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. 37. De Helleboro nigro, of black Hellebore.

TRue black Hellebore hath sundry fair green leaves rising from the root, each of them standing on a thick round stiff green stalk about an hand-breadth high from the ground, divided into seven, eight, or nine parts, or leaves, and each of them dented from the middle of the leaf to the pointward, on both sides, abiding green all the Winter, &c. The roots are a number of brownish black strings, which run down deep into the ground, and are fastened to a thick head, of the bignesse of ones finger. There are other bastard kindes that are used in stead thereof,

The names.

It is called in Latine Helleborus niger, veratrum nigrum, also Me∣lampodium, and that because it was found by Melampos a Shepherd, or Southsayer, who was first thought to bring it in use, and cured the daughters of Praetus therewith, which were mad and foolish, but

by the use of this were brought to their right senses again. In Eng∣lish 'tis called Black Hellebore and Christmasse-Flower, because it flou∣risheth about that time, especially when the Winter is milde.

The Temperament.

It is hot and dry in the third degree.

The best sort.

The best is that which is not too new, nor too old, Heurnius will have it to be laid in leaven twenty dayes before it be used.

The duration.

It will keep good two or three yeeres.

The inward use.

The roots are most in use, especially the barke. Black Hellebore purgeth Melancholy and burnt choler, as also thick and viscuous flegme, from the bloud (whereby that is infected) and entrails, and from remote parts; therefore it is very usefu••l in pains of the head, swimming & giddines thereof, in the Apoplexie, in Melancholy, Mad∣nesse, Falling Sicknesse, Hypochondriack affects, hardnesse of the spleen, quartane Ague, and erratick feavers, also against the Dropsie, Scab, Leprosie, Cancer, scald Head or scurf, Elephancie and such like foul diseases of the skin. It is profitable against pain & noyse of the eares, and against stubborn and contumacious diseases. It is counted as an Antidote against the Leprosie, Scab, Tetter, &c. hardnesse and swel∣ling of the Spleen, old quartane Agues, pains of the joynts, Apost∣humes and the Kings Evil. It quickneth the brain and senses, provokes urine, and brings down the Courses in women. It hath an excellent faculty to draw away whatsoever is mixed with the bloud, and cau∣seth it to corrupt, and is profitable in a long continued Jaundise. Some say it will cause the Devill to be cast out, being taken by such as are possessed. Thus we may say, that although the Devil cannot be cast out by humane art or physicall means, yet by taking black Helle∣bore, the melancholy humour is drawn away (which is Balneum & sedes Diaboli, the bath and seat of the Devill, and so the Devill is more easily cast out, from whence it may rightly (say some) be cal∣led, fuga Daemonum. But I think the white Hellebore, rather de∣serves this name then the black. It is usefull in pains of the belly, in the Gowt, Sciatica, Cramp, or Convulsion, pains and aches of the joynts or sinews. It killeth Wormes, especially the leaves of the ba∣stard kinde called Beares-foot. Some commend it in Consumptions of the Lungs and of the whole body. The extract of black Helle∣bore is very safe for the Diseases before mentioned.

The distilled water of the root (saith Dorstenius) purgeth Melan∣choly and glutinous humours out of the body, if a dram thereof be given with three ounces of white wine; and if half an ounce or one ounce of the water of the leaves be taken in a morning fasting, it stayeth the flux of the body. Dorsten. Botanic. fol. 111.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in decoction, in infusion, or in substance.

In decoction:

Take of the bark of black Hellebore bruised two drams, Anise-seed, Fennell-seed, of each a dram, make a decoction in water; straine it, of which take four ounces, of syrup of Roses an ounce, make a Potion.

In infusion.

Take of the barke of black Hellebore two drams, Anise-seed, Fennell-seed, of each a dram, Cynamon, Cloves, of each three grains, make an infusion in water or white wine, according to art; of which (being streined) give three ounces.

In substance.

Take of black Hellebore-root prepared, and in powder; give it in Oxymel.

Or

Take a dram of black Hellebore-root, of Anise-seed, Fennell-seed, Cynamon, Mastick, of each ten graine, make them into powder, and give it in broth.

The externall use.

It is outwardly used against the Leprosie, Morphew, Scab, Itch, Warts, and Pushes of the skin, being boyled with vineger, and bath∣ed therewith. The powder put into Fistulaes, or hollow Ulcers; doth soon heal them, and if there be callons, or hard flesh grown in the Fistula, the root left in it for two or three dayes, will consume it quite, and put into a wound where dead or spongious flesh is, it consumes it, and preserves the flesh from putrefaction. A decoction thereof helpeth the tooth-ach, and the sores of the mouth, being gargled; and being put into the eares, it helpeth the noyse thereof. A Pessary made of the root, and put up, prevailes wonderfully to bring down the termes or courses in women. A Cataplasme or Poul∣tis made of the root, with Barley-meale, and wine, is good to be ap∣plyed to the bellies of such as have the Dropsy. In time of the Pesti∣lence it is usefully applyed to, or in any sores, either in the groine, or under the arme; or an issue made, and a piece of the root put in to keep it open, doth much avail to draw sorth corrupt humours out of the body. The root is in use to rowell cattel withall, and to help

them of the cough. Being put upon the swollen Hemorrhoides, it cleanseth them.

Against the Gowt.

Boyle the herbe or root in salt water, and bath with it; also lay the herb or root boyled to the affected part.

For wormes in the ears.

Take of the powder of black Hellebore-root half an ounce, of the juice of Rue, or Assmart four ounces, mix them together, and put thereof into the eares.

For the scurffe of the head.

Boyl the roots of Lupines in vineger, and adde to it powder of black Hellebore, and anoint with it, wash the head after with warme water.

The hurtfull quality, with its corrective help.

The ancient Writers counted it very dangerous, though not so dangerous as the white; yet that it worketh not without trouble and difficulty; therefore it is not to be given but to robustick and strong bodies, because it bringeth convulsions, which happily may be spoken concerning Hellebore in substance, of such as did grow in hotter clymates then ours is, or of some other kinde then we now use: for we do not finde any such great danger in any of that which is now in use with us; yet 'tis not safe to give it to children, women with childe, or weak persons. It is corrected with Mastick, Cyna∣mon, Anise-seed, Origanum, &c. to a dram of Hellebore adde half a scruple of any of these. It is given more safely in decoction or in infusion then in substance. The Antients did infuse the root a day and night in vineger, and then used it. Macerate or steep the bark (casting away the middle) three dayes in Quince-wine, or Muskadell, dry it, and keep it for your use. It may be given also in broth with some seeds as before mentioned. Also you may give it in wine of Raisons, Oxymel, syrupe of Quinces, or with juice of Quinces. Some give it with Scammonie to quicken its vertue. Note that all prepa∣rations of Hellebore vvhich are made by sharp and acute li∣quours, such as are spirit of wine, Anise-seed-water, or spirit of Anise-seed, Aromatickes, or oile of such, also the putting Hellebore into Radish-root, and so to take it, (except you desire a vomiting or turbatory medicine to be made of white or black Hellebore) are to be rejected.

The Dose.

The dose in substance is from a scruple to two scruples, in infusion or decoction from a dram to two drams, or more.

Such Medicines as are made of black Hellebore.

The distilled water of black Hellebore both of the leaves and roots. The extract thereof Syrup of Roses solutive with Hellebore, Oxymel Helleboratum.