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.

Rush. Rushes. Job 8. 11. Is. 9. 14. & 19. 15. & 37. 7.

N. K. D. P. Iuncus. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Holy-ghost mentions it as a Vegitable in but two of the quoted Texts; and in the other it is used Metapho∣rically, by which the least of the Wicked Tribe are threatned to be cut off, and extirpated. See Bull∣rushes.

This disregarded Vegetable is well known in all its kinds. The common hard Rush is called Jun∣cus acutus vulgaris: The common soft Rush is Jun∣cus taenis paniculâ sparsa major. The flowering Rush is Juncus floridus seu Gladiolus Palustris. Moss-Rush is Juncus acutus Cambro-Britannicus, called Goose-Corns, growing in Mountainous and Moorish places, as in the Moorlands and Wales.

But we have a more Medicinal Rush, called Scae∣nanthus, Squinanthus, or Juncus Odoratus, Scae∣nath or Camels-hay, which grows naturally in Ara∣bia, Syria, and in Eastern Regions; and 'tis thence brought to our Druggists: If any out of Curiosity have with difficulty raised it by the help of their hot Conservatories here, yet I believe, it seldom or never lasteth, or cometh to flower.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Rushes are of an earthy and aqueous Essence, as the ••ogs and moist places they grow in seems to in∣dicate, tasting rough and raw, as they smell, be∣longing,

'tis like, to that infortunate Planet Saturn. They may bind and be soporiferous as Bull-rushes, but are more useful to the Milk-maids, Basket, and Mat-makers, than to the Materia Medica: They serve the Tallow-chandlers, especially the Juncus laevis Vulgaris, called Candle-Rush, or common soft Rush, for Watch-Lights; also are used very be∣neficially to cover Cabbins, Sheds, and Thatch with, and when dry'd, are platted for divers Uses, Frails, Matting to face Walls, Benches; and a Rarity not far off me at Park-hall, is a Rope that passes between the runners of the Oat-mill, made only of the Peel∣ings or Rinds of Candle-Rushes, which doth not only last longer than one of Hemp, bur will not stretch as Hempen ones do, which is a great convenience in the working of such kind of Mills. Bull-Rushes make Bosses and Bed-mats best. And thus we see, the meanest of Vegetables may be useful one way or other to Mankind; For the Great Creator made not one thing in vain.

Sweet Rush, Camels-hair, or Scaenanth, is mean∣ly hot, somewhat Astrictive and Aromatick, smell∣ing like a Rose, by its thin parts discusseth, openeth Obstructions in Women, Liver, Spleen, and dis∣cusseth inflations of the Stomach; it is useful in the pain of the Reins, Bladder and Womb, in pissing and spitting of Blood. Outwardly it corrects Ulcers of the Mouth, and Tumors of the Ʋvula, and streng∣theneth the Stomach, Womb and Head: It is sel∣dom used by Physicians in their ordinary Prescrip∣tions, but is to be found in several Compositions.

In the Shops. Scaenanth. It is an Ingredient in Treacle, Mithridate, Emplast••••m, Histericum, &c.