Historia vegetabilium sacra, or, A Scripture herbal wherein all the trees, shrubs, herbs, plants, flowers, fruits &c. mentioned in the Holy Bible, are in an alphabetical order, rationally discoursed of ... / by W. Westmacott.

Virtues and Ʋses.

The colour, ill taste, and vices of this Plant, de∣monstrate it to belong to the ill natured Planet Sa∣turn, being hot and dry in the second Degree. I am unacquainted with its Medical Virtues, but do judge, where it's grinded with our Bread-Corn, (for some have it more than others) it gives the Bread a vertiginous Stupefaction. I find the old Herbals say, The parcked Seeds help the Yellow Jaundice, and be∣ing decocted and drank, expelleth the Stone; and Hippo∣crates doth order a Pessarium of it in Morbis ••oe∣mini••is; so by reciting these virtues, the old Adage is verified, Every Weed is good for something.

In the Shops. 'Tis not used, but the Nigella Seeds are nominated by the Honourable College of Physi∣cians in their Pharmacopeia They are hot and dry in the third Degree, accounted to be Pectoral, and Diuretick. And Schroderus saith, They are specifical in Quotidian and Quartan Feavers. They are black Seeds, and usually kept in the Shops, and are an Ingredient in Electuarium de bacc. Lauri. Antidotus Mathioli, &c.