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. 66. De Agrimonia, of Agrimonie.

The names.

IT is called in Latine Eupatorium, from Eapator the first finder of it, and Agrimonia; some also call it Hepatoxium, because it is a good help to the Liver: In English, Agrimonie and Egrimonie.

The Temperament.

It is hot and doth moderately binde, and is of a temperate dri∣nesse, it cutteth and scoureth, and is of subtill parts.

The Duration.

It will keep good a yeare, being well dryed.

The inward use.

It openeth the stoppings of the Liver, and cleanseth it; it helpeth the Jaundise, and strengthneth the inward parts, and is good for the Bowells, and healeth their inward woundings, and bruises or hurts, and qualifieth all inward distempers that grow therein: A decoction of the herbe made with wine, and drunk, is good against the sting and biting of Serpents, and helpeth them that have foule, or troubled, and Bloody Waters, and is usefull in long continued Fluxes of the Liver, especially in old people; It is good for the Strangury, and helpeth also the Collick, it helpeth the Cough, and clenseth the Breast: It is good help to ridde a Quartaine or Tertian Ague, if a draught of the Decoction be taken warme before the fit; the leaves and seeds stop the the Bloody flixe, being taken in wine. The roots or leaves boyled in wine, and drunke, helpeth such as have the Palsey. It is accounted a good herbe against the Spleene being stopt, as also against the Pestilence, and the biting of a mad Dog. The di∣stilled water helpeth the Jaundies, Cough, and killeth wormes, if two ounces thereof be taken Morning and Evening; and it is esteemed a secret experiment against the Quartaine Ague, if foure ounces thereof be taken Morning and Evening for many dayes together, but I rather approve of the Decoction. The leaves or roots are good in the Dropsey and Green-sicknesse.

The manner of administring it.

It is chiefly given in Decoction.

A Decoction against the Jaundes.

Take of Hore-hound two handfulls, Elecampane root, Buglosse,

and Agrimony, of each a dram and a halfe, of Rubarbe, and wood Aloes, of each a dram; Bruise the wood Aloes and the roots, boyle them in three pints of White-wine to a quart. Note that the Ru∣barbe must not be put in, till the rest be almost boyled. Take of this two ounces Morning and Evening. If there be a feaver boyle it in Wa∣ter.

The outward use.

It helpeth old Sores, Cankers, and Ulcers that are of hard Cura∣tion, being stamped with old Swines grease and applyed, for it cleans∣eth and afterwards healeth them: in the same manner also applyed, it draweth forth thornes or splinters of wood, Nayles, or such like that is gotten into the flesh, and helpeth to strengthen Members that be out of joynt: it helpeth also foule impostumed eares, being bruised and applyed; or the juyce dropped into them: The leaves bruised and applyed, to the biting of a mad Dog, helpeth the same, and the juyce mingled with Vineger taketh away warts being laid thereon. The distilled water of the herbe is good for all the purposes aforesaid, and to cure Ulcers and sores of the mouth and throat being gargled or washed therewith.

Of such Medicines as are made thereof.

These following are made of Agrimonie, Syrup of Agrimonie. Pils of Agrimonie. Trosses of Agrimonie. Water of Agrimonie.

The Dose.

The leaves are given in Powder, from a scruple to a dram.