Dioskorides  De materia medica

Aina Tonheim

EDITORIAL PREFACE Pedanius Dioscorides the Greek wrote this De Materia Medica approximately two thousand years ago. In 1655 John Goodyer made an English translation from a manuscript copy, and in 1933 Robert T Gunther edited this, Hafner Publishing Co, London & New York, printing it. This was probably not corrected against the Greek, and this version of Goodyer's Dioscorides makes no such attempt either. The purpose of this new edition is to offer a more accessible text to today’s readers, as the ‘english-ed’ copy by Goodyer is generously endowed with post-medieval terminology and is presently out of print. The reader may wish to refer to Greek, Latin, or other versions — including these lies beyond the scope of the present effort. I have not attempted to make the text uniform, and though I have included some sixteenth-century and Linnaean names, many do not indicate current usage. While it is not my intention to contribute to the controversy surrounding the true identities of the plants, minerals, and creatures in De Materia Medica, where available I have suggested possible plant names, with an indication of other plants using the same name today. I will appreciate any pertinent information that has been overlooked, and wish to acknowledge the errors that remain. Thus the proposed herbs provide some possibilities, and the reader is invited to place a personal interpretation upon the material. The illustrations suggest further options in some instances. Dioscorides’ treatise is not offered as a primary resource for medical treatment. Readers should in the first instance obtain medical advice from qualified, registered health professionals. Many treatments considered acceptable two thousand years ago are useless or harmful. This particularly applies to the abortifacients mentioned in the manuscript, most of which contain toxins considered dangerous in the required doses. With all this in mind, I believe the information in this document is still of interest and benefit to us, after all this time.

THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK DIOSCORIDES i COPYRIGHT NOTICE As this version essentially constitutes a new work, the editor/translator hereby asserts copyright. Permission of the publisher is required for any excerpts or copies made from the text. The illustrations are deemed in good faith to be in the public domain. © Tess Anne Osbaldeston First published in 2000 ISBN 0-620-23435-0 Printed in 12/14 Zapf Calligraphic [Palatino] Published by IBIDIS PRESS cc PO Box 81169 Parkhurst Johannesburg South Africa 2120 +27 11 788 2270 international paper fax +27 82 771 7130 international messages ibidis@netactive.co.za e-mail ISBN 0-620-23435-0 9 780620 234351 0 0> Bursera gummifera after FAGUET— 1888 [opposite] ii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK DIOSCORIDES DE MATERIA MEDICA HERBAL BEING AN WITH MANY OTHER MEDICINAL MATERIALS WRITTEN IN GREEK IN THE FIRST CENTURY OF THE COMMON ERA A NEW INDEXED VERSION IN MODERN ENGLISH BY TA OSBALDESTON AND RPA WOOD iii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK CONTENTS EDITORIAL PREFACE — vii ORIGINAL DEDICATION — viii BIBLIOGRAPHY — xiii INTRODUCTION — xx ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS — xl THE BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATIONS — xlii PRINTED BOOKS — il GAZETTEER OF DIOSCORIDES’ WORLD — lxviii BOOK ONE: AROMATICS — 1 OILS — 34 OINTMENTS — 48 GUMS from TREES — 78 FRUIT from TREES — 149 FRUIT TREES — 153 BOOK TWO — 183 LIVING CREATURES — 184 FATS — 212 FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS — 229 LACHANA: VEGETABLES — 243 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY — 304 BOOK THREE: ROOTS — 363 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS — 377 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS — 541 BOOK FIVE: VINES & WINES — 741 WINES — 747 OTHER WINES — 759 METALLIC STONES — 781 INDEXES ALTERNATE NAMES — 832 ILLUSTRATIONS — 847 LATINISED GREEK NAMES — 851 MEDICINAL USES etc. — 860 PLANT MATERIALS etc. — 885 POISONOUS MATERIALS — 926 v for Laura N arthecium ossifragum after FAGUET — 1888 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK EDITORIAL PREFACE P edanius Dioscorides the Greek wrote this De Materia Medica approximately two thousand years ago. In 1655 John Goodyer made an English translation from a manuscript copy, and in 1933 Robert T Gunther edited this, Hafner Publishing Co, London & New York, printing it. This was probably not corrected against the Greek, and this version of Goodyer's Dioscorides makes no such attempt either. The purpose of this new edition is to offer a more accessible text to today’s readers, as the ‘english-ed’ copy by Goodyer is generously endowed with post-medieval terminology and is presently out of print. The reader may wish to refer to Greek, Latin, or other versions — including these lies beyond the scope of the present effort. I have not attempted to make the text uniform, and though I have included some sixteenth-century and Linnaean names, many do not indicate current usage. While it is not my intention to contribute to the controversy surrounding the true identities of the plants, minerals, and creatures in De Materia Medica, where available I have suggested possible plant names, with an indication of other plants using the same name today. I will appreciate any pertinent information that has been overlooked, and wish to acknowledge the errors that remain. Thus the proposed herbs provide some possibilities, and the reader is invited to place a personal interpretation upon the material. The illustrations suggest further options in some instances. Dioscorides’ treatise is not offered as a primary resource for medical treatment. Readers should in the first instance obtain medical advice from qualified, registered health professionals. Many treatments considered acceptable two thousand years ago are useless or harmful. This particularly applies to the abortifacients mentioned in the manuscript, most of which contain toxins considered dangerous in the required doses. With all this in mind, I believe the information in this document is still of interest and benefit to us, after all this time. Bursera gummifera after FAGUET— 1888 Tess Anne Osbaldeston Johannesburg, South Africa, June 2000 vii ORIGINAL DEDICATION ORIGINAL DEDICATION Cupressus sempervirens after FAGUET— 1888 viii Dearest Areius, Although many of the writers nowadays, as well as those in ancient times, wrote discourses on the preparations, strengths and dosage of drugs, I will attempt to prove to you that I did not choose to undertake this through vanity or impulsiveness. Some of those authors did not complete their attempts, while others copied previous historical documents. Iolas from Bithynia and Hexaclides from Tarentum briefly considered the subject but they completely omitted any systematic discussion of herbs and ignored metals and spices. Crateuas the rhizotomist and Andreas the physician seem to have had greater knowledge of this particular area than most, but have ignored many extremely useful roots and gave meagre descriptions of many herbs. Still I must admit that although they told us little, the ancients applied great effort in their work. I am not completely in agreement with most modern writers, among them Julius Bassus, Niceratus and Petronius, Niger and Diodotus, who are all asclepiads [poets]. In a way they have condescended to describe commonplace information familiar to all but they have explained the strengths of medicines and their properties briefly, not considering their value by personal experience, but by worthless discussion created needless controversy regarding each medicine, and in addition they have mistakenly recorded one thing for another. So Niger, who it seems is a man of importance among them, declares euphorbion to be the juice of a chamelaia that grows in Italy; androsaimon is considered the same as hypericon; and aloe is a mineral found in Judea; and in the face of contradictory evidence he reports an abundance of untruths, which proves that he obtained his information from erroneous gossip, not from personal experience. Additionally they have erred in the categorisation of medicines: some associate those of quite different powers, others establish an alphabetical system in their discussions and thus separate types and activities of materials that are similar, so that they become harder to remember. From my youth I have had an unceasing inquisitiveness regarding knowledge of this subject, and I have travelled widely (as you know, I was a soldier), so I THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK have taken your advice and assembled all that I have discussed and have written it down in five books. I dedicate this collection to you, as a token of my grateful appreciation for the friendship you have shown me. You are always a ready friend to anyone obsessed by knowledge, particularly in this profession, and even more especially to myself. It is clear from the love that wonderful man Licinius Bassus has for you, that you express a loving benevolence that I experienced (I noticed when I stayed with you, the unsurpassing generosity that you shared). I ask that you and all who may read these discussions will not consider so much the value of my words as the effort and practical work that I have based the work on. With careful investigation — since I know many plants personally, and others from previous writings that are generally approved of — and patiently inquiring (by questioning the local inhabitants) about each type of plant, I will attempt a different classification, and also try to explain the varieties and uses of each one of them. Obviously we can agree that a systematic discourse on medicines is necessary, as this is the basis of the entire profession of healing and gives considerable aid to every discipline. So that the scope may fully cover methods of preparation, compounds, and tests on illnesses, and because information about each individual drug is necessary for this, I intend to assimilate things that are common knowledge and those that are somehow related so that the information will be exhaustive. First it is necessary to pay attention to storing and gathering plants, and only at the proper harvest time, for unless care is taken drugs can either be potent or become useless. Herbs should be collected on a sunny day, as it matters considerably if it is raining when the harvest is gathered. The places they grow also matter; specific medicinal herbs are stronger or weaker if found on hills and mountains; if exposed to winds; if their position is cool and arid — their strength can rest entirely on such conditions. Healing herbs located in the open or in bogs and dark places that do not permit the circulation of air are generally of poorer strength, particularly if they are collected at the wrong time, or are rotten and of inferior quality. We must remember that plants often mature sooner or are delayed depending on the peculiarities of the locale and the variability of the seasons, and although certain herbs by their very nature xi ORIGINAL DEDICATION are winter-growing and -flowering, some may flower more than once a year. It is essential that someone wanting to be an accomplished herbalist should observe the first new growths of the herbs as well as their mature expression and their eventual decline. Otherwise a person seeing only a new shoot will be unable to identify the same flourishing plant, and having seen only its full growth will not know the seedling. Due to varieties in the forms of leaves, the proportions of stems, and the appearances of flowers and fruits and certain other familiar features, those who have neglected careful examination in the right manner have committed serious errors. This is why certain writers have erred grievously in their discussions of certain herbs — saying that they have no stalks, fruit or flowers — mentioning gramen, tussilago, and quinquefolium. So the individual who continually examines plants growing in different localities will learn the most about them. Furthermore, it is important to note that among medicinal herbs only black and white hellebore keep their potency for a long time. Most other plants are viable for up to three years. Branching plants such as stoechas, chamaidrus, potion, abrotanum, seriphium, absinthium and hyssopum etc., must be harvested when they are full of seed; flowers must be collected while still on the plant; fruits must be allowed to ripen; and seeds should be starting to dry, but still on the plant. To express the plant liquids, use stems and leaves that are new. To harvest saps and resins make incisions in the mature stalks. To collect roots for storage or to press out their liquids or to remove their coverings, wait until the leaves start to fall off the plant. Clean roots can be stored right away in places that are not damp, however any soil adhering to the roots should be rinsed off with water. Blossoms and perfumed materials must be kept in dry limewood boxes but certain plants are adequately stored in paper or leaf wrappings to protect the seeds. Preparations that contain moisture require substantial containers from materials such as silver, glass or horn. Even thick ceramic containers are acceptable, and even wood, especially boxwood. Brass receptacles are ideal for eye medicines, liquids, and preparations including vinegar, liquid pitch or cedria [oil of cedar]; but fats and marrow should be stored in tin boxes. ΠΕ∆ΑΚΙΟΥ ∆ΙΟΣΚΟΡΙ∆ΟΥ xii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK BIBLIOGRAPHY A list of books and monographs dealing with, or related to the writings of Pedanios Dioscorides, including those consulted in preparing this volume Albertus Magnus, Albert of Bollstaedt, De vegetabilibus libri vii, translators Meyer, EHF and Jessen, KFW, Georgii Reimeri, Berolini 1867 [manuscript written before 1256]. Anderson, Frank J. An illustrated history of the herbals, Columbia University Press, New York 1912. Reprint 1977, paperback 1997. Anderson, Frank J. Illustrated Bartsch: Herbals before 1500: commentary, 1984. Arber, Agnes. Herbals, their origin and evolution, a chapter in the history of botany 1470-1670, Cambridge at the University Press, new edition rewritten and enlarged 1938. Baillon, Henri Ernest. Histoire des plantes, L Hachette & Cie, Paris, London, Leipzig, 13 vols, 1867-1895. Baillon, Henri Ernest. The natural history of plants, translated by MM Hartog, 8 vols, 1871-1888. Basmadjian KJ. 'L’identification des noms des plantes du codex Constantinopal de Dioscoride', in Journal Asiatique, vol 230, 1938, pp577-621. Bedevian, A K. Illustrated polyglottic dictionary of plant names, 1936. Berendes, Julius. Die pharmacie bei den alten Kulturvolkern, in Historischkritische Studien, 2 vols, Tausch & Grasse, Halle 1891. Facsimile edition, Olms, Hildesheim 1965. Blunt, Wilfrid with the assistance of William T Stearn. The art of botanical illustration, number 14, The N ew N aturalist, A survey of British natural history, Collins, London. 1971 reprint of 1950 edition. Blunt, Wilfrid & Raphael, Sandra. The illustrated herbal, Francis Lincoln and Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London 1979. Bologa, Valeriu L. 'I sinonimi, “dau” delle piante descritte da Dioscoride possono servire alla riconstruzione della lingua daca?', Archeion archivio di storia della scienza, vol 12, Rome 1930, pp166-170. Bonnet, Edmond. 'Essai d’identification des plantes medicinales mentionnees par Dioscoride, d’apres les peintures d’un manscrit de la Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris (Ms Grec No 2179)', Janus, 1903, Huitieme Annee 4-6: 1-21, vol 8, pp169-177, 225-232, 281-285. Bonnet, Edmond. 'Etude sur les figures de plantes et d’animaux peintes dans une version arabe, manuscrit de la matiere medicinale de Dioscoride, conservee a la Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris', in Janus, vol 14, 1909, pp294-303. Bridson, Gavin DR & White, James J, compilers. Plant, animal & anatomical illustration in art & science, a bibliographical guide from the 16th century to the present day, St Paul’s Bibliographies, Winchester in association with Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Omnigraphics Inc, Detroit 1990. Brunfels, Otto. Herbarum vivae eicones ad naturae imitationem summa cum diligentia et arteficio effigiatae, una cum effectibus earundem in gratiam veteris illius et jamjam renascentis herbariae medicinae, Joannem Schottum, Argentorati 1530. Buberl, Paul. 'Beschreibendes verzeichnis der illuminierten handschriften und inkunabeln der Nationalbibliothek', in Wien, vol 4.1, Leipzig 1937. Buberl, Paul. ‘Die antikengrundlagen der miniaturen des Wiener Dioskurideskodex’, in Jahrb. Deutsch archaol. Inst., vol 51, p114, 1936. Cassia floribunda after FAGUET — 1888 xiii BIBLIOGRAPHY Buberl, P. Die byzantinischen Handschriften. 1. Der Wiener Dioskurides und die Wiener Genesis, Vienna 1937. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, Centenary edition, Edinburgh 1997. Church, AH. 'Brunfels and Fuchs', in The Journal of Botany, British and Foreign, vol 57, September 1919. Clarkson, Rosetta E. The golden age of herbs and herbalists, Dover, New York 1940. Reprint 1972. Collier’s Encyclopaedia with Bibliography and Index. William D Halsey, editorial director. Crowell-Collier Publishing Co., USA 1963. Crockett, Edith A. 'Matthioli’s commentaries and the De Materia Medica of Dioskorides', in Bulletin of the Horticultural Society of N ew York, vol 19, New York 1969, pp9-21. D’Andrea, Jeanne. Ancient Herbs, The J Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California 1982. Daubeny, Charles Giles. Essay on the trees and shrubs of the ancients, JH Parker, London 1865. Daubeny, Charles Giles. Lectures on Roman husbandry, Oxford 1857. Davis, Ainsworth. The natural history of animals, Gresham, London 1907. Day, Florence E. 'Mesopotamian manuscripts of Dioscorides', in Metropolitan Museum of Art, bulletin 8, 1950, pp274-280. Diels, H. Die handschriften der antiken artze, Berlin 1906. Desmond, Ray. Wonders of creation, natural history drawings in the British Museum, The British Library, London 1986. De Wit, HCD. Ontwikkelingsgeschiedenis van de Biologie, Wageningen 1982-1989. Di Toni Giovanni Battista. I placiti di Luca Ghini … intorno a piante descritte nei Commentarii al Dioscoride di P A Mattioli, Venezia 1907. Dont, H. 'Dioskurides Pedanios aus Anazarbos in Kilikien', in Lex Gesch N aturwiss, vol 1, 1970, pp836-838. Dowden, Anne Ophelia. This noble harvest, a chronicle of herbs, Collins, New York 1979. Dubler, Cesar E. 'Die materia medica unter den Muslimen des Mittelalters', in Sudhoffs Archiv fur Geschichte der Medizin und der N aturwissenschaften, Leipzig, vol 43, 1959, pp320-350. Dubler, Cesar E. 'Diyuskuridis', in The Encyclopaedia of Islam, 5 vols, Brill, Leiden and Luzac, London 1978, vol 2, pp349-350. Dubler, Cesar E. La Materia medica de Dioscorides: Transmision medieval y renacentista, 6 vols, Tipografia Emporium, Barcelona 1953-1959. Emboden, William A. Leonardo da Vinci on plants and gardens, Christopher Helm, London 1987. Emmanuel, E. 'Etude comparative sur les plantes dessinees dans le Codex Constantino-politanus de Dioscoride', in Schweizerische Wochenschrift fur Chemie und Pharmazie, Journal Suisse de Chimie et Pharmacie, vol LXI (Jahrg 50), 1912, pp45-50, 64-72. Engler, Heinrich Gustav Adolf & Prantl, Karl. Die naturlichen pflanzenfamilien, 32 volumes in 23, Leipzig 1887-1909; Nachtrage 1897-1914. Fabiani Guiseppe. La vita di Pierto Andrea Mattioli, ed by L Banchi, Siena 1872. Fuchs, Leonhard. De stirpium historia commentatorium tomi vivae imagines, in exiguam angustioremque formam cotractae, Basileae 1545. Gerarde, John. The Herball or Generall historie of plantes, very much enlarged and amended by Thomas Johnson, the essence thereof distilled by Marcus Woodward, Studio Editions, London 1990. Gerstinger, H. Dioscurides. Codex Vindobonensis Med Gr I der Osterreichischen N ationalbibliothek. Kommentarband zu der Facsimileausgabe, Graz 1970. Gilmour, J S L, editor. Thomas Johnson, botanical journeys in Kent & Hampstead, The Hunt Botanical Library, Pittsburgh 1972. Greene, Edward Lee, edited by Frank N Egerton. Landmarks of botanical history, 2 volumes, Stanford University Press, Stanford 1983. xiv THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Gunther, Robert Theodore. The herbal of Apuleis Barbarus, from the early twelfth-century manuscript formerly in the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds (MS Bodley 130), The Roxburghe Club, Oxford 1917. Hall, Elizabeth Cornelia. Printed books 1481-1900 in The Horticultural Society of N ew York, The Horticultural Society of New York, New York 1970. Hedrick, Ulysses Prentiss, editor. Sturtevant’s notes on edible plants, JB Lyon Co, Albany 1919. Henrey, Blanche. British botanical and horticultural literature before 1800, 3 volumes, Oxford University Press, London 1975. Hill, Arthur William. Preface by Sir Arthur Hill to: Turrill, WB, ‘Contribution to the botany of Athos Peninsula’, in Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew, pp197-8, 1937. Hofman, K, Auracher, T M and Stadler, H. 'Der Longobardische Dioskorides des Marcellus Virgilius', in Romanische Forschungen (Erlangen), vols 1, 10 and 11, 1882-1897. Hunt Botanical Library. Catalogue of botanical books in the collection of Rachel McMasters Miller Hunt, vol I, Printed Books 1477-1700, compiled by Jane Quinby 1958. Huxley, Anthony, editor-in-chief. The N ew Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, The Macmillan Press Limited, London 1992. Jackson, Benjamin Daydon. Guide to the literature of botany, Hafner Publishing Company, New York, 1964 facsimile of 1881 edition. Janson, H Frederic. Pomona’s harvest, an illustrated chronicle of antiquarian fruit literature, Timber Press, Portland, Oregon 1996. Johnson, J de M. ‘A botanical papyrus with illustrations’, in Archiv fur geschichte der naturwissenschaften und der technik, vol IV, p403, Leipzig 1912. Kaestner, HF. ‘Pseudo-Dioscoridis de herbis femininis’, in Hermes, vol XXXI, pp578-636, Berlin 1896. Karabacek J von, editor. Dioscurides. Codex Aniciae Julianae picturis illustratus, nunc Vindobonensis, 2 vols, Med Gr I Phototypice editus, Lugduni Batavorum, Leyden 1906. Kerner von Marilaun, Anton Joseph. Pflanzenleben, 2 vols, Leipzig 1887-1891. Kerner von Marilaun, Anton Joseph. The natural history of plants, translated by F W Oliver with the assistance of Marian Busk and Mary F Ewart, 2 vols, London 1894-1895. Killermann, S. ‘Die in den illuminierten Dioskurides-Handschriften dargestellten Pflanzen’, in Denkschriften der Regensburgischen botanischen Gesellschaft, vol 24, 1955, pages 3-64. Kriticos, PG and Papadaki, SP. 'Contribution a l’histoire de la pharmacie chez les Byzantins', in Veroffentlichunzen Int Ges Gesch Pharm (n.f.), vol 32, 1967 (1969), pp13-78. Langkavel, Bernhard A. Botanik der spaeteren Griechen vom dritten bis dreizehnten Jahrhunterte, Berggold, Berlin 1866. Facsimile ed Hakkert, Amsterdam 1964. Legre, Ludovic. La botanique en Provence au XVIe siecle. Pierre Pena et Mathias de Lobel, Aubertin & Rolle, Marseille 1899. Lenz, Harald Othmar. Botanik der alten Griechen und Romer, comp transl, Thienemann, Gotha 1859. Facsimile ed Sandig, Wiesbaden 1966. Lewis and Short. A Latin dictionary, Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1879. Loudon, John Claudius. Encyclopaedia of plants, ed by Jane Wells Loudon assisted by G Don and D Wooster, Longmans Green, London 1880. Mabberley, DJ. The Plant-Book, second edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1998. Meyer, Ernst Heinrich Friedrich. Geschichte der Botanik, 4 vols, Borntrager, Konigsberg 1854-1857. Facsimile ed Asher, Amsterdam 1965. Meyerhof, Max. ‘Die materia medica des Dioskurides bei den Arabern’ in Quellen stud. geschichte der naturwissenschaften Med. vol 3, part IV, pp72-84, 1933. xv BIBLIOGRAPHY Minelli, Alessandro, editor. The Botanical Garden of Padua 1545-1995, Marsilio Editori, Universita degli studi di Padova, Venice 1995. Mioni, Elpidio. Un ignoto Dioscoride miniato (Il Codice Greco 194 del Seminario dei Padova), Studio Bibliografico Intenore, Padova 1959. Mock, Rudolf. Pflanzenliche Arzneimittel bei Dioskurides, die schon im Corpus Hippocraticum vorkomen, Inaugural dissertation, Laupp, Tubingen 1919. Murray, James AH, editor. A new English dictionary, edited on classical principles, Oxford 1888. Napjus, JW. ‘De Codex Constantinopolitanus van Dioskurides’, in Bijd. Gesch. Geneesk., Vol 21, 1941. Nissen, Claus. Die botanische buchillustration, ihre geschichte und bibliographie, A Hiersemann, Stuttgart, 2 vols, 1951, Supplement, 1966. Nissen, Claus. Herbals of five centuries, L’Art Ancien, Zurich, Robert Wolfe, Munich and Weiss-Hesse, Olten, 1958. Novak, FA, Barton, JG and Rickett, HW. The pictorial encyclopaedia of plants and flowers, 1965. Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford University Press, Oxford 1996. Paulys Real-Encyclopadie der classischen altertumswissenschaft, Wissowa, George et al, editors, Metzler, Wien 1894-(supplement in progress). Penzig, Otto AJ. Contribuzioni alla storia della botanica, I Illustrazione degli erbarii di Gherardo Cibo, II Sopra un codice miniato della materia medica di Dioscoride, conservato a Roma, Ciminago, Genova 1904, Milan 1905. Peset, V. 'A note on the Spanish version of Dioscorides’ "Materia Medica"', in Journal of Hist Med Allied Science, vol 9, 1954, pp49-58. Piccinini, Guido M. 'La rinomanza di Dioscoride e la denominazione materia medica', in Rivista Storia Sci, vol 11, 1920, pp68-82, 101-116. Prest, John. The Garden of Eden, the botanic garden and the re-creation of Paradise, Yale University Press, New Haven 1981. Princeton Encyclopaedia of Classical Sites, The. Richard Stillwell, editor. Princeton University Press, Princeton New Jersey 1976. Pritzel, GA. Thesaurus Literaturae Botanicae, reprint of edition of Brockhaus, Leipzig 1872. Richter, Hermann Friedrich Eberhard and Petermann, Wilhelm Ludwig, editors. Caroli Linnaei systema, genera, species, plantarum ... seu Codex Botanicus Linnaeanus, Lipsiae 1835, and Index alphabeticus, Lipsiae 1840. Riddle, John M. 'Dioscorides, known as Pedanius Dioscorides of Anazarbus (fl AD50-70)', in CC Gillespie, ed., Dictionary of scientific biography, 16 vols, Scribner’s, New York 1970-1980, vol 4, pp119-123. Riddle, John M. 'The latin alphabetical Dioscorides', in Proceedings of XIIIth international congress of the history of science, Moscow, August 18-24 1971, Nauka, Moscow 1974, sec 4, pp204-209. Riddle, John M. 'Dioscorides', in Kristeller, Paul Oskar and Cranz, F Edward, editors, Catalogus translationum et commentatorium, 4 vols, Catholic University of America Press, Washington DC 1960-1980, vol 4, pp1-143. Riddle, John M. 'Pseudo-Dioscorides’ ex herbis femininis and early medieval medical botany', in Journal of History Biology, vol 14, 1981, pp43-81. Rix, Martyn. The art of the plant world, The Overlook Press, Woodstock, New York 1981. Rohde, Eleanour Sinclair. The Old English Herbals, Minerva, London 1974. Royal Horticultural Society, Lindley Library, catalogue of books, pamphlets, manuscripts and drawings. The Trustees of The Royal Horticultural Society, London 1927. Rytz, Walther. ‘Das herbarium Felix Platters. Ein beitrag zur geschichte der botanik des XVI jahrhunderts’, in Verhandl. d. naturforsch. gesellsch., vol 44, pp1-222, Basel 1933. Sachs, Julius von. History of Botany 1530-1860, translated by Henry EF Garnsey, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1890. xvi THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sarton, George. Introduction to the history of science, 3 vols in 5, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore 1927-1948. Reprint 1962. Sarton, George. A history of science, vol 1 Ancient science through the golden age of Greece; vol 2 Hellenistic science and culture in the last 3 centuries BC, Harvard University Press, Cambridge 1952-1959. Sarton, George. ‘Scientific incunabula’, in Osiris, vol 5, Bruges 1938. Saunders, Gill. Picturing Plants, an analytical history of botanical illusillustration, Zwemmer in association with The Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1995. Schafer, Walter. 'Von Dioskurides bis Messegue: alte und neue Heilpflanzen-bucher', Catalogue of an exhibition, Bibliographie zur Ausstelling, 2 vols, Hessische Landes- und Hochschul Bibliothek Emfuhrung, Darmstadt 1981. Schmidt, R. Die nog gebrauchlichen Arzneimittel bei Dioskurides, Inaugural Dissertation, Tubingen 1919. Schreiber, Wilhelm Ludwig. Die krauterbucher des XV und XVI jahrhunderts, Drucke, Munchen 1924. Sibthorp, John. Flora graeca Prodromus, editor JE Smith, Taylor, London 1806-1813. Sibthorp, John. Flora graeca, 10 vols, editors JE Smith & J Lindley, Richard Taylor, London 1806-1840. Sigerist, Henry E. 'Materia medica in the middle ages, a review', in Bulletin of the history of medicine, vol 7, 1939, pp417-423. Singer, Charles Joseph. 'The herbal in antiquity and its transmission to later ages', in Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol 47, 1927, pp1-52 & 10 col plates. Singer, Charles Joseph. 'Greek biology and its relation to the rise of modern biology', in Studies in the history and method of science, vol 2, 2 vols, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1921, pp1-101. Singer, Charles Joseph with Henry E Sigerist. Essays on the history of medicine presented to Karl Sudhoff on the occasion of his 70th birthday, vol 26, Ayer Company Publishers 1977. Singer, Charles Joseph. Greek biology and Greek medicine, AMS Press 1985. Singer, Charles Joseph with Edgar Ashworth Underwood. Science, medicine and history, Ayer Company Publishers 1975. Smit, Pieter. History of the life sciences: an annotated bibliography, Hafner, New York 1974. Also published as Bibliography of life science, Asher, Amsterdam 1974. Sprague, Thomas Archibald. 'The herbal of Otto Brunfels', in The journal of the Linnean Society of London (Botany) vol XLVIII, 1928, pp79-124. Sprague, Thomas Archibald and Nelmes, E. 'The herbal of Leonhart Fuchs', in The journal of the Linnean Society of London (Botany) vol XLVIII, 1931, pp545-642. Sprague, Thomas Archibald. 'Technical terms in Ruellius’ Dioscorides', in Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, No 2, 1936, pp145-185. Sprague, Thomas Archibald and Sprague, M S. 'The herbal of Valerius Cordus', in The journal of the Linnean Society of London (Botany) vol LII, 1939, pp1-113. Sprengel, Kurt Polycarp Joachim. Historia rei herbariae, 2 vols, Sumtibus Tabernae Librariae et Artium, Amsteldami 1807-1808. Sprengel, Kurt Polycarp Joachim. Geschichte der botanik, neu bearbeitet, 2 vols, Brockhaus, Altenburg 1817-1818. Stadler, H. ‘Lateinische Pflanzennamen im Dioskorides’, in Arch. Latein. Lexikogr., vol 10, 1898, pages 85-115. Stadler, H. ‘Pflanzennamen im Dioskorides’, in Arch. Latein. Lexikogr. Vol 11, 1900, pages 105-114. Stadler, Hermann. Theophrast und Dioscorides, in Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiet der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft, Beck, Munchen 1891, pp176-187. Stafleu, Frans A. Linnaeus and the Linnaeans, IAPT, Utrecht 1971. xvii BIBLIOGRAPHY Stannard, Jerry. 'Dioscorides and Renaissance materia medica', in Analecta medico-historica materia medica in the XVI century (Proc. Sympos. Int. Acad. Hist. Med., Basel, 1964) Pergamon, Oxford 1966, pp1-21. Stannard, Jerry. 'PA Matthioli and some Renaissance editions of Dioscorides', in Books, Library of the University of Kansas, vol 4, 1966, pp1-5. Stannard, Jerry. 'The Graeco-Roman background of the Renaissance herbal', in Organon, vol 4, 1967, pp141-145. Stannard, Jerry. 'PA Mattioli: Sixteenth-century commentator on Dioscorides', in University of Kansas Library Bibliographic Contributions, vol 1, 1969, pp59-81. Stannard, Jerry. 'Byzantine botanical lexicography', in Episteme, vol 5, 1971, pp168-187. Stannard, Jerry. 'Greco-Roman materia medica in medieval Germany', in Bulletin of the history of medicine, vol 46, Baltimore, Maryland, 1972, pp455-468. Stearn, WT. ‘Codex Aniciae Julianae: the earliest illustrated herbal’, in Graphis, vol 10 (54), 1954, pages 322-329. Stearn, William Thomas. 'From Theophrastus and Dioscorides to Sibthorp and Smith: the background and origin of the Flora Graeca', in Journal of the Linnean Society Biology, vol 8, 1976, pp285-298. Stearn, WT. ‘Sibthorp, Smith the "Flora Graeca" and the "Florae Graecae Prodromus"', in Taxon, vol 16, 1967, pages 168-178. Steinschneider, Moritz. Die arabischen Ubersetzungen aus dem Griechischen, 2 vols, Harrassowitz, Leipzig 1889-1891. Facsimile ed Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt, Graz 1960. Steinschneider, Moritz. 'Die griechischen Aertze in arabischen Uebersetzunge, #30, Dioskorides', in Virchow’s Archiv fur pathologische Anatomie und klinische Medizin, vol CXXIV (ser 12, vol IV), Berlin, 1891, pp480-483. Sternberg K K. Catalogus plantarum ad septem varias editiones commentariorum Matthioli in Dioscoridem, Pragae 1821. Stromberg, Reinhold. ‘Griechische pflanzennamen’, in Goteborgs Hogskolas Arsskrift Universitatis Gotoburgensis, vol 46, 1940, pp1-190. Sudhoff, Karl. Archiv fur geschichte der medezin, Leipzig 1917. Taylor, Norman. Plant Drugs that changed the World, George Allen & Unwin, London 1966. Temkin, Owsei. The double face of Janus and other essays in the history of medicine, John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1977. Thomson, Margaret H. Textes grecs inedits relatifs aux plantes, Societe d’Edition “Les Belles Lettres”, Paris 1955. Trew, Christoph Jakob. The Herbal of the Count Palatine, an eighteenthcentury herbal with over one hundred full colour illustrations by Elizabeth Blackwell and Georg Dionysius Ehret, translated by Lucia Woodward, Harrap, London 1985. Turner, William. Libellus de re herbaria, 1538; and The names of herbes, 1548, facsimiles, Ray Society, London 1965. Vaczy, C. ‘Nomenclatura dacica a plantelor la Dioscorides si Pseudo-Apuleius’, in Acta Musei N apocensis (Cluj.), vol 5, 1968, pp59-74; vol 6, 1969, pp15-29; vol 8, 1971, pp109-133; vol 9, 1972, pp7-17. Vogel, Kurt. 'Byzantine Science', in Hussey, Joan M, ed with Nicol, DM and Cowan, G, The Cambridge Medieval History, vol 4, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1967, esp. pp287-294, 457-462. Waechter, O. ‘The ‘Vienna Dioskurides’ and its restoration’, in Libri, vol 13, 1963, pp107-111. Warburg, Otto. Die pflanzenwelt, 3 vols, Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig and Wien, 1913-22. Watson, Gilbert. Theriac and mithridatium, a study in therapeutics, Wellcome Institute, London 1966. Wellmann, Max. 'Sextius Niger, eine Quellenunterschung zu Dioskurides', in Hermes, vol 24, 1889, pp530-69. xviii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Wellmann, Max. 'Das alteste Krauterbuch der Griechen', in Festgabe fur Franz Susemihl zur Geschichte griechscher Wissenschaft und Dichtung, Teubner, Leipzig 1898, pp1-31. Wellmann, Max. 'Die Pflanzennamen des Dioskurides', in Hermes, vol 33, 1898, pp360-422. Wellmann, Max. 'Krateuas', in Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften Gottingen, Philol Hist Klasse (neue folge) vol 2, 1899, pp 3-32 & 2 pls. Wellmann, Max. 'Dioskurides aus Anazarbos in Kilikien', in Paulys Real-Encyclopadie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft, vol 5, 1903, cols1131-42. Wessely, C. ‘De herbarum nominibus graecis in Dioscoridis codice Constantinopolitano Vindobonensis arabicis litteris expressis’, in Actes XIV Congres Internat. Oriental. Alger., section 6, 1905, pp1-18. Whittle, Tyler. The plant hunters, 3450 years of searching for green treasure, Heinemann, London 1970. Willkomm, Heinrich Moritz. Icones et descriptiones plantarum novarum criticarum et rariorum europae austro-occidentalis praecipue hispaniae, 2 vols, AH Payne, Lipsiae 1852-56. See also the List of Printed Books based on manuscripts of Dioscorides, particularly: Agricola 1539 Alphabetum empiricum 1581 Amatus Lusitanus 1536, 1553 Anguillara 1561, 1563 Barbaro 1516, 1530 Bauhin 1623, 1671 Berendes 1902 Bock/Tragus 1539, 1546, 1551, 1552 Brunfels 1530, 1543 Cesalpino 1583, 1603 Contant 1628 Cordus, Erich 1551 Cordus, Valerius 1561 Dodoens 1553-1619 Dubler 1953-1959 Fabius Columna /Colonna 1616 Fuchs 1542, 1543, 1544 Gesner 1541, 1542, 1577 Guillandinus 1557, 1558 Gunther / Goodyer 1934, 1959 Holtzachius 1556 Jacquin 1811 Jarava 1557 Karabacek 1906 Laguna 1554, 1555 Lobel 1576, 1581, 1591, 1655 Lonitzer 1543 Maranta 1559 Marcello Virgilio 1518, 1523, 1529 Marogna 1608 Mattioli 1544, 1548, 1554, 1555, 1561, 1598 Pasini 1591, 1592 Pena & L’Obel 1570, 1576, 1605 Pierpont Morgan Bibliothecae / Codex Constantinopolitanus 1935 Pona 1623 Ruellius / de la Ruelle 1516, 1526, 1529, 1545, 1549 Ryff 1543, 1544, 1549 Serapion 1473, 1479, 1531, 1552 Sibthorp 1806-1813, 1806-1840 Sprengel 1829-1830 Sternberg 1566, 1821 Textor 1534 Zorn 1714, 1779, 1794 Vries 1906 Wellman 1906-1914 xix INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION PEDIANOS DIOSCORIDES Valeriana officinalis THE MAN after THIEBAULT — 1881 P edianos Dioscorides, also known as Pedanius Dioskourides, probably lived between 40CE and 90CE in the time of the Roman Emperors Nero and Vespasian. A Cilician Greek, he was born in Anazarbos (now Nazarba, near Tarsus) within the Roman Empire of the day, and today in Turkey. A learned physician, he practiced medicine as an army doctor, and saw service with the Roman legions in Greece, Italy, Asia Minor, and Provence in modern-day France. His military years provided opportunities for studying diseases, collecting and identifying medicinal plants, and discovering other healing materials. Dioscorides compiled his medical treatise at the suggestion of a fellow-physician, Areius. He had access to the library at Alexandria, and may have studied at Tarsus. He recorded many plants previously unknown to Greek and Roman physicians, and made an effort to describe not only their qualities and remedial effects, but also something of their botany and living morphology — including roots, foliage, and sometimes flowers. Although not as naïve as many other herbal writers, he showed little scientific interest — concentrating rather on the practical uses of plants — and sometimes giving only brief descriptions, perhaps from other primary souces. In all he described some one thousand remedies using approximately six hundred plants and plant products. Dioscorides probably wrote his great herbal in about 64CE (according to Pritzel 77CE). These medicinal and alimentary plants number about a hundred more plants than all those (medicinal or not) known to the great botanist Theophrastus, and described in his fine botanical work, the Enquiry into Plants, some two centuries before. Theophrastus of Eresos (a village on the Greek island of Lesbos) lived from about 372 to 286BCE. A pupil of Plato and close friend of Aristotle, he is the earliest known systematic botanical author in Europe. He xx THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK discussed about 500 plants (or plant products) familiar at that time, including almost forty plants still used in medicine today, and mentioned plants from all regions of the known world, including India, Egypt and Cyrenaica, possibly discovered during the military campaigns of Alexander the Great. Theophrastus drew on the work of Diokles of Karystos (about 300BCE), a fellow-student of Aristotle. Dioscorides added extensively to the range of plants used in medicine. He was a contemporary of the Roman, Pliny, whose monumental work on natural history (the history of the world) mentions about 1000 different plants. There is no evidence that they met, and Pliny may not have read Dioscorides' work. Gaius Plinius Secundus, known as Pliny the Elder, was born in Como in 23CE and died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79CE. A busy Roman official, Pliny was also a prolific author, though only the thirty-seven books of his Historia N aturalis survived. He transcribed the knowledge of his time in accurate and precise detail, uncritically adding myths, legends, superstitions, personal observations, and opinions in a discursive, entertaining, encyclopaedic work. Pliny is less systematic and more credulous than Dioscorides. Pliny's remedies while no more effective are generally more unpleasant. For almost two millenia Dioscorides was regarded as the ultimate authority on plants and medicine. The plant descriptions in his Περι υληζ ιατρικη1 or De Materia Medica were often adequate for identification, including methods of preparation, medicinal uses, and dosages. There is also a minor work bearing the name of Dioscorides, Περι απλων φαρµακων2, but this may not be authentic. Recognising the usefulness of his medical botany and phytography, his readers probably overestimated their worth. In truth, Theophrastus was the scientific botanist; Pliny produced the systematic encyclopaedia of knowledge; and Dioscorides was merely a medical botanist. However Dioscorides 1 2 Singer, Charles. 'The Herbal in Antiquity', in The Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol XLVII, 1927, p19. ibid. p19 and note 45. xxi INTRODUCTION achieved overwhelming commendation and approval because his writings addressed the many ills of mankind most usefully. THE TEACHINGS Dioscorides was one of the first writers to emphasize observing plants in their native habitats, and at all stages of growth. De Materia Medica also instructs on collecting, using, and storing drugs from vegetable, animal and mineral sources. There are about seventy animal-product remedies, including two using vipers' flesh, a famous poison antidote. This snake meat (pickled in oil, wine, salt and dill) was also recommended for sharpening eyesight, and for nerves. A popular remedial delicacy mentions viper roasted with salt, honey, figs and nardostachys (spikenard), and made into a soup. Dioscorides' plant descriptions use an elementary classification, though he cannot be said to have used botanical taxonomy. Book One discusses aromatic plants; growths that provide oily, gummy or resinous products for use in salves and ointments; then the fleshy fruits, even if not aromatic. Book Two begins with animal products of dietetic and medicinal use, continuing with cereals and leguminous, malvaceous, cruciferous and other garden herbs. Book Three covers roots, juices, herbs and seeds used for food or medicine; and Book Four includes narcotic and poisonous medicinal plants. Book Five mentions vines, wines and metallic ores. Dioscorides does not adopt Theophrastus' philosophic treatment of plants, nor his classification using botanical characteristics. Dioscorides' qualitative classification (properties and uses) suits his medicinal purposes. Nevertheless, when necessary, he classifies separately; such as Sambucus where he distinguishes one species as a herb and the other as woody, almost a tree. He also recognises the familiar natural families of plants such as the labiate genera, the leguminous, the umbelliferous, the composites and the solanaceous plants. Together with Pliny's encyclopaedic writings, Dioscorides' De Materia Medica provides important documentation about drugs in the early Roman Empire, as well as offering interesting insights into daily life. For example, the Romans used green twigs of Pistacia xxii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK lentiscus for brushing teeth; they made henna shampoo by pounding henna leaves soaked in the juice of soapwort; other yellow hair-dyes came from Rhamnus, Zizyphus and Xanthium; and black hair-dyes from gum arabica, oak, oak galls, Rhus, myrtle, ivy, Salvia species and Sambucus ebulus. They blackened eyebrows and eyelashes with vegetable soot from the burnt resin of coniferae. They used oil from wild olives to stop falling hair, and keep it from turning grey; and made hair tonic from a mixture of myrrh, ladanum, myrtle oil and wine. Bear grease was said to make hair grow again; and they used a creamy extract of fenugreek flour for cleaning hair. Cleansing and beautifying lotions for the complexion included Sicyonian oil, almond oil, mastic oil, oil of fenugreek, oil of bitter almonds, fats of geese and poultry, lizard dung, Sardinian honey, bitter vetch flour, lupin flour, and juice from a gourd or vegetable marrow. Latex from Euphorbia characias was mixed with oil for a depilatory. Much as we do today, cosmetics and medicines were prepared side by side in Roman times, and sold in the same shop. The ordinary name for a druggist's shop was seplasia; within the shop the seplasiarii were ointment-makers, and the pigmentarii sold dyes and colours. In time the two designations became interchangeable. In his original introduction Dioscorides states that many physicians provided superficial accounts of the properties and diagnostic uses of drugs, often confusing one plant with another. Pliny the Elder confirms that physicians of his day knew little about compounding medications, entrusting these matters to seplasiarii, who frequently supplied spoiled or adulterated drugs. We learn from Fuchs that even in the sixteenth century hardly any contemporary physicians in Germany valued accurate knowledge of medicinal plants. This information did not concern them and was beneath their dignity — they left the study of medicinal plants to the superstitious, the foolish and old peasant women. Dioscorides also discusses adulteration, frequently mentioning methods of falsification or substitution, and means of detection. For example, root of valeriana was adulterated with butcher's broom, which might be noticed because it became hard, difficult to break, and lacked a pleasant smell; and frankincense was frequently adulterated with pine resin and gum. De Materia Medica xxiii INTRODUCTION discusses the preparation of oils and unguents at length. Spissamenta (astringents) were added to preserve and thicken oil, and make it retain desired perfumes from odoramenta (aromatic herbs, aromata). Various forms of medication included acopa, cataplasmata, malagmata, eclegmata and catapotia. An acopum was a soothing or stimulatory liniment. Cataplasmata were plasters or poultices. Malagmata were emollient poultices. An eclegma (electuary or looch) was a thick syrup to be swallowed slowly. Catapotia were pills coated with wax or honey. Dioscorides mentions mandragora (mandrake), used as an anaesthetic for amputation or surgery — the patient became ‘overborn with dead sleep’3 so that the surgeon could painlessly ‘cut or cauterise’4. Dioscorides used the Greek word anaesthesia for insensitivity, a term reintroduced in the nineteenth century. We find several amusing anecdotes about plants in De Materia Medica. The mandrake was associated with various myths, presumably because the thick tuberous roots resemble the human form. Dogs were used to extract this, as it allegedly screamed when pulled from the ground, deafening human gatherers. No doubt this tale intimidated casual collectors and protected the wild species. It contains hyoscyamine, an anaesthetic used until the introduction of ether in 1846. The nightshades (circaea and solanum species), employed by eminent poisoners through the centuries, were used to treat numerous ailments including hayfever. Medicinal drinking-cups were made from the wood of Tamarix gallica, and liquid left standing in them was considered beneficial for disorders of the spleen. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries this practice was renewed with drinking-cups made from Lignum nephriticum, which gave a brilliant blue fluorescence to water, highly regarded as a specific for diseases of the kidneys. Painkillers have always dominated healing texts. Dioscorides wrote of the willow — itea, probably salix species — ‘a decoction of them is an excellent fomentation for ye gout’5. In due course this knowledge led German 3 4 5 xxiv The Greek herbal of Dioscorides, illustrated by a Byzantine AD512. Englished by John Goodyer AD1655, edited and first printed AD1934. 1959 reprint edition, 4-76, p474. ibid. 4-76, p473. ibid. 1-136, p75. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK scientists to aspirin. Dioscorides also mentions autumn crocus, another painkiller, warning of its dangers. The world's best-known painkiller is undoubtedly opium, mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus (an Egyptian medical book dating from about 1550BCE), as well as by Theophrastus. Dioscorides describes harvesting opium — the same method is still used today for collecting the coagulated juice of the poppy heads. The gummy exudate was called opium by the Greeks, this merely being a word for juice. Although a wonderful painkiller, opium is a dangerous narcotic. Dioscorides warned ‘a little of it, taken as much as a grain of ervum (probably seed of ervil, a vetch), is a pain-easer, and a sleep-causer, and a digester ... but being drank too much it hurts, making men lethargicall, and it kills’6. Dioscorides describes many valuable drugs including aconite, aloes, bitter apple, colchicum, henbane, and squill. Minor drugs, diluents, flavouring agents, and emollients still in some modern pharmacopoeia include ammoniacum, anise, cardamoms, catechu, cinnamon, colocynth, coriander, crocus, dill, fennel, galbanum, gentian, hemlock, hyoscyamus, lavender, linseed, mastic, male fern, marjoram, marshmallow, mezereon, mustard, myrrh, orris (iris), oak galls, olive oil, pennyroyal, pepper, peppermint, poppy, psyllium, rhubarb, rosemary, rue, saffron, sesame, squirting cucumber (elaterium), starch, stavesacre (delphinium), storax, stramonium, sugar, terebinth, thyme, white hellebore, white horehound, and couch grass — the last still used as a demulcent diuretic. A decoction of pomegranate root bark is prescribed to expel tapeworm. Other medicines still in use include wormwood, pine bark, juniper, ginger, almond oil, cherry syrup and calamine. Chinese and Indian physicians continue to use liquorice, also known to the ancient Egyptians, and mentioned in De Materia Medica. Specifics for women include several to procure abortions; as well as treatments for infections of the urinogenital tract; and palliatives for stomach ache and intestinal pains. Dioscorides, no doubt familiar with the prevalence of skin and eyes diseases in the Near East, 6 ibid. 4-65, p458. xxv INTRODUCTION included many remedies for these. Chronic malaria, possibly a factor in the decline of the Roman Empire, may justify the many medications to reduce the spleen. Palliatives for toothache included colocynth; the resin of Commiphora species; the bark of Platanus soaked in vinegar; a decoction of tamarisk leaves mixed with wine; oak-galls; the resin of Rhus; a decoction of the leaves and bark of mulberry; the latex of the fig; that of Euphorbia characias mixed with oil; the roots of Rumex (the weed, dock) in vinegar; and a decoction of the roots of asparagus and Plantago (plantain). Sediment of olive oil mixed with juice from unripe grapes and cooked to the consistency of honey, was smeared on decayed teeth to loosen them. The Egyptians prepared a kind of beer called zythum or zythus from barley; and Dioscorides tells us ivory soaked in this becomes easily workable. Large slabs of ivory were carved by ancient artists — the secret of their softening method is now lost. A few superstitious practices are recorded in De Materia Medica. Amulets and mascots were valued, such as Anchusa alia (Echium species) used as an amulet against snakes; and Polemonia against the bite of scorpions. The third joint from the ground of the stem of Verbena (vervain) was used for tertian fevers; and the fourth joint for quartian fevers. Black hellebore was dug up with great care lest an eagle observe the act, as this would cause death. Dioscorides also recounts the myth of Lysippe and lphianassa, daughters of the King of Argos, who recovered from madness, noting they were healed with black hellebore. THE WRITINGS — MANUSCRIPTS Ancient herbal traditions claimed plants were the flesh of the gods, who instructed men in their proper use. The earliest fragmentary herbal records are Egyptian, Sumerian, and Chinese — Emperor Shen Nung composed the Pen T'sao Ching about 2700BCE; medical prescriptions are listed on a 5000 year-old Sumerian tablet; and the earliest surviving herbal is the Papyrus Ebers from about 1550BCE, containing material gathered five to twenty centuries before. The earliest herbal writers we can name are Greek — Theophrastus, with his Enquiry into Plants of 350BCE; Hippocrates; Diokles of Caryustus; Krateuas and his contemporary the Roman xxvi THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sextius Niger (first century BCE); Nicander of Colophon (second century BCE); and Nicolaus of Damascenus with his De Plantis of about 30BCE. Krateuas is the first noted instance of both author and artist. The earliest surviving records of illustrated Greek Herbals indicate De Materia Medica was widely read and reproduced during the Middle Ages in Latin, Arabic and Greek. For fifteen hundred years it was the standard authority both in botany and materia medica, assuming considerable significance in the development of western and Islamic cultures. The great paradigm for botany is that the history of botany before 1700 was really the history of pharmacy. Had printing existed then, it is possible Dioscorides' overwhelming influence would have confined later writings on the subject to glossaries on De Materia Medica. As it was, most herbalists were heavily indebted to him, just as he had drawn from authorities before him. De Materia Medica may be partially based on the lost work of Diokles (called Hippocrates II by his contemporaries), which dealt with hygiene and prophylaxis, and gave detailed instructions for sound living7. The physician Galen, an influential Greek writer in the development of the herbal, cited Dioscorides. Galen's De Simplicibus, prepared around the year 180CE, dealt with medicine, pharmacy, and drugs, giving the name, locality, and uses for each plant. The Greek Oribasios [325-403CE] produced the popular manuscripts Synagoge and Euporista, drawing freely from both Dioscorides and Galen, and being translated into Latin. A concise manuscript of western Roman origin, Herbarium Apulei Platonici, was well-regarded in late Roman times. Its 150 illustrations include some of Greek provenance, mainly from manuscripts based on De Materia Medica. In the Dark Ages these herbal manuscripts lost some influence to simpler herbals, the creative period of Greek science having passed. The earliest copies of Dioscorides' manuscript were not illustrated. The oldest survival is a fragment, the Michigan Papyrus. The finest surviving comprehensive manuscript copy, magnificently illustrated, was made in the sixth 7 Singer. ibid. p2. xxvii INTRODUCTION century in Constantinople [about 512CE] and is known as Codex Vindobonensis. The citizens of Honoratae, a suburb of Byzantium in Turkey, presented it as a birthday gift to their Christian patroness Patricia Juliana Anicia, daughter of Flavius Anicius Olybrius, Emperor of the West briefly in 472CE. This was in appreciation for Juliana Anicia having arranged the construction and decoration of a church dedicated to Polyeuktos, a martyr. The manuscript is on vellum, written in Greek uncials in the tradition of early sixth-century calligraphy. Alternate plant names in many languages were probably added to the manuscript from the work of Alexandrian lexicographer Pamphilos in the first century CE. These synonyms are provided in African, Andreae medici, Armenian, Bessicum, Boeotian, Cappadocian, Dacian, Dardana, Democriti, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Gaulish, Spanish, Istrici, Lucanica, Marsum, Osthanis, Prophetae, Pythagorean, Roman, Tuscan, and Zoroastrian. The coloured paintings of plants date from the second century CE. They are splendid and reveal a naturalism alien to Byzantine art of the time; some are remarkably life-like with accurate colour, but others vary in quality, the level of botanical observation frequently inadequate. Eleven items are clearly derived from the writings and drawings of Krateuas (Cratevas), pharmacologist and physician to Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus from 120 to 63BCE. Codex Vindobonensis is a large book, roughly thirty centimeters square, of four hundred and ninety one parchment sheets, with nearly four hundred full-page paintings of plants, and some smaller ones of birds. Many plants discussed are indigenous to Greece and the eastern Mediterranean, or cultivated as edible crops. The first pages of Codex Vindobonensis have smaller paintings, including one showing Dioscorides at work while Intelligence holds up a mandrake for Krateuas to draw. Some paintings are quite skilful, handling awkward details such as how the leaf-bases clasp the stem; fine-leaved plants such as fennel are well drawn; other beautiful illustrations include cyclamen, wormwood, delphinium, scarlet pimpernel, and asphodel. In this Codex an alphabetic extract of the original text is given. Nearly nine centuries pass before we next hear of the manuscript. In 1406 it was rebound by John Chortasmenos for Nathanael, a monk and physician in xxviii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK the Prodromos Monastery in Constantinople. After the Muslim conquest in 1453 the manuscript fell to the Turks. A century later a Jew named Hamon, body physician to Suleiman the Magnificent, owned it. In 1562 Augier Ghislain de Busbecq, ambassador from the Emperor Ferdinand of Habsburg to the Sublime Porte saw and coveted it, and reported its existence. He wrote that he could not buy it because he had been asked one hundred ducats, a sum too large for his pocket. Seven years later the manuscript found its way through the good offices of Ferdinand's successor, Maximillian II, into the Imperial Library in Vienna (now the Bibliothek N ationale). Codex Vindobonensis is probably the earliest, most splendid, and most important illustrated herbal manuscript of classical times. Before conveying it to the Imperial Library, de Busbecq lent it to Mattioli who drew heavily on it for commentaries on De Materia Medica. Master printer Christoffel Plantin used illustrations from Codex Vindobonensis for herbals published in the late sixteenth century for Dodoens, Clusius, Lobelius, and Lyte. There are many surviving manuscripts of De Materia Medica after Codex Vindobonensis — an important example being the seventh-century Greek alphabetic Codex N eapolitanus, in the possession of a Neapolitan monastery for many years, and then presented to Emperor Charles VI in 1717. It was taken to Vienna and subsequently to the Bibliotheca N azionale in Naples. The drawings in Codex N eapolitanus are from the same source as Codex Vindobonensis, but are smaller and grouped together on fewer pages. A good copy of the Codex Vindobonensis from the fifteenth century is in the Cambridge University library; there is a line of descent to a fourteenth century manuscript, Paris GR 2091; and a seventeenth century descendant at Bologna — these four forming the primary alphabetic group. The secondary alphabetic group includes eleventh- and twelfth-century manuscripts at Pierpoint Morgan, Mount Atlas and the Vatican (GR 284). Next is the non-alphabetic Greek group, the best example the Paris Grec 2179 in the Bibliotheque N ationale, written in ninth-century Egypt, its naturalistic illustrations dating the draughtsmanship to the second or third century CE. Later manuscripts of the same group reside at Venice (St Marks 273 of the eleventh century), Florence, the Vatican, and Vienna. xxix INTRODUCTION The Ostrogoths and Lombards encouraged Latin translations. The ninth-century Dioscorides Lombardus in the Munchener Staatsbibliothek (with its direct descendant, a South Italian manuscript in Beneventan script, Codex Longobard, Munich 337) has an excellent text, making it the most important of the Latin manuscripts. It is illustrated with approximately 900 lovely miniatures, more than twice as many as the 387 in Codex Vindobonensis. Herbarium Apulei (Codex Cassinensis 97), a ninth-century manuscript herbal from the late Roman period (about 400CE) preserved at the Abbey of Monte Cassino in Italy, is based partly on Dioscorides Lombardus. Dioscorides Vulgaris (Palimpsest Lat 16), a sixth-century manuscript now in Vienna, is the second primary Latin translation. Up to the seventeenth century we find many commentaries and inferior later manuscripts such as Liber Dioscuridis de herbis feminis by Sextus Placitus Papyriensis. Dioscorides Lombardus was one of the source documents (with 22 others) for the celebrated botanical poem Macer floridus of 1161 by Odo of Meune. He recounts the virtues of 77 plants in verse dedicated to Aemilius Macer, a contemporary and friend of Ovid. Dioscorides Vulgaris led to a number of further versions, one with Anglo-Saxon glossaries. Arabic/Muslim medical scholars rose to prominence during the fifth to twelfth centuries, with Arabic the new language of learning, and many Greek works translated into Arabic from Syriac. In the ninth century monasteries, such as the Benedictine at Monte Cassino and St Gallen on Lake Constance, became centres of herbalism in Europe. Arabic and monastic writings drew heavily on Dioscorides and Pliny. Arabic works were also translated into Latin, such as the twelfth-century herbal of Johannes Serapion the younger (Ibn Sarabiyun), translated by Simon Januensis and Abraham ben Shemtob, in about 1292. Quoting extensively from Dioscorides and Galen, this was published as Liber Serapionis aggregatus in medicinis simplicibus, Milan, 1473. In the Dark and Middle Ages Nestorian Christians banished for heretical views carried the works of Dioscorides and others to Asia Minor. The Greek text was translated into Syriac when pagan Greek scholars fled east after Constantine’s conquest of Byzantium. Stephanos (son of Basilios, a Christian living in Baghdad under the Khalif Motawakki) made an Arabic translation xxx THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK of De Materia Medica from the Greek in 854CE. In 948CE the Byzantine Emperor Romanus II, son and co-regent of Constantine Porphyrogenitos, sent a beautifully illustrated Greek manuscript of De M ateria Medica to the Spanish Khalif, Abd-Arrahman III. Spaniards were unfamiliar with Greek, so in 951CE a learned monk, Nicolas, arrived in Spain so that physicians in Cordoba might be taught Greek. Nicolas and his Arabic-speaking pupils then prepared a new corrected edition. The Syriac scholar Bar Hebraeus prepared an illustrated Syriac version in 1250, which was translated into Arabic. An Arabic translation from the eleventh century in the Bibliotheque N ationale, Paris (Codex arab. 4947) shows how faithfully the Arabs reproduced the Greek illustrations. Arabic modifications rendered the figures more symmetrical, achieving naturalistic fidelity. A Persian translation from the thirteenth century is preserved in the Shrine at Meshed, Iran; and an Arabic Dioscorides is in the Bodleian Library. A richly-illustrated Arabic Dioscorides manuscript of 1224 (Codex 2148) in the Top Kapu Saray Museum has exquisitely detailed figurative scenes. A number of other illustrated Arabic manuscripts of De Materia Medica are known. The teachings of Dioscorides have been used in the practice of medicine in the Middle East from their first writing to the present day. THE WRITINGS — PRINTED BOOKS The first printed herbals appearing in the fifteenth century relied on ancient authors for texts. The accessibility and standardisation of these works perpetuated the influence of these venerable authors. Three herbal incunabulae (books printed before 1500) have a particularly interesting derivation. The Herbarius of 1484, the Gart der Gesundheit of 1485, and the Ortus Sanitatus of 1491, all printed in Mainz, were compiled from works by Matthaeus Sylvaticus, Serapio, Avicenna, Platearius, Dioscorides, Galen, and others. Dioscorides was mentioned sixteen times in the Herbarius, 242 times in the Gart, and 570 times in the Ortus. The first printed book of Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica is a rare and obscure Latin translation of the Dioscoridis Vulgaris printed at Colle, near Siena, Tuscany, by Johannem Allemanum de Medemblik in 1478. In 1499 Aldus xxxi INTRODUCTION Manutius printed the first Greek version in Venice. Latin editions were numerous, particularly the excellent translation by the Frenchman Jean de la Ruelle, Latin being the new language of scholarship. In the following century the most voluminous and useful books of botany were supplemented commentaries on Dioscorides, including the works of Fuchs, Anguillara, Mattioli, Maranta, Cesalpino, Dodoens, Fabio Colonna, and the Bauhins. In several the annotations and comments exceed the Dioscoridean text and have much new botany. Nonetheless it seems that a considerable part of all new botanical matter published in the sixteenth and part of the seventeenth centuries consisted largely of annotations on the texts of Dioscorides. Numerous herbals published from 1473 onwards were directly or indirectly based on Dioscoridean manuscripts. From 1478 there were many Latin editions. A Greek version was published at Venice in 1499, and reprinted in 1518, 1523 and 1529. Between 1555 and 1752 there were at least twelve Spanish editions; and as many in Italian from 1542. French editions appeared from 1553; and German editions from 1546. Some copies of the work appear decadent, with a loss of faithfulness to the earlier text; certain later editions exhibit the freshness and accuracy of the Codex Vindobonensis, notably the illustrated volume by Mattioli in 1544. Pier Andrea Mattioli (1500 to 1577), a renowned botanist and physician, translated De Materia Medica into vernacular Italian as Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cinque … , Venice 1544. An illustrated edition in Latin followed: Commentarii in sex libros Pedacii Dioscoridis de medica materia, Venice 1554. In this imposing plant encyclopaedia Mattioli identified Dioscorides’ plants and added 562 woodcut illustrations. Mattioli experimented on prisoners to determine the lethal thresholds of various poisonous plants, ensuring the medical popularity of his books. Besides the Italian editions the work appeared in Latin, Bohemian, French, and German. Mattioli wrote other books but his commentaries on Dioscorides (said to run to forty editions) are considered his most important work, leading to his appointment to the Imperial Court as physician to Archduke Ferdinand I, and later to the Emperor Maximilian II. Mattioli, obsessed with Dioscorides, set out to be the supreme authority on his idol, tolerating neither rivals nor corrections. He wielded xxxii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK immense influence throughout Europe. Any physician or naturalist daring to disagree with him was abused. Both Amatus Lusitanus and Luigi Anguillara lost their posts, the former being hounded by the Inquisition. Konrad Gesner, Marant and Wieland were rebuked. Over the years Mattioli's commentaries overwhelmed De Materia Medica — for example on acorus (Iris pseudacorus) Dioscorides wrote seven lines, and Mattioli 140 lines. Forty years later a physician at Nuremberg, Johann Camerarius II (1534 to 1598), re-edited and enlarged Mattioli’s work as De plantis epitome ..., Frankfurt 1586, replacing the illustrations with superior woodcuts. In the time of Queen Elizabeth I the pharmacopoeia rested on the unquestioned authority of the ancient physician Dioscorides. Even in the middle of the seventeenth century, John Goodyer (1592 to 1644) thought it worthwhile to make the first English translation of the whole work. This translation, written out in Goodyer's small and careful handwriting, filled four and a half thousand pages, taking three years to complete. John Sibthorp (1758 to 1796) used Goodyer's English Codex for his Flora Graeca (1806-1840)8; and Gunther's edition of Goodyer's translation was printed in 19349, and reprinted in 1959. This is the only English edition, apart from the present version in contemporary English by Tess Anne Osbaldeston. In the late eighteenth century John Sibthorp came to Vienna with John Hawkins to study the Codex Vindobonensis. He met the talented Austrian artist Ferdinand Bauer through the von Jacquins, and together they made a Grand Tour of the Levant — including Crete, through the Aegean to Smyrna (Izmur), Constantinople, inland to Belgrade, as well as Cyprus and Greece — to find Dioscorides' medicinal plants. Their efforts resulted in the magnificent Flora Graeca, uncompleted for fifty two years, and then only with the help of Sir John Edward Smith, Robert 8 9 Sibthorp, John and Smith, James E . Florae graecae Prodromus: sive plantarum omnium enumeratio, quas in provinciis aut insulis Graeciae invenit Johannes Sibthorp ... Characteres et synonyma omnium cum annotationibus elaboravit Jacobus Edvardus Smith. Also Flora graeca: sive plantarum rariorum historia, quas in provinciis aut insulis Graeciae legit, investigavit et depingi curavit Johannes Sibthorp. Hic illic etiam insertae supauculae species, quas vir idem clarissimus, Graeciam verso navigans, in itinere praesertim apud ltaliam et Siciliam, it venerit. [10 volumes]. London, 1806-1840. The Greek herbal of Dioscorides, illustrated by a Byzantine AD512. Englished by John Goodyer AD1655. John Goodyer, RT Gunther editors, Oxford, 1934. xxxiii INTRODUCTION Brown, John Lindley and the Sowerbys. Thus eighteen hundred years after compiling De Materia Medica, Dioscorides' medical work led to the publication of one of England's most sumptuous works on botany, ‘perhaps one of the most magnificent floras ever produced’, according to Martyn Rix in The Art of the Plant World10. A fairly comprehensive list of printed versions of De Materia Medica is given elsewhere in this volume, together with works based on, or derived from it. THE ASSESSMENTS Julius von Sachs virtually ignored Dioscorides' contribution to botany in his authoritative History of Botany 1530-1860. In the wide-ranging Guide to the Literature of Botany Benjamin Daydon Jackson accuses Dioscorides of causing endless discussion and confusion among his followers, contending his meagre plant descriptions cannot be dignified by that term — ‘his various treatises formed the staple of the discourses and wranglings of the early botanists of the Renaissance’11 until the appearance of Sibthorp's Flora of Greece. This ‘contention was probably caused by the extreme meagreness of the original descriptions ... so that the fancy of each succeeding writer had abundant scope in endeavouring to fit, and to persuade others that he had fitted, plants of N orthern Europe to accounts written in the Mediterranean region’12. Jackson does not mention Dioscorides' profound historical influence. For fifteen hundred years De Materia Medica was widely read and reproduced as copies, translations, excerpts, and paraphrases in Arabic, Greek and Latin. Claus Nissen in Herbals of five centuries, L’Art Ancien, Zurich 1958 is more generous: ‘It owes its universal acceptance to the exemplary accuracy and scientific scrupulousness with which all available data concerning the appearance and occurrence of drugs, their preparation, preservation, indication, and dosage have been collected and discussed, as well as to its comprehensiveness which takes account of all remedies, from the three kingdoms of nature, that 10 11 12 xxxiv Rix, Martyn. The art of the plant world, The Overlook Press, Woodstock, New York 1981. p97. Jackson, Benjamin Daydon. Guide to the literature of botany, Hafner Publishing Company, New York, 1964 facsimile of 1881 edition.pxxvii. ibid. pxxviii. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK were then known thoughout the Mediterranean region’13. Furthermore he says, ‘There is no doubt that, besides chemistry, pharmacognosy and, especially, pharmacobotanics constitute a glorious chapter in the history of Islamic learning, for the ancient legacy in this field was not only preserved but independently augmented and developed. It was particularly Dioskorides’ Materia Medica which enjoyed such high esteem that it was likened to the Koran in a manner almost blasphemous to Muslim eyes’14. It was the final authority on pharmacy in Turkey and Spain until the nineteenth century. In the first half of the twelfth century Matthaeus Platearius of the medical school at Salerno wrote Circa Instans, an alphabetic listing and textbook of simples based on Dioscorides Vulgaris, containing the appearance, manufacture, and applications of drugs. It achieved wide recognition, being among the first herbals printed in 1488. Ernst Meyer15 placed it on a par with Pliny and Dioscorides, while George Sarton16 saw it as a great improvement over De Materia Medica and other herbal writings. De Materia Medica impeded botanical thought, although not for its contents — doctrinaire usage stifled continuing investigation. Dioscorides cannot be considered an original thinker, nor did he engage in primary research. His work is a compendium of known medicinal plants of the Roman Empire, with some new introductions, and certain misidentifications. Many of his plant names are still in use, although not necessarily for the same plants, as we show in this new volume. His descriptions were sometimes brief, often accurate, including distribution and other information. We may regard him as a founder of botanical science. Thomas Johnson, an outstanding figure among British herbalist/botanists of the sixteenth century, friend and close collaborator of John Goodyer, considered De Materia Medica the foundation and basis of all that followed in the field. The Rinascimento, or Rennaissance, 13 14 15 16 Nissen, Claus. Herbals of five centuries, L’Art Ancien, Zurich, Robert Wolfe, Munich and Weiss-Hesse, Olten, 1958. p10. ibid. p18-19. Anderson, Frank J. An illustrated history of the herbals, Columbia University Press, New York 1912. Reprint 1977, paperback 1997. p49. ibid. xxxv INTRODUCTION revived interest in knowledge and learning, first in Italy in the mid-fifteenth century, spreading northwards some five decades later. Many botanists and herbalists of the sixteenth century based their texts on those of the ancient Greeks, often referring to Pedanios Dioscorides. His medicinal plants formed the basis of modern botany, establishing the link between botany and medicine, and giving rise to the herbal as we know it; to physic gardens; to the careers of men such as Linnaeus; and latterly, to ethnobotany. It was the medieval physician's duty to fear God and know his Dioscorides, and modern pharmacology stems from his attempts to systematize medicinal knowledge. We even owe the term 'botany' to Dioscorides, who used the Greek term botane, meaning herb. The most influential English herbal, Gerard’s The Herball or generall historie of plantes, frequently mentions Dioscorides, and the introduction ‘To the … Readers’ states ‘From whence there spring floures not onely to adorne the garlands of the Muses, … but also such fruit as learned Dioscorides long travelled for’17. The illustrated title page of the Herball’s second edition in 1633 shows Dioscorides and Theophrastus as the pillars of healing knowledge. This iconic tradition continues on the title pages of Charles de L’Ecluse’s Rariorum Plantarum Historia of 1601, and his Curae posteriores of 1611; Rembert Dodoens’ Stirpium Historiae Pemptades Sex of 1616; Jean Bauhin and Jean Henri Cherlier’s Historia Plantarum Universalis of 1650-1651; and Giorgio Dalla Torre’s Dryandum, Amadryandum Cloridisque Triumphus of 1685; as well as the document dated 1 July 1737 in which the Royal College of Surgeons commended Elizabeth Blackwell’s A curious herbal. Two and a half centuries before Sibthorp, Dr Johann von Cube, a German physician, travelled to the East to find the plants of Dioscorides and other masters. In 1485 he published Hortus Sanitatus, one of the earliest printed herbals. Valerius Cordus (1515 to 1544) travelled through Italy and Germany seeking plants in their natural habitat that the Classical authors, particularly Dioscorides, had described. Cordus lectured on plants at the University of Wittenberg; Adnotationes ad Dioscorides was published 17 xxxvi Gerarde, John. The Herball or Generall historie of plantes, London, 1597. p4. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK from student notes some years after his early death. Cordus' careful observations provided accurate plant descriptions. The scientist Luigi Anguillara (1512 to 1570) travelled through Italy, Greece, the Balkans, and Central Europe on a similar quest. A professor at the University of Padua, he became director of its botanic garden, the first in the world. Similarly, Leonhardt Rauwolf, who died in 1596, travelled from Augsburg to the Levant ‘chiefly to gain a clear and distinct knowledge of those delicate herbs described by Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Avicenna et al, by viewing them in their proper and native places and to encourage the apothecaries to procure the right sorts for their shops’18. Before Gerard's time, William Turner, an influential English theologian and physician, published his herbals in 1538 and 1548, and wrote of his famous botany teacher Luca Ghini of Bologna, ‘Lucas Gynus the reader of Dioscorides in bonomy, my maister’19. Ghini lectured on Dioscorides for twenty-eight years. Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656 to 1708), a Frenchman, and one of the earliest systematic (classification) botanists, identified many of Dioscorides’ plants during travels in Asia Minor. Frans A Stafleu20 commented that Carl Linnaeus, ‘the Prince of botanists’21, was the object of an hero-worship previously unknown in botany, with the possible exception of Dioscorides. In Linnaeus' concise history of botany, Bibliotheca botanica22, he names Theophrastus, Pliny and Dioscorides among outstanding phytologists of all ages, with no others until the fifteenth century. The famous Dutch botanist Johannes Burman (1707 to 1779) was internationally so highly regarded he received the cognomen Dioscorides III from the Leopoldina, the German academy of sciences. In 1703 Charles Plumier dedicated the edible yam genus with its six hundred species to Dioscorides, naming it dioscorea. A fitting tribute, since a number of dioscorea species yield diosgenin, a precursor of progesterone, valuable for modern drugs such as oral contraceptives and cortisone. Sir Arthur Hill, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, described a visit to Mount Athos in 1934: ‘The 18 19 20 21 22 Coats, Alice M. The Quest for Plants, London, 1969. p13. Britten, J., Jackson, BD., Stearn, WT. William Turner, The Ray Society, 1965. p7. Stafleu, Frans A. Linnaeus and the Linnaeans, Utrecht 1971. p3. van Royen, Adriaan. Florae Leydensis Prodromus, 1740. Preface p16. Stafleu, Frans A. ibid. p35. xxxvii INTRODUCTION official botanist monk ... was a remarkable old man with an extensive knowledge of plants and their properties ... he travelled very quickly, usually on foot, and sometimes on a mule, carrying his flora with him in a large black bulky bag ... his flora was nothing less than four manuscript volumes of Dioscorides, which apparently he himself had copied out. This flora he invariably used for determining any plant which he could not name at sight, and he could find his way in his books — and identify his plants to his own satisfaction — with remarkable rapidity’23. This indicates the powerful influence of De Materia Medica up to the twentieth century. The great American botanical historian Edward Lee Greene in Landmarks of Botanical History offers a fitting tribute to Dioscorides: ‘If to have written the most practically serviceable book of botany that the world of learning knew of during sixteen centuries were the best title to botanical greatness, to Dioscorides would readily be conceded the absolute supremacy over all other botanists, not only of antiquity but of all time’24. In Historia rei herbariae, 1807-1808, volume 1, Kurt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel wrote: ‘During more than sixteen centuries, he was looked up to as the sole authority, so that everything botanical began with him. Everyone who undertook the study of botany or the identification of medicines swore by his words. Even as late as the beginning of the seventeenth century both the academic and the private study of botany may almost be said to have begun and ended with the text of Dioscorides’25. History remains the arbiter of the duration and value of Dioscorides' work. 23 24 25 Hill, Arthur William. Preface by Sir Arthur Hill to: Turrill, WB, ‘Contribution to the botany of Athos Peninsula’, in Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew, pp197-8, 1937. Greene, Edward Lee, edited by Frank N Egerton. Landmarks of botanical history, 2 volumes, Stanford University Press, Stanford 1983. pp218-219. Sprengel, Kurt Polycarp Joachim. Historia rei herbariae, 2 vols, Sumtibus Tabernae Librariae et Artium, Amsteldami 1807-1808. pp149-151. xxxviii INTRODUCTION Brassica from FUCHS — 1542 xxxix INTRODUCTION Caryophyllata - Geum urbanum from BRUNFELS — 1540 xl THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our sincere appreciation is accorded firstly to the scholars who shared a fascination with Dioscorides through the centuries. We were able to access many of these works but many others, beyond our reach, are mentioned in the Bibliography for their interest to other ‘seekers’. Of special value to our explorations, we make note of the following: AK Bedevian, Illustrated polyglottic dictionary of plant names. DJ Mabberley, The plant book. Thomas Sprague, journal articles on the herbals of Brunfels and Fuchs, and on Ruellius’ translation of Dioscorides. Wilfred Blunt and Sandra Raphael, The Art of Botanical Illustration. Wilfred Blunt, The Illustrated Herbal. Henri Baillon, Histoire des plantes. Loudon, John Claudius. Encyclopaedia of plants. Georg Pritzel, Thesaurus literaturae botanicae. Klaus Nissen, Die botanische buchillustration, and Herbals of five centuries. Charles Singer, The herbal in antiquity. Lactuca virosa [seed head] after FAGUET — 1880 We would also like to express our appreciation to the staff at the Herbarium Library of the Department of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, especially to Reneé Reddy and Donald McCallum, as well as to the staff at the Johannesburg Public Library, especially Lolly Brower. And thank you to Ian Murdoch, Copyright Attorney. Tess Anne Osbaldeston and Robert P Wood Johannesburg, 2000. xli THE BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATIONS THE BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATIONS T Acacia catechu after THIEBAULT — 1872 his version of Dioscorides is richly illustrated with pictures of plants and natural history objects, primarily woodcuts from the 16th and 19th centuries, and copper engravings or lithographs from the 19th century. We know very little of the artists who made the illustrations reproduced here. For example, in Engler's voluminous writings most paintings by Joseph Pohl are unsigned, thus preventing accurate attribution. Some information about the artists represented herein, with the context in which they worked, is given below. MATERIALS & METHODS Multiple images for early printed books were woodcuts, a relief process, usually a black line drawing of the original picture on a wood block, the unwanted background between the drawn lines was cut away with a sharp knife to prevent contact with the ink roller. The design is in relief, the printer’s ink is deposited on the raised surface, and transferred by pressure onto paper. The image is drawn in reverse as with most forms of printing. In wood engraving, a refinement of the woodcut, the engraver uses a burin, a fine steel cutting tool, obtaining a multitude of fine lines to give subtle gradations simulating grey tones. The crafter usually cuts on the end grain of hard woods to permit a predominance of white lines. Lithography is a planographic or surface process utilising drawing upon stone. The drawing is made with greasy ink or chalk on a particular kind of limestone, porous to both grease and water. Once the drawing is ‘fixed’, the stone is damped with water and an ink roller passed over it. This ‘inks’ the stone wherever the drawing has been made and leaves no mark on the rest of the stone. Paper is now passed over the stone through a scraper press. Lithography permits subtle gradations of tone, speedily and economically. Other printing techniques traditionally used for botanical illustrations include intaglio printing xlii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK — such as copper engraving, mezzotint, stipple engraving, aquatint, and soft ground etching — full or partial colour printing, chromolithography, and a variety of technique modifications. Modern printing methods using photographic, electronic, and digital processes offer further possibilities. THE ILLUSTRATORS Botanical illustrators originally documented plants for medicinal purposes. These early scientific drawings of plants assisted the searcher after simples ie. species of herbs. Illustrations in the magnificent sixth-century manuscript herbal Codex Vindobonensis26 exhibit a standard of excellence unusual in its day, and not exceeded for nearly a millenium. During this 'dreary' millenium most manuscripts were not illustrated, or included pen drawings copied repeatedly by scribes with no artistic skills. Early printed herbals copied these indifferent plant outlines. Realistic plant drawings appeared towards the end of the fourteenth century, Albrecht Durer and Leonardo da Vinci being the best-known artists. Herbarius zu Teutsch (the German Herbarius) 1485 was the first printed herbal with plant drawings showing greater freedom and realism. Next in significance is Otto Brunfels' Herbarum vivae eicones (living portraits of plants), 3 volumes 1530-1536, with illustrations by Hans Weiditz (1488 to 1534) a pupil of Albrecht Durer — the drawings transferred to woodcuts by excellent engravers. Brunfels paid tribute to the artist at the beginning of the first volume, but dismissed the illustrations as dead lines inferior to his own truthful text descriptions. Weiditz drew actual plants with scientific correctness, including blemishes and deformities in great detail. The figures seem drawn in pen, with fine, deep strokes. According to Wilfred Blunt ‘His work must ever remain the high-water mark of woodcutting employed in the service of botanical illustration’27. From 1522 Strassburg publishers Schott, Knoblauch, Kopfel and Beck used professional 26 27 In the Imperial Library in Vienna (now the Bibliothek Nationale). Blunt, Wilfrid with the assistance of William T Stearn. The art of botanical illustration, number 14, The New Naturalist, A survey of British natural history, Collins, London. 1971 reprint of 1950 edition. p47. xliii THE BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATIONS illustrators, including Weiditz, mainly for botanical and zoological works. Weiditz' skills were in great demand, illustrating numerous books including Albertus Magnus, Wunderbar naturliche wirckungen 1531, and Konrad von Megenberg’s Puch der N atur 1536. These plates were pirated by Frankfurt publisher Christian Egenolph for herbals edited by Eucharius d J Rossllin (and later Theodoric Dorsten), and published as Kreutterbuch 1533 with later editions, titles and translations. From 1562 copies of these woodcuts appeared in the journal published by Egenolph, Plantarum arborum fruticum et herbarum effigies. Some four hundred years after they were drawn, about seventy original pen drawings by Weiditz, painted in watercolours, were discovered in the herbarium of Felix Platter in Berne. It was noted that the woodcuts' variable lines reflected the nervous energy of Weiditz’s artistry, and that the engraver of the woodblocks had taken some liberties in copying, mainly to fit larger drawings on to the printed page, and deleting details of flowers and seeds. Soon thereafter Leonhart Fuchs (1501 to 1566) published De historia stirpium 1542, a splendid folio volume, the illustrations of far greater value than the text. Unusually, credit is given to the artists — Albrecht Meyer who drew the plants according to Fuchs' rigorous instructions, Heinrich Fullmaurer who transferred the drawings to wood blocks, and Veit Rudolf Speckle who cut the wood blocks. The plates dazzle with crisp, white paper, fine printing and layout, and elegant designs. With hundreds of full-page illustrations of plants, it is the earliest monumental flower-book. In the preface Fuchs writes about the illustrations: ‘As far as concerns the pictures themselves, each of which is positively delineated according to the features and likeness of the living plants, we have taken peculiar care that they should be most perfect, and, moreover, we have devoted the greatest diligence to secure that every plant should be depicted with its own roots, stalks, leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits. … and we have not allowed the craftsmen so to indulge their whims as to cause the drawings not to correspond accurately to the truth’28. Speckle, ‘by far the best engraver of 28 xliv Fuchs, Leohard. De Historia Stirpium 1542, preface, quoted by Gill Saunders in 'Picturing Plants, an analytical history of botanical illustration', Zwemmer in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1995, London. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Strasbourg’29, had a line often rigid and wiry, suitable for subsequent watercolour wash. Fuchs’ artists idealized the plants, showing flowering and fruiting stages simultaneously, with life-sized plants including roots when possible, but with less detail, achieving unmatched clarity of line reproduction. The plates were copied or adapted by many later herbal writers including John Gerard, Tabernaemontanus, Dodoens, Bock, Turner, Lyte and Schinz, to the chagrin of Fuchs who saw his fine work used without acknowledgement, and mostly as inferior copies. Many scholars consider these the finest botanical woodcuts, though some prefer the sharp figures of Weiditz. Meyer's flowers are delicate, Weiditz' are bold; Meyer had a clinical perception, Weiditz approached individual plants with appreciation; Meyer was limited by Fuchs' insistence on precision without artistic expression and feeling. Perhaps that is why his illustrations were used for more than 200 years. Although not new, copperplate etching was only employed for botanical illustration towards the end of the sixteenth century. Eventually this and other techniques replaced the use of woodblocks. However, wood-engraving flourished again for a while in the nineteenth century. Thomas Bewick (1753 to 1828) led this revival, using skills learnt as a copper engraver. He substituted hard boxwood for soft wood, engraving on the end grain of the wood. Perfecting this technique enabled the use of wood engraving for detailed illustrations, often made from photographs. Examples are found in Baillon’s Histoire des plantes 1866-1895, and Anton Kerner von Marilaun’s Pflanzenleben 1887-1891. Pflanzenleben contained some of the last of the fine woodcuts in botanical illustration. Continental engravers were as skilful as the British. The technical brilliance of these later wood engravings restored the technique to the status of an art, thus it avoided competing with photographic tone reproduction. The Frenchman, Auguste Faguet (1841 to 1886), a prolific illustrator of the late nineteenth century, produced delicate botanical wood engravings of great accuracy. These drawings indicate true perspective, the 29 ibid. Blunt, p51 xlv THE BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATIONS careful craftsmanship making distant elements recede. He illustrated the extensive set of Henri Ernest Baillon’s Histoire des plantes 1866-1895, including its many editions. Faguet's other work for Baillon included Recherches … des coniferes 1860; Dictionnaire de botanique 1876-1892; 1186 woodcuts in Traite de botanique medicale phanerogamique 1883-1884; 370 woodcuts in Traite de botanique medicale cryptogamique 1889; Loganiacees 1856; and Bignoniacees 1864. Henri Faguet’s talent also benefited Edouard Bureau's Monographie des bignoniacee 1864; Alfred Grandidier's monumental Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar 1875; and Histoire naturelle des plantes 1886-1903. Among other artists Faguet also worked on a periodical, L’Horticulteur Francais, journal des amateurs et des interets horticoles 1851-1872. These fine woodcuts were superseded by renewed general use of metal printing plates for botanical illustrations. Thiebault assisted Faguet in illustrating Henri Baillon’s Histoire des plantes 1866-1895. He also contributed engraved text figures to Dujardin-Beaumetz & Egasse’s Les plantes medicinales indigenes ex exotique 1889, and his drawings appeared in The Floral Register, a periodical published from 1825 to 1851. In Pflanzenleben 1887-1891 Anton Joseph Ritter Kerner von Marilaun (1831 to 1898) used a number of Austrian and German artists, their work interpreted as wood-engravings. This important two-volume work spawned several editions, including translations into English, Russian, Italian and Dutch. We know little of these artists, among whom are Adele von Kerner, Ernst Heyn (1841 to 1894), F Tegetmeyer, Hermann von Konigsbrunn (1823 to 1907), Eugen von Ransonnet (1838 to ? ), Ignaz Seelos (1827 to 1902), Joseph Selleny (1824 to 1875), K Springer, S Teuchmann, and Olof Winkler (1843 to 1895). Olof Winkler and Ernst Heyn assisted with the preparation of lithographs from illustrations (and chromolithographs from paintings) by Joseph Selleny and others. Anton Kerner von Marilaun illustrated his own Monographia Pulmoniarum 1878. Ernst Heyn illustrated Emil Adolf Rossmassler’s Der Wald 1863, producing 117 copper engravings. Hermann von Konigsbrunn illustrated Franz Xaver Unger’s Wissenschaftliche ergebnisse einer reise in Griechenland 1862. Ignaz Seelos made the lithographs and Joseph Selleny the frontispiece for Johann Joseph Peyritsch’s Aroideae xlvi THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Maximilianae 1879. German professor Heinrich Moritz Willkomm (1821 to 1895), specialised in the botany of south-western Europe. He often illustrated his own works, and his coloured drawings are mainly of unusual plants from Spain, Portugal, and the Balearic Islands. His many publications include Recherches sur … Globulariees 1850; Icones et descriptiones plantarum novarum 1852-1862; as well as Illustrationes florae Hispaniae 1881-1892 with coloured lithograph plates. AH Payne and A Eckstein occasionally provided him with illustrations. The well-travelled Otto Warburg (1859 to 1938), botanist and political activist, produced the richly illustrated Die pflanzenwelt 1913-1922, with figures by H Buffe, H Eichhorn, M Gurke, U Grimme amongst others, including some coloured plates. Warburg's extensive work emerged from his travels in south-eastern Asia, Oceania, Australia and southern Africa. Heinrich Gustaf Adolf Engler (1844 to 1930) was the most prolific German botanical taxonomist. He published ambitiously and enthusiastically, using a number of artists to illustrate his works, including Joseph Pohl, an artist with apprenticeship as a wood-engraver. Engler noticed Pohl's talent very early, starting a collaboration of almost forty years. Amongst his prodigious output Josef Pohl (1864 to 1939) drew over 33,000 items in 6,000 figures for Engler’s Die naturlichen pflanzenfamilien 1887-1914. His plants are finely and accurately executed, but without flair. This work is of particular value because many new plants were described for the first time. The drawings are plain but complement the lengthy Latin descriptions in this monumental production. The illustrations take on particular significance because many of the actual plants, delineated so carefully, were destroyed in the bombing of the Berlin Herbarium. Pohl illustrated other major works by Engler, including Das pflanzenreich 1900-1953; Die pflanzenwelt Afrikas 1908-1910; Monographien afrikanischer pflanzenfamilien 1898-1904; and most of the illustrations for the periodical Engler’s Botanische jahrbucher 1881 et seq. Assisted by Gottfried Keller (1873 to 1945) and Karoly Rezso Soo von Bere (1903 to 1980), Pohl illustrated Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter’s Monographie und iconographie der orchideen 1928-1942; and Karl Moritz Schumann’s Bluhende kakteen (Iconographia cactacearum) xlvii THE BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATIONS 1900-1921; and was one of many artists contributing (i.e. the orchid illustrations) to Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius' magnificent Flora Brasiliensis 1840-1906. Vogelmeyer and Henri Bocquillon also contributed some drawings to Engler’s publications. Jean Emmanuel Maurice le Maout illustrated his Atlas elementaire de botanique 1846; as well as Lecons elementaire de botanique 1844, including later editions. With Joseph Decaisne he wrote Flore elementaire des jardins et des champs 1855, translated by Mrs Hooker as General system of botany 1876. With P Bernard and L Couilhac, Maout's first book was published as Le jardin des plantes 1842-1843. Botanical art highlights two opposing needs — revealing the true physical character of a plant; and the illustrator's response to the beauty of the subject. Each artist balances the conflict of art versus science. Most botanical publications require large numbers of illustrations, demanding speed as well as accuracy, and a working knowledge of current printing technology. The illustrations selected for this volume appeal both scientifically and descriptively, while incorporating a decidedly decorative quality. They also had to survive the transition to digital format. Statice thouini after FAGUET — 1892 xlviii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK PRINTED BOOKS A chronological list of printed books copying, based upon, annotating, discussing, amplifying, or extending the manuscripts of the De Materia Medica of Pedanios Dioscorides Date of publication and language/s Contributors, Authors, Editors, Illustrators, Publishers [Place of Publication] Title 1473 Latin (1475) Liber Serapionis aggregatus in medicinis simplicibus. 1478 Latin (Folium 1a:) Notadum q; libri diascorides dicti duplex rperit ordinatio cum eodum tamen ephemio omnio. Explic dyascorides que petrus paduanesis legendo corexit et exponendo q vtiliora sut I luce; deduxit. 1479 Latin Liber Serapionis aggregatus in medicinis simplicibus. 1499 Greek ΠΕ∆ΑΚΙΟΥ ∆ΙΟΣΚΟΡΙ∆ΟΥ. Textus Dioscoridis, textus et scholia N icandri. 1514 Latin 1516 Latin 1516 Latin 1516 Latin 1518 Latin Pedacii Dioscoridae Anazarbei de medica materia libri sex, interprete Marcello Vergilio, secretario Florentino, cum ejutdem annotationibus, nuperque diligentissime excusi. 1518 Greek ∆ΙΟΣΚΟΡΙ∆ΗΖ. 1523 Greek ∆ΙΟΣΚΟΡΙ∆ΗΖ. Dyoscoridis exactissimi indagatoris fidelissimiq: scriptoris virtutu simpliciu medicinaru Liber. Cccccccxvij continens capitula: cum nonullis additionibus Petri paduanesis in margine libri notatis. Joannis Baptitae Egnatii Veneti in Dioscoridem ab Hermolao Barbaro tralatum annotamenta, quibus morborum et remediorum vocabula obscuriora in usum etiam mediocriter eruditorum explicantur. Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Corollarii in Dioscoridem libri quinque non ante impressi. Impr. cum Johannis Baptistae Egnatii in Dioscoridem annotamentis. A foll. 223 ordo numerorum turbatus est, ideoque folium ultimum 235 falso numeratum est. A foll. 223 ordo numerorum turbatus est, ideoque folium ultimum 235 falso numeratum est. 1523/8 Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medica materia libri sex a & Greek Marcello Virgilio (Vergilio), secretario Florentino, latinitate donati, cum ejusdem commentationibus, nuper quam diligentissime ex secunda interpretis recognitione excusi. Serapion [Mediolani] Petrus Paduenesis [Colle, near Siena] Joannes Serapion 2nd ed [Venetijs] Aldus Manutius [Venetiis] Petrus Paduanensis [Lugduni] Hermolao Barbaro, J Egnatii [Venetiis] Joanne Ruellio [Parrhisiorm] Ermolao Baptista, J B Egnatii [Venetiis] Marcello Vergilio [Florentiae] Saracenus, Asulanus, Roscio [Venetiis] Saracenus, Asulanus, Roscio [Venetiis] Marcello Virgilio [Florentiae] Pritzel and other Refer -ences 1.8616 1.2299 4.1 1.2291 1.2300 1.2301, 2, 4.28 1.2302 1.0407, 3 1.2303, 3 1.2292, 3 1.2292 1.2305, 3 il PRINTED BOOKS 1526 Latin 1527 Latin 1529 Latin 1529 Latin 1529 Greek Editiones Ruellianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. P. Dioscoridae Pharmacorum simplicium reique medicae libri VIII. Jo. Ruellio interprete. Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. ∆ Ι Ο Σ Κ Ο Ρ Ι ∆ Η Ζ . Paucis emendatis ex editione anni 1518 repetita est. N ullum vestigium est, editorem Janum Cornarium codicibus usum fuisse. Joanne Ruellio [Bononiae] 1.2306, 3 Joanne Ruellio 2nd ed [Venetiis] 3 Joanne Ruellio [Argentorata] Joanne Ruellio 2nd ed [Argentorati] 1.2304, 3 Janum Cornarium [Basileae] 1529 Greek Pedacii Dioscoridae Anazarbei de medica materia libri V de Marcello letalibus venenis, eorumque precautione et curatione liber Vergilio unus, interprete Marcello Vergilio, Secretario Florentino. [Coloniae] 1530 Latin Corollarii in Dioscoridem libri quinque non ante impressi. Ermolao Impr. cum Johannis Baptistae Egnatii in Dioscoridem Barbaro, annotamentis. J B Egnatii [Coloniae] 1530-6 Latin Herbarum vivae eicones ad naturae imitationem summa cum Otto Brunfels, diligentia et arteficio effigiatae, una cum effectibus earundem Schottum, Largi in gratiam veteris illius et jamjam renascentis herbariae [Argentorati] medicinae, per Oth. Brunf. 1531 Latin Insignium medicorum Joan. Serapionis Arabis de simplicibus Serapion medicinis opus praeclarum et ingens. Averrois Arabis de [Argentorati] eiodem liber eximius. Rasis filii Zachariae de eisdem opusculum perutile. 1532 Latin Editiones Ruellianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Joanne Ruellio Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis 2nd ed animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis [Basiliae] libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. 1532 German Contrafyt kreuterbuch nach rechter volkommener art. und Otto Brunfels beschreibungen der alten bestberumpten artzt, vormals in [Strassburg] Teutscher sprach, der massen nye gesehen noch in truck ausgangen. Sampt einer gemeynen inleytung der kreuter urhab. Erkantnuss, brauch, lob und herrlichhgeit. 1532 German Herbarum vivae eicones ad naturae imitationem summa cum Otto Brunfels diligentia et arteficio effigiatae, una cum effectibus earundem [Strassburg] in gratiam veteris illius et jamjam renascentis herbariae medicinae, per Oth. Brunf. 1533 Latin Annotatiunculae aliquot Cornelii Petri Leydensis in quatuor Cornelis Petri libros Dioscoridis Anazarbei. [Antwerpiae] 1534 Latin Stirpium differentiae ex Dioscoride secundum locos Benedict Textor communes, opus ad ipsarum plantarum cognitionem [Parisiis] admodum conducibile. 1536 Latin Index Dioscoridis. Ejusdem historiales campi cum expositione Lusitanus (JR de Joannis Roderici Castelli albi Lusitani (Amati Lusitani). Castelbranco) [Antwerpiae] 1537 Latin Editiones Ruellianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Joanne Ruellio Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis 3rd ed animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis [Parisiis] libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. 1537 German Contrafyt kreuterbuch nach rechter volkommener art. und Otto Brunfels beschreibungen der alten bestberumpten artzt, vormals in 2nd ed Teutscher sprach, der massen nye gesehen noch in truck [Strassburg] ausgangen. Sampt einer gemeynen inleytung der kreuter urhab. Erkantnuss, brauch, lob und herrlichhgeit. l 1.2302 1.2293, 3 1.2294, 3 1.0407, 2 1.1283, 2, 3, 4.42, 5.30 1.8616 1.2306 1.1283, 3, 4.43 1.1283, 3, 4.43 1.7091 1.9174 1.123, 2 1.2306, 3 1.1283 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1537 1538 1539 1539 1541 1541 1541 1542 1542 1542 1542 1542 1543 1543 1543 1543 Latin Stirpium differentiae ex Dioscoride secundum locos communes, opus ad ipsarum plantarum cognitionem admodum conducibile. Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Latin Medicinae herbariae libri duo, quorum primus habet herbas hujus saeculi medicis communes cum veteribus, Dioscoride videlicet, Galeno, Oribasio, Paulo, Aetio, Plinio et horum similibus. German New Kreutterbuch von underscheydt, wurckung und namen der kreutter, so in teutschen landen wachsen. Auch derselbigen eygentlichem und wolgegrundetem Gebrauch in der Arznei zu behalten und zu furdern leibs gesuntheyt fast nutz und trostlichem, vorab gemeynem verstand. Latin Historia plantarum et vires ex Dioscoride, Paulo Aegneta, Theophrasto, Plinio et recentioribus Graecis juxta elementorum ordinem. Latin Historia plantarum et vires ex Dioscoride, Paulo Aegneta, Theophrasto, Plinio et recentioribus Graecis juxta elementorum ordinem. Latin Historia plantarum et vires ex Dioscoride, Paulo Aegneta, Theophrasto, Plinio et recentioribus Graecis juxta elementorum ordinem. Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Italian Dioscorides, Pedanios, Anazarbeus. Dioscoride fatto di greco italiano. AI cui fine sono apposte le sue tavole ordinate, con certe avertenze, e trattati necessarj, per fa materia medesima. Per Curtio Trojano di Navo. Benedict Textor 1.9174 [Venetiis] Joanne Ruellio 3rd ed [Venetiis] 1.2302, 3 Johann Agricola, 1.71, 3 Georg Paurle [Basileae] Hieronymous Bock (Tragus) [Strassburg] 1.864, 4.52 Konrad Gesner [Basileae] 1.3297 Konrad Gesner [Parisiis] 1.3297 Konrad Gesner [Venetiis] 3 Joanne Ruellio 4th ed [Basileae] 1.2302, 3, 6 C T di Navo, Longiano, Egineta [Venetia] Latin Editiones Ruelianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Joanne Ruellio Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis 4th ed animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis [Basileae] libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Latin De historia stirpium commentarii insignes, maximis impensis Leonhard Fuchs et vigiliis elaborati, adjectis earundem vivis plusquam [Basileae] quingentis imaginibus, nunquam antea ad naturae imitationem arteficiosius effictiset expressi. Latin, Catalogus plantarum latine, graece, gemanice et gallice. Konrad Gesner Greek, N amenbuch aller erdgewachsen, lateinisch, griechisch, teutsch [Tiguri] German, und franzosisch. Una cum vulgaribus pharmacopolarum French nominibus. Adjectae sunt etiam herbarum nomenclaturae variarum gentium, Dioscoridi adscriptae secundum literarum ordinem expositae. Latin, Catalogus plantarum latine, graece, gemanice et gallice. Konrad Gesner Greek, N amenbuch aller erdgewachsen, lateinisch, griechisch, teutsch [Francofurti] German, und franzosisch. Una cum vulgaribus pharmacopolarum French nominibus. Adjectae sunt etiam herbarum nomenclaturae variarum gentium, Dioscoridi adscriptae secundum literarum ordinem expositae. Cum Dioscoride Ryffi. Flemish Den nieuwen herbarius, dat is, dboeck van den cruyden int Leonhard Fuchs welcke bescreven is niet alleen die gantse historie van de [Basel] cruyden, maer oock gefigureert ende geconterfeyt. Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri Joanne Ruellio quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et 5th ed eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio [Francofurti] Suessionensi interprete. Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri Joanne Ruellio quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et 6th ed eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio [Lugduni] Suessionensi interprete. 1.2315, 3 1.2306 1.3138, 2, 3, 4.59, 5.48 1.3298, 7 1.3298, 7 1.3139, 2, 3 1.2302, 3 1.2302, 3, 4.61, 5.50 li PRINTED BOOKS 1543 1543 1543 1543 1543 1544 1544 1544 1545 1545 1545 1546 1546 lii Latin Editiones Ruelianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. German In Dioscoridis historiam plantarum certissima adaptatio, cum earundem iconum nomenclaturis graecis, latinis et germanicis. Der kreuter rechte wahrhafftige contrafactur, erkanntnuss und namen, kryechisch, lateinisch und deutsch, nach der Beschreibung Dioscoridis. German N ew Kreuterbuch, in welchem nit allein die gantz histori das ist, namen, gestalt, statt und zeit der wachsung natur, kraft und wurckung des meysten theyls der kreuter so in teutschen und andern landen wachsen, rhit dem besten vleiss beschriben, sonder auch aller derselben wurtzel stengel bletter, blumen, samen, frucht und in summa die gantze gestalt allso artlich und kunstlich abgebildet und kontrafayt ist, das dessgleichen vormals nie gesehen noch an tag kommen. Latin In Dioscoridae Anazarbei de re medica libros e Marcello Virgilio versos scholia nova. Joanne Ruellio 5th ed [Lugduni] 1.2306 Otto Brunfels [Argentorati] 1.1285, 4.60 Leonhard Fuchs 1.3139, 2, 3, 4.62, 6 [Basell] J Lonitzer 1.5600 (Lonicerus) [Marpurgi] Latin De historia stirpium commentarii insignes, maximis impensis Leonhard Fuchs 3 et vigiliis elaborati, adjectis earundem vivis plusquam [Parisiis] quingentis imaginibus, nunquam antea ad naturae imitationem arteficiosius effictiset expressi. Italian Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cincqe della historia et Pietro Andrea 1.2316, 3 materia medicinale tradotti in lingua volgare italiana da M Mattioli Pietro Andrea Mattioli Sanese Medico. Con amplissimi [Venetia] Discorsi, et commenti, et Dottissime annotationi et censure del medesimo interprete. Latin Apologia, qua refellit maltiosas Gualtheri Ryffi, veteratoris Leonhard Fuchs, 1.3141 pessimi, reprehensiones, quae ille Dioscoridi nuper ex Ryffi Egenolphi officina prodeunti attexuit: obiterque quam multas, [Basileae] imo propemodum omnes herbarum imagines e suis de stirpium historia inscriptis commentariis idem suffuratus sit, ostendit. Italian Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cique della historia et Pierandrea 1.5986, 3 materia medicinale tradotta in lingua volgare italiana da M Mattioli Pietro Andrea Matthiolo Sanese medico. [Venetia] Latin Pedanii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri sex, Joanne Ruellio, 1.2307 Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Singulis cum Lonicero stirpium, tum animantium historiis, ad naturae [Francofurti] aemulationem expressis imaginibus, seu vivis picturis, ultra millenarium numerum adjectis; non sine multiplici peregrinatione, sumptu maximo, studio atque diligentia singulari ex diversis regionibus conquisitis. Per Gualtherum H Ryff, Argentinum. Accessere in eundem autorem Scholia nova, cum nomenclaturis graecis, latinis, hebraicis et germanicis, Joanne Lonicero, autore. German Labliche Abbildung und Contrafaytung aller kreuter, so der Leonhard Fuchs 1.3140, 2 hochgelert Herr Leonhart Fuchs in dem ersten theyl seins [Basell] neuwen Kreuterbuchs hat begriffen, in ein kleinere form auf das allerartlichest gezogen, damit sie fuglich von allen mogen hin und wider zur noturfft getragen und gefurt werden. Latin De stirpium historia commentariorum tomi vivae imagines, in Leonhard Fuchs 1.3140 exiguam angustioremque formam contractae. [Basileae] Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri Joanne Ruellio 1.2302, 3 quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et 7th ed eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio [Lugduni] Suessionensi interprete. Italian Dioscoride Anazarbeo della materia medicinale. Tradotto in Marcantonio M 1.2317, lingua florentina da M Marcantonio Montigiano da S da S Gimignano 4.69 Gimignano, medico. [Genaio] THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1546 1546 1546 1546 1547 1547 1547 German Des hochberumpten Pedanii Dioscoridis Anazarbei Grundliche und gewisse Beschreibung alter materien und gezeugs der Artzney, in sechs Bucher verfast, und zum ersten mal aus der Griechsen und Lateinischen Sprachen grundlich verteutscht durch Johan Dantzen von Ast. German Herbarum vivae eicones ad naturae imitationem summa cum diligentia et arteficio effigiatae, una cum effectibus earundem in gratiam veteris illius et jamjam renascentis herbariae medicinae, per Oth. Brunf. Latin De historia stirpium commentarii insignes, maximis impensis et vigiliis elaborati, adjectis earundem vivis plusquam quingentis imaginibus, nunquam antea ad naturae imitationem arteficiosius effictiset expressi. German Kreuterbuch. Darin Underscheid, Wurckung und Namen der Kreuter, so in Deutschen Landen wachsen, auch derselbigen eigentlicher und wohlgegrundeter Gebrauch in der Artznei fleissig dargeben, Leibs Gesundheit zu behaltenund zu furdern sehr nutlich und trostlich, Vorab dem gemeine einfaltigen Man. Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Latin Editiones Ruellianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Italian Dioscoride Anazarbeo della materia medicinale. Tradotto in lingua florentina da M Marcantonio Montigiano da S Gimignano, medico. 1547 Italian 1547 Latin 1548 Italian 1548 Italian 1549 Latin 1549 Greek & Latin 1549 Latin Johan Dantzen von Ast [Frankfurt am Mayn] 1.2321, 4.67 Otto Brunfels [Frankfurt am Mayn] 1.1283, 3, 6 Leonhard Fuchs 1.3138 [Parisiis] Hieronymous Bock (Tragus) [Strasburg] 1.865, 3, 4.66 Joanne Ruellio 8th ed [Lugduni] 1.2302 Joanne Ruellio 6th ed [Lugduni] 1.2306, 3 1.2317, 3 MM da S Gimignano 2nd ed [Firenze] 1.5986 Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cique della historia et Pierandrea materia medicinale tradotta in lingua volgare italiana da M Mattioli Pietro Andrea Matthiolo Sanese medico. 2nd ed [Firenze] De historia stirpium commentarii insignes, maximis impensis Leonhard Fuchs 1.3138, 3 et vigiliis elaborati, adjectis earundem vivis plusquam [Lugduni] quingentis imaginibus, nunquam antea ad naturae imitationem arteficiosius effictiset expressi. Il Dioscoride dell’ eccelente Dottor Medico M P Andrea P Andrea 1.2318, 3 Matthioli da Siena: co i suoi discorsi, da esso la seconda volta Matthioli illustrati et diligentemente ampliati: con l’aggiunta del sesto [Vinegia] libro de i rimedi di tutti i veleni da lui nuovamente tradotto, et con dottissimi discorsi per tutto commentato. 1.5986, 3, Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cique della historia et Pierandrea 5.59 materia medicinale tradotta in lingua volgare italiana da M Mattioli Pietro Andrea Matthiolo Sanese medico. 3rd ed [Vinegia] Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri Joanne Ruellio 1.2302, 3 quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et 9th ed eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio [Francofurti] Suessionensi interprete. Dioscoridis libri octo graece et latine. Castigationes in eosdem Jacobo Goupylo 1.2295, 3 libros (auctore Jacobo Goupylo). [Parisiis] Pedanii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri sex, Joanne Ruellio, 1.2308 Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Singulis cum G Rivium stirpium, tum animatium historiis, ad naturae aemulationem [Francofurti] expressis imaginibus, seu vivis picturis, ultra millenarium numerum adjectis; non sine multiplici peregrinatione, sumptu maximo, studio atque diligentia singulari, ex diversis regionibus conquisitis. Per Gualtherum Rivium, Argentinum, Medicum. Accesserunt priori editioni Valerii Cordi Simesusii Annotationes doctissimae in Dioscoridis de medica materia libros. liii PRINTED BOOKS 1549 Italian 1549 French 1549 Italian 1549 1549 1549 1550 1550 1550 1550 1551 1551 1551 1552 1552 liv Il Dioscoride dell’ eccelente Dottor Medico M P Andrea Matthioli da Siena: co i suoi discorsi, da esso la seconda volta illustrati et diligentemente ampliati: con l’aggiunta del sesto libro de i rimedi di tutti i veleni da lui nuovamente tradotto, et con dottissimi discorsi per tutto commentato. Con l'aggiunta di tutte le figure delle piante, delle herbe, delle pietre e de gi animali tratte dal vero, et istesso naturale, et non piu stampate. Commentaires très excellens de l’hystoire des plantes, composéz premièrementen latin par Leonhart Fousch, inedecin très renommè; et depuis en françois par un homme savant et bien expert en la matière. Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cique della historia et materia medicinale tradotta in lingua volgare italiana da M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo Sanese medico. Pierandrea Matthioli [Mantova] 1.2319 Leonhard Fuchs 1.3139, 5.60 [Paris] Pierandrea 1.5986 Mattioli 3rd ed [Mantova] Latin De historia stirpium commentarii insignes, maximis impensis Leonhard Fuchs 1.3138, 3 et vigiliis elaborati, adjectis earundem vivis plusquam [Lugduni] quingentis imaginibus, nunquam antea ad naturae imitationem arteficiosius effictiset expressi. Latin De stirpium historia commentariorum tomi vivae imagines, in Leonhard Fuchs 1.3140 exiguam angustioremque formam contractae cum totidem [Basileae] figuris ligno incisis absque textu praeter graecum, latinum, gallicum, germanicum. Latin De stirpium historia commentariorum tomi vivae imagines, in Leonhard Fuchs 1.3140 exiguam angustioremque formam contractae. Stirpium [Lugduni] imagines, in enchiridi formam. Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri Joanne Ruellio 1.2302, 3 quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et 10th ed eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio [Lugduni] Suessionensi interprete. Latin Editiones Ruellianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Joanne Ruellio 1.2306 Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis 7th ed animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis [Lugduni] libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Latin Editiones Ruelianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Joanne Ruellio 1.2306, 3 Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis 8th ed animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis [Venetiis] libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. Italian Il Dioscoride dell’ eccelente Dottor Medico M P Andrea P Andrea 1.2318 Matthioli da Siena: co i suoi discorsi, da esso la seconda volta Matthioli 2nd ed illustrati et diligentemente ampliati: con l’aggiunta del sesto [Vinegia] libro de i rimedi di tutti i veleni da lui nuovamente tradotto, et con dottissimi discorsi per tutto commentato. Latin Botanologicon. Valerii Cordi Adnotationes in Dioscoridis de Eurich Cordus 1.1883 medica materi libros. [Parisiis] Latin De historia stirpium commentarii insignes, maximis impensis Leonhard Fuchs 1.3138, 3 et vigiliis elaborati, adjectis earundem vivis plusquam [Lugduni] quingentis imaginibus, nunquam antea ad naturae imitationem arteficiosius effictiset expressi. German Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous 1.866 der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. Latin Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri Joanne Ruellio 1.2302, 3, 4.72 quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et 11th ed eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio [Lugduni] Suessionensi interprete. Latin Editiones Ruellianae in minori forma. Pedacii Dioscorides Joanne Ruellio 1.2306 Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri quinq; de viruletis 9th ed animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et eorum notis ac remediis [Lugduni] libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio Suessionensi interprete. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1552 Italian 1552 Italian 1552 Latin Stirpium differentiae ex Dioscoride secundum locos communes, opus ad ipsarum plantarum cognitionem admodum conducibile. 1552 Latin 1552 Latin 1552 Latin De stirpium maxime earum quae in Germania nostra nascuntur, usitatis nomenclaturis, propriisque differentiis, neque non temperaturis ac facultatibus, Commentatiorum libri tres, germanica primum lingua conscripti, nunc in latinam conversi, interprete Davide Kybero, Argentinensi. De stirpium historia commentariorum tomi vivae imagines, in exiguam angustioremque formam contractae. Plantarum effigies, quinque diversis. De simplicium medicamentorum historiae libri VII, interprete Nic. Mutono. 1553 French 1553 Latin 15531554 Latin 1554 Latin 1554 Latin 1554 Latin 1554 Latin 1554 Latin 1554 Latin 1554 Dutch Il Dioscoride dell’ eccelente Dottor Medico M P Andrea Matthioli da Siena: Co i suoi discorsi per la terza volta illustrati, et copiosamente ampliati: co’l sesto libro de gli Antidoti contra a tutti i veleni da lui tradotto et con dottissimi discorsi per tutto commentato. Aggiuntevi due amplissime tavole, nell’una delle quali con somma facilita si puo ritrovare cio, che in tutto il volume si contiene; nell’ altra poi tutti i Semplici medicamenti, per qual si voglia morbo adunati insieme. Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cique della historia et materia medicinale tradotta in lingua volgare italiana da M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo Sanese medico. Vincenzo Valgrisi [Vinegia] 1.2320 Pierandrea Mattioli 5th ed [Vinegia] Benedict Textor, H Tragi [Argentinae] Bock, Textoris, Gesner, Kyber [Argentorati] 1.5986 1.9174, 3 1.867, 2, 4.71, 5.66 Leonhard Fuchs 1.3140 [Lugduni] Serapion, 1.8616 Mutono [Venetiis] Les six livres de Pedacion Dioscoride d’Anazarbe de la matière Martin Matthee 1.2314 médicale translatez de latin en françois. A chacun chapitre [Lyon] sont adjoutées certaines annotations fort doctes (par D Martin Matthee). 1.124, 2 In Dioscoridis Anazarbei de materia medica libros Amatus enarrationes eruditissimae Amati Lusitani (ie. Juan Lusitanus (de Rodriguez de Castelbranco). Castelbranco) [Venetiis] Trium priorum de stirpium historia commentariorum Rembert 1.2343, imagines ad vivum expressae. Una cum indicibus graeca, Dodoens 3, 5.68 latina, officinarum, germanica, brabantica, gallicaque nomina [Antwerpiae] complectentibus. Posteriorum. Pedacii Dioscorides Anazarbei de medicinali materia libri Joanne Ruellio 1.2302 quinq; de viruletis animalibus et venenis cane rabioso, et 12th ed eorum notis ac remediis libri quatuor, Joanne Ruellio [Lugduni] Suessionensi interprete. Dioscorides, Pedanios, Anazarbeus interprete Pet. Andr. Pietro Andrea 1.2309, 2, Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Mattioli 3 [Venetii] Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri VI innumeris locis Andrea 1.2310, 3, ab Andrea Matthiolo emendati ac restituti. Matthiolo 4.74 [Lugduni] In Dioscoridis Anazarbei de materia medica libros Amatus 1.0124, 3 enarrationes eruditissimae Amati Lusitani (ie. Juan Lusitanus (de Rodriguez de Castelbranco). Castelbranco) [Argentini] Annotationes in Dioscoridem Anazarbeum juxta Andres Laguna 1.4992 vetustissimorum tidem elaboratae. [Lugduni] Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete Pierandrea 1.5985 Petro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Mattioli [Venetiis] Cruydeboeck in den welcken die gheheele historie, dat es Rembert 1.2344 tgheslacht, tfatsoen, naem natuere, cracht ende werckingghe Dodoens van den cruyden, niet alleen hier te lande wassende, maer oock [Antwerpen] van den anderen vremden in der medecijnen oorboorlijck..ghesfelt. lv PRINTED BOOKS 1555 1555 1555 1555 1556 1556 1557 1557 1557 1557 1557 1558 1558 1558 1558 lvi Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. Italian Il Dioscoride dell’ eccelente Dottor Medico M P Andrea Matthioli da Siena: co i suoi discorsi, da esso la seconda volta illustrati et diligentemente ampliati: con l’aggiunta del sesto libro de i rimedi di tutti i veleni da lui nuovamente tradotto, et con dottissimi discorsi per tutto commentato. Italian I discorsi di M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo ne i sei libri della materia medicinale di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo. Andres de Laguna [Anvers] 1.2313 P Andrea Matthioli 3rd ed [Vinegia] 1.2318 Pierandrea 1.5987, Mattioli 4.77 [Vinegia] Latin De historia stirpium commentarii insignes, maximis impensis Leonhard Fuchs 3 et vigiliis elaborati, adjectis earundem vivis plusquam [Lugduni] quingentis imaginibus, nunquam antea ad naturae imitationem arteficiosius effictiset expressi. Latin Annotationes in Dioscoridem. Joannes Cosma 1.4188 Holtzachius [Lugduni] German Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous 1.866 der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. Latin Pedacii Dioscoridae Anazarbensis de materia medica libri V, Jano Cornario 1.2311, 3 Jano Comario Medico, Physico interprete. Ejusdem Jani [Basileae] Comarii Emblemata singulis capitibus adjecta. 1.124, 3 Latin In Dioscoridis Anazarbei de materia medica libros Amatus enarrationes eruditissimae Amati Lusitani. Lusitanus (JR de Castelbranco) [Venetiis] Spanish Historia de las yervas y plantas, sacada de Dioscoride Juan Jarava 1.2313, 7 Anazarbeo. [Anvers] French Histoire des plantes, en laquelle est contenue la description Rembert 1.2345, entiere des herbes, c’est a dire leurs especes, forme, noms, Dodoens temperament, vertus et operations non seulement de celles qui [Anvers] 4.78 croissent… usage de medecine. Latin De stirpium aliquot nominibus vetustis ac novis, quae multis Melchior 1.3636 jam saeculis vel ignorarunt medici, vel de eis dubitarunt: ut Guilandinus sunt Mamiras, Moly, Oloconitis, Doronicum, [Basileae] Bulbocastanum, Gramen Azelin vel Habbaziz et alia complura, epistolae duae… altera C Gesneri. Latin Dioscorides, Pedanios, Anazarbeus interprete Pet. Andr. Pietro Andrea 1.2309, 3 Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Mattioli 2nd ed [Venetiis] Latin In Dioscoridis Anazarbei de medica materia libros quinque Amatus 1.124, 3, Amati Lusitani enarrationes eruditae. Accedunt praeter Lusitanus, 4.79 correctiones lemmatum etiam adnotationes Roberti Constantini, Constantini, nec non simplicium picturae ex Leonhardo Fuchs, Fuchsio, Jacobo Dalechampioatque aliis. Dalechamp [Lugduni] Latin Apologia adversus Amatum Lusitanum cum censura in Mattioli, 1.5977, 3 ejusdem enarrationes. Lusitanum [Venetiis] French L’histoire des plantes mis en commentaires par Leonart Fuchs Leonhard Fuchs, 1.3139 médecin tres-renommé, et nouvellement traduict de latin en G Rouille françois avec vraye observation de l’auteur en telle diligence 2nd ed [Lion] que pourra tesmoigner ceste oevre presente. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1558 1558 1558 1559 1559 1559 1559 1559 1560 1560 1560 1560 1560 1560 1561 1561 Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete P Mattioli, Petro, Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Adjectis Lusitanum plurimis plantarem et animalium imaginibus. 2nd ed [Venetiis] Latin De stirpibus aliquot epistolae V, Melchioris Guilandini R IV, Melchior Conradi Gesneri Tigurini I. Guilandinus [Patavii] Latin Apologiae adversus Petrum Andream Matthiolum liber Melchior primus, qui inscribitur Theon. Guilandinus [Patavii] French Les six livres de Pedacion Dioscoride d’Anazarbe de la matière Martin Matthee médicale translatez de latin en françois. A chacun chapitre 2nd ed sont adjoutées certaines annotations fort doctes (par D Martin [Lyon] Matthee). Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete P Mattioli, Petro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Adjectis Lusitanum plurimis plantarem et animalium imaginibus. 3rd ed [Venetiis] Latin Apologia adversus Amatum Lusitanum cum censura in Mattioli, ejusdem enarrationes. Lusitanum [Venetiis] Latin De stirpium historia commentariorum imagines, in duos Rembert tomos digestae, supra priorem editionem multarum novarum Dodoens figurarum accessione locupletatae. [Antverpiae] Latin Methodi cognoscendorum simplicium libri III. Cum indice Bartolommeo copioso. Maranta [Venetiis] Latin Dioscorides, Pedanios, Anazarbeus interprete Pet. Andr. Pietro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Mattioli 3rd ed [Venetiis] Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal Andres de y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la Laguna vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales 2nd ed annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas [Madrid] exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. Latin Stirpium descriptionis liber quintus, qua in Italia sibi visas Cordus, describit in praecedentibus vel omnino intatas vel non poluit. Schreiberi, De morbo et obitu Valerii Cordi epistola Hieronymi Schreiberi Crucigeri Norimbergensis. [Argentina] Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete P Mattioli, Petro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Adjectis Lusitanum plurimis plantarem et animalium imaginibus. 4th ed [Venetiis] Italian I discorsi di M. Pietro Andrea Matthiolo ne I sei libri della Pierandrea materia medicinale di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo. Mattioli [Venetia] German Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal Andres de y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la Laguna vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales 3rd ed annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas [Valencia] exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. Latin Annotationes in Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de medica Valerius Cordus, materia libros V. Cum ejusdem Historia stirpium et Sylva etc. Aretii, Gesneri [Argentorati] 1.5985, 4.80 1.3637 1.3638 1.2314, 4.81 1.5985, 3 1.5977 1.2343, 5.79 1.5796 1.2309, 3 1.2313, 7 1.1885 1.5985 3 1.866, 4.82 1.2313 1.1884, 2, 3, 4.86 lvii PRINTED BOOKS 1561 Latin 1561 French 1561 1561 1562 1562 1563 1563 1563 1563 1563 1565 1565 1565 1565 lviii Historia plantarum. Earum imagines, nomenclatura, qualitates et natale solum. Quibus accessere simplicium medicamentorum facultates secundum locos et genera ex Dioscoride. Pierandrea Mattioli [Lugduni] Les Commentaires de M P Andre Matthiolus sur les six livres P Mattioli, de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la matière medicinale. Antoine du Traduits de latin en françois par M. Antoine du Pinet. Pinet [Lyon] Latin Historia plantarum. Quibus accessere simplicium Antoine du medicamentorum facultates secundum locos et genera ex Pinet Dioscoride. [Lugduni] Italian Semplici, liquali in piu Pareri a diversi nobili huomini scritti Luigi Anguillara a paiono. Nuovamente de M Giovanni Marinello mandati in [Vinegia] luce. [L Anguillara was born as L Squalermo, though known to his contemporaries as Aloysius Romanus]. Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete Pietro Andrea Petro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Mattioli 3rd ed [Lugduni] Czech Herbarz: ginak Bylinarz ............ Per Thaddeum Hagek. Mattioli, Hagek [Praha] Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal Andres de y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la Laguna vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales 4th ed annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas [Salamanca] exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. Latin Stirpium descriptionis liber quintus, qua in Italia sibi visas Cordus, describit in praecedentibus vel omnino intatas vel non poluit. Schreiberi, De morbo et obitu Valerii Cordi epistola Hieronymi Schreiberi Crucigeri Norimbergensis. [Argentorati] Italian I discorsi di M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo ne I sei libri della Pierandrea materia medicinale di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo. Mattioli 2nd ed [Vinegia] German New Krauterbuch mit den allerschonsten und artlichsten Pierandrea Figuren aller Gewechss, dergleichen vormals in keiner Mattioli, Sprache nie an den tag kommen. Folgends durch Georgium G Handsch Handsch der Arzney Doctorem. (First German edition and [Prag, Venedig] omits Dioscorides text). Dutch Cruydeboeck in den welcken die gheheele historie dat es Rembert tgheslacht, tfatsoen, naem natuere, cracht ende werckingghe Dodoens van den cruyden, niet alleen hier te lande wassende, maer oock [Antwerpen] van den anderen vremden in der medecijnen oorboorlijck..ghesfelt Greek Ped. Dioscoridis Anazarbei ad Andromachum, hoc est de Moibano, & Latin curationibus morborum per medicamenta paratu facilia, libri Gesnero, Gasser II. Nunc primum et graece editi et partim a Joanne Moibano, [Argentorati] medico Augustano, partim vero post hujus mortem a Corado Gesnero in linguam latinam conversi; adjectis ab utroque interprete symphoniis Galeni aliorumque graecorum medicorum. Latin Dioscorides, Pedanios, Anazarbeus interprete Pet. Andr. Pietro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. (large woodcuts). Mattioli [Venetiis] Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete P Mattioli, Petro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Adjectis Lusitanum plurimis plantarem et animalium imaginibus. 5th ed [Venetiis] German Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. 1.5994 1.5991, 3 1.2539 4.87, 5.85 1.187, 2, 3, 4.84 3 1.5992 1.2313 1.1885, 2, 4.86 1.5987 1.5989, 4.89, 5.91, 6 1.2345, 3 1.2298, 4.91 1.2309, 3, 4.93 1.5985, 5.94 1.866 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1566 Czech Mattioli, Huber, 1.5993 Adam [Prag] 1566 Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal Andres de 1.2313, y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la Laguna 5th ed 5.95 vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales [Salamanca] annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. 1567 Latin Historia plantarum. Earum imagines, nomenclatura, Pierandrea 1.5994 qualitates et natale solum. Quibus accessere simplicium Mattioli medicamentorum facultates secundum locos et genera ex [Lugduni] Dioscoride. 1567 Latin Historia plantarum. Quibus accessere simplicium Antoine du 1.2539, medicamentorum facultates secundum locos et genera ex Pinet 5.100 Dioscoride. [Lugduni] 1568 Italian I discorsi di M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo ne I sei libri della Pierandrea 1.5987, 3, materia medicinale di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo. Mattioli 6 3rd ed [Vinegia] 1.2309 1569 Latin Dioscorides, Pedanios, Anazarbeus interprete Pet. Andr. Pietro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Mattioli 2nd ed [Venetiis] 1569 Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete P Mattioli, 1.5985 Petro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Adjectis Lusitanum plurimis plantarem et animalium imaginibus. 6th ed [Venetiis] 1.2313, 3 1570 Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal Andres de y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la Laguna vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales 6th ed annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas [Salamanca] exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. 1.5985, 1570 Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete P Mattioli, 3, 4.102 Petro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Adjectis Lusitanum plurimis plantarem et animalium imaginibus. 7th ed [Venetiis] 1570 Latin Stirpium adversaria nova, perfacilis vestigatio, luculentaque Pierre Pena, 1.7029, 2, (1571) accessio ad priscorum, praesertim Dioscoridis et recentiorum Mathias L’Obel 3, 4.103, 7 materiam medicam. Quibus praediem accedit altera pars. [Londini] Conjectaneorum de plantis. 1571 Latin Compendium de plantis omnibus, una cum earum iconbus de Pierandrea 1.5982, 3, quibus scripsit suis in Commentariis in Dioscoridem editis. Mattioli, 4.105, 6 Calceolarii [Venetiis] 1571 Latin Novum herbarium, sive methodus cognoscendorum omnium Bartolommeo 1.5796 simplicium. Maranta [Venetiis] 1572 French Les Commentaires de M P Andre Matthiolus medecin senois, P Mattioli, M. 1.5991, 3 sur les six livres de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la Jean des matière medicinale etc. Mis en françois sur la dernier édition Moulins latine de l’autheur par M. Jean des Moulins, docteur en [Lyon] medecine. 3 1572 French Les Commentaires de M P Andre Matthiolus medicin senois P Mattioli, sur les six livres de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la Antoine du matiere medicinale. Traduits de latin en françois per M. Pinet Antoine du Pinet. [Lyon] 1572 German Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous 1.866 der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. 1573 Italian I discorsi di M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo ne I sei libri della Pierandrea 3 materia medicinale di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo. Mattioli [Venetia] Herbarz: ginak Bylinarz ... per Adam Huber et Dan Adam. lix PRINTED BOOKS 1575 1576 1576 1577 1577 1578 1579 1580 1580 1581 1581 1581 1581 1581 1583 1583 lx French L’histoire des plantes reduicte en tres bon ordre, augmentee de Leonhard Fuchs, plusiers simples avec leurs figures et pourtraicts: et illustree Charles Pesnot par les commentaires de Leonarth Fusch, medicin tres-savant, 3rd ed faicts premierement en latin et puis traduit en français. [Lyon] Latin Plantarum seu stirpium historia. Cui adnexum est Matthias Adversariorum volumen. Lobelius [Antwerpiae] Latin Nova stirpium adversaria, perfacilis vestigatio, luculentaque Pierre Pena, accessio ad priscorum, praesertim Dioscoridis et recentiorum Mathias L’Obel materiam medicam. Quibus accessit appendixcum indice [Antverpiae] variarum linguarum locupl. Latin Epistolarum medicinalium libri III. His accesserunt Aconiti Konrad Gesner primi Dioscoridis asseveratio, et de oxymellitis elleborati [Tiguri] utriusque dsecriptione et usu libellus. Omnia edita per Casparum Wolphium. German Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. English A niewe herball, or histori of plants; first set forth in the Rembert doutche tongue, and now first translated out of french into Dodoens english by Henry Lyte Esq. [London] French Les Commentaires de M. P Andre Matthiolus sur les six P Mattioli, livres de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la matiere Jean des medicinale. Traduits de latin en francois par M. Jean des Moulins Moulins. [Lyon] French Les six livres de Pedacion Dioscoride d’Anazarbe de la matière Martin Matthee médicale translatez de latin en françois. A chacun chapitre 3rd ed sont adjoutées certaines annotations fort doctes (par D Martin [Lyon] Matthee). German Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. Latin Alphabetum empiricum sive Dioscoridis et Stephani Casparo Atheniensis philosophorum et medicorum de remediis expertis Wolphio, liber, juxta alphabeti ordinem digestus. Atheniensis [Tiguri] Italian I discorsi di M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo ne I sei libri della Pierandrea materia medicinale di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo. Mattioli [Venetia] Dutch Cruydeboeck in den welcken die gheheele historie dat es Rembert tgheslacht, tfatsoen, naem natuere, cracht ende werckingghe Dodoens van den cruyden, niet alleen hier te lande wassende, maer oock [Antwerpen] van den anderen vremden in der medecijnen oorboorlijck..ghesfelt. Flemish Kruydtboeck oft beschryvinghe van allerlye ghewassen Matthias kruyderen, hesteren, ende gheboomten. Lobelius [Antwerpen] Latin Plantarum seu stirpium icones. Icones ligno incisae Matthias plerumque binae in unaquaque pagina. Lobelius [Antwerpiae] Latin Dioscorides, Pedanios, Anazarbeus interprete Pet. Andr. Pietro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Mattioli 3rd ed [Venetiis] Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete P Mattioli, Petro Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Adjectis Lusitanum magnis ac novis plantarum iconibus. 8th ed [Venetiis] 1.3139, 4.112 1.5548, 2, 4.114, 5.126, 6 1.7029, 2, 3, 4.115, 5.127 1.3302, 7 1.866 1.2345, 2, 3, 5.132, 4.118 3 1.2314, 3 1.866 1.10679, 3 3 1.2345 1.5548, 3 1.5549, 2, 3, 5.138, 6 1.2309, 3 1.5985, 4.124, 5.145 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1583 Latin 1583 Latin 1586 Latin 1586 German 1586 English 1587 German 1590 German 1590 Dutch 1591 Latin 1591 Latin 1592 Italian 1593 Latin 1595 German 1595 Latin 1595 English 1596 Latin Andrea Cesalpini [Florentiae] Stirpium historiae pemptades sex sive libri XXX. Rembert Dodoens [Antwerpiae] De plantis epitome utilissima novis plane ad vivum expressis Mattioli, iconibus descriptionibusque longe et pluribus et D J Camerario accuratioribus, nunc primum diligenter aucta et locupletata a [Francofurti] D Joachimo Camerario. Kreuterbuch des hochgelehrten und weitberuhmten Hr D Mattioli, Petri Andreae Matthioli, jetzt wiederumb mit vielen schonen Camerarium newen Figuren, auch nutzlichen Artzneyen und andern guten [Frankfurt am Stucken zun andern Mal aus sondrem Fleiss gemehrtund Mayn] gefertig durch Joachimum Camararium, der loblichen Reichsstatt Nurnberg Medicum. A niewe herball, or histori of plants; first set forth in the Rembert doutche tongue, and now first translated out of french into Dodoens english by Henry Lyte Esq. [London] Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. Kreuterbuch des hochgelehrten und weitberuhmten Hr D Mattioli, Petri Andreae Matthioli, jetzt wiederumb mit vielen schonen Camerarium newen Figuren, auch nutzlichen Artzneyen und andern guten [Frankfurt am Stucken zun andern Mal aus sondrem Fleiss gemehrtund Mayn] gefertig durch Joachimum Camararium, der loblichen Reichsstatt Nurnberg Medicum. Cruydeboeck in den welcken die gheheele historie dat es Rembert tgheslacht, tfatsoen, naem natuere, cracht ende werckingghe Dodoens van den cruyden, niet alleen hier te lande wassende, maer oock [Antwerpen] van den anderen vremden in der medecijnen oorboorlijck..ghesfelt Annotationi et emendationi nella tradottione dell' eccell. PA Antonio Pasini Mattioli de’ cinque libri della materia medicinale di [Bergamo] Dioscoride. Icones stirpium seu plantarum tam exoticarum quam Matthias indigenarum in gratiam rei herbariae studiosorum in duas Lobelius partes digestae. Cum septem linguarum Indici. [Antwerpiae] Annotationi et emendationi nella tradottione dell' eccell. PA Antonio Pasini, Mattioli de’ cinque libri della materia medicinale di Mattioli Dioscoride. [Bergamo] Semplici … . cum notis Casparis Bauhni. Luigi Anguillara [Basileae] 2nd ed Kreuterbuch, darinn Underscheidt, Namen und Wurckung Hieronymous der Kreuter, Stauden Hecken und Beumen, sammt ihre Bock (Tragus) Fruchten, so in deutschen Landen wachsen ... durch [Strassburg] Hieronymum Bock aus langwiriger und gewisser erfarung beschriben, und jetzund von newwm fleissig ubersehen, gebessert und gemehret, dazu mit hupschen artigen und lablichen Figuren der Kreutter allenthalben gezieret. De stirpium historia commentariorum tomi vivae imagines, in Leonhard Fuchs exiguam angustioremque formam contractae, ic. Ligno inc. [Lugduni] minimae. A niewe herball, or histori of plants; first set forth in the Rembert doutche tongue, and now first translated out of french into Dodoens english by Henry Lyte Esq. [London] Pedacii Dioscoridis de materia medica libri sex, interprete P Mattioli, Petro, Andrea Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. Adjectis Lusitanum magnis ac novis plantarum iconibus. 9th ed [Venetiis] De planti libri XVI. Ad serenissimum Franciscum Medicem, Magnum Aetruriae Ducem. 1.1640, 2, 4.122 1.2350, 2, 3, 4.123 5.143 1.5983, 3.6, 4.128 3 1.2345, 2 1.866 1.5990, 3, 5.160 1.2345 3 1.5549, 2, 3, 4.135 1.6964 1.187 1.866, 3, 4.138 1.3140 1.2345, 2, 3, 5.171 1.5985 lxi PRINTED BOOKS 1596 1598 1598 1598 1598 1598 1598 1600 1603 1604 1605 1605 1606 lxii Czech Mattioli, Camerar, Huber, Adam [Prag] Latin Dioscorides, Pedanios, Anazarbeus interprete Pet. Andr. Mattioli, Bauhin Matthiolo, cum ejusdem commentariis. [Basileae] Greek & Π Ε ∆ Α Κ Ι Ο Υ ∆ Ι Ο Σ Κ Ι ∆ Ο Υ . Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbaei Jani Antonii Latin Opera quae exstant, omnia. Ex nova interpretatione Jani Saraceni Antonii Saracenii Lugdunaei, medici. [Lugduni & Frankfurt am Mayn] Latin Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de materia medica libri Jano Antonio quinque. Ejusdem de venenis libri duo. Interprete Jano Sarraceno Antonio Sarraceno. [Frankfurt am Mayn] Latin Opera, quae exstant, omnia; hoc est: Commentarii in sex Pierandrea libros Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de medica materia, Mattioli, adjectis in margine variis graeci textus lectionibus ex Bauhino antiquissimis codicibus desumtis, qui Dioscoridis depravatam [Basileae, lectionem restituunt: nunc a Casparo Bauhino post Frankfurt am diversarum editionum collationeminfinitis locis aucti. Mayn] Latin Petri Andrea Matthioli opera, quae exstant omnia; hoc 58 est: Pierandrea commentarii in sex libros Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de Mattioli medica materia, adjectis in margine variis graeci textus 10th ed lectionibus ex antiquissimus codicibus desumtis, nunc a [Basileae] Casparo Bauhino post diversarum editionum collationem infinitis locis aucti. Apologia in Amatum Lusitanum. German Kreuterbuch des hochgelehrten und weitberuhmten Hr D Mattioli, Petri Andreae Matthioli, jetzt wiederumb mit vielen schonen Camerarium newen Figuren, auch nutzlichen Artzneyen und andern guten 2nd ed Stucken zun andern Mal aus sondrem Fleiss gemehrtund [Frankfurt am gefertig durch Joachimum Camararium, der loblichen Mayn] Reichsstatt N urnberg Medicum. German Kreuterbuch des hochgelehrten und weitberuhmten Hr D Mattioli, Petri Andreae Matthioli, jetzt wiederumb mit vielen schonen Camerarium newen Figuren, auch nutzlichen Artzneyen und andern guten 3rd ed Stucken zun andern Mal aus sondrem Fleiss gemehrtund [Frankfurt am gefertig durch Joachimum Camararium, der loblichen Mayn] Reichsstatt N urnberg Medicum. Latin Appendix ad libros de plantis; praeter appendicem ad Andrea peripateticas quaestiones; redit in Museo di piante rare di Cesalpini Boccone. [Romae] Italian I discorsi di M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo ne I sei libri della Pierandrea materia medicinale di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo. Mattioli [Venetia] French Les Commentaires de M P Andre Matthiolus sur les six livres P Mattioli, de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la matière medicinale. Pierre Rigaud, Traduits de latin en françois par M. Antoine du Pinet: et Antoine du illustrez de nouveau d’un bon nombre de figures, et Pinet augmentez en plus de mille lieux à la derniere édition de [Lyon] l’auteur, tant de plusiers remedes à diverses sortes de maladies; que aussi des distillations: comme paraillement de la connaissance des simples. Latin Dilucidae simplicium medicamentorum explicationes et Pierre Pena, stirpium adversaria, quibus accessit altera pars cum prioris Mathias L’Obel illustrationibus, castigationibus, auctuariis. Impr cum Lobelii [Londini] in G Rondelletii methodicam Pharmaceuticam officinam animadversiones. English Dodeon’s brief epitome of the new herbal or history of plants, Rembert wherein is contained the disposition and true declaration of Dodoens the physicke helpes of all sorts of herbes and plants, under [London] their names and operations, collected out of the most exquisite new herball, first set forth in the Dutch or Almayne tongue, translated by Henry Lyte, esquire, and by William Ram, gentleman: otherwise called Ram’s little Dodeon. Herbarz: ginak Bylinarz ... per Adam Huber et Dan Adam. 1.5993, 4.139 1.2309 1.2296, 2, 3 1.2312 1.5984, 3, 4.144 1.5985 1.5990 1.5990, 3 1.1641, 2 3, 6 1.5991, 3 1.7029, 2, 3, 4.115, 5.183, 6, 7 1.2345 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1608 1610 1611 1614 1616 1616 1617 1618 1619 1619 1620 Latin Nicolo Marogna, 1.5818, 3 Ponae [Basileae] German Krauterbuch des uralten und in aller Welt beruhmtesten Ast, Uffenbach, 1.2322 Griechischen Skribenten Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei, Von Braunsschweig allerley wolriechenden Krautern, Gewurtzen, kostlichen Oelen [Frankfurt am und Salben, Baumen, Hartzen, Gummi, Getrayt, Mayn] Kochkrautern, scharpffschmackenden Krautern, und andern so allein zur Artzney gehorig, Krauterwein, Metalle, Steinen, allerley Erden, affern und jedem Gifft, viel und mancherley Thieren, und derselbigin heylsamen und nutzbaren Stuck. In siben sonderbare Bucher unterschieden. Erslich durch Joannem Danzium vo Ast, der Artzney Doctorem, verteutscht, Nun mehr aber von Petro Uffenbach. Wolerfahren Wundartztes Hieronymi Braunsschweig zweyen Buchern. 1.5990, 3 German Kreuterbuch des hochgelehrten und weitberuhmten Hr D Mattioli, Petri Andreae Matthioli, jetzt wiederumb mit vielen schonen Camerarium newen Figuren, auch nutzlichen Artzneyen und andern guten 4th ed Stucken zun andern Mal aus sondrem Fleiss gemehrtund [Frankfurt am gefertig durch Joachimum Camararium, der loblichen Mayn] Reichsstatt Nurnberg Medicum. German Krauterbuch des uralten und in aller Welt beruhmtesten Ast, Uffenbach, 1.2322 Griechischen Skribenten Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei, Von Braunsschweig allerley wolriechenden Krautern, Gewurtzen, kostlichen Oelen [Frankfurt am und Salben, Baumen, Hartzen, Gummi, Getrayt, Mayn] Kochkrautern, scharpffschmackenden Krautern, und andern so allein zur Artzney gehorig, Krauterwein, Metalle, Steinen, allerley Erden, affern und jedem Gifft, viel und mancherley Thieren, und derselbigin heylsamen und nutzbaren Stuck. In siben sonderbare Bucher unterschieden. Erslich durch Joannem Danzium vo Ast, der Artzney Doctorem, verteutscht, Nun mehr aber von Petro Uffenbach. Wolerfahren Wundartztes Hieronymi Braunsschweig zweyen Buchern. Latin Minus cognitarum rariorumque nostro coelo orientium Fabio Colonna 1.1823, 7 stirpium in qua non paucae ab antiquioribus Theophrasto, [Romae] Dioscoride, Plinio, Galeno aliisque descriptae, praeter illas etiam editas disquiruntur. Omnia fideliter ad vivum delineata atque aeneis typis expressa. Latin Stirpium historiae pemptades sex sive libri XXX. Varie ab Rembert 1.2350, 2, auctore, paullo ante mortem, aucti & emendati. Dodoens 3, 4.163, [Antwerpiae] 5.201, 6 Italian Commentarius in tractasus Dioscoridis et Plinii de Amomo. Nicolo Marogna, 1.5818 Giovanni Pona [Venezia] Dutch Cruydeboeck in den welcken die gheheele historie dat es Rembert 1.2345, 3 tgheslacht, tfatsoen, naem natuere, cracht ende werckingghe Dodoens van den cruyden, niet alleen hier te lande wassende, maer oock [Leyden] van den anderen vremden in der medecijnen oorboorlijck..ghesfelt; volgens seine laeste verheteringe. French Les Commentaires de M P Andre Matthiolus sur les six livres P Mattioli, 3 de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la matiere medicinale. Antoine du Traduits de latin en francois par M Antoine du Pinet. Pinet [Lyon] English A new herbal, or historie of plants; wherein is contained the Rembert 1.2345, 2, whole discourse and perfect description of all sorts of herbes Dodoens 3, 4.167, 6 and plants. First set forth in the Dutch or Almaigne tongue, [London] by that learned D Rembert Dodoens, now first translated out of French into English by Henry Lyte Esquire. Corrected and amended. French Les Commentaires de M P Andre Matthiolus sur les six livres P Mattioli, 3 de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la matiere medicinale. Antoine du Traduits de latin en francois par M Antoine du Pinet. Pinet [Lyon] Commentarius in tractasus Dioscoridis et Plinii de Amomo. lxiii PRINTED BOOKS 1623 1623 1626 1627 1628 1628 1636 1644 1645 1655 1655 1671 1674 lxiv Italian Del vero balsamo de gli antichi. Commentario sopra l’historia di Dioscoride, nei quale si prova, che solo l’opobalsamo arabico e il legitimo, e s’esclude ogn’altro licore abbacciato sotto il nome di balsamo. Latin Pinax theatri botanici, sive index in Theophrasti, Dioscoridis, Plinii et botanicorumqui a saeculo scripserunt, opera: plantarum circiter sex millium ab ipsis exhibitarum nomina cum earundem synonymiis et differentiis methodice secundum earum et genera et species proponens. Opus XL annorum hactenus non editum summopere expetitum et ad auctores intelligendos plurimum. German Kreuterbuch des hochgelehrten und weitberuhmten Hr D Petri Andreae Matthioli, jetzt wiederumb mit vielen schonen newen Figuren, auch nutzlichen Artzneyen und andern guten Stucken zun andern Mal aus sondrem Fleiss gemehrtund gefertig durch Joachimum Camararium, der loblichen Reichsstatt N urnberg Medicum. French Les Commentaires de M P Andre Matthiolus sur les six livres de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la matiere medicinale. Traduits de latin en francois par M Antoine du Pinet. Giovanni Pona [Venetia] 1.7261 Kaspar Bauhin [Basiliae] 1.509, 7 Mattioli, Camerarium 5th ed [Frankfurt am Mayn] 1.5990, 3, 5.210 P Mattioli, Antoine du Pinet [Lyon] French Les oeuvres divisees en cinq traictez. 1. Les commentaires sur Jacques & Dioscoride. Paul Contant [Poictiers] French Les divers exercices de Jacques et Paul Contant pere et fils, Paul Contant maistres apoticaires de la ville de Poictiers, ou sont esclaircis [Poictiers] et resouldz plusiers doudtes qui se rencontrent en quelques chapitres de Diosocride et qui ont travaille plusiers interpretes composez par le dit Jacques et recuillies, receus, augmentez et mis en bon ordre par le dit Paul, pour servir de commentaire aus simples ascriptz dans son poesme intitule: le second Eden. Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal Andres de y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la Laguna vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales 7th ed annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas [Valencia] exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. Dutch Cruydeboeck in den welcken die gheheele historie dat es Rembert tgheslacht, tfatsoen, naem natuere, cracht ende werckingghe Dodoens van den cruyden, niet alleen hier te lande wassende, maer oock [Antwerpen] van den anderen vremden in der medecijnen oorboorlijck … ghesfelt; volgens seine laeste verheteringe. Italian I discorsi di M Pietro Andrea Matthiolo ne I sei libri della Pierandrea materia medicinale di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo. Mattioli [Venetia] French Les Commentaires de M P Andre Matthiolus sur les six livres P Mattioli, de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen de la matiere medicinale. Antoine du Traduits de latin en francois par M Antoine du Pinet. Pinet [Lyon] Latin Stirpium illustrationes. Plurimas elaborantes inauditas Matthias plantas, subreptiliis Joannis Parkinsoni rhapsodiis e codice Lobelius manuscripto insalutato sparsim gravatae. [Londini] Latin Pinax theatri botanici, sive index in Theophrasti, Dioscoridis, Kaspar Bauhin Plinii et botanicorumqui a saeculo scripserunt, opera: [Basiliae] plantarum circiter sex millium ab ipsis exhibitarum nomina cum earundem synonymiis et differentiis methodice secundum earum et genera et species proponens. Opus XL annorum hactenus non editum summopere expetitum et ad auctores intelligendos plurimum. Latin Opera, quae exstant, omnia; hoc est: Commentarii in sex Pierandrea libros Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de medica materia, Mattioli, adjectis in margine variis graeci textus lectionibus ex Bauhino antiquissimis codicibus desumtis, qui Dioscoridis depravatam [Basileae] lectionem restituunt: nunc a Casparo Bauhino post diversarum editionum collationeminfinitis locis aucti. 3 1.1850, 4.177 1.1851 1.2313, 3 1.2345, 3 3 3 1.5550 1.509, 7 1.5984, 3, 5.332, 6 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1674 Latin 1674 Latin 1677 Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo, Acerca de la materia medicinal y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. German Kreuterbuch des hochgelehrten und weitberuhmten Hr D Petri Andreae Matthioli, jetzt wiederumb mit vielen schonen newen Figuren, auch nutzlichen Artzneyen und andern guten Stucken zun andern Mal aus sondrem Fleiss gemehrtund gefertig durch Joachimum Camararium, der loblichen Reichsstatt Nurnberg Medicum. French Les Commentaires de M. P. André Matthiole, medecin seinois, sur les six livres de la matière medicinale de Pedacius Dioscoride Anazarbeen. Traduits de latin en françois par Antoine du Pinet: et enriches de nouveau d’un nombre considerable de figures; et augmentez tant de plusiers remedes à diverses sortes de maladies; com aussi d’un traité de chymie en abregé pour l’analyse tant des vegetaux que de quelques animaux et mineraux, par en Docteur en medecine. Derniere edition, revuë, corrigée et mise dans un meilleur language avec deux tables latine et françoise. Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. Latin & Botanologia medica, seu dilucida et brevis manuductio ad German plantarum et stirpium ... in officinis pharmaceutis usitatarum. Kurse anweisung, wie diejenigen krauter und gewachse, welze in der artzney gebrauchlich und in den apotheken befindlich, nutzen..angewend. Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. Latin Petri Andrea Matthioli opera, quae exstant omnia; hoc 58 est: commentarii in sex libros Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de medica materia, adjectis in margine variis graeci textus lectionibus ex antiquissimus codicibus desumtis, nunc a Casparo Bauhino post diversarum editionum collationem infinitis locis aucti. Apologia in Amatum Lusitanum. Latin Stirpium descriptionis liber quintus, qua in Italia sibi visas describit in praecedentibus vel omnino intatas vel non poluit. De morbo et obitu Valerii Cordi epistola Hieronymi Schreiberi Norimbergensis. 1678 1680 1695 1714 1733 1744 1751 1752 Petri Andrea Matthioli opera, quae exstant omnia; hoc 58 est: commentarii in sex libros Pedacii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de medica materia, adjectis in margine variis graeci textus lectionibus ex antiquissimus codicibus desumtis, nunc a Casparo Bauhino post diversarum editionum collationem infinitis locis aucti. Apologia in Amatum Lusitanum. Apologia adversus Amatum Lusitanum cum censura in ejusdem enarrationes. Mattioli,Lusitan 1.5985 um, Bauhin 11th ed [Basileae] Mattioli, Lusitanum [Basileae] Andres de Laguna 8th ed [Valencia] 3 1.2313 Mattioli, Camerarium 6th ed [Frankfurt am Mayn] 1.5990, 3 Pierandrea Mattioli, Antoine du Pinet [Lyon] 1.5991, 3 Andres de Laguna 9th ed [Madrid] 1.2313 Bartholomaeus Zorn [Berlin] 1.10506 Laguna, Matthioli 10th ed [Madrid] 1.2313 Pierandrea Mattioli 12th ed [Basileae] 1.5985 Cordus, Schreiberi, Crucigeri [Norimbergae] Spanish Pedacio Dioscorides Anazarbeo Acerca de la materia medicinal Andres de y de los venenos mortiferos. Traducido de lengua griega en la Laguna 11th ed vulgar castellana y illustrado con claras y substantiales [Madrid] annotationes y con las figuras de innumeras plantas exquisitas y raras por el Doctor Andres de Laguna, Medico de Julio III Pont Max. 1.1885, 2 1.2313 lxv PRINTED BOOKS 1779 -1784 Latin & Icones plantarum medicinalium. Abbildungen von German arzneigewachsen. [5 volumes]. 1784 -1790 Latin & Icones plantarum medicinalium. Abbildungen von German arzneigewachsen. Zweite auflage [enlarged, 6 volumes]. 1794 Latin & - 1801 Dutch Afbeeldingen der artseny-gewassen met derzelver N ederduitscher en Latynsche beschryvingen. [6 volumes]. 1806 Latin - 1813 Florae graecae Prodromus: sive plantarum omnium enumeratio, quas in provinciis aut insulis Graeciae invenit Johannes Sibthorp ... Characteres et synonyma omnium cum annotationibus elaboravit Jacobus Edvardus Smith. Flora graeca: sive plantarum rariorum historia, quas in provinciis aut insulis Graeciae legit, investigavit et depingi curavit Johannes Sibthorp. Hic illic etiam insertae supauculae species, quas vir idem clarissimus, Graeciam verso navigans, in itinere praesertim apud ltaliam et Siciliam, it venerit. [10 volumes] Catalogus plantarum ad septem varias editiones commentariorum Mathioli in Dioscoridem ad Linnaeani systematis regulas elaboravit. 1806 Latin - 1840 1821 Czech 1829 Greek & Pedanii Dioscoridis Anazarbei de materia medica libri - 1830 Latin quinque. Ad fidem codicum manuscriptorum, editionis Aldinae principis usquequaque neglectae, et interpretum priscorum textum recensuit, varias addidit lectiones, interpretationem emendavit, commentario illustravit Curtius Sprengel. 1844 Italian Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cincqe della historia et materia medicinale tradotti in lingua volgare italiana da M Pietro Andrea Mattioli (Matthiolo?) Sanese Medico. Con amplissimi Discorsi, et commenti, et Dottissime annotationi et censure del medesimo interprete. 1902 German Des Pedianos Dioskurides aus Anazarbos arzneimittellehre in funf buchern… ubersetzt… von J Berendes [plant identifications annot]. 1906 Latin Dioskurides. Codex Aniciae Julianae picturis illustratus, nunc Vindobonensis. Med. Gr. Iphototypice editus. Prefaces by A de Premerstein, Karl Wessely and Josef Mantuani. 2 volumes. 1906 -1914 1906 -1907 1906 1934 1935 1957 lxvi Greek Greek Pedanii Dioscuridis Anazarbei de materia medica libri quinque, ed M Wellmann, 3 vols [the critical Greek text]. Die schrift des Dioskurides: Π ε ρ ι α π λ ω ν φ α ρ µ α κ ω ν … Greek & Codex Vindobonensis in codices graeci et latini: Facsimile, Latin cur. Scatone de Vries, volume 10. English The Greek herbal of Dioscorides, illustrated by a Byzantine AD512. Englished by John Goodyer AD1655. Latin Pedanii Dioscuridis Anazarbei de materia medica libri VII accedunt N icandri et Eutecni opuscula medica. Codex Constantinopolitanus saeculo X exaratus et Picturis olim Manuelis Eugenici Caroli Rinuccini Florentini, Thomae Phillipps Angli nunc inter Thesauros PM Bibliothecae asservatus. 2 vols. Photographic edition. Spanish La version arabe de la ‘Materia medica’ de Dioscorides (texto, variantes e indices), Estudio de la transcripcion de los nombres griegos al arabe y comparacion de las versiones griega, arabe y castellana. In Dubler, CE, La materia medica de Dioscorides Transmision medieval y renacentista (1953-1959), volume 2 of 6 volumes. Johann Zorn, D L Oskamp, J C Krauss [Nurnberg] Johann Zorn, D L Oskamp, J C Krauss [Nurnberg] Johann Zorn, D L Oskamp, J C Krauss [Amsterdam] John Sibthorp, James E Smith [Londini] 1.10507, 2, 3 1.10507 4.639 1.8659, 2, 3 John Sibthorp, James E Smith [Londini] 1.8660, 2 Mattioli, K M v Sternberg [Pragae] Curtius Sprengel [Lipsiae] 1.5993, 1.8957, 2, 3 Mattioli, Giuseppe Moretti [Milano] 1.2316 Julius Berendes [Stuttgart] 8.13, 7 Josef von Karabacek [Lugduni, Batavorum, Leiden] Max Wellmann [Berlin] Max Wellmann [Berlin] Scatone de Vries [Leiden] John Goodyer, R T Gunther [Oxford] Pierpont Morgan [Paris] 7 Cesar E Dubler and Elias Teres. 2nd ed [Barcelona] 1.2297, 4.968, 6 7, 8.13 9.19 9.45 8.14 3, 5.App12 7, 8.27 7 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1959 English The Greek herbal of Dioscorides, illustrated by a Byzantine John Goodyer, AD512. Englished by John Goodyer AD1655, edited and first RT Gunther printed AD1933. reprint [New York] Codex Vindobonensis medicus Graecus I der Osterreichischen Hans Gerstinger N ationalbibliothek. 5 vols, colour facsimile; I vol commentary. (Graz) 1965 -1970 Greek 1968 Latin 1970 2000 Spanish El Dioscorides Renovado English Dioscorides de materia medica, being a herbal with many other materials written in Greek in the first century of the common era. An indexed version in modern English. Codex Aniciae Julianae picturis illustratis 512 ... (complete facsimile edition of the Vienna Dioskurides). Parts I-III. 3, 5.App12, 7 3, 7 3 Dioskurides Facsimile [Graz] [Barcelona] 10 TA Osbaldeston, RPA Wood [Johannesburg] NOTE: SPELLING At the time most of the abovementioned books were written spelling tended to be variable. Spelling of proper names depended upon the language used. The list of printed books uses the spelling found in the first reference consulted for each entry. References for printed books 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pritzel, GA. Thesaurus Literaturae Botanicae, Brockhaus, Leipzig 1872. Jackson, BD. Guide to the Literature of Botany, Hafner Publishing Company, New York 1964; facsimile of 1881 edition. Hall, EC. Printed Books 1481-1900, The Horticultural Society of N ew York, The Horticultural Society of New York, New York 1970. Johnston, SH. The Cleveland Herbal, Botanical, and Horticultural Collections, pre-1830 works, The Kent State University Press, Kent, Ohio 1992. Quinby, J. Catalogue of Botanical Books in The Collection of Rachel McMasters Miller Hunt, Volume I, Printed Books 1477-1700, The Hunt Botanical Library, Pittsburgh 1958. The Royal Horticultural Society, The Lindley Library, Catalogue of Books, Pamphlets, Manuscripts and Drawings, London 1927. Greene, Edward Lee. Landmarks of Botanical History, 2 volumes, Stanford University Press, Stanford 1983. Nissen, Claus. Herbals of five centuries, translated by Werner Bodenheimer and A Rosenthal, L’Art Ancien, Zurich, Robert Wolfe, Munich, Weiss-Hesse, Olten, 1958. Singer, Charles Joseph. 'The herbal in antiquity and its transmission to later ages', in Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol 47, 1927, pp1-52 & 10 col plates. Anderson, Frank J. An illustrated history of the herbals, Columbia University Press, New York 1912. lxvii GAZETTEER OF DIOSCORIDES’ WORLD GAZETTEER OF DIOSCORIDES’ WORLD Valeriana rigida from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 lxviii ACREAS — Acre in Israel, a large bay on the south Levant coast and main port for Galilee, the Hauran and Damascus; known as Ptolemais to the Romans, a part of the Seleucid Empire. ADRIA — a town in Italy between Ravenna and Venice, at the mouths of the river Po. ADRIATIC, ADRIATIC COAST — the sea between Italy, Yugoslavia and Albania, a portion of the Mediterranean, from the Gulfs of Trieste and Venice in the northwest to the Strait of Otranto in the southeast, where it connects to the Ionian Sea. AEGIS AETOLIA — Aegae (Vergina) is a town in north Pieria overlooking the coastal plain of Macedonia. Aetolia (Aitolia), a federation of rural cantons in west-central Greece, lay north of the Gulf of Corinth, with Arcarnania to the west, Dolopians in the north, and Aenis, Malis Doris and Ozolian Locris to the east. AFRICA, AFRICAN — originally this was the coastal plain of today’s Tunisia, N umidia being inland. At the height of the Roman Empire, Africa was regarded as all of the African continent bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Sometimes indicating Aethiopia (Abyssinia). AGARIA, in the SARMATIAN (country) — the Agari were a Scythian people of Sarmatia Europaea, on the shore of the Palus Maeotis (Sea of Azov). They were skilled in medicine. Sarmatia, in southern Russia between the Caucasus and the Danube, is now called Scythia. In Dioscorides’ time Scythia was the country south of the Danube delta in modern Romania now called the Dobruja. Its inhabitants were the Scythae or Scythians. After 395CE the northern province of the diocese of Thrace in Greece was called Scythia. Pontus was on the southern shore of the Black Sea. AGRIGENTO — a city and province of southern Sicily, with Palermo to the northwest. ALBANIA — the smallest country of the Balkan Peninsula in southeast Europe; Yugoslavia is to the north and northeast, Greece to the south and southeast, and the Adriatic Sea is on the west. The people are descended from Illyrians and Thracians. ALEXANDRIA — an Egyptian seaport on the Mediterranean; west of the Canopic mouth of the Nile River; northwest of Cairo; seat of the Roman prefecture of Egypt; its original site protected by Pharos Island and the Pharos lighthouse; one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. ALIARTUS, in BOEOTIA — Haliartus was an ancient town in Boeotia on the South of Lake Copais. Boeotia, is a district of Greece to the northeast of Corinth, the Copaic Basin is in the north, the Ismenian Plain in the south. Thebes, named after the Egyptian town, is its main city; Attica is to the south. ALPS — a mountain range in Europe from the Apennines of the Italian Peninsula, to the Carpathians and the Dinarics. Used to indicate habitat rather than position at times. AMANUS, a hill in Cilicia — the Amanus-Lebanon Mountains, in the northeast Mediterranean Levant, near Iskenderun, Turkey. AMELUM — Amelia, or Ameria, is a city in Umbria, Italy. AMINAEAN — Aminios was the name of a rivulet near the hill city of Thonika, in Parassia. ANDROS ISLAND — a large island of the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea, divided from Euboea by the Doro Channel, with the city of Andros on its west coast and the port of Gaurion for a harbour. It was first occupied by the Ionians, and in 1832 became a Greek territory. