CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

ONIX, OR ONE-LEAF

Description. This is a very singular little plant, and is sometimes found in authors described under the title Lily of the Valley. It never bears more than one leaf, but only when it rises up with its stalk, which thereon bears another, and seldom more, which are of a blueish green colour, pointed with many ribs or veins therein, like plantain. At the top of the stalk grow many small white flowers, star-fashion, smelling somewhat sweet; after which come small red berries, when they are ripe. The root is 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, and grassy places of woods, in many parts of this country.

Time. It flowers about May, and the berries are ripe in June; and then quickly perishes until the next year it springs from the same root again.

Government and virtues. It is a precious herb of the Sun. Half a drachm or a drachm at most, in powder of the roots hereof taken in wine and vinegar, of each equal parts, and the party laid presently to sweat thereupon, 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 infection, and defending the heart and spirits from danger. It is a singular good wound herb, and is thereupon used with others of the like effects in many compound balms for curing of wounds, be they fresh and geen, or old and malignant, and especially if the sinews be burnt.