Chap. 028. Of Stinking Arach.

I. The Names. It is called in Greek, (greek) in Latin, Atriplex foetida: and by Cordus, Garosmos (because it smells like Stinking Fish) from (greek) Piscis; whence comes (geek) i.e. Liquamen seu sanies Piscium: also, Tragium Germanicum; and by Pena and Lobel, Atriplex foetida garum olens: It smells more stinking; than the Ram, or Male Goat; and therefore, says Gerard, some have called it by a Figure, Vulvaria: in English it is called, Stinking Arach.

II. The Kinds. There seems to be but one single kind hereof; and by reason of its growing Wild, it may be accounted one of the Wild kinds.

III. The Description. It has a Root consisting of several long branches, filled with many Thready strings, from whence rises up one or more feeble Stalks, which lye flat upon the Ground, it being but a small low Plant; and from those Stalks come forth many weak and feeble Branches, upon which grow very small Leaves, almost round, yet a little Pointed, without Cut or Dent, in shape not much unlike to Basil, of a Greyish Colour, sprinkled over with a certain kind of Dusty Mealiness, or like to very small White Sand: among which Leaves, here and there confusedly, are the Seeds dispersed, which can be likened to nothing but Dust and Ashes. The whole , Plant is of a most Loathsom Savor or Smell, not much differing from that of old Rotten fish), or something worse. It perishes in Winter, and rises yearly again from its own Sowing.

IV. The Places. It grows naturally upon Dunghills, and other the most filthy places that may be: sometimes it is found in places like Brick-kilns, and old Walls, and near the Emptying places of Ordure or Dung but the cleanness of the Ground may in some measure alter its Smell, which, as some fancy, may be like old Rotten' Cheese: but that which grows in its natural place, smells like abominable Stinking Fihh, whence came the name Garosmos, as is before declared.

V. The Times. It is an Annual springing Plant, Flowers in June and July, and the Seed is ripe presently after, at what time it perishes, and rises again of its own Seed; so that if it is once gotten into a Ground, it is not easie to be destroyed, or rooted out again.

VI. The Qualities. It is Cold and Moist in the first Degree; is Alterative, Cleansing and Emollient; and is chiefly Hysterick, or appropriated to the Womb.

VII. The Specification. It is a pure Antihysterick, curing Vapors, and fits of the Mother, arising from almost what Cause soever.

VIII. The Preparations. You may have from it,
1. A Decoction.
2. A Juice.
3. An Essence.
4. A Syrup.
5. A Saline Tincture.
6. An Injection.
7. A Cataplasm.
8. An Ointment, or Balsam.

The Virtues.

IX. The Decoction. If made in Wine, and drunk from three ounces to six, it quells hot Vapors arising from the Stomach to the Head: if made in Water, it cools the Stomach and Womb, being inwardly taken, and outwardly injected with a Womb Syringe.

X. The Juice. It may be taken from j. ounce, to ij. ounces, or more: It cleanses the Womb, if it is foul, and strengthens it exceedingly; it provokes the Terms, represses Vapors admirably, and cures Hysterick Fits: give it in a Glass of White Port and let the Patient smell to it.

XI. The Essence. It makes Barren Women Fruitful, provokes the Terms, if they be stopt; and stops them if they flow immoderately; it facilitates the Birth, and brings away the Alter-birth, or Dead Child: it is commended as an Universal Medicine for the Womb, both easily, safely and speedily curing any Disease thereof as Vapors arising from the foulness of the Womb, or too great abundance of Seed, Fits of the Mother, and the like.. Dose from j. ounce to iij. ounces, in a Glass of White Wine, etc.

XII. The Syrup. It has the Virtues of the Juice, and Essence but not full out so powerful as either of them, and therefore is to be given to more queasie Stomachs. It is also used as a Vehicle to convey the Juice or Essence down in: you may make it with Sugar; but for cleansing the Womb, it is much better to be made with Honey. Dose iij. or iv. Spoonfuls.

XIII. The Saline Tincture. This is more powerful in cleaning the Womb, and repressing Vapors, and Hysterick Fits, than either the Juice or Essence, and may be exhibited from j. dram to ij. drams, either in the Syrup, or White Port Wine. Mixt with equal parts of the Juice, it is good to smell to, in Vapors, and Mother Fits, for the ill Scent thereof, causes the Womb to fly from it, or precipitates the Vapors downwards: and being thus mixed with the Juice, it is good against the falling down of the Womb, being cast in with a Womb Syringe; it also kills Worms which breed in the Sores or Ulcers of Horses, or other Cattel.

XIV. The Injection. It is made of the Juice mixed with equal parts of the Syrup, and Red Wine. It cleanses Ulcers of the Womb, is good against the Whites, strengthens the Matrix, and is helpful against its falling down.

XV. The Cataplasm. It is applied to the Share-Bone in Women, in a Procidentia Uteri; and gives ease in the Gout, or other Pains arising from a hot Cause: applied to the Stomach, it represses Fits of the Mother.

XVI. The Balsam. It cures Ulcers in the Womb, and Privy Parts of Man or Woman, and is a singular thing to give ease in the Gout, being applied; as also to cool and dissipate Inflamations.

Botanologia, or The English Herbal, was written by William Salmon, M.D., in 1710.
This chapter has been proofread by Debs Cook.