CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

ONE BLADE

Description. This small plant never beareth any more than one leaf, but only when it riseth up with its stalk, which thereon beareth another, and seldom more, which are of a blueish green colour, broad at the bottom, and pointed with many ribs or veins like plaintain at the top of the stalk grows many small flowers star-fashion, smelling somewhat sweet; after which cometh small reddish berries when they are ripe; the root small, of the bigness of a rush, lying and creeping under the upper crust of the earth, shooting forth in divers places.

Place. It grows in moist, shadowy, grassy places of woods, in many places of this realm.

Time. It flowereth about May, and the berries be ripe in June, and then quickly perisheth, until the next year it springeth from the same again.

Government and virtues. It is an herb of the Sun, and therefore cordial: half a drachm or a drachm at most, of the root hereof in powder, taken in wine and vinegar, of each a like quantity, and the party presently laid to sweat, is held to be a sovereign remedy for those that are infected with the plague, and have a sore upon them, by expelling the poison, and defending the heart and spirits from danger; it is also accounted a singular good wound herb, and therefore used with other herbs in making such balms as are necessary for curing of wounds either green or old, and especially if the nerves or sinews are hurt.