Home Index of Herbal Remedies Herbal Remedy Title Page
 

CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

 

FILIPENDULA

Names. Called also Dropwort.

Description. It shoots forth many leaves of various sizes, growing on each side of a rib, and much dented on the edges, somewhat resembling wild tansy or agrimony, but feel much harder: among these rise up one or more stalks, two or three feet high, spreading itself into many branches, each bearing several white sweet-smelling flowers, consisting of five leaves a-piece, with small threads in the middle: they stand together in a tuft or umbel, each upon a small footstalk, and are succeeded by round chaffy heads, like buttons, which contain the seed. The root consists of many tuberous pieces, fastened together by many small long blackish strings, which run from one to another.

Place. It grows in many places of this kingdom, in the corners of dry fields and meadows, and also by the hedge side.

Time. They flower in June and July, and their seed is ripe in August.

Government and virtues. It is under the dominion of Venus, and is very serviceable to open the urinary passages, to help the stranguary, and all other pains of the bladder and reins, and to expel the stone and gravel, by taking the root in powder, or a decoction of these in white wine, sweetened with sugar: the same also helps to expel the after-birth. The roos made into powder, and mixed with honey, after the manner of an electuary, is good for those whose stomachs are swollen, (breaking and expelling the wind which as the cause thereof,) as also for all diseases of the lungs, for the shortness of breath, wheezings, hoarseness, coughs, and, to expectorate cold phlegm. It is called dropwort, because it gives ease to those who evacuate their water by drops.


Home Index of Herbal Remedies Herbal Remedy Title Page