CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

SEA-COLEWORT

Description. This hath divers somewhat long, broad, large, thick, wrinkled leaves, crumpled upon the edges, growing each upon a several thick footstalk, very brittle, of a greyish green colour; from among which riseth up a strong thick stalk, two feet high, or more, with some leaves thereon to the top, where it brancheth forth much, and on every branch standeth a large bush of pale whitish flowers, consisting of four leaves each; the root is somewhat large and shooteth forth many branches under ground, keeping green leaves all the winter.

Place. They grow in many places upon the sea-coasts, as well on the Kentish as Essex shores; as, at Lid in Kent, Colchester in Essex, and divers other places, and in other counties, of this land.

Time. They flower and seed about the time that the other kinds do.

Government and virtues. The Moon claims the dominion of these also. The broth, or first decoction, of the sea-colewort, doth, by the sharp, nitrous, and bitter qualities therein, open the belly and purge the body; it cleanseth and digesteth more powerfully than the other kind: the seed hereof, bruised and drunk killeth worms: the leaves, or the juice of them, applied to sores or ulcers, cleanse and heal them, dissolve swellings, and take away inflammations.