CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

CUCUMBERS

According to the pronunciation of the vulgar, cowcumbers.

Government and virtues. There is no dispute to be made, but that they are under the dominion of the Moon, though they are so much rejected for their coldness; it is by some affirmed, that if they were but one degree colder they would be poison. The best of Galenists hold them to be cold and moist but in the second degree, and then not so hot as either lettuce or purslain: they are excellent good for hot stomachs and livers; the immeasurable use of them fills the body full of raw humours, and so indeed does anything else when used to an excess. The juice of cucumbers, the face being washed with it, cleanseth the skin, and is excellent good for hot rheums in the eyes; the seed is excellent to provoke urine, and cleanse the passages thereof when they are stopped; neither do I think there is a better remedy for ulcers in the bladder than cucumbers; the usual course is to use the seeds in emulsions, as they make almond milk, but a far better way by far (in my opinion) is this; when the season of the year is, take the cucumbers and bruise them well, and distil the water from them, and let such as are troubled with ulcers in their bladder drink no other drink. The face being washed with the same water, be it never so red, will be benefited by it, and the complexion very much improved. It is also excellent good for sun-burning, freckles, and morphew.