Important: Safety Warning
This page describes preparations historically taken to end pregnancy or "bring on the menses." These substances do not work as claimed and are seriously toxic; their use has caused poisoning and death.
In addition, this page prescribes plants as medicine according to pre-modern medical theory. Several of the plants named are toxic, correct identification is difficult, and the doses given have no scientific basis. Do not ingest or apply any preparation described here.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Contents › Fool's Parsley
Fool's Parsley
Description. This parsley has many winged leaves, which are composed of more and rounder sections than the common parsley, resembling the lower leaves of the great burnet saxifrage, being crenated about the edges; the stalks grow to be a foot and half high, somewhat thick and hairy, divided into several branches, on which grow narrow and more divided leaves. The flowers grow on the tops in round umbels, small and white, of five leaves apiece, and are succeeded by small, dark brown, somewhat hoary seed, of an aromatic taste. The root is long, thick, and white.
Place. It is sown in our gardens, where it will stand several years before it bears flowers and seed. The seed only is used.
Virtues. It is somewhat carminative, and good to expel wind, and help the cholic, it is likewise diuretic, provoking urine and the catamenia. It is an ingredient is the theriaca andromachi.
Hares are fond of parsley: the way to decoy them is to sow a spot of ground on purpose, which will certainly attract them to the place from all around.