Hawk-Weed
Description. It hath many large leaves lying on the ground, having many deep gashes on the edges, somewhat like those of the sow-thistle; from among these riseth up a hollow rough stalk, two or three feet high, branched from the middle upwards. On these are set, at every joint, several leaves cut but very little on the edges, bearing at the top many pale yellow flowers, consisting of small narrow leaves, broad pointed, and nicked in on the edges, set in a double row, and sometimes more, the outside leaves being the largest. These flowers are turned into down, bearing small brownish seed, which is blown away with the wind. The root is long and rather large, with many small fibres thereat. The whole plant is full of bitter milk.
Place. It groweth in many places, especially in fields and borders of path-ways, in dry grounds.
Time. It blossoms and disperseth its down in the summer months. Government and virtues. Saturn claims dominion over this herb. Dioscorides says, it is cooling, somewhat dry and binding, and therefore good for the heat and gnawings of the stomach, for inflammations, and hot ague-fits. The juice thereof, taken in wine, helpeth digestion, expelleth wind, preventeth crudities from clogging the stomach, and causeth an easy evacuation of urine; being outwardly applied, it is a sovereign cure for the stinging and biting of venomous beasts, and is good for all poisons. A scruple of the dried juice, taken in wine and vinegar, is profitable for the dropsy; the decoction of the herb, taken with honey, digesteth thin phlegm in the chest and lungs, and, mixed with hyssop, it helpeth the cough. The decoction hereof, mixed with that of wild succory made with wine, and taken, helpeth the wind-cholic and hardness of the spleen, procureth rest and sleep, preventeth venery, cooleth heats, purgeth the stomach, increaseth blood, and helpeth all diseases of the reins and bladder. Applied externally, it is a singular remedy for all defects and diseases of the eyes, being used with breast-milk; and is of equal success when administered to fretting and creeping ulcers, if taken in time. The green herb bruised, and mixed with a little salt, is effectual in helping burns, if it be used before the blisters rise; all inflammations, St. Anthony's fire, and all pushes and eruptions, heat and salt phlegm. The same applied with meal and fair water, in the manner of a poultice, to any place affected with convulsions and the cramp, or dislocated members, giveth great help and ease. The distilled water cleanseth the skin from all blemishes. The use of this herb is mostly external, but is very eminent; it cools, softens, and heals. I saw this year an arm covered with fiery pustules on the one half, and the terrible remains of scratching, cured by it in four days; the leaves were beat to a poultice with bread, milk, and a little oil, and tied round the arm.