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. 78. De Artemisia, of Mugwort.

The Names.

IT is called in Latine, Artemisia, from the Queene Artemisia, the wife of Mansolus King of Caria, being good for womens Diseases; in English, Mugwort.

The Temperament.

It is hot and dry in the second degree.

The Duration.

It will keep good a yeare.

The inward use.

The leaves are most in use; The decoction whereof made with water or wine, and drunke, provoketh the courses, bringeth away the birth and afterbirth, and helpeth the inflamation and stoppings of the Mother, as also the stopping of the urine, and is a good helpe against barrennesse in women. It helpeth the stoppings of the Liver and

Spleene from a cold cause, and against the Jaundise, being boyled with centory and taken. Two or three drams of the leaves in powder taken in wine, helps the Sciatica. The juyce taken helpeth the bitings of a mad Dog.

The manner of Administring it.

It is given in Powder or Decoction.

In Decoction.

Take a handfull of Mugwort and boyle it in a pint and a halfe of water, or White-wine to a pint, Straine it, adde Sugar thereto, and drinke a quarter of a pint of it Morning and Evening warme.

The outward use.

A Decoction thereof being set over, doth bring downe the courses, expell the birth and afterbirth, helps paines and stoppings of the Mo∣ther: the juyce thereof made up with myrrhe, and put under as a Pessa∣ry, worketh the same effect, and so doth the roote also; being made up with Hogs grease into an oyntment, it taketh away Wens, and hard knots, and kernells that grow about the Neck and Throat, as also to ease the paines about the neck, and that with more effect if some field Daisies be put with it: The herbe or the juyce taken is a good re∣medy upon the overmuch taking of Opium. A decoction thereof made with Camomill, Agrimony and Sage, and the place bathe there∣with warme, taketh away the paines of the Sinews and Crampe.

A Fomentation against the Arthriticall Gout.

Take of Git, or Nigella, and Mugwort, of each foure handfulls, boyle them in Sea water to tendernesse, and let the parts affected be bathed therewith warme.

The hurtfull quality.

It must not be used in very hot and dry bodies.

The Dose.

It is given from half a dram to two drams, in powder.

Of such Medicines as are made thereof.

Syrupe of Mugwort [excellent to bring downe the courses if a spoonfull thereof be taken Morning and Evening.] The distilled wa∣ter. Salt of Mugwort.