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK ANTICYRA — more anciently Anticirra, a town in Phocis, its harbour on the Crissaean gulf was called Cyparissus. Also a town in Thessaly, on the Spercheus River. APOLLONIA, near EPIDAMNUS — Apollonia, a former Corinthian colony, now a ruin near the coast of the Adriatic Sea in Albania; north of this was Epidamnus, another Corinthian colony. APULIA — an Italian district on the lower Adriatic coast from the Monte Gargano Promontory, southeast to the tip of the Salentine Peninsula. ARABIA, ARABIA PETRAEA — Arabia is the peninsula of the southwest portion of Asia. To the north flows the Euphrates to Dar az-Zur, then the border goes southwest through Palmyra to Damascus, and south to the Gulf of Aqaba. The northwest, called Arabia Petraea, means Rocky Arabia. ARCADIA — an elevated plateau surrounded by mountains in the Peloponnesos to the south of Greece. Roman poets considered Arcadian shepherds an ideal of virtue and innocence. ARGURITIDI — Argura in Thessaly, Greece, was a city of Pelasgiotis, and possibly Homer’s Argissa. ARMENIA — an area including the centre of Russian Transcaucasia and Turkish Armenia. In ancient times Armenia included eight Turkish districts (vilayets). The populace were Khaldians, Phrygians and Cimmerians. ASCALON — a city in Philistia, now part of Israel. ASIA — the largest continent. ASIA MINOR — the westernmost peninsula of Asia, also known as Anatolia, part of modern Turkey. ASTYPALAEA — Astypalaea or Astipalaia (Astipalea) is one of the fifty Greek islands of the Dodecanese in the Aegean Sea off the coast of southwest Asia Minor. ATHENS, ATHINAI, ATHENIAN — the most important city of ancient Greece, on the Plain of Attica; the surrounding mountains are Hymettus to the east, Pentelikon to the northeast, and Parnis to the north; to the south and west the plain opens on the Saronic Gulf. ATTICA, ATTIC — the area around Athens in central Greece; the peninsula between the Gulf of Euboea and the Saronic Gulf, with Boeotia to the northwest, and the Megarid to the southwest. BABYLON, BABYLONIA, ASSYRIA, SUMER — Babylonia occupied the Tigris-Euphrates plain from modern Baghdad in the northwest to the Persian Gulf in the southeast. Previously the area to the southeast was Sumer, and that to the northwest, Akkad. Assyria was north of Babylon along the upper Tigris and the Great and Little Zab rivers; its modern neighbours would be Iran, Turkey and Syria. Iraq north of the Euphrates includes most of Babylonia and Assyria. Babylon, the ancient capital of Babylonia, was on the banks of the Euphrates River, south of Baghdad. Its old semitic name was Bab-ilu, ‘gate of God’, which became Babel in Hebrew. Babylon had entered its long decline well before the time of Dioscorides. BALEARES — the Balearic islands in the western Mediterranean, belonging to Spain, an archipelago of fifteen islands, reputedly the ‘magic isles’ of the Hesperides. BARBARIAN — primitive alien, foreigner, not Greek or Aryan. Barbary is the region of north Africa from Egypt to the Atlantic coast, including the modern states of Morocco, Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli. BENGAL — a flat area drained by the extensive Ganges-Brahmaputra river systems from the foothills of the Himalayas to the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Today the east is Bangladesh, and the west is part of India. BESSIAN — the Bessians were a fierce and powerful Thracian people living on Mount Halmus as far as Euxene. BITHYNIA — a territory in northwest Asia Minor, from south of the Sea of Marmara to the Bithynian Mount Olympus (Ulu Dag), west to Mysia, and east to Herakleia Pontica and Paphlagonia. lxix GAZETTEER OF DIOSCORIDES’ WORLD BOEOTIA, BOEOTICAN — a district of Greece to the northeast of Corinth; the Copaic Basin is to the north, the Ismenian Plain to the south. Thebes, named after the Egyptian town, is its primary city; Attica forms the southern border. It is now known as Voiotia. BOSPORUS — a strait connecting the northeast Black Sea with the southwest Sea of Marmara. It separates European Turkey and Istanbul from Asiatic Turkey and Uskudar. Bosporus meaning ‘ox ford’, was named after the goddess Io. It is twenty miles long, with turbulent water and strong conflicting currents. BRITTANY — the Armorican peninsula of northwest France on the Atlantic coast, home to Celtic tribes. BRUTIA — Bruttium, Bruttius, Bruttiorum ager, also Brutii, is the southern extremity of Italy. BUNI – The Buni were the race of the Liburni, later called Illyrians, dwelling between the Arsa and the Tityus River, on the northeast coast of the Adriatic. CAMPANIA around NOLA — this is an area on the west coast of the Italian peninsula along the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the Garigliano River to the north and the Gulf of Policastro to the south. It extends inland to the Apennines. Ager Campanus was the plain behind Naples. Mount Vesuvius is on the coastal plain, and N ola is a city on the plain. CANOPUS — Canobus, Canopus, an important city on the coast of lower Egypt near the western mouth of the Nile. CAPPADOCIA — a region in Asia Minor between Lake Tatta and the Euphrates. The northern part became Pontus (qv). The Taurus and Antitaurus mountain ranges are in the southeast. CARIA — an ancient country in southwest Asia Minor, with the Aegean Sea to the south and southwest, Ionia and Lydia to the north, and Lycia and Phrygia to the east, and including the islands of Rhodes and Cos. The mainland now belongs to Turkey. CARTHAGE, NEW CARTHAGE, CARTHAGO NOVA, CARTAGENA — city and nation, originally the Phoenician colony of Tyre, on the east coast of modern Tunisia, called Qart hahasht in Semitic, meaning ‘new town’. Tunis is situated almost on the city of ancient Carthage, and Tunisia is essentially the territory of Carthage. Cartagena, the greatest Carthaginian stronghold in Spain, is southeast of Madrid in Spain. This port has a beautiful natural harbour. CELTS, CELTIC — Celtae, Galatae, Galli. Used for people of northern and western Europe who were not Iberian; later the Germans were considered distinct. Celtic is an Indo-European language, still spoken in areas of Wales and Ireland. CENTURIPINUM — an ancient town of the Siculi in Sicily at the foot of Mount Aetna, on the road from Catana to Panormus. CERAUNIAN MOUNTAINS — also known as the Taurus, Moschic, Amazonian, Caspian, Coraxic, or Caucasus. CHALCEDON — a town in northwest Asia Minor on Bithynia, the peninsula between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. CHALCIS — a town on the Greek island of Euboea. CHARACIAN — Charax was the name given to several small cities, originally military stations, the most remarkable at the mouth of the Tigris River. CHELIDONIA — Chelidonia insulae, five small islands off the promontory Heira or Chelidonia on the south coast of Lycia. CHIOS (Isle of), CHIAN [from Scios in the Aegean sea] — a Greek island in the Aegean Sea near the central west coast of Asia Minor. Khios on the east coast is the capital. It was settled by Ionians. CILICIA (near Gentias in Cilicia) — a region of southeast Asia Minor between Pamphylia and Syria, from the coast to Mount Taurus. The great highway of Asia Minor passed through the coastal province of Cilicia Trachea and the inland plain Cilicia Pedias. In the time of Dioscorides it was part of the Roman province of Syria-Cilicia-Phoenice. Also known as Little Armenia, it is lxx THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK now part of Turkey. The Cilician Gates (Kulak Bughaz in Turkish), a pass through the Taurus Mountains, connects Konya in the Anatolian Plateau with Tarsus and Adana in the Cilician Plain. Gentias is otherwise unknown. CIMOLIA — Cimolis, Cimolos, Kimolos, or Argentiere, an island in the Agean Sea, one of the Cyclades, between Siphnos and Melos. CO — possibly Cos, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea off the southwest coast of Caria in Asia Minor; one of the Sporades Islands, settled by Dorians from the Argolid northwest of the Peloponnesus Peninsula; the centre for the school of medicine founded by Hippocrates. COLCHIS, COLCHIDICEN, COLCHOS — Colchis, now named Vaniis, is on the Black Sea in Georgia, south of the Caucasus Mountains, in the delta of the Phasis River (Rioni). Jason and the Argonauts undertook the voyage from Iolcus in Thessaly (Volos) in 1280BCE to search for the Golden Fleece at Colchis. Up to the 1930’s, fleece were gilded by pegging out sheepskins in the rivers originating in the Caucasus, to gather gold particles. COLOPHON — a town in Ionia, Asia Minor, north of Ephesus and south of Smyrna. COMAGENO — Commagene is the northeast district of Syria, and part of the Greek kingdom of Syria. COON — possibly Coos, Cos, Kos, one of the Sporades Islands. CORINTH — a Greek town on the Isthmus of Corinth which separates Peloponnesos from the rest of Greece. CORYCIA — on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, near the Corinthian Gulf, hosted the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. The Corycean cave was dedicated to Pan and the Nymphs, with nocturnal dancing and wild bacchanalean orgies. CRETE, CRETA, CRETAN — the largest Greek island in the Aegean Sea, south of Athens and the Dardanelles Straits (see Mount Ida). CUMAE — city in Campania, Italy, west of Naples. CYCLADES, KIKLADHES, CYCLADEAN ISLANDS — a large group of islands in the Aegean sea off the southeast coast of Greece, with a circular distribution around Delos. Larger islands include N axos, Andros, Tinos, Paros, Siros, Mykonos and Santorini (Thera). CYPARISSIAN — Cyparissus, a small town in Phocis on Parnassus near Delphi. CYPRUS, CYPRIOTE, CYPRIAN — a large island in the eastern Mediterranean, south of the Turkish province of Cilicia; mostly Greek, partly Turkish. CYRENAICA — the northeast province of Libya. CYRENE — chief population centre of Cyrenaica, inland from the port of Apollonia. CYZICUM, CYZICENIAN — Cyzicus was a Greek city in Phrygia, Asia Minor, on the southern shore of Propontis (Sea of Marmara). DACIA — the Transylvanian plateau with the Danube River and the Carpathian mountains to the east and south; now central Romania. Occupied by Thracians, Scythians from south Russia, Celts, and others, who spoke a Latin dialect eventuating in Romanian. Dacia is today the northwest portion of Bulgaria. DICAEARCHIA — founded by Greeks from Samos as Dikaiarchia, and named Puteoli by the Romans. Today it is Pozzuoli, a city in Naples province, Campania, Italy, on a promontory in the Gulf of Pozzuoli. DAMASCUS — capital of Syria and of the province of Damascus (Esh Sham or Dimashq in Arabic) in southwest Syria, on the Barada River and the eastern side of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains; southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea; one of the first permanent cities in the Middle East. EGYPT — a country at the northeast part of Africa, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Israel, the Red Sea, the Sudan, and Libya. lxxi GAZETTEER OF DIOSCORIDES’ WORLD ELIS, in ACHAIA — Elis, a city in the province of the same name, in classical Greece, was west of Arcadia, south of Achaea and north of Messenia, with its coastline along the Sicilian Sea. Achaea is a province south of the Gulf of Corinth. Elis was not in Achaea. ENNA, in Sicily — Enna, formerly called Castrogiovanni, and even earlier Umbilicus Siciliae, is a province and capital city in central Sicily, south of Palermo and west of Catania. It has the highest elevation of any Sicilian city. EPHESUS, EPHESIAN — a city in Asia Minor settled by Ionians, at the mouth of the Cayster River, south of Smyrna (now Izmir). The Temple of Artemis and its successor the Temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was here. ERETRIA — a city in the Greek province of Euboea, north of the Euboean Gulf, with Boeotia and Attica to the south on the Gulf. ETHIOPIA — also known as Abyssinia or Aethiopia; an empire in northeast Africa founded by Semitic immigrants from southern Arabia. ETRURIA, HETRURIA, TYRRHENIA, THUSCANS, TUSCANY — Etruria, a territory in northwest Italy, had Cispadane Gaul to the north, Umbria to the east, and Latium to the south. The Tyrrhenian Sea is part of the Mediterranean, and Etruria’s western boundary. The Etruscans were Tyrrhenians to the Greeks, and Tusci or Etrusci to the Romans. They were possibly Lydian settlers who merged with local Umbrians. At one time their influence extended across the Apennines to the foothills of the Alps, and south to Naples and Rome. The Etruscans were incorporated into Rome. EUBOEA — an island on the east central coast of the Greek peninsula. The second largest Aegean island, now Evvoi. GAGAS, river mouth — Gagae, a town on the coast of Lycia, east of Myra, and the source of gagate, or jet, stone. GALATIA, in Asia — region of Asia Minor, a portion of Phrygia with Bithynia and Paphlagonia to the north, Lycaonia and Cappadocia to the south, Pontus on the east and the remainder of Phrygia to the west. It was settled by Gallic or Gallo-Graeci tribes. GALATIA, islands of; near Messalia, the STOECHADES — Stoechades Insulae, five small islands in the Mediterranean off the coast of Gallia N arbonensis and east of Massilia. Old names included Prote, Mese, and Hypaea. GALLIA near the Alps, GAUL, GALLIA, GALLICA — Gallia was used before the time of Julius Caesar to indicate all the land inhabited by the Galli or Celtae, including most of northern and western Europe and the British Isles. Transalpine or Farther Gaul included modern France, Belgium, parts of Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Cisalpine or Hither Gaul was the Po valley area in Italy GANGES RIVER, India — rising in Uttar Pradesh, south of the Himalayas, then flowing over the Hindustan Plain to the Bay of Bengal; the great holy river of India. GILEAD — a mountainous region of Transjordan, east of the Jordan River, from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee. GREECE, GREEK — the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula (except for some Turkish islands), the Aegean archipelago, and the islands of the Ionian Sea. To the north are Albania, Macedonia, and Bulgaria; in the northeast the Maritsa River separates western Greek Thrace and eastern Turkish Thrace. The Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian Seas surround the rest of the mainland. GYMNESIAN ISLES, called BALEARES — see Baleares, Spain; Balearic Islands. HELICON — the Helicon (Elikon Oros) is a mountain in Boeotia, north of the Gulf of Corinth, near Mount Parnassus and the Parnes Mountains (Pateras Oros). HELIS, on the river ANIGRUS — Anigrus was a small river in the Triphylian Elis, noted for its foul smell and healing powers. See Elis. lxxii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK HERACLEA, of Pontus (Heracleotia) — properly called Heraclea Pontica, a town on the Black Sea coast of northwest Turkey, east of Uskudar and northwest of Ankara, destroyed by the Romans in the Mithridatic wars (88-66BCE); modern Eregli is built on the site. HIERAPOLIS — a city of Great Phrygia, near the Maeander river. Also the name of the city formerly called Bambyce, in the northeast of Syria. IBERIA — the Iberian Peninsula is today occupied by Spain and Portugal. The Iberian language, spoken in Spain and southern Gaul as far north as the Garonne River, may be related to modern Basque. IDA, or PSILORITI – the highest mountain in Crete. ILLYRIA — an ancient country to the east of the Adriatic Sea; the area includes areas of modern Albania, Montenegro, Herzegovina, and Yugoslavia. Illyria was known as Dalmatia in Roman times, with Scodra (Shkoder in Albania) its principal city. INDIA – separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayan Mountains, the Indian subcontinent includes Pakistan and Bangladesh. To the north are Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. To the south lie the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea. IONIA — on the west coast of Asia Minor along the Aegean Sea between Mysia and Caria, with Lydia to the east, the valley of Hermus in the north, and the Maeander valley in the south, and Caystrus the central valley. It was founded by Ionians. ISIACI, the — the Jewish people. ISTRIA, ISTRUS — a peninsula at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea, now mainly part of Croatia, divided from the mainland by the Monti della Vena, the highest peak being Monte Maggiore. Only Trieste is still Italian. The original Illyrian people were called Histri because the region was drained by the Hister (Danube) River. ITALY, ITALIA — a peninsula extending from the European continent southward into the Mediterranean, with the Adriatic Sea on the east; to the north it is edged by the Alps of France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The earliest settlers may have been Italici Aryans from the north; Etruscans from Asia Minor or the Orient arrived on the Tuscan coast; and Greeks settled in the south. The plains south of the Tiber River (Latium) were settled by Latins, in due course becoming Rome. Ancient Italy was south of this, and north of Sicilian Italy, from the Adriatic to the Mediterranean. By the time of Dioscorides the Romans had conquered all of Italy. JUDAEA, JUDEA — a division of Palestine under the Romans who later integrated it with Syria, eventually making Judaea and Samaria the unified province of Palestina Prima. KISSAS — Cissus, a town in Macedonia on the mountain of the same name. LACEDAEMONIA — Lacedaemon was the Eurotas Valley, occupied by the Lacedaemonians. Ancient Sparta, situated on the Acropolis hill on the west bank of the Eurotas River, was the chief city of Laconia, in the southeast Peloponnesos. LATINS, LATINI — the Italici tribe who settled Latium, the territory south of the Tiber River among the Alban Hills where the city of Rome developed. LEMNOS, LIMNOS — an island of the Greek Archipelago in the Aegean Sea, between the Chalcidice (Khalkidike) peninsula in northern Greece and Turkey. LESBOS — now Lesvos, also called Mitilini after its main town; a Greek island in the Aegean Sea near the west coast of Asia Minor. Theophrastus was born at Eresus on this island. Lesbian means from Lesbos. LIBYA (AFRICA) — Libya is a state in north Africa, south of the Mediterranean, with Egypt, the Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria and Tunisia as neighbours. Its two coastal provinces are the ancient Cyrenaica (qv) and Tripolitania, both part of the Roman Empire. Cyrenaica was settled by the Greeks, and Tripolitania by the Phoenicians. Africa was sometimes used to indicate Cyrenaica, Libya, or the lands beyond. lxxiii GAZETTEER OF DIOSCORIDES’ WORLD LIGURIA, LIGURIAN ALPS, on the APENNINE, a hill bordering the Alps – Liguria is a region of Italy along the north shore of the Gulf of Genoa (Ligurian Sea) up to the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Apennines; its main city is Genova. The Apennine mountain range extends along the Italian peninsula, forming the watershed for the entire peninsula. The Ligurian Apennines stretch from Bocchetta dell’ Altare west of Savona (Bormida River) to La Cisa Pass, north of La Spezia (M agra River) sloping steeply to the Ligurian Sea, and gently on the north to the Po Valley. LIPARIS, LIPARA — the Lipari (Aeolian) islands are an archipelago of seven islands and ten islets off the northeast coast of Sicily. Aeolus was the mythical king of the winds. LUCANIA, LUCANIAN — an area of southern Italy, now called Basilicata, with the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Policastro on the Tyrrhenian Sea, northward to the Ofanto River; to the west are the Lucanian Apennines. LYCIA — a district on the south Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor with Caria on the west, Phrygia and Pisidia on the north, and Pamphylia on the east; the Taurus mountain range is prominent, and the main river and city are Xanthus. MACEDONIA, and by the river HALIOCMON — the south of the Balkan peninsula includes Greece, Bulgaria and Macedonia. Macedonia was originally only the area between Lake Kastoria and the Haliocmon (Aliakmon) River. By the time of Dioscorides it included the area of Macedonia within today’s Greece. MAGI — the Magi tribe of MEDIA, a class of Zoroastrian (qv) priests in ancient Media and Persia reputed to possess supernatural powers, being specialists in divination from dreams, astrology, and magic. In Dioscorides’ time the name was used for those claiming occult powers of Babylonian or Oriental origin. See Media. MAGNESIA, in Caria — Magnesia ad Sipylum now called Manisa, is the capital of a vilayet in west central Turkey, near Smyrna (Izmir) on the Aegean Sea coast, in the Hermus (Gediz) River Valley. See Caria. MASSALEOTICA — possibly Massalia, Massilae, Massilia, now Marseille, France. MECCA — one of the twin capitals of Saudi Arabia, on the west coast of the Arabian Peninsula, east of Jidda, its port on the Red Sea. MEDIA — a kingdom in northwest Persia ruled by the Medes or Madai tribes originally from southern Russia. Median territory lay from Susiana in southern Persia to the Halys River in central Asia Minor. See Magi. MEGARA — capital of Megaris, opposite the island of Salamis, near Athens. MELIA — Meliani was an inland Chaonian town in southern Albania. MELOS — an island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea, north of the Sea of Crete and the island of Crete, now Milos or Milo. MEMPHIS, in Arcadia — Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt, south of Cairo across the River Nile. The Egyptian name was Men-nefer, or Memphis in Greek. Its sacred name Hikuptah indicated house of the ka (genius) of Ptah, its great God, or Aiguptos in Greek. Memphis cannot be traced in Arcadia. The department Arcadia (qv) lies in the the Peloponnesus in southern Greece. MESSENIA — an area in the Peloponnesus, south of Arcadia and Sciritis, west of Laconiia, now Messinia, forming the Gulf of Messinia in the Mediterranean. MOSUL — the second largest city of Iraq, on the west bank of the Tigris River, northwest of Baghdad in the region formerly called Assyria; its Aramaic name was Hesna ‘Ebraya; ancient Nineveh is east of Mosul on the east of the Tigris River. MYSIA, in the HELLESPONT, Asia — Mysia was the northwest province of Asia Minor with Pergamum the capital city, on the Caicus River, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Hellespont (Dardanelles) on the northwest. The Hellespont is the narrow strait from the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. lxxiv THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK NABATAEA (in Arabia) — a kingdom in the Middle East in the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula, now called Jordan, east of Palestine (Israel), surrounded by Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf of Aqaba. NARBONA, near Spain — first called N arbo Martius, the first Roman colony in Gaul, named N arbona in the time of Dioscorides, now Narbonne, it is a city in southern France in the department of Aude, east of Carcassonne near the Mediterranean. Gallia N arbonensis indicated all of southern France in Roman times. NAXOS, NAXIAN — the largest island of the Cyclades group, a Greek archipelago in the south Aegean Sea. NEW CARTHAGE, in Spain — a port on the Mediterranean Sea in the province of Murcia in southeast Spain southeast of Madrid, a magnificent natural harbour, called Carthago N ova by the Romans, now Cartagena. See Carthage. NILE RIVER — the world’s longest river, its farthest source being the Kagera River near Lake Tanganyika. It flows along the Rift Valley, the edge of the Abyssinian Plateau, the Red Sea hills, the Sudanese plain, the Nubian Desert, a Libyan limestone trough in Egypt, then into the extensive Nile Delta below Cairo, and into the Mediterrannean Sea. NISYRUS — a small island in the Carpathian Sea near the Triopium promontory of Caria. OLYMPUS, mountain in Lycia — a number of mountains in Greece, Asia Minor and Cyprus were named Olympus, the most famous being the Greek Olympus Thessalus in north Thessaly, Olympus Bithynus at Uludag near Bursa in northwest Turkey, and Olympus in Lycia, Asia Minor. See Lycia. OSTHANES — Ostha was a city of the Indian people, the Siramnai (Rhamnai). OSTRACEAN — Ostra, Ostranes, a town in Umbria in the territory of the Senones. PACHYNUM, promontory near Syracuse — the cape on the southeast tip of Sicily, south of Syracuse, in the Mediterranean Sea. PALMYRA, in Syria — Palmyra i.e. palm city, its Arabic name Tadmor, is an oasis northeast of Damascus. PAMPHYLIA — a narrow strip of the south coast of Asia Minor between Lycia and Cilicia, bordering on Pisidia. PAROS, PARIAN — one of the larger islands of the Cyclades group south of the Greek mainland in the Aegean Sea. PARNASSUS — a mountain in the Pindus range in Greece north of the Gulf of Corinth, in the territory of Phocis; the town and Temple of Delphi were on its southern side; Mount Lycorea, one of its twin peaks, is the site of the Corycian Grotto. PELOPONNESUS — the mainland peninsula of Greece south of the Gulfs of Corinth and Patrai, with the narrow Isthmus of Corinth joining it to Attica; its provinces Arcadia and Argolis included the towns of Sparta and Olympia, site of the Olympic games, now Peloponnesos. PERGA — important ancient city of Pamphylia between the rivers Catarrhactes and Cestrus, on a little island northeast of Attalia. PERSIA — the southwest Asian country, original home of the Aryan race, and now Iran. The Persian Empire of ancient times extended from Egypt to the Indus River. The Mesopotamian civilizations of Sumeria, Babylonia and Assyria preceded it. PETRA, in Judaea — a city in Jordan, capital of the Nabataeans, a people of Arabic background, situated halfway between the port of Ezion-geber in the Gulf of Aqaba, and Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea. PHILADELPHIA, in LYDIA — Philadelphia was ‘the city of the open door’ in Lydia on the great trade route from Susa, capital of Persia, east through Sardis and Philadelphia to Ephesus on the Aegean Sea; Lydia was an area in central Asia Minor with Sardis as its capital, and for a period the Greek states lxxv GAZETTEER OF DIOSCORIDES’ WORLD on the coast of Asia Minor and much of the interior of Phrygia came under Lydian control, but its political power had waned long before the time of Dioscorides. See Sardis. PHOENICIA — a district on the Syrian coast inhabited by Semitic traders called Phoenicians, the main independent city-states were Tyre, Sidon, Beirut and Byblos. Trading posts established by the Phoenicians included Carthage in north Africa and Cadiz in Spain. By the time of Dioscorides, Phoenicia had been added to the Roman province of Syria. PHOLOE — a mountain forming the boundary between Arcadia and Elis. PHRYGIA — the western Anatolian Plateau of central Asia Minor, its capital Gordion on the Sangarios River was taken by the Cimmerians in the seventh century BCE. PISIDIA, in PAMPHYLIA — Pisidia, an ancient province of Asia Minor, lay east of Caria, south of Phrygia, west of Cilicia and north of Lycia and Pamphylia; Pamphylia occupied the coastal area to the southeast of Pisidia. PITYUSA, an island near Spain — two islands off the south coast of Spain and west of the Baleares, called Ebusus (Ivisa), and Ophiussa (Formentera). PLAGIOPOLIS — possibly Placia, a small Pelasgian colony at the foot of Mount Olympus in Greece. PNIGITIS — Ecclesia (Pnyx) means place of assembly. PONTUS, PONTIC — an ancient kingdom in northeast Asia Minor on the south shore of the Black Sea as far as the Halys River. The herbalist Crateaus, whose beautiful drawings illustrate the Codex Vindobonensis of Dioscorides, was physician to Mithridates VI of Pontus. PROPONTIS, around the island Besbicum — a small sea which unites the Euxine and Aegean Seas, and divides Europe from Asia. PSOPHIS, in Arcadia — a town in the northwest of Arcadia on the river Erymanthus, originally called Phegia. PUTEOLI — see Dicaearchia. RAVENNA, Italy — a province and the capital in Emilia-Romagna in northeastern Italy, northeast of Florence near the Adriatic Sea. RED SEA — a narrow sea separating Africa and Arabia, between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. RHODES – the largest island in the Greek Dodecanese or Sporades archipelago, in the Aegean Sea close to Turkey, its capital city of Rhodes was the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of antiquity. ROME, ROMAN — capital of the Roman Empire and now of Italy, in central Italy on the Tiber River; initially a ford across the Tiber between Etruria and Latium. The seven hills of Rome are the Capitoline, the Quirinal, the Viminal, the Esquiline, the Caelian, the Aventine and the Palatine; Rome is surrounded by the plains of the Campagna. SALAMINE, in Cyprus — a Cyprian city in the middle of the east coast, north of the river Pediaeus. SAMIA — a town of Elis in the district Triphylia, south of Olympia, between Lepreum and the Alpheus. SAMPHARITICI — Sampha was a town in Phonecia. SAMOTHRACE, SAMOTHRACIA — a Greek island in the north Aegean Sea, near the Gulf of Saros in Thrace, now called Samothraki. SANTONICUM in Sardonis — the Santoni or Santones were a celtic people. See Sardonis. SARACENIAN, SARACEN — Saracen was a Graeco-Roman name for the nomadic peoples of the Syrian and Arabian deserts, the Arabs. SARDIA, SARDINIA — Sardi is Sardinia, a large island in the Mediterranean, west of the Italian peninsula and south of Corsica, first colonized by Phoenicians, then Carthaginians, and later the Romans. SARDIS — capital city of Lydia, Asia Minor, at the north base of Mount Tmolus, northeast of Smyrna (Izmir), in the valley of the Hermus (Gediz) River. See Philadelphia. SARDONIS, in Galatia — Sardoum or Sardonicum mare, part of the Mediterranean on the west and south of Sardinia. See Galatia. lxxvi THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK SCIOS, in the Aegean Sea — see Chios. SCYTHIA, near the river PONTUS — In Dioscorides’ time Scythia was the country south of the Danube delta in modern Romania now called the Dobruja. Its inhabitants were the Scythae or Scythians. After 395CE the northern province of the diocese of Thrace in Greece was called Scythia. Pontus was on the southern shore of the Black Sea. SELEUCIA, near Syria — Seleucia-on-Tigris in Mesopotamia was the capital of the Syrian Seleucid Empire, at one time stretching from Asia Minor to north India; the Romans divided Seleucid Syria into three kingdoms, and established several Roman provinces including Seleucid Mesopotamia. SELINUS, SELINUSIAN — a Greek city, now in ruins, near Castelvetrano on the southwest coast of Sicily. SICILIA, SICILY, AGRIGENTINES — a Mediterranean island near the southwest tip of the Italian peninsula, with the Straits of Messina separating it from Italy, and Tunisia in the southwest. Sicily was Rome’s first colony. Agrigento is a province of Sicily. SICYONIA — a small district in the northeast of Peloponnesus, surrounded by Corinth, Achaia, Phlius, Cleonae, and the Corinthian gulf. SIDON — a port on the Mediterranean in southwest Lebanon, south of Beirut and north of Tyre. SINOPE — now the city of Sinop in Turkey, on the southern shore of the Euxine Sea (Black Sea). SMYRNA — a major port in Turkey now called Izmir, on the Aegean coast of Ionia, Asia Minor. SOLIS, a hill — Solois, Mons Solis, a promontory on the southwest coast of Mauretania. SPAIN – a country in southwest Europe occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula, surrounded by the Bay of Biscay, the Pyrenees Mountains, France, the Mediterranean, the Straits of Gibraltar, Portugal, and the Atlantic Ocean; called Hispaniae by the Romans. STOECHADES — see Galatia, Islands of. SYRIA — Greater Syria stretched from the Taurus Mountains to the Sinai Desert, including modern Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and parts of Turkey and Iraq. TAPHOSIRIS, in Egypt — a city of lower Egypt, on the northwest frontier, in the Lybia N omos, near Alexandria. TARENTUM, TARANTO — founded by Spartans as Taras, a city and province in Apulia, southeast Italy, in the Gulf of Taranto. TAURUS MOUNTAINS, in Cappadocia — part of the Alpine mountain system of Eurasia stretching from the Greek Pindus Mountains to the Iranian Zagros Mountains. See Cappadocia. THABANA, GALILEE — Thabor, Tabor, or Atabyrium, an isolated mountain east of the plain of Esdraelon in Galilee. Galilee in Palestine (Israel), west of the River Jordan, stretches from Haifa and the Plain of Esdraelon, to Lebanon. It was a Roman tetrarchate ruled by the Herods. THAPSUS, an island — a city on the east coast of Sicily on a peninsula of the same name. Also a city on the east coast of Byzacena, in Africa Propria. THASSOS, THASIAN — an island in the north Aegean Sea off the coast of Thrace (Greek Macedonia), across the Thassos Straits from N eapolis (Kavala) on the mainland, now called Thasos. THEBES, in Egypt (THEBAN, THEBAICAN) – the Egyptian city of Waset, later called Thebes by the Greeks, after their own Thebes in Boeotia, it lies on the banks of the Nile River south of Cairo. THESSALY, THESSALIA, near the river Peneus — Thessaly was part of ancient Greece on the east coast, surrounded by Macedonia, Epirus, Doris, Locris and the Aegean Sea. The Peneus River (Pineios), rising in the Pindus Mountains to the west, flows through Larissa and Tempe into the Thermaic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. THRACE, by the river Strimon, THRACIAN — Thrace (now Macedonian Greece) is the ancient name of the Balkan area south of the Danube River, lxxvii GAZETTEER OF DIOSCORIDES’ WORLD west of the Black Sea, east of the Strimon River and north of the Aegean Sea. The Strimon River (also called Strymon, and now Strum), rising in the mountains of western Bulgaria, flows south through Thrace to the Gulf of Strimon in the Aegean Sea. THUSCAN — see Etruria. TMOLUS, a hill in Libya near MAURETANIA — Tmolus is a mountain near Sardis, capital city of Lydia in Asia Minor, northeast of Smyrna (now Izmur). Mauretania, the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana, named after Tingis (Tangier), included northwest modern Morocco and west Algeria (N umidia). It was later extended to the Bou Regreg River at Sale, with its capital the city of Volubilis. See Sardis. TRALLES — flourishing merchant city in Asia Minor on the south foot of Mount Messogis, on the River Eudon. Also called Anthea, Seleucia, and Antiochia. There was also a city called Tralles in Phrygia. TROY, TROJAN — a settlement in Asia Minor three miles inland on the northwest Aegean coast, near the mouth of the Hellespont. Also called Ilios, Ilion, or Ilium, it was the site of the Trojan War. Nine settlements were built in turn upon the ruins of former settlements, but it lost imprtance with the growth of Constantinople. TYRRHENIA — see Etruria. VESTINUM, VESTIN MOUNTAINS — the Vestini were a Sabellian people living in central Italy between the Appenines and the Adriatic Sea, near the rivers Matrius and Aternus. ZACYNTHUS — the most southerly Greek island in the Ionian Sea, ten miles west of Elis in the Peloponnesos, also called Zante or Z akinthos, and settled in ancient times by Arcadians. ZOROASTRIAN, ZOROASTRES — also called Mazdaism, a religion founded in the eighth or seventh century BCE by a reformer of the Iranian religion. He was known as Zarathushtra (in Greek, Zoroaster). Arum maculatum from BRUNFELS — 1530 lxxviii THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK BOOK ONE: AROMATICS 1-1. IRIS SUGGESTED: Iris germanica [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus] Iris vulgaris Germanica sive sylvestris [Bauhin] — German Iris, Blue Flower de Luce, Flowering Ring PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY I ris is named because of its resemblance to the rainbow in heaven. It bears leaves like little daggers but bigger, broader and fatter [or thicker]: the flowers on the stalk are bent in one over against another and have varied colours for they are white, pale, black, purple or azure [blue]. It is because of the variety of colours that it is compared to the heavenly rainbow. The roots underneath are knotty and strong [or sound] with a sweet taste. These when cut should be dried in the shade and stored with a linen thread put through them. The best is from Illyria and Macedonia and the best of these has a thick stumpy root, hard to break, of a faint yellow colour with an especially good scent and very bitter to the taste. It has a sound smell and does not incline to nastiness or cause sneezing when pounded. The second is from Libya. It is white in colour, bitter to the taste, next in strength (to the former), and when these grow old they are worm-eaten yet then they smell even sweeter. They are all warming and reduce the intensity of symptoms. They are suitable against coughs and reduce the intensity of thick mucus that is hard to get up. Seven teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink in honey water) purge thick mucus and bile. They also cause sleep, provoke tears, and heal suffering in the bowels. Taken as a drink with vinegar they help those bitten by venomous creatures, the splenetic, those troubled with convulsive fits or chilled and stiff with cold, and those who drop their food. Taken in a drink with wine they bring out the menstrual flow. A decoction of them is suitable for women’s warm packs that soften and open their private places; for sciatica (taken as an infusion); for fistulas, and all sores and wounds that it fills up with flesh. Applied as an eye salve with honey they draw out particles. Chewed 1 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS and applied as a poultice they soften swellings and old hard swellings, and dried they fill up ulcers and clean them. With honey they fill up bare bones with flesh. They are good for headaches applied as a poultice with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53]. Daubed on with white hellebore and twice as much honey they clean off freckles and sunburn. They are also mixed with suppositories, warm compresses and fatigue removers, and in general they are of considerable use. This is also called iris illyrica, thelpida, urania, catharon, or thaumastos; the Romans call it radix marica, some, gladiolus, others, opertritis or consecratrix, and the Egyptians call it nar. 1-2. AKORON SUGGESTED: Acorum officinarum, Gladiolus luteus [Fuchs, Brunfels], Acorus adulterinus [Bauhin], Iris pseudacorus [Linnaeus] — Yellow Flag, Water Flag [other usage] Acorus calamus, Acorus aromaticus, Acorus odoratus — Sweet Flag, Sweet Sedge, Myrtle Sedge see 1-17, 1-114 — calamus A corum has leaves which resemble those of iris very much only narrower, and the roots are similar only one wrapped in the other, not growing downward but sidelong in the upper part of the earth. They are sharp to the taste, distinguished by pale white knots, and not unpleasant to smell. The best is thick and white, not worm-eaten, full and fragrant. Root such as this comes from Colchis and from Galatia and is called asplenium. The root is heating and a decoction of it (taken as a drink) causes an urge to urinate. It is good for pain of the rectum, chest and liver; and for griping, hernia and convulsions. It reduces the spleen, and it helps those sick with dripping mucus, and those poisoned by animal bites. It is effective in a hip bath like iris for female problems. The juice of the root cleans off things that darken the pupils of the eyes. The root of it is also effective mixed with antidotes. It is also called chorus, aphrodisia or the mariner’s root; the Romans call it venerea, and the Gauls call it the pepper of bees, piper apum. 2 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Iris germanica after FAGUET — 1891 3 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS Gladiolus luteus, Acorus vulgaris after FUCHS — 1545 4 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-3. MEON SUGGESTED: Daucus creticus, Tordylon, Seseli creticum [Fuchs], Athemanta meum [Linnaeus], Aethusa meum, Meum athemanticum [in Sprague], Athemanticum meum, Seseli meum — Bald-money, Meu, Spignel, Bear Root see 3-63 T he meum which is called athamanticum grows abundantly in Macedonia and Spain, and is similar in the stalk and leaves to anethum [3-67], but thicker than anethum, sometimes rising up to two feet, scattered underneath with thin, winding, straight, long roots, smelling sweet and warming the tongue. The roots (boiled with water or pounded smooth [or fine] without boiling and taken in a drink) lessen pains caused by obstructions around the bladder and kidneys. They are good for urinary difficulties, a gas-filled stomach, griping, diseases of the womb and pain in the joints. Pounded into small pieces with honey and taken as syrup they help a rheumatic chest; boiled for a hip bath they draw out the blood of the menstrual flow. Applied as a plaster to the lower part of children’s bellies they induce the movement of urine. If more of a decoction than is suitable is taken as a drink it causes a headache. 1-4. KUPEIROS SUGGESTED: Cyperus [Fuchs], Cyperus odoratus radice longa, Cyperus officinarum [Bauhin], Cyperus longus [Linnaeus] Cyperus esculentis, Cyperus officinalis, Cyperus olivaris, Cyperus radicosus, Cyperus hydra — Yellow Nutsedge, Earth Almond, Edible Cyperus, Rush Nut C yperus has leaves like porrum [2-179] but longer and more slender; and a stalk of a foot high or higher with corners like juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] on the top of which there emerge little leaves and seed. Use has been made of the roots of this for as long as the use of the olive. They lie underneath, adhering together — round, black, smelling good, bitter. It grows in clay or shale places as well as marshy. The best is heaviest — thick, full, hard to break, rough with a particular sharpness, such as the Silician and Syrian, and that from the Cycladean Islands. 5 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS It is warming, dilates the narrow openings of blood vessels and is diuretic. A decoction (taken as a drink) helps those troubled with stones [urinary, kidney] and dropsy and also those bitten by scorpions. Applied as a warm pack it is good for chills of the vulva and its obstruction, drawing down the menstrual flow. Dried and pounded to powder it is good for an ulcerous mouth, even though the ulcers are erosive. It is mixed with warm compresses for heating, and is effective for thickening ointments. Some speak also of another kind of cyperus, like ginger, which grows in India, which when chewed is found to taste bitter like saffron. Applied as an ointment it presently removes hair [depilatory]. The Romans call it the root of the bulrush, others the bulrush. Some call cyperus, as well as aspalathus [1-19], by the name of erysisceptrum. 1-5. KARDAMOMON SUGGESTED: Amomum cardamom — Cardamom see 1-14 T he best cardamomum is brought out of Comagene, Armenia and Bosporus. It grows too in India and Arabia. Choose that which is hard to break, full, tightly shut (for that which is not is out of date), and which also has an offensive smell, and is sharp to the taste and somewhat bitter. A decoction (taken as a drink with water) is able to heat. It is good for those who have illness comitralis [possibly from comites — veins, arteries adjacent to nerves — mitralism — lesions on the heart], coughs, sciatica, paralysis, hernias, convulsions and griping, and it expels rectal worms. Taken as a drink with wine it is good for those who have defective kidneys and difficulty meiendi [urination]. It is also good for one who has been stricken by a scorpion and for all those hurt by the venom of other creatures. A teaspoonful (taken as a drink with bark from the roots of bay) breaks stones [kidney, urinary]. Taken as inhalations of smoke or fumes it is an abortifacient, and daubed on with vinegar it takes away parasitic skin diseases. It is also mixed in thick ointments and other antidotes. 6 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Cyperus after FUCHS — 1545 7 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS Phu vulgare after FUCHS — 1545 8 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-6. NARDOS SUGGESTED: Phu germanicum, Valeriana vulgaris, Phu vulgare [Fuchs], Valeriana sylvestris major [Bauhin], Valeriana officinalis [Linnaeus] — Valerian [Mabberley] Valeriana officinalis Jatamansi, N ardostachys jatamansi, Valeriana spica, Valeriana jatamansi — Nardus, Spikenard, Indian Valerian, Nard after THIEBAULT — 1881 T here are two kinds of nardus. The one is called Indian, the other Syrian. Not that it is found in Syria, but because one part of the mountain where it grows turns towards Syria and the other towards India. Of that which is called Syrian the best is new, smooth, full of filaments, a yellow colour, very fragrant, and resembles cyprus [1-124] in the smell. It has a short ear, a bitter taste, and is very drying to the tongue, its sweet smell lasting a long time. Of the Indian, one kind is called Gangetic from a certain river named Ganges running by the hill where it grows. It is somewhat weaker in strength because it comes out of watery places. It is higher and has more ears coming out of the same root, both full of filaments, and one wrapped in the other, with a poisonous smell. That which grows more on the hill is a great deal sweeter, short-eared, resembling cyprus [1-124] in the sweetness of its smell, and having other qualities in it, like that which is surnamed the Syrian nardus. There is also another kind of nardus called Sampharitic from the name of the place — very little, yet great-eared, with a white stalk sometimes growing in the middle, very much like the smell of a goat in scent. This ought utterly to be refused. It is also sold infused which fault is found out as follows: that the ear of it is white, withered, and with down on it. They adulterate it by blowing stibium [trisulphide of antimony or black antimony] with water or date wine into it to make it denser, and so that it may be heavier. When you are to use it, if any dirt sticks to the roots of it you are to take it off and sift it, separating the dust, which is good to make washing water for the hands. The roots are warming, drying and uretic, as a result (taken as a drink) they stop the bowels. Applied they stop discharges of the womb and the whites [leucorrhoea, a mucosal vaginal discharge]. A decoction (taken as a drink with cold water) helps nausea and stomach rosiones 9 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS [gnawing corrosion], those troubled with wind, sickness of the liver or head, and painful kidneys. Boiled in water and given either as a warm pack or hip bath they heal inflammation of the vulva. They are good for superfluous fluids of the eyelids, drying and thickening them. For moist bodies a sprinkling is effective to take away the smell of sweat. They are mixed with antidotes. Ground smooth and made into balls with wine, they are stored for eye medicines in a new jar, which has not been smeared with pitch. 1-7. NARDOS KELTIKE SUGGESTED: Valeriana celticus, N ardus celticus — Celtic Spikenard, Celtic Valerian T he Celtic nard grows on the Alps of Liguria in that country called Gallica. It also grows in Istria. It is a little short shrub that is gathered together with the roots and made up into hand bundles. It has somewhat long leaves of a pale yellow with a yellow flower. Use is only made of the stalks and roots and the sweet smell is only from them. As a result (having the day before sprinkled the bindings with water and taken off the earthy stuff), you ought to lay them in a more moist ground (having first laid paper under them), and the next day you ought to make them clean again, together with the chaff and strange stuff, for that which is good in it is not taken away by the strength of the moisture. This herb is often counterfeited by another herb like it gathered together with it which because of the poisonous smell that it has they call the goat, but the difference is easily known for this herb is without a stalk, whiter, and with shorter leaves, neither has it a bitter or sweet-smelling root as in the true nardus. Choose the little stalks and the roots but throw away the leaves. If you will put them in storage you must first have them ground smooth and mixed with wine. Then make them into little balls and keep them in new ceramic bottles, corking them carefully. The best is new, fragrant, full of roots, plump and not easily broken. It is good for the same things as the Syrian but it is more diuretic and better for stomach disorders. Taken as a drink with a decoction of wormwood [3-26] it helps inflammation of 10 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sena after FUCHS — 1545 11 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS Valeriana officinalis after THIEBAULT — 1881 12 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK the liver, jaundice, and gas-filled intestines. In the same way it is good for the spleen, bladder and kidneys, as well as mixed with wine for bites of venomous creatures. It is used in warm compresses, liquid medicines and warming ointments. 1-8. NARDOS OREINE SUGGESTED: Valeriana dioica — Marsh Valerian M ountain nardus (which is called thylacitis and nevis by some) grows in Cilicia and Syria. It has stalks and leaves like eryngium but smaller, yet not sharp and prickly. The two or more roots that lie underneath are black and fragrant like asphodelus, but thinner and a great deal smaller. It does not have a stalk, fruit or flower for any long time. The root is good for the same things as the Celtic nardus [1-7]. 1-9. ASARON SUGGESTED: Asarum europaeum — Asarabacca, Cabaret, Wild Nard, Hazelwort POISONOUS A sarum has leaves like cissus but much thicker and rounder, with a flower between the leaves near the root that is an azure [blue] colour like cytinus [1-127] or hyoscyamus [4-69], in which lies seed like the kernels of grapes. The many roots underneath smell like cinnamon. It loves rough, dry ground. The root of this helps hernia, convulsions, old coughs, difficulty in breathing, and difficulty in urinating. It expels the menstrual flow, and taken as a drink with wine it is good for those poisoned by animal bites. The leaves are astringent, and are applied to help inflammation, pains in the head, new ulcers of the eyes, breasts inflamed after childbearing and erysipela [inflammatory skin disease]. The smell induces sleep. Crateuas the herbalist concurs. Many roots lie underneath — knotty, slender and crooked like grasses, yet a great deal slenderer and smelling good, heating, and biting the tongue considerably. They are diuretic and warming. They cause vomiting and are good for dropsy 13 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS and obstinate ischuria [hip pains? — urine retention?], and they bring down the menstrual flow. Six teaspoonfuls of the roots (taken as a drink with honey and water) purge like white hellebore. They are mixed with ointments. It grows on shady mountains and is common in Pontus, Phrygia, Illyricum and Vestinum, Italy. It is also called nardus sylvestris, the Magi call it sanguis martis, the Osthenes, thesa, the Egyptians, cereera, the Romans, perpensa. It is also called baccharis, the Thuscans (or Etruscans) call it succinum, some call it nardus rustica, and the Gauls call it baccar. 1-10. PHOU SUGGESTED: Phu magnum, Valeriana maior, Phu verum [Fuchs] Valeriana hortensis [Bauhin] Valeriana phu [Linnaeus], Valeriana dioscorides — Phu, Cretan Spikenard, Garden Valerian P hu (which some also call sylvestris nardus [garden nard]) grows in Pontus, and it has leaves much like elaphoboscon [2-182] or hipposelinon [3-78], with a stalk of a foot high or more — smooth, soft, inclining to a purple colour, hollow in the middle and distinguished by knots. The lower parts are somewhat like those of narcissus but bigger, more tender and purple in a pale white. The root in its upper part is about the thickness of the little finger, and it has filaments like juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] or veratrum nigrum [4-151] that grow within one another — a pale yellow, pleasantly-scented and resembling nardus in its smell, with a certain poisonous kind of heaviness. Dried and given in drinks it is warming and encourages urine, and a decoction of it may do the same. It is good for a painful rectum, encourages the menstrual flow, and is mixed with antidotes. It is adulterated mixed with the roots of ruscus [4-146] but the knowledge of this is easy — for these are hard, not easily broken and without any good smell. 14 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Phu verum after FUCHS — 1545 15 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS Cinnamomum zeylanicum after FAGUET — 1894 16 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-11. MALABATHRON SUGGESTED: Trapa bicornis — Ling Nut Trapa bispinosa — Singhara Nut Trapa quadrispinosa — Water Chestnut sp Limnantheum indicum, N ymphoides indica — Water Snowflake S ome imagine malabathrum to be the leaf of the Indian nardus [1-6] (deceived by the similarity of the smell) for there are many things like nardus in smell, such as phu [1-10], asarum and neris [?4-82]. But this is not so for it is a particular herb that grows in the Indian marshes with the leaves swimming on the water like the palustris lens [4-88] in the marshes, with no root. Having gathered it they immediately pierce it through with a linen thread, drying it like this, and preserve it. They say that when the summer heat dries up the water, the earth is burnt along with the shoots of it, and unless this happens it will spring up no more. The best is new and a pale white inclining to blackness, hard to break, sound, biting the nose with its smell, and the sweetness of its smell is longlasting. It is like nardus [1-6] in taste without any taste of salt. That which is weak with a mouldy scent and breaks into small pieces is worthless. It has the same properties as nardus but does everything more forcibly. Malabathrum is more diuretic and better for the stomach. It helps inflammation of the eyes pounded into small pieces, boiled in wine, and rubbed on. It is put under the tongue for sweetness of the breath, and it is put among cloths for it keeps them from moths and scents them sweetly. 1-12. KASSIA SUGGESTED: Cassia acutifolia — True Senna, Alexandrian Senna Cassia fistula — Purging Cassia, Golden Shower, Indian Laburnum Cassia angustifolia — Indian Senna T here are many kinds of cassia growing around Arabia with stores of aromatic things. It has a twig with a thick bark and leaves like pepper. Choose that which is reddish-yellow, with a good colour, resembling coral — very slender, long and thick, full of tubes, with a biting 17 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS taste, and astringent with considerable heat, aromatic, and resembling wine in its smell. Such, by the inhabitants of the country, is called achy, and the merchants in Alexandria call it daphnitis Above this is preferred the black kind which is called gizir, inclining to a purple and thick, with a smell like a rose, the most suitable of any for bodily uses; and that formerly spoken of is next to this. The third kind is called mosyleticus blastos. The rest are of no account such as that which is called aphysemon — black and unsightly and thinly- barked or having it full of chinks — as well as that which is called kitto and dacar. There is also a certain bastard cassia, amazingly similar, which is found out by its taste that is neither sharp nor aromatic, and it has bark adhering to the soft internal tissue. There is also found a broad reed — tender, light, full of branches — which is better than the others. Reject that which is a pale white, coarse, smells like a goat, and has not a thick reed but is coarse and thin. It is diuretic, warming, drying and gently astringent. It is fit for eye medicines that are made for clearing the sight, and for warm compresses. It takes away freckles applied with honey, and encourages the menstrual flow. Taken as a drink it helps those bitten by snakes. It is good too taken as a drink for all internal inflammation, and the kidneys; for women too as hip baths, and as inhalations of fumes or smoke for dilation of the uterus. If there is no cinnamon at hand then twice as much of this mixed with medicines will do the same things. It is very effective for many things. 1-13. KINAMOMON SUGGESTED: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Laurus cinnamomum, Persea cinnamomum — Cinnamon Canella alba — Wild Cinnamon T here are many kinds of cinnamon with several names proper to the countries where they grow, but the best is that which they call mosulum because in a way it bears a similarity to that cassia which they call mosulitis. Of this choose that which is new, black in colour, inclining to an ash colour like that of wine, with slender smooth shoots, full of lasting knots, especially fragrant. For most commonly to discern which is best depends on 18 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK the sweetness of its smell. For that which is the best and the most special has a smell resembling rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] or cardamom, and furthermore it is sharp and biting to the taste, somewhat salty with heat, when rubbed not easily made rough, and when broken downy, with smoothness between the knots. Test it as follows by taking a shoot from one root (for this trial is easy), for there are some fragments mixed in, and at the first trial the best gives off a sweet taste and fills the nose with the scent of it and hinders discerning the worst. There is also a mountain variety — thick, dwarfish, of a very glittering colour. And there is a third from Mosul — black, and with a very sweet taste, shrubby and without many knots. The fourth kind is white, fungal, pushed up to sight, and vile and brittle, with a great root, smelling like cassia. The fifth sort bites the nose with its smell, is reddish-yellow, and its bark is very like red cassia — but it is solid to the touch, not very thin, with a thick root. Of these that which has a smell like frankincense, cassia or amomum [1-14] is the worst in smell. Choose that which is white, rough, and with a coarse bark, but avoid that which is smooth and woody around the root as useless. There is another somewhat like it that is called bastard cinnamon — vile, with a faint smell and weak strength. It is called ginger xylocinnamomum [xylo — wood], having some similarity to cinnamon. There is also woody cinnamon that has long and strong shoots but is much inferior in sweetness of smell. It is said by some that this xylocinnamomum differs in kind from cinnamon having another nature. Now all cinnamon is warming, diuretic, softening and digestive. It draws out the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient, taken as a drink with myrrh [1-73, 1-77, 4-116] or else applied. It is also good against beasts that put out their poison and against deadly poisons [antidote]. It cleans away, heats and thins pus that darkens the pupils, and is diuretic. Rubbed on with honey it takes away freckles and sunburn. It is good for coughs and mucosal discharges, dropsy, diseases of the kidneys, and difficult urination. It is mixed with precious ointments and in general it is effective for many things. It is prepared for storage by being pounded into small pieces, put into wine, and dried in the shade. 19 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS 1-14. AMOMON SUGGESTED: Amomum repens, Elettaria cardamomum, Alpina cardamom — Bastard Cardamom, Lesser Cardamom Amomum aromaticum [Mabberley] — Bengal Cardamom see 1-5 A momum is a little shrub winding out of the wood within itself the same way as racemus [1-49], and it has a little flower like that of the leucoion [3-138] but leaves like bryonia [4-184]. The best is brought out of Armenia with a good colour, a pale reddish wood and a very fragrant smell. Because it grows in plain and watery places that from Media is weaker. It is large, a pale green, soft to touch, and full of veins in the wood, resembling origanum in its smell. That which comes from Pontus is a pale red, neither long nor hard to break, clustered, full of fruit, and biting to smell. Choose that which is new and white or a faint red, not that which is close and adhering together, but that which is loose and diffused, full of seeds like the kernels of grapes, heavy, very fragrant, without rottenness or mould, and sharp, biting to the taste, a single and not many colours. It is warming, astringent and drying. It causes sleep and relieves pain applied as a poultice to the forehead. It ripens and dissolves inflammation and scalded sores of the head. It is also good for those stricken by scorpions applied as a poultice with basil. It helps gout, and it helps and soothes inflammation of the eyes, and those with haemorrhoids in their bowels; and it is effective for female problems or damage both as suppositories and baths. The liquid medicine (taken as a drink) is good for liver disorders, defective kidneys and gout, and it is mixed with antidotes and the most precious ointments. Some adulterate amomum with amomis [Amomis pimenta] that is like amomum yet without smell and without fruit. It grows in Armenia and has a flower like origanum. As a rule to prevent deception avoid the fragments and choose those that have perfect branches out of one root. 20 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-15. KOSTOS SUGGESTED: Costus arabicus, Costus speciosus, Amomum hirsutum, Saussurea costus [Mabberley] — Arabian Costus, Kust-root [Bedevian], Costus Root Modern costus is not the same as that known by the ancients — Jaquin, in Loudon. T he Arabic costus is best — white and light, with a noticeable pleasant smell; next is the Indian — full, light and black like ferula. The third is the Syrian — heavy, the colour of box, with a biting smell. The best is new, white, full throughout, thick, dry, not worm-eaten, not with a stinking smell but with a biting hot taste. It is warming and diuretic, expels the menstrual flow, and is good for diseases of the uterus applied in suppositories, as irrigations [douches], or as warm packs. Two ounces (taken in a drink) helps someone bitten by a viper, chest conditions and convulsions. It is given for gas in the stomach with wine and wormwood [3-26], taken with mead [honey wine] it draws out venom, and taken in water it draws out worms through the rectum. An ointment of it made with oil helps those who have chills from fever before an expected fit, and similarly helps the paralysed. Rubbed on with water or honey it takes away sunburn. It is also mixed in warm compresses and antidotes. Some adulterate it by mixing in the strongest roots of commagene [1-27]. The difference is easily discerned. For this helenium neither burns the tongue nor yields a pleasant, strong, biting smell. 1-16. SCHOINOS SUGGESTED: Schoenus incanus — Bog Rush Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus — Rushes, Sweet Rushes Juncus arabicus — Rush, Sea Rush see schoenus 4-52 J uncus odoratus grows in Libya and Arabia and in that part of Arabia called Nabataea, and this is the best. The Arabic is next, but that from Libya is useless. Choose that which is new, red, and full of flowers; which when cut or cleft inclines to a purple colour, is thin, smells sweet like a rose when it is rubbed between the hands, and bites the 21 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS tongue with considerable burning. Use the flower, the reeds and the root. It is diuretic, bringing down the menstrual flow, and dissolving gaseousness. It causes catarrh in the head. It is mildly astringent. It has a breaking, digesting and opening strength. The flowers of it used in drink are good for bloody vomiting and a painful stomach, as well as the lungs, liver and kidneys. It is mixed with antidotes, but the root is more astringent and therefore is given for a squeamish stomach. One teaspoonful is good for dropsy and convulsions, and is given for some days with the same amount of pepper. A decoction of it as a hip bath is most convenient for inflammation around the vulva. It is also called Babylonian [juncus] or teuchitis. 1-17. KALAMOS EUODES SUGGESTED: Acorus calamus, Acorus aromaticus, Acorus odoratus — Sweet Flag, Sweet Sedge, Myrtle Sedge Calamus ciliaris — Indian Palm see 1-2, 1-114 C alamus aromaticus grows in India and the best is reddish-yellow, thick with knots, and when broken it falls into many pieces. The reed is fibrous, somewhat white, and slimy to chew, astringent and somewhat sharp. Taken as a drink it is able to induce the movement of urine. As a result it is good for dropsy, defective kidneys, slow and painful urination and hernias, boiled either with grapes or seeds of apium [3-77] and taken as a drink. It draws out the menstrual flow taken as a drink and applied. It helps coughs inhaled either alone or with resin termininthos [1-91], the smoke taken in at the mouth through a funnel. It is boiled for women's baths and infusions, and mixed with warm compresses and perfumes to make them smell sweeter. 22 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-18. BALSAMON SUGGESTED: Opalobalsamum, Balsamodendron gileadense, Balsamodendron opalobalsamum, Commiphora opalobalsamum, Amyris gileadensis — Balm of Gilead, Balm of Mecca Amyris kataf, Commiphora kataf, Balsamodendron kataf — Balsam of Kataf T he tree balsamum is noted, similar in size to lycium [1-132] or pyracantha [1-169, 1-170], with leaves like rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] but a great deal paler and much more flourishing. It grows only in Judaea in a certain valley and in Egypt. Varying considerably in ruggedness, tallness and slenderness, the part of the shrub that is thin, with filaments, is called theriston, which may be because it is easily mowed because of its slenderness. Opobalsamum is the juice exuded by the tree when it is cut with iron nails in the heat of the hottest days. But it drops so little that every year they can get no more than six or seven congii [three litre units approximately] of it, and a weight of it is sold in that place for double its weight in silver. The best juice is new, with a strong smell, pure and not inclining to sweetness, dissolving easily, smooth, astringent, and a little biting to the tongue. It is prepared in various ways for there are some who mix ointments with it such as termininthos [1-91], cyprinum [1-65], schininum [1-90], susinum [1-62] or liliaceum [1-62], balaninum [1-40, 4-160] and metopium [1-71], honey, waxy ointments, myrsinum [1-48], or very liquid cyprinum [1-65]. These are easily discerned for if the unmixed is dropped on a woollen cloth and afterwards washed out it makes no stain or spot on it, but that which is counterfeited sticks. The pure when put into water or milk is easily diffused and turns like milk, but that which is counterfeited swims on the top like oil, turning round or diffusing itself like a star. But in time the pure will also turn thick and test worse than any. Those are deceived who think that it is pure when it is dropped into water, goes down to the bottom first, and afterwards, easily diffusible, rises up again. The wood is called xylobalsamum and the best liked is new with slender stalks — red, sweet smelling, with a smell somewhat resembling opobalsamum. Suitable use is made of the fruit too. Choose that which is yellow, full, great, heavy, biting in taste and hot in the mouth, somewhat similar in taste to opobalsamum. From the town Petra a Balsamodendron opalobalsamum after FAGUET — 1888 23 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS seed like hypericum [3-171] is brought with which they counterfeit this fruit. You may discover this because it is bigger, and empty with no strength, and tastes of pepper. The juice has the most strength as it heats the most, cleaning away things that darken the pupils, and curing abrasions around the vulva applied with waxy ointments and rosaceum [1-53]. It expels the menstrual flow and the afterbirth, is an abortifacient, and rubbed on dissolves chills and the filthy matter of boils. Taken as a drink it is a concoction for rejuvenation and moving urine. Given with milk it is also good for difficult breathers and those who have taken a drink of aconitum [4-77, 4-78]; also for those bitten by snakes. It is mixed with fatigue removers, warm compresses and antidotes. Generally the juice of the balsamum has the most strength, next to that the fruit, but the wood has the least strength of all. Taken in a drink the fruit is good for pleurisy, pneumonia, coughs, sciatica, epilepsy, vertigo, asthma, griping, difficulty in conception, and for those bitten by snakes. It is suitable for women's inhalations in fumes, and boiled for hip baths it opens the vulva and extracts moisture. The wood has the same virtues the fruit has but to a lesser degree. Boiled in water and taken as a drink it helps in digestion, griping, those bitten by snakes, and convulsions, and it expels urine. With dry iris it is good for wounds in the head. It also extracts scaly bones. It is mixed for the thickening of ointments. 1-19. ASPALATHOS SUGGESTED: Aspalathus indica — Indian Aspalathus A spalathus is a woody kind of shrub with many prickly thorns — growing in Istrus, Nisyrus, Syria and Rhodes — which the ointment makers use for thickening their ointments. The best is heavy, and after it has been harvested inclining to a red or a purple colour, thick, fragrant, and bitter to the taste. There is also another kind of it with scattered bristles or thorns — white, woody, without any smell — which is considered the worst. It has a heating and astringent quality. As a result, boiled in wine and gargled, it is good for an ulcerated mouth and gangrenous ulceration in the genitals. It is infused for unclean discharges and fetid nasal discharges; and put 24 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Lupus salictarius after FUCHS — 1545 25 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS Crocifolia, Crociflores after FUCHS — 1545 26 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK into a pessary it is an abortifacient. A decoction stops bowels, and taken as a drink it stops bloody vomiting, and dissolves painful urination and gaseousness. It is also called sphagnon, or phasganon, the Syrians call it diaxylon, and some, erysisceptron. 1-20. BRUON SUGGESTED: Lupus salictarius, Lupulus, Humulus [Fuchs, Brunfels], Lupulus mas [Bauhin], Humulus lupulus [Linnaeus] — Hops Splachnum and Bryum have been used to name various mosses in modern times [Loudon]. B ryum is sometimes called splanchnon. It is found on trees such as cedars, white poplars or oaks: the best grows on cedar, next is that which grows on white poplar. That which smells sweetest and is white is the best, but that which is black is the worst. Bryum is astringent. Used either hot or cold it is good in decoctions made for all those disorders requiring bathing around the vulva. It is mixed with ointments made for suppositories, with other ointments for the astringent quality in it, for the preparation of perfumes, and is put into medicines called acopi [to remove fatigue]. 1-21. AGALLOCHON SUGGESTED: Aquilaria agallocha, Cynometra agallocha, Aloëxylon agallochum — Agallochum, Indian Aloe Tree, Calambac Tree Aquilaria malaccensis — Eagle-wood — Agallochum fragrant resinous heartwood Aquilaria malaccensis A gallochum is a kind of wood like thyine wood that is brought out of India and Arabia distinguished by spots of a sweet scent, somewhat astringent to the taste, with some bitterness, and bark like soft skin somewhat over-coloured. When it is chewed and a decoction of it is gargled up and down in the mouth it causes sweet breath. The powder sprinkled on the whole body serves to deodorise it. It is used in perfumes instead of frankincense. One teaspoonful of the roots (taken in a drink) lessens moist after FAGUET — 1888 27 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS disorders of the stomach, its weakness and heat. It is good taken as a drink with water for those who have pains of the rectum, for the liver, dysentery and griping. 1-22. NASKAPHTHON UNKNOWN nasceus — nascor — plants used by women N ascaphthum some call narcaphthon and this is also brought out of India. It is a bark like the rind of the mulberry tree, used for a perfume for the sweet smell it has, and put into artificial perfumes. Taken as inhalations of fumes or smoke it is good for constriction of the vulva. 1-23. KANKAMON SUGGESTED: Amyris ambroisiaca, Protium icicaraba, Icica icicarabica — Gum Elemi Tree C ancamum is the oozing of an Arabic tree resembling myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], poisonous to the taste, which they use as a perfume. They make a perfume with it for their cloths with myrrh and styrax. It is reported to be able to make fat bodies lean — a half teaspoonful taken as a drink with water or vinegar and honey for many consecutive days. It is given to the splenetic, epileptic and asthmatic. Taken with honey and water it brings down the menstrual flow, and it quickly takes off scars in the eyes and heals their moisture diluted in wine. For gums rotten from moisture and toothache it helps as nothing else can do. 1-24. KUPHI Cyphi — a perfume C yphi is the composition of a perfume welcome to the Gods. The priests in Egypt use it abundantly. It is also mixed with antidotes and it is given to the asthmatic in drinks. There are many ways that the manufacture of it is carried out, including the following. Take one litre of cyprus [1-124], the same amount of ripe juniper berries, 28 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK six kilos of stoned plump raisins of the sun, two and a half kilos of resin (cleaned again), a half kilo each of calamus aromaticus [1-2, 1-17, 1-114], aspalathus [1-19] and juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16], twelve teaspoonfuls of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], five litres of old wine and one kilo of honey. Having removed the stones from the raisins pound them and work them together with the wine and myrrh. Pound and sift the other things, mix them with these, and let them drink up the liquid for one day. Afterwards boil the honey until it comes to a glutinous consistency, mix the melted resin carefully with it, and then having pounded all the other things diligently together, put them into a clay jar. 1-25. KROKOS SUGGESTED: Croci flores et folia [Fuchs], Crocus sativus [Bauhin], Crocus sativus var officinalis [Linnaeus] — Saffron Crocus C orycian crocum is the best for bodily use — new and well-coloured, having somewhat white tendrils, somewhat long, having all its parts hard to break, without fat, full, colouring the hands, not decayed or moist, alluring in scent and a little sharper; for that which is not such is either old or steeped. The next best after the Corycian comes from that tract of land near Lycia; and that from Olympus [a mountain] in Lycia; then that from Aegis Aetolia. But the Cyrenaican and that from Centuripinum are the weakest in strength of all in Sicily, all of them being cultivated like vegetables. Nevertheless, because it is full of juice and well coloured, they in Italy (dying thyine wood with it) do use this, and for this it is sold at a high rate. For medicine, that which was previously described is more effective. It is adulterated with a mixture of crogomagma [1-26] pounded or daubed with sapa [syrup of new wine], lithargyrum [5-102] or plumbago [5-100] pounded together with it to make it weigh more. All this is discerned by the dustiness that is found amongst it, and by the smell of the boiled down new wine it has. It is digestive, softening, somewhat astringent and diuretic. It causes a good colour, and it is good taken as a drink with passum [raisin wine] against overindulgence. 29 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS It stops excessive discharges of the eyes applied with woman’s milk. It is effective mixed with drinks that are taken internally, and with suppositories and poultices for the uterus and the perineum. It works against venereal diseases, and rubbed on it soothes inflammation that accompanies erysipelas [a skin inflammation], and it is good for inflammations of the ears. They say also that it will kill one if three teaspoonfuls are taken as a drink with water. In order to pound it smaller it must be dried in the sun in a hot ceramic jar, and it must often be quickly turned. The root of it (taken in a drink with passum [raisin wine]) causes an urge to urinate. It is also called castor, or cynomorphos, and the Magi call it sanguis Herculis. 1-26. KROKOMAGMA SUGGESTED: Crocus sativus var officinalis [Linnaeus] — Saffron Oil Dregs C rocomagma is made from oil of saffron, the aromatic part squeezed out and made into lozenges. The best is sweet-smelling, somewhat resembling the taste of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], heavy and black, with no woodiness in it; and which sufficiently diluted is the colour of saffron — smooth, yellow underneath, strongly colouring the teeth and tongue and lasting many hours together, like that from Syria. It has the ability to clean and cleans away things which darken the pupils. It is diuretic, softening, digestive and warming. It somewhat resembles the strength of saffron for it is made from this. 1-27. ELENION SUGGESTED: Elenium, Inula, Enula campania [Fuchs], Helenium vulgare [Bauhin], Inula helenium [Linnaeus], Inula campana, Aster helenium, Aster officinalis — Common Inula, Horse Elder, Elecampane H elenium has narrow leaves like verbascum [4-104], only sharper and somewhat long. In some places it puts out no stalks at all. The root below is fragrant, great, somewhat sharp, from which for planting (as in lilies or arum) the most pleasant shoots are taken. It grows in hilly, shady and moist places. The root is dug up in the 30 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Asarum europaeum after FAGUET — 1888 31 BOOK ONE: AROMATICS Cassia fistula after FAGUET — 1888 32 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK summer, cut and dried. A decoction (taken as a drink) induces the movement of urine and the menstrual flow. The root itself (taken in a syrup with honey) helps coughs, asthma, hernias, convulsions, gaseousness, and the bites of venomous creatures, being generally warming. The leaves boiled in wine are effectively applied to those who have sciatica. The root is good for the stomach preserved in passum [raisin wine]. The confectioners, drying it a little and afterwards boiling it, then steep it in cold water and put it into a decoction they keep in jars for use. Pounded and taken in a drink it is good for bloody excretions. It is also called symphyton, persica, medica, orestion, nectarion, cleonia, rubus idaeus or verbascum idaeum; the Romans call it terminalium, others, inula campana, and the Egyptians call it lone. 1-28. ELENION AIGUPTION UNKNOWN C rateuas mentions another helenium that grows in Egypt. It is a herb with branches a foot long spreading on the ground like serpyllum [3-46], its many leaves around the branches like those of lenticule [?lentil] but longer; the roots a pale colour, the thickness of the little finger, thin below but thicker above, with a black rind. It grows in places bordering on the sea and on hillocks and rocks. One root of it (taken in a drink with wine) is able to help those bitten by snakes. Inula helenium after THIEBAULT — 1888 33 OILS OILS 1-29. ELAION OMOTRIBES SUGGESTED: Olea europaea, Olea sativa, Olea lancifola — New Oil from Unripe Olives O il from unripe olives is the best to use for health. The best is considered that which is new, not biting, with a sweet smell. This is also effective for the preparation of ointments. It is also good for the stomach because it is therapeutic for the bowels, and when held in the mouth it contracts loose gums, strengthens the teeth and represses sweating. 1-30. ELAION KOINON SUGGESTED: Olea europaea — Old Olive T Oil hat which is the oldest and most fat is the most fit for bodily uses. Commonly all oil is warming and softens flesh, keeping the body from being easily chilled with cold, making it more ready to perform actions. It is good for the digestive system, and has a softening strength, dulling the strength of ulcerating medicines in mixtures. It is given against poisons, taken immediately and vomited up again. A half-pint purges, taken as a drink with the same amount of barley water or with water. Six glassfuls (boiled with rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and taken as a drink) are given effectively to those troubled with griping, and it expels worms. This is administered especially for obstruction of the intestines, but the older oil is more heating and violently dispersing. It is a good ointment to sharpen the eyesight. If there is no old oil at hand, new oil must be mixed as follows. Pour it out into the best jar at hand, and boil it until it is the thickness of honey. Then use it, for it is has an equal strength. 34 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-31. ELAION AGRIAS ELAIAS SUGGESTED: Olea sylvestris, Olea sylvestris var oleaster — Wild Olive Oil O il from the wild olive is more astringent and the second choice for good health. It is convenient instead of rosaceum [1-53] for headaches, and stops sweating and hair falling out [alopecia]. It cleans off dandruff, ulcers that penetrate the head, parasitic skin diseases, and psoriasis, and it keeps grey hair away for a long time from those who are rubbed with it daily. 1-32. ELAION LEUKON To Whiten Oil O il is made white as follows. Taking oil which is a clear colour and not over a year old, pour it out into a new broad-mouthed ceramic jar. Let there be an amount of fifty pints. Afterwards, placing it in the sun, pour it back again with a spoon every day around noon, letting it fall down from on high, so that it may be altered by frequent rolling and beating, and foam. Then on the eighth day steep fifty teaspoonfuls of clean fenugreek in warm water, put it thus softened into the former oil without straining out the water. Also add the same weight of pinewood now (as fat as may be and cut into small pieces), and let eight more days pass. After this time stir the oil up and down again with a spoon. Finally, if it is white, pour it out into a new jar (first rinsed around with old wine) and store it, having first scattered in eleven teaspoonfuls of the corolla of melilot flowers [3-48] and the same amount of iris. If it is not (yet white) it must be set out again in the sun and treated until it becomes white. 1-33. ELAION SIKUONION SUGGESTED: W Olea europaea, Olea sativa, Olea lancifola, Sicyonium — Sicyonian Oil e may prepare Sicyonian olive oil as follows. Pour out four and a half litres of new unripe olive oil 35 OILS and the white oil [above] into a broad-mouthed kettle covered with tin, add two and a quarter litres of water, and boil it over a gentle fire stirring softly. When it has boiled up twice take it away from the fire, and having cooled it, skim off the oil with a spoon. Afterwards add other water, boil it again, and repeat the procedure, and then store it. This oil is mostly made in Sicyonia and is therefore called sicyonium. It is somewhat warming, suitable for fevers and affected nerves. Women use it to have a clean skin. 1-34. RUPOS Grime from the baths T he scrapings which are taken up in public baths are able to heat, soften, and disperse fluids, and are good for splits in the perineum, and for rubbing on joints. 1-35. RUPOS PALAISTRA Grime from the wrestling school T he dirt or filth from the wrestling school helps the joints, applied as a warm compress. 1-36. RUPOS GYMNASION Grime from the gymnasium walls T he filth on the walls of the gymnasium (or that which is scraped off from statues) warms and dissolves tubercles [growths] that ripen only with difficulty, and it is helpful for abrasions, the removal of scaliness, and old ulcers. 36 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-37. ELAIOMELI SUGGESTED: Olea sylvestris, Olea sylvestris var oleaster — Wild Olive Oil Elaeagnus angustifolia — Oleaster, Oil Tree, Zakkoum Oil Plant Elaeis guineensis — Oil Palm Elaeomeli [Pliny] — Olea europaea — Manna exuded from the branches of the Olive tree Elaeoptene is the liquid part of a volatile oil, Stearoptene the solid part of a volatile oil, a camphor. E laeomeli flows out of a certain stem and root of a plant growing in Palmyra, a region of Syria, more thick than honey and sweet in taste, which (taken as a drink of two cups to one half-pint of water) drives dyspepsia and bilious fluids out through the bowels. Those who take it become sluggish and deficient in virility, but this should not disturb us. They are to be kept awake and not allowed to be overcome by too deep a sleep. Oil is also prepared from the fat of the young olive shoots, the old oil being best — thick, fat, not cloudy. It warms, and is effective rubbed on for those things that darken the pupils, and daubed on is good for leprosy and painful nerves. 1-38. KIKINON ELAION SUGGESTED: Ricinus [Fuchs], Ricinus vulgaris [Bauhin], Ricinis communis [Linnaeus] — Castor Oil Plant, Palma Christi [other usage] Croton Oil Plant, Purging Croton, Tiglium — Croton tiglium, Croton acutus, Croton jamalgota, Pavana, Tiglium officinalis see 4-164 Ricinis communis after FAGUET — 1888 C icinum is prepared as follows. Take ripe cicinum seeds (as much as you think suitable) and dry them in the sun, scattering them along as they used to do grapes until the bark that closes them in when broken apart falls off; then gathering the flesh or pulp together put it into a mortar, and having pounded it carefully put it into a kettle with a tin cover that has water in it, and 37 OILS placing fire underneath, make it boil. When you have removed all the moisture, take the kettle from the fire and collect the oil that swims on top with a spoon and bottle it. Because the Egyptians use it in great abundance they prepare it differently. After they have picked them they place the seeds into a mill and grind them carefully; then throwing the grinds into baskets they squeeze it out with a press. The seeds are in season or ripe when they are rid of the small bladders that enfold them. This oil of cicinum is good for ulcers that penetrate the head, parasitical skin diseases, inflammation of the perineum, and obstructions and damage to the uterus, as well as scars faedas [from goring by horned animals], and earache. Mixed with plasters it makes them more effective. Taken as a drink it draws out watery matter through the bowels, and it also draws out worms. 1-39. ELAION AMYGDALINON SUGGESTED: Amagdalinum — Metopium — Almond Oil — Prunus amygdalus var amara — Bitter Almond RAW SEED OF BITTER ALMOND IS POISONOUS. A magdalinum oil or metopium is made as follows. Having picked and dried four quarts of bitter almonds beat them gently with a wooden pestle in a mortar until they are pulped. Pour on them one pint of hot water and let them absorb it for half an hour, from which time beat it strongly again. Then press it on a board, squeeze it out, and take that which sticks to your fingers into a spoon. Afterwards pour a half-pint of water into that which was squeezed out, and allow it to be absorbed, and repeat as before. Four quarts of seeds make one half-pint of oil. It is effective against womb pains, constriction, the womb turning around, and things that darken the same places, as well as headaches, ear problems, resonance, and tinnitus. It helps inflammation of the kidneys, illness meientes [urination], stones [urinary, kidney], asthma and splenitis. Furthermore it removes spots from the face, sunburn, and wrinkles on the skin mixed with honey, the root of lily and Cyprian rosewax. With wine it mends moisture of the pupils of the eye, and removes penetrative ulcers and dandruff. 38 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Ricinis communis after FAGUET — 1888 39 OILS Raphanus sativus after FUCHS — 1545 40 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-40. BALANINON ELAION SUGGESTED: Myrobalan citrina, Terminalia citrina — Hara Nut Tree Quercus infectoria, Quercus lusitanica — Acorns from Quercus species — Gall Oak, Dyer’s Oak, Nut Gall Oak Balanites aegyptica, Xymenia aegyptica — Thorn Tree, Egyptian Balsam, Zachum Oil Tree Balanites aegyptica after FAGUET — 1875 see 4-143, 4-160 I n the same way oil balaninum is prepared. It has strength to clean spots, freckles, down on the face, and darkening cataracts and it purges the intestines. It is bad for the stomach. Poured in with goose fat it is good for earache, ear resonance and tinnitus. 1-41. ELAION SESAMINON KAI KARUINON SUGGESTED: Sesamum indicum, Sesamum orientale, Sesamum oleiferum — Sesame Oil, Sesame [seeds], Gingelly, Gingili Carya — Juglans regia — Walnuts N ux pontica, N ux avellana, Corylus avellana [Linnaeus] — Hazelnuts B oth sesaminum and caryinum oil which is made from carya kernels are prepared in the same way as those mentioned above. They have the same strength as balaninum [1-40]. 41 OILS 1-42. UOSKUAMINON ELAION SUGGESTED: Hyoscyamus flavus [Fuchs], Hyoscyamus niger [Linnaeus] — Henbane, Hen Bell, Hyoscyamus Hyoscyamus albus — White Henbane, Oil of Henbane POISONOUS H yosciaminum is prepared as follows. Take dry new white seed, and having pounded it steep it in hot water as was previously described in amagdalinum [1-39]. Then place it in the sun and mix it until it turns black and has a strong smell. Then, having strained it through a linen cloth and having squeezed it, store it. It is good for earaches, and is mixed with suppositories, having a softening quality. 1-43. KNIDELAION SUGGESTED: Gnidium, Cnidium, Daphne gnidium, Thymelaea hirsuta — Oil from Grains, Seeds of Gnidium, Spurge Flax see 4-173 G nidium is prepared in the same way from rubbings of grains [seeds] that have been pounded and pilled. Taken as a drink it is able to loosen the bowels. 1-44. KNIKELAION SUGGESTED: Cartamus, Crocus hortensis [Fuchs], Carthamum officinarum, Cnicus sativus [Bauhin], Carthamus tinctorius [Linnaeus] — Safflower, Saffron Thistle [Mabberley] see 4-119, 4-190 I n the same way cnicinum is made which has the same uses as the oil from rubbed grain [above] but is somewhat weaker. 42 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Elenium after FUCHS — 1545 43 OILS Castanea vulgaris — Chestnut after FAGUET — 1880 44 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-45. RAPHANELAION SUGGESTED: Radix, Radicula [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus], Raphanus sativus — Radish Seed Oil, Common Cultivated Radish R aphaninum is made from its own seed, as are the rest. It is good for those who by some sickness have got psoriasis, and it cleans away rough skin around the face. Those in Egypt use it, boiling it with their sauce. 1-46. MELANTHELAION SUGGESTED: Melanthium hortense primum, Schwartz Kommich [Fuchs], N igella sativa [Linnaeus] — Common Fennel Flower, Black Cumin Melanthium alterum Damascenum vocatum, N igella hortensis altera [Fuchs], N igella angustifolia [Bauhin], N igella damascena [Linnaeus] — Love in a Mist, Devil in a Bush Melanthium sylvestre, Cuminum sylvestre alterum [Fuchs], N igella arvensis [Linnaeus] POISONOUS M elanthium has the same uses, and is prepared like raphaninum [1-45]. 1-47. SINAPELAION SUGGESTED: N apy, Sinapis primum genus [Fuchs], Sinapi hortense [Brunfels], Brassica nigra, Sinapis sinapioides, Sinapis nigra — Black Mustard Sinapis alba [Linnaeus], Leucosinapis officinalis, Brassica alba — White Mustard, Salad Mustard, Cultivated Mustard, Mustard Oil S inapinum is prepared by grinding the mustard seed small and steeping it in warm water, then mixing the oil with it and straining it out together. It is good for diseases of a long duration, drawing out faulty fluids from far within. 45 OILS 1-48. MURSINELAION SUGGESTED: Myrtus communis var romana — Broad-leaved Myrtle see 1-155, 4-146, 4-165b M yrsinum oil is prepared as follows. Take the tender leaves of black myrtle (whether wild or planted), beat them, pressing out the juice, then mixing the same amount of unripe olive oil with the juice warm it over coals until it is boiled together, spooning up that which floats on top. An easier method of preparation is to boil the tenderest leaves (after they have been pounded) in water and oil, and to skim off the oil that swims on the top. Another way is (having laid the leaves in the sun) to steep them in oil. There are some thicken the oil first with malicoria (?), cupressus [1-102] and juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16]. The most effective oil inclines towards bitterness in its taste, and is oily, green and transparent, and smells of myrtle. It is astringent and hardening; as a result it is effective mixed with medications for hardening. It is good for burns, penetrative ulcers in the head, dandruff, pimple eruptions, chapped skin, galls (?), joints, and joints loosening. It represses sweats, and is good for all things that need an astringent or thickening. 1-49. DAPHNELAION SUGGESTED: Laurel Oil — Laurus-Alexandrina [Fuchs], Daphne-Alexandrina [Brunfels], Ruscus hypoglossum [Linnaeus], Ruscus hippoglossum, Uvularia, Baslingua — Laurel of Caesar [Mabberley], Horse Tongue, Double Tongue Laurus nobilis — Sweet Bay, Laurel, Roman Laurel L aurinum is made from overripe bay berries (which are ready to fall from the tree) boiled in water, because they send up a certain kind of fat from the husk enclosing them, which is squeezed out by hand and scooped up in spoons. Some first thicken oil of unripe olives with cypress, juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] and calamus [1-17], and after this (throwing in the tender leaves of bay) boil them together. There are some who add bay berries to 46 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK this until it smells enough of bay; some also mix in styrax [1-79] and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]. The best bay for the manufacture of oil is mountainous and broad-leaved. The best oil of bay is new and greenish in colour — very bitter and sharp. It is warming and softening, opening blood vessels that were shut, and overcoming exhaustion. It is good for all infirmities around the tendons, earaches, and for those troubled with dripping mucus. It is an excellent ointment, as good as anything else for those with kidneys inflamed because of cold. Taken as a drink it is nauseating. 1-50. SCHINELAION SUGGESTED: Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree, Herb Mastic, Oil of Mastic Schinus molle is now an American genus; Bursera gummifera is now a West Indian tree [Loudon]. Terminthinus — [old English] Termenteyne — Turpentine Tree — Pistacia terebinthus S chininum [lentiscinum] is made from ripe berries the same as oil of bay, and thickened before use. It heals parasitic skin diseases on beasts of burden and dogs [veterinary]. It is effective mixed with suppositories, remedies to remove fatigue, and medications for leprosy. It also stops sweating. Terminthinos [1-91] is also made the same way. It cools and binds. Bursera gummifolia after FAGUET — 1878 1-51. MASTICHELAION SUGGESTED: Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron — Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree, Herb Mastic, Oil of Mastic M astichinum is made from mastic pounded into small pieces. It is good for disorders in the womb — gently warming, astringent, softening. It is also good laid on the stomach for hardened swellings, for the abdominal cavity and dysentery; and for cleaning away spots on the face, and causing a good colour. The best is compounded in the isle of Chios. 47 OINTMENTS OINTMENTS 1-52. MURON SUNTHESIS MEDICINAL OINTMENTS S eeing that ointments also are effective for some diseases, either mixed with other medicines, dropped on, poured on, or smelled, we thought it logical to make this suggestion: that those who test them must determine whether the ointments smell exactly of those herbs from which the mixture is made. This method of judgement is the best. Yet this is not observed in some ointments because of the prevalence of stronger ingredients, as in amaracinum [1-68], crocinum [1-64] and telinum [1-57], as well as some others, which are tested by sampling them often. 1-53. RHODINON SUGGESTED: Rosa, Rosa hortensis et sylvestris [Fuchs], Rosa rubra [Bauhin], Rosa gallica [Linnaeus] — Common Rose, French Rose — Oil of Roses R osaceum oil is made as follows. Take five pounds eight ounces of juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] and twenty pounds five ounces of oil; bruise the juncus and steep it in water, then boil it, stirring it up and down. Strain it out into the twenty pounds five ounces of oil, put a thousand counted dry rose petals into it, and having rubbed your hands with honey stir the mixture up and down (every now and then squeezing the petals gently), then after leaving them for a night, press them out. When the dregs have sunk down, change the receiving jar, and store it in large bowls wiped with honey. Then throwing the strained roses in a small washing jar pour on them eight pounds and five ounces of the thickened oil and strain them out again, and this will be the second pressing; and if you will, for a third or fourth time pour oil in again on the roses, and strain them out again. A first, second, third and fourth oil are made. Each time rub the inside of the jars with honey. If you mean to make a second insertion put the same number of new dry rose 48 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK petals into the oil that was first pressed out, and stirring it up and down with hands smeared with honey, press it out; and repeat in the same way the second, third and fourth time, pressing it out again; and as often as you do this put in fresh roses (paring off their stems) for this way it becomes stronger. The oil can take this addition of roses seven times, but by no means any farther. Also rub the press with honey. You ought to carefully separate the oil from the juice for if even a little of it is left in there it will corrupt the oil. Some use the roses alone, cut off their stems or whites, and infuse them by placing them in the sun, having the amount of half a pound of petals to one pint of oil, changing the petals every eight days, and leaving them in the sun for forty days, and then storing it. Some first thicken the oil by adding calamus [1-17] and aspalathus [1-19]. Some include anchusa [4-23 to 4-26] to give it a pleasant colour, and salt so that it does not spoil. It is astringent and cooling, good for cleaning and mixing with poultices. Taken as a drink it loosens the bowels and cools a heated stomach. It fills up hollow boils, and makes soothing medications for malignancies. It is a rub for penetrative ulcers, catarrh in the head, and heated eruptions; and a lotion for headache as well as a mouth rinse for the start of a toothache. It is good rubbed on for eyelids that have grown hard, and it is good given as a suppository for rosiones [gnawing corrosion] or irritations of the intestines and the vulva. 1-54. ELATINON SUGGESTED: Elatinum, Ecballium elaterium, Ecballium agreste, Momordica elaterium, Elaterium officinale — Oil of Cucumber, Squirting Cucumber H aving broken and bruised the elaterium, put it into a washing jar, and pour on it oil of unripe olives. Let it remain for three days, and then take it up into a basket and press it out. Use the same weight of each ingredient, then, having stored it in a clean jar, use it. It has the same uses as the rosaceum [1-53] but it does not soothe the bowels. 51 OINTMENTS 1-55. MELINON SUGGESTED: Cotonea malus, Cydonia [Fuchs], Mala cotonea minora [Bauhin], Pyrus cydonia [Linnaeus], Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince O il of melinum is prepared as follows. Having mixed together six pints of oil and ten pints of water, add three ounces of bruised spatha [1-150] or elaterium [4-155] and one ounce of juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16], and after letting them lie together for a day, boil them. Afterwards, (having strained out the oil) put it into a broad-mouthed jar, lay over it a mat of reeds or some thin covering and place the fruit of cydonia on top of it, covering them with cloths. Allow them (to stand thus) for many days until the oil has extracted the strength from the quinces. Some cover the fruit with cloths for ten days so that the sweet smell may be kept in and not breathe out, afterwards they steep them in oil two days and two nights, and then press it out and bottle it. It is astringent and cooling — effective for scabies [itchy parasitical disease], ulcers, dandruff, chilblains and shingles [herpes]. Used as drops it is good for open disorders in the vulva, and given as a suppository it stops urinary urgency, and represses sweating. It is taken as a drink against vomiting from ingesting dried beetles [2-65], bupressedes [2-66] and pinorum [1-86]. The best is considered to smell like the fruit of cydonia. 1-56. OINANTHINON SUGGESTED: Cissus digitata — Wild Grape, Sorrel Vine Vitis labrusca — Wild Grapes O enanthemum. Having dried the sweet-smelling shoots or buds of the wild grape, put it into oil of unripe olives and stir it around, churn it upside down and leave it so for two days. Afterwards strain it out and store it. It is astringent, equivalent to rosaceum [1-53], except it neither loosens nor softens the bowels. That which carries the smell of the shoots or buds is the most approved of. 52 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-57. TELINON SUGGESTED: Foenograecum, Foenumgraecum [Fuchs], Foenumgraecum sativum [Bauhin], Trigonella foenum-graecum [Linnaeus], Telinum — Oil of Fenugreek T ake five pounds of fenugreek, nine pounds of oil, one pound of calamus [1-17] and two pounds of cyprus [1-124], steep the herbs in the oil for seven days stirring it up and down three times a day, and afterwards press it out and store it. There are some who use cardamomum [1-5] instead of calamus [1-17], and opobalsamum [1-18] instead of cyprus, and steep them together. Others first thicken the oil with these, and afterwards steep the fenugreek in there and strain it out. It is able to soften mature abscesses, and is especially good for hard lumps around the uterus, and for obstinate body cavities, dripped in when it becomes dry around those places, the moist fluids having been formerly evacuated. Administer it for inflammation in the perineum, and for the unproductive urge to evacuate. It cleans dandruff and penetrative ulcers in the head, and it is good for burns and chilblains. It gets off spots of sunburn with wax, and it is mixed with medicines made to clean the face. Choose that which is new, scours the hands, is bittersweet in taste and does not smell too much like fenugreek, for that is the best. 1-58. SAMPSUCHINON SUGGESTED: Amaracus, Maiorana [Fuchs], Majorana vulgaris [Bauhin], Sampsuchum, Sampsucum, Origanum majorum [Pliny], Origanum majorana [Linneaus], Origanum majoranoides, Majorana hortensis — Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram T ake an amount each of serpyllum [3-46], cassia, abrotanum [3-29], flowers of sisymbrium [2-155], leaves of myrtle [1-55, 4-146] and sampsuchum that by guess you shall think suitable, having respect for the strength of each. Beat all these together, and pour on them unripe olive oil but not enough to overwhelm the strength of those things which are steeped in it, and so leave it alone for four days. Afterwards strain it and take the same 55 OINTMENTS amount of the same fresh herbs again and steep them for another four days to make it stronger. Choose sampsuchum that is a black, greenish colour, strongly scented and quite sharp. This oil is warming and sharp, reducing the intensity of symptoms. It is good for the closing up and distortions of the vulva, extracts the menstrual flow and afterbirth, is an abortifacient, and refreshes constriction of the vulva. It lessens pains of the abdomen and groin. It is best used with honey since it hardens places with excessive astringency, and rubbed on it disperses exhaustion. It is effectively mixed with poultices for tetanus and for other kinds of convulsions. 1-59. OKIMINON SUGGESTED: Ocimum exiguum, Ocimum minutum, Ocimum mediocre, Ocimum magnum [Fuchs], Ocimum basilicum, Basilicum — Oil of Basil — Basil, Sweet Basil T ake twenty pounds of oil and eleven pounds eight ounces of basil in weight, take off the leaves, steep them in the oil for a night and a day, then press it out and bottle it. Then take the leaves out of the basket, pour in the same amount of oil on them again and press it out. This is called that which follows, for it does not allow a third steeping. Then take the same amount of new basil and steep it again as described in instructions about rosaceum [1-53]. Then pour in the oil from the first steeping, let the leaves lie and soak in there an equal time, and afterwards strain it out and bottle it. If you wish to steep it three or four times always put in new basil. It may also be made from unripe olives but the other way is best. It does the same things as sampsuchinum [above] but not as effectively. 1-60. ABROTONINON SUGGESTED: Abrotonum foemina [Fuchs], Absinthium ponticum [Bauhin], Artemisia pontica [Linnaeus], Abrotanum mas [Linnaeus], Artemisia abrotanum, Abrotoninum — Southernwood — Oil of Southernwood A brotoninum is made as follows. Take eight pounds of the leaves of abrotanum [3-29] and eleven pounds 56 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK five ounces of the oil aromatized with the ingredients that go into cyprinum [see 1-65], and having steeped them in oil a day and a night, strain it out. If you wish to make it last a long time throw away the first leaves, put in other leaves, steep them too, and strain it out. It is warming and good for closing up or hardness in the vulva, and expelling the menstrual flow and afterbirth. 1-61. ANETHINON SUGGESTED: Anethum hortense [Bauhin], Anethum graveolens [Linnaeus], Peucedanum graveolens, Selinum athenum, Pastinaca athenum, Anethinum — Dill, Oil of Dill S teep eleven pounds and eight ounces of the flowers of anethum for one day in eight pounds nine ounces of oil, then squeeze it out by hand and store it. If you wish to make a second steeping add new flowers of anethum. It can soothe distress around the vulva and open it and is effective for hard lumps on the gums, warming and dissolving weariness, and is good for sores of the joints. 1-62. SUSINON SUGGESTED: Lilium, Lilium album [Fuchs], Lilium candidum [Linnaeus] — Madonna Lily [other usage] Crinum toxicarium, Crinum asiaticum — White Lily, Lily Asphodel, Poison Bulb see 3-116 POISONOUS S usinum is also called lilinum or liliaceum and is made as follows. After you have mixed together nine pounds five ounces of oil, five pounds three ounces of calamus [1-17] and five ounces of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] in fragrant wine, boil it, let the oil run through a strainer, pour it out again, and add three pounds six ounces of cardamom (bruised and steeped in rain water). Allow it to be sufficiently steeped together, then strain it out. Take three and a half pounds of this thickened oil and a thousand (counted) lilies, and having stripped off their leaves, put them in a broad but not deep jar. Pour in the oil, stir it around with your hands (that have been 59 OINTMENTS previously rubbed with honey) and let it stand for a day and a night. The next morning pour it into a cupped strainer and presently (when it is strained) separate the oil on top from the water that is strained out with it, because it will not permit the water with it, like rosaceum [1-53], but when heated together it grows hot again and is spoiled. Pour it out again into other jars smeared with honey, first sprinkling a little salt in there and taking away the filth carefully as it gathers together. Take the strained aromatic stuff out of the basket, and placing it into a broad jar pour in on it again the same amount of the aromatised oil as at first. Put in ten teaspoons of bruised cardamom, stir it well with your hands, and after waiting a little strain it out, removing the filth off from that which runs out. Pour on the oil again a third time, repeat [the procedure] throwing in the cardamom and the salt with it, and press it out (first smearing your hands with honey). That which was the first strained out will be the best, the second the next after that, and the third the least. Then take another thousand lilies and strip off their leaves, lay them in order and pour on them the oil that was first strained out. Work methodically, doing the same things over again as you did at first, mingling cardamom [as before and afterwards straining it out]. Do the same the second and the third time, placing into it the cardamom, afterwards straining it out and repeating the procedure. As often as you steep fresh lilies in there, (by so much) you shall have the ointment stronger. Finally when it seems to you that you have enough, mix with every preparation seventy-two teaspoons of the best myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], ten teaspoons of crocus and seventy-five teaspoons of cinnamon. Some take the same amount of crocus and cinnamon (having pounded and sifted it), put it into a jar with water, and pour on it the ointment from the first pressing: afterwards (leaving it alone a little while) they put it into little dry jars (first smeared around with gum or myrrh and saffron and honey diluted with water). Do the very same things to the second and third pressings. Some make it with nothing else but oil balaninum [1-40, 4-160] or some other oil and lilies. The oil which is made in Phoenicia and in Egypt is thought to excel most, the best being that which smells [most] of lilies. It is warming and softening — opening closures and inflammation around the vulva — and in general it is the 60 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK most effective of all for female ailments. It is also good for scaly scalp, varicose veins, dandruff, and feruidae [from fever] eruptions. It quickly alters vibices [marks from blood under the skin during a fever] and makes them the same colour as the rest of the skin. Generally it is very purifying. Taken as a drink it expels bile through the bowels, and induces the passage of urine; but it hurts the stomach and causes nausea. 1-63. NARCISSINON SUGGESTED: N arcissus odorus, N arcissus calathinus, Narcissus campernelli — Campernelle Jonquil N arcissus pseudo-narcissus, N arcissus sylvestris — Wild Narcissus, Daffodil, Lent Lily, Lent Rose N arcissus poeticus, N arcissinum — Poet’s Narcissus, Pheasant’s Eye — Oil of Narcissus O leum narcissinum is thickened as follows. Take thirty pounds five ounces of washed oil and six pounds of aspalathum [1-19] (pounded and steeped in water). Mix it with a third of the oil and boil it. Take out the aspalathum and put in five pounds eight ounces of calamus [1-17] and pounded sifted grains of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] (steeped in old fragrant wine). Mix it and boil it and when it has boiled with these ingredients take it off. When it is cold strain out the oil, then take the oil and pour it out into a jar and add a large amount of narcissus flowers, stirring it up and down for two days. Then as we said in susinum [1-62], strain it out and repeatedly pour it out from one jar to another, as it is also quickly spoiled. It is good for damage in the vulva, softening hardness and closures around it. It causes headaches, however. 1-64. KROCINON SUGGESTED: Croci flores et folia [Fuchs], Crocus sativus [Bauhin], Crocus sativus var officinalis [Linnaeus], Crocinum — Saffron Crocus — Oil of Crocus POISONOUS I ntending to prepare crocinum you must first of all thicken the oil as was explained in susinum [1-62] with the very same weight and amount. Take therefore three 63 OINTMENTS and a half pounds of the thickened oil of susinum [1-62], put in there eight teaspoons of crocus and stir it up and down often each day, doing this continuously for five days together. On the sixth day pour out the oil, separate it from the crocus, pour in again on the same crocus the same amount of new oil and stir it up and down for thirteen days. Then having poured it all back again, mix with it forty teaspoons of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] (pounded and sifted), stir it around well in a mortar, and bottle it. Some use as much aromatised oil for crocinum as they do for cyprinum [1-65]. The best smells abundantly of crocus and this is fit for medicinal use, and the next best smells of myrrh. It is warming and sleep-inducing, thus it is often good for an unsound mind when [the head is] moistened with it (or if it is merely smelled) or if the nostrils are rubbed with it. It induces movement of pus, cleans boils, and is good for hardness in the uterus (and closure) and other ill afflictions there, with wax, crocus, marrow, and double the oil. It digests, softens, moistens and lessens. It is also good for glaucoma of the eyes rubbed on with water. This is the same as butyrinum, onychinum and styracinum — differing only in name but having the same preparation and effect. 1-65. KUPRINON SUGGESTED: Lawsonia alba, Lawsonia inermis Cyprinum — Cyprus, Henna Shrub, Egyptian Privet — Oil of Cyprus T ake one part washed oil of unripe olives and a part and a half of rainwater. Pour out some of this into the oil and mix the other with the aromata [fragrant herbs] that are to be put in. Afterwards take five and a half pounds of aspalathus [1-19], six and and half pounds of calamus, one pound of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], three pounds nine ounces of cardamom and nine pounds five ounces of oil. Having bruised and steeped the aspalathus throw it in the water, and boil it with the oil until it boils together. Then steep the myrrh in old fragrant wine, steep the bruised calamus together with the myrrh, and taking out the aspalathus, put in this mixture of calamus. When it has boiled together take down the kettle, strain out the oil and pour it on the bruised cardamom and that which was steeped in the rest of the water, and stir it 64 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK around with a continuous splashing — not stopping until it is cold. Afterwards strain out the oil and put forty-six pounds eight ounces of cyprus [1-65] flowers into twenty-eight pounds of oil, allow them to be steeped, and strain them through a wicker basket. If you would have more of it place in again the same amount of new flowers, strain it out in same way again, and if you will you may steep it a third and a fourth time for in this way it is made more effective. Choose that which is good and which strongly impresses [the nostrils] with its sweet smell. Some also mingle cinnamon with it. It has a warming, softening quality, opening the mouths [of the blood vessels], good for disorders of the vulva and nerves and for pleurisy and fractures, both alone as well as mixed with a stiff ointment. It is also put into softening medicines made to help those troubled with stiff convulsions of the neck, as well as those troubled with angina, and for inflammation of the groin. It is also put into medicines against weariness. 1-66. IRINON SUGGESTED: Iris germanica [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus], Iris vulgaris Germanica sive sylvestris [Bauhin], Irinum — German Iris, Blue Flower de Luce, Flowering Ring — Iris Oil POISONOUS T ake six pounds eight ounces of spatha or elata [1-150] (pounded as small as possible) and seventy three pounds five ounces of oil. Mix it with five pints of water, place it into a brass jar and boil it until it absorbs the smell of spatha; afterwards strain it out into a basin smeared with honey. From this aromatised oil the first irinum is prepared, the iris being steeped in the thickened oil as described below. Or else do the following. Take five pounds two ounces of xylobalsamum [1-18] and seventy pounds five ounces of oil, and having pounded them as above, boil them together. Afterwards take out the xylobalsamum, put in nine pounds ten ounces of bruised calamus [1-17] [as well as an equal weight of] grains of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] steeped in old fragrant wine. Afterwards take fourteen pounds of this thickened and aromatised oil, steep the same weight of bruised iris in 67 OINTMENTS there, leave it undisturbed for two days and two nights, and afterwards strain it out lustily and forcibly. If you would have it stronger add the same amount [of iris], steeping similarly the same amount a second and third time, then strain it out. The best by far smells of nothing else but only of iris, such as that made in Perga, Pamphylia and that made in Elis, Achaia. It is softening and warming, and it cleans crusted ulcers, decaying flesh and filth, and it is good for conditions around the vulva, and for inflammation and closures of it. It expels a birth and opens haemorrhoids. It is good for noises in the ears applied with vinegar, rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and bitter almonds. For dripping mucus that has endured long the nostrils are rubbed with it, and also for fetid nasal polyps. A drink of a wine cupful purges the bowels, is good for suffering of the stomach, encourages urine, and is good for those who have difficulty vomiting, their fingers being rubbed with it [to put down the throat] or given with other things that cause vomiting. It is good rubbed on for angina or gargled with honey and water, and also for roughness of the arteries. It is given as an antidote to those who have taken a drink of hemlock, fungi or coriander. 1-67. GLEUCINON SUGGESTED: Gleucinum G — Syruped Pulp of Grapes in Oil, Oil of Must leucinum simplex is prepared from oil of unripe olives, schoinos [rushes], calamus [1-17], Celtic nard [1-7], spatha [1-150], aspalathus [1-19], melilot [3-48], costus [1-15] and must. The vinandea [must] is laid in the jar that contains the aromata [fragrant herbs] with the wine and oil. It is stirred up and down twice every day for thirty days and then strained out and stored. It is warming, softening and relaxing; good for chills, sinewy diseases and disorders of the vulva. It is more effective than acopon [medicines to remove fatigue] being softening. 68 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-68. AMARAKINON SUGGESTED: Amaracinum — Parthenium, Cotula foetida [Fuchs], Chamaemelum foetidum [Bauhin], Anthemis cotula [Linnaeus] — Mayweed [Mabberley] [other usage] Origanum amaracus — Amaracus Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Amaracus dictamnus — Dittany of Crete T he best amaracinum is made in Cyzicum. It is made from the oils of unripe olives and balaninum [1-40, 4-160]; thickened with xylobalsamum [1-18], schoenus [4-52] and calamus [sweet flag] but sweetened with amaracus and costus [1-15], amomum [1-14], nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10], carpobalsam [fruit of opalobalsamum, 1-18] and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]. Those who make it expensively include cinnamon. Honey and wine are used both for rubbing the jars and steeping the aromata [fragrant herbs] that have been pounded. It is warming, sleep-inducing, opening the blood vessels, softening, heating and diuretic — effective for decaying flesh, fistulas, and watery ruptures occuring after the help of surgery. It breaks cradle cap on all sides and efferata [growing outwards] ulcers, and it is good for difficult urination (the perineum or buttocks and anus rubbed with it), and it is also good rubbed on for inflammation of the same places, and for opening haemorrhoids. Applied to the uterus it induces passage of the menstrual flow, and dissolves hardness and oedema [water retention] in the vulva. It is good for hurt tendons and muscles, moistened and applied in thin pads of wool. There is also a kind of oil which naturally and of its own accord drops out of the rock, with a sweet smell and a certain heaviness. It is found in Arabia and Italy and is very effective for many uses. It is able to dry, open, and glue tendons together. It is good for scabs and ulcers, and it also lessens and subdues wind. 71 OINTMENTS 1-69. MEGALEION SUGGESTED: Megalium — Parthenium, Cotula foetida [Fuchs], Chamaemelum foetidum [Bauhin], Anthemis cotula [Linnaeus] — Mayweed [Mabberley] T hat which is called megalium used to be made but is no longer, yet for the completeness of the history it will not be out of place to speak something of it. The mixture of this is the same as amaracinum [1-68] but there is resin added to it so that it differs only in that. It is gently softening. Resin is mixed with the oils neither for preservation nor delight’s sake but only to colour and thicken them. Turpentine is also mixed with it and boiled until it stops smelling. The method of boiling it is explained in the section on resin. 1-70. HEDYCHROON SUGGESTED: Hedychroon — Parthenium, Cotula foetida [Fuchs], Chamaemelum foetidum [Bauhin], Anthemis cotula [Linnaeus] — Mayweed [Mabberley] T hat which is called hedychroon and which is made in Co has the same strength and the same method of preparation as amaracinum [1-68] but it smells sweeter. 1-71. METOPION SUGGESTED: Ferula galbaniflua, A Metopium — Galbanum n ointment is prepared in Egypt which they call metopium because they mix galbanum with it, for the wood out of which galbanum is made they call metopium. A mixture is made of bitter almonds, oil of unripe olives and cardamom, schoenus [4-52], calamus [1-17], honey, wine, myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], seeds of balsam [1-18], galbanum and resin. The best smells strongly and is fat, resembling cardamom and myrrh rather than galbanum. It heats and burns considerably and it also opens the mouths of blood vessels. It draws and purges ulcers. It is effective applied with antiseptic plasters for strength, muscles that have been cut, and watery lungs. It is mixed with warm compresses and stiff ointments. It is good for 72 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK chills and reversed curved bodies in convulsions. It encourages sweat, opens closed blood vessels of the uterus and loosens hardness around it, and in general it has a softening quality. 1-72. MENDESION SUGGESTED: Mendesium — Resin Compound M endesium is made from balanine oil [1-40, 4-160], myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], cassia and resin. Some, after they have put in everything by weight, additionally put in a little cinnamon, but this is unneccessary because the things that are not pounded together do not yield their strength. It has similar properties to metopium [1-71] yet to a lower degree. 1-73. STACTE SUGGESTED: Commiphora abyssinica — Coarse Myrrha Commiphora myrrha — Myrrh Tree, Myrrha Stacte — Oil of new Myrrh see 1-77, 4-116 S tacte is the fat of new myrrh bruised with a little water and pressed out with an instrument. It has a very sweet smell, is precious, and by itself makes an ointment called stacte. The approved stacte is not mixed with oil and has a great deal of strength in a little amount, with a warming quality similar to myrrh and hot oils. 1-74. KINNAMOMINON SUGGESTED: Cinnamominum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum — Oil of Cinnamon C innamominum is made from oil of balanine [1-40, 4-160] and thickened with xylobalsamum [1-18], calamus [1-17], schoenus [4-52], the sweetness of cinnamon, carpo balsamum [1-18], four times the quantity of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] as cinnamon, and honey is mixed in to incorporate them. The best approved is not sharp, with a mild smell and with myrrh predominating, 75 OINTMENTS thick and sweet-smelling, and with a very bitter taste. This has its thickness not from resin but from myrrh. For resin neither gives it bitterness nor a sweet smell. It is sharp, warming and bitter. Therefore it opens the mouths of blood vessels by warming, and it dissolves, dissipates, and draws forth all fluids and windiness, but it offends the head. It is good for diseases around the vulva with twice as much oil and wax and bone marrow, for this way it reduces much of its sharpness and becomes softening. Otherwise it burns and hardens more violently than all other thickened ointments. It is effective with cardamom for fistulas, decaying flesh, watery lungs, carbuncles [infected boils] and gangrene; and rubbed on for chills which recur, tremors, and those bitten by virulent beasts. It is to be applied with bruised green figs to those touched by scorpions or phalangii [harvest spiders]. 1-75. NARDINON MURON SUGGESTED: Phu germanicum, Valeriana vulgaris, Phu vulgare [Fuchs], Valeriana sylvestris major [Bauhin], Valeriana officinalis [Linnaeus], Nardinum — Valerian [Mabberley] — Spikenard Ointment N ardinum ointment is prepared various ways — either with the leaf of malabathrum [1-11] or without it. For the most part it is mixed with oil balanine [1-40, 4-160] or unripe olive oil, and to thicken the oil juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] is added, and to give it a sweet smell costus [1-15], amomum [1-14], nardus [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10] myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and balsamum [1-18] are added. The best is thin, not sharp, with the sweet smell in it of dried nardus or amomum. It reduces the intensity of symptoms and purifies fluids with a sharp, cleansing, warming strength. It is moist and not thick like a stalk or stem, unless it has resin in it. Some with less value is made from unripe olive oil, juncus odoratus, calamus [1-17], costus and nardus. 76 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-76. MALABATHRINON SUGGESTED: Trapa bicornis — Ling Nut Trapa bispinosa — Singhara Nut Trapa quadrispinosa — Water Chestnut species Limnantheum indicum, N ymphoides indica — Water Snowflake Callitriche palustris, Callitriche verna, Callitriche platycarpa — Water Starwort see 1-11 M alabathrinum or foliatum that is thickened like nardinum [1-75] has more myrrh, thus it is warming and equal to crocinum [1-64] or amaracinum [1-68]. 1-77. IASMELAION SUGGESTED: Jasminum sambac, Nyctanthes arbor tristus [Bedevian] — Arabian Jasmine Jasme — Oil of Jasmine T hat which is called jasme is made among the Persians from the white flowers of jasmine — two ounces of which are placed into an Italian pint of sesame oil, then changed and softened again as described in the manufacture of liliaceum [1-62]. The use of this is entertained among the Persians at their banquets for the sweet scent that it yields. It is good for the whole body after bathing, for those who want warmth and relaxation. It has a heavy sweet smell, so that many do not willingly use it. Bursera gummifolia after FAGUET — 1878 77 GUMS from TREES GUMS from TREES 1-77. SMURNA SUGGESTED: Commiphora myrrha — Myrrh Tree, Myrrha Commiphora abyssinica — Coarse Myrrha see 1-73 S myrna [myrrh] is the oozing of a tree (like the Egyptian [tree]) which grows in Arabia, an incision being made in the thorns, from which the gum drips down onto the mats spread underneath, but some congeals around the stock of the tree. Some of this is called pediasimos (as we should say, campestris) from which when pressed stacte [oil of new myrrh] is taken. Another called gabirea is more thick and grows in fruitful and fertile places. It also yields much stacte. Priority is given to that called troglodytica from the place that breeds it — a pale green, biting and transparent. Some is also gathered which is thinner, next in esteem to the primitive, soft like bdellium, with a poisonous smell as it were, growing in sunny places. There is another kind called caucalis which is smelly, black and dried. The worst of all is that which is called ergasima which is rough,with little fat, and sharp — resembling gum both in sight and strength. That called aminea is also not allowed. Fragrant and fat pressings are made from the fat gum; pressings neither fat nor good-smelling from the dry gum, weaker because they did not take in oil in their manufacture or forming. It is counterfeited by gum steeped in the water in which myrrh was infused and mixed. Choose that which is new, brittle, light, of the same colour throughout, and which when broken is smooth like a nail and in small pieces — bitter, sharp, fragrant and warming. That which is ponderous, weighs heavy and is the colour of pitch is useless. It is warming, rheum-closing, sleep-inducing, retaining, drying and astringent. It soothes and opens the closed vulva, and it expels the menstrual flow and birth speedily applied with wormwood [3-26], a dilution of lupins [2-132, 2-13] or juice from rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98]. The amount of a bean is taken like a catapotium [pill], against a long-enduring cough, asthma, pains of the side and 78 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK chest, looseness of the bowels and dysentery. It dissolves chills (in acute fevers, especially recurrent paroxysmic ones) the amount of a bean taken in a drink with pepper and water two hours before the fit. Put under the tongue and melted it helps both sharpness of the arteries and hoarseness of the voice. It kills worms and is chewed for stinking breath. For sores on the armpits it is rubbed on with liquid alum [5-123]. Used as a mouthwash with wine and oil it strengthens teeth and gums. Rubbed on with the flesh of a snail it cures broken ears and exposed bones, as well as pus in the ears and their inflammation with meconium [4-65], castorium [2-26] and glaucium [2-212, 3-100]. It is rubbed on varicose veins with cassia and honey. It cleans away impetigo [skin infection] with vinegar, and it stops hair falling out [alopecia] rubbed on with ladanum [1-128], wine and oil myrsinum [1-48]. Rubbed on the ear externally it alleviates long-enduring discharges. It fills up ulcers in the eyes, and it wears off white spots on the cornea and things which darken the pupils. It also smooths rough skin. A soot is also made of it (like soot of frankincense) effective for the same purposes, as we will show. 1-78. BOIOTIKE SMURNA SUGGESTED: Hipposelinum,Smyrnium olusatrum, Petroselinum alexandrinum — Alexanders, Black Lovage, Horse Parsley, Boeotin Myrrh see 1-77, 1-73, 3-78, 4-116 B oeotican myrrh comes out of the cut root of a certain plant growing in Boeotia. Choose that which resembles myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] in the sweet smell. It is softening, warming and dissolving. It is also effective mixed in inhalations of smoke or fumes. 1-79. STURAX SUGGESTED: Styrax officinale — Styrax Tree Styrax benzoin, Benzoin officinale, Lithocarpus benzoin — Gum Benjamin Tree, Benzoe S tyrax is the oozing of a certain tree like a quince tree. The best is yellow, fat, full of resin, having white 81 GUMS from TREES under the clots, which remains a long time in its sweet sauce, and which when it is softened releases a certain honeyish kind of moisture. The gabalites, pissiadicus and the cilicius are like this. That which is black, brittle and like bran (or encrusted) is worthless. An oozing like the gum is also found (transparent like myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]) but there is only a little that grows of this. They counterfeit it with powder from the same tree (made by the boring of worms) by mixing honey with it and the thick matter of iris and certain other things. Some also aromatise wax or tallow in the sharpest sun, work it together with styrax, and press it out into cold water through a colander with broad holes (making as it were little worms of it), and they sell it, calling it vermiculatum [now a name for gum of acacia thorns]. Those who are unskilful approve of it as authentic, not noticing the weak intensity of the smell, for that which is without deceit is very sharp. It is warming, softening and digestive. It cures coughs and dripping mucus, runny noses, hoarseness and loss of the voice. It is good for closures and hardness in the vulva, and taken as a drink and applied it dries out the menstrual flow. It gently softens the bowels if a little of it is swallowed down with resin terminthos [1-91]. It is also effective mixed with dispersing ointments or plasters and acopon [fatigue removers]. It is burned, roasted, scorched and made into a soot like thus [1-81] and this soot is good for the same things as thus. But the ointment styracinum [also refered to as oil of crocus] which is made from it in Syria warms and powerfully softens; but it causes pain, heaviness of the head and sleep. 1-80. BDELLION SUGGESTED: Bdellium africanum, Balsamodendrum africanum, Heudelotia africanum — Bdellium Tree, Balsamodendron kua B dellium (which some call madelcum or bolchum) is the oozing of a Sarandenian tree. The best-approved is bitter in taste, transparent, fat like bull’s glue, fat in the inside of it and easily growing soft, without wood or other filth, with a very sweet smell when burnt, like juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16]. There is another sort — filthy and black, in bigger pieces, rolled up into lumps — 82 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK brought out of India. It is also brought from a town called Petra, and this is dry, resinous, black and blue underneath, and next in strength to the first. It is counterfeited by mixing gum with it, but this is not as bitter to the taste, and when burnt and smoked it does not smell as sweet. It is warming and softening, and diluted with the spittle of one fasting it dissolves hardness and swellings of the throat and watery ruptures. It opens the entrance to the vulva when applied and the smoke inhaled. It is an abortifacient and draws out moisture. Taken as a drink it breaks up stones [kidney, urinary] and it expels urine. It is effective given for coughs and poisonous creatures' bites. It is good for hernia, convulsions and pain of the side, and for the accumulated wind in those who have run. It is put into warm compresses which are good for hardness and the knots in the nerves. Bruised, it is worked together with wine or hot water is poured on it. 1-81. LIBANON THUS SUGGESTED: Boswellia carterii, Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia floribunda, Boswellia serrata — Gum from Frankincense, Olibanum Tree Ferula rubricaulis — also used in incense T hus (which is also called thurifera) grows in Arabia, the best of which is the masculum called stagonias, naturally round. This when not cut is white, and when broken fat within. Put on fire it burns straight. The Indian is both yellow-brown underneath and a pale yellow in colour. It is made round by art and industry. For cutting it into cubes and throwing them into jars of clay they roll them up and down so long in there until they take a round form. Such thus as this grows yellow in time and is called atomum or syagrium. Next to this is that from Arabia and that which grows in Amelum. It is also called copiscum [abundant] and it is smaller and more yellow. There is some called amomites which is otherwise white but when softened is yielding like mastic [1-51]. All thus is adulterated with resin of pine and gum, being artificially handled. Discerning this is easy. The gum when put into a fire does not flame out, and the resin evaporates into smoke, but the thus is kindled and by its scent proves 85 GUMS from TREES itself. It is able to warm and is an astringent to clean away things which darken the pupils, fill up the hollowness of ulcers and draw them to a scar, and to glue together bloody wounds; and it is able to suppress all excessive discharges of blood including that of the neural membrane. Pounded into small pieces and applied with linen dipped in milk it lessens malignant ulcers around the perineum and other parts. It takes away new warts and impetigo [skin infection] smeared on with vinegar and pitch. It cures ulcerous burns from fire and chilblains rubbed on with fat from a pig or goose. With saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it cures ulcers that penetrate the head. It is used with honey for hangnails and with pitch for bruises of the ears, and poured in with sweet wine for other sores of the ears. Rubbed on with fuller's earth [ammonium silicate] and rosaceum [1-53] it is good for women’s breasts inflamed from the time of their giving birth. It is effective mixed with medicines made for the arteries and the bowels; and taken as a drink it helps those who spit blood. Taken as a drink by those who are healthy it brings madness, and taken as a drink in any great amount with wine, it kills. Thus is burnt in a clean ceramic jar and set on fire by a piece of it lighted by a candle until it is burnt. You must (after it is fully burnt) stop it with something until it is quenched, for so it will not be turned into ashes. Some also put a hollow brass jar around the pot with holes in the middle for receiving the soot, as we will show in the description of the soot of thus. Some place it into unfired jars, wrap it around with clay, and burn it in a furnace. It is also burnt in a new ceramic jar with hot burning coals until it no longer bubbles nor sends out any more fat or vapour, and that which is thoroughly burnt is easily broken. 1-82. PHLOIOS LIBANOU SUGGESTED: Boswellia carterii, Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia floribunda, Boswellia serrata — Bark of Frankincense, Olibanum Tree T he best bark of thuris [thus] is thick, fat, fragrant, new, smooth, and neither coarse nor thin. It is counterfeited by mixing it with the bark of strobilinum [fir cones, pine cones]. Fire will also betray these. For the 86 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK others when put into the fire do not kindle, but smoke without any sweet smell and are extinguished. But the bark of thus kindles and incense is made of it. It has the same properties as frankincense but is more effective and astringent. As a result, it is better (taken in a drink) for those who spit blood or are troubled with an excessive discharge from stomach or uterus; and as an astringent it is alternately a substitute. It is also good for scars on the eye, intestinal worms and filth, and applied it is effective for scabby inflammation of the eyes. 1-83. LIBANOU MANNA SUGGESTED: Boswellia carterii, Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia floribunda, Boswellia serrata — Exudation of Frankincense, Olibanum Tree Manna — an exudation T he approved manna of frankincense is white, clean and grainy. It has the same strength as frankincense but is somewhat grainy. Some adulterate it by mixing with it resin from the pine tree, sieved, and the flour used, or else bark of thus pounded. But fire tests all these for they do not burn the same way, neither with the same strength nor with the same clear airy smoke (as the other) but with a sooty and impure one, and the sweet smell has a certain kind of sour one mixed with it. 1-84. LIBANOU AITHALIE SUGGESTED: Boswellia serrata, Thus — Soot of Frankincense, Spruce, Firs, Pines M ake soot of thuris as follows. Holding a grain of thus [frankincense] with a little pair of tongs to a lamp to set it alight, put it into a new hollow ceramic jar then cover it with a brass jar (hollow within, full of holes in the middle and carefully wiped very clean). Then put over on one side of it (or on both) little stones of four fingers in height to see whether the pieces burn or not, and that there may be a place where to put other grains under also before the first grain is quite out. Do this until you think that you have gathered enough soot. But always keep the outside of the brass cover moist with a sponge dipped in 87 GUMS from TREES cold water. For all the soot adheres faster to it when it is not too hot, which otherwise because of the lightness of it falls off and is mixed with the ashes of frankincense. Therefore, having scraped off the first soot do so again as often as you shall think suitable, and also take away the ashes separately from the thus that has been burnt. It has the ability to soothe inflammation of the eyes, repress discharges, clean ulcers, fill hollow sores, and repress diseases of the cornea. 1-85. LIGNUOS SKEUASIA SUGGESTED: Soot of Myrrh — Commiphora myrrha Resin — Spruce, Firs, Pines; Benzoin — Styrax I n the same way soot is made from myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], rosin and styrax [1-79] and these are good for the same purposes [as the above]. You can produce soot in the same way from other resins. 1-86. PITUS, PEUKE SUGGESTED: Pinus rigida, Peuce [Pliny] — Pitch Pine Pin, Pinus, Pinus pinea, Pinus sativa — Italian Stone Pine P itys is a well-known tree. There is another similar tree called peuce which differs in shape. The bark of both of them is astringent. Pounded into small pieces and a poultice then made of it, it is good with sediment [of wine] and manna [exudation of trees] for chafing dermatitis, superficial ulcers and for burns. Taken with myrica wax ointment it brings boils to a scar in those with tender skin; and pounded into small pieces with blacking from a shoemaker it represses serpentia [?snakebite]. It expels the birth and afterbirth out of the uterus taken as inhalations (smoke, fumes); and taken as a drink it stops discharges of the intestines and encourages urine. Their leaves pounded into small pieces and made into a poultice lessen inflammation and keep wounds from being inflamed. Pounded into small pieces and boiled in vinegar they lessen toothache when [the teeth are] washed with the warm liquid. One teaspoon of the leaves (taken as a drink with water, or honey and water) is good for liver disorders. The bark from the cones and the split 88 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK leaves (taken in a drink) are good for the same purposes. A toeda [a piece of the heart of the tree] cut in small pieces in a decoction boiled with vinegar and held in to a tooth that suffers, lessens toothache. A paste is made from them suitable for preparations for enemas and suppositories. When they are burning a soot is taken, good to make writing ink, and good also to be put in medicines for the eyelids. It is also good for erosions at the corners of the eyes, weeping eyes and bald eyelids. 1-87. PITUIDES SUGGESTED: Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima — Pineseeds, Pine P ityides are the fruit of the pines [and of the pinus picea] found in the cones. They are astringent and somewhat warming. They help coughs and disorders of the chest taken either by themselves or with honey. 1-88. STROBILOI SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida — Pine Cones F ir cones cleaned and eaten or taken in a drink with passum [raisin wine] and cucumber seed are diuretic, and dull irritations of the bladder and kidneys. They also lessen rosiones [gnawing corrosion] of the stomach. Taken with juice of purslane [4-169] they strengthen infirmity of the body, and dull the infection of fluids. Fir cones gathered whole from the trees, pounded while they are fresh, and boiled in passum [raisin wine] are good for old coughs and consumptive wasting if three cups of this liquid is taken every day. 89 GUMS from TREES 1-89. SCHINOS SUGGESTED: Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron, Schinus — Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree, Herb Mastic Schinus molle after FAGUET — 1878 Schinus molle is now an American genus; Bursera gummifera is now a West Indian tree [Loudon]. S Bursera obtusifolia after FAGUET — 1878 chinus is a well-known tree that is wholly astringent in its fruit and leaves. The bark of the branches and root are of equal strength. A juice is made of the bark, root and leaves sufficiently boiled in water. Then (after they are boiled) the plant material is removed and the water boiled again to the consistency of honey. Being of an astringent nature it is good taken as a drink for throwingup blood, discharges from the stomach, and dysentery, as well as for bloody eruptions from the uterus, and for prolapse of the uterus and perineum. Generally it may be used instead of acacia and hypocistis [1-127]. The juice strained out of the leaves performs the same functions, and a decoction of the leaves applied with hot cloths fills hollow cavities, consolidates broken bones, and stops discharge of fluids from the uterus. It is a remedy against gangrenous sores and is diuretic, and it settles unstable teeth that are washed with it. The green sprigs are rubbed on the teeth (instead of reed toothpicks) to clean them. An astringent oil is made from the fruit which is suitable for things which need an astringent. 1-90. SCHININE RETINE SUGGESTED: Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron, Schinus — Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree, Herb Mastic Schinus molle is now an American genus; Bursera gummifera is now a West Indian tree [Loudon]. A resin called lentiscina comes from lentiscum, and also some called mastic. Taken as a drink it is good for vomiting of blood and for an old cough. It is good for the stomach, causing belching. It is mixed with tooth powders and ointments for the face making it clearer. It prevents the eyelashes from falling out and thickens them, and when chewed it causes sweet breath and 90 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK strengthens the gums. The best and most abundant grows in Chios and the choicest is that which is clear and similar in whiteness to Tyrrhenian wax — full, dry, crumbly and sweet-smelling — but that which is green is bad. It is adulterated by frankincense and resin of pine cones being mixed with it. 1-91. TERMINTHOS SUGGESTED: Terminthinus, Termenteyne [old English], Pistacia terebinthus — Turpentine Tree see also 1-50, 5-39 T erminthos is a well-known tree the leaves, fruit and bark of which are astringent and good for the same things as lentisk [1-90], used and taken in the same way. The fruit is edible but hurts the stomach. It is diuretic and warming, excellent to act on venereal diseases. Taken in a drink with wine it is good against harvest spider bites. The resin is brought out of Arabia Petraea. It also grows in Judaea, Syria, Cyprus and Africa, and in the islands called Cyclades. The preferred resin is most clear, white, a glassy colour and inclining to an azure [blue], fragrant, and smells like terminthos. The resin from terminthos surpasses all other resins and after it is the lentiscina [1-90] then pituine [1-86] and elaterium [4-155]. After these are reckoned both peucedanum [3-92] and pine cones. Now all resin has a soothing, warming, dispersing, cleansing quality; good for coughs and consumption [wasting disease] taken in syrups (either by itself or with honey), purging what should be purged out of the chest. It is also diuretic, helps digestion, softens the intestines, and is good for retaining hair on the eyebrows. It is good for leprosy with rust from brass, blacking from a shoemaker and saltpetre [potassium nitrate]. For ears which run with filthy matter it is applied with oil and honey, and it is effective for itching genitals. It is mixed with plasters, warm compresses, and remedies to remove fatigue. Rubbed on or applied by itself it helps pains of the side. 93 GUMS from TREES 1-92. RETINA ALLAS SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine, Pine Picea alba, Pinus sylvestris, Abies pectinata, Picea excelsa — White Spruce, Silver Fir, Fir Abies laryx, Larix europa — Larch Cupressus sempervirens, Cupressus funebris — Cypress M oist resin also comes out of the pine tree and the pitch tree brought from Gallia and Hetruria. Previously it was sometimes brought from Colophon from which it had its surname of colophonia, as well as from Galatia (which is near the Alps) which the inhabitants of that place in their proper tongue call the larch tree. This is particularly good (taken in a linctus [syrup] or alone) for lasting coughs. They are also different in colour for one is white, another of oil colour, and another looks like honey, such as that of the larch tree. Moist resin also comes out of the cypress tree, good for the same purposes. Of that which is dry there is some called strobilina [from pine cones], elaterium [4-155], peucine [1-86] and pituine [1-86]. Choose that which smells sweetest and is clear — neither too dry nor too moist, but like wax and brittle. Of these that of the pitch tree and fir tree excel, for they have a sweet smell and resemble frankincense in their odour. The best are brought out of Pityusa (an island which lies near Spain), but that from the pitch tree, strobilus [pine cones] and the cypress are of a meaner sort and are not the same in strength as the others, yet they are made use of for the same purposes. Lentiscina [1-90] matches terminthos [1-91] in strength. 1-93. LIGNUOS RETINES SUGGESTED: Soot from Resin A ll liquid resin is burnt in a jar containing four times as much resin as the amount of the liquid that is to be poured into it. You must (when you have put four and a half litres of resin and two gallons of rain water into a jar) boil it over a coal fire gently, always stirring it until it is without any smell and brittle and dry, and as it were yields to the fingers. At last having cooled it, it must be 94 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK put up in a bottle made without pitch, and so it becomes extraordinarily white, but first you must strain all the resin, melting it so that the filth may be separated from it. It is also burnt without water on coals — gently at first but more violently when it begins to thicken — then place many coals under and boil it without intermission for three days and three nights until the remains have the predicted properties. Then (as it is said) bottle and store it. It is enough to boil the dry resin for one whole day and then store it. When thus burnt these are good to give a sweet smell to warm compresses and remedies to remove fatigue, as well as to colour ointments. Soot is also taken from resins as well as thus [1-81] which is good mixed with medicines to make the eyelids pleasing, for gnawedaround eye corners, for the membranes of the eyelids, and for weeping eyes. Ink with which to write is also made from it. 1-94. PISSA UGRA SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine P ix liquida (also called conum) is gathered from the fattest wood of the pitch and pine trees. They reckon the best is glittering, smooth and clean. A wine cupful (taken with honey in a linctus [syrup]) is good in antidotes for poisoning, pulmonary consumption [wasting disease], purulent abnormal growths, coughs, asthma, and fluids that are difficult to cough up from the chest. It is good rubbed on with rosaceum [1-53] for inflammation of the tonsils and uvula, as well as for angina [spasmodic pains] and purulent [pus-filled] ears. For snakebite it is applied with salt (ground fine). Mixed with the same amount of wax it draws off pitted nails, and dissolves tubercles [growths] on the vulva and hardness on the perineum. Boiled with barley meal and the urine of a boy it breaks up tumours [possibly goitre]. Rubbed on with sulphur, pine bark or bran it stops snakebite ulcers. Mixed with manna of thus [1-81] and waxy ointments and rubbed on it heals twisting ulcers, and is good for split feet and a split perineum, and with honey it fills up ulcers and cleans them. With raisins of 97 GUMS from TREES the sun and honey it covers carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours] and rotten ulcers with scars. It is also effective mixed with antiseptic plasters. 1-95. PISSELAION SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine P icinum is made from the watery matter of pitch which swims on top (like whey on milk that has been separated). This is taken away while boiling the pitch by laying clean wool over it which is made moist by the steam ascending up. It is squeezed out into a jar and this is done for as long as the pitch is boiling. It is available for the same purposes as liquid pitch. Applied as a poultice with barley meal it restores hair fallen out from alopecia [baldness]. Liquid pitch also cures the same, and rubbed on them it cures boils and scabs on cattle. 1-96. LIGNUOS UGRAS PISSES SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine S oot is made from moist pitch. Light a new lamp, put a portion of pitch into it and cover the lamp with a new ceramic jar made like a clibinus (above round and narrow and with a mouth below like ovens have) and let the lamp burn. When the first liquid pitch is used up put in more until you have made enough soot, and then use it. It is sharp and astringent and is used in medicines to make the eyelids pleasing, for rubbing, and when hair must be restored to eyelids that are filled with excessive watery fluids. It is good for weak, weeping, ulcerated eyes. 1-97. PISSA XERA SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine D ry pitch is made from decocted liquid pitch. It is also called palimpissa (that is, pitch boiled again). Some of this (called boscas) is sticky like birdlime, and another 98 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK sort is dry. The good dry pitch is pure, fat, smells good, and is golden underneath and resinous — such as the Lycian and Brutian which share the two natures of pitch and resin. It is warming and softening, removing pus, dispersing tubercula [nodules] and pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins], and filling up ulcers. It is effective mixed with wound medicines. 1-98. ZOPISSA SUGGESTED: Resin scraped off ships — Zopissa S ome call the resin (which together with wax is scraped off ships) zopissa, and others call it apochyma as it is soluble because it was steeped in sea water. Some have called the resin of the pine tree by the same name. 1-99. ASPHALTOS SUGGESTED: Bitumen — Asphalt — Mineral Pitch [1] J udean bitumen is better than others. The best shines and is purple and heavy with a strong scent, but the black foul bitumen is worthless for it is adulterated with added pitch. It is found in Phoenicia, Sidon, Babylon and Zacynthus. It is also found (moist) swimming on wells in the country of the Agrigentines (Sicily) which they use for lamps instead of oil, and which they falsely call Sicilian oil, for it is a kind of moist bitumen. 1-100. PISSASPHALTOS SUGGESTED: Pissasphaltos — Bitumen — Asphalt — Mineral Pitch [2] T here is some called pissasphaltos found in Apollonia near Epidamnus, which is carried down from the Ceraunian mountains by the violence of the river and cast on the shore, growing into knobs which smell of pitch mixed with bitumen. 99 GUMS from TREES 1-101. NAPHTHA SUGGESTED: Naptha — Bitumen — Asphalt — Mineral Pitch [3] T here is also some called naptha, which is strained Babylonian asphaltus, white in colour. Some is also found which is black. It attracts fire because it draws it to itself from a distance. It is good for bathing eyes and for white spots on the cornea. Properties of Asphaltos All bitumen is able to repress inflammation, close open cuts and sores, and disperse and soften, and is effective for congested vulvae and prolapse when applied, smelled, or the smoke inhaled. Furthermore, it reveals those troubled with epilepsy if the smoke is inhaled like [burning] gagate [jet] stone. Taken as a drink with wine and castoreum [2-26] it draws out the menstrual flow. It helps obstinate coughs, and those troubled with asthma and difficult breathing, also snakebites, hip pains and pains of the side. It is given to those troubled with colic as a catapotium [pill], and taken as a drink with vinegar it dissolves clots of blood. It is given melted with barley water as a suppository to those troubled with dysentery. It cures dripping mucus if inhaled. Wrapped around teeth it soothes toothache. Dry bitumen warmed with a continuous splashing (and so applied) retains hair. A plaster of it is applied mixed with barley meal, wax and saltpetre [potassium nitrate] to help those troubled with podagra [gout], arthritis and lethargy. Pissasphaltos can do as much as pix [organic pitch] and bitumen mixed together. 1-102. KUPARISSOS SUGGESTED: Cupressus sempervirens — Cypress Cupressus funebris — Mourning Cypress, Weeping Cypress, Funereal Cypress T he leaves of cypress bind and cool. Taken as a drink with passum [raisin wine] and a little myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] they help frequent painful urination. Pills of it (bruised and taken as a drink with wine) are good for 100 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK bloody vomit, dysentery, excessive discharges from the bowels, asthma and coughs. A decoction of it does the same. Pounded with figs it soothes hardness, and cures polyps [protruding growths from mucus membrane] in the nostrils. Boiled with vinegar and pounded into small pieces with lupins [2-132] it draws off rotten nails. A poultice of it applied stops rupture of the intestines [hernia] and the leaves do the same. Pills of it (together with the filaments) placed smoking like a perfume [incense] are an insect repellant to drive away mosquitos. The leaves pounded into small pieces and applied as a poultice heal wounds. It also staunches blood. Pounded into small pieces with vinegar it dyes hair. It is applied as a poultice either by itself or with polenta for erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], herpes [viral skin infection], carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours] and inflammation of the eyes. Mixed with a stiff ointment and applied it strengthens the stomach. 1-103. ARKEOTHOS MEGALE, ARKEOTHOS MIKRA SUGGESTED: Iuniperos minor [Fuchs, Brunfels] Juniperos vulgaris fructiosa [Bauhin], Juniperus excelsa — Greek Juniper Arceuthinus [Latin], Juniperus communis — Juniper POISONOUS — WOOD S ome juniper is bigger, some smaller. Either of the junipers [the bigger and the smaller] are sharp, diuretic and warming, and when burned the fumes drive away snakes. One type of the fruit (called the juniper berry) is the size of a hazelnut, the other equal to a bean — both round and fragrant, sweet, and a little bitter to chew. It is mildly warming and astringent, good for the stomach, good taken in drink for infirmities of the chest, coughs, gaseousness, griping, and the poisons of venomous creatures. It is also diuretic; as a result it is good for convulsions and hernia, and those who have congested or blocked wombs. It has sharp leaves, as a result applied as a plaster and taken as a drink (or the juice taken with wine) they are good for those bitten by vipers. The bark (burned and rubbed on with water) removes leprosy, but the scraping Juniperus communis after FAGUET — 1880 101 GUMS from TREES or dust of the wood (swallowed down) kills. There is a great juniper too, which some call cypressus sylvestris, some mnesitheus, some acatera, and the Romans juniperus, and it is known to most like cypress growing for the most part in rough places and near the sea. It has the same properties as the former. The lesser juniper some call archeuthis, some, mnesitheus, others, acatalis, the Africans zuorinsipet, the Egyptians libium, the Romans juniperus, and the Gauls jupicellusum. 1-104. BRATHUS SUGGESTED: Sabina [Fuchs], Sabina folio tamarasci Dioscoridis [Bauhin], Brathys, Brathus [Latin], Juniperus sabina [Linnaeus], Herba sabina — Savin, Sabin T here are two kinds of savin. One has leaves like cypress, but is more prickly with a strong smell, and sharp with a hot nature. The tree is short and extends itself mostly in breadth. Some use the leaves for perfume. The other kind has leaves like myrica [1-116]. Applied as a poultice the leaves of either of them close stomas [openings] and alleviate inflammation. Similarly, applied as a plaster with honey, they take away all blackness and foulness, and they break up carbuncles [infected boils]. Taken as a drink with wine (as well as applied or by inhalation) they draw out blood through the urine, and drive out the birth. They are mixed with hot ointments and in particular with gleucinum [1-67]. Some call it barathrum, some baryton, and the Romans call it herba sabina. 1-105. KEDROS, KEDROS MIKRA SUGGESTED: Cedrus libani, Cedrus libanotica, Pinus cedrus, Abies cedrus, Larix cedrus — Cedar of Lebanon Cedar deodara, Larix deodara, Pina deodara — Deodar, Himalayan Cedar, Indian Cedar POISONOUS T he cedar is a great tree from which cedria [oil of cedar] is gathered. It has fruit like the cypress but much bigger. There is another tree called cedar which is less 102 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK prickly than juniper, bearing round fruit as big as myrtle berries. The best cedria is thick and very clear with a strong scent; poured out it falls by drops and is not diffused. It is able to decay living bodies and is a preservative of dead ones; as a result some have called it the life of the dead. It corrupts cloths and skin because it heats and dries extraordinarily. It is also good for eye medicines, clearing the sight when rubbed on. It takes away white spots and scars on the cornea. Dropped in with vinegar it kills worms in the ears; infused with a decoction of hyssop [3-30] it quietens their noise and hissing. Dropped into the cavities of teeth it breaks the tooth but stops the pain. It does the same used as a mouthwash with vinegar. Rubbed around the genitals before sexual union it causes sterility. Those who are troubled with angina are rubbed with it, and it helps inflammation of pus-filled tonsils. Rubbed on it kills lice and nits. A plaster of it applied with salt helps the bite of the horned viper. It helps for poison of the sea hare [2-20] taken in a drink with passum [raisin wine], and it helps elephantiasis [skin disease]. As much as a wine cupful of linctus [syrup] of it sipped (or the ointment applied) also purges ulcers of the lungs and cures them. Taken as a suppository it also kills ascaridae [threadworms] and other worms, and it extracts the birth [abortifacient]. An oil is made of the moisture which is separated from the cedria [oil of cedar] by a fleece laid over it during boiling (as we have said in the chapter on pitch) good for the same purposes as cedria. Particularly the oil, strongly rubbed in, cures scabs on beasts, dogs and oxen; and when applied it kills ricinos [lice], and heals ulcers on those which came from shearing. The soot of it is gathered like that of pitch, and it has the same strength. The fruit of cedar is called cedrides. It is warming and bad for the stomach but helps coughs, convulsions, hernia and slow painful urination. Taken as a drink with pepper (pounded into small pieces), it dries out the menstrual flow, and it is taken in wine against the poison of sea hare [2-20]. Used with deer fat or bone marrow it repels snakes if the body is rubbed with it. It is also mixed in antidotes. 105 GUMS from TREES 1-106. DAPHNE SUGGESTED: Laurus-Alexandrina [Fuchs], Daphne-Alexandrina [Brunfels], Ruscus hypoglossum [Linnaeus], Ruscus hippoglossum, Uvularia, Baslingua — Laurel of Caesar [Mabberley], Horse Tongue, Double Tongue Laurus nobilis — Sweet Bay, Laurel, Roman Laurel S ome daphne [laurus] is found with a smaller leaf, some a broader. Both are warming and softening, as a result a decoction of them is good as a hip bath for disorders of the vulva and bladder. The green leaves are somewhat astringent. Pounded into small pieces and applied they are good for wasp and bee stings. Applied with barley flour and bread they are able to lessen any inflammation. Taken as a drink they make the stomach tender and provoke vomit, but the bay berries heat more than the leaves. They are good therefore taken in a linctus [syrup] (after they are pounded into small pieces) with honey or passum [raisin wine] for consumption [wasting disease], asthma and dripping mucus around the chest. They are also taken as a drink with wine against scorpion stings, and they remove vitiligines [form of leprosy]. The juice of the berries helps earache and hardness of hearing dropped into the ears with old wine and rosaceum [1-53]. It is mixed with recipes for medicines to remove fatigue, with hot ointments, and with those which disperse. The bark of the root breaks stones [kidney, urinary], is an abortifacient, and is good for liver disorders — half a teaspoon taken as a drink with fragrant wine. It is also called danaben, stephanos (as we should say a crown), daphnos, mythracice, mithrios, or hypoglossion. 1-107. PLATANOS SUGGESTED: Platanus orientalis — T Oriental Plane he tender leaves of platanus (boiled in wine and applied as a poultice) stop discharges of the eyes, and alleviate oedema and inflammation. The bark (boiled in vinegar) is a lotion for toothache. The green filaments (taken as a drink with wine) help those bitten by snakes. Used in animal fat they cure burns. The down of the leaves and filaments hurts the hearing and sight. 106 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-108. MELIA SUGGESTED: Melia azadirachta, Melia indica, Azadirachta indica — Persian Lilac, Pride of India, Indian Lilac ? POISONOUS M elia is a well-known tree, the leaves of which (and their juice) taken as a drink with wine (and applied as a poultice) help those bitten by vipers. The bark burned and rubbed on with water removes leprosy; but the thin membranous scales of the wood (taken in a drink) are reported to be deadly. 1-109. LEUKE SUGGESTED: Leucadendron argenteum, Myrtus leucadendron — Silver Tree Melaleuca leucadendron, Melaleuca cajputi — Punk Tree, Cajeput Oil Tree O ne ounce of the bark of the leuke tree (taken as a drink) helps sciatica [pains in hips; sciatic nerves] and slow painful urination. Taken as a drink with a mule’s kidney it is reported to take away conception [abortifacient]; and the leaves of it taken in a drink with wine (after the menstrual flow) are said to do the same. The lukewarm juice of the leaves is good dropped in the ears for earache. The filaments which put out at the first sprouting of the leaves, bruised small and rubbed on with honey, cure moisture of the eyes. Some say that the bark of the white and the black leuke, cut into pieces of a small size and scattered (or as it were sown) in beds that are dunged, brings forth edible mushrooms at any time of the year. 109 GUMS from TREES 1-110. MAKER SUGGESTED: Myristica moschata — Nutmeg Tree, Mace bark is a yellow-saffron colour M acer is a bark brought out of Barbary, a pale yellow, thick and according to the taste very astringent. It is taken as a drink for spitting-up blood, dysentery, and excessive discharges of the bowels. 1-111. PTELEA UNKNOWN [modern usage] Ptelea trifoliata — Hop Tree, Shrubby Trefoil, Wafer Ash [exotic] T he leaves, branches and bark of ptelea are all astringent. The leaves, pounded into small pieces with vinegar and so applied, are good for leprosy and heal wounds; but especially the bark, if it is wrapped around like a bandage, for it is flexible like a girdle. An owner [?uncia - ounce] of the thicker bark (taken in a drink with wine or cold water) expels phlegm. A decoction of the leaves or bark of the roots, applied with hot cloths, consolidates by drawing a callum [hard skin] over the fracture of a bone sooner. The moisture which is found in the bladders [undeveloped fruit] at their first sprouting clears the face when rubbed on it. The same moisture, dried, is formed into little creatures like gnats. The newlyemerged leaves are used for sauce like vegetables. 1-112. SAPROTES XYLON SUGGESTED: Dry Rot T he rotten stuff like meal which is gathered out of old wood and stocks of trees cleans ulcers and brings them to scar when it is laid on them. It also stops serpentia [?snakebite] kneaded together with the same amount of anise [3-65] and wine, as well as pounded into small pieces, put into linen and applied. 110 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-113. AIGEIROS SUGGESTED: Aegiceras majus— River Mangrove ALSO: Astragalus aegiceras see 4-62 T he leaves of aigeiros applied with vinegar help gouty pains, and its resin is mixed with softening medicines. The seed (taken as a drink with vinegar) is good for epilepsy. It is also reported that the oozing which trickles down from them near the river Padus grows hard and becomes amber, called chrysophorum by some. This yields a sweet smell when rubbed and looks like gold. Ground finely and taken as a drink it stops excessive discharges of the stomach and bowels. 1-114. KALAMOS NASTOS, SURIGGIOS, DONAX, PHRAGMITES SUGGESTED: Dendrocalamus strictus — Male Bamboo Donax arundinaceus, Arundo donax — Giant Reed, Bamboo, Bamboo Reed, Cane Bambusa arundinacea — Common Bamboo Phragmites communis, Arundo phragmites, Arundo vulgaris — Common Reed, Dutch Reed Calamus rotang — Rattan Cane, Chair-bottom Cane Syringia vulgaris — Common Lilac, Pipe Tree O ne kind of calamus from which arrows are made is called nastos, the other is the female from which bindings are made for the tibia [pipe or flute]. Another is called syringias — with much flesh [or pith], very knotty, fit for writing books [paper]. Another is thick and hollow, growing around rivers, called donax and cypria by some. Another is called phragmites — thin, inclined to whiteness, known to all — whose root (bruised, crumbled and applied either by itself or with bulbus [2-200]) draws out splinters and thorns. It soothes limbs that are out of joint, and pains of the loins [digestive or procreative, lower torso] with vinegar. The green leaves (pounded and applied) heal erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and other inflammations. The bark (burned and applied with vinegar) cures alopecia [baldness]. The 113 GUMS from TREES paniculae flos [flowers] of the calami [reeds] falling into the ears cause deafness. The harundo [reed] called cypria has a similar effectiveness. 1-115. PAPUROS SUGGESTED: Cyperus papyrus, Papyrus antiquorum — Papyrus, Nile Papyrus, Paper Reed P apyrus from which paper is made is known to everyone. It has particular use in medicine for opening the mouth of fistulas [tubular ulcers]. It is prepared (steeped in some liquid) and a linen thread tied around it until it is dry. Straightened and put in the fistula it is filled with moisture, and upon swelling it opens the fistula. The root is somewhat nourishing. As a result the Egyptians chew it, suck out the juice, and spit out that which they have chewed. They also use it instead of wood. Papyrus, burnt until it turns it into ashes, restrains erosive ulcers in the mouth and other places, but burnt paper does this better. 1-116. MURIKE, MURRIS SUGGESTED: Tamarix, Tamarix sylvestris, Tamarix sylvestris foemina [Fuchs], Tamarix fructiosa folio crassiove sive Germanica [Bauhin] Tamarix articulata, Tamarix germanica [Linnaeus], Tamarix myrica, Tamarix gallica, Myricaria germanica — Tamarisk [other usage] Sweet Gale — Myrica gale Murra, murrha, myrrha - a substance from which precious vases and other vessels are made. M yrica gale after FAGUET —- 1880 114 M yrica or myrris is a well-known tree, growing in marshy grounds and standing waters, with a fruit as a flower, of a mossy consistency. Some of it is planted in gardens in Egypt — in other things like the wild, but it bears fruit like a gall [excrescence on oak trees], unequally astringent to the taste, and used instead of galls in medicines for the mouth, eyes and spitting of blood. It is given in drink to women troubled with colic, those who have a flowing-forth from the vulva or sickness of the THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK head, and for those bitten by phalangii [harvest spiders]. Applied as a poultice it stops oedema. The bark does the same things, as well as the fruit. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink with wine) melts the spleen, and gargled in the mouth it helps toothache. For hip baths it is good for women troubled with a discharge of fluids from the vulva, and a heated rub of it is good for those with lice and nits. Ash from the wood (applied) stops flows from the uterus. There are some who make cups from the wood which they use for those troubled with spleen (as though the drink given them from such cups should do them good). 1-117. EREIKA SUGGESTED: Erice [Fuchs], Erica vulgaris glabra [Bauhin], Calluna vulgaris [in Sprague] — Heath E rica is a shrubby tree like myrica [1-116] (but a great deal smaller) the flowers of which the bees use, but they make honey with it that is not good. The leaves and flowers applied as a poultice heal snakebites. 1-118. AKAKALIS UNKNOWN A cacalis is the fruit of a shrub growing in Egypt, similar to the fruit of the myrica [1-116]. A dilution of it is mixed with eye medicines which are good for sharpening the sight. 1-119. RAMNOS TRISSUS SUGGESTED: Uva-crispa [Fuchs], Grossularia simplici acino, Spinosa sylvestris [Bauhin], Ribes uva-crispa [Linnaeus], Ribes grossularia [Mabberley] — Gooseberry [other usage] Common Buckthorn, Purging Buckthorn — Rhamnus catharticus R hamnus is a shrub (growing around hedges) with upright stems and sharp thorns like oxyacantha, and the leaves are small, somewhat long, thick and soft. There 117 GUMS from TREES is another besides this that is paler, and a third having darker and broader leaves, a little inclined to red; with long stems of five feet and more, thorny, with its hairs less strong and stiff. The fruit of it is broad, white and thin, shaped like a little pouch or whorl. The leaves of all of them are effective rubbed on for erysipelas [inflammatory skin disease] and herpes [viral skin infection]. It is said that the branches laid in gates or windows drive away the enchantments of witches. [If anyone picks up rhamnus while the moon is decreasing and holds it, it is effective against poison and mischief; and it is good for beasts to carry it around them; and for it to be put around ships; and it is good against headaches; and against devils and their assaults.] It is also called persephonion, or leucacantha, the Romans call it spina alba, some, spina cerualis, and the Africans call it atadin. 1-120. ALIMOS SUGGESTED: Atriplex halimus, Chenopodium halimus — Sea Purslane, Sea Orach see 2-145 H alimus is a hedge-shrub like rhamnus [above] — somewhat white, without filaments. The leaves almost resemble those of the olive tree, yet they are broader and more tender. It grows in maritime places and hedges. The leaves are boiled like vegetables with meat. One teaspoon of the root (taken as a drink with honey and water) alleviates convulsions, hernias and griping, and causes an abundance of milk [in breastfeeding]. It is also called damassonium, erymon, britannica, rabdion, a sort of little twig, basilion, or a sort of regia. The Magi call it mercurii basis, or sapsis, some, osiridis diadema, others, heliostephanon, a sort of corona of the sun or sacer caulis. Pythagoras calls it anthenoron, the Egyptians, asontiri, some, asphe, asealuri, or asariphen, the Romans, albucus, and some, ampelucia. 118 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-121. PALIOUROS SUGGESTED: Paliurus aculeatus, Paliurus australis, Paliurus spina-Christi, Rhamnus paliurus — Christ's Thorn, Jerusalem Thorn, Garland Thorn P aliurus is a well-known shrub, prickly and strong. The fat seed is found blackened with fungus. Taken in a drink it helps coughs, breaks stones [urinary] in the bladder, and is good for the stings of snakes. The leaves and root are therefore astringent; a decoction of them (taken as a drink) regulates the bowels, draws out urine, and is good against poison and the bites of venomous beasts. The root pounded into small pieces and applied as a plaster dissolves all new tubercula [nodules] and oedema. 1-122. OXUAKANTHA SUGGESTED: Oxyacantha, Berberis [Fuchs], Berberis dumetorum [Bauhin], Berberis vulgaris [Linnaeus] — Barberry [other usage] Lac Sumach — Rhus oxyacantha Hawthorn, White Thorn, May Bush, Quick — Crataegus oxyacantha O xyacantha is a tree like a wild pear tree, but smaller and very prickly. It bears a fruit like myrtle — full, red, easily broken — with a kernel within, and a deep root divided into many parts. Taken in a drink or eaten, the fruit stops stomach outflows and the flows of women. The root bruised small and applied draws out splinters and thorns. It is said that the root is able to cause abortions, the stomach being touched gently with it or rubbed with it. It is also called pyrina, or pytyanthe. 1-123. KUNOSBATON SUGGESTED: Rubus caninus, Cynobatus, Rosa canina — Dog Rose, Hiprose, Canker Flower, Dog Briar C ynosbatus [dogs’ bush] (also called oxyacantha) is a shrub much bigger than a common bush — almost the size of a tree. It bears leaves a great deal broader than 121 GUMS from TREES myrtle, and has strong hairs around the sprigs, white flowers, and somewhat long fruit like the kernel of the olive. When this is ripe it grows red and the stuff within is downy. The dried fruit stops discharges from the intestines (the downy stuff of it is taken out for this is worthless for the arteries). It is made hot in wine and taken as a drink. 1-124. KUPROS SUGGESTED: Cyprus, Cypre, Lawsonia inermis, Lawsonia alba — Henna, Egyptian Privet C yprus is a tree with leaves on the sprigs like the olive, but broader, softer and greener; the flowers white and mossy with a sweet smell, and the seed black like the fruit of sambucus [4-174]. The best grows in Ascalon and Canopus. The leaves are astringent, as a result they are chewed to help ulcers in the mouth, and applied as a poultice they cure all other hot inflammations and carbuncles [malignant tumours]. A decoction of them is used as a warm pack for those burnt by fire. The leaves, pounded into small pieces, are steeped in the juice of struthium [2-193] and rubbed on to dye the hair yellow. The flowers (pounded into small pieces and applied the forehead with vinegar) cause headaches to cease. The ointment cyprinum [1-65] that is prepared from it becomes heating and softens the tendons. It has a sweet smell which it adds to hot medicines when it is mixed with them. 1-123. PHILLUREA SUGGESTED: Phillyrea latifolia — P Mock Privet, Jasmine Box hillyrea is a tree like cyprus [1-124] in size. Its leaves are like those of the olive tree but broader and darker. It has fruit like the lentisk [1-90] — black, somewhat sweet, lying in bunches like grapes. It grows in rough places. The leaves are astringent like those of the wild olive [1-37], effective for things that need astringency especially ulcers in the mouth, either chewed or the sores washed with a decoction of it. Taken as a drink it draws out urine and the menstrual flow. 122 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-126. KUSTOS ARREN, KUSTOS THELUS SUGGESTED: Cistus ellipticus, Helianthemum chamaecistus, Helianthemum vulgare — Common Rockrose, Sunrose Cistus creticus, Cistus vulgaris, Cistus polymorphus — Cretan Rockrose C istus (also called cistharon or cissaron) is a shrub which grows in rocky places. It has many low branches full of round, black, rough leaves. The flowers of the male are like the pomegranate, but the female are white. It has an astringent quality; as a result the flowers (pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink twice a day in sharp wine) are good for dysentery. Applied as a poultice by themselves they stop gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks, and with a stiff ointment they heal burns and old ulcers. 1-127. UPOKUSTIS, UPOKISTIS ETERA SUGGESTED: Cytinus hypocistis — Hypocistis parasitic plant — contains gallic acid H ypocistis grows around the roots of the cistus [rock roses] like cytinus on the pomegranate. Some of it is yellow, some green, some white. It is juiced like acacia, but some dry and break it, then steep and boil it, and do other things to it in the same way as lycium [1-132]. It is similar in strength to acacia, yet more astringent and drying — good for those troubled with colic, dysentery, blood-spitting, or women's excessive discharges — taken either as a drink or infused. It is called robethrum, or cytinus by some. The Africans call it phyllesade. 1-128. LADANON SUGGESTED: Ladanum, Labdanum, Cistus ladaniferus, Cistus creticus — Gum Cistus, Ladanum Resin Tree Cistus ledon — Many-flavoured Gum Cistus T here is also another kind of cistus, called ledum by some. It is a shrub growing in the same way as cistus, 125 GUMS from TREES but it has longer, darker leaves, acquiring some fat in the spring. The strength of the leaves is astringent, doing all the things that cistus does. That which we call ladanum is made from this plant. The he-goats and she-goats feed on the leaves of it and evidently carry away the fat from them on their beards and thighs because it has a viscous nature. This is taken off, strained, fashioned into little balls and stored. Some draw little cords across the shrubs, take off the greasy matter that adheres to them and shape it. The best has a sweet smell, is somewhat green, easily softened, fat, without sand — not foul and resinous such as that growing in Cyprus — but the Arabic and Libyan has less value. It is astringent, warming and softening, and opens closely-touching [blood] vessels. It prevents hair falling out [alopecia] mixed with wine, myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and oil of myrtle. Rubbed on with wine it makes scars look more handsome. It cures earache dropped in the ears with honey water or rosaceum [1-53]. The smoke is inhaled to expel the afterbirth, and mixed in a pessary it cures hard lumps in the womb. It is effective in pain-relievers, cough medicines and warm compresses. Taken as a drink with old wine it stops discharges of the bowels, and it is also diuretic. 1-129. EBENOS SUGGESTED: Diospyros ebenum — Ceylon Ebony Ebenus cretica, Anthyllis cretica — Cretan Silver Bush T he Ethiopian ebenus [ebony] is best — black, without veins, as smooth as a horn that has been polished — which shows thick [close or compact] when broken, biting to the taste and gently astringent. Laid on coals and burnt like incense it yields a sweet smell without smoke. That which is new when put on fire is quickly kindled because of its fat, and it turns somewhat yellow on a whetstone. There is another (called Indian) with streaks of white and yellow running between as well as many spots. But the former is better. Some sell the wood of sesame and acanthus (because they are somewhat similar) as ebenus. They are known by this: — they are hollow like a sponge, and are formed into small pieces inclining to a purple colour with nothing biting in the 126 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK taste nor sweet-smelling when burnt. Ebenus cleans away things which darken the pupils of the eyes, and it is good for old discharges and pustules. If anyone makes a grinding pad of it, and uses it to rub eye salves or suppositories on they will work better. It is made into eye medicines: the scrapings or dust from it steeped in Chian [from Scios in the Aegean sea] wine for a day and a night, then carefully pounded and converted into eye salves or suppositories. Some beat it first, then sift it and proceed in the same way. Some use water instead of wine. It is also burnt in a new ceramic jar until it becomes coals, and is then washed like burnt lead [5-96]. This is good for itching eyes and dry inflammation of the eyes. 1-130. RHODON SUGGESTED: Rosa, Rosa hortensis et sylvestris [Fuchs], Rosa rubra [Bauhin], Rosa gallica [Linnaeus] — Common Rose, French Rose R odon [roses] cool and are astringent, and dried roses are more astringent. The juice must be pressed out of them whilst they are still young, first cutting off that which is called the nail (which is the white that is in the petal), and the rest must be pounded and pounded in the shade in a mortar until it becomes thick, and then put in jars for eye salves or suppositories. The leaves are also dried in the shade. They must be turned over now and then least otherwise they putrefy or grow mouldy. Dried roses (boiled in wine and strained) are good for headaches, as well as the eyes, ears and gums, and pain of the perineum, intestine, rectum and vulva, applied with a feather or washed with the liquid. The same (without straining) bruised, boiled and applied, are good for inflammation of the area below the ribs, moistness of the stomach and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. Roses (dried and pounded into small pieces) are sprinkled on the thighs. They are put in compositions called antherae [medicines extracted from flowers] and in wound antidotes. They are burnt for medicines to make the eyelids look pleasing. The part of the flower that is found in the middle of the roses (dried and sprinkled on) is good for gum discharges. The heads [hips] (taken in a drink) stop loose intestines and blood-spitting. 129 GUMS from TREES 1-131. RHODIDES SUGGESTED: Rhodides, Rosa, Rosa hortensis, Rosa sylvestris [Fuchs], Rosa rubra [Bauhin], Rosa gallica [Linnaeus] — Pomanders of Roses, Common Rose, French Rose P omanders of roses (which they call rhodides) are made in the following way. Take forty teaspoonfuls of fresh roses (which are beginning to fade) before they have absorbed any moisture, ten teaspoonfuls of Indian nard [1-6] and six teaspoonfuls of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]. These are pounded into small pieces and made into little balls the size of half a teaspoonful, dried in the shade, and stored in a jar made without pitch, tightly corked all around. Some also add two teaspoons of costus [1-15] and as much Illyrian iris, also mixing in Chian [from Scios in the Aegean sea] wine with honey. This is used around women’s necks instead of necklaces, dulling the unsavoury smell of sweat. They use the same (pounded into small pieces) in medicines made to repress sweat, and in ointments to rub on after bathing; and when they have dried on the skin they are washed off with cold water. 1-132. LUKION SUGGESTED: Lycium europaeum — European Box Thorn Lycium lanceolatum, Rhamnus infectorius [Matthiolus] — Spear-leaved Box Thorn L ycium (also called pyxacantha) is a thorny tree with stems of three feet or longer around which the leaves grow thickly, similar to box. It has a black fruit similar to pepper — bitter, thick, smooth; a pale bark also similar when moistened, and many winding and woody roots. It grows abundantly in Cappadocia, Lycia and many other places. It loves rough places. The juice is drawn out of the leaves and shrubby stuff, pounded together and steeped for many days. Then it is boiled, the woody matter of it removed, and the liquid boiled again until it becomes the consistency of honey. It is counterfeited by the sediment of oil being mixed with it when boiled, or the juice of wormwood [3-26], or an ox gall. The froth which swims on top during boiling is taken off and bottled for eye 130 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK medicines, but the rest is used for other purposes. Similarly, juice is made from the fruit pressed out and left in the sun. The best lycium takes fire and as it is quenched has a red foam. It is outwardly black but when it is cut yellow, without a stinking smell, astringent with bitterness, the colour of saffron — such as the Indian which is better than the rest and more effective. It is astringent and removes things that darken the pupils. It heals scabs on the eyelids, their itching and old discharges. Rubbed on it is good for pus-filled ears, tonsils, ulcerous gums, chapped lips, cracks in the perineum, and affritus [chafing] of the perineum. It is good for those troubled with colic and dysentery either taken as a drink or given as a suppository. It is given in water to those who spit-up blood, and those troubled with coughs, and is swallowed down like pills or taken as a drink with water for one bitten by a mad dog. It makes hair look yellow. It heals hangnails, whitlows, shingles and putrefying ulcers. It stops the menstrual flows of women. It helps those bitten by mad beasts, taken as a drink with milk or swallowed down like pills. It is said that the Indian lycium is made of a shrub called lonchitis [3-161, 3-162]. But it is a kind of thorn that has many upright stems, three feet long or more, growing out of the bottom, thicker than the bush, the broken bark looking red but the leaves similar to those of the olive tree. Boiled in vinegar and taken as a drink it is said to cure inflammation of the spleen and sickness of the head, and to expel women’s flows. Given raw (pounded into small pieces) and taken in a drink it is said to have a similar effect. One half-wineglass of the seed (taken in drink) purges out watery matter, and is an antidote against deadly medicines. 1-133. AKAKIA SUGGESTED: Acacia, Akakia, Acacia senegal, Acacia arabica, Acacia nilotica, Mimosa arabica, Acacia gummifera, Mimosa gummifera, Acacia stenocarpia — Gum Arabic Acacia catechu, Mimosa catechu, Mimosa catechoides — Black Cutch, Kutch [Catcho or Kat 16th century] A cacia grows in Egypt. It is a thornbush with many branches, growing almost to the size of a tree. It does 133 GUMS from TREES not grow upright; it has a white flower, and the fruit lies in pods like lupin [2-132]. From this a juice is pressed out and dried in the shade. It looks black if it is made of the ripe fruit, but a pale yellow if it is made of the unripe. Choose that which is a little yellow, sweet-smelling, as far as is fit in acacia. Some juice the leaves together with the fruit. There is also a gum that comes out of this thorn which is astringent and cooling. The juice is good for eye diseases, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], creeping sores, chilblains, pterygium [membrane on eye], ulcers of the mouth, and falling [sunken] eyes. It stops the flows of women as well as prolapse of the vulva. It is therapeutic for the bowels taken as a drink or a suppository, and it dyes hair black. Pounded with water it is a wash for eye diseases. That which coalesces is then poured out (until the water remains clean) and is made up into little balls. It is burnt in an unfired clay jar in a furnace until the jar itself is thoroughly burned. It is burnt on coals, the fire kept kindled with bellows. A decoction of the thorns closes together loose joints applied with hot cloths. The gum of the thorns is the best — which is vermiculatum — resembling glass, transparent, not woody; next to this is the white gum; but that which is resinous and foul is useless. It is able to close pores and dull the strength of sharp medicines with which it is mixed. Daubed on with an egg it does not allow burns to break out into pustules. Another acacia grows in Cappadocia and Pontus, similar to the Egyptian but a great deal smaller, growing low and being more tender, surrounded crosswise with filaments, and having leaves similar to rue [3-52, 3-53]. In the autumn it bears seed somewhat smaller than lentil, in pods joined together each containing three or four seeds apiece. The juice of this (drawn out of the whole plant) is therapeutic for the bowels, but is of less strength and useless in eye medicines. 1-134. AMORGE SUGGESTED: Amurca — A Sediment of Olive Oil murca is the sediment of oil which has been pressed out and boiled in a jar made of Cyprian brass until it is the consistency of honey. It is therapeutic for the bowels, and rubbed on with wine, vinegar, or honeyed 134 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK wine is as effective as lycium [1-132] for toothaches and wounds. It is mixed with medicines that are good for the eyes and for closing pores. Growing old it becomes better. Taken as an infusion it is good for the perineum, the genitals, and ulcerated vulvas. It extracts spoiled teeth, boiled to the consistency of honey with unripe olive oil and smeared around them. It heals scabs on beasts [veterinary] rubbed on with a decoction of lupins [2-132] and chamaeleon [3-10, 3-11]. Used without boiling and new in a warm pack it assists those troubled with gout in their feet and joints. Put onto a fleece and applied on those who have dropsy it represses the swelling. 1-135. AGNOS SUGGESTED: Vitex agnus-castus — Agnus Castus, Hemp Tree, Chaste-tree A gnus [vitex] is a shrub almost as high as a tree bearing long sprigs, growing near and in watery fields and in rough and uneven places. It is hard to break and the leaves are similar to those of the olive tree yet more tender and bigger. Some of them bear white flowers inclining to purple, others purple flowers; and the seed is like that of pepper. It is warming and astringent and the fruit (taken as a drink) helps those stung by snakes, the splenetic, and those with dropsy. A teaspoonful (taken as a drink in wine) brings down milk [breastfeeding] and expels the menstrual flow. It destroys generation [birth control] and is rubbed on the head bringing on a deep sleep. A decoction of the herb and seed is good as a hip bath for disorders and inflammation around the womb. The seed (taken in a drink with pulegium [3-36], or the smoke inhaled or applied) causes purgation. It dissolves headaches applied as a poultice, and is gently poured on the lethargic and mentally ill with vinegar and oil. The leaves either smoked and inhaled or scattered around drive away venomous creatures, and applied as a poultice they help those stung by such beasts. Applied with butter and vine leaves they soothe hardness of the testes [old English: ovaries]. The seeds smeared on with water lessen cracks in the perineum, and with the leaves it heals dislocated joints and wounds. It is thought to be a preventative for chafing and blisters if anyone (as he 137 GUMS from TREES travels) holds a rod of it in his hand. It is called agnus because in the sacrifices to Ceres the chaste matrons used it for sprinkling under them; and it is called lygos (that is, vimen) because of the difficulty of breaking the stems. It is also called agonon (as we should say, unfruitful or barren), or lygon, a sort of vimen [producing long flexible shoots], amictomiaenon, or tridactylon; the Magi call it semnon, a sort of venerandum [to be respected]; it is also called sanguis ibis, the Egyptians call it sum, the Romans, salix marina, others call it piper agreste, and some, ligusticum. 1-136. ITEA SUGGESTED: Primum salicis genus, Alterum salicis genus [Fuchs], Salix purpurea, Salix vitellina, Salix repens [Linnaeus] — Creeping Willow [Mabberley] [other usage] Itea ilicifolia, Itea virginica, Itea riparia I tea is a tree known to all whose fruit, leaves, bark and juice are astringent. The leaves pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink with a little pepper and wine help those troubled with iliaca passio [painful intestinal obstruction]. Taken by themselves with water they cause inconception [birth control]. The fruit (taken in a drink) is good for those who spit blood, and the bark does the same. Burnt and steeped in vinegar it takes away calluses and corns, rubbed on them. The juice from the leaves and bark warmed with rosaceum [1-53] in a cup of malum punicum [pomegranate] helps sores in the ears, and a decoction of them is an excellent warm pack for gout. It also cleans away scurf [eczema]. A juice is taken from it at the time of its flowering, the bark being cut, for it is found coalesced within. It has the ability to clean away things that darken the pupils. 138 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-137. AGRIELAIA SUGGESTED: Olea europaea var oleaster — Wild Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia— Oleaster, Oil Tree, Zakkoum Oil Plant Elaeis guineensis — Oil Palm Cotinus coggyria, Rhus cotinus — Venetian Sumach, Smoke Tree T he wild olive tree (also called cotinon or the Ethiopian olive tree) has leaves of an astringent nature which — pounded into small pieces and so applied — are able to restrain erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], shingles [herpes], epinyctis [pustules which appear only at night], carbuncles [malignant tumours], gangrenous ulceration, hangnails and whitlows; and (applied with honey) to take away scabs. They clean foul ulcers and dispel pain and inflammation. Applied with honey they retain skin that was torn on the head. They also heal ulcers in the mouth and apthae [thrush in children or candidiasis] when chewed. Their juice and a decoction of them does the same. The juice applied stops eruption of the blood, the flows of women, staphylomata [inflammatory protrusion of the cornea] in the eyes, and pustules [pus under skin], as well as ulcers and old dripping fluids. As a result put into eye salves they are good for ulcers of the eyelids. To extract the juice you must beat the leaves into small pieces and pour in wine or water, then strain it out, and having dried it in the sun, make it up into little balls. That which is strained out with wine is far stronger and fitter to be kept in store than that which is strained out with water. It is good for ulcerous ears that are full of discharges. The leaves smeared on with barley meal are good for coeliac [intestinal complaints]. The leaves (and this serves instead of spodium, calcined powder) are burnt together with the flowers in an unfired clay jar the mouth of which must be well sealed until the jar is thoroughly baked. Afterwards they are quenched with wine, then kneaded together again with wine and burnt in the same way. Afterwards they are washed like cerussa [white lead ore] and made up into balls. It seems that burnt like this it comes nothing short of spodium [calcined powder] for eye medicines; as a result it is to be considered of equal strength. 141 GUMS from TREES 1-138. ELAIA SUGGESTED: Olea europaea — Olive T he leaves of the cultivated olive are good for the same purposes but have less strength — as a result they are better for eye medicines because of their mildness. The moisture which comes out of the burnt green wood (rubbed on) heals dandruff, parasitic skin diseases and lichen [papular skin disease]. The fruit applied as a poultice heals dandruff and gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks. That which is within the kernel pulls off scabby nails used with animal fat and corn meal. 1-139. ELAIA KOLUMBADES SUGGESTED: Olea europaea — Pickled Olives, Olive P ickled olives pounded into small pieces and applied as a poultice will not allow burns to grow into blisters, and they clean foul ulcers.The liquid of the brine used as a mouthwash strengthens gums and loose teeth. The olive which is pale yellow and new is worthless for the intestines but good for the stomach. That which is black and ripe is easily spoiled and bad for the stomach, as well as hurtful to the eyes and a cause of headaches. Roasted and applied as a poultice it prevents gangrenous ulceration, and emarginates [removes the edge of] carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours]. 