Fig. 1435. Septfoil

The Description.

            This herb Tormentil or Septfoil is one of the Cinquefoils, it brings forth many stalks slender, weak, scarce able to lift itself up, but rather lieth down upon the ground: the leaves be lesser than Cinquefoil, but more in number, sometimes five, but commonly seven, whereupon it took his name Septfoil, which is seven leaves, and those somewhat snipped about the edges: the flowers grow on the tops of slender stalks, of a yellow colour, like those of the Cinquefoils. The root is black without, reddish within, thick, tuberous, or knobby.

The Place.

            This plant loveth woods and shadowy places, and is likewise found in pastures lying open to the Sun, almost everywhere.

The Time.

            It flowereth from May, unto the end of August.

The Names.

            It is called of the later herbarists Tormentilla: some name it after the number of the leaves Septifolium: in English, Septfoil and Tormentil: in High Dutch, Birkwurtz: most take it to be Chrysogonon; whereof Dioscorides hath made a brief description.

The Temperature.

            The root of Tormentil doth mightily dry, and that in the third degree, and is of thin parts: it hath in it very little heat, and is of a binding quality.

The Virtues.

            A. Tormentil is not only of like virtue with Cinquefoil, but also of greater efficacy: it is much used against pestilent diseases: for it strongly resisteth putrefaction, and procureth sweat.

            B. The leaves and roots boiled in wine, or the juice thereof drunken provoketh sweat, and by that means driveth all venom from the heart, expelleth poison, and preserveth the body in time of pestilence from the infection thereof, and all other infectious diseases.

            C. The roots dried made into powder and drunk in wine doth the same.

            D. The same powder taken as aforesaid, or in the water of a smith's forge or rather the water wherein hot steel hath been often quenched of purpose, cureth the lask and bloody flux, yea although the patient have adjoined unto his scouring a grievous fever.

            E. It stoppeth the spitting of blood, pissing of blood, and all other issues of blood, as well in men as women.

            F. The decoction of the leaves and roots, or the juice thereof drunk, is excellent good for all wounds, both outward and inward: it also openeth and healeth the stoppings of the liver and lungs, and cureth the jaundice.

            G. The root beaten into powder, tempered or kneaded with the white of an egg and eaten, stayeth the desire to vomit, and is good against choler and melancholy.