Daisies
These are so well known almost to every child, that I suppose it needless to write any description of them. Take therefore the virtues of them as followeth.
Government and virtues. The herb is under the sign Cancer, and under the dominion of Venus, and there-fore excellent good for wounds in the breast, and very fitting to be kept both in oils, ointments, and plaisters, as also in syrup. The greater wild daisy is a woundherb of good respect, often used in those drinks or salves that are for wounds, either inward or outward. The juice or distilled water of these, or the small daisy, doth much temper the heat of choler, and refresh the liver, and other inward parts. A decoction made of them, and drank, helpeth to cure the wounds made in the hollowness of the breast. The same also cureth all ulcers and pustules in the mouth or tongue, or in the secret parts. The leaves bruised and applied to the scrotum, or to any other parts that are swollen and hot, doth dissolve it, and temper the heat. A decoction made thereof, of wallwort and agrimony, and the places fomented or bathed therewith warm, giveth great ease to them that are troubled with the palsy, sciatica, or the gout. The same also disperseth and dissolveth the knots or kernels that grow in the flesh of any part of the body, and bruises and hurts that come of falls and blows; they are also used for ruptures, and other inward burstings, with very good success. An ointment made thereof doth wonderfully help all wounds that have inflammations about them, or by reason of moist humours having access unto them, are kept long from healing, and such are those, for the most part, that happen to joints of the arms or legs. The juice of them dropped into the running eyes of any, doth much help them.
DILL.
Description. The common dill groweth up with seldom more than one stalk, neither so high, nor so great usually as fennel, being round and fewer joints thereon, whose leaves are sadder, and somewhat long, and so like fennel that it deceiveth many, but harder in handling, and somewhat thicker, and of a stronger unpleasant scent: The tops of the stalks have four branches, and smaller umbels of yellow flowers, which turn into small seed, somewhat flatter and thinner than fennel seed. The root is somewhat small and woody, perishing every year after it hath borne seed; and is also unprofitable, being never put to any use.
Place. It is most usually sown in gardens and grounds for the purpose, and is also found wild in many places.
Government and virtues. Mercury hath the dominion of this plant, and therefore to be sure it strengthens the brain. The dill being boiled and drank, is good to ease swellings and pains; it also stayeth the belly and stomach from casting. The decoction thereof helpeth women that are troubled with the pains and windiness of the mother, if they sit therein. It stayeth the hiccough, being boiled in wine, and but smelled unto, being tied in a cloth. The seed is of more use than the leaves, and more effectual to digest raw and vicious humours, and is used in medicines that serve to expel wind, and the pains proceeding therefrom. The seed, being roasted or fried, and used in oils or plaisters, dissolve the imposthames in the fundament; and drienk up all moist ulcers, especially in the fundament; an oil made of dill is effectual to warm or dissolve humours and imposthumes, to ease pains and to procure rest. The decoction of dill, be it herb or seed (only if you boil the seed, you must bruise it) in white wine, being drank, is a gallant expeller of wind, and provoker of the terms.