CHAP. 146. De Prassio, of Horehound.
The Names and temperament.
IT is called in Latine Prassium & Marrubium, in English Horehound. It is hot in the second degree, and dry in the third.
The duration.
It will keep good a yeer, being dryed.
The inward use.
A decoction of the dried herbe with the seed, or the juice of the green herb taken with Honey, is a remedy for those that are pursie and short-winded, for those that have a Cough, and for such as, by long sicknesse, or thin distillations of Rheume upon the Lungs are Page [unnumbered] wasted and faln into a Consumption: it helpeth to bring away tough flegme from the chest, being taken with the dried root of Orris. It is given to women to bring down their courses, and to expel the after-birth, as also to them that have sore and long travels; and is good also against poison, or stinging of venomous beasts; it helpeth the pains of the side, openeth the stoppings both of Liver and Spleene, kils Wormes, and is good for such as have the Itch, Scab, or running sores. The syrup of Horehound is used for old Coughs, to bring away tough flegme, as also for old men and others, whose Lungs are op∣pressed with thin and cold Rheume, and for those that are short-winded.
The manner of administring it.
It is chiefly given in decoction; see the first Chapter.
The outward use.
The leaves used with Honey do purge foule ulcers, stay running sores, and the growing of the flesh over the nails: the juice thereof with Wine and Honey helpeth to cleer the eye-sight, and snuffed up into the nostrils helpeth to purge away the yellow Jaundise; and ei∣ther of it self, or with a little Oile of Roses being dropped into the eares, easeth the pains of them: the green leaves bruised and boiled with old Hogs Lard into an ointment, healeth the bitings of Dogs, abateth the swellings of womens breasts, and taketh away the swelling and pains that come by any pricking of thorns, or any such like thing. Used with Vineger it cleanseth and healeth Tetters: the decoction thereof is a singular help for women that are troubled with the Whites, if they sit over it while it is warm: the same also healeth any Scabs, whether dry or moist, if the places be bathed therewith.
The hurtfull quality.
It hurteth the Bladder and the Reins, and must not be used in hot and dry bodies; if Raisons and Licorish be used therewith, it is lesse hurtful.
The Dose.
The Dose in powder is from a scruple to thirty grains.
Of such Medicines as are made thereof.
The distilled Water thereof. Syrup of Horehound▪ Species Dia∣prassii.
