The English physitian enlarged with three hundred, sixty, and nine medicines made of English herbs that were not in any impression until this: ... Being an astrologo-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation: containing a compleat method of physick, whereby a man may preserve his body in health; or cure himself, being sick, for three pence charge, with such things only as grow in England, they being most fit for English bodies. Herein is also shewed these seven things, viz. 1 The way of making plaisters, oyntments, oyls, pultisses, syrups, decoctions, julips, or waters, of al sorts of physical herbs ... 7 The way of mixing medicines according to cause and mixture of the disease, and part of the body afflicted. By Nich. Culpeper, Gent. student in physick and astrologie: living in Spittle Fields.

Mullein.

Descript.] COmmon white Mullein hath many fair large woolly white Leavs lying next the ground, somwhat longer than broad, pointed at the ends, and as it were dented about the edges: The Stalk ri∣seth up to be four or five foot high, covered over with such like Leavs, but lesser, so that no Stalk can be seen for the multitude of Leavs thereon up to the Flowers, which come forth on al sides of the Stalk, without any Branches for the most part, and are many set together in a long spike, in some of a gold yellow color, in others more pale, consisting of five round pointed Leavs, which afterward give smal round Heads, wherin is smal brownish Seed contained: The Root is long, white, and woody, perishing after it hath born Seed.

Place.] It groweth by way sides, and Lanes, in many places of this Land.

Time.] It flowreth in July, or thereabouts.

Government and Vertues.] It is under the Dominion of Saturn. A smal quantity of the Root given in Wine, is commended by Dioscorides against Lasks and Fluxes of the Belly:* 1.1 The De∣coction thereof drunk is profitable for those that are Bursten, and for Cramps and Convulsions, and for those that are trou∣bled with an old Cough. The Decoction therof gargled, ea∣seth the pains of the Toothach. An Oyl made by the often In∣fusion of the Flowers, is of very good effect for the Piles. The Decoction of the Root in red Wine, or in Water (if there be an Ague) wherin red hot Steel hath been often quenched, doth stay the Bloody flux: The same also openeth obstructions of the Bladder and Reins when one cannot make water. A De∣coction

of the Leavs hereof, and of Sage, Marjoram and Cha∣momel Flowers, and the places bathed therewith that have Si∣news stark with cold, or Cramps, doth bring them much eas, and comfort. Three ounces of the distilled Water of the Flowers drunk morning and evening for some daies together, is said to be the most excellent Remedy for the hot Gout. The Juyce of the Leavs and Flowers being laid upon rough Warts, as also the Pouder of the dried roots rubbed on, doth easily take them away; but doth no good to smooth Warts. The Pouder of the dried Flowers is an especial Remedy for those that are troubled with Belly-aches or the pains of the Chollick. The Decoction of the Root, and so likewise of the Leavs is of great effect to dis∣solve the Tumors, Swellings, or Inflamation of the Throat. The Seed and Leavs boyled in Wine, and applied, draweth forth speedily Thorns, or Splinters gotten into the Flesh, easeth the pains, and healeth them also. The Leavs bruised and wrapped in double Papers, and covered with hot ashes and Embers to bake a while, and then taken forth and laid warm on any Botch or Boyl hapning in the Groyn or Share, doth dissolve and heal them. The Seed bruised, and boyled in Wine, and laid on any Member that hath been out of Joynt and is newly set again, taketh, away al Swellings and pains therof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Flux, Ruptures, Cramp, Convul∣sion, Cough, Toothach, Hemor∣rhoids, Bloody, Flux, Obstructi∣ons, Reins, Bladder, Sinews, Gout, Warts, Bellyach, Chollick, Inflama∣tion, Thorns, splinters, Boyls, Groyn, Disjun∣ctures.