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. 45. De Mastiche,, of Mastich.

MAstick is a gum, or a gummie rosen in small whitish graines, flowing from the Lentisk-tree. It is called in Latine Mastiche and Mastix, in English Mastich, or Masticke.

The temperament.

Mastick is hot and dry in the third degree.

The best kinde.

The best is that which is cleere, splendent, white and brittle, and is brought from the Isle of Chio.

The duration.

It will keep good many yeares.

The inward use.

Mastick is excellent for the stomach, and doth much strengthen

the same, stayeth vomiting and nauseous subversions thereof, and helps the retaining vertue of the stomach, and brings good concocti∣on and digestion. It stoppeth the flux of the belly, and profits those that spit blood, and that have coughs, being taken with syrup of Colts-foot or the like, it stayeth the acrimonie, or sharpnesse of strong purging medicines, and is a good corrector of them: it stayeth thin distillations falling from the braine, and thikneth them, especi∣ally in Fevers, and preventeth the Falling-sicknesse and giddinesse of the head arising from vapours if a few graines thereof be taken after meate, and helpeth also the stinking of the breath. If three or foure graines thereof be taken at night when you go to bed, it easeth all paines in the stomach, and prevents the like for the future. The powder of Mastick with Amber and Venice-Turpentine is good a∣gainst the running of the reines, and for both whites and reds in women. Plinie saith, it provoketh urine Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 24. c. 7. f. 184. Oile of Mastick chymicall is usefull for the forenamed disea∣ses.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in decoction, in electuary, in powder, &c.

In decoction.

Take of mastick halfe an ounce, boile it in three or foure pintes of water; Give of the decoction often to drink of. It is profitable in loosenes and fluxes of the belly.. Schroder. Pharm. med. chym. l. 4. f. 194. Mastick must not be too much boiled for feare of losing its vertue.

An electuary for the cough proceeding from thin rheume, and against spitting of blood.

Take of mastick and Olibanum in powder, of each two scruples, Conserve of red Roses two ounces, Diacodion halfe an ounce, mixe them together, and take thereof morning and evening as much as a small nutmeg.

The outward use.

Mastick being infused, or steeped in Rose-water, is good to wash the mouth withall to fasten loose teeth, and to strengthen the gums, or mastick heated in wine, and the Gums, mouth, and teeth wash∣ed therewith cleanseth the corruption thereof, and fastneth the loose∣nesse both of Gums and Teeth. It is used in ointments and plaisters to mundifie and heale ulcers and sores, to stay the freeting fluxes of humours to them, to dry them up, and to fill up the hollownesse. It strengtheneth and bindeth also the parts whereunto 'tis applied,

and comforteth the aking joynts and sinews very much; it is used al∣so in plaisters and ointments to strengthen and comfort the stomach. Mastick dissolved in milk, and dropped into the eyes, takes away the dimnesse thereof. The teeth being rubbed with the powder there∣of, it whitens them. Being held in the mouth and chewed upon, it doth dry and comfort the brain, draweth flegme from the brain, and stayeth the falling down of humours, and also causeth a sweet breath. It is used to lay the haires of the eye-lids even. The same spread on Velvet or Plush and laid upon the temples, stayeth the Rheume from falling down, and easeth the tooth-ach. It knitteth broken bones. The oile of Mastick made by infusion and ebullition, or boiling, is mollifying, comforting and binding, very usefull in diseases of the Mother, against all pains in the belly and stomach, the hardnesse of tumours, and pains of the joynts and sinews; it also comforteth the brain, and strengtheneth the liver and heart.

Against pain of the temples proceeding from vapours ascending up to the brain.

Take of Mastick and Olibanum in powder, of each half an ounce, Bole Armoniack in powder two drams, with the white of an Egg, and a little Vineger, make a poultesse, and apply it (on lint or towe) to the temples.

Against chaps of the hands and lips.

Take of Mastick in powder half an ounce, Deers-suet an ounce, Oile of Roses four ounces, make an Ointment, by meking the Deers-suet with the Oile, and keeping it stirred, when it is almost cold put in the Mastick, and keep it for your use.

The hurtfull quality.

Mastick causeth belchings in the stomach, against which you may eat Carraway or Anise-seed-Comfits.

The Dose.

The Dose is from five grains to ten, or twelve, but give not too much of it.

Of such Medicines as are made of Mastick.

Pils of Mastick, spirit of Mastick, Oile Chymicall of Mastick. Aqua Mastichina, Oile by infusion and boiling, Ointment of Ma∣stick.