CHAP. 151. De Rosmarino, of Rosemary.
The names and temperament.
IT is called in Latine Rosmarinus, & Rosmarinum, quasi Rosa marina, English Rosemary. It is hot and dry in the second degree, and also of an astringent or binding quality, yet of subtil or thin parts: it is best for cold and moist seasons, for the age flegmatick and rheu∣matick.
The duration.
It will keep good a yeare or two being dryed.
The inward use.
It helpeth all cold diseases of the head, stomach, Liver, belly and wombe; A decoction thereof in Wine helpeth the cold distillati∣ons of the braine into the eyes, and the giddinesse or swimming of the braine, drowsinesse, or dulnesse of the minde and senses like a stupidnesse, the dumbe Palsie, or losse of speech, the Lethargie, Apoplexie, and Falling Sicknesse: it helpeth the paines in the Gums and teeth by rheume falling into them, or by putrefa∣ction causing an evill smell from them, or a stinking breath: it help∣eth a weak memory by heating and drying up the cold moistures of the brain, and quikening the senses: It is a good remedy for windi∣nesse in the stomach or bowels, as also the Hypochondriack passion, and winde in the spleen: It helpeth those that are Liver-growne, by opening the stoppings thereof, by warming the coldnesse, & making thin the grossenesse, and afterwards binding and strengthening the weaknesse thereof: it helpeth dim Eyes, and to quicken the sight, as also the yellow Jandise, and the whites in women, and the rising of the Mother, if the flowers or leaves be daily taken, in decoction or in powder. The dried leaves shred small and taken in a Pipe as Tobacco is taken; help the Cough or Tissick, and Consumption, by warming and drying the thin rheum, which causeth those diseases. Page [unnumbered] The Chymicall oile is good for the aforesaid diseases, if two or three drops thereof be taken in Beere, or other Liquor. The flowers and the conserve made thereof doth comfort the braine and heart, and is good to expel the contagion of the pestilence. If you steep or infuse a few Cloves, Mace and Anise-seed in the distilled water of the flowers for certaine dayes, and take morning and evening thereof, it helpeth a stinking breath and mouth.
The manner of administring it.
It is given in decoction, or in powder.
The outward use.
It helpeth the cold diseases of the head, if a decoction thereof be made, and the temples and neck bathed therewith. The leaves are much used in bathings; and made into Ointments or Oiles is singular good to help cold benummed joints, sinews or members: the herb burned in houses and chambers in time of infection, is good to correct the aire in them. The Herb is much used in powders and quilts, to dry up rheume, and to strengthen the wombe. The Chy∣mical oil is good for the cold diseases of the braines, if the temples, nostrils, and nape of the neck be anointed therewith.
An Epitheme for the cold head-ach.
Take Rose-mary, Sage, Camomil, Melilot, Betony and Bryonie-root, of each a handfull; Boile them in water, and with a spnge, or soft linen clothes, made wet therein, apply it hot to the forehead.
The hurtfull quality.
It must not be used in very hot and dry bodies.
The Dose.
It is gven in powder from a scruple to two scruples.
Of such Medi ines as are made thereof.
The distilled water. Chymical Oile. Conserve of the flowers. Spe∣cies Dianthos. Balsame.
