CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

SQUINANTH RUSH

Description. Though this is commonly called a rush, yet it is not one, but a species of grass, whose leaves grow thick together, inclosing or encompassing one another, having a small fibrous root; they are long and narrow, of a pleasant sweet smell. The stalks grow to be a foot or more high, bearing pinnacles of short wooly spikes, set opposite to one another. It grows in Arabia, and other eastern countries. The leaves only are used.

Government and virtues. Rushes are under Saturn. This suinanth is healing and drying, opening obstructions of the liver and spleen, and provoking the catamenia; it eases the pains of the womb after child-bearing, it provokes urine, cleanses the reins, and helps the hiccough, occasioned by wind in the stomach. It is an ingredient in the two great compositions, theriaca andromachi, and mithridate.