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Agrimony
AGRIMONY.
Description. This hath divers long leaves some greater, some smaller set upon a stalk, all of them dented about the edges, green above, and grayish underneath, and a little hairy withal. Among which ariseth up usually, but one strong, round, hairy, brown stalk, two or three feet high, with smaller leaves set here and there upon it, at the top wherof grow many yellow flowers one above another in long spikes: after which come rough heads of seeds hanging downwards which will cleave to and stick upon garments or any thing that shall rub against them. The root is black, long, and somwhat woody, abiding many years and shooting afresh every spring; which root, though small hath a pleasant good scent.
Place. It grows upon banks near the sides of hedges, or rails.
Time. It flowreth in July and August, the seed being ripe shortly after.
Government and Virtues. It is moderately hot and moist, according to the nature of Jubiter. It is under Jubiter and the sign of Cancer, and strengthens those parts under that planet or sign, and removes in them by sympathy: and those under Saturn, Mars and Mercury by antipathy, if they happen under any part of the body governed by Jubiter, or under the sign of Cancer, Sagittarius, or Pisces; and therefore must needs be good for the gout, either used inwardly or outwardly in an oil or ointment, in inwardly in an electuary or syrup, or concreted, juice; for which see the latter end of the book. It has moreover been recommended in dropsies and the jaundice. Externally it has indeed its uses: I have seen very bad sore legs cured by bathing and fomenting them with a decoction of this plant.
It is of a cleansing and cutting faculty without any manifest heat, moderately drying and binding; It openeth and cleanseth the liver, helpeth the jaundice, and is very beneficial to the bowels, healing all inward wounds, bruises, hurts, and other distempers. The decoction of the herb made with wine and drunk is good against the stinging and biting of serpents, and helps them that have foul, troubled, or bloody waters, and makes them pass water clear speedily; It also helpeth the collick, cleanseth the breast, and relieves the cough. A draught of the decoction taken warm before the fit, first relieves, and in time removes the tertian or quartan agues; The leaves and seed taken in wine, stays the bloody flux. Outwardly applied, being stamped with old swines grease, it helpeth old sores, cancers, and inveterate ulcers; and draweth forth thorns, splinters or wood, nails, or any other such thing gotten into the flesh; it helpeth to strengthen the members that be out of joint; and being bruised and applied, or the juices dropped in, it helpeth foul and imposthumed ears.
The distilled Water of the Herb is good to all the said purposes, either inward or outward, but a great deal weaker.
It is an Herb under Jupiter, and the Sign of Cancer, and therfore strengthens those parts under that Planet and Sign, and removes Diseases in them by Sympathy, and those under Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, by Antipathy. If they happen in any part of the Body governed by Jupiter, or under the Signs, Cancer, Sagitary, or Pisces, and therfore must needs be good for the Gout, either used outwardly in an Oyl or Oyntment, or inwardly in an Electuary or Syrup, or concreated Juyce, for which see the latter end of the Book.
I cannot stand to give you a reason in every Herb why it cureth such diseases, but if you please to peruse my judgment in the herb wormwood you shall find them there, and it will be well worth your while to consider it in every herb, you shall find them true throughout the book.
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| N.B. - Housenote: Agrimonia eupatoria, Agrimony Herb, Common Agrimony, Harvest Lice |
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