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. 106. De Faenugraeco, of Fenugreeke.

The Names.

IT is called in Latine Foenum gracum, and Foenugraecum, in English Fenugreeke, and Fenegreeke.

The temperament.

It is hot in the second degree, and dry in the first.

The duration.

It will keepe good many years.

The outward use.

The powder of the seede taken with Hony driveth forth noysome humours out of the body, mollifieth inward Impostumes and Ulcers of the Lungs and breast, easeth the griping paines of the intralls, and killeth Wormes.

The manner of administring it.

It may be given in powder, or in Decoction, but it is not usu∣all to take it inwardly; yet many give it in powder with Otes to Horses, for it doth fatten them, and killeth Wormes in their Maw.

The inward Ʋse.

The meale or powder thereof heated with Vineger and applied to the Region of the Spleene, doth mollify and wast the hardnesse thereof, as also other hard tumours and swellings: the Decoction thereof softneth likewise the hardnesse of the Mother, and easeth the paines thereof, if they sit therein as in a Bath, or receive the hot fumes by sitting over it: the Decoction thereof clenseth the head from scurfe, dandruffe, and the running sores thereof; it helpeth the Dis∣ease called Tenasmus, that is, an often desire to the stoole without doing any thing, as also the Bloudy Flux, when the excrements smell strong. A Pultis made with the meale thereof and Linseede, and the Decoction of Mallowes▪ and a little Oyl, or Hogs grease put there∣to, asswageth the swelling and paines of the Cods, or privy-parts of Women, and generally all other swellings and tumours: the same also helpeth the Gout and other joynt-Aches that come of cold: the Decoction, or muccilage applied to the forehead with clothes dipped

therein stayeth the Flux of humours to the Eyes, and easeth the paines in them, used also in Clysters it is good in the Stone by opening and mollifying the inward parts.

A Pultis for the swelling behinde the Eares.

Take of the muccilage of Fenugreeke ten Ounces, Cerusse in powder two Ounces, Camphor halfe an Ounce, make all into a Pultis and apply it.

The hurtfull quality.

Fenugreek taken inwardly doth overturne and breed a loathing in some stomacks, especially if they be weake, therefore onely to be used in strong bodies.

Of such Medicines as are made thereof.

Syrup of Fenugreek. Muccilage of Fenugreeke.