1-140. AGRIELAIA ELAION SUGGESTED: Olea europaea var oleaster — Wild Olive T he oil of the wild olive is a mouth rinse for moist rotten gums, and it settles loose teeth. A warm pack of it warmed and used as a mouthwash is a suitable medicine for rheumatic gums, but wool dipped into the oil must be placed around the gums with an instrument until they look white. 142 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-141. DAKRUON ELAIAS AITHIOPIKES SUGGESTED: Olea europaea var oleaster — Wild Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia— Oleaster, Oil Tree, Zakkoum Oil Plant Elaeis guineensis — Oil Palm Cotinus coggyria, Rhus cotinus — Venetian Sumach, Smoke Tree The third pressing of olive oil is also called tree oil. T he oozing of the Ethiopian olive tree in a way resembles scammony. It is a deep yellow consisting of little drops of a biting nature. That which is similar to gum and ammoniacal — blackish, and not biting to the taste — is useless. The olive tree and wild olive tree bear such a gum as this. It is good for moisture of the sight, and rubbed on it cleans scars and white spots on the cornea of the eyes. It induces the movement of urine and the menstrual flow, and it is effective for toothache put into the cavities. It is categorised among medicines that are destructive, it expels the birth, and cures impetigo [skin infection] and lepra [old use — psoriasis]. The wild olive tree is also called the Ethiopian olive tree. 1-142. DRUS SUGGESTED: Quercus cum longo pediculo [Bauhin], Quercus robur [Linnaeus], Quercus pedunculata, Quercus sessiflora — Oak E ach part of the oak is astringent, but the film which lies between the bark and the stock (similar to that under the cup of the acorn) is most therapeutic for the bowels. A decoction of this is given for coeliac [intestinal complaints], dysentery, and to blood-spitters, and pounded into small pieces it is put into suppositories for women troubled with excessive discharges of the womb. 145 GUMS from TREES 1-143. BALANOI SUGGESTED: Quercus robur, Quercus pedunculata, Quercus sessiflora, Quercus aegilops, Quercus cerris, Quercus coccifera — Acorns, Oak Quercus ilex, Quercus ballota — Holly Oak Quercus infectoria, Quercus lusitanica — Gall Oak, Dyer’s Oak, Nut Gall Oak Quercus robur after FAGUET — 1880 A corns produce the same effects as they are also diuretic. Eaten as meat they cause headaches and are wind-inducing, but also help poisonous bites. A decoction of them and their bark (taken as a drink with cows' milk) helps poisoning. The unripe ones pounded into small pieces and applied as a poultice relieve inflammation. With salted swines’ grease they are good for malignant calluses and injurious ulcers. Those of the ilex [holly oak — Quercus ilex] have greater strength than those of the oak. 1-144. PHEGOS, PRINOS SUGGESTED: Fagus sylvatica — Common Beech, European Beech Tree [Pliny] Prinus, Quercus ballota — Holm Oak, Great Scarlet Oak The fagus of Virgil was the Quercus aesculus [Loudon]. F egus and prinus, both a kind of oak, have similar effects, and the bark of the root of prinus boiled in water until it becomes tender and rotten and applied for a whole night dyes the hair black. It is first made clean with Cimolian earth [5-176]. The leaves of all of them bruised and pounded into small pieces help oedema, and strengthen feeble parts. 146 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK FRUIT from TREES 1-145. KASTANA SUGGESTED: Castanea [Fuchs], Castanea sylvestris [Bauhin], Fagus castanea [Linnaeus], Castanea sativa, Castanea vesca, Castanea vulgaris — Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut T he Sardian nuts (also called lopima, castana, mota or Jupiter’s acorns) being astringent also have the same effects [as other astringents], and especially the loose skins between the flesh and the shell. The flesh is good for those who drink ephemerum [4-85] [antidote]. 1-146. KEKIDES SUGGESTED: Quercus lusitanica, Quercus infectoria — Dyer’s Oak, Gall Oak, Nut Gall Oak C ecides [galla] is a fruit of the oak, of which some is called omphacitis. It is little, knobby, heavy and without a hole. Some is smooth and light and has a hole in it, but the omphacitis ought to be chosen as it is the most effective. Either of them is strongly astringent. Pounded into small pieces they stop abnormal growths of the flesh, and stop discharges of the gums and the middle ear, as well as ulcers of the mouth. That which is in the middle of them put into the cavities of teeth eases the pain. Laid on hot coals until they are set on fire and quenched with wine, vinegar, or brine made with vinegar they are able to staunch blood. A decoction of them is good in hip baths for a prolapsed uterus and for discharges. They make the hair black steeped in vinegar or water. They are good for coeliac [intestinal complaints] and dysentery pounded into small pieces and rubbed on, or taken as a drink with wine or water, and also mixed with sauce, or first boiled whole in water (with which you must boil something else too, of things that are good for people). Generally where there is need of an astringent, or to stop or dry, you ought to make use of them. 149 FRUIT from TREES 1-147. ROUS SUGGESTED: Rhus coriaria — R Tanning Sumach hus (which is sprinkled among sauces and also called erythrum) is the fruit of rhus coriaria, which is called this because tanners use it for thickening their hides. It is a little tree which grows on rocks — two feet high, the leaves somewhat long and red, jagged all around. The fruit is like little bunches of grapes — thick, the size of that of terminthos [1-91], and somewhat broad. That which encloses the fruit is very useful. The leaves are astringent and good for the same purposes as acacia. A decoction dyes the hair black, and is a suppository for dysentery. It is a liquid medicine, hip bath, and an instillation for discharges of the ears. The leaves applied as a poultice with vinegar or honey stop pterygium [membrane on the eye] and gangrene. The juice of the dried leaves boiled with water to the consistency of honey are as useful for as many things as lycium [1-132]. The fruit does the same things (being food) in mixing it with meat for coeliac [intestinal complaints] and dysentery. Applied as a plaster with water it prevents inflammation of fractures, desquamation or skin peeling, and blueness of wounds. It cleans rough tongues with honey. It prevents the excessive discharges called whites [leucorrhoea — a mucosal vaginal discharge] and cures haemorrhoids, applied with oak coals pounded into small pieces. The boiled liquid of this fruit gathers a cream that is better for these purposes than the fruit itself. It also leaves a gum which is put into the cavities of teeth to take away their pain. Rhus coraria after FAGUET — 1878 150 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK FRUIT TREES 1-148. PHOINIX SUGGESTED: Poma, Phoenix dactylifera — Dates, Date Palm Phoenix sylvestris — Wild Palm T he palm tree grows in Egypt. The fruit is gathered in the autumn, the ripening time being half over. It is similar to the Arabic myrobalan [1-40, 4-160] and it is called poma. It is a green colour, and similar to cydonium [1-160] in smell, but if it is left alone until it comes to the full ripeness it becomes dates. It is sour and astringent and is taken in a drink with hard wine for discharges from tooth sockets and the menstrual flows of women. It stops haemorrhoids and glues wounds together if it is rubbed on. Fresh dates are more astringent than dried. They cause headaches and if eaten in too great an abundance with meat they inebriate. Dried dates eaten with meat are good for blood-spitting, the stomach, and dysentery. It is pounded into small pieces with cydonium [1-160] and the waxy ointment oenanthinum [from vine shoots or blossoms] and rubbed on for disorders of the bladder. The caryotae [pips, seeds] heal roughness of the arteries if eaten. 1-149. PHOINIKES THEBAIKAI SUGGESTED: Hyphaene thebaica, Hyphaene coccifera, Coccifera thebaica, Corypha thebaica, Douma thebaica — Doum Palm, Gingerbread Tree A drink of a decoction of the Thebaean palm relieves a fever’s burning heat, and taken with old honey water it restores the strength. Eaten with meat it does the same. A wine is also made of it that has the same strength as the fruit. A decoction taken as a drink alone (and gargled up and down as well) is strongly astringent. The seeds of the dates are burnt in a new ceramic jar like all others are, then quenched and washed in wine. They serve well instead of spodium [calcined powder] to make the eyelids pleasing, and if they are not sufficiently burnt they must be burnt again. They are astringent and close 153 FRUIT TREES the pores, also being good for pustules in the eyes and staphylomata [inflammatory protrusion of the cornea]; and for dripping fluids of the eyelids (some nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10] being mixed with them). With wine they stop abnormal growths of the flesh and bring ulcers to a scar. The best seeds come out of Egypt from the low-growing palms. 1-150. PHOINIX ELATE SUGGESTED: Palma, Elate, Spatha, Phoenix dactylifera — Palm, Coverings of Date Fruits, Date Palm Borassus flabellifer — Palmyra Palm, Tal Palm, Great Fan Palm yields wine and sugar P alma which is also called elate or spatha is the enclosure [or cup] of the fruit of the date trees as yet flourishing. The dealers in unguents [ointments] use it for thickening their ointments. The best is sweet-smelling, astringent, heavy, enclosed, having that within it fat. It is astringent for stopping feeding ulcers, and it draws loose joints together if it is pounded into small pieces and mixed together with warm compresses and poultices. It is good for the thoracic area [heart], a stomach that is out of tune, and disorders of the liver, mixed with poultices suitable for this purpose. A decoction of it dyes the hair black if it is rubbed on it repeatedly. Given in drink it is good for inflammation in the kidneys, and disorders of the bladder and the bowels. It stops discharges of the intestines and a womb troubled with an excessive discharge. Boiled whilst it is tender and applied with rosin and wax for twenty days together it cures psoriasis. The fruit which is contained inside is called elate or borassus and that is also astringent and produces the same effects as spatha [above], except that it is not so good in ointments. The white marrow of the stalk (eaten while it is new, or else boiled) is good for the same things as borassus. 154 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Arbutus unedo after FAGUET — 1892 155 FRUIT TREES Pistacia vera after FAGUET — 1878 156 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-151. RHOA SUGGESTED: Punica granatum — Carthaginian Apple, Pomegranate A ll sorts of pomegranates have a pleasant taste and are good for the stomach, yet they do not nourish. Of these the sweetest are best for the stomach, producing some heat around the stomach, and are flatulent as a result unsuitable for those with acute fever. That which is sharp helps a burning stomach, is more contractive and more diuretic, but tastes unpleasant to the mouth and is astringent. That which tastes similar to wine has a middle strength. The kernel of the sharp one (dried in the sun then sprinkled on meat and boiled together with it) stops discharges of the intestines and excessive discharges from the stomach. Steeped in rain water and taken as a drink it helps blood-spitters, and is good in hip baths for dysentery and the fluids of childbirth. The juice of the kernels (pressed out, then boiled and mixed with honey) is good for ulcers in the mouth, genitals and perineum; also for pterygium [membranes, webs] between the fingers, gangrenous ulcers, abnormal growths in ulcers, earache, and sores in the nostrils. This helps especially if the juice is pressed out of the grains of sharp pomegranates. Punica granatum after FAGUET — 1880 1-152. KUTINOI SUGGESTED: Cytini, Punica granatum — calyx of Pomegranate Flowers T he flowers of this (which are also called cytini) are astringent, drying and restringent, and agglutinate bloody wounds, being good for the same purposes as pomegranates. A decoction makes a mouth rinse for moist flagging gums and loose teeth, and it is put into poultices as a glue for teeth which are broken, [to repair the damage]. Some relate that whoever swallows down three cytini (though ever so little) shall not be troubled with eye sores all that year. They are juiced like hypocistis [1-127]. 157 FRUIT TREES 1-153. SIDIA SUGGESTED: Sidia, Punica granatum — Pomegranate Rinds T he rinds of pomegranate (also called sidia) are also astringent and good for the same purposes as cytini [pomegranate flowers]. A decoction of the roots expels and kills worms hidden in the intestines. 1-154. BALAUSTION SUGGESTED: Balaustion [Bedevian], Punica protopunica [Mabberley] — Wild Pomegranate Tree B alaustium is the flower of wild pomegranate of which there are many kinds — some white, some red and some a rosy colour. It is similar to cytini and is juiced in the same way as hypocistis. It is astringent and good for the same purposes as hypocistis and cytini [flowers of pomegranate]. 1-155. MURSINE SUGGESTED: Myrtus communis var romana — Broad-leaved Myrtle [other usage] Myrsine africana — African Myrsine see 4-146 T he cultivated black myrtle is more effective for bodily uses than the white, and that which grows on the hills is the best, yet it has the weakest fruit. The herb and fruit are astringent. Both the green and dried fruit are given to eat to those who spit blood, and to those troubled with erosions of the bladder. The juice of green myrtle pressed out has the same effect, being good for the stomach and diuretic. It is good with wine for the bites of harvest spiders and one stung by a scorpion. A decoction of the fruit dyes the hair. Boiled with wine and applied as a poultice it heals ulcers that arise in the extremities of the body. Applied with flour of meal it lessens inflammation in the eyes. It is rubbed on for ulcers in the inner angle of the eye. The wine that is made from the fruit, pressed and boiled a little (for that which is not quickly grows sour) 158 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Juglans regia after FAGUET — 1892 159 FRUIT TREES M orus alba after FAGUET — 1880 160 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK and taken as a drink beforehand, prevents [the effects of] excessive indulgence, and is good for the same things as the fruit. In hip baths it is good for prolapse of the vulva and perineum, and for women troubled with excessive menstrual flows from the vulva. It cleans dandruff, scaly eruptions of the hairy scalp and rashes such as measles, and it prevents hair falling out. It is mixed with gentle plasters (which they call liparas) as is the oil that is made from the leaves. Similarly a decoction of the leaves is good for bathing joints that are loosened, and joints which grow together with difficulty. For fractures that grow together with difficulty it is effective applied with hot cloths. It cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy]. It is dropped in to cure ears full of discharge, and is used for blackening the hair, and the juice does the same. The leaves themselves pounded into small pieces and applied as a poultice with water are good for the moisture of ulcers, all places subject to excessive discharges, and for coeliac [intestinal complaints]. Oil of unripe olives or a little rosaceum [1-53] and wine mixed together [with this] are good for shingles [herpes], erysipelas [febrile disease with skin inflammation], inflammation of the testium [old use: ovaries], epinyctis [pustules which appear only at night] and joints. The dry leaves pounded into small pieces are effective scattered on paronychiae [whitlows], pterygium [membranes, webs], and on armpits and thighs that are moist, and it prevents sweats from cardiandi [disease of the heart]. Burnt or else used raw with stiff ointment they heal burns, pterygium [membranes, webs] and paronychiae [whitlows]. The leaves are juiced by pouring old wine or rain water on them and straining it out. It must be used newly-made for when old it putrefies and loses its strength. 1-156. MURTIDANON SUGGESTED: Myrtidanum — Fungal growth on Myrtle M yrtidanum is that which grows on myrtle — unequal and standing out, similar to a wart and the same colour, similar to hands clasping around the body of the myrtle. It is more therapeutic for the bowels than myrtle. Bruised and mixed with hard wine and made into pellets, it is dried in the shade and put in jars to 161 FRUIT TREES store. It is more effective than the fruit and leaves. It is mixed with stiff ointments, suppositories, baths, poultices, and anywhere there is need of an astringent. 1-157. KERASIA SUGGESTED: Cerasus [Fuchs], Prunus cerasus, Cerasus vulgaris, Cerasus acida, Cerasus caproniana — Cherry Cerasus avium, Prunus avium [Linnaeus] — Sour Cherry, Gean Cherry, Hedge Berry C erasia that are eaten when fresh are good for the intestines, and dried they stop discharges of the bowels. The gum from cerasia heals an old cough taken with diluted wine. It causes a good colour, sharpness of sight and appetite. Taken in a drink with wine it is good for those troubled with kidney stones. 1-158. KERATIA SUGGESTED: Ceratonia siliqua — Carob Tree, Locust Tree, St John's Bread T he pods (taken while they are fresh) are bad for the stomach and loosen the intestines, but dried they stop discharges of the bowels. They are also better for the stomach and diuretic, especially combined with the remains left after pressing out grapes. 1-159. MELEA SUGGESTED: Cotonea malus, Cydonia [Fuchs], Mala cotonea minora [Bauhin], Pyrus cydonia [Linnaeus], Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince Malus communis, Malus sylvestris, Pomus, Pyrus malus — Apple T he leaves, blossoms and sprigs of all sorts of melea trees are astringent, especially those of the quince tree. The unripe fruit is astringent, but if ripe it is not so. Those apples which are ripe in the springtime encourage bile, are hurtful to all that is sinewy, and are flatulent. 162 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Ficus carica after FAGUET — 1880 163 FRUIT TREES Avellana domestica after FUCHS — 1545 164 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-160. KUDONIA SUGGESTED: Cotonea malus, Cydonia [Fuchs], Mala cotonea minora [Bauhin], Pyrus cydonia [Linnaeus], Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince C ydonia are good for the stomach and diuretic. If they are roasted they become milder and good for intestinal complaints and dysentery. Raw quinces are especially good for those who spit up purulent matter and for biliousness. The water in which these have been steeped is good as a drink for those troubled with excessive discharges from the stomach or bowels. The juice of the raw ones is taken and is good for orthopnoea [form of asthma], and a decoction is good in warm packs for prolapse of the perineum and vulva. In honey (or those preserved in honey) they are diuretic but the honey takes their strength and becomes astringent. Boiled with honey they are good for the stomach and pleasant to taste but less astringent. The same raw fruit is put into plasters to stop the bowels, as well as for churning and burning in the stomach, inflamed breasts, spleens that have grown hard, and for joints. Furthermore after they are well pounded and pressed a wine is made from them, and so that it may keep longer there is mixed with it one unit of honey to sixteen units of juice or else it would go sour. This is good for all the things previously specified. An ointment is made of these called melinum which we use when we need an astringent oil. You must choose out the right quinces — small and round and with a good scent; but those which are called struthia [ostrich-like] and are big are less effective. The dried blossoms as well as the fresh are suitable in plasters made for things that need an astringent, and besides this they are good (taken in a drink of wine) for inflammation of the eyes, bloody vomiting, tooth sockets that discharge fluids, and attacks mensium [monthly, menstrual problems]. Cydonia vulgaris after FAGUET — 1888 165 FRUIT TREES 1-161. MELIMELA SUGGESTED: Melimela — Honey Apples, Must Apples, Cider Apples M elimela soften the intestines and drive living creatures from there [worms]. They are bad for the stomach and cause a burning heat. They are called glycymela by some — as we should say, sweet apples. 1-162. MELA EPEIROTIKA SUGGESTED: Pyrus pumila, Pyrus praecox — Apple epirot — one who dwells inland T he fruit of epirotica (which the Latins call orbiculata) are good for the stomach and astringent in the intestines, encouraging urine [diuretic], yet less effective than quinces. 1-163. AGRIOMELA SUGGESTED: Pyrus malus var sylvestris — Crab Apples, Wild Apples W ild apples are similar to spring apples and are astringent, but for those things which need an astringent you must use those which are least ripe. 1-164. PERSICA MELA SUGGESTED: Persica [Fuchs], Persica molli carne [Bauhin] Persica malus, Prunus persica, Persica vulgaris, Amygdalus persica [Linnaeus] — Peach Persica mela — Persian fruit T he fruit of persica are good for the stomach and for the intestines too if ripe, but the unripe are astringent in the intestines. Dried they are more astringent, and a decoction of them dried and taken stops a stomach and intestines troubled with excessive discharges. 166 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Hiberis after FUCHS — 1545 167 FRUIT TREES Capparis tomentosa from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 168 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-165. ARMENIACA SUGGESTED: Prunus armenaica, Armenaica vulgaris — Apricot Tree ALSO: Prunus pseudoarmenaica T he smaller which are called Armenian and in Latin praecoqua [premature - ripe before their time] are better for the stomach than the ripe [above]. 1-166. MEDIKA SUGGESTED: Citrus medica var limonum — Lemon Citrus medica var cedrata — Citron, Adam's Apple, Cedrat Tree T hose which are called Median, Persian, or cedromela and in the Latin citria, are known to all for it is a tree that bears fruit throughout the whole year one under another. The fruit itself is somewhat long, wrinkled, resembling gold in colour, smelling sweet with heaviness, with seed similar to a pear. Taken as a drink in wine it is able to resist poisons and subducere [to draw off] bowels. A decoction or the juice is a mouth rinse for sweet breath. It is especially eaten by women [as a remedy] against their lusting [anaphrodisiac]. The leaves are thought to preserve cloths from from being motheaten if they are put into the chests where the cloths are. 1-167. APION SUGGESTED: Pirum, Pyrum, Puroi [Pliny], Pyrus communis — Cultivated Pear Tree T here are many kinds of pears and they are all astringent and therefore fit to put into repellent poultices. A decoction of the dried ones (or if they are taken raw) stops discharges of the intestines, but if they are eaten they hurt those who eat them while fasting. 169 FRUIT TREES 1-168. ACHRAS SUGGESTED: Pyrus communis var achras — Achras, Wild Pear A chras is a kind of wild pear which takes long to ripen. It is more astringent than the pear, as a result it is good for the same purposes. The leaves of it are also astringent. Ash from the wood effectively helps those suffocated from eating mushrooms [antidote]. There are some who say that if anyone boils wild pears together with mushrooms they become harmless. 1-169. MESPILON SUGGESTED: Pyrus chamaemespilus — Bastard Quince Mespilus germanica, Pyrus germanica — Medlar Tree M espilus (which is called aronia by some) is a prickly tree similar in leaves to the oxyacantha, bearing a sweet fruit similar to a little apple with three stones within, from which it is also called tricoccos (as we should say, threefold seed-endowed). It is long in ripening and if eaten is astringent, good for the stomach, and therapeutic for the bowels. 1-170. MESPILON ETERON SUGGESTED: Mespilus azarolus, Crataegus azarolus — Azarole Tree, Neapolitan Medlar T here is another kind of mespilus growing in Italy also called epimelis or setanium. It is a tree similar to an apple tree even in the leaves for it is not smaller. This also has a round edible fruit with a broad navel, somewhat astringent and slow to ripen. 170 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-171. LOTOS SUGGESTED: Diospyros lotus — False Lotier, Date Plum Zizyphus lotus, Rhamnus lotus — Jujube Tree, Lotus Tree, Wild Jujube, Lotus Jujube Zizyphus sativa, Zizyphus vulgaris, Zizyphus jujuba, Rhamnus zizyphus — Jujube Tree, Zizyphus, Indian Jujube T he lotus tree has a stock of good growth and it bears fruit bigger than pepper — sweet, edible, good for the stomach, astringent in the bowels. A decoction of the scrapings or sawdust of the wood (taken as a drink or suppository) helps dysentery and women troubled with their menstrual discharges. It also dyes the hair yellow, and stops loose bowels. 1-172. KRANIA SUGGESTED: Cornus mas,Cornus mascula — Cornelian Cherry, Cornel, Dogwood has wax-coloured fruit C ranus is a strong tree that bears fruit similar to the olive — somewhat long, green at first but when ripe it grows yellow or the colour of wax. It is edible and astringent, good for excessive discharges of the intestines and dysentery whether mixed with sapa [syruped new wine] or eaten with meat. They are preserved in a pickle like olives. The moisture from the green leaves is burnt and this is good rubbed on for lichen [skin disease with red pustules]. 1-173. OUA SUGGESTED: Sorbum ovatum [Fuchs], Sorbus sativa [Bauhin], Sorbus domestica [Linnaeus], Pyrus sorbus — Service Tree U va which are a yellowish colour and not yet ripe, first cut apart and dried in the sun, are astringent for the bowels, ground up and eaten as a meal. It is eaten instead of polenta, and a decoction of them (taken as a drink) does the same. 171 FRUIT TREES 1-174. KOKKUMELIA SUGGESTED: Coccymelum [Pliny], Prunus sativa [Fuchs], Prunus domestica [Linnaeus], Prunus divaricata — Prune Tree, Plum Tree Prunus sylvestris [Fuchs, Bauhin], Prunus silvaticus, Prunus spinosa [Linnaeus] — Wild Prune Tree C occymelia is a known tree whose fruit is edible and bad for the stomach, softening the bowels, especially fruit of those from Syria and those growing in Damascus. Dried, it is good for the stomach and therapeutic for the bowels. A decoction of the leaves (used or prepared in wine and gargled) stops the excessive discharge that falls on the uva [uvula], gingiva [gums] and tonsils. The fruit of wild plums dried when it is ripe does the same. Boiled with sapa [syruped new wine] it becomes better for the stomach and more astringent to the bowels. The gum of the plum tree closes open cuts and sores, and taken as a drink with wine breaks kidney stones. Rubbed on with vinegar it heals lichen [papular skin disease] on children. 1-175. KOMAROS SUGGESTED: Comaron, Comarus [Latin], Arbutus andrachne, Arbutus unedo— Fruit of Arbute Tree, Strawberry Tree, Cane Apples C omarus is a tree similar to the cotoneae [1-160] fruit tree with a thin leaf, bearing fruit called memacyla, the size more or less of a prune, with no kernel. When ripe it is somewhat a yellowish or reddish colour, chaff. When eaten it is bad for the stomach and causes headaches. 172 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Prunus sativa after FUCHS — 1545 173 FRUIT TREES Persica after FUCHS — 1545 174 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-176. AMUGDALE SUGGESTED: Prunus amygdalus var amara, Amygdalus amara — Bitter Almond Prunus amygdalus var dulcis, Prunus communis, Amygdalus communis — Sweet Almond RAW BITTER ALMOND SEED IS POISONOUS T he root of the bitter almond tree bruised and boiled takes away spots on the face caused by sunburn, as well as the almonds themselves, applied as a poultice. Applied to the forehead or temples with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] they drive out the menstrual flow and help headaches. They are good with wine for epinyctides [pustules which appear at night], rotten ulcers, and shingles [herpes], and with honey for dog bites. Almonds if eaten take away pains and soften the bowels, cause sleep and are diuretic. They are good for bloody vomit taken with amyl [starch] and mint. They are good for inflamed kidneys and pneumonia taken as a drink with water or as a linctus [syrup] with resina terminthos [1-91]. Taken with passum [raisin wine] they help those troubled with painful urination and urinary stones. They help diseased livers, coughs, and inflation of the colon, the amount of a nut of the avellana [hazel] taken in a linctus [syrup] with milk and honey. They keep away drunkenness if five to seven of them are taken before indulging. It kills foxes when they eat it with something else. The gum of the tree is astringent and heats, and is taken in drink as a remedy for bloody vomit. Rubbed on with vinegar it takes away impetigo [skin infection] on the surface of the skin. Taken in a drink with diluted wine it cures old coughs, and it is good taken in a drink with passum [raisin wine] for those troubled with urinary stones. The sweet edible almond has a great deal less strength than the bitter, yet that also reduces symptoms and is diuretic. Green almonds eaten with their shells heal moistness of the stomach. 175 FRUIT TREES 1-177. PISTAKIA SUGGESTED: Pistacia vera, Pistacia officinarum, Pistacia reticulata — Pistachio P istacia grow in Syria and are similar to pine nuts. They are good for the stomach chewed or else pounded into small pieces. Taken as a drink in wine they help those bitten by snakes. 1-178. KARUA BASILIKA SUGGESTED: Juglans [Fuchs], Juglans regia [Linnaeus] — Walnut native to Persia, recommended by Pliny as a vermifuge [Loudon] Juglans regia after FAGUET — 1892 176 C arya basilika which some call persica are hard to digest when eaten, hurt the stomach, produce bile, breed headaches and are worthless for those who have a cough, but good to make one vomit if eaten while fasting. They are antidotes against poisons eaten before or after, or with figs and rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98]. Eaten in a great quantity they expel broadworms. They are laid on inflamed breasts, suppurations and dislocations with a little honey and rue. With onions and salt and honey they are good for those bitten by dogs or bitten by men. Burnt together with their calyx and applied to the navel they lessen griping. The putamen [seed vessels - woody part] burnt and pounded in oil and wine and rubbed on the heads of children is good to make the hair pleasing and fills up alopecia [baldness]. The kernel within is burnt, pounded into small pieces, and applied with wine to stop the menstrual flow. The kernels of old caryae chewed and then applied as a poultice cure gangrene, carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours], aegilopses [ulcer or fistula in the inner angle of the eye] and alopecias [baldness] out of hand. An oil is made of them bruised and pressed out. The green [or new ones] are sweeter and less hurtful to the stomach. As a result they are mixed with garlic to take away the tartness of it. They take away black and blue spots when applied. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-179. KARUA PONTIKA SUGGESTED: Avellana domestica, Avellana-nux sylvestris, Corylus [Fuchs], Corylus sativa, Corylus sylvestris [Bauhin], Corylus maxima [in Sprague], N ux avellana, Corylus avellana [Linnaeus], Nux pontica [Loudon] — Common Hazel C arya Pontica (also called leptocarya [small carya]) are worthless for the stomach, yet pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with honey and water they cure old coughs. Roasted and eaten with a little pepper they digest dripping fluids; and burnt whole, pounded into small pieces with goose grease or bear grease, and rubbed on they restore hair that has fallen out from alopecia [baldness]. Some say that the shells burnt and pounded into small pieces together with oil make the pupils of gray-eyed children black if the forepart of the head is moistened with it. 1-180. MOREA SUGGESTED: Morus nigra — Mulberry Morinda umbellata, Morus indica — Indian Mulberry [other usage] Morea sisrinchium [Loudon] — Spanish Nut M orus or sycaminus is a well-known tree. Its fruit makes the intestines soluble. It is easily spoiled and bad for the stomach and the juice is the same. Boiled in a brass jar or left in the sun it is made more astringent. A little honey mixed with it makes it good for the discharge of fluids, for gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks, and for inflamed tonsils. The strength of it is increased if alumen [5-123] in small pieces, galls [oak], myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and crocus are mixed with it as well as the fruit of myrica [1-116], iris and frankincense. Unripe mulberries dried and pounded are mixed with sauces or rhus [1-147] and they help coeliac [intestinal complaints]. The bark from the root boiled in water and taken as a drink loosens the bowels, expels broadworms from the intestines, and is an antidote for those who have taken aconitum [4-77, 4-78] as a drink. The leaves pounded into small pieces and applied with oil heal burns. Boiled with rain water, wine and black fig leaves they dye the hair. A wine cupful of juice from the leaves (taken as a M orus nigra after FAGUET — 1880 M orus alba after FAGUET — 1880 177 FRUIT TREES drink) helps those bitten by harvest spiders. A decoction of the bark and leaves is a good rinse for toothache. It is milked at harvest time, the roots dug around and cut-in. The next day there will be found some coalesced gum which is good for toothache, dissolves swellings, and purges the bowels. There seem to be some wild mulberries similar to (the fruit) of the bramble but more astringent, the juice is less spoiled and good in warm packs for inflammation, healing ulcerated jaws, and to fill up wounds with flesh. They grow in shady and cold places. 1-181. SUKOMORON SUGGESTED: Sycomorus antiquorum, Ficus sycomorus — Sycamore Fig, Sycamore, Mulberry Fig [other usage] Sycamore [old English], Acer pseudoplatanus — Maple, Bastard Sycamore, Sycamore Maple, Mock Plane Sycamine — old English for Mulberry [see above] S ycomorum is also called sycaminum and the fruit is called sycomorum because of the faintness of its taste. It is a great tree similar to a fig tree — very full of juice, the leaves similar to the mulberry tree. It bears fruit twice or four times a year, not from the highest (boughs) as on the fig tree, but from the stock, similar to the wild fig — sweeter than green figs but without grains, and not growing ripe unless it is scratched with a nail or with iron. It grows abundantly in Caria and Rhodes and places not very fertile for wheat. It helps in time of scarcity of corn [famine] by continually bearing fruit. The fruit is good for the bowels, yields little nourishment, and is bad for the stomach. The tree is milked at the beginning of spring before it brings forth fruit, the outside of the bark being broken with a stone, for if it is broken deeper in it sends nothing forth. The oozing from it is gathered in a sponge or fleece, then dried, formed (into little balls), and stored in newly-made jars. This juice is softening, closes open cuts and sores from wounds, and dissolves growths that ripen with difficulty. It is taken in a drink and also rubbed on against the bites of snakes, spleens that have grown hard, pains, and a cold stomach. This juice is quickly spoiled with worms. 178 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-182. SUKON EN KUPRO UNKNOWN A tree grows in Cyprus that differs from these. It is an elm [?ash] yet it has leaves similar to sycamine [1-180] and fruit the size of prunes and sweeter. In all other things it is similar to those mentioned above. 1-183. SUKA SUGGESTED: Ficus sativa [Fuchs], Ficus communis [Bauhin], Ficus carica [Linnaeus] — Fig R ipe new syca are bad for the stomach and loosen the intestines but the looseness that comes from them is easily stopped. They bring out pimples and sweat, quench thirst, and extinguish heat. The dried ones are nourishing and warming, cause thirst, and are good for the bowels. They are useless for discharges of the stomach and intestines, but good for the throat, arteries, bladder and kidneys, those who have a poor colour from a long illness, as well as asthma, epilepsy and dropsy. Boiled with hyssop [3-30] and taken as a drink they clean away things in the chest. They are good for old coughs and long-lasting disorders of the lungs; and pounded together with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and cnicus [4-119, 4-190] and eaten, they soften the bowels. A decoction of them is good for inflammation around the arteries and tonsils, used in a gargle. They are mixed in poultices with barley meal, fenugreek or barley water for women’s warm packs. Boiled with rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] they are a suppository for griping. Boiled and afterwards pounded into small pieces and applied, they dissolve hard lumps and soften parotid tumours, boils and inflammatory tumours. They ripen pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins] more effectively with iris, saltpetre [potassium nitrate] or quicklime [calcium oxide — lime which has been burned but not yet slaked with water]. Pounded raw with the things previously specified they do the same. With pomegranate rind they clean away pterygium [membrane on the eye], and with calcanthum [limestone] they cure difficult, curable and malignant discharges in the tibiae [hollow bones, marrow, 179 FRUIT TREES not only the tibia]. Boiled in wine and mixed with wormwood [3-26] and barley meal they are good for dropsy applied as a poultice. Burnt and put into a wax ointment they cure chilblains. The raw ones pounded into small pieces mixed with moist mustard and put into the ears, cure noises and ringing in them. The (milky) juice of both the wild and cultivated figs coagulates milk like rennet, and dissolves coagulated milk like vinegar. Taken as a drink with almonds that have been pounded into small pieces it is able to make bodies break out into boils, to open pores, loosen the bowels and relax the womb. It expels the menstrual flow applied with the yolk of an egg or Tyrrhenian [Etruscan] wax. It is good put into poultices made for gout together with fenugreek flowers and vinegar. With polenta it cleans leprosy, lichen [papular skin disease], spots made by the heat of the sun, vitiligines [form of leprosy], parasitical skin diseases, and running sores on the head. Dropped on the sores it helps those stung by scorpions, and strikes of poisonous beasts, and those bitten by dogs. Taken on wool and put into the cavities of teeth it helps toothache. It takes away formicosam [anthill-shaped] warts if it is rubbed on the flesh with animal fat. 1-184. SUKE AGRIA SUGGESTED: Ficus carica var sylvestris — Wild Fig Tree Ficus variegata, Ficus amboinensis, Ficus racemosa, Caprificus amboinensis — Getah Fig Tree, Wild Fig T he juice of the tender leaves of the wild syca tree does the same things. When they are great with child (not yet fruiting) and the eye (bud) has not put out, they are pounded and pressed out, and the juice is dried in the shade and stored. Both the liquid and juice are taken for the strength they have to raise [fill] ulcers. The sprigs of this tree boiled with beef makes it boil quicker. They make milk more loosening if they are used to stir it with during boiling instead of a spatha [1-150]. 180 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 1-185. OLUNTHOI SUGGESTED: Ficus carica — Unripe Figs O lyntha (some of which are called erinei) boiled and applied as a poultice soften all nodules, scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling] and goitres. Applied raw with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and meal they take away formicosam [anthill-shaped] warts and warty abnormal growths. The leaves can do the same. Applied as a poultice with vinegar and salt they heal running ulcers on the head, dandruff and epinycti [pustules which appear only at night]. Fig-like scabrous cheeks are rubbed with these. Vitiliginous [form of leprosy] white areas are plastered with the leaves or branches of the black fig. They are good also with honey for the bites of dogs, and the ulcers called favi by the Latins but by the Greeks ceria [honeycombed ulcers]. Grossi [unripe figs] with the leaves of wild poppy draw out (broken) bones, and they dissolve boils [inflammatory tumours] with wax. Applied with ervum [2-129, 2-131] and wine they are good against the bites of rodents, spiders, centipedes and millipedes. 1-186. KONIA SUKES SUGGESTED: Ficus carica var sylvestris — Wild Fig Tree Ficus variegata, Ficus amboinensis, Ficus racemosa, Caprificus amboinensis — Getah Fig Tree, Wild Fig Ficus carica — Fig L ye is made from ashes of the burnt branches of the wild and cultivated syca trees. You must steep the ashes long and often. It is good both for caustic medicines and gangrenous parts, for it cleans and removes things which are superfluous. It must be used by moistening a sponge in it often and immediately applying it. Give it to some as a suppository for dysentery, old discharges, and hollow, undermining, great ulcers. For it cleans, heals, covers in flesh and closes together, similar to plasters made for bloody wounds. It is given for clotting blood together and against dripping fluids, hernia and convulsions, newly strained-out with a wine cupful of water and a little oil mixed in. By itself it helps coeliac [intestinal] complaints and dysentery, the amount of a 181 FRUIT TREES wine cupful given. It is a convenient ointment with oil for those troubled with sores of the tendons, and convulsions that cause sweats. It is taken as an antidote in a drink for those who have swallowed gypsum [hydrous calcium sulphate — plaster of Paris] and for the bites of harvest spiders. The other sorts of lye have the same effects (especially that of the oak) and they are all astringent. 1-187. PERSEA SUGGESTED: Persea, Mimusops schimperi — Egyptian Lebekbaum [Bedevian] P ersea is a tree which grows in Egypt, especially in Thebes. It bears fruit fit to eat and good for the stomach, on which the spiders called cranocolopta are found. The dry leaves pounded into small pieces and applied are able to stop blood breaking out. Some have reported that this tree when it grew in Persis was deadly, but when transported into Egypt it was altered and became good to eat. 1-188. IBERIS SUGGESTED: Nasturtium agreste [Fuchs], Hiberis [Brunfels], N asturtium pratense [Bauhin], Cardamine praetensis [Linnaeus] Cardamine amara — Bitter Cress, Large Bitter Cress [other usage] Candytuft — Iberis numidica Clown Mustard, Bitter Candytuft — Iberis amara I beris or cardamantica has leaves similar to nasturtium [2-185], more flourishing in the spring, the length of it as much as a foot or somewhat smaller. It grows in untilled places. In the summer it puts out a milky flower and then it is more effective. It has two roots similar to nasturtium — warming and caustic. They are good for those diseased with sciatica if a poultice similar to a plaster is made of it with salted lard of a sow (and so applied and let lie) for four hours. Afterward let the patient be put into a bath and rubbed on the places affected with oil and wine dipped in wool. 182 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK BOOK TWO I n the first book, most loving Areius, that we made of medicinal matters we have discoursed of aromata [fragrant herbs], oils, ointments, trees and the liquors and gum and fruits that come of them. But in this being the second book we shall come to discussion both of living creatures and of honey and of milk and of animal fat and of those things which they call frumentacea [cereals], as well as pot herbs [vegetables], annexing for those such herbs as are endowed with a sharp quality because such are near of kin, as are garlic and onions and mustard seed, that the qualities of those things so similar in nature should not be separated. Helix pomatia & other Pulmonata after FERUSSAC — 1875 183 LIVING CREATURES LIVING CREATURES 2-1. ECHINOS THALASSIOS Echinus species — Sea Urchin E chinus from the sea is good for the stomach, good for the intestines, and diuretic. The raw shell roasted well should be mixed with washing medications made for psoriasis. Burnt, it cleans foul ulcers and represses abnormal growths on the flesh. 2-2. ECHINOS CHERSAIOS Erinaceous genus — Hedgehog T he burnt skin of the earth hedgehog is good for alopecia [baldness] rubbed on with moist pitch. The dried flesh (taken in a drink with honey or vinegar and honey) helps inflamed kidneys, water under the skin [dropsy], and those who have convulsions, elephantiasis, or cachexy [defective nutrition]. It dries up discharges from the bowels and liver. Dried in a sun-dried clay jar, and stored, then given, it does as much good for the same things. 2-3. HIPPOKAMPOS Hippocampus [Latin] — Sea Horse H ippocampus is a little living creature of the sea that is burnt and the ashes used either in goose grease, liquid pitch, or ointment amaracinum [1-68]. Rubbed on it fills up alopecia [baldness] with hair. Sea Horse — Hippocampus 2-4. PORPHURA from DAVIS — 1907 SUGGESTED: Purpura Shellfish - yields Tyrian purple dye. B 184 urnt purpura dry and clean teeth, repress excrescent flesh, and draw boils and heal them. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-5. KUREKES SUGGESTED: Buccinum species — Whelks B urnt buccina do the same as the above but they are more caustic by nature. If anyone fills them with salt and burns them in an unfired clay jar they are good as toothpastes and rubbed on burns. The medicine must be left alone until it grows hard like a shell, for after the burn is healed it falls off of its own accord. Quicklime is made of them as we will show when we come to discuss calx. 2-6. IONIA SUGGESTED: The columellae of Buccinae [Whelks] and Purpurae I onia are the middle parts in the buccinae and purpurae around which they turn in or wind around. It is burnt in the same way, but is more caustic than the buccinae and purpurae because by nature they adhere less. The flesh of the buccina has a good taste and is good for the stomach, but does not soften the bowels. 2-7. MUAKES SUGGESTED: Mytilacea species — Mussels T he Pontic mytuli are best. When burnt their effect is similar to the buccina but more peculiar. Washed like lead they are good with honey for eye medicines as they consume thickened areas, and clean away white spots on the cornea and whatever else darkens the pupils. Their flesh is effective applied to one bitten by a dog. 2-8. TELLINAI SUGGESTED: Tellina, family Tellinidae — Tellen, bivalves T ellinae whilst they are fresh and new are good for the bowels, especially their broth. Seasoned with salt, burnt, pounded into small pieces and dropped on with cedria [1-105], they do not allow hairs on the eyelids to spring up again after they are once plucked out. 185 LIVING CREATURES 2-9. CHAMAI SUGGESTED: T Chamae species — Chama, bivalve molluscs he broth of chamae and other shellfish boiled in a little water stirs the bowels. It is taken with wine. 2-10. ONUX SUGGESTED: Unionaceae, Onycha — Freshwater Mussels O nyx (or unguis) is the covering of a shellfish similar to that of the purpura [shellfish] found in India in the nardus-bearing lakes. As a result it smells sweet — the shellfish feeding on the nardus. It is gathered after the lakes are dried up by extreme drought. The best is brought from the Red Sea. It is somewhat white and fat. The Babylonian is black and smaller. Both of them (put on coals) have a sweet smell somewhat resembling castor [2-26] in scent. The inhaled smoke restores women troubled with constrictions of the uterus, and those who have falling sickness. Taken as a drink they trouble the bowels. The burnt shellfish itself does the same things as purpura and buccinum [above]. 2-11. KOCHLIAS Helix aspersa, Helix hortensis — Garden Snails Helix pomatia — Snails, edible species SUGGESTED: T he earth snail is good for the stomach and spoiled with difficulty. The best are in Sardinia, Africa, Astypalaea, Sicily and Chios, as well as those in the Alps near Liguria, surnamed pomatias (because of their covering). The sea snail is also good for the stomach and is easily transient, but the river snail is poisonous. The field snail (called sesilon or seselita) that hangs on bushes and shrubs troubles or disturbs the intestines and stomach causing vomiting. The burnt shells of all of them are able to heat and burn, and clean leprosy, vitiligines [form of leprosy] and the teeth. Burnt whole with their flesh, pounded into small pieces, and rubbed on with honey they take away scars in the eyes, white spots on the cornea, sunspots, and moisture of the sight. Applied 186 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK raw with their shells they dry up dropsy tumours and do not fall off until all the moisture is exhausted. They soothe gouty inflammation and draw out thorns applied in a similar way. Pounded into small pieces and so applied they expel the menstrual flow. Their flesh pounded into small pieces and applied as a poultice with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and frankincense heals wounds, especially those around the tendons. Pounded into small pieces with vinegar, they stop bleeding from the nostrils. The live flesh (especially of the African snail), eaten, pacifies pains of the stomach. Taken whole with the shell and a little of it taken with a drink of wine and myrrh, it cures those troubled with colic and pains of the bladder. The earth-snail heals falling hair if one thrusts a needle through the flesh of the snail and touches the hair with the slimy matter that comes from there. 2-12. KARKINOI SUGGESTED: Cancer pagurus [Brachyura] — Crabs T wo spoonfuls of ashes of burnt crevises or river crabs with one spoonful of the root of gentian (taken as a drink in wine for three days together) evidently helps one bitten by a mad dog. With boiled honey they soothe cracks in the feet and perineum, as well as chilblains and diseases of the cornea. Pounded raw and taken as a drink with an ass's milk they help snakebites, and the strikes of harvest spiders and scorpions. Boiled and eaten with their broth they are good for those in consumption [wasting disease], and those who have swallowed a sea hare [2-20]. Pounded together with basil and laid out for scorpions, they kill them. Sea crabs can do the same things but they work somewhat less effectively than these. 2-13. SKORPIOS CHERSAIOS Scorpionidae — Scorpion T he ground scorpion — taken raw, pounded into small pieces, and so applied — is a remedy for the hurt done by it. It is also roasted for the same purpose. 187 LIVING CREATURES 2-14. SKORPIOS THALASSIOS SUGGESTED: Scorpaena, Scorpaenidae — Scorpion Fish Cottus scorpius — Sculpin T he gall of the sea scorpion is good for bathing eyes, white spots on the cornea, and excessive moisture in the eyes. 2-15. DRAKON THALASSIOS SUGGESTED: Trachinidae — Spiny-finned fishes, Weevers T he sea dragon (opened and applied) is a cure for the hurt done by his prickles. 2-16. SKOLOPENDRA SUGGESTED: Myriapoda, Cheilopoda — Sea Centipedes, Millepedes T he sea scolopendra boiled in oil and rubbed on removes hair [depilatory], but when touched it breeds itching. 2-17. NARKE SUGGESTED: Torpedinidae — Electric Ray T he sea torpedo applied to sores of long endurance around the head lessens the fierceness of the suffering. The same applied lifts up a perineum that has either overturned or else fallen down. 2-18. ECHIDNE Vipera communis, Coluber berus, Pelias berus — Viper T he flesh of the viper (boiled and eaten) makes the eyes quick-sighted and is also good for disorders of the nerves. It represses enlarging scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres]. You must (when you strip it) cut off the head and the tail because they are without 188 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK flesh. Cutting off the extreme parts by a certain measure is but a tale. Then, the intestines having been taken out, wash that which is left and cut it in pieces. Boil it with oil and wine and a little salt and dill. Some say that from feeding on them lice are bred in those who eat them but it is a lie. Some again say that those who eat them are longlived. Salts are made of them for the same uses, but they do not work as well. The living viper is put into a new pot, and with it a pint of salt and [the same of] well-pounded dry figs with six cups of honey. The cover of the pot is tightly corked with clay and it is baked in an oven until the salt has turned to coals. After this it is pounded into small pieces and stored. Sometimes it may agree better with the stomach if some spikenard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10] or phullon [3-140] or a little malabathrum [1-11] is mixed in. 2-19. OPHEOS GERAS Senecta anguium — Sloughed Skin of Snakes T he senecta anguium (which is the skin that the snake casts in the spring time) boiled in wine is a remedy for pain in the ears if it is poured into them, and for toothache used as a mouth rinse. They mix it (especially that of the sea viper) with eye medicines. 2-20. LAGOOS THALASSIOS Aplysia depilans — Sea Hare T he sea hare is similar to the little cuttlefish. Pounded into small pieces and applied (either by itself or with sea nettles) it makes any place without hair [depilatory]. Aplysia depilans — Sea Hare from Davis — 1907 2-21. LAGOOS CHERSAIOS Lepus timidus — Hare T he brain of a land hare (eaten roasted) is good for the trembling that comes from fear, as well as rubbed on or eaten for teething in children. The head burnt and rubbed on with bears’ grease or vinegar cures baldness. The curds (taken in a drink three days after the menstrual 189 LIVING CREATURES flow) are reported to cause sterility. Likewise it stops excessive discharges of the womb and bowels. It helps those with falling sickness, and taken as a drink with vinegar it is good against poisons [antidote], especially for curdling of the milk [while breastfeeding], and for the bites of vipers. The blood rubbed on while warm cures sunspots, vitiligines [form of leprosy], and freckles. 2-22. TRUGON THALASSIA SUGGESTED: Trigonidae pastinaca — Sting Ray T he radius of the pastinaca marina that grows out of its tail (with scales turned backward) lessens a pained tooth for it breaks and expels it. 2-23. SEPIA SUGGESTED: Sepia officinalis — Cuttlefish T he black (ink) of the boiled sepia is hard to digest when eaten and it softens the bowels. The shell formed into washes is good to rub on rough cheeks. Burnt in its own shell until the crusty matter is gone and afterwards pounded into small pieces it cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy], dandruff, teeth and sunspots. It is washed and mixed with eye medicines. It is good for white spots on the cornea (in the eyes) of cattle [veterinary] blown into them. It removes pterygium [membranes on eyes] pounded into small pieces with salt and applied. 2-24. TRIGLA SUGGESTED: T Mullidae, Mullus barbatus — Red Mullet he mullus if often eaten is thought to cause dullness of sight, but cut apart whilst it is raw and applied it heals the hurt caused by the sea dragon [2-15], scorpion, and the spider. 190 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Hedgehog — Echinus species after DAVIS — 1907 191 LIVING CREATURES Sepia officinalis after OWEN — 1909 192 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-25. ORCHIS HIPPOPOTAMOU Hippopotamus amphibious — Hippopotamus T he stones [testicles] of the hippopotamus are dried and pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink in wine against snakebite. 2-26. KASTOROS ORCHIS Castoreum — Beaver obtained from two sacs in the groin of the Beaver T he beaver is a living creature with a double nature nourished for the most part in the waters with the fishes and crabs. Its stones [testicles] are good against the poisons of snakes. They cause sneezing and are generally effective for many purposes. Two teaspoonfuls (taken as a drink with pulegium [3-36]) encourage the menstrual flow, put out the afterbirth, and are an abortifacient. It is taken as a drink with vinegar against gaseousness, griping, hiccups, deadly poisons [antidote] and ixia [3-103]. Moistened with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] it revives the lethargic or those brought low in any way. It does the same when smelled or inhaled as smoke. It is good taken either as a drink or rubbed on for trembling, convulsions, and all diseases of the nerves. Generally it is warming. Always choose those stones [testicles] which are connected together from one beginning (for it is impossible to find two follicles [small glands] knit together in one membrane); always distinguished by their natural loose skins; and that have waxy stuff within, with a strong smell, poisonous, sharp, biting in taste, easily crumbled. Some adulterate it by pouring ammoniacum or gum tempered with blood and castoreum into the follicle and drying it. It is not true that this beast when it is pursued bites off his stones [testicles] and throws them away, for it is impossible that he should touch them as they are joined underneath like those of a boar. Those who take off the skin must take the liquid in there which looks similar to honey together with the loose skin that contains it, dry it, then bottle and store it. 193 LIVING CREATURES 2-27. GALE KATOIKIDIOS Putorius nivalis, Mustelidae — Weasel T he household weasel is burned over flames after the bowels are taken out, salted, and afterwards dried in the shade and kept a long time. It is a very effective remedy (taken as a drink of two teaspoonfuls in wine) against all kinds of snakes. It is taken the same way as an antidote to poisoning. The belly of the weasel is stuffed with coriander and kept until it is old, then taken in a drink to help those bitten by poisonous beasts, and the epileptic. It is burnt complete together in a pot and the ashes rubbed on with vinegar for gout. The blood rubbed on helps scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres]. It is also good for epilepsy. 2-28. BATRACHOI genus Rana, family Ranidae — Frogs F rogs are antidotes against the poisons of all snakes. They are boiled into a broth in salt and oil. The broth is then taken for this and for old abscesses of the tendons. Burnt and then put on they staunch bleeding. They cure alopecia [baldness] rubbed on with liquid pitch. The blood of green frogs dropped on prevents the hair from ever growing again once it has been pulled from the eyebrows. They are good for toothache boiled together with water and vinegar, and for the teeth when they are washed with it. 2-29. AILOUROS SUGGESTED: Silurus glanis, Siluridae — Sheath Fish T he silurus eaten whilst it is fresh is nourishing and good for the stomach, but salted it yields no nourishment; yet it cleans the arteries and makes the voice clear. The flesh of that which is salted draws out splinters. Brine from it is good in baths for dysentery at the first sign, drawing the discharges to the outside. Taken as a suppository it cures sciatica. 194 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-30. SMARIS SUGGESTED: Osmerus eparlanus — Smelt T he head of a salted smaris burnt stops abnormal growths of (protuberant) flesh, stops gangrenous ulceration; and removes corns and warty abnormal growths. The flesh of this as well as all salted meat is good for one touched by a scorpion, and for one bitten by a dog. 2-31. MAINIS SUGGESTED: Maena small sea-fish, eaten by the poor T he burnt head of the moena (pounded into small pieces and sprinkled on) mends hard-skinned fissures in the perineum; and its garum [Roman sauce made of fermented fish] rolled up and down around the mouth lessens rotten ulcers in there. 2-32. KOBIOS SUGGESTED: Gobiidae, Gobius species — Sea Gudgeon P lace a freshly caught sea gudgeon in a swine’s stomach and sew it up. Boil it with twelve pints of water until it is reduced to two pints and then strain and cool it in the open air. If you give it to someone to drink you shall in this way bring down his bowels without any disturbance. Applied it helps those bitten by dogs or snakes. 2-33. OMOTARICHOS SUGGESTED: Orcynus thynus — Tunny O motarichos is the flesh of the salted tunny. Those bitten by the viper called prester (a serpent, the bite of which was fabled to cause death by swelling) take this. Those who eat it must be compelled to drink a great 195 LIVING CREATURES amount of wine and then to vomit. It is excellent for the same purposes as eating sharp meats. It is also effective applied to the bites of dogs. 2-34. GARRON SUGGESTED: Garum — Liquid from Salt Fish G arum (the liquid that comes out of salted flesh or fish), applied, represses gangrenous ulcers in the cheeks, heals those bitten by dogs, and is sometimes given as a suppository for dysentery and sciatica. It is given to some so that it may repress ulcers (of the bowels), to others that it may encourage ulceration of the parts not ulcerated, and to remove fluids troubling the hips. 2-35. ZOMOS NEARON ICHTHUON SUGGESTED: Fish Soup B roth made from fresh fish (alone or taken as a drink with wine) is able to soothe the bowels. The best broth for this is made from the fish called phycides?, scorpion fish, julides, perch and other tender rock fish, and those which do not have a poisonous nature, boiled with nothing else but water and oil and anise [3-65] and salt. 2-36. KOREIS Cimices — Cimex lectularius, Cimex rotandatus — Bed Bugs S even cimices taken and put in meat with beans and swallowed down before a fit help those with quartains [fever with paroxysm every three to four days]. Swallowed down without beans they help one bitten by an asp. Smelled, they revive those fallen into a faint from constriction of the vulva. Taken as a drink with wine or vinegar they release horseleeches. Pounded into small pieces and put into the urethra they cure painful urination. 196 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-37. KOUBARIDES Oniscus asellus — Common Woodlouse ‘Millipede’ [old English] M illipedes that are found under water vessels are creatures with many feet that roll themselves up round when they are touched with the hand. Taken as a drink with wine these help painful urination and yellow jaundice. Rubbed on with honey they help those with tonsillitis, and warmed in a pomegranate rind with rosaceum [1-53] and dropped in the ears they are good for earaches. 2-38. SILPHE Cockroach — Blatta orientalis THESE INSECTS ARE CARRIERS OF MANY DISEASES. T he inner parts of the kind of blatta which is found in bakehouses and mill houses, pounded with oil or boiled and dropped into the ears lessens their pain. 2-39. PNEUMON THALASSIOS SUGGESTED: Scopelidae, genus Plagyodus or Alepisaurus — Jellyfish family translates as the lungs of the sea P ulmo marinus pounded into small pieces (whilst it is fresh), and applied, helps those troubled with ulcerated chilblains and other chilblains, and those with gout. 2-40. PNEUMON CHOIRIOS Lungs of Swine, Lamb or Bear T he lungs of a swine, lamb or bear applied to chafing and blisters on the feet made by rubbing shoes prevents inflammation. 197 LIVING CREATURES 2-41. PNEUMON ALOPEKOS Lungs of Fox L ungs of a fox (dried and taken in a drink) help the asthmatic; and the grease of the same melted and poured in the ears lessens earache. 2-42. HEPAR ONEIRON Ass’s Liver A n ass’s liver eaten roasted is good for epilepsy but it should be taken while fasting. 2-43. AIDOION ARRENOS ELAPHOU Testes of Deer T he genitals of a male hart (pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink with wine) help those bitten by vipers. 2-44. ONUCHES ONON Ass’s Hooves T wo spoonfuls of an ass’s hoof that has been burnt (taken in a drink daily for many days) are said to cure epilepsy. Steeped in oil they dissolve scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres]; sprinkled on they heal chilblains. 2-45. LEICHENES HIPPON Spavins of Horses T he lichen [bony excrescence on legs] of horses is (according to description) that hardened substance which grows at their knees and hooves. Pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink with vinegar they are said to cure epilepsy. 198 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-46. ONUCHES AIGON Goats’ Hooves T he hooves of goats burnt and rubbed on with vinegar cure baldness. 2-47. HEPAR AIGOS Goat’s Liver T he watery fluid that drips from the liver of a goat whilst it is a roasting is good rubbed on for those troubled with night blindness. If anyone receives the smoke of it with open eyes whilst it is boiling he receives benefit from this. Eaten roasted it is good for the same purpose. They say that epilepsy may be discerned by eating the liver (especially) of the buck goat. 2-48. HEPAR KAPROU Boar’s Liver T he liver of a boar (taken whilst it is) fresh, dried and pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with wine, is a remedy against the bites of snakes and beasts. 2-49. HEPAR KUNOS LUSSONTOS Liver of Mad Dog RABIES IS HIGHLY COMMUNICABLE T he liver of a mad dog (eaten roasted by those which have been bitten by him) is thought to keep them safe from the fear of water. As a precaution they also use the tooth of that dog which bit, place it into a bag and tie it to the arm. 199 LIVING CREATURES 2-50. HEPAR AITHUAS Liver of Seagull T wo spoonfuls of dried liver of mergus [seagull] (taken as a drink with honey water) expels the afterbirth. 2-51. KATTUMATA Old Leather T he old leather of old soles of shoes (burnt, pounded to powder and applied) helps burns, skin inflammation from rubbing, chafing, and blisters caused by wearing shoes. 2-52. ALEKTORIDES Parts of Poultry H ens cut apart and applied whilst they are yet warm help the bites of snakes, but they must be changed often. 2-53. ENKEPHALOS ALEKTORIDOS Parts of Poultry B rains of poultry are given in a drink with wine to those bitten by venomous creatures, and it also stops discharges of blood from the meninx [membranes of the brain and spinal cord]. The membrane of cocks which lies in the inner part under the ventricle, (hard and clear) like a horn, and which has to have the skin taken off when it is boiled, is good for the stomach, dried, pounded to a powder and taken in a drink with wine. The broth of a chicken dressed simply (without anything else) is particularly given for restraining foul fluids, and for those who have hot burning stomachs. Broth from old cocks is given for purging the body. Having taken out the intestine [of the fowl] you must put in salt instead, sew up the fowl, and boil it in twenty pints of water until they reduce to one and a half pints, all which must be given 200 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK after it has stood cooling awhile in the open air. There are some who boil sea colewort, mercury [4-191], cnicum [4-119, 4-190], or polypody [4-188] together with it. It draws out thick, raw, gluey (or sticky) black (fluids). It is good for long-enduring acute fevers, the asthmatic, the arthritic, and stomachs labouring with gas. The stomach of fowls salted and dried in the shade is the best help. Three teaspoonfuls are taken as an antidote against excessive evacuations from purging medicines as it presently stops the evacuating, but it must be pounded into powder and mixed with water and given like that. 2-54. OON Eggs and their Yolk A soft-cooked egg nourishes more than an uncooked one and a hard-cooked egg more than a soft. The yolk roasted with saffron and rosaceum [1-53] is good for sores in the eyes. It is good with melilot [3-48] for inflammation around the perineum and the joints. Fried in a pan with the seed of sumach or galls [oak galls] and eaten (or else given alone) it stops discharges of the bowels. 2-55. LEUKON TOU OOU White of Egg T he white of an egg used raw cools and closes the pores of the skin, and when dropped on inflamed eyes it soothes them. Rubbed on afterwards it prevents burns from breaking out into pustules. It protects the face from sunburn. It constipates those troubled with discharges, and will repress them when laid on the forehead with frankincense. It lessens inflammation of the eyes applied with wool and with rosaceum [1-53], wine and honey mixed with it. If it is sipped raw it helps bites of the snake called haemorrhois [a fable]; and warmed a little it is good for bladder distress, ulcerated kidneys, rough arteries, and the throwing up of blood, mucus and fluids in the chest. 201 LIVING CREATURES 2-56. TETTIGES Acridiiae, Locustidae — Grasshoppers G rasshoppers if they are eaten roasted help disorders of the bladder. 2-57. AKRIDES Acridiiae, Oedipoda migratoria, Pachytylus migratorius — Locusts L ocusts (smoked and inhaled) help difficulty in urinating, especially in women. Their flesh is useless. One kind of locust called asiracos or onos is without wings, having great limbs when it is young. This is dried and taken in a drink with wine as a great help to those bitten by scorpions. The Africans who inhabit Leptis feed on these abundantly [food]. 2-58. PHINIS Pandion [Falco] haliaëtus — Osprey, Ossifrage P hinis is a bird that they call ossifragum in Latin. When given little by little of this in drink it is said to expel stones from urine. 2-59. KORUDALLOS Alauda arvensis — Skylark, Crested Lark T he lark is only a little bird having on the top of its head a tuft standing up similar to that of the peacock. This bird eaten roasted is good for those troubled with colic. 2-60. CHELIDON Hirundo rustica — Swallows C 202 utting apart [at the increase of the moon] young swallows of the first hatching, you shall find stones THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK in their bellies, of which take two, one of various colours and the other clear [and of one colour]. Place these in an heifer’s or hart’s skin before they touch the ground and tie them to the arm or neck. You shall with this ease and often wholly recover from epilepsy. Swallows are eaten with their ficedulae [intestines] as a medicine for causing sharp sight, and the ashes of them and of their female parents burnt in a ceramic pot and rubbed on with honey cause sharpness of sight. It is also good rubbed on for those with tonsillitis, and for inflammation of the uvula and tonsils. Swallows and their young ones (dried, and one teaspoon taken in a drink with water) help those who have tonsillitis. 2-61. ELEPHANTOS ODONTOS RINISMA Elephant’s Tooth T he scraping of elephant’s tooth when applied cures whitlows of the finger or toenails. It is astringent. 2-62. ASTRAGALOS UOS Knucklebone of Pig T he anklebone of a swine (burnt until it becomes white, then pounded to powder and taken in a drink) heals gas from colic, and griping that has endured for a long time. 2-63. ELAPHOU KERAS Burnt Horn of a Hart — adult male Red Deer T he horn of a hart (burnt, washed and two spoonfuls taken in a drink) is good with gum tragacanth for bloodspitters, dysentery, coeliac [intestinal complaints], jaundice and disorders of the bladder. It is also good for women troubled with excessive [menstrual] discharge, given with some liquid suitable for that suffering. It is burnt in an oven (first pounded and put into an unfired clay pot, sealed around with clay, and fired) until it is 203 LIVING CREATURES white, and then afterwards it is washed in a similar way to cadmia [5-84]. This is good for discharges and ulcers in the eyes; and rubbed on the teeth it cleans them. If burnt raw it drives away snakes with the smell. Boiled with vinegar and used as a mouthwash it soothes pain of the inner teeth. 2-64. KAMPAI Caterpillars T he erucae [caterpillars] which breed on vegetables rubbed with oil on anyone are said to protect him from the bites of poisonous beasts. 2-65. KANTHARIDES Cantharides vesicatoria — Spanish Fly Beetles POISONOUS T hose dried beetles that are gathered from the corn are fit for storage. Place them into an unglazed jar and tie around the mouth of it a clean thin linen cloth: turn them towards the fumes of very sharp warmed vinegar and hold them there until they are stifled. Then thrust them through with a thread and store them. The most effective have the most diversity of colours, yellowish cross streaks [in their wings], and are longbodied, full and fat, like the blattae [cockroaches]. Those of one colour are ineffective. 2-66. BOUPRESTEIS Buprestis — Buprestidae — Bupressedes POISONOUS I n the same way the bupressedes are preserved for storage. They are types of cantharides [2-65] and erucae [caterpillars] of the pine tree. Roasted a little in hot ashes, they are stored and kept in a sieve that hangs up. Their common strength [see above] is antiseptic, anti-ulcerous and heating; as a result they are mixed in medicines that cure diseases of the cornea, leprosy and wild impetigo 204 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK [skin infection]. Mixed with soothing suppositories they encourage the menstrual flow. Some also have related that these cantharides [2-65] help dropsy by moving the urine. Some also believe that the wings and feet of them are an antidote for those who have taken parasites in a drink. 2-67. SALAMANDRA Salamandridae — Salamander T he salamander is a kind of lizard, lazy, variously spotted, in vain thought fireproof. It is antiseptic, ulcerating, and heating. They are mixed in antiseptic and leprosy medicines to the same benefit as cantharides [2-65] and kept in store in a similar way. Moistened with oil they remove hair [depilatory]. They are disembowelled, the head and the feet taken away, and preserved in honey for the same uses. 2-68. ARACHNE Arachneidae — Spiders T he spider — a creature also called holcos or lycos (that is, raptor, for example, lupus) — worked into one piece with a plaster, spread on linen and applied to the forehead or temples, cures the periodical circuits of paroxysm every third day in acute fevers. The cobwebs of spiders are applied to staunch blood, and prevent inflammation in ulcers that break out on the surface of the skin. There is another kind of spider which spins a white web, thin and thick, of which it is said that when put into a purse of leather and hanged around the arm it cures the flows of quartain [with paroxysms every fourth day] acute fevers. Boiled together with rosaceum [1-53] and poured in the ears it helps earaches. 205 LIVING CREATURES 2-69. SAURA Lacertilia — Lizard T he head of a lizard (pounded into small pieces and applied) draws out splinters or whatever else sticks to [the body], and takes away formicosam [anthill-shaped] warts, pensiles [growths which hang down] (which they call acrochordonas [hanging warts]) and corns. The liver is put into the cavities of teeth to cause the pain to cease. Cut quite apart and applied it eases those touched by a scorpion. 2-70. SEPS Lizard of scincoid genus Seps — POISONOUS S eps (also called the Calchidicen lizard) taken as a drink in wine heals those bitten by him. 2-71. SKINKOS Scincus officinalis — Skink S chinchi are found in Egypt, India and some at the Red Sea. Some are found in Libya, others near a river of Mauritania. It is an earth crocodile of its own kind that is preserved in salt with nasturtium [2-185]. They say that a teaspoonful of the part of it that lies around the kidneys (taken in a drink of wine) is a great provocative to lust [aphrodisiac], and yet for all that, a decoction of lentils taken as a drink with honey (or the seed of lettuce taken in a drink with water) represses the intensity of this inclination. It is also mixed with antidotes. 2-72. ENTERA GES Lumbricus — Earthworms W orms from the soil (pounded into small pieces and applied) glue together sinews that are cut apart. They dissolve tertians [fevers with paroxysms every third day]. Boiled with goose grease they cure diseases of the 206 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK ears, dropped in there. Boiled together with oil and poured into the opposing ear they help toothaches. Pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink with passum [raisin wine] they expel urine. 2-73. MUOGALE Myogale species — Shrew Mouse T he shrewmouse (cut apart and applied) is a remedy for its own bites. 2-74. MUES Mus musculus — House Mouse I t is declared that cut-apart house mice are usefully applied to those touched by scorpions, and that eaten roasted they dry the spittle in the mouths of children. 2-75. GALA SUGGESTED: Milk A ll milk is commonly good to drink, nourishing, softening to the intestines, and causing the stomach and bowels to be inflated with gas. That which is made in the spring has a more watery substance than that of the summer, and that which comes from green pasture softens the intestines more. The best milk is white, has an equal thickness, and ‘beads’ when it is dropped on a fingernail. Goat’s milk disturbs the intestines less because goats for the most part feed on astringent food such as the oak, lentisk [1-90], and the leaves of the olive tree and terminthos[1-91]. As a result it is also good for the stomach. Sheep milk is both thick and sweet and very fat but not so good for the stomach. Cow’s, asses' and mare’s milk make the intestines more laxative and trouble it. All milk overturns the stomach and the intestines where the pasture is scammonious or has hellebore, mercury [4-191] or clematis, as has been observed by us in the Vestin mountains. For goats vomit which feed on the leaves of the white hellebore when they first shoot out; and their 207 LIVING CREATURES milk overturns the stomach and has a nauseous nature. All milk when boiled becomes astringent to the intestines, especially that which is evaporated by burning flints. In general it helps all internal ulcers, especially of the throat, lungs, intestines, kidneys and bladder. Against all itchiness in appearance, pustules and corrupt fluids it is given fresh with raw honey and a little water mixed together (salt also being mixed with it). That which has been once boiled is less inflating. That which is boiled with pebble stones and reduced to half, helps discharges of the bowels accompanied with ulceration. 2-76. ORROS GALAKTOS SUGGESTED: Whey A ll milk has whey contained within it. Separated out, this is fitter for purging and is given to those whom we would purge without distress, as well as for depression, epilepsy, leprosy, elephantiasis, and pustules that break out over the whole body. 2-77. GALA SCHISTON SUGGESTED: A Junket ll milk is separated by boiling it in a new ceramic jar and stirring it with a freshly cut down fig tree branch. After it has boiled two or three times a wine-cup of vinegar and honey for every half-pint of milk is poured into it: thus the whey is parted from the cheesy matter. So that the milk does not boil over you must continually rub the brim of the jar with a sponge dipped in cold water during boiling, and let down a silver pint jar full of cold water into it. Whey is given to drink (at intervals) in amounts of from one half-pint to five, and let those who drink it walk around during that time. New milk is good for ulcers, and inflammation caused by deadly medicines like cantharis [2-65], pityocampa [pine grub or pine caterpillar], salamander, buprestis [2-66], hyoscyamus [4-69], dorycnium [4-75], aconitum [4-77, 4-78], or ephemerum [4-85]. For this cow’s milk helps best. It is also gargled for ulcers of the mouth and tonsils. Especially asses' milk gargled in the mouth strengthens the gums 208 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK and the teeth. If you place hot burning flints into the milk of sheep, cows, or goats to boli it, this stops discharges accompanied with ulceration. It is given as a suppository or enema (either by itself or with barley water or cream of halica [2-114]) to relieve considerable gnawing of the intestines. It is also squirted into an ulcerated vulva. 2-78. GALA GUNAIKOS SUGGESTED: Woman’s Milk W oman’s milk is the sweetest and most nourishing. Sucked, it is good for pangs of hunger in the stomach and for consumption. It is also an antidote in a drink for someone that has taken sea hare [2-20]. Mixed with frankincense that has been pounded into small pieces, it is dropped into eyes that are bloodshot from a blow. It is good for gout rubbed on with meconium [4-65] and ceratium [wax ointments]. All milk is worthless for the splenetic and hepatic, vertigo, epilepsy, and those troubled in their tendons, those who have fevers or whose heads ache, unless at any time one gives them whey for purgation as was formerly shown. Some say that the milk of a bitch when she first whelps removes hair when rubbed on. Taken as a drink it is an antidote against poisonous medicines, and casts out dead embryos. 2-79. TUROS NEAROS SUGGESTED: New Cheese N ew cheese eaten without salt is nourishing, good for the stomach, easy to digest, increasing the flesh [weight gain] and mildly softening the bowels. Some is better than the other, according to the nature of the milk from which it is made. Boiled and strained out, then roasted, it is astringent in the intestines, and applied it is good for inflammation and bruises of the eyes. New salted cheese is more nourishing and if eaten is good for shrinking of the flesh [weight loss]. It is bad for the stomach, upsetting the intestines and the bowels. That 209 LIVING CREATURES which is older is therapeutic for the intestines, and the whey that is made along with cheese is very good nourishment for dogs. 2-80. HIPPACE SUGGESTED: Horse Cheese T hat which they call hippace is horse cheese. It has a poisonous smell yet is very nourishing and very similar to that made from pigs’ milk. Some have called the horse’s rennet by the name of hippace. 2-81. BUTURON SUGGESTED: G Butter ood butter is made of the fattest milk such as ewes’ milk. It is also made from milk of goats, the milk being stirred around in jars until the fat is separated. It is softening and has the qualities of oil. Taken by itself it loosens the intestines, and when oil is not available it is an antidote against poison. Mixed and rubbed on with honey it helps teething and itching of the gums in children, and ulcers of the mouth [thrush, candidiasis]. Rubbed on externally it preserves the body and prevents pustules from breaking out. Butter that is neither stinking nor old is good against inflammations and hard lumps of the womb. It is given as a suppository for dysentery and ulceration of the colus [? possibly colon]. It is also of benefit mixed in suppurating medicines — especially for wounds around the nerves, neural membrane, bladder and neck. It fills and cleans and encourages new flesh. Applied it is good for one bitten by an asp. New butter is put in sauce for meats instead of oil, and in cakes instead of fat. Soot is gathered from butter as follows. Pour some butter into a new lamp, set it on fire and having covered it let it burn in a ceramic jar made similar to a siphunculus [a little pipe from which water spurts], narrow above but with holes underneath. When the first butter is used up pour in more and repeat the procedure until you have got as much soot as you desire. Then scrape it off with a 210 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK feather or wing and use it. It is useful in eye medicines, to dry, and as an astringent. It stops discharges and quickly brings ulcers to a scar. 2-82. ERIA SUGGESTED: Wool T he best, unwashed wool is softest, like that from the neck and from the thighs. It is good (moistened in vinegar and oil or wine) as first treatment for wounds, bruises, peeling, black and blue bruises, and broken bones. For it easily drinks up the liquors into which it is dipped, and by reason of the oesypum [lanolin] that it contains it is softening. It is good applied with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] for headaches and pains in the stomach or any other place. 2-83. ERIA KEKAUMENA SUGGESTED: Burnt Wool B urnt wool has the properties of scab forming, repressing abnormal growths of flesh, and drawing ulcers to a scar. It is burnt in an unfired clay jar (in the same way as other things) after being cleaned and carded. Locks of wool that have been dyed with sea purple [pupurea — shellfish] are burnt in the same way. Some card the wool with the lanolin on, moisten it with honey and burn it. Some lay little spits [skewers] in a ceramic jar with a broad mouth, separate from one another, and lay thin chips of teda [taeda — pitch pine] on it, then place the wool (carded and moistened with oil) on them so that it may not fall. Layering the chips and the wool one on the other by turn they set the teda [chips] gently on fire underneath and take them away when they have burnt out. If any fat or pitch falls down from the teda it is taken and stored separately. The ash from wool is washed for eye medicines in a ceramic jar. Water is poured on it and lustily stirred around with the hands, and after it is settled the water is poured out and other poured on and stirred around again. This is done until it does not bite if applied to the tongue but is somewhat astringent. 211 FATS FATS 2-84. OISUPON SUGGESTED: Wool Fat, Lanolin T he greasiness of unwashed wool is called oesypum [lanolin]. You can prepare it as follows. Take soft unwashed wool scoured with the herb soapweed [soapwort], wash it in hot water, squeeze out all the filth, throw it into a broad-mouthed jar, and pouring water on it pour it from on high back again with a great spoon, tumbling it down forcibly until it foams, or stir it around lustily with a stick until a quantity of foul foam gathers together. Afterwards sprinkle it with seawater. When the fat that swims on top has settled, put it into another ceramic jar, and pouring water into the jar stir it around again and sprinkle the foam with water and repeat as above. Do this until there is no more foam on it, the greasy matter having been used up. Mix the oesypum [lanolin] that is gathered by hand. If it has any filth remaining on it take it away. Let the first water fall away drop by drop, pour in more and stir it around with the hand until, if applied to the tongue it does not bite, is somewhat astringent and it looks fat, clean and white. Store it in a ceramic jar. This should be done while the sun is warm. Some press out the grease and wash it in cold water, rubbing it with their hands as women do stiff ointments and this is whiter. Others wash the wool and press out the filth, boil it with water in a kettle over a gentle fire, take away the grease that floats on top and wash it in water as was already explained. Straining it out into a ceramic platter that has warm water in it, they cover it with a linen cloth and set it out in the sun until it becomes sufficiently thick and white. Some (after two days) pour out the first water and pour in fresh. The best is not cleaned with radicula [radish], is smooth, smells of unwashed wool, and when rubbed with cold water in a shell, grows white. It has nothing in it hard or compacted such as that counterfeited with wax ointment or animal fat. It is able to warm and soften and fill ulcers, especially those around the perineum and vulva. Applied in wool with melilot [3-48] and butter it is an abortifacient and 212 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK draws out the menstrual flow, (and is good) with goose grease for sores in the ears and genitals. It is also good around the corners of eyes that have been eaten into and are scabbed, and for eyelids that have grown hard and shed their hair. Oesypum [lanolin] is burnt in a new ceramic jar until it is turned into ashes and loses all its fat. Soot is gathered from it (in the same way as we have previously described), good for eye medicines. 2-85. PITUA SUGGESTED: Rennet T hirty grains of rennet of hare (taken in a drink of wine) is good for those bitten by venomous creatures, coeliac [intestinal complaints], dysentery, for women troubled with excessive discharges from the womb, for clotting blood together, and for throwing blood up out of the chest. Applied after the cleansing (that is, monthly, and a little before lying together) to the vulva with butter it causes inconception. Taken in a drink it is an abortifacient, and after the menstrual flow purging it hinders conception [birth control]. Rennet of a horse that some call hippace is particularly good for the abdominal cavity and dysentery. Rennet of a lamb, kid, fawn, doe, platyceros [stag], dorcas [Dorcatherium aquaticum — ruminant], deer, calf, and wild ox have similar properties and are good (taken as a drink in wine) as an antidote against aconitum [4-77, 4-78], and for clotting milk if used with vinegar. In particular the rennet of a fawn applied the third day after the monthly purgation hinders conception. Rennet of the sea calf [seal — Phoca vitulina] has a strength very similar to castorium [2-26]. It is thought to be especially good (taken as a drink) for epilepsy, and for constriction of the womb. Now to know whether it is the authentic rennet of sea calf it is tested as follows. Take the rennet of some other creature (especially of a lamb) and having put water onto it leave it alone a little while. Afterwards pour the liquid in which that rennet lay on the rennet of the sea calf. If it is authentic it immediately melts into the water, and if it is not it remains as it was. Sea calves’ rennet is taken from the young ones when not yet able to swim together (with 213 FATS the old). In general all rennet gathers together things that are scattered and dissolves things that are gathered together. 2-86. STEAR SUGGESTED: Goose Grease N ew fat of either geese or poultry (even if it is kept long, but without salt) is good for disorders of the womb. That which is salted or has turned sour through age is an enemy to the womb. Take any of these, fresh, and strip off the skin from it. Put it into a new ceramic jar that could contain twice as much fat as you mean to provide. Having covered the jar carefully set it out in a very hot sun then strain out the part which has melted into another ceramic jar until all is used, then put it into a very cold place and use it. Some, instead of the sun, set the jar over hot water or over a small and gentle coal fire. There is also another way of preparing it as follows. After the skin is removed from the fat, it is pounded and put on to a platter, melted, and a little fine salt is put on it, then it is strained through a linen cloth and put in jars. This fat is good mixed with medicines that take away weariness. 2-87. STEAR HUEION KAI ARNEION SUGGESTED: Lard and F Bear Grease ats from swine or bears are prepared as follows. Take the new thick fat that grows around the kidneys, remove the skin, and put it into a good amount of very cold rain water, rubbing it carefully with the hands and (as it were) reviving it again. Having washed it often in clean water, put it into a ceramic jar that will hold twice the amount, add enough water to cover the fat, set it over a gentle fire of coals and stir it with a continuous splashing. When it has melted strain it through a strainer into water and let it cool. Then removing all the water gently from it, carefully put it again into another jar already washed beforehand, place water on it and melt it gently. Having taken it down and allowed the dregs to settle a little put it into a mortar moistened with a sponge. When it has congealed take it down and take off the filth 214 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK lying in the bottom. Melt it again a third time without water and pour it again into the mortar. Having cleaned it, store it in tightly corked ceramic jars and put the jars in a very cold place. 2-88. STEAR TRAGEION, KAI PROBATEION, KAI ELAPHEION SUGGESTED: Mutton Suet etc. G oat, sheep and furthermore deer suet is prepared as follows. Take the fat of any of these (as described in the previous discussion) and having washed it (as explained in the preparation of fat of swine) remove the skin, put it into a mortar to temper it and beat it, pouring in a little water until nothing similar to blood comes from it, no fat swims on it, and it becomes clear. Then throw it into a ceramic jar and add to it enough water to cover it, put it over a gentle coal fire and stir it around. When it is all melted, pour it into water and cool it. Having washed the jar, melt the suet a second time and repeat the procedure. Then having melted it a third time without water, strain it out into a mortar moistened with water, and when it is cold bottle it for storage like fat of swine. 2-89. STEAR BOEION SUGGESTED: Ox or Cow Suet F rom ox or cow suet (which is near the kidneys) the skin is to be taken off, and it must be washed in sea water taken out of the ocean, then it must be put into a mortar and pounded carefully, sprinkling the seawater on it. When it is all dissolved it must be put into a ceramic jar and sea water poured into it to stand no less than twenty centimetres above it, and it must be boiled until it has lost its own smell. Afterwards for every Attic [Athenian] pound of the suet you must put in four teaspoonfuls of Tyrrhenian [Etruscan] wax. Then (having strained it and taken away the filth that lies in the bottom) it must be put into a new jar. Afterwards it is covered and is to be set out every day in the sun so that it may become white and lose its bad taste. 215 FATS 2-90. STEAR TAUREION, PARDALEION KAI LEONTEION SUGGESTED: Bulls’ Suet etc. B ulls’ suet must be prepared as follows. Take new fat from the kidneys, wash it with running water from the river, and having pulled off the skin put the fat into a new clay jar, sprinkle a little salt on it and melt it. Then strain it out into clear water. When it begins to congeal rub it diligently with the hands again, pouring out and pouring on water until it is thoroughly washed. Then place it into the jar again and boil it with the same amount of sweet-smelling wine. When it has boiled twice, remove the jar from the fire and let the fat remain in there all night. If there is any bad smell left in it the day after, place it into another ceramic jar, pour sweet-smelling wine on it again and repeat (as has been formerly described) until it discards all rank smell. It is also melted without salt to be used in some sores for which salt is not indicated. Prepared like this it is not very white. In the same way panthers’, lions’, wild boars’, camels’, horses’, and other similar fats are prepared. 2-91. STEAR POS AROMATISTEON SUGGESTED: Fats Blended with Scent C alves’ fat as well as fat from bulls and deer and the bone marrow of deer are given a sweet smell as follows. Remove the skin from the fat you want to perfume, wash it as shown above and boil it in fragrant wine without any sea water in it. Afterwards cool it down and let it remain all night. Then pour in more of the same kind of wine, the same amount as before, melt it and carefully skim it. For every four and a half pints of fat add seven teaspoonfuls of juncus arabicus [1-16, 4-52]. If you would like to make it smell sweeter, add to this forty teaspoonfuls of flowers of juncus arabicus, and as many teaspoonfuls of palm, cassia and calamus [1-17, 1-114], and one teaspoon each of aspalathus [1-19] and xylobalsamum [1-18]. Mix with all of this one ounce each of cinnamon, cardamom and nardus[1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10]. Let all of them be pounded very finely. Afterwards pour in fragrant 216 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK wine, cork the jar tightly, set it securely over coals and boil it all together three times. Then take it from the fire and let it remain in the jar all night. On the following day pour out the wine and put in more of the same kind, boil it together three times in a similar way and remove it. On the next morning (after having taken out the salt) pour out the wine, then wash the jar and take away the filth that sticks in the bottom, melt and strain the fat, put it in jars and use it. In the same way fat that was prepared beforehand is made sweet smelling. The previously described fats are first thickened as follows so that they may more readily receive the strength of the sweet odour. Take the fat and boil it with wine; place in there a myrtle branch, serpyllum, [3-46] and cyprus [1-124], as well as aspalathus [1-19] (all thoroughly pounded). Some are content with one of these for this purpose. When the fat has boiled for the third time, take it off gently, strain it through a linen cloth and then aromatize it as described already. Fats are also thickened as follows. Pound whatever fats you have (which are new and not mixed with blood or having other marks which have been often spoken of). Put them into a new jar and pour in old odoriferous white wine so that it exceeds eight fingers in depth. Boil them together using a slow fire until the fat has lost its native scent and rather smells of the wine. Then take off the jar and cool it. Take out two pounds of the fat and place it into a jar and add four half-pints of the same wine and four pounds of pounded seeds from a lotus tree [1-171], and that tree whose wood those who make pipes use. Boil it over a gentle fire stirring it around continuously, and when it has lost all its strong greasy smell, strain it and let it cool. Take one pound of bruised aspalathus [1-19] and four pounds of the flowers of amaracinum [1-68], steep them in old wine and let them absorb it for one night. Then on the following day put them with the fat into a new ceramic jar that will hold three gallons, and add to this two and a quarter litres of wine and boil everything together. When the fat has received all the strength and smell of the thickeners take it down, strain it, melt it and put it in jars. If you wish to make it smell sweeter, mix with all of this eight teaspoonfuls of the fattest myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] diluted in very old wine. 217 FATS Poultry or goose grease is given a sweet scent as follows. Take two pints of either of these fats (which have been already prepared), place them into an earthenware pot, mix with it exactly twelve teaspoonfuls each of pounded erysisceptrum [1-4], xylobalsamum [1-18], palma elaterium [4-155], and calamus [1-17, 1-114], and having added to this one wine-cupful of old Lesbos wine, set it over the coals and make it boil three times. Then take the jar from the fire and allow the things in it to cool for one day and night. The following day melt them and press them through a clean linen cloth into a clean jar. When the fat congeals take it out with a spoon (as previously described) put it into a new ceramic jar, stop it tightly, and put the jars in a very cold place. All this must be done in the winter for in the summer it will not adhere together. Some to help the process mix in a little Tyrrhenian wax. In the same way both swine fat and bear fat and other similar fats are given a fragrant smell. 2-92. STEAR POS SAMPSUCHITETAI To Perfume Fat with Sampsuchum SUGGESTED: Amaracus, Maiorana [Fuchs], Majorana vulgaris [Bauhin], Sampsuchum, Sampsucum, Origanum majorum [Pliny], Origanum majorana [Linneaus], Origanum majoranoides, Majorana hortensis — Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram F at is made to smell like sampsuchum as follows. Take one pound of well-prepared fat (especially bulls’ fat) and a pound and a half of carefully bruised ripe sampsuchum, mix them, sprinkle on it a good quantity of wine and form them into little cakes. Afterwards place them into a jar, cover them and let them remain for that night. In the morning throw them into a ceramic jar, pour water on them and boil them gently. When the fat loses its own taste, strain it and let it stand (well-covered) all that night. The next morning take out the paste, and having cooled it, wipe away the filth in the bottom. Mix in again another pound and a half of bruised sampsuchum (as before), and make it into little cakes again, repeating the remainder of the process. Most importantly boil and strain it, and additionally take away the filth if any remains in the bottom, and put it in jars in a very cold place. 218 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-93. STEAR CHENEION KAI ORNITHEION SUGGESTED: Preserving Fat of Geese and Poultry I f anyone wants to preserve fat of geese, poultry or calves (which has not been prepared) from putrefying, it can be done as follows. Take whichever fresh fat you have, wash it well, and after you have thoroughly cooled it in a sieve in the shade (when it is dry) put it into a clean linen cloth and press it out strongly with your hands. Then (having put a string through it) hang it up in a shady place. After many days wrap it in new paper and put it in jars in a very cold place. Fats also remain pure stored in honey. 2-94. STEATON DUNAMIS SUGGESTED: Medicinal uses of Fats A ll fat is warming, softening and purifying; yet that of bulls, cows and calves is somewhat astringent. The lions’ is similar to these and they say it is an antidote to defend against those who intend treachery. Fat from elephants and deer (rubbed on) drives away snakes. That from goats is more astringent, as a result it is given boiled with polenta, rhoe [4-64] and cheese for dysentery; and with barley water as a suppository or enema. The broth of these fats (sipped) is good for those with pulmonary consumption, and is effective given as an antidote to those who have taken a drink of parasitically infected water. Fat from goats has the most dissolving nature and helps the gouty, tempered with the berries of a goat [i.e. with goat’s dung] and saffron and applied. Sheep fat is equivalent to this. Swines’ fat is applied for disorders of the womb and perineum, and is also good for those burnt by fire. The same (kept in salt and grown very old in there as it were) warms and soothes. Washed in wine it is good for pleurisy. The same (applied with ash or chalk) is good for oedema, inflammation and fistulas [ulcers]. They say that ass's fat makes scars all one colour. Fats of geese and poultry are good for women’s disorders, cracks of the lips, clearing the face, and for sores of the ears. Bears’ fat is thought to make hair that was destroyed by alopecia 219 FATS [baldness] grow again, and is good for chilblains. Foxes’ fat cures sores of the ears. Fat of river fish (melted in the sun and mixed with honey) rubbed on the eyes clears their sight. The fat of a viper mixed (in equal parts) with cedria [1-105] Attic [Athenian] honey and old oil is also good for dullness of the sight and liquids in the eyes. It makes hair in the armpits that has been removed never come up again, applied by itself at the roots of the hair [depilatory]. 2-95. MUELOI SUGGESTED: Bone Marrow D eer marrow is the best, then that from a calf, after, that from a bull, then a goat and a sheep. They are gathered at the time when spring is drawing on, and towards the autumn, for at other times of the year it is found in the bones — looking bloody and similar to flesh that is easily broken. It is hard to recognise except by whoever takes it out of the bones and preserves it. All marrow is softening, purifying, and healing, and fills up the hollow sores of ulcers. The bone marrow of a deer (rubbed on) also drives away venomous creatures. It is prepared like fat [above] being taken out of the choicest and freshest bones. Water is poured on it, and afterwards it is strained through a linen cloth and similarly washed until the water becomes clean. Afterwards it is melted in a double jar, the filth that swims on top is taken off with a feather, and it is strained out into a mortar. After it has congealed it is stored in a new earthenware jar, the filth that lies at the bottom having been carefully scraped away. If you want to store it unprepared follow the directions given in fats of poultry and of geese. 2-96. CHOLE PASA SUGGESTED: Gall from various Animals A ll kinds of gall is prepared and stored as follows. Take gall that is new, bind the mouth [of the gall bladder] with a linen thread, put it into boiling water, and then let it remain for as long as it would take to travel three furlongs [3/8 mile]. Afterwards take it out and dry it 220 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK in a shady dry place. For galls that you intend to mix with eye medicines, bind them with a linen thread, put them into a glass bottle containing honey, tie the beginning of the thread to the mouth of the bottle, then cork it and put it in storage. All kinds of gall are sharp and warming, varying in strength depending on their source. Galls from sea scorpions [2-14], the fish called callionymus [uranoscopus], sea turtles and hyenas seem to be more effective; as well as that of partridge, eagle, white hens and wild she-goats. They serve effectively for liquids and darkness of the eyes that has recently begun, argema [small white ulcer on the cornea], and coarse eyelids. A bull’s gall is more effective than that from a sheep, swine, or goat, as well as that from a bear. All of them have a tendency to laxativeness (especially in children), if, dipping a lock of wool in there, you apply it to the perineum. Bulls’ gall with honey is effectively rubbed on those troubled with tonsillitis. It heals [ulcers] on the perineum to a scar, and purulent ears and cracks in them, dropped in with goats’ milk or women’s, and it is also good for noise in the ears [dropped in] with juice from leeks. It is put into wound plasters, and ointments that are rubbed about the body to prevent poisoning. It is good with honey against spreading erosive ulcers, and pains of the genitals and of the scrotum. It is an excellent cleanser for leprosy and dandruff with nitre [potassium nitrate — saltpetre] or fuller's earth [ammonium silicate]. Sheep and bear galls are good for the same purposes but they are somewhat weaker: bear gall (taken in a linctus [syrup]) helps those with falling sickness. Gall from a tortoise is put into the nostrils for tonsillitis, and is also good for gangrenous ulceration in the mouths of children, and epilepsy. Gall from a wild she-goat rubbed on effectively cures the dim-sighted. That from a he-goat does the same, and also takes away glandular fever. Rubbed on, it represses the protuberances of elephantiasis [skin disease]. Gall from swine is effective taken for ulcers in the ears and all the other things. 221 FATS 2-97. PERI HAIMATON Blood — CAUTION B lood from a goose, duck, drake, or kid are usefully mixed with antidotes. Blood from a wood dove, turtle, pigeon, and partridge are rubbed on new sores on eyes and on eyes that are bloodshot and have dull sight. In particular that from a pigeon stops bleeding from the meninges [membranes of the spinal cord and brain]. Blood from a he-goat, she-goat, deer or hare (fried in a pan and eaten) stop dysentery and discharges of the abdominal cavity. Taken in a drink with wine it is an antidote against poison. A hare’s blood rubbed on warm cures sunburn and freckles. Dog’s blood (taken as a drink) is good for those bitten by a mad dog, or who have taken poison in a drink. Blood from an earth tortoise (taken as a drink) is said to be good for epileptics. Blood of a sea turtle (taken in a drink with wine, rennet of a hare and cumin), is good against the bites of venomous creatures, and an antidote for drinking anything hateful or loathsome. Blood from a bull applied with polenta disperses and softens hardness. Blood of stallion horses is mixed with antiseptic medicines. Blood from a chamaeleon is believed to make the eyelids hairless, and that from green frogs is thought to have the same effectiveness. The menstrual blood of a woman rubbed on her (or if she walks over it) is thought to keep her from conception; yet rubbed on it alleviates the pains of gout and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. 2-98. APOPATOS Dung — CAUTION T he dung of a cow from the herd (applied whilst fresh) lessens the inflammation of wounds. It is wrapped in leaves, warmed in hot ashes, and applied. The application of it in the same way serves as a warm pack for lessening sciatica. Applied with vinegar it dissolves hardness, scrofulous tumours [goitres], and bone inflammation. In particular, breathing smoke from the burning dung of a male beast of the herd restores a uterus that has fallen down, and the fumes also drive gnats 222 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK away. The berries [dung] of goats, especially those that live on the mountains, (taken in a drink with wine) cures yellow jaundice. Taken in a drink with spices they induce the menstrual flow and are an abortifacient. Dried and pounded into small pieces and applied in wool with frankincense they stop the flows of women, and with vinegar they restrain other discharges of blood. They cure baldness, burnt and rubbed on with vinegar or vinegar and honey. Applied with swines’ grease they help the gouty. Boiled with vinegar or wine they are applied to the bites of snakes, creeping ulcers, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and parotitis [inflamed glands e.g. mumps]. Burnt goat dung is effectively taken for sciatica as follows. In that hollow middle space between thumb and forefinger where the thumb approaches towards the wrist, first lay wool moistened in oil, then lay on it one by one hot pills of goat dung until the sense of it comes through the arm to the hip and lessens the pain. This type of burning is called Arabic. The dung of sheep applied with vinegar heals epinyctis [pustules which appear only at night], corns, hanging warts, and warty abnormal growths; as well as burns, used with a waxy ointment of rosaceum [1-53]. The dry (dung) of a wild swine (taken as a drink with water or wine) prevents throwing up of blood, and lessens a longenduring pain of the side. For hernia and convulsions it is taken as a drink with vinegar, and it cures dislocations used with rosaceum [1-53] waxy ointment. The dung of asses as well as horses staunches bleeding (whether used raw or burnt) mixed with vinegar. Dung of one of the drove that goes at grass (after it is dry) is steeped in wine and taken as a drink to considerably help those bitten by scorpions. Doves’ dung (being more hot and burning) is effective mixed with barley meal, but with vinegar it dissolves tumours [possibly goitre]. It breaks carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours], pounded together with honey and hempseed and oil, and it heals burns. Poultry dung does the same but less effectively, yet in particular it is good (taken in a drink with vinegar or wine) as an antidote against deadly mushrooms and the suffering of coli [colic]. Dung of a stork (taken in a drink with water) is thought to be good for epilepsy. Inhaled, the smoke of the dung of a vulture is reported to be an abortifacient. The dung of mice (pounded into small pieces with vinegar and rubbed on) cures baldness. 223 FATS Taken as a drink with frankincense and honeyed wine it expels urinary stones. Mouse dung given to children [as a suppository] encourages the bowels to evacuate. Dog dung that is taken up in the heat of the dog days [midsummer], dried, and taken in a drink with water or wine, is an astringent for the bowels. That of men (new-made, applied as a poultice) keeps wounds from inflaming; and it closes open cuts and joins them together. Dried and rubbed on with honey it is reported to help those troubled with tonsillitis. The dung of an earth crocodile is good for women to colour the face and make it shine. The best is smallest and soon crumbled, smooth as amyl [starch] and quickly melted in liquid. Pounded, it is somewhat sour, resembling fermented dough in the smell. They counterfeit it by feeding starlings with rice and selling their dung because it is similar. Others mix amyl [starch] or cymolia [cimolite — soft earth — hydrous silicate of alumina], colour it with anchusa, sift it finely through a thin sieve, dry it until it looks like little worms and sell it instead of this. (It is found among secrets that man’s dung as well as dogs’ dung mixed with honey and applied to the throat is a remedy for tonsillitis.) 2-99. PERI OURON Urine — CAUTION A man’s own water (taken as a drink) is an antidote against viper bites, deadly medicines and dropsy as it begins. And it is applied with hot cloths for the bites of sea vipers, sea scorpions, and sea dragons [2-15]. Dogs’ urine makes a warm pack for those bitten by mad dogs, and with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it cleans leprosy and itchiness. Older urine is a better cleanser for achor [scaly eruption of the scalp], dandruff, psoriasis and hot eruptions, and it represses gangrenous ulcerations, even those in the genitals. Put into purulent ears it represses their pus; and boiled in a pomegranate rind it dries out worms in the ears. The urine of an incorrupt boy (sipped) is good for asthma; and boiled in brass with honey it cleans the scar of a healed wound, argemae [small white ulcers on the cornea], and dim vision. The same urine with cyprian brass makes a glue for soldering gold 224 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK together. The substance of the urine (rubbed on) alleviates erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. It eases pains of the womb boiled with cyprinum [1-65] and applied. It eases those troubled with constriction of the womb, cleans the eyelids, and purges scars in the eyes. Bull’s urine pounded together with myrrh and dropped in the ears lessens earache. Boar’s urine has a similar property— more particularly, taken as a drink it breaks and expels stones in the bladder. Two cups of urine of a goat taken in a drink with spica nardi [spikenard] with water every day (is said) to expel urine through the bowels, and dropped in the ears it cures sores of the ears. Urine of an ass is said to cure inflamed kidneys. 2-100. LUNGOURION Lyncurium — Urine of a Lynx L yncurium [urine of a lynx] is thought (as soon as it is pissed out) to grow into a stone, as a result it has only a foolish report. Some call this succinum pterygophoron [the wing of accompaniment] because it draws feathers to it. Taken as a drink with water it is good for a stomach and intestines troubled with excessive discharge. 2-101. MELI SUGGESTED: Honey A ttic [Athenian] honey is the best, especially that called hymettium; the next best is that from the Cyclad Islands, and that from Sicily called simblium. The most appreciated is extremely sweet and sharp, with a fragrant smell, a pale yellow colour, not liquid but glutinous and firm, and which when taken (as it were) leaps back to the finger. It is cleansing, opens pores, and draws out fluids. As a result it is good for all rotten and hollow ulcers when infused. Boiled and applied it heals flesh that stands separated, and it cures lichen [skin disease with red pustules] boiled with liquid allom [5-123] and applied; as well as noise in the ears and their pains, dropped in lukewarm with salt dug up or mined sea shells pounded into small pieces. Rubbed on it kills lice and nits, and restores the exposed nut of the yard [old 225 FATS English — rod, penis] which was opened by circumcision, the foreskin being softened with honey (especially after bathing) for thirty days. It cleans away things that darken the pupils of the eyes. It heals inflammations around the throat and tonsils, and tonsillitis, either rubbed on or gargled. It induces the movement of urine, and cures coughs and those bitten by snakes. Taken warm with rosaceum [1-53] it is an antidote for meconium [4-65]; and is either licked or taken in a drink for fungi and those bitten by mad dogs. Raw [honey] inflates the intestines and encourages coughs — as a result you ought to use clarified [honey]. Spring honey is the best, then that of summer, but that of winter (being thicker) is the worst, causing weals and blisters. 2-102. MELI SARDOON SUGGESTED: Sardinian Honey T he honey that is made in Sardinia is bitter because the bees feed on wormwood [3-26] yet it is good rubbed on the face for sunburn and spots. 2-103. MELI PONTIKON SUGGESTED: Heraclean Honey A t some times (of the year) honey is made in Heraclea of Pontus which, from the property of certain flowers, makes eaters of it beside themselves with sweating, but they are helped by eating rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and salt meat and drinking mead [honey wine], taking these as often as they vomit. It is sharp and the smell causes sneezing. Rubbed on with costum [1-15] it heals sunburn, and with salt it takes away bruises. 2-104. SAKCHARON SUGGESTED: Arundo saccharifera, Saccharum officinale, Bambusa arundinacea — Sugar Reeds T here is a kind of coalesced honey called sugar found in reeds in India and Arabia the happy, similar in consistency to salt and brittle [enough] to be broken 226 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK between the teeth like salt. It is good dissolved in water for the intestines and stomach, and taken as a drink to help a painful bladder and kidneys. Rubbed on it disperses things which darken the pupils. 2-105. KEROS SUGGESTED: Beeswax T he best wax is a pale yellow, somewhat fat, with a sweet taste and having the scent as it were of honey, yet pure. It is usually either Pontic or Cretan. The next best is somewhat white and fat. Wax is made white as follows. Cut clean wax into small pieces, put it into a new jar and pour on it as much sea water (taken out of the deep) as shall be sufficient, and boil it, sprinkling a little saltpetre [potassium nitrate] on it. When it has boiled two or three times remove the jar, let it cool, take out the calce [lime] and scrape off the filth if there is any around it, and boil it again, adding more fresh seawater to it. When the wax has boiled again (as before) remove the jar from the fire, take the bottom of a new little jar (first moistened in cold water), let it down gently into the wax, dipping it in a little with a soft touch, that a little of it may be taken, and that it may be coalesced together separately. Having taken it up, pull off the first cake and let down the bottom of the jar again, cooling it in water again, and do this until you have taken up all the wax. Then pierce the little cakes with a linen thread and hang them up at some distance from one another. In the daytime set them in the sun, sprinkle them every now and then with water, and at night set them under the moon until they become perfectly white. If anyone wants to make it extraordinarily white let him do these things in the same way but let him boil it more often. Some, instead of sea water taken out of the deep, boil it as previously described once or twice in very sharp brine, then afterwards they take it out on a thin, round bottle with a handle. Afterwards, laying the little round cakes on thick grass, they place them in the sun until at last they become wonderfully white. They advise to set about this work in the spring when the sun both lessens its intensity and yields dew, so that the wax does not melt. All wax is warming, softening and reasonably filling. It is mixed in 227 FATS broths for dysentery, and is swallowed down in an amount equal to ten grains of millet, as it does not allow the milk to curdle in those who suckle [breastfeeding]. 2-106. PROPOLIS SUGGESTED: Bee-glue T he yellow bee-glue that has a sweet scent and resembles styrax [1-79] should be chosen, and which is soft, excessively dry, and easy to spread (like mastic [1-90]). It is extremely warm and attractive, and draws out thorns and splinters. The smoke from it (inhaled) helps old coughs, and it is applied to take away lichen [skin disease with red pustules]. It is found around the mouths of hives, being similar in nature to wax. Blepharis edulis after FAGUET — 1874 228 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS 2-107. PUROI SUGGESTED: Tritici primum genus, Triticum vulgare [Fuchs] Triticum sativum, Triticum aesetivum, Triticum tertium genus [Fuchs], Triticum turegidum [Linnaeus] — Wheat [other usage] Pirum, Pyrum, Puroi — Pear Tree [Pliny] T he most effective pyrum [wheat] for the preservation of health is new, fully ripe and a yellowish colour. Then after this is trimestre [called this because it is ripe in three months] called by some sitanium, which eaten raw breeds worms in the loins [lower torso]. Chewed and applied it helps those bitten by a mad dog. Bread made of the flour of it is more nourishing than the panis cibarius [from the merchants] but that from the meal of trimestris is lighter and quickly distributed. Wheat meal is applied as a plaster with juice of hyoscyamus [4-69] for discharges of the nerves and puffing up of the bowels; with vinegar and honey it takes away freckles. Bran boiled with sharp vinegar and applied as a warm poultice removes leprosy, and is a convenient poultice for all inflammations as they begin. Boiled with a decoction of rue it represses swelling breasts, and is good for those bitten by vipers, or troubled with griping. The fermented dough of the meal (being warming and extractive) effectively lessens calluses in the soles of the feet. It ripens and opens other protuberances and boils or inflammatory tumours with salt. Meal from sitanian wheat is good applied as a poultice with vinegar or wine for those bitten by venomous creatures. Boiled like glue and taken as linctus [syrup] it helps those who spit blood. It is good against coughs and irritations of the arteries boiled together with mint and butter. Wheat flour boiled with honey and water, or oil mixed with water, dissolves any inflammation. Bread (either raw or baked) applied with honey and water lessens all inflammation, is very softening, and somewhat cooling, mixed with some herbs or juices. Both by itself or mixed with other things, wheat that is old and dry stops loose bowels. Wheat that is new (steeped in brine and applied) cures old lichen [papular skin disease]. Glue made either of fine flour or 229 FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS the finest meal for gluing books, is good for those who spit blood, if it is made more liquid and lukewarm and a spoonful is sipped up. 2-108. KRITHE SUGGESTED: Hordeum polystichum, Hordeum distichum [Fuchs], Hordeum distichon [Brunfels, Linnaeus], Hordeum tetrastichum [in Sprague] — Two-row Barley Hordeum sativum, Hordeum vulgare — Six-row Barley see 2-157, Crithmum maritimum T he best crithe is is white and clean but it is less nourishing than wheat; yet crithe water is more nourishing than the polenta that is made of it by reason of the cream that comes off it in the boiling. It is good for irritations, roughness of the arteries and ulcers. Wheat water is also good for these things as it is more nourishing and diuretic. It causes an abundance of milk [breastfeeding] boiled together with marathrum [3-81] seed and sipped. It is urinary, cleansing, flatulent, bad for the stomach, and ripens oedema. Meal of it boiled with figs, honey and water dissolves oedema and inflammation. It digests hard lumps with pitch, rosin and doves’ dung. It brings ease to those troubled with pain in their side with melilot [3-48] and the heads of poppies. It is applied as a poultice with flax seed, fenugreek and rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] against gaseousness in the intestines. With moist pitch, wax, the urine of an uncorrupted child and oil it ripens scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres]. With myrtle, wine, wild pears, bramble, or pomegranate rinds it stops discharges of the bowels. With quinces or vinegar it is good for gouty inflammation. Boiled with sharp vinegar (as a poultice made of crithe meal) and applied warm it cures leprosy. Juice extracted out of the meal with water and boiled with pitch and oil is good for discharges of the joints. Meal of crithe stops discharges of the bowels and lessens inflammation. 230 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-109. ZUTHOS SUGGESTED: Zythum, Hordeum sativum, Hordeum vulgare [Pliny] — Soured Barley Water, Egyptian Malt Liquor Z ythum is made from barley. It is diuretic but hurtful to the kidneys and nerves (being especially bad for the neural membrane). It is also wind inducing, produces bad fluids, and causes leprosy. Ivory steeped in it is made fit to work on. 2-110. KOURMI SUGGESTED: Hordeum sativum, Hordeum vulgare — Fermented Barley Drink A drink is made from barley, called curmi, which people often drink instead of wine. It causes headaches, breeds ill fluids, and hurts the tendons. There are similar sorts of drink made from wheat in western Iberia and in Brittany. 2-111. ZEIA SUGGESTED: Zeae alterum genus [Fuchs], Zea briza dicta, Zea monococcus germanica [Brunfels], Triticum monococcum — Small Spelt, Engrain, One-grained Wheat Zeae primum genus [Fuchs], Zeae dicoccus major [Bauhin] Triticum dicoccum — Emmer Wheat, Two-grained Wheat Triticum zea, Triticum spelta — Spelt Wheat, Dinkel Wheat T here are two kinds of zea — one single and the other dicoccous, having the seed joined in two husks. It is more nourishing than barley, pleasant-tasting to the mouth, but made into bread it is less nourishing than wheat. 231 FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS 2-112. KRIMNON SUGGESTED: Triticum zea, Triticum spelta — Spelt Wheat, Dinkel Wheat Triticum dicoccum — Emmer Wheat, Two-grained Wheat Triticum vulgare, Triticum sativum, Triticum aesetivum — Wheat C rimnum from which porridge is made is the coarsest meal that is made from zea and wheat. It is abundantly nourishing and easy to digest, but that from zea is more astringent to the bowels, especially dried by the fire beforehand. 2-113. OLURA SUGGESTED: Olyra, Spelta, Triticum romanum [Bedevian] O lyra [grain] is very similar to zea but somewhat less nourishing. It is also made into bread and crimnum [porridge] is similarly made of it. 2-114. ATHERA SUGGESTED: Triticum zea, Triticum spelta — Alica, Spelt Wheat, Dinkel Wheat Triticum dicoccum — Emmer Wheat, Two-grained Wheat A thera is made of zea ground very small. It is a spoonmeal (similar to liquid porridge) suitable for children, and it is good in plasters. 2-115. TRAGOS SUGGESTED: Tragus berteronianus T — Carrot Seed Grass ragus is somewhat similar in shape to chondrus [below] but is much less nourishing than zea [above] because it has much chaff. As a result it is hard to digest and softens the bowels. 232 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Triticum sativum after FAGUET — 1894 233 FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS Hordeum sativum after FAGUET — 1894 234 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-116. BROMOS SUGGESTED: Avena [Fuchs], Avena vulgaris [Bauhin] Avena sativa var β [Linnaeus] — Oats [other usage] Bromus arvensis — Corn Brome Grass Bromus temulentus, Lolium temulentum, Crepolea temulentum — Darnel, Cheat, Ryegrass, Ivray NARCOTIC see 4-140 B romus is a grass similar to wheat in the leaves, distinguished by knots, and it has fruit on the top (as it were, two-footed little locusts) in which is the seed, as effective for poultices as barley. Porridge is also made from it for binding the intestines. Cream of bromus is sipped to help those troubled with a cough. 2-117. ORUZA SUGGESTED: Oryza sativa — Rice O ryza is a kind of grass growing in marshy and moist places, moderately nourishing and binding to the bowels. 2-118. CHONDROS SUGGESTED:Triticum zea, Triticum spelta — Spelt Wheat, Dinkel Wheat Triticum dicoccum — Emmer Wheat, Two-grained Wheat C hondrus is made of grain called zea dicoccos, more nourishing than rice, and more binding to the intestines, but far better for the stomach. Boiled with vinegar it takes away leprosy; and rubbed on it drives away pitted nails, cures aegilopses [ulcer or fistula in the inner angle of the eye] that are new, and a decoction of it is a fit suppository for those who have dysentery with much pain. Oryza sativa after FAGUET — 1892 235 FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS 2-119. KENCHROS SUGGESTED: Milium [Fuchs], Panicum chrus-galli, Echinochloa chrus-galli, Oplismenus chrus-galli — Small Millet, Barnyard Grass, Cockspur Panicum Panicum miliaceum [Linnaeus] — Millet, Panic Millet Setaria italica, Chaetochloa italica — Italian Millet [other usage] Cenchrus lappaceus — Bur Cenchrus C enchrus (which the Romans call millet) is less nourishing than other grains, but made into bread (or used as porridge) it stops discharges of the intestines and induces the passing of urine. Heated and put warm into bags [as a hot pad] it helps griping and other disorders. 2-120. ELUMOS SUGGESTED: Panicum [Fuchs], Setaria italica [in Sprague] [other usage] Lyme Grass, Marram, Mat Grass — Elymus arenarius E lymus is of grain seeds similar to millet which are made into meal in the same way, and are effective for the same uses, yet are less nourishing than millet and less astringent. The Romans call it panicum, and others call it melinen. 2-121. SESAMON SUGGESTED: Sesamum indicum, Sesamum orientale, Sesamum oleiferum — Sesame seeds, Gingelly, Gingili S esamum is hurtful to the stomach and causes a stinking breath in the mouth, if after it is eaten it remains between the teeth. Applied it disperses thicknesses in the nerves. It heals fractures, inflammation in the ears, burns, disorders of the colon, and the bites of the horned viper. With rosaceum [1-53] it eases headaches caused by heat. The herb boiled in wine does the same. It is especially good for inflammation and sores of the eyes. Oil is made [from the seeds] of it that the Egyptians use. 236 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Triticum spelta after FAGUET — 1894 237 FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS Asparagus altilis from FUCHS — 1545 238 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-122. AIRA SUGGESTED: Lolium [Fuchs], Lychnis segetum major [Bauhin], Agrostemma githago [Linnaeus] — Corn Cockle [other usage] Molinia caerulea, Aira coerulea — Purple Molinia, Lavender Grass, Blawing Grass see 2-116 A ira (which grows among wheat) ground up has the power to remove the edges from nomae [grazer disease, eats away muscle, tissue and bones], rotten ulcers, and gangrene, applied as a poultice with radishes and salt. With natural sulphur and vinegar it cures wild lichenae [skin disease] and leprosy. Boiled in wine with pigeons’ dung and flaxseed it dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres], and breaks open swellings that are hard to ripen. Boiled with honey and water and applied as a poultice it is good for those with sciatica. The smoke inhaled with polenta, myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], saffron, or frankincense helps conception. The Romans call it lolium, and it is also called thyaron. 2-123. AMULON SUGGESTED: Starch, Amyl A myl is called this because it is made without the help of a mill. The best is made of that wheat which ripens in three months and grows in Crete or Egypt. It is made from this clean three-months wheat [sitanium or trimestre] being steeped in water five times a day, and if it is possible in the night too. When it has become soft you must pour out the water gently without jogging so that the best starch is not poured out together with it. When it appears to be very soft (having poured out the water) it must be trod with the feet, and having poured in (other) water again it must be pounded. Then the bran that lies underneath must be taken away with a skimmer, and that which is left must be strained, and after it is strained you are to dry it on new tiles in a very warm sun, for if it remains moist even a little it presently grows sour. It is effective against discharges of the eyes, hollow ulcers and pustules. Taken in a drink it stops the throwing-up of 239 FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS blood, as well as disorders of the arteries. It is mixed with milk and sauces. Starch is also made from zea [Triticum zea] that is steeped for one or two days, kneaded with the hands like dough, and dried in a very hot sun (as has been formerly described). This is not fit for bodily use but for other uses it is fit enough. Sesamum indicum after FAGUET — 1888 240 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Elymus arenarius from WILLKOMM — 1903 241 FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS M ilium from FUCHS — 1545 242 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-124. TELEOS ALEURON, TELIS SUGGESTED: Foenograecum, Foenumgraecum [Fuchs], Foenumgraecum sativum [Bauhin], Trigonella foenum-graecum [Linnaeus] — Fenugreek T elis [flour of fenugreek] and meal of fenugreek are softening and dispersing. Pounded into small pieces with boiled honey and water and applied as a poultice, it is good for both inner and outer inflammation. Pounded into small pieces and applied as a plaster with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and vinegar it reduces the spleen. A decoction of it is a bath for women’s problems caused either from inflammation or closure (of the vulva). The cream of it (boiled in water and strained out) cleans hair, dandruff and scaly eruptions on the scalp. It is inserted instead of a pessary with goose grease, softening and dilating the places about the womb. With vinegar the green leaves are good for weak and ulcerated places. A decoction is used for ineffective straining at stools or urination, and for stinking loose bowels from dysentery. The oil (with myrtle) cleans hair and scars in the private parts. It is also called carpon, buceras, aegoceras, ceraitis, or lotos, the Latins call it foenumgraecum, and the Egyptians, itasin. 2-125. LINON SUGGESTED: Linum sativum [Bauhin], Linum usitatissimum — Flax L inum [flax] is commonly known. The seed (boiled with honey and oil and a little water, or taken in boiled honey) has the same strength as fenugreek, dispersing and softening all inflammation inwardly and outwardly. Used raw (applied as a plaster with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and figs) it takes away sunburn and varicose veins. With lye it disperses inflammation of the parotid gland and hard lumps. Boiled with wine it cleans away herpes [viral skin infection] and favus [contagious 243 LACHANA: VEGETABLES skin disease]. It takes off pitted nails, taken with an equal amount of nasturtium [2-185] and honey. Taken with honey instead of syrup, it brings up things from the chest and it relieves coughs. Mixed with honey and pepper into a flat cake and eaten, it encourages the pursuit of sexual pleasure [aphrodisiac]. A decoction is given as a suppository for ulcers of the bowels and womb, as well as for expelling excrement; and it is very good (like a decoction of fenugreek) used as a hip bath for inflammation of the womb. It is also called linocalamis, anion, or linon agrion; the Romans call it linomyrum, and the Africans, zeraphis. 2-126. EREBINTHOS SUGGESTED: Cicer nigrum [Fuchs], Cicer sativum [Bauhin] Cicer arietinum [Linnaeus] — Chick-pea, Gram Astragalus cicer, Phaca cicer — Mountain Chickpea, Vetch Erebus — God of the Underworld C icer that is set or sown is agreeable to the stomach, diuretic, causes winds and a good colour all around, expels the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, and encourages milk. It is applied as a poultice (especially boiled with ervum [2-129, 2-131]) for inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney], protruding warts, scabs, running ulcers of the head, and for lichenae [skin disease], and cancerous malignant ulcers with barley and honey. The other type is called arietinus and both of them are diuretic, a decoction being given with libanotis [medicated drinks] for yellow jaundice and dropsy; but they hurt an ulcerated bladder and the kidneys. Some touch the top of every wart with a cicer when the moon is new, some with one, some with another, bind them up in a linen cloth and command them to be put backward, as though the warts would fall away by these means. There is also a wild cicer with leaves similar to that which is set or sown, sharp in smell but different in the seed, serviceable for the same uses as the set plants. 244 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK N elumbo nucifera after FAGUET — 1888 245 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Faba vulgaris from FUCHS — 1545 246 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-127. KUAMOS HELLENIKOS SUGGESTED: Faba, Faba vulgaris [Fuchs] Vicia faba [Linnaeus] — Broad Bean Cyamus, Cyamos, Colocasia [Pliny] — Egyptian Bean see 2-197, 2-128 C yamus. The Greek bean is windy, flatulent, hard to digest, and causes troublesome dreams. Yet it is good for coughs and gaining body weight, as it is in the midst of hot and cold. Boiled with vinegar and honey and eaten with the husks it stops dysentery and discharges of the coeliac [intestinal complaints]; and eaten it is good against vomiting. It is made less flatulent if the first water in which it was boiled is thrown away. Green [raw] beans are worse for the stomach and more wind inducing. Meal from the bean (applied as a poultice either by itself or with polenta) lessens inflammation from a stroke, makes scars all one colour, helps swollen inflamed breasts, and dries up milk. With honey and meal of fenugreek it dissolves boils or inflammatory tumours, parotid tumours, and blueness under the eyes. With roses, frankincense and the white of an egg it represses the falling-forwards of the eyes, staphylomata [inflammatory protrusion of the cornea] and oedema. Kneaded with wine it helps excessive liquids and blows to the eyes. Chewed without the husks, it is applied to the forehead as a coolant for discharges. Boiled in wine it cures the inflammation of stones [urinary, kidney]. Applied as a poultice to the place where the pubic hair grows in children, it keeps them hairless for a long time. It cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy]. If the husks are applied as a poultice it makes hair that has been plucked grow out emaciated and thin. Applied with polenta, alumen [5-123] and old oil it dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling]. A decoction of it dyes wool. It is applied to discharges of blood caused by leeches, shelled and divided in two parts as it grew. The cut half closely pressed on suppresses it. 247 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-128. KUAMOS AIGUPTIOS SUGGESTED: N elumbium speciosum, N elumbo nucifera, N elumbium nelumbo, N ymphaea nelumbo, N elumbo nucifera — Nelumbo, East Indian Lotus, Sacred Bean, Egyptian Bean, Pythagorean Bean, Seed of the Lotus see 2-127 T he Egyptian bean (which some call pontican) grows abundantly in Egypt, Asia and Cilicia, and is found in marshy places. It has a leaf as great as a hat, a stalk the height of a foot, about the thickness of a finger. The flower is a rose colour, twice as big as the flower of a poppy. Having done blowing it bears pods similar to little bags, in each of which is a little bean (standing out above the covering) similar to a little bladder. It is called ciborium or cibotium (as we should say, loculamentum) because the setting of the bean is made when it is put in moist land and so left in the water. The root is thicker than that of the reed and lies underneath. This is used either boiled or raw and is called collocasia. The bean itself is also eaten green, but when dry it grows black and is bigger than the Greek one, astringent, and good for the stomach. As a result the meal that is made from them, sprinkled on instead of polenta, is good for dysentery and the abdominal cavity, and it is given as a porridge. The husks work better boiled in mulsum [honey, water and wine] and three cupfuls of it given to drink. The green in the middle of them is bitter to taste, and good for earache, pounded into small pieces, boiled with rosaceum [1-53] and dropped in the ears. 2-129. PHAKOS SUGGESTED: Lens [Fuchs], Lens vulgaris [Bauhin], Ervum lens [Linnaeus], Lens esculenta, Lens culinaris — Lentils see 2-131 P haca (which the Latins call lens or lentils) is frequently eaten. It is dulling to the sight, hard to digest, worthless for the stomach, puffs up the stomach and intestines with wind, but is therapeutic for the intestines if eaten with the husks. The best is easily digested and 248 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Lens from FUCHS — 1545 249 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Foenumgraecum from FUCHS — 1545 250 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK leaves nothing black when steeping it. It is astringent; as a result it is therapeutic for the bowels, if the husks are taken away first, and it is well boiled. The first water in which it is boiled is thrown away as the first boiling is laxative to the bowels. It causes troublesome dreams and is bad for sinewy parts, the lungs and the head. It will do its proper work better against discharges of the bowels if it is mixed with vinegar, intubus [endive], purslane, black beet, myrtle berries, pomegranate rinds, dry roses, medlars, service fruit, Theban pears, dates, the fruit of cotonea [1-160], chicory, plantain, whole galls [oak galls] (which are thrown away after they are boiled), or rhoe [4-64] which is sprinkled on meats. The vinegar must be carefully boiled with it otherwise it troubles the bowels. Thirty grains of lentils (pilled and swallowed) help a churning stomach. Boiled and re-boiled with polenta and applied, it lessens gout. With honey it joins together the hollowness of sores, breaks the scabs of ulcers and cleans them. Boiled with vinegar it disperses hard lumps and scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres]. With melilot [3-48] or the fruit of cotonea (and rosaceum [1-53] mixed with it all) it heals inflammation of the eyes and the perineum. For a worse inflammation of the perineum and large hollow sores, it is boiled with pomegranate rinds or dry roses as well as honey. It is good with seawater for ulcers of the cheek that have become gangrenous. It is good taken as previously described for shingles [herpes], pustules, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and chilblains. Boiled in seawater and applied it helps swollen breasts and curdling milk in women’s breasts. 251 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-130. PHASIOLOS SUGGESTED: Phasiolus, Isopyron, Isopyrum, Phaseolites, Phaseolus, Phasel [Pliny], Phaseolus lunatus [Linnaeus in Mabberley] — Pulses [other usage] Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus — French Beans, Kidney Beans, Scarlet Runner Beans, Haricot Beans see 4-121, 2-176 P hasiolus is flatulent, stirs up wind, and is hard to digest. Boiled green and eaten, it softens the bowels but is apt to make one vomit. 2-131. OROBOS SUGGESTED: Ervum sativum, Ervum album sativum [Fuchs] Lathyris sativus [Bauhin, Linnaeus], Ervum sylvestre, Lathyris sylvestris [in Sprague] — Indian Pea, Riga Pea, Dogtooth Pea [Mabberley] causes motorneurone disease [other usage] Orobus tuberosus — Orobe, Bitter Vetch O robos (which the Latins call ervum) is a little wellknown shrub with narrow thin leaves, bearing little seeds in the husks from which a meal is made called ervina that is fit for bodily uses. If it is eaten it annoys the head, troubles the bowels, and brings out blood through the urine. It fattens beasts if it is boiled and given to them. Ervina flour is made as follows. Select the fullest and whitest seeds, sprinkle them with water and stir them together. When you have allowed them to absorb enough water, dry them until their husks are quite broken. Then grind them, sift them through a fine sieve and put the flour in storage. It is good for the bowels, diuretic, and causes a good colour. Taken excessively either in meat or drink it brings out blood through the intestines and bladder (with suffering). With honey it cleans ulcers, freckles, sunburn, spots, and the rest of the body. It stops ulcers of the cheeks, scleroma [hardened nasal or laryngeal tissue patches], and gangrene. It softens hard lumps in the breasts, and emarginates [removes the edge of] wild boils, carbuncles [infected 252 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Linum usitatissimum after FAGUET — 1888 253 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Cicer arietinum after FAGUET — 1888 254 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK boils] [malignant skin tumours] and favus [contagious skin disease]. Kneaded with wine and applied it cures the bites of dogs, bites of men, and of vipers; with vinegar it lessens painful frequent urination, griping, and ineffective straining at stool or urination. Toasted and taken with honey (in the amount of a nut) it is good for those whose meat does not nourish them. A decoction applied with hot cloths cures chilblains and itchiness on the body. 2-132. THERMOS EMEROS SUGGESTED: Lupinus albus [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Lupinus termis — Egyptian Lupin, Termus T hermus which is sown is commonly known. The meal of it taken as a linctus [syrup] with honey (or as a drink with vinegar) expels worms; and the lupins themselves steeped and eaten bitter does the same, as well as a decoction of them taken as a drink with rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and pepper. This also helps the splenetic. It is good as a warm pack for gangrene, wild ulcers, scabs that are new, vitiligines [type of leprosy], spots, rashes such as measles, and running ulcers on the head. The same given in a pessary with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and honey extracts the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient. The meal cleans the skin and its bruises, and with polenta and water it lessens inflammation. With vinegar it lessens the pains of sciatica and swellings. Boiled in vinegar and applied as a poultice it induces passing of scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres] out of their place, and breaks carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours] all around. Lupines (boiled with rain water until they cream) clear the face, and boiled with the root of black chamaeleon [3-11] they cure scabs on sheep [veterinary] that are washed with a lukewarm decoction of it. The root boiled with water and taken as a drink expels urine. The lupines themselves sweetened, pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with vinegar soothe a nauseous stomach and cure lack of appetite. The Latins call it lupinus, the Egyptians, brechu. 255 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-133. THERMOS AGRIOS SUGGESTED: Lupinus angustifolius — Wild Lupin T here is a wild lupin that the Latins call lupinus agrestis, similar to that which is sown, yet it is in every way less effective for the same purposes than the sown lupin. 2-134. GONGULIS SUGGESTED: Rapum sativum, Rapum sativum album [Fuchs], Gongulis [Latin], Brassica rapa — Rape, Common Turnip Brassica napus — Naphew, Nape, Winter Rape, Swede T he boiled root of gongule is nourishing yet very windy. It breeds moist loose flesh and encourages sexual appetite [aphrodisiac]. A decoction makes a warm pack for gout and chilblains. Used alone, pounded into small pieces and applied, it is good for the same things too. If anyone makes the root hollow and melts a waxy ointment of oil of roses in there in hot ashes, this is effective for ulcerated chilblains. The tender tops are eaten boiled and they encourage urine [diuretic]. The seed is good in antidotes and treacles that stop pain. Taken as a drink it is good against deadly medicines [antidote] and encourages sexual activity [aphrodisiac]. Rapum pickled in brine and eaten is less nourishing, yet it restores the appetite. It is also called gongilida, or golgosium; the Romans call it rapum. 2-135. GONGOLE AGRIOE SUGGESTED: Rapum sylvestre, Napus-Bunias sylvestris [Fuchs Plate #99], Barbarea vulgaris — Winter Cress, Yellow Rocket Rapunculus esculentis [Bauhin], Campanula rapunculus [Linnaeus] — Rampion [Mabberley] T he wild rapum grows in fields, a shrub of two feet high, bearing many boughs, smooth on the top; [the root] is the thickness of a finger or more. It bears seed in husks similar to cups. When the coverings that contain 256 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK N apus Bunias sativus from FUCHS — 1545 257 LACHANA: VEGETABLES N apus Bunias sylvestris from FUCHS — 1545 258 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK the seeds are opened there is another husk within (similar to a head) in which are little black seeds. When these are broken they are white within. They are put into sebaceous treatments for clearing the face and other parts of the body, such as those made from the meal of lupins [2-132], wheat, lolium [2-116, 4-140], or ervum [2-129, 2-131]. 2-136. BOUNIAS SUGGESTED: N apus-Bunias sativas [Fuchs Plate #98], Brassica campestris var rapa [Linnaeus], Barbarea praecox — Land Cress [other usage] Bunias cakile, Cakile maritima — Common Sea Rocket Bunias erucago, Bunias aspera, Bunias orientalis — Bunias B unias and its root (boiled) is wind-inducing and less nourishing. The seed (taken in a drink beforehand) makes poisons ineffective. It is mixed with antidotes and the root is preserved in salt. 2-137. RAPHANIS SUGGESTED: Raphanus sativus, Radix, Radicula [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus] — Common Cultivated Radish R adish also breeds wind and heats. It is welcome to the mouth but not good for the stomach; besides, it causes belching and is diuretic. It is good for the intestines if one takes it after meat, helping digestion more, but eaten beforehand it suspends the meat. Thus it is good for those who desire to vomit to eat it before meat. It also sharpens the senses. Boiled and taken it is good for those who have had a cough for a long time, and who breed thick phlegm in their chests. The skin (taken with vinegar and honey) is stronger to make one vomit, and good for dropsy. Applied as a poultice it is good for the splenetic. With honey it stops gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks, and takes away black and blue marks under the eyes. It helps those bitten by vipers, and thickens hair lost from alopecia. With meal of lolium [2-116, 4-140] it takes off freckles. Eaten or taken in a drink it helps those strangled from eating mushrooms, and drives down the 259 LACHANA: VEGETABLES menstrual flow. Taken as a drink with vinegar the seed causes internal ulcers, is diuretic, and reduces the spleen. Boiled with warm vinegar and honey it serves as a gargle to help tonsillitis. Taken as a drink with wine it helps bites from a horned viper; and smeared on with vinegar it emarginates [removes the edge of] gangrene powerfully. It is also called polyides eryngium, the Latins call it radix nostratis, and the Africans call it thorpath. 2-138. RAPHANOS AGRIA SUGGESTED: Raphanis sylvestris, Armoracia [Fuchs], Raphanus rusticanus [Bauhin], Cochlearia armoracia [Linnaeus], N asturtium armoracia, Roripa armoracia, Radicula armoracia Armoracia rusticana — Common Horseradish T he wild radish (which the Romans call armoracia) has leaves similar to that which is sown, or rather more similar to those of lampsana. The root is slender, soft, and somewhat sharp; both the leaves and root are boiled instead of vegetables. It is warming, diuretic and burning. 2-139. SISARON SUGGESTED: Pastinaca sativa [Linnaeus] Sisarum sativum magnum, Sisarum sativum minus [Fuchs], Pastinaca sativa latifolia, Sisarum Germanorum [Bauhin], Siser, Sisarum, Sium sisarum [Linnaeus, Bedevian], Pastinaca sylvestris latifolia, Pastinaca sativa [in Sprague] — Skirret, Water Parsnip S iser is commonly known. The root (eaten boiled) is pleasing to the taste and effective for the stomach. It is diuretic and stirs up the appetite. 260 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Brassica primum genus from FUCHS — 1545 261 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Brassica secundum genus from FUCHS — 1545 262 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-140. LAPATHON SUGGESTED: Oxylapathum, Lapatium acutum [Fuchs], Rumex obtusifolius [Linnaeus], Lapathum aquaticum — Water Sorrel, Water Dock Oxalis, Acetosa [Fuchs], Acetosa pratensis [Bauhin], Rumex acetosa [Linnaeus] — Dock, Sorrel [Mabberley] L apathum (one sort of it is called oxylapathum) grows in marshy places. It is hard and somewhat pointed towards the top, but that in the garden is not similar to the other. There is a third kind that is wild, small, similar to plantain, soft, low. There is also a fourth kind called oxalis, anaxuris, or lapathum, whose leaves are similar to the wild small lapathum; the stalk is not great; the seed is pointed, red, and sharp on the stalk and the branches. The herbs of all of these (boiled) soothe the intestines. Applied raw as a poultice with rosaceum [1-53] or saffron it dissolves the melicerides [encysted tumour with exudation like honey]. The seed of the wild lapathum, oxylapathum and oxalis is effective (taken in a drink of water or wine) for dysentery, abdominal afflictions, a scorpion strike, and a nauseous stomach. If anyone drinks it beforehand he shall have no hurt when struck (by a scorpion). The roots of these boiled with vinegar (or used raw and applied as a poultice) cures leprosy, impetigo [skin infection] and rough nails, but you must first thoroughly rub the place in the sun with nitre [potassium nitrate — saltpetre] or vinegar. A decoction of sorrel applied with hot cloths or mixed with a bath relieves itchiness. It lessens earache and toothache used as a rinse with liquid from sorrel boiled in wine. Boiled in wine and applied, they dissolve scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling], goitres, and swollen parotid glands. A decoction boiled in vinegar lessens the spleen. Some use the roots as an amulet (hanging them around the neck) for goitre. Pounded into small pieces and applied, they also stop women’s flows. Boiled with wine and taken as a drink they help jaundice, break stones in the bladder, draw out the menstrual flow, and help those touched by scorpions. 263 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-141. HIPPOLAPATHON SUGGESTED: Rumicis secundum genus, Rhabarabum monarchorum [Fuchs], Hippolapathum latifolium [Bauhin], Rumex alpinus [Linnaeus], Rumex hydrolapathum — Water Dock, Horse Sorrel H ippolapathum is a great olus [one that is well known] growing in marshes. It has the same properties as those mentioned above. 2-142. LAMPSANE SUGGESTED: Lampsana communis, Lapsana communis — Common Nipplewort L ampsana is a wild olus [one that is well known], more nourishing and more agreeable to the stomach than lapathum, whose stalks and leaves are eaten boiled [vegetable]. The Latins call it napium [wood nymph], and the Egyptians, euthmoe. 2-143. BLITON SUGGESTED: Blitum [Fuchs],Bliti genus, Chenopodium polyspermum [Linnaeus], Amaranthus blitum, Albersia blitum — Blite, Wild Amaranth [other usage] Blitum virgatum — Strawberry Spinach B litum is also eaten as a vegetable, having no use medicinally. The Egyptians call it eclotoripam, others, riplam, the Latins, blitum, and the Dacians, bles. 264 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sisarum sativum magnum from FUCHS — 1545 265 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Rumicis tertium genus, Rumex obtusifolius from FUCHS — 1545 266 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-144. MALACHE AGRIA, MALACHE KEPAIA SUGGESTED: Malva hortensis, Malva sylvestris pumila [Fuchs], Alcea rosea, Malva rotundifolia, Malva sylvestris [Linnaeus], Althea rosea [in Sprague] — Common Mallow [other usage] Malache [Bedevian] — Wild Ochra Hibiscus esculentis, Abelmoschus esculentis — Okra, Gombo, Gobbo M alache that is sown is more fit to be eaten than the wild. It is bad for the stomach and good for the bowels, especially the stalks, which are effective for the intestines and bladder. The raw leaves (chewed with a little salt and rubbed on with honey) are able to cure an ulcer in the inner angle of the eye, but when it must be brought to a scar then it must be used with salt. Rubbed on it is effective for bee and wasp stings, and if a man is rubbed with it beforehand (raw, pounded finely with oil) he remains unstrikable. Applied with urine it cures running sores on the head and dandruff. The boiled leaves pounded into small pieces and applied with oil help burns and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. A decoction of it is a softening bath for the womb, and is fit in suppositories for pangs of hunger in the intestines, for the womb, and for the perineum. The broth boiled together with the roots helps all poisonings, but those who drink it must continuously vomit it up. It is good for those bitten by harvest spiders, and it brings out milk. The seed of the wild lotus is mixed with it and taken as a drink with wine to lessen disorders of the bladder. The Latins call it hortensis [of the garden], Pythagoras calls it anthema, Zoroastrians, diadesma, the Egyptians, chocorten, the Magi, caprae lien, and others, muris cauda. 2-145. ATRAPHAXIS SUGGESTED: Atriplex hortensis [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Atriplex hortensis alba [Bauhin], Chenopodium album [Linnaeus] — Goosefoot, Fat Hen [other usage] Atraphaxis spinosa — Prickly Atraphaxis A traphaxis [atra — black, phaxis — hair] is a wellknown vegetable of two types — one wild, the other 267 LACHANA: VEGETABLES sown in gardens. The latter is eaten boiled as a vegetable. Smeared on either raw or boiled it dissolves inflammation in bones. The seed (taken in a drink with honey and water) cures jaundice. It is also called chrysolachanon, the Latins call it atriplex, and the Egyptians, ochi. 2-146. KRAMBE EMEROS SUGGESTED: Brassica tertium genus, Crambe [Fuchs] — Kale Gossularia simplici acino, Spinosa sylvestris [Bauhin], Brassica napus [Linnaeus] — Rape C rambe that is sown or set is good for the bowels. It is eaten slightly boiled, for when thoroughly boiled it is therapeutic for the intestines, and more so that which is twice boiled or boiled in lye. Summer crambe is worthless for the stomach and sharper, and that which grows in Egypt is inedible in its bitterness. Eaten, it helps the dullsighted and those troubled with trembling. Taken after meat it extinguishes the maladies that come from gluttony and wine [hangovers]. The young tendrils are better for the stomach yet sharper and more diuretic. Preserved in salt it is bad for the stomach and troubles the intestines. The juice (taken raw and swallowed with iris and saltpetre [potassium nitrate]) softens the intestines. Taken in a drink with wine it helps those bitten by a viper. With the meal of fenugreek and vinegar it helps those with gout in their feet and joints, and applied it is good for foul or old ulcers. Poured into the nostrils by itself it purges the head. Taken as a pessary with meal of lolium [2-116, 4-140] it expels the menstrual flow. The leaves pounded into small pieces and applied (either alone or with polenta) are good for any inflammation and oedema. They also heal erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], epinyctides [pustules which appear at night] and psoriasis. With salt they break carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours] all around. They stop hair from falling out of the head. Boiled and mixed with honey they are good against erosive gangrenes. Eaten raw with vinegar they are good for the splenetic. Chewed and the juice swallowed down they restore the loss of the voice. A decoction (taken as a drink) induces movement of the bowels and the menstrual flow. The flower applied 268 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Oxalis, Rumex acetosa from FUCHS — 1545 269 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Plantago media from FUCHS — 1545 270 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK in a pessary after childbirth hinders conception. The seed, especially of cabbage that grows in Egypt, (taken as a drink) expels worms. It is put into antidotes for the bites of poisonous snakes. It clears the skin on the face and cleans away freckles. The green stalks burnt together with the roots are mixed with old swines’ grease and applied to lessen long-lasting pains in the side. It is also called crambe cepaea, i.e. garden brassica, while the Latins call it brassica. 2-147. KRAMBE AGRIA SUGGESTED: Brassica oleracea — Wild Kale [Mabberley] W ild crambe (which the Latins call brassica rustica) grows most commonly in steep coastal places. It is similar to that which is sown but is whiter, rougher and bitter. The young tendrils boiled in lye are not unsavoury in the mouth. The leaves applied as a poultice are able to seal wounds, and dissolve oedema and inflammation. 2-148. KRAMBE THALASSIA SUGGESTED: Crambe maritima — Sea Kale, T Sea Cabbage hat which is called sea crambe is altogether different from the cultivated, with many thin leaves similar to the round aristolochia. Every one of them springs from reddish branches out of one stalk (similar to cissus). It has white juice but not in any great abundance. It is salty to the taste and somewhat bitter with a fatty substance. The whole herb is an enemy to the stomach, sharp, and eaten boiled excessively loosening to the bowels. Some (because of its sharpness) boil it together with fat from rams. Brassica oleracea after FAGUET — 1888 271 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-149. TEUTLON MELAN AGRION SUGGESTED: Beta candida [Fuchs], Beta alba, Cicla officinarum [Bauhin], Beta vulgaris — White Beet, Swiss Chard Beta nigra [Fuchs], Beta rubra vulgaris [Bauhin] — Beetroot T here are two types of great teutlon. The black are more astringent for the stomach boiled with lens [lentils] (especially the root), but the white are good for the intestines. They both have bad juice because of the saltpetre [potassium nitrate] in them. As a result, the juice put into the nostrils with honey purges the head and helps earache. A decoction of the roots and leaves applied with hot cloths cleanses dandruff and the lendes [loins (digestive or procreative) and buttocks], and soothes chilblains. You must rub vitiligines [form of leprosy] and erosive ulcers with the raw leaves and nitre [saltpetre], as well as the the scalp for loss of hair on the head but first shave it. Boiled, they heal rashes such as measles, as well as burns and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. The Latins call it beta silvatica. 2-150. ANDRACHNE SUGGESTED: Portulaca hortensis [Fuchs], Portulaca latifolia, Portulaca sativa [Bauhin], Portulaca oleracea [Linnaeus], Peplo [Italian], Portulaca oleracea var sativa — Garden Purslane [other usage] Andrachne telephoides — False Orpine Arbutus andrachne — Greek Strawberry Tree A ndrachne is astringent. Applied with polenta it helps headaches, inflammation of the eyes, other (inflammations), burning of the stomach, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], and disorders of the bladder. Eaten, it lessens numbness of the teeth, burning of the stomach and intestines and their excessive discharges, helps eroded kidneys and the bladder, and dissolves the hot desire to sexual union [anaphrodisiac]. Taken as a drink the juice has similar effects, and is good in burning fevers. Boiled very well (it is good) for worms [roundworms in the intestines], the spitting of blood, 272 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Plantago minor from FUCHS — 1545 273 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Portulaca oleracea after FAGUET — 1888 274 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK dysentery, haemorrhoids, as well as eruptions of blood, and bites of the seps [poisonous lizard]. It is effective mixed with eye medicines, and is a suppository for bowels troubled with excessive discharges, or for a damaged vulva. It provides irrigation [supply of moisture] with rosaceum [1-53] or oil for headaches that come from heat. With wine it is a cleansing ointment for pustules of the head, and is applied with polenta to wounds growing into gangrene. 2-151. ANDRACHNE AGRIA SUGGESTED: Portulaca sylvestris [Fuchs, Bauhin], Portulaca angustifolia [Bauhin], Portulaca oleracea var sylvestris [Linnaeus] — Yellow Portulaca A ndrachne sylvestris has broader and thicker little leaves than the andrachne above. It grows in rocky places (sometimes also in gardens). It has leaves similar to those of the olive tree but much smaller yet more abundant and tender. There are many red stalks emerging from one root, leaning earthward. Chewed they are found to have good juice — sticky, and somewhat salty. It is warming, sharp, and ulcerating, and applied with goose grease it dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres]. It is also called aizoon agrion i.e. sempervivum sylvestre, or telephium, the Latins (call it) illecebra, some, portulaca, the Africans, maemoem, the Dacians, lax, and the Egyptians, mochmutim. 2-152. ASPHARAGOS SUGGESTED: Asparagus altilis [Brunfels], Asparagus sativa [Bauhin], Asparagus acutifolius, Asparagus corruda, Asparagus officinalis var altilis [Linnaeus] — Asparagus, Sparrow Grass A spharagus is also called myon. It grows in rocky places, a well-known herb, the small stalks of which, boiled and eaten, soothe the intestines and encourage urine [diuretic]. A decoction of the roots (taken as a drink) helps frequent and painful urination, jaundice, kidney Asparagus after FAGUET — 1888 275 LACHANA: VEGETABLES ailments and hip problems, as well as those bitten by harvest spiders. Boiled in wine it helps those troubled with toothache (a decoction being kept on the pained tooth). The seed (taken in a drink) is good to obtain the same results. They say that if dogs drink a decoction they will die. Some have related that if one pounds ram’s horns in pieces and buries them, asparagus comes up, which is incredible to me. Asparagus is a plant with many branches and many long leaves similar to marathrum [3-81], with a great round root that has a knob. The stalks pounded into small pieces with white wine lessen disorders of the kidneys. Taken either boiled or roasted it soothes slow painful urination and dysentery. The root boiled either in wine or vinegar lessens dislocations. Boiled with figs and chickpeas and eaten it cures jaundice, and lessens hip pains and painful urination. Displayed [like an amulet] (and a decoction taken as a drink) it makes one barren and not fit for generation [birth control]. 2-153. ARNOGLOSSON, ARNOGLOSSON MIKRON SUGGESTED: Plantago major [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus], Arnoglossa, Septinervia, Plantago latifolia sinuata [Bauhin] — Waybread, Greater Plantain Plantago minor [Fuchs], Plantago media [Brunfels, Linnaeus] Plantago angustifolia major [Bauhin] — Hoary Plantain T Plantago lanceolata after FAGUET — 1888 276 wo kinds of arnoglossa are found — one lesser, the other larger. The smaller sort has narrower leaves, smaller, softer, smoother and thinner; with an angular stalk, bending down (as it were) on the ground. The flowers are pale, with the seed on the top of the stalks. The bigger kind is more flourishing, broad-leaved, a sort of an olus [one that is well known]. The stalk is angular, somewhat red, a foot in height, closed around from the middle to the top with thin seed. The roots underneath are tender, rough, white, a finger thick. It grows in marshes, hedges and moist places. The larger is better for use. The leaves are drying and astringent. Therefore rubbed on they work against all malignancies, and leprous, running, filthy ulcers. They also stop excessive THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Vicia faba after THIEBAULT — 1888 277 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Atriplex hortensis from FUCHS — 1545 278 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK discharges of blood, gangrenous ulceration, carbuncles [malignant tumours], shingles [herpes] and epinyctis [pustules which appear only at night]. They form a skin over old irregular ulcers, and heal chironian [cheiralgia — pain in the hand or cuts from a surgeon] and hollow creeks caused by it. They are good applied with salt for dog bites, burns, inflammation, and parotitis [inflamed glands, mumps], as well as the inflammation of bones, scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres], and ulcers of the eyes. The herb (boiled and taken with water and salt) helps dysentery and abdominal distress. It is also given boiled with lentils instead of beets. The herb is also given (boiled) for the dropsy called leucoplegmatia [a tendency to dropsy] caused by eating dry meats, however it must be taken while eating the meats. It is also good given to the epileptic and the asthmatic. The juice of the leaves cleans ulcers in the mouth, washed every now and then with it. With cimolia [like fuller's earth] or cerussa [white lead ore] it heals skin inflammation, and helps fistulas [ulcers] poured into them. The juice being dropped in the ears or mixed in eye salves helps earache and sores on the eyes, and it is good (taken as a drink) for bleeding gums and for those who vomit blood. It is good for dysentery given as an enema or suppository. It is taken as a drink against consumption. It is used as a pessary in wool for constriction of the womb and for a womb troubled with excessive discharges. The seeds (taken as a drink in wine) stop discharges of the bowels and the spitting of blood. The root is boiled and the mouth is washed with this decoction (or the root is chewed) to lessen toothache. The root and the leaves are given in passum [raisin wine] for ulcers in the bladder and kidneys, but some say that three roots (taken as a drink with three cupfuls of wine and as much water) help a fever with recurrent paroxysms, and that four roots (help) a quartain [with paroxysms every fourth day] fever. Some also use the root as an amulet for scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling goitres] to dissolve them. (The Syrians say that a broth of this and calamint with honey will cure the paralysed, given on the second and fourth day until the parascive, (that is the Friday), but take this as a secret for it is most true and according to experience). 279 LACHANA: VEGETABLES It is also called arnion (as we should say of a lamb), probation (as we should say of a sheep), cynoglosson, (that is dog’s tongue), heptapleuron, polynervon (that is having many tendons). The Magi call it erechneumonis, the Egyptians, aschat, the Latins, plantago minor, the Gauls tarbidolopion, the Spaniards, thesarican, and the Africans, atiercon. 2-154. SION TO EN ODASIN SUGGESTED: Sium, Anagallis-aquatica [Fuchs], Anagallis aquatica minor [Bauhin], Veronica beccabunga [Linnaeus] — Brooklime [Mabberley] [other usage] Sium latifolium — Water Parsley, Water Parsnip Sium falcaria, Sium siculum — Water Parsnip species S ium aquaticum is a little shrub which is found in the water — upright, fat, with broad leaves similar to hipposelinum [3-78], yet somewhat smaller and aromatic — which is eaten (either boiled or raw) to break stones [kidney, bladder] and discharge them. Eaten they also induce the movement of urine, are abortifacient, expel the menstrual flow, and are good for dysentery. (Crateuas speaks of it thus: it is a herb like a shrub, little, with round leaves, bigger than black mint, similar to eruca [2-170]). It is also called anagallis aquatica, schoenos aromatica, as well as a sort of juncus odoratus, darenion, or laver. 2-155. SISUMBRION SUGGESTED: Sisymbrium [Fuchs], Mentha aquatica [Fuchs, Linnaeus] — Water Mint [Mabberley] [other usage] Sisymbrium officinale, Erysimum officinale — Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium alliaria, Alliaria officinalis — Sauce-alone, Garlic Wort S isymbrium grows in untilled ground. It is similar to garden mint, yet broader-leaved and with a sweeter scent, and is used in wreaths for the head. It is warming. The seed (taken in a drink with wine) is good for slow painful urination and urinary stones, and relieves 280 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Anagallis aquatica from FUCHS — 1545 281 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Sisymbrium from FUCHS — 1545 282 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK griping and the hiccups. The leaves are laid on the temples and the forehead for headaches. They are also good for the stings of wasps and bees. Taken as a drink it stops vomiting. It is also called serpillum sylvestre, or veneris corona; the Latins call it austeralis, and others, herba venerea. 2-156. SISUMBRION ETERON SUGGESTED: Sisymbrium cardamine, Nasturtium aquaticum [Fuchs], Nasturtium aquaticum supinum [Bauhin], Sisymbrium nasturtium, Sisymbrium aquaticum, N asturtium officinale [Brunfels], Radicula nasturtium-aquaticum, Roripa nasturtium-aquaticum — Water Cress, Water Grass see 2-170 T he other sisymbrium is a watery herb growing in the same places as sion [2-154]. It is also called cardamine because it resembles nasturtium [2-185] in the taste. It has round leaves at first but when grown they are divided like those of eruca [2-170]. It is warming and diuretic and is eaten raw. It takes away freckles and sunburn, applied at night and wiped away in the morning. Some call it cardamine [meadow cress], and some, sion. 2-157. KRITHMON SUGGESTED: Crithmum maritimum, Cachrys maritimum — Samphire, Sea Fennel, Peter’s Cress C rithmon (also called critamon) is a shrubby little herb about a foot in height, with thick leaves, which grows in rocky maritime places. It is full of fat whitish leaves similar to those of purslane — yet thicker and longer and salty to the taste. It bears white flowers and a soft fruit similar to libanotis — sweet smelling, round. When dry it splits and has a seed within similar to wheat. The roots are the thickness of a finger, fragrant, and with a pleasant taste. The seed, root and leaves (boiled in wine and taken as a drink) are effective to help frequent painful urination and jaundice, and they induce the menstrual flow. It is used as a vegetable (eaten either boiled or raw), and is also preserved in brine. 283 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-158. KORONOPOUS SUGGESTED: Coronopus, Cornu cervium [Fuchs], Coronopus hortensis [Bauhin], Plantago coronopis var β [Linnaeus], Coronopus, Cornus cervicum, Herba stella — Buckshorn Plantain, Star of the Earth C oronopus is a little herb that is somewhat long, with indented leaves, spread on the ground. It is eaten (boiled) as a vegetable. It has a thin astringent root that is eaten for coeliac [intestinal complaints]. It grows in untilled places, on hillocks and by highways. It is also called ammonos, or astrion, the Africans call it atirsipte, the Latins caciatrix, some, stilago, or sanguinaria. 2-159. SONCHOS AKANTHODESTEROS, SONCHOS TRACHOS, SONCHOS TRUPHEROS SUGGESTED: Sonchus aspera [Fuchs], Sonchus asper laciniatus, Sonchus asper non laciniatus [Bauhin], Sonchus oleraceus var asper [Linnaeus] — Common Sowthistle Sonchus non-aspera [Fuchs], Sonchus laevis laciniatus latifolius [Bauhin], Sonchus oleraceus var laevis [Linnaeus] — Sowthistle, Milkthistle [Mabberley] T here are two kinds of sonchus — one more wild and prickly, the other more tender and edible. The stalk is angular and somewhat red within with ragged leaves at a distance all around. They are cooling and moderately astringent; as a result they are applied for a burning stomach and inflammation. The juice is sipped to lessen pangs of hunger in the stomach. It draws down milk and is applied on wool to help inflammation of the perineum and womb. The herb and root are applied to help those touched by a scorpion. There is also another kind of sonchus that is also tender, grows like a tree, and is broad leaved, but the leaves divide the stalk. This is effective for the same purposes. It is also called asperum, or cichorium, the Romans call it cicerbita, and the Africans, gathuonem. 284 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sonchus aspera from FUCHS — 1545 285 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Sonchus non aspera from FUCHS — 1545 286 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-160. SERIS SUGGESTED: Intybum saticvum latifolium [Fuchs, Bauhin], Endiva vulgaris [Bauhin], Cichorium endivia [Linnaeus] Intybum sativum angustifolium, Scariol [Fuchs] — Endive Intybum sylvestre, Intubus erraticus, Cichorea [Fuchs], Cichorium sylvestre, Cichorium officinarum [Bauhin] Cichorium intybus [Linnaeus] — Wild Chicory, Succory S eris has two types — wild and cultivated, of which the wild is called pickris or cichorum, but the other kind, that of the garden, is broader-leaved and more pleasant in the mouth. Of the two kinds, one is more similar to lettuce and is broad leaved; the other is narrow-leaved and bitter. Both are astringent, cooling and good for the stomach. Boiled and taken with vinegar they stop discharges of the bowels, and the wild (especially) are best for the stomach, for when eaten they comfort a disturbed and burning stomach. Applied with polenta (or by themselves) they are good for heart conditions. They help gout and inflammation of the eyes. The herb and root are rubbed on to help those who are touched by a scorpion, and with polenta they heal erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. The juice from them with cerussa [white lead ore] and vinegar is good rubbed on those who need cooling. It is also called picris, the Egyptians call it agon, and the Romans, intybus agrestis. Cichorium intybus after FAGUET — 1880 2-161. KONDRILLE, KONDRILLE ETERA SUGGESTED: Hedypnois, Dens leonis, Taraxacon [Fuchs], Hedypnois maior [Brunfels], Leontodon taraxacum [Linnaeus], Taraxacum officinale — Dandelion [other usage] Chondrilla juncea, Chondrilla graminea — Chondrilla, Chondrille, Gum Succory, Wild Succory C ondrilla (also called cichorium or seris), has leaves, a stalk and flowers similar to chicory, as a result some have said that it is a kind of wild seris, but it is altogether much smaller. Around the stems a gum is found (about the size of a bean) that is similar to mastic [1-51]. Pounded into small pieces with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and an amount the size of an olive applied in a linen cloth, it 287 LACHANA: VEGETABLES dries out the menstrual flow. The herb pounded together with the root and mixed with honey is formed into lozenges, which are diluted and mixed with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] to take away sunburn. The gum preserves the hair. The root (taken whilst it is new) is good for the same purposes — a needle being dipped [into the juice of] it and applied to the hair. Taken as a drink with wine it is also good against vipers; and the juice boiled with wine and taken as a drink (or else taken alone) stops discharges of the bowels. There is also another kind of condrilla with a gnawed-around leaf, somewhat long, scattered on the ground, the stalk full of juice; and a slender root — lively, smooth, round, a pale yellow, full of juice. The stalk and the leaves are digestive, and the juice is good for retaining the hair on the eyelids. It grows in fertile and cultivated fields. 2-162. KOLOKUNTHA SUGGESTED: Citrullus colocynthis, Cucumis colocynthis — Colocynth, Bitter Apple, Bitter Gourd see 4-178 T he edible colocynth (bruised and applied raw) lessens oedema and the suppuration of ulcers. Scrapings of it are effective applied to the upper part of the heads of children troubled with heat of the head called siriasis [sunstroke]; and it is similarly used for inflammations of the eyes and gout. Juice from bruised scrapings is dropped in the ears either by itself or with rosaceum [1-53] to help earache. Rubbed on, it is good for the appearance of burns from heat. The herb boiled whole and the juice of it strained out and taken as a drink with a little honey and nitre [saltpetre] gently loosens the bowels. If you hollow it (raw), put wine in there, set it out in the open air, then afterwards dilute it and drink it fasting, it gently soothes the bowels. 288 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Intybum sativum angustifolia from FUCHS — 1545 289 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Intybum sativum latifolium from FUCHS — 1545 290 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-163. SIKUOS EMEROS SUGGESTED: Cucumis sativus vulgaris [Fuchs, Bauhin], Cucurbita maior, Cucurbita oblonga [Fuchs], Cucurbita lagenaria [Linnaeus], Lagenaria vulgaris, Sicyos [Latin], Cucumis sativa — Cucumber T he cultivated cucumer is good for the intestines and the stomach, cooling (if it is not spoiled), effective for the bladder. It is smelled to revive those in a swoon, and the seed is mildly diuretic. With milk or passum [raisin wine] it is good for ulcers of the bladder. The leaves are applied with wine to heal the bites of dogs; with honey they heal pustules that appear at night. 2-164. PEPON SUGGESTED: Pepo, Cucumis pepo [Fuchs], Melo vulgaris [Bauhin], Cucumis melo [Linnaeus], Cantalupo, Popone [Italian], Cucumis dudaim var aegypticus — Sweet Melon, Dudaim Melon [other usage] Cucurbita pepo — Pumpkin Melopopone [Italian], Cucurbita pepo var melopepo — Squash T he pulp of pepon is diuretic if eaten, but applied it alleviates inflammation of the eyes. The scrapings are laid on top of the heads of children troubled with siriasis [sunstroke]; and it is laid as an anacollema [against that which is glued together] to the forehead for rheumatic eyes. The juice together with the seed, mixed with meal and dried in the sun, is a scourer to purge away filth and make the skin on the face clear. A teaspoon of the dry root (taken as a drink with honey water) causes vomiting. If anyone wants to vomit gently after supper two times ten grains will be sufficient for this. It also heals favus [contagious skin disease] rubbed on with honey. 291 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-165. THRIDAX EMEROS SUGGESTED: Lactuca sativa crispa et rotunda [Fuchs], Lactuca crispa [Bauhin], Lactuca sativa [Linnaeus], Lactuca scariola var sativa — Common Lettuce L actuca (the garden lettuce) is good for the stomach, a little cooling, causes sleep, softens the bowels and draws down milk. Boiled, it is more nourishing. Eaten unwashed it is good for the stomach. The seeds (taken in a drink) help those who dream continuously, and turn away sexual intercourse [anaphrodisiac]. Eaten too often they cause of dullness of sight. They are also preserved in brine. When they shoot up into a stalk they have properties similar to the juice and milk of the wild lettuce. The Romans call it lactuca, and the Egyptians, embrosi. 