CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

RUSHES

Although there are many kinds of rushes, yet I shall only here insist upon those which are best known, and most medicinal; as the bulrushes, and other of the soft and smooth kinds, which grow so commonly in almost every part of this country, and are so generally noted, that I suppose it needless to give any description of them.

Place. It flowers by the side of watery ditches issuing from the Thames, and in the marshes near Blackwall.

Time. It flowers from July to September.

Government and virtues. The seed of the soft rushes, (says Dioscorides and Galen: toasted, says Pliny) being drank in wine and water, stays the lask and women's courses, when they come down too abundantly: but it causes head-ache; it provokes sleep likewise, but must be given with caution. The root boiled in water, to the consumption of one third, helps the cough.

Thus you see that conveniences have their inconveniences, and virtue is seldom unaccompanied with some vices. What I have written concerning rushes, is to satisfy my countrymen's questions; Are our Rushes good for nothing ? Yes, and as good let them alone as take them. There are remedies enough without them for any disease, and therefore, as the proverb is, "I care not a rush for them;" or rather "they will do you as much good as if one had given you a rush."