Tractatus de simplicium medicamentorum facultatibus. = A treatise of the nature and qualities of such simples as are most frequently used in medicines,: both purging, and others. Methodically handled, for the benefit of those that understand not the Latine tongue. To which is added: many compound medicines for most diseases incident to mankinde: as also two alphabeticall tables, very necessary for the reader. Together with, the explanation of all hard words or termes of art, whereby the vulgar may the better understand it. / By Robert Pemel, practitioner in physick, at Cranebrooke in Kent. Licensed and enterd according to order.

CHAP. 105. De Foeniculo, of Fennell.

The Names.

IT is called in Latine Foeniculum, in English, Fennell.

The Temperament.

The seed is hot and dry in the third degree; the herbe not so hot.

The Duration.

The seeds will keep good a yeare or two, the herbe is rarely dryed but used greene.

The inward use.

It breaketh winde, provoketh Urine, easeth the paines of the Stone, and helpeth to break it: the leaves or seeds boyled in Barly-water

and drunke, is good for Nurses to encrease their milke, and to make it the more wholsome for their children to take: the leaves boyled in water▪ but especially the seedes stayeth the Hicket, and taketh a∣way the loathing of the Stomach, & a layeth the heat thereof. The seed boyled in wine, is good for them that are bitten by Serpents, or have eaten poysonfull herbs or Mushromes: the seed & roots help to open the stoppings of the Liver, Spleene, and Gall, and thereby much con∣duceth to all the diseases arising from them, as the painefull and windy swelling of the Spleens, and the yellow Jaundes, as also the Gout and Cramps: the seede is of good use in pectorall medicines, and those that helpe the shortnesse of breath, and wheesing by stoppings of the Lungs: it helpeth also to bring downe the courses, and to cleanse the parts after delivery: the roots are in most use for drinkes and broths that are taken to cleanse the blood, to open stoppings of the Liver, and to provoke urine, and to amend the evill colour in the face after long sicknesse. Both leaves, seeds or roots are much used in drinkes or broths, for those that are growne fat to abate the same, and to make them more gaunt and lank, the distilled water of the whole herbe is good for the same purposes. The seed taken in powder doth quicken the eye sight, and are often used to correct purging Me∣dicines.

The manner of Administring it.

It is chiefly given in decoction, but the seeds may be taken in powder.

The outward use.

It is chiefly used outwardly to cleare the sight, as the juyce or wa∣ter being dropped into the eyes to cleare them and to help their dim∣nesse. See my help for the Poore, in Pag. 41. and 43.

The hurtfull quality.

It is bad for hot and dry bodies.

The Dos••.

The seede in powder is taken in broth or the like, from one scruple to two scruples.

Of such Medicines as are made thereof.

The distilled water. A Chymmicall Oyle. Salt of Fennell. Fennell-seed Comfits.