Of Scabious
The Description.
THe first kinde of Scabious being the most common and best knowne, hath leaves long and broad, of a grayish, hoary, and hairy colour, spred abroad upon the ground, among which rise up round and rough stems, beset with hairy jagged leaves, in fashion like great Valerian, which we call Setwall. At the top of the stalkes grow blew floures in thicke tufts or buttons. The root is white and single. 2 Sheeps Scabious hath small and tender branches trailing upon the ground, whereupon doe grow small leaves very finely jagged or minced even almost to the middle ribbe, of an overworne colour. The floures grow at the top of a blewish colour, consisting of much thrummie matter, hard thrust together like a button: the root is small, and creepeth in the ground. The Place.
These kindes of Scabious do grow in pastures, medowes, corn fields, and barren sandy grounds almost every where.
The strange sorts do grow in my garden, yet are they strangers in England. The Time.
They floure and flourish in the Summer moneths.
The Vertues.
Scabious scoureth the chest and lungs; it is good against an old cough, shortnesse of breath, paine in the sides, and such like infirmities of the chest.
The later Herbarists do also affirm, that it is a remedy against the bitings of Serpents and stingings of venomous beasts, being outwardly applied or inwardly taken.