CHAP. 142. De Pimpinella, of Burnet.
The Names and temperament.
IT is call'd in Latine Pimpinella and Sanguisorba, in English Burnet, & Pimpinell. It is hot and dry in the second degree say some, others will have it to be cold in the second degree, and dry in the third.
The duration.
It will keep good a yeer, being dry.
The inward use.
It is a friend to the Heart, Liver and other principall parts, two or Page [unnumbered] three of the stalks with leaves put into a cup of Wine especially Cla∣ret (as all know) give a wonderfull fine relish to it, and besides do quicken the spirits, refresh the heart, and make it merry, driving a∣way melancholy: it is a speciall help to defend the heart from noy∣some vapours, and from the infection of the Plague or Pestilence, and all other contagious diseases, for which purpose 'tis of grear ef∣fect, the juice thereof being taken in some drink, and they either laid to sweat thereupon, or wrapped and kept very warm. It is available in all manner of fluxes of bloud or humours, to stanch inward bleed∣ings, laskes or scourings, the bloudy flix, Womans too abundant courses, and the Whites also, and cholerick belchings, and castings of the stomach, and is singular good for inward Wounds. The powder of the herb taken in Comfrey-water, is excellent for such as have falne or are bruised. The Water hath the same effects, being taken.
The manner of administring it.
It is given in decoction, in powder, or in Electuary,
An Electuary against the Consumption of the Lungs.
Take of Burnet in fine powder two ounces, fine Sugar an ounce, with a sufficient quantity of Pimpinel-water make an Electuary, of which take morning and evening the quantity of a Nutmeg.
The outward use.
It is an excellent herb for all sorts of Wounds, both of the head and body, for all old Ulcers or running Cancers, and moist sores which are of hard curation, either the juice, of decoction of the herb, or the powder of the herb used, or else made into Oile or Oint∣ment by it self, or with other things to be kept. The seed dryeth up moist sores being put therein in powder. The distilled Water ma∣keth the face and hands fair being washed therewith.
An ointment to dry over moist Wounds.
Take four good handfuls of Burnet, of May-butter or fresh But∣ter a pound, cut the Burnet, and boil them gently at the fire until the herb wax black, then strain and reserve it.
The Dose.
Take half a dram of the herb or root at a time.
Of those Medicines that are made thereof.
The distilled water, conserve made of the seed, the root candied, Oile, Salt of Burnet.
