Fig. 1375. Sanicle

The Description.

            Sanicle hath leaves of a blackish green colour, smooth and shining, somewhat round, divided into five parts like those of the Vine, or rather those of the Maple: among which rise up slender stalks of a brown colour, on the tops whereof stand white mossy flowers: in their places come up round seed, rough, cleaving to men's garments as they pass by, in manner of little burs: the root is black, and full of thready strings.

The Place.

            It groweth in shadowy woods and copses almost everywhere: it joyeth in a fat and fruitful moist soil.

The Time.

            It flowereth in May and June: the seed is ripe in August: the leaves of the herb are green all the year, and are not hurt with the cold of winter.

The Names.

            It is commonly called Sanicula; of divers, Diapensia: in high and low Dutch, Sanikel: in French, Sanicle: in English, Sanicle, or Sanikel: it is so called, à sanandus vulneribus, or of healing of wounds, as Ruellius saith: there be also other Sanicles, so named of most herbarists, as that which is described by the name of Dentaria, or Coralwort, and likewise Auricula ursi, or Bear's-Ear, which is a kind of Cowslip; and likewise another set forth by the name of Sanicala guttata, whereof we have entreated among the kinds of Bear's-Ears.

The Temperature.

            Sanicle as it is in taste bitter, with a certain binding quality, so besides that it cleanseth, and by the binding faculty strengtheneth, it is hot and dry, and that in the second degree, and after some authors, hot in the third degree, and astringent.

The Virtues.

            A. The juice being inwardly taken is good to heal wounds. The decoction of it also made in wine or water is given against spitting of blood, and the bloody flux: also foul and filthy ulcers be cured by being bathed therewith. The herb boiled in water, and applied in manner of a poultice, doth dissolve and waste away cold swellings it is used in potions which are called vulnerary potions, or wound drinks, which maketh whole and sound all inward wounds and outward hurts; it also helpeth the ulcerations of the kidneys, ruptures, or burstings.