2-166. THRIDAX AGRIA SUGGESTED: Lactuca sylvestris [Fuchs], Lactuca scariola [Linnaeus], Thridax [Latin], Lactuca virosa — Wild Lettuce Lactuca virosa [seed head] after FAGUET — 1880 292 W ild lettuce is similar to the cultivated only largerstalked, paler in the leaves, thinner and sharper, and bitter to the taste. It is somewhat similar to poppy in properties, as a result some mix the milky juice of it with meconium [4-65]. Twenty grains of the juice (taken in a drink with posca [hot drinks]) purges away watery matter through the bowels. It also wears off albugo [eye disease], and mistiness and dimness of the eyes, and it is good against their burning heat rubbed on with woman’s milk. In general it is sleep-inducing and eases pain. It draws out the menstrual flow, and is given as a drink for those touched by a scorpion or harvest spider. The seed of this (as well as the cultivated, taken in a drink) turns away lustful dreams and venereal diseases. The juice is also good for the same purposes yet weaker. The milky juice of it is first exposed to the sun (like other extracted juices) and stored in new ceramic jars. The Magi call it sanguis Titani, Zoroastrians, pherumbras, and the Romans, lactuca sylvestris. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Intybum sylvestre caeruleum from FUCHS — 1545 293 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Hedypnois maior from FUCHS — 1545 294 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-167. GINGIDION SUGGESTED: Gingidium, Chaerefolium [Fuchs] Chaerophyllum sativum [Bauhin], Scandix cerefolium [Linnaeus], Anthriscus cerefolium — Chervil [Mabberley] G ingidium grows plentifully in Cilicia and Syria — a little herb similar to wild pastinaca yet thinner, and with a thicker little root, white and bitter. It is used as a vegetable, eaten both raw and boiled. Pickled, it is good for the stomach and diuretic. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) is good for the bladder. The Romans call it bisacutum, the Egyptians, dorysastrum, the Syrians, adorion, the Africans, tiricta, and it is also called lepidium. 2-168. SKANDUX SUGGESTED: Anthriscus sylvestris, Scandix [Pliny] — Wild Chervil, Cow Parsley, Cow Weed S candix is a wild vegetable — somewhat sharp and bitter, edible whether eaten raw or boiled, good for the intestines and the stomach. A decoction (taken as a drink) is good for the bladder, kidneys, and liver. The Romans call it herba scanaria, and some, acicula. 2-169. KAUKALIS SUGGESTED: Caucalis grandiflora, Caucalis pumila, Caucalis platycarpus — Caucalis, Hedge Parsley, Bur Parsley C aucalis (also called wild daucus) has a little stalk a foot in length or more, with leaves similar to marathrum [3-81], very divided and rough, and on the top of it a white tuft with a fragrant scent. This is also used as a vegetable (eaten either raw or boiled), and is diuretic. It is also called caucum, or myitis, Democritus calls it bryon, the Romans, pes gallinaceum, some call it pes pulli, and the Egyptians call it seselis. 295 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-170. EUZOMON SUGGESTED: Eyzumum, Eruca [Pliny], Eruca sativa [Fuchs], Sisymbrium tenuifolium [Linnaeus] — Hedge Mustard Diplotaxis tenuifolia [in Sprague] — Rocket Eruca sylvestris, Sinapi primum [Fuchs] — Hedge Mustard — Sinapi, Eruca [Bauhin], N asturtium sylvestre [Brunfels], Rorippa sylvestre [in Sprague] — Watercress see 2-156 [other usage] Eruca vesicaria ssp sativa — Rocket Salad Eruca erucacastrum, Erucacastrum obtusangulum, Brassica erucacastrum — Bastard Rocket, Wild Rocket E aten raw in any great amount this encourages the pursuit of sexual pleasure [aphrodisiac], and the seed has a similar effect — also being diuretic, digestive and good for the bowels. They use the seed in making sauces so that it may last longer. They steep it first in vinegar or milk, make it into lozenges, and afterwards place it in storage. Wild ezymum grows as well especially in Iberia towards the west, the seed of which the men there use instead of mustard. It is more diuretic and far sharper than the cultivated. The Romans call it eruca, the Egyptians, ethrekicen, and the Africans, asuric. 2-171. OKIMON SUGGESTED: Ocimum exiguum, Ocimum minutum, Ocimum mediocre, Ocimum magnum [Fuchs] Ocimum basilicum, Basilicum — Basil, Sweet Basil O cimum is commonly known. Eaten much it dulls the eyesight and softens the bowels, moves flatulence, is uretic, and helps the flow of milk. It is hard to digest. Applied with flour of polenta, rosaceum [1-53] and vinegar it helps inflammation, and the strikes of poisonous fishes and scorpions. Used alone with Chian [from Scios in the Aegean sea] wine (it is good) for sores of the eyes. The juice takes away dimness in the eyes, and dries up excess fluids in them. Taken in a drink the seed is good for those who breed depression, for frequent painful urination, and flatulence. It causes considerable sneezing when smelled, and the herb does the same. The eyes must be shut whilst the sneezing lasts. Some avoid it and do not 296 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Gingidium from FUCHS — 1545 297 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Eruca sativa from FUCHS — 1545 298 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK eat it, because when it is chewed and set in the sun it breeds little worms. The Africans have used it because those who eat it and are touched by a scorpion remain without pain. 2-172. OROBANKE SUGGESTED: Orobanche major — Greater Broomrape Orobanche minor, Orobanche barbata — Lesser Broomrape Orobanche ramosa — Branched Broomrape ALL SLIGHTLY POISONOUS O robanche (commonly called lycos — as we should say, a wolf) has a little stalk, somewhat red (as it were) two feet [high] and sometimes bigger, fattish in the leaves, rough, tender, endowed with whitish flowers, or somewhat inclining to yellow. The root lies underneath, the thickness of a finger, eaten through with holes when the stalk dries. It seems that when it grows among pulse [legumes] it chokes them, from which it has its name. It is used as a vegetable (either raw or boiled) eaten from a platter like asparagus. Boiled together with legumes it is thought to make them boil sooner. It is also called cynomorion, or leonem, and the Cyprians call it thyrsine. 2-173. TRAGOPOGON SUGGESTED: Tragopogon crocifolius — Wild Salsify Orobanche ramosa after FAGUET — 1888 Tragopogon porrifolius, Tragopogon pratensis — Salsify, Vegetable Oyster, Oyster Plant, Goat’s Beard T ragopogon or tetrapogon (also called come) has a short stalk and leaves similar to saffron. The root is long and sweet. It has a big cup on the stalk and black fruit in the top, from which it took its name. It is an edible herb. 299 LACHANA: VEGETABLES 2-174. ORNITHOGALON SUGGESTED: Ornithogalum umbellatum, Scilla campestris, Bulbus leucanthemus — Eleven o’ Clock Lady, Star of Bethlehem O rnithogalon has a tender stalk — thin, whitish, about two feet high — with three or four tender slips growing together on the top from which come the flowers, which outwardly seem the colour of herbs but opened they are similar to milk. Between them is a little head (cut-in like cachrys [3-88]) that is baked together with bread (like melanthium [3-93]). The root is bulbose and is eaten both raw and boiled [vegetable]. 2-175. HUDNON SUGGESTED: Tuber album, Rhizopogon album, Choiromyces meandriformis — White Truffle, False Truffle T uber is a round, pale, yellow root without leaves or stalk. It is dug up in the spring and is edible eaten either raw or boiled [vegetable]. 2-176. SMILAX SUGGESTED: Smilax-hortensis, Phasiolus [Fuchs], Phaseolus vulgaris [Linnaeus], Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus — French Beans, Kidney Beans, Scarlet Runner Beans, Haricot Beans [other usage] Myrsiphyllum asparagoides — Smilax, Climbing Asparagus see 2-130 G arden smilax whose fruit lobia (pods) is called asparagus by some, has leaves like ivy only softer, with thin stalks and tendrils wrapped around the neighbouring shrubs. These grow so much that they are made into bowers. It bears fruit similar to fenugreek but longer and more widely known, with seeds within similar to kidneys, not the same colour but partly somewhat reddish. The fruit (pod) is eaten with the seeds as a vegetable, boiled like asparagus. It encourages urine and causes troublesome dreams. 300 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Eruca sylvestris from FUCHS — 1545 301 LACHANA: VEGETABLES Smilax hortensis from FUCHS — 1545 302 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-177. MEDICE SUGGESTED: Medicago sativa — Lucerne, Alfalfa, Common Medick M edica recently sprung-up is similar to meadow trifolium [clover] but when more grown it becomes narrower-leaved, sending out stalks similar to trifolium with seeds the size of a lentil, twisted around like a little horn. This is dried and mixed (because of its sweet savour) in salt sauces. Applied whilst green it is good for whatever has need of cooling. Those who breed beasts use the whole herb instead of grass [fodder]. 2-178. APHAKE SUGGESTED: Aphace, Sylvestris vitia, Os mundi [Fuchs], Vicia sepium [Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Bush Vetch [Mabberley] [other usage] Lathyrus aphaca, Aphaca vulgaris, Lathyrus segetum — Yellow Vetchling A phaca is a small-leaved little shrub that grows in the fields, higher than lentils. The pods that are found thickly on it are bigger than lentil pods. They contain three or four little seeds smaller than lentils. These little seeds are astringent, as a result they stop both excessive discharge of the bowels and the stomach. They are [eaten] as the lentil is, fried or bruised and boiled [vegetable]. Orobanche ramosa after FAGUET — 1888 303 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY 2-179. PRASON Leek — Allium ameloprasum var porrum after FAGUET — 1888 SUGGESTED: Porrum capitatum [Fuchs], Allium porrum, Porrum sectivum, Allium schoenoprasum [Linnaeus], Porrum commune, Allium ameloprasum var porrum — Leek T he headed prasum (which the Latins call porrum) is inflative, has bad juice, causes troublesome dreams, is uretic and good for the stomach, reduces the intensity of symptoms, causes dullness of sight, expels the menstrual flow, and hurts ulcerated bladders and kidneys. Boiled with barley water (or otherwise eaten) it brings out things that close up the chest. The blades boiled in sea water and vinegar are excellent in a bath for suffocation and hardness of the womb. It grows sweet and becomes less flatulent if it is boiled in two [separate] waters and steeped in [fresh] cold water. The seed is sharper and somewhat astringent. As a result, the juice mixed with vinegar and manna [exudation of certain trees] or frankincense, stops the blood (especially that which comes from the nostrils), discourages venereal diseases, and is good used as linctus [syrup] with honey for all disorders in the chest. Eaten (it is good) against consumption [wasting disease]. It cleans the breath canals [lungs]. Eaten frequently it dulls the sight and is worthless for the stomach. Taken as a drink with honey and water the juice is a remedy for those bitten by venomous creatures, and the prasum itself also does good if applied. The juice dropped in the ears with vinegar, frankincense, and milk or rosaceum [1-53] helps earache and noises in the ears. The leaves applied with rhoe [4-64] obsoniorum [any food which is not bread] take away varos [papules of smallpox], and heals pustules which appear at night. Applied with salt it removes the edges on the crusts of ulcers. Two teaspoonfuls of the seeds (taken in a drink with the same amount of myrtle berries) stop the throwing-up of old blood. 304 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Aphace from FUCHS — 1545 305 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Erucaria cakiloides from ENGLER-PRANTL— 1897 306 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-180. AMELOPRASON SUGGESTED: Allium ameloprasum var ameloprasum — Wild Leek, Blue Leek, Vine Leek, Great-headed Garlic, Levant Garlic A mpeloprasum is worse for the stomach than leeks but is warmer and more uretic, expelling the menstrual flow. It is good if those bitten by poisonous beasts eat it. 2-181. KROMUON SUGGESTED: Askolonion krommoon [Theophrastus], Cepa ascolonia [Pliny], Cepa [Fuchs], Cepa vulgaris [Bauhin], Allium cepa [Linnaeus], Porrum cepa — Onion Allium ascalonium, Porrum ascalonium — Shallot, Scallion, Ascalonian Garlic T he long onion is sharper than the round, the red more than the white, the dry more than the green, the raw more than the roasted or that kept in salt. All of them have a biting quality and are inflative, inviting appetite. They reduce the intensity of symptoms, cause thirst, cause nauseousness and purging, are good for the bowels, open the passages for excrement, and are good for haemorrhoids. First peeled and put into oil, they are given as a suppository. The juice rubbed on with honey helps dull sight, argema [small white ulcer on the cornea], small clouds in the eye, and those who are beginning to be troubled with liquids in the eyes, as well as angina [heart pains]. It both induces and expels the menstrual flow, and inhaled it purges the head by the nostrils. It is a poultice with salt, rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and honey for those bitten by dogs. Thoroughly rubbed on in the sun with vinegar it cures vitiligines [form of leprosy], and with an equal amount of spodium [calcined powder] it lessens scabby inflammations of the eyes. With salt it represses varos [smallpox pustules]. With poultry grease it is good for shoe-chafing, excessive discharges of the intestines, hardness of hearing, noise in the ears, and purulent ears. It is also good for dripping water in the ears, and the loss of hair (rubbed on) as it brings out the hair sooner than alcyonium [5-136]. Onion (much eaten) causes headaches, but boiled it becomes more diuretic. If much is eaten in 307 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY times of sickness it makes men lethargic. Boiled and applied as a plaster with raisins of the sun or figs it ripens and breaks swelling sores. It is also called polyides, the Magi call it calabotis, and the Latins, caepa. 2-182. SKORODON, LEUKOSKORODON, OPHIOSKORODON, ELAPHOSKORODON SUGGESTED: Allium hortense, Allium sylvestre, Allium ursinum [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Allium sativum, Allium vineale, Allium oleraceum, Porrum sativum — Garlic S ome garlic is cultivated and grows in gardens, and that in Egypt has only one head like the leek — sweet, inclining to a purple colour. Elsewhere it is compacted of many white cloves that the Greeks call aglithai. There is another wild kind called ophioscorodon (that is, serpent’s garlic). It has a sharp, warming, biting quality. It expels flatulence, disturbs the belly, dries the stomach, causes thirst and puffing up, breeds boils on the outside of the body, and dulls vision. Ophioscorodon does the same things when eaten, as well as elaphoscorodon (as we should say, hart’s garlic). Eaten, it draws out broadworms and draws away urine. It is good like nothing else for those bitten by vipers or with haemorrhous [women’s excessive loss of blood] (with wine taken shortly afterwards), or else pounded into small pieces in wine and taken as a drink. It is applied as a poultice that is effective for the same purposes, as well as applied to anyone bitten by a mad dog. Eaten, it is good against change of waters (to clear the throat, and the same way to relieve roughness of the throat). It clears the arteries, and eaten either raw or boiled lessens old coughs. Taken as a drink with a decoction of origanum it kills lice and nits. Burnt and mixed with honey it cures bruised eyes. It is rubbed on for loss of hair but for this it must be used with ointment of nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10]. With salt and oil it heals erupted pimples. With honey it takes away vitiligines [form of leprosy], lichenes [skin disease], freckles, running ulcers on the head, dandruff, and psoriasis. Boiled with taeda [pitch pine] and frankincense and kept in the mouth it lessens toothache. It is a poultice with fig leaves and 308 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Anthriscus sylvestris after THIEBAULT — 1881 309 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Cucurbita pepo after THIEBAULT — 1888 310 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK cumin for those bitten by the mygale [shrew mouse]. A decoction of the leaves is a hip bath to bring down the menstrual flow and afterbirth. It is also inhaled as smoke for the same purpose. The stamping that is made of it with black olives called myrton [garlic and olives] induces the movement of urine, opens the mouths of veins, and is good for dropsy. It is also called geboscum, some call it elaphoboscum, and the Latins, allium. 2-183. SKORODOPRASON SUGGESTED: Allium scorodoprasum — Spanish Garlic, Spanish Shallot S cordoprasum grows to the size of a leek, sharing the qualities of both garlic and leek (from which it has a mixed kind of strength), performing things that the garlic and the leek do, but with fewer efficacies. It is used as a vegetable, eaten boiled like leek and thus made to become sweet. 2-184. SINEPI SUGGESTED: N apy, Sinapis primum genus [Fuchs], Sinapi hortense [Brunfels], Sinapis alba [Linnaeus], Leucosinapis officinalis, Brassica alba — White Mustard, Salad Mustard, Cultivated Mustard C hoose sinepi that is not very dry, red or full; but which if broken looks green within, and as it were juicy and bluish grey. This sort is new and in its prime. It is able to warm, thin, and to draw, and is chewed to purge phlegm from the head. The juice (mixed with honey water and gargled) is good for hard swollen tonsils, and for old, hard, rough skin of the arteries. Pounded into small pieces and put into the nostrils it causes snivelling, helps the epileptic, and revives those troubled with constriction of the vulva. It is rubbed on the lethargic (their head being first shaved). Mixed with figs and applied to the place until it becomes red it is good for sciatica [pains in the hips]. It is used to draw out anything from deep within to the outside of the body (to cure it) by diverting the suffering some other way. Rubbed on with honey, fat or wax ointment it cures loss of hair, cleans the 311 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY face, and takes away bruises from the eyes. It is rubbed about with vinegar for leprosy and wild impetigo [skin infection]. It is taken in a drink against the circuits of fevers, being sprinkled on the drink dry (the same as polenta). It is effective mixed with drawing plasters such as those made for scabies [itchy parasitical disease]. It is good pounded with figs and applied for hardness of hearing and noise in the ears. The juice rubbed on with honey is good for dullness of sight and rough skin of the jowls. The juice is pressed out of it whilst the seed is green and dried in the sun. It is also called napy, and the Romans call it sinapi. 2-185. KARDAMON SUGGESTED: N asturtium hortense, N asturtium sativum, Cressio hortensis [Fuchs, Brunfels], Cardamum, N asturtium hortense vulgatum [Bauhin], Lepidium sativum [Linnaeus], Lepidium oleraceum — Common Garden Cress, Tongue Grass T he best cress seems to be from Babylon. The seed of any sort of cress is warming, sharp, bad for the stomach, troubles the intestines, expels worms, lessens the spleen, is an abortifacient, moves the menstrual flow, and incites to copulation [aphrodisiac]. It has a similar nature to mustard seed and rocket seed. It cleans away psoriasis and impetigo [skin infection]. It keeps the spleen low, rubbed on with honey. It takes away smallpox pustules, and boiled in sipping drinks brings up things sticking in the chest. Taken as a drink it is an antidote against the poison of snakes, and it drives away snakes with inhalation of the smoke from it. It prevents falling hair. It brings carbuncles [infected boils] to suppuration breaking them all around. It is good for sciatica rubbed on with vinegar and polenta. It dissolves oedema and inflammation, and rubbed on with brine brings boils or inflammatory tumours to suppuration. The herb does the same things as the seed yet it is somewhat less effective. It is also called cynocardamom, iberis, cardamina, or cardamantica; the Egyptians call it semeth, and the Latins, nasturtium. 312 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Lepidium perfoliatum after FAGUET — 1888 313 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Sedum telephium after FAGUET — 1888 314 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-186. THLASPI SUGGESTED: Thlaspi latifolium [Fuchs],Thlaspi campestre [Linnaeus], Lepidium campestre [Brunfels] — Field Cress, Wild Bastard Cress, Pepperwort [other usage] Thlaspi arvense — Penny Cress, Mithridate Mustard, Wild Cress Thlaspi alliaceum — Garlic-scented Shepherd’s Purse T hlaspi is a little herb, narrow in the leaves, the height of about a finger, bending to the ground, divided at the top, somewhat fat. It sends out a little stalk two feet in height with a few little branches. Around the whole of it there is fruit from the top, somewhat broad, in which a little seed is enclosed similar to nasturtium [2-185], shaped like a dish as it were, broken or bruised, from which it took its name. The flowers are somewhat white, and it grows in paths, on walls, and in hedges. The seed is sharp and warming. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet measure] (taken in a drink) purges bile upward and downward. It is made into a sup pository for sciatica. Taken in a drink it brings out blood and breaks internal abscesses. It induces the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient. Crateuas mentions another kind of thlaspi called Persicum sinapi, broad-leaved and big-rooted, and this is also mixed in suppositories for sciatica. It is also called thlaspidium, sinapim, sinapi sylvestre, myiten, myopteron, dasmophon, or bitrum; the Egyptians call it suitempsum, the Romans, scandulaceum, and it is also called capsella, or pes gallinaceum. 2-187. DRABA SUGGESTED: Draba verna [Linnaeus], Europhila vulgaris — Common Europhila Draba olympica, Draba arabis, Draba nemoralis — Witlow Grass D raba, a herb of about a foot high, has slender sprigs with leaves on both sides like lepidium, yet more tender and paler, and a tuft on the top with white flowers similar to elder. This herb is boiled with barley water (especially in Cappadocia) and the dry seed is mixed with sauces instead of pepper. 315 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY 2-188. ERUSIMON SUGGESTED: Irion, Sinapis sylvestris, Rapistrum [Fuchs], Rapistrum flore luteo [Bauhin], Sinapis arvensis [Linnaeus], Sisymbrium officinale, Erysimum officinale — Hedge Mustard, Singer’s Plant [other usage] Erysimum alliaria, Alliaria officinalis — Blistercress, Garlicwort Erysimum barbarea, Erysimum cheiranthoides — Treacle Mustard, Treacle Wormseed E rysimum grows about towns, the yards of houses and gardens. It has leaves like eruca sylvestris [2-170]. It has a little stalk, pliable and flexible like a rein, and flowers of a yellowish colour. On the top are little pods like horns (as slender as those of fenugreek) in which are little seeds like those of nasturtium [2-185], burning according to the taste. Licked in with honey they are good for excessive discharges of the chest, spitting-up of rotten stuff, coughs, jaundice and sciatica [pains in hips; sciatic nerves]. It is taken in a drink against deadly medicinal drinks [antidote]. Rubbed on with water or honey it is good for hidden diseases of the cornea, hard lumps, glandular tumours, inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney], and inflammation of the breasts. In general it thins and warms but it is made milder for syrups — first steeped in water and dried or bound into a linen cloth, wrapped around with kneaded flour, and roasted. (Erysimum, pounded into small pieces with wine, should be taken as a drink for pains in the intestines; and if you put seven grains into a house, there shall be arguing). It is also called chamaeplion, the Magi call it Herculis psoriasista, the Egyptians, erethmu, and the Romans call it irio. 2-189. PIPER SUGGESTED: Piper longum, Piper aromaticum, Piper chaba, Chaba officinarum, Chaba roxberghii — Long Pepper Piper nigrum — Black Pepper P epper is said to be a short tree that growing in India which sends out a fruit — at first long, similar to pods — which is the long pepper. It has something within it 316 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Irion from FUCHS — 1545 317 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Piper nigrum after FAGUET — 1874 318 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK similar to millet, will be perfect pepper. At its time of opening itself it sends out clusters bearing grains such as we know (some of which are unripe) which are the white pepper — especially suitable for eye medicines, antidotes, and for the bites of poisonous snakes. The long pepper is endowed with an extraordinarily biting quality, is somewhat bitter because of being unripe, and is suitable for antidotes and the bites of poisonous snakes. The black is sweeter and sharper than the white, more pleasant to the mouth, more aromatic because it is ripe, and fitter to be used in sauces; but the white and unripe is weaker. Choose that which is heaviest and full, black, not too wrinkled, new and not branny. Some is found among the black — without nourishment, lank and light — which is called brasma. All pepper in general is warming, urinary, digestive, attracting and dissolving, and cleans away things that darken the pupils. It is good (either taken in a drink or rubbed on) for periodical chills (of fevers), it helps those bitten by poisonous beasts, and it is an abortifacient. Applied as a pessary it seems to hinder conception after sexual intercourse [birth control]. It is good (taken either in syrups or liquid medicines) for suffering about the chest and for coughs. It is good rubbed on with honey for tonsillitis, and dissolves griping taken as a drink with tender leaves of laurel. Chewed with adenoid passae [lozenges] it draws mucus out of the head. Mixed in sauces it eases pain, is healing, and encourages appetite. Taken with pitch it dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling], and with nitre [saltpetre] it cleans away vitiligines [type of leprosy]. It is roasted in a new ceramic jar over coals — being shaken about similar to lens [lentils]. The root of it is not ginger (as some have supposed) as we will show a little later. Yet the root of pepper is similar to costus [1-15] — warming the taste and causing spittle. Rubbed on with vinegar it humbles the spleen, and chewed with stavesacre [4-156] it extracts mucus. 2-190. ZINGIBERI SUGGESTED: Zingiber officinale — Ginger G inger is a private plant growing plentifully in primitive Arabia. The green herb is used for many 319 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY purposes (as we use rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], boiling and mixing it in oil) for drinking, and with boiled meats. It has small little roots like those of cyprus [1-124], whitish, resembling pepper in taste, and with a sweet smell. Choose those that are least rotten. Some (because of rotting soon) are preserved and carried into Italy in ceramic jars and are fit for [use with] meat, but they are used together with their pickle. They are warming and digestive, soften the intestines gently, and are good for the stomach. Ginger root is effective against things that darken the pupils [eyes]. It is also mixed with antidotes, and in a general way it resembles pepper in its strength. 2-191. UDROPEPERI SUGGESTED: Hydropiper [Fuchs], Persicaria urens, Persica hydropiper [Bauhin], Polygonum hydropiper [Linnaeus] — Water Pepper SLIGHTLY POISONOUS H ydropiper grows chiefly near standing waters or those flowing gently. It sends out a stalk that is knotty and strong, around which are hollows with wings; and leaves similar to mint, but bigger, more delicate and whiter, sharp in taste, similar to pepper but without any sweet smell. It has a fruit growing on the little branches near the leaves, hanging close together like clusters of grapes, and it is also sharp. The leaves applied with the seeds are able to dissolve oedema and old hard lumps, and take away bruises. Dried and pounded, they are mixed with salt and sauces instead of pepper. It has a little root that is of no use. 2-192. PTARMIKE SUGGESTED: Ptarmice, Pyrethrum sylvestre [Fuchs], Dracunculis pratensis serrato folio [Bauhin], Achillea ptarmica, Achillea macrocephala, Ptarmika vulgaris — Sneezewort, Bastard Pellitory P tarmica is a little shrub with many small round branches similar to southernwood, around which are many leaves — somewhat long, similar to those of the olive tree. On the top is a little head like anthemis arvensis 320 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Z ingiber officinalis from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 321 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Capparis spinosa after FAGUET — 1874 322 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK [3-156], small, round, sharp according to the smell, causing sneezing, from which it is named. The leaves smeared on (with the flowers) are able to take away bruises below the eyes. The flowers induce sneezing most effectively. It grows in mountainous and rocky places. 2-193. STROUTHION SUGGESTED: Struthium, Saponaria [Fuchs], Saponaria major laevis [Bauhin], Saponaria officinalis [Linnaeus] — Soapwort, Bouncing Bet, Fuller's Herb [Mabberley] S truthium (which fullers use for cleaning their wool) is commonly known. The root is sharp and uretic. A spoonful of it (taken with honey) helps those with liver disorders, coughs, and asthma; and it draws off bowels. Taken with panaces [3-55, 3-56, 3-57] and root of capparis [2-204] it breaks stones [kidney] and voids them by urine, and melts a hardened spleen; and (placed below) it draws down the menstrual flow, and is an abortifacient. Smeared on with polenta and vinegar it takes away leprosy. Boiled with barley meal and wine it dissolves the inflammation of bones. It is mixed with eye salves made for sharpening the sight, and with soothing medicines. It induces sneezing. Pounded into small pieces and put up into the nostrils with honey it purges through the mouth. It is also called cerdon, catharsis, struthiocamelus, or chamaerrhytos; the Magi call it chalyriton, the Latins, radix, or herba lanaria, the Egyptians, oeno, and the Africans call it syris. 2-194. KUKLAMINOS SUGGESTED: Cyclamen cyclaminus, Cyclamen europaem [Linnaeus], Cyclamen littorale, Cyclamen officinale — Cyclamen, Sow Bread, Bleeding Nun Cyclamen graecum — Greek Cyclamen C yclaminus has leaves like cissus, a purple colour, varied, with whitish spots beneath and above; a stalk of four fingers high, bare and naked, on which are flowers similar to roses, tending to a purple colour; the root black, very similar to rape [coleseed] root and 323 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY somewhat broader. Taken as a drink with honey water it drives phlegm and water [fluids] downwards. It induces the menstrual flow either taken in a drink or placed below. They say that if a woman great with child walks over the root that she aborts, and that tied around her it hastens the birth. It is taken as a drink with wine against deadly poisons, especially against the sea hare. Applied, it is a remedy against the bites of snakes, and mixed with wine it causes drunkenness. Three teaspoonfuls (taken in a drink with passum [raisin wine] or honey diluted in water) drives away yellow jaundice, but whoever drinks it must lie down on his bed in a warm house not open to the wind, and be covered with many cloths so that he may sweat (more easily). The sweat that comes out is found to be a bile colour. Juice from cyclaminus is put into the nostrils with honey to purge the head. It is inserted on wool into the perineum to bring down excrement from the bowels. Rubbed on the navel and the lower part of the bowels and the hips it softens the bowels, and produces abortions. The juice rubbed on with honey is good for bathing the eyes and moisture of the eyes. It is also mixed with medicines that cause abortion. The juice rubbed on with vinegar restores a fallen perineum. The pounded root is juiced and squeezed out, the juice then boiled to the consistency of honey. The root with vinegar (either alone or with honey) cleans the skin, stops pustules from breaking out and cures wounds. Applied, it softens the spleen (and reduces it). It takes away sunburn, and [repairs] the loss of hair. A decoction applied with hot cloths is suitable for dislocations, gout, little ulcers on the head and chilblains. Boiled in old oil and the oil smeared on, it brings wounds to a scar. The root is made hollow, filled with oil, and set over warm ashes (and sometimes a little Tyrrhenian [Etruscan] wax is added so that it is gluey). This is an excellent ointment for those troubled with chilblains. The root is kept in storage, cut in pieces like squill. It is said that it is pounded and made into lozenges and taken with catapotia [pills]. It grows in shady places, especially under trees. It is also called cissanthemon, cissophylon, chelonion, ichthyotheron, chuline, zoroastris, or trimphalites; Osthenes calls it aspho, the Magi, miaspho, the Egyptians, theske, the Romans, rapum terrae, umbilicus terrae, or orbicularis, and it is also called arcar. 324 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Cyclaminus rotundus from FUCHS — 1545 325 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Struthium sativum from FUCHS — 1545 326 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-195. KUKLAMINOS ETERA SUGGESTED: Cyclamen psuedo-graecum T he other cyclamen (also called cissanthemon or cissophylon) has leaves similar to cissus but smaller; thick, knotty stalks rolling around the trees that grow next to them, similar to the tendrils of vines. The flowers are white and fragrant, and the fruit is bunches of berries similar to cissus, soft, single, sharp to the taste and viscous. The root is useless. It grows in rough places. One teaspoon of the fruit (taken in a drink with two cups of white wine [daily] for forty days) melts the spleen, and brings down the intestines by urine. It is taken in a drink for asthma. Taken in a drink it purges away the residue [placenta] after childbearing. 2-196a. DRAKONTION MECA SUGGESTED: Dracunculus [Fuchs], Dracunculus polyphyllus, Arum dracunculus [Linnaeus], Dracunculis vulgaris [in Sprague], Arum dracunculus, Dracunculus vulgaris, Dracontia radix — Dragonwort, Common Dragon, Dragon Arum, Snake Plant, Lords and Ladies D racontium maius grows in shady places around hedges. It has a smooth upright stalk about two feet in height and the thickness of a staff around, overcoloured according to the time, so that it resembles a dragon, and it abounds in purple spots. It has leaves like lapathum [2-140] folded within one another. It brings forth a fruit on the top of the stalk in clusters — at first an ash colour, but when ripe inclining to a saffron and purple colour. It has a very great root, round, white, with a thin bark. It is gathered and juiced when thoroughly ripe, and dried in the shade. The root is dug up during harvest, washed, cut in small pieces, thrust through with a thong and dried in the shade. It is warming, taken in a drink with diluted wine. Boiled or roasted it is good (taken as a linctus [syrup] with honey) for orthopnoea [form of asthma], hernia, convulsions, coughs, and dripping fluids. Taken in a drink with wine it stirs up the vehement desire to sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac]. Pounded into small pieces with honey and applied, it 327 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY takes away the malignancy of ulcers and eating ulcers (especially with the white vine [bryony]). Suppositories are formed from it with honey for fistulas, and for use as an abortifacient. It is good for vitiligines [form of leprosy] smeared on with honey. It takes away polyps and diseases of the cornea. The juice is good for eye medicines, small clouds in the eye, white spots on the cornea, and mistiness in the eyes. The smell of the root or herb is destructive of recent conceptions [abortifacient], as are thirty grains of the seed (taken in a drink with posca [hot drinks]). Some pour the juice of this (with oil) into the ears of those with earache, and apply the leaves as an astringent on new wounds, as well as boiled in wine to those with chilblains. They say that a viper shall not bite those who rub the leaves in their hands or carry the dug up root about them. It is also called aron, isaron, iaron, hieracicus, biaron, aron agreste, or cyperis; the Romans call it colubrina, some, mauriaria, and others call it sigingialios. 2-196b. DRAKONTION MIKRON SUGGESTED: Hydropiper rubeum, Dracontion micron, Dracunculus minor [Fuchs], Dracunculus Plinii, Dracunculus palustris [Bauhin], Calla palustris [Linnaeus] — Water Arum SEEDS POISONOUS D racontium or dracunculus has large leaves similar to cissus with white spots and an upright stalk forty inches high, over-coloured, like the shape of a snake, spotted with purple spots, and the thickness of a stalk. The fruit on the top is similar to clusters of grapes, the colour at first indeed similar to grass but when ripe similar to saffron, biting to the taste. The root is round and bulbous, similar to aron [2-197], with a thin bark. It grows in shady places around hedges and mounds. The juice of the seed (pressed out and put with oil into the ear) stops earaches. Put into the nostrils with wool it destroys polyps. Rubbed on, it stops diseases of the cornea [eyes]. As much as thirty grains (taken as a drink with posca [hot drinks]) cause abortion. They say that the smell of it after the flowers have withered destroys newly conceived embryos [abortifacient]. The root has a warming quality and helps asthma, hernias, convulsions, 328 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Cucumis melo after THIEBAULT — 1888 329 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Dracunculus maior from FUCHS — 1545 330 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK coughs, and dripping fluids. It makes the moisture sticking in the chest easily expectorated given either boiled or roasted with honey, or else eaten alone. Dried and pounded fine it is taken in syrup with honey. It is diuretic and (taken in a drink of wine) stirs up affections to sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac]. Pounded fine with white bryony and honey it cleans malignant and spreading ulcers and brings them to a scar. Salves are made from it for fistulas, and for bringing out the embryo [abortifacient]. They say that if any one rubs his hands with the root he remains unbitten by a viper. It cleans away vitiligines [form of leprosy] rubbed on with vinegar. The leaves pounded into small pieces are effectively applied to one newly wounded instead of flax seed. For chilblains it is boiled in wine and applied. Wrapped in the leaves, cheese is kept from putrefying. The juice of the root is good for small clouds in the eye, white spots on the cornea, and dim vision. The root is used for health (eaten either boiled or raw). Those who live in the Gymnesian Isles called Baleares mix the boiled root with a lot of honey and place it in their banquets instead of placentae [cakes]. The roots must be put in jars by those who dug it up during the harvest, having first washed them, cut them in small pieces, made a thread go through them and dried them in the shade. 2-197. ARON SUGGESTED: Arum vulgare non maculatum [Brunfels] Arum colocasia, Arum esculenta, Colocasia antiquorum, Colocasia esculenta, Caladium nymphaefolium — Egyptian Arum, Colocasia, Eatable Arum, Taro Arum maculatum [Linnaeus] — Sago A ron sends out leaves similar to those of dracontium, yet smaller and less spotted; a faint purple stalk twenty centimetres long in the shape of a pestle, in which is fruit inclining to a saffron colour. The root — white like that of dracontium — is also [a vegetable] eaten boiled, and is somewhat less sharp. The leaves are preserved in salt for eating. Dried, they are boiled and eaten by themselves. The roots, seeds and leaves have the same strength as dracontium. Particularly the root, applied with bullock's dung to those troubled with gout, does them 331 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY good. The root is stored in the same way as the root of dracunculum. In brief it is edible because it is not oversharp. It is also called lupha; among the Syrians it is called alimon, some call it thymon, some, dracontium, and the Cyprians call it colocassion. 2-198. ARISARON SUGGESTED: Arum arisarum, Arisarum vulgare — Aris, Friar’s Cowl A risarum is a small little herb with a root the size of an olive tree’s, but it is sharper than aron [arum]. As a result (rubbed on) it prevents gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks. Salves are made from it that are effective for fistulas, but either put in or applied it destroys the genitals of any living creature. 2-199. ASPHODELOS SUGGESTED: Asphodelus foemina [Fuchs], Lilium purpureum [Brunfels], Lilium martagone [Linnaeus], Asphodelus albus, Asphodelus ramosus — Asphodel, King’s Rod Asphodel Asphodelus luteus after FAGUET — 1888 332 A sphodelus is a plant (known to most) with leaves similar to the great leek and a smooth stalk. On the top is a flower called anthericon. The roots are underneath — somewhat long, round, similar to suppositories, sharp to the taste, and warming in strength. A teaspoonful of these (taken in a drink of wine) induces the movement of urine and the menstrual flow. They also cure pains of the side, coughs, convulsions and hernia. It causes easy vomiting if as much as a knucklebone is eaten with meat. As much as three teaspoonfuls given to those bitten by snakes is effective; and you must apply a poultice made of the leaves, root and flowers with wine to bites. The sediment of wine boiled together with the root cures filthy feeding ulcers, inflammation of the breasts, stones [kidney, urinary], tubercula [nodules], and boils or inflammatory tumours, but for new inflammation [it is to be applied] with polenta. The juice of the root with old sweet wine, myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and saffron, (boiled together) is an excellent medicine to rub on the eyes. Either alone or warmed together with frankincense, THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Scilla non scripta after FAGUET — 1888 333 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Dracunculus Plinij tertius from FUCHS — 1545 334 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK honey, wine and myrrh it is good to put into purulent ears. The juice (alone) poured into the opposing ear, lessens toothache. The burnt ashes of the root are rubbed on to thicken thinned hair. The oil (boiled in the hollowed roots over a fire) is rubbed on ulcerated chilblains and burns; and poured into the ear it helps earache. The root is smeared on to take away vitiligo alba [type of leprosy] that is first rubbed with a napkin in the sun. The seed and flowers (taken in a drink of wine) are an extraordinary remedy against the strikes of millipedes, centipedes and scorpions. However they purge the intestines excessively. It bears flowers at the time of harvest but white asphodelus must be cut down around the vernal equinox before the seed increases. They say that the root (taken in a drink) makes men have no appetite for pursuit of sexual pleasure [anaphrodisiac]. And Crateuas the herbalist says the same and that one teaspoonful of the root (taken as a drink with wine) cures the pains of gout. It is also called anthericum, and the Romans call it albucium. 2-200. BOLBOS EDODIMOS SUGGESTED: Bulbus sylvestris [Fuchs], Ornithogalum luteum [Bauhin, Linnaeus], Gagea lutea [in Sprague] — Yellow Star of Bethlehem T he edible red bulbus that is brought from Africa is well known to all; good for the stomach and bowels. That which is bitter and similar to the squill is better for the stomach and helps digestion. All are sharp and warming, provoke sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac], and are harsh to the tongue and tonsils. They are very nourishing and replenish flesh but they breed wind. Rubbed on they are good for dislocations, bruises, splinters, sore joints, gangrene, and gout (applied either with honey or by themselves). They are good for oedema from dropsy, and the bites of dogs (applied similarly with honey, and pepper pounded into small pieces). They repress sweats and alleviate pains in the stomach. Roasted with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] they clean away dandruff and running sores on the head. They clean bruises below the eyes applied either alone or with the yolk of an egg, and with honey or vinegar [they also remove] varos [smallpox 335 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY pustules], as well as freckles. With polenta they are good for broken places of the ears, and for bruise ointments. They take away piles [haemorrhoids] roasted in hot embers and applied with the burnt heads of fish called maenae. Burnt and mixed with alcyonium [5-136] and rubbed on in the sun they take away sunburn and black scars. Boiled and eaten with vinegar they are good for hernias. Care must be taken of feeding too much on them because they hurt the sinews. Boiled with polenta and applied with swines’ grease it quickly brings oedema and tubercles [growths] to suppuration and breaks them. 2-201. BOLBOS EMETIKOS SUGGESTED: Scilla amoena — Nodding Squill Ornithogalum arabicum — Great-flowered Star of Bethlehem B ulbus vomitorius has more flexible leaves — similar to a bridle and far bigger than the edible; and a root with a black bark similar to the bulbus [above]. The root eaten alone (as well as a decoction of it taken as a drink) cures disorders of the bladder and encourages vomiting. 2-202. SKILLA SUGGESTED: Scilla maritima [Linnaeus] Ornithogalum maritima, Urginea scilla, Urginea maritima — Medicinal Squill, Sea Onion, Squill VERY POISONOUS S Urginea maritima after FAGUET — 1888 336 cilla is sharp and burning but it is roasted and made useful for man’s purposes. It is wrapped in dough or clay and put into an oven or hidden under hot coals until the dough that enfolds it is sufficiently baked. When taken off (if the squill within it is not tender) we shall bake it again, placing other dough or clay around it — for that which is not thus roasted is hurtful if given, especially if it is (taken inwardly) carried to the bowels. It is likewise baked in a tightly-corked ceramic jar and put into an oven, and of that the very middle part is taken, the part around the outside of it being thrown away. It is then cut into pieces and boiled, the first water thrown away and fresh water poured on it, until the water becomes neither bitter nor sharp. It is also cut into pieces and dried in the THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Bulbus sylvestris, Gagea lutea from FUCHS — 1545 337 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Ornithogalum umbellatum after FAGUET — 1888 338 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK shade and the pieces thrust through with a little linen thread, so that the parcels may not touch one another. These pieces we use to manufacture oil, wine, and vinegar of squills. For cracks in the feet the inner part of the raw squill is applied (either boiled in oil or else dissolved with rosin). Boiled with vinegar it is a plaster for those bitten by vipers. Mixing eight parts of roasted salt (pounded into small pieces) to one part of roasted squill we give one spoonful or two of it to those fasting for softening the bowels. Put into liquid medicines and aromatic medicines it is good for those in whom we wish to induce movement of urine, for dropsy, a stomach in which the meat swims above, jaundice, griping, those troubled with a cough for a long time, the asthmatic, and those who spit up (blood). Thirty grains (taken as a syrup with honey) is sufficient. It is boiled together with honey and eaten for the same purposes, very much facilitating mixtures. It also draws out the slimy stuff that sticks in the bowels. Boiled and taken in the same way it does the same, and must be avoided by those who have an inward ulceration. Roasted squill (rubbed on) is good for hanging warts and chilblains. The seed (pounded into small pieces and eaten with a dried fig or honey) softens the bowels. It is also an antidote against poison hanged up whole before doors. 2-203. PANICRATION SUGGESTED: Pancratium maritimum, Scilla pancratium — Sea Pancratium Lily, Sea Daffodil P ancratium (also called the little squill) has a pale red or pale purple root similar to the great bulbus, and a bitter burning taste. The leaves are similar to lilies but longer. It has a similar strength and preparation as the squill and the same dose [is to be taken of it]. It is good for the same disorders but has a milder nature than squill. As a result the root (juiced and mixed with flour of ervum [2-129, 2-131] and formed into tablets) is effective given with honey water for the spleen, and dropsy. 339 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY 2-204. KAPPARIS SUGGESTED: Capparis spinosa — Common Caper Bush, C Caper apparis is a prickly shrub spread in a round circumference on the ground. There are prickles on the bush, crooked like a hook. The leaves are round (similar to those of the malicottoon [quince] tree), and the fruit similar to olives. On opening it first sends forth a white flower, which, falling off, there is found something in the shape of of a long suppository. When opened this has little red grains similar to those of a pomegranate. The many roots are woody and great. It grows only in rough barren places, islands, and in courtyards belonging to houses. Both the stalk and fruit are preserved in salt to eat. It disturbs the belly, is worthless for the stomach, and causes thirst. Eaten boiled it is better for the stomach than raw. Two teaspoonfuls of the fruit reduces the spleen (taken in a drink with wine daily for forty days); it also expels urine and bloody excrement. The same (taken in a drink) helps sciatica and palsy, and is good for hernia and convulsions. Boiled in vinegar and used as a mouthwash it dries out the menstrual flow, draws away mucus in the head, and it lessens toothache. The dry rind of the root is good for the things spoken of before, and also cleans away every old, filthy, hard ulcer. It is laid (with barley meal) on those troubled with spleen, and the root is bitten to help a pained tooth. Pounded into small pieces with vinegar it takes away white vitiligines [form of leprosy]. The leaves and root pounded together dissolve hard lumps, scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling], and goitres. The juice poured in the ears kills worms in there. The African caper (especially that which grows near the people called Marmaridae) causes excessive gaseousness. That in Apulia encourages vomiting, but that from the Red Sea and Arabia is extremely sharp, raising pustules in the mouth and eating up the gums to the bare bone, therefore it is useless for eating. It is also called cynosbatos (as we would say, dog’s bush), capria, the apple of a crow, ophioscorodon, or ophiostapllylen (i.e. snake’s grape), thallian, petraea, holophyton, ioniten, or oligocloron, aconitum, hippomanes, or trichomanes. The Magi call it potera, some, 340 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Capparis erythrocarpa from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 341 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Malacocissus minor from FUCHS — 1545 342 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK peuteron; it is also called the heart of a wolf, or haloscorodon, the lily, or thlaspi. The Romans call it sinapi Persicum, some, inturis, and the Africans, herbiaeathum. 2-205. LEPIDION SUGGESTED: Lepidium latifolium [Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Dittander, Pepperwort, Green Mustard Lepidium campestre, Thlaspi campestre — Pepperwort L epidium (also called gingidium) is a well-known little herb that is preserved in brine with milk. The leaves are sharp and ulcerating. Pounded into small pieces with root of elecampane and applied for a quarter of an hour, it is a most effective plaster for sciatica. It is also good in the same way for the spleen and it takes away leprosy. The root is thought to take away toothache, hung around the neck. 2-206. BATRACHION, BATRACHION ETERON, BATRACHION TRITON, BATRACHION TETARTON SUGGESTED: Batrachio [Italian], Ranunculis acris — Buttercup, Crowfoot, Blister Plant, Asiatic Crowfoot, Persian Buttercup, Ranunculus asiaticus — Turban Ranunculus arvensis — Corn Crowfoot, Corn Buttercup Apium sylvestre, Agreste apium, Sclerata [Fuchs], Ranunculus palustris [Bauhin], Ranunculus aquaticus, Ranunculus scleratus, Ranunculus aquatilius — Water Crowfoot, Water Anemone ALL POISONOUS T here are many kinds of batrachium (also called apium agreste), but their strength is the same — sharp and very ulcerating. One of them has leaves similar to those of coriander, yet broader and somewhat white and fat. The flower is a yellowish colour and sometimes purple. The stalk is not thick, in height about a foot. It has a bitter little root, with little fibrous strings growing out (like that of hellebore). It grows near rivers or running water. The other kind is more downy and longer-stalked, with more in-cuttings on the leaves, and is extremely sharp. It grows 343 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY abundantly in Sardinia where they call it apium agreste. There is a third very small kind with a hard taste and a flower like gold, and a fourth (similar to this) with a flower the colour of milk. The leaves and the tender stalks (rubbed on) are ulcerating and scab forming, with pain. As a result, applied for only a little time, they take away scabby nails and parasitic skin diseases; and they remove marks, as well as taking away abscesses, hanging warts, and alopecia [baldness]. A lukewarm boiled decoction of it is a suitable warm pack for those troubled with chilblains. The dried root pounded into small pieces and applied to the nostrils causes sneezing. Applied to teeth it eases toothache but breaks the teeth. 2-207. ANEMONE SUGGESTED: Anemone sylvestris [Fuchs], Anemone pulsillata [Linnaeus], Pulsatilla vulgaris — Pasque Flower [Mabberley] Anemone pavonina, Anemone hortensis — Garden Anemone POISONOUS Anemone alba after FAGUET - 1888 344 A nemone has two types — one wild, the other cultivated. Of the cultivated some bear flowers in a Phoenician [red] colour, others of a pale, milky or purple colour. The leaves are similar to coriander but less ragged, next to the ground. The little stalks are downy, thin, on which are flowers like poppies with the heads in the middle black or azure [blue]. The root is the size of that of the olive or bigger. The wild is altogether bigger than the cultivated, broader and harder in the leaves, and it has a longer head. The flower is a Phoenician [red] colour; there are many small little roots; and there is one kind that has black leaves and is sharper. They are both sharp; as a result the juice of the root poured into the nostrils helps in purging the head. The chewed root extracts mucus. Boiled in passum [raisin wine] and applied it cures inflammation of the eyes, and mends scars in the eyes and moisture in the eyes; and it cleans the filthiness of ulcers. The leaves and stalks boiled together with barley water (and eaten) draw out milk [breastfeeding]. In a pessary it encourages the menstrual flow. Rubbed on it takes away leprosy. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Cynara scolymus from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 345 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Cochlearia armoracia after FAGUET — 1887 346 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Some, not being able to distinguish between that which is called argemone and the papaver rhoeas [4-64] (of which we will speak when we come to discussion of poppies) from the wild anemone, because of the similarity of the colour of the flowers which are a Phoenician colour [red], are deceived calling argemone ‘eupatorium’ [4-41]. Yet the Phoenician [red] colour of the argemone is somewhat less deep, as well as that of the rhoeas, and both it and argemone flower later. The argemone yields juice of a saffron colour that is extremely sharp to the taste, but the rhoeas has a whiter, sharp juice. Both of them have little heads between (similar to the wild poppy), but those of argemone are somewhat broader at the top, and those of rhoeas somewhat narrower. Anemones neither give out juice nor have they a head or cup, but (as it were) a top like asparagus, and they grow them for the most part in fields. It is also called wild anemone, black anemone, purple anemone, anemion, meconium, tragoceros, gesparine, or barbyle. Osthenes calls it berylius, Ornios calls it ceranios, Pythagoras calls it atractylis, the Magi, cnicus agrestis, the Romans, orci tunica, and the Africans, chuffis. 2-208. ARGEMONE SUGGESTED: Papaver argemone, Papaver hybridum — Pale Poppy, Wind Rose, Rough Poppy, Cock’s Head, Sand Poppy A rgemone is very like the wild poppy. It has a divided leaf similar to anemone, a flower on the stalk a Phoenician [red] colour, with a head similar to papaver rhoeas [4-64] but somewhat longer and broad towards the upper parts, and a round root. It yields sharp juice of a saffron colour. The leaves applied as a poultice take away argemae [small white ulcers on the cornea] and small clouds in the eye, and lessen inflammation. Crateuas the herbalist says (to the same intent) that this herb argemone pounded together with swines' grease dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres]. It is good for white leprosy dried, pounded with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and sulphur that has not felt fire, and sifted. It cures those who use it (rubbed on dry first) in a bath. It is also effective against scab [itchy 347 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY parasitical skin diseases]. It is also called oenone, anthemis arvensis, or homonoia, (as we should say) concord, or flos campestris; the Romans call it liburnia, or concordialis, and it is also called pergalia; the Gauls call it corna. 2-208a. ARGEMONE SUGGESTED: Papaver armenaicum, Papaver caucasicum, Papaver floribundum, Papaver orientale — Poppy species T he other argemone is like wild poppy in the leaves. Pounded into small pieces (while still green) and applied, it is able to cure cuts and lessen inflammation of the eyes. It is good (taken in a drink with water) for dysentery. It seals wounds and is good applied to inflammation. Similarly applied it cures convulsions and twitching. It is good (taken in a drink of wine) for those bitten by poisonous beasts. It is also called artemone, arselam, or sarcocolla; the Romans call it artemonia. 2-209. ANAGALLIS, KORKOROS SUGGESTED: Anagallis mas [Fuchs], Anagallis arvensis [Linnaeus], Anagallis phoenecea, Anagallis repens, Lysimachia adoensis — Scarlet Pimpernel, Poor Man’s Weather Glass Anagallis foemina [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Anagallis coerulea — Blue Pimpernel POISONOUS — CAUSES ANAEMIA AND DERMATITIS [other usage] Korkoros, Corchoris olitorius — Corchorus T here are two kinds of anagallis, differing in the flower, for that which has an azure [blue] flower is called the female, but that of a Phoenician [red] colour is called the male. They are little shrubs spreading on the ground, with small leaves on their four-cornered little stalks, somewhat round, similar to those of helxine [4-39, 4-86], with round fruit. They are both lessening in strength, drive away inflammation, extract [draw out] splinters or thorns that were run into the body, and repress gangrenous ulcers. The juice gargled purges the head of mucus, and poured into the nostrils it stops toothache. It is put in the opposing nostril to the sore tooth. With Attic 348 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Lactuca sylvestris from FUCHS — 1545 349 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Veronica mas from FUCHS — 1545 350 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK [Athenian] honey it mends argemae [small white ulcers on the cornea] and helps moisture of the eyes. It is good (taken as a drink with wine) for those bitten by vipers, as well as for kidney and liver ailments, and for dropsy, but some say that if the anagallis which has the azure [blue] flower is applied it stops prolapse of the perineum, and that which has the Phoenician [red] flower encourages it. Some call it punicea, others, aeritis, aegitis, or sauritis, the Magi call it oculi sanguis, others, chelidonion, the Romans, macia, the Etruscans, masitipos, the Gauls, sapana, the Dacians, cerceraphron. The common anagallis some call corchoros, halicacabus, or zeliauros, the Magi, nycteritis, the Egyptians call it micij, the Romans, meciato, and the Africans, asirrhizi. 2-210. KISSOS SUGGESTED: Hedera nigra, Hedera helix [Fuchs, Linnaeus] — Common Ivy poetica, Hedera helix vegeta [other usage] Cissus quadrangularis, Vitis quadrangularis — Edible Stemmed Vine Cissus digitata — Wild Grape, Sorrel Vine ALSO: Hedera helix C issus has many differences (according to the type) but there are three most particular kinds, for some is white, some black and another helix [spiralled]. The white therefore bears a white fruit, the black a black one or sometimes a saffron colour (which the vulgar sort also call dionysium), but the helix [spiralled] is without fruit and has white branches and thin leaves, is full of corners and red. All cissus is sharp and astringent and touches the sinewy parts. The flowers (as much as one can take up of them with three fingers) taken in a drink of wine are good for dysentery, but it must be taken in a drink twice a day. The same amount (pounded into small pieces with waxy ointments) are good for burns. The tender leaves boiled with vinegar (or the raw ones pounded together with bread) heal the spleen. The juice from the leaves and berries with irinum [1-66], honey, or saltpetre [potassium nitrate] is poured into the nostrils and is good for old sores on the head. The head is moistened with this juice (with vinegar and rosaceum) [1-53], and with oil it cures sore, purulent ears. The juice and clusters [of fruit] (taken as a drink) cause sterility, and taken in too great an 351 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY amount trouble the mind. Five berries from a cluster of berries (pounded fine, warmed with rosaceum in a pomegranate skin) dropped into the opposite ear during toothache lessen the pain. The clusters of berries dye the hair black. The leaves (boiled as previously mentioned) are laid as a poultice on any sort of ulcer; and applied as poultices cure sunburn and very bad burns. The clusters of berries (pounded fine and given as a pessary) induce the menstrual flow. A teaspoonful taken as a drink after womens’ cleansing hinders conception. The stalks of the leaves moistened with honey and put into the vulva expel the menstrual flow and are an abortifacient. The juice (dropped in) purges away the stinking smell in the nostrils and their rotten ulcers. The oozing of cissus removes hair [depilatory], and rubbed on it kills lice. The juice from the roots (taken as a drink with vinegar) helps those bitten by harvest spiders. It is also called cittaros, cissaros, chrysocarpos, poetica, corymbias, or cussion, (as we would say, hederula), dionysia, (a sort of bacchicei), ithutherion, persis, cemos, or asplenos; the Romans call it silvae mater, some, hedera, and the Gauls, subites. 2-211. CHELIDONION SUGGESTED: Chelidonium majus [Fuchs, Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Swallow Wort, Greater Celandine C helidonia the greater sends out a slender stalk the height of a foot or more with branches full of leaves. The leaves are similar to those of ranunculus, yet those of chelidonia are more tender, somewhat a sky blue colour, and by every leaf there is a flower like leucoion [3-138]. The juice is a saffron colour — sharp, biting, a little bitter, and with a strong smell. The root is single at the upper end but divided lower down, and a saffron colour. The fruit is like horned poppy — slender, long like a cone — in which are little seeds, bigger however than those of poppy. The juice of this (mixed with honey and boiled in a brass jar over coals) is good for sharpening the sight [eyes]. The leaves, root and fruit are juiced when they emerge in summer. This juice is dried in the shade and made into little balls. The root cures jaundice, taken in a drink with anisum [3-65] and white wine; and also 352 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Isatis sativa from FUCHS — 1545 353 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Isatis sylvestris from FUCHS — 1545 354 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK applied with wine for herpes [viral skin infection]. It lessens toothache if chewed. It seems to be called chelidonia because it springs out of the ground together with the swallows’ appearance and withers with them departing. Some have related that if any of the swallows’ young ones is blind, the female parents bring this herb to heal it. It is also called paeonia, crataea, aoubios, glaucios, pandionis radix, philomedion, or othonion; the Romans call it fabium, the Gauls, thona, the Egyptians, mothoth, and the Dacians, crustane. 2-212. CHELIDONION MIKRON SUGGESTED: Chelidonium minus, Scrofularia [Fuchs] Malacocissus minor [Brunfels], Chelidonia rotundifolia minor [Bauhin], Ranunculus ficaria [Linnaeus] — Celadine C helidonia minor (which some have called sylvestre triticum) is a little herb full of little feet, without a stalk (compact), with leaves similar to cissus [2-210], yet much rounder, smaller, tender and somewhat fat. It has many small roots from a single place, growing close together like wheat grains, but there are three or four which grow out long. It grows around waters and marshy places. It is sharp like anemone, ulcerating to the outside of the skin. It takes away parasitic skin diseases and scabbed nails. The juiced roots are put into the nostrils with honey for purging the head. Similarly a decoction of it gargled with honey powerfully purges the head, and purges all things out of the chest. 2-213. OTHONNA SUGGESTED: Othonna — African Ragwort Othonna cheirifolia — Barbary Ragwort The plant of the ancients can have had little affinity with that of the moderns [Loudon]. S ome say othonna is the juice of chelidonia major, some of glaucium, some say that it is the juice of the flowers of horned poppy, some that it is a mixture of the juices of anagallis coerulea [2-209], hyoscyamus [4-69] and poppy, and some say that it is the juice of a certain primitive herb called othonna, and that it grows in the part of Arabia that 355 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY lies towards Egypt. It has only a few leaves (like eruca [2-170]) full of holes as though they were wormeaten, illfavoured or mouldy. It bears a broad-petalled saffroncoloured flower, as a result some think it to be a kind of anemone. It is juiced and put into eye medicines for when there is need of cleansing the eyes; it has a biting nature and removes all things that darken the pupils whatsoever. Some say that there is a certain kind of fluid that flows from the herb, which, washing and removing the stones from it, they make into lozenges for the same use. Some say that othonna is an Egyptian stone found in Thebais — the colour of brass, small in size, biting to the taste, with a certain kind of burning and astringency. 2-214. MUOS OTON SUGGESTED: Alsine maior [Fuchs], Alsine media [Bauhin, Linnaeus], Stellara media [in Sprague] — Stitchwort, Chickweed, Starwort [Mabberley] [other usage] Myosotis arvensis — Field Forget-me-not, Mouse Ear Myosotis alpestris — Myosotis, Forget-me-not see 4-87 M uris auriculae (also called myosotis) sends out many hollow stalks of a somewhat reddish colour (toward the lower end) from one root. The leaves are somewhat long and narrow with the backbone of them standing out, a blackish colour, growing up by distances, two and two, ending in a sharp point. Thinner little stalks grow out of the wings, on which are little flowers of a skyblue colour, small like those of anagallis [2-209]. The root is the thickness of a finger with many hairy strings. The root of this (applied) heals ulcers in the inner angle of the eye. Finally, the herb is similar to scolopendrium [3-121] yet smoother and smaller. Some also call it alsine, myoton, anthyllion, myortochon, or myrtosplenon; the Romans call it muris auricula, and the Africans, labatholabat. 356 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Anagallis mas from FUCHS — 1545 357 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Anagallis foemina from FUCHS — 1545 358 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 2-215. ISATIS EMEROS SUGGESTED: Isatis sativa [Fuchs], Isatis tinctoria var sativa [Linnaeus], Pastel, Glastum — Woad, Ash of Jerusalem, Dyer’s Weed cultivated, POISONOUS — fermented leaves produce indigo blue dye I satis sativa (which the dyers use) has a leaf like plantain but fatter and darker, and a stalk over two feet high. The leaves (applied) are able to dissolve any oedema or tumour, heal bloody wounds, stop bleeding, and cure spreading ulcers, herpes [viral skin infection] and rotten ulcers. It is also called augion, or egne, the Magi call it arusium, and the Romans, ruta. 2-216. ISATIS AGRIA SUGGESTED: Isatis sylvestris [Fuchs], Isatis tinctoria var vulgaris [Linnaeus], Isatis campestris — Field Woad I satis sylvestris is similar to that mentioned above but it has bigger leaves nearly the size of those of lettuce, and slender somewhat reddish stalks with many slits. On the top hang many little pods similar to tongues in which is the seed, and a thin flower of a yellowish colour. It is similar in effectiveness to that spoken of before, and is also good for the splenetic, taken as a drink and also applied. It is also called egne parva; the Romans call it ruta minor. (It is to be understood that these descriptions of isatis contain that which is erroneous, for the cultivated bears both a yellowish flower and more slender and much divided branches and little pods on the top, like tongues in which are the seeds, but there is contained in these a black seed similar to melanthium [3-93], and it bears a stalk over two feet high and not only over one foot high. But the wild sort bears blacker leaves than this, a lower, thicker stalk, a flower of a purple or azure [blue] colour and the fruit like a cross, sharp, in which are the seed, separated or distinguished in a way by five little leaves apiece and those equal. — Goodyer) 359 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY 2-217. TELEPHION SUGGESTED: Telephium Telephium imperati after FAGUET — 1888 album, Telephium purpurascens [Fuchs] Acetabulum alterum album, Acetabulum alterum purpureum [Brunfels], Sedum telephium [Linnaeus], Sedum vulgare, Sedum purpureum, Telefio [Italian] — Orpine, Livelong, Midsummer Men T elephium is similar to andrachne [2-150] both in the leaves and stalk, with two wings sticking from every knot of the leaves; six or seven small branches from the root, full of azure-coloured [blue] leaves — thick, tough and fleshy; the flowers a yellowish or whitish colour. It grows in the springtime in vineyards and clay or shale places. The leaves applied for six hours cure white leprosy, but after this you must use barley meal. Rubbed on with vinegar in the sun they take away vitiligines [type of leprosy], but after they have dried they must be wiped off. Some call it sempervivum sylvestre, and some call it portulaca sylvestris, the Romans call it illecebra, the Egyptians, anoth, and the Africans, atirtopuris. Chelidonium majus after FAGUET — 1888 360 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Tertia ranunculi lutei from FUCHS — 1545 361 HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY Ranunculi quarta from FUCHS — 1545 362 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK BOOK THREE: ROOTS I n the previous books, most loving Areius, we have talked of spices, ointments, oils, trees and their fruits, of lacrymae [resins], as well as living creatures, grains, vegetables, and herbs possessing sharpness; but in this the third book we will set out an account of roots, juices, herbs, and seeds — suitable both for common use and for medications. 3-1. AGARICON SUGGESTED: Fomes officinalis, Polyphorus officinalis, Boletus purgans, Polyphorus igniarius, Boletus laricis, Ungulina officinalis — Agaric [other usage] Agaricus aurantiacus — Orange Mushroom Agaricus campestris — Common Mushroom A garicum is said to be a root similar to silphium [3-94], not thick on the outside like silphium, but all thin. Some of it is male and some female, of which the female excels, having straight veins within, but the male is round and grows the same on all sides. In taste both are the same, tasting sweet indeed at first; after dissolving it grows bitter. It grows in Agaria in the Sarmatian (country). Some say it is the root of a tree, some that it grows in the stocks of trees that are rotten, like mushrooms. It also grows in Galatia in Asia, and in Cilicia on the cedars but this is brittle and weak. As for the properties of it: it is astringent and warming, good for griping, indigestion, hernias, and falls from on high. Twenty grains is given with honeyed wine to those not feverish, but it is given in honey and water to the feverish. For liver ailments, asthma, jaundice, dysentery, nephritis, dysuria, womb constriction, and sickly looks a teaspoonful is given. To those with tuberculosis of the lungs it is given with passum [raisin wine]; and to the splenetic with vinegar and honey. For gastritis it is given as it is, chewed and swallowed down without moisture poured on it. In a similar way it is given for acidic vomiting. Thirty grains (taken with water) stops the 363 BOOK THREE: ROOTS throwing-up of blood. An equal amount (taken with vinegar and honey) is good for sore hips, sore joints, and epilepsy. It encourages the menstrual flow, and the same weight is effectively given to women with a suffocated womb. It dissolves shivering, given before a fever fit. A teaspoonful or two (taken as a drink with honey and water) purges the bowels. It is an antidote for poison taken with one teaspoonful of diluted wine; and thirty grains (taken as a drink with wine) helps the strikes and bites of snakes. Finally, it is good for all internal disorders, given according to strength and age — to some with water, to others with wine, and to others with vinegar and honey, or honey and water. 3-2. RA SUGGESTED: Rabarabo [Italian], Rheum officinale — Wild Rhubarb Rheum rhaponticum — Rhapontic, Pie Rhubarb, Garden Rhubarb the leaves are POISONOUS R ha grows in places beyond the Bosporus, from where it is brought. The root is outwardly black, similar to centaury the larger, yet smaller and redder within. It is without smell, loose, somewhat light, but the best is not wormeaten, and is slimy to the taste with a weak astringency. Chewed, it is pale and somewhat similar to saffron in colour. It is good (taken in a drink) for gaseousness, weakness of the stomach, all types of suffering, convulsions, spleen, liver ailments, inflammation in the kidneys, griping and disorders of the bladder and chest, matters related to hypochondria [indigestion with nervous disorder], afflictions around the womb, sciatica, spitting up blood, asthma, rickets, dysentery, abdominal cavity afflictions, flows of fevers, and bites from poisonous beasts. You must give it as you do agaric [above] for every disorder — allowing the same amounts with liquids, using it with honeyed wine to those not feverish, but to the feverish give it with honey and water; for tuberculosis with passum [raisin wine]; to the splenetic with vinegar and honey; for gastritis chewed as it is and swallowed down (no moisture taken with it). It takes away bruises and 364 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Gentiana from FUCHS — 1545 365 BOOK THREE: ROOTS Chamaeleon albus from FUCHS — 1545 366 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK lichen [papular skin disease] rubbed on with vinegar, and it dissipates obstinate inflammations applied with water. The chief strength of it is astringency with some heating. It is also called ria, the Romans call it rha ponticum, and it is also called reon. 3-3. GENTIANE SUGGESTED: Gentiana [Fuchs], Gentiana lutea [Linnaeus], Asterias lutea, Sweertia lutea — Yellow Gentian most bitter plant material known G entiana seems indeed first to have been found by Gentius the king of the Illyrians from whom it took its surname. The leaves are similar to carya [1-178] or plantain at the root, somewhat reddish, but those on the middle stalk and especially those around the top are a little jagged. The stalk is empty, smooth, the thickness of a finger, two feet high, divided by joints, surrounded with leaves at bigger distances; and with broad fruit in cups, light, chaffed, like sphondylium [3-90]. The long root is similar to aristolochia [3-4, 3-5, 3-6] — longer, thick and bitter. It grows on the highest peaks of mountains and in shady watery places. Two teaspoonfuls of the root are warming and astringent, and (taken as a drink with pepper, rice and wine) it helps those bitten by venomous creatures. A teaspoonful of extracted juice is good for disorders of the sides, falls from heights, hernia, and convulsions. It also helps liver ailments and gastritis taken as a drink with water. The root — especially the juice — applied as a suppository, is an abortifacient. It is a wound herb applied like lycium [1-132], a medicine for deep ulcers, and an ointment for inflamed eyes. The juice is mixed into the sharper sort of eye salves or suppositories in place of meconium [4-65]. The root cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy]. It is juiced by being bruised and steeped in water for five days, then afterwards boiled in the water until the roots appear on top. When the water is cold it is strained through a linen cloth, boiled until it becomes like honey in consistency, and stored in a ceramic jar. It is also called centaurea radix, aloe gallica, narce, or chironium, the Trojans call it aloitis, the Romans, gentiana, others, cicendia, or cyminalis. 367 BOOK THREE: ROOTS 3-4. ARISTOLOCHIA STROGGOLE SUGGESTED: Pistolochia [Fuchs], Fumaria bulbosa [Bauhin, Linnaeus], Corydalis cava [in Sprague] — Fumitory A ristolochia is called this because it is thought to help women in childbirth exceedingly well. The round type is called female; it has leaves similar to cissus — sweet smelling, with sharpness, somewhat round, tender, with many shoots on one root. The branches are very long, the white flowers are similar to little hats, and the red (part) in them has a bad scent. 3-5. ARISTOLOCHIA MAKRA SUGGESTED: Aristolochia pistolochia — Birthwort POISONOUS T he long aristolochia is called male and dactylitis, with leaves somewhat longer than the round aristolochia, slender branches of about twenty centimetres length, and purple flowers with a bad scent. These, withering, become similar to a pear. The root of the round aristolochia is like a turnip, but the root of the long kind is the thickness of a finger, being twenty centimetres long or more. Both of them are mostly of wood colour, bitter to taste, and poisonous. It is also called melocarpum, or teuxinon, and the Romans call it herba aristolochia. 3-6. ARISTOLOCHIA KLEMATITIS SUGGESTED: Aristolochia rotunda [Fuchs], Aristolochia longa [Fuchs, Brunfels], Aristolochia clematitis [Linnaeus, Bauhin] — Round Aristoloch, Apple of Earth, Common Birthwort POISONOUS T here is also a third long type which is called clematitis, with slender branches full of somewhat long leaves similar to the smaller sempervivum [4-89, 4-90, 4-91]. The flowers are similar to rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], bright yellow, in a terminal flattened inflorescence. The roots are longer, slender, with a thick bark and an aromatic smell. The ointment makers use them effectively for thickening 368 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Aristolochia clematitis after HEYNS — 1888 369 BOOK THREE: ROOTS Aristolochia rotunda vulgaris from FUCHS — 1545 370 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK ointments. One teaspoonful of the round one (taken in a drink with wine, and also applied) is indeed good for poisons, but the long one is given for poisons of snakes and deadly poisons. Taken in a drink with pepper and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] it puts out all remaining bodily wastes and the menstrual flow, and is an abortifacient. Applied in a pessary it does the same, and the round is effective for the things we have mentioned. Moreover, taken as a drink with water, it helps asthma, rickets, chills, the spleen, hernias, convulsions, and pains of the side. Applied, it extracts splinters and prickles, and takes off scales on bones. With iris and honey it emarginates [removes the edge of] rotten ulcers, and cleans foul ulcers and fills up their hollows. It also cleans gums and teeth. It is thought that all clematitis is good for these things. Yet this has less strength than those previously mentioned. It grows in mountainous or warm, level places or else in rough, rocky places. It is good for a serious fever, only let the one with the fever inhale the smoke over coals and the fever will stop. Applied, it heals wounds. With the seed of dracunculus [2-196b] and honey it helps malignancies in the nostrils. Boiled with oil or swine grease and rubbed on it cures chills. (Crateuas the Herbalist and Gallus have said the same and that it is good for the gouty). It is called arariza, melecaprum, ephesia, lestitis, pyxionyx, dardanus, or iontitis by some. The Gauls call it theximon, the Egyptians, sophoeth, the Sicilians, chamaemelum, the Italians, terrae malum, and the Dacians call it absinthium rusticum. 3-7. GLUKORIZA SUGGESTED: Glycyrrhiza, Liquortia [Fuchs], Glycyrrhiza glabra [Linnaeus], Glycyrrhiza laevis, Liquortia officinalis — Liquorice Plant G lycyrrhiza grows abundantly in Cappadocia and Pontus. It is a little shrub, the branches two feet high, around which the leaves grow thickly like lentiscum [1-90], thick and clammy to the touch. The flower is similar to hyacinth; the fruit, the size of the berries of the plane tree but sharper, with pods like lentil, red and small. The roots are long, the colour of wood, similar to those of gentian, somewhat bitter and sweetish. They are 371 BOOK THREE: ROOTS juiced like lycium [1-132]. This juice is good for sharpness of the arteries but it must be put under the tongue to let it melt. It is good similarly for burning of the stomach, disorders in the chest and liver, parasitic skin diseases, and bladder or kidney disorders. Taken with a drink of passum [raisin wine] and melted in the mouth it quenches thirst. Rubbed on, it heals wounds; and chewed, it is good for the stomach. A decoction of the new roots is good for the same things. The dry root pounded into small pieces is fit for sprinkling on pterygium [membrane on eye]. It is also called pontica, glyceraton, symphyton, leontica, glycyphyton, scythion, adipson, sylithra, libthestaso, homoenomoea, or peenthaomoeos, and the Latins call it dulcis radix. 3-8. KENTAURION MAKRON SUGGESTED: Cyanus, Flos frumentorum [Fuchs], Cyanus sylvestris [Brunfels], Cyanus segetum [Bauhin], Centaurea cyanus [Linnaeus] — Bachelor’s Button C Centaurea cyanus after WINKLER — 1891 372 entaury the great has leaves similar to the carya [1-178], somewhat long, green in colour (like those of brassica), the circumference of them cut-in like a saw. It has a of stalk two or three feet high like lapathum [2-140] with many shoots from the root. On top are heads like poppy somewhat large in circumference. The flowers are azure [blue], and the seed similar to cnicus [4-119, 4-190] (laid as it were) in downy flowers. The root is thick, sound, heavy, about two feet long, full of juice, sharp, with a certain astringency and sweetness, inclining to red. It loves a rich soil open to the sun, woods and hillocks. It is abundant in Lycia, Peloponesse, Helis, Arcadia, Messenia, Pholoe, Lycia, and around Smyrna. The root is good with wine for hernia, convulsions, pleurisy, difficulty with breathing, old coughs, bloodspitters and those without fevers. For the feverish, two teaspoonfuls of the root is given, pounded into small pieces with water. Similarly it is given for griping and sores of the vulva. It expels the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient, shaved into the form of a suppository and applied to the vulva. The juice does the same things. Pounded whilst moist, it is good for wounds. When dry it is first steeped and then pounded. It draws together, THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Spina incognita from FUCHS — 1545 373 BOOK THREE: ROOTS Aristolochia longa from FUCHS — 1545 374 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK heals, and joins together flesh that is pale and flaccid, if you pound it and boil it. In Lycia they juice it and use it like lycium [1-132]. It is called panacea [heal-all] because it soothes all sores from inflammation and strong blows. Used in suppositories it soothes slow and painful urination, and helps those with stones [kidney, urinary]. It is gathered when the sun is about to rise, in a clear season, when everything is at its peak. It is also called narce, limnesion, marone, pelethronion, chironias or limnestis, the Magi call it blood of Hercules; the Romans call it ferum, uvifera, or fel terrae. 3-9. KENTAURION MIKRON SUGGESTED: Centaurium minus [Fuchs, Bauhin], Centaurea verutum Erythraea centaurium, Chironia centaurium, Gentiana centaurium [Linnaeus], Centaurium erythraea — Lesser Centaury, Common Centaury, Feverwort, Centaury, Earthgall, Dwarf Centaury T he little centaury is a herb similar to hypericum [3-171] or origanum, with a stalk over twenty centimetres high that has corners. The flowers are similar to those of lychnis [3-114, 3-115], a faint Phoenician [reddish] purple. The leaves are small, very long, like rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98]. The seed is similar to wheat, the root small, miserable and smooth. Pounded while still green and applied it seals wounds, and purges old ulcers and brings them to a scar. Boiled and swallowed down, it expels bile and thick fluids through the bowels. A decoction of it is a fit suppository for sciatica, drawing out blood and easing pain. The juice is good for eye medicines with honey, cleaning away things that darken the pupils. In a pessary it extracts the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient. Taken as a drink it is equally good for disorders of the strength. The herb is juiced; first it is gathered when full of seed and steeped in water for five days, afterwards it is boiled until it floats above the water. Afterwards the cooled herb is pressed and strained through a linen cloth, and boiled again to the consistency of honey. Some beat it (green and full of seed) then press out the juice and throw it into an unglazed ceramic jar. They stir it about in the sun, moving it continuously with a stick, and repeatedly scraping away pieces that hang out. They mix it with Centaureum minus from FUCHS — 1545 375 BOOK THREE: ROOTS moist juice and cover it carefully at night, for dew prevents the thickening of moist juices. Centaury is good for inflammation and bruises from strikes, helps women troubled with motherhood [pregnancy], and eases the pain of slow, painful urination and [urinary] stones. Gather the herb in the spring at sunrise. Many of the dry roots or herbs that are juiced are prepared by boiling (like gentian). Juices pressed out of moist barks, roots, or herbs are stirred around in the sun (as previously mentioned) — including thapsia [4-157], mandragora [mandrake], unripe grapes, and similar things. Lycium [1-132], wormwood [3-26], hypocistis [1-127] and herbs similar to these are boiled and stirred around as previously mentioned. Centaury is also called limnesion, helleborites, or amaranton, the Magi call it the blood of Hercules, the Romans, febrifuga, some, herba multiradix, the Dacians, tulbela; and it is also called limnaion because it loves moist places. Carlina acaulis from ENGLER-PRANTL— 1897 376 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-10. CHAMAILEON LEUKOS SUGGESTED: Chamaeleon albus [Fuchs, Brunfels], Carlina caulescens [Bauhin], Carlina acaulis [Linnaeus] — Stemless Carline Thistle [other usage] Carlina gummifera, Atractylis gummifera — White Chamoeleon W hite chamaeleon is called ixia because in some places viscous matter is found at the roots of it which women use instead of mastic [1-89, 1-90]. It has leaves similar to silybum [4-159] or carduus nutans [musk thistle] but rougher, sharper, and stronger than the black chamaeleon [below]. It does not have a stalk but out of the middle puts out a prickle similar to that of the sea urchin or cinara. The flowers are a purple colour, like hairs, flying away in down, with seed similar to cnicus [4-119, 4-190]. The root is thick in fertile hills but in the mountains it is more slender, white at the bottom, somewhat aromatic, with a strong sweet taste. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of this (taken in a drink) expels broadworms. It is taken in hard wine with a decoction of origanum. For dropsy a teaspoonful is given with wine to ease them. A decoction is taken in a drink for frequent painful urination. Taken as a drink with wine it is an antidote to poison. Kneaded with polenta then diluted with water and oil it kills dogs, swine, and mice. It is also called chrysisceptrum, or ixia; the Romans call it carduus nutans varius, the Egyptians, epher, and some, epthosephim. 377 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-11. CHAMAILEON MELAS SUGGESTED: Chamaeleon niger, Spina incognita [Fuchs], Carduus sphaerocephalus [Bauhin], Echinops sphaerocephalus [Linnaeus] — Globe Thistle [other usage] Cardopatium corymbosum, Carthamus corymbosum, Brotera corymbosa — Black Chamoeleon B lack chamaeleon has leaves similar to scolymus hispanicus, yet they are smaller, thinner and distinguished with red. It sends out a stalk the thickness of a finger, twenty centimetres high, somewhat red, with a tuft and prickly flowers — small, similar to hyacinth, variously-coloured. The root is thick, black, compact and sometimes eaten-into. When cut it is a pale yellow, and is biting when chewed. It grows in dry rocky grounds and places bordering the sea. The root (pounded into small pieces) is mixed with a little cobblers' ink, cedar oil and swines’ grease, and used to remove parasitic skin diseases. It cleans away lichen [papular skin disease], boiled with vinegar and rubbed on (with the addition of sulphur and bitumen). It is used as a mouthwash, and a decoction of it soothes toothache. Wrapped in same amount of pepper and wax it helps pained teeth. Teeth are preserved if it is boiled with vinegar and poured on them. Conveyed warm through a quill [straw] it breaks a sore tooth. It cleans away vitiligines [form of leprosy] and sunburn, is mixed with ripening medicines, and applied, heals spreading wild ulcers, destroying them. It is called chamaeleon because of the various colours of the leaves. For these vary, differing according to the place, often green, pale, azure-coloured [blue], or red. It is also called pancarpon, ulophonum, ixia, cynomachon, ocimoides, cnidium coccum, or cynoxylon; the Latins call it carduus nutans niger, some, vernilago, and the Egyptians, sobel. 3-12. KROKODEILION SUGGESTED: Carthamus lanatus, Centaurea crocodylium — Blush-flowered Centaury C 378 rocodilium is similar to black chamaeleon [above] but it grows in woody places. It has a long root — light, THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK somewhat broad, with a sharp smell, like nasturtium [2-185]. The root warmed in water and taken as a drink is able to drive out quantities blood through the nostrils. It is given to the splenetic evidently helping them. The seed of it (round and double like a buckler [shield]) is diuretic. 3-13. DIPSAKON SUGGESTED: Dipsacus albus, Cardo fullonum, Carduus fullonius [Fuchs], Dipsacus sativus [Bauhin], Dipsacus fullonum — Fullers’ Teazle, Draper's Teazle Dipsacus sylvestris — Wild Teazle, Shepherd's Rod, Barber's Brushes D ipsacus is also a prickly plant. It has a high stalk full of prickles, with leaves enclosing the stalk similar to lettuce, two at every knot, tall and prickly, having (as it were) some prickly bladders on the middle of the back both within and without, and hollow places around the two (joining) parts of the leaves so that it gathers water from the dew and showers (which is how it got its name). On the top of the stalk at every shoot there is one head similar to a hedgehog, somewhat long and prickly. Dried it turns white, but the head (divided) has small worms around the middle of the pith. The root of this (boiled with wine and pounded until the thickness of a wax ointment) is put in to heal cracks and fistulas in the perineum. The medicine must be stored in a brass box. They say that it is a cure for protruding and hanging warts. The worms from the heads (bound up in a purse and hanged around the neck or the arm) are said to cure those who have fevers with recurrent paroxysms. It is also called crocodilium, chamaeleon, or onocardium, some call it the bath of Venus, the Romans call it the lip of Venus, some, the thistle of Venus, the Egyptians, seseneor, some, chir, or meleta, and the Dacians, sciare. 379 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-14. AKANTHA LEUKE SUGGESTED: Spina alba sylvestris [Fuchs], Onopordium acanthum [Linnaeus] — Cotton Thistle, Scotch Thistle A cantha leuke grows on mountains and in woody places. It has leaves similar to white chamaeleon [3-10] but narrower, whiter, somewhat rough and prickly. The stalk is over two feet (high), the thickness of the great finger or rather more, a pale white, empty within. On the top of it there is a prickly head similar to a sea urchin, but smaller and somewhat long. The flowers are purple, in which is the seed like that of cnicus [4-119, 4-190] but rounder. The root (taken in a drink) is good for bloodspitters, gastritis, and the abdominal cavity, and it encourages urine. It is laid on oedema, and a decoction of this as a mouth rinse is good for toothache. The seed (taken in a drink) helps convulsed children, and those bitten by snakes. They say that worn as an amulet (by itself) it drives away poisonous creatures. It is also called wild cinara, donacitis, or erysisceptron, and the Romans call it spina regia, or carduus. 3-15. AKANTHA ARABIKE SUGGESTED: Acanthus spinosus — Oyster Plant A cantha arabica seems similar in nature to the white thistle — astringent, good for excessive [menstrual] discharges of women, the throwing-up of blood and other discharges — the root being similarly effective. It grows in rough places. It is also called acanthisa, while the Romans call it spina. 380 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Glycyrrhiza glabra after FAGUET — 1888 381 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Centaurea benedicta after THIEBAULT — 1880 382 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-16. SKOLUMOS SUGGESTED: Scolymus, Cinara, Articocalus [Fuchs], Cinara hortensis [Bauhin], Cynara scolymus [Linnaeus] — Artichoke [other usage] Spotted Golden Thistle — Scolymus maculatus Golden Thistle, Spanish Oyster Plant — Scolymus hispanicus S colymus hispanicus has leaves like chamaeleon [3-10, 3-11], and the thorn is called white but is darker and thicker. It puts out a long stalk full of leaves on which is a prickly head. The root lies underneath — black, thick, its strength good for those with a bad smell in the armpits and the rest of the body [body odour] applied or boiled in wine; and taken as a drink as it draws out much stinking urine. The new growth of the herb boiled like asparagus is eaten instead of a vegetable. It is also called ferula, or pyracantha, the Romans call it strobylus, and the Egyptians, chnus. Carduus scolymus after FAGUET — 1880 3-17. POTERION SUGGESTED: Poterium officinale — Great Burnet Poterium sanguisorba, Sanguisorba minor — Salad Burnet Astragalus poterium, Astragalus arnacantha — Small Goat’s Thorn P oterium is a large shrub with long branches — soft, flexible like a bridle, thin, similar to tragacanth — the leaves little, round. The whole shrub is surrounded with a thin woolly down and is prickly; the flowers are small and white. The seed (to one who tastes it) has a sweet scent and is sharp with no use. It grows in sandy and hilly countries. The roots are underneath, two or three feet long, strong and sinewy. When cut close to the ground they send out a fluid similar to gum. The roots (cut and smeared on) heal cut-apart sinews and wounds, and a decoction of it (taken as a drink) is good for disorders of the strength. It is also called phrynion, or andidotum, and the Ionians call it neurada. 383 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-18. AKANTHION UNKNOWN A canthium has leaves similar to the white thorn [above] with prickly abnormal growths, and on top there is down similar to a spiders web. This is gathered and made into one (or spun), and is similar to silk. The roots and leaves of this (taken as a drink) help one troubled with a painfully stiff neck. 3-19. AKANTHA ERPEKANTHA SUGGESTED: Acantha vera, [Fuchs], Acanthus sativus, Acanthus mollis [Bauhin, Linnaeus], Acanthus spinosus, — Bears Breeches A Bears Breeches — Acanthus spinosus, Acanthus mollis after FAGUET — 1888 cantha or herpacantha grows in gardens and moist rocky places. It has far broader, longer leaves than lettuce, divided like those of eruca [2-170], somewhat dark, thick and smooth. It has a smooth stalk two feet high, the thickness of a finger towards the top, surrounded all around by distances with certain longish little leaves (similar to little hives) of a hyacinth colour. From these the white seed grows out, somewhat long, yellowish, with a head similar to a thyrsus [wand]. The roots underneath are viscous, mouldy, reddish and long. Applied, they are good for burns and dislocations. Taken in a drink they encourage urine and stop discharges of the bowels. They are good for tuberculosis of the lungs, hernia, and convulsions. It is also called melamphyllon, pasderota, acanthus topiaria, mamolaria, or craepula. 3-20. AKANTHA AGRIA SUGGESTED: Acanthus spinosissimus — White-spined T Akantha he Romans call acantha sylvestris by the name of spina agrestis. There is also a wild acantha, similar to carduus nutans [musk thistle] — prickly, shorter than the garden variety that is cultivated. The root of this affects as many things as the previous one. 384 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Carthamus tinctorius after THIEBAULT — 1880 385 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Dipsacus purpureus from FUCHS — 1545 386 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-21. ANONIS SUGGESTED: Anonis, Resta bovis, Remora aratri [Fuchs], Anonis spinosa [Bauhin], Ononis spinosa [Linnaeus] — Spiny Restharrow A nonis (also called ononis) has branches twenty centimetres long or more. It is shrubby, full of joints with hollow wings, many round little heads, and small little leaves, thin like the lentil, similar to those of rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] or lotus. It grows in meadows and is somewhat rough and sweet smelling, not smelling unseemly. It is preserved in brine before the prickles emerge, and it is very pleasant. The branches have sharp strong prickles that are similar to arrowheads. There is a white root that is warming and reduces the intensity of symptoms. The bark of this (taken in a drink with wine) removes skin, breaks up urinary stones, and emarginates [removes the edge of] the scurf of ulcers. Boiled in posca [hot drinks] and used as a mouth rinse it soothes toothache, and a decoction of this (taken as a drink) is thought to cure haemorrhoids. 3-22. LEUKAKANTHA SUGGESTED: Chrysanthemum leucacanthemum, Leucanthemum, [Bedevian] — Ox-eye Daisy, White Weed, Dog Daisy L eucacantha has a root that is similar to cyprus [1-124] — bitter and strong — which is chewed to lessen toothache. Three cups of a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) helps lung congestion that has lasted long, sciatica, hernia, and convulsions. The juice from the root (taken as a drink) does the same. It is also called polygonatum, or phyllon, others call it ischias, the Romans call it gniacardus, and the Thuscans, alba spina. 3-23. TRAGAKANTHE SUGGESTED: Astragalus tragacantha — Gum Tragacanth Plant, Goat’s Thorn T ragacantha has a root that is broad and woody appearing above the earth. From this low strong 387 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS branches emerge, spreading out. On them are many small thin leaves with prickles between hidden in the leaves — white, strong, upright. There is also a tragacanth gum adhering to the root when it is cut. The best is transparent, smooth, slender, clean, and somewhat sweet. It is able like [other] gums to close the pores. It is used for eye medicines, coughs, roughness of the arteries; and for dripping fluids in a linctus [syrup] with honey. It melts when put under the tongue. A teaspoonful steeped in passum [raisin wine] is taken as a drink for pain of the kidneys and erosion of the bladder. Hart’s horn that has been burned and washed (or a little allom scissile [5-123]) is also mixed with it. 3-24. ERUNGION SUGGESTED: Eryngium, Iringus [Fuchs], Eryngium vulgare [Bauhin], Eryngium campestre [Linnaeus] — Common Eryngo, Field Eryngo, Eryngium E ryngium is one of the prickly plants. The new leaves are stored in brine and eaten as vegetables. They are broad and rough in the circumference, and aromatic to the taste. Growing bigger they become prickly at the furthest points of the stalks, on the tops of which are little round heads surrounded with very sharp prickles like a star, hard all around. The colour can be green, pale, white, or sometimes azure [blue]. The root is long, broad, black on the outside and white within, the thickness of a big finger or thumb. It is sweet smelling and aromatic, and grows in fields and rough places. It is able to warm, and expels urine and the menstrual flow. Taken as a drink it dissolves griping and gaseousness. It is good with wine for liver complaints, those bitten by venomous creatures, and as an antidote for those who have taken a deadly drink. It is taken in a drink for the most part with one teaspoonful of pastinaca [3-59] seed. It is said that used as a personal ornament or rubbed on someone it dissolves tubercles [growths]. The root (taken as a drink with honey water) cures tetanus and epilepsy. It is also called erynge, eryneris, caryon, gorginium, hermium, origanum chlunium, myracanthum, or moly. The Egyptians call it crobysus, the Magi, siserti, the Romans, capitulum 388 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Eryngij from FUCHS — 1545 389 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Acanthus vera from FUCHS — 1545 390 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK cardui, some, carterae, the Dacians, sicupnoex, the Spaniards, ciotocapeta, the Africans, cherdan, or herba montana, and some, chida. 3-25. ALOE SUGGESTED: Aloe [Fuchs], Aloe vulgaris [Bauhin], Aloe vera [Linnaeus] — Aloe A loe has a leaf almost like squill — thick, fat, somewhat broad near the stem, broken or bow-backed behind, with short, thin prickles along the sides. It sends out a stalk similar to anthericum [3-122], has a white flower, and seed similar to asphodelus [2-199]. All of it has a strong scent and is very bitter to the taste. It has only one root like a stake. It grows abundantly and thickly in India, and the extracted juice is brought from there. It also grows in Arabia, Asia and certain seabordering places and islands as in Andros. This type is not good for extracting juice, but suitable for closing open cuts, sores and wounds, pounded into small pieces and applied. There is a thick kind of juice that is grainy, one of which seems to have the purest substance, the other similar to liver. Choose the pure that is undeceitful, unstony, glittering, yellowish, brittle, like liver, easily melted, and excels in bitterness. That which is black and hard to break, refuse. They counterfeit it with gum — which is noticed by the taste, the bitterness, the strength of the smell, and because it does not fall into pieces (as much as the smallest crumb) squeezed in the fingers. Some mix acacia with it. It is astringent, procures sleep, dries, thickens bodies, loosens the intestines, and cleans the stomach, two spoonfuls taken in a drink with cold water or warm milk. This amount with thirty grains weight of water (or one teaspoonful of a drink) stops the spitting of blood and cleans jaundice. Swallowed with rosin (or taken either with water or boiled honey) it loosens the bowels, but three teaspoonfuls fully purges. Mixed with other purging medicines it makes them less hurtful to the stomach. Sprinkled on dry it heals wounds, and brings boils to a scar and represses them. It effectively heals ulcerated genitals, and heals the broken foreskin of boys. Mixed with sweet wine it cures the joints and cracks in 391 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS the perineum. It stops discharges of blood from haemorrhoids, brings pterygium [membrane on eye] to a scar, and takes away bruises and low blood pressure with honey. It soothes rough skin, itchiness of the eye corners, and headaches, rubbed with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] on the forehead and the temples. With wine it stops the hair falling off [alopecia]; and with honey and wine it is good for the tonsils, as well as the gums and all sores in the mouth. It is roasted for eye medicines in a clean, red-hot ceramic jar, turned continuously until it is roasted evenly. It is then washed, the sandy part separated as useless, and the most fat and smooth taken. It is also called amphibion, eryngium, herminum, or tragoceros; the Romans call it aloa, and the Barbarians, aloe. 3-26. APSINTHION SUGGESTED: Absinthium vulgare [Fuchs], Seriphium absinthium [in Sprague], Artemisia absinthium [Linnaeus] — Wormwood NARCOTIC A bsinthium (also called bathypicron) is a well-known herb, and the best grows in Pontus and Cappadocia on the mountain called Taurus. It is warming, astringent and digestive, and takes away bilious matter sticking in the stomach and bowels. It is urinary, and keeps one from overindulging taken as a drink beforehand. It is good (taken as a drink with seseli [3-60 to 3-62] or celtic nardus [1-7]) for gaseousness and pains in the intestines and stomach. Three cups of a dilution or decoction of it (taken every day) heals lack of appetite and jaundice. Taken as a drink and applied with honey it expels the menstrual flow. It is good with vinegar for constrictions from [eating] mushrooms. It is an antidote given with wine for (the poison) of ixia [3-103] and hemlock, the bites of the shrewmouse, and bites of the sea dragon [2-15]. With honey and saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it is an ointment for a synanchic [abscessed] throat; and with water for pustules that appear at night. It is used for bruises with honey, also for dullness of sight [eyes] and pus-filled ears. The vapour of a decoction is used for earache and toothache. Boiled with passum [raisin wine] it is a plaster for very painful eyes. It is also applied to hypochondria [nervous gastric disorder], the liver, a painful stomach, 392 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Anonis from FUCHS — 1545 393 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Hysopus hortensis from FUCHS — 1545 394 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK and [those] who have suffered long pounded together with Cyprian [possibly rose] wax ointment, but for the stomach mix it with rosaceum [1-53]. It is good for dropsy and the spleen mixed with figs, saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and meal of lolium [2-116, 4-140]. Especially around Propontis and Thrace a wine is made from it which is called absinthe, which they use in the absence of fever for the purposes previously mentioned. They drink to each other with it in the summer thinking it to cause health. It seems that placed in chests it keeps the garments uneaten [by moths]. Rubbed on with oil it forbids the mosquitos to touch the body [insect repellant]. Ink for writing that is made by steeping it keeps writings from being eaten by mice. It seems that the juice does the same work. We do not allow it in liquid medicines as it is bad for the stomach and causes headaches. Some counterfeit the juice with boiled amurca [sediment of buckthorn oil]. The Egyptians call it somi, and the Romans, absinthium rusticum. 3-27. APSINTHION THALASSION SUGGESTED: Artemisia maritima, Artemisia pauciflora — Sea Wormwood, Garden Cypress, Sea Artemisia A bsinthium marinum (also called seriphion) grows abundantly in the Taurus Mountains around Cappadocia and in Taphosiris, Egypt. The Isiaci use it instead of an olive branch. The herb has thin branches similar to the small abrotanum [3-29] with abundant little seeds, somewhat bitter, bad for the stomach, and with a strong smell. It is astringent with some heating, and boiled by itself (or with rice) and taken with honey it kills ascaridae [threadworms] and roundworms, loosening the bowels gently. It does the same things with sapa [new wine syrup] or boiled together with lentils. Cattle grow very fat feeding on it [fodder]. It is also called sandonion, or seriphum; the Romans call it santonicum. 395 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-28. APSINTHION TRITON SANTONION SUGGESTED: Artemisia santonicum — Holy Wormwood Artemisia glacialis — Silky Wormwood, Glacier Wormwood T here is a third kind of wormwood that grows abundantly in Galatia (or rather Gallia) near the Alps, which they call by the place’s name — santonicum, giving it this surname from its growing in the country of Sardonis. It is similar to wormwood, not as seedy, somewhat bitter, and able to do the same things as the Seriphian [3-27]. 3-29. ABROTONON SUGGESTED: Abrotonum foemina [Fuchs], Absinthium ponticum [Bauhin], Artemisia pontica, Abrotanum mas [Linnaeus], Artemisia abrotanum — Southernwood T he female abrotanum is a tree-like shrub, somewhat white, the leaves with little in-cuts (like those of seriphium) around the branches, with a golden corymbus [flat or slightly convex inflorescence] on the top, full of flowers that display in the summer, with a sweet smell, and some strength, bitter in taste. This seems to be the Sicilian. The other (called male) is full of sprigs, with slender seeds like wormwood. It grows abundantly in Cappadocia, and Galatia in Asia, and Hierapolis in Syria. The seed of these (pounded raw, boiled, and taken in a drink of water) helps difficult breathing, hernia, convulsions, sciatica, difficult painful urination, and the stoppage of the menstrual flow. Taken in a drink of wine it is an antidote for deadly poisons. With oil it is an ointment for those who have chills. It drives away snakes scattered under [foot] or inhaled as smoke. Taken in a drink of wine it helps those who are bitten. It is particularly good for the strikes of the harvest spider and scorpions. It helps inflammation of the eyes applied with boiled quince or with bread. It dissolves pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins; eyes] pounded into small pieces and boiled with barley meal. It is also mixed in the composition of oil irinum [1-66]. It is also called abutonon, absinthium, heraclion, cholopoeon, thelyphthorion, 396 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Aloe umbellata after FAGUET — 1888 397 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Pulegium foemina from FUCHS — 1545 398 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK absinthiomenon, or procampylon. The Magi call it nervi palmae, some, cynanchites and the Romans, absinthium ponticum, and it is also called femineus frutex, and dulcis cubitus. 3-30. USSOPOS SUGGESTED: Hyssopus hortensis [Fuchs] Hyssopus officinalis [Linnaeus] — Hyssop Origanum syriacum —Hyssop of the Bible [Mabberley] H yssopus (a well-known herb) is of two sorts — one mountainous, the other grown in gardens. The best grows in Cilicia. It is able to reduce the intensity of symptoms and warms. Boiled with figs, water, honey and rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], and taken as a drink it helps pneumonia, asthma, internal coughs, mucus, and orthopnoea [type of asthma], and kills worms. Licked with honey it does the same. A decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar and honey) expels thick fluids through the bowels. It is eaten with green figs (pounded into small pieces) for emptying the intestines, but it purges more forcibly mixed with cardamom, iris, or irio [irinum? 1-66]. It causes a good colour. It is daubed on with figs and saltpetre [potassium nitrate] for the spleen and dropsy, but with wine for inflammation. Applied with warm water it dissolves bruises. With a decoction of figs it is an excellent gargle for a synanchic [abscessed] throat. Boiled with vinegar and used as a lotion it soothes toothache. The smoke being inhaled, it dissolves windiness around the ears. The Latins call it hyssopum, it is also called later or cassiala, and the Egyptians call it pesalem. 3-31. STOICHAS SUGGESTED: Stichas, Stichas arabica [Fuchs], Stoechas purpurea [Bauhin], Lavandula stoechas — French Lavender, Spanish Lavender S toechas grows in the Islands of Galatia near Messalia called the Stoechades, which is how it got its name. It is a herb with slender twigs and filaments similar to thyme, but longer-leaved, sharp to the taste, and Lavandula stoechas after WINKLER — 1891 399 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS somewhat bitter. A decoction of it (like hyssop [3-30]) is good for disorders in the chest. It is useful mixed with antidotes. It is also called syncliopa, alcibiades, pancration or styphonia; the Egyptians call it suphlo, the Magi, oculus pythonis, the Romans, schiolebina. 3-32. ORIGANOS ERAKLEOTIKE SUGGESTED: Origanum heracleoticum [Loudon] — Winter-sweet Marjoram O riganum heracleoticum (also called conila) has a leaf similar to hyssop [3-30], and a tuft not of a round shape but (as it were) divided, and on the tops of the sprigs, the seed, not thick. It is warming; as a result a decoction of it (taken as a drink with wine) is good for those bitten by poisonous beasts. It is given as an antidote with passum [raisin wine] for those who have taken a drink of hemlock or meconium [4-65], and with vinegar and honey for those who have taken a drink of gypsum or ephemerum [4-85]. For convulsions, hernia, and dropsy it is eaten with a fig. It is dried and the amount of an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] taken in a drink with honey and water to expel black (fluids) through the bowels. Licked in with honey it induces the menstrual flow and cures coughs. A decoction of it in a bath is good for prurigo [chronic itching], psoriasis and jaundice. The juice of the green herb cures tonsils, [inflammation of the] uvula, and apthae [aptha — infant thrush or candidiasis]. Dropped in with oil irinum [1-66] it purges through the nostrils. With milk it also soothes earache. A vomitory medicine is made from it with onions and rhus [1-147], all of them being sunned in the burning heat under the dog [in summer] in a brass copper jar for forty days. The herb scattered under[foot] expels snakes. 3-33. ORIGANOS ONITIS SUGGESTED: Origanum T onitis — Pot Marjoram hat which is called onitis is paler in the leaves, resembles hyssop [3-30] more, and has seed like berries hanging together. It can do the same things as the Heracleotic [3-32]. Yet it is not altogether as effective. 400 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Calaminthae genus from FUCHS — 1545 401 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Calaminthae tertium genus from FUCHS — 1545 402 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-34. AGRIORIGANOS SUGGESTED: Origanum sylvestre, Origanum vulgare [Fuchs], Origanum vulgare [Linnaeus] — Wild Marjoram, Organy O riganum sylvestre has leaves similar to origanum, but the thin stems are twenty centimetres high, on which are tufts similar to dill. The flowers are white; the root thin, ineffective. The leaves and flowers (taken in a drink with wine) effectively help those bitten by snakes. It is also called panaces heraclion, others call it cunila, as well as nicander colophonius. 3-35. TRAGORIGANOS, TRAGORIGANOS ALLOS SUGGESTED: Satureia thymbra, Thymus tragoriganum, Thymus graveolens, Micromeria thymbra — Savory of Crete, Candian Savory T ragoriganum is a little shrub similar to origanum or wild serpyllum [3-46] in its leaves and small branches. Some is found that is more prosperous and broaderleaved, gluey enough, depending on the location. Another (which is also called prasium) has small shoots and thin leaves. The best is the Cilician and those in Co, Chios, Smyrna, and Crete. All are warming, urinary, and good for the intestines (in a decoction taken as a drink) for they drive down depression. Taken in a drink with vinegar they are effective for the spleen, and are given as an antidote with wine for those who have taken a drink of ixia [3-103]. They expel the menstrual flow, and are given as linctuses [syrups] with honey for coughs and pneumonia. A liquid medicine of it is mild; as a result it is given to the squeamish, for gastric [disorders], unsavoury belchers, and those who have seasickness, nausea and heartburn. It dissolves oedema applied with polenta. 403 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-36. GLECHON SUGGESTED: Pulegium [Fuchs], Pulegium foemina [Brunfels], Pulegium latifolium [Bauhin], Mentha pulegium [Linnaeus], Pulegium vulgare, Glechon [Latin] — Pennyroyal, Pudding Grass G lechium (a well-known herb) reduces the intensity of symptoms and is warming and digestive. Taken as a drink it expels the menstrual flow and the afterbirth, and is an abortifacient. Taken as a drink with salt and honey it brings up stuff out of the lungs and helps the convulsed. Taken as a drink with posca [hot drinks] it soothes nausea and gnawing of the stomach. It draws out depressive matter through the intestines, and taken as a drink with wine it helps those bitten by snakes. Applied with vinegar to the nostrils it restores those who faint. Pounded dry and burnt, it strengthens the gums. Rubbed on with polenta it soothes all inflammation. By itself it is good for gout (applied) until redness appears. With waxy ointments it extinguishes varos [smallpox pustules]. It is also good for the spleen applied with salt. A decoction soothes itching washed on, and it is good as a bath for gaseousness, hardness, and inversions of the womb. It is also called blechon because when cattle taste it at its flowering time they are filled with bleating. It is also called blechron, or arsenicanthon; the Romans call it polium, the Africans, apoleium, the Gauls, albolon, and some, gallisopsis. 3-37. DIKTAMNON SUGGESTED: Dictamnus albus, Dictamnus fraxinella — White Dittany, Gas Plant, Candle Plant, Fraxinella Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Amaracus dictamnus — Dittany of Crete D ictamnus is a Cretian herb — sharp, smooth, similar to pulegium [3-36]. It has bigger leaves, downy, with a kind of woolly adherence, but it bears neither flower nor seed. It does all the things that the cultivated pulegium does but much more forcibly, for not only taken as a drink but also applied and inhaled as smoke, it expels dead embryos. They say that goats in Crete having fed on 404 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Amaracus from FUCHS — 1545 405 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Calaminthae alterum genus from FUCHS — 1545 406 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK the herb reject arrows if shot [wounds]. The juice rubbed on (alone or with polenta) is cleansing. The herb is applied to cure prickles under the feet, or [on] the rest of the body. It is also effective for a painful spleen, for it lessens it. They gather it in the summer and the fall. The root warms those who taste it. It is also a birth-hastener, and the juice (taken as a drink with wine) helps those bitten by snakes. Such is the strength of this herb that even the smell drives away poisonous beasts, and the touch kills them. The juice dropped into a wound caused by iron, or the bite of a poisonous beast (and as well as dropping it on, if it is taken in drink), immediately cures. (Rub dried dictamnus in your hands until it is similar to meal, throw in a drop of wine and apply it to your body. It is good against all snakes. It first cleans ulcers and rotten, gangrenous ulcerations, and then it fills them up. If one is pricked apply this to him and immediately you shall help him. Having made meal of it, apply it for the spleen and disorders from inflammation in hidden places. Dig up the herb in the spring, the hot seasons, and in the autumn.) It is also called pulegium sylvestre, embactron, beluacos, artemedion, creticus, ephemeron, eldian, belotocos, dorcidium, or elbunium; the Romans call it ustilago rustica. 3-38. PSEUDODIKTAMNOS SUGGESTED: Marrubium pseudodictamnus, Berringeria pseudodictamnus, Ballota pseudodictamnus — White Horehound, Bastard Dittany T hat which is called pseudodictamnus grows in many places and is similar to the one above but less sharp. It does the same things as dictamnus, but is not similarly effective. 407 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-39. DIKTAMNOS ALLO SUGGESTED: Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Dictamnus albus, Dictamnus fraxinella, Amaracus dictamnus — White Dittany, Gas Plant, Candle Plant, Fraxinella Origanum hirtum, Origanum creticum — Hairy Marjoram A nother kind of dictamnus is brought from Crete that has leaves similar to sisymbrium [2-155], but with bigger branches, and a flower similar to wild origanum — black and soft. The smell of the leaves is most pleasant, between sisymbrium and sage. It is effective for all things (as that above) but somewhat less biting. It is mixed with plasters and antidotal medicines. 3-40. ELELISPHAKON SUGGESTED: Salvia maior, Salvia minor [Fuchs, Bauhin], Salvia officinalis [Linnaeus] — Sage H elelisphacum is a much-branched somewhat long shrub, with four-square and somewhat white stalks. The leaves are similar to malicottoon [1-160], yet longer, sharper and thicker, hidden by filaments — whitish, especially odiferous and poisonous-smelling — like on outworn garments. The seed is on top of the stalks like wild horminum [3-145]. It grows in rough places. A decoction of the leaves and branches (taken as a drink) is able to induce movement of the urine and the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, and helps the strikes of the pastinaca marina [2-22]. It dyes the hair black, is a wound herb and a blood-stauncher, and cleanses wild ulcers. A decoction of the leaves and branches (with wine) applied with hot cloths soothes itchiness around the genitals. Elelisphacon dissolves chilliness and coughs and is good used with rosaceum [1-53] and wax ointment for all bad ulcers. Taken as a drink with white wine it cures a painful spleen and dysentery. Similarly, given to drink it cures bloodspitters, and is available for all cleansing for a woman, but the most wicked women (making a pessary of it) apply it and use it as an abortifacient. It is also called elaphoboscon, sphagnon, ciosmin, phagnon, or becion; the Egyptians call it apusi, the Romans, cosalon, and others, salvia. 408 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Salvia maior from FUCHS — 1545 409 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS M eliloti quartum genus from FUCHS — 1545 410 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-41. EDUOSMOS EMEROS SUGGESTED: Mentha sativa [Linnaeus], Mentha viridis — Common Mint, Spearmint, Whorled Mint Mentha piperita — White Mint, Peppermint H edyosmus is a well-known little herb that is warming, astringent, and drying. As a result the juice of it (taken as a drink with vinegar) stops blood, kills roundworms, and encourages lust [aphrodisiac]. Two or three little sprigs (taken in a drink with the juice of a sour pomegranate) soothe hiccups, vomiting, and bile. Applied with polenta it dissolves suppurations. Applied to the forehead it eases headaches. It soothes the swelling and extension of the breasts, and with salt it is a poultice for dog bites. The juice with honey and water helps earache. Applied to women before sexual intercourse, it causes inconception. Rubbed on, it makes a rough tongue smooth. It keeps milk from curdling if the leaves are steeped in it. Finally, it is good for the stomach and fit for sauce. It is also called mentha; the Romans call it menta, some, nepeta, the Egyptians, tis, others call it pherthumerthrumonthu, perxo, or macetho. 3-42. EDUOSMOS AGRIOS SUGGESTED: Mentastrum [Fuchs], Mentastro [Italian], Mentha sylvestris, Mentha viridis, Mentha arvensis [Linnaeus], Mentha gentilis, Calamintha arvensis [Bauhin] — Wild Mint, Horse Mint [other usage] Mentastro [Italian], Marrubium vulgare — Common White Horehound see 3-119 T he wild hedyosmus (which the Romans call mentastrum) has rougher leaves, is altogether bigger than sisymbrium [2-155], more poisonous to smell, and less suitable for use in health. 411 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-43. KALAMINTHE SUGGESTED: Calamintha tertium genus [Fuchs], Conyza media asteris [Bauhin], Inula dysenterica [Linnaeus], Pulicaria dysenterica [in Sprague] — Fleabane Calamintha nepeta, Nepeta cataria [Linnaeus]— Catmint, Catnip, Nep Calamintha officinalis, Melissa calamintha — Common Calamint, Cat Mint S ome calamintha is more mountainous, and has whitish leaves similar to basil, with the sprigs and stalks angular, and a purple flower. The other sort is similar to pulegium [3-36] yet bigger, as a result some have called it pulegium agreste, because it also has a similar smell. The Romans call this nepeta. The third sort is similar to wild mint, longer in the leaves, bigger than that previously mentioned in the stalk and branch, and it is less effective. The leaves of all of them are strongly warming and sharp to the taste: the roots are not effective. It grows in plain fields and rough watery places. Taken as a drink (or applied) it helps those bitten by snakes. A decoction (taken as a drink) induces the passing of urine, and helps hernia, convulsions, orthopnoea [form of asthma], griping, bile, and chills. Taken as a drink (beforehand) with wine it is an antidote against poisons and cleans away jaundice. Pounded into small pieces (either boiled or raw) and taken as a drink with salt and honey it kills both roundworms and threadworms. Eaten with the whey of milk and taken as a drink (afterwards) it helps those with elephantiasis. The leaves pounded into small pieces and given in a pessary are an abortifacient and expel the menstrual flow. Inhaled as smoke or scattered underfoot it drives away snakes. Boiled in wine and applied, it makes black scars white and takes away bruises. It is applied to sciatica for a medicine to eliminate waste or morbid matter, burning the outward skin. The juice is dropped in the ears to kill worms. 412 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Peganum harmala after TEGETMEYER — 1897 413 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Melilotus officinalis after FAGUET — 1888 414 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-44. THUMOS SUGGESTED:Thymus angustifolius, Thymus glaber — Wild Thyme, Mother of Thyme E veryone knows thyme. It is a little shrub full of branches surrounded with many narrow little leaves, and little heads with flowers resembling purple on the top. It grows chiefly in rocky and barren places. Taken as a drink with salt and vinegar it is able to drive out phlegmy matter through the bowels. A decoction with honey helps orthopnoea [form of asthma] and the asthmatic, expels worms and the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, expels the afterbirth, and is urinary. Mixed with honey and taken as a linctus [syrup] it makes matter come up [vomitory]. Applied with vinegar it dissolves new swellings and clots of blood, and takes away thymos [hormonal glandular enlargement] and hanging warts. Applied with wine and polenta it is good for hip pains. Eaten with meat it is good for poor vision. It is good instead of sauce for use in health. It is also called white thyme, cephalotus, epithumis, or thyrsium; the Romans call it thymus, the Egyptians, stephane, and the Dacians, mozula. 3-45. THUMBRA SUGGESTED: Sisymbrium [Pliny] see 2-155, Serpyllum sylvestre [Fuchs], Serpyllum vulgare minus [Bauhin], Thymus serpyllum [Linnaeus] — Creeping Thyme, Wild Thyme, Mother of Thyme T hymbra is also well known. It grows in barren and rough places — similar to thyme, only smaller and more tender, and bearing a stalk full of flowers of a greenish colour. It can do the same things as thyme (taken the same way) and it is suitable for use in health. There is also a cultivated satureia, of less value in everything than the wild, yet more effective for meat [sauce] because it does not have as much sharpness. 415 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-46. ERPULLOS, ERPULLOS ZOGIS SUGGESTED: Thymus, Serpyllum romanum [Fuchs], Thymus vulgaris [Linnaeus] — Garden Thyme, Potherb Thyme H erpyllum is the garden kind, similar to sampsuchum [3-47] in smell, and used for making wreaths for the head. It is so-called from its creeping, and because if any part of it touches the earth, there it roots. It has leaves and small branches similar to origanum, yet whiter. Trailed down from unmortared walls it becomes more abundant. The other is wild and is called zygis — not creeping but upright, sending out thin branches full of sprigs, surrounded with leaves similar to rue, yet they are narrow, longer, and harder. The flower is sharp to the taste, sweet to the smell, the root useless. It grows on rocks, being stronger and hotter than the garden kind and more suitable for medicinal use. Taken in a drink it expels the menstrual flow and causes an urge to urinate. It helps griping, hernia, convulsions, inflammation of the liver and snakebites taken as a drink and applied. Boiled with vinegar (with rosaceum [1-53] mixed in there) and the head moistened with it, soothes headaches. It is especially good for lethargy and frenzy. Four teaspoonfuls of the juice (taken as a drink with vinegar) stop the vomiting of blood. It is also called zygis sylvestris, or polion, the Egyptians call it meruopyos, the Romans, serpyllum, others, cicer erraticum. 3-47. SAMPSUCHON SUGGESTED: Sampsuchum, Sampsucum, Origanum majorum [Pliny], Amaracus, Maiorana [Fuchs], Majorana vulgaris [Bauhin], Origanum majorana [Linneaus], Origanum majoranoides, Majorana hortensis — Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram T he best sampsuchum is the Cyzicenian and the Cyprian, but the Egyptian is second to this. It is a herb with many branches that creeps along the earth, with round rough leaves similar to thin-leaved calamint, very fragrant and heating. It is plaited into wreaths for the head. A decoction (taken as a drink) is good for those 416 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Aethusa cynapium, Apium rusticum Lesser Hemlock or Fool’s Parsley POISONOUS after THIEBAULT — 1881 417 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Ruta graveolens after FAGUET — 1874 418 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK who are beginning to have dropsy, and for frequent painful urination, and griping. The dry leaves are smeared on with honey to take away bruises. In a pessary they drive out the menstrual flow; and they are rubbed on with salt and vinegar for the strike of a scorpion. For dislocations and oedema they are applied with a wax ointment. They are rubbed on with flour of polenta for inflammation, and mixed with medications to remove fatigue, and with softening medicines for warmth’s sake. The Cyzicenians and those in Sicily call it amaracum. It is also called trifolium, amaracum, agathides, cnecion, or acapnon; Pythagoras calls it thrambes, the Egyptians, sopho, the Armenians, myurum, the Magi call it the ass of the priest, others, genitura Isidis, and the Romans, maiorana. 3-48. MELILOTOS SUGGESTED: Melilotus italica, Meliloti quartum genus [Fuchs], Trifolium melilotus corniculata [Linnaeus], Trigonella corniculata, Trigonella elatior — Wild Trefoil [other usage] Melilotus officinalis, Melilotus arvensis, Corona regia, Trifolium melilotus officinalis — Honey Lotus, King’s Clover, Melilot T he best melilotus is the Attic [Athenian] and that which grows in Chalcedon — similar to saffron, with a sweet scent. It also grows in Campania around Nola, inclining to yellow, and weak regarding the sweet smell. It is a powerful astringent, and boiled with passum [raisin wine] and applied, softens all inflammation — especially that around the eyes, womb, buttocks and anus, and the stones [testicles]. Sometimes the roasted yolk of an egg is mixed with it, or the meal of fenugreek, hemp seed, wheat flour, the heads of poppies, or intybus [2-160]. Used alone in water it also cures new melicerides [encysted tumour with honey-like exudation], as well as scaly eruptions on the scalp, rubbed on with Chian [from Scios in the Aegean sea] earth and wine or galls [oak galls]. For pain in the stomach boil it with wine or use it raw with some of the things previously mentioned. Juiced raw and dropped in the ears with passum [raisin wine] it eases earache, and when let fall on [the head] gently with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] it soothes 419 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS headaches. It is also called zoodotion, and ortamon, or, by the Magi, thermuthin; the Egyptians call it haemith, and the Romans, sertula, or trypatium. 3-49. MARON SUGGESTED: Teucrium marum — Marum Germander, Cat Thyme M arum or hysobrium is a well-known herb full of sprigs, similar in the flower to origanum, but the leaves of this are much paler, and the flower sweeter. It has abilities similar to sisymbrium [2-155] — somewhat astringent and gently heating. Applied, it stops gangrenous ulceration, and it is mixed with the hot ingredients of compound ointments. It grows in abundance both near Magnesia and near Tralles. It is also called origanis. 3-50. AKINOS SUGGESTED: Thymus acinos, Ocimum pilosum, Acinos vulgaris — Acinos see 3-109, 4-28, 4-176 A cinus or aconus is a herb with a small stalk used in making wreaths for the head, similar to basil but rougher. It has a sweet scent, and is also sown in gardens by some. Taken as a drink it stops discharges of the intestines, and the menstrual flow. Applied, it heals both pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins] and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. It is also called basilicum sylvestre, and the Romans call it ocimastrum. 3-51. BAKCHARIS SUGGESTED: Baccharis, Conyza dioscoroidis, Baccharis dioscorides — Bacchar [Bedevian], Ploughman’s Spikenard Baccharis now applied to an American genus of Compositae. Baccharis aphylla from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 420 B accharis is a herb with many stalks and a sweet scent. It is used to make wreaths for the head. The leaves THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Ammi from FUCHS — 1545 421 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Origanum sylvestre from FUCHS — 1545 422 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK are sharp, in size between the violet and verbascum [4-104]; the stalk angular, a foot in height, somewhat sharp, with suckers. The flowers are a purple colour, whitish and sweet smelling, and the roots are similar to those of black veratrum [4-151], and similar in smell to cinnamon. It loves rough, dry places. Boiled in water the root helps convulsions, hernia, falls from on high, hard breathing, obstinate coughs, and painful urination. It expels the menstrual flow, and is usefully given with wine to those bitten by snakes. One of the tender roots (applied as a pessary) is an abortifacient, and a decoction of it is good for bathing women in childbirth. It is good in scented powders, having a very fragrant smell. The leaves are astringent, and are applied to help headaches, inflammation of the eyes, ulcers of the eyes as they begin, breasts inflamed from childbearing, and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. The smell is sleepinducing. 3-52. PEGANON TO KEPAION, PEGANON TO OREINON SUGGESTED: Peganum harmala — Wild Rue, Syrian Rue, Harmel Ruta angustifolia, Ruta chalepensis — Aleppo Rue, Syrian Rue Ruta hortensis [Fuchs, Bauhin], Ruta graveolens [Linnaeus] — Common Rue, Herb of Grace CAUTION — ALLERGIC REACTIONS— OVERDOSE TOXIC OR FATAL see 3-53, 4-98 M ountainous wild rue is sharper than the tame or garden rue and unfit for eating. Of the garden kind the fittest for eating grows near fig trees. Both are sharp, warming, ulcerating, diuretic, and bring out the menstrual flow. Eaten (or taken as a drink) they are astringent to the bowels. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of the seed (taken as a drink in wine) is an antidote for deadly medicines. The leaves eaten (beforehand) by themselves or with carya [1-178] or dry figs make poisons ineffective. The same is taken against snakebites, and either eaten or taken as a drink it extinguishes conception [abortifacient]. Boiled with dried dill and taken as a drink it stops griping. It is good taken as a drink for pain in the sides of the chest, hard breathing, coughs, lung 423 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS inflammation, pains in the hips and joints, and periodical chills (as previously mentioned). For gaseousness of the colus [colic], vulva, rectum, and intestines it is boiled with oil and given as a suppository. Pounded into small pieces with honey and applied from the genitals to the perineum, it also cures constriction of the womb. Boiled in oil and taken as a drink it expels worms. It is applied with honey for painful joints, and with figs for dropsy under the skin. Boiled in wine until half the amount remains then taken as a drink (and also rubbed on) it helps these [problems] also. Eaten raw or pickled it is a sight-restorer, and applied with polenta it soothes pains in the eyes. Pounded fine and applied with rosaceum [1-53] and vinegar it helps headaches and stops bloody discharges from the nostrils. Applied with bay leaves it helps inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney]. With myrtle wax ointment it helps rashes such as measles. Rubbed on all over with wine, pepper and saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it heals white vitiligo [type of leprosy], and applied with the same things it takes away warty abnormal growths and myrmecias [warts resembling an anthill]. Applied with honey and allom [5-123] it is good for lichenae [skin disease]. The juice warmed in a pomegranate rind and dropped in the ears is good for ear sores. Rubbed on with juice of marathrum [3-81] and honey it helps dullness of sight. Rubbed on with vinegar, cerussa [white lead ore] and rosaceum [1-53] it cures erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], herpes [viral skin infection], and scaly eruptions on the scalp. Chewed, it stops the bad smells that come [from eating] garlic and onions. It is also called rhyten montana; the Romans call it ruta montana or ruta hortense, the Egyptians, epnubu, the Syrians, harmala, some, besasa and the Africans, churma. The hilly rue kills, eaten too much. Gathered around flowering time for pickling it makes the skin red, and puffs it up with itching and extreme inflammation.They ought, having first rubbed [protection on] the face and the hands, so to gather it. They say that the juice sprinkled on chicken keeps off the cats. They say that eaten, the rue that grows in Macedonia by the river Haliacmon kills; but that place is mountainous and full of vipers. Taken in a drink the seed is good for disorders within, and it is usefully mixed with antidotes. Having dried the seed, give it to drink for seven days to one who sheds his water [dehydration] and it shall cease. The root 424 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Hieracium minus from FUCHS — 1545 425 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Coriandrum sativum after THIEBAULT — 1881 426 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK of it is called mountain moly. The wild rue therefore is similar to the cultivated, and it is good (taken in a drink) for epilepsy and pains in the hips. It induces the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient. It is sharper than the cultivated and more effective in use. But you must not eat the wild because it is hurtful. Ruta sylvestris is also called hypericon, androsaemon, corion, or chamepitys; the Romans call it hederalis, others, sentinalis, and the Africans, churma semmaked. 3-53. PEGANON AGRION SUGGESTED: Ruta montana, Ruta legitima, Ruta sylvestris — Wild Rue, Mountain Rue Thalictrum aquilegifolium — Meadow Rue Galega officinalis — Common Goat’s Rue Asplenium ruta-muriara — Wall Rue Peganum harmala — Wild Rue, Syrian Rue, Harmel see 3-52, 4-98 S ome call ruta sylvestris (both that in Cappadocia and that in Galatia near Asia) moly. It is a shrub that brings out many shoots from one root, with much longer more tender leaves than the other rue. It has a strong scent and white flowers, and on the top, little heads a little bigger than the cultivated rue, consisting especially of three parts, in which is a three-cornered seed of a faint yellow, extremely bitter to the taste. Use is made of this. The seed ripens in the autumn. Pounded into small pieces with honey, wine, the gall of hens, saffron, and marathrum [3-81] juice it is good for dullness of the sight. It is also called harmala; the Syrians call it besasa, the Egyptians, epnubu, Africans, churwa and the Cappadocians, moly, because in some ways it is similar to moly (having a black root and white flowers) and it grows in hilly fertile places. 3-54. MOLU SUGGESTED: Allium moly — Wild Garlic Allium magicum [Loudon] — Homer’s Moly M oly has leaves similar to grass (but broader) on the ground; flowers similar to white violets, a milky 427 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS colour, less in quantity than those of the violet. It has a white stalk of four feet, on the top of which stands something similar to garlic. The root is small, in the shape of a scallion [2-179]. This is very good, pounded with flour of lolium [2-116, 4-140] and inserted as a pessary for openings of the womb. The herb moly (cut up by the root and carried around the body) is good against poisoning and bewitching. It is also called leucoion sylvestre. 3-55. PANAKES HERAKLEION SUGGESTED: Heracleum panaces — Fig-leaved Cow Parsnip Heracleum sphondylium — Common Cow Parsnip Heracleum gummiferum, Heracleum pubescens, Heracleum pyrenaicum — Downy Cow Parsnip P anances heracleum (from which opopanax is gathered) grows in abundance in Boeotia, and Psophis in Arcadia. It is carefully cultivated in gardens for the benefit that comes from the juice. It has rough green leaves lying on the ground, coming very near to those of the fig, jagged five-fold in the circumference. It has a very high stalk (like a ferula) with white down and smaller leaves around it, and a long tuft on the top like dill. It has yellowish flowers. The seed smells sweet and acrid. The many white strong-smelling roots emerge from one beginning, with thick bark and a somewhat bitter taste. It also grows in Cyrene, Libya, and in Macedonia. The root is juiced after being cut when the stalks are newlyemerged. It sends out a white juice that, dried, has a saffron colour on the outside. To remove the liquid from the leaves they lay them beforehand on a hollow dug in the ground and pick them up them when dry. They also juice the stalk, cutting it at harvest time and taking out the liquid the same way. The best roots are stretched out, white, dry, not worm-eaten, hot to the taste, and aromatic. The seed that comes from the middle of the stalk is good, for that which comes from the sprigs is less nourished. The [dried] juice that excels is the most bitter to the taste, inside indeed white and somewhat red, but outside a saffron colour, smooth, fat, brittle, fit for use, melting quickly, and with a strong scent; but the black and soft is worthless as it is adulterated with ammoniacum [3-98] or wax. Being rubbed in water with the fingers tests 428 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Eleoselinum from FUCHS — 1545 429 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Careum from FUCHS — 1545 430 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK it, for the counterfeited dissolves and becomes similar to milk. It is warming and softening, and reduces the intensity of symptoms. As a result, taken as a drink with honey and water (or wine) it is good for periods of acute fevers and chills, convulsions, hernia, pains in the side, coughs, griping, parasitic diseases in the bladder, and slow painful urination. Dissolved with honey it induces the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, and scatters gaseousness and hardness in the womb. It is an ointment for hip pains. It is mixed with [medicines for] removal of fatigue, and with head medicines. It breaks carbuncles all around, and rubbed on with raisin clusters it is good for gout. It soothes toothache put into tooth cavities, and is rubbed on as a sight-restorer for the eyes. Mixed with pitch it is an excellent plaster for those bitten by mad dogs, and the root shaved and applied to the vulva is an abortifacient. Pounded into small pieces and rubbed on with honey it is effective for old ulcers, and applied it covers exposed bones with flesh. The seed (taken with wormwood [3-26]) induces the menstrual flow, and with aristolochia [3-4, 3-5, 3-6] it is good for the bites of poisonous beasts. It is taken as a drink with wine for constriction of the womb. 3-56. PANAKES ASKLEPION SUGGESTED: Asclepias syriaca — Milkweed, Silkweed Thapsia asclepium [Loudon] — Deadly Carrot POISONOUS — Aesculapius is the god of medicine — see 3-106 P anaces Aesculapij sends a thin stalk of a foot’s length (distinguished by knots) out of the earth, around which are leaves similar to marathrum [3-81], yet bigger, rougher, and fragrant; and on the top is a tuft on which are sharp, fragrant flowers of a golden colour. The root is small. The flowers and seeds applied pounded into small pieces with honey, have a medicinal quality suitable for ulcers, pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins], and spreading ulcers. For snakebites it is taken as a drink with wine and rubbed on with oil. Some call [this] panaces wild origanum, some again call it cunila (where it is referred to in the section on origanum). 431 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-57. PANAKES CHEIRONION SUGGESTED: Opopanax chironium, Ferula opopanax, Laserpitium chironium — Opopanax, Heal-all Chiron was a centaur, teacher of Aesculapius [see above]. P anaces Chironion grows chiefly on the mountain Pelius. It has leaves similar to amaracus [white dittany], gold flowers, and a slender shallow root that is sharp to the taste. Taken in a drink the root is able to act against snakes’ poison; and the filaments are also applied effectively for the same purposes. 3-58. LIGUSTIKON SUGGESTED: Ligusticum ajwain, Ammi copticum, Carum copticum, Ptychotis coptica, Sison ammi, Ptychotis ajawain, Bunium copticum — Ammi, Bishop’s Weed, Lovage, Ajava Seeds see 3-70 L igusticum grows most plentifully in Liguria on the Apennine, a hill bordering on the Alps (from which it has its name). The inhabitants call it panaces not without reason since the root and the stalk are similar to the Heracleotic [3-55] panaces, and their strength is the same. It grows on the highest, roughest, shadowy mountains, but especially in places dug in the earth. It bears a thin knotty stalk similar to dill, around which are leaves similar to those of melilot [3-48], yet more tender and fragrant. Those near the top stalk are more slender and cut-in. On the top is a tuft on which is the seed — black, sound, somewhat long, like that of marathrum [3-81], but sharp and aromatic to the taste. The root is white, similar to the Heracleotic panaces, fragrant. The seed and roots are heating and digestive. They are good for internal pains, digestion, oedema, gaseousness, disorders of the stomach (especially), and strikes from poisonous beasts. Taken in a drink it makes urine pass, as well as the menstrual flow. The root applied does the same. The roots and the seed are effective mixed with oxypota [oxymel — vinegar and honey drink] and digestive medicines. It is excellent for 432 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Hipposelinum from FUCHS — 1545 433 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Apium hortense from FUCHS — 1545 434 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK the stomach; as a result the inhabitants use it instead of pepper, mixing it with their sauces. A certain seed similar to it, which you shall discern by the taste, for it is bitter, counterfeits it. Some counterfeit it mixing together with it the seed of fennel or seseli. It is also called panacea or panaces. 3-59. STAPHULINOS AGRIOS, STAPHULINOS KEPAIOS SUGGESTED: Staphylinum [Pliny], Pastinaca sativa prima, Pastinaca erratica, Carota [Fuchs], Daucus officinarum [Bauhin], Daucus carota var sativa [Linnaeus] — Carrot Daucus carota var sylvestris — Wild Carrot S taphylinum has leaves like gingidium, only broader and somewhat bitter. It has a rough upright stalk with a tuft similar to dill on which are white flowers, and in the midst something small of a purple colour and of almost a saffron colour. The root is the thickness of a finger, twenty centimetres long, sweet smelling and edible (boiled as a vegetable). The seed induces the menstrual flow, taken as a drink (or inserted as a pessary), and is good in liquid medicines for frequent painful urination, dropsy, and pleurisy, as well as for the bites and strikes of venomous creatures. They also say that those who take it beforehand shall experience no assault from wild beasts. It encourages conception. The root (also being urinary) is applied to stir up sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac]. The leaves, pounded into small pieces with honey and applied, clean ulcers that spread. The garden pastinaca is fitter to be eaten, and is good for the same purposes, working more weakly. It is also called cerascomen; the Romans call it carota, some pastinaca rustica, the Egyptians, babiburu, and the Africans sicham. 435 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-60. SESELI MASSALEOTIKON SUGGESTED: Seseli massiliense [Fuchs], Gingidium umbella oblonga [Bauhin], Daucus visagna [Linnaeus], Ammi visagna [in Sprague], Daucus visagna — Pick-tooth, Tooth Pick S eseli Massiliense has leaves similar to marathrum [3-81] yet thicker, and it has a stalk more full of branches. It has a tuft similar to dill, in which is a seed — somewhat long, angular, and quickly sharp if eaten. The root is long with a sweet scent. The seed and root are warming: taken as a drink they cure slow painful urination and orthopnoea [form of asthma]. They are good for urinary constriction and epilepsy, induce the menstrual flow, are abortifacient, and are effective for all disorders within. They cure old coughs, and taken as a drink with wine the seed helps digestion and dissolves griping. It is also good for cooling [sudden] fevers, and is taken as a drink with pepper and wine for chills in childbirth. It is given to goats and other cattle as a drink for hastening delivery. It is also called sphagnon. 3-61. SESELI AITHIOPIKON SUGGESTED: Dauci alterum genus, Seseli aethiopicum [Fuchs], Libanotis latifolia altera [Bauhin], Laserpitium latifolium [Linnaeus] — Broad-leaved Laserwort [Loudon] E thiopian seselis has leaves similar to cissus [2-210] yet smaller and somewhat long, similar to those of periclymenom. It is a large shrub with branches of about two feet, on which are stems eighteen inches long. The little heads are like dill; the seeds black, thick like wheat, yet sharper and more fragrant than the Massaleotican [3-60], and very sweet. It produces similar effects. The Egyptians call it cyonophricen. 436 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Daucus carota after THIEBAULT — 1881 437 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Levisticum from FUCHS — 1545 438 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-62. SESELI PELOPONNESIAKON SUGGESTED: Dauci tertium genus, Seseli Peloponnesiacum [Fuchs], Peucedanum cervaria [in Sprague], Daucus montanus apii [Bauhin], Athamanta cervaria [Linnaeus] — Hog Fennel, Wild Celery T hat which grows in Peloponnesus has leaves similar to hemlock but broader and thicker, and a stalk bigger than the Massiliense [3-60], similar to a ferula. On the top of this is a broad tuft, in which is a broader seed with a sweet scent and more fleshy. It has the same strength [as those above]. It grows in rough, moist and hilly places. It also grows in Ida. 3-63. TORDULION SUGGESTED: Daucus creticus, Tordylon, Seseli creticum [Fuchs], Athemanta meum [Linnaeus], Aethusa meum, Meum athemanticum [in Sprague], Athemanticum meum, Seseli meum — Bald-money, Meu, Spignel, Bear Root see 1-3 [other usage] Tordyilum suaveolens, Pastinaca dissecta, Pastinaca schekakul — Rough Parsnip Tordylium officinale — Small Hartwort Tordylium maximum— Hartwort formerly included in genus Seseli T ordylium grows on the hill Amanus in Cilicia. It is a little herb full of shoots, with a little round double seed similar to little shields, somewhat sharp and aromatic. It is taken in a drink for painful urination, and to expel the menstrual flow. The juice from the stalk and seed (while yet green) taken as a drink for ten days with as much as thirty grains of passum [raisin wine], makes any kidney disease sound. The root is licked in with honey to draw up matter that stops the chest. It is also called tordylum, while others call it creticum. 439 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-64. SISON SUGGESTED: Sison amomum, Sium amomum, Sium aromaticum — Hedge Sison, Bastard Stone Parsley S ison is a little seed similar to apium [3-77] that grows in Syria — somewhat long, black, with an acrid taste. It is taken in a drink for the spleen, painful urination, and retention of the menstrual flow. The inhabitants use it for a sauce, eating it with cucurbita [2-164] boiled with vinegar. It has (as it were) many little grains on the tops. 3-65. ANISON SUGGESTED: Anisum herbariis [Bauhin], Pimpinella anisum [Linnaeus], Anisum vulgare, Tragium anisum — Anise, Sweet Cumin, Aniseed Plant A nisum is generally warming, drying, pain-easing, dissolving, urinary, dispersing, and it makes the breath sweet. Taken in a drink it takes away thirst caused by dropsy. It is also good for removing the poison of venomous creatures, and gaseousness. It stops discharges of the intestines and white excessive discharges, draws down milk, and incites sexual union [aphrodisiac]. Inhaled by the nostrils it quietens headaches, and pounded into small pieces and dropped in the ears with rosaceum [1-53], it heals cracks in them. The best is new, full, not branny and strongly scented. The Cretian claims the first place, and the second is the Egyptian. It is also called sion, and the Romans call it anisum. 3-66. KAROS SUGGESTED: Caros, Careum [Fuchs], Carum carvi [Linnaeus], Apium carvi, Bunium carum — Caraway C arum is a well-known little seed. It is urinary, warming, good for the stomach, pleasant to the mouth and digestive. It is mixed usefully in antidotes and oxypota [oxymel — vinegar and honey drink]. It has much the same nature as anisum [3-65]. The boiled root is edible as a vegetable (like parsnip). 440 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Spina alba sylvestris from FUCHS — 1545 441 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Brooklime Veronica beccabunga after FAGUET — 1888 442 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-67. ANETHON SUGGESTED: Anethum hortense [Bauhin] Anethum graveolens [Linnaeus], Peucedanum graveolens, Selinum athenum, Pastinaca athenum — Dill A nethum is eaten as a vegetable. A decoction of the dried filaments and the seed (taken as a drink) draws down milk, soothes griping and gaseousness, and stops both the intestines and the vomit that floats on top of the stomach; it makes urine pass, it stops hiccups, and taken too often as a drink it both dulls the sight and extinguishes conception [abortifacient]. A decoction is good as a bath for women troubled with womb disorders. The seed (burnt and sprinkled on) takes away venereal warts. It is also called polgidos or anicetum; the Magi call it genitura cynocephali; similarly, crines cynocephali, or genitura Mercurij. The Egyptians call it arachu, the Romans, anethum, the Africans, sicciria, and the Dacians, poltum. 3-68. KUMINON AGRION SUGGESTED: Cuminum cyminum, Cuminum odoratum — Cumin C umin is cultivated. It has a good taste, especially the Ethiopian which Hippocrates called the kingly, next the Egyptian, and then the rest. It grows in Galatia, Asia, Cilicia, the region of Tarentum and many other places. It is hot, astringent, and drying. It is good boiled with oil and given as a suppository (or applied with barley meal) for griping and gaseousness. It is also given with posca [hot drinks] for orthopnoea [difficult breathing], and with wine to those bitten by venomous creatures. Applied with raisins and bean flour (or waxy ointments) it helps inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney]. Pounded into small pieces with vinegar it is applied to stop women’s excessive discharges [menstrual flow] and bleeding from the nostrils. It also changes the skin to a paler colour either taken in a drink or smeared on. 443 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-69. KUMINON EMERON SUGGESTED: Lagoëcia cuminoides — Common Wild Cumin C Lagoecia cuminoides after THIEBAULT - 1881 uminum sylvestre grows in Lycia, Galatia in Asia, and Carthage in Spain. These are the most effective. It is a little shrub with a thin stalk twenty centimetres long, on which are four or five little leaves (as it were) sawnaround with incisions (like gingidium [2-167]). It has five or six little round, soft heads on the top, in which is the husky seed, sharper to the taste than the cultivated. It grows in hilly places. The seed is taken in a drink with water for griping and gaseousness. With vinegar it soothes hiccups. It is taken with wine for the poison of venomous creatures and moisture of the stomach. Chewed and applied with honey and grapes it takes away bruises. Applied with the same [things] it cures inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney]. There is also another kind of wild cumin similar to the cultivated. Out of every flower it sends out little horns lifted up in which is the seed (similar to melanthium [3-93]). Taken in a drink this is an excellent remedy for those bitten by snakes. It helps those troubled with slow painful urination and stones [urinary, kidney], and those who urinate drops of blood. Afterwards let them drink boiled apium [3-77] seeds. The Romans call it cuminum agreste, and some call it cuminum silvaticum. 3-70. AMMI SUGGESTED: Ammi majus [Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Bishop’s Weed, Amee see 3-58 [other usage] Aegopodium podagraria — Ammi [1551], Herb Gerard, Bishop’s Weed, Goutweed, Ground Elder A mmi is a well-known little seed, smaller than cumin, and similar to origanum in the taste. Choose seed that is pure and not branny. This is warming, acrid and drying. It is good (taken in a drink with wine) for griping, difficult painful urination, and those bitten by venomous creatures. It induces the menstrual flow. It is mixed with corrosive medicines made of dried beetles [2-65] to resist the difficult painful urination that follows. Applied with honey it takes away bruises around the eyes. Taken 444 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Aparine from FUCHS — 1545 445 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Heracleum sphondylium after THIEBAULT — 1881 446 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK either as a drink or smeared on it changes the [skin] to a paler colour; and soaked with raisins or rosin it cleans the vulva. The Romans call it ammium Alexandrinum. It is also called Aethiopicum, or regium cuminum, but some have said that the Ethiopian cumin has one nature and the ammi another. 3-71. KORIANNON SUGGESTED: Coriandrum [Fuchs], Coriandrum majus [Bauhin] Coriandrum sativum — Coriander POSSIBLE ALLERGIC REACTIONS C orion or coriannum is well known. It is able to cool. As a result (applied with bread or polenta) it heals erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and creeping ulcers. With honey and raisins it cures epinyctis [pustules which appear only at night], inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney], and carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours]. With bruised beans it dissolves scrofulous tumours [goitres] and the inflammation of bones. A little of the seed (taken as a drink with passum [raisin wine]) expels worms and promotes the creation of seed [sperm]. If too much is taken it disturbs the understanding dangerously, as a result men ought to avoid the excessive and frequent use of it. The juice rubbed on with cerussa [white lead ore] or litharge [monoxide of lead], vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] mends burning inflammation on the outside of the skin. The Egyptians call it ochion, and the Africans, goid. 3-72. IERAKION MEGA SUGGESTED: Hieracium maius, Sonchites [Fuchs], Sonchus arvensis [Linnaeus] — Corn Sowthistle [other usage] Hieracium sylvaticum, Hieracium murorum — Wood Hawkweed, Wall Hawkweed T he great hieracium produces a rough stalk — somewhat red, prickly, hollow. It has thinly-jagged leaves at distances, similar in circumference to sonchus [2-159]; and yellowish flowers in somewhat long little heads. It is cooling, indifferent, and gently astringent. As Hieracium majus from FUCHS — 1545 447 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS a result it is good applied on a burning stomach, and for inflammation. The juice is sipped to soothe pangs of hunger in the stomach. The herb (with the root) is applied to help one bitten by a scorpion. It is also called sonchiten; the Romans call itlampuca, and the Africans, sithileas. 3-73. IERAKION MIKRON SUGGESTED: Hieraceum minus [Fuchs], Crepis tectorum [Linnaeus] — Hawksbeard [Mabberley] [other usage] Hieracium pilosella — Mouse-ear Hawkweed T he little hieracium also has jagged leaves at distances. It sends out tender little green stalks on which are yellow flowers in a circle. It has the same uses as that previously spoken of [3-72]. Some call this sonchiten, others, entimon agrion, the Romans, intubus agrestis, and the Africans, sithilesade. 3-74. SELINON AGRION, SELINON KEPAION SUGGESTED: Apium, Apium hortense [Fuchs], Eleoselinum, Apium palustre [Brunfels], Apium graveolens [Linnaeus], Apium celleri, Celeri graveolens — Marsh Celery, Wild Celery, Celery, Marsh Parsley, Smallage [other usage] Selinum carvifola — Milk Parsley T he herb garden selinum applied with bread or floured polenta is good for the same things as coriander (as well as for inflammation of the eyes). It soothes burning in the stomach, slacks breasts swollen with clotted milk, and eaten boiled or raw it causes an urge to urinate. A decoction of it with the roots (taken as a drink) resists poisonous medicines [antidote] by causing vomiting. It stops discharges of the bowels. The seed is more urinary, also helping those bitten by poisonous beasts and those who have taken a drink of white lead. It also breaks winds. It is mixed effectively with pain-easing medicines, antidotes and cough medicines. 448 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Black Stinking Horehound Ballota nigra after FAGUET — 1892 449 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Teucrium polium after FAGUET — 1888 450 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-75. ELEIOSELINON SUGGESTED: Heleio selinon [Pliny], Apium palustre, Sii primum genus, Laver vulgo dicitur [Fuchs], Apium palustre, Sion, [Bauhin], Sium angustifolium [Linnaeus] —Water Parsnip H elioselinum grows in watery places. It is bigger than the cultivated and it has similar effects to the garden kind. Some call it campestre, others, water smallage, and the Romans, apium rusticum. 3-76. OREOSELINON SUGGESTED: Oreoselinum, Petroselinum sylvestre [Fuchs], Apium hortense, Petroselinum vulgo [Bauhin], Apium petroselinum [Linnaeus], Petroselinum hortense [in Sprague], Petroselinum sativum, Petroselinum crispum, Carum petroselinum, Apium vulgare — Rock Celery, Common Garden Parsley O reoselinon has a single stalk twenty centimetres high from a slender root. Around it are little branches with little heads (similar to hemlock yet a great deal more slender) on which is the seed — somewhat long, sharp, thin, with a sweet smell, similar to cumin. It grows in rocky mountainous places. Taken as a drink in wine both the seed and root are urinary, and they also expel the menstrual flow. It is mixed with antidotes, diuretics, and heating medicines. We must not be deceived thinking oreoselinon is that which grows on rocks, for petroselinum is different. It is also called petroselinum sylvestre; the Romans call it apium montanum, and the Egyptians, anonim. 3-77. PETROSELINON SUGGESTED: Petroselinum, Amomum officinarum, Petroselinum macedonicum [Fuchs], Sison amomum [Linnaeus] [other usage] Petroselinum oreoselinum, Athamanta oreoselinum — Mountain Parsley A pium (also called petroselinum) grows in steep places in Macedonia. It has seed similar to ammi visagna but 451 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS with a sweeter, sharp, aromatic scent. It is diuretic and expels the menstrual flow. It is good (taken in a drink) for gaseousness, griping of the stomach, and colus [colic], as well as pain in the sides, kidneys, and bladder. It is also mixed with urinary antidotes. 3-78. IPPOSELINON SUGGESTED: Hipposelinum, Olus atrum [Fuchs] Hipposelinum Theophrasti, Smyrnium Dioscorides [Bauhin], Smyrnium olusatrum [Linnaeus], Petroselinum alexandrinum — Alexanders, Black Lovage, Horse Parsley, Boeotin Myrrh see 1-78 H ipposelinon is different to that which is properly called smyrnium (as we will immediately declare). It is bigger and paler than the garden selinum; the stalk hollow, high, tender (as it were) with lines; the leaves broader, inclining to purple; over which are filaments like libanotis [3-87, 3-89]. It is full of flowers standing together in clusters before it has fully opened. The seed is black, somewhat long, solid, sharp, aromatic. The root is sweet in scent, white, pleasing to the taste, and not thick. It grows in shady places and near marshes. It is used as a vegetable like selinum [3-74, 3-75]. The root is eaten boiled or raw, and the leaves and stalks are eaten boiled. They are prepared either by themselves or with fish, and preserved raw in brine. Taken as a drink in honeyed wine the seed is able to expel the menstrual flow. Taken as a drink or rubbed on it heats those who are chilled. It helps slow painful urination, and the root does the same. It is also called grielon, others call it agrioselinon, or smyrnium, and the Romans call it olusatrum. 452 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Asclepias from FUCHS — 1545 453 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Trifolium pratense after FAGUET — 1888 454 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-79. SMURNION SUGGESTED: Smyrnium, Levisticum [Fuchs], Levisticum vulgare [Brunfels], Ligusticum vulgare [Bauhin], Levisticum officinale [in Sprague], Ligusticum levisticum [Linnaeus], Levisticum officinale, Levisticum vulgare, Angelica levisticum — Lovage, Mountain Hemlock POISONOUS [other usage] Smyrnium dioscorides, Smyrnium perfoliatum — Cretan Alexanders S myrnium (which they call petroselinum in Cilicia) grows plentifully on the hill called Amanus. This has a stalk similar to selinum [3-74, 3-75] with many sprigs, but the leaves are broader towards the ground. They wind around beneath, somewhat thick, strong and sweet smelling, with sharpness, and a medicinal scent, and inclining to a faint yellow in colour. There is a tuft on the stalk similar to that of dill [3-67]. The round seed is similar to that of colewort [2-146] — black; sharp, like myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] to the taste, making one for one. The root is sharp, fragrant, tender, full of juice, biting the top of the throat, with the bark black on the outside, but pale within or a faint white. It grows in dry rocky or hilly places and untilled corners. The root, herb and seed are warming. The leaves are eaten preserved in brine like vegetables, and they stop discharges of the bowels. The root (taken in a drink) helps those bitten by snakes; it also soothes coughs and orthopnoea [difficult breathing, asthma], and heals difficult painful urination. Applied, it dissolves recent oedema, inflammations and hard lumps, and it brings wounds to a scar. Boiled and applied as a pessary it causes abortion. The seed is good for the kidneys, spleen, and bladder. Taken as a drink with wine it expels the menstrual flow and afterbirth, and is good for sciatica. It soothes gaseousness in the stomach, and causes sweat and belching. It is especially taken in a drink for dropsy, and recurrent fevers. 455 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-80. ELAPHOBOSKON SUGGESTED: Elafobosco Vero [Italian], Peucedanum ostrithium, Imperatoria ostrithium — Masterwort, Broad-leaved Hog’s Fennel produces peucedanin — see 3-92 E laphoboscum has a knotty stalk similar to libanotis or to marathrum [3-81]. The leaves are two fingers-breadth, very long like terminthos [1-91], broken around in a sharp way. The stalk has very many little sprigs, with pale yellow tufts similar to dill flowers [3-67], and the seed is also similar to dill. The root is about the length of three fingers, the thickness of a finger, white, sweet and edible. The new stalks are eaten [as vegetables] like other herbs. They say that deer having fed on this very herb thereby resist the bites of snakes, as a result the seed is given with wine to those bitten by snakes. Some call it elaphicum, others nephrium, ophigenium, ophioctonon, herpyxe or lyme; the Romans call it cervi ocellum, the Egyptians chemis, and the Africans, ascacau. 3-81. MARATHRON SUGGESTED: Foeniculum [Fuchs], Foeniculum officinale, Foeniculum vulgare Germanicum [Bauhin], Foeniculum capillaceum, Foeniculum foeniculum, Anethum foeniculum [Linnaeus] — Common Fennel [other usage] Marathrum [Bedevian] — Waterweed M arathrum (the herb itself), eaten, is able to draw down milk [in breastfeeding], as does the seed taken in a drink or boiled together with barley water. A decoction of the fronds (taken as a drink) is good for inflamed kidneys and disorders of the bladder as it is diuretic. Taken as a drink with wine it is suitable for those bitten by snakes. Taken as a drink with cold water it expels the menstrual flow, and lessens the burning heat of fevers and nausea of the stomach. The roots (pounded into small pieces and applied with honey) heal dog bites. Juice from the bruised stalks and leaves (dried in the sun) is a useful preparation for eye medicines, such as for restoration of the sight. The green seed together with the 456 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Cnicus benedictus from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 457 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Circaea alpina after FAGUET — 1878 458 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK leaves and branches is juiced for the same purposes, as well as the root when the new stems emerge. In Iberia towards the west it sends out a liquid similar to gum. The inhabitants cut it down around the middle of the stalk during its flowering and lay it by the fire so that (as it were) in a sweat near the warmth it may exude the gum, and this is more effective than the juice for eye medicines. It is also called elaphicum, nephrium, ophigenium, ophioctonon, herpyxe, or lyme, the Romans call it cervi ocellum, the Egyptians, chemis, and the Africans, ascacau. 3-82. IPPOMARATHRON SUGGESTED: Foeniculum vulgare — Wild Fennel [other usage] Hippomaratrum libanotis, Cachrys libanotis, Cachola — Rosemary Frankincense see 3-87 Hippomaratrum siculus — Hairy Hippomarathrum H ippomarathrum is the tall wild marathrum. It bears seed similar to cachryi [3-88]. The root underneath has a sweet scent, and taken in a drink cures slow painful urination. Applied, it expels the menstrual flow. A decoction of the seed and root (taken as a drink) stops discharges of the bowels, helps those bitten by poisonous beasts, breaks stones [urinary, kidney], and cleans jaundice. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink) brings out milk [breastfeeding], and cleans women after childbirth. There is another herb called hippomarathrum that has small, slender, somewhat long leaves and the round seed is similar to that of coriander, sharp, with a sweet scent, heating. The properties of it are similar to those above, working more weakly. It is also called marathrum sylvestre; the Egyptians call it sampsos, the Magi, thymarnolion, Romans, faeniculum erraticum, some, faeniculos, others, cuinos, or meum, and the Gauls, sistrameor. 459 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-83. DAUKOS SUGGESTED: Pastinaca sativa, Pastinaca lucida, Pastinaca dissecta [Loudon] — Parsnip Daucus carota var boissieri — Parsnip, Wild Carrot pastinaca is from the Latin for daucus see 3-59 D aucus (which is also called dircaeum) from Crete has leaves similar to marathrum [3-81] yet smaller and more slender, a stalk twenty centimetres long, and a tuft similar to coriander. The flowers are white, and in these is the seed which is sharp, white, rough and sweet smelling when chewed. The root is about the thickness of a finger, twenty centimetres in length. It grows in rocky sunny places. There is another kind similar to wild selinum — sharp, sweet smelling and hot to one who tastes it, but that from Crete is the best. The third kind has leaves similar to coriander, with white flowers, but a head and seed similar to dill [3-67]. On the head is a tuft similar to pastinaca [3-59], full of long seed, sharp like cumin. A decoction of the seed of any of them (taken as a drink) is warming. It expels the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, induces the flow of urine, and frees one from griping, relieving old coughs. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) helps those bitten by harvest spiders. Applied, it dissolves oedema. Only the seed of all the others is useful, but of the Cretan kind the root is also useful. This is taken as a drink with wine (especially) against harm from poisonous beasts. 3-84. DELPHINION SUGGESTED: Delphinium oxysepalum — Tatra Larkspur 250 species in genus — POISONOUS D elphinium sends out shoots two feet long (or more) from one root, around which are little cut-in leaves — thin, somewhat long, similar to dolphins (from which they are named). The flower is similar to the white violet, with a purple colour. The seed in the pods resembles milium [3-158], and (taken as a drink in wine) helps those bitten by scorpions like nothing else can. They also say 460 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Atractylis hirsutior from FUCHS — 1545 461 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Atractylis vulgaris minor [errore, Carlina corymbosa] from FUCHS — 1545 462 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK that scorpions grow faint and become inactive and numb when the herb is applied to them, and when it is taken away they are restored to their former state. It grows in rough sunny places. It is also called diachysis, diachytos, paralysis, camaros, hyacinthus, delphinias, nerion, nereadium, sosacros, or cronios; the Romans call it buccinus minor. 3-85. DELPHINION ETERON SUGGESTED: Delphinium elatum 250 species in genus — poisonous T he other delphinium is similar to that above, yet is much more slender in the leaves and branches. It has the same properties as that previously mentioned, but it is not altogether as effective. It is also called hyacinthum; the Romans call it bucinus. Delphinium peregrinum after FAGUET — 1894 3-86. PURETHRON SUGGESTED: Pyrethrum [Fuchs], Anthemis pyrethrum [Linnaeus], Anacyclus pyrethrum [in Sprague] — Pellitory of Spain, Alexander’s Foot [other usage] Pyrethrum tanacetum — Tansy, Cost, Costmary Pyrethrum balsamita — Pyrethrum, Feverfew P yrethrum is a herb which sends out a stalk and leaves like wild daucus [3-83] and marathrum [3-81], and a tuft like dill [3-67]. The root is long, about the thickness of the big finger, similar to hair curled round, extremely burning and hot to one who tastes it. It draws out phlegm; as a result boiled with vinegar and used as a mouthwash it helps toothache. Chewed, it expels phlegm; and rubbed on with oil it produces sweats, is helpful for long-lasting chills, and is excellent for chilled or paralytic parts of the body. It is also called dorycnion, pyrinon, pyroton, pyrothron, or arnopurites; the Magi call it purites, and the Romans, salivaris. 463 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-87. LIBANOTIS SUGGESTED: Libanotis, Athamanta — Mountain Spignel see 1-3, 3-60 to 3-62 Libanotis cretensis, Athamanta cretensis, Athamanta annua — Cretan Carrot, Candy Carrot Hippomaratrum libanotis, Cachrys libanotis, Cachola — Rosemary Frankincense see 3-88, 3-89 L ibanotis has two types — one of which bears fruit called zea by some (or campsanema), the seed of which is called cachris [see cachry below]. It has leaves similar to marathrum [3-81] but thicker and broader, lying like a wheel on the ground, smelling sweet. The stalk is a foot and more [in length] with many wings, and on the top is a tuft in which is a lot of white seed shaped like a vertebra, round, with corners, sharp smelling, similar to rosin, and chewed is burning to the taste. The root is white, very large, and smells of frankincense. The second kind is similar in everything to the first, but it bears a broad black seed like sphondylium [3-90], sweet-smelling, not burning. The root is black on the outer part, but when broken white. That which is called infertile (being similar to that mentioned before) sends out neither stalk nor flower nor seed. It grows in rough, rocky places. The herb of all of them in general (pounded and applied) stops haemorrhoids, lessens inflammations (such as in the perineum) and venereal warts, and dissolves suppurations that are dissolved with difficulty. With honey the dry roots clean ulcers, cure griping, and are good for those bitten by venomous creatures. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) expels the menstrua [menstrual flow] and urine, and applied it dissolves old oedemas. Juice from the root and herb (mixed with honey and rubbed on) restores the sight. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink) does the same. Given with pepper and wine it helps epilepsy, old disorders in the chest, and jaundice. Rubbed on with oil it causes sweat. Pounded into small pieces and applied with lolium meal [2-116, 4-140] and vinegar, it is good for hernia, convulsions, and gout in the feet. Mixed with the sharpest vinegar it cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy]; and 464 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Melissophyllum verum from FUCHS — 1545 465 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Teucrium from FUCHS — 1545 466 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK for abscesses we ought to use the kind that bears no cachrys [seed], for that is sharp and harsh to the throat. Theophrastus speaks of a libanotis growing with erica, with leaves similar to wild lettuce, which is bitter, and has a short root, but the leaves are paler and sharper than those of lettuce. A decoction of this (taken as a drink) purges upward and downward. 3-88. KAGCHRU SUGGESTED: Cachrys libanotis — Rosemary Frankincense Cachrys panacifolia — Parsnip-leaved Cachrys Crithmum maritimum, Cachrys maritimum — Samphire, Sea Fennel, Peter’s Cress see 3-87 C achry is warming and extraordinarily drying, as a result it is good mixed with sebaceous treatments, and it is sprinkled on the head and wiped off after three days for rheumatic eyes. 3-89. LIBANOTIS SUGGESTED: Libanotis coronaria, Rosmarinus [Fuchs], Rosmarinus officinalis [Linnaeus] — Common Rosemary, Old Man L ibanotis the Romans call rosmarinus and those who plait wreaths for the head use it. The shoots are slender, around which are small leaves — thick, somewhat long, thin, white on the inside, but green on the outside, with a strong scent. It is warming and cures jaundice. It is boiled in water and given to drink before exercises, and then he who exercises bathes and is drenched with wine. It is also mixed with remedies for the removal of fatigue, and in gleucinum [1-67] ointments. 467 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-90. SPHONDULION SUGGESTED: Acanthus germanica [Fuchs], Sphondylium vulgare hirsutum [Bauhin], Heracleum sphondylium [Linnaeus], Sphondylium branca ursina — Meadow Parsnip, Cow Parsnip, Hogweed JUICE CAUSES BLISTERS AND PERMANENT PURPLE PIGMENTATION S phondylium has leaves somewhat similar to platanus [1-107] as well as to those of panax [3-55]. The stalks are a foot high (or rather more) similar to marathrum [3-81]. The seed on the top is double, similar to seselis, but broader, paler, and huskier, with a strong scent. The flowers are white, and the root is white like raphanus [2-137]. It grows in moist, marshy countries. The seed of this (taken in a drink) purges phlegmy stuff through the bowels. Taken in a drink it cures the liver, jaundice, asthma, epilepsy and constriction of the womb. Inhaled, it revives those who fall in a faint. If the head is moistened with it (with oil), it is good for fever of the brain, lethargy, and headaches. Applied with rue [3-52] it restrains herpes [viral skin infection]. The root is given to the jaundiced and liverish. Shaved and inserted it eliminates the hardness of fistulas [ulcers]. The fresh juice from the flower is good for ulcerated and purulent ears. It is also preserved, placed in the sun like other juices. It is also called arangem, phalangium, asterium, nisyris, sphondulis, choradanon, or oenanthe; the Romans call it herba rotularis, the Egyptians, apsapher, and the Magi, osiris. 