugreek &c.
• VI. If the manner of growing, there are convolvuli or Scandentes, such as twist themselves about other plants or props and so reare themselves as are besides apple bearers and the pulses, Scammony, Soldanella, Salsaparilla China, Bryonie, Mechoacan, Hops, the Grape vine, Lilly Convally, Ivy, Indian, Watercresses, Birthwort, Bindweed, Gramen parnassi, Saxifrage &c.
• VII. If their juice, some are milkie plants, as Tithymallus, Esula, Peplus, Peplis, Lathyries, and Chamasyce &c.
• VIII. If their place, in which they grow, they are 1. Garden wood, Feild, Mountaine, Meadow and water plants, as are Moss, Duck weed, Lungwort, Sea nettle, Sea weed, Arsmart, Anagallis, &c.
• IX. If we regard the virtues, we shal find in a manner infinite differences of Hearbs; of which I shal speak hereafter, as much as wil serve for our present purpose; and more largely and exactly, elsewhere,

III. The Humors of plants are best distinguished into thickned juces, Gums, Rosins, and Pitch.

I. Thicked juices are,

• 1, Ammoniacum, which is named from the Oracle of Jupiter Hammon, tis bred in a tree called Metopion. That is most approved which is sincere and unmixed and condensed into clotters like Frankinsense, smelling somewhat like Casto∣rium, Bitter in tast, yellow without, white within, growing soft if it be wrought between the Fingers.
• 2. Galbanum, the juice of a Ferulous plant which grows in Syria. The best is gristly, yellow, fat, not woody, of a strong ungrateful smel, because it retains in it some of its seeds and sticks.
• 3. Opopanax, a juice flowing out of the root of Hercules his Allheale, That is most esteemed, which is white within, yellow without, bitter, strong sented, fat, milkie like Galbanum, and when it is melted resembling a milkie liquor.
• 4. Sagapenum, or Sera-pinum, the liquor of an herbe like fenelgiant growing in Media. Thats best which is sincere, transparent, red without, within when it is broken, yellow, or compact of yellow or whiteish drops, growing soft between the singers.
• 5. Opium, or a milkie liquor running from the stalke of a black pop∣pie lightly gashed. The best is that which is white, or yellowish like the Haires of a Lions-skin, congealed into a Mass as it were made up of little graines of divers colors, dirty and of a strong and virulent smel.
• 6. Aloes, which is either Caballina, or Hepatica, or Socatrina you must choose that which is far, void of Stones, friable in winter, soft in summer, compact like the substance of the Liver.
• 7. Scammony, which is reserved of a milkie roote being cut, out of which it runs and is dried. Thats best which is transparant, ful of holes like a spounge, and when it is rubbed against the tongue it shewes a white liquor on its surface, resembling milke.
• 8. Elaterium, or the juice of the wild Cowcumber thickned, which is the most lasting of al medicaments; and that is best which is oldest.
• 9. Euphorbium, or a most sharp biteing juice of a tree, resembling the ferula. That must be chosen which is pure, transparent, white or yellow, and biteing, and which being lightly toucht with the tongue, inflames the mouth a long time after.
• 10. Juice of Lycorize, which is drawen out of the roots, and is condensed into Balls-or little cakes.
• 11. Succus Acaciae, a juice prest out of Acacia a plant in Egypt. Choose that which is moderately yellow and odoriferous.
• 12. Acacia Germanica, or the juice of boiled sloes, prest out, set in the Sun, and dri∣ed.
• 13. Manna, which is gathered in Ca∣labria from the Ashen trees. Choose that which is white and not above a yeare old. 'Tis counterfeted by sugar pemies wrapt up in leaves of herbes.
• 14. Gummi Gotte, or Cambogia, Gummi Gamandra, Gummi de peru, which is extracted out of the Indian Ricinus. See thereof Reudenius, Lotichius, and Bontius in his Medicina Indorum.

