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Navel-Wort, or Pennywort

Names and Kinds. It is called umbilicus veneris, and herba concendicum. There are seven different kinds.

Description and virtues. 1. The small navel-wort is moist and somewhat cold and binding. It cooleth and revelleth, scoureth and consumeth. 2. The water penny-wort, called Hydrocotyle, is hot and ulcerating, like crows-foot; and is very dangerous to cattle who may occasionally feed thereon. 3. The bastard Italian navel-wort, called Crospula, partakes of the true in cold and moisture. 4. The juice of the wall penny-wort healeth all inflammations and hot tumours, as the erysipelas, or St. Anthony's fire; it healeth kibed heels, being bathed therewith, and the leaves applied. the leaves and root break the stone, provoke urine, and cure the dropsy. The distilled water healeth sore kidneys, pains of the bowels, piles, gout, and king's evil. 5. The common or one-summer's naval-wort is diuretic, not very hot, but exceeding dry. It provoketh urine, and digesleth sliminess in the joints. Two drams drunk in wine will expel much urine from dropsical persons and, applied, will also ease the gout. 6. The spotted and small red-flowered navel-wort are cold and moist, like house-leek.

Place. The first sort groweth on stone walls; the other sorts are only found on the Alps.

Time. They flower in the beginning of the spring, but flourish all the winter.