3-91. NARTHEX SUGGESTED: Ferula foetida, Ferula puberula, N arthex asafoeteda — Asafoetida, Assafoetida T he pith of narthex (which the Romans call ferula) taken in a drink whilst it is green helps bloodspitting and stomach complaints. It is given with wine to those bitten by snakes, and put in as a tent [a curved slice inserted] it stops flows of blood from the nostrils. Taken in a drink the seed helps those troubled with griping. Rubbed on with oil it encourages sweating. The stalks cause headaches if eaten. They are also preserved in brine. The ferula frequently brings forth a stalk fifty 468 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Artemisia latifolia from FUCHS — 1545 469 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS M elissophyllum vulgare from FUCHS — 1545 470 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK centimetres long. It has leaves similar to marathrum [3-81] yet much thicker and bigger, from which (cut in near to the root) comes the sagapenum [see 3-95] (gum). 3-92. PEUKEDANON SUGGESTED: Peucedanum germanicum [Bauhin] Peucedanum officinale [Linnaeus], Selinum officinale, Selinum peucedanum — Hog’s Fennel, Sulphur Weed see 3-80 P eucedanum sends out a thin, slender stalk similar to marathrum [3-81]. It has thick hairs in abundance around the root. The flower is yellow; the root black, with a strong scent, very full of liquid. It grows on shady hills. The liquid is taken as follows: the root whilst still tender is cut with a knife, and that which flows from it is presently placed in the shade (for under direct sunlight it is coloured immediately). Gathering it causes headaches and brings on vertigo if you do not rub your nostrils beforehand with rosaceum [1-53], and also wet your head beforehand with it. The root becomes useless having lost its liquid. The stalks and the root have their liquid removed like mandrake and are juiced, but this liquid does not work as well and quickly becomes useless. Sometimes a fluid similar to frankincense is found, already congealed, sticking to the stalks and to the roots. The juice made in Sardinia and Samothracia is the best, with a strong scent, yellowish, warming to the taste. It is good rubbed on with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] for lethargy, mental illness, vertigo, and epilepsy, for those who have suffered for a long time with headaches, for the paralytic, sciatica, and rubbed on with oil and vinegar for the convulsed. The scent is good in general for disorders of the strength. It should be inhaled for womb constriction, revives those who fall in a faint, and drives away snakes. It is good for earache dropped in with of oil of roses, and put into cavities for toothache. It is good (taken with an egg) for coughs. It is effective for hard breathing, griping and windy afflictions. It gently soothes the intestines, lessens the spleen, and wonderfully helps hard labour in childbirth. A decoction (taken as a drink) is effective for disorders and matters related to the bladder and kidneys. It removes blockages 471 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS of the womb. The root is effective for the same purposes, working less effectively. A decoction of this (pounded into small pieces) is taken as a drink. Dried, it cleans foul ulcers, removes scales from bones, and heals old ulcers. It is mixed with stiff ointments and warm compresses. Choose roots that are new, uneaten [by worms], sound, full of scent. The liquid is dissolved in pills with bitter almonds, rue, and warm bread or dill [3-67]. It is also called agrion, or agriophyllon; the Magi call it bonus daemon, some, pinasgelum, and the Romans, stataria. 3-93. MELANTHION SUGGESTED: Melanthium hortense primum, Schwartz Kommich [Fuchs], N igella sativa [Linnaeus] — Common Fennel Flower, Black Cumin Melanthium alterum Damascenum vocatum, Nigella hortensis altera [Fuchs], N igella angustifolia [Bauhin], N igella damascena [Linnaeus] — Love in a Mist, Devil in a Bush Melanthium sylvestre, Cuminum sylvestre alterum [Fuchs], N igella arvensis [Linnaeus] POISONOUS M elanthium is a little shrub with slender shoots two feet in length or more. It has small leaves similar to senecio [ragwort] but much more slender, and a small little head on the top like poppy, somewhat long, with side partitions in which are seed — black, sharp, sweet smelling, used sprinkled on loaves. It is good applied to the forehead for those troubled with headaches. It is poured into the nostrils (after it is pounded into small pieces with irinum [1-66]) for those who begin to have liquids dripping from their eyes. Applied with vinegar it takes away freckles, leprosy, old oedema, and hard lumps. Applied with old wine it takes away corns that are first incised or cut around. It is good for toothache, the mouth washed with it (boiled with vinegar and taeda [pitch pine]). The nail [fingernail for application] smeared with it with water, it expels roundworms. Pounded into small pieces, bound up in a loincloth and inhaled, it helps those troubled with mucus. Drunk for several days it draws out the menstrual flow, urine and 472 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Scordium from FUCHS — 1545 473 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Silphium perfoliatum after THIEBAULT — 1888 474 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK milk [breastfeeding]. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) eases difficult breathing. A teaspoonful (taken as a drink with water) helps those bitten by harvest spiders. Inhaled, it drives away snakes. They say that it kills if a lot is taken (in a drink). Some also call this mecon agria melana; the Romans call it papaver niger. 3-94. SILPHION SUGGESTED: Laserpitium germanicum, Osteritium [Fuchs], Imperatoria major [Bauhin], Imperatoria ostruthium [Linnaeus], Peucedanum ostruthium [in Sprague] — Masterwort, Broad-leaved Hog’s Fennel There is evidence that the silphium of the ancients was harvested to extinction. [other usage] Silphium laciniatum — Compass Plant S ilphium grows in places around Syria, Armenia, Media and Libya. The stalk, called maspetum, is very like ferula [3-95], but with leaves similar to apium [3-77] and a broad seed. The root is warming, hard to digest, inflative, and hurts the bladder. It cures scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres] and tuberculae [nodules] used in a wax ointment, or smeared on bruises with oil. With a wax ointment of irinum [1-66] and cyprinum [1-65] it is suitable for use in sciatica. Boiled in a pomegranate skin with vinegar and applied, it takes away abnormal growths around the perineum. A decoction (taken as a drink) is an antitoxin for deadly medicines. It tastes good mixed with sauces and salt. The liquid is gathered from the roots and stalks that are cut. Of this the best is somewhat red and transparent (emulating myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]), and predominant in its smell, neither scented like leek nor unpleasant to taste, and easily changing into a white colour. Although you taste ever so little of the Cyrenian, it causes dullness over your body, and it is very gentle to smell, so that if you taste it your mouth breathes but a little of it. The Median and Syrian are weaker in strength and they have a more poisonous smell. All the juice is adulterated before it is dry, sagapenum [3-95] or bean meal being mixed with it, which you shall discern by the taste, smell, sight and feel. Some have called the stalk sylphium, the root magudarim, and the leaves maspeta. The juice is 475 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS the most effective, then the leaves, and then the stalk. It is inflative and sharp, curing alopecia [baldness] by rubbing it with wine, pepper and vinegar. It causes quickness of sight, and smeared on with honey disperses the dripping of fluids [in the eyes] as they begin. For toothache it is put into cavities, or put into a linen cloth with frankincense it is wrapped around the tooth, or the mouth is washed with it (with hyssop [3-30] and figs boiled with posca [hot drinks]). It is good applied to the wounds of those bitten by dogs; and rubbed on or taken as a drink for injuries from all poisonous beasts and poisoned arrows. It is rubbed on diluted in oil for those touched by scorpions. It is poured into gangrene that is first incised or cut. For carbuncles [infected boils, malignant skin tumours] it is used with rue, saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and honey, or by itself. It takes away corns and fleshy hardnesses that are first cut in all around. It is first kneaded together with wax ointment (or the inside of dry figs and vinegar) to cure recent lichen [skin disease]. For carcomata [carcinomata — now cancer — old use: disease of the cornea] and polyps [growths from mucus membrane] it is rubbed on for several days with cobblers ink or aerugo [verdigris — brass oxide], but you must pull off protuberances with a pair of pliers. It helps long-lasting difficulties of the lungs. Diluted in water and sipped, it immediately clears a voice that is suddenly hoarse. Smeared on with honey it represses inflammation of the uvula. With honey and water it is an effective gargle for synanchic [abscessed] throats. Taken with meat it makes skin better coloured, and it is good for coughs given with a raw egg, and to be sipped for pleurisy. With dry figs it is effective for jaundice and dropsy. A decoction (taken as a drink) with pepper, frankincense and wine dissolves chills. Having made ten grains of it into a pill give it to swallow to those with tetanus, and to the opisthotonic [form of tetanus]. Gargled with vinegar it casts off horseleeches that stick to the throat. It is good for those whose milk curdles within [breastfeeding], and taken with vinegar and honey helps epilepsy. A decoction (taken as a drink with pepper and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]) induces the menstrual flow. Taken with raisins it helps the coeliac [intestinal complaints]. A decoction (taken as a drink with lye [alkaline salts in water]) helps sudden convulsions and hernia. It is 476 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Rosmarinus from FUCHS — 1545 477 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Botrys from FUCHS — 1545 478 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK dissolved in pills with bitter almonds, rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] or warm bread, and the juice of the leaves [is used] in the same way, but is considerably less effective. It is eaten with vinegar and honey and is good for the arteries, and (especially) for cut-off voices [laryngitis]. They eat it [as a salad] with lettuce instead of eruca. There is said to be another magudaris [gift of the wise man] that grows in Libya, the root of which is similar to silphium but somewhat less thick — sharp, with a loose substance and without juice. It does the same things as silphium. 3-95. SAGAPENON SUGGESTED: Ferula persica — Ferula, Giant Fennel produces sagapenum gum resin S agapenum is the liquid of the ferulacean herb growing in Media. The best is transparent, a yellow colour outside but white inside, smelling in-between the juice of silphium [3-94] and galbanum, and sharp to the taste. It is good for pains, and is an abortifacient. Taken with wine it also heals those bitten by venomous creatures. Inhaled with vinegar it raises up those with a strangled [congested, blocked] womb. It cleans scars in the eyes, dullness of sight, things that darken the pupils, and dripping fluids. It is dissolved as a liquid with rue, water, bitter almonds and honey, or warm bread. 3-96. EUPHORBION SUGGESTED: Euphorbia amygdaloides — Wood Spurge Euphorbia officinarum — Poisonous Gum Thistle see tithymal 4-165 a-f, also 4-170 E uphorbium is a tree-like ferula in Libya that grows on Tmolus, a hill near Mauretania. It is full of very sharp liquid. The men there are afraid of it because of its extraordinary heat, and gather it as follows. Binding around the tree washed sheep stomachs and standing a distance away, they pierce the stalk with long tools; and presently a quantity of liquid flows out (like out of some jar) into the bellies. When pierced like this it also spills on the ground. There are two kinds of this liquid: one 479 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS transparent like sarcocolla [3-99] (similar to ervum [2-129, 2-131]), but the other that is gathered in the bellies has a glassy look and is compact. It is adulterated with sarcocolla and glue mixed together. Choose that which is transparent and sharp, but that which is tasted is very hard to test because the tongue having been once bitten the burning remains for a long time, so that whatever is brought seems to be euphorbium. The first discovery of it was when Juba was king of Libya. The juice rubbed on has the ability to dissolve liquids. A decoction (taken as a drink) burns for a whole day; as a result it is mixed with honey and collyriums [1642CE — eye salve; 1748CE — suppository] depending on the sharpness. It is mixed with aromatic liquid medicines and is good (taken as a drink) for sore hips. It removes scales from bones the same day, but it is necessary for those who use it to secure the flesh lying around the bones with linen cloths or stiff ointments. Some claim that no hurt will fall on those bitten by snakes if (having cut the skin of the head even to the bone) you pour in this resin (pounded into small pieces) and sew up the wound. 3-97. CHALBANE SUGGESTED: Ferula galbaniflua — Galbanum Plant used in incense G albanum is the resin of the ferula growing in Syria. It is also called metopium [1-71]. The best is similar to frankincense, clotted, pure, fat, not woody, with something like seeds of ferula mixed, with a strong scent, neither too moist nor too dry. They adulterate it by mixing it with rosin, bruised beans and ammoniacum [3-98]. It is warming, burning, attractive and dispersing. Either applied or inhaled it expels the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient. Smeared on with vinegar and saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it takes away freckles. It is also swallowed down for old coughs, hard breathing, asthma, hernia, and convulsions. A decoction (taken as a drink) with vinegar and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] resists poison. Taken like this it casts out a dead embryo. It is applied for pains in the side, and boils or inflammatory tumours. Inhaled, it raises up the epileptic, and helps womb congestion and those with vertigo. Inhaled, it 480 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK M atricaria pyrethrum after THIEBAULT — 1888 481 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Peucedanus from FUCHS — 1545 482 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK drives away poisonous beasts, and keeps those rubbed with it unbitten. Applied all over [the body] with sphondylium [3-90] and oil it kills snakes. Smeared on the tooth or put into a cavity it soothes toothaches, and it seems to be good for frequent painful urination. It is dissolved in pills with bitter almonds and water (or rue, or honey and water, or warm bread, or else with meconium [4-65], or burned brass, or liquid myrica gale). If you want to purify it put it into warm water. When melted the filth from it will swim on top and you can separate it as follows. Tie the galbanum in a clean thin linen cloth, hang it in a brass pot or ceramic jar so that the bundle does not touch the bottom of the jar. Plug it closed and pour boiling water over it, for this way the best will be melted (as through a strainer) but the woody stuff will remain in the linen cloth. 3-98. AMMONIAKON SUGGESTED: Dorema ammoniacum, Dorema aurium, Diserneston gummiferum, Peucedanum ammoniacum — Gum Ammoniacum Plant, Gum of Ammon, Dorema A mmoniacum is the herb from which ammoniacan incense is gathered. It is the liquid of a ferula that grows in Libya near Cyrene. The whole shrub (together with the root) is called agasyllis. The best has a good colour, is not woody, without stones, similar to frankincense in little clots, clear and thick, without filth, similar to castor [2-26] in smell, but bitter to the taste. It is called thrausma. The earthy or stony is called phurama. It grows in Libya near Ammon’s temple and is the juice of a tree similar to ferula. It is softening, attracting and warming, and dissolves hardness and inflammation of bones. A decoction (taken as a drink) brings down the intestines and is an abortifacient. One teaspoonful of a decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) lessens the spleen, and takes away pains of the joints and hips. Licked with honey (or sipped with juice of barley water) it also helps the asthmatic, orthopnoeic [those with difficulty breathing], epileptics, and those who have moisture in the chest. It expels bloody urine, cleans white spots on the cornea [eye], and removes the roughness of the gene [cheeks, chin, eye sockets]. Pounded into small 483 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS pieces with vinegar and applied, it softens hard lumps around the spleen and liver. Applied with honey or mixed with pitch, it dissolves knobs around the joints [arthritis]. Rubbed on mixed with vinegar, saltpetre [potassium nitrate], and oil cyprinum [1-65], it is good for weariness and sciatica (instead of medications to remove fatigue). It is also called agasyllon, criotheos, or heliastrus, and the Romans call it gutta. 3-99. SARKOKOLLA SUGGESTED: Sarcocolla [Bedevian] — Sarcocol S arcocolla is the fluid of a tree growing in Persia (similar to thin frankincense) dark yellow, and somewhat bitter to the taste. It is able to close open cuts and sore wounds, and to stop fluids in the eyes. It is mixed with plasters. It is counterfeited by gum being mixed with it. 3-100. GLAUKION SUGGESTED: Chelidonium corniculatum, Glaucium corniculatum, Glaucium leiocarpum, Glaucium phoeniceum — Red Horned Poppy see 4-64 G laucium is the juice of a herb that grows at Hierapolis in Syria. The leaves are similar to the horned poppy but fatter, scattered on the ground, with a strong scent, and more bitter to the taste. It has considerable quantities of saffron-coloured juice. The inhabitants throw the leaves into a pot, warm it in half-cold ovens until withered, and afterwards beat them to press out the juice. It is used for new eye sores because it is cooling. 3-101. KOLLA SUGGESTED: Glue from the hides of Bulls T he best glutinum (also called xylocolla or taurocolla) is that from Rhodes made from bull hides. It is white and transparent, but the black glue is bad. Dissolved in vinegar it is able to take away impetigo [skin infection] and 484 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Anthemis arvensis after THIEBAULT — 1888 485 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Chamaedrys vulgaris mas from FUCHS — 1545 486 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK leprosy on the outside of the skin. Diluted with warm water and smeared on, it prevents burns from blistering. Diluted with honey and vinegar it is good for wounds. 3-102. ICHTHUOKOLLA SUGGESTED: Fish Glue T hat called fish glue is from the intestines of a whale fish. The best is made in Pontus — white, somewhat rough, not scabby, very quickly melted. It is good to include in head plasters, medicines for leprosy, and medicines for making facial skin smooth. 3-103. IXOS SUGGESTED: Viscum album [Linnaeus], Loranthus europaeus — Continental Mistletoe PARTS ARE POISONOUS T he best ixia is new, the colour of a leek on the inside, and pale yellow on the outside, with no part rough or branny. It is made of a certain round fruit (with leaves similar to box) that grows on the oak. This fruit is pounded, then washed, and afterwards boiled in water, but some process it by chewing it. It also grows on the apple tree, pear tree and other trees. It is able to disperse, soften, attract, and digest swellings and inflammation of the parotid gland and other suppurations, mixed equally with wax and rosin. It heals epinyctis [pustules which appear only at night] in an adhesive plaster. With frankincense it softens old ulcers and malignant suppurations. Boiled (with quicklime, agate stone, or asiatic [Centella asiatica — asiaticoside]) and applied, it reduces the spleen. Smeared with arsenic or sacarach [saccharate — salt of saccharic acid] it also draws off nails. Mixed with unslaked lime and wine sediment, its strength is extended. 487 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-104. APARINE SUGGESTED: Aparine vulgaris [Bauhin], Galium aparine — Catch Grass, Cleavers, Goosegrass, Sticky Willy A parine has many little square rough branches. The leaves are at distances lying about in a circle (like those of rubia [dyer’s madder]). The flowers are white; the seed hard, white, round, somewhat hollow in the middle (like a navel). The herb sticks to cloths, and the shepherds use it instead of a strainer for milk, for taking out hairs with it. The seed, stalks and leaves are juiced (taken as a drink with wine) to help those bitten by harvest spiders and snakes. The juice dropped in ears cures earache. The herb (taken in pounded swines’ grease) dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling] and goitres. It is also called ampelocarpum, omphelocarpum, philanthropum, and ixos. 3-105. ALUSSON SUGGESTED: Marrubium alysson, Marrubium alyssum — Plaited-leaved Horehound, Moonwort Sprengel says this is Alyssum alpestre [Loudon]. A lysson is a somewhat rough little shrub with round leaves. The fruit is similar to little double shields, in which is the somewhat broad seed. It grows in hilly and rough places. A decoction of this (taken as a drink) dissolves afflictions in those without fever. When held or smelled it has a similar effect. Pounded into small pieces with honey it cleans freckles. Pounded together in meat and given, it is thought to cure madness in a dog. Hanged in a house it is said to be wholesome and an amulet for men and beasts. Hanged on them with a purple cloth, it drives away sores on cattle. It is also called aspidium, haplophyllon, accuseton, or adeseton. 488 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Phalaris canariensis after FAGUET — 1888 489 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Anthemis nobilis after THIEBAULT — 1888 490 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-106. ASKLEPIAS SUGGESTED: Asclepias, Hirundinaria, Vincetoxicum [Fuchs], Asclepias albo flore [Bauhin], Asclepias vincetoxicum [Linnaeus], Vincetoxicum officinale [in Sprague] — Milkweed [other usage] Asclepias syriaca — Milkweed, Silkweed Thapsia asclepium [Loudon] — Deadly Carrot POISONOUS A sclepias sends out many long little branches (similar to cissus), and slender roots with a sweet scent. The flower smells strongly, and the seed is rather like that of securidaca (that which gives peace). It grows on hills. A decoction of the roots (taken as a drink in wine) helps those with griping and those bitten by poisonous beasts. The leaves are applied for malignant sores in the breasts and womb. It is also called cission, or cissophullon. 3-107. ATRAKTULIS SUGGESTED: Atractylis mitior, Cartamus sylvestris, Wilder Feldsaffran [Fuchs], Atractylis vulgaris minor [Brunfels], Carlina vulgaris [Linnaeus], Atractylis hirsutior, Carduus benedictus [Fuchs, Bauhin], Cnicus sylvestris hirsutior [Bauhin], Cnicus benedictus [Linnaeus], Carduus benedictus — Blessed Thistle [other usage] Atractylis gummifera, Carlina gummifera — White Chameleon, Spindle Wort A tractylis is a thorn similar to cnicus [ 4-119, 4-190] with much longer leaves on the top of the shoots, and most of it is naked and rough. Women use it instead of a spindle. It has prickly little heads on the top and a pale flower, but the root is thin and useless. The leaves, filaments, and fruit of this plant (pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with pepper and wine) help those touched by scorpions. Some relate that those touched this way are without pain as long as they hold the herb, and taking it away are in pain again. It is also called amyron, cnicus sylvestris, or aspidium; the Magi call it aphedros, the Egyptians, cheno, the Romans, presepium, some, fusus agrestis, and others, colus. 491 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-108. POLUKNEMON SUGGESTED: Polycnemum arvense, Polycnemum recurvum P olycnemon is a shrub full of sprigs, with leaves similar to origanum, and a stalk with many joints like pulegium [3-36]. It does not have a tuft but little clusters on the top with a certain sharp, pleasant smell. It is effective (applied green, or dried, with water) for closing open cuts and sore wounds. You must loosen it after it has been applied for five days. It is taken in a drink with wine for slow painful urination and hernia. (Experience has taught how the little branches bruised in white wine are a great help for those possessed with the so-called water delirium.) It is also called clinopodium, polygonatum, colus iovis, or echeonymon, and the Romans call it puteologonthria. 3-109. KLINOPODION SUGGESTED: Clinopodium vulgare, Melissa clinopodium, Calamintha clinopodium — Wild Basil, Horse Thyme, Field Wild Basil see 3-50, 4-176 C linopodium is a little shrub full of shoots two feet high that grows on rocks, with leaves similar to serpyllum [3-46], and flowers like the feet of a bed, set around at distances, similar to marrubium [3-38]. The herb (and a decoction of it) is taken as a drink for the bites of venomous creatures, convulsions, hernia, and slow painful urination. A decoction (taken as a drink for many days) draws out the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, and casts off hanging warts. It stops discharges of the bowels boiled down two thirds and taken as a drink (in wine for the non-feverish, but for the feverish with water). It is also called cleollicum, ocimoides, or zopyrum. 492 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Rubia tinctorum after FAGUET — 1881 493 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Ajuga reptans after FAGUET — 1874 494 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-110. LEONTOPETALON SUGGESTED: Leontice leontopetalum — Leontice, Lion's Leaf, Lion's Turnip L eontopetalum sends out a stalk twenty centimetres long (or rather more) with many wings on whose tops are pods similar to cicer [2-126]. In these are two or three little seeds. The flowers are a Phoenician colour [red] (similar to anemone), but the leaves are similar to colewort [kale], cut-in like those of poppy. The root is black like rapum [turnip] with abnormal growths (as it were), some knotty. It grows in fields and among wheat. A decoction of the root (taken as a drink with wine) helps those bitten by snakes, quickly relieving their pain. It is also mixed with enemas or suppositories for sciatica. It is also called leontopodium, leontium, doricteris, lychnis sylvestris, doris, pardale, thorybethron, rapeium, papaver corniculatum, or anemone; the Romans call it papaverculum, and semen leoninum. 3-111. TEUKRION SUGGESTED: Teucrium [Fuchs, Bauhin], Teucrium flavum [Linnaeus] — Germander [other usage] Teucrium creticum, Teucrium hyssopifolium — Cretan Germander Teucrium scordioides, Teucrium scorodinia — Wood Germander, Wood Sage, Garlic Sage T eucrium is a herb like a rod (resembling germander), with a thin leaf similar to that of cicer [2-126]. It grows abundantly in Cilicia (in that part near Gentias), and Kissas. A decoction (taken green, as a drink with posca [hot drinks]; or dried, boiled, and taken excessively as a drink) is able to diminish the spleen. With figs and vinegar it is applied to the splenical. For those bitten by poisonous beasts it is applied with vinegar alone (without figs). Some call this chamedrys, others, teucris. 495 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-112. CHAMAIDRUS SUGGESTED: Chamaedrys vera mas [Fuchs], Chamaedrys minor repens,Teucrium chamaedrys [Linnaeus] — Common Germander, Ground Oak, Wall Germander Chamaedrys vera foemina [Fuchs], Botrys Chamaedryoides [Bauhin], Teucrium botrys — Cut-leaved Germander see 3-130 Chamaedrys vulgaris mas, Veronica teucrium, Veronica chamaedrys [Linnaeus], Chamaedrys vulgaris foemina [Fuchs] — Wild Germander, Germander Speedwell C hamaedrys grows in rough rocky places. It is a small shrub twenty centimetres long, with bitter little leaves similar in shape and in the jagging to an oak. The little flower is pale purple. It must be gathered when full of seed. Freshly picked (boiled with water and given as a drink) it is able to help convulsions and coughs, as well as spleens with hardened swellings, frequent painful urination, and dropsy at first presentation. It expels the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient. A decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) reduces the spleen. A decoction is good against venomous creatures, taken as a drink with wine and smeared on. Pounded into small pieces, it may also be formed into pills for the purposes previously mentioned. It is pounded into small pieces with honey to clean old ulcers. Rubbed on with oil it takes away dimness in the eyes. Rubbed on, it is warming. The Romans call it trissago minor, some chamedrops, or linodrys, but because it has a certain similarity to teucrium, some also have called it teucrium. 3-113. LEUKAS SUGGESTED: Leucas foliis rotundus, Phlomis biflora [Roxburgh]; Leucas indica — Leucas L eucas of the hill [wild] is broader-leaved than the cultivated. The seed is sharper, more bitter, and worse-tasting in the mouth, yet it is more effective than the cultivated. Both of them (smeared on and taken as a drink) are good with wine against the venom of poisonous creatures, especially those of the sea. 496 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Althaea officinalis after FAGUET — 1874 497 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS M ilium effusum after FAGUET — 1888 498 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-114. LUCHNIS STEPHANOMATIKE SUGGESTED: Lychnis — Campion, Lamp Flower, Maltese Cross Lychnis coeli-rosa, Agrostemma coeli-rosa — Rose of Heaven Lychnis coronaria, Agrostemma coronaria — Rose Campion, Mullein Pink L ychnis has a flower similar to a white violet but almost purple, interwoven into little crowns, the seed of which (taken in a drink with wine) helps those bitten by scorpions. It is also called athanates, aquilonium, vallarium, geranopodium, corymbion, taurion, sceptrum, or maloion; the Egyptians call it seneom, the Magi call it the blood of a menstrual woman, and the Romans call it genicularis, or vallaria. 3-115. LUCHNIS AGRIA SUGGESTED: Lychnis viscaria — Viscid Campion L ychnis sylvestris is similar to the culivated in all things. Two teaspoons of a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink) expels bilious matter through the intestines and helps those touched by scorpions. They say that when this herb is laid near scorpions they become numb and unable to hurt. It is also called tragonoton, atocion, hieracopodion, or lampas, the Egyptians call it semura, the Magi call it genitals of a menstrual woman, the Romans, intybus agrestis, some, lapathum, or caphaguina, and others, seris. 3-116. KRINON BASILIKON Lychnis viscaria after FAGUET — 1888 SUGGESTED: Lilium, Lilium album [Fuchs], Lilium candidum [Linnaeus] — Madonna Lily [other usage] Crinum toxicarium, Crinum asiaticum — White Lily, Lily Asphodel, Poison Bulb POISONOUS T he flowers of crinum are used to make wreaths for the head (called lirium by some), and also to make ointment called lirinum or susinum [1-62] that soothes the sinews, and is effective for hard lumps around the womb. 499 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS The leaves are applied to help those bitten by snakes. Boiled, they are good for burns, and preserved in vinegar they are good for wounds. The juice from the leaves (mixed with vinegar or honey and boiled in a brass jar) is a liquid medicine for old ulcers and new wounds. The root (roasted and pounded into small pieces with rosaceum [1-53]) cures and soothes the womb, expels the menstrual flow, and heals ulcers, making a new skin. Pounded into small pieces with honey it cures distresses of the nerves, cleans leprosy and alphos [noncontagious leprosy], takes off dandruff, clears the face, and removes wrinkles. Pounded into small pieces with vinegar (or with the leaves of hyoscyamus [4-69] and wheat flour) it soothes inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney]. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink) is an antidote for snakebite. Both the seed and the leaves (pounded into small pieces) are a poultice with wine for erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. Some say that there are lily flowers of a purple colour. Those most effective for the manufacture of ointment grow in Syria, and in Pisidia near Pamphylia. It is also called crinanthemom, or callirium, the Magi call it sanguis martis, Osthenes calls it aura crocodili, the Egyptians, symphaephu, some, tialos, the Romans, lilium, some, rosa Iunonis, the Syrians, sasa, and the Africans, abiblabon. 3-117. BALLOTE SUGGESTED: Ballote, Marrubium nigrum [Fuchs], Marrubium nigrum foetidum [Bauhin], Ballota nigra [Linnaeus], Balotta foetida — Black Stinking Horehound, Foetid Horehound B allota (or marrubium nigrum) sends out many black stalks that are four-cornered and somewhat rough from one root. The leaves are similar to marrubium [3-38, 3-42] yet bigger, rounder, black and rough, spaced at distances along the stalk (like apiastrum), with a strong scent (which is why they have called it apiastrum); and the flowers lie around the white stalks in a circle. The leaves (applied with salt) are good for those bitten by dogs. Warmed in warm ashes until withered, they repress skin lesions, and with honey they clean foul ulcers. It is also called nophtham, notianoscemin, cynosprasion, notheras, 500 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Onobrychis sativa after FAGUET — 1888 501 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Cannabis sativa after FAGUET — 1880 502 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK nochelis, nostelis, nophrys, gnothuris, or gnotera. The Romans call it apnium, some, melita, others, ulceraria, marrubium, or cantherinum, the Egyptians, asphos, some, esce, and the Magi call it the blood of Isis. 3-118. MELISSOPHULLON SUGGESTED: Melissophyllum verum, Melissen [Fuchs], Lamium montanum melissae folio [Bauhin], Melittis melissophyllum [Linnaeus] — Bastard Balm, Balm Melittis, Honey Balm Melissophyllum adulterinum [Fuchs], Melissophyllum vulgare [Brunfels], Melissa hortensis [Bauhin], Melissa officinalis [Linnaeus], Apiastrum, Citrago — Lemon Balm, Bee Balm, Balm Leaf M elissophyllum some call melittena because bees delight in the herb. The leaves and little stalk are similar to ballota [3-117], but these are bigger, thinner, not so rough, and smell of lemon. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink with wine, and also applied) is good for those touched by scorpions, or bitten by harvest spiders or dogs. A decoction of them is a warm pack for the same purposes. It is suitable for women’s hip baths for moving the menstrual flow, as a mouth rinse for toothache, and as an enema or suppository for dysentery. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink with saltpetre [potassium nitrate]) helps those who are ill from mushrooms or griping. Taken as a linctus [syrup] it helps difficult breathing, and applied with salt it dissolves scrofulous tumours [goitres] and cleans ulcers. Smeared on, it lessens the pains of gout. It is also called melitteon, meliphyllon, erythra, or temele; the Romans call it apiastrum, some, citrago, and the Gauls, merisimorion. 503 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-119. PRASION SUGGESTED: Marrubium [Fuchs, Brunfels], Marrubium album vulgare [Bauhin], Mentastro [Italian], Marrubium vulgare [Linnaeus] — Common White Horehound [other usage] Prasium majus — Great Hedge Nettle Prasium minus —Small Sicilian Prasium see 3-42 P rasium is a shrub with many branches from one root, somewhat rough, white and four-cornered in the stems. The leaf is equal to a big finger, somewhat round, thick, wrinkled, bitter to the taste. The seed lies on the stalks at distances and the flowers are sharp like the vertebrae of backbones. It grows in places near houses and rubbish of buildings. The dried leaves (with the seed) boiled with water (or juiced while green) are given with honey for tuberculosis of the lungs, asthma, and coughs. If dry iris is mixed with it, it brings up thick stuff out of the chest. It is given to women not yet cleansed for driving out the menstrual flow and the afterbirth, to women in hard labour, to those bitten by venomous creatures, and to those who have taken some deadly thing as a drink. Yet it is offensive to the bladder and veins. The leaves (smeared on with honey) clean foul ulcers, drive away pterygium [membrane on eye] and gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks, and lessen pains of the sides. The juice made from the pressed leaves (thickened in the sun) provides for the same purposes. Rubbed on with wine and honey it is a sight restorer, and it purges away jaundice through the nostrils. Dropped in by itself or with rosaceum [1-53] it is good for earaches. It is also called eupatorium, phyllophares, tripedilon, camel’s foot, or philophares; the Egyptians call it asterope, the Magi, sanguis tauri, some, aphedros, genitura hori, the Romans, marrubium, some, labeonia, and the Africans, atierberzia. 504 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Hypericum perforatum after THIEBAULT — 1880 505 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Althea from FUCHS — 1545 506 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-120. STACHUS SUGGESTED: Stachys [Fuchs], Stachys major germanica [Bauhin], Stachys germanica [Linnaeus] — Hedge Nettle, Woundwort, Betony S tachys is a shrub similar to marrubium [3-38] yet somewhat longer; with many thin leaves, somewhat rough, hard, with sweet scent, white; with many small shoots out of the same root, but paler than those of marrubium. It grows in rough hilly places, and it is warming and sharp. As a result a decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink) expels the menstrual flow and afterbirth. 3-121. PHULLITIS SUGGESTED: Asplenium scolopendrium, Scolopendrium vulgare, Scolopendrium officinarum, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Adiantum scolopendrium — Hart’s Tongue Fern, Horse Tongue P hyllitis sends out six or seven upright leaves similar to rumex [2-141] yet somewhat longer and more flourishing, smooth on the front parts, but on the back parts having (as it were) thin little worms hanging. It grows in shady places and pleasure gardens. It is bitter to the taste and has no stalk, seed, or flower. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink with wine) is good for those bitten by snakes. It is helpful for four-footed beasts [veterinary] poured in through the mouth. It is taken as a drink for dysentery and diarrhoea. It is also called phyllis, acaulon, or lapathum sylvestre. 3-122. PHALAGGION SUGGESTED: Anthericum liliago — Unbranched Lily Spiderwort Anthericum ramosum, Phalangium ramosam — Branched Lily Spiderwort Phalangium species are now Anthericum. P halangium some call phalangite while others call it leucacantha. There are two or three (or more) stems 507 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS distant from one another. The flowers are white like lilies with many in-cuts. The seed is thick and black similar to half of a lens [lentil] but much more slender. The small little root is thin and green while being pulled out of the earth; afterwards it contracts. It grows in hilly places. A decoction of the leaves, seeds, and flowers (taken as a drink with wine) helps those touched by scorpions or bitten by harvest spiders. It also dissolves griping. 3-123. TRIPHULLON SUGGESTED: Trifolium odoratum, Lotus sativa [Fuchs], Lotus hortensis odora [Bauhin], Trifolium melilotus-coerulea [Linnaeus], Trigonella coerulea [in Sprague] — Trefoil [other usage] Trigonella corniculata, Trigonella eliator — Wild Trefoil T rifolium is a shrub higher than a foot, with slender black stems like onion stalks with branches attached. These have are three leaves on every sprig (like the lotus tree). The smell of them when they emerge is like rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], but when grown it is like bitumen. It sends out a purple flower; the seed is somewhat broad and rough with at the one end (as it were), a horn. The root is thin, long and strong. The seeds and leaves (taken as a drink in water) help pleurisy, frequent painful urination, epilepsy, those beginning to have dropsy, and womb congestion. It expels the menstrual flow, but three teaspoonfuls of the seed or four teaspoonfuls of the leaves must be given. A decoction of the leaves (pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with vinegar and honey) helps those bitten by venomous creatures. Some say that a decoction of the entire shrub with roots and leaves applied with hot cloths to those bitten by snakes soothes the pains, but if someone with an ulcer is applied with hot cloths from the water in which another was healed he feels the same pains as those bitten did. Some give three leaves in drink for fevers with recurrent paroxysms, or three seeds with wine for dissolving the circular flows of acute fevers. The root is also mixed with antidotes. It is also called oxyphyllon, menyanthes, asphaltium, orcnicinum, the Romans call it trifolium, and some, trifolium acutum odoratum. 508 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Oenanthe, Filipendula from FUCHS — 1545 509 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS Alcea from FUCHS — 1545 510 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-124. POLION SUGGESTED: Teucrium polium — Cat Thyme, Hulwort, Mountain Germander P olion the mountainous is also called teuthris, and it is useful. It is a thin little white shrub twenty centimetres long, full of seed; with a small head on the top similar to a little corymbus [flat or slightly convex inflorescence], like gray hair, strongly scented with a pleasant smell. Some is shrubbier, not altogether as strong to smell, and not as effective in working. A decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) is able to help those bitten by venomous creatures, or with dropsy, or jaundice, and the splenetic; but it causes headaches and is bad for the stomach. It also induces movement of the intestines and the menstrual flow. Scattered underneath (or inhaled) it drives away venomous creatures. Applied, it heals wounds. It is also called teuthrion, pheuxaspidion, achaemenis, ebenitis, melosmon, belion, or leontocharon. 3-125. SKORDION SUGGESTED: Scordium [Fuchs], Teucrium scordium [Linnaeus] — Garlic Germander, Water Germander S cordium grows in marshy, mountainous places. It has leaves similar to chamedrys but bigger and not as cut-in around the circumference. It resembles garlic in its smell somewhat, and is astringent and bitter to the taste. Pale red flowers grow from the little four-cornered stalks. The pounded herb (green or dry) is warming and diuretic given in drink. Boiled with wine it is good for snakebite and poisons. For pangs of hunger in the stomach, dysentery, and frequent painful urination give two teaspoonfuls with honey water. It expels purulent thicknesses out of the chest. It helps old coughs, hernias, and convulsions mixed dry in a linctus [syrup] with nasturtium [2-185], honey and rosin. Used in a stiff ointment it relaxes hypochondrium [nervous gastric disorder] with long-lasting inflammation. Smeared on with sharp vinegar (or applied with water) it is good for gout. Applied, it induces the menstrual flow, and heals wounds. With honey it cleans old ulcers and brings them 511 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS to a scar. Used dry, it restrains abnormal growths of the flesh. The juice is taken as a drink for the same sores. The most effective is the Pontic and Cretan. It is also called scorbium, pleuritis, dysosmon, calamintha sylvestris, chamedrys, or mithridanios; the Magi call it sanguis podotis, the Egyptians, apho, and the Romans, trisago palustris. 3-126. BECHION SUGGESTED: Tussilago, Farfaria, Ungula caballina [Fuchs, Brunfels], Tussilago vulgaris [Bauhin], Tussilago farfara [Linnaeus] — Coltsfoot [other usage] Becium bicolor, Ocymum grandiflorum, Ocymum abyssinicum, Ocymum filamentosum — Becium Loudon remarks that Bekion is a name for sage in Dioscorides; see 3-145, Orminon. B echium has six or seven leaves (similar to cissus but bigger) growing from the root — white on the lower side but green on the upper side — with many corners. The stalk is twenty centimetres long. It has a pale yellow flower in the springtime but it quickly throws off both the flower and the stalk; as a result some have thought the herb to be without stalk or flower. The root is thin and of no use. It grows near flowing or gushing watery places. The leaves (pounded into small pieces and applied) cure erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and all inflammations. It is dried and burned, and the smoke from it is inhaled through a funnel to cure those troubled with a dry cough or difficult breathing: opening the mouth wide they take the smoke in at the mouth and swallow it down. It breaks up abscesses in the chest, and the burning root (inhaled) does the same. Boiled in honey water and taken as a drink it expels dead embryos. It is also called richion, petrina, peganon, pithion, pagonaton, chameleuce, procheton, arcophyton, or chamegiron. The Egyptians call it saartha, the Romans, tussilago, some, pharpharia, others, pustulago, and the Bessians call it asa. 512 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-127. ARTEMISIA MONOKLONOS ARTEMISIA MONOKLONOS ETERA SUGGESTED: Artemisia latifolia [Fuchs], Artemisia vulgaris major [Bauhin], Artemisia vulgaris [Linnaeus] — Mugwort Artemisia tenuifolia, Matricaria [Fuchs], Matricaria vulgaris [Bauhin], Matricaria parthenium [Linnaeus], Pyrethrum parthenium, Parthenium matricaria, Chrysanthemum parthenium [in Sprague] — Feverfew Chrysanthemum Artemisia monoclonos, Tanacetum, Tagetes [Fuchs], Artemisia tenuifolia [Brunfels], Chrysanthemum vulgare, Tanacetum vulgare [Linnaeus] — Common Tansy, Buttons S ome artemisia is polyclonos, some monoclonos. It grows for the most part in places near the sea. It is a shrub-like herb similar to wormwood [3-26] but bigger, and with the leaves coarser. There is one sort that is prosperous with broader leaves and stems, another smaller, the flowers little, thin and white, with a strong smell; it flowers in the summer. Some (in the Mediterranean parts) call a slender-branched little herb with a single stalk, extremely small, abundant with flowers of a tawny yellow colour, Artemisia monoclonos. The scent of this is sweeter than of the other. They both warm and relieve. Boiled, they are good put into womens’ baths for driving out the menstrual flow and afterbirth, as an abortifacient, for the closure and inflammation of the womb, the breaking of stones [urinary, kidney], and stoppage of urine. Much of the herb applied to the lower part of the bowels induces the menstrual flow, and the juice (kneaded together with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and applied) draws from the womb as many things as does bathing; three teaspoonfuls of the filaments is given in drink to bring out the same things. If anyone has the herb artemisia with him while travelling it dissolves weariness, and if you wear it on your feet it drives away venomous beasts and devils. After blood has hardened around the joints, take the bigger branches with rosaceum [1-53] and (having boiled them in a pot) rub the sick man all over with this as 513 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS he goes to sleep. It helps womens' womb congestion considerably, and soothes slow painful urination and rupture of the opisthotonum [form of tetanus]. It is also called toxetesia, ephesia, anactorios, sozusa, lea, or lycophrys; the Magi call it sanguis hominis, it is also called chrysanthemon, the Romans call it salentia, some, serpyllum, others, herba regia, rapium, tertanageta, or artenisia, the Gauls call it ponem, and the Dacians, zuoste. 3-128. ARTEMISIA LEPTOPHULLOS SUGGESTED: Artemisia herba alba — Artemisia A rtemisia grows around rivulets and hedges and in sown fields. The flowers and bruised leaves of this give off the smell of sampsuchum [3-47]. Therefore if anyone is suffering in his stomach he should pound this herb well with oil of almonds, and make (as it were) a warm compress and lay it on the stomach, and he shall be healed. If anyone is pained in his strength, having mixed the juice of this with oil of roses let him rub with it, and he shall be whole. 3-129. AMBROSIA SUGGESTED: Ambrosia maritima — Sea Ambrosia, Oak of Cappodocia, Oak of Jerusalem Ambrosia artemisifolia — Common Ragweed A mbrosia is a little shrub three feet in height, full of branches, with small leaves like rue around the emergent stalk. It has small stems full of little seeds like little bunches of grapes, which never flower — smelling pleasant like wine. The root is slender, two feet long. In Cappadocia it is plaited into wreaths for the head. It is able to repress and repel, and is smeared on as an astringent for fluids that have come down. It is also called botrys, or botrys artemisia, the Romans call it caper sylvaticus, or apium rusticum, and the Egyptians, merseo. 514 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-130. BOTRUS SUGGESTED: Botrys [Fuchs], Botrys ambrosioides vulgaris [Bauhin], Chenopodium botrys [Linnaeus] — Purple Goosefoot Chamaedrys vera foemina [Fuchs], Botrys Chamaedryoides [Bauhin], Teucrium botrys — Cut-leaved Germander see 3-112 B otrus is a yellowish herb like a shrub, broad-spread, having many wings, and the seed grows around all the branches. The many leaves are similar to chicory, and all of it has a wonderful sweet scent, and so it is also laid among cloths. It grows especially near running waters and brooks. A decoction (with wine) is used as a drink to ease difficult breathing. The Cappadocians call this ambrosia, and it is also called artemisa. 3-131. GERANION, GERANION ETERON SUGGESTED: Geranium tertium, Herba Roberti, Robertiana [Fuchs], Geranium robertianum [Linnaeus] — Herb Robert, Adder’s Tongue, Fox Geranium Geranium sextum [Fuchs], Geranium sanguinem [Linnaeus], Geranium praetense, Geranium fuscum — Crane’s Bill G eranium has a jagged leaf similar to anemone but longer; a root somewhat round, sweet when eaten. A teaspoonful of a decoction (taken as a drink in wine) dissolves swellings of the vulva. It has slender little downy stalks two feet long; leaves like mallow; and on the tops of the wings certain abnormal growths looking upward (like the heads of cranes with the beaks, or the teeth of dogs), but there is no use for it in medicine. It is also called pelonitis, trica, or geranogeron, the Romans call it echinaster, the Africans iesce; it is also called alterum geranium by some, but others call it oxyphyllon, mertryx, myrrhis cardamomum, or origanum. The Magi call it hierobryncas, the Romans, pulmonia, some, cicotria, some, herba gruina, and the Africans, ienk. 515 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-132. GNAPHALION SUGGESTED: Gnaphalium [Fuchs], Gnaphalium vulgare majus [Bauhin], Gnaphalium germanicum, Filago germanica [Linnaeus] — Cudweed [other usage] Gnaphalium citrinum, Gnaphalium stoechas, Helichrysum stoechas — Cassidony, Gold Flower, Golden Tufts S ome use gnaphalium leaves instead of flocks [scraps of wool] because they are white and soft. The leaves (given to drink with hard wine) are good for dysentery. It is also called hires, mertryx, anaxeton or anaphalis, the Egyptians call it semeon, the Gauls, gelasonen, the Romans, centunculus, some tucularis, and some, albinus. 3-133. TUPHE SUGGESTED: Typha [Fuchs], Typha palustris major [Bauhin], Typha latifolia [Linnaeus], Typha major — Bulrush, Larger Reedmace, Geat Reed Mace, Cat’s Tail, Marsh Pestle Typha angustifolia [Linnaeus] — Lesser Reedmace Typha angustata — Reed Mace, Small Bulrush T yphe sends out a leaf similar to cyprus [1-124], and a stalk smooth and equal, surrounded around on the top with thick flowers which turn into down. It is also called panicula. The flowers (used in old washed swines’ grease) cure burns. It grows in marshes and places with standing water. 3-134. KIRKAIA SUGGESTED: Circaea lutetiana — Common Enchanter’s Nightshade Circaea alpina — Alpine Enchanter’s Nightshade C ircea (also called diraea) has leaves similar to garden solanum nigrum [4-74], many shoots, many small black flowers, and seed similar to milium [3-158] in certain (as it were) little horns. The three or four roots are twenty centimetres long, white, sweet smelling, warming. It grows chiefly in some rocky, windy and open sunny 516 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK places. As much as three pounds of the root (bruised and steeped a day and a night in three pints of sweet wine and taken as a drink for three days) cleans the womb. The seed (taken in liquids and sipped) draws down milk. 3-135. OINANTHE SUGGESTED: Oenanthe, Filipendula [Fuchs], Filipendula vulgaris [Bauhin], Spiraea filipendula [Linnaeus], Filipendula hexapetala [in Sprague] — Dropwort [Mabberley] [other usage] Oenanthe phellandrium, Phellandrium aquaticum — Water Hemlock, Horsebane, Fine-leaved Water Dropwort POISONOUS O enanthe has leaves like staphulinus, with white flowers and a thick stalk twenty centimetres long. The seed is like atriplex [1-120, 2-145], and it has a great root with many round heads. It grows on rocks. The seed, stalks and leaves are given to drink (with honeyed wine) to discharge the afterbirth. The root is good (with wine) for slow painful urination and jaundice. It is also called leucanthon, or kerascomion. 3-136. KONUZA SUGGESTED: Conyza odorata, Pluchea odorata — Ovrabla Conyza squarrosa — Great Fleabane Conyza canadensis, Erigeron canadensis — Fleabane, Erigeron C onyza magna. The conyza called little has a better smell, but the bigger sort has a higher stalk, broader leaves and a strong scent; both have leaves similar to the olive but these are rough and thick. The height of the stalk of the bigger sort is two feet, but the lesser is a foot. The flower is foul, a tawny yellow, somewhat bitter, falling into down. The roots are useless. The shrub is scattered underneath with the leaves, and the smoke of these is inhaled to drive away poisonous beasts, keep off gnats, and kill fleas. The leaves are usefully laid on those bitten by snakes, and on swellings and wounds; and the flowers and leaves are taken in a drink with wine for expulsion of the menstrual flow, as an abortifacient, and for slow painful urination, griping and jaundice. A 517 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) helps epilepsy, and a decoction as a hip bath cures disorders in the womb and cleans away the menstrual flow. The juice (applied) causes abortions. The herb rubbed on with oil is good for chills. Thinly applied, it cures headaches. It is also called cynozematitis, danais, tanachium, phycos, ischys, or dinosmos, the Magi call it brephoctonos, some, anubias, or hedemias, the Egyptians, ceti, the Romans, intubus, some, militaris mina, delliarion, febrifuga, phragmosa, alusteri, or pissan. Conyza parva. There is also a third kind of conyza but the stalk is thicker and softer and the leaves bigger than the smaller sort. It is weaker than the bigger, not fat but with a much stronger smell, more unpleasant and less effective; it grows in watery places. It is also called panios or libanotis; the Magi call it cronos. 3-137. EMEROKALLIS SUGGESTED: Hemerocallis fulva — Lemon Lily, Yellow Day Lily H emerocallis has leaves and a stalk similar to a lily, green like leeks, the flowers in threes or fours at every flowering, similar in their shape to a lily when they begin to open, with a colour very similar to ochre. The root is pounded finely like the great bulbus [2-200, 2-201] and taken as a drink or applied with honey in wool as a pessary for drawing out water and blood. The leaves (pounded into small pieces and applied) lessen inflammation of the breasts that comes with childbirth, and inflammation of the eyes. The root and leaves are effective applied on burns. It is also called hemerocatallacton, lilium sylvestre, crinanthemon, porphyranthes, bulbus sanguineus, or anticantharon; the Egyptians call it iocroi, the Romans, bulbus, some, lilium agreste, some, lilium marinum, and the Africans, abiblabon. 518 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-138. LEUKOION, LEUKOION THALASSION SUGGESTED: Leucoion, Viola alba, Leucoion-Dioscorides album [Fuchs], Hesperis hortensis [Bauhin], Hesperis matronalis var hortensis subvar albiflora [Linnaeus] — Dame's Violet, Dame's Rocket, Damask Violet Viola-lutea [Fuchs], Leucoion-Dioscorides luteum [Brunfels], Leucoium luteum vulgare [Bauhin], Cheiranthus cheiri [Linnaeus] — Wallflower [other usage] Leucoion [Theophrastus], Viola alba [Fuchs], Leucoium bulbosum vulgare [Bauhin], Leucojum vernum [Linnaeus] — Spring Snowflake L eukoion is commonly known but there are different coloured flowers, for it is found white, yellowish and azure [blue], or else it is purple. The fittest of these for medicinal use is the yellowish, the dried flowers of which (boiled) are good for bathing inflammation around the womb and expelling the menstrual flow. Used in wax ointments they cure cracks in the perineum, and with honey they cure apthas [small ulcers]. Two teaspoonfuls of a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with wine or applied as a pessary with honey) draw out the menstrual flow and afterbirth, and are an abortifacient. The roots (smeared on with vinegar) repress the spleen and help gout. It is also called basilion; the Romans call it opula alba, some call it viola alba, augustia, viola matronalis, passarina, or polyphura. 3-139. KRATAIOGONON SUGGESTED: Crataegus monogyna — Common Hawthorn Crataegus orientalis — Eastern Thorn Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha — Midland Hawthorn C rataeogonon (also called crateonon) has leaves similar to melampyrum, many knotty shoots growing out of one root, and a seed similar to millet. It grows for the most part in shady and shrubby places, and it is extremely sharp. It is said by some that drinking the seed causes a woman to bring forth a male child, if after the cleansing of 519 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS the menstrual flow and before the time of sexual intercourse, she drinks three times a day (while fasting) thirty grains with two cups of water for forty days, and lets the man drink it similarly for as many days and then lie with her. 3-140. PHULLON SUGGESTED: Bryophyllum calycinum, Bryophyllum pinnatum — Air Plant, Floppers, Life Plant see 4-192 P hyllum grows on rocks. That which is called thelygonon has (as it were) moss, the leaf greener than the olive, a thin short stalk, a slender root, a white flower, and a bigger seed, rather like poppy. Arrhenogonon is similar in other things to that previously mentioned but differs in having the seed (similar to olives) coming in a cluster out of the flower. It is said that a decoction of arrhenogonon (taken as a drink) produces male offspring, but thelygonum causes females. Crateus relates this concerning these, but he seems to me to relate these things according to the report of them [not experience]. Some call this elaeophyllon, some, bryonia. 3-141. ORCHIS SUGGESTED: Orchis mas latifolia [Fuchs, Brunfels], Cynosorchis latifolia [Bauhin], Orchis militaris [Linnaeus] — Military Orchid, Soldier Orchid [other usage] Orchis undulata — Wavy-leaved Orchis Orchis longibracteta — Sicilian Orchis Herminum monorchis, Ophrys monorchis — Musk Orchis O rchis (also called cynosorchis) has leaves scattered on the earth around the stalk, and the bottom of it is similar to an olive — tender but narrower, smooth and longer; a stalk the height of twenty centimetres on which are flowers of a purple hue. The root is bulbous, somewhat long, narrow like the olive, double, one part above, the other beneath, one full but the other soft and full of wrinkles. The root is eaten (boiled) like bulbus [2-200, 2-201]. It is said that if the bigger root is eaten by 520 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK men, it makes their offspring males, and the lesser eaten by women makes them conceive females. It is further related that women in Thessalia give it to drink with goat’s milk. The tenderer root is given to encourage venereal diseases, and the dry root to suppress and dissolve venereal diseases. In a decoction (taken as a drink) the one dissolves the other. It grows in stony, sandy places. 3-142. ORCHIS ETEROS SUGGESTED: Triochis-serapias mas [Fuchs], Triorchis mas minor [Brunfels], Orchis morio [Linnaeus] — Green Winged Orchid Triorchis foemina [Fuchs], Orchis fucum [Bauhin], Ophrys insectifera [Linnaeus], Ophrys apifera [in Sprague] — Bee Orchid [other usage] Serapias lingua, Serapias cordigera — Serapias T esticulus alter (also called serapias — as Acreas does for the many uses of the root) has leaves similar to leek, somewhat long but broader and fat, winding around in the wings; little stalks twenty centimetres long, the flowers almost purple. The root (similar to testicles) lies under, and applied is able to dissipate oedema, clean ulcers, and repress herpes [viral infection]. Smeared on it destroys fistulas, and soothes inflamed parts. Sprinkled on dry it stops nomae [grazer disease, eats away muscle, tissue and bones], and a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) cures the intestines. There is a similar story told of this as there is of the dog’s stone [cyanosorchis 3-141]. 3-143. SATURION SUGGESTED: Satyrion-trifolium [Fuchs], Orchis trifolia major [Bauhin], Orchis bifolia [Linnaeus], Habenaria bifolia [Brunfels] [other usage] Satyrium hircinum, Orchis hircina — Lizard Orchis S atyrium some call trifolium because it bears leaves in threes (as it were) bending down to the earth, similar to rumex [2-141] or lily, yet smaller and reddish. It has a naked stalk a foot long, a white flower similar to a lily, a 521 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS bulbous root as big as an apple — red, but white within, similar to an egg, sweet to the taste and pleasant in the mouth. One ought to drink it in black hard wine for severe spasms, and use it if he wishes to lay with a woman. For they say that this also is an aphrodisiac. 3-144. SATURION ERUTHRONION SUGGESTED: Satyrium-basilicum mas [Fuchs, Brunfels], Orchis palmata angustifolia minor [Bauhin], Gymnadenia conopsea [Brunfels], Orchis conopsea [Linnaeus] — Gnat-like Orchid Satyrium-basilicum foemina, Satyrium-basilicum mas alterum [Fuchs], Orchis maculata [Linnaeus], Orchis Fuchsii [in Sprague] — Early Purple Orchid, Dead Man's Finger [other usage] Erythronium dens-canis — Dog’s-tooth Violet Modern satyrium species are only found at the Cape of Good Hope. S atyrium erythronium has a seed similar to flax seed but big, firm, glittering and smooth. It is said that it is an aphrodisiac, like scincus. The bark of the root is somewhat thin and red, but the inside is white, pleasant in the mouth to one who tastes it, and sweet. It grows in sunny, hilly places. It is related that the root (taken into the hand) encourages venereal diseases, but even more so when a decoction is taken as a drink with wine. It is also called satyrium erythraicum, melium aquaticum, entaticon, priapiscus, morion, satyriscus, or testiculum satyri; the Romans call it molorticulum veneris. 3-145. ORMINON EMERON SUGGESTED: Orminum sativum [Fuchs], Horminum sclarea dictum [Bauhin], Salvia sclarea [Linnaeus] — Clary Orminum sylvestre, Salvia sylvestris [Fuchs], Horminum pratense foliis serratis [Bauhin], Salvia pratensis [Linnaeus] — Meadow Sage, Clary Horminum domesticum, Salvia horminum — Common Sage, Annual Clary C 522 ultivated horminum is an herb similar to marrubium in the leaves, but the stalk is four-cornered and half a THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK foot high. There are abnormal growths similar to husks around this (as it were) looking towards the root, in which are two different types of seed. In the wild it is found round and dark, but in the other it is somewhat long and black. Use is made of this and it is also thought that a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) is an aphrodisiac. With honey it cleans away argema [small white ulcer on the cornea], and also white spots on the corneas of the eyes; and smeared on with water it dissolves oedema and extracts splinters. The herb (applied) does the same things. The wild one is stronger; as a result it is mixed with compound ointments (especially with gleucinum [1-67]). The Romans call it geminalis, and the Dacians, hormia. 3-146. EDUSARON SUGGESTED: Hedysarum crinitum — Crook-podded Hedysarum Hedysarum coronarium — French Honeysuckle, Soola Clover Hedysarum alhagi, Alhagi maurorum, Alhagi mannifera — Camel Thorn, Egyptian Manna Plant Biserrula pelecinus — Hatchet Vetch H edysarum (called pelecinus by the ointment makers) is a shrub with little leaves similar to cicer [2-126], but pods like little horns in which is the red seed similar to an axe that has two edges (from which it is named). It is bitter to one who tastes it; a decoction (taken as a drink) is good for the stomach, and it is also mixed with antidotes. Taken as a pessary with honey before sexual intercourse it is thought to hinder conception. It grows among barley and wheat. 3-147. ONOSMA SUGGESTED: Onosma echioides — Hairy Onosma ALSO: Onosma tauricum, Onosma orientale, Onosma sericeum O nosma has soft leaves similar to those of anchusa, somewhat long, the length of four fingers but the breadth of one finger, scattered on the earth very like those of anchusa [4-23 to 4-26]; but it is without stalk, seed, or flowers. The little root lies underneath, somewhat 523 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS long, weak, thin, and reddish. It grows in rough places. A decoction of the leaves of this (taken as a drink in wine) is an abortifacient. They say also that if one with child walks over this herb, she aborts. It is also called osmas, phlonitis, or ononis. 3-148. NUMPHAIA SUGGESTED: Nymphaea candida [Fuchs], N ymphaea alba major [Bauhin], Nymphaea alba [Linnaeus] — Water Nymph, White Water Lily, Flatter Dock N ymphaea grows in marshes and standing waters; it has many leaves similar to those of the Egyptian bean, yet smaller and somewhat longer, all from the same root, some (in a way) standing above the water, and others also in the water. The flowers are white, similar to a lily, with the middle a saffron colour, but when it has done blooming it becomes round in a circumference like an apple, or the head of poppy — black; in which is a black seed, broad, thick, clammy to the taste. The stalk is smooth, not thick, black, similar to that of the Egyptian bean. The root is black, coarse, like a sceptre, and it is harvested in the autumn. This (dried and taken as a drink with wine) helps coeliac [intestinal] complaints and dysentery, and reduces the spleen. The root is applied for disorders of the stomach and bladder; with water it takes away psoriasis, and applied with pitch it cures baldness. The root is taken as a drink for lecherous dreams because it relieves these. It causes a faintness of the genitals for a few days if one drinks it continuously, and a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink) does the same. It seems to be called nymphaea because it loves watery places. It is found in abundance at Helis on the river Anigrus, and in Aliartus, Boeotia. 524 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-149. NUMPHAIA ALLE SUGGESTED: N ymphaea lutea [Fuchs], N ymphaea lutea major [Bauhin], N ymphaea lutea [Linnaeus], N ymphaea luteum, N uphar luteum [in Sprague] — Yellow Water Lily, Brandy Bottle T here is also another nymphaea (the flower of which is called nuphar) which has leaves similar to that previously mentioned, but it has a coarse white root, and a glittering yellowish flower (like a rose). A decoction of the root and seed (taken as a drink in black wine) is good for the excessive menstrual discharges of women. It grows in places around Thessalia near the river Peneus. It is also called nymphona. 3-150. ANDROSACES SUGGESTED: Androsace lactea — Androsace, Sea Navelwort ALSO: Androsace obtusifolia A ndrosaces grows in sea-bordering places in Syria. The herb is thin, with slender, bitter, leafless branches, having on its head a pod containing the seed. Two teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) is able to encourage much urine in dropsy; and a decoction of the herb and the seed (taken as a drink) does the same. It is smeared usefully upon gout. It is also called picras, leuce, or thalassia. 3-151. ASPLENON SUGGESTED: Asplenium adiantium-nigrum, Adiantium-nigrum — Black Maidenhair Fern, Black Spleenwort, Black Oak Fern Adiantum capillus veneris, Herba capillorum-veneris — Maidenhair, Venus’s Hair, Capillaire see 3-121 A splenon has many leaves (similar to the creatures called centipedes and millipedes) growing round about out of one root. It grows on walls and shady rocks or pebble stones — stalkless, flowerless, seedless, [its leaves] cut-in like those of fern, yellowish and rough underneath, but green above. The leaves (boiled with 525 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS vinegar and taken as a drink for forty days) are able to reduce the spleen, but you must also rub the spleen with the leaves pounded into small pieces with wine. It helps slow painful urination, hiccups and jaundice, and breaks stones in the bladder. It is thought to be a cause of barrenness (used alone or hung about one with the spleen of a mule) but they say that to cause barrenness it must be dug up when the night is moonless. It is also called scolopendrium, splenium, hemionion, pteryx, lonchitis, aturius, phrygia, phrygitis, or philtrodotes, while the Magi call it the blood of a weasel. 3-152. EMIONITIS SUGGESTED: Hemionitis, Scolopendria, Lingua cervina [Fuchs], Lingua cervina officinarum [Bauhin], Asplenium scolopendrium, Phyllitis scolopendrium [Linnaeus] — Hart's-tongue Fern [other usage] Hemionitis [Bedevian] — Mulewort, Hemionitis H emionitis puts out a horned leaf similar to dracunculus [2-196b] (like the third-day moon). The many slender roots are underneath, but it bears no stalk, seed, or flower. It grows in rocky places. The herb is astringent to the taste and is taken as a drink with vinegar to reduce the spleen. It is also called splenium. 3-153. ANTHULLIS SUGGESTED: Anthyllis vulneraria, Anthyllis prior — Kidney Vetch, Lady’s Fingers, Wound Wort Anthyllis barba jovis — Jove’s Beard, Jupiter’s Beard Anthyllis cretica — Cretan Kidney Vetch T here are two types of anthyllis. One has leaves similar to lens [lentils], and upright little branches the height of twenty centimetres, with the leaves soft, the root slender and little. It grows in sandy sunny places, somewhat salty to the taste. The other kind is similar in its leaves and small branches to chamepitys [3-175], but they are rougher, shorter, and sharper. The flower is a purple colour, smelling extremely strong, the root like chicory. Two teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink) has considerable strength to help frequent painful urination 526 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK and inflamed kidneys. Pounded into small pieces and given as a pessary (with rosaceum [1-53] and milk) they soften inflammations of the womb. They also heal wounds, and a decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar and honey) of that which is similar to chamepitys heals epilepsy (among other things). It is also called anthyllon, anthemis, eranthemis, leucanthemon, soranthis, or flos campestris; the Romans call it solaster. 3-154. ANTHEMIS, ANTHEMIS PORPHURANTHES, ANTHEMIS MELANANTHES SUGGESTED: Chamaemelon leucanthemum [Fuchs, Brunfels], Chamaemelum vulgare, Leucanthemum Dioscoridis [Bauhin], Matricaria recucita, Matricaria chamomilla [Linnaeus] — Wild Chamomile Chamaemelum chrysanthemum [Fuchs], Anthemis tinctoria [Linnaeus] — Dyers Chamomile, Yellow Chamomile Chamaemelum eranthemon [Fuchs], Consolida regia [Brunfels], Consolida regalis arvensis [Bauhin], Delphinium consolida [Linnaeus] — Forking Larkspur T here are three kinds of anthemis (differing only in their flowers) the branches twenty centimetres long, shrubby, with many wings. The smaller branches are little, thin, many, with little round heads, within them flowers of gold colour; but outside there are round about white, yellowish, or purple leaves, the quantities like those of rue. It grows in rough places and byways. It is gathered in the spring. The roots, flowers, and herb have a warming, relieving strength. Taken as a drink of a decoction (or by bathing) they expel the menstrual flow, are abortifacient, expel stones [urinary, kidney], and induce urine. They are taken as a drink for gaseousness, and for suffering from intestinal obstruction; they clean away jaundice, and cure liver ailments; and a decoction of them is used in warm packs for the bladder. The most effective for those troubled with stones is that of a purple colour, which in all respects is the bigger, properly called eranthemon. That called leucanthemon is more urinary, as well as chrysanthemon. Smeared on they cure ulcers in the inner angle of the eye. Chewed, they cure apta [aptha — thrush in children or candidiasis]. Some also use it as a 527 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS suppository (beating it finely with oil) for recurrent fevers. The leaves and flowers must be stored when they have been pounded apart and made into little balls. The root is dried and stored. When there is need of it sometimes give two parts of the herb, sometimes one part of the flower or root. Sometimes the opposite — give two parts of the flower and one of the herb, doubling it by turn every other day — and you must drink it in diluted honey. (Chamomile pounded into small pieces with rosaceum [1-53] cures fevers. It is an effective plant for those who are reasonably well. The shortest is best and grows in sandy places, and physicians remove them at the beginning of spring). It is also called leucanthemon, or eranthemon because it flowers in the spring; some call it chamemelum because of the similarity of its smell to apples; some call it melanthemon, chrysocome, or callias; the Romans call it malium, and the Africans, astertiphe. 3-155. PARTHENION (AMARAKON) SUGGESTED: Amaracinum, Parthenium, Cotula foetida [Fuchs], Chamaemelum foetidum [Bauhin], Anthemis cotula [Linnaeus] — Stinking Chamomile, Mayweed [Mabberley] [other usage] Origanum amaracus — Amaracus Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Amaracus dictamnus — Dittany of Crete, Burning Bush P arthenium has thin leaves (similar to coriander); the white flowers are in a circle, their middle is yellow, and they are somewhat poisonous to smell and bitter to taste. Dried and taken as a drink with vinegar and honey (or with salt) it is able to drive phlegm and cholera downward and out, and to help the asthmatic and depressive. The herb (without its flower) is effective (given in drink) for urinary stones and the asthmatic. A decoction of it is fit for bathing a hardened and inflamed womb. It is applied (with its flowers) for skin inflammation and other inflammation. It is also called amaracum, leucanthemon, anthemis, chamemelum, chrysocalis, melabathrum, or flos campestris; the Romans call it solis oculus, or millefolium, the Etruscans, cautan, and the Africans, thamacth. 528 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-156. BUPHTHALMON SUGGESTED: Buphthalmum, Oculis bovis [Fuchs], Chamaemelum inodorum [Bauhin], Matricaria inodora [Linnaeus] — False Chamomile, Scentless Mayweed [other usage] Buphthalmum graveolens — Ox-eye Buphthalmum salicifolium —Yellow Ox-eye Daisy Anthemis arvensis, Chamaemelum arvensis, Buphthalmum — Corn Chamomile It is believed that the buhphthalmum of Pliny is a species of anthemis [Loudon]. B uphthalmum sends out somewhat slender tender little stalks, leaves like marathrum [3-81], yellowish flowers — bigger than anthemis, similar to eyes (from which it is named). It grows in fields and around towns. The flowers of this (pounded into small pieces with wax ointment) dissolve oedema and hard lumps. They say that a decoction (taken as a drink after coming out from a bath) causes the jaundiced to have a good colour for some time. You must gather buphthalmum while the moon is increasing. It is used against fears, devils, enchantments, and poisons (turning aside these things); and if anyone chews the root (and afterwards spits it out) it immediately stops mucus, eases toothache, and loosens the bowels. It is also called cachlan, or balsamina, the Magi call it haemorrha, some, genitura Mercurii, semen incorruptibile, or mnesitheos; the Romans call it kappacorania, and the Africans, narat. 3-157. PAIONIA ARREN, PAIONIA THELEIA SUGGESTED: Paeonia foemina [Fuchs], Paeonia communis [Bauhin], Paeonia officinalis var foemina [Linnaeus] — Female Peony, Garden Peony POISONOUS P eonia (or glycyside) some call pentoboron, and they call the root paeonia. The stalk grows as high as two feet with many branches. The male has leaves similar to the carya [1-178], but the female is jagged in the leaves (similar to smyrnium [3-78, 3-79]). It sends out certain pods on the top of the stalk similar to almonds, which opened are found to contain five or six little red grains 529 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS similar to those of the pomegranate — black in the middle, inclining to purple. The root of the male is about the thickness of a finger and twenty centimetres in height, astringent to taste, white. On the root of the female there are seven or eight tubers similar to acorns, like asphodelus [2-199]. The root is given to women who are not cleansed after childbirth. The amount of an almond (of a decoction taken as a drink) induces the menstrual flow. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) helps pains in the intestines, jaundice, inflamed kidneys, and pain in the bladder. A decoction (boiled in wine and taken as a drink) stops discharges of the bowels. A decoction of ten or twelve red grains of the seed (taken as a drink in black hard wine) stops bloody excessive discharges (in women). Eaten, they help those who feel gnawing at the stomach, and taken as a drink and eaten by children they take away the beginnings of stones [kidney, urinary]. A decoction of as much as fifteen grains of the black [part] (taken as a drink in honey water or wine) is good both for suffocation that comes from nightmares, and for suffocation of the womb and disorders of the mother [pregnancy]. Peony grows on the tops of the highest mountains. The herb peony is plucked up in the heat of the dog days [summer] before sunrise; it is hanged about one and is good against poisons, bewitching, fears, and devils and their assaults, and against fevers that come with shivering whether by night, or day, or paroxysm. And it is said that (sometimes) growing on a hill where there were devils, it drove them away. The male peonie some call orobelium, orobax, haemagogum, paeseden, menogenion, menion, paeonium, panthiceratos, idaei dactyli, aglaophotis, theodonium, or selenion, the Magi call it selenogonon, some, phthisi and the Romans, casta. 530 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-158. LITHOSPERMON SUGGESTED: Lithospermum, Lithospermum sativum [Fuchs], Lithospermum majus erectum [Bauhin], Lithospermum officinale [Linnaeus], Milium solis, — Common Gromwell, Pearl Plant S ome call lithospermon 'Heraclean' because of the strength of the seed, which is also called lithospermon. It has leaves similar to those of the olive, but longer, broader and softer, and those around the bottom lie on the ground. The small branches are straight, slender, the thickness of the sharp bulrush, strong, woody. On the cloven top of them is a springing-out (similar to little budded stems) with long leaves, among which is a round white stone seed similar to the little ervum [2-129, 2-131]. It grows in rough eminent places. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with white wine) is able to break stones [kidney, urinary], and expel urine. Some call it aegonychon, exonychon, leontion, lapis leoninus, gorgonium, tantalitis, or diosporon, the Romans call it columba, and the Dacians, gonoleta. 3-159. PHALARIS SUGGESTED: Phalaris arundinacea, Phalaris canariensis — Canary Grass, Phalaris P halaris sends out many little stalks from slender useless roots — the breadth of two hands, knotty, similar to reeds, resembling those of zea [Triticum zea], yet more slender and sweet in taste. The leaves are similar to those of zea. The white seed is abundant like millet, and somewhat long. The herb (cut and juiced with water or wine and so taken as a drink) is able to be effective for disorders of the bladder and sperm; a spoonful of a decoction (taken as a drink with water) is good for the same purposes. 531 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-160. ERUTHRODANON SUGGESTED: Rubia sativa [Fuchs], Rubia tinctorum [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Rubia tinctorum sativa [Bauhin] — Dyer’s Madder Rubia sylvestris [Fuchs], Rubia sylvestris laevis [Bauhin], Gallium molugo — Hedge Bedstraw [Mabberley] [other usage] Rubia peregrina — Wild Madder S ome call eruthrodanum 'erythodanon'. The red root is suitable for dying. Some of it is wild, some sown — as in Thabana, Galilee and Ravenna, Italy and in Caria — sown among the olives, like in the fields. It is sown usefully because much gain is made of it. The stalks of it are four-cornered, long, rough, similar to those of aparine, but in every respect bigger and stronger, having the leaves at distances at every joint lying about like stars in a circle. The seed is round, at first green, afterwards red, after that it is ripe, black. The root is thin, long, red, and diuretic; as a result a decoction (taken as a drink with honey and water) helps jaundice, sciatica, and paralysis. It draws out quantities of thick urine, and sometimes also blood. Those who drink it must be washed every day and the difference of their voided excrement viewed. A decoction of the stalk with the leaves (taken as a drink) helps those bitten by venomous creatures, and a decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar and honey) reduces the spleen. The root (inserted as a pessary) is an abortifacient, and draws out the menstrual flow and afterbirth. Smeared on with vinegar it cures white vitiligines [form of leprosy]. The root some call dracons, some, cinnabar, the Romans, rubia passiva, the Etruscians, lappa minor, the Egyptians, sophobi, some ereuthodanum, and it is also called teuthrion. 3-161. LONCHITIS SUGGESTED: Lonchitis, Polypodium lonchitis, Serapias, Aspidium lonchitis — Shield Fern, Holly Fern see 3-162 L onchitis has many leaves very similar to leek, yet broader and somewhat red, broken about towards the root (and as it were) lying on the ground. It also has a 532 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK few around the stalk, on which are flowers — similar to little hats in shape (similar to comical persons opening their mouths wide) — and they are black, but some white thing arises from them, from opening the mouth wide towards the lower lip (as it were) a little tongue. The seed is shut in three-cornered cases shaped like a spearhead, from which it was thought worthy of its surname. The root is similar to daucus. It grows in rough, dry places. A decoction of the root of this (taken as a drink) with wine is diuretic. It is also called cestron, or medusa; the Romans call it venerea, or lanceola. 3-162. LONCHITIS ETERA SUGGESTED: Shield Fern, Holly Fern — Lonchitis, Polypodium lonchitis, Serapias, Aspidium lonchitis see 3-161 L onchitis altera (also called the rough lonchitis) sends out leaves similar to scolopendrium [3-121], but sharper, bigger, and more jagged. A decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) is able to cure wounds and remove inflammation, and it reduces the spleen. The Romans call it longina, or calabrina. 3-163. ALTHAIA SUGGESTED: Althaea [Fuchs], Althaea Dioscoridis et Plinii [Bauhin], Althaea officinalis [Linnaeus], Bismalva, Hibiscus — Marsh Mallow, White Mallow A lthaea is a kind of wild mallow, the downy leaves round like cyclamen. It has a rose-like flower, the stalk two feet high, and a clammy root, white within. It is called althaea for its many properties and various uses. Boiled in honey and water or wine (or pounded by itself) it is good for wounds, parotitis [inflamed glands e.g. mumps], swellings, suppurations, inflamed breasts, disorders of the perineum, bruises, flatulent tumours, and distension of the nerves. It dissolves and ripens, or breaks and brings to a scar. Boiled (as above) and kneaded together with swines’ grease, goose grease or turpentine it is good in a pessary for inflammation and closures of the womb. A decoction of it does the same, 533 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS also expelling the so-called bodily wastes. A decoction of the root (taken as a drink with wine) helps dysentery, pains in the hips, trembling, and those troubled with hernia; and it soothes toothache, boiled with vinegar and the mouth washed with it. The seed (either green or dry) pounded into small pieces and rubbed on with vinegar in the sun cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy]. Rubbed on with oxelaeum [from oxalis or wood sorrel] it prevents hurt from poisonous beasts. It is effective against dysentery, vomiting blood, and excessive discharges from the bowels. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink) is good against bee stings, and those of all small creatures (taken as a drink in wine or posca [hot drinks]); and the leaves (with a little oil) are laid on bites and on those who are burned. The root thickens water (pounded into small pieces, mixed, and placed out in the open air). It is also called ibiscus, or althiocon. 3-164. ALKEA SUGGESTED: Alcea [Fuchs, Brunfels], Alcea vulgaris major [Bauhin], Malva alcea [Linnaeus] — Hollyhock [Mabberley] [other usage] Alcea cannabina, Althea cannabina — Egyptian Hemp A lcea is a kind of wild mallow having cut-in leaves similar to those of the holy herb. It has three or four stalks, a bark similar to cannabis [3-165], a little flower similar to a rose, and five or six broad white roots almost a foot long. A decoction of these (taken as a drink with wine or water) cures dysentery and hernias. 3-165. KANNABIS EMEROS SUGGESTED: Cannabis sativa [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus], Cannabis gigantea — Hemp C annabis is a plant of considerable use in this life for twisting very strong ropes. It bears leaves with a bad scent, similar to the ash; long hollow stalks, and a round seed. Eaten in quantities these quench conception. The herb (juiced while green) is good for earaches. It is also called cannabium, schoenostrophon, or asterion; the Romans call it cannabis. 534 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-166. KANNABIS AGRIA SUGGESTED: Hibiscus cannabinus — Hemp Mallow, Deccan Hemp Cannabis sativa var indica — Indian Hemp Datisca cannabina — Cretan Hemp Plant, Bastard Hemp C annabis sylvestris bears little stems similar to those of althea [3-163] but darker, sharper and smaller. The leaves are similar to the cultivated but sharper and darker. The reddish flowers are similar to lychnis [3-114, 3-115], with the seed and root similar to althea. The root (boiled and applied) is able to lessen inflammation, dissolve oedema, and disperse hardened matter around the joints. The bark of this is suitable for twining ropes. It is also called hydrastina, the Romans call it terminalis, and some, cannabis. 3-167. ANAGURIS [ONAGURIS] SUGGESTED: Anagyris foetida — Bean Clover, Stinking Wood A nagyris is a shrub similar to a tree, its leaves and stems very similar to agnus castus [1-135], with an extremely strong scent. The flowers are similar to brassica, the seed in long little horns shaped like kidneys, variously coloured, solid. They harden when the grapes ripen. The tender leaves of this (pounded into small pieces and applied) repress oedema. A teaspoonful is given to drink in passum [raisin wine] for asthma, as well as for expulsion of the afterbirth and menstrual flow, and as an abortifacient. It is given with wine for headaches. It is hung as an amulet on those who have hard labour [in giving birth], yet one must at once (after the woman’s delivery) take off the amulet and put it away. The juice of the root dissolves and ripens. The seed (eaten) encourages vomiting excessively. It is also called anagyros, acopon, or agnacopum. 535 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-168. KEPAIA UNKNOWN C epea is a succulent similar to portulaca [4-168], yet it has darker leaves, and a thin root. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink with wine) helps slow painful urination and those who have a scabbed bladder, and helps most taken as a drink with a decoction of the roots of that asparagus called myacanthus. 3-169. ALISMA SUGGESTED: Plantago-aquatica, Alisma, Damasonium [Fuchs], Plantago-aquatica latifolia, Alisma plantago-aquatica [Linnaeus] — Water Plantain, Mad-dog Weed see 1-11 A lisma has leaves similar to plantain but narrower and bending down toward the earth. The stalk is slender, single, more than a foot high, with little heads similar to a thyrsus [staff]. The flowers are thin, white, and somewhat pale. The roots are like black hellebore — thin, sweet-smelling, sharp, somewhat thick; it loves watery places. One or two teaspoonfuls of a decoction of the root (taken as a drink with wine) is good for those who have eaten sea hare [2-20], or been bitten by a toad, and those who have drunk opium [antidote]. It helps griping and dysentery by itself (or taken as a drink with an equal amount of daucus seed). It is also good for convulsions, and disorders of the womb. The herb itself (applied) stops discharges of the intestines, expels the menstrual flow, and soothes oedema. It is also called alcea, damassonium, acyron, or lyron. 536 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-170. ONOBRUCHIS SUGGESTED: Hedysarum onobrychis, Onobrychis sativa, Onobrychis viciaefolia — Sanfoin, Holy Clover, French Grass Onobrychis christagalli — Medick Vetch see 3-41 O nobrychis has leaves similar to lens [lentils] but a little longer, a stalk twenty centimetres long, a purple flower, and a small root. It grows in moist undisturbed places. The herb (pounded into small pieces and smeared on) is able to dissolve tubercles [growths], and a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) cures slow painful urination. Rubbed on with oil it encourages sweating. It is also called onobrochilos, eschasmene, hypericum, corion, or chamepitys, the Romans call it opaca, some, brichilata, lopta, or iuncinalis, and the Dacians, aniassexe. 3-171. UPERIKON SUGGESTED: Hypericum, Perforata [Fuchs], Hypericum vulgare [Bauhin], Hypericum perforatum [Linnaeus] — Klamath Weed [Mabberley] H ypericum is a shrub twenty centimetres high, full of reddish branches, with a yellowish flower that (crushed with the fingers) yields a bloody juice — which is why it is called androsemon. It has leaves similar to rue. The small pods are somewhat rough, long in the circumference, the size of barley, in which is a black seed smelling of rosin. It grows in tilled and rough places. It has a diuretic strength, and inserted as a pessary moves the menstrual flow. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) drives away fevers with paroxysms ocurring every third or fourth day. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink for forty days) cures sciatica. The leaves (applied together with the seed) heal burns. It is also called androsemon, corion, or chamepitys, because the seed is similar in smell to the rosin of pine. 537 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS 3-172. ASKURON SUGGESTED: Ascyrum [Fuchs], Androsaemum hirsutum [Bauhin], Hypericum hirsutum [Linnaeus] Siberian St John’s Wort — Hypericum ascyron A scyrum is also a kind of hypericum, differing in size, bigger in the branches, more full of sprigs, and with the small leaves appearing a purple colour; it bears yellow flowers, and fruit (similar to hypericum) smelling of rosin, and bruised (as it were), staining the fingers with blood, so that it is called acrosemon for this. A decoction of the fruit (taken as a drink with a pint of honey water) is available for sciatica. It expels much bilious excrement. It must be given continuously until they are cured. Smeared on, it is good for burns. It is also called ascyroides, or acrosemon. 3-173. ANDROSAIMON SUGGESTED: Androsaeumum [Fuchs], Hypericum montanum [Linnaeus] — Mountain St John's Wort [other usage] Androsaemum hircinum, Hypericum hircinum — Stinking St John’s Wort, Goat-scented St John’s Wort Androsaemum officinale, Hypericum androsaemum — Tutsan, Park Leaves, All Saint’s Wort A ndrosemum differs from hypericum and from ascyrum being a shrub of thin branches, full of sprigs. The little stems are a purple colour, the leaves three times or four times bigger than rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], which send out a juice similar to wine when bruised. It has many wings on the top open on each side and feathered, around which are small little flowers of a yellowish colour. The seed is in a little cup similar to that of black poppy (as it were) marked with lines and points. The filaments yield a rosin-like smell when bruised. Two teaspoonfuls of the seed of this (pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink) expel bilious excrement, and it especially cures sciatica. One must sip water after the purge. The herb (smeared on) heals burns and stops blood. It is also called dionysias, or ascyron. 538 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 3-174. KORIS SUGGESTED: Hypericum coris — Heath-leaved St John’s Wort, Coris Coris monspeliensis, Symphytum petraeum [Bedevian] — Montpellier Coris see 3-88, 4-9 C oris has a leaf similar to erica but smaller, fatter and red. It is a shrub twenty centimetres high, pleasanttasting, sharp, and with a good smell. A decoction of the seed of this (taken as a drink with wine) induces the passage of urine and the menstrual flow. A decoction (taken as a drink with pepper) helps those bitten by harvest spiders, or with sciatica, tetanus, or chills. Used with oil it is also an effective ointment for severe spasms. The root of this (boiled with wine and taken as a drink) is thought to help those who faint often. It is necessary for the patient when drinking it to be well covered all over for it causes the whole body to sweat, and from this one recovers agility. Some also call this hypericum. 3-175. CHAMAIPITUS SUGGESTED: Chamaepitys lutea vulgaris [Bauhin], Teucrium chamaepitys [Linnaeus], Ajuga chamaepitys [in Sprague] — Ground Pine, Yellow Bugle C hamaepitys is a bow-backed herb creeping on the ground, with leaves similar to the smaller sempervivum [4-89, 4-90, 4-91], but much thinner, fatter and rough, thick around the branches, with a smell of pine. The flowers are thin and yellow, (or white) and the root is like that of chicory. A decoction of the leaves of this (taken as a drink with wine for seven days) cures jaundice. A decoction (taken as a drink with honey water for forty days) cures hip pains. It is given (effectively) for liver complaints, frequent painful urination and inflamed kidneys, and it is good for griping. In Heraclea, Pontus they use it as an antidote, giving a decoction to drink against aconitum [4-77, 4-78]. Polenta (moistened with a decoction of the herb) is applied for the purposes mentioned above. Pounded into small pieces with figs (and given as a pill) it soothes the bowels. Taken with 539 ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS honey, scales aeris [flakes of fish of the air], and rosin it purges. Applied as a pessary (with honey) it expels things from the womb. Smeared on with honey it dissolves hard lumps in the breasts, heals wounds, and represses herpes [viral skin infection]. It is also called pitusorusis, or orizelon, in Pontus they call it holocyron, or wild bryony, the Athenians call it ionia, in Euboea it is called sideritis; the Magi call it sanguis Minervae, the Romans, cupripum, and the Dacians dochela. 3-176. CHAMAIPITUS ETERA, CHAMAIPITUS TRITE SUGGESTED: Ajuga chia — Chia Bugle Ajuga iva, Teucrium iva — Herb Ivy, Musky Bugle Ajuga reptans — Bugle Weed, Common Bugle T here is also another chamaepitys with branches a foot long, curved in the shape of an anchor, with thin sprigs, filaments similar to that above, and a white flower, but a black seed. This also smells of pine. There is a third kind called the male. It is a smooth little herb, with thin small leaves, white and rough, with a coarse white stalk, small yellowish flowers, and a little seed with wings. This also smells of pine. These have a similar strength to that previously mentioned, yet are not as effective. Delphinium peregrinum after FAGUET — 1894 540 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Betonica sylvestris altera from FUCHS — 1545 541 Polygonum mas from FUCHS — 1545 542 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS I n the three books before this, best beloved Areius, I have spoken of aromatic matters, oils, ointments, trees, living creatures, cereals, vegetables, roots, juices, herbs and seeds. In this the fourth book we will discuss herbs and roots not previously mentioned. 4-1. KESTRON SUGGESTED: Betonica [Fuchs], Betonica purpurea [Bauhin], Betonica officinalis [Linnaeus], Stachys officinalis [in Sprague], Stachys betonica — Betony, Woundwort, Bishop’s Wort, Hedge Nettle, Windflower [other usage] Cestrum nocturnum — Night Jasmine C estron is a herb with a thin four-cornered stalk the height of a foot or more, the leaves long, soft, similar to the oak, jagged all around, smelling well. They are bigger towards the root, and on the top of the stalks lies the seed encased in an ear like thymbra [3-45]. They ought to dry the leaves after gathering, as there is the most use of these. The roots underneath are thin like hellebore. A drink of a decoction of these (with honey water) encourages vomit, throwing up phlegmy stuff. A decoction of a teaspoonful of the leaves is taken as a drink with honey water for convulsions, hernia, disorders of the womb, and womb constriction. Three teaspoonfuls are given with a pint of wine to those bitten by venomous creatures. The herb (applied) helps those bitten by venomous creatures, and a teaspoonful of a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) helps against deadly poisons [antidote]. If anyone drinks it (beforehand) he shall not be hurt, although he takes a deadly medicine. It is also urinary, and draws out the menstrual flow. Four teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink with ten cups of honey water) purge. It is good with honey for tuberculosis of the lungs, and for spitting up pus, but the leaves must be dried, pounded into small pieces, and stored in a ceramic jar. It is called psychotrophon because it is found in the coldest places. The Romans call it vetonica, or rosmarinus. Betony - Betonica officinalis, Stachys officinalis after FAGUET — 1888 543 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-2. BETTONIKE SUGGESTED: Betonica sylvestris una [Fuchs], Caryophyllus sylvestris vulgaris latifolius [Bauhin], Dianthus carthusianorum [Linnaeus] — Carthusian Pink Betonica coronaria, Dianthus caryophyllus, Caryophyllus domesticus — Carnation, Picotee, Clove Pink B etonica, britannica, or vettonica is an herb with leaves similar to lapathum sylvestre [2-140] but darker, with more filaments, and astringent to the taste. It sends out a stalk that is not great, and a short thin root. The leaves are juiced and thickened by stirring in the sun or over a fire. It is astringent — suitable for gangrenous ulceration in the mouth and tonsils. It is available for everything else that needs an astringent. Betony grows in meadows and hilly, clean, mild places around shrubs. It preserves both the souls and bodies of men. It is effective against night-walking, harmful places, and difficult sleep; and it is recommended for all types of cures. It has a root all red, and with a good scent. The leaves are like leek, the middle of the leaves is a reddish colour, and they are three-cornered into an upright stalk. On them are purple flowers. The strength of it is as follows. Bruised when it is new and applied to the wound of a broken head it makes it painless. It heals wounds and extracts broken bones. It does this if changed every day until it is healed. Boiled with water and applied with hot cloths, or rubbed around the temples with bitumen it heals headaches. The smoke of the root is also inhaled for them. 4-3. LUSIMACHION SUGGESTED: Lysimachia purpurea [Fuchs], Epilobium hirsutum [Linnaeus] — Apple Pie, Codlins and Cream Lysimachia lutea [Fuchs], Lysimachia vulgaris [Linnaeus] — Common Yellow Loosestrife see 4-118 L ysimachia sends out thin stalks a foot high (or even higher) at the joints of which thin leaves emerge, similar to those of the willow, astringent to the taste. The flowers are red or a golden colour. It grows in marshy places and near water. The juice of the leaves is 544 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Polygonum bistorta after FAGUET — 1892 545 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Lysimachia lutea from FUCHS — 1545 546 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK astringent, and a liquid medicine of it, enema, or suppository, is good for throwing-up blood and dysentery. In a pessary it stops women’s excessive menstrual discharges. The herb is effective stuffed in the nostrils for flows of blood. It is also a wound herb and staunches blood. The smoke (inhaled) has very sharp fumes so that it both drives away snakes, and kills flies. It is also called lytron. 4-4. POLUGONON ARREN SUGGESTED: Polygonum-mas [Fuchs], Polygonum latifolium [Bauhin], Polygonum aviculare [Linnaeus] — Knotgrass, Centinode, Knotweed, Armstrong medicinal, food T he male polygonon is a tender herb with many slender branches surrounded with joints, creeping along the earth like grass, the leaves similar to those of rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] but somewhat longer and softer. It has seed by every leaf, which is why it is called the male. The flower is white or purple. The juice (taken as a drink) is astringent and cooling. It is effective for bloodspitters, discharges from the intestines, biliousness, and slow painful urination. It also evidently causes an urge to urinate, and taken as a drink with wine it helps those bitten by venomous creatures. Taken one hour before the fit it helps the circuits of acute fevers. It stops women's excessive menstrual discharges used as a pessary, and dropped in the ears it is good for ear sores and their pus. Boiled with wine (and also adding honey) it is excellent for ulcers on the genitals. The leaves are applied for burning of the stomach, throwing-up blood, for herpes [viral skin infection], erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], inflammation, and fresh wounds. It is also called polygonaton, cynochalem, herculea, asphalton, chiliophullon, clema, polycarpon, carcinethron, peuthalida, myrtopetalon, cnopodion, zarithea, or pedalion. The Egyptians call it thephin, some, stemphin, the Magi, genitura herois, some, unguis muris, the Romans, seminalis, some, stopinaca, and the Africans, chulum. 547 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-5. POLUGONON THELU SUGGESTED: Polygonum amphibium — Amphibious Persicaria Polygonum hydropiper — Persicaria, Water Pepper T he female polygonon is a little shrub with one stalk, tender, similar to a reed, with continuous joints lying on one another like a trumpet, and all around the joints there are small leaves similar to those of the pine. The root is of no use. It grows in watery places. It is astringent and cooling, doing the same things as that above because it is not weaker. The Romans call it seminalis. 4-6. POLUGONATON SUGGESTED: Polygonatum latifolium [Fuchs], Polygonatum multiflorum [in Sprague] — Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum angustifolium [Fuchs], Convallaria verticillata [Linnaeus], Polygonatum verticillatum [in Sprague], Polygonatum officinale, Polygonatum vulgare, Polygonatum, Convallaria polygonatum, Sigillium salomonis — Solomon’s Seal, Sealwort P olygonatum grows on hills, a shrub higher than a foot, with leaves similar to laurel but broader and smoother, somewhat similar in taste to a quince or pomegranate, for it tastes astringent. At every emerging of the leaves are white flowers in a larger quantity than the leaves, the number to be reckoned from the root. It has a white root — soft, long, with many thick joints, strongly scented, the thickness of a finger — good applied on wounds, and to take away spots on the face. 4-7a. KLEMATIS SUGGESTED: Clematis daphnoides [Fuchs, Bauhin], Vinca minor [Linnaeus] — Running Myrtle, Periwinkle C lematis grows in good soil. It has small vinelike branches, as much as the thickness of juncus [4-52, 1-16], and a little leaf similar to laurel both in shape and colour, but much smaller. A decoction of the leaves and the stalks of this (taken as a drink with wine) lessen excessive discharges of the bowels and dysentery. 548 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Polygonatum vulgare after HEYNS — 1888 549 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Clematis daphnoides from FUCHS — 1545 550 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Applied in a pessary with milk and rosaceum [1-53] (or cyprinum [1-65]) it cures pains of the womb. Chewed, it eases toothache; applied, it helps those bitten by venomous creatures. It is said that a decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) helps those bitten by snakes. It grows in untilled ground. It is also called daphnoides, myrsinoides, polygonoides, or philetaerium. 4-7b. KLEMATIS ETERA SUGGESTED: Clematis cirrhosa — Evergreen Clematis Clematis angustifolia —Virgin's Bower Clematis alpina — Alpine Clematis POISONOUS T here is another clematis which sends out a vinelike branch, reddish, flexible; the leaf extremely sharp to the taste and ulcerating. It winds around trees like smilax [4-144, 4-145]. The seed of this (pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with water or honey water) drives phlegm and bile downward. The leaves (applied as a poultice) drive away leprosy. They are preserved with lepidium [2-205] to eat with meat [vegetable]. It is also called epigetis, the Egyptians call it phylacuum, and the Romans, ambuxus. 4-8. POLEMONION SUGGESTED: Polemonium caeruleum — Charity, Jacob’s Ladder, Greek Valerian P olemonia has thin little winged branches, with leaves a little bigger than rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], but longer like those of polygonum [4-4, 4-5] or calamint. On the top of them is what looks like clusters of berries, in which are black seeds. The root is a foot long, whitish, similar to struthium [2-193]. It grows in hilly, rough places.The root of this is taken as a drink in wine against venomous creatures, and with water for dysentery, painful urination, and sciatica. A teaspoonful with vinegar is given for the spleen. The root of this is carried around one to prevent scorpions striking. They say that those who have this shall not be bitten, and though they are touched 551 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS yet nothing will happen. Chewed, it eases toothaches. It is also called philetaeria, while the Cappadocians call it chiliodynamis. 4-9. SUMPHUTON PETRAION SUGGESTED: Coris monspeliensis, Symphytum petraeum — Montpellier Coris see 3-174 S ymphitum Petraeum grows on rocks. It has little branches similar to origanum, thin leaves, and little heads like thyme. The whole plant is woody and has a sweet smell, is sweet to the taste, and causes spittle. It has a long, faint purple root almost the thickness of a finger. This (boiled with honey and water and taken as a drink) gets up vile stuff from the lungs. It is given with water to those who spit up blood, and for inflammation in the kidneys. Boiled with wine it is taken (as a drink) for dysentery, and women's excessive bloody menstrual discharges. It is boiled with vinegar and honey for convulsions and hernias; and chewed it quenches thirst. Used as a poultice it is good for the roughness of a sore throat, heals new wounds, and represses vaginal hernias. It also joins together broken flesh. 4-10. SUMPHUTON ALLO SUGGESTED: Symphytum-magnum, Consolida maior [Fuchs], Symphytum consolida major [Bauhin], Symphytum officinale [Linnaeus] — Comfrey, Knitbone S ymphyton alterum sends out a stalk two feet high or more — light, thick, angular, empty, similar to that of sonchus [2-159] — around which comes (from not great distances) rough narrow leaves, somewhat long, similar to those of bugloss [4-128, 4-23 to 4-27]. The stalk has some extensions of slender leaves adhering to it, stretching along at the corners. From every wing are yellowish flowers standing up, and the seed is around the stalk like verbascum [4-104]. The whole stalk and leaves have a somewhat prickly down that causes itching if touched. The roots are underneath — to the outward appearance black, but within white and slimy — of which 552 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Polemonium caeruleum after FAGUET — 1888 553 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Comfrey or Knitbone Symphytum officinale after HEYNS — 1888 554 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK use is made. Pounded into small pieces (and taken in a drink) they are good for bloodspitters and hernias. Applied, they close up new wounds. Boiled, they join pieces of flesh together. They are smeared on for inflammations — most usefully for those in the perineum — with the leaves of senecio [4-123]. It is also called pecton, while the Romans call it solidago. 4-11. OLESTION SUGGESTED: Holosteum umbellatum — Holosteum, Chickweed, Jagged Chickweed, Umbellate Stitchwort H olostium is a little herb about three or four fingers above the ground. It has astringent leaves, and tendrils like those of coronopus [2-158] or grass; a very thin root, similar to filaments, white to see, the thickness of four fingers. It grows on hills. Boiled, this can also join pieces of flesh together, and it is given (as a drink with wine) for hernias. 4-12. STOIBE SUGGESTED: Stobaea pinnata [Loudon] — Carthmus-like Stobaea Stipa pennata, Stipa barbata — Feather Grass, Stipa Stipa tenacissima, Macrochloa tenacissima — Alfa, Esparto S toebe is well known. The seed and the leaves are astringent, so a decoction of them is given as a suppository for dysentery, and it is dropped into purulent ears. The leaves are applied to help bloodshot eyes caused by a stroke, and they stop excessive bloody discharges. It is also called tobion, while the Romans call it stupa. 4-13. KLUMENON UNKNOWN C lymenon sends out a foursquare stalk similar to that of the bean, and leaves similar to those of plantain. It has little pods on the stalk (nodding together) similar to iris and the curled tufts of the polypus. That on the hills is 555 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS the best. It is all juiced together with the root. The juice (taken as a drink) is good for throwing-up blood, for abdominal cavities, and for excessive bloody discharges. It is astringent and cooling, and it stops flows of blood that come out of the nostrils. The leaves or the pods, pounded into small pieces and applied to new wounds, bring them effectively to a scar. It is also called calycanthemom, periclymenon, helyophthes, hepatitis, smilax, anatolicon, dyticon, or merginem; the Romans call it volucrum, or volucrum maius; the Egyptians call it oxiui, clymenon, or clumenion, and they also call it agonon. 4-14. PERIKLUMENON SUGGESTED: Periclymenus, Caprifolium [Fuchs], Periclymenum, Lonicera periclymenum [Linnaeus], Mater silvana, Lonicera caprifolium — Common Honeysuckle, Woodbine, Perfoliate Honeysuckle, Caprifoly P ericlymenon is a single little shrub with small whitish leaves circling it at distances similar to cissus [2-210], and by the leaves’ emergence are seeds similar to cissus. On top is a white flower similar to the bean, a somewhat round hard seed (in a way) lying on the leaf and hard to pluck out; the root is thick and round. It grows in fields and hedges and winds itself around the neighbouring shrubs. The seed of this is gathered when it is ripe and dried in the shade. A teaspoonful (taken in a drink for forty days) reduces the spleen, dissolves weariness, and is good for difficult breathing and the hiccups. After the sixth day it makes one urinate blood. It is also birth hastening, and the leaves have the same strength. A decoction (taken as a drink for thirty seven days) is said to make men unfit for generation [birth control]. Rubbed (with oil) on those who have fever fits that recur, it drives away the shivering. It is also called aegine, clymenon, carpathum, splenium, hepatitis, helxine major, clematitis, myrsine, or calycanthemon; the Magi call it poliom veneris, the Egyptians, turcum, the Romans, volucrum majus, and the Africans, lanath. 556 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Stipa tenacissima after FAGUET — 1894 557 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Saxifragum, Empetrum from FUCHS — 1545 558 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-15a. TRIBOLOS ENUDROS SUGGESTED: Tribulus terrestris — Caltrops, Land Caltrops Trapa natans — Water Caltrops T ribulus has two types: the land kind has similar leaves to portulaca [4-168] yet they are thin. The vinelike branches are long, with stiff hard prickles on them, and scattered on the ground. It grows near rivers and in courtyards of houses. There is another kind found in the water — which is also called bucephalus, or tauroceros, or by the Romans, tribulus aquaticus — growing in rivers, with the hair standing above but hiding the prickle. The leaves are broad with a long stem, but the stalk is thick at the top rather than in the bottom. On it there are also certain hairy abnormal growths similar to ears; the fruit is hard like that of the other. They are both astringent and cooling, and are poultices for all inflammation. With honey they heal thrush [candidiasis], the tonsils, and rotten ulcers of the mouth and gums. They are juiced for eye medicines. The seed (taken in a drink when it is new) helps stones [urinary, kidney]. A teaspoonful of the land kind (taken in a drink and applied as well) recovers those bitten by vipers. It is good against poisons (taken in a drink with wine) and a decoction of it (sprinkled) kills fleas. The Thracians living by the river Strymon fatten horses with the green herb, but the seed, sweet and nourishing, they take for food, using it instead of bread. Tribulus terrestris after FAGUET — 1874 4-15b. SAXIPHRAGON SUGGESTED: Saxifraga, Ruta-muraria [Fuchs], Saxifragum, Empetrum [Brunfels], Ruta muraria [Bauhin], Asplenium Ruta-muraria [Linnaeus] — Wall Rue [other usage] Saxifraga cymbalaria — Saxifrage, Rockfoil S axifragum is a shrub (similar to epithymon)growing on rocks and in rough places. The herb (boiled with wine) is helpful in cases of slow painful urination when there is no fever, but it is given with warm water while the fever lasts. It also cures stones in the bladder and 559 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS encourages the urine. It is also called saxifrangum, empetrum, scolopendrium, or bruchum, while the Romans call it saxifraga, or sanaria. 4-16. LEIMONION SUGGESTED: Limonium, Pyrola [Fuchs], Pyrola rotundifolia major [Bauhin], Pyrola rotundifolia [Linnaeus] — Wintergreen [other usage] Statice limonium, Limonium vulgare, Statice maritima — Sea Lavender, Wild Marsh Beet Statice thouini after FAGUET — 1892 L imonium has ten or more leaves similar to beet yet thinner and smaller, and a thin upright stalk equal (as it were) to the lily, full of red seed, astringent to the taste. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of the seed (pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink with wine) is able to help dysentery and abdominal cavities, and stop women's excessive bloody menstrual discharges. It grows in fields. It is also called neuroides, potamogeton, lonchitis, or rapronium; the Mysians call it mendruta, the Syrians, meuda, also, lycosemphyllon, helleborosemata, or scyllion; the Magi call it cor lupi, the Romans, veratrum nigrum, some, tintinabulum terrae, the Gauls, iumbarum, and the Dacians, dacina. 4-17. LAGOPOUS SUGGESTED: Lagopus, Leporinus pes, Trifolium humile [Fuchs], Trifolium arvense [Linnaeus] — Field Clover, Hare’s Foot [other usage] Filago lagopus — Cotton Rose, Hare’s Foot L agopus is restrictive to the intestines if a decoction is taken as a drink with wine (but for those with a fever with water). It is also hanged about one for inflammation of the groin. It grows in the ranks of corn. It is also called cuminum leporis. 560 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Limonium from FUCHS — 1545 561 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Lycopsis from FUCHS — 1545 562 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-18. MEDION SUGGESTED: Campanula medium — Canterbury Bells, Mercury's Violet Campanula cichoracea — Headed Bell Flower Medium alpinum, Campanula laciniata — Bell Flower, Harebell M edium grows in shady rocky places. It has leaves similar to seris [2-160], a great stalk of three feet, round purple-coloured flowers, and small seed similar to cnicus [4-119, 4-190]. The root is twenty centimetres long, the thickness of a staff, bitter to the taste. Pounded into small pieces when it is dry and licked in with honey that has been boiled for several days, it stops excessive bloody discharges. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with wine) draws out the menstrual flow. It is also called medica, trifolium, clemation, osmos, trigonos, cybellium, or polyphyllon; the Romans call it trifolium odoratum, and the Egyptians, epaphou. 4-19. EPIMEDION SUGGESTED: Epimedium alpinum — Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat E pimedium has a stalk that is not great, with about ten or twelve leaves similar to cissus, (but it bears neither seed nor flowers); the roots are thin, black, stronglyscented and unsavoury to the taste. It grows in watery places. The leaves (pounded into small pieces with oil) make a poultice for the breasts so that they do not swell. The root causes barrenness. Three teaspoonfuls of the leaves pounded into small pieces, and taken as a drink in wine for three days after the menstrual flow purgation, keeps women from conception [birth control]. It is also called erineos, thrias, or polyrrhizon, while the Romans call it vindicta. 4-20. XIPHION SUGGESTED: Gladiolus illyricus — Gladiole, Sword Lily Gladiolus communis, Gladiolus byzantinus — Sword Lily X iphion is called phasganon because the shape of the leaf is similar to that of iris, yet smaller, narrower, 563 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS pointed like a little sword, and fibrous. It sends forth a stalk a foot long, on which are purple flowers distant from one another by steps, round seed, and two roots — one of them resting on the other — similar to little scallions. That which lies underneath is slender but that above, fuller. It grows (especially) in fields. The root that is on top (applied with wine and frankincense) is able to draw out prickles and splinters, and (with meal of lolium [2-116, 4-140] and honey water) to dissolve the pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins]. It is mixed with similar plasters, and used for a pessary it draws out the menstrual flow. They say that a decoction of the upper root (taken as a drink with wine) encourages sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac]; but that the lowest make them without lust [anaphrodisiac], and that the upper root is effective given to children that are broken [? foreskin or hymen] in a liquid medicine with water. It is also called machaeronion, anactorion, or arion; the Romans call it gladiolus, and some, genitalis. 4-21. SPARGANION SUGGESTED: Sparganium simplex — Reed Grass, Bur Reed Sparganium erectum, Sparganium ramosum — Branched Bur Reed Sparganium ramosum (female inflorescence) after FAGUET — 1894 S parganium has leaves similar to a little sword but narrower and bending downward more, and on the top of the stalk are little balls in which is the seed. The root and seed are given with wine to those bitten by venomous creatures. It is also called xiphidion, or bolon. 4-22. XURIS SUGGESTED: Xyris indica, Xyris congensis, Xyris capensis — Xyris X yris has leaves similar to iris but broader and sharp at the top, with a stalk breaking out of the middle of the leaves — thick enough, one-foot long — on which are triangular pods. On them is a purple flower, and in the middle it is a Phoenician colour [red]. The seed (in little cases) is similar to beans — round, red and sharp. The long red root has many joints, and is good for wounds in 564 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Campanula media after FAGUET — 1888 565 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Gladiolus communis from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 566 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK the head and fractures; and mixed with one third part flour of brass [zinc oxide], a fifth part of the root of centaury and sufficient honey, it extracts prickles and all sorts of weapons without pain. Applied with vinegar it cures oedema and inflammation. The root (bruised with passum [raisin wine]) is taken as a drink for convulsion, hernia, sciatica, slow painful urination, and intestinal discharges. Thirty grains of a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink in wine) is most uretical. If a decoction is taken as a drink with vinegar, it also reduces the spleen. It is also called iris agria, or cactos, the Romans call it gladiolus, some call it iris agrestis, while the Dacians call it aprus. 4-23. ANCHOUSA SUGGESTED: Anchusa aggregata — Cluster-flowered Bugloss Anchusa azurea, Anchusa italica, Anchusa paniculata, Buglossum officinale — Italian Alkanet, Sea Bugloss Alkanna tinctoria, Anchusa tinctoria, Lithospermum tinctorium — Alkanet, Dyer’s Bugloss or Spanish Bugloss see 4-24, 4-119, 4-128 Alkanet [Bugloss] Anchusa italica after FAGUET — 1888 A nchusa has many prickly leaves (similar to the sharpleaved lettuce) — rough, sharp and black — on every side of the root joining to the earth. The root is the thickness of a finger, and the colour almost of blood. In the summer it becomes astringent, dyeing the hands. It grows in good grounds. The root has an astringent nature: good (boiled in wax and oil) for burns and old ulcers. Applied with polenta it cures erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], vitiligines [form of leprosy]; and smeared on with vinegar it cures leprosy. Given as a pessary it is an abortifacient. A decoction of it is given for jaundice and inflamed kidneys, and it is given to the splenetic (if they have a fever) with honey and water. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink with wine) stops discharges of the bowels. The ointment makers use the root for thickening ointments. It is also called calyx, onoclea, catanchusa, lybica, archibellion, onophyllon, porphyris, mydusa, salyx, or nonea, while the Africans call it buinesath. 567 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-24. ANCHOUSA ETERA SUGGESTED: see 4-23, 4-128 A nchusa altera differs from the above in having smaller leaves yet equally sharp. There are thin little branches, with flowers of a purple colour drawing towards a Phoenician [red]. The roots are red and very long. Around harvest time they have something similar to blood in them. It grows in sandy places. The root and leaves are able to help those bitten by venomous creatures — especially the viper-bitten — eaten, taken as a drink, or hanged about one. Chewed and spat out into the mouth of a venomous beast, it will kill him. It is also called alcibiadian, or onocheiles. 4-25. ANCHOUSA ETERA SUGGESTED: see 4-128 T here is also another similar to the above, but with a smaller seed of a Phoenician [red] colour. Chewed and spat out into the mouth of a snake, it will kill him. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of a decoction the root (taken as a drink with hyssop [3-30] and nasturtium [2-185]) draws out broadworms. 4-26. LUKOPSIS SUGGESTED: Lycopsis arvensis, Anchusa arvensis — Field Bugloss see 4-27 L ycopsis has leaves similar to lettuce — but longer, thicker, sharp and broader — lying down around the head of the root. It sends out a long, straight, rough stalk with many prickly shoots a foot long, and on them little flowers, almost a purple. The root is red and astringent. It grows in level fields. The root (applied with oil) heals wounds, and with polenta it heals erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. Pounded into small pieces and rubbed on with oil it reduces sweating. This is also called anchusa. 568 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Echium after FUCHS — 1545 569 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Erinus alpinus after FAGUET — 1888 570 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-27. ECHION SUGGESTED: Echion, Buglossum sylvestre, Echium germanicum spinosum [Fuchs], Buglossum sylvestre minus [Bauhin], Lycopsis arvensis [Linnaeus] — Anchusa, Bugloss [other usage] Echium plantagineum — Purple Viper's Bugloss E chion has long, sharp, somewhat thin leaves similar to those of anchusa [4-23 to 4-26], but smaller and fat, with thin little prickles lying on them, similar to those which make leaves rough. There are many thin little stalks, and on either side thin little black leaves spread abroad (similar to wings), smaller as they grow nearer to the top of the stalk. The flowers by the leaves are a purple colour, in which is the seed, similar to the head of a viper. The root is thinner than a finger, somewhat black, a decoction of which (taken as a drink with wine) not only helps those already bitten by snakes, but also makes those who drink it beforehand unbitten. Both the leaves and the seed are of similar use. Taken with wine or some other sipping it lessens the pain of the loins [digestive or procreative]. It is also called aridan, or alcibiadion, while the Romans call it alcibiacum [halicacabum — a bad poison]. 4-28. OKIMOEIDES SUGGESTED: Ocimastrum, Acinos, Ocimum sylvestre [Fuchs], Clinopodium arvense Ocimi facie [Bauhin], Thymos acinos [Linnaeus], Satureja acinos [in Sprague], Ocimum pilosum, Acinos vulgaris — Acinos see 3-50, 3-109, 4-28, 4-176 O cimoides has leaves similar to basil, and rough branches twenty centimetres long, with pods similar to hyoscyamus [4-69] full of black seed similar to melanthium [3-93]. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink in wine) is able to cure the viper-bitten and the bites of other snakes. It is also given with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and pepper for sciatica. The root that lies underneath is thin and useless. It is also called philetaerium, echion, scorpiuron, sparganon, althaea, 571 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS amaranthis, probataea, elaphion, antimimon, porphyris, augion, nemesion, hyaenopsolon, thersites, thermutis, or misopathos, while the Romans call it ocimastrum. 4-29. ERINOS SUGGESTED: Erinus hispanicus, Erinus alpinus [Bedevian] — Erinus, Liver Balsam E rinus grows by rivers and fountains and has leaves similar to those of basil yet smaller and jagged at the upper parts; with five or six little branches twenty centimeters long, white flowers, and a little black seed with an unpleasant taste. The stalk is full of liquid and so are the leaves. Two teaspoonfuls of the seed (mixed with four of honey and smeared on) stop discharges of the eyes; and the juice soothes earache (dropped in the ears with sulphur that never felt the fire and saltpetre [potassium nitrate]). It is also called ocimoides, or hydrero, while the Romans call it basil. 4-30. AGROSTIS SUGGESTED: Gramen [Fuchs], Stellaria holostea [Linnaeus], Caryophyllus arvensis glaber flore majore [Bauhin], — Greater Stitchwort [Mabberley] [other usage] Agrostis alba, Agrostis palustris — White Bent Grass, Fiorin Grass Agrostis interrupta after FAGUET — 1894 572 A grostis has little branches full of joints creeping on the earth and growing out from the stalks; sweet, knotty roots, the sharp leaves hard and broad like a little reed, nourishing for cows and labouring cattle. The root of this (pounded into small pieces) is applied to heal wounds. A decoction of it (taken as a drink) is good for griping, painful urination, and ulcers around the bladder, and it breaks urinary stones. It is also called aegicon, or amaxitist; the Egyptians say anuphi, the Romans, gramen, some say assefolium, sanguinalis, or uniola, the Spaniards, aparia, the Dacians, cotiata, and the Africans, jebal. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Graminus genus after FUCHS — 1545 573 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Stachys after FUCHS — 1545 574 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-31. KALAMAGROSTIS SUGGESTED: Calamagrostis arenaria — Sea Sand Reed Phragmites australis, Phragmites communis — Common Reed R eed grass is bigger in every respect than gramen, but eaten, it is a killer of labouring beasts (especially that which grows in Babylon by the wayside). 4-32. AGROSTIS EN PARNASSO SUGGESTED: Parnassia palustris — Grass of Parnassus T he grass that grows on Parnassus is more full of stems. It bears leaves similar to cissus [2-210], a white flower, and has a sweet scent, a small seed, and five or six effective roots of a finger's thickness — white, soft, strong. The juice of this (boiled with wine, as much honey, an half part of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], pepper, and a third part of frankincense) is an excellent medicine for the eyes. It is stored in a brass box. A decoction of the roots is good for the same disorders. The seed is strongly diuretic, and stops vomits and flowing bowels. That which grows in Cilicia (which the inhabitants call cinna) inflames rude beasts if often fed on when it is moist. 4-33. SIDERITIS SUGGESTED: Sideritis-prima [Fuchs], Sideritis vulgaris hirsuta erecta [Bauhin], Betonica annua var hirsuta, Stachys recta [Linnaeus], Stachys procumbens, Stachys sideritis — Mountain Woundwort S ideritis is a herb with leaves similar to marrubium [3-38] but longer, similar to those of sage or oak, yet smaller and sharp. It sends out foursquare stalks twenty centimetres long or rather more — not unpleasant to the taste, and somewhat gently astringent — on which are round whorls at distances apart (similar to marrubium), and in them is black seed. It grows in places under rocks. The leaves (applied) are able to close open cuts and sore wounds, and reduce inflammation. It is also called Heraclea, the Magi call it genitura, some say the blood of Titan, or the tail of a scorpion; Pythagoras says parmiron, 575 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Acreas, xanthophanes; Osthenes says buphthalmum, the Egyptians, sendionor, the Romans, vertumnus, some, solaster, and the Africans, asterchillos. 4-34. SIDERITIS ETERA SUGGESTED: Stachys arvensis [Mabberley] — Stagger-weed T he other sideritis has slender branches of two feet, and leaves on long stems (similar to those of fern) with many in-cuts towards the top on either side, and from the upper wings long thin shoots with a rough head on the top, round like a sphere, in which is the seed — similar to beet but rounder and harder. This (with the leaves) is good for wounds. 4-35. SIDERITIS TRITE SUGGESTED: Stachys sylvatica — Hedge Woundwort T here is said to be yet another sideritis (which Crateuas calls heraclea) growing in walls and vineyards, with many leaves from one root, similar to coriander, smooth tender little stalks about twenty centimetres long, somewhat white and ruddy; the little flowers of a Phoenician [red] colour, bitter to the taste, clammy — and the strength of this (applied) is that it congeals bleeding and new wounds. 4-36. ACHILLEIOS SUGGESTED: Achillea ageratum — Milfoil, Sweet Maudlin Achillea atrata — Black Milfoil Achillea fragrantissima, Santolina fragrantissima — Lavender Cotton A chillea is also called achillea sideritis. It bears small rods a hand’s width long (or rather more) in the shape of spindles, and about them thin little leaves having frequent in-cuts across like coriander — somewhat red, clammy, smelling considerably, not unpleasant but having a medicinal smell. There is a round tuft on the top; the flowers white, resembling gold. It grows in fertile places. The fibres of this (pounded) 576 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Rubus after FUCHS — 1545 577 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Helxine cissampelos after FUCHS — 1545 578 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK congeals bloody wounds, reduces inflammation, and stops bleeding, as also of that of the womb (in a pessary); and a decoction of this is a douche for the excessive menstrual flows of women. It is also drunk for dysentery. Some call it myriomorphon, chiliophyllon, stratioticon, or Heracleon, the Romans, supercilium veneris; some call it acorus sylvaticus, militaris, or millefolium, and the Africans call it asterchillos. 4-37. BATOS SUGGESTED: Rubus [Fuchs], Rubus vulgaris, Rubus fructu nigro [Bauhin], Rubus fructiosus [Linnaeus], Rubus plicatus — Blackberry, Common Bramble B atus (with which we are familiar) binds and dries, and it dyes the hair. A decoction of the tops of it (as a drink) stops the flows of the intestines, restrains the excessive menstrual flows of women, and is convenient for the bites of the prester [mythological snake]. The leaves are chewed to strengthen the gums and heal apthae [aptylia — absence of saliva]. The leaves (applied) restrain herpes [viral skin infection], heal running ulcers on the head, drooping eyes, venereal warts, and haemorrhoids. Pounded into small pieces and applied, they are available for gastritis and heart conditions. The juice from the bruised stalks and leaves stirred in the sun does better for all the purposes previously mentioned. The juice of the thoroughly ripe fruit is good put into oral medicines. Eaten when it is half-ripe, it also stops discharges of the intestines. The flowers of it (as a drink with wine) also stop the bowels. It is also called cynosbatos, selinorition, or asyntrophon. The Magi say sanguis Titani, some, sanguis ibis, the Romans, sentis, some, rubus, or mora vaticana, the Dacians, mantia, the Egyptians, haemceos, and some, ametros. 4-38. BATOS IDAIA SUGGESTED: Rubus idaeus — Red I Raspberry t is called rubus idaeus because it grows abundantly in Ida — but it is much more tender than that above, with little prickles, and it is also found without prickles. It does Rubus idaeus after FAGUET — 1888 579 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS the same things as that mentioned above, and furthermore the flower (pounded into small pieces with honey and rubbed on) helps eye inflammation, and extinguishes erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. It is given in a drink with water for gastritis. 4-39. ELXINE KUSSAMPELOS SUGGESTED: Helxine-cissampelos, Convolvulus, Volubilis media [Fuchs], Convolvulus minor arvensis [Bauhin], Convolvulus arvensis [Linnaeus] — Common Bindweed H elxine has leaves similar to cissus but smaller, with long little branches clasping around wherever it occurs. It grows in hedges, vineyards and corn. The juice of the leaves (taken as a drink) has a laxative effect on the bowels. It is also called elitis, canochersaea, amelxine, eusine, amorgine, sucotachos, psychuacos, melampelon, cissampelon, cissamethon, or analetamenon, the Romans call it volutum laparou, and the Egyptians, hapap. 4-40. ELATINE SUGGESTED: Antirrhinum elatine, Linaria elatine, Cymbalaria elatine — Elatine, Cancerwort, Pointed-leaved Toadflax Elatine hydropiper — Water Pepper, Waterwort, Pipewort E Elatine paludosa after FAGUET — 1888 580 latine has leaves similar to helxine [above] but smaller, rounder, and hairy. The five or six branches are thin, twenty centimetres long from the root, full of leaves that are sharp to the taste. It grows among corn and in tilled places. The leaves (applied with polenta) are able to help inflamed rheumatic eyes. Boiled and sipped it stops dysentery. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Parnassia palustris after FAGUET — 1894 581 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Quinquefolium after FUCHS — 1545 582 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-41. EUPATORION SUGGESTED: Eupatorium, Agrimonia [Fuchs], Eupatorium veterum [Bauhin], Agrimonia eupatoria [Linnaeus] — Agrimony, Cocklebur, Liverwort, Sticklewort [other usage] Eupatorium syriacum — Syrian Eupatorium Eupatorium cannabinum — Hemp Agrimony E upatorium is an herb like a shrub placing out one stem — thin, woody, straight, black and rough — half a metre long or rather more, and the leaves jagged (at distances) most commonly into five parts (or rather more, similar to those of quinquefolium or even cannabis), and those inclining to black, cut-in on the edges like a saw. The seed grows all around from the middle of the stalk, somewhat rough, bending downward so that dried it sticks to clothes. The leaves of this (pounded fine and applied with old swines’ grease) heal difficult scars on ulcers. The seed and herb (taken as a drink with wine) help dysentery and serpent bites. Some were deceived and called this artemisia, for it is diverse (as we have shown). It is also called hepatorium, or hepatitis, while the Romans call it volucrum maius. Agrimonia eupatoria after FAGUET — 1888 4-42. PENTAPHULLON SUGGESTED: Quinquefolium maius candidum [Fuchs], Quinquefolium album majus alterum [Bauhin], Potentilla alba [Linnaeus] — Tormentil [Mabberley] Potentilla congesta [other usage] Pentafillo [Italian], Potentilla pimpinelloides, Potentilla opaca, Potentilla hirta — Five Fingers Grass, Five Leaf, Cinquefoil after FAGUET — 1888 P entaphyllum has thin branches like festuca [fescue grass] twenty centimetres long, on which is the seed. It has leaves similar to mint, five on every stem but rarely anywhere more, cut-in all around like a saw. The flower is pale, white, or yellowish like gold. It grows in moist places and by rivers; and it has a somewhat long reddish root (thicker than black hellebore) that is of considerable use. A decoction of the root reduced one third by simmering (held in the mouth) is able to relieve toothache. Used as a mouthwash it stops rotten ulcers in the mouth; gargled, it relieves roughness of the throat; 583 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS and taken as a drink it helps flowing bowels, dysentery, arthritis, and sciatica. Pounded finely, boiled in vinegar and applied, it restrains herpes [viral skin disease], and dissolves swellings, goitres, hardened places, oedema, aneurisms, suppurations, erysipela [skin inflammation], and conjunctivitis, and it heals skin lesions and psoriasis. The juice from the tender root is good for disorders in the liver and the lungs, and for deadly poisons. The leaves are taken in a drink with honey water or diluted wine and a little pepper for recurrent fevers; the leaves of four little branches for a paroxysm every fourth day, three for a paroxysm every third day, and one for a paroxysm every day. They help epilepsy (taken as a drink for thirty days), and three glasses of the juice of the leaves (taken as a drink for some days) soon cures jaundice. Applied with salt and honey they heal wounds and fistulas. Taken as a drink (or else applied) it helps those who are broken [foreskin or hymen], and stops flows of blood. It is cut for washing, discharges of blood, and purification. (If anyone carries pentadactylon [cinquefoil] around his body he remains without suffering. It helps the eyes, tumours [possibly goitre], hardened tonsils, the uvula, sores under the tongue, the joints, disorders of the nerves, the teeth, and scabies [itchy parasitical disease] caused by a pernicious famine, as well as drawing down the afterbirth. A decoction (poured on the hands) is excellent against fears and enchantments, therefore gather the herb when the moon increases at the time of the sun arising.) It is also called pentapetes, pentatomon, pentadactylon, pseudoselinon, callipetalon, xyloloton, xylopetalon, asphalton, pentacoenon, or thymiatitis; the Egyptians call it orphitebeoce, some, enotron, the Magi, unguis ibis, some, ala ibis, or hermodactylon, the Romans, quinquefolium, the Gauls pempedula, and the Dacians, propedula. 4-43. PHOINIX SUGGESTED: Hordeum P murinum — Wall Barley hoenix has leaves similar to barley only shorter and narrower, with an ear [of seed] similar to lolium [2-116, 4-140]; branches around the root six fingers in length, and the ears seven or eight. It grows in fields and 584 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Equisetum after FUCHS — 1545 585 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Equisetum arvense after FAGUET — 1891 586 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK on newly-mortared roofs. A decoction (taken as a drink in hard wine) it is able to stop discharges of the intestines, the excessive discharges of blood from the womb, and excessive urine. Some say that it is a blood-stauncher, bound in red wool and hanged about one. It is also called rhus, anchinops, phoenicopteron, rhus stachyos, or ostheles. The Romans say palolucupinum, the Egyptians, athnon. 4-44. IDAIA RHIZA UNKNOWN — this means root from Ida I daea radix has similar leaves to oxymyrsine near which there grows out (as it were) little tendrils and flowers. The root of this is especially astringent serving as such for those for whom there is need. It is taken in a drink for discharges of the intestines and women's excessive menstrual discharges. It stops all discharges of blood. 4-45. RHODIA RADIX SUGGESTED: Rhodia-radix [Fuchs], Radix rhodia [Bauhin], Rhodiola rosea [Linnaeus], Sedum rhodiola [in Sprague], Sedum roseum — Roseroot, Rosy-flowered Stonecrop R hodia radix grows in Macedonia, similar to costus [1-15] but lighter and uneven, making a scent when bruised similar to that of roses. It is useful for those aggrieved with headaches, bruised and applied with a little rosaceum [1-53] and applied moist to the forehead and temples. It is also called rhodida. 4-46. IPPOURIS SUGGESTED: Equisetum minus, Equisetum brevius [Fuchs], Hippuris, Equisetum arvense [Linnaeus], Cauda equina — False Horsetail, Horsepipe, Bottlebrush, Meadow Horsetail [other usage] Hippuris vulgaris — Mare’s Tail, Bottlebrush, Witches’ Milk H ippuris grows in moist places and ditches. It has empty little reddish stalks distinguished by joints growing one into another, and around them many thin 587 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS rushy leaves. It grows to a height climbing on the trunks of trees standing nearby, and hangs on them. It is surrounded with many black filaments similar to the tail of a horse. The root is woody and hard, and the herb is astringent. The juice of it stops discharges of blood from the nostrils. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) helps dysentery and induces urine. Pounded into small pieces (and sprinkled on) it closes bleeding wounds. Both the root and herb help coughs and asthma. It is said also that a decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink in water) joins openings of the intestines, and any cutting-apart of the bladder, and hernia. It is also called trimachion, anabasis, cheredranon, phaedra, itiandendron, gis, or schoniostrophon, while the Egyptians say pherphram, the Magi, cibus Saturni, the Romans, equinalis, and some, salix equinalis, anabasion, or ephudron. 4-47. IPPOURIS ETERA SUGGESTED: Equisetum sylvaticum after FAGUET — 1891 Equisetum longius, Hippuris, Polygonum foemina [Fuchs], Equisetum palustre [Linnaeus] — Meadow Horsetail [other usage] Equisetum hyemale, Equisetum scirpoides — Common Scouring Bush H ippuris alterum has a stalk that is straight, even higher than a foot (as it were) empty, with shorter, whiter, softer filaments at distances. Mixed with vinegar it heals wounds, having the same strength as that above. It is also called equitium, chedra, or gyon, while the Romans say salix equinalis. 4-48. KOKKOS BAPHIKE SUGGESTED: Cocculus officinale, Cocculus plukenetii [Loudon] — Cocculus — twining shrub Anamirta cocculus, Anamirta paniculata — Cocculus Indicus Plant Quercus coccifera — Kermes Oak — little coccus insect is found on it Coccus means berries as well as being the name of the dyer’s insect. C occum tinctile is a little shrub full of sprigs, to which cling grains like lentils which are taken out and stored. The best is from Galatia and Armenia, then that from Asia and that from Cilicia, and last of all that from 588 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Agrimonia eupatoria after FAGUET — 1888 589 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Anamirta cocculus after FAGUET — 1887 590 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Spain. Pounded into small pieces and applied with vinegar it is astringent, and good for wounds and lost strength. That in Cilicia grows on oaks [with grains] similar in shape to a little snail, which the women there gather by mouth, and call them coccum. 4-49. TRAGION SUGGESTED: Chenopodium vulvaria, Tragium germanicum — Stinking Motherwort T ragium grows only in Crete. It has leaves, stems and seed similar to lentiscus [1-90] but all smaller. It has a liquid similar to gum. The leaves, seed and fluid (applied with wine) draw out arrowheads, splinters, and all things fastened within. A decoction (taken as a drink) cures slow painful urination, breaks stones in the bladder, and induces the menstrual flow. A teaspoonful is taken. They say that wild goats that have been shot feed on this herb and put out the arrows. 4-50. TRAGION ALLO SUGGESTED: Herba à cent goûts [French], Artemisia vulgaris — Motherwort, Mugwort T ragium alterum has leaves similar to scolopendrium [3-121], and a thin white root similar to wild raphanus, which is eaten (raw or boiled) to help dysentery. In the autumn the leaves put out the scent of a goat. As a result it is called tragium. It grows in steep hilly places. It is also called tragos, tragoceros, scorpion, or garganon, while the Romans say cornulaca, some, bituensa, the Dacians, salia, the Egyptians, sober, and the Africans, achiosm. 4-51. TRAGOS SUGGESTED: Tragus berteronianus — Carrot Seed Grass see 2-115 T ragus grows particularly near the sea. It is a little shrub, on the ground, somewhat long, not large, about twenty centimetres tall or more. It has no leaves, 591 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS but on the branches there hang (as it were) many little red kernels about the size of wheat, sharp on the top, especially astringent to the taste. Ten kernels of the seed of this (taken as a drink with wine) help the abdomen and women having their discharges [menstrual flow]. Some also beat it and make it into tablets for storage to use later. It is also called scorpion, or traganos. 4-52. SCHOINOS SUGGESTED: Schoenus incanus — Bog Rush Schoenus ferrugineous — Rusty Bog Rush Shoenus mucronatus — Clustered Bog Rush Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus — Rushes, Sweet Rushes Juncus arabicus — Rush, Sea Rush Juncus acutus — Sharp Rush, Dutch Rush see 1-16 T wo types of shoenus are found, the one of which is called the smooth juncus, the other the sharp juncus, pointed on the top, and of this again there are two types for one is barren, and the other has a round, black seed — but the reeds of this are thicker and more fleshy. There is a third type — much more fleshy and rougher than the first two — which is called holoschoenos, and this also has seed on the top similar to that before it. The seed of any of them (dried and taken in a drink with diluted wine) stops discharges of the intestines, and excessive bloody discharges, and induces urine. It is also good for headaches, and the tender leaves near the root (applied) are good for harvest spider bites. The Ethiopian juncus has seed that will cause sleep. We must beware of too much of it in liquid medicines for it encourages sleep excessively. It is also called juncus laevis, oxypternos, or supercilium solis, while the Romans say juncus marinus, some, juncus manualis, and the Africans, chudua. 592 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sedum acre after FAGUET — 1874 593 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Chrysanthemum simplex after FUCHS — 1545 594 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-53. LEICHEN SUGGESTED: Lichen, Hepatica [Fuchs], Lichen petraeus latifolius, Hepatica fontana [Bauhin], Marchantia polymorpha [Linnaeus] [other usage] Lecanora esculenta — Manna Lichen Alectoria jubata — Rock Hair Moss, Horse-hair Lichen Parmelia saxatilis — Lichen L ichen grows on rocks and is also called bryon. It is a moss sticking to moist rocks. This is applied to stop discharges of blood, lessen inflammation, and heal lichen [papular skin disease], and applied with honey it helps jaundice. It also helps the fluids of the mouth and tongue [saliva]. 4-54. PARONUCHIA SUGGESTED: Paronychia serpyllifolia — Thyme-leaved Nailwort Paronychia serpyllifola P aronychia grows among rocks. It is a small shrub similar to peplus — less in length but larger in the leaves. It is applied (bruised) to all, to heal whitlows and favus [contagious honeycombed skin disease]. It is also called adocetos, neuras, or phrynion, while the Romans call it unguinalis. after FAGUET — 1888 4-55. CHRUSOKOME SUGGESTED: Chrysocoma [Bedevian] — Goldylocks ALSO: Chrysocoma linosyris, Chrysocoma villosa C hrysocome is a small shrub twenty centimetres long with filaments like corymbi [flattened inflorescences] resembling hyssop [3-30]; a slender thick root like black hellebore — not unpleasant to the taste, equal to cyprus [1-124], somewhat sour in its sweetness. It grows in shady, rocky places. The root is warming and binding — of suitable use for the liver and pneumonia. It is taken (boiled with honey water) for cleansing the womb. It is also called chysitis, chrysanthemon, amarantum, or the beard of Jupiter, while the Romans say Iovis barba, the Africans, dubath, and some, burchumath. 595 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-56. CHRUSOGONON SUGGESTED: Bongardia chrysogonum — Golden Rod C hrysogonum has leaves similar to the oak, but the shrub is thick, and has flowers similar to verbascum coronarium [4-104]; a root similar to rape [coleseed], strongly red within but with the exterior black. Pounded finely with vinegar and applied, it helps the bites of the shrewmouse. 4-57. ELICHRUSON SUGGESTED: Amarantus luteus, Stichas citrina, Helichryson [Fuchs], Gnaphalium arenarium [Linnaeus], Helichrysum arenarium [in Sprague], Helichrysum chinophylum, Helichrysum arenarium — Helichrysum, Cudweed, Eternal Flower, Golden Sunflower H elichrysum (with which they crown their statues) has a little stem — white, green, straight and strong — and narrow leaves (similar to those of abrotanum) set apart at distances, the filaments circular, shining like gold; a round tuft, (as it were) dry bunches of berries, and a thin root. It grows in rough places near running water. A decoction of the filaments (taken as a drink with wine) helps painful urination, the bites of snakes, sciatica, and hernia. A decoction (taken as a drink with must [pulp from grapes]) induces the menstrual flow, and dissolves clots of blood in the bladder or bowels. Thirty grains in a dilution of white wine (given to one fasting) stops dripping fluids. It is stored together with clothes, protecting them from moths. It is also called chrysanthemon, while some call it amarantum. 596 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Papaver erraticum alterum after FUCHS — 1545 597 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Papaver erraticum primum after FUCHS — 1545 598 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-58. CHRUSANTHEMON SUGGESTED: Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum simplex [Fuchs], Ranunculus pratensis erectus dulcis [Bauhin], Ranunculus repens [Linnaeus] — Creeping Buttercup [Mabberley] [other usage] Chrysanthemum segetum — Corn Marigold, Corn Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum coronarium — Garden Chrysanthemum, Crown Marigold, Crown Daisy C hrysanthemon is a tender shrubby herb, bringing out smooth stalks, very jagged leaves all around, and yellowish flowers strongly shining with an eye (which is why it is called this). It grows in towns, and the stalks are eaten as vegetables. The flowers (pounded into small pieces with wax ointment) are said to dissolve steatomata [encysted fatty tumour]. It gives the jaundiced a good colour in good time given to drink after they have spent a long time in the baths. (Chrysanthemon you take out of the earth before the rising of the sun. They are astringent to the body, and are hung around the neck, being good for averting women witches and all enchantments.) It is also called bupthalmum, calchas, chalcitis, chalcanthum, or chalcanthemon, the Romans say acantha, the Thuscans, garuleum, and the Africans, churzeta. 4-59. AGERATON SUGGESTED: Achillea ageratum — Sweet Maudlin, Milfoil Ageratum conyzoides — Floss Flowers, Goat Weed, Bastard Agrimony, Celestine A geratum is a low shrub twenty centimetres long, full of single sprigs, similar (especially) to origanum; with a tuft on which is a flower (like a protuberance) of a golden colour, smaller than helichrysum. It is called ageratum because the flower remains for a long time, keeping its colour. A decoction of it is burning [to take or use]. Smoke from the herb itself is inhaled to induce the movement of urine, and to soften hardness around the womb. 599 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-60. PERISTEREON ORTHOS SUGGESTED: Peristereon, Vervain [Pliny], Verbenaca recta, Verbena recta [Fuchs], Sinapis alterum genus sylvestre, Erysimum vulgare [Bauhin], Erysimum officinale [Linnaeus], Sisymbrium officinale [in Sprague] — Hedge Mustard [Mabberley] [other usage] Verbena triphylla, Aloysia citriodora, Lippia citrata, Lippia citriodora — Lemon Verbena, Herb Louisa P eristereon orthos grows in watery places. It seems to be named this because doves gladly stop around it. It is a n herb with a height of twenty centimetres (or rather more) the whitish leaves cut-in, growing out of the stalk. It is found for the most part with only one shoot and one root. It seems that the leaves (applied as a pessary with rosaceum [1-53] or new swines’ grease) cause womb pains to stop. Applied with vinegar it represses erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and rotten ulcers, and joins new wounds, and with honey it heals old ones with a new skin. The upright peristereon extends the pudendum [genitals], but that which bends is drying. The upright (tied to one) is good for pains of the eyes, dimness of sight, and headache, and it eases weariness. Bruised with vinegar it immediately dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling], goitres, and hardened tonsils. When anyone shivers with a fever let someone with branches from this stand before him and immediately he is cured. It is also called trygonium, bunion, sacra herba, or philtrodotes; the Egyptians say pempsempte, the Magi, Iunonis lachryma, some say the blood of the weasel, the Romans, crista gallinacea, and some, ferrea, trixalis, exupera, or herba sanguinalis. 4-61. PERISTEREON UPTIOS, IEROBOTANE SUGGESTED: Peristereon, Verbenaca, Vervain [Pliny], Verbena supina, Verbenaca supina [Fuchs], Verbena communis caerulo flore [Bauhin], Verbena officinalis [Linnaeus] — Vervain, Pigeon’s Grass, Holy Herb H ierabotane sends out angular stems of a foot (or rather more) around which are the leaves at distances — similar to the oak, yet narrower, smaller and 600 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Papaver sativum after FUCHS — 1545 601 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Papaver somniferum after FAGUET — 1874 602 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK cut-in all around, drawing to an azure [blue]. The root is somewhat long and thin; the flowers purple and thin. The leaves and root (given to drink with wine or smeared on) are useful against snakes. A teaspoonful of a decoction of the leaves with thirty grains of frankincense in one half-pint of old wine is taken as a drink for jaundice by one fasting for forty days. The leaves (applied) lessen inflammation and long-lasting oedema, and clean foul ulcers. The whole herb (boiled with wine) breaks crusts all around in the tonsils. Gargled, it stops erosive ulcers in the mouth. An infusion of it sprinkled in feasts is said to make the guests merrier [relaxant]. The third joint from the earth (with all the leaves) is given to drink to those who have a paroxysm every third day. The fourth joint is given to those who have a paroxysm every fourth day. They call it sacra herba because it suitable for use as amulets in purification. It is also called peristereon [huption], erigenion, chamaelycon, sideritis, curitis, phersephonion, Iovis colum, dichromon, callesis, hipparison, or demetrias; the Egyptians say pemphthephtha; Pythagoras calls it erysisceptron, and the Romans, cincinnalis. 4-62. ASTRAGALOS SUGGESTED: Astragalus gummifera — Astragal, Milk Vetch Astragalus glycyphyllos — Milk Vetch, Liquorice Vetch see 1-113 A stragalus is a small little shrub on the ground, similar to chickpea in the leaves and sprigs. The little leaves are purple, and the root lies underneath — round, of a good amount, similar to the radish, with strong, black, hard growths folded one within another like horns — pleasantly astringent to the taste. It grows in windy, shady and snowy places, and in great abundance in Memphis, Arcadia. A decoction of the root (taken as a drink in wine) stops flowing bowels and induces urine. It is good (similarly) dried into powder and sprinkled on old ulcers, and it staunches blood. It is pounded with difficulty because of the solidity of it. It is also called chamaesyce, onyx, or gatales, the Romans say pinus trivius, as well as ficus terrae, and some call it glacula, scene talum, or nonaria. 603 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-63. UAKINTHOS SUGGESTED: Hyacinthus caeruleus maximus [Fuchs], Hyacinthus comosus major purpureus [Bauhin], Hyacinthus comosus [Linnaeus], Muscari comosum [in Sprague] — Tassel Hyacinth Hyacinthus caeruleus maior [Fuchs], Hyacinthus racemosus caeruleus monor latifolius [Bauhin], Hyacinthus botyroides [Linnaeus], Muscari botyroides — Grape Hyacinth ALSO: Scilla bifolia [Linnaeus] — Squill H yacinthus has leaves similar to a bulbus [2-200]; a smooth green stalk twenty centimetres long, thinner than a little finger; a curled calyx lying on it full of flowers of a purple colour, and the root similar to bulbus. Smeared with white wine on boys this is thought to keep them hairless; it also is therapeutic for the bowels. A decoction (taken as a drink) induces urine, and helps those bitten by harvest spiders. The seed is more astringent and is put in treacles. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) cleanses jaundice. It is also called helonias, or porphyranthes; the Romans call it vaccinium, and some, ulcinum. 4-64. MEKON ROIAS SUGGESTED: Papaver-erraticum primum [Fuchs], Papaver rhoeas [Linnaeus] — Field Poppy, Corn Rose, Corn Poppy P Papaver rhoeas after FAGUET — 1874 604 apaver erraticum is called this because it quickly casts away its flower; it grows in fields in the spring, at which time it is also gathered. The leaves are similar to origanum, eruca [2-170], chicory, or thyme — jagged but longer and rough. It has a downy stalk — straight, rough, a foot in height. The flower is purple and sometimes white, similar to that of the wild anemone; the head is somewhat long, yet somewhat smaller than that of anemone; the seed is red. The root is somewhat long, whitish, the thickness of a little finger, and bitter. Having boiled five or six little heads of this (with three cups of wine to reduce it to two), give it to drink to those whom you would make sleep. A decoction of much as an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of the seed (taken as a drink THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Hyacinthus after FUCHS — 1545 605 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Hyoscyamus niger after FAGUET — 1892 606 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK with honey and water) softens the bowels gently. It is also mixed with honeyed confections and cakes for the same purpose. The leaves (applied together with the heads) heal inflammation. A decoction of them applied with hot cloths (or sprinkled on) is sleep inducing. It is also called oxytonum; the Romans call it papaveralis, and the Egyptians, nanti. 4-65. MEKON AGRIOS, MEKON EMEROS SUGGESTED: Papaver sativum [Fuchs], Papaver hortensis semine albo [Bauhin], Papaver somniferum var album [Linnaeus] — White Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum var niger [Loudon] — Black Poppy NARCOTIC. Cultivation of poppies with the intention of producing opium is illegal. T here is a poppy that is cultivated and set in gardens, the seed of which is made into bread for use in the time of health. They use it with honey instead of sesame, and it is called thylacitis — having a somewhat long little head and white seed. The other (which is wild and also called pithitishas) has a head bending down, and some call it rhoeas [4-64] because a liquid flows out of it. There is a third — more wild, more medicinal and longer than these, with a head somewhat long — and they are all cooling. The leaves and heads (boiled in water and applied with hot cloths) cause sleep. A decoction is taken as a drink against lack of sleep. The heads (pounded into small pieces and mixed into poultices with polenta) are good for inflammation and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. It is necessary for those who beat them when they are green to make them into tablets, dry them for storage, and then use them. The heads are boiled alone in water until half, and then boiled again with honey until the dullness is thickened, make a licking medicine soothing for coughs, dripping fluids in the throat, and abdominal afflictions. It becomes more effective if juice of hypocistis [1-127] and acacia are mixed with it. The seed of the black poppy (pounded into small pieces) is given to drink with wine for excessive discharges of the bowels, and women's excessive discharges. It is applied with water on the forehead and 607 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS temples for those who cannot sleep, but the liquid itself (taken) is more cooling, thickening, and drying. A little of it (taken with as much as a grain of ervum [2-129, 2-131]) is a pain-easer, a sleep-causer, and a digester, helping coughs and abdominal cavity afflictions. Taken as a drink too often it hurts (making men lethargic) and it kills. It is helpful for aches, sprinkled on with rosaceum [1-53]; and for pain in the ears dropped in them with oil of almonds, saffron, and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]. For inflammation of the eyes it is used with a roasted egg yolk and saffron, and for erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and wounds with vinegar; but for gout with women’s milk and saffron. Put up with the finger as a suppository it causes sleep. That liquid is best which is thick, heavy, and sleepy in smell, bitter to the taste, easily pierced with water, smooth, white, not sharp, neither clotted nor growing thick in the straining (like wax), and when set in the sun flowing abroad, and when lighted at a candle not with a dark flame, and keeping strength in its smell after it is put out. They counterfeit it by mixing glaucium [3-100], gum, or juice of the wild lettuce. But dissolved, that made from glaucium is a saffron colour. That of the wild lettuce is faint in its smell and rougher. That of gum is without strength and transparent. Some are come to so much madness as to mix grease with it. It is set on fire for eye medicines in a new ceramic jar until it appears to be softer and a more yellowish red. Erasistratus says that Diagoras disallows the use of it for those who are sick with ear sores or eye sores, because it is a duller of the sight and a causer of sleep. Andreas says that if it were not adulterated they would be blind who were rubbed with it. Mnesidemus says that the use of it is only effective to inhale, good to cause sleep, and that otherwise it is hurtful. These things are false, disproved by experience, because the efficacy of the medicine bears witness to the work of it. It is not out of place to describe the way they gather the liquid. Some beat the stems with the leaves, squeeze it out through a press, beat it in a mortar, and make it into lozenges. This is called meconium and is weaker than opium. It is necessary for those who make opium (after the dew has dried away) to scarify around the asterisk [star on top] with a knife so that it does not pierce into the inside, and from the sides of the head make straight incisions in the outside, and to wipe off the fluid that 608 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Psyllium after FUCHS — 1545 609 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS M ala insana after FUCHS — 1545 610 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK comes out with the finger into a spoon, and again to return not long after, for there is found another thickened (fluid), and also on the day after. It must be pounded in a mortar and stored as tablets, but in cutting it you must stand back so that the liquid is not wiped away on your clothes. It is also called chamaesyce, mecon rhoeas, or oxytonon; the Romans say papaver, and the Egyptians, wanti. 4-66. MEKON KERATITES SUGGESTED: Papaver corniculatum [Fuchs, Brunfels], Chelidonium glaucum [Linnaeus], Glaucium flavum [in Sprague], Glaucium luteum — Horned Poppy, Sea Poppy P apaver cornutum has rough white leaves similar to verbascum [4-104], jagged like a saw all around like those of wild poppy, with the stalk the same, the flower a pale yellow, with a little pod (bending like a horn) similar to that of fenugreek, from which it is named. The seed is small, black, similar to that of poppy. The thick black root grows on the surface of the ground. It grows in rough maritime places. The root (boiled in water until half the amount remains and taken as a drink) is able to cure sciatica and liver disorders, and to help those who urinate thick or cobweb-like stuff. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with honey and water) purges the bowels gently, and the leaves and flowers (smeared on with oil) root out the crusts of ulcers. Rubbed on, it takes away argema [small white ulcer on the cornea] and small clouds in the eyes of beasts. Some have been deceived, thinking that glaucium [3-100] was made of this, because of the resemblance of the leaves. In eating or drinking this same horned poppy the same symptoms occur as in the taking of opium [above], and they fall under the same remedies. The seed is gathered dry in the summer. A decoction of the root is taken as a drink and it cures dysentery. It is also called paralion, agreste papaver, or thalassium, the Romans say pabulum marinum, and the Africans, sisimaca. Glaucium flavum after FAGUET — 1874 611 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-67. MEKON APHRODES SUGGESTED: Heracleum gummiferum, Heracleum pubescens, Heracleum pyrenaicum — Downy Cow Parsnip P apaver spumeum (called heracleum by some) has a stalk twenty centimetres long, and the leaves especially small, similar to radicula [radish], the seed white between them, and the entire small herb is white and frothy. The root is thin for the most part. The seed of this is gathered in the summer when it is fully-grown, and when dried falls away. A vinegar cruet of the seed (taken with honey and water) purges by vomiting, and such a purging is effectively good for epilepsy. 4-68. UPEKOON SUGGESTED: Hypecoum procumbens — Horned Cumin, Procumbent Hypecoum H ypecoon (also called hypopheon) grows among wheat and fields. It has a leaf similar to rue, with little branches, and it has uses similar to those of the juice of poppy. 4-69. UOSKUAMOS MELAS, UOSKUAMOS LEUKOS, UOSKUAMOS MELOIDES SUGGESTED: Hyoscyamus flavus [Fuchs], Hyoscyamus niger [Linnaeus] — Henbane, Hen Bell, Hyoscyamus Hyoscyamus albus — White Henbane POISONOUS H yoscyamus is a shrub that sends out thick stalks. The leaves are broad, somewhat long, jagged, black, and rough. At the stalk flowers come out in sequence, like the flowers of the pomegranate, hedged in with little shields full of seed (like the poppy above). There are three important different types, however. For one bears almost purple flowers, leaves similar to smilax [4-144, 4-145], a black seed, and little hard, prickly shields. But the other has yellowish flowers, with the leaves and pods more 612 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Solanum hortense after FUCHS — 1545 613 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Physalis alkekengi after THIEBAULT — 1888 614 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK tender, and the seed a faint yellow like that of iris. These both cause delirium and sleep, and are scarcely usable. The fittest for cures is the third kind, which is the gentlest — fat, tender, and downy, with white flowers and white seed. It grows near the sea and among the rubbish of buildings. You must therefore use the white, but if this is not present then you must use the yellow, but refuse the black, which is the worst. The seed is juiced while tender, and the leaves and the stalks are pounded and pressed, the mass then dried in the sun. It is useful for a year because it is soon spoiled. The seed of it (in particular) is juiced, pounded until dry with hot water poured on it, and so pressed out. The juice is better than the liquid, and better for pain. The green seed is pounded and mixed with 'three months' wheat meal, made into tablets, and stored. First of all the juice and that liquid made from the dry seed is made for suppositories to take away pain, for sharp hot mucus, ear pains, and the disorders of the womb. With meal or polenta it is used for inflammation of the eyes and feet, and other inflammation. Ten grains of the seeds (taken in a drink with the seed of poppy, honey and water) do the same things, and are also good for coughs, mucus, fluid discharges of the eyes and their other disorders, and for women's excessive discharges [menstrual flow] and other discharges of blood. Pounded into small pieces with wine and applied, it is good for gout, inflated genitals, and breasts swollen in childbirth. It is effective mixed with other poultices made to stop pain. The leaves (made into little balls) are good to use in all medications — mixed with polenta or else applied by themselves. The fresh leaves (smeared on) are the most soothing of pain for all difficulties. A decoction of three or four (taken as a drink with wine) cures fevers called epialae [sudden]. Boiled like vegetables and a tryblium [plateful] eaten, they cause a mean disturbance of the senses. They say if anyone gives a suppository with it to someone that has an ulcer in the perineum that it has the same effect. The root (boiled with vinegar) is a mouth rinse for toothache. It is also called dioscyamos, pythonion, adamas, adamenon, hypnoticum, emmanes, atomon, or dithiambrion; Pythagoras and Osthenes call it xeleon, Zoroastres, tephonion, the Romans, inanaoentaria, some, Apollinaris, 615 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS the Magi, rhaponticum, the Egyptians, saptho, the Thuscans, phoebulonga, the Gauls, bilinuntiam, and the Dacians, dieliam. 4-70. PSULLION SUGGESTED: Psyllium [Fuchs], Psyllium majus erectum [Bauhin], Plantago psyllium [Linnaeus]— Psyllium, Flea Seed P syllium has a rough leaf similar to coronopis [2-158] only longer, stems twenty centimetres long, and the whole herb little like hay. The stem comes from the middle of the stalk, with two or three little pods rolled on the top close together, in which is seed similar to fleas, black and hard. It grows in fields and untilled places. Applied with rosaceum [1-53], vinegar, or water it is cooling; it helps the arthritic, inflammation of the parotid gland, tumours, oedema, dislocations and aches. Smeared on with vinegar it heals the hernias of children and those whose navels protrude. Having pounded an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of it into small pieces, they must steep it in two fingers of water, and smear it on (when the water has grown thick) for it cools abundantly. Put into boiling water it suppresses heat, and it is also good against erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. They say that brought into a house (fresh) it does not allow fleas to breed. Pounded with grease it cleans the foulness and malignancies of ulcers, and the juice (with honey) is good for running ears, and ears with worms. It is also called cataphysis, cynocephalion, crystallium, cynomuia, psylleris, or sicelioticon; the Sicilians call it conidijs, the Romans, silvacium, some, herba pulicaria, and the Africans, vargugum. 4-71. STRUCHNOS KEPAIOS SUGGESTED: Mala-insana, Amoris poma [Fuchs], Solanum pomiferum fructu oblongo [Bauhin], Solanum melongena [Linnaeus] — Eggplant S trychnos cepaius is a little shrub that is edible, not large, with many wings, the leaves dark, bigger and broader than ocymum [basil], the fruit round and green, which becomes black or yellow after it is ripe. The herb is 616 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Deadly Nightshade Atropa belladona POISONOUS after FAGUET — 1888 617 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS M andragora mas after FUCHS — 1545 618 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK harmless to the taste, and it is cooling — as a result the leaves (applied) are good for erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and shingles [herpes] with flour of polenta. By themselves (pounded into small pieces and applied) they cure ulcers on the eyes and aches. Pounded into small pieces with salt and applied, they help a burning stomach, and dissolve inflammation of the parotid gland. The juice (with cerusa [wax], rosaceum [1-53] and sediment [of grapes]) is good against erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and herpes [viral skin infection]; and with bread for ulcers on the eyes. Gently poured on with rosaceum, it is good for children with psoriasis. It is mixed with eyewashes instead of water, or (with an egg) for rubbing on for sharp discharges. Dropped in the ears it helps earache, and applied as a pessary in wool it stops women's excessive discharges [menstrual flow]. The juice (kneaded together with yellow dung from barn hens and applied in a linen cloth) is suitable for aegilopses [ulcer or fistula in the inner angle of the eye]. It is also called [strychnos] sative, the Romans call it strumum, some, cacubalum, the Egyptians, allelo, the Gauls, scubulum, and the Africans, astrismunim. 4-72. STRUCHNON ALIKAKABON SUGGESTED: Halicacabum vulgare, Vesicaria, Alkakengi [Fuchs], Physalis alkekengi [Linnaeus], Physalis halicacabum, Physalis francheti, Alkekengi officinarum — Strawberry Tomato, Winter Cherry, Alkekeng, Bladder Herb POISONOUS T here is also another strychnos (which they properly call halicacabum [bad poison] or physalis) with similar leaves to that previously spoken of, yet broader, but the stalks of this (after they have grown) bend towards the earth. It has fruit in round pods similar to bladders — reddish, round, smooth, like the kernel of a grape — which the crown-plaiters use, plaiting with it wreaths for the head. It has the same strength and use as garden strychnos [above] except when eaten. The fruit (taken in a drink) is able to clean away urinary jaundice. The herb of either of them is juiced and dried in the shade for storage, and is available for the same uses. It is also called dirceaum, solanum furiale, dorycnion, or calliada; the 619 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Romans call it Apollinaris minor, some, herba ulticana, opsaginem, or vesicaria; the Dacians call it cucolida, and the Africans, cacabum. 4-73. STRUCHNON UPNOTIKON SUGGESTED: Solanum somniferum, Mandragora morion [Fuchs], Solanum melanocerasus [Bauhin], Atropa belladonna — Deadly Nightshade Strychnos [Latin] — Nightshades — Solanum species POISONOUS S trychnos somnificum is a shrub of a good size, with many thick branches, with tails, hard to break, full of fat leaves, similar to the quince, with a red flower of good size, and the fruit in pods of a saffron colour. The root has a somewhat red bark. It grows in rocky places not far from the sea. A teaspoonful of a decoction of the bark of this root (taken as a drink in wine) is sleep inducing, milder than the liquid of poppy. But the fruit is too urinary. A decoction of a cluster of twelve berries (taken as a drink) is given for dropsy, but more induce a faint. This is helped by a large quantity of honey and water taken as a drink. The juice of it is mixed with medications and lozenges to ease pain. Boiled in wine and held [in the mouth] it helps toothache. The juice from the root (rubbed on with honey) takes away dullness of the sight. Some call this halicacabum [bad poison]. 4-74. STRUCHNON MANIKON SUGGESTED: Solanum hortense [Fuchs], Solanum officinarum [Bauhin], Solanum nigrum [Fuchs, Linnaeus] — Black Nightshade, Hound’s Berry Strychnos [Latin] — Nightshades — Solanum species POISONOUS S trychnos manicus has a leaf that is a neighbour to eruca [2-170] but bigger, coming close to those of the acanthus called paederos. It sends out ten or twelve tall stalks from the root, the height of one and a half metres, with heads lying on them like olives but rougher, like the 620 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Aconitum pardalianches after FUCHS — 1545 621 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Aconitum lycocotonum luteum after FUCHS — 1545 622 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK ball of the plane tree but bigger and broader. The flower is black and after this it has cluster-like fruit — round, black, ten or twelve in partitions, similar to the cluster of berries of cissus [2-210], soft as grapes. The root lies underneath — white, thick, hollow, the length of about a foot. It grows in hilly places open to the wind, and among rocks near the sea. A teaspoon of a decoction of the root (taken as a drink with wine) is able to effect not unpleasant fantasies [hallucinogenic]. Two teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink) make one beside himself for three days, and four (taken as a drink) kill him. The remedy of this is honey and water, taken as a drink in copious amounts and vomited up again. Some have called it persion, thryon, anydron, pentadryon, enoron, or orthogyion. 4-75. DORUKNION SUGGESTED: Dorycnium [Bedevian] — Venemous Trefoil ALSO: Dorycnium monspeliense, Dorycnium herbaceum Senecio doronicum — Leopard’s Bane Groundsel POISONOUS D orycnium is a shrub similar to a newly-planted olive, with branches less than a foot long. It grows among rocks not far from the sea. It has leaves similar to the olive in colour but smaller, stronger and extremely coarse. The flower is white, on the top it has little pods as thick as those of cicer [2-126] in which are five or six little round seeds, about the amount of little ervum [2-129, 2-131], smooth, firm, and of various colours. The root is the thickness of a finger and the length of a foot, and this seems also to have a sleepy quality, and taken too much it kills. Some also say that the seed of it is taken for love medicines. Crateuas calls it halicacabum [a bad poison], or caleam. 623 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-76. MANDRAGORAS SUGGESTED: Mandragora mas [Fuchs], Mandragora fructu rotundo [Bauhin], Mandragora officinarum [Linnaeus], Atropa mandragora, Mandragorites — Common Mandrake, Devil’s Apple NARCOTIC, POISONOUS M andagoras has a root that seems to be a maker of love medicines. There is one sort that is female, black, called thridacias, with narrower, longer leaves than lettuce, with a poisonous, heavy scent, scattered on the ground. Among them are apples similar to serviceberries — pale, with a sweet scent — in which is seed like a pear. The two or three roots are a good size, wrapped within one another, black according to outward appearance, white within, and with a thick bark; but it has no stalk. The male is white, and some have called it norion. The leaves are bigger, white, broad, smooth like beet but the apples are twice as big — almost saffron in colour, sweetsmelling, with a certain strength — which the shepherds eat to fall asleep. The root is similar to that above, yet bigger and paler, and it is also without a stalk. The bark of the root is pounded and juiced while it is fresh, and placed under a press. After it is stirred the beaters should bottle it in a ceramic jar. The apples are also juiced in a similar way, but the juice from them becomes weakened. The bark from the root is peeled off, pierced with a thread, and hanged up in storage. Some boil the roots in wine until a third remains, strain it, and put it in jars. They use a winecupful of it for those who cannot sleep, or are seriously injured, and whom they wish to anaesthetise to cut or cauterize. Twenty grains of the juice (taken as a drink with honey and water) expel phlegm and black bile upward like hellebore, but when too much is taken as a drink it kills. It is mixed with eye medicines, medications to ease pain, and softening suppositories. As much as five grains (applied alone) expels the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient, and put up into the perineum as a suppository it causes sleep. The root is said to soften ivory, boiled together with it for six hours, and to make it ready to be formed into whatever shape a man wants. Applied with polenta, the new leaves are good both for inflammations of the eyes and ulcers. 