Elecampane
Description. This shooteth forth many large leaves, long and broad, lying near the ground, small at both ends, somewhat soft in handling, of a whitish green on the upper side, and grey underneath, each set upon a short foot-stalk; from among these rise up divers great and strong hairy stalks, three or four feet high, with some leaves thereon, compassing them about at the lower ends, and are branched towards the tops, bearing several large flowers, like those of the corn-marigold, both the border of the leaves and the middle thrumb being yellow; this is followed by a down, with long, small, brownish seed among it, which is carried away with the wind. The root is large and thick, branching forth many ways, blackish on the outside, and white within, of a very bitter taste, and strong but pleasant smell, especially when they are dried; it is the only part of the plant which has any smell.
Place. It groweth in moist grounds and shadowy places oftener than in the dry and open borders of fields and lanes and other waste places, almost in every county of this kingdom.
Time. It flowereth in June and July, and the seed is ripe in August. The roots are gathered for mediciual purposes as well in the Spring, before the leaves come forth, as in Autumn or Winter.
Government and virtues. It is a plant under the dominion of Mercury. The fresh roots of Elecampane, preserved with sugar, or made into a syrup or conserve, is very good to warm a cold and windy stomach, or the pricking therein, and stitches in the sides, caused by the spleen; also to help a cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing in the lungs. The dry root made into powder mixed with sugar, and taken, answereth the same purposes, and is also profitable for those who have their urine stopped; likewise to prevent the stoppages of the menstrua, the pains of the mother, and of the stone in the reins, kidnies, or bladder: it resisteth poison, and stayeth the spreading of the venom of serpents, as also of putrid and pestilential fevers; and also the plague. The roots and lierbage beaten, and put into new ale or beer, and drunk daily, clear, strengthen, and quicken the sight of the eyes exceedingly. The decoction of the roots in wine, or the juice taken therein, killeth and drireth forth all manner of worms in the belly and stomach: if gargled in the mouth, or the root chewed, fasteneth loose teeth, and helpeth to keep them from putrefaction; being drunk, it is good for those who spit blood, helpeth to remove cramps or convulsions, the pains of the gout, the sciatica, the looseness and pains in the joints, or members disjointed or sprained, proceeding from colds or moisture happening to them, applied either internally or externally; it is also used with good effect by those who are bursten, or have an inward bruise. The roots being well boiled in vinegar, afterwards beaten and made into an ointment with hog's suet and oil of trotters, is an excellent remedy for the scab or itch, either in young or old; the places also bathed or washed with the decoction doth the same, and helpeth all sorts of filthy old putrid sores or cankers. In the root of this herb lieth the chief effect for all the remedies aforesaid. The distilled water of the leaves and roots together is very profitable to cleanse the skin from morphew, spots, or blemishes.