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Of Neesing Root or Neesewort

The Description. 1 THe first kinde of white Hellebor hath leaves like unto great Gentian, but much broader, and not unlike the leaves of the great Plantaine, folded into pleits like a garment plaited to be laid up in a chest: amongst these leaves riseth up a stalke a cubit long, set towards the top full of little star-like floures of an herby green colour tending to whitenes: which being past, there come small husks containing the seed. The root is great and thicke, with many small threds hanging thereat.

The Place.

The white Hellebor groweth on the Alps and such like mountains where Gentian growes. It was reported unto me by the Bishop of Norwich, That white Hellebor groweth in a wood of his owne neere to his house at Norwich. Some say likewise that it doth grow upon the mountaines of Wales. I speake this upon report, yet I thinke it may be true. Howbeit I dare assure you that they grow in my garden at London, where the first kinde floureth and seedeth very well. The Time.

The first floureth in June.

The Names.

We of England call it white Hellebor, Neesewort, Lingwort, and the root Neesing pouder.

The Vertues.

The root of white Hellebor is good against the falling sicknesse, phrensies, sciatica, dropsies, poison, and against all cold diseases that be of hard curation, and will not yeeld to any gentle medicine. This strong medicine made of white Hellebor, ought not to bee given inwardly unto delicate bodies without great correction; but it may be more safely given unto countrey people which feed grosly, and have hard tough and strong bodies. The pouder drawne up into the nose causeth sneesing, and purgeth the brain from grosse and slimie humors.

The root given to drinke in the weight of two pence, taketh away the fits of agues, killeth mice and rats, being made up with hony and floure of wheat.