CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

BRAMBLE

Name. It is also called blackberry bush, and is so well known that it needs no description; its virtues are as follow.

Government and virtues. It is a plant of Venus in Aries. You have directions at the latter end of the book for the gathering of all herbs, plants, &c. The reason why Venus is so prickly is because she is in the house of Mars. The buds, leaves, and branches, while they are green, are of good use in the ulcers and putrid sores of the mouth and throat, and for the quinsey; and likewise to heal other fresh wounds and sores: but the flowers and fruit unripe are very binding; they are also profitable for the bloody flux and lasks, and a fit remedy for spitting of blood. Either the decoction or powder of the root, being taken, is good to break or drive forth gravel and the stone in the reins or kidneys. The leaves and brambles, as well green as dry, are good lotions for sores in the mouth or secret parts; the decoction of them and of the dried branches doth much bind the belly, and is good for too much flowing of women's courses; the berries or the flowers are a powerful remedy against the poison of the most venomous serpents as well drunk, as outwardly applied, and help the sores of the fundament, and the piles; the juice of the berries, mixed with juice of mulberries, do bind more effectually, and help fretting and eating sores and ulcers wheresoever. The distilled water of the branches, leaves, and flowers, or fruit, is very pleasant in taste, and very effectual in fevers and hot distempers of the body, head, eyes, and other parts, and for all the purposes aforesaid. The leaves boiled in lye, and the head washed therewith heal the itch, and the running sores thereof, and make the hair black. The powder of the leaves strewed on cancers and running ulcers, doth wonderfully help to heal them. Some condensate the juice of the leaves, and some the juice of the berries, to keep for their use all the year, for the purposes aforesaid.