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. 88. De Caprifolio, of Hony Succles.

The Names.

IT is called in Latine, Caprifolium, and Periclymenum, in English, Woodbinde and Hony-succle.

The Temperament.

It is hot and attenuating, or making thin, and not colde.

The inward use.

It is of a cleansing, resolving, consuming and digesting quality, as Hyssope, Origanum and such like; therefore used in decoctions with Figs and Licorish, they expectorat fleagme from the Lungs and Chest wherewith they are filled. The flowers and leaves are of more use then the seeds, which is said to consume the Spleene, and to procure a womans speedy delivery, helpeth shortnesse of breath, and cureth the Hicket: they also cause barrennesse in women, and make men unable to generation.

The manner of Administring it.

It is chiefly used in decoction, as in the Chapter of Mugwort.

The outward use.

The leaves or flowers in powder, or the distilled water of them, is commended to dry up foule and moist Ulcers, and to cleanse the face and skin from Morphew, Sunburne, Freckles, and other discolou∣rings of the skin. The Oyle wherein the flowers have beene infused and sunned, is good against Cramps, convulsions of the Sinews, and Palsies, and any other benumming cold griefe.

A water for wounds.

Take Honysuccle, Sage, Celandine, of each a handfull, boyle them in eight pints of running water to a halfe, then adde to the strained Liquor a pound of Hony, set them on the fire, and take off the scumme so long as any will rise, then adde thereto of Roch Allum in powder foure ounces, graines of Paradise bruised one ounce; boyle them a little, then straine and reserve it.

The hurtfull quality.

The Decoction thereof being drunke sixe dayes together, will make the urine as blood; although at the first they will but provoke urine onely; neither are they good for inflamations of the mouth and throat, but hurtfull therein, as the burning heate of the leafe doth manifest.

The Dose.

The seeds are given from halfe a dram to a dram.

Of such things that are made thereof.

The distilled water. Syrup of the flowers.