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Water Pepper

Description. Our common water pepper sends forth somewhat long and broa leaves, of a light blueish greenish colour, finely dented about the edges, and pointed at the ends, standing upon round hard stalks, three or four feet high, spreading many branches on all sides, and having many small white flowers at the tops of them, after which follow small seeds in small heads. The root is slender, running much under ground, and shooting up again in many places; and both leaves and roots are very hot and sharp of taste, like pepper, for which cause it took the name.

Place. It grows naturally in many places of the country, as at Clare, in Essex; also near unto Exeter, in Devonshire; upon Rochester Common, in Kent; in Lancashire, and in divers other places; but is usually kept in gardens. Time. It flowers in the end of June, and in July.

Government and virtues. Here is another martial herb for you, make much of it. Pliny and Paulus AEginetta say, that pepperwort is very successful for the sciatica, or any other gout or pain in the joints, or any other inveterate disease: the leaves hereof to be bruised and mixed with old hog's grease, and applied to the place, and to continue thereon four hours in men, and two hours in women, the place being afterwards bathed with wine and oil mixed together, and then wrapt up with wool or skins, after they have sweat a little. It also amends the deformities or discolourings of the skin, and helps to take away marks, scars, and scabs, or the foul marks of burning with fire or iron. The juice hereof is by some used to be given in ale to drink to women with child, to procure them a speedy delivery in travail.