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. 61. De Soldanella, of Seabinde-weed.

SEabinde-weed is an herbe grovving neer the Sea, having many small branches somewhat red, trailing or lying upon the ground beset with small and round leaves, not much unlike Asarabacca, but smaller: the flowers come forth like a bell, of a bright red incarnate colour: the seed is black, and groweth in round cods: the root is small and long.

The names.

In Latine, Soldana, Soldanella, & Convolvulus marinus, in English Seabinde-vveed, Seacavvl, Seacoale, Sea-vvith-vvinde, because the branches winde themselves, and the flowers are so like the small kinde of Binde-weed, & that it growes naturally neer the Sea-coasts. It is called also Sea-be••ls, for the likenesse of the flowers, and some call it Sea-fole-foot, for the resemblance of the leaves and Scottish scurvy-grasse.

The temperament.

It is hot and dry in the second degree.

The duration.

It will keep good a yeare.

The inward use.

Binde-weed purgeth chiefly water, and flegme also, therefore it is very usefull and profitable in the Dropsie, and openeth the obstru∣ctions, or stoppings of the liver, and killeth wormes. It hath two excellent properties, the one is that it wonderfully draweth away watery humours, the other that it corroborates or strengtheneth the liver.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in Powder, Decoction, Pils, &c.

A Powder against the Dropsy.

Take of Sea-bindeweed a scruple, Hermodactyles halfe a scruple, Turbith and Diagredium, of each seven graines, Ginger and Cyna∣mon, of each four graines, make a powder hereof, and adde oile of Fennell and oile of Anise-seed, of each two drops, mix them toge∣ther, and give it in Posset-drink.

A Potion against the Dropsie.

Take of Sea-bindeweed a handfull, Raisons of the Sun stoned an ounce, Anise-seed a dram; make a decoction in the broth of a cock, straine it, and adde syrupe of Pumitarie an ounce, of the ele∣ctuary Diaturbith two drams, make a potion, and give it.

The outward use.

The powder of the dried herbe is used to bring or raise up flesh in deep and hollow Ulcers, helping also to heal them. The juice also not pressed, but issuing forth of its own accord when it is broken, gathered and dried, and afterwards relented or made soft, and laid as a plaister to the bottom of the belly, draweth forth watery hu∣mours by siege.

The hurtfull quality, and the corrective meanes.

Diascorides and some of the Ancient write that it is an enemy to the stomach, and sharp in taste, and therefore adviseth that it be boiled in broth of fat meat, to hinder the strength of its working, and they say it must be given only to strong bodies. And happily it might operate so with them by reason of the climate where it did grow. But that which we use now is a most safe medicine, and may be given to children and weak persons as daily experience doth ma∣nifest. It may be given with Cynamon, Ginger, Anise-seed, Ma∣stich, or Sugar, also with Rubarbe and Cubebs, for Rubarbe is count∣ed an excellent consort for it. In decoction it is given with Raisons and Anise-seed.

The Dose.

In powder it is given from halfe a dram to a dram and a halfe, or two drams. In decoction from halfe an ounce to an ounce and a halfe. The juice is given from two drams to halfe an ounce.

Of such things as are made thereof.

Extract of Seabinde-weed. Succus inspissatus.