The Names and temperament.

IT is called in Latine Poeonia and Pionia, from Poeon that famous Physician, in English Piony; or Peony. It is hot and dry in the se∣cond degree, and of thin parts.

The duration.

The root or seeds will keep good a yeer or two.

The inward use.

Peony procureth Womens courses if it be taken in honeyed Wine, and it is good to open the stoppings of the Liver and Kidneys, helpeth the Jaundise and Stone: the root also made into powder and taken helpeth the Falling Sicknesse, the body being first well purged and prepared: it is effectuall for Women that are not sufficiently cleansed after childe-birth, and for such as are troubled with the Mother, for which likewise the black seeds being beaten to powder is given in Wine, the red seeds being taken for Fluxes, espe∣cially if they be boiled in red Wine, and the same drunk; the black also taken before bed-time, and in the morning also is very effectuall for the Night-mare: it is also good for melancholy dreames, and re∣storeth speech to those that have lost it, if thirty grains husked be made into powder and given in Wine. It is good against the bitings of Serpents, and helpeth Convulsions in children.

The root of the male is to be chosen, and to be taken before and after a full Moon.

The distilled Water and Syrup are used for the same Diseases.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in powder, or in decoction.

The outward use.

It is usually hung about the neck of children or others against the Falling Sicknesse, either the root green or the seeds.

A Cap or Quilt against the Falling Sicknesse.

Take Orris, Cypresse and Peony-root, of each two drams, Peony-seed, and the skull of a dead man, of each a dram, Mace and Nut∣meg, of each a scruple, of Camomile-flowers as much: Powder them all, make a cap, and let it be worn continually.

The Dose.

The root is given from half a scruple to a scruple and a halfe, and seeds from ten grains to thirty.

Of Medicines made thereof.

The distilled water of the flowers. Syrup both simple and com∣pound. Extract of Peony, conserve of Piony, Salt, Oile.