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Broad-Leaved Spignel

Description. The root is long and thick, fibrous, of an aromatic taste, and the bottom leaves are of a blackish green colour. The upper leaves are small, and as slender as any plant we have; of a dull dark green colour. The stalk grows to be a foot or more high, not much branched, with a few small leaves growing thereon, bearing on the top umbels of small white five-leaved flowers. The seed is longer and larger than fennel, two growing together, which are striated on the back.

Place. It is found in our western countries, in rich damp soils, but not common.

Time. It flowers in June and July.

Government and virtues. It is under the government of Mercury in Cancer, and is an excellent plant in disorders of the stomach from phlegm, raw crude humours, wind and relaxations, pains, want of appetite and digestion, belchings, ructations, loathings, colic, gripes, retention of urine, and all obstructions. It is a good pectoral and stomachic carminative warmer. The root expels wind, urine, and the menses; is good in hysterics, green-sickness, catarrhs, grieves, and facilitates generation. The root powdered and given with loaf sugar, and a glass of its infusion in white wine or beer, or water taken evening and morning for some days, mostly brings down the menses and lochia, facilitates the expulsion of birth and after-birth, and eases a windy cholic after many more pompous and promising things have failed. The roots should be gathered when the leaves begin to put forth in the spring. The seed is rather stronger, and answers the same use as the root. The leaf is used outwardly in baths, poultices, and fomentations with success, where the skill of the Physician has done no good.