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. 50. De Opopanace, of Opopanax.

OPopanax is a Gum of a plant called Panax, very brown on the outside, and yellow within. It is taken chiefly from the roots of Panax, and not from the stalks.

The names.

It is called in Latine and in English Opopanax, and Gum Opopa∣nax.

The temperament.

Opopanax is hot and dry in the third degree, or hot in the third de∣gree, and dry in the second.

The best kinde.

The best is brown without, and white or yellow within, bitter and of a sowerish sent and somewhat strong, which being dissolved with Wine or Vineger, will make it look yellow, and not mixed with sticks or drosse, but clean Gum.

The duration.

It will keep good five or six years.

The inward use.

Opopanax purgeth thick and tough flegme from remote parts, as from the brain, nerves, sensitive parts, joynts, and breasts; therefore it is profitable for any cold disease incident to any of those parts, as in the Palsie, in debility, or weaknesse of the sight, old cough, short∣nesse of breath, Sciatica, and in other kindes of Gowt. It is good for Convulsions and Cramgs, as also against winde in the belly, Stitches in the side, hardnesse of the Spleen, Strangury, and difficul∣ty in making urine. It likewise discusseth the Windinesse, Hardnesse, and Suffocations of the Mother, and bringeth down the courses, and brings away also the mola or lump of flesh bred in the Wombe. Being drunk with Water and Honey, or Wine it helpeth the Itchings and inward soares of the Bladder. It expelleth Wormes, helpeth the by∣ting of a mad Dog, and is good against poysons of other venomous creatures. Dissolved in Wine and given, it helps the Dropsie; and ta∣ken in Vineger one houre before the fit commeth, it takes away the cold fit of an Ague, and especially if you dissolve some of it with the juice of Smallage and Oile of Dill, and anoint the ridge of the back therewith. It is good after falls and bruises to dissolve any con∣gealed bloud, especially in cold bodies, and where no Feaver is. It is commended against the Falling Sicknesse, and it dissolveth Milk coa∣gulated, or curdled in the stomach.

The manner of administring it.

It is given with Wine, Honey, or any convenient juice, but chiefly in Pills.

Pils against the Palsie and Convulsion.

Take of Opopanax, Rue, Serapinum, Pepper, of the juice or extract of Lorage, Myrrhe, of each a dram: Powder what is to be powdered, and with the juice of Cowslip, make a masse, or lump, of which

frame Pils. The dose is a dram, every second, or third night, so long as need requireth.

The externall use.

Opopanax being dissolved with Vineger, and the juice of Smallage and applied, it softneth the hardnesse of the spleene, and a plaister made thereof dissolveth the Kings evill, and hard nodes of the joints, as also any plague-sore, botch, or bile, especially if you dissolve it in Vineger, and mixe it with a little Leaven, and so apply it. Being dis∣solved in a little Vineger, and applyed with the pulp of Raisons of the sun, it easeth any kinde of Gowt. It dissolveth hard tumours of the womb: if the mouth be washed with a decoction of Vineger, made with Opopanax, it easeth the paine of the Teeth; or if it be a hollow tooth, let it be stopped with a peece of Opopanax. Some commend it against the dimnesse of the sight, being mixed with o∣ther things. Opopanax doth much help to the curing of old ulcers, and Fistulaes, breeds good flesh, and especially where the bones are bare and naked, and that by a peculiar vertue. It is with profit ap∣plied to the biting of any venomous creature.

The hurtfull Quality.

It must not be given to Women with childe (for it destroyes the birth) nor to such as have hot diseases: It is corrected with Spik∣nard, Mastick, &c.

The Dose.

The Dose is from halfe a dram to a dram, or a dram and a halfe.

Of such compounds as are made of Opopanax.

Extract of Opopanax, Pills of Opopanax, Oile of Opopanax.