Description
The common wood betony
had many leaves rising from the root. Which are somewhat broad and round at the
end? It is roundly dented about the edges, standing upon long foot stalks, from
among which rise up small, square, slender, but upright hairy stalks. There is
with some leaves thereon, to a piece at the joints, smaller than the lower. Whereof
are set more than a few spiked heads of flowers like lavender. Hence it is thicker
and shorter for the most part, and of a reddish and purple color, spotted with
white spots both in the upper and lower part.
Also, the seeds
being contained in the husks that hold the flowers are blackish, somewhat long
and uneven. The roots are a lot of white thread strings; the stalk perished,
but the roots with some leaves thereon, abide all the winter. The whole plant
is somewhat small.
It growth is normally
in woods and delighted, in shady places.
It flowers comes in July, after when the seed is swiftly ripped, yet in
its prime in May. The herb is appropriated to the planet Jupiter, and the sign
Aries. Antonius Mum, physician to the Emperor Agustus Ctesar, wrote a peculiar
book of the Virtues of this herb.
Use
of Betony Wood
It is among other virtue
said of it, that it preserved the liver and body of man from the danger of
epidemical diseases. It also helps in from witchcraft also and supports those
that loathe or cannot digest their meal. Moreover, those who have weak stomachs
or sour belching and continual rising in their stomach using it closely either
green or dry. Either the herb or root, or the flowers in broth, drink, or meat,
or made into conserve syrup, water, electuary, or powder. As everyone may beat
frame themselves unto, or as the time or season required; taken any of the
aforesaid ways.
It supports in the
jaundice, falling sickness, the palsy, convulsions, shrinking of the sinews,
the gout, and those that are inclined to dropsy, those that have continual
pains in their heads, although it turn to frenzy. The powder mixed with pure
honey is no less available for all sorts of coughs or colds, wheezing, or
shortness of breath, distillations of thin rheum’s upon the lungs, which caused
consumptions.
The decoction made
with mead and a little pennyroyal. It is good for those that are troubled with
putrid agues, whether quotidian, tertian, or quartan and to draw down and
evacuate the blood and humors. That by falling into the eyes, do hinder the sight.
The decoction thereof made in wine, and taken, killed the worms in the belly,
opened obstructions both of the spleen and liver. It cured stitches and pains
in the back or sides.
The torments and
griping pains of the bowels and the wind cholic, and mixed with honey purged
the belly. It helped to bring down women's courses, and is of special use for
those that are troubled with the falling down of the mother. The pains thereof,
and caused an easy and speedy delivery of women in child-birth. It helped also
to break and expels the stone, either in the bladder or kidneys. The decoction
with wine gargled in the mouth eased the toothache.
It is suggested
against the stinging or biting of venomous serpents, or mad dogs, being used
inwardly and applied outwardly to the place. A dram of the powder of betony, taken
with a little honey in some vinegar, doth magnificently refresh those that are
over wearied by travel. It stayed bleeding at the mouth and nose, and helps
those that evacuate blood, and those that are bursten or have a rupture, and is
good for such as are bruised by any fall or otherwise.
Moreover, the green
herb bruised, or the juice affect to any inward hurt, or outward green wound in
the head or body. It will speedily heal and close it up: as also any veins or
sinews that are cut; and will draw forth a broken bone or splinter, thorn or
other things got into. It is no less profitable for old and filthy ulcers; yes,
though they are fistulous and hollow. But some do advice to put a little salt
to this purpose, being applied with a little hog's lard. Further, it helped a
plague or sore and other bile’s and pushes.
The fume of the
decoction while it is warm received by a funnel into the ears, eased the pains
of them, destroys the worms, and cured the running sores in them: the juice
dropped into them doth the same. The root of betony is displeasing both to the stomach
and taste. Whereas, the leaves and
flowers, are having their sweet and spicy taste, are comfortable both to meat
and medicine.
These are some of the many
virtues Antonius Musa, an expert physician, for it was not the practice of
Octavius Caesar to keep fools about him appropriates to betony. It is a very
precious herb that is certain, and most fitting to be kept in a man's house.
So, hence it is both in syrup, conserve, oil, ointment, and plaster. The
flowers are usually conserved. 60 Seconds Habit ! That Reversed Type 2 Diabetes and Melted 56 lbs of Fat
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