624 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Cicuta after FUCHS — 1545 625 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Taxus baccata after FAGUET — 1888 626 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK They dissolve all hardnesses, abscesses, glandular tumours [possibly goitre], and tumours. Rubbed on gently for five or six days it defaces scars without ulcerating. The leaves (preserved in brine) are stored for the same uses. The root (pounded into small pieces with vinegar) heals erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], and is used with honey or oil for the strikes of snakes. With water it disperses scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling], goitres and tumours; and with polenta it soothes the pains of the joints. Wine from the bark of the root is prepared without boiling. You must put three pounds (of the bark of the root) into thirteen gallons of sweet wine, and three cupfuls of it is given to those who shall be cut or cauterized (as previously mentioned). For they do not notice the pain because they are overcome with dead sleep; and the apples (inhaled or eaten) are sleep inducing, as is the apple juice. Used too much they make men speechless. A decoction of the seed of the apples (taken as a drink) purges the womb, and given as a pessary with sulphur that never felt the fire it stops the red excessive discharge [menstrual flow]. It is juiced — the root first incised or cut around various ways — and that which runs out is then gathered into a bowl; and the juice is more effective than the liquid. The roots do not bear liquid in every place; experience shows as much. They give out also that there is another sort called morion growing in shady places and around hollows, having leaves similar to the white mandrake but smaller (as it were), twenty centimetres long, white, lying round around the root. This is tender and white, a little longer than twenty centimetres, the thickness of the great finger. They say as much as a teaspoon of a decoction of this (taken as a drink or eaten with polenta in placetum, or food that is eaten with bread), will infatuate [cause unconsciousness]. For a man sleeps in the same fashion as when he ate it (sensible of nothing for three or four hours) from the time that it is brought him. And physicians also use this when they are about to cut or cauterize [anaesthetic]. They say also that a decoction of the root (taken as a drink with strychnos manicum) is an antidote. It is also called antimelon, dircaea, circea, circaeum, xeranthe, antimnion, bombochylon, or minon; the Egyptians call it apemum, Pythagoras, anthropomorphon, some, aloitin, 627 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS thridacian, or cammaron; Zoroastres calls it diamonon, or archinen, the Magi, hemionous, some, gonogeonas, the Romans, mala canina, and some, mala terrestria. 4-77. AKONITON SUGGESTED: Aconitum pardalianches [Fuchs], Solanum quadrifolium bacciferum [Bauhin], Paris quadrifolia [Linnaeus] — Herb Paris [other usage] Aconitum napellus, Aconitum variable, Aconitum pyramidale — Monk’s Hood, Aconite, Wolf’s-bane POISONOUS Aconitum napellus after FAGUET — 1894 A conitum has three or four leaves similar to cyclamen or cucumber, yet smaller and a little rough; with a stalk of twenty centimetres, and a root similar to the tail of a scorpion, glittering like alabaster. They say that the root of this applied to a scorpion makes him insensible, and that he is raised again by hellebore applied to him. It is also mixed with pain-relieving medicines for eyes. Put into lumps of meat and given to them, it kills panthers, sows, wolves, and all wild beasts. It is also called pardalianches, cammarum, thelyphonum, myoctonon, or theriophonon. Aconitum lycoctonum 4-78. AKONITON ETERON after FAGUET — 1894 SUGGESTED: Aconitum luteum, Aconitum lycoctonum [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Aconitum pyrenaicum, Aconitum vulparia —Wolf’s-bane, Dog’s-bane POISONOUSR A conitum alterum grows plentifully in Italy on the hills called Vestini, differing from that above. It has leaves similar to those of the plane tree but more jagged and a great deal smaller and darker, with a bare stalk (like a stem of fern) the height of a foot or more. The seed is in pods, in a way somewhat long; the black roots are like the fringes of squills [sea onions]; these they use for hunting wolves, placing them into raw meat which, when eaten by the wolves, kills them. It is also called cynoctonon, lycoctonon, or white bean, while the Romans call it colomestrum. 628 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Ephemerum non letale after FUCHS — 1545 629 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Helxine, Parietaria after FUCHS — 1545 630 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-79. KONEION SUGGESTED: Cicuta, Conion [Fuchs], Cicuta major [Bauhin] Conium maculatum [Linnaeus], Coriandrum maculatum — Poison Hemlock, Herb Bennet, Common Hemlock [other usage] Cicuta virosa —Water Hemlock, Cowbane POISONOUS C onium sends out a great knotty stalk (similar to marathrum [3-81]), with leaves similar to ferula but narrower with a heavy smell, and on the tops, abnormal growths and tufts, and a whitish flower with seed similar to aniseed [3-65] only whiter. The root is hollow and not deep. This is also one of the venomous herbs killing with its coldness, but it is helped by unmixed wine. The tops (or the filaments) are juiced before the seed is dry, pounded, pressed out, and thickened by stirring in the sun. Dried, this is very useful in cures. The juice is effectively mixed with pain-relieving eyewashes or salves. Smeared on, it removes herpes and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. The herb and the filaments (pounded into small pieces and smeared on about the testicles) help lustful dreamers and nocturnal emission of sperm; and smeared on, they weaken the genitals. They drive away milk, prevent the breasts from enlarging during virginity, and prevent the testicles in children from developing. The most potent grows in Crete, Megara and Attica, then that which grows in Chios and Cilicia. It is also called aegynos, ethusa, apolegousa, dolia, amaurosis, paralysis, aphron creidion, coete, catechomenion, abioton, apseudes, ageomoron, timoron, polyanodynos, dardanis, or catapsyxis; Osthenes calls it babathy, the Egyptians, apemphin, and the Romans, cicuta. 4-80. MILAX SUGGESTED: Taxus baccata [Pliny] — Yew Tree POISONOUS M ilax is a tree similar to the fir in its leaves and their quantities, growing in Italy and Narbona near Spain. Chickens that eat the fruit of that which grows in 631 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Italy turn black, and men that eat it fall into unconsciousness. That growing in Narbonie has such great strength that those who sit underneath (or fall asleep) are hurt by the shade, and that frequently they die. This is mentioned as a warning. It is also called thymalus, and the Romans call it taxus. 4-81. APOCUNON SUGGESTED: Apocynum venetum — Venetian Dog’s-bane POISONOUS A pocynon is a shrub with long willow-like stems, hard to break; leaves similar to cissus [2-210] but softer and sharper towards the top; with a heavy scent; full of yellow juice, somewhat viscous. The fruit is like a pod of beans, about the thickness of a finger, similar to a bladder, in which are little seeds — hard, small and black. Put into bread and put out for them, the leaves of this kills dogs, wolves, foxes, and panthers, and immediately dissolves their lips. It is also called cynanchon, pardalianches, cynomoron, cynocrambe, cynoctonon, phaleos, cynanche, oligoros, hippomanes, onistis, ophioscorodon, cynarice, or elaphoscordon; the Magi call it paralysis, the Romans, brassica rustica, and some, canina. 4-82. NERION SUGGESTED: Nerium, Oleander [Fuchs], N erium oleander — Rose Bay, Oleander POISONOUS N erium is a well-known shrub, with longer, thicker leaves than the almond; a flower similar to a rose, and fruit similar to that of the almond, but with a horn which (opened) is full of a downy stuff similar to thistledown. The root is sharp, pointed, long, woody, and brackish to the taste. It grows in enclosed greens, seabordering places and in places near rivers. The flower and the leaves are able to kill dogs, asses, mules and most four footed living creatures, but they preserve men [dead bodies, perhaps]. A decoction is taken as a drink with wine against the bites of venomous creatures, and more 632 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sedum minus mas after FUCHS — 1545 633 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Urtica maior after FUCHS — 1545 634 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK so if you mix it with rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98]; but more weak sorts of living creatures such as goats and sheep die if they drink the steepings of them. It is also called rododaphne, rhododendron, spongos, or haemostaris; the Romans call it rhododendron, oleander, and laurorosa, the Lucanians, icmane, the Egyptians, scinphe, and the Africans, rhodedaphane. 4-83. MUKETES SUGGESTED: Fungi species — Mushrooms etc. SOME SPECIES POISONOUS F ungi have a double difference for they are either edible or poisonous, and come to be so on many occasions, for they grow among rusty nails, rotten rags, the holes of snakes, or among trees that bear harmful fruits. Such as these also have a viscous coalesced fluid, and stored after they are picked they quickly spoil, growing rotten. Those that are not harmful (boiled in broth) are sweet, yet for all that taken too much they hurt, being hard to digest, choking or breeding bile. All are helped; drenched with nitre [saltpetre] and oil, or soaked in a decoction of sharp brine or thymbra [3-45], or liquified with origanum, or hen dung with vinegar, or syruped with a quantity of honey. They are nourishing and hard to dissolve, and are put out whole (for the most part) with the excrement. 4-84. KOLCHIKON SUGGESTED: Colchicum, Hermodactylis [Fuchs], Colchicum commune [Bauhin], Colchicum autumnale [Linnaeus] — Meadow Saffron POISONOUS W hen autumn ceases colchicum sends out a whitish flower similar to the flower of saffron; afterwards it bears leaves similar to bulbus [2-200], but fatter. The stalk is twenty centimetres long; it has a red seed, and the root has a tawny black bark which, peeled, and is found white, tender, and full of sweet liquid. The bulb has a central partition at which it sends out the flower. It grows 635 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS abundantly in Messenia and at Colchos. Eaten, it kills by choking, similar to mushrooms. We have described it so that it may not lie hidden and be eaten instead of bulbus, for it is strangely alluring to the inexperienced for its pleasantness. To help those who eat these, give them whatever helps those who eat mushrooms [above], and cow's milk (taken as a drink) so that when this is at hand they need no other help. It is also called ephemerum, or agrestis bulbus, and the Romans call it bulbus agrestis. 4-85. EPHEMERON SUGGESTED: Ephemerum-non-letale, Lilium convallium [Fuchs], Lilium convallium album [Bauhin], Convallaria majalis [Linnaeus] — Lily of The Valley E phemerum has leaves and a stalk similar to the lily but whiter, the flowers white, bitter, and the seed soft. The root lies underneath, single, the thickness of a finger, long, astringent and sweet smelling. It grows in woods and shady places. The root of this (used in a mouth rinse) is a remedy for toothache. The leaves (boiled in wine and smeared on) dissolve oedema and tumours without fluid. It is also called agrestis iris. 4-86. ELXINE SUGGESTED: Helxine, Parietaria [Fuchs], Parietaria officinarum et Dioscorides [Bauhin], Parietaria officinalis [Linnaeus] — Pellitory of the Wall [other usage] Helxine soleirolii, Soleirolia soleirolii — Mind-your-own-business, Mother of Thousands H elxine grows in mounds and walls. It has thin little stalks, somewhat red, rough leaves similar to mercury [4-191]; and around the stalks (as it were) sharp little seeds, catching hold of cloths. The leaves are astringent and cooling, as a result (smeared on) they heal erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], venereal warts, dehydration, pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins] that is beginning, all types of inflammation, and oedema. The juice of it (mixed with cerussa [white lead ore] and smeared on) helps erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and herpes [viral skin infection]; and taken with 636 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Galeopsis minor after FUCHS — 1545 637 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Gallium after FUCHS — 1545 638 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK cyprinum [1-65] and goat’s grease, it helps gout in the feet. As much as a wine cupful of the juice (sipped) helps those who have coughed a long time, is an effective gargle and ointment for inflamed tonsils, and dropped in the ears with rosaceum [1-53] is good for earache. It is also called sideritis, parthenium, heraclia, asyria, agrestis hygiena, clibadium, or polyonymon. 4-87. ALSINE SUGGESTED: Alsine maior [Fuchs], Alsine media [Bauhin, Linnaeus], Stellara media [in Sprague] — Stitchwort, Chickweed, Starwort [Mabberley] [other usage] Alsine junipera, Alsine verna — Alsine Alsine procubens, Arenaria procubens — Purslane, Chickweed, Sandwort see 2-214 A lsine is named because it has leaves similar to the little ears of a mouse, and it is also called alsine because it loves shady woody places. It is a herb similar to helxine [4-86] but lower, longer-leaved, and not rough, and bruised it smells of cucumbers. Smeared on with polenta, it is cooling and astringent, good for inflammation of the eyes. The juice of it is dropped in the ears for earaches, and in general it can do the same things as helxine. It is also called mouse-ear, anthyllion, myortochon, or myortosplenon; the Romans call it muris auricula, and the Africans, laphotholabat. 4-88. PHAKOS EPI TON TELMATON SUGGESTED: Lemna polyrrhiza, Spirodela polyrrhiza — Greater Duckweed Lemna minor — Water Lentils, Water Lens, Duckweed L ens (which grows in marshes) is found in standing waters, being a moss similar to lentils which is cooling. It is good (applied both by itself or with polenta) for all inflammation, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], and gout of the feet; and it also heals vaginal hernias found in children. It is also called wild lens, or epipteron, the Romans call it viperalis, and some, iceosmigdonos. 639 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-89. AEIZOON TO MEGA SUGGESTED: Sedum maius [Fuchs], Sedum majus vulgare [Bauhin], Sempervivum tectorum [Linnaeus] — Houseleek, Hens and Chickens, Jupiter’s Beard, Roof Houseleek The Greeks gave the name aizoon to sempervivum [Loudon]. Sempervivum tectorum after FAGUET — 1888 T he great aizoon is called this because of its evergreen leaves. It sends out stalks a foot long or rather more, the thickness of a big finger, fat, very flourishing, with in-cuts (as it were) like the Characian tithymal [4-165a]. The leaves are fat, the size of a big finger, similar to a tongue towards the top, those below bending downwards, but those around the head set together one to another, describing an eye-like circle. It grows in hilly and tilled places. Some plant it on their houses. It is cooling and astringent; the leaves (applied by themselves or with polenta) are good for erysipela, herpes [viral skin infection], and gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks, inflammation of the eyes, burns, and gout in the feet. The juice is poured on with polenta and rosaceum [1-53] for headaches, and it is given in drink to those bitten by harvest spiders, those with diarrhoea, and for dysentery. Taken as a drink with wine it draws out roundworms, and in a pessary it stops women's excessive discharges [menstrual flow]. The juice is effective rubbed on weak eyes, by reason of blood. It is also called aeithales, ambrosion, chrysospermon, zoophthalmon, bouophthalmum, stergethron, aeonion aichryson, holochryson, chrysanthemom, protogonom, boros, or notios; the Magi call it paronychia, some, chrysitis, the Romans, ceriacuspia, some, Jovis caulis, leapetes, or sedum majus, and the Egyptians, pamphanes. 4-90. AEIZOON TO MIXRON SUGGESTED: Sedum minus mas [Fuchs], Sedum rupestre [Linnaeus] — Stonecrop S empervivum parvum [aizoon] grows in walls, rocks, mounds, and somewhat shady ditches. The many little stalks emerge from one root, thin, full of little round, fat, leaves, small, sharp on the top. It sends out a stalk in the middle also, in size about twenty centimetres, with a tuft and flowers, thin and green. The leaves of this have 640 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Senecio vulgaris after THIEBAULT — 1888 641 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Potamogeton after FUCHS — 1545 642 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK the same strength as the previous one. Some call the thin-leaved sempervivum, sempervivum parvum, petrophthes, or sempervivum sylvestre, and the Romans call it sempervivum minus. Sempervivum is also called petrophues, brotion, theobrotion, crobysson, chimerinen, or ceraunia; the Romans call it vitalis, some, herba semperviva, and the Egyptians, etijcelta. 4-91. AEIZOON ETERON SUGGESTED: Sedi tertium genus [Fuchs], Sempervivum minus vermiculatum acre [Bauhin], Sedum acre [Linnaeus] — Wall Pepper, Stonecrop [Mabberley] T here seems to be a third kind of sempervivum that has little leaves, thicker, similar to those of portulaca [4-168], and rough. It grows among rocks. It is warming, sharp, and ulcerating, dissolving tumours [possibly goitre] applied with goose grease. It is also called portulaca agrestis, or telephium, and the Romans call it illecebra. 4-92. KOTULEDON SUGGESTED: Cotyledon lusitanica, Umbilicus erectus — Kidneywort, Navelwort, Venus’s Navelwort Cotyledon umbilicus — Cotyledon, Navelwort, Pennywort U mbilicus veneris has a leaf like an acetabulum [vinegar cruet], round, hidden, and hollow, with a short little stalk in the middle in which is the seed. The root is round like the olive. The juice of this and the leaves (rubbed on with wine or squirted in), loosens the obstructions of the skin in the genitals. Applied, it helps inflammation, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], chilblains, tumours [possibly goitre], and a burning stomach. The leaves (eaten with the root) break stones [urinary, kidney], and induce urine. It is given with mead [honey wine] for dropsy, and they also use it for love medicines. It is also called scytalium, cymbalium, hortus veneris, terrae umbilicus, stichis, or stergthron, and the Romans call it umbilicus veneris. Cotyledon umbilicus after FAGUET — 1874 643 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-93. KOTULEDON ETERON SUGGESTED: Cotyledon orbiculata, Cotyledon barbeyi — Cotyledon T here is also another kind of cotyledon with broader, fat leaves similar to little tongues, thick around the root, describing (as it were) an eye in the middle, similar to the bigger sempervivum [4-89], astringent to the taste. It has a thin little stalk, and on it flowers and seeds similar to hypericum [3-171], but the root is bigger. It is good for the same uses as sempervivum. It is also called cymbalium. 4-94. AKALUPHE, AKALUPHE ETERA SUGGESTED: Urtica romana, Urtica vera [Fuchs], Urtica pilulifera [Linnaeus], Urtica dioica, Urtica urens [Linnaeus] — Roman Nettle [Loudon] Urtica maior [Fuchs], Urtica urens maxima [Bauhin], Urtica dioica [Linnaeus] — Stinging Nettle [other usage] Acalypha indica — Acalypha, Three-seeded Mercury A calyphe has two varieties. One is wilder, sharper and darker in the leaves, and it has a seed similar to hempseed only smaller, and the other has a thin seed, not as sharp. The leaves of either of them (smeared on with salt) heal anything bitten by dogs, gangrene, malignancies, cancers, and the foulness of ulcers, dislocations, tumours, inflammation of the parotid gland, pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins], and abscesses. They are applied to the splenical with wax ointment. The leaves (pounded into small pieces and applied with the juice) are good for discharges of blood from the nostrils. Pounded small and applied with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] they induce the menstrual flow; and the new leaves (applied) restore a prolapsed womb. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with passum [raisin wine]) is an aphrodisiac and opens the womb. Licked in with honey it helps asthma, pleurisy and pneumonia, and fetches up stuff out of the chest. It is mixed with antiseptic preparations. The leaves (boiled together with small shellfish) soften the bowels, dissolve windiness, and induce urine. Boiled with barley water they bring up stuff from the chest. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a 644 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Verbascum nigrum after FUCHS — 1545 645 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Verbascum sylvestre after FUCHS — 1545 646 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK drink with a little myrrh) induces the menstrual flow, and the juice is gargled to keep down an inflamed uvula. It is also called knide, or adice, the Romans call it urtica, the Egyptians, selepsion, the Dacians, dyn. The other acalyphe is also called knide, and the Romans call it urtica mollis. 4-95. GALIOPSIS SUGGESTED: Galeopsis, Scrophularia maior, Ficaria [Fuchs], Scrophularia aquatica [Linnaeus] — Water Figwort [other usage] Galeopsis tetrahit — Galeopsis, Holy Hemp, Common Hempnettle G aliopsis — the whole little shrub with the stalk and leaves is similar to the nettle, but the leaves are smoother, and smell strongly if bruised. The thin flowers are nearly purple. It grows in hedges, byways and house courtyards everywhere. The leaves, juice, stalk and seed are able to dissolve hard lumps, cancers, tumours [possibly goitre], inflammation of the parotid gland, and pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins]. They must lay on a poultice of this twice a day, making the poultice lukewarm, and a decoction of this used in a warm pack is of benefit. It is also good applied with salt for nomae [grazer disease, eats away muscle, tissue and bones], other gangrenes, and rotten ulcers. It is also called guleobdolon, or galephos, the Egyptians call it aethopi, and the Romans, urtica labeonis. 4-96. GALLION SUGGESTED: Gallium [Fuchs], Galium luteum [Bauhin], Galium verum [Linnaeus] — Ladies' Bedstraw, Rennet G allion is called this because coagulates milk instead of rennet. It has little branches, with the leaves very similar to aparina yet straight, and a thin yellowish flower on top, in thick abundance and smelling good. The flower is smeared on for burns from fire, and it stops flows of blood. It is also mixed with waxy rose ointment and placed in the sun till it turns white, and this is a 647 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS medication for acopon. The root encourages sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac]. It grows in marshy places. It is also called gallerium, or, galatium. 4-97. ERIGERON SUGGESTED: Erigeron, Senetio [Fuchs, Brunfels], Senecio minor vulgaris [Bauhin], Senecio vulgaris [Linnaeus] — Groundsel S enecio is a reddish little stalk a foot high, with little leaves like eruca [2-170], jagged at the edges only a great deal smaller; the flowers are yellowish, quickly opening, and after blowing turn into down. This is also why it was called erigeron, because in the spring the flowers turn gray like hair; the root is of no use. It grows mostly on unmortared stone walls and about towns. The leaves with the flowers are cooling. The leaves smeared on with a little wine, or else by themselves, cure inflammations from stones [kidney, urinary], and of the perineum. With manna thuris [1-83] it heals other wounds, and nerves. The down smeared on by itself in vinegar does the same. Drunk while fresh they cause strangling. The whole stalk soaked with water and drunk with must [grape pulp] cures pains of the stomach from cholera. Some call it erechthites, the Romans, herbulum, some senecium] 4-98. THALIKTRON SUGGESTED: Thalictrum aquilegifolium — Columbine-leaved Meadow Rue Thalictrum flavum, Thalictrum nigricans — Fen Rue, Common Meadow Rue, False Rhubarb, see 3-52, 3-53 T halictrum has leaves similar to coriander but fatter, and a little stalk the thickness of rue on which are the leaves. These are pounded into small pieces and applied to form a skin over ulcers that will not heal. It grows (especially) in fields. 648 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Petasites farfara after THIEBAULT — 1888 649 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Personatia after FUCHS — 1545 650 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-99. BRUON THALASSION SUGGESTED: Bryon, Bryum, Brion [French], Corallina officinalis — Thread Moss, Wall Moss, Corallina Muscus arboreus — Moss, Lichen Moss M uscus marinus grows on stones and shells by the sea — hairy, slender, without a stalk, very astringent — good for inflammation, and gout in the feet that needs astringency. It is also called ballaris, or irane, and the Romans call it gnomeusilum. 4-100. PHUKOS THALASSION SUGGESTED: Fucus vesiculosus — Bladderwrack F ucus marinus — one sort of it is broad, the other somewhat long and almost purple and the third, white, growing in Crete near the ground, very flourishing, and not perishable. All are cooling in poultices, good for gouty afflictions and inflammation, but they must use them while they are still moist (before they dry). Sicacer says that the Phoenician [red] is good against snakes, which some have thought to be that little root which women use which is also called fucus. 4-101. POTAMOGEITON, POTAMOGEITON ETEROS SUGGESTED: Potamogeton [Fuchs], Potamogeton rotundifolium [Bauhin], Potamogeton natans [Linnaeus] — Devil’s Spoons, Tenchweed, Broad-leaved Pondweed P otamogeton has a thick leaf (similar to beet) standing a little above the water. It cools and is therapeutic, and is good for itches, feeding ulcers, and old ulcers. It is called this because it grows in marshes and watery places. There is also another potamogeton with leaves the same but longer and thinner, the thin little stalks the same, full of a reddish seed. Eaten, this is binding, and pounded into small pieces with wine and an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] taken as a drink, it helps dysentery and the abdominal cavity, and stops women's excessive 651 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS bloody discharges [menstrual flow]. It also grows in watery, marshy places. It is also called stachyitis; the Romans call it fatalist, the Egyptians, ethenchis. 4-102. STRATIOTES O EN TOIS UDASIN SUGGESTED: Stratiotes aloides — Water Soldier Pistia stratiodes — Water Lettuce, Tropical Duckweed S tratiotes which grows in the water is called this because it swims on the waters and lives without a root. It has a leaf similar to that of sempervivum [4-89 to 4-91] yet bigger. It is cooling and stops bloody discharges from the kidneys. A decoction (taken as a drink and also smeared on with vinegar) keeps wounds, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and oedema uninflammed. It is also called river stratiotes, the Egyptians call it tibus, and the Magi, the blood of a cat. 4-103. STRATIOTES CHILIOPHULLOS SUGGESTED: Stratiotes-millefolium [Fuchs], Millefolium vulgare album [Bauhin], Achillea millefolium [Linnaeus], Millefolium, Stratiotes, Supercilium veneris — Yarrow, Milfoil, Nosebleed S tratiotes millefolius is a small little shrub twenty centimetres long (or more) with leaves similar to the feathers of a young bird, and the abnormal growths of the leaves are very short and jagged. The leaves are (most chiefly) similar in their shortness and roughness to wild cumin yet even shorter; and the tuft is thicker than this and fuller, for it has small shoots on the top on which are the tufts in the shape of dill [3-67]; the flowers are small and white. It grows in somewhat rough fields and especially around the ways. This herb is excellent for an excessive discharge of blood, old and new ulcers, and for fistulas [ulcers]. 652 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Fumaria officinalis after FAGUET — 1874 653 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Cytisus laburnum after FAGUET — 1891 654 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-104. PHLOMOS, PHLOMOS LEUKE THELEIA, PHLOMOS LEUKE ARREN, PHLOMOS LEUKE MELAINA, PHLOMOS AGRIA SUGGESTED: Verbascum sylvestre,Verbascum nigrum [Fuchs], Verbascum nigrum, Verbascum phlomoides [Linnaeus], — Black Mullein Verbascum candidum foemina [Fuchs], Verbascum lychnitis [Linnaeus] — White Mullein Verbascum candidum mas [Fuchs],Verbascum thapsus [Linnaeus], Verbascum densifolium, Thapsus barbatus — Great Mullein, Aaron's Rod IRRITANT RESIN Verbascum thapsus after FAGUET — 1888 [other usage] Jerusalem Sage — Phlomis fructiosa Wickweed — Phlomis floccosa P hlomis has a double difference, for one sort is white and the other black; and of the white, one is female and the other male. The leaves of the female are similar to brassica but with many more filaments, broader, and white. The white stalk is a foot high or more, somewhat rough. The flowers are white or of a faint aker [ochre]; the seed black; the root long, with a hard taste, the thickness of a finger. It grows in fields. That called the male is white-leaved, somewhat long, narrower in the leaves, and thinner in the stalk. The black is similar to the white in all things, yet it is broader-leaved and darker in the leaves. It is also called plenos; the Romans call it verbasculum, and some, foeminalis. There is also another sort called wild, with tall stems and tree-like, the leaves similar to sage, with sprigs around the stems similar to marrubium, and a yellowish flower like gold. These phlomides are also two-fold, rough, growing near the ground, with round leaves. There is a third phlomis, called lychnitis, sometimes thryallis, with three or four or more thick fat rough leaves, good for candle wicks. Of the two former, the root is astringent; as a result the amount of a knucklebone is effective (given with wine in a drink) for flowing [diarrhoea]. A decoction of it is good for hernia, convulsions, bruises, as well as wounds from falls, and old coughs; and used as a mouthwash it soothes toothache. The golden colour in the flowers dyes the hair, 655 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS and wherever it is put it attracts woodworm. The leaves (boiled in water) are applied for oedema and inflammation of the eyes, and with honey (or wine) for eating ulcers. With vinegar it heals wounds and helps those touched by scorpions. The leaves of the wild kind are poultices for burns. They say that the leaves of the female sort stored together with figs, keeps them from decaying. 4-105. AITHIOPIS SUGGESTED: [Pliny] Aethiopis — Ethiopian Sage — Salvia aethiopis A ethiopis has leaves similar to verbascum [4-104], very rough and thick, in a circle around the bottom of the root. The stalk is foursquare, thick and rugged, similar to apiastrum [3-118], or arction [4-106], putting out many wings. The seed is about the size of ervum [2-129, 2-131] with two in one capsule. There are many long thick roots from the very bottom, gluey to the taste, but dried they become black and hard like horns. It grows abundantly in Messenia and Ida. The root of this is called arcturum, and it has leaves similar to verbascum, only rougher and rounder. The root is tender, sweet and white; and the stalk is soft and long, similar to little cumin. The root and seed of this (boiled in wine) are held in the mouth to lessen toothache; and it is applied with hot cloths for burns and chilblains. It is taken as a drink in wine for sciatica and painful urination. 4-106. ARKTION SUGGESTED: Arctium A minus — Lesser Burdock rctium (which some call arcturum) has leaves similar to verbascum [4-104] but rougher and rounder; the tender root is sweet and white; and the soft stalk long like little cumin. The root and seed of this (soaked in wine) have the strength (held in the mouth) to soothe toothache. It is a poultice for burns and chilblains. It is also drunk in wine for sciatica and dysuria. 656 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Aster atticus purpureus after FUCHS — 1545 657 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Viola odorata after FAGUET — 1875 658 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-107. ARKEION SUGGESTED: Personatia, Lappa maior, Bardana [Fuchs], Lappa major, Arcium Dioscorides [Bauhin], Arctium majus, Arctium tomentosum, Arctium lappa, Lappa tomentosa, Arctium bardana — Greater Burdock, Batchelor’s Buttons, Beggar’s Buttons see 4-106 A rcion has leaves similar to those of colocynthis yet bigger, harder, darker and rough, with a whitish stalk; sometimes the herb is without one. The root is large, white within, but black on the outside. One teaspoon of a decoction (taken as a drink with pine kernels) helps spitters of blood and corrupt matter, and smeared on, it soothes sores from wrenching the joints around. The leaves are effective applied to old ulcers. It is also called personata, prosopis, prosopion, or aparine, the Romans call it personacea, and some, lappa. 4-108. PETASITES SUGGESTED: Petasites hybridus [in Sprague], Petasites officinalis, Petasites vulgaris, Tussilago petasites [Linnaeus] — Butterbur, Bog Rhubarb [other usage] Petasites fragrans — Winter Heliotrope, Sweet Coltsfoot Petasites albus — White Butterbur P etasites has a little stalk higher than a foot, the thickness of the big finger, on which is a large leaf similar to a hat lying on it, like a mushroom. It is good pounded into small pieces and smeared on for malignancies and eating ulcers. Petasites officinalis after THIEBAULT — 1888 659 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-109. EPIPAKTIS SUGGESTED: Epipactis grandiflora, Cephalenthera ensifolia — Epipactis, Helleborine Epipactis helleborine, Epipactis latifolia — Broad Helleborine E pipactis is a small little shrub with very small little leaves. It is taken as a drink against poisons [antidote], and for disorders in the liver. It is also called elleborine, or borion. 4-110. KAPNOS Epipactis latifolia after FAGUET — 1891 SUGGESTED: Capnum, Pes Galliniceus [Pliny], Fumaria, Fumus terrae [Fuchs], Fumaria officinalis [Linnaeus] — Fumitory, Fumiterre Corydalis is an ancient Greek name for fumitory [Loudon]. C apnum is a very tender shrubby little herb similar to coriander, but the many leaves are paler and the colour of ashes everywhere. The flower is purple; the juice sharp — quickening the sight, inducing tears — from which it received this name. Smeared on with gum, it is able to stop hairs pulled from off the eyebrows from growing again. The herb (eaten) expels bilious urine. It is also called corydalion, coryon, corydalion sylvestre, capnos that is among barley, capnites, marmarites, capnogorion, chelidonion parvum, peristerion, cantharis, or caliocri; the Romans call it apium, some, fumaria, the Egyptians, cynx, and some, tucis. 4-111. LOTOS EMEROS SUGGESTED: Lotus tetragonolobus — Garden Winged Pea Tetragonolobus palestinus — Four-winged Garden Pea L otus sativa grows in gardens. Juiced and mixed with honey it dissolves argema [small white ulcer on the cornea], nubeculae [speck or small cloud in the eye], white spots on the cornea, and things that darken the pupils. It is also called tripodion, or trifolium. 660 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Chamaecissus after FUCHS — 1545 661 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Hound’s-tongue — Cynoglossum officinalis after FAGUET — 1888 662 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-112. LOTOS AGRIOS SUGGESTED: Melilotus germanica [Fuchs], Lotus corniculatus [Linnaeus], Trifolium corniculatum — Bird's Foot Trefoil L otus sylvestris grows in great abundance in Libya. It has a stalk of two feet (or even more) with many wings; the leaves are like the three-leaved clover that grows in meadows; the seed is similar to fenugreek but a great deal smaller, medicine-like in the taste. Rubbed on with honey it is warming and gently astringent, cleaning away spots on the face and sunburn. Pounded into small pieces and a decoction taken as a drink by itself (or else with the seed of mallows, with wine, or passum [raisin wine]) helps disorders of the bladder. It is also called libyon, or trifolium, and the Romans call it trifolium minus. Lotus corniculatus after FAGUET — 1880 4-113. KUTISOS SUGGESTED: Trifolium-pratense luteum [Fuchs, Brunfels], Medicago lupulina [Linnaeus] — Black Medick, Hop Clover, Yellow Trefoil [Mabberley] [other usage] Medicago arborea [Bedevian] — Cytisus of Greeks, Tree Medick, Moon Trefoil Common Cytisus — Cytisus sessifolius C ytisus is a white shrub like rhamnus which sends out branches a foot long or more, around which are leaves similar to fenugreek or lotus trifolia, but smaller, with a bigger backbone; if crushed with the fingers smelling like eruca [2-170]; in taste similar to green chickpeas. The leaves are cooling, dissolving new oedemas, pounded into small pieces and smeared on with bread. A decoction of them (taken as a drink) induces urine. Some plant it near bee hives to attract the bees. It is also called teline, lotus grandis, or trifolium, and the Romans call it trifolium majus. 663 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-114. LOTOS AIGUPTIOS SUGGESTED: N ymphaea lotus — Egyptian Lotus, White Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Water Lily of Egypt L otus which grows in Egypt in the water, covering the water, has a stalk similar to that of the bean, with a little flower — white like the lily — which they say opens at the rising of the sun and closes when it sets, and that all the head is hidden in the water, and again at the rising of the sun it stands above. The head is like the larger poppy, in which is seed like millet which they pry out to put into their bread making. It has a root like malum cydonium [1-160] that is also eaten raw or boiled [vegetable]. Boiled, it is similar to the yolk of an egg. 4-115. MURIOPHULLON SUGGESTED: Myriophyllum M spicatum — Water Milfoil yriophyllum has a tender little stalk growing singly from one root around which are many smooth leaves like marathrum [3-81], from which it is named. The stalk is somewhat hollow, with various colours (as it were) on purpose artificially polished. It grows in marshy places. Smeared on green or dry with vinegar this keeps the later sores of ulcers uninflamed. It is also given to drink with water and salt for falls. It is also called myllophullon, stratiotice, or achillea; the Romans call it millefolium, some, supercilium veneris, and the Gauls, beliucandas. 664 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Daphne alexandrinum after FUCHS — 1545 665 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Antirrhinum majus after FAGUET — 1888 666 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-116. MURRIS SUGGESTED: Scandix [Pliny], Myrrhis, Cicutaria [Fuchs], Myrrhis sylvestris seminibus laevibus [Bauhin], Anthriscus sylvestris [in Sprague], Chaerophyllum sylvestre [Linnaeus] — Wild Chervil, Cow Parsley, Cow Weed [other usage] Myrrhis odorata, Scandix odorata, Chaerophyllum odoratum — Myrrh, Sweet Cicely, British Myrrh, Sweet Fern see 2-168 M yrrhis is similar to hemlock in its stalk and leaves, but it has a long root — tender, round, sweetsmelling and pleasant to eat. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) helps those bitten by harvest spiders, and it purges out the menstrual flow and afterbirth. Boiled in liquid (to be sipped) it is given for pulmonary consumption. Some say that it is a prophylactic against infection (taken as a drink with wine, twice or three times a day) in pestilential seasons. It is also called conila, or myrrha. 4-117. MUAGROS SUGGESTED: Myagrum sativum, Camelina sativa — Camelina, Gold Of Pleasure M yagros is a brushy kind of herb, two feet tall, with pale leaves similar those of rubia [dyer’s madder]. The fat seed is like a neck or whorl. They use it, scorching and bruising it, and rubbing the stems, and using them instead of a candle. It seems that the fat from them makes sleek and smooth any roughness of the body. It is also called melampyrom. 667 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-118. ONAGRA SUGGESTED: Onagra [Italian], Epilobium hirsutum — Onagrade, Great Willowherb, Apple Pie, Codlins and Cream see 4-3 O nagra is a good-sized shrub like a tree, with leaves like the almond tree, but broader and like those of the lily. The large flowers are like roses. The root is white and long, and dried gives off the smell of wine. It grows in hilly places. A dilution of the root taken as a drink by the wild living creatures is able to make them tame. Smeared on, it soothes wild ulcers. It is also called oenothera, or onuris. 4-119. KIRSION SUGGESTED: Cirsium germanicum, Cirsion [Fuchs], Echium lanuginosum primum [Brunfels], Anchusa officinalis [Linnaeus] — Bugloss, Common Alkanet, Common Bugloss [other usage] Cirsium bulbosam, Cirsium tuberosum, Cnicus tuberosus — Tuberous Thistle see 4-23 to 4-27, 4-190 C irsium has a tender threesquare stalk two feet high. The small leaves emerge from beneath like a rose, the corners with soft prickles at distances, and the leaves similar to bugloss [4-128, 4-23 to 4-27] — pretty, rough, longer, somewhat white and prickly at the ends. The ball at the upper end of the stalk is rough, and on it are little heads, purple on the top, turning into down. Acreas writes that bound on the hurt place, it stops the pains of enlarged veins, arteries, or lymphatic vessels. It is also called great bugloss, and the Romans call it spina mollis. 668 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Smilax aspera after FAGUET — 1888 669 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Helleborus foetedus after FAGUET — 1894 670 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-120. ASTER ASTIKOS SUGGESTED: Aster atticus [Fuchs], Aster atticus caeuruleus vulgaris [Bauhin], Aster amellus [Linnaeus], Aster tripolium, Tripolium, Tripolium vulgare — Italian Starwort, Sea Aster, Sea Starwort, Tripoly see 4-135 A ster atticus has a woody little stem with a purple flower on the top (or a yellowish one) cut all around like the little head of anthemis [3-154], and it has small leaves similar to a star. The leaves around the stalk are somewhat long and rough. Smeared on, it helps an inflamed stomach, as well as inflammation of the eyes and the thighs, and prolapse of the perineum. A decoction of the purple part of the flower (taken as a drink with water) helps the synanchic [abscessed throat], and epilepsy in children. It is good (applied fresh and moist) for inflammation of the thighs. Gathered when it is dry (with the left hand of the pained party) and hanged about the thigh, it frees him of the pain. It grows among rocks and in coarse places. The stars [flowers] of this shine in the night, for those who do not know it when they see it think it is a spirit, and it is found by the keepers of sheep. Crateuas the herbalist relates that pounded (green) with old swines’ grease it is good for one bitten by a mad dog, or for a swollen throat, and inhaled, it drives away snakes. It is also called asteriscos, asterion, bubonium, or sows eye, the Romans call it inguinalis, and the Dacians, rathibis. 4-121. ISOPURON SUGGESTED: Isopyrum fumaroides [Bedevian] — Fumitory-leaved Isopyron Isopyrum thalictroides — Meadow Rue-leaved Isopyron see 2-170, 2-176 I sopyron bears a tendril towards the upper leaf. On the top of the stalk are thin little heads full of small seeds, similar to melanthium [3-93] according to the taste, but the leaf tastes like anise [3-65]. A decoction of the seed of this (taken as a drink with honey and water) helps disorders Isopyrum fumaroides after FAGUET — 1888 671 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS of the chest and coughs, and is good for bloodspitters, and liver disorders. Some call it phasiolum because it is similar to phasiolus. 4-122. ION SUGGESTED: [Pliny] Ion, Viola purpurea, Viola [Fuchs], Viola odorata [Linnaeus] — Violet, Sweet Violet Viola neglecta — Neglected Violet I on has a leaf smaller than cissus [2-210], thinner and darker; and little stalks in the midst (from the root) on which is a little flower, very sweet, of a purple. It grows in shady rough places. It is cooling, so that the leaves (applied by themselves or with polenta) help a burning stomach, inflammation of the eyes, and prolapse of the perineum. A decoction of the purple part of the flower (taken as a drink with water) helps the synanchic [abscessed throat], and epilepsy of children. It is also called dasypodion, priapeion, wild violet, or cybelion; the Romans call it setialis, some, muraria, or viola purpurea. 4-123. KAKALIA SUGGESTED: Cacalia verbascifolia, Inula candida, Senecio thapsoides — Cacalia, Wild Caraway, Tassel Flower Cacalia alpina — Alpine Cacalia According to Sprengel, this is Bupleurum longifolum [Loudon]. C acalia bears white leaves of a good size with a stalk in the middle of them, straight and white, and a flower similar to bryony; it grows on hills. The root of this (steeped in wine like tragacanth and licked or chewed by itself) cures coughs and roughness of the throat. The grains that come after flowering are pounded into small pieces and smeared on with wax ointment to keep the face smooth and without wrinkles. It is also called leontice. 672 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Helleborus niger after FAGUET — 1894 673 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Prunus laurocerasus after FAGUET — 1888 674 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-124. BOUNION SUGGESTED: Meum bunius — Coriander-leaved Bawd-money B unium sends out a quadrangular stalk of a good length and a finger’s thickness, and leaves similar to smallage [celery — old use] but much thinner, closer to those of coriander. The flower is like dill [3-67]; the seed has a sweet scent and is smaller than that of hyoscyamus [4-69]. It is urinary and warming, draws out the afterbirth, and is properly used for the spleen, kidneys and bladder. It is used with honey and water — moist, dry, or juiced with the roots, stalks and leaves. It is also called aton, actine, or anemosphoron, the Magi call it paradacry, the Egyptians, erxoe, the Romans, scopa regia, the Africans, zigar, and some, thepso. 4-125. PSEUDOBOUNION SUGGESTED: Bunium bulbocastanum, Carum bulbocastanum, Sium bulbocastanum — Arnut, Earth Chestnut, Pig Nut, Tuberous Caraway see 2-136, 4-124 P seudobunium is a small shrub, twenty centimetres long, found in Crete, with leaves similar to bunium [above], and a sharp taste. A decoction made with four small branches (taken as a drink with water) is able to heal griping, slow and painful urination, and pains of the side. Applied lukewarm (with salt and wine) it dissolves tumours [possibly goitre]. 4-126. CHAMAIKISSOS SUGGESTED: Chamaecissus [Pliny], Hedera terrestris [Fuchs], Hedera terrestris vulgaris [Bauhin], Glechoma hederacea [Linnaeus] — Ground Ivy C hamaecissus has many leaves like those of cissus only longer and thinner, with five or six small branches of twenty centimetres, full of leaves from the ground. The flowers are similar to leucoion, smaller, and strongly bitter to the taste. The root is thin, white and useless. It grows in 675 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS tilled places. A decoction of the leaves (as much as thirty grains taken as a drink in three cupfuls of water for forty or fifty days) is good for sciatica. A decoction (taken as a drink for six or seven days) cleans away jaundice. It is also called chamaeleuce, unfruitful ivy, the crown of the earth, or selinitis, while the Romans call it hedera pluviatica. 4-127. CHAMAIPEUKE SUGGESTED: Chamaepeuce diacantha — Fishbone Thistle C hamaepeuce (pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink in water) is good for disorders of the loins [digestive or procreative]. It is a herb that is all green, with little crumpled leaves and branches, and flowers similar to roses. 4-128. BOUGLOSSON SUGGESTED: Buglossum, Borrago [Fuchs], Buglossa Vera [Italian], Buglossum latifolium borrago [Bauhin], Borago officinalis [Linnaeus] — Common Borage, Talewort [other usage] Buglossum officinale, Anchusa italica, Anchusa paniculata — Italian Alkanet, Common Sea Bugloss see 4-23 to 4-27, 4-119 B uglossum grows in plain misty places and is gathered in the month July. They say that it is good for the chills of acute fevers. For fevers with recurrent paroxysms every third day give the bugloss that has three stalks to drink, boiling to a third the whole herb with the roots and seed. Give that which has four stalks to someone who has fevers with recurrent paroxysms every fourth day, but these must be boiled with wine. They say that it is good to use for abscesses (like verbascum [4-104]). It has leaves laying on the ground, both rougher and darker (like the tongue of an ox) which, put into wine, is thought to be a cause of mirth. The Magi call it genitura felis; Osthenes calls it tzanuchi, the Egyptians, antuenrin besor, the Romans, lingua bovis, some, libanis, and the Africans ansanaph. 676 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Daphne mezereum after FAGUET — 1878 677 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Cucumer sylvestris after FUCHS — 1545 678 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-129. KUNOGLOSSON SUGGESTED: Cynoglossum officinarum [Fuchs], Lycopsis [Brunfels], Buglossum sylvestre tertium [Bauhin] Cynoglossum officinalis — Hound’s Tongue, Gipsy Flower C ynoglosson has leaves similar to the broad-leaved plantain, but narrower and smaller, downy, without stalks, scattered on the ground. It grows in sandy places. The leaves (pounded into small pieces with old swine grease) are able to heal persons or animals bitten by dogs, as well as the loss of hair [alopecia] and burns. The herb (boiled and taken as a drink with wine) soothes the bowels. It is also called phytom, caballation, splenion, or scolimos; the Romans call it lingua canis, and some, lingua canina. 4-130. PHUTEUMA SUGGESTED: Phyteuma spicatum — Spiked Horned Rampion Phyteuma orbiculare — Round-headed Rampion P hyteuma has leaves similar to radicula only smaller; abundant seed, bored through; and a thin little root close to the earth which some consider good for a love medicine. 4-131. LEONTOPODION SUGGESTED: Leontopodium vulgare — Common Lion’s Foot Gnaphalium leontopodium — Everlasting, Lion’s Paw Cudweed Leontopodium alpinum — Edelweiss, Live Ever, Lion's Foot L eontopodion is a two-finger long little herb with small, slender, strong leaves the length of three or four fingers — rough, woolier towards the root, and whitish. On the tops of the stalks are little heads (as it were) bored through, which have black flowers. The seed is hardly seen because of the down that wraps it. The root underneath is small. They also say that this is prescribed for love medicines to be hanged on one, and that it dissolves small swellings. It is also called zoonychon, aetonychon, cemus, damnamene, idiophyton, phytobasila, 679 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS crossion, or crossophthoon. The Magi call it sanguis crocodili, some, crocomerion, the Egyptians, daphnoenes, the Romans, minercium, and some, neumatus, palladium, or flammula. 4-132. IPPOGLOSSON SUGGESTED: Ruscus aculeatus — Butcher’s Broom See 4-147 H ippoglosson is a little shrub similar to myrtus agrestis [myrtle] with thin leaves, and prickly filaments; and on the top (as it were) a little tongue by the leaves. The filaments seem to be an effective amulet for headaches. The root and juice are mixed with warm compresses. Some call this antirrhinon, anarrhinon, or lychnis sylvestris. 4-133. ANTIRRINON (KUNOKEPHALON) SUGGESTED: Antirrhinum asarina — Bastard Asarum Antirrhinum cymbalaria, Linaria cymbalaria, Cymbalaria muralis — Cymbalaria, Kenilworth Ivy, Ivy-leaved Toadflax Antirrhinum orontium — Lesser Snapdragon, Calf’s Snout see 4-143 A ntirrhinon is a herb similar to anagallis [2-209] in the leaves and stalk, but the flowers are purple, similar to leucoion [3-138] only smaller, so it was also called sylvestris lychnis. It bears a fruit like the nostrils of a calf, carnation-like in appearance. It is said that (used as a personal ornament) this opposes poisons, and that rubbed on with lily oil or cyprine [nutsedge], it makes one beautiful. It is also called anarrhinon, and some have called it lychnis agrestis. 680 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Balanites aegyptica after FAGUET — 1875 681 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Staphisagria after FUCHS — 1545 682 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-134. KATANANKE SUGGESTED: Catananche graeca, Hymenoema graecum, Hymenoema tournefortii — Candy Lionsfoot Catananche caerulea — Cupid’s Dart, Blue Cupidone, Blue Succory C atanance has one sort with long leaves like those of coronopis, a thin root, and six or seven rush-like heads in which is seed similar to ervum [2-129, 2-131]. Withered, it bends down to the ground and is similar to the claws of a dead kite [bird]. The other is the size of a little apple; the root is small, about the size of an olive, and the leaves similar in shape and colour to the olive, but soft, scattered on the earth, and jagged. The small seed (like cicer [2-126]) is found on the little stems, bored through in many parts, a Phoenician colour [red]. Some report that both kinds are good for liquid love medicines, and they say that the Thessalian women use them. It is also called damnamene, dionysias, thyrsion, demos, cemos, or crotion; the Magi call it archaras, some, arcopus, the Romans, herba filicula, some, datisca, or Iovis madius, and the Dacians, caropithla. 4-135. TRIPOLION SUGGESTED: Tripolium vulgare, Aster tripolium, Aster atticus — Tripoly, Sea Aster, Sea Starwort see 4-120 T ripolium grows in places near the sea where the sea overflows and departs, neither is it in the dry, nor in the sea. It has leaves similar to woad yet thicker, and a stalk twenty centimetres long, jagged towards the top. It is said that the flower of this changes its colour three times a day — in the morning it is white, around noon, purple, and in the evening, Phoenician [red]. The root is white, sweet smelling, and hot to the taste. Two teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink in wine) expel water and urine through the bowels. It is cut for antidotes against poisons. It is also called psyche, meris, potamogeton, or stachyites, and the Romans call it calamaris. 683 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-136. ADIANTON SUGGESTED: Adiantum foliis coriandri [Bauhin], Adiantum capillus veneris [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Herba capillorum-veneris — Maidenhair, Venus’s Hair, Capillaire A diantum has little leaves similar to coriander, jagged on the top; and the little stalks on which they grow are black, very thin, twenty centimetres long, and glistening. The leaves are like filix [fern], very small. It bears no [other] stalk, flower, or seed. The root is useless. A decoction of the herb (taken as a drink) is able to help asthma, difficulty in breathing, jaundice, the splenical, and frequent painful urination. Taken as a drink with wine, it breaks stones [urinary, kidney], stops discharges of the intestines, and helps those bitten by venomous creatures, and excessive discharges of the stomach. It draws out the menstrual flow and afterbirth. It stops the spitting-up of blood. It is smeared on (raw) for venomous beast bites, thickens the loss of hair [alopecia] and disperses tumours [possibly goitre]. With lye it wipes off dandruff and scaly eruptions of the scalp. With ladanum [1-128] and oil myrsinum [1-48] and inhalants (or else oesypum [lanolin] and wine) it prevents falling hair. A decoction of it (rubbed on with lye and wine) does the same. It makes cocks and quails more vicious, mixed with their meat. It is planted for sheep around sheep enclosures [feed]. It grows in shady marshy places, and around moist walls and fountains. It is also called polytrichon, callitrichon, trichomanes, ebenotrichon, argion, or coriandrum aquaticum; the Egyptians call it epiert, the Romans, cincinnalis, some, terrae capillus, or supercilium terrae, and the Dacians, phithophthethela. 4-I37. TRICHOMANES SUGGESTED: Trichomanes, Polytrichon officinarum, Asplenium viride [Fuchs], Asplenium trichomanes, Adiantum trichomanes — Common Spleenwort, Bristle Fern T richomanes grows about the same places, being like fern, very small, with slender leaves in order on either side, or like lenticula [2-129], one against the other, 684 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Hippophae rhamnoides after FAGUET — 1888 685 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Carduus mariae from FUCHS — 1545 686 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK upon thin little stems, glittering, with a bad taste, and somewhat black. It is thought it can do the same things to that mentioned before. Some also call this adiantum, some, pterion, some, opteron, the Romans, capillaris, some, pinula, some filicula. 4-I38. XANTHION SUGGESTED: Xanthium, Lappa minor [Fuchs, Bauhin], Xanthium strumarium [Linnaeus] — Cocklebur [Mabberley] X anthium grows in fertile places and marshes that are dried up; it has a cornered stalk a cubit long, clean, and many stings upon it. It has leaves like atriplex [2-145], having incuts, close in scent to nasturtium, but a round fruit as a great olive, prickly, like the balls of the plane tree taking hold of clothes after you touch it. The fruit, gathered before it is perfectly dry, beaten, and preserved in a clay jar, is able to make hair yellow. To use it take a quantity of half a sextary of it, diluting it with lukewarm water, and having first rubbed the head with nitre, smear it on. And some also beat it with wine to preserve it. The fruit is expediently laid on oedema. Some call it phasganon, some, antithesion, some, cbascanon, some, choeradolethron, and some also call this aparine. 4-139. AIGILOPS SUGGESTED: Aegilops ovata — Goat Grass, Hard Grass Phleum aegylops, Triticum ovatum — Hard Grass, Goat Grass, Oat Grass Aegilops caudata [Loudon]— Cretan Hard Grass A egilops is a little herb with leaves similar to wheat, but often with two or three red seeds on the top of the head on which beards (or as it were, filaments) grow out. The herb (applied with meal) heals aegilopses [ulcer or fistula in the inner angle of the eye] and dissolves hard lumps. The juice is stored for the same purposes, mixed with meal, and dried. It is also called sitospelos, siphon, or bromos, and the Romans call it avena. Triticum ovatum after FAGUET — 1894 687 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-140. BROMOS SUGGESTED: Bromus temulentus, Lolium temulentum, Crepolea temulentum — Darnel, Cheat, Ryegrass, Ivray NARCOTIC [Loudon] [other usage] Bromus arvensis — Corn Brome Grass see 2-116 B romus is a drying herb similar to aegilops. Strain the boiled herb with its roots in water until the decoction is reduced two thirds, mix with it the same amount of honey, and boil it until it is the thickness of moist honey. This is good for ozaena [ulcerative disease with mucopurulent discharge of the nose] if you apply it to the nostril with a wet a linen cloth, and applied alone it does the same. Some beat aloes finely, mix it with bromus, and use it. It is also good (boiled with dry roses in wine) for stinking breath. It is also called siphonion, or acrospelos, and the Romans call it avena. 4-141. GLAUX SUGGESTED: Glaux maritima — Sea Milkwort, Black Saltwort G laux is similar in its leaves to cytisus [4-113] or lentils. Those from beneath are paler, and those from above green, and it sends out five or six thin shoots from the earth, twenty centimetres long, from the root. The flowers are similar to leucoioi [3-138] but smaller, of a purple colour. It grows by the sea. These (boiled with barley meal, salt, and oil) are sipped to restore milk that has stopped flowing [breastfeeding]. 4-142. POLUGALON SUGGESTED: Polygala vulgaris — Common Milkwort, Milkweed Polygala oppositifolia after FAGUET — 1888 688 P olygalon is a little shrub twenty centimetres long, with leaves similar to lentils, harsh to the taste. A decoction (taken as a drink) is thought to cause more milk [breastfeeding]. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK N arcissus pseudonarcissus after FAGUET — 1891 689 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Croton tiglium after FAGUET — 1878 690 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-143. OSUROS SUGGESTED: Osyris, Linaria [Fuchs], Linaria vulgaris lutea flore majore [Bauhin], Antirrhinum linaria [Linnaeus], Linaria vulgaris [in Sprague], Antirrhinum majus, Orontium majus — Great Snapdragon, Dragon’s Mouth, Dog’s Mouth [other usage] Osyris alba — Poet's Cassia, Gardrobe see 4-133 O syris is a little black shrub, with thin hard-to-break stems, and around each, three small leaves; there are also four or five or six of these, like hemp; they are black when they are beginning but later they become reddish. A decoction of this (taken as a drink) helps jaundice. 4-144. SMILAX TRACHEIA SUGGESTED: Smilax-aspera [Fuchs, Linnaeus] — Prickly Ivy, Rough Bindweed S milax trachea has leaves similar to periclymen [4-14], with many sprigs, thin and prickly like paliurus or rubus, and it is wrapped around trees creeping (as it were) above and beneath. It bears a clustered fruit like a grape bunch, which ripens red, somewhat gently biting to the taste; the root is hard and thick. It grows in marshy rough places. A decoction of the leaves and fruit is an antidote for deadly poisons, taken as a drink beforehand (or afterwards). It is said that this herb, beaten and given to drink to a newborn small child, prevents hurt by any poisonous medicine. It is cut for antidotes against poison. 4-145. SMILAX LEIA SUGGESTED: Smilax-levis, Volubilis maior [Fuchs], Convolvulus major albus [Bauhin], Convolvulus sepium [Linnaeus], Calystegia sepium [Brunfels] — Bindweed S milax laea has leaves similar to cissus but softer, smoother and thinner. It has vinelike branches like the last one, without prickles, and it is wrapped around 691 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS trees like the former. It has small black seed like lupin [2-132], but always with many small, round, white flowers above, on every smilax. Arbors are made from it in the summer, but it sheds its leaves in the fall. Thirty grains of the seed of this (taken as a drink with the same amount of dorycnium [4-75]) is said to cause many troublesome dreams. 4-146. MURSINE AGRIA SUGGESTED: Myrtus communis var romana — Broad-leaved Myrtle [other usage] Myrsine africana — African Myrsine M yrsine has a leaf similar to myrtle but broader, sharp at the top like a spear. The fruit is round and borne in the centre of the leaves [[flattened stems], red when ripe, with the inside bony. The little branches are willow-like, many emerging out of the same root, and hard to break, the length of a forearm, and full of leaves. The root is like that of grass, harsh to the taste, somewhat bitter. It grows in rough steep places. The leaves and berries (taken as a drink in wine) are able to induce urine, expel the menstrual flow, and break stones in the bladder. It cures jaundice, slow painful urination, and headaches. A decoction of the root (taken as a drink with wine) does the same. The newly-grown stalks (used as vegetables) are eaten instead of asparagus, but they are bitter and diuretic. It is also called sacra myrtus, spinosa myrtus, murina spina, agonon, scincos, minthe, catangelos, anangelos, acairon, ocneron, cine, lichene, chamaepitys, or chamaemyrsine; the Boeotians call it gurenia, the Magi, genitura Herculis, and the Romans, ruscus. 692 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Tithymalus cyparissias after FUCHS — 1545 693 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Tithymalus helioscopium after FUCHS — 1545 694 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-147. DAPHNE ALEXANDRINA SUGGESTED: Laurus-Alexandrina [Fuchs], Daphne-Alexandrina [Brunfels], Ruscus hypoglossum [Linnaeus], Ruscus hippoglossum, Uvularia, Baslingua — Laurel of Caesar [Mabberley], Horse Tongue, Double Tongue See 4-132 [other usage] Alexandrian Laurel — Danaë laurus, Danaidea racemosa, Ruscus racemosus L aurus Alexandrina has leaves similar to myrsine agria but larger, softer and paler, with a red fruit in the centre of them the size of a cicer [2-126]. The branches lie on the earth, twenty centimetres long (or sometimes more). The root is similar to myrsine agria but larger, with a sweet scent, and softer. It grows in hilly places. Six teaspoons of the root (taken as a drink with sweet wine) is able to help women in difficult labour [childbirth], and those with slow painful urination, and it extracts blood. It is also called idaea, danae, hypoglotton, zalaea, stephane, daphnos, samothracica, methrion, or hypoglossion. Ruscus racemosus after FAGUET — 1888 4-148. DAPHNOIDES SUGGESTED: Mezereon [Pliny], Thymelaea [Medieval], Daphnoides, Laureola [Fuchs], Clematis aegyptica, Daphne laureola, Daphne mezereum [Linnaeus], Thymelaea praecox, Thymelaea mezereum, Mezereum officinale — Spurge, Laurel, Dwarf Bay, Mezereon, Spurge Olive, Dwarf Laurel D aphnoeides is similar to alypon [4-180] with a flower like nymphaea [3-148], and in the midst of this, something like a cone, in which is the seed. It is a little shrub, a foot high, with many branches (flexible like a thong), bearing leaves from the middle to the top. The bark around the stems is very gluey; the leaves are similar to the bay, but softer, more slender, and not easily broken, biting and burning the mouth and the jaws. The flowers are white and the fruit black when it is grown ripe; the root is useless. It grows in mountainous places. The leaves (taken in a drink either dried or fresh) expel phlegm through the bowels. It encourages vomiting and the menstrual flow. Chewed, it draws mucus from the Daphne mezereum after FAGUET — 1878 695 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS head, and it also encourages sneezing, and a decoction of as much as eleven grains of the fruit (taken as a drink) purges. It is also called daphnitis, or hydragogon; the Romans call it laureola, some, lactago, and the Gauls, ousubim. 4-149. CHAMAIDAPHNE SUGGESTED: Prunus laurocerasus [Pliny], Cerasus laurocerasus, Padus laurocerasus, Laurocerasus officinalis — Dwarf Laurel, Cherry Laurel C hamaedaphne sends out single-branched rods a foot long — straight, thin and smooth; the leaves of this are similar to the [other] bay but much smoother, thinner and greener. The fruit is round and red, growing near to the leaves. The leaves of this (pounded into small pieces and smeared on) helps headaches and burning of the stomach. They cease griping, taken as a drink with wine. The juice (given to drink with wine) expels the menstrual flow and urine, and applied in a pessary it does the same. Some have called this alexandrina, daphnitis, or hydragogon, the Romans, laureola, some lactago, and the Gauls, ousubim. 4-150. ELLEBOROS SUGGESTED: Elleborus-albus, Elleborus candidus [Fuchs], Veratrum album [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Helleborus albus — Hellebore, White Hellebore, Lungwort POISONOUS E lleborus albus has leaves similar to those of plantain or of the wild beet but shorter, darker, and red in colour. The stalk is a hand’s width, hollow. It is peeled when it begins to dry. The many thin roots are underneath, coming out together from a small, somewhat long little head like an onion. It grows in rough hilly places. You must gather the roots at harvest time. The best is that which is mildly extended, white, easily broken and fleshy, not peaked, and like a rush (or giving off down) when broken; but with the pith thin, not burning the taste too much, nor drawing out spittle 696 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Tithymalus platyphyllos after FUCHS — 1545 697 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Lathyris after FUCHS — 1545 698 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK too fast, for this sort is choking. The best is the Cyrenian and the Galatian. The Cappadocian is paler, downy and more choking. It purges by causing vomiting, expelling matter of various colours. It is mixed with eye salves that are able to take away things that darken the pupils. It expels the menstrual flow, is applied as an abortifacient, and encourages sneezing. Kneaded with honey and polenta and boiled to gether with pieces of meat, it kills mice and decomposes them. It is given to those fasting either by itself, or with sesame and barley water, alica [2-114], honey water, porridge, lens [lentils], or some other sipping liquid. It is also made into bread and baked like wheat. The method of treatment and the dieting is fully explained by those who by declaration have written about the dosages of it. We most agree with Phlomides the Sicilian from Enna. For it is tedious in discussing medicinal matters, professedly to set down the therapeutical institution. Some give it with a lot of sipping stuff or a great quantity of juice, or else, giving beforehand some small nourishment, they straight away give the hellebore to one in whom (especially) choking is suspected, or who has weakness of the body. The purging is without danger to those who take it like this, because the medicine is not unseasonably applied to their bodies. Suppositories of it (put up into the perineum with vinegar) encourage vomiting. It is also called ascis, atomon, or pignatoxaris; the Magi call it genitura Herculis, some, polyides, or anaphytos; the Egyptians call it somphia, some, unre, the Romans, veratrum album, the Gauls, laginum, and some, anepsa. 699 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-151. ELLEBOROS MELAS SUGGESTED: Elleborum nigrum [Fuchs], Helleborus viridis [Linnaeus], Helleborus officinalis, Helleborus niger, Veratrum nigrum — Black Hellebore, Christmas Rose Elleborus niger adulterinus sylvestris [Fuchs], Helleborus foetidus [Linnaeus] — Stinkwort [Mabberley] [other usage] Astrantia major — Black Hellebore, Masterwort, Larger Astrantia ALL POISONOUS H elleborus niger is called melampodium since it is thought that one Melampus, a goatherd, purged and cured the mad daughters of Proteus with it. It has green leaves similar to the plane tree, but smaller, closer to those of spondylium, more jagged, darker, and somewhat rough. The stalk is rough, and the flowers white, inclining to purple, and in clusters. In it is seed similar to cnicus [4-119, 4-190] that those who live in Anticyra call sesamoeides [4-152] and use for purges. The roots underneath are thin and black, hanging (as it were) on an onion-like little head, which also has use. It grows in rough high dry places. The best is taken out of countries such as Anticyra, for the blackest and best grows there. Choose that which is fleshy and well nourished with only thin pith, sharp and burning to the taste, such as that in Helicon and Parnassus, and that growing in Aetolia. That from Helicon is the best. It purges the intestines from above, driving out phlegm and bile, given alone (or with scammony and a teaspoonful or thirty grains of salt). It is also boiled with lens [lentils] and broths that are taken for purging. It is good for epilepsy, depression, delirium, arthritis and paralysis. Given in a pessary it expels the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, and cleans fistulas [ulcers] (put into them and taken away after the third day). Similarly, it is put into the ears for those who are hard of hearing, leaving it alone for two or three days. Rubbed on with frankincense, or wax, pitch, and oil cedrinum [cedar], it also heals parasitic skin diseases. Applied with vinegar it heals vitiligo [type of leprosy], impetigo, and leprosy. Boiled with vinegar and used as a mouthwash, it soothes toothache. It is also put into corrosive medicines. With 700 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Peplos after FUCHS — 1545 701 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Convolvulus scammonia after FAGUET — 1888 702 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK barley meal and wine it is a good poultice for dropsy. Planted near the roots of vines it makes the wine made from them purgative. They sprinkle it around houses thinking it preserves them from evil spirits. When they dig it they stand praying to Apollo and Aesculapius, observing the eagle’s flight, for they say he flies that way not without danger to them. For the bird causes death if one is seen digging hellebore; and one must dig it with swiftness because inhaling it causes a headache. To prevent this, those who dig it eat garlic and drink wine, so they are made less liable to be hurt. It is pithy, as is the white hellebore. It is also called melampodium, ectomon, polyrrhizon, protion, melanorrhizon, or cyrranion; the Magi call it zomarition, the Egyptians, isea, some, elaphine, or cemeleg, the Romans, veratrum nigrum, some, saraca, and the Dacians, prodiorna. 4-152. SESAMOEIDES SUGGESTED: Sesamum triphyllum — Wild Sesame Hyptis spicigera — Black Sesame ALSO: Sesamum indicum, Sesamum orientale sesamoides means ‘like sesame’ T he great sesamoides is a herb similar to senecio [ragwort] or to rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] — the flower white, the root slender and useless, the seed similar to that of sesama [2-121], bitter to the taste — which purges both phlegm and bile upward. It is pounded into small pieces and taken with fifteen grains of white hellebore with honey and water. It is also called sesamites, or sesamis, lupina scutica, white hellebore, or anticyricon. In Anticyra they call it hellebore because it is mixed in the purges with white hellebore. 4-153. SESAMOEIDES MIKRON SUGGESTED: Sesamum triphyllum — Wild Sesame Hyptis spicigera — Black Sesame T he small sesamoides has small stalks twenty centimetres long, with leaves similar to coronopis, yet rougher and smaller. On top of the little stalks are small 703 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS heads, with somewhat purple little flowers, the middle of which is white, in which is seed similar to sesama [2-121], bitter and yellowish. The root is thin. Half an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with honey water) purges bile and phlegm downwards. Applied with water it dissolves small swellings and oedema. It grows in rough places. It is also called coronion, or sylvestre sesamon. 4-154. SIKUS AGRIOS SUGGESTED: Sicyos agrios [Apuleius], Cucumis sylvestris, Cucumer asininus [Fuchs], Ecballium elaterium, Ecballium agreste, Momordica elaterium [Linnaeus], Elaterium officinale [in Sprague] — Wild Cucumber, Squirting Cucumber POISONOUS S ucus agria differs from the cultivated sucus in the fruit, having them much smaller, similar to somewhat long little suppositories. The leaves and shoots are similar to the cultivated. The root is white. It grows in the rubbish of houses and in sandy places. The shrub is bitter. The juice of the leaves dropped in the ears is good for earache, and the root (smeared on with polenta) dissolves all old oedemas. Applied with resin terminthos [1-91] it breaks small swellings. Boiled with vinegar (and smeared on) it dissolves gout, and is a suppository for sciatica, and a decoction is a mouthrinse for toothache. Pounded into small pieces (when it has dried) it cleanses vitiligines [form of leprosy], leprosy, and impetigo [skin infection], and purifies black scars and spots on the face. Fifteen grains (at the least) of the juice of the root (and as much as the fourth part of an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of the bark) also purge phlegm and bile (especially in dropsy) but without hurting the stomach. One must take a half a pound of the root, beat it finely with two pints of wine (especially Libyan wine) and give a quarter pint (every third day) until the swelling is sufficiently reduced. It is also called elaterium, grynon, balis, syncrisis, bubalion, scopion, imbriferum, peucedanon, or notion; the Romans call it agtetum, some, agrestis, and the Africans, cusimezar. 704 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sambucus ebulus after FAGUET — 1881 705 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Colocynthis after FUCHS — 1545 706 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-155. ELATERION SUGGESTED: Sicyos agrios [Apuleius], Cucumis sylvestris, Cucumer asininus [Fuchs], Ecballium elaterium, Ecballium agreste, Momordica elaterium [Linnaeus], Elaterium officinale [in Sprague] — Wild Cucumber, Squirting Cucumber POISONOUS E laterium is made (as follows) from the fruit of the cucumber. Choose cucumbers that spring back when touched, lay them aside, leaving them for a night. Then the next day set a loosely woven sarce [strainer] over a jar, and with a little knife held in place with the edge upward, take the cucumbers one by one with both hands, cut them, and strain out the liquid through the sarce [strainer] into the little jar that stands underneath, also straining out the purple stuff which adheres to the sarce [strainer] so that it may also pass through. Put that which has been strained into a basin standing by, then lay together the cut stuff on the cloth, moisten it with fresh water, strain it, and throw the remainder away. Having stirred the liquid around in the basin, cover it with a linen cloth, set it in the sun, and after a while pour away all the water that swims on top (with any coalesced matter). Do this often, as long as any water remains standing on top, which you clear out by drops. Placing the sediment into a mortar, pound it and make it into tablets. So that the liquid may be quickly dried up, some sprinkle sifted ashes on the ground, and hollowing their midst, spread over it a doubled linen cloth, pour in the elaterium, and when it has dried, they beat it in a mortar (as previously mentioned). Some (instead of fresh water) wash it by pouring on seawater. Some (in the last washing) pour on honey and water. The best elaterium has a rather moist whiteness, is light, smooth, extremely bitter to the taste, and applied to a candle is soon kindled. But that which resembles leeks and is coarse and foul to the sight, full of ervum [2-129, 2-131] and ashes, is heavy and useless. Some also mix starch with the juice of cucumber to make it white and light. That which is two years old is good for purging (until it is ten). The perfect dose is ten grains, the least five grains, and for children, two aureola (?). If more is taken 707 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS (as a drink) it is dangerous. It induces purging both downward and upward, expelling phlegm and bile. This purging is best for difficult breathers. If you want to purge the intestines downward mix it with twice as much salt, and stibium [trisulphide of antimony or black antimony] as much as to colour it, give pills as big as ervum [seed] formed with water, and let him sip them with one winecupful of lukewarm water. For vomiting, dilute the elaterium in water and rub under the tongue with a feather, as far in as possible. If he finds it difficult to vomit, dilute it either in oil or ointment irinum [1-66], but forbid him to sleep. To those who are excessively purged you must frequently give oiled wine, for this way the vomiters are restored. If the vomiting does not cease cold water must be given with polenta, posca [hot drinks], and an apple, and other things to thicken the stomach. Elaterium (used in a pessary) induces the menstrual flow, and is an abortifacient. Poured with milk into the nostrils it cleans away jaundice, and drives away long-lasting headaches. It is an effective ointment (with old oil, honey, or a bull’s gall) for a synanchic [abscessed] throat. A teaspoon of the root of cultivated cucumber (pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with honey water) induces vomiting, but if anyone wants to vomit gently after supper, twenty grains are sufficient. 4-156. STAPHISAGRIA SUGGESTED: Staphisagria, Staphis agria [Fuchs, Bauhin] Delphinium staphisagria [Linnaeus], Pedicularis palustris — Stavesacre, Lousewort POISONOUS S taphis agria has leaves like the wild vine — jagged, straight, soft and black, with little stalks; and it bears a flower similar to glastum [2-215, 2-216]. The seed is in little pods, green, like cicer [2-126], triangular, coarse, a tawny yellow and black. That within is white and sharp to the taste. If you give ten or fifteen grains of this (pounded in honey and water) it purges thick stuff by vomiting, but let them walk about who have taken a drink of it. You must be careful when giving it in honey water because of the danger of suffocation and burning the jaws. It is good bruised and rubbed on with oil for pthiriases [psoriasis], 708 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Apios after FUCHS — 1545 709 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Dodder — Cuscuta epithymum after FAGUET — 1888 710 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK itches, and parasitical skin diseases. Chewed, it brings up a lot of phlegm, and boiled with vinegar for a mouthwash it helps toothache. This also represses rheumatic gums. With honey it heals apthas [small ulcers] in the mouth, and it is mixed with warm compresses for burns. It is also called trifolium, stesium, astaphis, phthiroctonon, phthirion, apanthropon, polyides, pseudopathes, or arsenote; the Egyptians call it ibesaoide, and the Romans, herba pedicularis. 4-157. THAPSIA SUGGESTED: Thapsia garganica — Thapsia, Drias Plant, Smooth Thapsia Thapsia villosa, Thapsia foetida, Thapsia asclepium — Deadly Carrot species T hapsia is named because it is thought that it was first found in Thapsus, an island of the same name. The whole nature of it is similar to ferula [3-95]. The stalk is more slender, the leaves similar to marathrum [3-81], and on the top at every emergence are tufts similar to dill [3-67] on which are yellowish flowers. The seed is somewhat broad, similar to that of ferula, yet smaller. The large root is white within and black outside, thickly barked, and sharp. This has its liquid taken by being dug around and having the bark cut in. Or else the root itself is made hollow like a house roof, broad beneath and narrow at last, and then sealed so that the liquid may remain pure. Then the next day after you must go there and take away the liquid that has gathered together. It is juiced — the root is pounded and strained through a wicker colander and a press — and the juice dried in the sun in a thick ceramic jar. Some bruise with it its leaves but this sort is weak. The juice of the root is discerned by its stronger scent and by remaining moist, but that of the leaves is dry and wormeaten. It is necessary for one who takes the liquid not to stand against the wind but rather to do it in still weather, for it puffs up the face excessively, and the naked parts are blistered by the sharpness of the exhalation. He ought therefore first to rub his naked parts with moist, astringent, stiff ointments and then take it. The bark of the root, juice, and liquid are purging (a decoction is 711 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS taken as a drink with honey and water), for they purge bile upward and downward. Forty grains of the root is given with three teaspoonfuls of dill seed; and thirty grains of the juice or ten grains of the liquid, for it is dangerous if more is given. This purging is good for asthmatic disorders, long-lasting pains of the sides, and expectorants, but for those who find it hard to vomit it is given in meats and sauces. The liquid and roots, especially those of equal strength, are able to eliminate waste, whether to draw out anything from far within, or alter the state of the pores. Thus the juice rubbed on, or the green root rubbed on, thickens loss of hair [alopecia]. The root pounded into small pieces, or the juice with frankincense and wax (an equal measure of each) takes away bruises and blue marks. It must be left on no longer than two hours, and after this bathe the place with warm seawater. Smeared on with honey it takes away sunburn, and removes leprosy. The juice rubbed on with sulphur breaks tubercula [nodules]. It is rubbed on to benefit those who have long-lasting disorders of the side, lungs, feet, or joints. It is also useful for replacing the foreskin on those who lack the foreskin that was not done by circumcision, by forming a tumour that, washed and softened with fat things, fills up the defect of the foreskin. It is also called hypopion, pancranon, scammonion, or thelyteris, the Romans call it ferulago, some, ferula sylvestris, and the Africans, boide. 4-158. SPARTION SUGGESTED: Spartus [Fuchs], Spartium junceum [Linnaeus] — Spanish Broom, Spart Grass, Spartum S partium is a shrub with long stems without leaves, strong, hard to break, with which they bind vines. It bears pods like phaseoli [2-130], in which are little seeds like lentils, and the flower is yellowish like leucoion [3-138]. A decoction of fifty grains of the seed of this with its flowers (taken as a drink with honey and water) purges upward with violence like hellebore, yet without danger. The seed induces purging downwards. The stems (steeped in water then pounded and juiced) help sciatica and abscessed throat, as much as a winecupful 712 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Vitis alba after FUCHS — 1545 713 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Vitis nigra after FUCHS — 1545 714 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK taken as a drink while fasting. Some steep it in brine or seawater as suppositories for sciatica, for it expels bloody and strimentous stuff. It is also called lobon, or lygon. 4-159. SILUBON SUGGESTED: Spina alba hortensis, Carduus mariae [Fuchs, Brunfels], Carduus albus maculis [Bauhin], Silybum marianum, Carduus marianus [Linnaeus] — Milk Thistle, St Mary's Thistle S ilybum is a broad acantha with leaves like white chamaeleon [3-10], which is eaten newly sprung-up [vegetable] boiled with oil and salt. The juice of the root (as much as a teaspoonful taken as a drink with honey and water) encourages vomiting. 4-160. BALANOS AUREPSIKE SUGGESTED: Myrobalan citrina, Terminalia citrina — Hara Nut Tree Balanites aegyptica, Xymenia aegyptica — Thorn Tree, Egyptian Balsam, Zachum Oil Tree balanos aurepsike — acorns which are plucked B alanum auripsike is the fruit of a tree like myrica, similar to hazelnut. That within is pressed like bitter almonds, and it yields a liquid that they use for precious ointments instead of oil. It grows in Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, and in Petra, a town in Judaea. That which is new, full, white, and easily peeled is the best. This, pounded into small pieces and a teaspoonful taken in a drink with posca [hot drinks] reduces the spleen, and it is also laid on it with lolium [2-116, 4-140] meal. It is used with honey and water on gout. Boiled with vinegar it raises out scabies [itchy parasitical disease] and leprosy. It is used with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] for vitiligines [form of leprosy] and black scars. With urine it takes away freckles, varicose veins, sunburn, and pustules on the face. With honey water it induces vomiting, and loosens the intestines, but is very bad for the stomach. The oil (taken as a drink) is astringent to the bowels. The bark is 715 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS more astringent. The dregs that are left from that which was pounded and strained out are mixed with sebaceous treatments for roughness and itchiness. 4-161. NARKISSOS SUGGESTED: N arcissus pseudo-narcissus, N arcissus sylvestris — Wild Narcissus, Daffodil, Lent Lily, Lent Rose N arcissus poeticus — Poet’s Narcissus, Pheasant’s Eye N arcissus has similar leaves to the leek. They are thinner, much smaller, and narrower. It has an empty stalk without leaves, longer than twenty centimetres; on which is a white flower, and within a saffron colour and in some, a purple colour. The root is white within, round, bulbus-like [2-200]; the seed is in a little skin, black, somewhat long. The best grows in hilly places and has a good scent, but the rest is leekish and has an herby smell. The root of this (eaten or taken in a drink) induces vomiting. It is good also for burns, beaten small with honey. Laid on, it joins cut-apart sinews. Beaten finely and laid on with honey it helps dislocations of joints, and long-lasting pains of the joints. With nettle seed and vinegar it cleans sunburn and vitiligo [type of leprosy]. With ervum [2-129, 2-131] and honey it purges the filth of ulcers, and breaks the hard ripening of boils; and laid on with lolium meal [2-116, 4-140] and honey it draws out splinters. Some also have called it lirium, as they do the lily. It is also called narcissus anydros, autogenes, bulbus vomitorius, or lirion, and the Romans call it bulbus morbitarius. 4-162. IPPOPHAES SUGGESTED: Hippophae rhamnoides — Sallow Thorn, Willow Thorn, Sea Buckthorn H ippophaes with which they tread or beat cloth to thicken it, grows in sandy maritime places. It is a thick spriggy shrub, placing out on all sides; with long leaves similar to those of the olive, but narrower and softer; and between them dry filaments, whitish, knotty, distant from one another. The flowers are like clusters of berries of cissus [2-210], like clusters of grapes lying upon 716 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Cartamus after FUCHS — 1545 717 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS Mercurialis mas after FUCHS — 1545 718 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK one another, but smaller and soft, and with the white inclining to a Phoenician [red] colour in part. The root is thick and soft, full of liquid, bitter to the taste, and has its liquid taken like thapsia [4-157]. The liquid is stored alone or mixed with meal of ervum [2-129, 2-131] and dried. It purges bilious, watery and phlegmy matter downwards, as much as ten grains of it, unmixed. Of that mixed with the ervum, use forty grains with honey and water. The shrub is dried with its roots, pounded into small pieces, and given with a half-pint of honey and water. A juice is made of the root and herb like thapsia. For purging a teaspoonful of this is given. Some call it hippophues, hippophanes, hippion, equinum, or pelecinos; the Romans call it lappago, and some, lappolamera. 4-163. IPPOPHAISTON SUGGESTED: Tithymalus diffusis, Euphorbia spinosa [Bedevian] — Hippophaiston H ippophaeston grows in the same places in which hippophaes [above] grows, also a kind of fuller’s acantha [thistle] but it lies on the ground. It has only small little leaves, with empty little prickly heads. It bears neither stalk nor flower, and a thick soft root. Juice the leaves, root and head of this, dry the juice, and give thirty grains with honey and water to whom you will for purging to expel water and phlegm. This purging is good for asthma, epilepsy, and disorders of the strength. Some also call this hippophaes. 4-164. KROTON E KIKI SUGGESTED: Ricinus [Fuchs], Ricinus vulgaris [Bauhin], Ricinis communis [Linnaeus] — Castor Bean Plant [other usage]Croton tiglium, Croton acutus, Croton jamalgota, Pavana, Tiglium officinalis — Croton Oil Plant, Purging Croton, Tiglium C roton is named for the similarity of the seed to the kroton tick. It is a tree the height of a small fig tree, with leaves like the plane tree, but bigger, smoother and blacker. It has trunks and boughs hollow like a reed; and 719 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS the seed in rough berries, which peeled are like the kroton tick. Out of these is pressed the oil called cicinum [1-38]. It is not eaten but is useful for candles and plasters. Thirty grains, cleaned, pounded into small pieces, and taken in a drink drives out phlegm, bile, and water through the bowels. They also induce vomiting, but this purging is harsh and extremely drastic, overturning the stomach excessively. Pounded and applied it cleans varicose veins and sunburn. The leaves (bruised with flour of polenta and applied alone or with vinegar) lessen oedema and inflammation of the eyes, reduce breasts swollen from milk, and extinguish erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. Crotona some call sesamum sylvestre, seseli cyprium, or croton; the Egyptians call it systhamna, some, trixis, the Magi, sanguis febris, the Romans, ricinus, and some, lupa. 4-165. TITHUMALOS SUGGESTED: Euphorbia resinifera — Euphorbium Gum Plant Euphorbia tithymaloides, Pedilanthus tithymaloides — Red Bird Cactus, Slipper Flower, Jew Bush Tithymalus diffusis, Euphorbia spinosa — Hippophaiston Euphorbia — Devil’s Milk, Spurge Tithymalus acutifolius, Euphorbia pithyusa, Tithymalus pithyusa — Pithyusa Tithymalus peplis, Euphorbia peplis — Wild Purslane, Petty Spurge, Purple Spurge Tithumalos — milky white juice T here are seven kinds of tithymal: the male is called characias, comatus, or amygdaloides, or else it is called gobius. Another is called female, myrtites, caryites, or myrsinites; the third, paralius, or tithymalis; the fourth, helioscopius; the fifth, cyparissias; the sixth, dendroides; and the seventh, platyphyllos. 4-165a. TITHUMALOS CHARACHIAS SUGGESTED: Euphorbia characias [Loudon] C haracias has red stalks over a foot high full of sharp white juice. The leaves about the stems are like the olive tree only longer and narrower. The root is thick and 720 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK woody. On the top of the stalks are prickles of rushlike little rods; and under them hollow cases like basins or little hives in which is the seed. It grows in rough hilly places. Twenty grains of the juice (taken with posca [hot drinks]) purges the bowels below, expelling phlegm and bile. With honey and water it induces vomiting. It is juiced about the time of vintage, the stems laid together and cut. They must be shut up in a jar. Some mix it with meal of ervum [2-129, 2-131] to form pills the size of ervum [seed]. Some drop three or four drops into dried figs and dry them and store them. Pounded alone in a mortar it is formed into pills and put in jars. When juicing one must not stand against the wind, nor put his hands to his eyes, but also before juicing he must rub his body with grease or oil and wine — especially the face, neck and scrotum. It irritates a sore throat, so he ought to wrap the pills in wax or boiled honey and then give it. Two or three dried impregnated figs (taken) are sufficient to purge. The newly made juice (smeared on with oil in the sun) takes off hair, and makes those which come up again yellow and thin, and in the end destroys them all. It is put into the cavities of teeth, lessening the pain. You must cover the teeth with wax so that running beside it does not hurt the sore throat or the tongue. Smeared on, it takes away protruding and hanging warts, warty abnormal growths, and lichen [papular skin disease]. It is good for pterygium [membrane on eye], and carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours], rapidly spreading ulcers, gangrene, and fistulas [ulcers]. The seed is gathered in the autumn, dried in the sun, pounded gently, the chaff removed, and stored clean; and the leaves are dried the same way. Half an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of both the seed and the leaves (given to drink) does the same things as the juice. Some pickle them, mixing lepidium [2-205] and bruised cheese with the milky juice. One teaspoonful of the root (sprinkled upon with honey water and taken as a drink) purges through the belly. [The same] boiled with vinegar and the teeth washed with it helps toothache. 721 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-165b. TITHUMALOS MURSINITES SUGGESTED: Euphorbia myrsinites [Loudon] Myrsinites — a precious stone that smells like Myrrh [Pliny] — also Myrtle wine T he female (which some have called myrsinites or caryites) is similar to daphnoeides, and has leaves like myrsine (1-155, 4-146) but bigger and strong, sharp and prickly on the top. It sends out shoots twenty centimeters long from the root, and every second year it bears a fruit like a nut, gently biting to the tongue. This grows in rough places. The juice, root, seed and leaves have similar uses to that above, yet that is stronger for a vomit. 4-165c. TITHUMALOS KUPARISSIOS SUGGESTED: Tithymalus cyparissias [Fuchs, Bauhin], Euphorbia cyparissias [Loudon] — Cypress Spurge [Mabberley] C yparissias sends out a somewhat red stalk twenty centimeters long (or rather longer) out of which spring leaves like those of the pine, yet more tender and thinner. It is wholly like a pine newly come up, from which it is named. This is also filled with white juice. It has the same properties as those above. 4-165d. TITHUMALOS ELIOSKOPIOS SUGGESTED: Tithymalus helioscopius [Fuchs, Bauhin], Euphorbia helioscopia [Linnaeus] — Wartwort, Wartgrass, Sun Spurge, Cat's Milk H elioscopius has leaves like portulaca [4-168] but thinner and rounder, and it sends out four or five branches from the root, twenty centimeters long, thin and red, full of quantities of white juice. The head is dill-like [3-67], and the seed (as it were) in little heads, the filaments of which are carried around by the course of the sun, from which it is called helioscopius. It grows in ruined places and around towns. The juice and seed are gathered like the others. They have the same properties as those above but are not as forcible. 722 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-165e. TITHUMALOS PARALIOS SUGGESTED: Euphorbia paralias — Sea Spurge T ithymalus paralios grows in maritime places. It has five or six upright branches twenty centimetres long, somewhat red, emerging from the root. Around these are small leaves, somewhat slender, quite long, like flax; and on the top of each branch is a round head in which is seed like ervum [2-129, 2-131], variegated with white flowers. The whole shrub and root are full of white juice and the use and storage of this is like those above. Some have called it tithymalis, or mecona. 4-165f. TITHUMALOS DENDRITES SUGGESTED: Euphorbia dendroides — Tree-like Spurge D endroides grows on rocks, abundantly leafy towards the top, and full of filaments and juice, with reddish branches, around which are thin leaves like myrtle [1-155, 4-146]. The seed is like that of caracia [? Phaseolus caracalia] and this is also stored in the same way and works like that mentioned above. 4-165g. TITHUMALOS PLATUPHULLOS SUGGESTED: Tithymalus platyphyllos [Fuchs], Euphorbia platyphyllos [Linnaeus] — Annual Warty Spurge P latyphyllos is like verbascum [4-104]. The roots and leaves purge watery matter through the bowels. Pounded and diluted with water it kills fish and those mentioned above do the same. 4-166. PITUOUSA SUGGESTED: Tithymalus acutifolius, Euphorbia pithyusa, Tithymalus pithyusa — Pithyusa P ityusa sends out a stalk longer than a foot, very knotted, surrounded with sharp thin little leaves like those of pine flowers, small, and as it were, purple. The 723 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS seed is broad like lentils; the root (which they call turpeth) is white, thick, and full of juice. This shrub is found considerably large in some places. Two teaspoonfuls of the root (given with honey water) purges downward. One teaspoonful of the seed (and as much as a spoonful of the juice) is taken with meal in a catapotium [pill] but three teaspoonfuls of the leaves are given. It is also called clema, crambion, paralion, or canopicon, and seems to differ from the Cyparissian tithymal, although it is considered one of them. 4-167. LATHUROS SUGGESTED: Lathyris [Fuchs], Lathyris major [Bauhin], Euphorbia lathyris [Linnaeus], Euphorbia lathyrus, Euphorbia spongiosa — Wild Caper, Myrtle Spurge, Caper Spurge L Euphorbia lathyris after FAGUET — 1878 724 athyris sends out an empty stalk the height of a foot, the thickness of a finger, and on the top of it are wings. The leaves on the stalk are somewhat long like those of the almond tree, but broader and smoother. Those on the tops of the little branches are smaller, like those of aristolochia [3-4, 3-5, 3-6] or of cissus [2-210]. It has seed on the tops of the branches in three heads, round like capparis [2-204], in which are three little seeds separated by loose skins from one another, round, bigger than ervum [2-129, 2-131]. Peeled, they are white and sweet to the taste. The root is thin and white, of no use. The whole shrub is full of juice like tithymal. As many as seven or eight of the seeds are able to purge the bowels taken in a pill or eaten and swallowed down with dry figs or dates, and cold water sipped with it. It expels phlegm, bile, and water. The juice (taken like tithymal) does the same. The leaves are boiled together with a hen or vegetables for the same effect. Some also call this tithymal and regard it among the tithymals. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-168. PEPLOS SUGGESTED: Peplos, Esula rotunda [Fuchs], Euphorbia peplus [Linnaeus], Tithymalus peplis, Euphorbia peplis — Wild Purslane, Purple Spurge, Petty Spurge P eplos is a little shrub full of white juice, with a little leaf like rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], but broader. The whole clump is about twenty centimetres round, spread on the ground; and under the leaves is little seed, round, smaller than that of white poppy. The herb has much use although the single root (from which the whole shrub breaks out) is of no use. It grows in gardens and vineyards. It is gathered at harvest time, dried in the shade, and turned often. The seed is pounded, made clean, and stored. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of a decoction (taken as a drink with a half pint of honey water) expels phlegm and bile. Mixed in meats it disturbs the digestion. It is preserved in brine. It is also called syce, or papaver spumeum. 4-169. PEPLION SUGGESTED: Peplis portula — Common Water Purslane P eplis grows (particularly) in maritime places. It is a shrub spread around, full of white juice, with leaves like garden portulaca [4-168] but round, with the parts beneath a reddish colour; and round seed under the leaves like peplus [4-168], hot to the taste. The single root is thin and useless. It is gathered, stored, and given like peplus preserved in brine, and it has the same properties. It is also called portulaca sylvestris, while Hippocrates calls it peplion. 4-170. CHAMAISUKE SUGGESTED: Euphorbia chamaesyce, Euphorbia massilensis — Crenated Annual Spurge see 3-96 C hamaesyce sends out branches four fingers long, lying upon the ground, round in a circle, full of juice, 725 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS with leaves like lens [lentils], similar to peplus [above], little, thin, close to the earth. The seed is under the leaves, round, like peplus. It has neither flower nor stalk, and the root is thin and useless. The branches (pounded into small pieces) with wine are able to lessen pains about the womb. Applied as a pessary and smeared on they take away oedema, hanging warts, and myrmecias [wart resembling an anthill]. Eaten boiled, they loosen the bowels, and the juice does the same things. Furthermore, smeared on, it helps a scorpion strike. It is good rubbed on with honey for dullness of sight, darkening of the vision, new liquid discharges from the eyes, scars, and specks or small clouds in the eye. It grows in dry rocky places. Some call it syce, or papaver spumeum. 4-171. SKAMMONIA SUGGESTED: Convolvulus scammonia, Convolvulus syriacus — Scammony gum resin S camonia sends out many branches three feet long from one fat root, displaying roughness; and the leaves are also rough like helxine [4-39, 4-86] or cissus [2-210], yet softer and triangular. The flowers are white, round, hollow like baskets, with a strong scent. The root is a good length, thick as an arm, white, with a strong scent, and full of juice. The juice is gathered as follows: the head is taken away from the root and a roof-like hollowness cut into it; the juice flows into it and is taken up in spoons. Some dig the earth in a roof-like shape, place leaves of the carya [1-178] underneath, and pour the juice on them. When it has dried to a resin they take it away. The good resin is transparent, light, thin, and like bull glue in colour, with thin fungus-like cracks, like that from Mysia in Asia. Do not only look for the whiteness of it when touched by the tongue, for this happens also if the juice of tithymal [above] is mixed with it, but look rather to the signs previously mentioned, and also that it does not burn the tongue too much, which happens when tithymal is mixed with it. Those made in Judaea and the Syrian are the worst — heavy, thick, adulterated with tithymal and ervum meal [2-129, 2-131]. 726 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Forty grains of the juice (taken with honey and water or a teaspoon of water) is able to purge bile and phlegm downwards. To loosen the bowels twenty grains are enough, taken with sesama [2-121] or some other seed. For more effective purging thirty grains of the juice is given with twenty grains of black hellebore and one teaspoonful of aloe. Purging salts are prepared with twenty teaspoonfuls of the juice of scammony mixed with six cups of salt. It is taken according to the strength of a man. The full dose is three spoonfuls, the middle two and the least one. One or two teaspoonfuls of the root (mixed with the things previously mentioned) are a purge. Some boil it and drink it. Boiled with vinegar and pounded into small pieces with barley meal it is a poultice for sciatica. The juice (applied to the womb in wool) is an abortifacient. Rubbed on with honey or oil it dissolves tubercula [nodules]. Boiled in vinegar and smeared on it takes away leprosy. With vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] it makes irrigations [by pouring or sprinkling] for a long-lasting headache. Some call this scamboniae radix, colophonia, or dactylium, the Romans call it colophonium, the Magi, apopleumonos, and the Egyptians, sanilum. 4-172. CHAMELAIA SUGGESTED: Chamelaea [Pliny], Cneorum tricoccon — Dwarf Olive Cneorum [Bedevian] — Spurge Olive, Widow Wail C hamelaea has branches twenty centimetres long. The shrub is sprigged, and it has leaves like the olive but more slender, thick and bitter, biting to the taste, and irritating to the throat. The leaves of this purge phlegm and bile downward, especially taken in a catapotium [pill] with twice as much wormwood [3-26] mixed to one part of the chamelaea, but let it be made with water or honey into a catapotium. They are not soluble for they pass through as big as they were taken. The leaves (pounded into small pieces and taken with honey) purge foul, crusted ulcers. It is also called pyros achne, acnestos, coccos cnidios, chamelaea nigra, heraclion, or bdelura, the Romans call it citocacium, and some, eleago, or oloastellum. Cneorum tricoccum after Le MAOUT — 1888 727 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-173. THUMELAIA SUGGESTED: Thymelaea hirsuta, Daphne gnidium — Gnidium, Spurge Flax, Flax-leaved Daphne [Loudon] not the cnidium species of today T hymelaea is similar in nature to sown flax. It sends out many thin fair stems, almost two feet high. The leaves are like chamelaea [above] but narrower and fatter, somewhat viscous and glutinous if chewed. The flowers are white, and in the midst is the fruit — as small as that of myrtus [1-155], round, at first green, but afterwards red. The covering of it is hard and black, but within it is white. A decoction of the inner part (taken as a drink using as much as twenty of the grains) purges bile, phlegm and water downwards. It burns a rough throat; as a result it is given with meal, polenta, in the kernel of a grape, or covered with boiled honey to swallow it down. Additionally, to rub those who have difficulty sweating, it is pounded into small pieces with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and vinegar. The leaves — which are properly called cneoron — must be gathered at harvest time and put in jars after they have dried in the shade. It is necessary to beat them and to take off the strings in them. As much as an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] applied with diluted wine purges by drawing away watery matter. It makes the purging more moderate if it is mixed with boiled lens [lentils] and bruised vegetables. They are pounded into small pieces and made into little balls (with juice from unripe grapes) to be stored. The herb is worthless for the stomach, and given as a pessary it is an abortifacient. It grows in rough hilly places. Some are deceived thinking cnidium grain [seed] to be the fruit of chamelaea, beguiled by the similarity of the leaves. It is also called chamelaea, pyrosachne, cestron, or cneoron. Cnidium grain — which is the seed — is gathered, which the Euboeans call it aetolium, the Syrians, apolinum, and some, linum. 728 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-174. AKTE SUGGESTED: Sambucus [Fuchs], Sambucus nigra [Linnaeus] — Elder Tree, Arn Tree, Boon Tree see uses below — 4-175 A cte has two types; one is like a tree with reed-like branches — round, hollow, whitish and a good length. The three or four leaves are set at distances around the stem, like the carya [1-178], more jagged, and with a strong smell. On the top are branches or stalks on which are round tufts with white flowers, and a fruit like terminthos [1-91] of a somewhat purplish black, growing in clusters, full of juice, smacking of wine. It is also called arbor ursi, or sativa; the Romans call it sambucus, the Gauls, scobie, and the Dacians, seba. 4-175. CHAMAIAKTE SUGGESTED: Ebulus [Fuchs], Sambucus ebulus [Linnaeus] — Dwarf Elder, Ground Elder, Danewort BERRIES POISONOUS T he other kind is called chamaiacte. This has a creeping rhizome and is smaller and more herb-like, with a foursquare stalk that has many joints. The leaves are spread out at distances around every joint, like the almond tree, cut-in all around, and longer, with a strong scent, and having a tuft on the top like that above, and with a similar flower and fruit. The long root lies underneath, the thickness of a finger. This has the same properties and uses as that above — drying, expelling water, yet bad for the stomach. The leaves (boiled as vegetables) purge phlegm and bile, and the stalks (boiled as a vegetable) do the same. The roots (boiled with wine and given with meat) are good for dropsy. A decoction (taken as a drink) helps those bitten by vipers. Boiled with water for bathing it softens the womb and opens the vagina, and sets to rights any disorders around it. A decoction of the fruit (taken as a drink with wine) does the same things, and rubbed on it darkens the hair. The new tender leaves (smeared on with polenta) lessen inflammation, and smeared on, they are good for burns 729 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS and dog bites. Smeared on with bull or goat grease they heal hollow ulcers, and help gout. It is also called heliosacte, sylvestris sambucus, or euboica; the Romans call it ebulus, the Gauls, ducone, and the Dacians, olma. 4-176. PUKNOKOMON SUGGESTED: Clinopodium vulgare, Melissa clinopodium — Wild Basil see 3-50, 3-109 P ycnocomon has leaves like eruca [2-170] but rough, thick, and sharper, a four-square stalk, and a flower like that of basil. The seed is like marrubium [3-38]; the root black, round, pale, shaped like a little apple, smelling earthy. It grows in rocky places. As much as a teaspoon of a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink) is able to cause nightmares. Applied with polenta it dissolves oedemas and extracts thorns and splinters. The leaves are applied to dissolve tubercles [growths] and boils or inflammatory tumours. The root loosens the intestines and voids bile. Two teaspoonfuls are given in honey and water. 4-177. APIOS SUGGESTED: Apios [Fuchs], Lathyrus arvensis repens tuberosus [Bauhin], Lathyrus tuberosus [Linnaeus] — Earth Chestnut [Mabberley] [other usage] Euphorbia apios — Pear-rooted Spurge A pios sends out two or three small branches from the earth — rushy, thin and red — lifting themselves a little above the ground. The leaves are similar to rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], green, yet somewhat longer and narrower. The seed is small; the root similar to hastula [fistula?] regia and in the shape of a pear, but rounder and full of juice, with a black bark, and the inside white. This inner part of the root is taken to draw out bile and phlegm by vomiting, and the bark purges downward. Taken together they induce purging both ways. If you are prepared to juice it, beat the roots, throw them into a jar of water, shake it together, take away the liquid standing on top with a feather, and dry it. A decoction of fifteen grains of this (taken as a drink) purges upward and 730 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK downward. It is also called ischias, chamaebalanos, radix montanus, radix sylvestris, or linozastis; the Romans call it radix silvestris, and the Africans, thorphassadoe. 4-178. KOLOKUNTHIS SUGGESTED: Citrullus colocynthis, Cucumis colocynthis — Colocynth, Bitter Apple, Bitter Gourd see 2-162 C olocynthis sends out small branches with jagged leaves spread on the ground like those of the cultivated cucumber, with a round fruit like a mid-sized ball, strongly bitter, which you must gather when it begins to change into a paler colour. The pulp of the fruit is purging; forty grains is taken with honey water, or with saltpetre [potassium nitrate], or myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], boiled with honey and made into a catapotion [pill]. The seeds themselves (dried and pounded into small pieces) are effective mixed with enemas or suppositories for sciatica, paralysis, and colic, for driving out phlegm and bile, and for scouring out, sometimes even bloody stuff. Used as a pessary they are abortifacient. This is a mouth rinse for toothache, if you take the pith out of one, wrap it around with clay and boil it in vinegar and saltpetre [potassium nitrate], then give it to wash the mouth with. Boiled with honey water, or else passum [raisin wine], cooled, and given to drink, it purges thick fluids and scours the bowels. It is very bad for the stomach. A suppository of it is inserted for voiding excrement. The green juice of it is good, rubbed on sciatica. It is also called colocynthis capri, cucurbita amara, or colocynthis Alexandrina; Zoroastres calls it thymbra, Osthenes calls it autogenes, the Romans, cucurbita sylvatica, and the Dacians, tutastra. 4-179. EPITHUMON SUGGESTED: Cuscuta epithymum, Cuscuta minor — Clover Dodder, Lesser Dodder E pithymum has little heads, thin and light, with tails like filaments. A decoction (taken as a drink with honey) purges phlegm and black bile downwards. Four 731 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS teaspoonfuls given with with honey and salt and a little vinegar in an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] is suitable for the depressive and those inflated with wind. It grows abundantly in Cappadocia and Pamphyllia. It is also called cedoes, and the Romans call it involucrum. It has a flower like the harder thyme and like satureia. Dodder — Cuscuta epithymum 4-180. ALUPON after FAGUET — 1888 SUGGESTED: Globularia alypum — Globularia, Alypo Globe Daisy A lypum is a somewhat red shrubby herb, with thin twigs and thin leaves; full of flowers, soft and light; the root like beet, thin, full of sharp juice; the seed like epithymum [above]. It grows in great abundance in maritime places especially, in places in Libya, and abundantly in other places also. The seed (taken with an equal amount of salt, epithymum, and vinegar) purges black bile downward, and it exits the intestines quickly. 4-181. EMPETRON SUGGESTED: Empetrum nigrum — Crowberry, Black-berried Heath POISONOUS E mpetron grows in hilly maritime places, salty to the taste, but that nearer to the earth is more bitter. Given in broth or honey water it purges phlegm, bile, and watery matter. It is also called phacoides. 4-182. KLEMATITIS SUGGESTED: Clematis flammula [Mabberley] — Clematis, Sweet Virgin's Bower C lematitis sends out somewhat reddish pliant branches, and leaves especially sharp to the taste and ulcerating. It winds around trees like smilax. A decoction of the seed of this (pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with water or honey water) drives 732 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK phlegm and bile downwards. The leaves applied remove leprosy. It is preserved in salt with lepidium [2-205] to be eaten. 4-183. AMPELOS AGRIA SUGGESTED: Ampelos agria, Labrusca [Pliny], Vitis labrusca — Wild Vine, Fox Grape T he wild vine sends out long sprigs like the vine, woody and rough, with the bark chapped. The leaves are like garden strychnos, but broader and longer. The mossy flower has filaments; and the fruit is like little grape clusters that ripen and grow red. The shape of the seeds is round. The root of this (boiled in wine and taken as a drink with two cups of seawater) purges out watery matter. It is also given for dropsy. The clusters [of fruit] clean away sunburn and every spot. The new shoots are preserved in salt to eat with meat [vegetable]. 4-184. AMPELOS LEUKE SUGGESTED: Vitis-alba, Psilothrum, Bryonia [Fuchs], Brionia alba [Linnaeus], Bryonia dioica — White Bryony Snake Bryony, White Wild Vine, Common Bryony POISONOUS V itis alba has branches, leaves and tendrils like the cultivated vine, but all rougher. It is wrapped around the shrubs standing nearby; catching hold with its tendrils; and it has a red cluster-like fruit with which hides are made bare of hair. The young tendrils of this are eaten (boiled) at the first placing-out, to move the urine and bowels. The leaves, fruit, and root are sharp; as a result they are effective applied with salt on those who have had surgery, gangrene, and spreading, erosive, rotten ulcers of the legs. The root cleans the skin and smooths it [wrinkles], and with ervum [2-129, 2-131], terra chia [earth from Chios], and fenugreek it takes off sunburn, varicose veins, freckles, and black scars. Boiled with oil until it is dissolved it is good for the same purposes. It takes away bruises and represses whitlows on the fingers. Pounded into small pieces and smeared on with wine it dissolves inflammation, breaks abscesses, 733 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS and extracts bones. It is mixed effectively with antiseptic medicines. It is taken as a drink for epilepsy — one teaspoon every day for a year. Taken in the same way it helps those sick of apoplexy [rush of blood and dizziness] and vertigo. Two teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink) help those bitten by vipers, and are an abortifacient. Sometimes it troubles the understanding somewhat. A decoction (taken as a drink) induces urine, and applied as a pessary to the womb it is an abortifacient, and extracts the afterbirth. Syrup of it with honey is given to those suffocated, to hard breathers and coughers, to those with pain in the side, and for hernia and convulsions. Thirty grains (as a decoction taken as a drink with vinegar for thirty days) reduces the spleen, and it is smeared on with figs for the same purposes. It is boiled for a hip bath to clean the womb, and it is an abortifacient. The root is juiced in the spring. This juice is taken as a drink with honey and water for the same purposes, as well as to expel phlegm. The fruit is good (both rubbed on and applied) for parasitical skin diseases and leprosy. The fruit is juiced and sipped up with boiled wheat to draw out milk [breastfeeding]. It is also called bryony, ophiostaphylon, chelidonion, melothron, psilothron, archezostis, agrostis, or cedrostis. 4-185. AMPELOS MELAINA SUGGESTED: Vitis-nigra [Fuchs], Clematis sylvestris latifolia [Bauhin],Clematis vitalba [Linnaeus], Viburnum gallorum, Vitis nigra — Wild Clematis, Traveller’s Joy, Biting Clematis, Hedge Vine POISONOUS V itis nigra has leaves and stalks like cissus [2-210] or even more like those of smilax. These are bigger, and this too takes hold of the trees with its tendrils. The fruit is clustered, green at first, but it grows black when ripe. The root is black outside, but within the colour of box root. The new stalks are eaten as vegetables. They are urinary, expel the menstrual flow, and reduce the spleen. They are good for epilepsy, vertigo and paralysis. The root has the same properties as the white bryony, and is suitable for the same uses yet it is less effective. The leaves (smeared on with wine) are good for the necks of 734 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK labouring beasts that are ulcerated, and they are applied similarly for dislocations [veterinary]. It is also called black bryony, the chironian vine, or bucranium; the Romans call it oblamenia, some, batanuta, or betisalca, the Dacians, priadela, some, pegrina, and the Africans, lauothen. 4-186. PTERIS SUGGESTED: Filix mas [Fuchs], Filix non ramosa dentata [Bauhin], Dryopteris filix-mas [in Sprague], Polypodium filix-mas [Linnaeus], Aspidium filix-mas, Polystichum filix-mas, Lastrea filix-mas, Polypodium dryopteris — Male Polypody, Male Fern, Shield Fern see 4-189 P teris has leaves without stalks, flowers or seed out of one stem, the height of about a foot, cut-in and spread out wide like a wing, with a somewhat strong smell. It has a root that lies shallow, black, somewhat long, with many shoots, somewhat astringent to the taste. It grows in rocky hilly places. Four teaspoonfuls of the root of this is taken with honey and water to draw out broadworms. It works better if one gives it with forty grains of scammony or black hellebore. It is necessary for those who take it to eat garlic first. For the splenetic it is given to restore them to their former state. A decoction of the root (taken as a drink with goose grease and applied as well) is good for those hurt with a fistula [ulcer]. The proof is this: where there is much seed and much fern enclosing it, there the fern vanishes. It is also called blechnon, polyrrhizon, pterion, pterineon, dasyclonon, or anasphoron; the Magi call it surculum Mercurii; the Romans, filix fanaria, some, laculla, or filix, and the Egyptians call it the blood of an ass. 735 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-187. THELUPTERIS SUGGESTED: Thelypteris [Pliny], Felix, Felix foemina [Fuchs], Pteris aquilina [Linnaeus], Pteridium aquilinum [in Sprague] — Buckler Fern, Brake Fern, Bracken, Eagle Fern, Female Fern T helypteris has leaves like those above, only not singlestemmed, but with many higher abnormal growths. The roots are underneath — long, thwarting, numerous, yellowish-black, and some also red. These are taken with honey as linctus [syrup] to expel broadworms. Three teaspoons of a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) expels roundworms. Given to women they cause barrenness [birth control], and if any conceives she aborts [abortifacient]. Dried, they are applied to ulcers that are moist and hard to cure, and they heal the necks of yoked beasts. The newly put out leaves of it are used as vegetables, and eaten boiled they soften the bowels. It is also called nymphaea pteris, and the Romans call it lingua cervina. 4-188. POLUPODION SUGGESTED: Polypodium [Fuchs], Polypodium vulgare [Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Common Polypody, Polypody Wall Fern, Golden Locks [other usage] Polypodium felix-faemina, Anthyrium felix-faemina, Aspidium felix-faemina — Lady Fern, Female Polypody P olypodium grows on mossy rocks and on the wild stocks of oaks; the height of twenty centimetres, like fern, somewhat rough, cut-in, but not divided as thinly. The hairy root lies underneath, with two curled locks like a polypus, the thickness of a little finger; but scraped it is green within, sharp, and with a somewhat sweet taste, and it is purging. To purge it is given boiled together with a hen, fish, beets or mallows. Dried, powdered, and sprinkled into honey and water, it expels phlegm and bile; and the root (pounded into small pieces and applied) is good for cleaning, and for cracks between the fingers. It is also called scolopendrion, pteris, or polyrrhizon, and the Romans call it filicula licitalis. 736 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-189. DRUOPTERIS SUGGESTED: Dryopteris filix-mas, Polypodium filix-mas, Aspidium filix-mas, Polystichum filix-mas, Lastrea filix-mas, Polypodium dryopteris — Male Polypody, Male Fern, Shield Fern, Buckler Fern see 4-186 D ryopteris grows on the mossy parts of old oaks like fern, but there are fewer incisions. It has rough roots enfolded by plaiting — astringent to the taste, inclining to sweetness. This is applied (pounded into small pieces with its roots) to make hair fall off. You must wipe away the first application after it has moistened the skin, and lay on fresh. It is also called pterion, or nymphaea pteris. 4-190. KNIKOS SUGGESTED: Cartamus, Crocus hortensis [Fuchs], Carthamum officinarum, Cnicus sativus [Bauhin], Carthamus tinctorius [Linnaeus] — Safflower, Saffron Thistle [Mabberley] see 4-119 C nicus has somewhat long leaves, cut-in, sharp and prickly, and stalks a foot long on which are heads the size of an olive; the flower like saffron [yellow threads], the seed is white, reddish, somewhat long, and angular. This flower they use for sauce with meats [vegetable]. The seed is bruised and juiced with honey water (or the broth of a hen) to purge the intestines. It is bad for the stomach. Marzipan is made from it for softening the intestines — the liquid of it mixed with almonds, saltpetre [potassium nitrate], aniseed [3-65] and boiled honey. You must divide them in four parts about the size of a carya [1-178] and take two or three of them before supper. You must prepare it as follows: combine one pint jar of white cnicus, three cups of almonds (roasted and blanched), one pint of aniseed [3-65], a teaspoon of the foam of saltpetre [potassium nitrate], and the flesh of thirty dried figs. The juice of the seed thickens milk and makes it more laxative. 737 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-191. LINOZOSTIS SUGGESTED: Mercurialis mas [Fuchs], Mercurialis annua [Linnaeus] — Annual Mercury lino — to smear; zoster — shingles L inozostis has leaves like basil, similar to those of helxine [4-39, 4-86] but smaller, and little branches with two joints and many thick wings. The seed of the female grows in abundant clusters. The male has branches that are small and round, as though it were, two little stones lying together. The whole shrub is twenty centimetres long or more, and both types (used as vegetables and eaten) induce movement of the bowels. Boiled in water (and the water taken as a drink) they expel bile and watery stuff. It is thought that the leaves of the female (pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink, as well as applied to the genitals after the menstrual flow cleansing) causes the conception of a female child, and that if the leaves of the male are used in the same way, it comes to pass that a male child is born. It is also called argyros, aritrillis, or chrysitis; the Egyptians call it aphlopho, the Romans, herba Mercurialis mascula, or testiculata, the Africans, asumes; and it is also called parthenium, or herbula Mercurii. 4-192. KUNOKRAMBE SUGGESTED: Cynocrambe, Mercurialis sylvestris mas, Cynocrambe mas [Fuchs], Mercurialis perennis [Linnaeus] — Dog's Mercury [Mabberley] [other usage] Thelygonum cynocrambe — Dog’s Cabbage C ynia (or cynocrambe) sends out small tender stems two feet high, somewhat white, with whitish leaves at distances, like mercuria annua [4-191] or cissus. The seed lying by the leaves is little and round. Both the stalk and the leaves (taken as a decoction or as vegetables) are able to move the bowels. The water from their boiling expels bile and watery stuff. It is also called the wild male linozostis; the Africans call it harmas, and some, asumeslabon. 738 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 4-193. ELIOTROPION MEGA SUGGESTED: Heliotropium europaeum — Heliotrope, Turnsole, Cherry Pie T he great heliotropium is named from the leaves turning around towards the setting of the sun. It has leaves like basil but rougher, darker, and bigger; and (as it were) three or four or five shoots from the root, and on these many wings. On the tops are white flowers inclining to a purple, winding around like the tail of a scorpion. The root is thin and of no use. Boiled with water and taken as a drink as much as a handful of this expels phlegm and bile through the bowels. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine and also smeared on) is good for those touched by scorpions. It is hanged around one to cause barrenness. And they say that a decoction of four grains of the seed (taken as a drink with wine one hour before the time of the fit) cures quartains; and three, tertians [recurrent paroxysmic fevers]. The seed is smeared on to dry up protruding warts, hanging warts, warty abnormal growths, and pustules appearing at night. The leaves are usefully smeared on for gout, dislocations, and children that have siriasis [sunstroke]; pounded into small pieces and applied, they induce the movement of the menstrual flow, and are abortifacient. From the form of the flowers some have called it scorpiuron, heliotropos, dialion, heliopun, scorpioctonon, sesamon sylvestre, or scorpij cauda. 4-194. ELIOTROPION MIKRON SUGGESTED: Heliotropium amplexicaule — Blue Heliotrope Heliotropium ciliatum — White Heliotrope T he little heliotropium grows in marshy places and near lakes, with leaves like that mentioned above, only rounder; with round seed hanging like hanging warts. A decoction of the herb and seed (taken as a drink with saltpetre [potassium nitrate], hyssop [3-30], nasturtium [2-185], and water) is able to drive out broadworms and roundworms. Smeared on with salt it takes away hanging warts. 739 BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS 4-195. SKORPIOIDES SUGGESTED: Myosotis scorpioides, Myosotis palustris — Scorpion Grass, Water Forget-me-not Scorpiurus vermiculata — Common Caterpillar see 2-214 S corpioides is a little herb with a few leaves like the tails of a scorpion. Smeared on they help those bitten by scorpions considerably. END OF BOOK FOUR Scorpiurus vermiculata from TEGETMEYER — 1897 740 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK BOOK FIVE: VINES & WINES W e have given an account, most loving Areius, in the four books written before, of spices, oils, ointments, and of trees and their fruits and gums; and furthermore of living creatures, of honey, milk and fats, and of those called corn and vegetables, and a full discussion about roots, herbs, juices and seeds. In this, the last of the whole work, we will discuss wines and metallic things, beginning with the tract concerning the vine. 5-1. AMPELOS OINOPHOROS SUGGESTED: Vitis vinifera — Grape Vine T he leaves and tendrils of the wine-bearing vine (pounded into small pieces and applied with polenta) lessen headaches, and the inflammation and burning of the stomach. The leaves do the same (applied by themselves) as they are cooling and astringent. Furthermore, the juice of them (taken as a drink) helps dysentery, bloodspitters, gastritis, and women that lust [anaphrodisiac]. The tendrils (steeped in water and taken as a drink) do the same things. The resin from it is like gum thickening around the stumps, and taken as a drink with wine it draws out stones [urinary, kidney] [calculi]. Rubbed on, it heals lichen [papular skin disease], parasitical skin diseases, and leprosy but you must first rub the place with saltpetre [potassium nitrate]. The liquid that sweats out from a burning green branch (smeared on with oil) removes hair, and rubbed on it takes off warts. The ashes of the branches, husks and seeds after the grapes are pressed (smeared on with vinegar and applied around the perineum), heal venereal warts and glandular fever. Applied with rosaceum [1-53], rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and vinegar it is good for dislocations, viper bites, and inflammation of the spleen. 741 BOOK FIVE: VINES & WINES 5-2. AMPELOS AGRIA SUGGESTED: Ampelodesma tenax — Vine-tie, Diss Vitis labrusca — Wild Vine or Fox Grape T wo types of wild vine are found. The grape of one sort does not ripen, but at its flowering time it brings forth shoots or buds. The other brings to ripeness a grape that is small-grained, black and astringent. The leaves, tendrils and stalks have properties similar to the cultivated vine. 5-3. STAPHULE SUGGESTED: Vitis vinifera — Raisins — E Grapes — Grape Vine very grape which is newly gathered disturbs the intestines and puffs up the stomach, but those which have hanged for some time share only a little of these qualities because much of the liquid has dried up. It is good for the stomach, restores the appetite, and is fit for those who are weak. Taken out of their own rubbish [Pliny mentions grapes stored in pressed-out grape skins, often with wine] out of ceramic pots, they are pleasing to the mouth, good for the stomach, and astringent to the intestines. They hurt the bladder and head, but they are good for bloodspitters. Those put into must [pulp from grapes] are similar. Those from sapa [syruped new wine] or passum [raisin wine] are worse for the stomach. They are also kept in rainwater, having first been dried in the sun. These are a little pleasantly like wine, yet are effective for thirst, those in a burning heat, and long-lasting fevers. The dregs from them is stored and applied with salt for inflammation, hard lumps, and swelling of the breasts. A decoction of these discards (given as a suppository) helps dysentery, the abdominal cavity, and womens flows [menstrual flows]. It is taken for hip bathing and warm packs. The seeds from them are astringent and good for the stomach. Dried, pounded into small pieces, and sprinkled on instead of polenta, they are good for dysentery, and the abdominal cavity, and those who have a queasy stomach. 742 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Vitis vinifera after FAGUET — 1888 743 BOOK FIVE: VINES & WINES Vitis labrusca from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897 744 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-4. STAPHIS SUGGESTED: Vitis vinifera — Dried Grapes and Raisins — Grape Vine T he white uva passae are astringent and their flesh (eaten) is good for the throat, coughs, kidneys and bladder, as well as for dysentery (either eaten alone with the seeds or mixed with meal of millet, meal of barley and an egg, then fried with honey and taken). It is good either by itself or chewed with pepper to draw phlegm out of the head. Applied with meal of beans and cumin it soothes inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney]. Pounded into small pieces without the seeds and applied with rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] it heals epinyctis [pustule which appears only at night], carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours], favus [contagious skin disease], rotten ulcers around the joints and gangrenes. It is good applied with the juice of panax [opopanax 3-55] for gout. Applied to loose nails it soon draws them off. 5-5. OINANTHE SUGGESTED: Ampelodesma tenax — Vine-tie, Diss Vitis labrusca —Grapes from the Wild Vine Oenanthe is Water Dropwort or Water Hemlock — poisonous T he fruit of the wild vine when it flowers is called oenanthe. After they have first gathered it and dried it on a sheet in the shade it must be put into a ceramic jar. The best is from Syria, Cilicia and Phoenicia. It is astringent; as a result a decoction (taken as a drink) is good for the stomach and urine, for stopping the intestines, and the spitting of blood. Dried and smeared on, it is effective for a queazy sour stomach. It is used both green and dry (with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53]) as an inhalant for headaches. Pounded into small pieces with honey, saffron, rosaceum [1-53] and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], it is a poultice for bleeding wounds (keeping them from inflaming), as well as new ulcers in the eye and in the mouth, and gangrenous ulceration on the genitals. It is mixed with suppositories for repressing blood. For discharges of the eyes and a burning stomach it is smeared on with flour of polenta and wine. Burnt in a 745 BOOK FIVE: VINES & WINES ceramic jar with kindled coals it is good to add to eye medicines. With honey it heals hangnails, pterygium [membrane on eye], and broken bleeding gums. 5-6. OMPHACION Vitis vinifera — Juice from Unripe Grapes — Grape Vine O mphacium is the juice from unripe Thasian or Aminaean grapes. Having pressed out the juice before the hottest days come, you must keep it in a red brass jar in the sun (covered with a linen cloth) until it has thickened, always mixing that which congeals with the moist. Towards night take it in from the open air as the dews hinder the thickening. Choose that which is yellow, brittle, very astringent and biting to the tongue. Some boil the juice to thicken it. It is good with honey or passum [raisin wine] for the tonsils, the uvula, for mouth ulcers, moist flabby gums, and purulent ears; but with vinegar for fistulas, old ulcers, and gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks. It is given as a suppository for dysentery and women’s menstrual flows. It is also a sight-restorer. It is good for the roughness and disorders of the corners of the eyes. It is taken as a drink for recent bloodspitting and for bleeding from a rupture. You must use it diluted very well and only a little of it too, for it burns excessively. Cassia floribunda after FAGUET — 1888 746 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK WINES 5-7. Old Wines O ld wines hurt the nerves and the rest of the senses, yet they are pleasant to the taste. Therefore they are to be avoided by those who have any part weak within. For the use of it in health a little is taken without hurt, and that diluted in water. New wine is inflative, hard to digest, a cause of nightmares, and is urinary. That of a middle age avoids either of these evils, as a result it is to be chosen for the uses of both health and sickness. 5-8. The Colour of Wine F urther, white wine is thin, easily digested and good for the stomach. The dark wine is thick and hard to digest, heady and fattening. The claret has a middle colour and also a middle strength compared to either of these, yet the white should be chosen both in health and sickness. Furthermore they differ in respect of their qualities. 5-9. The Flavours of Wines and their Properties F or the sweet wine consists of thick particles and is hard to evaporate, puffing up the stomach very much and disturbing the intestines and the bowels like must [grape pulp], yet it inebriates less and is helpful for the bladder and kidneys. Sharp wine is more urinary and causes both headaches and drunkenness. Unripe wine is most suitable for digesting meats, and it stops the intestines and other discharges. That which is mild affects the sinewy parts less and it is less urinary. That made with seawater is bad for the stomach, causing thirst and hurting the strength; however it is good for the bowels, but unsuitable for those lately recovered from sickness. Passum [raisin wine] made from sun-dried grapes or those dried on the branches and pressed is called creticum, protropum, or pramnium, and that of boiled must [grape pulp] is called sirion, or hepsema. That which 747 WINES is black (called melampsithion) is thick and very nourishing. The white is thinner and that in the middle has a middle strength. All are binding like pulses [leguminous seeds], and good against all poisons [antidote] which kill by ulcerating (taken as a drink with oil and vomited up again); also against meconium [4-65], pharmicum [?poison], toxicum [?dogbane], hemlock and milk curdled in the stomach, as well as against disorders of the bladder, and kidneys that are corroded and ulcerated. They are windy and bad for the stomach. Melampsithium is suitable for those who have flowing bowels. The white is more softening for the intestines than the other. That which contains gypsum is offensive to the strength, causes the pains in the head, and is burning and worthless for the bladder. It is better than the other against poisons. Wines that contain pitch (or rosin from pine) are warming and digestive, yet hurtful for bloodspitters. Those called aparachyta have sapa [syruped new wine] mixed with them, and fill the head causing drunkenness. They are difficult to evaporate and worthless for the stomach. 5-10. Wines from Different Countries O f the wines of Italy (in which it seems to excel) one is called falernum, which is old and easily digested, binding the intestines like pulses, good for the stomach but bad for the bladder, and unsuitable for the dullsighted or for much to be taken as a drink. The Albanian has thicker particles than the falernian and is sweetish, puffing up the stomach and soothing the intestines, not as good for the digestion, and hurting the strength less. When this is old it grows hard. The caecubum is sweet, with thicker particles than the Albanian, fattening and with a good colour, but bad for the digestion. The surrentinum is very hard; as a result it stops excessive discharges of the intestines and of the stomach, and it affects the head less because it has light particles, but when old it is good for the stomach and becomes more pleasant. The adrianum and the mamertianum grow in Sicily. Both have thick particles, are mildly astringent, grow old quickly, and affect the strength less because of their mildness. Praepianum (which is brought out of the places around Adria) has a sweet scent and is milder, but 748 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK if too much is taken as a drink it does not hide, but keeps the drunkenness for a long time and brings sleep. Istricum is like praepianum only more urinary. The chium is more gentle than those previously mentioned — nourishing, drinkable, making one less drunk, stopping excessive discharges, and effective to add to eye medicines. The Lesbian wine [from Lesbos] is easily digested, lighter than the Chian wine [from Scios in the Aegean sea] and good for the intestines. That which grows in Ephesus (called phygelites) has the same properties as this, but that from Asia (called messogites), from the mountain Tmolus, causes headaches and hurts the strength. The coon and clazomenian (because they have so much seawater) are soon spoiled, inflative, disturb the intestines, and hurt the strength. 5-11. The Effects of Wines G enerally, all unmixed and simple wine (hard by nature) is warming, easily digested and good for the stomach. It encourages the appetite, is nourishing, induces sleep, and causes a good colour. Taken liberally as a drink it helps [antidote] those who have taken hemlock, coriander, pharmicum [?poison], ixia [3-103], meconium [4-65], lithargyrum [5-102], smilax, aconitum [4-77, 4-78] or mushrooms; as well as for snakebites and the strikes of all that by striking or biting kill by cold or overturn the stomach. It is effective for long-lasting windiness, anxiety from hypochondrium [nervous gastric disorder], distension and hiccups of the stomach, and excessive discharges of the bowels and intestines. It is good for sweating and those who faint from it, especially the white, old, sweet-smelling wines. The old sweet wines (applied with lana succida [underneath wool]) are more useful for disorders of the bladder and kidneys, as well as for wounds and inflammation. They are usefully applied with hot cloths for malignancies and eating, running ulcers. Those without seawater (hard and white) are fitting for use in times of health. Of these the Italian wines excel, such as falernum, surrentinum, caecubum, signenan, many others from Campania, the praepian from the Adriatic coast, and the Sicilian called mamertinum. Of the Greek wines, there is the Chian [from Scios in the Aegean sea], the Lesbian wine [from Lesbos], and the 749 WINES phygelites from Ephesus. Thick black wines are bad for the stomach and inflative yet increase body weight. Those thinner and harder are good for the stomach and increase body weight less. Those that are very old and thin and white are more urinary, yet if taken as a drink too much they affect the strength. Wines of a middle age are best for drinking, such as those of seven years. The amount consumed must be gauged by the person's age, the time of the year, the customs of the drinker, and the quality of the wine. The best rule is not to be thirsty and to indulge moderately, for all drunkenness (especially that which is continual) is pernicious. For the strength, besieged daily (at last) yields, and too much drinking every day allows the entrance of sharp disorders. Taken moderately as a drink for a few days (especially after drinking water) it is acceptable. It alters the state of a man in a way, purging vapors that annoy the senses, and opening the internal organs secretly. Yet after drinking wine you must drink water, for it brings some help in avoiding illness owing to drunkenness. 5-12. OMPHAKITES OINOS SUGGESTED: Lesbian Wine [from Lesbos] T he wine called omphacites is made properly in Lesbos. The grapes (not yet ripe in every part but tasting sour) are dried in the sun for three or four days until the clusters are wrinkled, and after pressing out the wine is placed in the sun in ceramic jars. It is astringent, good for the stomach, for lustful women [anaphrodisiac], those with pains in the small intestine, those with difficult digestion, and a squeamish stomach. It is sipped up to help plague symptoms. Such wines as these are used after many years, for otherwise they are not drinkable. 5-13. DEUTERIAS OINOS SUGGESTED: Deuteria or D Secondary Wine euteria which some call potimon is made as follows: into the husks of the grapes out of which you have pressed two hundred and seventy gallons of wine, put in thirty nine gallons of water. Mix it, trample it, strain it out, 750 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK and boil it down to two thirds. To every four and a half litres of the liquid that is left add two pints of salt, and after winter pour it out into ceramic jars, but [do not] use it after a year, as it grows weak quickly. It is fit for those to whom we are unsure about giving wine and yet feel compelled to satisfy the desire of the sick, and for those who have recovered from a sickness that lasted long. A wine is made called adynamon [lack of vital powers], with the same strength as deuteria. Mix an equal measure of water and must [grape pulp], boil it gently over a soft fire until the water is used up, and after cooling it pour it out into a pitch glazed jar. Some mix an equal amount of sea water, rain water, honey and must, pour it out into another jar and set it in the sun for forty days. They use it for a year for the same purposes. 5-14. Wine of Wild Grapes SUGGESTED: Cissus digitata — Wild Grape, Sorrel Vine Vitis labrusca — Wild Grapes T he black wine from the wild grape is astringent. It is good for flowing intestines and the stomach and many other things that require astringency and contraction. 5-15. OINOS MELETITES SUGGESTED: Old Wine with Honey V inum melitites is given in long-lasting fevers to those who have a weak stomach because it gently loosens the bowels, induces urine, and purges the stomach. It is good for arthritis, kidney disease, and those who have a weak head. It is useful for women to drink with water as it has a fragrant smell and is nourishing. It differs from mead [honey wine] because that is made from hard old wine and a little honey, but for meletites five gallons of hard wine is added to four and a half litres of honey and one winecup of salt. You must make it in a large jar so that it may have room to ferment lustily, sprinkling on the salt little by little until it is quite fermented, and when it stops, pour it out into other ceramic jars. 751 WINES 5-16. OINOMELI SUGGESTED: Mulsum — Honeyed Wine, Mead M ulsum is preferred which is made from old hard wine and good honey. Such as this creates less gas and is quickly fit to be used. Old mulsum is nutritive and the middle-aged is good for the bowels and diuretic. Taken after meat it hurts; taken as a drink beforehand it fills, but after that it encourages the appetite. It is usually made with nine gallons of honey mixed with eighteen gallons of wine. So that they may make it fit for use quickly, some boil the honey together with the wine and pour it into jars. For the sake of profit, some mix six pints of boiling must to one pint jar of honey, and after it has done boiling, pour it into other jars. It remains sweet. 5-17. MELIKRATON SUGGESTED: Melicrate — M Water Mead, Honey Water elicrate has the same strength as mead [honey wine]. We use it (boiled) for those in whom we wish to soften the bowels or cause vomiting, as well as for those that have taken a drink of poison [vomitory], giving it with oil. We use it (boiled) for those who have feeble pulses, the weak, coughers, pneumonia, and those who faint with sweating. That which is provided and put in jars for storage that they properly call hydromel [honey water] is of a middle age and similar to the secondpressed wine and adynamon [for the lack of vital powers] as it also restores the strength. As a result it is more suitable than second-pressed wine for those who have inflammation in some part. That which is older is not allowed for those who have inflammation and are constipated. It is suitable for those with a sore stomach, no appetite, or those who faint with sweating. It is made from two parts of old rainwater mixed with one of honey and placed in the sun. Others use fountain water, boil it down to one third and put it in jars. Honey water is also made from the honeycombs washed out with water and put in jars. When it is necessary to make it like this some also boil it. It is unsuitable for the sick because it has too much waxy stuff. 752 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-18. UDOR SUGGESTED: Water W ater in general is difficult to analyse because of the individualities of places and their peculiar natures and the air and many other things. For the most part the best is pure and sincerely sweet, not having any other quality whatsoever, or staying in the digestive system very long, furthermore soon passing through without trouble, and not inflative nor spoiled. 5-19. UDOR THALASSION SUGGESTED: Seawater W ater from the sea is hot, sharp, and bad for the stomach. It troubles the bowels, expelling phlegm. Applied with hot cloths when it is warm it extracts and dissolves. It is good for disorders of the nerves, and chilblains before ulceration. It is conveniently mixed with poultices of barley meal, and it is suitable for plasters and solutions for warm compresses. It is given lukewarm as a suppository for evacuations, and warm for griping. It is a wash for parasitic skin diseases, itches, lichen [skin disease with red pustules], nits, and breasts swollen with milk. Applied with hot cloths it dissolves all bruises, and is good for bites from poisonous creatures that cause trembling and quaking chills — especially from scorpions, harvest spiders and snakes. Moreover, it is good if anyone goes into a hot bath of it; such a bath is helpful for long-lasting disorders of the body and the strength. Inhaled as steam it eases dropsy, headaches, and hardness of hearing. Seawater put in jars alone and not mixed with drinkable water becomes unpoisonous, but some boil it beforehand and then put it in jars. It is given as a purge by itself (or with posca [hot drinks], wine or honey), and after the purging they give the broth of a hen or fish to alleviate the sharpness of the pangs of hunger. 753 WINES 5-20. THALASSOMELI SUGGESTED: Seawater Sweetened with Honey T halassomeli is thought to purge very well. It is made from the same amount each of honey, rainwater and seawater, strained, and placed in the sun in a pitchglazed jar in the burning heat of the hottest days. Some mix two parts of boiled seawater and one of honey and store it in a jar. This is more moderate and milder than seawater alone. 5-21. OXUS SUGGESTED: Acetum A — Vinegar cetum cools and is astringent. It is good for the stomach and to encourage an appetite. It staunches excessive bloody discharges, either taken as a drink or sat in as a bath. It is good boiled together with meat for discharges of the bowels. It is fit for bleeding wounds, and applied with unwashed wool or sponges keeps inflammation away. It represses the vulva and perineum that have fallen down, and broken bleeding gums. It is also good for gangrenous ulceration, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], shingles [herpes], psoriasis, lichen [skin disease with red pustules], and pterygium [membrane on eye] mixed with some other medicine from those that are suitable. Continuously applied with hot cloths it stops eating ulcers and gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks. Applied with hot cloths and sulphur it helps gout, and rubbed on it takes away bruises. With rosaceum [1-53] and unwashed wool (or a sponge) it is good for burning fevers of the head. Inhaled as a steam it helps those with difficult hearing, or noises and hissings of the ears. Dropped in the ears it kills worms. It represses favus [contagious honeycombed skin disease] applied lukewarm with hot cloths or sponges. It soothes itching. For the bites of venomous creatures that chill, a warm pack of it is good; but a cold one for those that spit poison that burns. It is good against all poisons [vomitory] taken warm as a drink and spewed up again, especially against the drinking of meconium [4-65] or hemlock. It is given against bloodclotting, or milk 754 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK curdling in the stomach, and with salt against mushrooms, ixia [3-103] and smilax. Sipped up, it expels leeches that were taken in a drink. It soothes an old cough but aggravates a new one. It is good sipped up warm for asthma. Gargled, it restrains discharges in the throat. It is good for a synanchic [abscessed] throat, for the middle ear that has fallen, and is rolled around the teeth (warm) for toothache. 5-22. OXUMELI SUGGESTED: Oxymel, Vinegar Honey O xymel is made as follows. Take five half pints of vinegar, two pounds of sea salt, twenty pounds of honey and five pints of water, mix it all, boil it until it boils ten times, cool it, and pour it into another jar. It is thought that (taken) it expels thick fluids, and helps sciatica, arthritis and epilepsy. It is available for those bitten by the viper seps [poisonous lizard], and for those who have taken a drink of meconium [4-65] or ixia [3-103] [antidote]. It is a helpful gargle for synanchia [abscessed throat]. 5-23. OXALME SUGGESTED: Vinegar and Salt A cetum salsum (applied with hot cloths) is good for gangrenous ulcers, rotten ulcers, dog bites and bites from venomous creatures. It stops discharges of blood from those who are castrated, poured warm into the wound straight after the surgeon has done. It helps a perineum that is fallen down, and it is given as a suppository for dysentery with gangrenous ulceration, but afterwards you must give an enema with milk. Sipped up and gargled it kills leeches, and cleans dandruff and running ulcers on the head. 755 WINES 5-24. THUMOXALME SUGGESTED: Thymoxalme — Thyme Vinegar Thymus vulgaris — Common Thyme T he ancients used thymoxalme for those with a weak stomach (mixing three or four cups with warm water) as well as for arthritis and those inflated with wind. It extracts thick black fluids, and it is made as follows. Take an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of thyme pounded into small pieces, an equal amount of salt, and a little each of polenta, rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and pulegium [3-36]; throw them into a jar, pour on them three pints of water and a quarter pint of vinegar, wrap it in a linen cloth, and set it in the open air. 5-25. SKILLETIKON OXUS SUGGESTED: Scilla maritima, Ornithogalum maritima, Urginea scilla, Urginea maritima — Medicinal Squill, Sea Onion, Squill — Squill Vinegar POISONOUS S cillinum vinegar is made as follows. Clean the white squill and cut it in slices, then pierce them through with a thread so that the slices do not touch one another, and dry them in the shade for forty days. Then take one pound of it, put it into twelve pints of good vinegar, and leave it in the sun to steep for forty days, corking the jar carefully. After this remove the squill, press it out, and put it away. Strain the vinegar, pour it into a jar and preserve it. Some mix a pound of dried squill to five pints of vinegar. Some, immediately it is clean without being dried, put in an equal measure of vinegar and let it steep for six months. This is sharper. It is astringent and strengthening, good as a mouth rinse for loose, swelling gums, and for loose teeth, effectively curing rotten ulcers around the mouth and stinking breath. Sipped up, it strengthens the jaws and makes them hard, and it makes the voice loud and clear. Those with difficult digestion, epilepsy, vertigo, and depression take it. They also take it for gastritis and delirium, as well as for womb constriction, swollen spleen, and sciatica. It restores those who are extremely weak. It makes the body sound with a 756 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK good colour. It is a sight-restorer and it is effective dropped in the ears for the hard of hearing. In general it is good for all things except internal ulcers, headaches and disorders of the nerves. A little of it is given to those fasting (when they are beginning) to sip day by day, and a while after increase it to a winecupful but to some give two cups or more. 5-26. OINOS SKILLETIKOS SUGGESTED: Scilla maritima, Ornithogalum maritima, Urginea scilla, Urginea maritima — Medicinal Squill, Sea Onion, Squill — Squill Wine POISONOUS S quill wine is made as follows. Cut apart the squill, as I have said [above], and dry it in the sun. Then cut one pound of it, and having sarced [scraped, chopped] it with a thin sarce [blade], wrap it in a thin linen cloth, put it into twenty pints of good new must [grape pulp] and let it steep for three months. After this pour out the wine into other jars, sealed carefully. One may also use the moist squill, cutting it in the shape of a navew [naphew, swede] and doubling the amount; but you must keep it in the sun forty days and let it be very old [before using it]. Squill wine is also made this way. Take three pounds of the cleaned, cut-apart squill, put into it an Italian nine gallons [six gallons and seven pints] of good must, and having corked it, leave it alone six months. Then strain it and put it in another jar and put it away. It is good for indigestion from spoiled meat, for those who vomit it up, and for those who have thick fluids in their bowels or stomach, as well as for the spleen, those who have cachexis [malnutrition], dropsy, jaundice, frequent painful urination, or griping; also those distressed with gaseousness, paralysis, long-lasting chills, vertigo, or convulsions. It expels the menstrual flow, and does not annoy the tendons at all. The older it is, the better. You must not use it in fevers, or for those who have an internal ulcer. 757 WINES 5-27. OINOS THALASSIKOS SUGGESTED: Wine made with Seawater W ines are made with seawater in various ways. Some add seawater after the grapes are gathered; others first place them in the sun and tread them, mixing in seawater; others make raisins from the grapes and steep them with seawater in casks. This wine becomes sweet. Those that are made with a harder taste are good against the signs of approaching acute fevers (if there is nothing better at hand), for bringing down the intestines, and for rotten spitters, hard bowels, and anyone affected in the head by Aminaean wines. Yet these are bad for the stomach and cause wind. Blepharis edulis after FAGUET - 1874 758 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK OTHER WINES S o that this history may be complete for those who love histories, we think it is not out of place to describe the making of many other sorts of wine, not because they are useful or suitable, but so that we may not omit anything. There are some of them that require less skill to make yet they have use, such as wines of quinces, pears and pods [carob tree — Ceratonia siliqua] and that which is made from myrtle berries. 5-28. OINOS KUDONITES SUGGESTED: Cotonea malus, Cydonia [Fuchs], Mala cotonea minora [Bauhin], Pyrus cydonia [Linnaeus], Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince — Quince Wine C ydonites wine is made as follows. Remove the seeds from the quinces, cut them up like a navew [naphew, swede] and put twelve pounds of them into nine gallons of must [grape pulp] for thirty days. Afterwards strain it and put it in jars. It is also made as follows: after beating and pressing out the quinces, mix them with twelve pints of quince juice and one pint jar of honey and put it in jars. It is astringent, good for the stomach, and suitable for dysentery, liver ailments, kidney disorders, and frequent painful urination. It is also called melites. 5-29. MELOMELI SUGGESTED: Cotonea malus, Cydonia [Fuchs], Mala cotonea minora [Bauhin], Pyrus cydonia [Linnaeus], Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince — Quinces in Honey M elomeli is made as follows. The quinces (with their seeds removed) are put into a good amount of honey, so that they are covered. This becomes pleasant after a year like mead [honey wine]. It has the same uses as the confection above. It is also called cydonomeli. 759 OTHER WINES 5-30. UDROMELON SUGGESTED: Cotonea malus, Cydonia [Fuchs], Mala cotonea minora [Bauhin], Pyrus cydonia [Linnaeus], Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince — Quinces in Honey H ydromelon is made as follows: nine gallons of melomeli of quinces [above] is mixed with eighteen of boiled water and placed in the sun in the hottest days. The properties of this are also the same [as the above]. 5-31. OMPHACOMELITIS SUGGESTED: Vitis vinifera — Grape Vine — Grapes & Honey O mphacomelitis is made this way. Take unripe grapes not yet changing colour, place them in the sun for three days, and after having pressed them add to three parts of the juice one part of the best purified measurable honey, and keep it in the sun, having poured it into jars. It is repressive and cooling, and it is good for gastritis and the abdominal cavity. It can be used after [?for] a year. 5-32. OINOS APITES SUGGESTED: Pyrus communis — Pear Wine P ear wine is made the same way as that of quinces but do not let the pears stand until they are overripe. And wines of the pods [carob tree — Ceratonia siliqua], medlars and services [Amelanchier rotundifolia] are made the same way. They are all astringent, sourish, good for the stomach, and restrain discharges from within. 5-33. OINOS OINANTHINOS SUGGESTED: Ampelodesma tenax — Vine-tie, Diss Vitis labrusca — Wild Vine V inum oenanthinum [from vine shoots or blossoms] is made as follows. Take two pounds of the dried flowers of the wild vine’s new shoots, put it into nine gallons of must [grape pulp] for thirty days, then having 760 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK strained it put it in jars. It is good for weaknesses of the stomach, lack of appetite, for the abdominal cavity, and for dysentery. 5-34. OINOS ROITES SUGGESTED: Roites — Rhoa — Punica granatum — Pomegranate Wine P omegranate wine is made as follows. Take ripe Apyrenian pomegranates, and having pressed the juice out of the grains put it in jars; or, having boiled it to two thirds, put it in jars. It is good for discharges from within, for fevers accompanied with excessive discharges of the bowels, and for the stomach, as well as for binding the bowels, and it is urinary. 5-35. OINOS RODITES SUGGESTED: Rosa canina, Rosa rugosa — Rodites — Rose Wine R edites is made as follows. Bind one pound of roses — that were dried and pounded — in a linen cloth and put it into eight pints of must [grape pulp]. After three months strain it, put it in other jars and put it away. It is good for those without fever, for digestion of the stomach and its disorders (taken as a drink after meat), as well as for moist bowels and dysentery. It is also made with the juice of roses and honey mixed together and this is called rhodomeli. It is good for roughness in the throat. 5-36. OINOS MURTITES SUGGESTED: Myrtites — Myrtus communis — Myrtle Wine M yrteum is made as follows. Take black overripe myrtle berries, beat them, squeeze out the juice with a press and put it in a jar. Some also boil it away to two thirds; and some set the berries out in the sun first, then dry them and mix three half pints of water and an equal amount of old wine to two pints of them, pounded, and then they strain it out and put it in jars. It is excessively astringent, good for the stomach, and 761 OTHER WINES effective for a flowing stomach and intestines, also for ulcers within, and excessive discharges, and it makes the hair on the head black [dye]. 5-37. OINOS MURSINITES var romana — Broad-leaved Myrtle SUGGESTED: Myrtus communis M yrsinites is made as follows. Take the branches and leaves of the black myrtle with the myrtle berries, beat them, put ten pounds of this pounded myrtle into three gallons of must and boil it until two thirds remain, or half. Then strain it and put it in jars. This is good for running ulcers on the head, dandruff, and contagious rashes; as well as for gums, the tonsils, and pus-filled ears, and it also stops sweats. 5-38. OINOS SCHININOS SUGGESTED: Schinus [Bedevian] — Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron — Herb Mastic Schinus molle is now an American genus; Bursera gummifera is now a West Indian tree [Loudon]. S chininus wine is made the same way as myrtle wine [above]. 5-39. OINOS TERMINTHINOS SUGGESTED: Terminthinus — Pistacia terebinthus — [Old English] Termenteyne — Turpentine Tree T ermininthos is made the same way as myrtle wine [above]. The branches of these are taken when they have fruit, and they have the same strength as myrtle wine [above] — astringent, good for the stomach, and suitable to use for discharges of the stomach, intestines, and bladder, and for bloody discharges. Applied with hot cloths they form a skin over running ulcers, and they repress discharges around the womb and perineum when sat in [a hip bath]. 762 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-40. OINOS PHOINIKITES SUGGESTED: Phoenix dactylifera — Date Palm Wine P almeum. Take common ripe dates and put them into a small cask bored through in the bottom and corked with a pitch-covered reed. Let the hole be covered with linen. To twenty pints of dates put in three gallons of water. If you would not have it too sweet pour in five gallons, and let it rest for ten days. On the eleventh day, take the linen cloth away from the reed, let out the thick sweet wine, and put it in jars. It is exceptionally sweet and worthless for the head, but good for discharges because it is astringent. It is fit for gastritis, the abdominal cavity and for bloodspitters. Some mix it with water, and they do this a third, fourth, and fifth time when that which is left grows sour. 5-41. OINOS KATORCHITES SUGGESTED: Catorchites — Ficus carica — Wine made with Figs C atorchites is made in Cyprus like the palmeum wine. It differs because instead of water, some put in an infusion of equal amounts of newly-pressed husks and stones of grapes. Dry, black, Chelidonian or Phoenician figs are added and steeped as in date wine [above]. After ten days the liquid is taken out and the same measure of the infusion of the husks and stones is poured on a second and third time. In the same way gradually the fourth and fifth infusion, which is sharp, is taken out: this they use for vinegar. This wine has thinner particles, and is inflative and bad for the stomach. It represses the appetite, is good for the intestines, and urinary. It extracts the menstrual flow, and makes milk abundant [breastfeeding]. It causes bad blood, and is a cause of elephantiasis, like zythum [soured barley water]. Some also put ten pints of salt or nine gallons of brine to fifty four gallons of this liquid, thinking it would be changed and good for the bowels; and some lay thyme and marathrum [3-81] in the bottom, then the dry figs, and they do this by turns until they have filled the jar. It is also called suchiten. 763 OTHER WINES 5-42. OINOS SUKOZIORITES SUGGESTED: Sycomorus antiquorum, Ficus sycomorus — Sycamore Fig, Sycamore, Mulberry Fig — Sycamore Wine Sycamine — old English for Mulberry European Sycamore is Maple e.g. Acer campestre, the Field Maple or Hedge Maple. W ine from sycamores is made the same way. It turns to sharp vinegar because it is not able to keep the sweetness of the liquid that flows from them. 5-43. OINOS RETINITES SUGGESTED: Picea abies, Pinus mugo — Retinites — Rosin from Spruce Firs, Pines — Rosin Wine R osin wine is made in many nations. It is abundant in Galatia because the grapes remain unripe because of the cold, and the wine grows sour if it is not mixed with Picea resina [spruce]. The rosin is pounded with the bark, and a quarter pint is mixed to nine gallons of wine; some strain it after it is boiled, taking away the rosin; others leave it alone. Growing old, these become sweet. They all cause headaches and vertigo, and yet are digestive and urinary. They are good for those with dripping mucus and coughs, for the abdominal cavity, dysentery, dropsy, and women's menstrual flows, and it is a syringe for deep ulcers. The black is more binding than the white. 5-44. STROBILITES SUGGESTED: Pinus mugo — S Pinecone Wine trobilites is made from new bruised pinecones steeped in must [grape pulp]. It has the same effects as resinatum [5-43]. Pinecones steeped in must and boiled are good taken copiously as a drink for pulmonary tuberculosis. 764 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Pistacia terebinthus after EICHHORN — 1913 765 OTHER WINES Pinus larix after FAGUET— 1888 766 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-45. OINOS KEDRINOS SUGGESTED: Cedar Wine, Juniper Wine, Cypress Wine, Bay Wine, Pine Wine, Fir Wine C edar, juniper, cypress, bay, pine or fir wines are made the same way. Separate the newly cut wood when it gives out fruit, lay it in a bath in the sun or near the fire so that it may sweat, and then mix one pound of this to four and a half litres of wine. Mix it and leave it alone for two months. Then put it in another jar, and having placed in the sun for a while, put it in smaller jars. We must fill up the jars of wines made like this, for if we do not they grow sour. Nevertheless these medicinal wines are unfit for the healthy. They are all warming, urinary, and somewhat astringent. That of bay is the most warming. A wine is also made from the fruit of the bigger cedars. Mix half a pound of bruised cedar berries to four and a half litres of must and keep it in the sun for four days, and after all this strain it and pour it into another jar. 5-46. OINOS ARKEUTHIDITES SUGGESTED: Juniperus communis — Juniper Wine W ine is also made from the berries of juniper trees, as well as from the fruit of the cedar, which has the same effects. 5-47. KEDRITES SUGGESTED: Cedrus libani, Cedrus libanotica, Pinus cedrus, Abies cedrus, Larix cedrus — Cedar of Lebanon Cedar deodara, Larix deodara, Pina deodara — Deodar, Himalayan Cedar, Indian Cedar — Cedar Wine C edrites is made as follows. Wash the cedar rosin with sweet water, and place in each nine-litre container a winecupful apiece [of rosin], and then fill it with must [grape pulp]. This is also warming and reduces the intensity of symptoms. It is good for a cough without a fever, disorders of the chest and the sides, griping, ulcers in the stomach and the intestines, as well as for purulent 767 OTHER WINES spitters, dropsy, and womb disorders. It is good for worms and shivering, it helps those bitten by snakes, and kills snakes, and dropped in the ears it heals their disorders. 5-48. OINOS PISSITES SUGGESTED: Pissites — Pinus mugo — Pine — Pitch Wine V inum picatum is made of moist pitch and must [grape pulp]. First wash the pitch in seawater or brine until it turns white and the seawater runs clean, and then wash it in sweet water. To eight gallons of must add one or two ounces of pitch and let it stand. After it has boiled and is settled put it in jars. It is warming, digesting, cleansing, and purging — suitable to be used for disorders of the chest, bowels, liver, and spleen, as well as disorders of the womb if there is no fever. It is used for deep ulcers, and long-lasting discharges. It is good for coughs, slow digestion, gaseousness, asthmas, and dislocations (especially) applied with unwashed wool. 5-49. OINOS APSINTHITES SUGGESTED: Artemisia absinthium, Absinthium vulgare — Old Woman, Wormwood — Absinthe NARCOTIC A bsinthites is made in various ways. Some mix one pound of Pontic wormwood with forty eight pints [Italian amphoras] of water and boil it until a third is left. Afterwards they pour on it six pints of must [grape pulp] and half a pound of wormwood. Then having mixed them carefully they put it in a jar and strain it out when it is settled. Others put a pound of wormwood into nine gallons of must, beat it, and binding it in a thin linen cloth, leave it alone for two months. Others put three or four ounces of wormwood and two ounces each of Syrian nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10], cinnamon, cassia, flowers of juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16], and Phoenicean dates into nine gallons of must, beat them in a mortar (afterwards corking it tightly) and leave it alone for two or three months. Then it is strained, placed in other jars and 768 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK stored. Others put fourteen ounces of Celtic nard [1-7] and forty ounces of wormwood, binding it in a linen cloth, into a metreta [? measure] of must, and after forty days store it in other jars. Others put one pound of wormwood and two ounces of dry pine rosin into twenty pints of must, and after ten days they strain it and put it in jars. It is good for the stomach and urinary, good for slow digestion, the liverish, for kidney disorders and jaundice, for those who lack appetite, stomach complaints, long-lasting distension from hypochondria [nervous gastric disorder], gaseousness, roundworms, and for the restrained menstrual flow. It is good for drinking down with ixium [3-103], taken copiously as a drink and vomited up again. 5-50. OINOS USSOPITES SUGGESTED: Hyssopus officinalis — Hyssop Wine T he best hyssop wine is that which is made from Cilician hyssop. It is made like absinthites [above]. Put one pound of bruised hyssop leaves (wrapped in a thin linen cloth) into nine gallons of must and also put in small stones so that the bundle subsides to the bottom. After forty days strain it and put it in another jar. It is good for disorders in the chest, side, and lungs, and for old coughs, and asthma. It is diuretic, good for griping, and the periodical chills of fevers, and it induces the menstrual flow. 5-51. OINOS CHAMAIDRUITES SUGGESTED: Chamaedrys vera mas [Fuchs], Chamaedrys minor repens,Teucrium chamaedrys [Linnaeus] — Common Germander, Ground Oak, Wall Germander — Germander Wine C hamaedryites is made the same way as hyssop wine [above]. It is warming and settling, good for convulsions, jaundice, womb distensions, slowness to digest, and recent dropsy; but when old it is better. 769 OTHER WINES 5-52. OINOS STICHADITES SUGGESTED: Stichas, Stichas arabica [Fuchs], Stoechas purpurea [Bauhin], Lavandula stoechas — French Lavender, Spanish Lavender — Lavender Wine S toechadites is made in same way as hyssop wine [above]. Put one pound of stoechados [lavender] into six gallons [of wine]. It dissolves thick fluids, gaseousness, pains of the side and the nerves, and extreme cold. It is effectively given with pyrethrum [3-86] and sagapenum [3-95] for epilepsy. 5-53. OXUS STICHADIKON SUGGESTED: Stichas, Stichas arabica [Fuchs], Stoechas purpurea [Bauhin], Lavandula stoechas — French Lavender, Spanish Lavender S toechas vinegar is made for the same purposes as the wine [above]. The herb is steeped in the vinegar (as previously explained) and it is effective for the same things [as the wine]. 5-54. OINOS KESRITES SUGGESTED: Betonica [Fuchs], Betonica purpurea [Bauhin], Betonica officinalis [Linnaeus], Stachys officinalis [in Sprague], Stachys betonica — Betony, Woundwort, Bishop’s Wort, Hedge Nettle, Windflower W ine is made from the cestrum they call psychotrophon. Take the herb when it is full of ripe seed together with its branches, put one pound into two gallons of wine, leave it alone for seven months, and then put it in another jar. It is good for many disorders within, as much as the plant itself. Generally all the additive wines receive the strength of the things added; therefore to those who understand them, it is easy to guess the strength of the wines. The use of wines is for the unfeverish. Vinegar made of this cestrum is useful for similar disorders. 770 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-55. OINOS TRAGORIGANITES SUGGESTED: Satureia thymbra, Thymus tragoriganum, Thymus graveolens, Micromeria thymbra — Savory of Crete, Candian Savory — Tragoriganum Wine T ragoriganites. Let down four teaspoonfuls of tragoriganum (bound in a linen cloth) into four pints of must [grape pulp] for three months and then jar it. It is good for griping, convulsions, hernias, pains of the side, the movement of winds, and difficulty to digest. 5-56. OINOS BOUNITES SUGGESTED: N apus-Bunias sativas [Fuchs Plate #98], Brassica campestris var rapa [Linnaeus], Barbarea praecox — Land Cress — Bunium Wine P ound two teaspoonfuls of bunium, put it into two pints of must for three months, and then jar it. It is good for stomach disorders, and those tired from fighting in armour or much riding. 5-57. OINOS DIKTAMNITES SUGGESTED: Dictamnites Dictamnus albus, Dictamnus fraxinella — White Dittany, Gas Plant, Candle Plant, Fraxinella Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Amaracus dictamnus — Dittany of Crete — Dittany Wine S teep four teaspoons of dittany in eight half pints of must for three months and then jar it. It is good for those with a squeamish stomach, and expels bodily wastes and the menstrual flow. 771 OTHER WINES 5-58. OINOS PRASITES SUGGESTED: Marrubium [Fuchs, Brunfels], Marrubium album vulgare [Bauhin], Mentastro [Italian], Marrubium vulgare [Linnaeus] — Prasites — Common White Horehound H aving pounded the leaves of fully-grown prasium, take two quarts of it, and put them into nine gallons of must for three months, and then jar it. It is good for disorders of the chest, and whatever prasium is good for. 5-59. OINOS THUMITES SUGGESTED: Thymus angustifolius, Thymus glaber — Thymites — Wild Thyme, Mother of Thyme — Thyme Wine B ind one hundred ounces of pounded sifted thyme in a linen cloth, put it into nine gallons of must for three months, and then jar it. It is good for digestive difficulties, lack of appetite, dysentery, disorders of the nerves, and hypochondria [nervous gastric disorder]; for winter shiverings, and for poison from venomous creatures [bites] that chill and putrify. 5-60. OINOS THUMBRITES SUGGESTED: Satureia thymbra, Thymus tragoriganum, Thymus graveolens, Micromeria thymbra — Savory of Crete, Candian Savory — Thymbra Wine T hymbrites is made in the same way and is good for whatever thymites is. 5-61. OINOS ORIGANITES SUGGESTED: Origanum heracleoticum [Loudon] — Winter-sweet Marjoram — Origanum Wine, Marjoram Wine O riganites is made from Heracleotican origanum in the same way as thymites, and is good for the same things. 772 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-62. OINOS KALAMINTHITES, GLECHONITES, ABROTONITES SUGGESTED: Calamintha tertium genus [Fuchs], Conyza media asteris [Bauhin], Inula dysenterica [Linnaeus], Pulicaria dysenterica [in Sprague] — Fleabane Calamintha nepeta, N epeta cataria [Linnaeus] — Catmint, Catnip Calamintha officinalis, Melissa calamintha — Common Calamint Pulegium [Fuchs], Pulegium foemina [Brunfels], Pulegium latifolium [Bauhin], Mentha pulegium [Linnaeus], Pulegium vulgare, Glechon [Latin] — Pennyroyal, Pudding Grass Abrotonum foemina [Fuchs], Absinthium ponticum [Bauhin], Artemisia pontica [Linnaeus], Abrotanum mas [Linnaeus], Artemisia abrotanum, Abrotoninum — Southernwood W ine from southernwood, glechium or calaminth is made like that of thyme. Because they are urinary they are good for stomach disorders, those who lack appetite, and jaundice. 5-63. OINOS KONUZITES SUGGESTED: Conyza odorata, Pluchea odorata — Ovrabla Conyza squarrosa — Great Fleabane C onyza wine is made in the same way as those above and it is the most effective of all against poisons [antidote]. 5-64. OINOS AROMATITES Aromatic Wine V inum aromatites is made as follows. Pound two pints each of dates, aspalathus [1-19], calamus [1-17, 1-114] and Celtic nard [1-7] into small pieces, mix them with passum [raisin wine], and when the lumps are a good size put them into twelve pints of fermented must [grape pulp], then cork the jar and leave it alone for forty days. Then strain it and put it in jars. It is also made another way. Take eight teaspoonfuls of calamus [1-17, 1-114], 773 OTHER WINES seven teaspoonfuls of phu [1-10], two teaspoonfuls of costus [1-15], six teaspoonfuls of Syrian nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10], eight teaspoonfuls of cassia, four teaspoonfuls of saffron, five teaspoonfuls of amomum [1-14], and four teaspoonfuls of asarabacca [1-9], pound them together until fine, bind them in a linen cloth, and put them into nine gallons of must. After the wine has been boiled put it in new jars. It is good for disorders of the chest, side, and lungs, as well as for painful urination, chills, and the restrained menstrual flow. It is good taken as a drink for those who travel in extreme cold, and those who produce thick fluids. It causes a good colour, and is both sleep inducing and eases pain. It is suitable to use for suffering of the bladder and kidneys. 5-65. OINOS EK SMURNES, PEPEREOS, IRIDOS Aromatic Wine A romatic wine for dripping fluids, coughs, indigestion, inflation, and mucus of the stomach is made as follows. Take two teaspoonfuls of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], one teaspoonful of white pepper, six teaspoonfuls of iris, and three teaspoonfuls of dill [3-67] (thoroughly pounded), bind these in a linen cloth and put them into six pints of wine. After the third day strain it, put it in jars in a stone pot, and give a winecupful of it to drink after waking, giving it unmixed. 