CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

CROSS-WORT

Description. Common cross-wort groweth with square hairy brown stalks a little above a foot high, having four small, broad and pointed, hairy yet smooth, green leaves, growing at every joint, each against other crossways, which has caused the name. Toward the tops of the stalks at the joints, with the leaves in three or four rows downward, stand small pale yellow flowers, after which come small, blackish, round seeds, four for the most part in every husk; the root is very small, and full of fibres or threads, taking good hold of the ground, and spreading with the branches over a great deal of ground, which perish not in winter, although the leaves die every year, and spring again a-new.

Place. It groweth in many moist grounds, as well meadows as untilled places about London, in Hampstead church-yard, at Wye in Kent, and sundry other places.

Time. It flowereth from May all the summer long, in one place as another, as they are more open to the sun, the seed ripeneth soon after.

Government and virtues. It is under the dominion of Saturn. This is a singular good wound-herb, and is used inwardly, not only to stay bleeding of wounds, but to consolidate them, as it doth outwardly any green wound, which it quickly drieth up and healeth. The decoction of the herb in wine helpeth to expectorate phlegm out of the chest, and is good for obstructions in the breast, stomach, or bowels, and helpeth a decayed appetite. It is also good to wash any wound or sore with, to cleanse and heal it. The herb bruised and then boiled, and applied outwardly for several days together, renewing it often, and in the mean time the decoction of the herb in wine taken inwardly every day, doth certainly cure the rupture in any, so as it be not too inveterate; but very speedily, if it be fresh and lately taken.