Chap. 012. Of All-Seed.

I. THE Names. It is called in the Greek, Πολύσπερμον. In Latin, Polyspermon, and Polyspermon Cassani Bassi; Atriplex Sylvestris: in English, All-seed, or Wild Arrach.

II. The Kinds. It is of the Kind of Blites, of the Wild sort, of which it is singular: some Authors account it among the number of Araches, and therefore call it Atriplex Sylvestris, but it is none of those Plants.

III. The Description. The Root is white, slender and long, with some Strings and the Plant is something like to the Blite, being one of the Wild Kind as aforesaid, but lesser than the Garden Blite; the Leaves are uneven on their edges, broad towards the Stalk, and growing narrower till they end almost in a point, but yet round pointed: It has several Stalks which are much Branched, on the upper parts of which is a great abundance of small Flowers, growing on long and spikie greenish Heads; set very thick together, after which follows the Seed, which being so very close and thick set makes it look as if it was all Seed, whence came the name Polyspermon: which Seeds are black and shining. (Amaranthus blitum? Chenopodium album? Something else? -Henriette.)

IV. The Places. It grows Wild, in many places in England, and in many Gardens as a weed, where it is Weeded out.

V. The Times. It Flowers and Seeds from June to the end of August, or the beginning of September, the Seed being ripe not long after the falling of the Flowers.

VI. The Qualities. It is cold and moist (according to Galen) in the second Degree. It is something opening, abstertive and emollient: and by appropriation Uterine and Arthritick; being of the Stock of the Alteratives.

VII. The Specification. Its chief intention is to cool Inflamations, and soften hard Tumors.

VIII. The Preparations. The Shops keep nothing of this Plant; but you may prepare therefrom.
1. An Essence.
2. A Juice.
3. A Decoction.
4. An Ointment.
5. A Cataplasm.
6. A Pouder of the Seed.

The Virtues.

IX. The Essence. It cools inward Inflamations and abates the heat of Fevers, and is good inwardly taken against an Erysipelas, and other like heats: and opens the obstructions of the Liver. Dose from j. to ij. ounces sweetned with Sugar.

X. The Juice. It has the Virtues of the Essence, but cools more, and is good to Gargle with in a Quinsey;and is profitable against heat of the Stomach, and Inflamation of the Lungs. It cleanses the Womb., and makes the Belly Soluble. Dose j. or ij. ounces in any fit Vehicle. Outwardly it is good to bathe with in an Erysipelas.

XI. The Decoction. It is good against heat in the Reins, and scalding of Urine in making Water: and if a little Nitre is disolved in it, it not only takes off the burning heat in Pissing, but opening all the Obstructions of the Urinary passages, it causes a plentiful making of Urine, and takes off the heat of any Burning Fever tho never so great. Dose vj. or viij. ounces well sweetned with Sugar, in which half a dram of Nitre, or more may be disolved: it may be taken twice a day.

XII. The Ointment. It cools Inflamations, eases pain of the Gout and other Aches proceeding from a hot cause, and is good against Scurff, Morphew, Scabs, Pimples, and other breakings out, and defilements of the Skin: and anointed is good to soften hard Tumors.

XIII. The Cataplasm. It is made of the Herb beaten in a Stone Morter, to every handful of which ij. drams of Nitre in fine Pouder is put, and dissolved, and brought to a consistency with Barley Flower. It gives present ease in the Gout, and all other pains proceeding from a hot Cause. Is good in an Erysipelas being spread thin, as also Scurff, Morphew, Leprosy, and is to be renewed two or three times in twenty four Hours[.]

XIV. The Pouder of the Seed. It is cooling, affects the Stomach, Reins, Bladder and Womb, taking away any preternatural heat in any of those parts: and being taken from half a dram to j. dram, it is said to be an effectual cure for the Yellow Jaundice; and to repress the overflowing of Choler.

Botanologia, or The English Herbal, was written by William Salmon, M.D., in 1710.
This chapter has been proofread by Peppercat / Lisa Haller.