II. Gumms are,

• 1. Gum Arabick; the best is transparent like Glass, unmixt, in crinkled bits representing wormes, and white.
• 2. Gum tragant, which drops out of the root of thorny plants, which the Greeks cal Traga∣cantha. 'Tis transparent, white, sweetish, light and sincere.
• 3. Sarcocolla, the teare of a tree growing in Persis, like fine franckin∣cense, yellowish and bitterish.
• 4. Gummi Hederoea, of a yellowish red color, strong smell, and biteing tast.
• 5. Cancamum, or

• the teare of an Arabian tree, somewhat repre∣senting myrrhe, of a very strong tast.
• 6. Lacca officinarum. Gum lac of the shops, is made of the juice of a certaine tree, in Pegu and Malavar. Tis said to be made by the wing∣ed Pismires.
• 7. Sanguis Draconis, Dra∣gons blood, or the juice of a certaine tree which being congealed, resembles dryed blood. It makes water of a milkie color, but without mixture.
• 8. Assafetida, or the Teares of Silpheum growing in Libia and other Coun∣tries. Choose that which is unmixt, resemb∣ling Garlick in smel, and clammie. 'Tis adul∣terated by the mixture of meal, bran, and Saga∣penum.
• 9. Champhire of the shops, or the Resinous Teare of a certaine high tree. Choose that which is white, transparent as christal, not spotted, fragrant, apt to crumble between the fingers, and which being set on fire, can hardly be quenched.
• 10. Juniper Gum, drie, hard, yellow, like mastich. Liquid Varnish is made of it and Linseed oile. I forbeare to speake of Cherrie tree gum, Elme tree gum, &c.

III. Rosins are either moist or drie. The moist are.

• 1. Terpentine, or a liquor which flowes from the Trunk and boughes of the tree Terebinthus. The best is white, trans∣parent, enclining to skie color, fragrant and biteing.
• 2. Rosin of the Larch tree, or Ter∣pentine of the shops, which is many times sold for the former. The best is the purest, most fragrant, somwhat transparent, and which falls hastily and equally from the finger dipt into it.
• 3. Maistich which flows from the Lentish tree, and seems referable to the Gum rosins. The best is white, shineing, fragrant, crumbly, and which growes in Chios. 'Tis counterfeited, with a mixiture of franckincense and Rosin.
• 4. Olibanum of the shops, or the liquor of an Arabian tree. The cheife is the male, that which drops out, round, white; the next in value is the Orobium, which growes in Amelum, which is smaller and yel∣lower; the next to that is Amomites, which is white, and yeildes to the fingers when it is softned, like mastich.
• 5. Myrrhe, or the Tear of a tree which growes in Arabia, like the Egyptian thorne, which tree being cut it drops downe upon mats spread beneath. The Tro∣glodytick myrrh is counted best, which is gree∣nish, transparent and biteing; the second in repute is thin and clammie like Bdellium; the third in value is that which is termed Caucalis, black and parched; the worst is the factitious whith lookes like Gum.
• 6. Storox or the teare of a tree like a Malocotone growing in Syria. The best is yellow and fat, rosinie, with whiteish drops; which being wrought between the fingers, sends forth an honey-like moisture keeping the fragrancy of the lump. 'Tis adulterated by the dust of a tree which the worms have made by their gnawing.
• 7. Li∣quid Ambar, or an oily rosin, of a most sweet and strong smel, flowing out of a certaine tree in the west Indies, called Ocosotle.
• 8. Bdel∣lium, or the Teares of a tree in Bactria. That is most approved, which is bitter, trans∣parent, like Bulls-glue, fat within, and ea∣sily growing soft.
• 9. Benjuinum or Ben∣jamin a gum flowing from the wounded boughes of a certaine tal tree in the East-In-dia's. The best has white spots in it resemb∣ling almonds, and grows in Zeilan.
• 10. Ta∣camahaca, or a Rosin which flowes out of a wounded Tree which growes in Nova Hispa∣nia. In color tis like Galbanum, it has white nailes, a strong smel and tast, and sticks fast to the skin.
• 11. Gummi Elemi, or a trans∣parent white teare, with yellow particles in∣termixt, reduced into a Mass; and rendring a sweet smel when its burnt. 'Tis brought out of Ethiopia. Dioscorides describes it yellow somewhat like Scammonie, and biteing.
• 12. Colophonia of the shops is a dried rosin, of an oilie substance, yellowish, drie, and friable, being the remainders of the fir and pitch tree, when they are clarified by the fire, being thickned and hardned by cold. Choose that which is transparent, fragrant, and resembles the smel of franckincense when 'tis burnt.