5-66. OINOS NEKTARITES SUGGESTED: Elenium, Inula, Enula campania [Fuchs], Helenium vulgare [Bauhin], Inula helenium [Linnaeus], Inula campana, Aster helenium, Aster officinalis — Nectarites — Common Inula, Horse Elder, Elecampane — Elecampane Wine N ectarites is made from elecampane. Tie five ounces of dried elecampane root in a linen cloth, put it into six gallons of must, and after three months take it out. It is good for the stomach and chest, and expels urine. It is also called medica, symphytum, idaeum verbascum, orestion, or nectarion. 774 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-67. OINOS DIA NARDOU KAI MALABATHROU SUGGESTED: Phu germanicum, Valeriana vulgaris, Phu vulgare [Fuchs], Valeriana sylvestris major [Bauhin], Valeriana officinalis [Linnaeus] — Valerian [Mabberley] — Wine from Nard Phu magnum, Valeriana maior, Phu verum [Fuchs] Valeriana hortensis [Bauhin], Valeriana phu [Linnaeus], Valeriana dioscorides — Phu, Cretan Spikenard, Garden Valerian W ine from Syrian nard, Celtic nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10] and malabathrum [1-11] is made as follows. Take half a pound of each, put them into two gallons of must, and after two months strain it out. Give one winecupful of this to three of water. It is good for kidney disorders, liver ailments, dysuria, jaundice, poor colouring and gastritis. Some put one or two ounces of acorus [1-2] and three ounces of Celtic nard [1-7] into nine gallons of must. 5-68. OINOS ASARITES SUGGESTED: Asarites — Asarum europaeum — Asarabacca Wine P ut three ounces of asarabacca into six pints of must, as above. It is diuretic, good for dropsy, jaundice, liver ailments, and sciatica. 5-69. OINOS AGRIAS NARDOU SUGGESTED: Valeriana dioica — Marsh Valerian — Wine of Wild Nard P ut eight ounces of fresh root of wild nard (pounded into small pieces and sifted) into a four and a half litres of must, and leave it alone two months. It is effective for liver ailments, and frequent painful urination, as well as for an inflated stomach, and stomach disorders. 775 OTHER WINES 5-70. OINOS DAUKITES SUGGESTED: Pastinaca sativa, Pastinaca lucida, Pastinaca dissecta [Loudon] — Parsnip — Daucites Daucus carota var boissieri — Parsnip, Wild Carrot P ut six teaspoons of well-pounded daucus root into nine gallons of must [for several months], and then pour it into another jar. It is good for hypochondria [nervous gastric disorder] and disorders of the chest and womb; it expels the menstrual flow, and induces belching and urine. It is good for coughs, convulsions, and hernias. 5-71. OINOS ELELISPHAKITES SUGGESTED: Salvia maior, Salvia minor [Fuchs, Bauhin], Salvia officinalis [Linnaeus] — Helelisphacites — Sage H elelisphacum wine is made the same way. Put eight ounces of the herb into nine gallons of must in a ceramic jar. It is good for disorders of the kidneys, bladder and sides, as well as for bloodspitters, coughs, hernias, convulsions, bruises, and impeded menstrual flow. 5-72. OINOS PANAKITES SUGGESTED: Heracleum panaces — Panacites — Fig-leaved Cow Parsnip Heracleum gummiferum, Heracleum pubescens, Heracleum pyrenaicum — Downy Cow Parsnip P ut one ounce of panax [opopanax, 3-55] into four and a half litres of must [for several months], and then pour it into another jar. It is good for convulsions, hernias, bruises, and orthopnoea [form of asthma]; it reduces the thickness of the spleen, and is good for griping, sciatica, and slow digestion. It expels the menstrual flow, and is good for dropsy, and for those bitten by venomous creatures. 776 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-73. OINOS AKORITES SUGGESTED: Acorum officinarum, Gladiolus luteus [Fuchs, Brunfels], Acorus adulterinus [Bauhin], Iris pseudacorus [Linnaeus] — Acorites — Yellow Flag, Water Flag A corus and lycoris [?] wines are made in the same way [as those above] — steep eighty ounces of each of them in six gallons [of must] for three months, and then store it in another jar. They are effective for the side and chest, and for inducing urine. 5-74. OINOS SELENITES SUGGESTED: Apium, Apium hortense [Fuchs], Eleoselinum, Apium palustre [Brunfels], Apium graveolens [Linnaeus], Apium celleri, Celeri graveolens — Selenites — Marsh Celery, WildCelery, Celery, Marsh Parsley, Smallage B ind up nine ounces of new, sifted, ripe selinum seed in a linen cloth, put it similarly into nine gallons of must [for several months]. It causes an appetite, and is good for stomach disorders, and frequent painful urination, and it also makes the breath sweet. 5-75. OINOS MARATHRITES KAI ANETHINOS SUGGESTED: Wines of W Marathrum [3-81], Dill and Parsley ines of marathrum, dill and parsley are made in the same way, and are good for the same things. 5-76. OINOS ALOS ANTHINOS SUGGESTED: Wine with Salt W ine is also made [by adding] ground-up salt. It is more purging than that made with seawater. It troubles the throat, kidneys, bladder and stomach. Therefore it is useful neither for health nor for sickness. 777 OTHER WINES 5-77. OINOS PHTHORIOS ENIBRUON Abortion Wine POISONOUS A wine is made that destroys embryos, for among the vines planted there is planted veratrum [4-150, 4-151], wild cucumber or scammony, from which the grapes take the strength; and the wine made from [the grapes growing near] them becomes destructive. Eight cups mixed with water is given to women fasting, having first vomited. 5-78. OINOS THUMELAITES SUGGESTED: Thymelaea hirsuta, Daphne gnidium — Thymelites — Gnidium, Spurge Flax, Flax-leaved Daphne T hrow thirty teaspoons of the branches of thymelaea (together with its fruit) into two gallons of must. Boil it, seething it gently, until only one and a third gallons are left, then strain it and bottle it. It purges watery matter and reduces the spleen. 5-79. OINOS CHAMAILAITES SUGGESTED: Chamelaea [Pliny], Cneorum tricoccon — Chamailaites — Dwarf Olive A fter the shrub flowers, beat and sift twelve teaspoons with the leaves and throw them into two thirds of a gallon of must. After two months pour it into another jar. It is good for dropsy, liver disorders, weariness, and women who are constipated after childbirth. 5-80. OINOS CHAMAIPITUINOS SUGGESTED: Chamaepitys lutea vulgaris [Bauhin], Teucrium chamaepitys [Linnaeus], Ajuga chamaepitys [in Sprague] — Chamaipituinos — Ground Pine, Yellow Bugle C 778 hamaepityinum is made in the same way, and is good for the same things as it is diuretic. THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-81. OINOS MANDRAGORITES SUGGESTED: Mandragora mas [Fuchs], Mandragora fructu rotundo [Bauhin], Mandragora officinarum [Linnaeus], Atropa mandragora — Mandragorites — Common Mandrake, Devil’s Apple — Mandrake Wine NARCOTIC, POISONOUS C ut the bark of the roots into pieces, pierce half a pound of them through with a thread, and put them into nine gallons of must for three months. Afterwards store it in another jar. A weak dose is a quarter pint. It is taken as a drink with double the amount of passum [raisin wine] added to it. They say that half a pint of it, mixed with six pints [of raisin wine] and taken as a drink, brings one into a heavy, deep sleep. And that one winecupful (taken as a drink with a pint of wine) kills. The moderate use of it takes away the sense of pain, and thickens outflows of body fluids, and either inhaled or given as a enema it does the same. 5-82. OINOS ELLEBORITES SUGGESTED: Elleborum nigrum [Fuchs], Helleborus viridis [Linnaeus], Helleborus officinalis, Helleborus niger, Veratrum nigrum — Elleborites —Black Hellebore, Christmas Rose — Hellebore Wine POISONOUS T hrow twelve teaspoons of finely pounded black hellebore (tied in a clean linen cloth) into two thirds of a gallon of must, diluted with seawater, and when it has boiled pour it into another jar. Or throw fourteen or fifteen ounces of black hellebore (having bruised it thoroughly) into two thirds of a gallon of must without seawater, then strain it, and after some days use it. Give one winecupful of this to drink with water after bathing for loosening the bowels, and to those who wish to vomit after supper. Or bind twenty teaspoons of veratrum, twelve ounces of juncus [4-52, 1-16], and thirteen ounces of Syrian spica [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10] (all sifted) in a linen cloth, and put them into seven pints of wine from Coon for forty days. After straining it give three quarters of a pint to drink. Or else steep six pounds of white hellebore 779 OTHER WINES for forty days in six pints of boiled seawater, and having strained it, use it. Or steep twelve teaspoons of hellebore and four teaspoons of saltpetre in six pints of must for fifteen days, then strain it and use it after six months. This also causes infants to abort [abortifacient]. Or else take nine gallons of must made from raisins dried in the sun, throw twenty teaspoons of gypsum into the must and leave it alone for two days. Then add thirty ounces of black hellebore (tied in a knot) thirty ounces of calamus [1-17, 1-114], thirty ounces of juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16], one and a half-pints of juniper berries, and an ounce each of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and saffron, having bound them in a linen cloth. Hang them in the wine for forty days, then strain it, mix it with water, and give two or three winecupfuls to drink. It purges women after childbirth and abortions, is an abortifacient, and is available for womb strangulation. 5-83. SKAMMONITES SUGGESTED: Convolvulus scammonia, Convolvulus syriacus — Scammonites — Scammony Wine T he root of scammony is dug up at the time of harvest, then pounded finely and bound in a linen cloth. Throw fifteen teaspoons of it into six pints of must for thirty days. It purges the bowels, expelling bile and phlegm. Castanea vulgaris — Chestnut after FAGUET — 1880 780 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK METALLIC STONES 5-84. KADMEIA SUGGESTED: Cadmium Earth — Cadmia T he best cadmia is the Cyprian called botryites, which is thick and not very heavy, but rather inclining to lightness, with the outside in clusters, coloured like ashes, but ashy and rusty within when broken. The next best is an azure [blue] colour on the outside and whiter within with veins like an onyx stone. These are dug out of old mines. There is another type called placodes with veins (or stripes) like girdles, which is why they called it zonitis. There is another type called ostracitis, slender and mostly black, with an earthy or baked clay outside; but the white cadmia is useless. Botryitis and onychitis are useful for eye medicines, and the rest for plasters and dry medicines that are able to make a new skin. For these things the Cyprian is the best to use. That which is brought out of Macedonia, Thrace or Spain is useless. It is binding — filling up sores, and cleaning their foulness. It stops discharges of the pores, and dries, draws to a scab, and represses abnormal growths of the flesh, and creates a new skin on malignant ulcers. Cadmia also comes from brass made red-hot in a furnace, from the soot sticking to the sides and top of the furnaces. Sticks of iron of a great size (called acestides by the metalworkers) are joined together at the top so that the particles that are carried up from the brass may be attached and settle there. Adhering together they grow into a clump, and sometimes one kind of it, sometimes two or all are made. It is also made from a burned stone called purites [pyrites]dug out of a hill that lies over Solis. And in the same mound are found (as it were) some veins of chalcitis, misy, sory, melanteria, coeruleus, chrysocolla, calcanthus and diphryges. Some say that cadmia is found in metals growing in stones, but they are deceived by the stones having a great resemblance, as in the case of a stone found at Cumae that has no strength. They are recognised because they are lighter than cadmia, and chewed, they are not mild to the taste but offend the teeth as if stones were being chewed. Cadmia remains 781 METALLIC STONES chewable as it has a yielding nature. It is also discerned as follows. Cadmia (pounded into small pieces, made into a paste with vinegar and dried in the sun) comes together, but that from stone does not allow this. Also the stone, broken and put into fire leaps, and the smoke that comes from it is like the fire; the cadmia remains quiet and yields smoke that is a yellowish brassy colour surrounding various other colours. Furthermore the stone, burnt and cooled again, is altered in colour and lighter. The cadmia alters in no respect unless you burn it for many days. It is also made in the furnaces for silver — paler and lighter — but less effective. They burn the previously mentioned cadmia, covering it in coals until it becomes transparent and casts out flaming sparks as plates of iron do, then it must be quenched in Aminaean wine. That which is for scabies [itchy parasitical disease] medicines, must be quenched in vinegar. Some beat finely again that which was burnt, mix it with wine, and burn it again in an unfired clay jar until it is made to look like pumice. Then, beating it small again and mixing it with wine, they burn it a third time until it is formed perfectly into ashes without any roughness, and they use this instead of spodium [calcinated powder]. Being pounded with water in a mortar, the water then poured away until no filth remains on it washes it; then it is made into balls and put in jars. 5-85. POMPHOLUX SUGGESTED: Zinc Oxide — Pompholyx P ompholyx differs from spodium [calcinated powder] specifically, as it has not a general difference. For the spodos is somewhat black and for the most part heavier as it is full of lumps, hairs and earth, because it is the scrapings and shavings from the floors and hearths in the brass refiners’ shops. Pompholyx is fat, white and altogether very light, so that it can fly into the air. There are two kinds of this; one is the colour of the air and somewhat fat. The other is very white and the most light. Pompholyx becomes white during the working and finishing of the brass when the brass refiners sprinkle on crumbled cadmia [5-84] thickly, wanting to have it better; for the smoke that is carried up from this is very white 782 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK and is turned into pompholyx. Pompholyx is not only made from working brass and from its substance, but also from cadmia intentionally blown with the bellows to manufacture it. It is made as follows. In a house with a ceiling and roof, a chimney is built and near it towards the loft, a suitable window. It is open at the parts above. The wall of the house next to the chimney is drilled through with a small hole into the furnace for holding the bellows. It has also a proper door made for the workman to go in and come out. Joined to this room is another room, in which the bellows and the bellows blower work. Then coals are put into the furnace and kindled, afterwards the workman standing by sprinkles on cadmia, pounded into small pieces, from overhead. The servant that is below also does the same and puts on more coals, until all the cadmia [5-84] that was applied is used up. Thus burnt the thin light part is carried into the upper room and sticks to the walls and to the roof. The substance of those particles (carried up at first) is indeed like bubbles standing on water, but upon increasing it is like wool fleeces. The heavier particles fall underfoot and are spread about, some into the furnace and some to the floor of the house. This is thought to be worse than the thin particles, because it is earthy and full of filth from gathering it. Some think that the previously mentioned spodos is only made this way. It is thought that the Cyprian (which, worked into a paste with vinegar, has the smell of brass) is the best. The colour is pitchy, and furthermore it is like dirt to the taste. When pure it boils if it is put on a burning coal, becoming an airy colour. We must carefully observe the signs previously mentioned, for it is counterfeited with bulls’ glue, or lambs’ lungs, with lungs of the sea [jellyfish], or with burnt green figs and some other similar things. These are easily perceived for none of the previously mentioned tests work on them. Pompholyx is commonly washed as follows. Having bound it (either dry or made into a paste with water) in a moderately thin clean linen cloth put it into a basin containing rain water, and plunge it about in there carrying the knot this way and that way so that the slimy matter and the stuff which is good can run out, but all the refuse will remain in the cloth. Then allow it to settle, strain out the water with the ashes, and pour on other water again. Roll it about, and then pour it out and repeat 783 METALLIC STONES this procedure, both straining and pouring it out until no sandy matter subsides. Finally strain out the water, dry the ashes, and put them in jars. Some dry it as much as possible, squeeze it in their hands with water to a honeyish consistency, and strain it through a linen cloth spread over the jar that is to receive it. The mixture is not too stiff so that it may easily pass through. They then pour water abundantly on the linen cloth to disturb the ashes, then with a spoon they take up the strained frothy stuff swimming on top which they store in a new ceramic jar. Gently straining that which has settled, they pour it into another jar, while the sandy matter is left at the bottom. Again, allowing the stony substance to subside, they strain it into another clean jar and they do this often until the ashes become clean and without sand. Others wet it as it is, a whole piece in the water, little by little, thinking that the previously mentioned sand and stony matter would fall by its own weight to the bottom of the jar and that the filaments, specks and similar things would be lifted on top by their lightness. Then separating the ashes which are in the middle and throwing them into a mortar, they wash them like cadmia [5-84]. It is also washed with Chian [from Scios in the Aegean sea] wine diluted with seawater as previously mentioned, and this is more astringent than that washed with water. Pompholyx is astringent, cooling, filling, purging, and somewhat drying. Spodium [calcinated powder] should be roasted after first being carefully and finely pounded. Then sprinkle it with water, make lozenges with it and put them in a new ceramic jar. Place this on a small, gentle coal fire and turn the little balls continuously until they become red and dry. It should be mentioned that spodium [calcinated powder] is also made out of gold and silver, and furthermore also from lead; that from lead is the best, then that from copper. 5-86. ANTISPODA SUGGESTED: Ashes used instead of S Spodium [5-85] ince spodium is often not available and antispodia are very good to use, it is necessary both to show what they are, which of them are of equal strength, and how 784 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK they should be taken. Take therefore myrtle [1-155, 4-146] leaves with the flowers and unripe myrtle berries, put them into an unfired clay jar, and having sealed the cover and pierced it through with many holes, put it into a potter’s furnace. When the jar is well baked, put [the myrtle] into another unfired jar, and when this second jar is thoroughly baked, take it out, wash it and use it. In the same way take a branch of an olive, but let it be from the wild; but if not, from the cultivated olive with the flowers; and if not this, quinces cut in pieces and the pith taken out; or [oak] galls, linen rags, unripe white mulberries dried beforehand in the sun, lentisk [1-90], terminthos [1-91] shoots or buds, the tender leaves of bramble, or the filaments of box, or that which is called false cypress together with its flowers. Some prepare branches of the fig tree first dried in the sun, but others use bulls’ glue; some prepare rough unwashed wool, moistening it with pitch or honey. All the previously mentioned ashes are useful in that they may serve instead of spodium [calcinated powder]. 5-87. CHALKOS KEKUMENOS SUGGESTED: Burnt Brass B urnt brass is good if it is red, and when rubbed looks like cinnabar [red or crystalline mercuric sulphide]. The black burnt brass is burnt more than necessary. It is made from the nails of broken ships laid together in an unfired clay pot (sulphur first scattered underneath) with the same amount of salt, and layers applied one over the other by turn. The pot is corked and smeared with potter’s clay, then put into a furnace until it has baked thoroughly. Instead of sulphur and salt, some sprinkle about allom [5-123]. Without using either sulphur or salt some place the nails together into the pot and burn them for many days; some use sulphur alone. These nails must have the soot wiped from them. Others rub the nails with alumen [5-123] in small pieces together with sulphur and vinegar, and burn it in an unfired clay pot. Some sprinkle them with vinegar in a brass pot, then burn them. After the nails are burnt this way, they repeat the procedure three times, then they put the residue in jars. That which is burnt in Memphis is the best, then that from Cyprus. It 785 METALLIC STONES is suitable as an astringent, to dry, relieve, repress, attract, clean, form a skin over ulcers, wear off things growing in the eyes, consume the overgrown flesh of a healing wound, and stop gangrenous ulcers. It will also induce vomiting, a decoction taken as a drink with honey water, licked with honey, or smeared on. It is washed like cadmia [5-84], the water changed four times a day until no froth stands on top. The dregs (washed the same way) have the same property but are somewhat weaker. 5-88. CHALKOU ANTHOS SUGGESTED: Flowers of Brass T he flowers of brass, which some of the ancients called psegma [ramentum — shavings] are best if they are very brittle and very red when crushed finely; and like millet in size — small, heavy and mildly glittering — and besides, not containing any dust of brass with which it is counterfeited. The powder spreading out when crushed by the teeth allows one to discern it. It is made as follows. When the brass that is melted in metallic furnaces runs through the colanders of the adjoining pipes into the receptacles, those who supervise take away the scum, and pour on the purest water intending to cool it. The previously mentioned flower of brass is 'spit out' (as it were) as a result of this sudden thickening and hardening. This is therapeutic for the bowels, represses abnormal growths, and wears off those things that darken the sight of the eyes as it is excessively biting. If forty grains are given it extracts thick fluids. It consumes abnormal growths of flesh in the nostrils, and with wine it represses pustules on the perineum. White flowers of brass are blown into the ears through a pipe for deafness that has lasted a long time. It is beaten finely and applied with honey to repress the tonsils and uvula. 5-89. LEPIS SUGGESTED: Brass Scales S quama is also called helitis and is made from Cyprian brass nails. It is thick and good; but that made from white brass is thin and weak and we refuse it, preferring 786 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK that which is thick and shiny and turns rusty when vinegar is sprinkled on it. It is contractive and reduces the intensity of symptoms of noma [grazer disease, eats away muscle, tissue and bones], repressing putrification and forming new skins. A decoction (taken as a drink with honey and water) expels fluids. Some work it into a paste with meal and give it as a catapotium [pill]. It is also mixed with medicines for the eyes as it dries eyelids that are rough, removing rheum [excessive fluids]. It is washed as follows: clean half a pound of dry brass scales [flakes], put them into a mortar with clear water, stir them up and down carefully by hand until the scum sinks down, and throw away the remainder. Having poured out the water, pour in one wine cup of rain water, and with the palm of the hand rub it hard in the mortar (as if you were straining it), and when it begins to send out viscousness, little by little pour on water (as much as six cups) beating it strongly. Take the squama with your hand against the side of the mortar, press it hard, and having pressed it take that which has run out into a red brass box, for this is the flower of squama. It is very potent and very effective for eye medicines. The rest has no strength. Yet, washing that which remains in the same way, work it until it shows no glueyness. Having covered it with a linen cloth, you must let it stand still for two days. Then pour out the water that stands on top, dry the remains and put it in a box. Some wash it like cadmia [5-84] and put it in jars. 5-90. LEPIS STOMOMATOS UNKNOWN: stoma is a little mouth S cales [flakes] of stomoma have the same strength as scales [flakes] of brass, and their washing and storage are the same; but in purging the bowels they are less effective than that of brass. 5-91. IOS XUSTOS SUGGESTED: Verdigris — Brass Oxide A erugo rasilis [verdigris — brass oxide] is prepared as follows. Pour the sharpest vinegar into a cask or 787 METALLIC STONES some similar jar and place over it a brass jar. It is good if the hollow faces downward — if not, let it be flat. It must be clean and leave no space for air. After ten days take off the cover and scrape off the aerugo [verdigris — brass oxide] that has grown on it. Or, having made a plate of the brass itself hang it in the jar so as not to touch the vinegar, and after the same number of days scrape it off. Or, hide one piece or plate or more among the husks of grapes (not pressed recently but turning sour) inverted the same way. It may also be made from filings of brass, or the plates between which leaves of gold are held when pounded out if one sprinkles them with vinegar, then turns them three or four times until they are rusty all over. They say that this rust is obtained in the Cyprian mines in two ways; flourishing on some stones containing brass, and secondly dropping out of a certain cavern in the scorching weather on the hottest days. The former is only a little quantity and very good, but that from the cavern, though it flows out in abundance and has a good colour, is worthless because it is mixed with stony matter. It is counterfeited by the addition of many other things, especially with the following. Some mix it with pumice stone, some with marble, and others with calcanthum [limestone]. You can discern the pumice stone and marble by wetting the thumb of the left hand and rubbing some part of the rust with the other, because the rust in it spreads out while the particles of pumice stone and marble remain undissolved. At last it turns white after long rubbing and with the addition of the moisture. Also decide by crushing it with your teeth, for the unmixed breaks down smooth and not rough. The addition of calcanthum [limestone] is discerned by fire. If you sprinkle the rust thus counterfeited on a plate or ceramic jar and put either of these in warm ashes or on coals, that made with calcanthum [limestone] is changed and grows red because it usually has such a colour when it is burnt. 788 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-92. IOS SKOLEX SUGGESTED: Scolecia — Rust RISK OF BLOOD POISONING T here are two types of rust called scolecia; for the one is a mineral and the other is made as follows. Pour a quarter pint of white sharp vinegar into a mortar made from Cyprian brass, and with a pestle made of the same material beat it until it is viscous. Then add one teaspoon each of ground allom [5-123] and transparent mineral salt or sea salt (as white and strong as possible) and if not, the same amount of saltpetre [potassium nitrate]. Then beat them together in the sun in the extreme heat of the hottest days until the mixture becomes rusty in colour but gluey in consistency. Then make it into little worms like rhodianda [? stamens of roses] and put it in jars. It is made effectively and with a good colour if one part of vinegar and two parts of old urine are used and processed as previously mentioned. Some mix that which is useless with aerugo rasilis [5-91], form it into a shape with gum and sell it. This is to be refused as worthless. A type of rust is also a made by the goldsmiths with a Cyprian brass mortar and pestle and a child’s urine, with which they solder gold. The previously mentioned rusts are commonly similar to burnt brass. They are stronger in effect. It should be mentioned that the dug-up or mined scolecia [rust] is the best, next to that is the scraped or smooth, and then the manufactured. This last is more biting and astringent but that from the goldsmiths is similar to the scraped or smooth. All rust is suitable as an astringent, to warm, to wear off and relieve scars in the eyes, to draw tears, stop gangrenous ulcers, keep wounds from inflammation, and form a skin over ulcers with oil and wax. Boiled with honey they purge callos [pus under a hard skin] and foul ulcers. Taken with amoniacum [3-98] the same way as eye salves or suppositories, they remove fistulas and their callos. They are good for abnormal growths, and protuberances of the gums; rubbed on with honey they greatly lessen [swollen] eyelids. After rubbing you must bathe with a sponge and warm water. Taken with terminthos [1-91] rosin, brass or saltpetre [potassium nitrate] they take away leprosy. 789 METALLIC STONES Rust is burnt as follows. Break it into very small pieces, put it in a ceramic platter, set it over burning coals and stir it around until it changes and looks a somewhat ashy colour, then cool it, put it in jars and use it. Some burn it in an unfired clay jar, as previously described, but burnt like this it will not change altogether into the same colour. 5-93. IOS SIDEROU SUGGESTED: Iron Rust CAN CAUSE BLOOD INFECTIONS ON OPEN CUTS I ron rust is astringent, and applied it stops women's excessive discharges [menstrual flow]. A decoction (taken as a drink) causes inconception [birth control], and rubbed on with vinegar it heals rashes such as measles. It is suitable to use for whitlows, pterygium [membrane on eye], scabbed eyelids, and venereal warts, and it strengthens the gums. Rubbed on it helps gout, and thickens loss of hair [alopecia]. Iron made burning hot then quenched in water or wine, and the liquid (taken as a drink) is good for the abdominal cavity, dysentery, spleen, cholera, and diarrhoea. 5-94. SKORIA SIDEROU SUGGESTED: Iron Slag S coria [slag] of iron is suitable for as many things as rust from iron but to a lower degree. Taken as a drink with vinegar and honey [antidote] it helps aconitum [4-77, 4-78]. 5-95. MOLUBDOS PEPLUMENOS SUGGESTED: Washed Lead — Molybdos [Greek] — Lead Molybdomenite — Selenite of Lead TOXIC W ashed lead is prepared as follows. Place water into a lead mortar and beat it with a lead pestle until the water becomes black and muddy. Then strain it 790 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK through a linen cloth, pouring on more water, so that all that which is dissolved may be strained. Repeat the procedure until it seems that you have enough, then letting that which is washed settle, pour out that water and pour in other water, as in the case of cadmia [5-84], and wash it until no blackness remains on it. Then make tablets from it and put it in jars. Some sprinkle water onto clean lead, beat it in a stone mortar with a stone pestle or by hand, pouring on water little by little underhand. When that which has turned black has been allowed to settle they pour it out and form it into tablets immediately. For that which is rubbed longer becomes like cerussa [white lead ore]. Some put a little plumbago [5-100] into the lead dust saying that lead washed this way is better. It is able to cool, and is an astringent to close the pores, fill up sores and wounds, and deter fluids that gather in the eyes, and fleshy abnormal growths of ulcers. It is also a blood stauncher, and is good used with rosaceum [1-53] for ulcers on the perineum, venereal warts, and haemorrhoids. It is also used for sores that will not heal, and in general it treats the same things as spodium [calcinated powder] without raising a scab. Unmixed lead is rubbed on to help the strike of a sea scorpion [2-14] or sea dragon [2-15]. 5-96. MOLUBDOS KEKAUMENOS SUGGESTED: Burnt Lead TOXIC L ead is burnt as follows. Take plates of lead (as thin as possible), put them into a new pot and sprinkle sulphur on them, and place layers of lead plates and sulphur until you have filled the pot. Then start a fire underneath. When the lead is kindled, stir it with an iron rod until it is perfectly turned into ashes and has nothing leadlike in it. Then take it out (having closed your nostrils, for the vapour is harmful), throw this dust of lead and sulphur into a pot, and burn it. Some throw the plates into an unfired clay jar, put it into a furnace or over coals (sealing the cover with soft clay and giving it a little breathing place [hole]), and burn it. Some sprinkle cerussa [white lead ore] or barley on it instead of sulphur. Some 791 METALLIC STONES place the plates in without any admixture, use a sharp fire, and stir it around lustily with an iron rod until it turns to ashes. Burning it like this is difficult, and burned too much it takes on the colour of lithargyrum [5-102]. The first method pleases me. We must wash it as we do cadmia [5-84] and put it in jars. It has the same uses that the washed lead has but is far stronger. 5-97. SKORIA MOLUBDOU SUGGESTED: Lead Slag TOXIC T he best lead slag [scoria] looks like cerussa [white lead ore], thick and hard to break with no trace of lead in it, yellowish in colour and glistening like glass. It is good for the same things as burnt lead but is more astringent. It is washed in a mortar, with water poured on and that which remains on top is a yellowish colour when poured out. This is done often until the scoria [slag] is used up. Then after allowing it to settle we pour out the water and make it into tablets. 5-98. MOLUBDOEIDES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Lead Stone TOXIC L ead stone has the same properties as scoria [slag] and is washed in the same way. 5-99. STIMMI SUGGESTED: Stibium — Trisulphide of Antimony, Black Antimony T he best stibium is the brightest — shining, crusty when broken, with no earthiness or foulness, and quickly broken. It is able to close the pores, and is astringent and cooling, repressing fleshy abnormal growths, forming new skins on ulcers, and cleaning filth and ulcers in the eyes. It stops discharges of blood that come from the meninx [brain and spinal cord]. Generally 792 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK its properties are like burnt lead. In particular it will not let burns form a scab rubbed on with new grease, and it forms skin over sores grown to scabs if some wax and a little cerussa [white lead ore] is mixed with it. It is roasted — wrapped around with dough and hidden in coals until the dough has turned to a coal. When taken out it is quenched with the milk of a woman that bears a male child or with old wine. It is further burnt: applied to coals and blown until it flames, for if it is burnt more it melts like lead. It is washed like cadmia [5-84] and brass, but some wash it like lead scoria [slag]. Some have called this stibi, platyophthalmon, larbason, gynoecion, or chalcedonium. 5-100. MOLUBDAINA SUGGESTED: Silver Salts and Gold Salts Plumbago — Molybdos [Greek] — Lead — in this manuscript Molybdomenite — Selenite of Lead TOXIC. Old English — Plumbago is native or mineralised carbon. Molybdenum is a metallic element — a silvery metal — symbol Mo. Molybdenite is disulphide of Molybdenum. T he best plumbago looks like frothy silver — yellow, somewhat glittering, and a tawny yellow when pounded into small pieces. Boiled with oil it becomes like liver in colour. That which is an airy or lead colour is worthless. It is made from silver and gold, and there is some found which is dug out of the earth about Sebastia and Corycum. The best of this is neither like scoria [slag], nor stony, but yellow and glittering. It has properties like lithargyrum [5-102] and [slag] of lead, and is washed and burnt the same way. It is most effectively mixed with gentle plasters called lipara, and is effective with plasters that are not corrosive — promoting the growth of flesh in a wound or sore, and forming new skin. It is not suitable for those plasters that close open cuts and clean. 793 METALLIC STONES 5-101. SKORIA ARGUROU SUGGESTED: Silver Slag S coria [slag] of silver is called helcysma or encauma. It has the same strength as plumbago [5-100]; as a result it is mixed with black plasters, and those for forming new skin, as it is extractive [draws out] and astringent. 5-102. LITHARGUROS SUGGESTED: Lithargyrum, Litharge — Monoxide of Lead Monoxide of Silver and Monoxide of Molybdenum TOXIC S ome spuma argenti or froth of silver is made from sand called molibditis [molybdenite — disulphide of molybdenum] blown in a furnace until perfectly fired. Some is made from silver and some from lead. The Attican is best, next to this is the Spanish, after these that from Dicaearchia in Campania and from Sicily, for much of it is made in these various places from lead plates that are fired. The best is a yellow glittering sort called chrysitis; that from Sicily is called argyritis [silver], and that from silver is called calabritis. It is astringent and softening, filling up hollownesses, repressing abnormal growths of flesh, and forming new skins; as well as being cooling, and closing the pores. You should burn it as follows. Divide it into pieces the size of carya [1-178], place them on burning coals, and blow on them until thoroughly fired. Then wipe away the filth that has formed on it and put it in jars. Some quench it three times with vinegar or wine then burn it again, and having done these things, put it in jars. It is washed like cadmia [5-84]. It is made white as follows. Take as much as an Athenian choenix [two pints] of that which is called argyritis [silver] (and if not, then one of the others) broken into pieces the size of beans, and throw it into a new ceramic jar. Pour on water and throw in two pints of white wheat as well. Take a handful of barley, bind it in a thin clean linen cloth, hang it from the handle of the ceramic jar, and boil it until the barley is broken. Then pour it all out into a clean broad-mouthed plate, separate the wheat, and throw it away. Pour on water to wash the 794 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK sediment, rubbing it strongly at the same time with your hands. Then take it out, dry it, and beat it in a Thebaean mortar, pouring on warm water until it has dissolved. Straining out the water, pound it again for a whole day, and in the evening pour on hot water then leave it alone. In the morning strain out that water, pour in more, and repeat this procedure three times a day. Do this for seven days. Then mix to a pound of lithargyrum five teaspoonfuls of mineral salt, pour on warm water and beat it three times a day, straining out the old water and mixing in new water each time. Even if it turns white pour on warm water until it contains no saltiness. Dry it in a very hot sun (first throwing away the liquid) then put it in jars. Alternatively, take one pound of argyritis [silver], beat it into small pieces carefully, and mix in three times as much mineral salt, also pounded into small pieces. Put it into a new ceramic jar, and add water until it is covered. Stir it every day, morning and evening, pouring in in more water as needed, but pouring out none of the original water. Do this for thirty days for if it is not stirred it becomes as hard as a shell. Afterwards (having poured out the salt water) gently beat the sediment finely in a Thebaean mortar. Put it into a ceramic jar, pour in water, and stir it diligently with your hands, pouring out the first water and pouring on more until it has no saltiness. Then pour out the white lithargyrum into another jar, make lozenges with it, and keep them in a lead box. Some break the sediment into pieces the size of beans, place them into the raw intestines of a swine, and boil it in water until the intestines have dissolved. Then they take it out, beat it with the same amount of salt, and wash it as previously described. Some beat one pound of salt and the same amount of lithargyrum in the sun with water, (continuously replacing the water) until it becomes white. Or, alternatively, take as much lithargyrum as you want, wrap it in white wool, place it in a new ceramic jar with water and one handful of clean new beans, and boil them. When the beans are broken and the wool has turned black, take out the lithargyrum, wrap it in other wool, and boil it a second time, adding a winecupful of water and the same amount of beans, and repeat the procedure until the wool absorbs no more colour. After this place it into a mortar, mixing one pound of mineral salt to eighty Athenian teaspoons of lithargyrum, and beat 795 METALLIC STONES it finely. Then after a while add forty seven teaspoonfuls of the very whitest saltpetre washed with water, and beat it again until the sediment is sufficiently white. Then pour it from a height into a broad-mouthed ceramic jar, add a quantity of water, let it settle, and strain it. Repeat the procedure until the water that runs over becomes very clear and sweet, not salty. Finally, put it into a new ceramic platter (all the liquid having been gently strained out), set it in the sun forty days during the hottest days, and having dried it, use it. Lithargyrum that has been washed seems to be good to put in eye medicines, as well as for foul scars, wrinkled faces and those full of spots. 5-103. PSIMUTHIOS SUGGESTED: Cerussa — White Lead TOXIC C erussa is made as follows. Pour the sharpest vinegar into a broad-mouthed jar or ceramic urn, and fasten a lead plate to the mouth of the jar with a little reed mat placed underneath. On the top of it put covers so that the vinegar cannot evaporate before it is dissolved, and falls down distilled. Strain out the pure liquid on top. Pour the viscous stuff out into a jar and dry it in the sun. Then it must be ground in a hand mill, or finely pounded some other way and sarced [scraped]. Repeat this pounding and scraping three or four times. That which is sarced [scraped] first is the best, to be used in eye medicines, and the next best follows next, and so on. Some use a bullrush mat, fastening it towards the middle of the jar so that it touches the vinegar. Then they cork the mouth of it, seal it all up, and leave it alone. After some days they take off the cover to look in, and when it is all dissolved they repeat the procedures previously described. To form it into lozenges, it must be kneaded with sharp vinegar, shaped, and dried in the sun. The things mentioned here must be done in the summer for then it becomes white and effective. It is also made in the winter, the ceramic pots set over furnaces, baths, or chimneys. The warmth is carried from above, the same as the sun. That which is made in Rhodes, Corinth or in Lacedaemonia is considered the best. The next is that which comes from Puteoli. It is 796 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK roasted as follows: place a new Ostracean jar (especially an Athenian) over light burning coals, sprinkle on cerussa [white lead] pounded into small pieces, and stir it continuously. When it is ashy in colour take it out, cool it, and use it. If you want to burn it put the pounded small pieces into a hollow platter set it over live coals, and stir it with a stick of ferula until it is similar in colour to sandarac [5-122] then take it out and use it. If cerussa is washed the same way as cadmia [5-84] some call this sacyx. Mixed with stiff ointments, plasters called lipara, and with lozenges [tablets, but not to take internally] it is cooling, pore-closing, softening, filling, reduces the intensity of symptoms; and furthermore gently represses abnormal growths, and forms new skins; it is among those things which taken internally kill. 5-104. CHRUSOKOLLA SUGGESTED: Chrysocolla This was a name for Borax or Malachite and means Gold Solder. TOXIC C hrysocolla from Armenia is the best — considerably resembling leeks in colour; that from Macedonia is the second, then the Cyprian. The pure should be chosen, but that which is full of earth and stones must be refused. It is washed as follows: pound it, put it into a mortar, pour on water, and rub it strongly with the palm of your hand against the mortar. Allow it to settle, strain it, pour on other water, rub it again, and do this repeatedly until it is pure and unadulterated. Then dry it in the sun and put it in jars and use it. If you want to burn it, do it as follows. Pound as much of it as you need, put it in a platter, set it over light coals, and repeat the procedure previously explained about burning. Chrysocolla is able to wear off scars, and repress fleshy abnormal growths, and it is cleansing, astringent, warming, gently corrosive and a little biting. It is one of the medicines that cause vomiting and are strong enough to kill. 797 METALLIC STONES 5-105. ARMENION SUGGESTED: Armenian Stone — blue Copper Carbonate A rmenium must be chosen which is smooth, an azure [blue] colour, very even, without stones, and very brittle. It does the same things as chrysocolla [above], only it is not as strong. It is also increases hairs on the eyelids. 5-106. KUANOS SUGGESTED: Cyanochroite — blue hydrous Sulphate of Copper and Potassium C yanus, formed from brass minerals, is found in Cyprus. The largest quantity is made from sand at the shore that is found near some hollow places of the sea, like burrows. This is also the best. That which has a full colour must be chosen. It is burnt like chalcitis [calcium carbonate] and washed like cadmia [5-84]. It has the ability to repress, is a little corrosive, forms scabs, and is ulcerating. 5-107. INDIKON SUGGESTED: Indigofera tinctoria, Indigofera indica, Indigofera linifolia, Indigofera viscosa — Indigo Plant, Dyer’s Indigo Plant I ndicum forms of its own accord because it seems to be the froth of Indian reeds. The other forms during the dyeing when the purple flowers collect on the dye vats. The workmen take them off and dry them. The best is azure [blue], juicy and smooth. It is gently astringent, breaks inflammation and oedema, and purges and represses ulcers. 5-108. OCHRA SUGGESTED: Ochre O 798 chre must be chosen which is light and yellow, with a rich colour, unstony, and brittle. That from THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Athens is like this. We must burn and wash it like cadmia [5-84]. It is an astringent for putrefying sores, dissolves inflammation and small swellings, represses abnormal growths of flesh, fills up sores and wounds (used with wax ointments), and diminishes calluses. 5-109. KINNABARI SUGGESTED: red crystalline Mercuric Sulphide — Cinnabar S ome think cinnabar is the same as that which is called ammium, but are deceived in this. Ammium is made in Spain from a certain stone mixed with Arguritidic sand, and otherwise it is unknown. In the furnace it changes into a very lively and flaming colour. It has among metals a choking smell, and therefore the workmen there put bladders around their faces that they may see but not inhale the vapour. The painters use this for the sumptuous adornings of walls. Cinnabar (which we speak of) is brought from Africa, and sold for so much and is so scarce that it is with difficulty enough for the painters for variety in their lines. It is also a heavy or deep colour, as a result some thought it was the blood of dragons. Cinnabar has the same properties as haematite, good for eye medicines and even more effectively, for it is more astringent and blood staunching. Taken with wax ointments it heals burns and pustules that break out. 5-110. UDRAGUROS SUGGESTED: Hydrargyrum — Argentum vivum — Mercury — Quicksilver TOXIC H ydrargyrum is made from ammion, which is also incorrectly called cinnabar [above]. They place an iron spoon containing ammion in a ceramic pot, cover the cup daubing it all around with clay, then make a fire underneath with coals. The soot that sticks to the pot is scraped off and cooled and becomes hydrargyrum. It is also found in places where silver is smelted, gathered together in drops on the roofs. Some say that hydrargyrum 799 METALLIC STONES is found by itself in the mines. It is kept in glass, lead, tin or silver jars for it eats through all other matter and runs out. It is destructive. Taken as a drink it eats through the internal organs by its weight. This is helped if a lot of milk is taken as a drink, or wine with wormwood [3-26], a decoction of smallage, seeds of Salvia horminum, origanum, or hyssop [3-30] with wine. (Gold dust, that is, the smallest scraping, is a miraculous help for hydrargyrum poisoning). 5-111. MILTOS SINOPIKE SUGGESTED: Red Ochre from Sinope T he best rubrica Sinopica is thick and heavy, with a bright colour, without stones, and all one colour, spreading out much when dissolved. It is gathered in Cappadocia from certain hollows. It is purified, carried to the city Sinope (from which it has its name) and sold. It is drying and adhesive; as a result it is mixed with wound plasters and drying astringent tablets. Taken in an egg or as a suppository it stops the intestines. It is also given for liver disorders. 5-112. TEKTONIKE SUGGESTED: Red Ochre T ectonic [red ochre] is inferior in every respect to the Sinopic. The Egyptian and Carthaginian are the best — without stones and brittle. It is also found in Spain towards the West. Ochre is burnt and turns into red ochre. 5-113. LEMNIA GE SUGGESTED: Lemnian Earth L emnian earth is brought from the Island Lemnos out of a certain hollow cavern in a marshy place. It is gathered from there and mixed with goats’ blood, and the men there make it into tablets, seal it with the figure of a goat and call it the seal of a goat. Taken as a drink 800 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK with wine it is a very powerful antidote against deadly poisons, and taken beforehand it forces one to vomit up poisons. It is good against strikes and bites from venomous or poisonous beasts. It is mixed with antidotes. Some use it for purifications, and it is also good for dysentery. 5-114. CHALKANTHON SUGGESTED: Calcanthum — Limestone T here is a single type of calcanthum formed by moisture into a solid. It has three different forms. The moisture that strained by dripping into certain caves is formed into a solid from which those who work the Cypnan metals call stillatitium. Petesius calls it pinarium, and some call it stalacticon [coalesced, boiled, thin, long like a spear]. Some runs secretly in hollows, and afterwards is transported into ditches and thickens, and this is called pecton. The third sort is called coctile and is made in Spain. It has the following method of manufacture, but is useless and the weakest. They dilute it in boiling water, and then pour it out into receptacles to let it stand. After some days this is thickened and divides into many cubic forms hanging together like grape bunches. The best is azure coloured [blue], heavy, compact and transparent, such as the stillatitium that is also called lanceatum. The next best is concretitium. Coctile is thought to be the fittest for dyeing and making colours black, but experience shows that it is the weakest for medicinal use. It is astringent — two teaspoonfuls are swallowed or licked with honey to warm, form scabs, and to kill broadworms. It causes vomiting and helps those who have eaten mushrooms, taken as a drink with water. Diluted with water and dropped into the nostrils through wool it purges the head. It is burnt, as we will show [below] in calcitis. 801 METALLIC STONES 5-115. CHALKITIS SUGGESTED: Calcite — Anhydrous Carbonate of Lime, Calcium Carbonate C alcitis is preferred which looks like brass, brittle, without stones, and is not old, and furthermore with somewhat long glittering veins. It is astringent, warming and scab forming, purging away filth around the eye corners and the eyes. It is one of those things that are mildly astringent. It is good (with the juice of a leek) for erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], herpes [viral skin infection], and discharges of blood from the womb and nostrils. The powder of it is good for repressing abnormal growths on the gums, and gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks and tonsils. Burnt, pounded into small pieces and mixed with honey, it is far more effective for eye medicines. It reduces and cleans rough eyelids that have grown hard, and put in like a suppository it takes away fistulas [ulcers]. 5-116. PSORIKON SUGGESTED: Calcium Carbonate & Cadmium Earth — Psoricum P soricum is made of two parts of calcitis [calcium carbonate] mixed with one of cadmia [5-84], and pounded into small pieces with vinegar. It must be tightly shut up in a ceramic jar covered in dung for forty days, in the hottest days, so it becomes sharper, and it is good for whatever calcitis is. Some mix the materials in equal proportions, beat them in wine, and do the same as before. They burn it by placing it in a new ceramic jar and setting it over burning coals. Measure the burning this way: those full of moisture must become without bubbles and perfectly dry, and the rest must change into a more flourishing colour. When it is like blood (or red ochre) deep within, then it must be taken off. Blow off the filth on top of it and put it in jars. It is roasted on coals that are blown [with bellows] until it becomes a pale yellow, or in a ceramic pot over burning coals and turned often until it is on fire and changes colour. 802 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-117. MISU SUGGESTED: Misy — Copiapite — yellow translucent Hydrous Silicate of Iron C yprian misy must be chosen — looking like gold, hard, and if broken a golden colour, glistening like a star. It has the same strength as chalcitis [5-115], and is burnt the same way without psoricum [5-116] being produced from it, differing both in excess and defect. That from Egypt (compared to others) is the best and most effective, but for eye medicines it is not comparable to that previously mentioned. 5-118. MELANTHERIA UNKNOWN M elanteria grows together in the manner of salt at the mouths of mines out of which brass is dug, and some comes from the earthy upper surfaces of these places. Some is also found that is dug out in Cilicia and in certain other places. The best is a sulphurous colour [yellow], smooth, even and clear, and on touching water it quickly turns black. It is sharp like misy [above]. 5-119. SORU UNKNOWN S ome are deceived, supposing sory to be melanteria [above], for it is a different thing though not unlike. Sory is more poisonous and causes nausea. It is found in Egypt and in other places such as Africa, Spain and Cyprus. The Egyptian is considered the best — that which looks blackest when broken, has many holes, is somewhat fat, and also astringent and poisonous to taste or smell, overturning the stomach. That which does not glisten when broken (like misy) is thought to be another kind and weak. It has the same properties as those mentioned above and is burnt like them. It heals toothaches (put into their cavities) and strengthens loose teeth. Given as a suppository with wine it helps sciatica, and smeared on with water it extinguishes varos 803 METALLIC STONES [smallpox pustules]. It is mixed [with other ingredients] for dying hair black. As a general rule, for these and almost all others, those which are not burnt are considered to be stronger than the burnt; except for salt, wine sediment, saltpetre [potassium nitrate], chalk, and other similar things which are weak raw, but are more effective burnt. 5-120. DIPHRUGES SUGGESTED: Pyrites — I Disilphide of Iron t is thought that there are three kinds of diphryges. One is a mineral and is found only in Cyprus. It is dirty and is taken out of the bottom of places there. After being taken out it is dried in the sun, then small brushy sticks are laid all around it and it is burnt. It is called diphryges because it is dried and burnt and (as it were) roasted in the sun amid the sticks. Another is (as it were) the sediment and dregs of worked brass, for after pouring around the cold water (as we explained when discussing flower of brass) and after taking away the brass, there is found stuff such as this in the furnace sticking to the bottom of it, with both the astringent quality and taste of brass. The third sort is made as follows. The supervisors place stones called pyrites into a furnace and they burn it (as they do chalk) for many days. When the colour becomes like red ochre they take it out and put it in jars. Some say that this sort is only made from by-products of purfiying brass. This is heated in the furnaces, carried from there into the ditches and burnt there, for it is deposited around the ditches and is found after taking away the stones. The best of it is brassy to the taste, looks rusty, and is astringent and excessively drying to the tongue. This quality the burnt ochre does not possess, though some burn it and sell it instead of diphryges. It is astringent, cleans thoroughly, wipes away, dries, represses abnormal growths of the flesh, and forms new skins on malignancies and creeping sores. Taken with turpentine or wax ointments it dissolves abscesses. 804 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-121. ARSENIKON SUGGESTED: Orpiment — Yellow Arsenic, Realgar — Arsenic disulphide POISONOUS A rsenicum is found in the same mines as sandaracha [?] [5-122]. The best is crusty, gold in colour and with crusts like fish scales (as it were) lying one over another, and it is not mixed with any other material. That which is found in Mysia (which is in Hellespont) is like this. There are two kinds: one as mentioned, and the other in clumps and like sandaracha in colour. It is brought from Pontus and Cappadocia. It is roasted as follows: place it in a new ceramic jar, set it over burning coals and stir it continuously; and when it is red-hot and has changed colour, cool it, beat it finely, and put it in jars. It is antiseptic, astringent, and scab forming with a burning, strong, biting strength, and it is one of those medicines that repress abnormal growths and make the hair fall out. 5-122. SANDARACHE SUGGESTED: Sandarac — Arar Tree, Sandarach Tree Callitris quadrivalvus, Thuya articulata — Juniper GumTree 5-121 indicates however, this sandarac is a mineral, not a gum. S andarac is most highly valued which is fully red, brittle, easily pounded into small pieces, and pure — looking like cinnabar [5-109] in colour, and also having a sulphurous smell. It has the same properties and method of roasting as arsenicum. Used with rosin it heals loss of hair [alopecia], and with pitch it removes leprous nails. It is good with oil for lice infestations, and with grease it dissolves small swellings. It is also good with rosaceum for ulcers in the nostrils and mouth, and for other pustules [1-53], as well as for venereal warts. It is given with mead [honey wine] to those who spit up rotten matter, and it is made into an inhalant with rosin for old coughs, the smoke drawn through a funnel into the mouth. Licked in with honey it clears the voice, and it is given with rosin in a catapotion [pill] to the asthmatic. 805 METALLIC STONES 5-123. STUPTERIA SUGGESTED: Aluminium Sulphate, Potassium Sulphate — Alum A lmost every kind of allom is found in the same mines in Egypt, such as the scissile [capable of being cut or divided] (as it were) and the flower of Bolitis. It is also found in certain other places — in Melos, Macedonia, Sardinia, Liparis, and Hierapolis in Phrygia, in Africa, Armenia, and many other places (like red ochre). There are many kinds of it; but for medicinal use the scissile, the round, and the moist are taken. The scissile is the best — especially that which is new, white, without stones, with a strong smell, very astringent, and furthermore not compacted together like turf or slate, but opening its mouth wide like gray hairs spread-apart, such as that called trichitis, found in Egypt. A stone very like it is also found, discernable by its not astringent taste. The round allom that is made by hand should not be taken. It is known by its shape; but that to be taken is naturally round, full of bladders, somewhat white, and strongly binding, and also has some paleness together with fattiness, and additionally it is both without stones and brittle, and it originates in Melia or Egypt. Moist [alum] that is most transparent must be chosen — milky, even, and juicy throughout, and furthermore without stones and giving out a smell of fire. It is warming, astringent, and purges away those things that darken the eyesight and consume the flesh on the eyelids, and all other abnormal fleshy growths. They regard the scissile as more effective than the round. They are burnt and roasted like chalcitis [calcium carbonate]. With vinegar or honey they restrain creeping ulcers, stop bloody discharges, close moist gums, and they strengthen loose teeth. They are good with honey for apthae [aptylia — absence of saliva], and with juice of polygonum [knotgrass] for pustules and rheumatic discharges in the ears. They are good with brassica leaves (or boiled with honey) for leprosy; and are applied with hot cloths and water for itches, rotten nails, pterygium [membrane on eye], and chilblains. With vinegar sediment (rubbed on with the same amount of burnt galls [oak galls]) they are good for eating ulcers. They are used 806 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK with twice as much salt for gangrenous ulceration, and smeared on with ervum [2-129, 2-131] and moist pitch they wear off dandruff. Rubbed on with water it is a remedy for nits, lice and burns. They are smeared on for oedema and bad smells in the armpits and groins. Allom from Melos (laid at the mouth of the womb before sexual intercourse) also prevents conception and it is an abortifacient. It is expedient for abnormal growths on the gums, as well as for the uvula, tonsils, and the mouth, and is smeared on with honey for the ears and genitals. 5-124. THEION SUGGESTED: Sulphur T he best sulphur is thought to have never felt fire and is glistening in colour, transparent, and without stones. The best of that which has felt the fire is green and very fat. It is abundant in Melos and Lipara. The first type of sulphur dissolves and ripens quickly. Taken in an egg (or else the smoke inhaled) it is good for coughs, those who spit rotten matter, and the asthmatic. Furthermore, the smoke is inhaled as an abortifacient; and mixed with terminthos [1-91] rosin it takes off leprosy, lichen [skin disease with red pustules] and rotten nails. Smeared on with vinegar it is also good for leprosy and takes away vitiligines [form of leprosy]. Mixed with rosin it heals scorpion strikes, and with vinegar it heals strikes from sea dragons [2-15] as well as scorpions. Rubbed on with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it soothes itching all over the body. A spoonful sprinkled on the forehead (or taken with an undercooked egg) helps jaundice, and is good for the nose and catarrh. Sprinkled on, it keeps one from sweating, and smeared on with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and water it is convenient for gout. The smoke from it drawn up (quickly) through a funnel cures hardness of hearing. The smoke is inhaled for lethargy, and it stops excessive discharges of blood. Smeared on with wine and honey it heals bruises on the ears. 807 METALLIC STONES 5-125. KISSERIS SUGGESTED: Pumice Stone P umice stone should be chosen which is very light, very hollow, easily cut, without stones, and furthermore both brittle and white. It is burnt as follows. Take as much of it as you wish, hide it in burning coals, and when it is red-hot, take it out, quench it with fragrant wine, then burn it and quench it again. The third time you take it off, leave it alone to cool, and put it in jars to use. It is able to tighten and cleanse the gums, purge away things that darken the eyesight with warming, fill up ulcers and form new skins on them, and furthermore, pounded to powder, it is able to repress abnormal growths and clean the teeth. It forms scabs over any sores on the body, and is a suitable medicine to remove hair. Theophrastus says that if one puts pumice stone into a jar of boiling wine that the boiling immediately stops. 5-126. ALES SUGGESTED: Salts — M Sodium Chloride, Ammonium Salts ineral salt is the most useful — usually that which is without stones, white, transparent, thick and equally compacted — as well as ammonia salts, which are easily cut and have straight edges. Thick sea salt must be taken, white and even. The best is from Salamine in Cyprus, Megara, Sicily, and Africa. Salt from the lakes in these places is considered the best. The Phrygian is the strongest, also called Tattaean. These salts all have similar properties — useful as an astringent, and to clean and dissolve, as well as repress, reduce the intensity of symptoms, and form scabs — only differing slightly. They are binding for rotten ulcers, mixed with sebaceous treatments for psoriasis, repress abnormal growths in the eyes, and consume pterygium [membrane on eye]. They take away other abnormal growths, are fit to put in suppositories, and smeared on with oil they remove weariness and oedema from dropsy. Warm packs are made from them in little bags to ease pain, and rubbed on by the fire with oil and vinegar (until the person sweats) they lessen itching. In the same way (rubbed on with 808 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK honey and vinegar) they lessen lichen [skin disease with red pustules], parasitical skin diseases, leprosy, and a synanchic [abscessed] throat. For the tonsils and adenoids they are roasted with honey, and for spreading ulcers, apthas [small ulcers], and moisture of the gums they are applied burnt with polenta. For the strikes of scorpions they are used with flax seed; for the bites of vipers with origanum, honey and hyssop [3-30]; for the horned viper with pitch, cedria [1-105] or honey; and for the bites of centipedes or millipedes with honey and vinegar. For wasp stings, gnawing worms, white pustules in the head, the thymus, and tubercles [growths] they take it with calves’ suet. With raisins, swines’ grease or honey they dissolve boils [inflammatory tumours]; and with origanum and fermented dough they ripen oedema of the genitals sooner. They help those bitten by crocodiles, pounded into small pieces and bound in a linen cloth dipped in vinegar and then bound to the wounds with bandages. With honey they help those bitten by venomous creatures, and bruises on the face. As an antidote for drinking the juice of poppy or eating mushrooms it is taken as a drink with vinegar and honey. They are used for dislocations with meal and honey; and applied with oil do not allow burns to blister. Salts are similarly applied to gout and earache with vinegar. Smeared on with vinegar (or applied as a poultice with hyssop [3-30]) they stop erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and creeping ulcers. They burn salts by throwing them into an ostracean [clay] jar, carefully closed so that they may not leap out, and then hidden in live coals until fully burnt. Some wrap the sales fossiles [mineral salt] with dough, place it under hot coals, and leave it alone until the dough has burnt. You may burn common salts as follows; wash them once in water and allow them to dry, then put them into a corked ceramic pot and make a fire underneath, shaking the pot until the salt no longer leaps. 5-127. ALOS ACHNE SUGGESTED: Sea Froth S puma salis are fragments of the foaming sea found on the little rocks, and it has the same properties as salt. 809 METALLIC STONES 5-128. ALME SUGGESTED: Muriates — Chloride Salts M uria has the same action as ordinary salts in cleansing, and it is a suppository for dysentery with gangrenous ulceration, and those with a history of sciatica. It is good in warm packs where seawater is effective. 5-129. ALOS ANTHOS SUGGESTED: Mineral Salts F lowers of salt [precipitated solids] flow down from the river Nile and collect on certain lakes. That like saffron in colour must be taken. It has a somewhat bad scent like garum [Roman sauce made from fermented fish], sometimes smelling worse; more biting to the taste and somewhat fat. That coloured with red ochre (or has clots) is considered worthless. The pure salts are only dissolved by oil, the adulterated partly by water. It is good for malignancies, spreading erosive ulcers, gangrenous ulcers on the genitals, purulent ears, and dullness of sight, and it takes off scars and cataracts. It is mixed with plasters and ointments to colour them, as well as with rosaceum [1-53]. Taken with wine and water it promotes sweating, disturbs the intestines, and is bad for the stomach. It is also mixed with remedies for the removal of fatigue, and with sebaceous treatments for reducing the intensity of symptoms of the scalp, and in general it is as sharply burning as other salts. 5-130. NITRON SUGGESTED: Saltpetre N — Potassium Nitrate itre is preferred which is smooth and rosy or white in colour, with holes through as though it were some spongy thing, like that which is brought from Buni. It has an ability to fetch fluids from the depths. 810 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-131. NITROU APHROS SUGGESTED: Potassium Nitrate — Saltpetre — Spuma Nitri T he best spuma nitri is esteemed to be the lightest — crusty, brittle, and drawing to a purple, frothy, and moreover biting. Such as this is brought from Philadelphia in Lydia. Next to this is that from Egypt. It is also found in Magnesia which is in Caria, and both this and nitre [above] have a similar burning strength, like salt. Furthermore, pounded into small pieces with cumin, and taken as a drink with honey water (or sapa [syruped new wine], or some things to dissolve wind such as rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] or dill [3-67]) it soothes griping. It is a fit ointment for those troubled with recurrent fevers, given before the suspected time of the fit coming. It is mixed with dissolving and drawing plasters good for leprosy, and with things that relieve. Infused with warm water or wine it heals gaseousness, as well as noises in the ears and their suppurations. Dropped in the ears with vinegar it takes away their filth. With ass or swine grease it heals dog bites. It opens boils [inflammatory tumours] taken with termininthos [5-39]; and with figs it is a poultice for dropsy. Smeared on with honey it is a sight restorer, and it is good (taken as a drink with posca [hot drinks]) for the ingestion of mushrooms [antidote]. It is given against bupressedis [buprestidae — beetles, harmful to cattle] with water, and for bulls’ blood with silphium [3-94]. It is an effective poultice for those in atrophy, and is used with wax ointment for tetanus sufferings that cause some weakening, and for purifying baths. It is effective mixed in their bread for those who have palsy in the tongue. Some burn these salts, setting them on burning coals (a new clay jar first placed under) until completely burnt. 5-132. TRUX SUGGESTED: Sediment of Wine, Sediment of Vinegar E specially that sediment from old Italian wine must be chosen, and if not some other like it, because that from vinegar is excessively strong. It is burnt like alcyonium [5-136] but first dried carefully. Some place it in new clay (jars) and burn it in a great fire until it is burnt 811 METALLIC STONES quite through. Similarly, others hide the mass (of sediment) in burning coals. It is a sign that it is completely burnt when it is white or the colour of air. This, applied to the tongue, burns it. The sediment of vinegar is burnt the same way. It is extremely burning, cleans and forms new skins; it is astringent, and extremely corrosive and drying. We must use sediment that is new, for it quickly evaporates and should be kept in jars — never uncovered, nor without a jar. It is washed the same as pompholyx [crude zinc oxide]. That which is not burnt restrains oedema (both by itself or with myrtle [1-155, 4-146]), and applied it stops the intestines and flowing stomach. It soothes women's excessive discharges [menstrual flow] applied to the lower part of the intestines and the genitals. It dissolves inflammation in bones and lesser swellings that are not yet ulcerated. Rubbed on with vinegar it reduces swollen breasts that run out with milk. Burnt with rosin it takes off rotten nails, and it is smeared on with lentiscine [1-90] oil for a whole night to make hair yellow. It is washed and mixed with eye medicines like spodium [calcinated powder], and this removes scars and darkness in the eyes. 5-133. ASBESTOS SUGGESTED: Quicklime — Calx Viva Asbestos refers to `the unquenchable stone’ — the action of cold water on quicklime. C alx viva is made as follows. Take the shells of sea creatures called buccinae [whelks], cover them in the fire or place them into a thoroughly hot oven, and let them remain there all night and the next day. If they have turned very white take them out, but if not, repeat until they are white. Afterwards dip them in cold water and put them into a new pot, corked carefully with cloths. Leave them in there for one night and in the morning take them out, and after it has been refined, put it in jars. It is also made from flints or pebble stones that are burnt, and from common marble, which is also preferred. All calx in common is fiery, biting, burning and scab forming. Mixed with certain other things such as grease or oil, it 812 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK becomes digestive, softening and dissipating, forming new skins. They regard the newest and that which was never wet to be the most effective. 5-134. GUPSOS SUGGESTED: Gypsum — Plaster of Paris G ypsum is astringent, closes pores, and restrains bleeding and sweating. Taken in a drink it chokes by constriction. 5-135. TEPHRA KLEMATINE SUGGESTED: Ash from twigs or prunings C inis sarmentitius is caustic. Smeared on with goose grease or oil it is good for bruised sinews, dislocated joints and knotted nerves. With saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and vinegar it represses fleshy abnormal growths in the scrotum, and smeared on with vinegar it heals the bites of snakes or dogs. It is mixed with scab-forming medicines. Lye is made from it, good for precipitations [antidotes to mercury poisoning], and [the effects of] mushrooms, used with vinegar, salt and honey. 5-136. ALKUONION SUGGESTED: Alcyonium — Zoophyte — Bastard Sponge T here are five kinds of alcyonium. One kind is thick with a sour taste. It looks like a sponge, is poisonous and heavy, and smells of fish. A lot of this is found on the shores. The next is shaped like pterygium [membrane] of the eyes, and is light and hollow in many places, or like a sponge and with a smell like seaweed. The third is shaped like a little worm, a deeper purple in colour, and is called milesium. The fourth is like unwashed wool, hollow in many places, and light. The fifth is the shape of a mushroom, without smell, and rough, somewhat like a pumice stone within, but smooth and sharp outside. Quantities of it are found in Propontis around the island called Besbicum, in which country they call it the foam of 813 METALLIC STONES the sea. Of these, the first and second are included in sebaceous treatments for women, and for freckles, lichen [papular skin disease], leprosy, vitiligines [form of leprosy], black patches, and spots on the face and the rest of the body. The third is suitable to use for dysuria [frequent painful urination], those who gather gravelly stones in the bladder, kidney disorders, dropsy and spleen. Burnt and smeared on with wine it thickens the loss of hair [alopecia]. The last type is able to whiten teeth. It is mixed with salt and included in other sebaceous treatments and psilothra [treatments for loss of hair]. If you want to burn any of these put it with salt into an unfired clay pot, and having sealed around the mouth of it with clay, put it into a furnace. When the clay pot has baked enough take it out, put it in jars, and use it. It is washed like cadmia [5-84]. 5-137. ADARKES SUGGESTED: Potassium Sulphate — Arcanum Duplicatum IRRITANT, CATHARTIC T hat which is called adarces grows in Galatia and it is (as it were) a somewhat salty hardened fluid, coming out of moist and marshy places in times of drought and adhering to reeds and grass. It is like the flower [salt] of the stone of Asia in colour, but in its whole shape like alcyonium [5-136], soft and hollow in many places (and as it were) alcyonium palustre [bastard sponges of the marshes]. It suitable used for stripping off leprosy, freckles, lichenae [skin disease], and other similar things. In brief, it is sharp, drawing fluids from depths, and it is good for sciatica. 5-138. SPOGGOI SUGGESTED: Sponges S ponges are sometimes called males when they are thick and full of small holes. The hardest of these they have named tragi. The others are called females and are different. They are burnt the same way as alcyonium [5-136]. Those empty and without fat are good for 814 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK wounds, repress oedema, and with water or posca [hot drinks] they seal new wounds; boiled with honey they rejoin old wounds. Old sponges are of no use. Sponges open contracted ulcers and calluses, bound with a thread and put in dry like tents. They dry up flowing undermining ulcers and old ulcers, applied dry, new and empty; and they restrain excessive discharges of blood. Burnt with vinegar they are good for dry sore eyes, anywhere there is need to clean, and are astringent for anything. They are better for eye medicines if they are washed. Burnt with pitch they are good for excessive discharges of blood. The softest of them are whitened in the burning heat of summer, moistened with froth of salt standing on the rocks, and placed in the sun. But take care that the hollow side of them faces upward and the cut side is underneath. If it is clear summer weather they are also moistened with froth of salt or seawater and set out under the moon. These are the whitest. 5-139. KORALLION SUGGESTED: Coral C oral seems to be a sea plant which hardens when it is drawn out of the deep — taken out of the sea and as it were, dipped into the air flowing all around us. Great amounts of it are found in the promontory called Pachynum near Syracuse. The best is red like sandarac [5-122] or sandyx [ancient red pigment], a very intense colour. This is easy to pound; even [textured] throughout its whole concretion, with a mossy smell like little seaweed, and with many branches, imitating cinnamon in the form of little shrubs. That hardened like stone, rough, without colour, hollow and loose, is thought to be worthless. By its strength it is therapeutic for the bowels, cools gently, represses abnormal growths, takes off scars on the eyes, fills up hollow sores and cracks, works effectively against spitting up blood, is good for frequent painful urination, and (taken as a drink with water) reduces the spleen. Some have called it lithodendron [stone tree]. 815 METALLIC STONES 5-140. ANTIPATHES SUGGESTED: Black Coral A ntipathes is thought to be coral with a specific difference: it is black in colour. This is also like a tree only more branched, and it has the same strength as that mentioned above. 5-141. PHRUGIOS LITHOS UNKNOWN T he Phrygian stone the dyers in Phrygia use (hence its name) is found in Cappadocia. The best is pale and mildly heavy, not firm from compaction, with partitions of white in-between like cadmia [5-84]. The stone is burnt as follows. Moisten it with the best wine, cover it with live coals, and blow on it continuously. When it changes colour to a more deep yellow, take it out, quench it with the same wine, place it into the coals again, then do the same things and burn it a third time, taking care that it does not crumble and vanish into soot. Both raw and burnt it is effective with stiff ointment for binding, cleaning, forming scabs, and healing burns. It is washed like cadmia [5-84]. 5-142. ASIOS LITHOS UNKNOWN A sian stone should be taken which is like pumice stone in colour — spongy, light and brittle, with yellowish partitions at the bottom. The flower [salt] of it is the yellowish salt fluid which gathers on the outside of the stones, which is thin in consistency and sometimes white in colour, sometimes like pumice stone, inclining to a yellow. Applied to the tongue it bites a little. Both of them are astringent, corrode gently, and dissolve small swellings used with terminthos [1-91] rosin or liquid pitch, and the flower [salt] is considered the strongest. Furthermore, dried, it heals old hard-to-close ulcers, represses abnormal fleshy growths, and with honey it cleans those like mushrooms, and wild ulcers. It fills the 816 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK hollow sores of ulcers and cleans them with honey, and mixed with wax ointment it stops feeding ulcers. For gout it is used in plasters with bean meal, and for the spleen with vinegar and unslaked lime [quicklime — calx viva]. The flower [salt] (licked in with honey) is good for tuberculosis of the lungs. Stone baths are made from this into which the gouty put in their feet and are helped, and coffins are made of it that dissolve flesh. It relieves very fleshy and thick bodies [weight loss] smeared on instead of saltpetre [potassium nitrate] in a bath. If you want to wash it do it in the same way as cadmia [5-84]. 5-143. PURITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Pyrites — Iron Disilphide P yrites is a kind of stone from which brass is made. That with a look like brass and which readily sends out sparks should be taken. It is burnt as follows. Moisten it with honey, put it into a soft coal fire, and blow on it continuously until it becomes a yellowish colour. Some put the stone (well moistened with honey) into many hot burning coals, then when it begins to change to a tawny yellow they take it off, blow off the ashes, moisten it, and burn it again until it becomes very brittle throughout. For it is often burnt only on the outside. They burn it like this, dry it, and put it in jars. It should be washed like cadmia [5-84] if there is a need to wash it. Either burnt or raw it is warming and purging, cleaning away things that darken the sight, and dissolving and ripening hard lumps. Taken with rosin it represses abnormal fleshy growths by warming a little and by its astringency. Some call burnt pyrites, diphryges [above]. 5-144. AIMATITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Haematite — Iron Sesquioxide T he best haematite stone is brittle and has a deep colour, or is black and hard and even, not containing any impurities or veins. It is astringent, somewhat warming, and reduces the intensity of symptoms. With honey it wears off scars and scabs on the eyes. With woman’s milk it helps sore eyes and broken bloodshot 817 METALLIC STONES eyes. It is taken in a drink with wine for painful urination, and women’s discharges [menstrual flow] with pomegranate juice, and for spitting-up blood. Eye salves are made of it, and suppositories and touchstones suitable for eye complaints. It is burnt like Phrygian [dyer's] stone, only the wine omitted. It is properly burnt when it is mildly light and swollen up with bubbles. Some counterfeit it as follows. They take a piece of schistus [crystalline laminated rock], thick and round (such as those called the roots of it) and cover it in a big-bellied earthen jar containing hot ash. Then they leave it a little while, take it out, and rub it on a touchstone testing whether it has taken the colour of haematites, and if it has they put it in jars. If not they cover it again, continuously looking at it and testing it, for if left too long in the ashes it changes colour and dissolves. That which is adulterated is confirmed first by the veins running through it, for this is has straight veins but haematites does not; then by the colour for this has a bright colour, the haematites a deeper one like cinnabar [5-109]. It is also found in Sinopican red ochre, and haematites is made from lodestone [magnetic oxide of iron] burnt very well; but that which occurs naturally is dug out of mines in Egypt. 5-145. SCHISTOS LITHOS SUGGESTED: Crystalline Laminated Rock S chistos stone is found in Spain towards the west. That which looks like saffron in colour seems to be the best — brittle, easy to clean, compacted like amoniacum salt, with similar veins. It has the same uses as haematite only with less strength. Diluted with women’s milk it fills up hollow sores, and it is very effective for hernia, prolapse of the eyes, thickness of the eyelids, and staphylomata [protrusion of the cornea]. 5-146. GAGATES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Gagate — Jet or G Agate agates is preferred which is kindled quickly and smells like bitumen. It is commonly black, 818 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK unattractive, crusty and very light. It softens and dissolves. If the smoke is inhaled it induces epilepsy and calms women who are hysterical. It is mixed with medicines for gout and those to remove fatigue, and smoke from it drives away snakes. It is found in Cilicia at a certain fall of the river flowing into the sea near the city called Plagiopolis. The place and the river at the mouth of which these stones are found are called Gagas. (They say that it discerns holy suffering, for if smelt when carried down to the earth they fall suddenly. Perfumed, it heals hidden disorders of women if they take in the vapour.) 5-147. THRAKIAS LITHOS UNKNOWN T hracius is found in Scythia near the river Pontus. It can perform the same cures as gagates [above] and it is said to be set on fire with water and quenched with oil, which is also done with asphalt [bitumen — asphalt — mineral pitch]. 5-148. MAGNES SUGGESTED: Magnetite — Magnetic Iron Oxide T hat lodestone which draws iron easily is the best, with an azure colour [blue], and thick but not too heavy. It is able to draw out thick fluids if thirty grains are given with honey and water. (They say that this can discern a woman who is chaste from one that plays the adulteress with another man, for if it is placed secretly on the bed of a chaste woman who loves her husband, she when overcome with sleep, with a certain natural strength from the stone, opens her hands towards her husband and lies close to him. The other, troubled in dreams with foul labours, falls out of bed. When two men carry this, it frees them from all strife and causes harmony, and when worn on the chest it soothes people). 819 METALLIC STONES 5-149. ARABIKOS LITHOS UNKNOWN A rabicus stone is like a piece of ivory. Pounded into small pieces and smeared on it dries up haemorrhoids, and burnt it is a dentifrice for the teeth. 5-150. GALAKTITES LITHOS UNKNOWN T his is called galactites because it exudes milky stuff. It is like ash in colour and sweet to the taste. It is good rubbed on for discharges and ulcers of the eyes. It is necessary that those who beat it in water put it in jars in a lead box because of its glueyness. 5-151. MELITITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Melelite — Calcium Silicate, Aluminum Silicate M elitites is like galactites [above] in all respects, differing only in that it exudes a sweeter liquid. It is effective for the same things as galactites. It is also called galactites and lethaeus because men carrying it and going to their own masters find them well disposed and forgetful of wrongs (often committed). When the milk of goats and sheep dry up it helps the little flock if it is beaten finely and mixed with brine. They say that pounded and taken as a drink it can do the same for women to produce milk. They say that bound around the neck of an infant it keeps him free from envy and diseases, and keeps the infant from treachery, and that both kings and judges revere anyone that wears this, and that they seem grandiose to all men. 5-152. MOROCHTHOS LITHOS SUGGESTED: Moroxis — crystallised form of Apatite — Phosphate of Lime — Calcium Oxide M 820 orochthus stone (which some call galaxia or leucographis) is found in Egypt. Those who make THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK linen use it for whitening cloth as it is soft and melting. It is thought to close the pores, and is good taken as a drink with water for bloodspitters, the abdominal cavity, and disorders of the bladder. The same is given for the menstrual flows of women, and also in a pessary. It is mixed with softening eye medicines as it fills up hollow sores and stops discharges. Used with wax ointment it forms a scar on the tenderness of ulcers. 5-153. ALABASTRITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Alabaster — Lime Sulphate Onyx-banded quartz similar to Agate A labastrites stone (which is called onyx) used burnt with rosin or pitch dissolves hard lumps. With stiff ointment it eases disorders of the stomach, and it is therapeutic for the gums. 5-154. THUITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Thyites — Turquoise T hyites is found in Ethiopia. It is greenish like jasper [previously this was green chalcedony], and when washed produces a milky colour. It is extremely biting, and is able to clean away things that darken the pupils. 5-155. IOUDAIKOS LITHOS UNKNOWN J udaican stone is found in Judaea, shaped like a glans [acorn], white, with a very handsome shape, and lines parallel to one another as if made by turning. When it is dissolved, it yields no taste. An amount like a cicer [2-126], dissolved like a cream on a whetstone and taken with three cupfuls of warm water as a drink can help painful urination, and break stones in the bladder. 821 METALLIC STONES 5-156. AMIANTOS LITHOS SUGGESTED: Amianthus — Asbestos, fibrous green Chrysolite A miantus stone is found in Cyprus. It is like alumen scissile [5-123] which the workmen make webs of cloth from for a show, because put into the fire they take flame, but come out more bright, not burnt by the fire. 5-157. SAPHEIROS LITHOS SUGGESTED: Sapphire — previously Lapis Lazuli — Alumina S apphire stone is thought to be good (taken in a drink) for those touched by scorpions. It is also taken in a drink for internal ulcers and abnormal growths in the eyes; it represses adenoids [haemorrhoids?] and pustules, and rejoins herniated membranes. 5-158. MEMPHITES LITHOS UNKNOWN M emphitis stone is found in Egypt near Memphis — the size of a pebble, fat, and of various colours. It is said that this (pounded into small pieces and smeared on any place that shall be cut or burnt), causes numbness [anaesthetic] without danger. 5-159. SELENITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Selenite — Moonstone — crystalline Lime Sulphate S elenites stone some have called aphroselenon because it is found in the nighttime during the increase of the moon. It is found in Arabia and is white, transparent and light. They file it and give the dust in a drink to the epileptic. Women hang it about themselves as an amulet, and it is thought that bound to trees it makes them bear fruit. 822 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-160. IASPIS LITHOS SUGGESTED: Jasper — previously name for green Chalcedony S ome jaspis stone is like emerald and some like crystal, resembling phlegm; some like the air and some capnia as we should say, smoky; and some called assyrius is glittering, with white middle partitions. Some is called terebinthizusa as it is coloured like calais. All are said to be amulets used as personal ornaments, and to speed delivery [in childbirth] tied to the thigh. 5-161. AETITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Eagle Stone — Iron Oxide hollow nodule of argilaceous Iron Oxide with a loose nucleus A etites stone when shaken sends out a sound as if it were pregnant with another stone. It prevents miscarriage when the wombs are slippery, tied around the left arm. At the time of delivery [in childbirth] take it from the arm and tie it around the thigh and she shall bring forth without pain. It exposes a thief if it is put into the bread offered him, for he that stole is not able to swallow down the things chewed. They say that aetites boiled together with meat will betray a thief, for he who stole shall not be able to swallow that which was boiled with it. Pounded into small pieces and used in a wax ointment made of cyprinum [1-65], gleucinum [1-67] or any of those things that warm, it helps epilepsy considerably. 5-162. OPHITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Serpentine green metamorphic rock or marble O ne kind of ophites stone is heavy and black, another an ashy colour distinguished with pricks, and another with white lines. Any of them (tied about the body) is good for snakebites and headaches. That with lines is reported to help lethargy and headaches in particular. 823 METALLIC STONES 5-163. LITHOI SPOGGON SUGGESTED: Stones found in Sponges S tones found in sponges (taken as a drink with wine) break stones in the bladder. 5-164. LITHOKOLLA SUGGESTED: Lithocolla — Marble & Glue literally glue stone L ithocolla — a mixture of marble or Parian stone and bulls glue — used as a probe made red-hot is able to turn back the eyelashes. 5-165. OSTRAKITES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Fossilised Oyster Shells O stracites stone is like a shell, crusty and easy to break. Women use it instead of pumice stone for taking off hair. A teaspoonful (taken as a drink with wine) stops the menstrual flow. If anyone drinks two teaspoonfuls after the menstrual flow it prevents conception. Applied with honey it soothes inflamed breasts, and stops gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks. 5-166. SMURIS LITHOS SUGGESTED: opaque crystallised Alumina — Adamantine Spar— Emery, Corundum J ewelers to polish their stones use Smyris lapis. It is good for antiseptic and caustic medicines, and for moist gums and cleaning the teeth. 824 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-167. AMMOS SUGGESTED: Sand S and heated by the sun on the shores dries up the moisture of dropsy in bodies when they are covered all over with it, except the head. It is roasted for dry warm packs instead of millet or salt. 5-168. AKONE SUGGESTED: Whetstone fine grained stone for sharpening blades T hat which comes off the Naxian whetstone (when iron is rubbed on it) fills up bald patches with hair, and prevents maidens’ breasts growing big. Taken as a drink with vinegar it reduces the spleen, and is good for epilepsy. 5-169. GEODES LITHOS SUGGESTED: Geodes nodular stones with crystalline cavities G eodes are astringent and drying, and take away things that darken the eyes. Smeared on [ground up] with water they soothe inflammation of the breasts, and that from stones [urinary, kidney]. 5-170. GE SUGGESTED: Earth A ll earth that falls within the scope of medicinal use is supremely useful for cooling, and for closing the pores. There are various kinds, some good for other things in some preparations. 825 METALLIC STONES 5-171. ERETRIAS SUGGESTED: Alkaline Earths; Baryta — Barium monoxide; Lime — Calcium oxide; Strontia — Strontium monoxide S ome Eretrian earth is considerably white and some is an ashy colour. The best is that which resembles ash in colour, and is very soft, and when drawn along brass yields a violet line. It is washed like cerussa [white lead ore] or as follows. Pound as much as you want of it into small pieces (first by itself and then with water) and let it settle. Then strain out the moisture gently, dry the earth in the sun, beat it again for a whole day (adding water) and allow it to settle all night. About the break of day strain it, pound it finely in the sun, and form it into tablets, as far as possible. If there is a need to roast it take (pieces) of earth the size of a cicer [2-126], put it into a clay jar of full of holes, and having corked the mouth carefully, put it among lighted coals and blow on it continuously. When the ashes have turned into sparks (or rather become an airy colour), take it out and put it in jars. It is astringent, cooling, and gently softening, filling up hollow sores, and closing open cuts and bleeding wounds. 5-172. SAMIA SUGGESTED: Alkaline Earths; Baryta — Barium monoxide; Lime — Calcium oxide; Strontia — Strontium monoxide; Aster — Asteria — Asteriated Sapphire, Chrysoberyl S amian earth is preferred which is very white and light, and on touching the tongue holds it fast like glue. Additionally it is full of liquid, soft and brittle, such as that which some call collyrium [eye salve, suppository]. There are two kinds; besides that previously mentioned there is one called aster, crusty and thick like whetstone. It has the same properties and is burnt and broken like eretrias [5-171]. It stops the spitting up of blood, and is given with flowers of wild pomegranate for women’s menstrual flows. Smeared on with water it soothes inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney], and inflammation of the breasts. Taken in a drink of water it 826 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK represses sweating; it helps those bitten by venomous creatures, and those who have taken a deadly medicine [antidote]. 5-173. LITHOS SAMIOS UNKNOWN A certain stone is found in Samia that the goldsmiths use to polish and make the gold glistening. The best is white and heavy. It is astringent and cooling, good for stomach disorders in drinks, dulling the senses. It is good with milk for discharges and ulcers in the eyes, and it is thought to hasten delivery [childbirth], and prevent miscarriage in women that have conceived, tied around them. 5-174. CHIA SUGGESTED: Chian Earth — ? Bicarbonate of Soda Earth also means metallic oxides i.e. Magnesia, Alumina, Zirconia. C hian earth which is white and almost an ashy colour like the Samian [above] should be used. It is crusty and white and differs in the shape of its particles. It has the same properties as Samian earth. It makes the face and the whole body without wrinkles and clear, and used in a bath instead of saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it scours. 5-175. SELINOUSIA UNKNOWN S elinusian earth does the same things [as those above]. The best glitters extremely, is white and brittle, and very quickly dissolved if it gets wet. 827 METALLIC STONES 5-176. KIMOLIA SUGGESTED: Cimolite — soft hydrous Alumina Silicate S ome Cimolian earth is white, and some inclining to a purple with a certain fattiness to it, and somewhat cold to the touch. This is considered the best. Both sorts (diluted with vinegar) dissolve inflammation of the parotid gland, and the second type dissolves lesser tumours. They are good for burns, rubbed on by hand to keep the affected parts from blistering. They suppress hardness from stones [urinary, kidney], and inflammation on any part of the body; furthermore they withstand erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], and in brief the genuine are of much use if the bastard ones are not taken. 5-177. PNIGITIS UNKNOWN P nigitis earth in a way resembles Eretrian earth [5-171] in colour. It is thickly crusted, cooling if touched by the hands, and adheres to the tongue very much so that it hangs on it. It has the same properties as fuller's earth [ammonium silicate] except for its strength. Some sell this as Eretrian earth. 5-178. OSTRAKA Clay Tiles T he tiles in furnaces that are very burnt are crustforming: as a result (rubbed on with vinegar) they heal itching and pustules breaking out, and are good for gout. Used with wax ointments they dissolve scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling] and goitres. 828 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 5-179. GE KAMINON Burnt Red Earth W ell-burnt red earth from furnaces has the same qualities as the tiles [above]. 5-180. GE MELIA Earth from Melia M elia is coloured like Eretrian earth (which is an ashy colour) but it is rough, and rubbed with the fingers it makes a creaking noise like pumice stone that is being grated. It is like allom [5-123] in quality but somewhat more weak, which is also shown by the taste. It dries the tongue gently. It is able to make the body clean and a good colour, thins hair, and wears off alphos [non-contagious leprosy] and psoriasis. It is useful for painters to make their colours more permanent, and it is helpful in green [herbal] plasters. Earth of any type should be chosen which is without stones, new, soft, brittle, and easily dissolved when it touches moisture. 5-181. GE AMPELITIS SUGGESTED: Ampelite — Bituminous Earth A mphelitis earth (also called pharmacitis) is found in Seleucia near Syria. The black should be chosen. It is like small coals from a pitch tree, adhering like a lath [?] and glistening the same. Furthermore, it is melted slowly if a little oil is poured on it while it is pounded into small pieces. That which is white, ashy and unmeltable is considered worthless. It dissolves and cools. It is used to make eyelids beautiful, for dyeing hair, and for rubbing the vines at the time of their sprouting, for it kills worms that breed in them. 829 METALLIC STONES 5-182. ASBOLE Soot from glass-making F uligio pictoria [soot] that the painters use is taken from the glassmakers, as that is the best. It is putrifying and sharp, and with a waxy ointment of rosaceum [1-53] it heals fractures. 5-183. MELAN Black Ink T he ink with which we write is prepared from the soot gathered from torches, and to each ounce of gum is mixed three ounces of soot. It is also made from the soot of rosin, and the previously mentioned soot pictoria. Mix one pound of soot pictoria, half a pound of gum, half an ounce of bulls’ glue, and half an ounce of chalcanthum [blue vitriol or copper sulphate]. It is good included in antiseptic medicines; and for burns it is rubbed on thickly with water and left alone until it forms new skins, for it falls off of its own accord when the sores have healed. A nd so, most loving Areius, to have stored up well near as much as we thought suitable and to be of a large composition additionally and of information of matters medicinal and their uses, let this suffice. AN END OF THE FIFTH AND LAST BOOK OF MEDICINAL MATERIALS. 830 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK INDEXES 831 832 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK adiantum 687 aizoon agrion 275 ametros 579 adice 647 ala ibis 584 amictomiaenon 138 adipson 372 alba spina 387 ammium Alexandrinum adocetos 595 albinus 516 adorion 295 albolon 404 aegicon 572 albucium 335 aegine 556 albucus 118 aegitis 351 alcea 536 395 aegoceras 243 alcibiacum 571 abutonon 396 aegonychon 531 alcibiades 400 acairon 692 aegynos 631 alcibiadian 568 acantha 599 aeithales 640 alcibiadion 571 acanthisa 380 aeonion aichryson 640 alexandrina 696 acanthus topiaria 384 aeritis 351 alimon 332 acapnon 419 Aethiopicum 447 allelo 619 acatalis 102 aethopi 647 allium 311 acatera 102 aetolium 728 aloa 392 acaulon 507 aetonychon 679 aloe 392 accuseton 488 agasyllis 483 aloe gallica 367 achaemenis 511 agasyllon 484 aloitin 627 achillea 664 agathides 419 aloitis 367 achillea sideritis 576 ageomoron 631 alsine 356 achiosm 591 aglaophotis 530 alterum geranium 515 achy 18 agnacopum 535 althaea 571 acicula 295 agon 287 althiocon 534 acnestos 727 agonon 138, 556, 692 alusteri 518 aconitum 340 agreste papaver 611 amaracum 419, 528 acopon 535 agrestis 704 amaranthis 572 acorus sylvaticus 579 agrestis bulbus 636 amaranton 376 acrosemon 538 agrestis hygiena 639 amarantum 595, 596 acrospelos 688 agrestis iris 636 amaurosis 631 actine 675 agrion 472 amaxitist 572 acyron 536 agriophyllon 472 ambrosia 515 adamas 615 agrioselinon 452 ambrosion 640 adamenon 615 agrostis 734 ambuxus 551 adeseton 488 agtetum 704 amelxine 580 ALTERNATE NAMES A abiblabon 500, 518 abioton 631 absinthiomenon 399 absinthium 396 absinthium ponticum 399 absinthium rusticum 371, ALTERNATE NAMES 447 ammonos 284 amomites 85 amorgine 580 ampelocarpum 488 ampelucia 118 amphibion 392 amygdaloides 720 amyron 491 anabasion 588 anabasis 588 anactorion 564 anactorios 514 anagallis aquatica 280 anagyros 535 analetamenon 580 anangelos 692 anaphalis 516 anaphytos 699 anarrhinon 680 anasphoron 735 anatolicon 556 anaxeton 516 anchinops 587 anchusa 568 andidotum 383 androsaemon 427 androsemon 537 anemion 347 anemone 495 anemosphoron 675 anepsa 699 anethum 443 abiblabon 500, 518 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 833 aniassexe 537 aphron creidion 631 aridan 571 aspidium 488 anicetum 443 aphroselenon 822 arion 564 aspidium 491 anion 244 aphysemon 18 aritrillis 738 asplenium 2 anisum 440 apiastrum 500, 503 Armenian 169 asplenos 352 anonim 451 apium 660 arnion 280 ass of the priest 419 anoth 360 apium agreste 343 arnopurites 463 assefolium 572 ansanaph 676 apium montanum 451 aron 328 astaphis 711 anthema 267 apium rusticum 451, 514 aron agreste 328 asterchillos 576, 579 anthemis 527, 528 apnium 503 aronia 170 asterion 534, 671 anthemis arvensis 348 apochyma 99 arselam 348 asteriscos 671 anthenoron 118 apolegousa 631 arsenicanthon 404 asterium 468 anthericum 335 apoleium 404 arsenote 711 asterope 504 anthropomorphon 627 apolinum 728 artemedion 407 astertiphe 528 anthyllion 356, 639 Apollinaris 615 artemisa 515 astrismunim 619 anthyllon 527 Apollinaris minor 620 artemisia 583 asumes 738 anticantharon 518 apopleumonos 727 artemone 348 asumeslabon 738 anticyricon 703 aprus 567 artemonia 348 asuric 296 antimelon 627 apsapher 468 artenisia 514 asyntrophon 579 antimimon 572 apseudes 631 arusium 359 asyria 639 antimnion 627 apusi 4 08 asa 512 atadin 118 antirrhinon 680 aquilonium 499 asariphen 118 athanates 499 antithesion 687 arachu 443 ascacau 456, 459 athnon 587 antuenrin besor 676 arangem 468 aschat 280 atierberzia 504 anubias 518 arariza 371 ascis 699 atiercon 280 anuphi 572 arbor ursi 729 ascyroides 538 atirsipte 284 anydron 623 arcar 324 ascyron 538 atirtopuris 360 aoubios 355 archaras 683 asealuri 118 atocion 499 apanthropon 711 archeuthis 102 asiracos 202 atomon 615, 699 aparia 572 archezostis 734 asirrhizi 351 atomum 85 aparine 659, 687 archibellion 567 asontiri 118 aton 675 apemphin 631 archinen 628 asperum 284 atriplex 268 apemum 627 arcophyton 512 asphaltium 508 aturius 526 aphedros 491, 504 arcopus 683 asphalton 547, 584 augion 359, 572 aphlopho 738 arcturum 656 asphe 118 augustia 519 apho 512 argion 684 aspho 324 aura crocodili 500 aphrodisia 2 argyros 738 asphos 503 austeralis 283 aniassexe 537 ALTERNATE NAMES 834 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK autogenes 716, 731 bituensa 591 bromos 687 calamintha sylvestris 512 avena 687, 688 black anemone 347 brotion 643 calchas 599 black bryony 735 bruchum 560 Calchidicen lizard 206 blechnon 735 bryon 295, 595 caleam 623 blechon 404 bryonia 520 caliocri 660 blechron 404 bryony 734 callesis 603 bles 264 bubalion 704 calliada 619 blitum 264 bubonium 671 callias 528 blood of a cat 652 buccinus minor 463 callipetalon 584 balis 704 blood of a menstrual woman 499 bucephalus 559 callirium 500 ballaris 651 blood of a weasel 526 buceras 243 callitrichon 684 balsamina 529 blood of an ass 735 bucinus 463 calycanthemom 556 barathrum 102 bucranium 735 calycanthemon 556 blood of Hercules 375, 376 barbyle 347 blood of Isis 503 buinesath 567 calyx 567 barren 138 blood of the weasel 600 bulbus 518 camaros 463 baryton 102 blood of Titan 575 bulbus agrestis 636 camel’s foot 504 basil 572 boide 712 bulbus morbitarius 716 cammaron 628 basilicum sylvestre 420 bolchum 82 bulbus sanguineus 518 cammarum 628 basilion 118, 519 bolon 564 bulbus vomitorius 716 campestre 451 batanuta 735 bombochylon 627 bulrush 6 campsanema 464 bath of Venus 379 bonus daemon 472 bunion 600 canina 632 bdelura 727 borassus 154 buphthalmum 576 cannabis 534, 535 becion 408 borion 660 bupthalmum 599 cannabium 534 belion 511 boros 640 burchumath 595 canochersaea 580 beliucandas 664 botrys 514 butyrinum 64 canopicon 724 belotocos 407 botrys artemisia 514 beluacos 407 bouophthalmum 640 caballation 679 berylius 347 brasma 319 cacabum 620 besasa 427 brassica 271 cachlan 529 besasa 424 brassica rustica 271 caciatrix 284 beta silvatica 272 brassica rustica 632 cactos 567 betisalca 735 brechu 255 cacubalum 619 biaron 328 brephoctonos 518 caepa 308 capnos that is among barley 660 bilinuntiam 616 brichilata 537 calabotis 308 caprae lien 267 bisacutum 295 britannica 118 calabrina 533 capria 340 B babathy 631 babiburu 435 Babylonian juncus 22 baccar 14 baccharis 14 bacchicei 352 bitrum 315 ALTERNATE NAMES C cantharis 660 cantherinum 503 caper sylvaticus 514 capillaris 687 capitulum cardui 388 capnites 660 capnogorion 660 calamaris 683 autogenes 716, 731 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 835 capsella 315 centunculus 516 chedra 588 chuffis 347 carcinethron 547 cephalotus 415 chelidonion 351, 734 chuline 324 cardamantica 182, 312 ceraitis 243 chelidonion parvum 660 chulum 547 cardamina 312 ceranios 347 chelonion 324 churma 424 cardamine 283 cerascomen 435 chemis 456, 459 churma semmaked 427 carduus 380 ceraunia 643 cheno 491 churwa 427 carduus nutans niger 378 cerdon 323 cherdan 391 churzeta 599 carduus nutans varius 377 cereera 14 cheredranon 588 chysitis 595 caropithla 683 ceriacuspia 640 chida 391 ciborium 248 carota 435 cervi ocellum 456, 459 chiliodynamis 552 cibotium 248 carpathum 556 cestron 533, 728 chiliophullon 547 cibus Saturni 588 carpon 243 ceti 518 chiliophyllon 579 cicendia 367 carterae 391 chalcanthemon 599 chimerinen 643 cicer erraticum 416 caryites 720, 722 chalcanthum 599 chir 379 cicerbita 284 caryon 388 chalcedonium 793 chironian vine 735 cichorium 284, 287 cassiala 399 chalcitis 599 chironias 375 cichorum 287 casta 530 chalyriton 323 chironium 367 cicotria 515 castana 149 chamaebalanos 731 chlunium 388 cicuta 631 castor 30 chamaeleon 379 chnus 383 cinara 380 catanchusa 567 chamaeleuce 676 chocorten 267 cincinnalis 603, 684 catangelos 692 chamaelycon 603 choeradolethron 687 cine 692 cataphysis 616 chamaemelum 371 cholopoeon 396 cinnabar 532 catapsyxis 631 chamaemyrsine 692 choradanon 468 ciosmin 408 catechomenion 631 chamaepitys 692 chorus 2 ciotocapeta 391 catharon 2 chamaeplion 316 chrysanthemom 640 circaeum 627 catharsis 323 chamaerrhytos 323 circea 627 caucum 295 chamaesyce 603, 611 chrysanthemon 514, 527, 595, 596 cautan 528 cbascanon 687 cedoes 732 cedromela 169 cedrostis 734 cemeleg 703 cemos 352, 683 cemus 679 centaurea radix 367 capsella 315 chamedrops 496 chamedrys 495 chamegiron 512 chamelaea 728 chamelaea nigra 727 chameleuce 512 chamemelum 528 chamepitys 427, 537 characias 720 chrysisceptrum 377 chrysitis 640, 738 chrysocalis 528 chrysocarpos 352 chrysocome 528 chrysolachanon 268 chrysophorum 113 chrysospermon 640 chudua 592 cissamethon 580 cissampelon 580 cissanthemon 324 cissanthemon 327 cissaron 125 cissaros 352 cission 491 cissophullon 491 cissophylon 324, 327 cistharon 125 ALTERNATE NAMES 836 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK citocacium 727 conila 400, 667 crocodilium 379 cynoctonon 628, 632 citrago 503 consecratrix 2 crocomerion 680 cynoglosson 280 citria 169 conum 97 cronios 463 cynomachon 378 cittaros 352 copiscum 85 cronos 518 cynomorion 299 clema 547, 724 cor lupi 560 crossion 680 cynomoron 632 clemation 563 corchoros 351 crossophthoon 680 cynomorphos 30 clematitis 556 coriandrum aquaticum 684 crotion 683 cynomuia 616 cleollicum 492 corion 427, 537 croton 720 cynosbatos 340, 579 cleonia 33 corna 348 crown of the earth 676 cynosorchis 520 clibadium 639 cornulaca 591 crustane 355 cynosprasion 500 clinopodium 492 corona of the sun 118 crystallium 616 cynoxylon 378 clumenion 556 coronion 704 cucolida 620 cynozematitis 518 clymenon 556 corydalion 660 cucurbita amara 731 cynx 660 cnecion 419 corydalion sylvestre 660 cucurbita sylvatica 731 cyonophricen 436 cneoron 728 Corydalis 660 cuinos 459 cyparissias 720 cnicus agrestis 347 corymbias 352 cuminum agreste 444 cyperis 328 cnicus sylvestris 491 corymbion 499 cuminum leporis 560 cypressus 102 cnidium coccum 378 coryon 660 cuminum silvaticum 444 cyrranion 703 cnopodion 547 cosalon 408 cunila 403, 431 cytinus 125 coccos cnidios 727 cotiata 572 cupripum 540 coete 631 cotinon 141 curitis 603 colocassion 332 craepula 384 cusimezar 704 colocynthis Alexandrina crambe cepaea 271 cussion 352 crambion 724 cybelion 672 crataea 355 cybellium 563 crateonon 519 cydonomeli 759 creticum 439 cymbalium 643, 644 creticus 407 cyminalis 367 crinanthemom 500 cynanche 632 crinanthemon 518 cynanchites 399 crines cynocephali 443 cynanchon 632 criotheos 484 cynarice 632 crista gallinacea 600 cynocardamom 312 critamon 283 cynocephalion 616 crobysson 643 cynochalem 547 crobysus 388 cynocrambe 632 731 colocynthis capri 731 colomestrum 628 colophonia 94, 727 colophonium 727 colubrina 328 columba 531 colus 491, 492 comatus 720 come 299 concord 348 concordialis 348 conidijs 616 ALTERNATE NAMES D dacar 18 dacina 560 dactylium 727 damassonium 118, 536 damnamene 679, 683 danaben 106 danae 695 danais 518 daphnitis 696 daphnoenes 680 daphnoides 551 daphnos 106, 695 dardanis 631 dardanus 371 darenion 280 dasmophon 315 citocacium 727 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 837 dasyclonon 735 dorysastrum 295 embactron 407 erymon 118 dasypodion 672 dracons 532 embrosi 292 eryneris 388 datisca 683 dracontium 332 emmanes 615 erynge 388 daucus 295 dracunculus 328 empetrum 560 eryngium 392 delliarion 518 dubath 595 enoron 623 erysisceptron 27, 380, 603 delphinias 463 ducone 730 enotron 584 erysisceptrum 6 demetrias 603 dulcis cubitus 399 entaticon 522 erythodanon 532 demos 683 dulcis radix 372 entimon agrion 448 erythra 503 dendroides 720 dyn 647 epaphou 563 erythrum 150 diachysis 463 dysosmon 512 ephemeron 407 esce 503 diachytos 463 dyticon 556 ephemerum 636 eschasmene 537 epher 377 ethenchis 652 ephesia 371, 514 Ethiopian olive 141 ephudron 588 ethrekicen 296 epiert 684 ethusa 631 epigetis 551 etijcelta 643 epimelis 170 euboica 730 epipteron 639 eupatorium 504 epithumis 415 eusine 580 epnubu 424, 427 euthmoe 264 epthosephim 377 exonychon 531 equinalis 588 exupera 600 diadesma 267 dialion 739 diamonon 628 diaxylon 27 dichromon 603 dieliam 616 dinosmos 518 dionysia 352 dionysias 538, 683 dionysium 351 dioscyamos 615 diosporon 531 diraea 516 dircaea 627 dircaeum 460 dirceaum 619 dithiambrion 615 dochela 540 dog’s bush 340 dolia 631 donacitis 380 dorcidium 407 doricteris 495 doris 495 dorycnion 463 dasyclonon 735 E ebenitis 511 ebenotrichon 684 ebulus 730 echeonymon 492 echinaster 515 echion 571 eclotoripam 264 ectomon 703 egne 359 egne parva 359 elaeophyllon 520 elaphicum 456, 459 elaphine 703 elaphion 572 elaphoboscon 408 elaphoboscum 311 elaphoscordon 632 elate 154 elaterium 704 elbunium 407 eldian 407 eleago 727 elitis 580 elleborine 660 equinum 719 equitium 588 eranthemis 527 eranthemon 527 erechneumonis 280 erechthites 648 erethmu 316 ereuthodanum 532 erigenion 603 erinei 181 erineos 563 eruca 296 eruthrodanum 532 erxoe 675 F fabium 355 faeniculos 459 faeniculum erraticum 459 fatalist 652 febrifuga 376, 518 fel terrae 375 femineus frutex 399 ferrea 600 ferula 383, 468 ferula sylvestris 712 ferulago 712 ferum 375 ficus terrae 603 ALTERNATE NAMES 838 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK filicula 687 genitura Isidis 419 filicula licitalis 736 genitura Mercurii 529 haemagogum 530 Heraclea 575, 576 filix 735 genitura Mercurij 443 haemceos 579 Heracleon 579 filix fanaria 735 gentiana 367 haemith 420 Heracleum 612 flammula 680 geranogeron 515 haemorrha 529 heraclia 639 flos campestris 348, 527, geranopodium 499 haemostaris 635 heraclion 396, 727 gesparine 347 halicacabum 623 herba aristolochia. 368 gingidium 343 halicacabus 351 herba filicula 683 gis 588 haloscorodon 343 herba gruina 515 gizir 18 hapap 580 herba lanaria 323 glacula 603 haplophyllon 488 herba Mercurialis mascula gladiolus 2, 564, 567 harmala 424, 427 glaucios 355 harmas 738 galactites 820 glyceraton 372 hedemias 518 galatium 648 glycymela 166 hedera 352 galaxia 820 glycyphyton 372 hedera pluviatica 676 galephos 647 glycyside 529 hederalis 427 gallerium 648 gniacardus 387 hederula 352 gallisopsis 404 gnomeusilum 651 heliastrus 484 garden brassica 271 gnotera 503 heliopun 739 garganon 591 gnothuris 503 heliosacte 730 garuleum 599 gobius 720 helioscopius 720 gatales 603 goid 447 heliostephanon 118 gathuonem 284 gonogeonas 628 heliotropos 739 geboscum 311 gonoleta 531 helitis 786 gelasonen 516 gorginium 388 hellebore 703 geminalis 523 gorgonium 531 helleborites 376 genicularis 499 gramen 572 helleborosemata 560 genitalis 564 great bugloss 668 helonias 604 genitals of a menstrual woman 499 grielon 452 helxine major 556 grynon 704 helyophthes 556 guleobdolon 647 hemerocatallacton 518 gurenia 692 hemionion 526 gutta 484 hemionous 628 gynoecion 793 hepatitis 556, 583 gyon 588 hepatorium 583 528 foeminalis 655 foenumgraecum 243 foliatum 77 fumaria 660 fusus agrestis 491 G genitura 575 genitura cynocephali 443 genitura felis 676 genitura Herculis 692, 699 genitura herois 547 genitura hori 504 ALTERNATE NAMES H heptapleuron 280 738 herba montana 391 herba multiradix 376 herba pedicularis 711 herba pulicaria 616 herba regia 514 herba rotularis 468 herba sabina 102 herba scanaria 295 herba semperviva 643 herba ulticana 620 herba venerea 283 herbiaeathum 343 herbula Mercurii 738 herbulum 648 herculea 547 Herculis psoriasista 316 herminum 392 hermium 388 hermodactylon 584 herpyxe 456, 459 hieracicus 328 hieracopodion 499 hierobryncas 515 hipparison 603 filicula 687 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 839 hippion 719 iceosmigdonos 639 ithutherion 352 lapathum 499 hippomanes 340, 632 ichthyotheron 324 itiandendron 588 lapathum sylvestre 507 hippophaes 719 icmane 635 iumbarum 560 laphotholabat 639 hippophanes 719 idaea 695 iuncinalis 537 lapis leoninus 531 hippophues 719 idaei dactyli 530 Iunonis lachryma 600 lappa 659 hires 516 idaeum verbascum 774 ixia 377, 378 lappa minor 532 holcos 205 idiophyton 679 ixos 488 lappago 719 holochryson 640 ienk 515 holocyron 540 iesce 515 holophyton 340 illecebra 275, 360, 643 homoenomoea 372 imbriferum 704 homonoia 348 inanaoentaria 615 hormia 523 inguinalis 671 hortensis 267 intubus 518 hortus veneris 643 intubus agrestis 448 huption 603 inturis 343 hyacinthum 463 intybus agrestis 287, 499 hyacinthus 463 inula campana 33 hyaenopsolon 572 hydragogon 696 hydrastina 535 hydrero 572 J ionia 540 ioniten 340 larbason 793 jebal 572 Jovis caulis 640 juncus laevis 592 juncus manualis 592 juncus marinus 592 juncus odoratus 280 juniperus 102 jupicellusum 102 Jupiter’s acorns 149 later 399 lauothen 735 laureola 696 laurorosa 635 laver 280 lax 275 lea 514 leapetes 640 ledum 125 K involucrum 732 iocroi 518 lappolamera 719 kappacorania 529 kerascomion 517 kitto 18 leonem 299 leontica 372 leontice 672 leontion 531 knide 647 hypericon 427 iontitis 371 hypericum 537, 539 Iovis barba 595 hypnoticum 615 Iovis colum 603 labatholabat 356 leontopodium 495 hypoglossion 106, 695 Iovis madius 683 labeonia 504 lepidium 295 hypoglotton 695 irane 651 lactago 696 leptocarya 177 hypopheon 612 irio 316 lactuca 292 lestitis 371 hypopion 712 iris 2 lactuca sylvestris 292 lethaeus 820 hysobrium 420 iris agrestis 567 laculla 735 leucacantha 118, 507 hyssopum 399 iris agria 567 laginum 699 leucanthemon 527, 528 isaron 328 lampas 499 leucanthon 517 ischias 387, 731 lampuca 448 leuce 525 ischys 518 lanath 556 leucographis 820 isea 703 lanceatum 801 leucoion sylvestre 428 itasin 243 lanceola 533 libanis 676 I iaron 328 iberis 312 ibesaoide 711 ibiscus 534 hippion 719 leontium 495 L leontocharon 511 ALTERNATE NAMES 840 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK libanotis 518 lonchitis 526, 560 malium 528 melocarpum 368 libium 102 lone 33 maloion 499 melosmon 511 libthestaso 372 longina 533 mamolaria 384 melothron 734 liburnia 348 lopima 149 mantia 579 memacyla 172 libyon 663 lopta 537 marathrum sylvestre 459 mendruta 560 lichene 692 lotos 243 mariner’s root 2 menion 530 ligusticum 138 lotus grandis 663 marmarites 660 menogenion 530 liliaceum 59 lupa 720 marone 375 menta 411 lilinum 59 lupha 332 marrubium 503, 504 mentastrum 411 lilium 500 lupina scutica 703 masculum 85 mentha 411 lilium agreste 518 lupinus 255 masitipos 351 menyanthes 508 lilium marinum 518 lupinus agrestis 256 mauriaria 328 mercurii basis 118 lilium sylvestre 518 lupus 205 meciato 351 merginem 556 lily 343 lybica 567 mecon agria melana 475 meris 683 limnaion 376 lychnis agrestis 680 mecon rhoeas 611 merisimorion 503 limnesion 375, 376 lychnis sylvestris 495, 680 mecona 723 merseo 514 limnestis 375 lychnitis 655 meconium 347 mertryx 515, 516 lingua bovis 676 lycoctonon 628 Median 169 meruopyos 416 lingua canina 679 lycophrys 514 medica 33, 563, 774 methrion 695 lingua canis 679 lycos 299 medusa 533 metopium 38, 72 lingua cervina 736 lycos 205 melabathrum 528 meuda 560 linocalamis 244 lycosemphyllon 560 melampelon 580 meum 459 linodrys 496 lygon 138, 715 melamphyllon 384 miaspho 324 linomyrum 244 lygos 138 melampodium 703 micij 351 linon agrion 244 lyme 456, 459 melampyrom 667 militaris 579 linozastis 731 lyron 536 melanorrhizon 703 militaris mina 518 linozostis 738 lytron 547 melanthemon 528 millefolium 528, 579, 664 melecaprum 371 minercium 680 meleta 379 minon 627 melinen 236 minthe 692 meliphyllon 503 misopathos 572 melita 503 mithridanios 512 melites 759 mithrios 106 melittena 503 mnesitheos 529 melitteon 503 mnesitheus 102 melium aquaticum 522 mochmutim 275 linum 728 lip of Venus 379 lirion 716 lirium 716 lithodendron 815 little twig 118 lobon 715 loculamentum 248 lolium 239 ALTERNATE NAMES M macetho 411 machaeronion 564 macia 351 madelcum 82 maemoem 275 maiorana 419 mala canina 628 mala terrestria 628 libanotis 518 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 841 molorticulum veneris 522 mythracice 106 notios 640 opaca 537 moly 388, 427 myurum 419 nycteritis 351 opertritis 2 nymphaea pteris 736, 737 ophigenium 456, 459 nymphona 525 ophioctonon 456, 459 montanus 731 mora vaticana 579 morion 522 mosulum 18 mosyleticus blastos 18 mota 149 mothoth 355 mouse-ear 639 mozula 415 muraria 672 murina spina 692 muris auricula 356, 639 muris cauda 267 mydusa 567 myiten 315 myitis 295 myllophullon 664 myoctonon 628 myon 275 myopteron 315 myortochon 356, 639 myortosplenon 639 myosotis 356 myoton 356 myracanthum 388 myriomorphon 579 myrrha 667 myrrhis cardamomum 515 myrsine 556 myrsinites 720 myrsinoides 551 myrtites 720 myrtopetalon 547 myrtosplenon 356 molorticulum veneris 522 N nanti 607 O napium 264 nar 2 oblamenia 735 narat 529 ochi 268 narcaphthon 28 ochion 447 narce 367, 375 ocimastrum 420, 572 narcissus anydros 716 ocimoides 378, 492, 572 nardus rustica 14 ocneron 692 nardus sylvestris 14 oculi sanguis 351 nasturtium 312 oculus pythonis 400 nectarion 33, 774 oenanthe 468 nemesion 572 oeno 323 nepeta 411, 412 oenone 348 nephrium 456, 459 oenothera 668 nereadium 463 oleander 635 nerion 463 oligocloron 340 nervi palmae 399 oligoros 632 neumatus 680 olma 730 neurada 383 oloastellum 727 neuras 595 olusatrum 452 neuroides 560 omphacitis 149 nevis 13 omphelocarpum 488 nicander colophonius 403 onistis 632 nisyris 468 onobrochilos 537 nochelis 503 onocardium 379 nonaria 603 onocheiles 568 nonea 567 onoclea 567 nophrys 503 ononis 387, 524 nophtham 500 onophyllon 567 nostelis 503 onos 202 notheras 500 onuris 668 notianoscemin 500 onychinum 64 notion 704 onyx 603 ophioscorodon 340, 632 ophiostaphylon 734 ophiostapllylen 340 opsaginem 620 opteron 687 opula alba 519 orbicularis 324 orci tunica 347 orcnicinum 508 orestion 33, 774 origanis 420 origanum 388, 515 orizelon 540 orobax 530 orobelium 530 orphitebeoce 584 ortamon 420 orthogyion 623 osiridis diadema 118 osiris 468 osmas 524 osmos 563 ostheles 587 othonion 355 ousubim 696 oxiui 556 oxyacantha 121 oxyphyllon 508, 515 oxypternos 592 oxytonon 611 oxytonum 607 ALTERNATE NAMES 842 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK pasderota 384 personata 659 phithophthethela 684 pabulum marinum 611 passarina 519 perxo 411 phlonitis 524 paederos 620 pastinaca rustica 435 pes gallinaceum 295, 315 phoebulonga 616 paeonia 355 pecton 555 pes pulli 295 phoenicopteron 587 paeonium 530 pedalion 547 pesalem 399 phragmosa 518 paeseden 530 peenthaomoeos 372 petraea 340 phrygia 526 pagonaton 512 peganon 512 petrina 512 phrygitis 526 palladium 680 pegrina 735 petrophthes 643 phrynion 383, 595 palolucupinum 587 pelecinos 719 petrophues 643 phthirion 711 pamphanes 640 pelecinus 523 petroselinum 455 phthiroctonon 711 panacea 435 pelethronion 375 petroselinum sylvestre 451 phthisi 530 panaces 435 pelonitis 515 peucedanon 704 phycos 518 panaces heraclion 403 pempedula 584 peuteron 343 phylacuum 551 pancarpon 378 pemphthephtha 603 peuthalida 547 phyllesade 125 pancranon 712 pempsempte 600 phacoides 732 phyllis 507 pancration 400 pentacoenon 584 phaedra 588 phyllon 387 pandionis 355 pentadactylon 584 phagnon 408 phyllophares 504 panicula 516 pentadryon 623 phalangite 507 phytobasila 679 panios 518 pentapetes 584 phalangium 468 phytom 679 panthiceratos 530 pentatomon 584 phaleos 632 pickris 287 papaver 611 pentoboron 529 pharmacitis 829 picras 525 papaver corniculatum 495 peonie 530 pharpharia 512 picris 287 papaver niger 475 peplion 725 phasganon 27, 687 pignatoxaris 699 papaver spumeum 725, pepper of bees 2 phasiolum 672 pinarium 801 pergalia 348 pherphram 588 pinasgelum 472 periclymenon 556 phersephonion 603 pinula 687 peristereon 603 pherthumerthrumonthu pinus trivius 603 P 726 papaveralis 607 papaverculum 495 paradacry 675 paralion 611, 724 paralius 720 paralysis 463, 631, 632 pardale 495 pardalianches 628, 632 parmiron 575 paronychia 640 parthenium 639, 738 ALTERNATE NAMES peristerion 660 perpensa 14 persephonion 118 Persian 169 persica 33 Persica 176 persion 623 persis 352 personacea 659 411 pherumbras 292 pheuxaspidion 511 philanthropum 488 philetaeria 552 philetaerium 551, 571 philomedion 355 philophares 504 philtrodotes 526, 600 piper agreste 138 piper apum 2 pissan 518 pithion 512 pithitis 607 pitusorusis 540 plantago minor 280 platyophthalmon 793 platyphyllos 720 pabulum marinum 611 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 843 plenos 655 priapeion 672 pyrothron 463 riplam 264 pleuritis 512 priapiscus 522 pyroton 463 river stratiotes 652 poetica 352 probataea 572 pythonion 615 robethrum 125 polgidos 443 probation 280 pytyanthe 121 rododaphne 635 poliom veneris 556 procampylon 399 pyxacantha 130 root of the bulrush 6 polion 416 procheton 512 pyxionyx 371 rosa Iunonis 500 polium 404 prodiorna 703 poltum 443 propedula 584 polyanodynos 631 prosopion 659 polycarpon 547 polygonaton 547 polygonatum 387, 492 polygonoides 551 polyides 308, 699, 711 polyides eryngium 260 protion 703 protogonom 640 pseudopathes 711 pseudoselinon 584 psilothron 734 psyche 683 polyonymon 639 psychotrophon 543, 770 polyphura 519 psychuacos 580 polyphyllon 563 psylleris 616 polyrrhizon 563, 703, 735, pterineon 735 polytrichon 684 ponem 514 pontica 372 porphyranthes 518, 604 pterion 687, 735, 737 pteris 736 pteryx 526 pulegium agreste 412 pulegium sylvestre 407 porphyris 567, 572 pulmonia 515 portulaca 275 portulaca agrestis 643 portulaca sylvestris 360, punicea 351 purites 463 725 purple anemone 347 potamogeton 560, 683 pustulago 512 potera 340 puteologonthria 492 potimon 750 pyracantha 383 praecoqua 169 pyrina 121 prasium 403 pyrinon 463 presepium 491 pyros achne 727 priadela 735 pyrosachne 728 plenos 655 quinquefolium 584 rosmarinus 467, 543 rubia passiva 532 rubus 579 R prosopis 659 polynervon 280 736 Q rabdion 118 radix 323, 355 radix marica 2 radix nostratis 260 radix silvestris 731 rubus idaeus 33 ruscus 692 ruta 359 ruta hortense 424 ruta minor 359 ruta montana 424 rapeium 495 S rapium 514 rapronium 560 rapum terrae 324 rathibis 671 regia 118 regium cuminum 447 reon 367 rha ponticum 367 rhamnus infectorius 130 rhaponticum 616 rhodedaphane 635 rhodida 587 rhododendron 635 rhoeas 607 rhus 587 rhus stachyos 587 rhyten montana 424 ria 367 richion 512 ricinus 720 saartha 512 sacer caulis 118 sacra herba 600 sacra myrtus 692 salentia 514 salia 591 salivaris 463 salix equinalis 588 salix marina 138 salvia 408 salyx 567 sambucus 729 samothracica 695 sampsos 459 sanaria 560 sandonion 395 sanguinalis 572 sanguinaria 284 sanguis crocodili 680 sanguis febris 720 ALTERNATE NAMES 844 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK sanguis Herculis 30 scopa regia 675 seriphum 395 sobel 378 sanguis hominis 514 scopion 704 seris 287, 499 sober 591 sanguis ibis 138, 579 scorbium 512 serpillum sylvestre 283 solanum furiale 619 sanguis martis 14, 500 scorpij cauda 739 serpyllum 416, 514 solaster 527, 576 sanguis Minervae 540 scorpioctonon 739 sertula 420 solidago 555 sanguis podotis 512 scorpion 591, 592 sesamis 703 solis oculus 528 sanguis tauri 504 scorpiuron 571, 739 sesamites 703 somi 395 sanguis Titani 292, 579 scubulum 619 sesamon sylvestre 739 somphia 699 sanilum 727 scyllion 560 sesamum sylvestre 720 sonchiten 448 santonicum 395, 396 scytalium 643 seseli cyprium 720 sopho 419 sapsis 118 scythion 372 seselis 295 sophobi 532 saptho 616 seba 729 seseneor 379 sophoeth 371 saraca 703 sedum majus 640 setanium 170 soranthis 527 sarcocolla 348 selenion 530 setialis 672 sosacros 463 sasa 500 selenogonon 530 sicciria 443 sows eye 671 sativa 729 selepsion 647 sicelioticon 616 sozusa 514 satyriscus 522 selinitis 676 sicham 435 sparganon 571 satyrium erythraicum 522 selinorition 579 sicupnoex 391 sphagnon 27, 408, 436 sauritis 351 semen incorruptibile 529 sideritis 540, 603, 639 sphondulis 468 saxifraga 560 semen leoninum 495 sigingialios 328 spina 380 saxifrangum 560 semeon 516 silvacium 616 spina agrestis 384 scamboniae radix 727 semeth 312 silvae mater 352 spina alba 118 scammonion 712 seminalis 547, 548 sinapi Persicum 315, 343 spina cerualis 118 scene talum 603 semnon 138 sinapi sylvestre 315 spina mollis 668 sceptrum 499 sempervivum minus 643 sion 283, 440 spina regia 380 schiolebina 400 sempervivum parvum 643 siphon 687 spinosa myrtus 692 schoenos aromatica 280 sempervivum sylvestre 275, 360, 643 siphonion 688 splanchnon 27 siserti 388 splenion 679 sisimaca 611 splenium 526, 556 sistrameor 459 spongos 635 sithileas 448 stachyites 683 sithilesade 448 stachyitis 652 sitospelos 687 stagonias 85 smilax 556 stalacticon 801 smyrnium 452 stataria 472 snake’s grape 340 stemphin 547 schoenostrophon 534 schoniostrophon 588 sciare 379 scincos 692 scinphe 635 scobie 729 scolimos 679 scolopendrion 736 scolopendrium 526, 560 ALTERNATE NAMES semura 499 sendionor 576 senecium 648 seneom 499 sentinalis 427 sentis 579 serapias 521 seriphion 395 sanguis Herculis 30 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 845 stephane 415, 695 sylvestre sesamon 704 teucris 495 thryallis 655 stephanos 106 sylvestre triticum 355 teucrium 496 thryon 623 stergethron 640 sylvestris 731 teuthrion 511, 532 thurifera 85 stergthron 643 sylvestris lychnis 680 teuxinon 368 thyaron 239 stesium 711 sylvestris sambucus 730 thalassia 525 thylacitis 13 stibi 793 symphaephu 500 thalassium 611 thymalus 632 stichis 643 symphyton 33, 372 thallian 340 thymarnolion 459 stilago 284 symphytum 774 thamacth 528 thymbra 731 stopinaca 547 syncliopa 400 thaumastos 2 thymiatitis 584 stratiotice 664 syncrisis 704 the apple of a crow 340 thymon 332 stratioticon 579 syris 323 the beard of Jupiter 595 thymus 415 strobylus 383 systhamna 720 thelpida 2 thyrsine 299 thelyphonum 628 thyrsion 683 thelyphthorion 396 thyrsium 415 thelyteris 712 tialos 500 theobrotion 643 tibus 652 theodonium 530 timoron 631 thephin 547 tintinabulum terrae 560 thepso 675 tiricta 295 theriophonon 628 tis 411 thermuthin 420 tithymal 724 thermutis 572 tithymalis 720, 723 thersites 572 tobion 555 thesa 14 tordylum 439 theske 324 toxetesia 514 theximon 371 traganos 592 thistle of Venus 379 tragoceros 347, 392, 591 thlaspi 343 tragonoton 499 thlaspidium 315 tragos 591 thona 355 tribulus aquaticus 559 thorpath 260 trica 515 thorphassadoe 731 trichomanes 340, 684 thorybethron 495 tricoccos 170 thrambes 419 tridactylon 138 thrias 563 trifolium 419, 508, 521, 563, 660, 663, 711 strumum 619 struthiocamelus 323 stupa 555 styphonia 400 styracinum 64 subites 352 succinum 14 suchiten 763 sucotachos 580 suitempsum 315 sum 138 supercilium solis 592 supercilium terrae 684 supercilium veneris 579, T tail of a scorpion 575 tanachium 518 tantalitis 531 tarbidolopion 280 taurion 499 tauroceros 559 taurocolla 484 taxus 632 telephium 275, 643 teline 663 temele 503 tephonion 615 664 terebinthizusa 823 suphlo 400 terminalis 535 surculum Mercurii 735 terminalium 33 sweet apples 166 terrae capillus 684 syagrium 85 terrae malum, 371 sycaminum 178 terrae umbilicus 643 sycaminus 177 tertanageta 514 syce 725, 726 testiculata 738 sycomorum 178 testiculum satyri 522 sylithra 372 tetrapogon 299 teuchitis 22 stephane 415, 695 thridacian 627, 628 ALTERNATE NAMES 846 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK trifolium acutum odoratum 508 trifolium majus 663 trifolium minus 663 trifolium odoratum 563 trigonos 563 trimachion 588 trimphalites 324 tripedilon 504 tripodion 660 trisago palustris 512 trissago minor 496 trixalis 600 umbilicus terrae 324 vernilago 378 wild violet 672 umbilicus veneris 643 vertumnus 576 wood nymph 264 unfruitful 138 vesicaria 620 unfruitful ivy 676 vetonica 543 unguinalis 595 vimen 138 unguis ibis 584 vindicta 563 unguis muris 547 viola alba 519 uniola 572 viola matronalis 519 unre 699 viola purpurea 672 urania 2 viperalis 639 urtica 647 vitalis 643 urtica labeonis 647 volucrum 556 urtica mollis 647 volucrum maius 556, 583 ustilago rustica 407 volucrum majus 556 uvifera 375 volutum laparou 580 X xanthophanes 576 xeleon 615 xeranthe 627 xiphidion 564 xylocolla 484 xyloloton 584 xylopetalon 584 trixis 720 trygonium 600 trypatium 420 W vaccinium 604 wanti 611 tulbela 376 vallaria 499 water smallage 451 turcum 556 vallarium 499 white bean 628 tussilago 512 vargugum 616 white hellebore 703 tutastra 731 venerandum 138 white thyme 415 tzanuchi 676 venerea 2, 533 wild anemone 347 veneris corona 283 wild bryony 540 veratrum album 699 wild daucus 295 veratrum nigrum 560, 703 wild lens 639 verbasculum 655 wild male linozostis 738 verbascum idaeum 33 wild origanum 431 ulcinum 604 ulophonum 378 zalaea 695 zarithea 547 zeliauros 351 tucularis 516 ulceraria 503 Z zea 464 V tucis 660 U xylocinnamomum 19 zeraphis 244 zigar 675 zomarition 703 zoodotion 420 zoonychon 679 zoophthalmon 640 zopissa 99 zopyrum 492 zoroastris 324 zuorinsipet 102 zuoste 514 zygis sylvestris 416 ALTERNATE NAMES trifolium acutum odoratum 508 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK ILLUSTRATIONS A 847 Chamaedrys vulgaris mas Anthemis nobilis 490 Betony 541 Anthriscus sylvestris 309 Black Stinking Horehound Antirrhinum majus 664 Abies pectinata 91 Aparine 445 Acacia arabica 124 Aphace 305 486 449 Chamaeleon albus 366 Blepharis edulis 228, 756 Chelidonium majus 360 Botrys 478 Chenopodium bonus-henricus 112 Brassica oleracea 271 Acanthus mollis 384 Apios 707 Brassica primum genus 261 Acanthus spinosus 384 Apium hortense 434 Acanthus vera 390 Brassica secundum genus Apium rusticum 417 262 Aconitum lycocotonum luteum 620 Aplysia depilans 189 Brooklime 442 Aconitum lycoctonum 626 Aquilaria malaccensis 27 Bugloss 565 Aconitum napellus 626 Arbutus unedo 155 Bulbus sylvestris 337 Aconitum pardalianches Aristolochia clematitis 369 619 Acorus vulgaris 4 Aristolochia longa 374 Aegle marmelos 144 Aristolochia rotunda vulgaris 370 Aethusa cynapium 417 Artemisia latifolia 469 Agrimonia eupatoria 581, Asarum europaeum 31 587 Asclepias 453 Agrostis interrupta 570 Asparagus 275 Ajuga reptans 494 Asparagus altilis 238 Alcea 510 Asphodel 332 Alkanet 565 Asphodelus luteus 332 Allium ameloprasum var. porrum 304 Aster atticus purpureus 655 Aloe umbellata 397 Atractylis hirsutior 461 Althaea officinalis 497 Atractylis vulgaris minor 462 Althea 506 Atriplex hortensis 107, 278 Amaracus 405 Atropa belladona 615 Ambrosia maritima 58 Avellana domestica 164 Ammi 421 Chestnut 44, 778 Chrysanthemum simplex 592 Cicer arietinum 254 Cichorium intybus 287 Cicuta 623 C Calaminthae alterum genus Cinnamomum zeylanicum 16 Circaea alpina 458 406 Cistus creticus 116 Calaminthae genus 401 Clematis daphnoides 548 Calaminthae tertium genus Cneorum tricoccum 725 402 Campanula media 563 Cannabis sativa 502 Capparis erythrocarpa 341 Capparis spinosa 322 Capparis tomentosa 168 Carduus mariae 684 Carduus scolymus 383 Careum 430 Cnicus benedictus 457 cocculus 588 Cochlearia armoracia 346 Colocynthis 704 Comfrey 552 Commiphora gallaensis 83 Commiphora kataf 80 Convolvulus scammonia 700 Carlina acaulis 376 Coriandrum sativum 426 Carlina corymbosa 462 Cotonea malus 50 Cartamus 715 Cotyledon umbilicus 641 Carthamus tinctorius 385 Crinum purpurescens 65 Cassia fistula 32 Crociflores 26 Anagallis aquatica 281 B Anagallis foemina 358 Balanites aegyptica 41, 679 Cassia floribunda 744 Crocifolia 26 Anagallis mas 357 Ballota nigra 449 Castanea vulgaris 44, 778 Croton tiglium 688 Anamirta cocculus 588 Balsamodendron opalobalsamum 23 Centaurea benedicta 382 Cucumer sylvestris 62, 676 Centaurea cyanus 372 Cucumis melo 329 Centaureum minus 375 Cucurbita pepo 310 Ceratonia siliqua 143 Cuscuta epithymum 708, Anchusa italica 565 Anemone alba 344 Anonis 393 Anthemis arvensis 485 Abies pectinata 91 Bears Breeches 384 belladona 615 Betonica officinalis 541 Chamaecissus 659 730 ILLUSTRATIONS 848 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Cyclaminus rotundus 325 Erinus alpinus 568 Hieracium minus 425 Lens 249 Cydonia vulgaris 165 Eruca sativa 298 Hippocampus 184 Lepidium perfoliatum 313 Cynara scolymus 345 Eruca sylvestris 301 Hippophae rhamnoides Lesser Hemlock 417 Cynoglossum officinalis Erucaria cakiloides 306 660 Euphorbia lathyris 719 Cyperus 7 F Cytinus hypocistis 119 Cytisus laburnum 652 D Daphne alexandrinum 663 Daphne mezereum 675, Filipendula 509 Hypericum perforatum 505 Foenumgraecum 250 Hysopus hortensis 394 Daucus carota 437 G Gagea lutea 337 Delphinium peregrinum 463, 540 Galeopsis minor 635 Dipsacus purpureus 386 Gallium 636 Dodder 708, 729, 730 Gingidium 297 Dracunculus maior 330 Gladiolus communis 564 Dracunculus Plinij tertius Gladiolus luteus 4 Glaucium flavum 609 Glycyrrhiza glabra 381 Graminus 571 Echium 567 Elaeagnus angustifolius Hedgehog 191 Elatine paludosa 578 Hedypnois maior 294 Elenium 43 Helix pomatia 183 Eleoselinum 429 Helleborus foetedus 668 Elymus arenarius 241 Helleborus niger 671 Empetrum 556 Helxine 628 Ephemerum non letale 627 Helxine cissampelos 576 Epipactis latifolia 658 Hemlock 417 Equisetum 583 Heracleum sphondylium Equisetum sylvaticum 586 Erice 111 ILLUSTRATIONS 446 Hiberis 167 Hieracium majus 447 Lilium rubens 73 Limonium 559 Linum usitatissimum 253 Lotus corniculatus 661 I Lupus salictarius 25 Intybum sativum angustifolia 289 Lychnis viscaria 499 Intybum sativum latifolium 290 Lycopsis 560 Lysimachia lutea 544 Intybum sylvestre caeruleum 293 M Inula helenium 33 Mala insana 608 Irion 317 Malacocissus 342 Iris germanica 3 Malacocissus minor 342 Isatis sativa 353 Mandragora mas 616 Isatis sylvestris 354 Matricaria pyrethrum 481 Isopyrum fumaroides 669 Meliloti quartum genus 410 J H 131 Equisetum arvense 584 Lilium purpureum 66 Hyacinthus 603 Fumaria officinalis 651 Echinus 191 Lilium candidum 57 Horehound 449 Ficus carica 163 Daphnoides vulgare 103 E Lilium album 61 Hordeum sativum 234 Hound’s-tongue 660 Fool’s Parsley 417 334 Levisticum 438 Hipposelinum 433 Faba vulgaris 246 693 Deadly Nightshade 615 683 Juglans regia 159, 176 Juncus bulbosus 69 Juniperus communis 101 K Knitbone 552 L Lactuca sylvestris 349 Lactuca virosa 292 Melilotus officinalis 414 Melissophyllum verum 465 Melissophyllum vulgare 470 Mercurialis mas 716 Milium 242 Milium effusum 498 Morus alba 160, 177 Myrica gale 114 Myrtus communis 136 N Lagoecia cuminoides 444 Lathyris 696 Napus Bunias sativus 257 Lavandula stoechas 399 Napus Bunias sylvestris 258 Leek 304 Cyclaminus rotundus 325 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 849 Narcissus poeticus 74 Phu vulgare 8 Raphanus sativus 40 Smilax aspera 667 Narcissus pseudonarcissus Physalis alkekengi 612 Rhamnus catharticus 104 Smilax hortensis 302 Pinus abies 96 Rhus coraria 150 Solanum hortense 611 Pinus larix 764 Ricinis communis 37, 39 Sonchus aspera 285 687 Nelumbo nucifera 245 O Pinus pinaster 92 Rosmarinus 477 Sonchus non aspera 286 Ocimum maius 49 Piper nigrum 318 Rubia tinctorum 493 Sparganium ramosum 562 Oenanthe 509 Pistacia terebinthus 763 Rubus 575 Spina alba sylvestris 441 Onobrychis sativa 501 Pistacia vera 156 Rumex acetosa 269 Spina incognita 373 Origanum sylvestre 422 Plantago lanceolata 276 Ruscus racemosus 693 Stachys 572 Ornithogalum umbellatum Plantago media 270 Ruta graveolens 418 Stachys officinalis 541 338 Orobanche ramosa 299, 303 Plantago minor 273 Polemonium caeruleum S 551 Salix fragilis 128 Polygala oppositifolia 686 Salvia maior 409 Polygonatum vulgare 547 Sambucus ebulus 703 Polygonum bistorta 543 Savina 95 Portulaca oleracea 274 Saxifragum 556 Potamogeton 640 Schinus molle 90 595 Potentilla congesta 581 Scilla non scripta 333 Papaver erraticum primum Prunus amygdalus 53, 70 Scordium 473 Prunus cerasus 140 Scorpiurus vermiculata 738 Prunus laurocerasus 672 Sea Hare 189 Prunus mahaleb 152 Sea Horse 184 Prunus persica 148 Sedum acre 591 Prunus sativa 173 Sedum minus mas 631 Psyllium 607 Sedum telephium 314 Pulegium foemina 398 Sempervivum tectorum Oryza sativa 235 Oxalis 269 Oxyacantha 132 P Paliurus aculeatus 115 Papaver erraticum alterum 596 Papaver rhoeas 602 Papaver sativum 599 Papaver somniferum 600 Parietaria 628 Parnassia palustris 579 Paronychia serpyllifola 593 Parthenium 79 Peganum harmala 413 Peplos 699 Pulmonata 183 Punica granatum 139, 157 Petasites farfara 647 Petasites officinalis 657 Peucedanus 482 Phalaris canariensis 489 Phu verum 15 Narcissus poeticus 74 Sena 11 Statice thouini 558 Stipa tenacissima 555 Struthium sativum 326 Styrax officinalis 84 Symphytum officinale 552 T Tamarix sylvestris foemina 108 Taxus baccata 624 Telephium imperati 360 Tertia ranunculi lutei 361 Tertium salicis genus 123 Teucrium 466 Teucrium polium 450 Tithymalus cyparissias 691 Tithymalus helioscopium 692 Tithymalus platyphyllos Senecio vulgaris 639 695 Sepia officinalis 192 Trapa quadrispinosa 77 Sesamum indicum 701 Tribulus terrestris 557 Quercus pedicularis 135 Sesamum indicum 240 Trifolium pratense 454 Quercus robur 54, 146 Sesamum orientale 701 Triticum ovatum 685 Quinquefolium 580 Silphium perfoliatum 474 Triticum sativum 233 Sisarum sativum magnum Triticum spelta 237 Pyrus communis 147 Persica 174 Personatia 648 638 Staphisagria 680 Q R Ranunculi quarta 362 265 Sisymbrium 282 ILLUSTRATIONS 850 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Verbascum sylvestre 644 Vitis alba 711 Urginea maritima 336 Verbascum thapsus 654 Vitis labrusca 742 Urtica maior 632 Veronica beccabunga 442 Vitis nigra 712 Veronica mas 350 Vitis vinifera 741 U V Xyris indica 562 Z Zingiber officinalis 321 Vicia faba 277 Valeriana officinalis 9, 12 Viola odorata 656 Verbascum nigrum 643 Vitex agnus-castus 127 ILLUSTRATIONS X W Water Chestnut sp 77 Zizyphus jujuba 120 Zizyphus spina-christi 151 Wild Ochra 267 Urginea maritima 336 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK LATINISED GREEK NAMES A ABROTONINON 56 ABROTONITES 773 ABROTONON 396 ACHILLEIOS 576 ACHRAS 170 851 AKALUPHE ETERA 644 AMMONIAKON 483 APITES 760 AKANTHA AGRIA 384 AMMOS 825 APOCUNON 632 AKANTHA ARABIKE 380 AMOMON 20 APOPATOS 222 AKANTHA ERPEKANTHA AMORGE 134 APSINTHION 392 AMPELOS AGRIA 733, 742 APSINTHION THALASSION 395 384 AKANTHA LEUKE 380 AKANTHION 384 AKINOS 420 AMPELOS LEUKE 733 AMPELOS MELAINA 734 APSINTHION TRITON SANTONION 396 AMPELOS OINOPHOROS APSINTHITES 768 AKONE 825 741 AKONITON 628 AMUGDALE 175 AKONITON ETERON 628 AMULON 239 AKORITES 777 ANAGALLIS 348 AKORON 2 ANAGURIS 535 640 AKRIDES 202 ANCHOUSA 567 ARISTOLOCHIA KLEMATITIS 368 AETITES LITHOS 823 AKTE 729 ANCHOUSA ETERA 568 ARISTOLOCHIA MAKRA AGALLOCHON 27 ALABASTRITES LITHOS ANDRACHNE 272 ADARKES 814 ADIANTON 684 AEIZOON ETERON 643 AEIZOON TO MEGA 640 AEIZOON TO MIXRON AGARICON 363 AGERATON 599 AGNOS 137 AGRIELAIA 141 AGRIELAIA ELAION 142 AGRIOMELA 166 AGRIORIGANOS 403 AGROSTIS 572 AGROSTIS EN PARNASSO 821 ALEKTORIDES 200 ALES 808 ALIMOS 118 ALISMA 536 ALKEA 534 ALKUONION 813 ALME 810 ALOE 391 575 ALOS ACHNE 809 AIDOION ARRENOS ELAPHOU 198 ALOS ANTHOS 810 AIGEIROS 113 AIGILOPS 687 AILOUROS 194 AIMATITES LITHOS 817 AIRA 239 AITHIOPIS 656 AKAKALIS 117 AKAKIA 133 AKALUPHE 644 ABROTONINON 56 ALSINE 639 ALTHAIA 533 AMARAKINON 71 AMARAKON 528 AMBROSIA 514 AMELOPRASON 307 AMIANTOS LITHOS 822 AMMI 444 ARACHNE 205 ARGEMONE 347, 348 ARISARON 332 368 ANDRACHNE AGRIA 275 ARISTOLOCHIA STROGGOLE 368 ANDROSACES 525 ARKEION 659 ANDROSAIMON 538 ARKEOTHOS MEGALE 101 ANEMONE 344 ARKEOTHOS MIKRA 101 ANETHINON 59 ARKEUTHIDITES 767 ANETHINOS 777 ARKTION 656 ANETHON 443 ARMENIACA 169 ANISON 440 ARMENION 798 ANONIS 387 ARNOGLOSSON 276 ANTHEMIS 527 ARNOGLOSSON MIKRON 276 ANTHEMIS MELANANTHES 527 AROMATITES 773 ANTHEMIS PORPHURANTHES 527 ARON 331 ANTHULLIS 526 ARSENIKON 805 ANTIPATHES 816 ARTEMISIA LEPTOPHULLOS 514 ALUPON 732 ALUSSON 488 ARABIKOS LITHOS 820 ANTIRRINON 680 ANTISPODA 784 APARINE 488 APHAKE 303 APION 169 APIOS 730 ARTEMISIA MONOKLONOS 513 ARTEMISIA MONOKLONOS ETERA 513 ASARITES 775 ASARON 13 LATINISED GREEK NAMES 852 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK CHAMAIPITUS ETERA ASBESTOS 812 BLITON 264 ASBOLE 830 BOIOTIKE 81 ASIOS LITHOS 816 BOLBOS EDODIMOS 335 ASKLEPIAS 491 BOLBOS EMETIKOS 336 ASKURON 538 BOTRUS 515 ASPALATHOS 24 BOUGLOSSON 676 ASPHALTOS 99 BOUNIAS 259 ASPHARAGOS 275 BOUNION 675 ASPHODELOS 332 BOUNITES 771 355 ASPLENON 525 BOUPRESTEIS 204 CHIA 827 ASTER ASTIKOS 671 BRATHUS 102 CHOLE PASA 220 ASTRAGALOS 603 BROMOS 235, 688 CHONDROS 235 ASTRAGALOS UOS 203 BRUON 27 CHRUSANTHEMON 599 184 ATHERA 232 BRUON THALASSION CHRUSOGONON 596 ECHINOS THALASSIOS ATRAKTULIS 491 ATRAPHAXIS 267 BALANINON ELAION 41 BALANOI 146 BALAUSTION 158 BALLOTE 500 BALSAMON 23 BATOS 579 BATOS IDAIA 579 BATRACHION 343 188 CHAMELAIA 727 DRAKONTION MECA 327 CHARACHIAS 720 DRAKONTION MIKRON CHELIDON 202 CHELIDONION 352 DRUOPTERIS 737 DRUS 145 CHELIDONION MIKRON E EBENOS 126 CHRUSOKOME 595 D ECHIDNE 188 ECHINOS CHERSAIOS 184 ECHION 571 EDUOSMOS AGRIOS 411 EDUOSMOS EMEROS 411 CHALBANE 480 EDUSARON 523 CHALKANTHON 801 DAPHNE 106 ELAIA 142 CHALKITIS 802 DAPHNE ALEXANDRINA ELAIA KOLUMBADES 142 695 CHALKOS KEKUMENOS ELAIOMELI 37 785 DAPHNELAION 46 CHALKOU ANTHOS 786 DAPHNOIDES 695 35 CHAMAI 186 DAUKITES 776 ELAION AMYGDALINON CHAMAIAKTE 729 DAUKOS 460 CHAMAIDAPHNE 696 DELPHINION 460 CHAMAIDRUITES 769 DELPHINION ETERON CHAMAIDRUS 496 343 CHAMAIKISSOS 675 BATRACHION TETARTON 343 CHAMAILAITES 778 ELAION AGRIAS ELAIAS 38 ELAION KOINON 34 ELAION LEUKON 35 463 ELAION OMOTRIBES 34 DENDRITES 723 ELAION SESAMINON KAI KARUINON 41 DEUTERIAS OINOS 750 DIKTAMNITES 771 CHAMAILEON LEUKOS 343 328 DAKRUON ELAIAS AITHIOPIKES 145 BATRACHION ETERON BATRACHION TRITON DRABA 315 DRAKON THALASSIOS BUTURON 210 C DORUKNION 623 CHAMAISUKE 725 CHRUSOKOLLA 797 BUPHTHALMON 529 BALANOS AUREPSIKE 715 CHAMAIPITUS TRITE 540 651 B BAKCHARIS 420 540 ELAION SIKUONION 35 ELAPHOBOSKON 456 377 DIKTAMNON 404 CHAMAILEON MELAS DIKTAMNOS ALLO 408 308 DIPHRUGES 804 ELAPHOU KERAS 203 DIPSAKON 379 ELATERION 707 DONAX 113 ELATINE 580 BATRACHOI 194 378 BDELLION 82 CHAMAIPEUKE 676 BECHION 512 CHAMAIPITUINOS 778 BETTONIKE 544 CHAMAIPITUS 539 LATINISED GREEK NAMES ELAPHOSKORODON ASBESTOS 812 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 853 ELATINON 51 ERUNGION 388 ELEIOSELINON 451 ERUSIMON 316 HEDYCHROON 72 IRIS 1 ELELISPHAKITES 776 ERUTHRODANON 532 HEPAR AIGOS 199 ISATIS AGRIA 359 ELELISPHAKON 408 EUPATORION 583 HEPAR AITHUAS 200 ISATIS EMEROS 359 ELENION 30 EUPHORBION 479 HEPAR KAPROU 199 ISOPURON 671 ELENION AIGUPTION 33 EUZOMON 296 HEPAR KUNOS LUSSONTOS 199 ITEA 138 ELEPHANTOS ODONTOS RINISMA 203 G ELICHRUSON 596 GAGATES LITHOS 818 ELIOSKOPIOS 722 GALA 207 ELIOTROPION MEGA 739 GALA GUNAIKOS 209 ELIOTROPION MIKRON GALA SCHISTON 208 739 ELLEBORITES 779 ELLEBOROS 696 ELLEBOROS MELAS 700 ELUMOS 236 ELXINE 636 ELXINE KUSSAMPELOS 580 EMEROKALLIS 518 EMIONITIS 526 EMPETRON 732 ENKEPHALOS ALEKTORIDOS 200 ENTERA GES 206 EPHEMERON 636 EPIMEDION 563 EPIPAKTIS 660 EPITHUMON 731 EREBINTHOS 244 EREIKA 117 ERETRIAS 826 ERIA 211 ERIA KEKAUMENA 211 ERINOS 572 ERPULLOS 416 ERPULLOS ZOGIS 416 ELATINON 51 IRINON 67 H IXOS 487 HEPAR ONEIRON 198 K HIPPACE 210 KADMEIA 781 HIPPOKAMPOS 184 HIPPOLAPATHON 264 KAKALIA 672 HUDNON 300 GALAKTITES LITHOS 820 KALAMAGROSTIS 575 I GALE KATOIKIDIOS 194 GALIOPSIS 647 GALLION 647 GARRON 196 GE 825 GE AMPELITIS 829 GE KAMINON 829 GE MELIA 829 GENTIANE 367 GEODES LITHOS 825 GERANION 515 GERANION ETERON 515 GINGIDION 295 GLAUKION 484 GLAUX 688 GLECHON 404 GLECHONITES 773 GLEUCINON 68 GLUKORIZA 371 GNAPHALION 516 GONGOLE AGRIOE 256 GONGULIS 256 GUPSOS 813 KAGCHRU 467 KALAMINTHE 412 IASMELAION 77 KALAMINTHITES 773 IASPIS LITHOS 823 KALAMOS EUODES 22 IBERIS 182 KALAMOS NASTOS 113 ICHTHUOKOLLA 487 KAMPAI 204 IDAIA RHIZA 587 KANKAMON 28 IERAKION MEGA 447 IERAKION MIKRON 448 IEROBOTANE 600 KAPNOS 660 ION 672 KAPPARIS 340 IONIA 185 KARDAMOMON 6 IOS SIDEROU 790 KARDAMON 312 IOS SKOLEX 789 KARKINOI 187 IOS XUSTOS 787 KAROS 440 IOUDAIKOS LITHOS 821 IPPOGLOSSON 680 IPPOSELINON 452 IPPOURIS 587 IPPOURIS ETERA 588 IRIDOS 774 KARUA BASILIKA 176 KARUA PONTIKA 177 IPPOMARATHRON 459 IPPOPHAISTON 719 KANNABIS EMEROS 534 KANTHARIDES 204 INDIKON 798 IPPOPHAES 716 KANNABIS AGRIA 535 KASSIA 17 KASTANA 149 KASTOROS ORCHIS 193 KATANANKE 683 KATORCHITES 763 KATTUMATA 200 KAUKALIS 295 LATINISED GREEK NAMES 854 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK KEDRINOS 767 KOLCHIKON 635 KROMUON 307 LEICHENES HIPPON 198 KEDRITES 767 KOLLA 484 KROTON E KIKI 719 LEIMONION 560 KEDROS 102 KOLOKUNTHA 288 KUAMOS AIGUPTIOS 248 LEMNIA GE 800 KEDROS MIKRA 102 KOLOKUNTHIS 731 KUAMOS HELLENIKOS LEONTOPETALON 495 KEKIDES 149 KOMAROS 172 KENCHROS 236 KONDRILLE 287 KENTAURION MAKRON KONEION 631 372 KENTAURION MIKRON 375 KEPAIA 536 KERASIA 162 KERATIA 162 KEROS 227 KONIA SUKES 181 KONUZA 517 KONUZITES 773 KORALLION 815 KOREIS 196 KUMINON EMERON 444 KUNOGLOSSON 679 LEUKOION THALASSION KUPARISSOS 100 LIBANOTIS 464, 467 KUPEIROS 5 LIBANOU AITHALIE 87 KUPHI 28 LIBANOU MANNA 87 644 KUPRINON 64 LIGNUOS RETINES 94 KOUBARIDES 197 KUPROS 122 LIGNUOS SKEUASIA 88 KOURMI 231 KUREKES 185 LIGNUOS UGRAS PISSES KRAMBE AGRIA 271 KUSTOS ARREN 125 KRAMBE EMEROS 268 KUSTOS THELUS 125 KRAMBE THALASSIA 271 KUTINOI 157 KRANIA 171 KUTISOS 663 KOSTOS 21 KINNABARI 799 KOTULEDON 643 KINNAMOMINON 75 KOTULEDON ETERON KRATAIOGONON 519 L KLINOPODION 492 KNIKELAION 42 KNIKOS 737 KOBIOS 195 KOCHLIAS 186 KOKKOS BAPHIKE 588 KOKKUMELIA 172 LEUKOION 519 LIBANON THUS 85 KINAMOMON 18 KNIDELAION 42 LEUKE 109 KUPARISSIOS 722 KORUDALLOS 202 KLUMENON 555 LEUKAS 496 LEUKOSKORODON 308 KIMOLIA 828 KLEMATITIS 732 KUMINON AGRION 443 LEUKAKANTHA 387 KUNOSBATON 121 KORONOPOUS 284 KLEMATIS ETERA 551 KUKLAMINOS ETERA 327 LEPIS STOMOMATOS 787 LEUKON TOU OOU 201 KIKINON ELAION 37 KLEMATIS 548 KUKLAMINOS 323 LEPIS 786 KUNOKRAMBE 738 KORKOROS 348 KISSOS 351 KUDONITES 759 LEPIDION 343 519 KESTRON 543 KISSERIS 808 KUDONIA 165 LEONTOPODION 679 KUNOKEPHALON 680 KORIS 539 KIRSION 668 KUANOS 798 KORIANNON 447 KESRITES 770 KIRKAIA 516 247 KRIMNON 232 KRINON BASILIKON 499 KRITHE 230 LIGUSTIKON 432 LINON 243 LINOZOSTIS 738 LITHARGUROS 794 LITHOI SPOGGON 824 LADANON 125 LITHOKOLLA 824 LAGOOS CHERSAIOS 189 LITHOS 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, LAGOOS THALASSIOS KRITHMON 283 189 KROCINON 63 LAGOPOUS 560 KROKODEILION 378 LAMPSANE 264 KROKOMAGMA 30 LAPATHON 263 KROKOS 29 LATHUROS 724 LATINISED GREEK NAMES 98 LEICHEN 595 824 LITHOS SAMIOS 827 LITHOSPERMON 531 LONCHITIS 532 LONCHITIS ETERA 533 LOTOS 171 KEDRINOS 767 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 855 LOTOS AGRIOS 663 MELANTHELAION 45 MUELOI 220 LOTOS AIGUPTIOS 664 MELANTHERIA 803 MUES 207 OCHRA 798 LOTOS EMEROS 660 MELANTHION 472 MUKETES 635 OINANTHE 517, 745 LUCHNIS AGRIA 499 MELEA 162 MUOGALE 207 OINANTHINON 52 LUCHNIS STEPHANOMATIKE 499 MELI 225 MUOS OTON 356 OINANTHINOS 760 MELI PONTIKON 226 MURIKE 114 OINOMELI 752 MELI SARDOON 226 MURIOPHULLON 664 OINOS AGRIAS NARDOU MELIA 109 MURON SUNTHESIS 48 MELIKRATON 752 MURRIS 114, 667 MELILOTOS 419 MURSINE 158 LUKION 130 LUKOPSIS 568 LUNGOURION 225 LUSIMACHION 544 M O 775 OINOS AKORITES 777 OINOS ALOS ANTHINOS 777 MELIMELA 166 MURSINE AGRIA 692 OINOS APITES 760 MAGNES 819 MELINON 52 MURSINELAION 46 OINOS APSINTHITES 768 MAINIS 195 MELISSOPHULLON 503 MURSINITES 722, 762 OINOS ARKEUTHIDITES MAKER 110 MELITITES LITHOS 820 MURTIDANON 161 MALABATHRINON 77 MELOMELI 759 MURTITES 761 MALABATHRON 17 MEMPHITES LITHOS 822 MALABATHROU 775 MENDESION 75 MALACHE AGRIA 267 MALACHE KEPAIA 267 MEON 5 MESON APHRODES 612 MANDRAGORAS 624 MESPILON 170 MANDRAGORITES 779 MESPILON ETERON 170 MANNA 87 METOPION 72 MARATHRITES 777 MILAX 631 MARATHRON 456 MILTOS SINOPIKE 800 MARON 420 MISU 803 MASTICHELAION 47 MOLU 427 MEDICE 303 MOLUBDAINA 793 MEDIKA 169 MOLUBDOEIDES LITHOS MEDION 563 MEGALEION 72 MEKON AGRIOS 607 MEKON EMEROS 607 MEKON KERATITES 611 MEKON ROIAS 604 767 OINOS AROMATITES 773 OINOS ASARITES 775 N OINOS BOUNITES 771 NAPHTHA 100 OINOS CHAMAIDRUITES 769 NARCISSINON 63 NARDINON MURON 76 NARDOS 9 OINOS CHAMAILAITES 778 OINOS CHAMAIPITUINOS 778 NARDOS KELTIKE 10 OINOS DAUKITES 776 NARDOS OREINE 13 NARDOU 775 OINOS DIA NARDOU KAI MALABATHROU 775 NARKE 188 OINOS DIKTAMNITES 771 NARKISSOS 716 NARTHEX 468 OINOS EK SMURNES, PEPEREOS, IRIDOS 774 NASKAPHTHON 28 OINOS ELELISPHAKITES 776 792 NASTOS 113 MOLUBDOS KEKAUMENOS 791 NEKTARITES 774 OINOS ELLEBORITES 779 OINOS KALAMINTHITES NERION 632 773 MOLUBDOS PEPLUMENOS 790 NITRON 810 OINOS KATORCHITES MOREA 177 NITROU APHROS 811 MOROCHTHOS LITHOS NUMPHAIA 524 820 763 OINOS KEDRINOS 767 OINOS KESRITES 770 NUMPHAIA ALLE 525 MELA EPEIROTIKA 166 MUAGROS 667 OINOS KONUZITES 773 MELAN 830 MUAKES 185 OINOS KUDONITES 759 LOTOS AGRIOS 663 LATINISED GREEK NAMES 856 OINOS MANDRAGORITES 779 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK PERISTEREON UPTIOS OLESTION 555 OUA 171 OLUNTHOI 181 OXALME 755 OLURA 232 OXUAKANTHA 121 OINOS MELETITES 751 OMOTARICHOS 195 OXUMELI 755 OINOS MURSINITES 762 OMPHACION 746 OXUS 754 OINOS MURTITES 761 OMPHACOMELITIS 760 OXUS STICHADIKON 770 OINOS NEKTARITES 774 OMPHAKITES OINOS 750 OINOS OINANTHINOS ONAGRA 668 OINOS MARATHRITES KAI ANETHINOS 777 760 OINOS ORIGANITES 772 OINOS PANAKITES 776 OINOS PHOINIKITES 763 OINOS PHTHORIOS ENIBRUON 778 ONAGURIS 535 ONOBRUCHIS 537 ONOSMA 523 PERSEA 182 PETASITES 659 PETROSELINON 451 P PEUKEDANON 471 PAIONIA ARREN 529 PHAKOS 248 PAIONIA THELEIA 529 PHAKOS EPI TON TELMATON 639 PALIOUROS 121 PANAKES ASKLEPION PHALARIS 531 ONUCHES ONON 198 PHASIOLOS 252 OON 201 OPHEOS GERAS 189 OINOS RODITES 761 OPHIOSKORODON 308 OINOS ROITES 761 OPHITES LITHOS 823 OINOS SCHININOS 762 ORCHIS 520 432 PANAKES HERAKLEION PHILLUREA 122 PANAKITES 776 PHINIS 202 PANICRATION 339 PHLOIOS 86 PAPUROS 114 PHLOMOS 655 PARALIOS 723 PHLOMOS AGRIA 655 PHLOMOS LEUKE ARREN 655 PHLOMOS LEUKE MELAINA 655 OINOS SELENITES 777 ORCHIS ETEROS 521 OINOS SKILLETIKOS 757 ORCHIS HIPPOPOTAMOU 193 PARONUCHIA 595 OREOSELINON 451 764 ORIGANITES 772 OINOS TERMINTHINOS 762 ORIGANOS ERAKLEOTIKE 400 OINOS THALASSIKOS ORIGANOS ONITIS 400 OINOS THUMBRITES 772 OINOS THUMELAITES ORMINON EMERON 522 ORNITHOGALON 300 778 OROBANKE 299 OINOS THUMITES 772 OROBOS 252 OINOS TRAGORIGANITES 771 ORROS GALAKTOS 208 OINOS USSOPITES 769 OISUPON 212 OKIMINON 56 OKIMOEIDES 571 OKIMON 296 ORUZA 235 OSTRAKA 828 OSTRAKITES LITHOS 824 OSUROS 691 OTHONNA 355 LATINISED GREEK NAMES PHEGOS 146 428 PARDALEION KAI LEONTEION 216 758 PHALAGGION 507 PANAKES CHEIRONION OINOS PRASITES 772 OINOS SUKOZIORITES PEUKE 88 431 ONUX 186 OINOS STICHADITES 770 PERSICA MELA 166 ONUCHES AIGON 199 OINOS PISSITES 768 OINOS RETINITES 764 600 PARTHENION 528 PEGANON AGRION 427 PHLOMOS LEUKE THELEIA 655 PEGANON TO KEPAION PHOINIKES 153 423 PEGANON TO OREINON PHOINIKITES 763 423 PHOINIX 153, 584 PENTAPHULLON 583 PHOINIX ELATE 154 PEPEREOS 774 PHOU 14 PEPLION 725 PHRAGMITES 113 PEPLOS 725 PHRUGIOS LITHOS 816 PEPON 291 PHTHORIOS ENIBRUON PERI HAIMATON 222 778 PHUKOS THALASSION PERI OURON 224 651 PERIKLUMENON 556 PHULLITIS 507 PERISTEREON ORTHOS PHULLON 520 600 PHUTEUMA 679 OINOS MANDRAGORITES 779 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 857 PIPER 316 PRINOS 146 SAKCHARON 226 SIDERITIS ETERA 576 PISSA UGRA 97 PROPOLIS 228 SALAMANDRA 205 SIDERITIS TRITE 576 PISSA XERA 98 PSEUDOBOUNION 675 SAMIA 826 SIDIA 158 PISSASPHALTOS 99 PSEUDODIKTAMNOS 407 SAMPSUCHINON 55 SIKUOS EMEROS 291 PISSELAION 98 PSIMUTHIOS 796 SAMPSUCHON 416 SIKUS AGRIOS 704 PISSITES 768 PSORIKON 802 SANDARACHE 805 SILPHE 197 PISTAKIA 176 PSULLION 616 SAPHEIROS LITHOS 822 SILPHION 475 PITUA 213 PTARMIKE 320 SAPROTES XYLON 110 SILUBON 715 PITUIDES 89 PTELEA 110 SARKOKOLLA 484 SINAPELAION 45 PITUOUSA 723 PTERIS 735 SATURION 521 SINEPI 311 PITUS 88 PUKNOKOMON 730 SATURION ERUTHRONION 522 SION TO EN ODASIN 280 PLATANOS 106 PURETHRON 463 PLATUPHULLOS 723 PURITES LITHOS 817 SISARON 260 SAURA 206 SISON 440 SAXIPHRAGON 559 PNEUMON ALOPEKOS 198 PUROI 229 R PNEUMON CHOIRIOS SISUMBRION 280 SCHINELAION 47 SISUMBRION ETERON SCHININE RETINE 90 283 RA 364 SCHININOS 762 SKAMMONIA 726 197 RAMNOS TRISSUS 117 SCHINOS 90 SKAMMONITES 780 PNIGITIS 828 RAPHANELAION 45 SCHISTOS LITHOS 818 SKANDUX 295 POLEMONION 551 RAPHANIS 259 SCHOINOS 21, 592 SKILLA 336 POLION 511 RAPHANOS AGRIA 260 SELENITES 777 SKILLETIKON OXUS 756 POLUGALON 688 RETINA ALLAS 94 SELENITES LITHOS 822 SKILLETIKOS 757 POLUGONATON 548 RETINITES 764 SELINON AGRION 448 SKINKOS 206 POLUGONON ARREN RHOA 157 SELINON KEPAION 448 SKOLOPENDRA 188 RHODIA RADIX 587 SELINOUSIA 827 SKOLUMOS 383 548 RHODIDES 130 SEPIA 190 SKORDION 511 POLUKNEMON 492 RHODINON 48 SEPS 206 SKORIA ARGUROU 794 POLUPODION 736 RHODON 129 SERIS 287 SKORIA MOLUBDOU 792 POMPHOLUX 782 RODITES 761 SESAMOEIDES 703 SKORIA SIDEROU 790 PORPHURA 184 ROITES 761 SESAMOEIDES MIKRON SKORODON 308 197 PNEUMON THALASSIOS 547 POLUGONON THELU POTAMOGEITON 651 ROUS 150 POTAMOGEITON ETEROS 651 RUPOS 36 703 RUPOS GYMNASION 36 POTERION 383 RUPOS PALAISTRA 36 PRASION 504 PRASITES 772 PRASON 304 SKORODOPRASON 311 SESAMON 236 SESELI AITHIOPIKON 436 SKORPIOIDES 740 SKORPIOS CHERSAIOS SESELI MASSALEOTIKON 436 187 SKORPIOS THALASSIOS S SAGAPENON 479 SESELI PELOPONNESIAKON 439 SIDERITIS 575 188 SMARIS 195 SMILAX 300 PIPER 316 LATINISED GREEK NAMES 858 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK TITHUMALOS PLATUPHULLOS 723 SMILAX LEIA 691 STICHADITES 770 TERMINTHINOS 762 SMILAX TRACHEIA 691 STIMMI 792 TERMINTHOS 93 SMURIS LITHOS 824 STOIBE 555 TETTIGES 202 SMURNA 78 STOICHAS 399 TEUKRION 495 SMURNES 774 STRATIOTES CHILIOPHULLOS 652 TEUTLON MELAN AGRION 272 TRAGION ALLO 591 STRATIOTES O EN TOIS UDASIN 652 THALASSIKOS 758 TRAGOPOGON 299 THALASSOMELI 754 TRAGORIGANITES 771 THALIKTRON 648 TRAGORIGANOS 403 THAPSIA 711 TRAGORIGANOS ALLOS SMURNION 455 SONCHOS AKANTHODESTEROS 284 SONCHOS TRACHOS 284 STROBILITES 764 STROBILOI 89 SONCHOS TRUPHEROS 284 SORU 803 SPARGANION 564 SPARTION 712 SPHONDULION 468 SPOGGOI 814 STACHUS 507 STACTE 75 STAPHIS 745 STAPHISAGRIA 708 STAPHULE 742 STAPHULINOS AGRIOS 435 STROUTHION 323 STRUCHNON ALIKAKABON 619 STRUCHNON MANIKON 620 STRUCHNON UPNOTIKON 620 STRUCHNOS KEPAIOS 616 STUPTERIA 806 STURAX 81 SUKA 179 SUKE AGRIA 180 SUKOMORON 178 SUKON EN KUPRO 179 THERMOS EMEROS 255 TRAGAKANTHE 387 TRAGION 591 403 TRAGOS 232, 591 TRIBOLOS ENUDROS 559 TRICHOMANES 684 TRIGLA 190 THLASPI 315 TRIPHULLON 508 THRAKIAS LITHOS 819 THRIDAX AGRIA 292 THUMBRA 415 TRIPOLION 683 TRUGON THALASSIA 190 TRUX 811 TUPHE 516 TUROS NEAROS 209 THUMBRITES 772 U THUMELAIA 728 THUMELAITES 778 UAKINTHOS 604 THUMITES 772 UDOR 753 THUMOS 415 UDOR THALASSION 753 552 THUMOXALME 756 UDRAGUROS 799 SURIGGIOS 113 THUS 85 UDROMELON 760 SUSINON 59 TITHUMALOS 720 UDROPEPERI 320 TITHUMALOS CHARACHIAS 720 UOSKUAMINON ELAION TITHUMALOS DENDRITES 723 UOSKUAMOS LEUKOS TITHUMALOS ELIOSKOPIOS 722 UOSKUAMOS MELAS 612 TITHUMALOS KUPARISSIOS 722 612 SUKOZIORITES 764 STEAR 214 SUMPHUTON ALLO 552 STEAR BOEION 215 SUMPHUTON PETRAION STEAR POS AROMATISTEON 216 THERMOS AGRIOS 256 THUITES LITHOS 821 435 STEAR HUEION KAI ARNEION 214 THELUPTERIS 736 THRIDAX EMEROS 292 STAPHULINOS KEPAIOS STEAR CHENEION KAI ORNITHEION 219 THEION 807 TORDULION 439 T TEKTONIKE 800 STEAR POS SAMPSUCHITETAI 218 TELEOS ALEURON 243 STEAR TAUREION 216 TELEPHION 360 STEAR TRAGEION, KAI PROBATEION, KAI ELAPHEION 215 TELINON 55 TELIS 243 STEATON DUNAMIS 219 TELLINAI 185 TITHUMALOS MURSINITES 722 STICHADIKON 770 TEPHRA KLEMATINE 813 TITHUMALOS PARALIOS 42 612 UOSKUAMOS MELOIDES UPEKOON 612 UPERIKON 537 UPOKISTIS ETERA 125 723 LATINISED GREEK NAMES SMILAX LEIA 691 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK UPOKUSTIS 125 X USSOPITES 769 XANTHION 687 USSOPOS 399 XIPHION 563 859 XURIS 564 ZINGIBERI 319 Z ZEIA 231 ZOMOS NEARON ICHTHUON 196 ZOPISSA 99 ZUTHOS 231 UPOKUSTIS 125 LATINISED GREEK NAMES 860 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK MEDICINAL USES etc. abrasions 36 anaesthetic 625, 820 abrasions around the vulva anaesthetise 622 24 A abdomen 56, 590 abdominal 263, 279, 605 abdominal cavities 554, 558 abdominal cavity 47, 213, 222, 248, 364, 380, 606, 649, 740, 758, 759, 761, 762, 788, 819 abnormal fleshy growths 804, 814, 815 abnormal growths 97, 181, 195, 223, 424, 475, 719, 737, 784, 787, 790, 795, 803, 806, 811, 813 abscessed throat 392, 399, 669, 670, 706, 710, 753, 807 aneurisms 582 abscessed throats 476 angina 67, 68, 97, 105, 307 abscesses 55, 194, 315, 344, 467, 512, 625, 642, 674, 731, 802 animal bites 2, 13 abundance of milk 118 antidotal medicines 408 achor 224 antidote 19, 68, 97, 133, 149, 170, 177, 182, 190, 193, 194, 201, 205, 209, 210, 213, 219, 222, 223, 224, 226, 256, 312, 316, 339, 364, 377, 388, 392, 396, 400, 403, 412, 423, 448, 500, 536, 539, 541, 625, 658, 689, 746, 747, 753, 771, 788, 799, 807, 809, 825 acidic vomiting 363 acopi 27 acopon 82 acrid 444 abnormal growths in the eyes 806, 820 acrochordonas 206 abnormal growths in ulcers adenoid 319 157 abnormal growths of (protuberant) flesh 195 adenoids 807, 820 adhesive 798 abnormal growths of flesh 211, 784, 792, 797 aegilopses 176, 235, 617, abnormal growths of the flesh 149, 154, 512, 779, afflictions around the womb 364 802 abnormal growths of ulcers 789 abnormal growths on the flesh 184 abnormal growths on the gums 800, 805 abortifacient 6, 19, 24, 27, 56, 85, 105, 106, 109, 193, 212, 213, 223, 244, 255, 280, 312, 315, 319, 323, 328, 331, 352, 367, 371, 372, 375, 404, 408, 412, 415, 423, 427, 431, 436, 443, 460, 479, 480, 483, 492, 496, 513, 517, 519, 524, 527, 532, 535, 565, 622, 697, 698, 706, 725, 726, 729, 732, 734, 737, 778, 805 abortion 328, 455 abortions 121, 324, 518, 778 MEDICINAL USES etc. anaphrodisiac 169, 272, 292, 335, 562, 739, 748 685 afflictions in those without fever 488 antherae 129 antidotes 2, 6, 10, 14, 20, 21, 22, 24, 28, 105, 129, 176, 206, 222, 256, 259, 271, 319, 320, 400, 424, 440, 451, 452, 508, 523, 681, 689, 799 antidotes to mercury poisoning 811 antiseptic 72, 98, 204, 205, 222, 642, 732, 803, 822, 828 affritus 133 antitoxin 475 afterbirth 24, 56, 59, 88, 126, 193, 200, 311, 404, 415, 455, 504, 507, 513, 517, 519, 532, 535, 582, 665, 673, 682, 732 anus 71, 419 agglutinate bloody wounds aphrodisiac 206, 244, 256, 296, 312, 327, 331, 335, 411, 435, 440, 522, 523, 562, 642 157 apoplexy 732 albugo 292 appetite 162, 255, 256, 260, 307, 319, 740, 747, 750, 752, 759, 761, 767, 770, 771, 775 alopecia 35, 81, 98, 113, 126, 176, 177, 184, 194, 219, 259, 344, 392, 476, 677, 682, 710, 788, 803, 812 alphos 500, 827 amulet 276, 279, 380, 488 amulets 601, 821 anacollema 291 apta 527 aptha 400, 527 apthae 141, 400, 577, 804 apthas 519, 709, 807 aptylia 577, 804 argema 221, 307, 523, 609, 658 argemae 224, 347, 351 arguing 316 armpits 81, 161, 220, 383, 805 arrowheads 589 arrows 113 arteries 6, 68, 81, 86, 122, 153, 179, 194, 201, 229, 230, 240, 308, 311, 372, 388, 479, 666 arthritic 201, 614 arthritis 100, 484, 582, 698, 749, 753, 754 ascaridae 395 asleep 622 asp 196, 210 asthma 24, 28, 33, 38, 78, 97, 100, 101, 106, 165, 179, 198, 201, 224, 279, 323, 327, 331, 339, 363, 364, 371, 399, 412, 415, 436, 455, 468, 480, 483, 504, 528, 535, 586, 642, 682, 717, 753, 766, 767, 774, 803, 805 asthmatic 28 asthmatic disorders 710 astringency 56, 367, 815 astringent 13, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 35, 46, 47, 51, 52, 78, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 93, 98, 101, 106, 110, 114, 121, 122, 125, 126, 129, 133, 134, 137, 138, 141, 145, 149, 150, 153, 154, 157, 158, 162, 165, 166, 169, 170, 171, 172, 175, 177, 178, 182, 203, 211, 212, 219, 224, 232, 248, 251, 272, 276, 284, 287, 303, 304, 328, 351, 363, 367, 380, 391, 392, 395, 411, 419, 420, 423, 443, 447, 511, 514, 526, 530, 542, 545, 546, 553, 554, 557, 558, 565, 566, 573, 585, 586, 589, 590, 597, 601, 602, 634, 637, 638, 642, 649, 653, 661, 709, 713, 733, 735, 739, 740, 743, 744, 746, 748, abdomen 56, 590 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 749, 752, 754, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 765, 782, 784, 787, 788, 789, 790, 792, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 806, 810, 811, 813, 814, 815, 823, 824, 825 astringent for the stomach 272 astringent in the intestines 166, 209 astringent to the intestines 208, 740 atrophy 809 attract 487, 784 attracting 319, 483 attractive 228, 480 attracts woodworm 654 B bad blood 761 bad fluids 231 bad for the stomach 41, 105, 142, 162, 166, 172, 177, 178, 179, 209, 230, 267, 268, 312, 395, 511, 713, 727, 729, 735, 745, 746, 748, 751, 756, 761, 808 bald eyelids 89 baldness 98, 113, 176, 177, 184, 189, 194, 199, 220, 223, 344, 476, 524 barrenness 526, 561, 737 bathing the eyes 324 baths 162 beasts 507 beautiful 678 bee 106, 267, 534 bees 283, 661 belching 90, 259, 455, 774 bites of centipedes 807 bewitching 428, 530 bites of dogs 181, 196, 255, 291, 335 bitten by harvest spiders 178, 267, 276, 352, 460, 475, 488, 503, 508, 602, 638, 665 bites of harvest spiders 158, bitten by mad beasts 133 bile 1, 63, 162, 176, 315, 375, 411, 412, 549, 622, 633, 698, 701, 702, 706, 710, 718, 719, 722, 723, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 734, 736, 737, 778 bilious 37, 165, 545, 717 182 bites of men 255 bites of poisonous beasts 204, 431 bilious excrement 538 bites of poisonous snakes 271, 319 bilious matter 392, 499 bites of rodents 181 bilious urine 658 bites of sea vipers 224 binding 235, 593, 649, 746, 759, 762, 779, 804, 806, bites of snakes 178, 200, 223, 324, 364, 456, 569, 594, 811 814 binding the intestines 235, 746 binding to the intestines 235 binds 47, 577 birth 68, 78, 88, 102, 105, 145, 324, 535 birth control 137, 138, 213, 276, 319, 554, 561, 734, 788 birth-hastener 407 birth-hastening 554 bite of a poisonous beast bites of snakes and beasts 199 bites of the horned viper 236 bites of the prester 577 bites of the sea dragon 392 bites of the seps 275 bites of the shrew mouse 392, 594 bites of venomous beasts 121 bites of venomous creatures 13, 33, 222, 492, 630, 752 407 bites of vipers 190, 807 bite of the horned viper bitten 76, 196, 199, 206, 210, 311, 396, 539, 549, 105 bites 201, 207, 332, 534 bites from a horned viper 260 bites from poisonous beasts 364 bites from poisonous creatures 751 bites from venomous creatures 753 beetles 52 belchers 403 861 bites from venomous or poisonous beasts 799 807 bitten by a dog 185, 195 bitten by a mad dog 133, 187, 222, 229, 308, 669 bitten by a scorpion 448 bitten by a toad 536 bitten by a viper 21, 268 bitten by dogs 176, 180, 195, 196, 307, 476, 500, 642, 677 bitten by mad dogs 224, 226, 431 bitten by men 176 bitten by phalangii 117 bitten by poisonous beasts 194, 307, 319, 348, 400, 448, 459, 491, 495 bitten by scorpions 6, 202, 223, 460, 499, 738 bitten by snakes 18, 24, 33, 106, 176, 226, 332, 380, 403, 404, 407, 412, 423, 444, 455, 456, 468, 480, 495, 500, 507, 508, 517, 549, 569, 766 bitten by the viper seps 753 bitten by venomous creatures 1, 200, 213, 229, 304, 367, 388, 443, 444, 464, 479, 504, 508, 511, 532, 541, 545, 549, 562, 566, 682, 774, 807, 825 bitten by vipers 101, 109, 198, 229, 259, 308, 339, 351, 557, 727, 732 bitter 76, 690 black (fluids) 201, 400 black and blue spots 176 black patches 812 blackening the hair 161 blackness 102 bladder 5, 13, 89, 106, 121, 153, 154, 158, 179, 187, 201, 202, 203, 208, 210, 225, 227, 244, 252, 263, 267, 272, 279, 280, 291, 295, 336, 364, 372, 388, 431, 452, 455, 456, 471, 475, 504, 524, 526, 527, 530, 531, 536, 557, 570, 586, 589, 594, 661, 673, 690, 740, 743, 745, 746, astringent 13, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 35, 46, 47, 51, 52, 78, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 93, 98, 101, 106, 110, 114, 121, 122, 125, 126, 129, 133, 134, 137, 138, 141, 145, 149, 150, 153, 154, 157, 158, 162, 165, 166, 169, 170, 171, 172, 175, 177, 178, 182, 203, 211, 212, 219, 224, 232, 248, 251, 272, 276, 284, 287, 303, 304, 328, 351, 363, 367, 380, 391, 392, 395, 411, 419, 420, 423, 443, 447, 511, 514, 526, 530, 542, 545, 546, 553, 554, 557, 558, 565, 566, 573, 585, 586, 589, 590, 597, 601, 602, 634, 637, 638, 642, 649, 653, 661, 709, 713, 733, 735, 739, 740, 743, 744, 746, 748, 749, 752, 754, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 765, 782, 784, 787, 788, 789, 790, 792, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 806, 810, 811, 813, 814, 815, 823, 824, 825 MEDICINAL USES etc. 862 747, 760, 772, 774, 775, 812, 819, 822 bladders 304 bleeding 194, 222, 223, 279, 359, 574, 577, 586, 743, 744, 752, 811, 824 bleeding from the nostrils 187, 443 bleeding gums 744 blindness 199 blistering 487 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK bloodclotting 752 body fluids 777 bloodshot 209, 222 body odour 383 bloodshot eyes 553, 815 819 boils 24, 51, 64, 76, 98, 101, 102, 142, 179, 180, 181, 184, 229, 247, 252, 255, 308, 312, 332, 391, 447, 476, 480, 714, 719, 728, 743, 807, 809 blood-spitters 157 boils to a scar 88 bloodspitting 468, 744 bone 110 blood-spitting 125, 129, bone inflammation 222 bloodspitters 145, 203, 372, 380, 408, 545, 553, 670, 739, 740, 746, 761, 774, 153 blisters 137, 142, 197, 200 blood-stauncher 408, 585 blockages of the womb 471 bloody and strimentous stuff 713 blocked wombs 101 blood 5, 86, 87, 90, 100, 101, 110, 114, 133, 138, 141, 149, 158, 181, 200, 201, 205, 213, 223, 229, 240, 247, 252, 272, 275, 279, 304, 315, 339, 364, 375, 380, 391, 392, 411, 415, 416, 444, 518, 532, 534, 538, 545, 550, 554, 582, 585, 593, 594, 601, 613, 638, 650, 657, 682, 693, 732, 743, 753, 790, 805, 813, 816, 824 bloody discharges 553, 554, 561, 590, 650, 752, 760, 804 bloody discharges from the nostrils 424 bloody eruption 90 bloody excessive discharges 530 bloody excrement 340 bloody excretions 33 blood vessels 126 bloody stuff 729 blood breaking out 182 bloody urine 483 blood from the nostrils 468, bloody vomit 101, 175 545, 586, 642 blood from the womb 585, 800 blood has hardened around the joints 513 blood stauncher 408, 789 blood staunching 797 blood through the intestines 252 blood through the nostrils 379 blood through the urine 102 blood under the skin 63 blood vessels 6, 47, 67, 71, 72, 75, 76 bloody vomiting 22, 27, 165 bloody wounds 86, 157, 181, 359, 577 blows to the eyes 247 blue marks under the eyes 259 blueness of wounds 150 blueness under the eyes breath 17, 24, 27, 81, 440, 686, 754, 775 breath canals 304 bones 2, 24, 81, 90, 179, 181, 211, 239, 268, 279, 323, 371, 431, 447, 472, 480, 483, 521, 542, 645, 732, 785, 810 bowels 1, 9, 20, 27, 34, 37, 38, 42, 51, 52, 63, 68, 81, 82, 86, 113, 121, 134, 145, 154, 161, 165, 169, 170, 171, 172, 175, 177, 178, 179, 180, 185, 186, 190, 195, 196, 207, 209, 224, 225, 229, 232, 235, 243, 244, 251, 252, 267, 268, 271, 275, 288, 292, 296, 303, 307, 323, 324, 335, 336, 339, 364, 375, 391, 392, 395, 399, 400, 415, 423, 468, 513, 529, 534, 539, 573, 577, 578, 582, 594, 601, 602, 605, 609, 642, 677, 681, 693, 713, 718, 719, 721, 722, 724, 725, 729, 731, 734, 736, 737, 745, 746, 749, 750, 751, 755, 756, 759, 761, 766, 777, 778, 784, 785, 813 bowers 300 brain 200, 468, 790 bread 106, 229, 231, 232, 236, 300, 304, 351, 396, 447, 448, 472, 479, 483, 557, 605, 617, 625, 630, 661, 697, 809, 821 247 bread-making 662 bodies 391 breaking 22 bodily wastes 371, 534, 769 breaks 533 body 77, 210 breastfeeding 118, 137, 190, 228, 230, 344, 456, 459, 475, 476, 686, 732, body cavities 55 breasts 13, 86, 165, 176, 229, 247, 251, 252, 316, 332, 411, 423, 448, 491, 518, 533, 540, 561, 613, 629, 718, 740, 751, 810, 822, 823, 824 761 breathers 732 breathing 13, 100, 222, 372, 396, 423, 443, 455, 471, 475, 480, 483, 503, 512, 515, 554, 682 breeds moist, loose flesh 256 bring down excrement 324 bringing down the intestines 756 bringing out the embryo 331 brings down milk 137 brings sleep 747 broadworms 176, 308, 377, 566, 733, 734, 737, 799 broadworms from the intestines 177 broken bones 90, 211, 542 broken ears 81 broken flesh 550 broken places of the ears 336 bruise ointments 336 bruised eyes 308 bruised sinews 811 bruises 211, 226, 255, 320, 335, 364, 376, 392, 399, 412, 419, 444, 475, 533, 653, 710, 731, 751, 752, 774 bruises around the eyes 444 bruises below the eyes 323, 335 bruises from the eyes 312 MEDICINAL USES etc. bladder 5, 13, 89, 106, 121, 153, 154, 158, 179, 187, 201, 202, 203, 208, 210, 225, 227, 244, 252, 263, 267, 272, 279, 280, 291, 295, 336, 364, 372, 388, 431, 452, 455, 456, 471, 475, 504, 524, 526, 527, 530, 531, 536, 557, 570, 586, 589, 594, 661, 673, 690, 740, 743, 745, 746, 747, 760, 772, 774, 775, 812, 819, 822 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 863 bruises of the ears 86 candle 665 chafing 133, 137, 197, 200 bruises of the eyes 209 candle wicks 653 chapped lips 133 bruises on the ears 805 candles 718 chapped skin 46 bruises on the face 807 carbuncles 76, 98, 101, 102, 122, 141, 142, 176, 223, 252, 255, 268, 279, 312, 431, 447, 476, 719, cheek 251 bupressedis 809 burn 186 743 burned 534 carcinomata 476 burning 223, 260, 412, 480, 597, 810 carcomata 476 burning fevers of the head cardiandi 161 752 castrated 753 burning heat 292 casts out a dead embryo burning in the stomach 165, 448 480 casts out dead embryos 209 cheeks 125, 142, 177, 181, 190, 196, 252, 259, 332, 484, 504, 638, 744, 752, 800, 822 childbearing 327 743 cats 424 burns 46, 55, 72, 76, 86, 88, 106, 125, 134, 142, 161, 177, 185, 200, 201, 223, 236, 267, 272, 279, 288, 335, 351, 352, 384, 487, 500, 516, 518, 537, 538, 565, 638, 654, 677, 709, 714, 727, 791, 797, 805, 807, 814, 826, 828 cattle 98 childbirth 157, 271, 368, 423, 436, 459, 471, 518, 530, 613, 693, 776, 778, 821, 825 burnt 122, 219 buttocks 71, 272, 419 C cause of elephantiasis 761 cause sleep 1, 175, 590, 605, 606 causer of sleep 606 causes bad blood 761 causes inconception 213, 411 clean away things in the chest 179 clean foul ulcers 141, 142, 500, 504, 601 clean off freckles 2 catarrh in the head 22, 51 cause delirium 613 clean away sunburn 731 chest 2, 5, 21, 81, 89, 93, 97, 101, 106, 179, 201, 213, 244, 304, 312, 316, 319, 331, 355, 364, 372, 400, 423, 439, 464, 483, 504, 511, 512, 642, 670, 765, 766, 767, 770, 772, 774, 775, 817 burning stomach 157, 284, 287, 448, 617, 641, 670, cataracts 41, 808 clean away pterygium 179 clean leprosy 186 catarrh 805 burning of the stomach and intestines 272 catapotia 324 617 cheiralgia 279 chilblains 52, 55, 86, 134, 180, 187, 197, 198, 220, 251, 255, 256, 272, 324, 328, 331, 335, 339, 344, 641, 654, 751, 804 burning of the stomach 272, 372, 545, 694, 739 clean away jaundice 527, chill 770 chilled 1, 34, 452, 463 chilliness 408 chills 21, 24, 68, 75, 76, 81, 319, 371, 396, 412, 424, 431, 436, 463, 476, 518, 539, 674, 751, 755, 767, 772 clean old ulcers 496 clean skin 36 clean spots 41 clean teeth 184 clean the face 55 clean the teeth 806 clean the womb 732 clean ulcers 88, 435, 464, 521 cleaning 24, 51, 375, 661, 734, 779, 814, 815 cleaning away spots 47 cleaning filth 790 cleaning the teeth 822 cleaning their wool 323 cleans 2, 19, 97, 129, 181, 210, 226, 251, 319, 331, 340, 344, 483, 614, 802, 810, 814, 815 chills of the vulva 6 cleans away argema 523 622 chironian 279 cleans away freckles 271 cachexy 184 causes thirst 340 choking 697 cleans away herpes 243 cakes 210, 331 caustic 182, 185, 811 cholera 528, 788 cleans away impetigo 81 calculi 739 caustic medicines 181, 822 chronic itching 400 callos 787 cauterized 625 churning stomach 251 cleans away jaundice 412, 674, 706 calluses 138, 146, 229, 797, cavities 90, 105, 145, 149, circumcision 226 cachexis 755 813 cancerous 244 cancers 642, 645 candidiasis 141, 210, 400, 527, 557 bruises of the ears 86 causes sleep 20, 292, 606, 150 719 clean 2, 30, 86, 90, 138, 181, 185, 784, 791, 806, 813, 819, 827 centipedes 181, 335, 807 clean away dandruff 335 cavities of teeth 180, 206, cleans away lichen 378 cleans away psoriasis 312 cleans away rough skin 45 cleans away scurf eczema 138 ceria 181 MEDICINAL USES etc. 864 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK cleans away the menstrual flow 518 cleans vitiligines 161, 190, 247, 367, 464, 534 cleans away vitiligines 319, 331, 378 cleans women after childbirth 459 cleans boils 64 cleans crusted ulcers 68 cleans dandruff 55, 161, coagulates milk 180 convulsed children 380 coarse eyelids 221 convulsion 565 cleanse the gums 806 coeliac 141, 145, 149, 150, 161, 177, 181, 203, 213, 247, 284, 476, 524 cleansed after childbirth coffins 815 convulsions 2, 6, 13, 21, 22, 24, 33, 56, 67, 75, 85, 101, 105, 118, 181, 182, 184, 193, 223, 327, 331, 332, 340, 348, 364, 367, 371, 372, 384, 387, 396, 400, 412, 416, 423, 431, 464, 479, 480, 492, 496, 511, 536, 541, 550, 653, 732, 755, 767, 769, 774 530 753 cleanser for achor 224 cleans fistulas 698 cleanser for leprosy 221 cleans foul ulcers 184, 371, cleanses dandruff 272 472 cleans freckles 488 cleans gums and teeth 371 cleans hair 243 cleans jaundice 391, 459 cleans leprosy 180, 224, cleanses jaundice 602 cleanses vitiligines 702 cleanses wild ulcers 408 cleansing 76, 93, 225, 230, 352, 407, 519, 736, 766, 795, 808 500 cleansing for a woman 408 cleans off dandruff 35 cleansing ointment 275 cleans old ulcers 511 cleansing the eyes 356 cleans rough eyelids 800 cleansing the womb 593 cleans rough tongues 150 clear the face 255 cleans scars 145, 479 clear the throat 308 cleans sunburn 714 clearing the face 219, 259 cleans the arteries 194 clearing the sight 18, 105 cleans the breath canals clears the face 110, 500 304 clears the skin 271 cleans the eyelids 225 clears their sight 220 cleans the face 311 cleans the scar 224 cleans the skin 255, 324, 731 cleans the stomach 391 closed vulva 78 closes open cuts 172, 178, cold 1, 772 cold stomach 178 coli 223 colic 100, 114, 125, 133, 187, 202, 203, 223, 424, 452, 729 convulsive fits 1 cool 129, 447, 789 cooling 51, 52, 134, 229, 284, 287, 291, 292, 303, 447, 484, 545, 546, 554, 557, 605, 606, 614, 617, 634, 637, 638, 649, 650, 661, 670, 739, 758, 782, 790, 792, 795, 823, 824, 825, 826 collyriums 480 colon 175, 236 colour 179 colouring 773 colus 452 cooling sudden fevers 436 comitralis 6 cools 47, 201, 813, 827 compound ointments 420, congested vulvae 100 cornea 81, 88, 99, 100, 105, 141, 145, 154, 179, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 204, 221, 224, 247, 307, 316, 328, 331, 347, 351, 396, 420, 431, 476, 483, 523, 562, 609, 634, 642, 645, 658, 816 conjunctivitis 582 corners of eyes 213 constipated 750 corners of the eyes 89, 744 constipated after childbirth 776 corns 138, 195, 206, 223, 472, 476 constriction 38 corrode 814 constriction of the vulva 28, corrosion 10, 89 523 conception 24, 109, 138, 213, 222, 239, 271, 319, 352, 423, 435, 443, 523, 534, 561, 736, 805, 822 224 56, 196, 311 closes together 181 constriction of the womb 213, 225, 279, 424, 431, corrosive medicines 444, 468 698 consumption 93, 97, 106, 187, 209, 219, 279, 304, corrupt fluids 208 closing open cuts 391, 492, cleans the teeth 204 824 cleans the vulva 447 closure (of the vulva) 243 cleans the womb 517 closures 60, 63, 68, 82 cleans ulcers 110, 252, 407, closures of the womb 533 corrosive 795, 796, 810 665 corrupt matter 657 consumptive wasting 89 corrupts 105 cloths 17, 169, 515 contagious skin disease 243, 255, 291, 743 cough 78, 90, 162, 235, 259, 339, 512, 637, 753, 279 clots of blood 100, 415, 594 contractive 157, 785 cleans varicose veins 718 clotting blood 181, 213 convulsed 404, 471 503 cleans ulcers in the mouth 765 cough medicines 126, 448 coughers 732, 750 MEDICINAL USES etc. cleans away the menstrual flow 518 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK coughs 1, 6, 13, 19, 22, 24, 33, 82, 85, 89, 93, 94, 97, 100, 101, 105, 121, 133, 175, 177, 179, 226, 228, 229, 244, 247, 308, 316, 319, 323, 327, 331, 332, 372, 388, 399, 400, 403, 408, 423, 431, 436, 455, 460, 471, 476, 480, 496, 504, 511, 586, 605, 606, 613, 653, 670, 743, 762, 766, 767, 772, 774, 803, 805 covers exposed bones with flesh 431 covers in flesh 181 cracks 379, 813 cracks between the fingers 734 cracks in the ears 440 cracks in the feet 187, 339 cracks in the perineum 391 cradle cap 71 creeping sores 134, 802 creeping ulcers 223, 447, 804, 807 crocodiles 807 crusted ulcers 68, 725 crusts of ulcers 304, 609 curdling milk 251 curdling of the milk 190 cut 625 deadly drink 388 deadly medicinal drinks 316 deadly medicine 541, 825 deadly medicines 133, 208, 224, 256, 423, 475 deadly poisons 19, 193, 324, 371, 396, 541, 689, 799 deadly thing 504 deafness 784 decay living bodies 105 cuts from a surgeon 279 deep ulcers 367, 762, 766 defective nutrition 184 dehydration 424, 634 delirium 613, 698, 754 delivery 436, 825 dentifrice 818 deodorise 27 depilatory 6, 188, 189, 205, 220, 352 depression 208, 296, 403, 698, 754 depressive 528, 730 depressive matter 404 dermatitis 88 discharges from the bowels and liver 184 difficult sleep 542 discharges from the eyes difficult, painful urination 455 difficulty in conception 24 difficulty vomiting 68 digest 64, 209, 767, 769 digester 606 digesting 22, 745, 766 digestion 24, 93, 259, 335, 432, 436, 723, 746, 748, 754, 759, 766, 767, 774 digestive 19, 29, 30, 34, 82, 113, 272, 288, 296, 319, 320, 392, 404, 432, 440, 569, 674, 746, 762, 770, 811 dilation of the uterus 18 dim vision 224, 331 dimness in the eyes 296 dimness of sight 598 dim-sighted 221 discerns holy suffering 817 discharge 150, 154, 172 discharge from stomach 87 discharge of blood 650 discharge of fluids 90, 117, 724 discharges from the intestines 122, 545 discharges from the stomach 90, 157, 165 discharges from the womb 213 discharges from tooth sockets 153 discharges from within 758, 759 discharges in the throat 753 discharges in the tibiae 179 discharges of blood 86, 200, 223, 247, 279, 392, 582, 585, 586, 593, 613, 642, 753, 790, 800, 805, 813 discharges of the abdominal cavity 222 discharges of the bowel 605 discharges of the bowels 110, 126, 162, 201, 208, 230, 251, 279, 287, 288, 384, 448, 455, 459, 492, 530, 546, 565, 747, 752, 759 discharges of the chest 316 discharges of the coeliac 247 discharges of the ears 150 destroys newly-conceived embryos 328 discharges 88, 149, 161, 166, 194, 201, 209, 211, 247, 275, 279, 380, 440, 443, 590, 617, 745, 747, 760, 761, 766, 818, 819, discharges of the eyes 30, 106, 239, 570, 613, 743 825 discharges of the intestines 88, 154, 157, 169, 171, 236, 307, 420, 440, 536, 577, 585, 590, 682, 746 damage in the vulva 63 damaged vulva 275 devils 118, 513, 529, 530 dandruff 35, 38, 46, 52, 55, 63, 142, 161, 181, 190, 221, 224, 243, 267, 272, 308, 335, 500, 682, 753, 760, diarrhoea 507, 638, 653, darkens the hair 727 difficult hearing 752 177 destructive of recent conceptions 328 805 discharges from the bowels 101, 534 destroys embryos 776 destructive 145, 798 D difficult breathing 396, 443, 455, 475, 503, 512, 515, 554 decaying flesh 68, 71, 76 desquamation 150 cuts 100, 172, 178, 224, 348, 391, 484, 492, 573, 791, 824 865 discharges and ulcers in the eyes 204 788 discharges around the womb 760 die 630 discharges called whites difficult breathers 706 150 discharges of the gums 149 discharges of the joints 230 discharges of the nerves 229 discharges of the pores 779 coughs 1, 6, 13, 19, 22, 24, 33, 82, 85, 89, 93, 94, 97, 100, 101, 105, 121, 133, 175, 177, 179, 226, 228, 229, 244, 247, 308, 316, 319, 323, 327, 331, 332, 372, 388, 399, 400, 403, 408, 423, 431, 436, 455, 460, 471, 476, 480, 496, 504, 511, 586, 605, 606, 613, 653, 670, 743, 762, 766, 767, 772, 774, 803, 805 MEDICINAL USES etc. 866 discharges of the stomach 113, 682, 760 discharges of the stomach and intestines 179 discharges of the womb 9, 145, 190 discharges of women 380 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK dissolves tubercles 36 dissolving 81, 219, 319, 440, 809 dissolving and ripening hard lumps 815 dissolving gaseousness 22 dissolving new oedemas diseases around the vulva 76 diseases of a long duration 45 diseases of the ears 206 dislocated joints 137, 811 dislocations 176, 223, 276, 324, 335, 384, 419, 614, 642, 733, 737, 739, 766, 807 661 dissolving the circular flows of acute fevers 508 dissolving tumours 641 dissolving weariness 59 distension 747 distension from hypochondria 767 distension of the nerves draw out (broken) bones 181 draw out anything from deep within 311 draw out anything from far within 710 draw out arrowheads and splinters 589 draw out bile and phlegm 728 draw out broadworms 733 draw out the blood of the menstrual flow 5 draws out the menstrual flow 22, 100, 213, 292, 472, 492, 519, 532, 541, 561, 562, 682 distress around the vulva draw out thorns 187 disorders of the sides 367 disorders of the vulva 67, 68, 106 disorders of the womb 214, 219, 536, 541, 613, 766 disorders within 424, 436 disperse 100, 106, 487 dispersing 34, 93, 243, 440, 480 diuretic 6, 10, 13, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 29, 30, 71, 89, 90, 93, 101, 126, 146, 157, 158, 162, 165, 166, 175, 184, 230, 231, 244, 252, 256, 259, 260, 268, 275, 283, 291, 295, 296, 307, 331, 379, 423, 451, 452, 456, 511, 532, 533, 537, 573, 690, 750, 767, 773, 673 draws out the slimy stuff 339 drawing a callum hard skin over 110 draws out thick, raw, gluey, (or sticky) black (fluids) 201 drawing away watery matter 726 draws out thorns and splinters 228 drawing down the afterbirth 582 draws out venom 21 drawing down the menstrual flow 6 drawing fluids from depths 812 draws out worms 21, 38 dream 292 dreams 292, 300, 304, 524, 690 776 drawing out blood 375 dizziness 732 drawing out faulty fluids 45 does not allow the milk to curdle 228 draws out splinters 194, 206, 714 draws out the afterbirth disorders of the mother 530 745 638 draw out prickles and splinters 562 draw out the menstrual flow 263 disorders of the side 710 draws out roundworms draws out stones 739 distortions of the vulva 56 disturbing the intestines draws out much stinking urine 383 draw out particles 2 disorders in the womb 518 disorders of the nerves 188, draws out moisture 85 draws out splinters and thorns 113, 121 533 582, 751, 755, 770 draws out fluids 225 draw out milk 344, 732 dislocations of joints 714 59 draws out depressive matter 404 dries 105, 391, 577, 779, 802 dries up 823 drawing out water and blood 518 dries up milk 247 dissipates 76 dog bites 175, 279, 411, 456, 728, 753, 809 drawing plasters 312, 809 dripping fluids 177, 181, 327, 331, 388, 479, 594, dissipating 811 dogs 503, 811 drawing the discharges 194 772 dissolve 806 douche for the excessive menstrual flows of women dripping fluids in the throat 605 dissolves 20, 24, 76, 533, 535, 751, 805, 817, 827 577 draws down milk 284, 292, 440, 443, 517 draws off loose nails 743 dripping fluids of the eyelids 154 dispersing ointments 82 douches 21 dissolves coagulated milk 180 down on the face 41 dissolves the lips 630 draw down milk 456 dissolves things which are gathered together 214 draw out splinters or thorns 348 MEDICINAL USES etc. draws off nails 487 draws out 792 draws out broadworms 308, 566 dripping of fluids in the eyes 476 dripping water in the ears 307 discharges of the stomach 113, 682, 760 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK drives away snakes 204, 219, 312, 396, 412, 471, 475, 545, 669, 817 dulls the eyesight 296 drooping eyes 577 dulls vision 308 drop their food 1 dye 760 dropsy 6, 13, 19, 22, 137, 179, 180, 184, 205, 224, 244, 259, 279, 311, 335, 339, 351, 377, 395, 399, 400, 419, 424, 435, 440, 455, 476, 496, 508, 511, 525, 618, 641, 701, 702, 727, 731, 751, 755, 762, 766, 767, 773, 774, 776, 806, 809, 812, 823 dye the hair 177 dropsy tumours 187 drunkenness 175, 324, 745, 746, 747, 748 dry 71, 149, 184, 211, 784 dry cough 512 dry inflammation of the eyes 129 dry medicines 779 dry the spittle in the mouths of children 207 dry up protruding warts 737 dry warm packs 823 dry, sore eyes 813 drying 9, 10, 18, 20, 78, 125, 157, 276, 411, 440, 443, 444, 467, 598, 606, 686, 727, 782, 798, 810, 823 dulls the sight 304, 443 dye the hair black 352 dye the hair yellow 122 dyeing hair 827 dyes hair 101 dyes hair black 134 dyes the hair 158, 577, 653 dyes the hair black 146, 150, 154, 408 dyes the hair yellow 171 dyes wool 247 867 419, 471, 488, 570, 617, 637, 702, 807 earaches 42, 47, 197, 205, 328, 504, 534, 637 ears 30, 86, 97, 129, 133, 138, 141, 150, 180, 189, 197, 207, 213, 219, 220, 221, 224, 225, 236, 307, 312, 335, 336, 351, 392, 399, 412, 440, 468, 553, 606, 614, 698, 744, 752, 755, 760, 766, 804, 805, 808, 809 dying hair black 802 dysentery 28, 47, 81, 90, 100, 101, 110, 125, 133, 145, 149, 150, 153, 157, 165, 171, 181, 194, 196, 203, 210, 213, 219, 222, 228, 235, 243, 247, 248, 263, 275, 276, 279, 280, 348, 351, 363, 364, 408, 503, 507, 511, 516, 524, 534, 536, 545, 546, 549, 550, 553, 558, 577, 578, 581, 582, 586, 589, 609, 638, 649, 739, 740, 743, 744, 753, 757, 759, 762, 770, 788, 799, 808 epilepsy 24, 100, 113, 179, 194, 198, 199, 203, 208, 209, 213, 221, 223, 364, 388, 427, 436, 464, 468, 471, 476, 508, 518, 527, 582, 610, 669, 670, 698, 717, 732, 753, 754, 768, 817, 821, 823 epileptic 28, 194, 279, 311, 480, 820 epileptics 222, 483 ears full of discharge 161 epinycti 181 ears which run with filthy matter 93 epinyctides 175, 268 ears with worms 614 eating ulcers 328, 654, 657, 752, 804 eczema 138 edible 171, 299 dying 532 enemy to the womb 214 edible mushrooms 109 efferata growing outwards ulcers 71 elephantiasis 105, 184, 208, 221, 412, 761 eliminate waste 412 embryo 331, 480 embryos 209, 328, 404, 512, 776 emptying the intestines 399 enchantments 529, 582, epinyctis 141, 161, 223, 279, 447, 487, 743 erosion of the bladder 388 erosions at the corners of the eyes 89 erosive ulcers 114, 221, 272, 601, 808 eruption of the blood 141 eruptions 51, 63 erysipela 13, 101, 113, 129, 134, 141, 222, 223, 225, 251, 267, 268, 272, 287, 420, 423, 424, 447, 500, 512, 545, 565, 566, 578, 582, 598, 605, 606, 614, 617, 625, 629, 634, 637, 638, 641, 650, 718, 752, 800, 807, 826 erysipelas 30, 118, 161 evacuations 751 drying to the tongue 802 dyspepsia 37 597 drying, astringent tablets dysuria 363, 654, 773, 812 encourage bile 162 excessive discharge 272 encourages conception 435 excessive fluids 785 encourages lust 411 excessive indulgence 161 encourages new flesh 210 excessive liquids 247 encourages sexual activity excrement 244, 307, 324, 340, 532, 538, 729 798 E dull sight 222, 307 dull- sighted 268, 746 ear 753 dull the strength of sharp medicines 134 ear pains 613 duller of the sight 606 ear problems 38 256 ear resonance and tinnitus encourages sexual appetite dulling to the sight 248 41 256 dullness of sight 190, 292, 304, 312, 392, 424, 479, 724, 808 ear sores 424, 545, 606 encourages sleep 590 earache 38, 41, 106, 109, 126, 157, 198, 225, 248, 263, 272, 279, 288, 304, 328, 335, 392, 400, 411, enema 209, 219, 279, 503, 545, 753, 777 dullness of the sight 220, 427, 618 excess fluids 296 excrescent flesh 184 exercises 467 exhaustion 47, 56 expectorants 710 enemas 89, 495, 729 drives away snakes 204, 219, 312, 396, 412, 471, 475, 545, 669, 817 MEDICINAL USES etc. 868 expelling water 727 expels dead embryos 404, 512 extinguishes conception 423, 443 extract 751, 792 extractive 229 extracts blood 693 extracts the birth 105 eye 38, 87, 134, 150, 158, 176, 179, 235, 267, 307, 331, 356, 372, 392, 483, 527, 617, 658, 685, 719, 743, 744, 752, 804, 806 eye complaints 816 eye corner 392 eye corners 97, 800 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK eyes 2, 13, 17, 20, 28, 30, 64, 81, 87, 88, 89, 98, 100, 101, 106, 109, 114, 129, 134, 137, 141, 142, 145, 154, 158, 165, 186, 188, 190, 201, 204, 209, 213, 220, 221, 222, 225, 226, 236, 239, 247, 251, 259, 272, 279, 287, 288, 291, 292, 296, 307, 312, 320, 323, 324, 328, 332, 335, 348, 351, 352, 392, 396, 419, 423, 424, 431, 444, 448, 467, 472, 476, 479, 484, 496, 518, 523, 553, 570, 573, 577, 578, 582, 598, 606, 613, 617, 622, 626, 637, 638, 654, 669, 670, 724, 743, 744, 784, 787, 789, 790, 800, 806, 810, 813, 815, 816, 818, 820, 823, 825 eyes that are bloodshot 209, 222 eyesight 34, 296, 804, 806 eye diseases 134 F eye inflammation 578 eye medicines 10, 18, 105, 117, 129, 130, 134, 141, 142, 185, 189, 190, 211, 213, 221, 275, 319, 328, 356, 375, 388, 392, 456, 459, 557, 606, 622, 744, 747, 779, 785, 794, 797, 800, 801, 810, 813, 819 eye salve 2, 480 eye salves 129, 141, 279, 323, 367, 697, 787, 816 eye sockets 484 eye sores 157, 484, 606 eye washes 617, 629 eyebrows 93, 194, 658 eyelashes 90, 822 eyelids 10, 51, 89, 97, 98, 129, 133, 141, 153, 154, 185, 221, 222, 225, 288, 787, 788, 796, 800, 804, 816, 827 eyelids that are filled with excessive watery fluids 98 face 38, 41, 45, 47, 55, 90, 110, 175, 201, 219, 224, 226, 255, 271, 291, 312, 500, 546, 661, 670, 702, 713, 807, 812, 825 fills up bald patches 823 fatten 252 fills up sores 797 fatten horses 557 fills up ulcers 97 favi 181 filth 68, 87, 291, 790, 809 favus 243, 255, 291, 593, 743, 752 filth around the eye corners fear 189 filth of ulcers 714 fear of water 199 filthiness of ulcers 344 fears 529, 530, 582 filthy matter 24, 93 feed 682 filthy, feeding ulcers 332 feeding ulcers 154, 332, 649, 815 filthy, hard ulcer 340 feet 97, 137, 187, 197, 229, 268, 339, 407, 464, 513, 613, 637, 638, 649, 710, 800 fingers 157, 734 fissures 195 815 fistula 733 female ailments 63 fistula in the inner angle of the eye 176, 235, 617, 685 female problems 2 female problems or damage 20 females 521 fistulas 1, 71, 76, 114, 219, 279, 328, 331, 332, 379, 468, 521, 582, 650, 698, 719, 744, 787, 800 fit 21, 81, 196, 545, 737, feruidae 63 809 facial skin 487 fetid nasal discharges 24 fits 1 faint 196, 404, 468, 471, 539, 618, 747, 750 fever 21, 63, 153, 157, 196, 221, 279, 371, 557, 558, 565, 598, 759, 765, 766 flatulence 296 524 fever fit 364 flatulent tumours 533 falling ? sunken eyes 134 fever fits 554 fleas 517, 557, 614 falling hair 187, 312, 682 fever of the brain 468 falling sickness 186, 190, feverish 372, 492 flesh 1, 2, 34, 68, 71, 76, 149, 154, 178, 180, 181, 184, 195, 209, 210, 211, 225, 256, 335, 375, 431, 512, 550, 553, 779, 784, 791, 792, 802, 804 faintness of the genitals 221 falling-forwards of the eyes 247 falls 662 falls from heights 367 falls from on high 363, 423 famine 178, 582 fasting 697 eyelids that are rough 785 fat 28 eyelids that have grown hard 213 fatigue 27, 47, 68, 93, 97, 106, 419, 431, 467, 484, 808, 817 MEDICINAL USES etc. fatigue removers 2, 24, 82 fevers 36, 81, 201, 205, 206, 209, 272, 312, 319, 364, 379, 431, 436, 455, 456, 508, 528, 530, 537, 545, 582, 613, 674, 737, 740, 749, 752, 755, 756, 759, 767, 809 fighting in armour 769 fill up sores 789 filling 227, 782, 795 filling up 99, 792, 824 filling up sores 779 flatulent 157, 230 flesh lying around the bones 480 fleshy abnormal growths 795, 811 fleshy and thick bodies 815 fleshy hardnesses 476 flies 545 flowing intestines 749 flowing stomach 760, 810 fills 210 expelling water 727 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK flows of blood 582 flows of blood which come out of the nostrils 554 283, 308, 336, 472, 480, 488, 713, 731, 812 frenzy 416 flows of women 121, 134, 141, 223 frequent and painful urination 755 fluids 10, 36, 37, 45, 55, 76, 89, 177, 196, 200, 201, 324, 754, 755, 785 frequent, painful urination 100, 283, 296, 419, 435, 483, 496, 508, 511, 526, 539, 682, 757, 773, 775, fluids from the depths 808 813 fluids in the chest 201 fumes 81 fluids in the eyes 484 fluids of childbirth 157 fluids of the mouth 593 fluids that are difficult to cough up 97 fluids that gather in the eyes 789 G gaining body weight 247 galls 46 gangrene 76, 150, 176, 239, 252, 255, 260, 275, 335, 476, 642, 719, 731 869 gastritis 363, 364, 367, 380, 577, 578, 739, 754, 758, 761, 773 good colour 29, 47, 162, 244, 252, 399, 529, 597, 747, 755, 772, 827 gathers together things that are scattered 214 good for the intestines 272 gentle plasters 161, 791 good for the stomach 33, 34, 90, 101, 142, 157, 158, 165, 166, 170, 171, 172, 176, 182, 184, 185, 186, 194, 200, 207, 209, 248, 259, 287, 292, 295, 304, 320, 335, 372, 411, 440, 523, 740, 743, 745, 746, 747, 748, 752, 757, 758, 759, 760, 767, 772 gingiva 172 good health 35 gland 487, 645 goring 38 glands 223, 279, 533 gout 20, 100, 137, 138, 180, 194, 197, 209, 222, 251, 256, 268, 287, 288, 324, 332, 335, 404, 431, 464, 503, 511, 519, 525, 606, 613, 637, 638, 649, 702, 713, 728, 737, 743, 752, 788, 805, 807, 815, 817, 826 generation 137, 276, 554 genitals 24, 93, 105, 137, 157, 213, 221, 224, 332, 391, 408, 424, 524, 545, 598, 613, 629, 641, 736, 743, 805, 807, 808, 810 glandular 488, 598 glandular enlargement 415 gangrenes 268, 645, 743 glandular fever 221, 739 514 gangrenous 251 fodder 303, 395 gangrenous parts 181 food 150, 202, 557 gangrenous sores 90 glandular swelling 181, 188, 194, 198, 230, 239, 247, 251, 255, 263, 275, 279, 319, 340, 347, 475, 625, 826 for clotting milk 213 gangrenous ulceration 24, 125, 141, 142, 177, 195, 221, 259, 279, 332, 420, 504, 638, 743, 744, 752, 753, 800, 805, 808, 822 fluids that have come down for taking off hair 822 foreskin 226, 391, 562, 582, 710 form a skin 279, 646, 760, 784, 787 formicosam 180, 181, 206 gangrenous ulceration in the mouth 542 gangrenous ulcerations 224, 407 forming new skins 792 gangrenous ulcers 157, 196, 348, 753, 784, 787, forms scabs 806 808 forms skin 791 gargled 208 foul fluids 200 gas 13, 21, 201, 203, 207, foul ulcers 141, 142, 184, 371, 472, 500, 504, 601 foulness 102 fracture of a bone 110 fractures 67, 150, 161, 236, 565, 828 fragrant 416 fragrant smell 749 freckles 2, 18, 19, 41, 190, 222, 229, 252, 259, 271, flows of blood 582 750 gaseousness 22, 27, 33, 101, 193, 340, 364, 388, 392, 404, 424, 431, 432, 440, 443, 444, 452, 527, 755, 766, 767, 768, 809 gaseousness in the intestines 230 gaseousness in the stomach 455 gastric 392, 403, 511, 747, 767, 770 glandular tumours 316, gouty 219, 223, 371, 649, 815 gouty inflammation 187, 625 230 glaucoma 64 gouty pains 113 gluttony 268 grazer disease 239, 521, 645, 785 gnats 222, 517 gnawed around eye corners 97 gnawing at the stomach 530 gnawing corrosion 10, 51 gnawing corrosion of the stomach 89 gnawing of the intestines grey hair 35 griping 2, 5, 6, 24, 28, 34, 101, 118, 176, 179, 193, 203, 229, 236, 255, 283, 319, 339, 363, 364, 372, 388, 412, 416, 419, 423, 431, 436, 443, 444, 460, 464, 468, 471, 491, 503, 508, 517, 536, 539, 570, 673, 694, 751, 755, 765, 767, 769, 774, 809 209 griping of the stomach 452 gnawing of the stomach groin 67, 558 404 goitre 97, 223, 582, 625, 641, 645, 673, 682 goitres 181, 188, 198, 222, 230, 239, 251, 255, 263, 275, 279, 340, 347, 447, 475, 488, 503, 582, 598, 625, 826 groins 56, 805 growths 36, 97, 101, 178, 336, 388, 476, 537, 728, 807 growths on the vulva 97 growths which hang down 206 MEDICINAL USES etc. 870 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK gum discharges 129 gums 34, 59, 81, 93, 129, 133, 142, 149, 157, 172, 208, 210, 279, 340, 371, 392, 404, 557, 577, 709, 744, 752, 754, 760, 787, 788, 800, 804, 805, 806, 807, 819, 822 gums rotten from moisture 28 H haemorrhoids 20, 68, 71, 150, 153, 275, 307, 336, 387, 392, 464, 577, 789, 818, 820 haemorrhous 308 hair 100, 307 hair fallen out 98 hair falling off 392 hair falling out 35, 81, 126, 161 hair in the armpits 220 hair must be restored to eyelids 98 hair on the eyebrows 93 hair that has been plucked 247 hair that has fallen out 177 hair that was destroyed hard lumps around the spleen 484 hard lumps around the uterus 55 hardness from stones 826 hairs on the eyelids 185, hardness in the uterus 64 hairs pulled from off the eyebrows 658 hallucinogenic 621 hand 279 hanging warts 206, 223, 339, 344, 379, 415, 492, 719, 737 hangnails 86, 133, 141, 744 hangovers 268 hard breathing 423 hard lumps 179, 230, 243, 251, 316, 320, 340, 455, 472, 529, 645, 685, 740, 815, 819 MEDICINAL USES etc. helps conception 239 harvest spiders 76, 117, 178, 267, 276, 352, 460, 475, 488, 508, 539, 602, 638, 665, 751 hepatic 209 hearing 106, 307, 312, 698, 751, 752, 805 hip baths 18, 24, 117, 149, heart 6, 154, 161, 287, 577 hip pains 100, 276, 415, 431, 539 hernia 2, 13, 22, 85, 101, 105, 181, 223, 327, 332, hard lumps around the 340, 367, 372, 384, 387, womb 499 head 10, 13, 20, 35, 38, 46, 396, 400, 412, 416, 423, 55, 180, 181, 188, 244, 251, 431, 464, 479, 480, 492, hard lumps in the breasts 252, 255, 267, 308, 335, 534, 541, 565, 586, 594, 540 351, 577, 740, 753, 756, 614, 653, 732, 816 760, 761 hard lumps in the womb hernias 6, 33, 118, 331, 126 head medicines 431 336, 363, 371, 511, 534, 550, 553, 769, 774 hard lumps of the womb head plasters 487 210 herniated membranes 820 hard lumps on the gums 59 headache 5, 51, 598, 694, 725 herpes 52, 101, 118, 141, 161, 175, 243, 251, 279, hard of hearing 698, 755 headaches 2, 35, 38, 63, 355, 359, 424, 468, 521, 118, 122, 129, 137, 142, 540, 545, 577, 582, 617, hard skin 110 146, 153, 172, 175, 176, 629, 634, 638, 752, 800 hardened matter around 211, 231, 236, 272, 283, the joints 535 307, 392, 395, 411, 416, hiccups 193, 283, 411, 443, 420, 423, 424, 440, 468, 444, 526, 554, 747 hardened places 582 471, 472, 511, 518, 535, hidden disorders of women 542, 585, 590, 606, 614, hardened spleen 323 817 617, 638, 678, 690, 706, 739, 743, 745, 747, 751, hides are made bare of hair hardened swellings 47 755, 762, 821 731 hardened tonsils 598 headaches that come from hinder conception 319, 523 heat 275 hardening 46 hinders conception 213, heads ache 209 hardens 76 271, 352 healing 220, 319 hardness 63, 71, 75, 85, hip 276 101, 222, 404, 483 heals 181 hip bath 2, 5, 10, 22, 106, hardness around the womb heals flesh that stands 137, 150, 244, 311, 503, 597 518, 732 separated 225 219 796 harvest spider bites 93, 590 hardness in the vulva 59, 82 heart pains 307 hardness in the womb 431 heartburn 403 hardness of fistulas 468 heat 36, 179, 186, 614, 740 hardness of hearing 106, 307, 312, 751, 805 heat of the head 288 hardness of the testes 137 hardness of the womb 304 hardness on the perineum 97 hardnesses 476, 625 harmful places 542 harvest spider 396 heated stomach 51 heating 2, 6, 13, 24, 34, 71, 122, 204, 205, 367, 395, 416, 420, 432, 451, 459 heats 24, 72, 105, 175, 259, 452 157 hip pains? 