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Gerard's Herbal - Part 3

Gerard's Herbal - CHAP. 309. Of the Grass of Parnassus.

CHAP. 309. Of the Grass of Parnassus.


Fig. 1247. Grass of Parnassus (1)

Fig. 1248. Double-Flowered Grass of Parnassus (2)

 

The Description.

            1. The Grass or Parnassus hath small round leaves, very much differing from any kind of Grass, much resembling the leaves of Ivy, or Asarabacca, but smaller and not of so dark a colour: among these leaves spring up small stalks a foot high, bearing little white flowers consisting of five round pointed leaves, which being fallen and past, there come up round knops or heads, wherein is contained a reddish seed. The root is somewhat thick; with many strings annexed thereto.

            2. The second kind of Gramen parnassi doth answer the former in each respect saving that the leaves are somewhat larger, and the flowers double, otherwise very like.

The Place.

            The first groweth very plentifully in Lansdale and Craven, in the North parts of England; at Doncaster, and in Thornton Fields in the same country: moreover in the Moor near to Linton, by Cambridge, at Hessett also in Suffolk, at a place named Drinkstone, in the meadow called Butcher's Mead. Mr. Goodyer found it in the boggy ground below the red well of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire and Mr. William Broad observed it to grow plentifully in the Castle fields of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

            The second is a stranger in England.

 The Time.

            These herbs do flower in the end of July, and their seed is ripe in the end of August.

The Names.

            Valerius Cordus hath among many that have written of these herbs said something of them to good purpose, calling them by the name of Hepatica alba (whereof without controversy they are kinds) in English, White Liverwort: although there is another plant called Hepatica alba, which for distinction sake I have thought good to English, Noble White Liverwort.

            The second may be called Noble White Liverwort with the double flower.

The Nature

            The seed of Parnassus Grass, or White Liverwort, is dry, and of subtle parts.

The Virtues.

            A. The decoction of the leaves of Parnassus Grass drunken, doth dry and strengthen the feeble and moist stomach, stoppeth the belly, and taketh away the desire to vomit.

            B. The same boiled in wine or water, and drunken, especially the seed thereof, provoketh urine, breaketh the slone, and driveth it forth.

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