III. 'Tis needless that I should ad any thing concerning pitch; Touching Plants consult the Theatrum Botanicum of Baubin, which is now comeing forth: to the more easie know∣ledg whereof my doctrine of Plants, and other Treatises, which in dispight of envie, I have in hand, shal lead thee.

But the knowledg of the Vertues of Plants, depends upon the signatures also, or simili∣tudes, which they seem to have, with the Parts, Humors, and Diseases, whether it happen in shape, which is in this case most considera∣ble, or only in sensible qualities, or in actions and manners &c. Howbeit, these notes are either Fixed, which are seen in seeds, Roots and Flowers: or movable, which are taken from Taft, Smel, Color, Shape, Hairyness, Smoothness, &.

1. As for the Parts of mans Body,

• 1. The Head is represented by the Poppie, Wal-nut, Indian Nut, Peonie, Squil, Agarick, Lilly

• convallie.
• 2. The Eyes, by the Graines of Herbe Paris, flower of Eye bright, Anthenis, Mary Gold, Hawkweed, Anemone, Scabi∣ous, &c.
• 3. The Teeth, by Henbane without cods, stones of a pomegrannate, pine kernels, Toothwort, Leaves of Prick-Madam, foot of the smaller Celandine.
• 4. The Eares, by Asarum and Garden Scurvigrass leaves.
• 5. The Nose, by the leaves of Menastrum Aquaticum.
• 6. The throat or wezand by Winter-green, Uvularia, Cervicariat and Cassia Fistularis.
• 7. The Lungs, by stony lungwort, spotted Lungwort, lungwort of the Oak.
• 8. The Heart, by pome-citrons, The roots of Anthora, The an∣acardine Beanes.
• 9. The Liver, by Liver∣wort, the toad-stoole that growes upon Birch and Oake, the. Herbe Lichn.
• 10. The Spleen; by Scolopendrium, Hearts-tongue, Lupines.
• 11. The Stomach, by Bindweed, leaves, Ginger, Galingal.
• 12. The gutts, by Bindweed, calamus aromaticus, Cassia Fistularis.
• 13. The Navil, by Umbilicus Veneris.
• 14. The bladder, by Alkekengi, Bladder wort, Colutea, nightshade.
• 15. The Privites, by Cuckoes-pintle, Beanes.
• 16. The Stones, by several sorts of Orchis, Satyri∣um, Dracunculus, leekes, Stags pizzle.
• 17. The wombe, by Aristolochia rotunda, round birth wort, Mace, Sabine.
• 18. The Reines, by Purslane.
• 19. The joints, by Her∣modactyls, Sarsa pariglia.
• 20. The Hand by Palma Christi.
• 21. The Haire of the Head, by the Moss of trees, and Maiden haire.

II. As for what concerns Humors.

• 1. Cholor yellow, is represented by such plants as have flowers or juices of a yellow or Safron∣colour, as Aloe, Senna, Wormwood, Spurge Safron, Coloquintida, Rhubarbe &c.
• 2. Leek-colored Choler, Blites, Orach.
• 3. Pale Choler by Bryonie.
• 4. Black-choler, by such whose flowers, Leaves or juice, are black∣ish purple, or Skie-colored, as Beanes, Lentils, Vetches, Borrage, Bugloss &c.
• 5. Flegm, by white-flowered plants, as gourds, Lettice &c.
• 6. Blood by such as are of a red color, or staind with a red color, as Red sanders China root, Fearne root, Sorrel root.

III. As for Diseases.

• 1. The Stone is represented by Gromwel, white-Saxifrage root, nutshells and their kernels.
• 2. Smal risings by Lentiles.
• 3. Excrescences by Agaric, and Galls.
• 4. The Jaundice by Celondine, Saffron, Centaurie.
• 5. The Polipus, by the roots of the smaller Celondine and polypodie.
• 6. Lentigines, specks or spots, by the white and speckled barke of the Birch-tree, and the Lichen which growes upon trees.
• 7. Morphewes &c. by Garlick, Cucko-pintle, Arisarum, Arsmart, Lungwort &c.
• 8. Wounds by Through waxe, Mille∣folium.