Tormentil
Description. The root of Tormentil is pretty thick and large, for the bigness of the plant, frequently crooked and knotty, of a reddish colour on the inside, with many small fibres; the stalks are long and very slender, and hardly able to support themselves. It has frequently seven, though sometimes only five, long narrow leaves growing at a joint, less than cinquefoil, and serrated only at the ends. The flowers are small and yellow, of four leaves, with a few stamina in the middle: the seed is small, growing naked on the calyx.
Place. It grows in woods, and on commons.
Time. It flowers in June and July. The roots are used. Government and virtues. This is a gallant herb of the Sun. Tormentil is most excellent to stay all kind of fluxes of blood or humours in man or woman, whether at nose, mouth, or belly. The juice of the herb and root, or the decoction thereof, taken with some Venice treacle, and the person laid to sweat, expels any venom or poison, or the plague, fever, or other contagious diseases, as pox, measles, &c. for it is an ingredient in all antidotes or counter-poisons. Andreas Valesius is of opinion, that the decoction of this root is no less effectual to cure the venereal disease than guiacum or china; and it is not unlikely, because it so mightily resists putrefaction. The root taken inwardly is most effectual to help any flux of the belly, stomach, spleen, or blood; and the juice wonderfully opens obstructions of the liver and lungs, and thereby helps the yellow-jaundice. The powder or decoction drank, or to sit therein as a bath, is an assured remedy against abortion in women, if it proceed from the over-flexibility or weakness of the inward retentive faculty; as also a plaister made therewith, and vinegar applied to the reins of the back, does much help not only this, but also those that cannot hold their water, the powder being taken in the juice of plantain, and is also commended against the worms in children. It is very powerful in ruptures and burstings; as also for bruises or falls, to be used as well outwardly as inwardly. The root hereof made up with pellitory of Spain and alum, and put into a hollow tooth, not only assuages the pain, but stays the flux of humours, which causes it. Tormentil is a no less effectual and powerful remedy against outward wounds, sores, and hurts, than for inward, and is therefore a special ingredient to be used in wound-drinks, lotions, and injections, for foul corrupt rotten sores and ulcers of the mouth, secrets, and other parts of the body. The juice or powder of the root put in ointments, plaisters, and such things, that are to be applied to wounds or sores, is very effectual, as the juice of the leaves and the root bruised and applied to the throat or jaws, heals the king's evil, and eases the pain of the sciatica; the same used with a little vinegar, is a special remedy against the running sores of the head, or other parts; scabs also, and the itch, or any such eruptions in the skin, proceeding of salt and sharp humours. The same is also effectual for the piles or haemorrhoids, if they be washed or bathed therewith, or with the distilled water of the herb and roots. It is found also helpful to dry up any sharp rheum that distils from the head into the eyes, causing redness, pain, waterings, itching, or the like, if a little prepared tutia, or white amber, be used with the distilled water thereof. Many women use this water as a secret to help themselves and others, when they are troubled with too much flowing of the whites or reds, both to drink it, or inject it with a syringe. And here is enough, only remember the Sun challenges this herb.