Culpeper's complete herbal ... To which are ... annexed his English physician enlarged, and Key to [Galen's Method of] physic ... to which is also added ... receipts selected from the author's Last legacy / Nicholas Culpeper.

Nicholas Culpeper

Date:: 1814

Credit: Culpeper's complete herbal ... To which are ... annexed his English physician enlarged, and Key to [Galen's Method of] physic ... to which is also added ... receipts selected from the author's Last legacy / Nicholas Culpeper. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$cording to the soil where it grows, and be- fore the stalk with the flowers have abiden a month above ground, it will be withered and gone, and blow away with the wind, and the leaves will begin to spring, which being full grown, are very large and broad, being somewhat thin and almost round, whose thick red foot stalks above a foot long, stand towards the middle of the leaves. The lower part being divided into two round parts, close tdmost one to another, and are of a pale green colour; and hairy under- neath. The root is long, and spreads under ground, being in some places no bigger than ones finger, in others much bigger, blackish on the outside, and whitish within, of a bitter and unpleasant taste. Place and Ti)ne.~\ They grow in low and wet grounds by rivers and Avater sides. Their flower (as is said) rising and decaying in February and March, before their leaves, which appear in April. Government and. virtues.^ It is under the dominion of the Sun, and therefore is a great strengthener of the heart, and clearer of the vital spirits. The roots thereof are by long experience found to be very avail- able against the plague and pestilential fevers by provoking sweat; if the powder thereof be taken in wine, it also resists the force of any other poison. The root hereof taken with zedoary and angelica, or Avithout them, helps the rising of the mother. The decoction of the root in Avine, is singular good for those that Avheese much, or are short Avinded. It provokes urine also, and women^s courses, and kills the flat and broad Avorms in the belly. The poAvder of the root doth Avonderfuliy help to dry up the moisture of the sores that are hard to be cured, and takes aAvay all spots and blemishes of the skin. It Avere well if gentlcAvomen would keep this root preserved, to help their poor neighbours. It is Jit the rich should help the poor, Jor the poor cannot help themselves. THE BURDOCK. They are also called Personata, and‘ Loppy-major, great Burdock and Clod-bur. It is so Avell knoAvn, even by the little boys, Arho pull off the Burs to throw and stick upon one another, that I shall spare to write any description of it. Place.'] They groAVplentifully by ditches and Avater-sides, and by the higliAvays al- most every Avhere through this land. Government and virtues.] Venus chal- lenges this herb for her OAvn, and by its leaf or seed you may draw the womb wLich Avay you please, either upAvards by applying it to the crown of the head, in case it falls out; or dowiiAvards in fits of the mother, by applying it to the soles of the feet; or if you Avoifld stay it in its place, apply it to the naA^el, and that is one good Avay to stay the child in it. The Burdock leaves are cooling, moderately drying, and discussing Avithal, Avhereby it is good for old ulcers and sores. A dram of the roots taken Avith pine-kernels, helps them that spit foul, mattery, and bloody phlegm. The leaves applied to the places troubled Avith the shrinking of the sincAv or arteries, give much ease. The juice of the leaves, or rather the roots themselves, given to drink Avith old Avine, doth Avonderfully help the biting of any serpents : And the root beaten Avitli a little salt, and laid on the place, suddenly eases the pain thereof, and helps those that are bit by a mad dog. The juice of the leaves being drank Avith honey, provokes urine, and remedies the pain of the bladder. The seed being drank in Avine forty days together, doth Avonderfully help the sciatica. The leaves bruised Avith the Avhite of an egg, and applied to any place burnt Avith fire, takes out the fire, gives sudden ease, and heals it up aftei’Avards. The decoction of them fomented on any fretting sore or canker, staj^s the corroding quality, Avhich must be afterAvards anointed with ah oint*$