Spinage
Description. Spinage has a long whitish root, from which spring several pretty, broad, sharp-pointed leaves, hollowed in next the stalk, and in shape somewhat like aron; but they are more wrinkled, and covered with as unctuous mealiness; the stalk is fat and succulent, growing to be about two feet high, having the like but smaller leaves growing on it with several spikes of green herbaceous flowers, and after them come large prickly seed. Place. It is sown yearly in gardens.
Virtues. It is more used for food than medicine, being a good boiled salad, and much eaten in the spring, being useful to temper the heat and sharpness of the humours; it is cooling and moistening, diuretic, and renders the body soluble.