Costmary
Names. Called also alecost, or balsam herb.
This is so frequently known to be an inhabitant in almost every garden, that I suppose it needless to writes description thereof.
Time. It flowereth in June and July.
Government and virtues. It is under the dominion of Jupiter. The ordinary costmary, as well as maudlin provoketh urine abundantly, and moisteneth the hardness of the mother; it gently purgeth choler and phlegn extenuating that which is gross, and cutting that which is tough and glutinous, cleanseth that which is found and hindereth putrefaction and corruption; it dissolved without attraction, openeth obstructions and healed their evil effects, and is a wonderful help to all sorts of dry agues. It is astringent to the stomach, and strength eneth the liver, and all the other inward parts, and is taken in whey worketh the more effectually. Taken fasting in the morning, it is very profitable for the pain of the head that are continual; and to stay, dry up and consume, all thin rheums, or distillations from the head into the stomach, and helpeth much to digest rat humours that are gathered therein. It is very profitable for those that are fallen into a continual evil disposition of the body called cachexia, being taken, especially in the beginning of the disease. It is a good friend and help to evil, weak, and cold livers. The seed is familiarly given to children for the worms, and so is the infusion of the flowers in white wine, given them to the quantity of two ounces at a time: it maketh an excellent salve to cleanse and heal old ulcers, being boiled with olive oil and adder's tongue with it; and after it is strained, to put in a little wax, rosin, and turpentine to bring it into a convenient consistence.