14 hipbath 760 hipbathing 740 hip-baths 161 hips 109, 196, 316, 364, 424, 427, 480, 483, 534 hoarse 476 hoarseness 81, 82 heats and thins pus 19 hollow sores 88, 813, 816, 819, 824 heaviness of the head 82 hollow ulcers 225, 239, 728 gum discharges 129 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK hollownesses 792 honeycombed ulcers 181 hormonal / glandular enlargement 415 horned viper 807 horse leeches 196, 476 ineffective straining at stool inflammation in the eyes 255 158 infant thrush 400 inflammation in the kidneys 154, 364, 550 inflammation of wounds inflammation in the perineum 55 inflammation on the outside of the skin 447 inflammation in ulcers 205 inflammation which accompanies erysipelas 30 infected boils 98, 176, 223, 252, 268, 312 infection 665 infection of fluids 89 hot 223 hot burning stomachs 200 hot desire to sexual union 871 infirmity 89 inflammation of bones 279, 323, 447, 483 inflamed eyes 201, 367 inflammation of fractures 150 inflammation of the womb 244, 513 222 inflammations 113, 122, 210, 272, 367, 455, 464, 512, 553 inflammations around the throat 226 272 inflamed parts 521 hot eruptions 224 inflamed stomach 669 inflammation of pus filled tonsils 105 hot ointments 102, 106 inflamed tonsils 637 inflammation of stones 247 hunger 751 inflamed womb 528 inflammation of the area below the ribs 129 inflammations of the ears hunger in the intestines inflammation 13, 20, 68, 71, 81, 88, 100, 102, 106, 141, 146, 178, 197, 208, 209, 219, 222, 229, 230, 236, 243, 255, 268, 271, 279, 284, 296, 312, 332, 347, 348, 376, 399, 400, 404, 419, 424, 448, 511, 528, 533, 535, 545, 557, 565, 573, 577, 593, 601, 605, 613, 634, 637, 641, 649, 727, 731, 739, 740, 747, 750, 752, 787, 796, 797, 826 inflammation of the breasts 316, 332, 518, 823, 824 inflammations of the eyes 288, 622 inflammation of the eye inflammations of the womb 613 527 inflammation of the eyes 17, 20, 88, 101, 165, 201, 251, 272, 287, 291, 344, 348, 396, 423, 448, 518, 606, 637, 638, 654, 669, 670, 718 inflammatory protrusion of the cornea 141, 154 inflammation of the groin 67, 558 inflation 772 267 hunger in the stomach 209, 284, 448, 511 hurts the strength 747 hymen 562, 582 hypochondria 364, 392, 767, 770, 774 hypochondrium 511, 747 hysterical 817 I iliaca passio 138 ill fluids 231 impetigo 81, 86, 145, 175, 204, 263, 312, 487, 698, 702 incites sexual union 440 incites to copulation 312 inconception 138, 213, 411, 788 increase body weight 748 increasing the flesh 209 indigestion 363, 364, 755, 772 induces movement of the intestines 511 induces sleep 747 inflammation and closures of the womb 533 inflammation around the arteries 179 inflammation around the perineum 201 inflammation around the vulva 22, 60 inflammation around the womb 137, 519 inflammation from a stroke 247 inflammation from stones 244, 316, 424, 443, 444, 447, 500, 743, 824 inflammation of the kidneys 38 inflammation of the liver 10, 416 inflammation of the parotid gland 243, 487, 614, 617, 642, 645, 826 inflammation of the perineum 38, 251, 284 inflammation of the spleen 133, 739 inflammation of the testium 161 inflammation of the thighs 669 inflammation in bones 268, 810 inflammation in hidden places 407 inflammation of the tonsils 30 inflammatory tumours 179, 181, 229, 247, 312, 332, 480, 728, 807, 809 inflative 304, 307 infusions 22 ingesting dried beetles 52 inhalations 6, 81 injured 622 ink 89, 97, 395 insect repellant 395 insect repellant 101 internal disorders 364 internal inflammation 18 internal organs 748 internal pains 432 97 internal ulcer 755 inflammation of the uvula 203, 476 internal ulcers 208, 260, 755, 820 inflammation in the ears 236 inflammations as they begin 229 inflammation of the vulva 10 intestinal 181, 203, 524 induces sneezing 323 hollownesses 792 MEDICINAL USES etc. 872 intestinal complaints 141, 145, 149, 150, 161, 165, 177, 213, 247, 284, 476 intestinal discharges 565 intestinal obstruction 138, 527 intestinal worms 87 intestine 129, 748 intestines 13, 34, 41, 51, 88, 93, 101, 122, 129, 142, 154, 157, 158, 162, 166, 169, 171, 177, 179, 184, 186, 207, 208, 209, 210, 225, 226, 227, 230, 235, 236, 248, 252, 259, 263, 267, 268, 272, 275, 291, 295, 307, 312, 316, 320, 327, 335, 391, 392, 399, 403, 404, 420, 424, 440, 443, 471, 483, 499, 511, 521, 530, 536, 545, 558, 577, 585, 586, 590, 682, 698, 706, 713, 728, 730, 735, 740, 743, 745, 746, 747, 749, 756, 760, 761, 765, 798, 808, 810 intestines troubled with excessive discharges 166 inversions of the womb 404 inward ulceration 339 irritations 230 ischuria 14 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK ivory 231, 622 J jaundice 13, 197, 203, 223, 244, 263, 268, 275, 276, 283, 316, 324, 339, 352, 363, 391, 392, 400, 412, 459, 464, 467, 468, 476, 504, 511, 517, 526, 527, 530, 532, 539, 565, 582, 593, 601, 602, 617, 674, 682, 689, 690, 706, 755, 767, 771, 773, 805 jaundiced 468, 529, 597 392 itching 133, 188, 400, 404, 424, 550, 752, 805, 806, 826 itching eyes 129 itching genitals 93 itching of the gums 210 itchy parasitical disease 52, 312, 582, 713, 780 itchy parasitical skin diseases 347 lack of sleep 605 kill dogs, asses, mules and most four footed living creatures 630 large hollow sores 251 kill dogs, wolves, foxes and panthers 630 laxative 207, 251, 578, 735 kill scorpions 187 kill worms 412 killer of labouring beasts killing with its coldness 629 joins together flesh 375 kills 86, 102, 407, 424, 475, 606, 621, 622, 626, 777 joints 5, 36, 46, 59, 134, 137, 154, 161, 165, 201, 230, 268, 335, 364, 391, 424, 483, 484, 513, 535, 582, 625, 710, 714, 743, 811 kills ascaridae threadworms 105, 395 kills both roundworms and threadworms 412 kills by choking 634 joints 657 joints loosening 46 laryngitis 479 laxativeness 221 kill fleas 517 join pieces of flesh 553 leeches 196, 247, 476, 753 lendes 272 lepra old use: psoriasis 145 leprosy 37, 47, 93, 101, 106, 109, 110, 161, 180, 181, 186, 190, 204, 205, 208, 221, 224, 229, 230, 231, 235, 239, 247, 255, 263, 272, 307, 308, 312, 319, 323, 328, 331, 335, 340, 343, 344, 347, 360, 367, 378, 424, 464, 472, 487, 500, 532, 534, 549, 565, 698, 702, 710, 713, 714, 725, 731, 732, 739, 787, 804, 805, 807, 809, 812, 827 kills dogs, swine and mice 377 leprous nails 803 joints that are loosened 161 kills fish 721 joints which grow together with difficulty 161 leprous, running, filthy ulcers 276 kills fleas 557 lesions 500, 582 kills flies 545 K keeps them hairless 247 itchiness of the eye corners kill by ulcerating 746 573 keep the face smooth 670 itchiness around the genitals 408 lack of appetite 392 jaws 178 itches 649, 709, 751, 804 itchiness 208, 224, 255, 263, 714 kill by cold 747 kidney 6, 38, 85, 106, 244, 247, 275, 280, 316, 323, 332, 351, 372, 375, 424, 439, 443, 444, 447, 459, 500, 513, 527, 530, 531, 557, 641, 682, 739, 743, 749, 757, 767, 773, 812, 823, 824, 826 lesions on the heart 6 kills foxes 175 lessens 64 kills leeches 753 lethargic 137, 193, 311 kills lice 105, 352 kills lice and nits 225, 308 lethargy 100, 416, 468, 471, 805, 821 kills mice 697 leucoplegmatia 279 kills panthers, sows, wolves and all wild beasts 626 leucorrhoea 9, 150 kills ricinos lice 105 kidney stones 162, 172 kills roundworms 411 kidneys 5, 6, 10, 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 38, 47, 89, 154, 175, 179, 184, 201, 208, 225, 227, 231, 244, 272, 276, 279, 295, 304, 364, 388, 452, 455, 456, 471, 527, 530, 539, 550, 565, 650, 673, 743, 745, 746, 747, 772, 774, 775 kills snakes 483, 766 kill 30, 566, 621, 795 kills worms 81, 105, 158, 340, 399, 752, 827 knobs around the joints 484 lice 105, 117, 189, 225, 308, 352, 803, 805 lichen 142, 171, 172, 180, 225, 228, 229, 367, 378, 476, 593, 719, 739, 751, 752, 805, 807, 812 lichenae 239, 244, 424, 812 lichenes 308 L labour 504, 535 limbs that are out of joint 113 lipara 161, 791, 795 kill broadworms 799 MEDICINAL USES etc. intestinal complaints 141, 145, 149, 150, 161, 165, 177, 213, 247, 284, 476 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK lips 133, 219 liquid medicine 150 liquid medicines 13, 319, 339, 395, 435, 590 liquids 480 liquids and darkness of the eyes 221 liquids dripping from their eyes 472 lozenges 30, 288, 296, 319, 324, 356, 606, 618, 782, 793, 794, 795 lumps 55, 59, 126, 179, 210, 230, 243, 251, 316, 320, 340, 455, 472, 499, 529, 540, 645, 685, 740, 815, 819 lumps in the breasts 252 lung congestion 387 873 malignancies in the nostrils 371 malignancies of ulcers 614 malignancy of ulcers 328 malignant 146, 179, 279, 331, 487 malignant skin tumours 98, 101, 142, 176, 223, 255, 268, 447, 476, 719, 743 lung inflammation 423 malignant sores in the breasts 491 lungs 22, 72, 76, 105, 179, 208, 251, 304, 363, 384, 404, 476, 504, 541, 550, 582, 710, 767, 772, 815 141 lustful dreamers 629 779 lustful women 748 malnutrition 755 liver ailments 527 lusting 169 marks 344, 710 liverish 468, 767 lymphatic 666 marrow 179 liquids in the eyes 220, 307 liver 2, 10, 13, 20, 22, 28, 88, 106, 154, 184, 295, 323, 351, 363, 364, 367, 372, 388, 392, 416, 468, 484, 539, 582, 593, 609, 658, 670, 757, 766, 773, 776, 798 livers 175 lizard 275, 753 loins 113, 272, 569, 674 M long lived 189 loose gums 34 loose intestines 129 loose joints 134, 154 loose teeth 142, 157, 754, 801, 804 medicines extracted from flowers 129 make milk more loosening 180 medicines for the eyes 785 make the hair black 149 meiendi 6 make the hair fall out 803 meientes 38 make the hair pleasing 176 melicerides 263, 419 make the pupils of gray eyed children black 177 membrane on eye 134, 392, 504, 719, 744, 752, 788, 804, 806 loosen the intestines 162, makes hair look yellow 133 loss of hair 272, 307, 308, 311, 324, 677, 682, 710, 788, 803, 812 love medicine 677 love medicines 621, 622, 641, 677, 681 makes one barren 276 makes the hair on the head black 760 makes the eyes quick sighted 188 makes them bear fruit 820 male child 519 male offspring 520 low blood pressure 392 males 521 lower torso 113 malignancies 51, 276, 642, 657, 747, 802, 808 lips 133, 219 measles 161, 255, 272, 424, madness in a dog 488 loose, swelling gums 754 loosens the intestines 210, 391, 713, 728 mature abscesses 55 788 makes any place without hair 189 179 malignant ulcers 86, 244, madness 86 long enduring discharges 81 malignant tumours 122, membrane on the eye 150, 179 membranes 157, 161, 200 menstrual discharges 171, 525, 545, 550, 558, 585 menstrual flow 1, 5, 6, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28, 33, 56, 59, 71, 78, 82, 100, 105, 109, 122, 137, 145, 175, 176, 180, 187, 189, 193, 205, 213, 223, 244, 255, 260, 263, 268, 280, 283, 288, 292, 304, 307, 311, 312, 315, 323, 324, 332, 340, 344, 352, 364, 371, 372, 375, 388, 392, 396, 400, 403, 404, 408, 412, 415, 416, 419, 420, 423, 427, 431, 432, 435, 436, 439, 440, 443, 444, 451, 452, 455, 456, 459, 460, 464, 472, 476, 480, 492, 496, 500, 503, 504, 507, 508, 511, 513, 517, 518, 519, 520, 527, 530, 532, 535, 536, 537, 539, 541, 561, 562, 589, 590, 594, 613, 617, 622, 625, 638, 642, 645, 650, 665, 682, 690, 693, 694, 697, 698, 706, 732, 737, 755, 761, 767, 769, 772, 774, 788, 810, 816, 822 menstrual flow cleansing 736 menstrual flows 133, 153, 161, 577, 740, 744, 762, 819, 824 mental illness 471 mentally ill 137 mercury poisoning 811 mice 395, 697 middle ear 149 middle ear that has fallen 753 membranes on eyes 190 milk 118, 137, 180, 190, 228, 230, 244, 251, 267, 284, 292, 296, 344, 411, 440, 443, 448, 456, 459, 475, 476, 488, 517, 629, 686, 718, 732, 735, 751, 761, 810, 818 meninges 222 milk curdled 746 meninx 200, 790 milk curdling 752 mensium 165 millipedes 181, 335, 807 menstrua 464 mirth 674 menstrual 165, 203, 380 miscarriage 821, 825 membranes of the eyelids 97 membranes of the spinal cord and brain 222 MEDICINAL USES etc. 874 mischief 118 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK mucopurulent discharge 686 neural membrane 86, 210, 231 numbness 820 mistiness and dimness of the eyes 292 mucosal discharges 19 new inflammation 332 mistiness in the eyes 328 mucosal vaginal discharge 150 new skin 500, 598, 779, 791, 792 mucus 1, 2, 47, 68, 82, 100, 106, 201, 319, 344, 348, 399, 472, 529, 613, 762 new skins 785, 790, 792, 795, 802, 806, 810, 811, obstinate coughs 423 828 obstruction of the intestines mucus from the head 693 new ulcers 13, 650, 743 mucus in the head 340 night blindness 199 mucus membrane 101, 476 night walking 542 mucus of the stomach 772 nightmares 530, 728, 745 mumps 223, 279, 533 night-walking 542 moisture 24, 28, 85 muscles 71, 72 moisture in the eyes 188, mushrooms 259, 392, 503, 799, 809 nits 105, 117, 225, 308, 751, 805 mitralism 6 moist flabby gums 744 moist gums 804, 822 moist, flagging gums 157 moist, rotten gums 142 moistens 64 moistness of the stomach 129, 175 344 moisture of the eyes 109, 324, 351 myrmecias 424, 724 N moisture of the gums 807 moisture of the pupils 38 moisture of the sight 145, 186 moisture of the stomach nails 97, 101, 142, 235, 244, 263, 344, 355, 487, 743, 804, 805, 810 nasal discharges 24 444 nasal polyps 68 moisture of ulcers 161 nausea 9, 63, 403, 404, 801 morbid matter 412 nausea of the stomach 456 mosquitos 395 nauseating 47 motheaten 169 nauseous stomach 255, 263 motherhood 376 nauseousness 307 moths 17, 395, 594 navels 614 mouth 6, 24, 114, 117, 122, 134, 141, 149, 157, 208, 210, 279, 340, 392, 542, 557, 581, 593, 601, 709, 743, 754, 803, 805 neck 67, 210, 384 mouth rinse 51, 142, 157, 169, 189, 380, 387, 503, 613, 634, 729, 754 nephritis 363 necklaces 130 necks of yoked beasts 734 mouthrinse 702 nerves 6, 36, 37, 67, 85, 109, 188, 193, 210, 229, 231, 236, 316, 500, 533, 582, 745, 751, 755, 768, 770, 811 mouths 221 nervous 364 mouth ulcers 744 mouthwash 81, 105, 142, 204, 340, 378, 463, 581, 653, 698, 709 MEDICINAL USES etc. nervous gastric disorder 392, 511, 747, 767, 770, 774 nutritive 750 O obstinate body cavities 55 34 obstructions of the skin 641 oedema 71, 106, 117, 121, 146, 219, 230, 247, 268, 271, 288, 312, 320, 335, 336, 359, 380, 403, 419, 432, 455, 460, 472, 521, 523, 529, 535, 536, 565, 582, 601, 614, 634, 650, 654, 685, 702, 718, 724, 796, 805, 806, 807, 810, nocturnal emission of sperm 629 813 nodules 99, 121, 181, 332, 475, 710, 725 728 noise in the ears 221, 225, 307, 312 noises and hissings of the ears 752 oedemas 464, 661, 702, ointments 14, 23, 24, 27, 34, 97, 130, 154, 221, 420, 467, 523, 808 ointments for the face 90 old cough 90, 162, 177 noises and ringing 180 old discharges 129, 133, noises in the ears 68, 304, 181 809 old dripping fluids 141 noma 785 old sores on the head 351 nomae 239, 521, 645 nose 686, 805 nostrils 101, 157, 187, 304, 307, 352, 371, 379, 400, 443, 468, 545, 554, 586, 642, 784, 800, 803 not good for the stomach old ulcers 36, 125, 268, 375, 431, 472, 487, 496, 500, 511, 565, 601, 649, 657, 744, 813 old, irregular ulcers 279 opaque thickening of cornea with veins 396 259 open 71 nourish 255 open disorders in the vulva nourishing 114, 179, 194, 207, 209, 210, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235, 236, 256, 259, 264, 292, 335, 557, 633, 746, 747, 749 52 nourishing for cows and labouring cattle 570 openings 102 nourishment for dogs 210 586 nubeculae 658 openings of the womb 428 open pores 180 opening 22 openings of the intestines mischief 118 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK opens pores 225 pain of the rectum 2 875 pains in the side 271, 431, 480 parasitical skin diseases 38, 180, 709, 732, 739, 807 opens the vagina 727 pain of the side 85, 223 pains in the small intestine parasitically infected water opens the vulva 24 pain-easer 606 748 219 opens the womb 642 pain-easing 440 pains in the stomach 211, paronychiae 161 opisthotonic 476 opisthotonum 514 pain-easing medicines 448 pained in his strength 514 opium 536 pained teeth 378 ornaments 821 pained tooth 190, 340 orthopnoea 165, 327, 399, 412, 415, 436, 443, 455, painful bladder 227 774 painful eyes 392 orthopnoeic 483 painful intestinal obstruction 138 ovaries 137, 161 painful joints 424 overgrown flesh of a healing wound 784 painful kidneys 10 overindulgence 29 painful nerves 37 overindulging 392 painful rectum 14 painful spleen 407, 408 ozaena 686 P pain 20, 82, 105, 141, 149, 150, 197, 206, 223, 235, 256, 292, 319, 344, 352, 375, 376, 491, 495, 508, 613, 618, 622, 669, 719, 772, 777, 806, 821 pain easer 606 pain easing 440 pain in the bladder 530 pain in the ears 189, 606 painful stomach 22, 392 painful urination 27, 175, 196, 197, 275, 276, 396, 423, 439, 440, 444, 549, 570, 594, 654, 772, 816, 819 painful, frequent urination 255, 377, 812 painfully stiff neck 384 pain-relievers 126 pains of sciatica 255 parotid tumours 179, 247 pains of the abdomen 56 parotitis 223, 279, 533 pains of the bladder 187 paroxysm 196, 205, 530, 582, 601 pains of the eyes 598 paroxysmic 81 pains of the genitals 221 pains of the joints 483, 625, 714 pains of the loins 113 pains of the rectum 28 pains of the side 78, 93, 100, 332, 371, 673, 768, pain in the side 732 pains about the womb 724 pain in the sides 452 pains caused by obstructions 5 pain in the sides of the chest 423 pains in hips 109, 316 pain in the stomach 419 pains in the eyes 424 pain in their side 230 pains in the head 13, 746 pain of the inner teeth 204 pains in the hips 311, 424, 427, 534 pains in the intestines 316, 392, 530 paroxysmic fevers 737 paroxysms 205, 206, 279, 379, 508, 537, 674 passages for excrement 307 peeling 211 penetrative ulcers 38, 51, 769 55 pains of the sides 504, 710 penis 226 pains of the stomach 187 pensiles 206 pains of the womb 225, perfume 28, 102 549 perfumes 22, 27 painters 797, 827, 828 palsy 340 palsy in the tongue 809 paper 113, 114 pains 175, 178, 225, 479 opens pores 225 parotid gland 243, 263, 487, 614, 617 pain-relieving medicines pain in the joints 5 parotid 642, 645, 826 pains of gout 222, 335, 503 pannus 99, 179, 396, 420, 431, 634, 642, 645 626 pain of the perineum 129 pains of enlarged veins 666 pain-relieving 629 pain in the hand 279 pain of the kidneys 388 335 papular skin disease 142, 180, 229, 367, 378, 593, 719, 739, 812 perineum 30, 36, 38, 55, 71, 86, 90, 97, 129, 133, 137, 157, 161, 165, 187, 188, 195, 201, 212, 219, 221, 251, 267, 284, 324, 351, 379, 392, 424, 464, 475, 519, 533, 553, 613, 622, 669, 670, 697, 739, 752, 753, 760, 784, 789 periodical chills 319 parasites 205 pessary 27, 126, 243, 255, 268, 271, 279, 319, 344, 352, 371, 375, 408, 412, 419, 423, 428, 435, 455, 518, 519, 523, 527, 532, 533, 537, 540, 545, 549, 562, 565, 577, 598, 617, 625, 638, 694, 698, 706, 724, 726, 729, 732, 819 parasitic diseases 431 phalangii 76 parasitic skin diseases 6, 35, 47, 142, 344, 355, 372, 378, 698, 751 phlegm 110, 259, 311, 324, 463, 528, 549, 622, 693, 698, 701, 702, 706, 709, 717, 718, 719, 722, 723, paralysed 21, 279 paralysis 6, 532, 698, 729, 732, 755 paralytic 463, 471 MEDICINAL USES etc. 876 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 734, 737, 743, 751, 778 phlegmy 717 phlegmy matter 415 phlegmy stuff 468, 541 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK poisonous 296 preserves the hair 288 pulmonary 665 poisonous beasts 407, 460, 476, 483, 517, 534 prevents conception 805, 822 pulmonary consumption 97, 219 poisonous bites 146 prevents miscarriage 821 pulmonary tuberculosis poisonous creatures 380 prevents the hair from ever growing 194 pulse 750 762 poisonous creatures' bites piles 336 85 pricked 407 pills 324 poisonous medicine 689 prickles 371, 407, 562, 565 pills 472, 479, 483 poisonous medicines 209, procreative 113, 569, 674 pupils 2, 19, 24, 30, 37, 38, 81, 86, 129, 133, 138, 177, 185, 226, 227, 319, 320, 356, 375, 479, 658, 697, 819 procures sleep 391 purgation 137, 209 prolapse 90, 100, 149, 351, purge 14, 208, 538, 541, 719, 725, 734, 751, 752, 787, 806 pimple eruptions 46 pimples 179, 308 pipe or flute 113 pitted nails 235, 244 placenta 327 plague symptoms 748 plasters 38, 72, 82, 93, 98, 161, 165, 181, 221, 232, 312, 408, 484, 487, 562, 718, 751, 779, 791, 792, 795, 798, 808, 809, 815, 827 pleurisy 24, 67, 219, 372, 435, 476, 508, 642 pneumonia 24, 175, 399, 403, 593, 642, 750 podagra 100 poison 19, 118, 121, 210, 222, 339, 364, 377, 392, 480, 689, 750, 752 poison from venomous creatures 770 poison of all snakes 194 poison of sea hare 105 poison of snakes 312 poison of the sea hare 105 448 poisons 34, 101, 169, 176, 190, 259, 371, 412, 423, 511, 529, 530, 557, 582, 658, 678, 681, 746, 747, 752, 771, 799 poisons of snakes 193, 371 polish their stones 822 prolapse of the eyes 816 prolapse of the perineum 165, 670 prolapse of the vulva 134, purge away filth 291 purge bile 710 purge bile and phlegm 725 polyps 68, 101, 328, 476 161 poor vision 415 prolapsed womb 642 pore-closing 795 promotes the creation of seed 447 purge phlegm from the head 311 pores 134, 137, 154, 201, 225, 388, 710, 779, 789, 790, 792, 811, 819, 823 promoting the growth of flesh 791 purge the bowels 722 porridge 232, 235, 236, 248 prophylactic against infection 665 poultice 2, 20, 30, 56, 88, 98, 101, 102, 106, 109, 117, 122, 125, 137, 142, 146, 150, 154, 157, 158, 161, 169, 175, 176, 179, 180, 181, 182, 187, 224, 229, 230, 239, 243, 244, 247, 255, 259, 263, 271, 307, 308, 332, 347, 352, 411, 500, 549, 550, 557, 561, 605, 613, 645, 649, 654, 701, 725, 743, 751, 807, protrusion of the cornea 816 protuberances 221, 229, provoke sexual intercourse 335 precious ointments 19, 20, psoriasis 35, 45, 145, 154, 184, 224, 268, 308, 312, 400, 524, 582, 617, 706, 752, 806, 827 precipitations 811 poisoned arrows 476 pregnancy 376, 530 poisoning 97, 146, 194, 221, 428, 798 preservative of dead 105 purge the intestines 335, 706, 735 purge thick mucus and bile 1 purged 706 787 psilothra 812 poisoned 13 purge the head 324 purge watery matter 721 poultices 51, 154, 162, 235 precious vases 114 727 protuberances of the gums 809 713 purge phlegm and bile 725, 476 prurigo 400 poison of venomous creatures 440, 444 poisonings 267 669 pterygium 134, 150, 157, 161, 179, 190, 372, 392, 504, 719, 744, 752, 788, 804, 806 pthiriases 706 preserve men 630 pubic hair 247 purged out of the chest 93 purges 34, 225, 352, 355, 391, 399, 540, 694, 698, 701, 726, 796, 804 purges away jaundice 504 purges away the residue placenta 327 purges away watery matter 292 purges bile 315 purges bile and phlegm 702 purges bile, phlegm and water 726 preserved 283, 292 pudendum 598 MEDICINAL USES etc. phlegm 110, 259, 311, 324, 463, 528, 549, 622, 693, 698, 701, 702, 706, 709, 717, 718, 719, 722, 723, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 734, 737, 743, 751, 778 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK purges bilious, watery and phlegmy matter 717 purges black bile 730 purges both phlegm and bile 701 purges by causing vomiting 697 877 purges women 778 putrefying 133 purging 93, 200, 208, 213, 307, 610, 697, 698, 705, 706, 709, 710, 717, 718, 725, 726, 728, 729, 734, 748, 751, 766, 775, 782, 785, 815 putrefying sores 797 putrification 785 removes hair 6, 188, 209, 352, 739 repel 514 repellent poultices 169 putrify 770 replenish flesh 335 Q purging away filth 800 repress 514, 784, 796, 806 quartains 196, 737 repressing blood 743 391 queasy stomach 740 repressive 758 purging salts 725 queazy, sour stomach 743 resonance 38, 41 purging the head 344, 355 quench conception 534 restoration of the sight 456 purging to expel water 717 quick sighted 188 purges out watery matter 133, 731 purification 582, 601, 799 quickening the sight 658 restores the exposed nut of the yard 225 purges phlegm and bile purifies fluids 76 quickness of sight 476 purges by vomiting 610 purges downward 722, 728 purges old ulcers 375 purges out the menstrual flow 665 702 purges phlegm and black bile 729 purges phlegm, bile and watery matter 730 purging medicines 201, restringent 157 purifying 63, 219, 220, 809 R purulent 97, 165 purulent pus filled ears 97 rashes 161, 255, 272, 424, 760, 788 purulent ears 221, 224, 307, 335, 351, 468, 553, 744, 808 rectal worms 6 purges the bowels 68, 178, 364, 609, 719, 778 purulent spitters 765 recurrent fevers 528 purges the filth of ulcers purulent thicknesses 511 recurrent paroxysmic fevers 737 purges phlegmy stuff 468 714 pus 64, 99, 541, 545 purges the head 268, 272, 307, 348, 355, 799 pus in the ears 81 purges the intestines 41, pus that darkens the pupils rectum 2, 14, 28, 129, 424 recurrent paroxysms 279, 379, 508, 674 698 19 reduce the intensity of symptoms 1, 307, 399, 806 purges the stomach 749 pus under a hard skin 787 reduces symptoms 175 purges the womb 625 pus under skin 141 purges thick fluids 729 pus-filled ears 392, 760 reduces the intensity of symptoms 76, 304, 387, 404, 431, 765, 785, 795, purges thick stuff by vomiting 706 pustule 743 purges through the belly 719 purges through the mouth 323 purges through the nostrils 400 815 pustules 129, 134, 141, 161, 171, 175, 181, 201, 208, 210, 223, 225, 228, 239, 251, 268, 279, 291, 304, 307, 312, 324, 336, 340, 392, 404, 447, 487, 737, 751, 752, 784, 797, 802, 803, 804, 805, 807, 820, 826 purges ulcers 72, 105 pustules in the eyes 154 purges upward 710 pustules in the head 807 purges upward and downward 467, 728 purges watery matter 776 pustules of the head 275 pustules on the face 713 purges bilious, watery and phlegmy matter 717 restores the sight 464 reducing the intensity of symptoms 56, 808 rejuvenation 24 relax the womb 180 relaxant 601 relaxation 77 relaxing 68 relieve 513, 784, 809 relieving 527 remove hair 205, 806 retaining 78 retaining the hair on the eyelids 288 rheum 78, 785 rheumatic 5 rheumatic discharges in the ears 804 rheumatic eyes 291, 467, 578 rheumatic gums 142, 709 rickets 364, 371 riding 769 ripening medicines 378 ripens 533, 535, 805 ropes 535 rosiones 9, 51, 89 rotten ulcers 98, 175, 195, 239, 352, 359, 371, 557, 581, 598, 645, 731, 743, 753, 754, 806 rough cheeks 190 rough eyelids 800 rough nails 263 rough skin 45, 81, 312, 392 rough skin of the arteries 311 MEDICINAL USES etc. 878 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK rough tongues 150 roughness 483, 665, 714 roughness in the throat 759 roughness of the arteries 68, 153, 230, 388 scabby inflammations of the eyes 307 scabby nails 142, 344 scab-forming 211, 800 scab-forming 811 scars on the eye 87 seasickness 403 scars on the eyes 813 sebaceous treatments 259, 467, 714, 806, 808, 812 scars on ulcers 581 scent 17, 77 scented powders 423 roughness of the throat 308, 581, 670 scabies 52, 312, 582, 713, 780 sciatic nerves 109, 316 roundworms 272, 395, 411, 412, 472, 638, 734, 737, 767 scabrous cheeks 181 sciatica 1, 6, 24, 33, 109, 182, 194, 196, 222, 223, 239, 255, 311, 312, 315, 316, 340, 343, 364, 375, 387, 396, 412, 455, 471, 475, 484, 495, 532, 537, 538, 539, 549, 565, 569, 582, 594, 609, 654, 674, 702, 710, 713, 725, 729, 753, 754, 773, 774, 801, 808, 812 rubbing 98 running ears 614 running sores on the head 180, 267, 335 running ulcers 747, 753, 760 running ulcers of the head scabs 71, 98, 141, 244, 791, 796, 799, 806, 814 scabs of ulcers 251 scabs on beasts 105, 137 scabs on sheep 255 scabs on the eyelids 133 scabs on the eyes 815 244 scabs that are new 255 running ulcers on the head 181, 255, 308, 577, 760 scalded 20 runny noses 82 scaliness 36 rupture 514, 744 scalp 63, 161, 224, 243, 419, 424, 682, 808 rupture of the intestines scaly bones 24 101 ruptures 71, 85 rush of blood 732 S salad 479 saliva 577, 593 sauce 45, 110, 210, 411, 415, 440 sauces 177, 240, 296, 315, 319, 320, 435, 475, 710 scab 347, 779, 789, 791 scab forming 344, 803, 810 scabbed 213 scabbed bladder 536 scabbed eyelids 788 scorpion 6, 106, 158, 187, 190, 195, 206, 263, 284, 287, 292, 299, 419, 448, 626 scorpion strike 724 scorpion strikes 805 scaly eruptions of the hairy scalp 161 scorpions 6, 20, 76, 180, 187, 202, 207, 223, 263, 296, 335, 396, 460, 463, 476, 491, 499, 503, 508, 549, 654, 737, 738, 751, 805, 807, 820 scaly eruptions of the scalp scourer 291 scaly eruption 224 682 scours 825 scaly eruptions on the scalp 243, 424 scaly scalp 63 scar 86, 88, 154, 224, 267, 331, 375, 533, 819 scars 38, 98, 105, 126, 145, 219, 247, 336, 412, 625, 702, 713, 724, 731, 794, 795, 808 scars and darkness in the eyes 810 scars and scabs on the eyes 815 scabbed nails 355 scars in the eyes 28, 186, 225, 344, 479, 787 scabby inflammation of the eyes 87 scars in the private parts MEDICINAL USES etc. scleroma 252 243 scrofulous tumours 181, 188, 194, 198, 222, 230, 239, 247, 251, 255, 263, 275, 279, 319, 340, 347, 447, 475, 488, 503, 598, 625, 826 scrotum 221, 811 scurf 138 scurf of ulcers 387 sea dragon 190, 789 sea dragons 224, 805 sea hare 105, 187, 209, 324, 536 sea scorpion 789 sea scorpions 224 senses 259, 748 serpent bites 581 settling 767 sharp 22, 56, 76, 98, 101, 275, 507 sharp sight 203 sharpening the sight 117, 323, 352 sharpness of sight 162, 203 sheds his water 424 shingles 52, 133, 141, 161, 175, 251, 279, 617, 752 shivering 364, 530, 554, 766, 770 shoe-chafing 307 shrew mouse 311 shrinking of the flesh 209 sickly looks 363 sickness of the head 114, 133 side 767, 772, 775 sides 367, 765, 774 sight 18, 105, 106, 117, 145, 162, 186, 190, 203, 220, 222, 268, 292, 304, 307, 312, 323, 352, 392, 424, 427, 456, 464, 476, 479, 598, 606, 618, 658, 724, 784, 808, 809, 815 sight restorer 424, 431, 504 sight-restorer 424, 744 sight-restorer 431, 755 silk 384 sinews 206, 383, 714, 811 sinewy diseases 68 sinewy parts 351 siriasis 288, 291, 737 skin 36, 38, 45, 46, 63, 81, 88, 105, 141, 201, 205, 255, rough tongues 150 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 271, 312, 324, 355, 387, 392, 412, 447, 487, 731 skin better coloured 476 skin disease 13, 105, 118, 142, 171, 172, 180, 221, 225, 228, 229, 239, 244, 255, 291, 308, 367, 378, 424, 476, 582, 593, 719, 739, 743, 751, 752, 805, 807, 812 skin diseases 6, 35, 38, 142, 180, 344, 348, 355, 372, 378, 698, 709, 732, 739, 751, 807 skin diseases on beasts 47 skin in the genitals 641 skin infection 81, 86, 101, 113, 118, 129, 134, 141, 145, 175, 205, 222, 223, 225, 243, 251, 263, 267, 268, 272, 287, 312, 355, 359, 420, 423, 424, 447, 468, 487, 512, 540, 545, 565, 566, 577, 578, 598, 605, 606, 614, 617, 625, 629, 634, 637, 638, 641, 650, 702, 718, 752, 800, 807, 826 skin inflammation 30, 161, 200, 279, 528, 582 skin lesions 500, 582 skin on the face 291 skin peeling 150 skin smooth 487 skin that was torn on the head 141 skin to a paler colour 443, 447 skin tumours 98 sleep 1, 20, 37, 82, 137, 175, 292, 391, 542, 590, 602, 605, 606, 613, 622, 706, 747, 772, 777 sleep causer 606 sleep inducing 13, 64, 71, 78, 423, 605, 618, 625, 772 sleep-causer 606 sleep-inducing 292, 423, 605, 618 sleep-inducing 625 sleeps 625 sleepy quality 621 slow and painful urination 22, 375, 376, 514, 517, 526, 673 slow, painful urination 105, 109, 276, 280, 431, 436, 444, 452, 459, 492, 517, 536, 537, 545, 557, 565, 589, 690, 693 879 113, 126, 172, 178, 210, 211, 219, 220, 227, 229, 243, 431, 483, 622, 792, 795, 811, 819, 824 sores in the mouth 392 softening bath for the womb 267 188 softening for the intestines 746 softening medicines 419 softening the bowels 209, sores in the nostrils 157 sores of long endurance sores of the ears 86, 219, 220, 225 sores of the eyes 236, 296 sores of the head 20 339 sores of the joints 59 small clouds in the eye 307, 328, 347, 724 softening the intestines 735 sores of the tendons 182 softening to the intestines sores of the vulva 372 small clouds in the eyes of beasts 609 207 smallpox 304 smallpox pustules 307, 312, 336, 404, 802 smell 383 smell in the nostrils 352 smell of sweat 10 smells 424, 805 snake 201, 566 sores of ulcers 220, 662, softens 34, 64, 82, 817 815 softens the intestines 93, 207, 268 sores on cattle 488 softens the womb 727 soothe the intestines 275 soothes 219, 817 sores on eyes 222 sores on the armpits 81 sores on the eyes 279 sores on the head 180, 267, soothes the womb 500 351 soothing 93 sores that will not heal 789 soothing medicines 323 sores under the tongue 582 snakebite 88, 97, 110, 193, 500, 511 sore 791 spasmodic pains 97 snakebite ulcers 97 sore eyes 815 spasms 522, 539 snakebites 100, 117, 187, 416, 423, 431, 747, 821 sore joints 335, 364 speck or small cloud in the eye 658 snakes 18, 24, 33, 101, 105, 106, 121, 137, 176, 193, 194, 195, 199, 204, 219, 226, 312, 319, 324, 332, 371, 380, 396, 400, 403, 404, 407, 412, 423, 444, 455, 456, 468, 471, 475, 480, 483, 488, 495, 500, 507, 508, 517, 545, 549, 569, 601, 625, 649, 669, 751, 766, 817 sore stomach 750 specks 724 sore throat 550, 719 speechless 625 sores 1, 88, 90, 100, 122, 134, 157, 172, 180, 216, 251, 308, 335, 391, 424, 484, 512, 545, 606, 779, 789, 797, 802, 806, 813, 816, 819, 824 sperm 447, 531, 629 spider 190, 292, 396 375 spiders 76, 117, 178, 181, 267, 276, 352, 460, 475, 488, 503, 508, 539, 602, 638, 665, 751 sores from wounds 178 spinal cord 200, 790 697 sores from wrenching the joints 657 spit 805 soften 36, 100, 212, 487 sores grown to scabs 791 230 soften the intestines 166, sores in the breasts 491 spit up 165, 803 sores in the ears 138, 213 spit up blood 133, 550 sores in the eyes 201 spitters 756 snakes’ poison 432 sneezing 323, 344, 694, 320 softening 19, 29, 30, 34, 42, 47, 60, 63, 67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76, 81, 82, 85, 99, 106, sores from inflammation spit blood 86, 87, 138, 158, skin 36, 38, 45, 46, 63, 81, 88, 105, 141, 201, 205, 255, 271, 312, 324, 355, 387, 392, 412, 447, 487, 731 MEDICINAL USES etc. 880 spitters of blood 657 spitting of blood 114, 272, 391, 743 spitting up 316 spitting up blood 364, 813 spitting up of blood 824 spitting-up 316 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK squeamish stomach 22, 748, 769 staphylomata 141, 154, 247, 816 staunch 194 staunch blood 149 staunches blood 101, 545, 601 spitting-up blood 110 steatomata 597 spitting-up blood 816 sterility 105, 190, 351 spitting-up of blood 682 stiff ointments 72, 162, 212, 472, 480, 709, 795 spittle 85, 207, 319, 550, 694 stings 106, 283, 534 spleen 2, 13, 117, 133, 243, 260, 263, 312, 319, 323, 324, 327, 339, 340, 343, 351, 364, 371, 395, 399, 403, 404, 407, 408, 440, 455, 471, 483, 484, 487, 495, 496, 519, 524, 526, 532, 533, 549, 554, 565, 673, 713, 732, 739, 754, 755, 766, 774, 776, 788, 812, 813, 815, 823 stings of snakes 121 spleens that have grown hard 165, 178 spleens with hardened swellings 496 splenetic 1, 28, 137, 209, 255, 259, 268, 359, 363, 364, 379, 511, 565, 733 splenical 642, 682 splenitis 38 splinters 113, 121, 194, 206, 228, 335, 348, 371, 523, 562, 589, 714, 728 split feet 97 spoiled meat 755 spot 731 spots 38, 41, 180, 252, 255, stinking breath 236, 686, 754 stomach 5, 9, 10, 17, 21, 22, 28, 33, 34, 41, 47, 51, 63, 68, 87, 89, 90, 93, 101, 105, 106, 113, 129, 142, 153, 154, 157, 158, 162, 165, 166, 169, 170, 171, 172, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 189, 194, 200, 207, 208, 209, 211, 225, 227, 230, 235, 236, 244, 247, 248, 251, 255, 259, 260, 263, 264, 267, 268, 271, 272, 284, 287, 291, 292, 295, 303, 304, 307, 308, 312, 320, 335, 339, 340, 364, 372, 391, 392, 395, 404, 411, 419, 432, 435, 440, 443, 444, 448, 452, 455, 456, 468, 511, 514, 523, 524, 530, 545, 617, 641, 669, 670, 682, 694, 702, 706, 713, 718, 726, 727, 729, 735, 739, 740, 743, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 765, 767, 769, 771, 772, 773, 775, 801, 808, 810, 819, 825 225, 244, 247, 263, 280, 316, 323, 332, 375, 376, 387, 424, 443, 444, 447, 459, 500, 513, 526, 527, 528, 530, 531, 557, 570, 589, 641, 682, 690, 739, 743, 812, 819, 822, 823, 824, 826 stools 243 stop hair from falling out suffocation 530 stops the intestines 745, 798, 810 suffocation of the womb straining at stools 243 strangled congested, blocked womb 479 strength 72, 146, 153, 375, 383, 471, 514, 589, 717, 747, 750, 751 strengthening 754 strengthens the jaws 754 streptococcal skin infection 101, 113, 129, 134, 141, 222, 223, 225, 251, 267, 268, 272, 287, 420, 423, 424, 447, 500, 512, 545, 565, 566, 578, 598, 605, 606, 614, 617, 625, 629, 634, 637, 641, 650, 718, 752, 800, 807, 826 stricken by a scorpion 6 stricken by scorpions 20 strike of a scorpion 419 strikes 799 strikes from poisonous beasts 432 strikes of harvest spiders 530 sun 180 sunburn 2, 19, 21, 38, 55, 175, 201, 222, 226, 243, 252, 283, 288, 324, 336, 352, 378, 661, 710, 713, 714, 718, 731 sunspots 190 sunstroke 288, 291, 737 superfluous fluids of the eyelids 10 suppositories 2, 20, 21, 27, 30, 42, 47, 89, 129, 145, 162, 205, 267, 315, 328, 367, 375, 495, 613, 622, 697, 713, 729, 743, 787, 806, 816 suppository 51, 52, 100, 105, 133, 134, 171, 179, 194, 209, 219, 224, 235, 275, 279, 307, 367, 372, 424, 443, 480, 528, 545, 606, 613, 622, 729, 740, 751, 798, 801 suppository for dysentery 150, 181, 196, 210, 503, 553, 744, 753, 808 187 suppository for sciatica 315, 375, 702 strikes of poisonous beasts suppository for ulcers 244 strikes of poisonous fishes MEDICINAL USES etc. suffering 364 stops blood 538 stomachs 200 stones 6, 38, 85, 106, 121, 162, 172, 175, 202, 224, sudden convulsions 479 suffocated womb 364 spots on the face 47, 175, 226, 546, 661, 702, 812 stomas 102 suckle 228 stopping the intestines 743 180 squeamish 403 stung by snakes 137 suffocated 732 stomach outflows 121 spreading ulcers 331, 359, 431, 719, 807 stung by scorpions 180 268 794 stomachs labouring with gas 201 stung by a scorpion 158 suppurating medicines 210 296 suppuration 312 strikes of venomous creatures 435 suppurations 176, 411, 464, 487, 533, 582, 809 stroke 247 surgery 71, 731 strong blows 375 sweat 10, 75, 130, 179, 324, 455, 464, 539 spitters of blood 657 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 881 things which darken the sight 784 sweating 34, 35, 47, 52, 226, 468, 537, 566, 726, 747, 750, 805, 808, 811, 825 tendency to dropsy 279 tendons 47, 71, 122, 182, 187, 194, 209, 231 thinned hair 335 to make men unfit for generation 554 sweats 46, 161, 182, 335, 463, 760, 806 tertians 206, 737 thins 316 to make the body clean 827 testes 137 thins hair 827 to make the eyelids hairless testicles 193, 419, 629 thirst 179, 307, 308, 340, 372, 440, 550, 740 sweet 122 sweet breath 90, 169 sweet scent 459 sweet smell 122 testium 161 tetanus 56, 388, 476, 514, 539, 809 thick fluids 375, 399, 729, 753, 768, 772, 784, 817 swelling 137 swellings 2, 47, 178, 239, 255, 415, 487, 496, 517, 533, 582, 677, 702, 797, 803, 810, 814 thoracic 154 thorns 113, 121, 187, 228, 348, 728 threadworms 105, 395, 412 to make hair yellow 810 222 to make the eyelids look pleasing 129 to make the eyelids pleasing 97, 98, 153 to repress sweat 130 to staunch blood 205 swellings of the throat 85 thickened ointments 76 throat 68, 85, 179, 208, 224, 226, 308, 392, 399, 550, 581, 605, 669, 670, 706, 710, 719, 726, 743, 753, 759, 775, 807 swellings of the vulva 515 thickening 46, 606 throats 476 toad 536 swollen eyelids 787 thickening of ointments 24 throwing blood up 213 toenails 203 swollen breasts 251 thickening ointments 6, throwing up blood 90 tongue 335, 411, 582, 593, swollen spleen 754 thick ointments 6 thick urine 532 565 swollen throat 669 thickening their ointments 24, 154 swollen tonsils 311 thickens bodies 391 swoon 291 thickens hair 259 symptoms 609 thickness of the eyelids 816 synanchia abscessed throat thief 821 753 thighs 129, 161, 669 synanchic 392, 399, 476, 669, 670, 706, 753, 807 T takes off hair 719 taste 319 tears 1, 658, 787 teeth 34, 81, 90, 100, 105, 137, 142, 149, 150, 157, 184, 186, 190, 194, 204, 206, 209, 272, 344, 371, 378, 582, 719, 754, 779, 801, 804, 806, 812, 818, 822 teeth which are broken 157 teething 189, 210 tonsillitis 197, 203, 221, 224, 226, 260, 319 throwing-up blood 545, 554 throwing-up of blood 239, 364, 380 thrush 141, 210, 400, 527, 557 thymus 807 823 things that darken the eyesight 804 things that darken the pupils 24, 133, 138, 226, 320, 356, 479, 658, 697 things that darken the sight 815 things which are superfluous 181 things which darken the eyesight 806 things which darken the pupils 2, 30, 37, 81, 86, 129, 227, 319, 375, 819 809 tongues 150 things growing in the eyes things that darken the eyes to vomit gently after supper 706 throwing-up 304 thymos 415 784 109 223 thin 311 taking out hairs 488 tame 666 throwing up of blood 201, to take away conception tibiae 179 tinnitus 38, 41 tired 769 to colour the face 224 to fall asleep 622 to keep her from conception 222 to keep them hairless 602 to lay with a woman 522 to make eyelids beautiful tonsils 97, 105, 133, 172, 177, 179, 203, 208, 226, 311, 335, 392, 400, 542, 557, 582, 598, 601, 637, 744, 760, 784, 800, 805, 807 tooth 190, 340 tooth powders 90 tooth sockets 153, 165 toothache 28, 51, 88, 89, 100, 106, 117, 145, 178, 180, 189, 194, 263, 276, 279, 308, 335, 340, 343, 344, 348, 352, 355, 378, 380, 387, 392, 399, 431, 463, 471, 472, 476, 503, 529, 534, 549, 581, 613, 618, 634, 653, 654, 698, 702, 709, 719, 729, 753 toothaches 137, 207, 483, 550, 801 toothpastes 185 827 toothpicks 90 to make hair fall off 735 touched by a scorpion 195, 206, 284, 287, 292, 299 sweating 34, 35, 47, 52, 226, 468, 537, 566, 726, 747, 750, 805, 808, 811, 825 MEDICINAL USES etc. 882 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK touched by scorpions 76, 207, 263, 476, 491, 499, 503, 508, 654, 737, 820 ulcerated genitals 391 ulcers (of the bowels) 196 ulcers that spread 435 ulcerated mouth 24 ulcers around the bladder ulcers that will not heal 646 touchstones 816 ulcerated place 243 trembling 189, 193, 268, ulcerated vulva 209 743 ulcers which are moist 734 ulcerated vulvas 137 ulcers around the mouth 754 ulcers which penetrate the head 35 ulcerating 205, 275, 343, 344, 355, 423, 549, 625, 641, 730, 746, 796 ulcers called favi 181 ulcers within 760 ulcers in the bladder 279 unbitten 483, 569 ulcers in the ears 221 unbitten by a viper 331 ulcers in the eye 204, 743 unclean discharges 24 ulcers in the eyes 81, 790, unconsciousness 625 534 tremors 76 tubercles 36, 97, 336, 388, 537, 728, 807 tubercula 99, 121, 332, 710, 725 tuberculae 475 tuberculosis 364, 762 tuberculosis of the lungs 363, 384, 504, 541, 815 tumour 263, 359, 419, 597 tumours 97, 98, 101, 122, 141, 142, 176, 179, 181, 187, 188, 194, 198, 222, 223, 229, 230, 239, 247, 251, 255, 263, 268, 275, 279, 312, 316, 319, 332, 340, 347, 447, 475, 476, 480, 488, 503, 533, 582, 598, 614, 625, 641, 642, 645, 673, 682, 719, 728, 743, 807, 809, 826 ulcerating medicines 34 ulceration 196, 208, 209, 221, 339, 743, 744, 751, 752, 753, 805, 808 570 ulcers around the joints ulceration in the genitals 24 825 ulceration in the mouth ulcers in the head 46, 55 542 ulceration of the cheeks 259, 504, 638, 752, 800, 822 ulceration of the colus 210 ulcerations 224 ulcerative disease 686 ulcerous 86, 133, 204 ulcers in the inner angle of the eye 356, 527 ulcers to a scar 211 undermining ulcers 813 unfeverish 768 unguents 154 ulcers in the mouth 279, 581, 601 unproductive urge to evacuate 55 ulcers in the nostrils 803 unsound mind 64 ulcers in the stomach 765 unstrikable 267 ulcers of the bladder 291 uretic 9, 296, 304, 307, 323 ulcers of the bowels 244 uretical 565 ulcerous ears that are full of discharge 141 ulcers of the cheek 251 ulcerous mouth 6 ulcers of the cheeks 252 ulcers of the eyelids 141 335 ulcers 2, 6, 36, 38, 51, 52, 68, 71, 72, 86, 88, 97, 98, 99, 105, 110, 114, 122, 125, 133, 141, 142, 146, 154, 157, 158, 161, 175, 180, 181, 184, 195, 196, 205, 208, 212, 219, 220, 221, 223, 225, 230, 239, 244, 251, 252, 255, 260, 268, 272, 276, 279, 288, 304, 308, 328, 331, 332, 344, 348, 352, 359, 367, 371, 375, 378, 387, 407, 408, 431, 447, 464, 468, 472, 487, 496, 500, 503, 504, 511, 519, 521, 565, 577, 581, 598, 601, 609, 614, 622, 642, 645, 649, 650, 654, 657, 662, 666, 698, 709, 714, 719, 725, 728, 744, 747, 752, 753, 755, 760, 762, 766, 779, 784, 787, 789, 790, 796, 800, 804, 806, 807, 808, 813, 814, 815, 819, 820 urinary 5, 6, 38, 85, 106, 121, 230, 244, 247, 316, 319, 332, 375, 376, 387, 392, 403, 415, 424, 435, 440, 443, 444, 447, 448, 451, 459, 500, 513, 527, 530, 531, 541, 557, 617, 618, 641, 673, 682, 732, 739, 743, 745, 747, 748, 759, 761, 762, 765, 767, 771, 823, 824, 826 ulcerated eyes 98 ulcers on the perineum tumours without fluid 634 twitching 348 U ulcer 176, 235, 340, 352, 508, 617, 649, 685, 733 ulcer in the inner angle of the eye 267 ulcer in the perineum 613 ulcer on the cornea 221, 307, 523, 609, 658 ulcerated 178, 197, 201, 733, 746, 810 ulcerated and purulent ears 468 ulcerated bladder 244 ulcerated bladders 304 ulcerated chilblains 256, MEDICINAL USES etc. 221 ulcers of the eyes 13, 279, 423, 818 ulcers of the head 244 ulcers of the legs 731 ulcers of the lungs 105 ulcers of the mouth 134, 149, 208, 210, 557 ulcers on the cornea 224, 347, 351 ulcers on the eyes 617 ulcers on the genitals 545, 808 ulcers on the head 255, 324 ulcers on the perineum 789 ulcers that penetrate the head 38, 86 urinary antidotes 452 urinary constriction 436 urinary stones 175, 224, 280, 528, 570 urinary urgency 52 urinate 2, 30, 416, 448, 609 urinate blood 554 urinate drops of blood 444 urinating 13, 202 urination 6, 19, 22, 27, 38, 71, 100, 105, 109, 175, 196, 197, 243, 255, 275, 276, 280, 283, 296, 375, 376, touched by scorpions 76, 207, 263, 476, 491, 499, 503, 508, 654, 737, 820 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 377, 396, 419, 423, 431, 435, 436, 439, 440, 444, 452, 455, 459, 483, 492, 496, 508, 511, 514, 517, 526, 536, 537, 539, 545, 549, 557, 565, 570, 589, 594, 654, 673, 682, 690, 693, 755, 757, 772, 773, 775, 812, 813, 816, 819 urine 5, 14, 22, 24, 33, 63, 68, 85, 88, 102, 121, 122, 145, 166, 202, 205, 207, 225, 226, 236, 252, 255, 256, 275, 280, 300, 308, 311, 323, 327, 332, 339, 340, 380, 383, 384, 388, 408, 412, 432, 443, 460, 464, 472, 483, 513, 525, 527, 531, 532, 539, 558, 585, 586, 590, 597, 601, 602, 641, 642, 658, 661, 681, 690, 694, 731, 732, 743, 749, 772, 774, 775 urine retention? 14 venereal warts 443, 464, 577, 634, 739, 788, 789, 803 venom 6, 21 venom of poisonous creatures 496 venomous beast 566 venomous beast bites 682 venomous beasts 513 venomous creatures 101, 220, 444, 496, 511, 549 883 voice 81, 82, 194, 268, 476, 754, 803 voices 479 vomit 101, 106, 175, 176, 196, 226, 252, 259, 267, 291, 541, 706, 710, 720, 755, 777, 799 vomit blood 279 vomit that floats on top of the stomach 443 vomited 621, 746, 767, 776 vomiters 706 venomous creatures 137 venomous herbs 629 vertigo 24, 209, 471, 483, 732, 754, 755, 762 veterinary 47, 137, 190, 255, 507, 733 vomiting 13, 22, 52, 68, 165, 186, 247, 283, 291, 332, 336, 340, 363, 411, 448, 535, 610, 693, 697, 706, 713, 714, 718, 719, 728, 750, 784, 795, 799 vomiting blood 534 uterus 18, 21, 30, 38, 55, 64, 71, 75, 87, 88, 90, 117, 149, 186, 222 vibices 63 vomiting of blood 90, 416 vines 827 vomitory 415, 750, 752 uva 172 viper bites 224, 739 vomitory medicine 400 uvula 97, 172, 203, 400, 476, 582, 645, 744, 784, viper bitten 566, 569 vomits 573 viper-bitten 566 vulva 6, 10, 22, 24, 27, 28, 51, 52, 56, 59, 60, 63, 67, 68, 71, 76, 78, 82, 85, 97, 106, 114, 117, 129, 134, 161, 165, 196, 209, 212, 213, 243, 275, 311, 352, 372, 424, 447, 515, 752 805 V vagina 727 vaginal discharge 9, 150 vaginal hernias 550, 637 varicose veins 63, 81, 243, 713, 718, 731 varos 304, 307, 336, 404, viper-bitten 569 vipers 255, 288, 351 viral infection 521 viral skin disease 582 viral skin infection 101, 118, 243, 355, 359, 424, 468, 540, 545, 577, 617, 634, 638, 800 801 virulent beasts 76 vegetable 264, 268, 283, 284, 295, 299, 300, 303, 311, 331, 383, 435, 440, 443, 452, 549, 662, 713, 727, 731, 735, 736 vision 331, 415, 724 vegetables 110, 118, 260, 388, 455, 456, 597, 613, 690, 727, 732, 734, 736 veins 63, 311, 666 venereal diseases 30, 93, 292, 304, 521, 522 vitiligines 106, 161, 180, 186, 190, 247, 255, 272, 307, 308, 319, 328, 331, 340, 360, 367, 378, 464, 532, 534, 565, 702, 713, 805, 812 vitiliginous 181 vitiligo 424, 698, 714 vitiligo alba 335 vulvae 100 warm poultice 229 warming 1, 6, 9, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 30, 33, 34, 36, 47, 56, 59, 60, 64, 67, 68, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 81, 82, 85, 89, 93, 99, 101, 105, 106, 126, 137, 179, 182, 193, 219, 221, 227, 229, 260, 275, 280, 283, 308, 312, 315, 319, 320, 327, 331, 332, 335, 363, 367, 387, 392, 400, 403, 404, 411, 412, 423, 431, 436, 440, 444, 455, 460, 467, 471, 475, 480, 483, 496, 507, 511, 516, 527, 593, 641, 661, 673, 746, 747, 765, 766, 767, 795, 800, 804, 806, 815 warming ointments 13 warms 36, 37, 82, 219, 316, 399, 407 warmth 77 warmth’s 419 wart 244 warts 86, 180, 181, 206, 223, 244, 339, 344, 379, 415, 424, 464, 492, 577, 634, 719, 724, 737, 739, 788, 789, 803 warty abnormal growths 181, 195, 223, 424, 719, 737 washing 582 washing water 9 vulvas 137 wasp 106, 267 W warm 86, 212, 228, 311, 388, 513, 787, 799, 821 warm compress 36, 514 warm compresses 2, 6, 13, 18, 21, 22, 24, 72, 85, 93, 97, 126, 154, 472, 678, 709, 751 warm pack 6, 10, 122, 137, 138, 142, 222, 224, 255, 256, 344, 503, 645, 752 warm packs 1, 21, 165, 178, 179, 527, 740, 806, 808, 823 wasp stings 807 wasps 283 waste 710 wasting disease 93, 97, 106, 187, 304 water 518, 681, 717, 718, 722, 726, 727 water fluids 324 water delirium 492 water retention in the vulva 71 urination 6, 19, 22, 27, 38, 71, 100, 105, 109, 175, 196, 197, 243, 255, 275, 276, 280, 283, 296, 375, 376, 377, 396, 419, 423, 431, 435, 436, 439, 440, 444, 452, 455, 459, 483, 492, 496, 508, 511, 514, 517, 526, 536, 537, 539, 545, 549, 557, 565, 570, 589, 594, 654, 673, 682, 690, 693, 755, 757, 772, 773, 775, 812, 813, 816, 819 MEDICINAL USES etc. 884 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 585, 593, 597, 613, 625, 642, 724, 725, 727, 732, 760, 766, 774, 800, 805 worms hidden in the intestines 158 white spots on the cornea 81, 100, 105, 145, 185, 186, 188, 190, 328, 331, 483, womb congestion 483, 508, 340, 412, 752 658 womb constriction 363, 471, 541, 754 water under the skin 184 weight gain 209 watery 717 weight loss 209, 815 watery fluids 98 watery lungs 72, 76 watery matter 38, 133, 292, 721, 726, 730, 731, 776 watery ruptures 71, 85 white spots on the corneas of the eyes 523 514 womb disorders 443, 766 whitening cloth 819 womb distensions 767 whites 9, 150 womb pains 38, 598 whitlows 133, 141, 161, 203, 593, 731, 788 womb strangulation 778 wholesome 488 womb troubled with excessive discharges 279 351, 404, 443 wild beasts 435 womb turning around 38 weak 740, 750, 754 wild ulcers 255, 378, 408, 666, 814 wombs 101 watery stuff 736 wax ointment 395 wax ointments 209, 519, 797, 802, 826 waxy ointments 23, 24, 97, weak eyes 638 weak head 749 weak stomach 749, 754 wind 10, 71, 85, 730, 754 wind inducing 146 wind-inducing 231, 247 weak, weeping and ulcerated eyes 98 windiness 76, 642, 747 weakness 697 windiness around the ears 399 weakness of the stomach 364 winds 448, 769 weaknesses of the stomach windy afflictions 471 759 weapons 565 wear off 787 weariness 59, 67, 214, 484, 513, 554, 598, 776, 806 webs 157, 161 webs of cloth 820 weeping eyes 89, 97 weight 247, 748 wombs are slippery 821 women that lust 739 women’s discharges 816 women’s disorders 219 women’s excessive loss of blood 308 women’s flows 133, 263 women’s warm packs 1, 179 winter shiverings 770 women's baths 22 witches 118, 597 women's excessive discharges 125, 605, 613, 617, 638, 788, 810 wolves 626 womb 5, 9, 47, 126, 137, 145, 154, 180, 190, 210, 213, 214, 219, 225, 243, 244, 267, 279, 284, 304, 364, 404, 419, 424, 428, 431, 468, 472, 479, 491, 499, 500, 513, 517, 518, 519, 527, 528, 530, 533, 536, 540, 541, 549, 577, women's inhalations 24 worms in the ears 105, 224, wound 224, 367, 480, 753, 784, 791 wound antidotes 129 wound caused by iron 407 wound herb 408, 545 wound medicines 99 wound of a broken head 542 wound plasters 221, 798 wounded 331 wounds 1, 86, 88, 101, 110, 137, 150, 153, 157, 178, 181, 187, 211, 222, 224, 271, 275, 324, 328, 348, 359, 371, 372, 375, 383, 391, 407, 476, 484, 487, 492, 500, 511, 517, 527, 533, 540, 542, 545, 546, 550, 554, 566, 570, 573, 574, 577, 582, 586, 589, 598, 606, 650, 654, 743, 747, 752, 787, 789, 797, 807, 813, 824 wounds around the nerves 210 wounds from falls 653 wounds in the head 24, 562 wounds to a scar 324, 455 wood 114 wreaths for the head 280, 416, 420, 467, 499, 514, woodworm 654 617 worms 6, 21, 34, 38, 81, 87, 105, 166, 229, 255, 271, 272, 312, 399, 415, 424, 447, 614, 766, 807, 827 wrenching the joints 657 wrinkled faces 794 wrinkles 500, 670, 731, 825 wrinkles on the skin 38 MEDICINAL USES etc. water under the skin 184 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 885 Acanthium 384 Aconitum variable 628 Aetites stone 823 Acanthus germanica 468 Aconitum vulparia 628 African Myrsine 158, 692, Acanthus mollis 384 aconus 420 Aaron's Rod 655 Acanthus sativus 384 Acorites 777 Abelmoschus esculentis Acanthus spinosissimus Acorns 41, 146 PLANT MATERIALS etc. A 267 384 Abies cedrus 102, 767 Acanthus spinosus 380, Abies laryx 94 Abies pectinata 94 abrotanum 56, 396 Abrotanum mas 56, 396, 773 Acorum 2 384 Acorum officinarum 2, 777 Acer 178 Acorus adulterinus 2, 777 Acer campestre 764 Acorus aromaticus 2, 22 Acetabulum alterum album Acorus calamus 2, 22 360 Acorus odoratus 2, 22 Acetabulum alterum purpureum 360 Acridiiae 202 Acetosa 263 acrosemon 538 Acetosa pratensis 263 Acte 729 Acetum 754 Adamantine Spar 824 Acetum salsum 755 Adam's Apple 169 Achillea 576 adarces 814 Achillea ageratum 576, 599 Adder’s Tongue 515 Achillea atrata 576 Adiantium-nigrum 525 Achillea fragrantissima 576 Adiantum 684 768 Achillea macrocephala 320 Acacia 133 Achillea millefolium 652 Adiantum capillus veneris 525, 684 Abrotoninum 56, 773 Abrotonum foemina 56, 396, 773 absinthe 395, 768 Absinthites 768 Absinthium 392 Absinthium marinum 395 Absinthium ponticum 56, 396, 773 Absinthium vulgare 392, Acacia arabica 133 Acacia catechu 133 Acacia gummifera 133 Acacia nilotica 133 Adiantum foliis coriandri Achillea ptarmica 320 684 Achras 170 Adiantum scolopendrium Achy 18 762 African Ragwort 355 Agallochum 27 Agaric 363 Agaricus aurantiacus 363 Agaricus campestris 363 Agasyllis 483 Agate 818 Ageratum conyzoides 599 aglithai 308 Agnus 137 Agnus Castus 137 Agreste apium 343 Agrimonia 583 Agrimonia eupatoria 583 Agrimony 583 Agrostemma coeli-rosa 499 Agrostemma coronaria 499 Agrostemma githago 239 Agrostis alba 572 Agrostis palustris 572 Air Plant 520 507 Aira 239 Adiantum trichomanes Aira coerulea 239 Acinos 420, 571 684 Acinos vulgaris 420, 571 Adrianum 748 Acinus 420 adynamon 751, 752 Acalypha 644 Aconite 628 Aegiceras majus 113 Acalypha indica 644 Aconitum alterum 628 Aegilops 687 Ajuga chia 540 Acalyphe 644 Aconitum luteum 628 Aegilops caudata 687 Ajuga iva 540 Acantha arabica 380 Aconitum lycoctonum 628 Aegilops ovata 687 Ajuga reptans 540 Acantha leuke 380 Aconitum napellus 628 Aegopodium podagraria Akakia 133 acantha sylvestris 384 Aconitum pardalianches Acacia senegal 133 Acacia stenocarpia 133 Acantha sylvestris 384 Acantha vera 384 Aaron's Rod 655 444 628 Aerugo rasilis 787 Aconitum pyramidale 628 Aethiopis 656 Aconitum pyrenaicum 628 Aethusa meum 5, 439 Aizoon 640 Ajava Seeds 432 Ajuga chamaepitys 539, 778 Akantha 384 Alabaster 821 Alabastrites stone 821 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 886 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Alauda arvensis 202 Allium ascalonium 307 Althea cannabina 534 Amomum cardamom 6 Albersia blitum 264 Allium cepa 307 Althea rosea 267 Amomum hirsutum 21 Alcea 534 Allium hortense 308 Alum 806 Amomum officinarum 451 Alcea 534 Allium magicum 427 Alumina 822, 824, 827 Amomum repens 20 Alcea cannabina 534 Allium moly 427 Alumina Silicate 828 Amoris poma 616 Alcea rosea 267 Allium oleraceum 308 Aluminium Sulphate 806 Ampelite 829 Alcea vulgaris major 534 Allium porrum 304 Aluminum Silicate 820 Alcyonium 813 Allium sativum 308 Alypo Globe Daisy 732 Ampelodesma tenax 742, 745, 760 alcyonium palustre 814 Allium schoenoprasum 304 Alypum 732 Alectoria jubata 595 Allium scorodoprasum 311 Alysson 488 Alepisaurus 197 Allium sylvestre 308 Alyssum alpestre 488 Aleppo Rue 423 Allium ursinum 308 Amagdalinum 38 Alexander’s Foot 463 Allium vineale 308 amaracinum 71 Alexanders 81, 452, 455 allom 806 Amaracinum 71, 528 Alexandrian Laurel 695 Almond 38, 175 Amaracus 55, 218, 416 Alexandrian Senna 17 Almond Oil 38 Amaracus 71, 528 Alfa 555 Aloe 391 Alfalfa 303 Aloe vera 391 Amaracus dictamnus 71, 404, 408, 528, 771 Alhagi mannifera 523 Aloe vulgaris 391 Alhagi maurorum 523 Aloëxylon agallochum 27 Alica 232 Aloysia citriodora 600 Alisma 536 Alpina cardamom 20 Alisma plantago-aquatica 536 Alkakengi 619 Alpine Cacalia 672 Alpine Clematis 551 Amygdalus amara 175 Amygdalus communis 175 Amygdalus persica 166 Amyl 239 Amyris ambroisiaca 28 Amyris gileadensis 23 Anacyclus pyrethrum 463 Amarantus luteus 596 Anagallis coerulea 348 amber 113 Anagallis aquatica minor Ambrosia artemisifolia 514 Ambrosia maritima 514 Amee 444 Alsine 639 Aminea 78 Alkanet 567, 668, 676 Alsine junipera 639 Ammi 432, 444 Alkanna tinctoria 567 Alsine maior 356, 639 Ammi copticum 432 Alkekeng 619 Alsine media 356, 639 Ammi majus 444 Alkekengi officinarum 619 Alsine procubens 639 Ammi visagna 436 All Saint’s Wort 538 Alsine verna 639 ammion 799 Alliaria officinalis 280, 316 Alterum salicis genus 138 Ammium 799 Allium ameloprasum 307 Althaea 533 Ammoniacum 483 Allium ameloprasum var ameloprasum 307 Althaea Dioscoridis et Plinii Ammonium Salts 808 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Amurca 134 Amaranthus blitum 264 Alkaline Earths 826 Althaea officinalis 533 Amphibious Persicaria 548 Amyris kataf 23 Alpine Enchanter’s Nightshade 516 Allium ameloprasum var porrum 304 Amphelitis earth 829 Amaranth 264 Alkaline Earths 826 533 Ampelos agria 733 280 Anagallis arvensis 348 Anagallis foemina 348 Anagallis mas 348 Amianthus 822 Anagallis phoenecea 348 Amomum aromaticum 20 Anagallis repens 348 Anagallis-aquatica 280 Anagyris 535 Anagyris foetida 535 Anamirta cocculus 588 Anamirta paniculata 588 Anaxuris 263 Anchusa 571 Anchusa aggregata 567 Anchusa altera 568 Alauda arvensis 202 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 887 Anchusa arvensis 568 Annual Clary 522 Aphace 303 Arceuthinus 101 Anchusa azurea 567 Annual Mercury 738 Aphysemon 18 Arceuthinus 101 Anchusa italica 567, 676 Annual Spurge 725 Apiastrum 503 Arcion 659 Anchusa officinalis 668 Annual Warty Spurge 723 Apios 730 Arcium Dioscorides 659 Anchusa paniculata 567 Anonis 387 Apios 730 Arctium bardana 659 Anchusa tinctoria 567 Anonis spinosa 387 Apium 448, 451, 777 Arctium lappa 659 Andrachne 272 Anthemis arvensis 529 Apium agreste 344 Arctium majus 659 Anthemis cotula 71, 72, Apium carvi 440 Arctium minus 656 Apium celleri 448, 777 Arctium tomentosum 659 Apium graveolens 448, arcturum 656 Andrachne sylvestris 275 Andrachne telephoides 272 Androsace 525 Androsace lactea 525 Androsace obtusifolia 525 Androsaemum hircinum 528 Anthemis pyrethrum 463 Anthemis tinctoria 527 777 Anthericon 332 Apium hortense 448, 451, Anthericum liliago 507 777 argemone 348 Apium palustre 448, 451, Argentum vivum 799 538 Anthericum ramosum 507 Androsaemum hirsutum Anthriscus cerefolium 295 Apium petroselinum 451 Anthriscus sylvestris 295, Apium sylvestre 343 538 Androsaemum officinale 538 Androsaeumum 538 androsemon 537 Androsemum 538 Anemone 343 Anemone hortensis 344 667 Anthyllis barba jovis 526 Anthyllis cretica 126, 526 Anthyllis prior 526 Anthyllis vulneraria 526 Anthyrium felix-faemina 777 Apium vulgare 451 Aplysia depilans 189 Apocynon 632 Apocynum venetum 632 Apple 162, 166, 288, 731 736 Apple of Earth 368 Anemone pavonina 344 Antipathes 816 Apple Pie 544, 668 Anemone pulsillata 344 Antirrhinon 680 Apples 166 Anemone sylvestris 344 Antirrhinum asarina 680 Apricot Tree 169 Anethinum 59 Antirrhinum cymbalaria Aquilaria 27 Anethum foeniculum 456 Anethum graveolens 59, 443 Anethum hortense 59, 443 Angelica levisticum 455 Anhydrous Carbonate of Lime 802 Anise 440 Aniseed Plant 440 Anisum 440 Anisum herbariis 440 Anisum vulgare 440 Anchusa arvensis 568 680 Antirrhinum elatine 580 Antirrhinum linaria 691 Antirrhinum majus 691 Antirrhinum orontium 680 antispodia 784 aparachyta 748 Aparine vulgaris 488 Apatite 820 Arenaria procubens 639 Aquilaria agallocha 27 Arabian Costus 21 Arabian Jasmine 77 Arabicus stone 820 Arachneidae 205 Arar Tree 805 Arbute Tree 172 Arbutus andrachne 172, ARGUROU 794 argyritis 794 Arietinus 244 Aris 332 Arisarum 332 Arisarum vulgare 332 Aristoloch 368 Aristolochia clematitis 368 Aristolochia longa 368 Aristolochia pistolochia 368 Aristolochia rotunda 368 Armenaica vulgaris 169 Armenian Stone 798 Armenium 798 Armoracia 260 Armoracia rusticana 260 Armstrong 547 Arn Tree 729 Arnoglossa 276 Arnut 675 272 Aromatic Wine 773, 774 Aphaca 303 Arbutus unedo 172 Aron 331 Aphaca vulgaris 303 Arcanum Duplicatum 814 Arrhenogonon 520 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 888 Arsenic 805 Arsenic disulphide 805 Arsenicum 805 Artemisia 395, 514 Artemisia abrotanum 56, 396, 773 Artemisia absinthium 392, 768 Artemisia glacialis 396 Artemisia herba alba 514 Artemisia latifolia 513 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 775 Asplenium adiantium-nigrum 525 Asbestos 822 Asplenium Ruta-muraria Asarum europaeum 13, Ascalonian Garlic 307 Artemisia pauciflora 395 Artemisia pontica 56, 396, 773 Artemisia santonicum 396 Athamanta oreoselinum 559 Asplenium ruta-muriara 451 athamanticum 5 Ascelpias syriaca 431, 491 427 Athemanta meum 5, 439 Asclepias 491 Asplenium scolopendrium 507, 526 439 Asplenium trichomanes Athera 232 Asclepias albo flore 491 Athemanticum meum 5, Asclepias vincetoxicum 491 684 Ascyrum 538 Asplenium virid 684 Ash 110, 813 Ass’s Hooves 198 Atractylis hirsutior 491 Ash of Jerusalem 359 Ass’s Liver 198 Atractylis mitior 491 Ashes 784 Assafoetida 468 Atractylis vulgaris minor Asian stone 816 assyrius 823 Asiatic Crowfoot 343 Aster 683, 826 Askolonion krommoon Aster amellus 671 Artemisia maritima 395 Artemisia monoclonos 513 Athamanta cretensis 464 307 Aspalathus 24 Aster atticus 671, 683 Atractylis gummifera 377, 491 491 Atraphaxis 267 Atraphaxis spinosa 267 Atriplex halimus 118 Atriplex hortensis 267 Aspalathus indica 24 Aster atticus caeuruleus vulgaris 671 Asparagus 275, 300 Aster helenium 30, 774 Atropa belladonna 620 513 Asparagus acutifolius 275 Aster officinalis 30, 774 Atropa mandragora 624, Artichoke 383 Asparagus altilis 275 Aster tripolium 671, 683 Articocalus 383 Asparagus corruda 275 Asteria 826 Arum 328 Asparagus officinalis var. altilis 275 Asterias lutea 367 Artemisia tenuifolia 513 Artemisia vulgaris 513, 591 Artemisia vulgaris major Arum arisarum 332 Arum colocasia 331 Arum dracunculus 327 Arum maculatum 331 Arum vulgare non maculatum 331 Asparagus sativa 275 Asphalt 99, 100 Aspharagus 275 Asphodel 59, 332, 499 Asphodelus 332 Asteriated Sapphire 826 Astragal 603 Astragalus aegiceras 113 Astragalus arnacantha 383 Astragalus cicer 244 Astragalus glycyphyllos Arundo donax 113 Asphodelus albus 332 603 Arundo phragmites 113 Asphodelus foemina 332 Astragalus gummifera 603 Arundo saccharifera 226 Asphodelus ramosus 332 Astragalus poterium 383 Arundo vulgaris 113 Aspidium felix-faemina 736 Astragalus tragacantha 387 Asafoetida 468 Aspidium filix-mas 735, Astrantia 700 Asarabacca 13 Asarabacca Wine 775 Asarites 775 737 Aspidium lonchiti 533 Aspidium lonchitis 532 Astrantia major 700 Athamanta 464 Athamanta annua 464 Athamanta cervaria 439 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Atriplex hortensis alba 267 779 Attic Athenian Honey 225 Avellana domestica 177 Avellana-nux sylvestris 177 Avena 235 Avena sativa var b 235 Avena vulgaris 235 Azadirachta indica 109 Azarole Tree 170 B Bacchar 420 Baccharis 420 Baccharis dioscorides 420 Bachelor’s Button 372 Balaninum 41 Balanites aegyptica 41, 715 Balanum auripsike 715 Arsenic 805 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 889 Balaustion 158 Baryta 826 Bed Bugs 196 Bird's Foot Trefoil 663 Balaustium 158 Basil 56, 296, 492, 730 Bee Balm 503 Birthwort 368 Bald-money 5, 439 Basilicum 56, 296 Bee Orchid 521 Biserrula pelecinus 523 Ballota nigra 500 Baslingua 46, 106, 695 Beech 146 Bishop’s Weed 432, 444 Ballota pseudodictamnus Bastard Agrimony 599 Bee-glue 228 Bishop’s Wort 543, 770 Bastard Asarum 680 Beeswax 227 Bishop's Hat 563 Bastard Balm 503 Beetles 204 Bismalva 533 Bastard Cardamom 20 Beetroot 272 Biting Clematis 734 Bastard Dittany 407 Beggar’s Buttons 659 Bitter Almond 175 Bastard Hemp 535 Bekion 512 Bitter Apple 288, 731 Bastard Pellitory 320 Bell Flower 563 Bitter Candytuft 182 Bastard Quince 170 Bengal Cardamom 20 Bitter Cress 182 Bastard Rocket 296 Benzoe 81 Bitter Gourd 288, 731 Bastard Sponge 813 Benzoin 88 Bitter Vetch 252 Bastard Stone Parsley 440 Benzoin officinale 81 Bitumen 99, 100 Balsamodendron kataf 23 Bastard Sycamore 178 Berberis 121 Bituminous Earth 829 Balsamodendron kua 82 Batchelor’s Buttons 659 Berberis dumetorum 121 Black Antimony 792 Balsamodendron opalobalsamum 23 Bathypicron 392 Berberis vulgaris 121 Black Chamaeleon 378 Batrachio 343 Berringeria pseudodictamnus 407 Black Chamoeleon 378 407 Ballote 500 Balm Leaf 503 Balm Melittis 503 Balm of Gilead 23 Balm of Mecca 23 Balotta foetida 500 Balsam 41, 715 Balsam of Kataf 23 Balsamodendron gileadense 23 Balsamodendrum africanum 82 Bamboo 113 Bamboo Reed 113 Bambusa arundinacea 113, 226 Barbarea praecox 259, 771 Barbary Ragwort 355 Barberry 121 Barber's Brushes 379 Bardana 659 Barium Monoxide 826 Bark of Frankincense 86 Barley 584 Barley 230 Barley Water 231 Barnyard Grass 236 Barrenwort 563 Baryta 826 Balaustion 158 batrachium 343 Batus 579 Bawd-money 675 Bay 46, 106 Bay Wine 767 Bdellium africanum 82 Bdellium Tree 82 Beta alba 272 Beta candida 272 Beta nigra 272 Beta rubra vulgaris 272 Beta vulgaris 272 Betonica 543, 544, 770 Betonica annua var hirsuta Black Coral 816 Black Cumin 45, 472 Black Cutch 133 Black Hellebore 700, 779 Black Lovage 81, 452 Black Maidenhair Fern 525 Black Medick 663 Bean 247, 248 575 Black Milfoil 576 Bean Clover 535 Betonica coronaria 544 Black Mullein 655 Beans 252, 300 Betonica officinalis 543, Black Mustard 45 Bear Root 5, 439 770 Betonica purpurea 543, Black Oak Fern 525 Bears Breeches 384 770 Black Pepper 316 Bears Grease 214 Betonica sylvestris una 544 black poppy 607 Beaver 193 Betony 507, 543, 770 Black Poppy 607 Bechium 512 Bicarbonate of Soda 827 Black Saltwort 688 Becium 512 Bindweed 580 Black Sesame 703 Becium bicolor 512 Bindweed 691 Black Spleenwort 525 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 890 Black Stinking Horehound THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Borago officinalis 676 Brassica nigra 45 Buccinum 185 Borassus flabellifer 154 Brassica oleracea 271 Buckler Fern 736, 737 Borax 797 Brassica rapa 256 Buckshorn Plantain 284 Borrago 676 Brassica tertium genus 268 Buckthorn 117, 716 Boscas 98 Brathus 102 Bugle 539, 778 Boswellia 87 Brathys 102 Bugle Weed 540 Boswellia carterii 85, 86, 87 brine 142 Bugloss 571, 668 Bleeding Nun 323 Boswellia floribunda 85, 86, 87 Brion 651 Bugloss 567, 571, 668, 676 Blessed Thistle 491 Brionia alba 733 Buglossa Vera 676 Boswellia papyrifera 85, 86, 87 Bristle Fern 684 Buglossum 676 Boswellia serrata 85, 86, 87 Britannica 544 Buglossum 676 Botrus 515 British Myrrh 667 Buglossum latifolium borrago 676 botryites 781 Broad Bean 247 Botrys 515 Broad Helleborine 660 676 Botrys ambrosioides vulgaris 515 Broad-leaved Hog’s Fennel 456, 475 Buglossum sylvestre 571 Botrys Chamaedryoides 496, 515 Broad-leaved Laserwort Bottlebrush 587 Broad-leaved Myrtle 46, 158, 692, 762 500 Black-berried Heath 732 Blackberry 579 Bladder Herb 619 Bladderwrack 651 Blatta orientalis 197 Blawing Grass 239 Blister Plant 343 Blistercress 316 Blite 264 Bliti genus 264 Blitum 264 Blitum virgatum 264 blood 190, 194 Blood 222 blood of green frogs 194 Blue Cupidone 683 Blue Flower de Luce 1, 67 Blue Heliotrope 739 Blue Leek 307 Blue Pimpernel 348 Blue Succory 683 Blush-flowered Centaury 378 Boar’s Liver 199 Boeotin Myrrh 81, 452 Bog Rhubarb 659 Bog Rush 21, 592 Bouncing Bet 323 Buglossum officinale 567, Buglossum sylvestre minus 436 651 Bulbus sylvestris 335 Bracken 736 Brome 235, 688 Bulbus vomitorius 336 Brake Fern 736 Bromus 235 Bulls’ Suet 216 Bramble 579 Bromus arvensis 235, 688 Bulrush 516 Branched Broomrape 299 Bromus temulentus 235, Bunias 259 Branched Bur Reed 564 688 Bunias aspera 259 Brooklime 280 Bunias cakile 259 Branched Lily Spiderwort 507 Broomrape 299 Branched Lily Spiderwort Brotera corymbosa 378 Bunias erucago 259 507 Brandy Bottle 525 brasma 319 Bunias orientalis 259 Bryonia 733 Bunium 675 Bryonia dioica 733 Bunium bulbocastanum Bryony 733 675 Bryophyllum calycinum Bunium carum 440 Boletus purgans 363 Brass Scales 786 520 Bone Marrow 220 Brassica alba 45, 311 Bryophyllum pinnatum Bongardia chrysogonum Brassica erucacastrum 296 Borage 676 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Bulbus leucanthemus 300 Box Thorn 130 Brass Oxide 787 Boon Tree 729 Buglossum sylvestre tertium 679 Broad-leaved Pondweed Boletus laricis 363 596 571 Brassica napus 268 Brassica napus 256 Bunium copticum 432 520 Bunium Wine 771 Bryum 27, 651 Buphthalmum 529 Buccina 185 Buphthalmum graveolens 529 Buccinae 185 Black Stinking Horehound 500 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Buphthalmum salicifolium 529 Bupleurum longifolum 672 Bupressedes 204 Buprestidae 204 Buprestis 204 Bur Cenchrus 236 Bur Parsley 295 Cactus 720 Caltrops 559 Cantharides vesicatoria 204 Cadmia 781 Calx 185 Caper 340 Cadmium Earth 781, 802 Calx Viva 812 Caper Spurge 724 caecubum 748, 749 Calystegia sepium 691 Capillaire 525, 684 Cajeput Oil Tree 109 Camel Thorn 523 capnia 823 Cakile maritima 259 Camelina 667 Capnum 660 calabritis 794 Camelina sativa 667 Capparis spinosa 340 Caladium nymphaefolium Campanula cichoracea 563 Caprificus amboinensis 180, 181 Bur Reed 564 331 Burdock 659 Calamagrostis arenaria 575 Burning Bush 528 891 Calambac Tree 27 Campanula laciniata 563 Campanula medium 563 Caprifolium 556 Caprifoly 556 Campanula rapunculus Burnt Brass 785 Calamint 412, 773 256 Caraway 440, 675 Burnt Lead 791 Calamintha arvensis 411 Campernelle Jonquil 63 cardamantica 182 Burnt Red Earth 829 Calamintha clinopodium campestris 78 Cardamine amara 182 camphor 37 Cardamine praetensis 182 773 Campion 499 Cardamom 6 Calamintha officinalis 412, Canary Grass 531 cardamomum 6 492 Burnt Wool 211 Calamintha nepeta 412, Bursera gummifera 47, 90, 762 Bush Vetch 303 773 Cancamum 28 Cardamum 312 Butcher’s Broom 680 Calamintha tertium genus 412, 773 Cancer pagurus 187 Cardo fullonum 379 calamus 2 Cancerwort 580 Cardopatium corymbosum Calamus aromaticus 22 Candian Savory 403, 771, Butter 210 Butterbur 659 Buttercup 343, 599 Buttons 513 Calamus ciliaris 22 Calamus rotang 113 C Calcanthum 801 Cabaret 13 calcanthus 781 Cabbage 738 Calcite 802 Cacalia 672 Calcium Carbonate 802 Cacalia alpina 672 Cacalia verbascifolia 672 Cachola 459, 464 Cachris 464 Calcium Oxide 820, 826 Calcium Silicate 820 Calf’s Snout 680 Calla palustris 328 772 Carduus albus maculis 715 Candle Plant 404, 408, 771 Carduus benedictus 491 Candy Carrot 464 Carduus fullonius 379 Candy Lionsfoot 683 Carduus mariae 715 Candytuft 182 Carduus marianus 715 Cane 113 Carduus sphaerocephalus Cane Apples 172 Canella alba 18 Canker Flower 121 Cannabis gigantea 534 535 Cachrys libanotis 459, 464, Callitriche verna 77 Cannabis sylvestris 535 Callitris quadrivalvus 805 Cantalupo 291 Calluna vulgaris 117 Canterbury Bells 563 Buphthalmum salicifolium 529 Carlina caulescens 377 Carlina gummifera 377, Carlina vulgaris 491 Callitriche platycarpa 77 Cachrys panacifolia 467 Carlina acaulis 377 Cannabis sativa var indica Cachrys 467 467 Careum 440 491 Callitriche palustris 77 Cachrys maritimum 283, 378 Cannabis sativa 534 Cachry 464, 467 467 378 Carnation 544 Carob Tree 162 Caros 440 Carota 435 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 892 Carrot 431, 435, 464, 491, THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Chaerophyllum sylvestre Castor Bean Plant 719 Celtic Spikenard 10 Castor Oil Plant 37 Celtic Valerian 10 Castoreum 193 cenchrus 236 Cat Mint 412 Cenchrus lappaceus 236 Cat Thyme 420, 511 Centaurea crocodylium 378 Cat’s Tail 516 Centaurea cyanus 372 Carthamum officinarum 42, 737 Catanance 683 Centaurea verutum 375 Carthamus corymbosum Catananche caerulea 683 Centaurium erythraea 375 Catananche graeca 683 Centaurium minus 375 Catch Grass 488 Centaury 375, 378 737 Catcho 133 Centinode 547 Carthmus-like Stobaea 555 Caterpillar 740 Cepa 307 Carthusian Pink 544 Caterpillars 204 Cepa ascolonia 307 Carum 440 Catmint 412, 773 Cepa vulgaris 307 Carum bulbocastanum 675 Catnip 412, 773 Cepea 536 Carum carvi 440 Catorchites Wine 763 Cephalenthera ensifolia Carum copticum 432 Cat's Milk 722 Carum petroselinum 451 Caucalis 78, 295 Carya 41 Caucalis grandiflora 295 Carya basilika 176 Caucalis platycarpus 295 Carya Pontica 177 Caucalis pumila 295 caryinum 41 Cauda equina 587 Caryophyllus arvensis glaber flore majore 572 Cecides 149 711 Carrot Seed Grass 232, 591 Cartamus 42, 737 Cartamus sylvestris 491 Carthaginian Apple 157 378 Carthamus lanatus 378 Carthamus tinctorius 42, Caryophyllus domesticus Cedar deodara 102, 767 544 Cedar of Lebanon 102, 767 Caryophyllus sylvestris vulgaris latifolius 544 Cedar Wine 767 Cassia 691 Cassia acutifolia 17 Cassia angustifolia 17 Cassia fistula 17 Cassidony 516 Castanea 149 Castanea sativa 149 Castanea sylvestris 149 Castanea vesca 149 Castanea vulgaris 149 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Cedrat Tree 169 Cedrides 105 Cedrites 767 Cedrus libani 102, 767 Cedrus libanotica 102, 767 Celadine 355 Celandine 352 667 Chaetochloa italica 236 Chair-bottom Cane 113 chalcitis 781 Chama 186 Chamae 186 Chamae 186 Chamaecissus 675 Chamaecissus 675 Chamaedaphne 696 Chamaedryites 769 Chamaedrys minor repens 496, 769 Chamaedrys vera foemina 496, 515 Chamaedrys vera mas 496, 660 769 Cerasia 162 Cerasus 162 Chamaedrys vulgaris foemina 496 Cerasus acida 162 Chamaedrys vulgaris mas 496 Cerasus avium 162 chamaeleon 377, 378 Cerasus caproniana 162 Cerasus laurocerasus 696 Cerasus vulgaris 162 Chamaeleon albus 377 Chamaeleon niger 378 Ceratonia siliqua 162 Chamaemelon leucanthemum 527 Cerussa 796 Chamaemelum arvensis 529 Cerussa 796 Chamaemelum chrysanthemum 527 Cestron 543 Cestrum nocturnum 543 Ceylon Ebony 126 Chaba officinarum 316 Chamaemelum inodorum Chaba roxberghii 316 529 Chaerefolium 295 Chamaemelum vulgare 527 Chaerophyllum odoratum 667 Celery 448, 451, 777 Chaerophyllum sativum 295 Chamaemelum eranthemon 527 Chamaemelum foetidum 71, 72, 528 Celeri graveolens 448, 777 Celestine 599 Chalcedony 823 Chamaepeuce diacantha 676 Chamaepityinum 778 Chamaepitys 539 Carrot 431, 435, 464, 491, 711 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Chamaepitys lutea vulgaris 539, 778 Chamaesyce 725 chamaiacte 729 Chamailaites 778 Chamaipituinos 778 Chamelaea 727, 778 Chamelaea 727 Chamoeleon 377, 378 Chamomile 527 Characias 720 Charity 551 Chaste-tree 137 Cheat 235, 688 893 Chia Bugle 540 Chrysocoma 595 Chian 749 Chrysocoma linosyris 595 Chian Earth 827 Chrysocoma villosa 595 Chian wine 749 Chrysocome 595 Chick-pea 244 Chrysogonum 596 Chickweed 356, 555, 639 Chrysolite 822 Chicory 287 Cicer arietinum 244 Chinese Cinnamon Tree 17, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28 Cicer nigrum 244 Chironia centaurium 375 Chium 749 Chloride Salts 810 Choiromyces meandriformis 300 Cicer sativum 244 Cichorea 287 Cichorium endivia 287 Cichorium intybus 287 Cinnamomum zeylanicum 18, 75 Cinnamon 18, 75 Cinquefoil 583 Circaea alpina 516 Circaea lutetiana 516 Cirsion 668 Cirsium bulbosam 668 Cirsium germanicum 668 Cirsium tuberosum 668 Cissus digitata 52, 351, 751 Cissus quadrangularis 351 Cistus 125 Cichorium officinarum 287 Cistus creticus 125 Chondrilla 287 Cichorium sylvestre 287 Chondrilla graminea 287 Cichorum 287 Chondrilla juncea 287 Cicinum 37 Chondrille 287 cicinum 720 Chondrus 235 Cicla officinarum 272 Christmas Rose 700, 779 Chelidonia rotundifolia minor 355 Cicuta 631 Christ's Thorn 121 Cicuta major 631 Chelidonium corniculatum chrysanthemon 527 Cicuta virosa 631 Chrysanthemon 599 Cicutaria 667 731 Chrysanthemum 599 Cider Apples 166 Citrus medica var cedrata Chrysanthemum coronarium 599 cilicius 82 Cheese 209, 210 Cheilopoda 188 Cheiranthus cheiri 519 Chelidonia 352 Chelidonia minor 355 484 Chelidonium glaucum 611 Chelidonium majus 352 Chelidonium minus 355 Chenopodium album 267 Chenopodium botrys 515 Chenopodium halimus 118 Chrysanthemum leucacanthemum 387 Chrysanthemum parthenium 513 Cistus ellipticus 125 Cistus ladaniferus 125 Cistus ledon 125 Cistus polymorphus 125 Cistus vulgaris 125 Citrago 503 Citron 169 Citrullus colocynthis 288, 169 Citrus medica var limonum Cimex lectularius 196 169 Cimex rotandatus 196 Clary 522 Cimices 196 Clary 522 Cimolite 828 Clay Tiles 828 Chenopodium polyspermum 264 Chrysanthemum segetum 599 Cinara 383 Clazomenian 749 Chenopodium vulvaria 591 Chrysanthemum simplex Cinara hortensis 383 Cleavers 488 Cinis sarmentitius 813 Clematis 551, 732, 734 cinna 575 Clematis aegyptica 695 Cinnabar 799 Clematis alpina 551 Cinnamominum 75 Clematis angustifolia 551 Cinnamominum 75 Clematis cirrhosa 551 Cherry 162 599 Chrysanthemum vulgare Cherry Laurel 696 513 Cherry Pie 739 chrysitis 794 Chervil 295 Chrysoberyl 826 Chervil 295, 667 chrysocolla 781 Chestnut 149 Chrysocolla 797 Chamaepitys lutea vulgaris 539, 778 Clematis daphnoides 548 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 894 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Clematis flammula 732 coccum 591 Clematis sylvestris latifolia Coccum tinctile 588 734 Clematis vitalba 734 clematitis 368 Clematitis 732 Climbing Asparagus 300 Clinopodium arvense Ocimi facie 571 Clinopodium vulgare 492, 730 Clove Pink 544 Clover 419 Coccymelia 172 Coccymelum 172 Cochlearia armoracia 260 Cock’s Head 347 Cocklebur 583, 687 Cockroach 197 Cockspur Panicum 236 coctile 801 Codlins and Cream 544, Commiphora opalobalsamum 23 Common Alkanet 668 Common Bamboo 113 Common Beech 146 Common Bindweed 580 Common Birthwort 368 Common Borage 676 Common Bramble 579 Common Bryony 733 Common Buckthorn 117 668 Common Bugle 540 Clover Dodder 731 coeruleus 781 Common Bugloss 668, 676 Clown Mustard 182 Colchicum 635 Common Calamint 412, Clustered Bog Rush 592 Colchicum autumnale 635 Cluster-flowered Bugloss Colchicum commune 635 Common Hempnettle 647 Common Honeysuckle 556 Common Horseradish 260 Common Inula 30, 774 Common Ivy 351 Common Lettuce 292 Common Lilac 113 Common Lion’s Foot 679 Common Mallow 267 Common Mandrake 624, 779 Common Meadow Rue 648 Common Medick 303 773 Common Milkwort 688 Common Caper Bush 340 Common Mint 411 Common Caterpillar 740 Common Mushroom 363 Common Centaury 375 Common Nipplewort 264 Common Cow Parsnip 428 Common Polypody 736 Common Cultivated Radish 45, 259 Common Ragweed 514 Colocasia esculenta 331 778 Colocynth 288, 731 Common Cytisus 663 cnicinum 42 Colocynthis 731 Common Dragon 327 Cnicus benedictus 491 Colour of Wine 747 Common Enchanter’s Nightshade 516 Cnicus sativus 42, 737 Coltsfoot 512 Cnicus sylvestris hirsutior Coltsfoot 659 567 Clymenon 555 cneoron 728 Cneorum 727 Cneorum tricoccon 727, 491 Cnicus tuberosus 668 collocasia 248 Colocasia 247, 331 Colocasia antiquorum 331 Coluber berus 188 Common Scouring Bush Common Fennel 456 columella 185 Cnidium grain 728 Comaron 172 Coarse Myrrha 75, 78 Comarus 172 451 cobwebs of spider 205 Comfrey 552 Common Germander 496, Coccifera thebaica 153 Commiphora abyssinica 75, Cocculus plukenetii 588 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Common Rosemary 467 Common Europhila 315 Cnidium 42 Cocculus officinale 588 Common Rose 48, 129, 130 Common Sage 522 Columbine-leaved Meadow Rue 648 Cocculus Indicus Plant 588 Common Rockrose 125 Common Eryngo 388 cnidium 728 Cocculus 588 Common Reed 113, 575 Common Fennel Flower 45, 472 588 Common Sea Rocket 259 Common Sowthistle 284 Common Garden Cress 312 Common Spleenwort 684 Common Garden Parsley Common Tansy 513 Common Thyme 756 769 Common Thyme Wine 772 78 Common Goat’s Rue 427 Common Turnip 256 Commiphora kataf 23 Common Gromwell 531 Common Water Purslane Commiphora myrrha 75, 78, 88 Common Hawthorn 519 725 Common Hazel 177 Common White Horehound 411, 504, 772 Common Hemlock 631 Common Wild Cumin 444 Clematis flammula 732 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 895 Common Woodlouse 197 Coral 815, 816 Coronopus hortensis 284 Crane’s Bill 515 Common Yellow Loosestrife 544 Corallina 651 Corundum 824 Cranocolopta 182 Corallina officinalis 651 Corydalis cava 368 Cranus 171 Corchoris olitorius 348 Corylus 177 Crataegus monogyna 519 Corchorus 348 Corylus avellana 41, 177 Crataegus azarolus 170 Coriander 447 Corylus maxima 177 Crataegus laevigata 519 Conium 631 Coriander-leaved Bawd-money 675 Corylus sativa 177 Crataegus orientalis 519 Conium maculatum 631 Coriandrum 447 Corylus sylvestris 177 Crataegus oxyacantha 121, Compass Plant 475 concretitium 801 Condrilla 287 Conion 631 Consolida maior 552 Coriandrum maculatum Corypha thebaica 153 519 Crataeogonon 519 631 Cost 463 527 Coriandrum majus 447 Costmary 463 Consolida regia 527 Coriandrum sativum 447 Costus 21 Continental Mistletoe 487 Coriannum 447 Costus arabicus 21 Convallaria polygonatum Corion 447 Costus Root 21 725 Coris 539 Costus speciosus 21 Crepis tectorum 448 Coris 539 Cotinus coggyria 141, 145 Crepolea temulentum 235, Coris monspeliensis 539, 552 Cotonea malus 52, 162, 165, 759, 760 Corn Brome Grass 235, 688 Cotton Rose 560 Corn Buttercup 343 Cotton Thistle 380 Corn Chamomile 529 Cottus scorpius 188 Corn Chrysanthemum 599 Cotula foetida 71, 72, 528 Corn Cockle 239 Cotyledon 643, 644 Corn Crowfoot 343 Cotyledon barbeyi 644 780 Corn Marigold 599 Cotyledon lusitanica 643 Conyza canadensis 517 Corn Poppy 604 Cotyledon orbiculata 644 Conyza dioscoroidis 420 Corn Rose 604 Cotyledon umbilicus 643 Cretan Kidney Vetch 526 Conyza magna 517 Corn Sowthistle 447 coverings of Date fruits 154 Cretan Rockrose 125 Conyza media asteris 412, Cornel 171 Cow Parsley 295, 667 Cretan Silver Bush 126 Cornelian Cherry 171 Cow Parsnip 428, 468, 612, Cretan Spikenard 14, 775 Consolida regalis arvensis Creeping Buttercup 599 Creeping Thyme 415 Creeping Willow 138 Crenated Annual Spurge 548 Convallaria verticillata 548 Convolvulus 580 Convolvulus arvensis 580 Convolvulus major albus 691 Convolvulus minor arvensis 580 Convolvulus scammonia 726, 780 Convolvulus sepium 691 Convolvulus syriacus 726, 773 Conyza odorata 517, 773 Conyza parva 518 Conyza squarrosa 517, 773 Conyza wine 773 Coon 749 Copiapite 803 Copper Carbonate 798 Common Woodlouse 197 Cornu-cervium 284 Cornus cervicum 284 Cornus mas 171 Cornus mascula 171 Corona regia 419 Coronopus 284 688 Cress 182, 259, 283, 312, 315, 771 Cressio hortensis 312 Crested Lark 202 Cretan Alexanders 455 Cretan Carrot 464 Cretan Germander 495 Cretan Hard Grass 687 776 Cow Weed 295, 667 Cowbane 631 Crab Apples 166 Crabs 187 Crambe 268 Crambe maritima 271 Cretan Hemp Plant 534, 535 creticum 747 Crimnum 232 Crinum asiaticum 59, 499 Crinum toxicarium 59, 499 Crithmon 283 Crithmum maritimum 230, 283, 467 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 896 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Croci flores et folia 29, 63 Cucurbita maior 291 Cyclamen officinale 323 Cyphi 28 crocinum 63 Cucurbita oblonga 291 Cyclamen psuedo-graecum Cypre 122 Crocinum 63 Cucurbita pepo 291 Crocodilium 378 Cucurbita pepo var melopepo 291 760 Cypress Spurge 722 Cudweed 516, 596 Cydonia oblonga 52, 162, Cypress Wine 767 165, 759, 760 Cultivated Mustard 45, 311 Cydonia vulgaris 52, 162, 165, 759, 760 Cypria 113 Cydonites wine 759 Cyprinum 64, 122 Cymbalaria 680 Cyprus 64, 122 Cymbalaria elatine 580 Cytini 157 Cymbalaria muralis 680 Cytinus hypocistis 125 Cynara scolymus 383 Cytisus of Greeks 663 Cynia 738 Cytisus sessifolius 663 Crocomagma 30 crocum 29 Crocus 29, 63 Crocus hortensis 42, 737 Crocus sativus 29, 63 Cultivated Pear Tree 169 Cultivated Radish 45, 259 Cumin 45, 443, 444, 472 Crocus sativus var officinalis 29, 30, 63 Cuminum cyminum 443 Crook-podded Hedysarum Cuminum odoratum 443 523 Croton acutus 37, 719 Cuminum sylvestre 444 327 Cydonia 52, 162, 165, 759, Croton jamalgota 37, 719 Cuminum sylvestre alterum 45, 472 Croton Oil Plant 37, 719 Cupid’s Dart 683 Cynocrambe 738 Croton tiglium 37, 719 Cupidone 683 cynocrambe 738 Crotona 720 Cupressus funebris 94, 100 Cynocrambe mas 738 Crowberry 732 Cupressus sempervirens 94, 100 Cynoglosson 679 Crowfoot 343 Crown Daisy 599 Crown Marigold 599 Curmi 231 Cuscuta epithymum 731 Cuscuta minor 731 Crystalline Laminated Rock 818 Cutch 133 Cypress 94, 100, 395 cypria 114 Cynobatus 121 Cynoglossum officinalis D Dacar 18 Daffodil 63, 339, 716 Daisy 387, 529, 599 Damask Violet 519 679 Damasonium 536 Cynoglossum officinarum Dame's Rocket 519 679 Cynometra agallocha 27 cynosbatus 121 Dame's Violet 519 Danaë laurus 695 Danaidea racemosa 695 707 Cut-leaved Germander 496, 515 cucumer 291 Cuttlefish 190 Cyparissias 722 Cucumer asininus 704, 707 Cyamos 247 Cyperus 5 Cucumis colocynthis 288, Cyamus 247 Cyperus esculentis 5 Cyanochroite 798 778 Cucumis dudaim var aegypticus 291 Cyperus hydra 5 Cyanus 372, 798 Cyperus longus 5 Daphne laureola 695 Cucumis melo 291 Cyanus segetum 372 Daphne mezereum 695 Cucumis pepo 291 Cyanus sylvestris 372 Cyperus odoratus radice longa 5 Cyperus officinalis 5 106, 695 Cyperus officinarum 5 Daphnoeides 695 Cyperus olivaris 5 Daphnoides 695 Cyperus papyrus 114 Darnel 235, 688 Cyperus radicosus 5 Date fruits 154 Cucumber 51, 291, 704, 731 Cucumis sativa 291 Cyclamen 323 Cucumis sativus vulgaris Cyclamen cyclaminus 323 291 Cucumis sylvestris 704, Cyclamen europaem 323 707 Cyclamen graecum 323 Cucurbita lagenaria 291 Cyclamen littorale 323 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Cynosorchis latifolia 520 Dandelion 287 Danewort 729 Daphne 728, 778 Daphne gnidium 42, 728, Daphne-Alexandrina 46, Date Palm 153, 154 Croci flores et folia 29, 63 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Date Palm Wine 763 Date Plum 171 Dates 153 Datisca cannabina 535 Dianthus carthusianorum 544 Dianthus caryophyllus 544 Dictamnites 771 Dictamnus albus 404, 408, 897 Dogtooth Pea 252 Draper's Teazle 379 Dogwood 171 Drias Plant 711 Donax 113 Dried Grapes 745 Donax arundinaceus 113 Dropwort 517, 745 Dauci alterum genus 436 771 Dorema 483 Dry rot 110 Dauci tertium genus 439 Dictamnus creticus 71, 404, 408, 528, 771 Dorema ammoniacum 483 Dryopteris filix-mas 735, Daucus 460 Daucus carota var boissieri 460, 776 Daucus carota var sativa 435 Daucus carota var sylvestris 435 Daucus creticus 5, 439 Daucus montanus apii 439 Daucus officinarum 435 Dorema aurium 483 Dictamnus fraxinella 404, 408, 771 Dorycnium 623 Dill 59, 443, 777 Dorycnium herbaceum 623 Dinkel Wheat 231, 232, Dorycnium monspeliense 235 Diospyros ebenum 126 Diospyros lotus 171 diphryges 781, 804 Diplotaxis tenuifolia 296 737 Duckweed 639, 652 Dudaim Melon 291 Dung 222 623 Dutch Reed 113 Double Tongue 46, 106, Dutch Rush 592 695 Doum Palm 153 Douma thebaica 153 Dwarf Bay 695 Dwarf Centaury 375 Dwarf Elder 729 Daucus visagna 436 Dipsacus albus 379 Downy Cow Parsnip 428, 612, 776 Day Lily 518 Dipsacus fullonum 379 Draba arabis 315 Dwarf Olive 727, 778 Dead Man's Finger 522 Dipsacus sativus 379 Draba nemoralis 315 Dyer’s Bugloss 567 Deadly Carrot 431, 491, Dipsacus sylvestris 379 Draba olympica 315 Dyer’s Indigo Plant 798 Diserneston gummiferum Draba verna 315 Dyer’s Madder 532 Dracontia radix 327 Dyer’s Oak 41, 146, 149 Dracontion micron 328 Dyer’s Weed 359 Dracontium 328 Dyers Chamomile 527 711 Deadly Nightshade 620 483 Deccan Hemp 535 Disilphide of Iron 804 Deer 198, 203 Diss 742, 745, 760 Delphinium consolida 527 Dittander 343 Delphinium elatum 463 Dittany 404, 408, 771 Delphinium oxysepalum 460 Dittany of Crete 71, 404, 528, 771 Delphinium staphisagria Dittany Wine 771 708 Dendrocalamus strictus 113 Dendroides 723 Dens leonis 287 Deodar 102, 767 Deuteria 750 Devil in a Bush 45, 472 Devil’s Apple 624, 779 Devil’s Milk 720 Dock 263, 264 Dog Briar 121 Dog Daisy 387 Dog Rose 121 Dracontium maius 327 Dwarf Laurel 695, 696 E Dracunculis pratensis serrato folio 320 Eagle Fern 736 Dracunculis vulgaris 327 Eagle Stone 823 Dracunculus 327, 328 Eagle-wood 27 Dracunculus minor 328 Early Purple Orchid 522 Dracunculus palustris 328 Earth 800, 825 Dracunculus Plinii 328 Earth Almond 5 Dracunculus polyphyllus Earth Chestnut 675, 730 Dog’s Cabbage 738 327 Dog’s Mouth 691 Dracunculus vulgaris 327 Dog’s-bane 628, 632 Dragon Arum 327 Dog’s-tooth Violet 522 Dragon’s Mouth 691 Dog's Mercury 738 Dragonwort 327 Earth from Melia 829 Earthgall 375 Earthworms 206 East Indian Lotus 248 Eastern Thorn 519 Devil’s Spoons 651 Date Palm Wine 763 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 898 Eatable Arum 331 Ebenus 126 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Elaeagnus angustifolia 37, 141, 145 Elaeis guineensis 37, 141, Empetron 732 Erinus alpinus 572 Empetrum 559 Erinus hispanicus 572 Ebenus cretica 126 145 Empetrum nigrum 732 Eruca 296 Ebony 126 Elaeomeli 37 encauma 794 Eruca 296 Ebulus 729 Elaeoptene 37 Enchanter’s Nightshade Eruca erucacastrum 296 Ecballium agreste 51, 704, Elafobosco Vero 456 707 Ecballium elaterium 704, Elaphoboscum 456 516 Endiva vulgaris 287 Endive 287 Elate 154 Echinochloa chrus-galli 236 elaterium 94 Echinops sphaerocephalus 378 Elaterium officinale 51, 704, 707 Ephemerum 636 Echinus 184 Elatine 580 Ephemerum-non-letale 636 Echion 571 Elatine hydropiper 580 Epilobium hirsutum 544, Echion 571 Elatinum 51 Echium germanicum spinosum 571 Elder 30, 444, 774 Echium lanuginosum primum 668 Elecampane 30, 774 Echium plantagineum 571 Elecampane Wine 774 Edelweiss 679 Electric Ray 188 Edible Cyperus 5 Elemi 28 Edible Stemmed Vine 351 Elenium 30, 774 Effects of Wine 749 Eleoselinum 448, 777 Egg 201 Elephant’s Tooth 203 Eggplant 616 Elettaria cardamomum 20 Eggs 201 Eleven o’ Clock Lady 300 Egyptian Arum 331 Elleborites 779 Egyptian Balsam 41, 715 Elleborum nigrum 700, 779 Egyptian Bean 247, 248 Elleborus albus 696 Egyptian Hemp 534 Egyptian Lebekbaum 182 Egyptian Lotus 664 Egyptian Lupin 255 Egyptian Malt Liquor 231 Egyptian Manna Plant 523 Egyptian Privet 64 Egyptian Privet 122 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Eruca sylvestris 296 Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa 707 Elder Tree 729 Eruca sativa 296 Engrain 231 296 Enula campania 30, 774 Erucacastrum obtusangulum 296 erucae 204 Eruthrodanum 532 668 Ervina 252 Epimedium alpinum 563 Ervum 252 Epipactis 660 Ervum album sativum 252 Epipactis grandiflora 660 Ervum lens 248 Epipactis helleborine 660 Ervum sativum 252 Epipactis latifolia 660 Ervum sylvestre 252 Epirotica 166 Eryngij 389 Epithymum 731 Eryngium 388 Equisetum arvense 587 Eryngium 388 Equisetum brevius 587 Eryngium campestre 388 Equisetum hyemale 588 Eryngium vulgare 388 Equisetum longius 588 Eryngo 388 Equisetum minus 587 Erysimum alliaria 316 Equisetum palustre 588 Erysimum barbarea 316 Equisetum scirpoides 588 Erysimum cheiranthoides eranthemon 527 316 Ergasima 78 Erysimum officinale 280, 316, 600 Elleborus niger adulterinus sylvestris 700 Erica vulgaris glabra 117 Erysimum vulgare 600 Elleborus-albus 696 Erice 117 Erythraea centaurium 375 Elymus 236 Erigeron 648 Erythronium dens-canis Elymus arenarius 236 Erigeron 517 Emery 824 Erigeron canadensis 517 Emmer Wheat 231, 232, Erinaceous 184 Elleborus candidus 696 235 Erinus 572 522 Esparto 555 Esula rotunda 725 Eternal Flower 596 Ethiopian Sage 656 Eatable Arum 331 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Eupatorium 583 Eyzumum 296 Eupatorium cannabinum F 583 Eupatorium syriacum 583 Faba 247 Eupatorium veterum 583 Faba vulgaris 247 Euphorbia 720 Euphorbia amygdaloides 479 Euphorbia apios 730 Euphorbia chamaesyce 725 Euphorbia characias 720 Euphorbia cyparissias 722 Euphorbia dendroides 723 Euphorbia helioscopia 722 Euphorbia lathyris 724 Euphorbia lathyrus 724 Euphorbia massilensis 725 Fir Wine 767 Ficaria 647 Firs 87, 88 falernum 748, 749 Ficus amboinensis 180, 181 Firs 764 False Horsetail 587 Ficus carica 179, 181, 763 Fish Glue 487 False Lotier 171 Ficus carica var sylvestris 180, 181 Fish Soup 196 False Orpine 272 False Rhubarb 648 False Truffle 300 Farfaria 512 Fat Hen 267 Fats 219 216 Feather Grass 555 Felix 736 Felix foemina 736 723 Euphorbia platyphyllos Female Peony 529 Euphorbia resinifera 720 Fir 94 Feverfew Chrysanthemum Feverwort 375 Female Fern 736 723 Fiorin Grass 572 Fagus sylvatica 146 Fats blended with Scent Euphorbia pithyusa 720, Feverfew 463 Fagus castanea 149 Euphorbia officinarum 479 Euphorbia peplus 725 Ferula rubricaulis 85 Fine-leaved Water Dropwort 517 Fir cones 89 Euphorbia myrsinites 722 Euphorbia peplis 720, 725 Ferula puberula 468 513 FATS 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228 Euphorbia paralias 723 899 Female Polypody 736 Fen Rue 648 Ficus communis 179 Ficus racemosa 180, 181 Ficus sativa 179 Ficus sycomorus 178, 764 Fishbone Thistle 676 Five Fingers Grass 583 Five Leaf 583 Flatter Dock 524 Ficus variegata 180, 181 Flavours of Wines and their Properties 747 Field Bugloss 568 Flax 42, 243, 778 Field Clover 560 Flax-leaved Daphne 728, Field Cress 315 Field Eryngo 388 Field Forget-me-not 356 Field Maple 764 Field Poppy 604 Field Wild Basil 492 Field Woad 359 Fig 178, 179, 180, 181 778 Flea Seed 616 Fleabane 412, 517, 773 Floppers 520 Flos frumentorum 372 Floss Flowers 599 Floss Flowers 599 Flowering Ring 1, 67 Flowers of Brass 786 720 Fennel 456, 479 Fig-leaved Cow Parsnip 428, 776 Euphorbia spongiosa 724 Fennel Flower 45, 472 Figs 763 Foeniculum 456 Euphorbia tithymaloides Fenugreek 55, 243 Figs 181 Foeniculum capillaceum Fermented Barley Drink Filago germanica 516 Euphorbia spinosa 719, 720 Euphorbium 479 231 Euphorbium Gum Plant 720 Fern 507, 525, 532, 533, 667, 684, 736, 737 European Beech Tree 146 Flowers of salt 810 456 Foeniculum foeniculum Filago lagopus 560 456 Filipendula 517 Foeniculum officinale 456 Ferula 479 Filipendula hexapetala 517 Foeniculum vulgare 459 European Box Thorn 130 Ferula foetida 468 Filipendula vulgaris 517 Europhila vulgaris 315 Ferula galbaniflua 72, 480 Foeniculum vulgare Germanicum 456 Filix mas 735 Evergreen Clematis 551 Ferula opopanax 432 Filix non ramosa dentata Everlasting 679 Ferula persica 479 Eupatorium 583 735 Foenograecum 55, 243 Foenumgraecum 55, 243 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 900 Foenumgraecum sativum 55, 243 Foetid Horehound 500 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK fungal growth on Myrtle 161 Forget-me-not 356, 740 Forking Larkspur 527 Fossilised Oyster Shells 824 Four-winged Garden Pea Gardrobe 691 Fungi 635 G Gingidium umbella oblonga 436 Gagate 818 Garlic Wort 280 Gingili 41, 236 Gagea lutea 335 Garlic-scented Shepherd’s Purse 315 Gipsy Flower 679 Galbanum Plant 480 Fox Grape 733, 742 Galega officinalis 427 Frankincense 85, 86, 87 Galeopsis 647 Galeopsis tetrahit 647 French Beans 252, 300 Galiopsis 647 French Grass 537 Galium aparine 488 Galium luteum 647 French Lavender 399, 770 Galium verum 647 French Rose 48, 129, 130 Gall from various Animals Friar’s Cowl 332 Frogs 194 froth of silver 794 Fucus marinus 651 Fucus vesiculosus 651 Fuller's Herb 323 Fullers’ Teazle 379 Gladiole 563 Gas Plant 404, 408, 771 Gean Cherry 162 Gladiolus byzantinus 563 Gladiolus communis 563 Geat Reed Mace 516 Gladiolus illyricus 563 Gentian 367 Gladiolus luteus 2, 777 Gentiana 365, 367 Glastum 359 Gentiana centaurium 375 Glaucium corniculatum Gentiana lutea 367 484 Geranium 515 Glaucium leiocarpum 484 Gall Oak 41, 146, 149 Geranium fuscum 515 Glaucium luteum 611 galla 149 Geranium praetense 515 Glaucium phoeniceum 484 gallic acid 125 Geranium robertianum Glaux 688 Gallion 647 Gallium 647 Gallium molugo 532 Garden Anemone 344 Garden Chrysanthemum Garden Cress 312 Fumaria officinalis 660 Garden Cypress 395 Fumiterre 660 Garden Peony 529 Fumitory 368, 660 Garden Purslane 272 Fumitory-leaved Isopyron Garden Rhubarb 364 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Glacier Wormwood 396 Garum 196 Glaucium flavum 611 Fumaria bulbosa 368 Funereal Cypress 100 Gizir 18 Geodes 825 599 Fumus terrae 660 Garlicwort 316 220 Fumaria 660 671 Gingidium 295 Garlic Sage 495 Fox 198 Freshwater Mussels 186 Gingidium 295 Gabirea 78 Galbanum 72 French Honeysuckle 523 Garlic 307, 308, 427 Garlic Germander 511 galactites 820 Fraxinella 404, 408, 771 19 gabalites 82 660 Fox Geranium 515 ginger xylocinnamomum Gingerbread Tree 153 Garland Thorn 121 foetida 711 Fomes officinalis 363 Garden Winged Pea 660 Garden Snails 186 Garden Thyme 416 Garden Valerian 14, 775 515 Glaux maritima 688 Geranium sanguinem 515 Geranium sextum 515 Geranium tertium 515 German Iris 1, 67 Glechium 404 Glechoma hederacea 675 Glechon 404, 773 Gleucinum 68 Germander 420, 495, 496, 511, 515, 769 Globe Thistle 378 Germander Speedwell 496 Globularia 732 Germander Wine 769 Globularia alypum 732 Getah Fig Tree 180, 181 Glue 229 Giant Fennel 479 Glue from the hides of Bulls 484 Giant Reed 113 Gingelly 41, 236 Ginger 319 glutinum 484 Glycyrrhiza 371 Glycyrrhiza glabra 371 Foenumgraecum sativum 55, 243 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 901 Glycyrrhiza laevis 371 Gongulis 256 Greater Plantain 276 Gnaphalium 516 Gooseberry 117 Greater Stitchwort 572 Habenaria bifolia 521 Gnaphalium arenarium Goosefoot 267 Great-flowered Star of Bethlehem 336 Haematite 817 596 Gnaphalium citrinum 516 Gnaphalium germanicum Goosegrass 488 Goose-grease 214 Great-headed Garlic 307 H Hairy Hippomarathrum 459 Greek Cyclamen 323 Hairy Marjoram 408 268 Greek Juniper 101 Hairy Onosma 523 679 Gourd 288, 731 Greek Strawberry Tree 272 Halicacabum vulgare 619 Gnaphalium stoechas 516 Goutweed 444 Greek Valerian 551 Hara Nut Tree 41, 715 Gnaphalium vulgare majus Grains 42 Green Mustard 343 Hard Grass 687 Gram 244 Green Winged Orchid 521 Hare 189 Gramen 572 Grime from the Baths 36 Hare’s Foot 560 Grape 52, 351, 751 Grime from the Gymnasium Walls 36 Harebell 563 516 Gnaphalium leontopodium 516 Gnat-like Orchid 522 Gnidium 42, 728, 778 Goat Grass 687 Goat Weed 599 Gossularia simplici acino Grape Hyacinth 604 Grime from the Wrestling School 36 Goat’s Beard 299 Grape Vine 741, 742, 745, 746, 760 Goat’s Liver 199 Grapes 68, 742, 745, 746 Goat’s Rue 427 Grapes & Honey 760 117 Goat’s Thorn 383, 387 grass 235, 547, 575, 688, Ground Elder 444 Goats’ Hooves 199 Goat-scented St John’s Wort 538 Gobbo 267 Gobiidae 195 Gobius 195 Gold Flower 516 Gold Of Pleasure 667 Gold Salts 793 Gold Solder 797 Golden Locks 736 Golden Rod 596 Golden Shower 17 Golden Sunflower 596 Golden Thistle 383 Golden Tufts 516 Goldylocks 595 Gombo 267 722 Grass 232, 235, 236, 239, 275, 283, 312, 315, 404, 488, 531, 537, 555, 564, 572, 583, 591, 600, 687, 688, 712, 740, 773 Grass of Parnassus 575 Grasshoppers 202 Great Burnet 383 Great Fan Palm 154 Great Fleabane 517, 773 Great Hedge Nettle 504 Great Mullein 655 Great Scarlet Oak 146 Great Snapdragon 691 Great Willowherb 668 Greater Broomrape 299 Greater Burdock 659 Greater Celandine 352 Greater Duckweed 639 Haricot Beans 252, 300 Harmel 423, 427 Grossi 181 Hart 203 Grossularia simplici acino Hart’s Tongue Fern 507 Ground Ivy 675 Ground Oak 496, 769 Ground Pine 539, 778 Groundsel 623, 648 gum 134 Gum Ammoniacum Plant 483 Gum Arabic 133 Gum Benjamin Tree 81 Gum Cistus 125 Gum Elemi Tree 28 Gum from Frankincense 85 Gum of Ammon 483 Hartwort 439 harundo 114 Hatchet Vetch 523 Hawksbeard 448 Hawkweed 448 Hawkweed Wood or Wall 447 Hawthorn 121, 519 Hazel 177 Hazelnuts 41 Hazelwort 13 Headed Bell Flower 563 Heal-all 432 Heath 117, 732 Gum Succory 287 Heath-leaved St John’s Wort 539 Gum Thistle 479 Hedera helix 351 Gum Tragacanth Plant 387 Hedera helix poetica 351 Gymnadenia conopsea 522 Hedera helix vegeta 351 Gypsum 813 Hedera nigra 351 Gongule 256 Glycyrrhiza laevis 371 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 902 Hedera terrestris 675 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Helichrysum chinophylum 596 Hedera terrestris vulgaris Henna Shrub 64 Hibiscus 533 Hens and Chickens 640 Hibiscus cannabinus 535 Hepatica 595 Hibiscus esculentis 267 Hepatica fontana 595 hides 150 hepsema 747 Hierabotane 600 Heraclean Honey 226 Hieraceum minus 448 Heracleum gummiferum 428, 612, 776 Hieracium maius 447 675 Helichrysum stoechas 516 Hedge Bedstraw 532 Helioscopius 722 Hedge Berry 162 Helioselinum 451 Hedge Maple 764 Heliotrope 659, 739 Hedge Mustard 280, 296, 316, 600 Heliotropium amplexicaule Hedge Nettle 504, 507, 543, 770 Heliotropium ciliatum 739 Hedge Parsley 295 739 Hedge Sison 440 Helix aspersa 186 Hedge Vine 734 Helix hortensis 186 Hedge Woundwort 576 Helix pomatia 186 Hedgehog 184 Hellebore 696, 700 Heracleum sphondylium 428, 468 Hedychroon 72 Hellebore Wine 779 Herb Bennet 631 264 hedychroon 72 Helleborine 660 Herb Gerard 444 Hippomarathrum 459 hedyosmus 411 Helleborus albus 696 Herb Ivy 540 Hippomarathrum 459 Hedyosmus 411 Helleborus foetidus 700 Herb Louisa 600 Hedypnois 287 Helleborus niger 700, 779 Hippomaratrum libanotis 459, 464 Herb Mastic 47, 90, 762 Hedypnois maior 287 Helleborus officinalis 700, Herb of Grace 423 459 Herb Paris 628 Hippophae rhamnoides Hedysarum 523 Hedysarum alhagi 523 739 Heliotropium europaeum Heracleum panaces 428, Hieracium murorum 447 776 Hieracium pilosella 448 Heracleum pubescens 428, 612, 776 Hieracium sylvaticum 447 Heracleum pyrenaicum 428, 612, 776 Himalayan Cedar 102, 767 Hippocampus 184 Hippoglosson 680 Hippolapathum latifolium 779 Helleborus viridis 700, 779 Helxine 636 Hedysarum coronarium 523 Helxine soleirolii 636 Hedysarum crinitum 523 Herb Robert 515 Herba à cent goûts 591 Hippomaratrum siculus 716 Hippophaes 716 Hippophaeston 719 Helxine-cissampelos 580 Herba capillorum-veneris 525, 684 Hippophaiston 719, 720 Hedysarum onobrychis 537 Hemerocallis fulva 518 Herba Roberti 515 Hippopotamus 193 helcysma 794 Hemionitis 526 Herba sabina 102 Hippopotamus amphibious Heleio selinon 451 Hemlock 455, 517, 631, Herba stella 284 Helelisphacites 776 Helelisphacum 408, 776 Helenium vulgare 30, 774 745 Herminum monorchis 520 Hemp 534, 535 Hemp Agrimony 583 Hemp Mallow 535 Helianthemum chamaecistus 125 Hemp Tree 137 Helianthemum vulgare 125 Hempnettle 647 Helichryson 596 Hen Bell 42, 612 Helichrysum 596 Henbane 42, 612 Helichrysum arenarium Henna 122 596 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Hermodactylis 635 193 Hipposelinon 452 Hipposelinum 81, 452 Hipposelinum Theophrasti Herpacantha 384 452 Herpyllum 416 Hippuris 587, 588 Hesperis hortensis 519 Hippuris vulgaris 587 Hesperis matronalis var hortensis subvar albiflora Hiprose 121 519 Hirundinaria 491 Heudelotia africanum 82 Hirundo rustica 202 Hiberis 182 Hog Fennel 439 Hedera terrestris 675 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Hog’s Fennel 471 Hogweed 468 Horminum domesticum 522 Holly Fern 532, 533 Horminum pratense foliis serratis 522 Holly Oak 146 Horminum sclarea dictum Hollyhock 534 Holm Oak 146 holoschoenos 592 Holosteum 555 522 Horn 203 Hymenoema tournefortii Imperatoria major 475 Horse Sorrel 264 Holy Herb 600 Horse Thyme 492 Holy Wormwood 396 Horse Tongue 46, 106, 507, Hop Clover 663 Hop Tree 110 Hops 27 Hordeum distichon 230 Hordeum polystichum 230 Hordeum sativum 230, 231 Hordeum tetrastichum 230 Hordeum vulgare 230, 231 Horehound 411, 504, 772 Horehound 500 horminum 522 Imperatoria ostrithium 456 Hymettium 225 Imperatoria ostruthium 475 Hyoscyamus 42, 612 Indian Aloe Tree 27 Hyoscyamus albus 42, 612 Indian Aspalathus 24 Hyoscyamus flavus 42, 612 Indian Cedar 102, 767 695 Hyoscyamus niger 42, 612 Indian Hemp 535 Horsebane 517 Hypecoon 612 Indian Jujube 171 Horse-hair Lichen 595 Hypecoum 612 Indian Laburnum 17 Horsepipe 587 Hypecoum procumbens Indian Lilac 109 Horseradish 260 Horses 198 612 Indian Mulberry 177 Hypericum 537 Indian Palm 22 Hypericum androsaemum Horsetail 587 538 Indian Pea 252 Hound’s Berry 620 Hypericum ascyron 538 Indian Senna 17 Hound’s Tongue 679 Hypericum coris 539 Indian Valerian 9 Houseleek 640 Hypericum hircinum 538 Indicum 798 House-mouse 207 Hypericum hirsutum 538 Indigo 798 Hulwort 511 Hypericum montanum 538 Indigofera indica 798 Humulus 27 Hypericum perforatum 537 Indigofera linifolia 798 Humulus lupulus 27 Hypericum vulgare 537 Indigofera tinctoria 798 Hyacinthus botyroides 604 Hyphaene coccifera 153 Indigofera viscosa 798 Hyacinthus caeruleus maior 604 Hyphaene thebaica 153 Ink 830 Hypocistis 125 Intubus erraticus 287 Hyacinthus caeruleus maximus 604 Hyptis spicigera 703 Intybum saticvum latifolium 287 Hyacinthus comosus 604 Hyssop 399 Hyacinthus comosus major purpureus 604 Hyssop of the Bible 399 Intybum sativum angustifolium 287 Hyssop Wine 769 Intybum sylvestre 287 Hyssopus hortensis 399 Inula 30, 774 Hyacinthus racemosus caeruleus monor latifolius 604 Hog’s Fennel 471 683 Hyosciaminum 42 Hordeum distichum 230 Hordeum murinum 584 Iberis numidica 182 Horse Cheese 210 Holy Hemp 647 Honeysuckle 556 Iberis amara 182 Hydropiper rubeum 328 Idaea radix 587 Horse Parsley 81, 452 Honeyed Wine 752 I Hydropiper 320 Hymenoema graecum 683 Holy Clover 537 Honey Water 752 Hydromelon 760 Horned Poppy 484, 611 Horse Mint 411 Honey Lotus 419 Hyssopus officinalis 769 Icica icicarabica 28 Holostium 555 Honey Balm 503 hydromel 752 803 Horse Elder 30, 774 Honey Apples 166 Hyssopus officinalis 399 Horned Cumin 612 555 Honey 225, 226 Hydrargyrum 799 Hydrous Silicate of Iron Holosteum umbellatum Homer’s Moly 427 903 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 904 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Inula campana 30, 774 Itea riparia 138 Juniper Wine 767 Lactuca sativa 292 Inula candida 672 Itea virginica 138 Juniperos vulgaris fructiosa 101 Lactuca sativa crispa et rotunda 292 Inula dysenterica 412, 773 Iuniperos minor 101 Juniperus communis 101 Lactuca scariola 292 Inula helenium 30, 774 Ivray 235, 688 Juniperus communis 767 Lactuca scariola var sativa Ion 672 Ivy 351, 675 Iringus 388 Ivy-leaved Toadflax 680 Irinum 67 Irion 316 Iris germanica 1, 67 Iris Oil 67 Iris pseudacorus 2, 777 Juniperus excelsa 101 J Jacob’s Ladder 551 Juniperus sabina 102 Junket 208 Jasme 77 Jasme 77 Lactuca sylvestris 292 Lactuca virosa 292 Ladanum 125 Jupiter’s Beard 526, 640 Jagged Chickweed 555 292 K Ladanum Resin Tree 125 Ladies' Bedstraw 647 Kale 268, 271 Lady Fern 736 Kat 133 Lady’s Fingers 526 Kenchros 236 Lagenaria vulgaris 291 Kenilworth Ivy 680 Lagoëcia cuminoides 444 Kermes Oak 588 Lagopus 560 Kidney Beans 252, 300 Lagopus 560 Kidney Vetch 526 Lamium montanum melissae folio 503 Iris vulgaris Germanica sive sylvestris 1, 67 Jasmine 77, 543 Iron 804 Jasmine Box 122 Iron Disilphide 817 Jasminum sambac 77 Iron Oxide 819, 823 Jasper 823 Iron Rust 790 jaspis 823 Iron Sesquioxide 817 Jatamansi 9 Iron Slag 790 Jellyfish 197 Isatis campestris 359 Jerusalem Sage 655 Isatis sativa 359 Jerusalem Thorn 121 Isatis sativa 359 Jet 818 Isatis sylvestris 359 Jew Bush 720 Isatis sylvestris 359 Jonquil 63 Isatis tinctoria var sativa Jove’s Beard 526 416 Lapatium acutum 263 Juglans 176 Knotweed 547 Lapis Lazuli 822 359 Juglans regia 41, 176 Knucklebone of Pig 203 Lappa maior 659 Isopyron 252, 671 Juice from Unripe Grapes Korkoros 348 Lappa major 659 Kust-root 21 Lappa minor 687 Kutch 133 Lappa tomentosa 659 359 Isatis tinctoria var vulgaris Isopyrum 252 Isopyrum fumaroides 671 Isopyrum thalictroides 671 Istricum 749 Italian Alkanet 567, 676 Kidneywort 643 746 Jujube Tree 171 Julides 196 Juncus acutus 592 King’s Rod 332 Klamath Weed 537 Knitbone 552 Knotgrass 547 Knotted Marjoram 55, 218, L Juncus arabicus 21, 592 Labdanum 125 Juncus conglomeratus 21, Labrusca 733 Italian Millet 236 592 Italian Starwort 671 Juncus effusus 21, 592 Italian Stone Pine 88 Juniper 101 Itea ilicifolia 138 Juniper GumTree 805 PLANT MATERIALS etc. King’s Clover 419 Lac Sumach 121 Lacertilia 206 Lactuca crispa 292 Lamp Flower 499 Lampsana communis 264 Land Caltrops 559 Land Cress 259, 771 Lanolin 212 Lapathum aquaticum 263 Lapsana communis 264 Larch 94 Lard 214 Large Bitter Cress 182 Larger Astrantia 700 Larger Reedmace 516 Larix cedrus 102, 767 Inula campana 30, 774 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Larix deodara 102, 767 Larix europa 94 Lark 202 Laserpitium chironium 432 Laserpitium germanicum 475 Laserpitium latifolium 436 Laserwort 436 Lastrea filix-mas 735, 737 Lathyris 724 Lathyris 724 Lathyris major 724 Lathyris sativus 252 Lawsonia alba 64, 122 Lawsonia inermis 64, 122 Lead 793, 794, 796 Lead Slag 792 Lead Stone 792 Leather 200 Lebekbaum 182 Lecanora esculenta 595 Leek 304 Leek 307 Lemna minor 639 Lemna polyrrhiza 639 Lemnian Earth 800 Lathyris sylvestris 252 Lathyrus aphaca 303 Lemon 169 Lemon Balm 503 905 Lepidium campestre 315, 343 Lepidium latifolium 343 Lepidium oleraceum 312 Lepidium sativum 312 Leporinus pes 560 Lepus timidus 189 Lesbian wine 749, 750 Lesser Broomrape 299 Lesser Burdock 656 Ligusticum levisticum 455 Lettuce 292 Ligusticum vulgare 455 Leucacantha 387 Lilac 113 Leucadendron argenteum liliaceum 59 leucanthemon 527 Laurel of Caesar 46, 106, Lens esculenta 248 Leucanthemum 387 Lens vulgaris 248 Leucanthemum Dioscoridis Laurus nobilis 46 Laurus nobilis 106 Laurus-Alexandrina 46, 106, 695 Lavandula stoechas 399, 770 lentiscina 90 lentiscinum 47 lentiscum 90 Leontice 495 Lichen petraeus latifolius Lesser Snapdragon 680 Lens culinaris 248 Laurus cinnamomum 18 Lichen Moss 651 Ligusticum ajwain 432 Laurel 46, 106, 695, 696 Laurus Alexandrina 695 Lichen 595 Lesser Reedmace 516 109 Lentils 248, 639 Libanotis latifolia altera 436 Ligusticum 432 Lens 248, 639 Laurocerasus officinalis 696 Libanotis cretensis 464 Lesser Dodder 731 Lathyrus tuberosus 730 Lent Rose 63, 716 Libanotis coronaria 467 Life Plant 520 Lemon Verbena 600 Laureola 695 Libanotis 464, 467 Lesser Centaury 375 Lathyrus segetum 303 Lent Lily 63, 716 Levisticum vulgare 455 595 Lemon Lily 518 Laurel Oil 46 Levisticum officinale 455 Lesser Cardamom 20 Lathyrus arvensis repens tuberosus 730 695 Levisticum 455 lilinum 59 Lilium 59, 499 Lilium album 59, 499 527 Lilium candidum 59, 499 Leucas 496 Lilium convallium 636 Leucas foliis rotundus 496 Lilium convallium album Leucas indica 496 Leucoion 519 Leucoion-Dioscorides album 519 Leucoion-Dioscorides luteum 519 636 Lilium martagone 332 Lilium purpureum 332 Lily 59, 63, 339, 499, 518, 524, 525, 563, 716 Lily Asphodel 59, 499 Leontice leontopetalum 495 Leontodon taraxacum 287 Leucoium bulbosum vulgare 519 Leucoium luteum vulgare Lily of The Valley 636 Lily Spiderwort 507 Lavender 399, 770 Leontopodion 679 519 Lavender Cotton 576 Leontopodium alpinum Leucojum vernum 519 Lime Sulphate 821, 822 Leucosinapis officinalis 45, Limestone 801 Lavender Grass 239 Lavender Wine 770 Laver vulgo dicitur 451 Larix deodara 102, 767 679 Leontopodium vulgare 679 311 Leopard’s Bane 623 Leukoion 519 Levant Garlic 307 Lime 826 Limnantheum indicum 17, 77 Limonium 560 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 906 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Limonium vulgare 560 Lithospermum sativum 531 Lovage 432, 455 Macer 110 Linaria 691 Lithospermum tinctorium Love 45, 472 Macrochloa tenacissima Linaria cymbalaria 680 Linaria elatine 580 Linaria vulgaris 691 Linaria vulgaris lutea flore majore 691 567 Live Ever 679 Livelong 360 liver 199 Liver Balsam 572 Love in a Mist 45, 472 Lucerne 303 Lumbricus 206 Lungs of Fox 198 555 Madder 532 Mad-dog Weed 536 Madonna Lily 59, 499 Maena 195 Ling Nut 17, 77 Liver of Mad Dog 199 Lungs of Swine, Lamb or Bear 197 Lingua cervina 526 Liver of Seagull 200 Lungwort 696 Magnetic IronOxide 819 Lingua cervina officinarum Liverwort 583 Lupin 255 Magnetite 819 Lizard 206 Lupinus albus 255 magudarim 475 Lizard Orchis 521 Lupinus angustifolius 256 Maidenhair 525, 684 Locust Tree 162 Lupinus termis 255 Maiorana 55, 218, 416 Locustidae 202 Lupulus 27 526 Linum 243 Linum sativum 243 Linum usitatissimum 243 Lion’s Paw Cudweed 679 Majorana hortensis 55, 218, Lion's Turnip 495 Lionsfoot 683 Lippia citrata 600 Lippia citriodora 600 Liquor 231 Liquorice Plant 371 Liquorice Vetch 603 Liquortia 371 Liquortia officinalis 371 lirinum 499 lirium 499 Lupulus mas 27 lodestone 819 Lupus salictarius 27 416 Lolium 239 Lychnis 499 Lolium temulentum 235, Lychnis coeli-rosa 499 Mala cotonea minora 52, 162, 165, 759, 760 688 lonchitis 133 Lonchitis 532 Long Pepper 316 Lonicera caprifolium 556 Lychnis coronaria 499 Lychnis segetum major 239 Lychnis viscaria 499 Lycium europaeum 130 Lycium lanceolatum 130 Lonicera periclymenum 556 Lycopsis 679 Loranthus europaeus 487 Lycopsis arvensis 571 Lords and Ladies 327 Lycopsis arvensis 568 Lotus 248, 419, 664 lycoris 777 Lotus corniculatus 663 Lye 182, 813 Lotus hortensis odora 508 Lyme Grass 236 Lotus Jujube 171 Lyncurium 225 Lithocarpus benzoin 81 Lotus sativa 508 Lysimachia adoensis 348 Lithocolla 824 Lotus sativa 660 Lysimachia lutea 544 Lithospermon 531 Lotus sylvestris 663 Lysimachia purpurea 544 Lithospermum 531 Lithospermum majus erectum 531 Lotus tetragonolobus 660 Lysimachia vulgaris 544 Lithospermum officinale 531 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Malabathrum 17 Malache 267 Malachite 797 Malacocissus minor 355 Mala-insana 616 Male Bamboo 113 Male Fern 735, 737 Male Polypody 735, 737 Malt Liquor 231 Maltese Cross 499 Malus communis 162 Malus sylvestris 162 Malva alcea 534 Malva hortensis 267 Malva rotundifolia 267 Malva sylvestris 267 Lotus Tree 171 Lousewort 708 Majorana vulgaris 55, 218, Mallow 267, 533, 535 Litharge 794 Lithargyrum 794 416 Locusts 202 Lion's Foot 679 Lion's Leaf 495 Magnesia 827 M Mace 110 Malva sylvestris pumila 267 Limonium vulgare 560 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK mamertianum 748 mamertinum 749 Marrubium vulgare 411, 504, 772 Marsh Celery 448, 777 907 Medicago lupulina 663 Melilotus officinalis 419 Medicago sativa 303 Melimela 166 MEDICINAL OINTMENTS Melinum 165 Mandragora fructu rotundo 624, 779 Marsh Mallow 533 48 Mandragora mas 624, 779 Marsh Parsley 448, 777 Medicinal Squill 336, 756, Mandragora morion 620 Marsh Pestle 516 Mandragora officinarum 624, 779 Mandragorites 624, 779 Mandrake 624, 779 Mandrake Wine 779 Mangrove 113 Manna 37 Manna Lichen 595 Many-flavoured Gum Cistus 125 Marsh Valerian 13, 775 Marum 420 Marum Germander 420 Maspeta 475 Maspetum 475 Masterwort 456, 475, 700 Mastic Tree 47, 90, 762 Mastichinum 47 Melissa 503 757 Melissa calamintha 412, 773 Medicinal uses of Fats 219 Melissa clinopodium 492, Medick 303, 663 730 Medick Vetch 537 Melissa hortensis 503 Medium 563 Melissa officinalis 503 Medium alpinum 563 Melissen 503 Medlar Tree 170 Melissophyllum 503 Megalium 72 Melissophyllum adulterinum 503 Melaleuca cajputi 109 Melissophyllum verum 503 Melaleuca leucadendron Mat Grass 236 109 Maple 178, 764 Mater silvana 556 melampodium 700 Marathrum 456 Matricaria 513 melampsithion 748 marathrum 777 Matricaria chamomilla 527 melampsithium 748 Marble & Glue 824 Matricaria inodora 529 melanteria 781 503 Marchantia polymorpha Matricaria parthenium 513 Melanteria 803 Melo vulgaris 291 Matricaria recucita 527 Melanthium 45 Melomeli 759 Matricaria vulgaris 513 Melanthium alterum Damascenum vocatum 45, Melopopone 291 Maudlin 599 472 memacyla 172 May Bush 121 Melanthium hortense primum 45, 472 Memphitis stone 822 595 Mare’s Tail 587 Marigold 599 Marjoram 400, 772 Marjoram 55, 218, 400, 408, 416 Mayweed 71, 72, 528 Melissophyllum vulgare 503 Melitites 820 melittena 503 Melittis melissophyllum Mendesium 75 Melanthium sylvestre 45, Marjoram Wine 772 Mead 752 472 menstrual blood 222 Marram 236 Meadow Horsetail 588 melea 162 Mentastro 411, 504, 772 Marrow 220 Meadow Horsetail 587 Melelite 820 Mentastrum 411 Marrubium 504, 772 Meadow Parsnip 468 Melia azadirachta 109 Mentha aquatica 280 Marrubium 500 Meadow Rue 427 Melia indica 109 Mentha arvensis 411 Marrubium album vulgare 504, 772 Meadow Rue-leaved Isopyron 671 Melicrate 752 Mentha gentilis 411 Marrubium alysson 488 Melilot 419 Mentha piperita 411 Meadow Saffron 635 Marrubium alyssum 488 Meliloti quartum genus 419 Mentha pulegium 404, 773 Meadow Sage 522 Marrubium nigrum 500 Melilotus arvensis 419 Mentha sativa 411 meconium 608 marrubium nigrum 500 Melilotus germanica 663 Mentha sylvestris 411 Medica 303 Marrubium pseudodictamnus 407 Melilotus italica 419 Mentha viridis 411 Medicago arborea 663 mamertianum 748 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 908 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Mercurialis annua 738 Milkthistle 284 Mercurialis mas 738 Milkweed 431, 491, 688 Mercurialis perennis 738 Milkwort 688 Mercurialis sylvestris mas Millefolium 652 738 Monoxide of Molybdenum 794 Monoxide of Silver 794 Montpellier Coris 539, 552 Moon Trefoil 663 Millefolium vulgare album Mercuric Sulphide 799 652 Moonstone 822 Mercury 738 Millet 236 Moonwort 488 Mercury 644, 799 Millipede 197 Morea sisrinchium 177 Mercury's Violet 563 Mimosa arabica 133 Morinda umbellata 177 Mergus 200 Mimosa catechoides 133 morion 627 Mespilus azarolus 170 Mimosa catechu 133 Morochthus stone 820 Mespilus germanica 170 Mimosa gummifera 133 Moroxis 820 Messogites 749 Mimusops schimperi 182 Morus indica 177 metallic oxides 827 Mind-your-own-business Morus nigra 177 636 metopium 480 Meu 5, 439 Moss 595, 651 Meum 5 Meum athemanticum 5, Mineral Salts 810 Mint 411 Mistletoe 487 439 misy 781 Meum bunius 675 Misy 803 Mezereon 695 Mithridate Mustard 315 Mezereum officinale 695 Mock Plane 178 mice 207 Mock Privet 122 Micromeria thymbra 403, 771, 772 moena 195 Midland Hawthorn 519 Midsummer Men 360 milesium 813 Milfoil 576, 599, 652, 664 Military Orchid 520 Milium 236 molibditis 794 Molinia 239 Molinia caerulea 239 Mosulitis 18 Mosulum 18 Mosyleticus blastos 18 Mother of Thousands 636 Mother of Thyme 415, 772 Motherwort 591 Mountain Chickpea 244 Mountain Germander 511 Mountain Hemlock 455 mountain moly 427 Mountain nardus 13 Molybdenum 794 Mullein Pink 499 Mullet 190 Mullidae 190 Mullus barbatus 190 Mulsum 752 Muria 810 Muriates 810 murrha 114 Mus musculus 207 Muscari botyroides 604 Muscari comosum 604 Muscus marinus 651 Mushroom 363 Mushrooms 635 Musk Orchis 520 Musky Bugle 540 Mussels 185, 186 Must 68 Must Apples 166 Mustard Oil 45 Mountain Rue 427 Mustelidae 194 Mountain Spignel 464 Mutton Suet 215 Mountain St John's Wort myacanthus 536 Molybdos 790, 793 Mountain Woundwort 575 Mourning Cypress 100 Milk Parsley 448 Momordica elaterium 51, 704, 707 Milk Thistle 715 Monk’s Hood 628 Milk Vetch 603 Monoxide of Lead 794 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Mullein 655 Mountain Pea 724 538 Milk 207 Mulewort 526 Mustard 45, 182, 280, 311, 315, 316, 343 Molybdomenite 790, 793 Milium solis 531 Mulberry Fig 178, 764 Mountain Parsley 451 molluscs 186 Moly 427 Mulberry 177, 178 Murra 114 Mineral Pitch 99, 100 Metopium 38, 72 Mugwort 513, 591 Mouse 207 Mouse Ear 356 Mouse-ear Hawkweed 448 Myagros 667 Myagrum sativum 667 Myogale 207 Myosotis 356 Myosotis alpestris 356 Mercurialis annua 738 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Myosotis arvensis 356 Myosotis palustris 740 Myosotis scorpioides 740 Myriapoda 188 Myrtus communis var romana 46, 158, 692, 762 909 Nasturtium aquaticum 283 Nipplewort 264 Myrtus leucadendron 109 Nasturtium aquaticum supinum 283 Nitre 810 Mytilacea 185 Nasturtium armoracia 260 Mytuli 185 Nasturtium hortense 312 Myrica 114 N Myrica gale 114 Nasturtium hortense vulgatum 312 Nodding Squill 336 norion 624 Nosebleed 652 nuphar 525 Myricaria germanica 114 Nailwort 595 Nasturtium officinale 283 Nuphar luteum 525 Myriophyllum 664 Nape 256 Nasturtium pratense 182 Nut Gall Oak 41, 146, 149 Myriophyllum spicatum Naphew 256 Nasturtium sativum 312 Nutmeg Tree 110 Naptha 100 Nasturtium sylvestre 296 Nux avellana 41, 177 Napus-Bunias sativas 259, Navelwort 643 Nux pontica 41, 177 664 Myristica moschata 110 Myrobalan citrina 41, 715 771 Myrrh 75, 81, 88, 452, 667 Napus-Bunias sylvestris Myrrh Tree 75, 78 myrrha 114 Myrrha 75, 78 Myrrhis 667 Myrrhis odorata 667 Neapolitan Medlar 170 Nyctanthes arbor tristus 77 256 Nectarites 774 Nymphaea alba 524 napy 312 Neglected Violet 672 Nymphaea alba major 524 Napy 45, 311 Nelumbium nelumbo 248 Nymphaea candida 524 Narcaphthon 28 Nelumbium speciosum 248 Nymphaea lotus 664 Narcissinum 63 Nelumbo 248 Nymphaea lutea 525 Narcissus 716 Nelumbo nucifera 248 Myrrhis sylvestris seminibus laevibus 667 Nymphaea lutea major 525 Narcissus calathinus 63 Nep 412 Nymphaea luteum 525 myrris 114 Narcissus campernelli 63 Nepeta cataria 412, 773 Nymphaea nelumbo 248 Myrsine 158, 692 Narcissus odorus 63 Nerion 632 Nymphoides indica 17, 77 Myrsine africana 158, 692 Narcissus poeticus 63, 716 Nerium 632 myrsinites 722 Narcissus pseudo-narcissus 63, 716 Nerium oleander 632 Myrsinum 46 Narcissus sylvestris 63, 716 Myrsiphyllum asparagoides 300 nard 10 Myrteum 761 Nard 9, 13 Myrtidanum 161 Nardinum 76 Myrtites 761 Nardostachys jatamansi 9, Myrtle 161, 548 Myrtle Sedge 2, 22 Myrtle Spurge 724 Myrtle wine 722 Myrtle Wine 761 myrton 311 Myrtus communis 46, 158, 692, 761 Myosotis arvensis 356 76 nardus 13 Nardus 9 Nardus celticus 10 Narthex asafoeteda 468 Nascaphthum 28 Nastos 113 Nasturtium agreste 182 O Nettle 644 Oak 41, 145, 146, 149, 496, 588, 769 Nettle 504 Oak of Cappodocia 514 New Cheese 209 Oak of Jerusalem 514 Nigella angustifolia 45, 472 Oat Grass 687 Nigella arvensis 45, 472 Oats 235 Nigella damascena 45, 472 Ochra 267 Nigella hortensis altera 45, Ochre 798 472 Nigella sativa 45, 472 Night Jasmine 543 Nightshade 516 Nightshades 620 Nile Papyrus 114 Ocimastrum 571 Ocimoides 571 Ocimum basilicum 56, 296 Ocimum exiguum 56, 296 Ocimum magnum 56, 296 Ocimum mediocre 56, 296 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 910 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Ocimum minutum 56, 296 Old Leather 200 Onobrychis viciaefolia 537 Orchis morio 521 Ocimum pilosum 420, 571 Old Man 467 Ononis spinosa 387 Orchis palmata angustifolia minor 522 Ocimum sylvestre 571 Old Olive Oil 34 Onopordium acanthum Oculis bovis 529 Old Wine and Honey 751 Ocymum abyssinicum 512 Old Wines 747 Ocymum filamentosum Old Woman 768 512 Olea europaea 34, 35, 37, 380 Orchis trifolia major 521 Onosma 523 Orchis undulata 520 Onosma echioides 523 Orcynus thynus 195 Onosma orientale 523 Oreoselinum 451 Ocymum grandiflorum 512 142 Onosma sericeum 523 Organy 403 Oedipoda migratoria 202 Olea europaea var. oleaster 141, 142, 145 Onosma tauricum 523 Oriental Plane 106 Onycha 186 Origanites 772 Onyx 186, 821 Origanum amaracus 71, oenanthe 745 Oenanthe 517, 745 Oenanthe phellandrium 517 Oenanthemum 52 Oil from Grains 42 Olea lancifola 34, 35 Olea sativa 34, 35 Olea sylvestris 35, 37 528 Opalobalsamum 23 Origanum creticum 408 Opalobalsum 23 Olea sylvestris var oleaster 35, 37 ophites 823 Oleander 632 Ophrys apifera 521 Oleander 632 Ophrys insectifera 521 Oleaster 37, 141, 145 Ophrys monorchis 520 Olibanum Tree 85, 86, 87 opium 608 Olive 37, 141, 142, 145, Opium Poppy 607 Origanum dictamnus 71, 404, 408, 528, 771 Origanum heracleoticum 400, 772 Oil from Unripe Olives 34 Oil of Basil 56 Oil of Cinnamon 75 Oil of Crocus 63 Oil of Cucumber 51 Oil of Cyprus 64 695 Olive Oil 34, 35, 37, 134 Oil of Dill 59 Olives 34 Oil of Dittany 71, 528 Olus atrum 452 Oil of Fenugreek 55, 243 Olyntha 181 Oil of Henbane 42 Olyra 232 Oil of Jasmine 77 Omotarichos 195 Oil of Mastic 47 omphacites 750 Oil of melinum 52 Omphacium 746 Oil of Must 68 Omphacomelitis 760 Oil of Narcissus 63 Onagra 668 oil of new myrrh 78 Onagrade 668 Oil of new Myrrh 75 One-grained Wheat 231 Oil of Roses 48 Oil of Southernwood 56 Onion 307 Oniscus asellus 197 Oil Palm 37, 141, 145 Onitis 400 Oil Tree 37, 141, 145 Onobrychis christagalli 537 Okra 267 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Onobrychis sativa 537 Origanum hirtum 408 Origanum majorana 55, 218, 416 Oplismenus chrus-galli 236 opopanax 428 Origanum majoranoides 55, 218, 416 Origanum majorum 55, 218 Opopanax 432 Origanum majorum 416 Opopanax chironium 432 Origanum onitis 400 Orange Mushroom 363 Origanum sylvestre 403 Orbiculata 166 Origanum sylvestre 403 Orchid 521 Origanum syriacum 399 Orchis 520 Origanum vulgare 403 Orchis bifolia 521 Origanum Wine 772 Orchis conopsea 522 Orminum sativum 522 Orchis Fuchsii 522 Orminum sylvestre 522 Orchis fucum 521 Ornithogalum arabicum Orchis hircina 521 Orchis longibracteta 520 336 Ornithogalum luteum 335 Orchis maculata 522 Ornithogalum maritima 336, 756, 757 Orchis mas latifolia 520 Ornithogalum umbellatum Orchis militaris 520 300 Orobanche barbata 299 Ocimum minutum 56, 296 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 911 Orobanche major 299 Padus laurocerasus 696 Papaver cornutum 611 Pasque Flower 344 Orobanche minor 299 paeonia 529 Papaver erraticum 604 Pastel 359 Orobanche ramosa 299 Paeonia communis 529 Papaver floribundum 348 Pastinaca athenum 59, 443 Orobe 252 Paeonia foemina 529 Papaver hortensis semine albo 607 Pastinaca dissecta 439, 460, Orobos 252 Paeonia officinalis foemina 529 Papaver hybridum 347 Pastinaca erratica 435 Paeonia officinalis var foemina 529 Papaver orientale 348 Orontium majus 691 Pastinaca lucida 460, 776 Pale Poppy 347 Papaver rhoeas 604 Orpiment 805 Pastinaca marina 190 Palimpissa 98 Papaver sativum 607 Orpine 360 Pastinaca sativa 260, 460, Oryza sativa 235 Paliurus aculeatus 121 Os mundi 303 Paliurus australis 121 Osmerus eparlanus 195 Paliurus spina-Christi 121 Osprey 202 Palm 22, 37, 141, 145, 153, 154, 763 Orobus tuberosus 252 Ossifrage 202 Papaver somniferum var album 607 Papaver somniferum var niger 607 776 776 Pastinaca sativa latifolia 260 Pastinaca sativa prima 435 Papaver spumeum 612 Pastinaca schekakul 439 Papaver-erraticum primum Pastinaca sylvestris latifolia 604 260 ossifragum 202 Palm - coverings of Date fruits 154 Paper Reed 114 Pavana 37, 719 Osteritium 475 Palma 154 Papyrus 114 Peach 166 Ostracites 824 Palma Christi 37 Papyrus antiquorum 114 Pear Tree 169, 229 ostracitis 781 Palmeum 763 paralios 723 Pear Wine 760 Osyris 691 Palmyra Palm 154 Parietaria 636 Pearl Plant 531 Osyris alba 691 panaces 432 Parietaria officinalis 636 Pear-rooted Spurge 730 Othonna 355 Panaces Aesculapij 431 Parietaria officinarum et Dioscorides 636 pecton 801 Othonna cheirifolia 355 Panaces Chironion 432 Ovrabla 517, 773 Panacites 776 Ox or Cow Suet 215 Panances Heracleum 428 oxalis 263 Pancratium 339 Oxalis 263 Pancratium Lily 339 Ox-eye 529 Pancratium maritimum 339 595 Ox-eye Daisy 387, 529 Pandion Falco haliaëtus Parsley 81, 280, 295, 440, 448, 451, 452, 667, 777 oxyacantha 519 Oxyacantha 121 Oxylapathum 263 Oxymel 755 Oyster Plant 299, 380, 383 Oyster Shells 824 P Pachytylus migratorius 202 Orobanche major 299 202 Panic Millet 236 Panicum 236 Panicum chrus-galli 236 Paris quadrifolia 628 Park Leaves 538 Parmelia saxatilis 595 pediasimos 78 Pedicularis palustris 708 Pedilanthus tithymaloides 720 Parnassia palustris 575 Peganum harmala 423, 427 Paronychia serpyllifolia Pelias berus 188 Parsnip 280, 428, 439, 460, 468, 612, 776 Parsnip 460, 776 Parsnip-leaved Cachrys Pellitory 320 Pellitory of Spain 463 Pellitory of the Wall 636 Penny Cress 315 Pennyroyal 404, 773 Panicum miliaceum 236 467 Pennywort 643 Papaver argemone 347 Parthenium 71, 72, 528 pentadactylon 584 Papaver armenaicum 348 Parthenium 528 Pentafillo 583 Papaver caucasicum 348 Parthenium matricaria 513 Pentaphyllum 583 Papaver corniculatum 611 Parts of Poultry 200 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 912 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Peonia 529 Petasites albus 659 Phasel 252 Phycides 196 Peony 529 Petasites fragrans 659 Phaseolites 252 phygelites 749, 750 Peplis 725 Petasites hybridus 659 Phaseolus 252 Phyllitis scolopendrium Peplis portula 725 Petasites officinalis 659 Phaseolus coccineus 252, Peplo 272 Petasites vulgaris 659 Peplos 725 Peter’s Cress 283, 467 Pepo 291 Petroselinum 451 pepon 291 Petroselinum alexandrinum 81, 452 Pepper 316 Pepper Tree 47, 90, 762 peppermint 411 Petroselinum crispum 451 Petroselinum hortense 451 Pepperwort 315, 343 Petroselinum macedonicum 451 perch 196 Petroselinum oreoselinum Perfoliate Honeysuckle 556 Perforata 537 Periclymenon 556 Periclymenum 556 Periclymenus 556 Peristereon 600 Peristereon orthos 600 Periwinkle 548 Persea 182 451 300 Phaseolus lunatus 252 Phaseolus vulgaris 252, Phyllitis scolopendrium 507 Phyllum 520 300 Physalis alkekengi 619 phasganon 563 Physalis francheti 619 phasiolus 672 Physalis halicacabum 619 Phasiolus 300 Phyteuma orbiculare 679 Phasiolus 252 Phyteuma spicatum 679 Pheasant’s Eye 63, 716 Picea abies 764 Phellandrium aquaticum Picea alba 94 517 Petroselinum sativum 451 Phillyrea latifolia 122 Petroselinum sylvestre 451 Phinis 202 Petroselinum vulgo 451 Phleum aegylops 687 Petty Spurge 720, 725 phlomides 655 Peuce 88, 89, 94, 97, 98 phlomis 655 peucedanin 456 Phlomis biflora 496 Peucedanum 471 Phlomis floccosa 655 Peucedanum ammoniacum Phlomis fructiosa 655 483 526 Picea excelsa 94 Pickled Olives 142 Pick-tooth 436 Picotee 544 Pie Rhubarb 364 Pig 203 Pig Nut 675 Pigeon’s Grass 600 Pimpinella anisum 440 Persea cinnamomum 18 Peucedanum cervaria 439 Phoenix dactylifera 153, 154, 763 Persian Buttercup 343 Peucedanum germanicum Phoenix sylvestris 153 Pina deodara 102, 767 Phosphate of Lime 820 Pine 88, 89, 94, 97, 98, 768 Phragmites 113 Pine Cones 89 Phragmites australis 575 Pine Wine 767 Phragmites communis 113, Pinecone Wine 764 Persian Lilac 109 471 persica 33 Peucedanum graveolens 59, 443 Persica 166 Peucedanum officinale 471 Persica hydropiper 320 Peucedanum ostrithium Persica malus 166 Persica molli carne 166 Persica vulgaris 166 Persicaria 548 Persicaria urens 320 Persicum sinapi 315 Personatia 659 Pes Galliniceus 660 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 456 Peucedanum ostruthium 575 475 Phrygian stone 816 peucine 94 Phu 14, 775 Phaca cicer 244 Phu germanicum 9, 76, 775 Phalangium ramosam 507 Phu magnum 14, 775 Phalaris 531 Phu verum 14, 775 Phalaris arundinacea 531 Phu vulgare 9, 76, 775 Phalaris canariensis 531 Phurama 483 Pin 88 Pines 88, 764 Pines 87 Pineseeds 89 Pinus 88 Pinus cedrus 102, 767 Pinus maritima 89, 94, 97, 98 Pinus mughus 89, 94, 97, 98 Peonia 529 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 913 Pinus mugo 764, 768 Plagyodus 197 Polygala vulgaris 688 Pomatias 186 Pinus nigra 89 Plaited-leaved Horehound Polygalon 688 Pomegranate 157 Polygonatum 548 Pomegranate Flowers 157 Pomegranate Rinds 158 Pinus nigra 89 488 Plane 106 Pinus nigra maritima 94, 97, 98 Plantago major 276 Polygonatum angustifolium 548 Pinus pinea 88, 89, 94, 97, Plantago angustifolia major Polygonatum latifolium 98 276 548 Pomegranate Wine 761 Pinus rigida 89, 94, 97, 98 Plantago coronopis var b Polygonatum multiflorum 284 548 Pompholyx 782 Plantago latifolia sinuata Polygonatum officinale 548 Pinus sativa 88 Pinus sylvestris 94 276 Pipe Tree 113 Plantago media 276 548 Piper aromaticum 316 Plantago minor 276 Polygonatum vulgare 548 Piper chaba 316 Plantago psyllium 616 Polygonum hydropiper Piper longum 316 Plantago-aquatica 536 Piper nigrum 316 Plantago-aquatica latifolia Pirum 169, 229 Pissasphaltos 99 pissiadicus 82 Pissites 768 Pistachio 176 Pistacia lentiscus 47, 90, 762 Pistacia officinarum 176 Pistacia reticulata 176 Pistacia terebinthus 47, 93, 762 Pistacia vera 176 Pistia stratiodes 652 Pistolochia 368 Pitch Pine 88, 89, 94, 97, 98 Pitch Wine 768 Pithyusa 720, 723 pituine 94 Pityides 89 Pitys 88 Pityusa 723 Pix liquida 97 placodes 781 Pinus mugo 764, 768 Polygonatum verticillatum 536 Plantain 276, 284, 536 Plaster of Paris 813 548 Polygonum amphibium Porrum cepa 307 Porrum commune 304 Polyphorus igniarius 363 Polyphorus officinalis 363 Polypodium 736 Poet’s Narcissus 63, 716 Polypodium dryopteris 735, 737 Poet's Cassia 691 Polypodium felix-faemina 736 Pointed-leaved Toadflax Polypodium filix-mas 735, Polemonia 551 Polypody 736 Polemonium caeruleum Polypody Wall Fern 736 Polycnemum recurvum 492 Portulaca hortensis 272 Portulaca latifolia 272 Portulaca oleracea 272 Portulaca oleracea var sativa 272 Portulaca oleracea var sylvestris 275 Portulaca sylvestris 275 Polypodium vulgare 736 Polycnemum arvense 492 Portulaca angustifolia 275 Polypodium lonchitis 532, Poisonous Gum Thistle 479 Polycnemon 492 Porrum sectivum 304 Portulaca sativa 272 533 Polion 511 Porrum sativum 308 737 Poison Hemlock 631 551 Poppy 347, 348, 484, 604, 607, 611 Polygonum hydropiper Polygonum-mas 547 Poison Bulb 59, 499 Popone 291 Porrum capitatum 304 Ploughman’s Spikenard 580 348 Polygonum foemina 588 Polygonum latifolium 547 Plumbago 793 Poor Man’s Weather Glass Polygonum aviculare 547 Platyphyllos 723 Plum Tree 172 Pondweed 651 Porrum ascalonium 307 320 Pluchea odorata 517, 773 Pomus 162 548 Platanus orientalis 106 420 Pomegranate Tree 158 Polystichum filix-mas 735, 737 Polytrichon officinarum 684 Poma 153 Pomanders of Roses 130 Pot Marjoram 400 Potamogeton 651 Potamogeton natans 651 Potamogeton rotundifolium 651 Potassium Nitrate 810, 811 Potassium Sulphate 806, 814 Potentilla alba 583 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 914 Potentilla hirta 583 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Prunus laurocerasus 696 Punica granatum 157, 158, 761 Pyrus cydonia 52, 162, 165, 759, 760 Punica protopunica 158 Pyrus germanica 170 Potentilla opaca 583 Prunus persica 166 Potentilla pimpinelloides Prunus pseudoarmenaica 583 169 Punk Tree 109 Pyrus malus 162 Poterium officinale 383 Prunus sativa 172 Purging Buckthorn 117 Pyrus malus var sylvestris Poterium sanguisorba 383 Prunus silvaticus 172 Purging Cassia 17 Potherb Thyme 416 Prunus spinosa 172 Purging Croton 37, 719 Poultry 200 Prunus sylvestris 172 purites 781 Praepianum 748 psegma 786 Puroi 169, 229 pramnium 747 Pseudobunium 675 purple dye 184 Prasites 772 Pseudodictamnus 407 Purple Goosefoot 515 Prasium 504 Psilothrum 733 Purple Molinia 239 Quercus aegilops 146 Prasium majus 504 Psoricum 802 Purple Spurge 720, 725 Quercus aesculus 146 Prasium minus 504 Psyllium 616 Purple Viper's Bugloss 571 Quercus ballota 146 prasum 304 Psyllium majus erectum Purpura 184 Quercus ballota 146 Purpurae 185 Quercus cerris 146 Quercus coccifera 146, 588 616 166 Pyrus praecox 166 Pyrus pumila 166 Pyrus sorbus 171 Pythagorean Bean 248 Q Preserving Fat of Geese and Poultry 219 Ptarmice 320 Prickly Atraphaxis 267 Ptarmika vulgaris 320 Purslane 118, 272, 639, 720, 725 Prickly Ivy 691 Ptelea trifoliata 110 Putorius nivalis 194 Pride of India 109 Pteridium aquilinum 736 Pycnocomon 730 Primum salicis genus 138 Pteris 735 Pyrethrum 463 Prinus 146 Pteris aquilina 736 Pyrethrum balsamita 463 Privet 64, 122 Ptychotis ajawain 432 Pyrethrum parthenium 513 149 Procumbent Hypecoum Ptychotis coptica 432 Pyrethrum sylvestre 320 Quercus pedunculata 145, Pudding Grass 404, 773 Pyrethrum tanacetum 463 Pulegium 404, 773 pyrites 781 Pulegium foemina 404, 773 Pyrites 804, 817 Pulegium latifolium 404, Pyrola 560 612 Protium icicaraba 28 protropum 747 Prune 172 Prune Tree 172 Prunus amygdalus var amara 38, 175 Prunus amygdalus var dulcis 175 Prunus armenaica 169 Prunus avium 162 Prunus cerasus 162 Prunus communis 175 Prunus divaricata 172 773 Pulegium vulgare 404, 773 Pyrola rotundifolia 560 Pyrola rotundifolia major Pulicaria dysenterica 412, 773 Pulmo marinus 197 Pulsatilla vulgaris 344 pulses 252 Pumice Stone 808 Quercus ilex 146 Quercus infectoria 41, 146, 149 Quercus lusitanica 41, 146, 146 Quercus robur 146 Quercus robur 145 Quercus sessiflora 145, 146 Quick 121 Quicklime 185, 812 560 Quicksilver 799 pyrum 229 Quince 52, 162, 165, 170, 759, 760 Pyrum 169, 229 Pyrus chamaemespilus 170 Pyrus communis 169, 760 Pyrus communis var achras Pumpkin 291 Quercus cum longo pediculo 145 170 Quince Wine 759 Quinces in Honey 759, 760 Quinquefolium album majus alterum 583 Quinquefolium maius candidum 583 Prunus domestica 172 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Potentilla hirta 583 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 915 Rapum sylvestre 256 Rhamnus zizyphus 171 Roman Nettle 644 Rabarabo 364 Rapunculus esculentis 256 Rhapontic 364 Roof Houseleek 640 Radicula 45, 259 Raspberry 579 Rheum officinale 364 Roripa armoracia 260 Radicula armoracia 260 rassica campestris var rapa 259, 771 Rheum rhaponticum 364 Roripa nasturtium-aquaticum 283 Radicula nasturtium-aquaticum 283 Rattan Cane 113 Radish 45, 259 Ray 188, 190 Radish Seed Oil 45 Realgar 805 Radix 45, 259 Red Bird Cactus 720 Radix rhodia 587 Red Horned Poppy 484 Ragweed 514 Red Mullet 190 Raisins 742, 745 Red Ochre 800 ramentum 786 Red Raspberry 579 Rampion 256 Redites 761 Rampion 679 Reed 113, 114, 564, 575 Rana 194 Reed Grass 564 Ranidae 194 Reed Mace 516 Ranunculis acris 343 Reedmace 516 Ranunculus aquaticus 343 Reeds 226 Ranunculus aquatilius 343 Remora aratri 387 Ranunculus arvensis 343 Rennet 647 Ranunculus asiaticus 343 Rennet 213 Ranunculus ficaria 355 resin 90, 94, 479, 480, 655, R Rhizopogon album 300 Rhoa 761 Rhodia radix 587 Rhodia-radix 587 rhodides 130 Rhodides 130 Rorippa sylvestre 296 Rosa 48, 129, 130 Rosa canina 121, 761 Rosa gallica 48, 129, 130 Rosa hortensis 130 Rhodiola rosea 587 Rosa hortensis et sylvestris 48, 129 rhodomeli 761 Rosa rubra 48, 129, 130 Rhubarb 364, 648 Rosa rugosa 761 Rhus coriaria 150 Rosa sylvestris 130 Rhus cotinus 141, 145 Rose 48, 63, 121, 129, 130, 347, 560, 604, 700, 716, Rhus oxyacantha 121 779 Ribes grossularia 117 Rose Bay 632 Ribes uva-crispa 117 Rose Campion 499 Rice 235 Rose of Heaven 499 Ricinis communis 37, 719 Rose Wine 761 Ricinus 37, 719 Rosemary 467 Ricinus vulgaris 37, 719 Rosemary Frankincense 459, 464, 467 726 Riga Pea 252 Resin 88, 94 River Mangrove 113 Ranunculus pratensis erectus dulcis 599 Resin Compound 75 Robertiana 515 Ranunculus repens 599 Resin scraped off ships 99 Rock 818 Ranunculus scleratus 343 Resin Tree 125 Rock Celery 451 Rape 256, 268 Resta bovis 387 Rock Fleabane 517, 773 Raphaninum 45 Restharrow 387 Rock Hair Moss 595 587 Raphanis sylvestris 260 Retinites 764 Rocket 296, 519 Rough Bindweed 691 Raphanus rusticanus 260 Rha 364 Rocket 259 Rough Parsnip 439 Raphanus sativus 45, 259 Rhabarabum monarchorum Rocket Salad 296 Rough Poppy 347 Rockfoil 559 Round Aristoloch 368 Rodites 761 Round-headed Rampion Ranunculus palustris 343 Rapistrum 316 Rapistrum flore luteo 316 Rapum sativum 256 Rapum sativum album 256 Rabarabo 364 264 Rhamnus catharticus 117 Rhamnus lotus 171 Rhamnus paliurus 121 Roites 761 Roman Laurel 46, 106 Roseroot 587 Roses 48, 130 Rosin Wine 764 Rosmarinus 467 Rosmarinus officinalis 467 Rosy-flowered Stonecrop 679 Rubia peregrina 532 Rubia sativa 532 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 916 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Rubia sylvestris 532 Ruta montana 427 Salts 808 Satyrium hircinum 521 Rubia sylvestris laevis 532 Ruta muraria 559 Salvia aethiopis 656 Satyrium-basilicum foemina 522 Rubia tinctorum 532 ruta sylvestris 427 Salvia horminum 522 Rubia tinctorum sativa 532 Ruta sylvestris 427 Salvia maior 408, 776 522 rubrica 800 Ruta-muraria 559 Salvia minor 408, 776 Satyrium-basilicum mas alterum 522 Rubus 579 Ryegrass 235, 688 Salvia officinalis 408, 776 Rubus caninus 121 Rubus fructiosus 579 Rubus fructu nigro 579 Rubus idaeus 579 S Sabin 102 Sabina 102 Salvia pratensis 522 Salvia sclarea 522 Salvia sylvestris 522 Satyrium-basilicum mas Sauce-alone 280 Saussurea costus 21 Savin 102 Savory of Crete 403, 771, Sambucus 729 772 Sambucus ebulus 729 Saxifraga 559 Rubus plicatus 579 Sabina folio tamarasci Dioscoridis 102 Rubus vulgaris 579 Saccharum officinale 226 Sambucus nigra 729 Saxifraga cymbalaria 559 Rue 423, 427, 648 sacra herba 603 Samphire 283, 467 Saxifrage 559 Rumex acetosa 263 Sacred Bean 248 Sampsuchum 55, 218, 416 Saxifragum 559 Rumex alpinus 264 Sacred Lotus 664 Sampsucum 55, 218, 416 Saxifragum 559 Rumex hydrolapathum 264 sacyx 797 Sand 825 Scallion 307 Rumex obtusifolius 263, Safflower 42, 737 Sand Poppy 347 Scammonites 780 Saffron 635 Sandarac 805 Scammony 726 264 Saffron Crocus 29, 63 Sandarach Tree 805 Scammony Wine 780 Rumicis tertium genus 266 Saffron Oil Dregs 30 Sandwort 639 Scamonia 726 Running Myrtle 548 Saffron Thistle 42, 737 Sanfoin 537 Scandix 295, 667 Ruscus aculeatus 680 Sagapenum 479 Sanguisorba minor 383 Scandix cerefolium 295 Ruscus hippoglossum 46, 106, 695 Sage 408, 495, 522, 655, 656, 776 Santolina fragrantissima Scandix odorata 667 Ruscus hypoglossum 46, 106, 695 Sago 331 Saponaria 323 Salad Burnet 383 Saponaria major laevis 323 Salad Mustard 45, 311 Saponaria officinalis 323 300 Salamander 205 Sapphire 822 Scentless Mayweed 529 Salamandridae 205 Sarcocol 484 Schinchi 206 Salix purpurea 138 Sarcocolla 484 Schininum 47 Salix repens 138 Sardinian Honey 226 Schinus 90, 762 Salix vitellina 138 Satureia thymbra 403, 771, Schinus molle 47, 90, 762 266 Rumicis secundum genus Ruscus racemosus 695 Rush 21, 592 Rush Nut 5 Rushes 21, 592 Rust 789 Rusty Bog Rush 592 Ruta angustifolia 423 Ruta chalepensis 423 Ruta graveolens 423 Ruta hortensis 423 Ruta legitima 427 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Sallow Thorn 716 Salsify 299 Salt 755 Saltpetre 810, 811 Salts 810 576 772 Satureja acinos 571 Satyrion-trifolium 521 Satyrium 521 Scariol 287 Scarlet Pimpernel 348 Scarlet Runner Beans 252, Schistos stone 818 Schoenus ferrugineous 592 Schoenus incanus 21, 592 Schwartz Kommich 45, 472 Satyrium erythronium 522 Rubia sylvestris 532 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 917 Scilla amoena 336 Sea Ambrosia 514 Secondary Wine 750 Sepia officinalis 190 Scilla bifolia 604 Sea Artemisia 395 Sedge 2, 22 Seps 206 Scilla campestris 300 Sea Aster 671, 683 Sedi tertium genus 643 Septinervia 276 Scilla maritima 336, 756, Sea Buckthorn 716 Sediment of Olive Oil 134 Serapias 521, 532, 533 Sea Bugloss 567, 676 Sediment of Vinegar 811 Serapias cordigera 521 Sea Cabbage 271 Sediment of Wine 811 Serapias lingua 521 Sea Centipedes and Millepedes 188 Sedum acre 643 Seriphium absinthium 392 Scincus officinalis 206 Sea Crambe 271 Sedum maius 640 Serpentine 823 Sclerata 343 Sea Daffodil 339 Sedum majus vulgare 640 Serpyllum romanum 416 Scolecia 789 Sea Dragon 188 Sedum minus mas 640 Serpyllum sylvestre 415 Scolopendra 188 Serpyllum vulgare minus Sea Fennel 283, 467 Sedum purpureum 360 Scolopendria 526 Scolopendrium officinarum Sea Froth 809 757 Scilla pancratium 339 Scillinum vinegar 756 507 Sedum rhodiola 587 Scolymus 383 Scolymus hispanicus 383 Scolymus maculatus 383 Scopelidae 197 Scordium 511 scoria 792 Scoria 790 Scorpaena 188 Scorpaenidae 188 Scorpioides 740 Scorpion 187 scorpion fish 196 Scorpion Fish 188 Scorpion Grass 740 Scorpionidae 187 Scorpiurus vermiculata 740 Scotch Thistle 380 Scouring Bush 588 Scrofularia 355 Scrophularia aquatica 647 Scrophularia maior 647 Sculpin 188 Scilla amoena 336 Service Tree 171 Sedum roseum 587 Sea Gudgeon 195 Scolopendrium vulgare 507 415 Sea Hare 189 Sea Horse 184 Sea Kale 271 Sea Lavender 560 Sea Milkwort 688 Sea Navelwort 525 Sea Onion 336, 756, 757 Sea Orach 118 Sesame 703 Sedum rupestre 640 Sedum telephium 360 Sedum vulgare 360 Seed of the Lotus 248 Selenite 822 Selenite of Lead 790, 793 Selenites 777 Selenites stone 822 Sesame seeds 41, 236 Sesame Oil 41 sesaminum 41 sesamoeides 700 sesamoides 703 Sesamoides 703 Sesamum indicum 41, 236 Sesamum oleiferum 41, Selinum athenum 59, 443 236 Selinum carvifola 448 Sesamum orientale 41, 236 Selinum officinale 471 Sesamum triphyllum 703 Selinum peucedanum 471 Seseli aethiopicum 436 Sea Rush 21, 592 Sempervivum minus vermiculatum acre 643 Seseli creticum 5, 439 Sea Sand Reed 575 Sempervivum parvum 640 Sea Spurge 723 Sempervivum tectorum Sea Pancratium Lily 339 Sea Poppy 611 Sea Purslane 118 Sea Rocket 259 Sea Starwort 671, 683 Sea Torpedo 188 Sea Urchin 184 Sea Wormwood 395 Sealwort 548 Seawater 753 Seawater Sweetened with Honey 754 Seseli massiliense 436 Seseli Massiliense 436 640 Seseli meum 5, 439 Senecio doronicum 623 Seseli Peloponnesiacum Senecio minor vulgaris 648 Senecio thapsoides 672 Senecio vulgaris 648 Senecta anguium 189 Senetio 648 Senna 17 439 Seselita 186 Sesilon 186 Setaria italica 236 Shallot 307 Sharp Rush 592 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 918 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sheath Fish 194 Sinapi 296 Sium 280 Smyrna 78 Shellfish 184 Sinapi hortense 45, 311 Sium amomum 440 Smyrnium 455 Shepherd’s Purse 315 Sinapi primum 296 Sium angustifolium 451 Smyrnium dioscorides 455 Shepherd's Rod 379 Sinapinum 45 Sium aquaticum 280 Smyrnium Dioscorides 452 Shield Fern 532, 533, 735, Sinapis alba 45, 311 Sium aromaticum 440 Smyrnium olusatrum 81, Sium bulbocastanum 675 Shoenus mucronatus 592 Sinapis alterum genus sylvestre 600 Shrew Mouse 207 Sinapis arvensis 316 Shrubby Trefoil 110 Sinapis nigra 45 Siberian St John’s Wort 538 Sinapis primum genus 45, 737 Sium falcaria 280 Sium latifolium 280 Sium siculum 280 311 Sium sisarum 260 Sinapis sinapioides 45 Six-row Barley 230 Sinapis sylvestris 316 Skin of Snakes 189 sinepi 311 Skink 206 Singer’s Plant 316 Skirret 260 Singhara Nut 17, 77 Skylark 202 Sideritis vulgaris hirsuta erecta 575 Sion 451 Slag 790, 792 Sideritis-prima 575 sirion 747 Slipper Flower 720 Sideroxylon mastichodendron 47, 90, Sisarum 260 Sloughed Skin of Snake 762 Sisarum Germanorum 260 Sidia 158 Sisarum sativum magnum Sicilian Orchis 520 Sicyonian Oil 35 Sicyonium 35 Sicyos 291 Sicyos agrios 704, 707 Sigillium salomonis 548 Small Goat’s Thorn 383 Sisarum sativum minus Small Hartwort 439 260 Sii primum genus 451 Siser 260 Silkweed 431, 491 Sison 440 Silky Wormwood 396 Sison ammi 432 Silphium laciniatum 475 Sison amomum 440, 451 Siluridae 194 Sisymbrium 280 Silurus glanis 194 Sisymbrium 415 Silver 794 Sisymbrium alliaria 280 Silver Fir 94 Sisymbrium aquaticum 283 Silver Salts 793 Sisymbrium cardamine 283 Silver Slag 794 Sisymbrium nasturtium Small Sicilian Prasium 504 Small Spelt 231 Smallage 448, 777 Smelt 195 Snails 186 Snake Bryony 733 Snake Plant 327 Snakes 189 Sneezewort 320 Snowflake 17, 77 Snowflake 519 Soapwort 323 Sodium Chloride 808 Solanum 620 Solanum hortense 620 Solanum melanocerasus 620 Solanum melongena 616 Solanum nigrum 620 Solanum officinarum 620 Solanum pomiferum fructu oblongo 616 Solanum quadrifolium bacciferum 628 Solanum somniferum 620 Soldier Orchid 520 Soleirolia soleirolii 636 Smilax laea 691 Smilax trachea 691 Smilax-aspera 691 Smilax-hortensis 300 Solomon’s Seal 548 Sonchites 447 Sonchus arvensis 447 Sonchus asper laciniatus 283 Smilax-levis 691 284 Sisymbrium officinale 280, Smoke Tree 141, 145 Sonchus asper non laciniatus 284 316, 600 Simblium 225 Sisymbrium tenuifolium PLANT MATERIALS etc. Small Millet 236 Smyrnium perfoliatum 455 Smilax 300 Silybum marianum 715 sinapi 312 Small Bulrush 516 260 signenan 749 Silver Tree 109 189 452 296 sitanium 229, 239 Smooth Thapsia 711 Smyris lapis 824 Sonchus aspera 284 Sonchus laevis laciniatus latifolius 284 Sheath Fish 194 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 919 Sonchus non-aspera 284 Spartus 712 Spruce Firs 764 Staphylinum 435 Sonchus oleraceus var asper 284 Spatha 154 spuma argenti 794 Star of Bethlehem 300, 335, Spavins of Horses 198 Spuma Nitri 811 Spear-leaved Box Thorn Spuma salis 809 Sonchus oleraceus var laevis 284 Soola Clover 523 Soot from Resin 94 Soot of Frankincense 87 Soot of Myrrh 88 Soot of Thuris 87 Sorbum ovatum 171 130 Spearmint 411 Spurge 720, 722, 723, 724, 725, 730 Speedwell 496 Spurge Flax 42, 728, 778 Spelt Wheat 231, 232, 235 Spurge Laurel 695 Spelta 232 Spurge Olive 695, 727 Sphondylium 468 Squama 786 Sphondylium branca ursina Squash 291 Sorbus domestica 171 468 Sorbus sativa 171 Sphondylium vulgare hirsutum 468 Sorrel 263, 264 Sorrel Vine 52, 351, 751 sory 781, 803 Sour Cherry 162 Spiders 205 Spiderwort 507 Spignel 5, 439, 464 Spiked Horned Rampion Squill Vinegar 756 Spanish Broom 712 Spina alba sylvestris 380 Spanish Bugloss 567 Spina incognita 378 Statice maritima 560 Stavesacre 708 Stearoptene 37 Stellaria holostea 572 Squirting Cucumber 51, Stibium 792 704, 707 St John’s Wort 538, 539 St Mary's Thistle 715 Spina alba hortensis 715 Statice limonium 560 377 Spikenard 9, 10, 14, 420, Sowthistle 284, 447 683 Stemless Carline Thistle Southernwood 56, 396, Spikenard Ointment 76 Starwort 77, 356, 639, 671, Squill Wine 757 St John's Bread 162 Sow Bread 323 Starch 239 Stellara media 356, 639 679 775 Star of the Earth 284 Squill 336, 604, 756, 757 Soured Barley Water 231 773 336 Stachys 507 Stachys arvensis 576 Stachys betonica 543, 770 Stachys germanica 507 Stichas 399, 770 Stichas arabica 399, 770 Stichas citrina 596 Sticklewort 583 Sticky Willy 488 stillatitium 801 Sting Ray 190 Stinging Nettle 644 Stachys major germanica Spanish Fly Beetles 204 Spinach 264 507 Stinking Chamomile 528 Spanish Garlic 311 Spindle Wort 491 Stachys officinalis 543, 770 Stinking Motherwort 591 Spanish Lavender 399, Spinosa sylvestris 117, 268 Stachys procumbens 575 Stinking St John’s Wort 538 Spiny Restharrow 387 Stachys recta 575 Stinking Wood 535 Spiny-finned fishes 188 Stachys sideritis 575 Stinkwort 700 Spiraea filipendula 517 Stachys sylvatica 576 Stipa 555 Spirodela polyrrhiza 639 stacte 78 Stipa barbata 555 Splachnum 27 Stacte 75 Stipa pennata 555 Spleenwort 684 Stagger-weed 576 Stipa tenacissima 555 Sponge 813 Staphis agria 708 Stitchwort 356, 639 Sponges 814 Staphis agria 708 Stitchwort 555 Spotted Golden Thistle 383 Staphisagria 708 Stobaea 555 Spring Snowflake 519 Staphylinum 435 Stobaea pinnata 555 770 Spanish Nut 177 Spanish Oyster Plant 383 Spanish Shallot 311 Sparganium 564 Sparganium erectum 564 Sparganium ramosum 564 Sparrow Grass 275 Spart Grass 712 Spartium junceum 712 Spartum 712 Sonchus non-aspera 284 Spruce 87, 88 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 920 Stoebe 555 Stoechadites 770 stoechas 399, 516, 770 Stoechas purpurea 399, THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Sulphate of Copper and Potassium 798 Sulphur 807 Sulphur Weed 471 770 Sumach 121, 141, 145, 150 Stoechas vinegar 770 Sun Spurge 722 stomoma 787 Sunflower 596 Stonecrop 587, 640, 643 Sunrose 125 Stones found in Sponges sunspots 186 824 Stratiotes 652 Stratiotes aloides 652 Stratiotes millefolius 652 Supercilium veneris 652 Swiss Chard 272 Tamarix germanica 114 Sword Lily 563 Tamarix myrica 114 syca 179, 180 Tamarix sylvestris 114 Sycamine 178, 764 Tamarix sylvestris foemina Sycamore 178, 764 Sycamore Fig 178, 764 Sycamore Maple 178 Sycamore Wine 764 Sycomorum 178 114 Tanacetum 513 Tanacetum vulgare 513 Tanning Sumach 150 Tansy 463, 513 Taraxacon 287 surrentinum 749 Sycomorus antiquorum 178, 764 Taraxacum officinale 287 Surrentinum 748 sylphium 475 Taro 331 susinum 499 sylvestris nardus 14 Tassel Flower 672 Susinum 59 Sylvestris vitia 303 Tassel Hyacinth 604 Swallow Wort 352 Symphitum Petraeum 552 Tatra Larkspur 460 Swallows 202 Symphyton alterum 552 Taxus baccata 631 Swede 256 Symphytum consolida major 552 Teazle 379 Stratiotes-millefolium 652 Strawberry Spinach 264 Strawberry Tomato 619 Strawberry Tree 172, 272 strobilina 94 Strobilites 764 Strontia 826 Strontium Monoxide 826 Struthia 165 Struthium 323 Strychnos 620 strychnos sative 619 Strychnos cepaius 616 Strychnos manicus 616 Strychnos somnificum 620 styracinum 82 Sweertia lutea 367 Sweet Almond 175 Symphytum petraeum 539, Telefio 360 Telephium 360 Sweet Basil 56, 296 552 Telephium album 360 Sweet Bay 46, 106 Symphytum-magnum 552 Telephium purpurascens Sweet Chestnut 149 Syrian Eupatorium 583 Sweet Cicely 667 Syrian Rue 423, 427 Sweet Coltsfoot 659 Syringia vulgaris 113 Sweet Cumin 440 Syringias 113 Sweet Fern 667 Syruped Pulp of Grapes in Oil 68 Sweet Flag 2, 22 T Sweet Gale 114 Sweet Marjoram 55, 218, Styrax 88 416 Styrax benzoin 81 Sweet Maudlin 576, 599 Styrax officinale 81 Sweet Melon 291 Styrax Tree 81 Sweet Rushes 21, 592 Succory 287, 683 Sweet Sedge 2, 22 Sucus agria 704 Sweet Violet 672 Suet 215, 216 Sweet Virgin's Bower 732 Sugar 226 Swine 203 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Symphytum officinale 552 Tagetes 513 Tal Palm 154 Talewort 676 Tamarisk 114 Tamarix 114 Tamarix articulata 114 Tamarix fructiosa folio crassiove sive Germanica 114 Tamarix gallica 114 360 Telinum 55 Telis 243 Tellen 185 Tellina 185 Tellinae 185 Tellinidae 185 Tenchweed 651 Termenteyne 47, 93, 762 Terminalia citrina 41, 715 Termininthos 762 Terminthinus 47, 93, 762 Termus 255 Testes of Deer 198 Testiculus alter 521 Tetragonolobus palestinus 660 Stoebe 555 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Teucrium 495, 496 Thlaspi campestre 315, 343 Teucrium botrys 496, 515 Thlaspi latifolium 315 Teucrium chamaedrys 496, 769 Thorn 121, 383, 387, 519, 523, 716 Teucrium chamaepitys 539, Thorn Tree 41, 715 778 Teucrium creticum 495 Teucrium flavum 495 Thracius 819 Thrausma 483 Thread Moss 651 Teucrium hyssopifolium 921 Thymus graveolens 403, 771, 772 Thymus serpyllum 415 Tragium alterum 591 Tragium anisum 440 Tragium germanicum 591 Thymus tragoriganum 403, 771, 772 Tragopogon crocifolius 299 Thymus vulgaris 416, 756 Tragopogon porrifolius 299 Tiglium 37, 719 Tragopogon pratensis 299 Tiglium officinalis 37, 719 Tragoriganites 771 Tithumalos 720 Tragoriganum 403 tithymal 720 Tragoriganum Wine 771 Tithymalus acutifolius 720, Tragus 232 495 Three-seeded Mercury 644 Teucrium iva 540 thridacias 624 Teucrium marum 420 Thridax 292 Teucrium polium 511 Thuris 87 Tithymalus cyparissias 722 591 Teucrium scordioides 495 Thus 87 Tithymalus diffusis 719, Trapa bicornis 17, 77 Teucrium scordium 511 Thuya articulata 805 723 720 Tragus berteronianus 232, Trapa bispinosa 17, 77 Tithymalus helioscopius Teucrium scorodinia 495 Thyites 821 722 Trapa natans 559 teuthris 511 thylacitis 607 Tithymalus peplis 720, 725 Trapa quadrispinosa 17 teutlon 272 Thymbra 415 Tithymalus pithyusa 720, Traveller’s Joy 734 Thalassomeli 754 Thymbra Wine 772 723 Treacle Mustard 316 Tithymalus platyphyllos Thalictrum aquilegifolium 427, 648 Thymbrites 772 723 Treacle Wormseed 316 Thalictrum flavum 648 Thyme 415, 416, 420, 492, 511, 756, 772 To Perfume Fat 218 Tree Medick 663 Thalictrum nigricans 648 Toadflax 580 Tree Oil 145 Thyme Vinegar 756 Thapsia 711 Toadflax 680 Tree-like Spurge 723 Thymelaea 695 Thapsia asclepium 431, 491, 711 Tongue 46, 106, 695 Trefoil 110, 419, 508, 623, Thymelaea hirsuta 42, 728, 778 Tongue Grass 312 Thapsia villosa 711 Thymelaea mezereum 695 tooth 199 Thapsus barbatus 655 Thymelaea praecox 695 Tooth Pick 436 Thapsus garganica 711 Thyme-leaved Nailwort Tordyilum suaveolens 439 thelygonon 520 Thelygonum cynocrambe 738 Thelypteris 736 595 Thymelites 778 Thymites 772 Thymos acinos 571 theriston 23 Thymoxalme 756 Thermus 255 Thymus 416 Thistle 383, 479, 491, 668, 676, 715 Thymus acinos 420 Thlaspi alliaceum 315 Thlaspi arvense 315 Teucrium 495, 496 Tordylium maximum 439 Tordylium officinale 439 Tordylon 5, 439 Tormentil 583 Torpedinidae 188 Trachinidae 188 663 Tribulus terrestris 559 trichitis 806 Trichomanes 684 Trifolium arvense 560 Trifolium corniculatum 663 Trifolium humile 560 Trifolium melilotus corniculata 419 Trifolium melilotus officinalis 419 Tragacanth 387 Trifolium melilotus-coerulea 508 772 tragi 814 Trifolium odoratum 508 Thymus glaber 415, 772 Tragium 591 Trifolium-pratense luteum Thymus angustifolius 415, 663 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 922 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Trigonella 508 Tuberous Thistle 668 Urine 224 Veratrum nigrum 700, 779 Trigonella coerulea 508 Tunny 195 Urine of a Lynx 225 Verbascum candidum foemina 655 Trigonella corniculata 419, Turban 343 Urtica dioica 644 Turnip 256 Urtica maior 644 655 Turnsole 739 Urtica pilulifera 644 Verbascum densifolium Turpentine Tree 47, 93, Urtica romana 644 508 Trigonella elatior 419 Trigonella eliator 508 Trigonella foenum-graecum 55, 243 Trigonidae pastinaca 190 trimestre 229, 239 Triochis-serapias mas 521 Triorchis foemina 521 Triorchis mas minor 521 Tripolium 671, 683 Tripolium vulgare 671, 683 762 Urtica urens 644 turpeth 724 Urtica urens maxima 644 Turquoise 821 Tussilago 512 Tussilago farfara 512 Tussilago petasites 659 Tussilago vulgaris 512 uva passae 745 Verbascum thapsus 655 Uva-crispa 117 Verbena communis caerulo flore 600 Uvularia 46, 106, 695 Tutsan 538 V Two-grained Wheat 231, 775 Typha 516 Valeriana celticus 10 Typha angustata 516 Valeriana dioica 13, 775 232 Typha angustifolia 516 Valeriana dioscorides 14, Triticum dicoccum 231, 232, 235 Typha latifolia 516 Triticum ovatum 687 Valerian 9, 10, 14, 76, 551, Typha palustris major 516 U Triticum sativum 229, 232 Umbellate Stitchwort 555 Triticum spelta 231, 232, Umbilicus erectus 643 235 Triticum tertium genus 229 Verbena officinalis 600 Verbena recta 600 Verbena supina 600 Verbena triphylla 600 Verbenaca 600 Typha major 516 Triticum romanum 232 Verbascum phlomoides Verbascum sylvestre 655 Two-row Barley 230 Triticum monococcum 231 Verbascum nigrum 655 Uva 171 Trisulphide of Antimony Triticum aesetivum 229, Verbascum lychnitis 655 655 232, 235 Tritici primum genus 229 655 Urtica vera 644 Tripoly 671, 683 792 Verbascum candidum mas Umbilicus veneris 643 Verbenaca recta 600 775 Verbenaca supina 600 Valeriana hortensis 14, 775 Verdigris 787 Valeriana jatamansi 9 Vermiculatum 134 Valeriana maior 14, 775 Veronica beccabunga 280 Valeriana officinalis 9, 76, Veronica chamaedrys 496 775 Valeriana phu 14, 775 Valeriana spica 9 Valeriana sylvestris major 9, 76, 775 Veronica teucrium 496 Vervain 600 Vesicaria 619 Vetch 244, 252, 523, 526, 537, 603 Triticum turegidum 229 Unbranched Lily Spiderwort 507 Triticum vulgare 229, 232 Unguis 186 775 Vetchling 303 Triticum zea 231, 232, 235 Ungula caballina 512 Vegetable Oyster 299 vettonica 544 Troglodytica 78 Ungulina officinalis 363 Venemous Trefoil 623 Viburnum gallorum 734 Tropical Duckweed 652 Unionaceae 186 Venetian Dog’s-bane 632 Vicia faba 247 True Senna 17 Unripe Figs 181 Venetian Sumach 141, 145 Vicia sepium 303 Truffle 300 Unripe Grapes 746 Venus’s Hair 525, 684 Vinca minor 548 Tuber album 300 Urginea maritima 336, 756, Venus’s Navelwort 643 Vincetoxicum 491 Veratrum album 696 Vincetoxicum officinale 491 Tuberous Caraway 675 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Valeriana vulgaris 9, 76, 757 Urginea scilla 336, 756, 757 Trigonella 508 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Vine 741, 742, 745 W 923 Water Lily 524, 525 Vine 351 Wafer Ash 110 Water Lily of Egypt 664 Vine Leek 307 Wall Barley 584 Water Mead 752 Vinegar 754, 811 Wall Fern 736 Water Milfoil 664 Vinegar and Salt 755 Wall Germander 496, 769 Water Mint 280 Vinegar Honey 755 Wall Hawkweed 447 Water Nymph 524 Vine-tie 742, 745, 760 Wall Moss 651 Water Parsley 280 Vinum aromatites 773 Wall Pepper 643 Water Parsnip 260, 280, Vinum melitites 751 Wall Rue 427, 559 Vinum oenanthinum 760 Wallflower 519 Vinum picatum 768 Walnut 176 580 Viola 672 Walnuts 41 Water Plantain 536 Viola alba 519 Wartgrass 722 Water Purslane 725 Viola neglecta 672 Wartwort 722 Water Snowflake 17, 77 Viola odorata 672 Warty Spurge 723 Water Soldier 652 Viola purpurea 672 Washed Lead 790 Water Sorrel 263 Viola-lutea 519 Water 753 Water Starwort 77 Violet 519 Water Anemone 343 Watercress 296 Violet 672 Water Arum 328 Waterweed 456 Viper 188 Water Caltrops 559 Waterwort 580 Vipera communis 188 Water Chestnut sp 17 Wavy-leaved Orchis 520 Virginian Creeper 745 Water Chestnut species 77 Waybread 276 Virgin's Bower 551, 732 Water Cress 283 Weasel 194 Viscid Campion 499 Water Crowfoot 343 Weeping Cypress 100 Viscum album 487 Water Dock 263, 264 Weevers 188 Vitex agnus-castus 137 Water Dropwort 517, 745 Wheat 229, 231, 232, 235 Vitis alba 733 Water Figwort 647 Whelks 185 Vitis labrusca 52, 733, 742, 745, 751, 760 Water Flag 2, 777 Whetstone 825 Water Forget-me-not 740 Whey 208 Water Germander 511 White Beet 272 Water Grass 283 White Bent Grass 572 Water Hemlock 517, 631, White Bryony 733 Vitis nigra 734 Vitis quadrangularis 351 Vitis vinifera 741, 742, 745, 746, 760 Vitis-alba 733 Vitis-nigra 734 Volubilis maior 691 Volubilis media 580 Vine 741, 742, 745 745 Water Lens 639 Water Lentils 639 Water Lettuce 652 White Dittany 404, 408, 771 White Heliotrope 739 White Hellebore 696 White Henbane 42, 612 White Horehound 407, 504 White Lead 796 White Lily 59, 499 451 White Lotus 664 Water Parsnip species 280 White Mallow 533 Water Pepper 320, 548, White Mint 411 White Mullein 655 White Mustard 311 White of Egg 201 White Opium Poppy 607 White Spruce 94 White Thorn 121 White Truffle 300 White Water Lily 524 White Weed 387 White Wild Vine 733 Whiten Oil 35 White-spined Akantha 384 Whorled Mint 411 Wickweed 655 White Butterbur 659 White chamaeleon 377 White Chameleon 491 Widow Wail 727 Wild Apples 166 Wild Basil 730 Wild Bastard Cress 315 Wild Caper 724 Wild Caraway 672 Wild Carrot 435, 460, 776 Wild Celery 439 Wild Celery 448, 777 Wild Chamomile 527 Wild Chervil 295, 667 White Chamoeleon 377 PLANT MATERIALS etc. 924 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Wild Chicory 287 Wild Rue 423, 427 Wolf’s-bane 628 Yellow Ox-eye Daisy 529 Wild Cinnamon 18 Wild Salsify 299 Woman’s Milk 209 Yellow Portulaca 275 Wild Clematis 734 Wild Sesame 703 Wood Germander 495 Yellow Rocket 256 Wild Cress 315 Wild Succory 287 Wood Hawkweed 447 Yellow Star of Bethlehem Wild Cucumber 704, 707 Wild Teazle 379 Wood Spurge 479 Wild Cumin 444 Wild Thyme 415, 772 Woodbine 556 Wild Fennel 459 Wild Trefoil 419, 508 Woodlouse 197 Wild Fig 180 Wild Vine 733, 742, 745, Wool 211 Wild Fig 181 Wild Fig Tree 180, 181 Wild Garlic 427 Wild Germander 496 Wild Grape 52, 351, 751 Wild Grapes 52, 751 Wild Jujube 171 Wild Kale 271 Wild Lettuce 292 760 Wilder Feldsaffran 491 Willow Thorn 716 Wound Wort 526 Windflower 543, 770 Woundwort 507, 543, 575, 576, 770 Yolk 201 Z Zachum Oil tree 715 X Wine from Nard 775 Zachum Oil Tree 41 Zakkoum Oil Plant 37, 141, 145 Zea briza dicta 231 Wine made with Figs 763 Xanthium 687 Zea dicoccos 235 Wine made with Seawater Xanthium strumarium 687 Zea monococcus germanica Wild Madder 532 Wine of Wild Grapes 751 Wild Marjoram 403 Wine of Wild Nard 775 Wild Marsh Beet 560 Wine with Salt 777 Wild Mint 411 WINES 747, 748, 750, 752, 754, 756, 758 Wild Nard 13 Wines from Different Countries 748 Wild Olive 141, 142, 145 Winter Cherry 619 Wild Olive Oil 35, 37 Winter Cress 256 Wild Palm 153 Winter Heliotrope 659 Wild Pear 170 Winter Rape 256 Wild Pomegranate Tree Wintergreen 560 Wild Prune Tree 172 Winter-sweet Marjoram 400, 772 Wild Purslane 720, 725 Witches’ Milk 587 Wild Rhubarb 364 Witlow Grass 315 Wild Rocket 296 Woad 359 PLANT MATERIALS etc. Yellow Water Lily 525 Wormwood 392, 395, 396, Wind Rose 347 758 158 Yellow Vetchling 303 Wormseed 316 768 Wild Lupin 256 Wild Narcissus 63, 716 Yellow Trefoil 663 Yew 631 Wool Fat 212 Willowherb 668 Wine 811 335 Xiphion 563 xylobalsamum 23 Xymenia aegyptica 41, 715 Xyris 564 231 Zeae alterum genus 231 Zeae dicoccus major 231 Zeae primum genus 231 Zinc Oxide 782 Xyris capensis 564 Xyris congensis 564 Y Zingiber officinale 319 Zirconia 827 Zizyphus 171 Yarrow 652 Zizyphus jujuba 171 Yellow Arsenic 805 Zizyphus lotus 171 Yellow Bugle 539, 778 Zizyphus sativa 171 Yellow Chamomile 527 Zizyphus vulgaris 171 Yellow Day Lily 518 zonitis 781 Yellow Flag 2, 777 Zoophyte 813 Yellow Gentian 367 zygis 416 Yellow Nutsedge 5 Zythum 231 Wild Chicory 287 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK POISONOUS MATERIALS Asphodel 59, 499 Cantharides vesicatoria 204 Dog’s-bane 626 Asplenium ruta-muriara Cedar deodara 102 Dorycnium 621 Cedar of Lebanon 102 Dracontia radix 327 Cedrus libani 102 Dracunculus vulgaris 327 Cedrus libanotica 102 Dragon Arum 327 427 A Abies cedrus 102 Abortion Wine 776 925 Astrantia 698 Astrantia major 698 Atropa mandragora 622, Absinthium 392 777 Christmas Rose 698, 777 Dragonwort 327 Aconite 626 Azadirachta indica 109 Chrysocolla 795 Dropwort 517 Cicuta virosa 629 Dwarf Elder 727 Aconitum luteum 626 Aconitum lycoctonum 626 Aconitum napellus 626 Aconitum pyramidale 626 Aconitum pyrenaicum 626 B Bathypicron 392 Batrachio 343 batrachium 343 Clematis 732 Beetles 204 Birthwort 368 Aconitum vulparia 626 Biting Clematis 732 Alkekeng 617 bitter almond 38 777 Conium maculatum 629 bitter almond seed 175 Coriander 447 Amygdalus amara 175 Black Hellebore 698, 777 Coriandrum maculatum Anagallis coerulea 348 Black Nightshade 618 Black-berried Heath 730 Anagallis phoenecea 348 Bladder Herb 617 Anagallis repens 348 Blatta 197 Female Peony 529 Fine-leaved Water Dropwort 517 Flowering Ring 1, 67 Fungi 633 629 G Coriandrum sativum 447 Garden Peony 529 Corn Buttercup 343 Garden Rhubarb 364 Corn Crowfoot 343 German Iris 1, 67 Blister Plant 343 Angelica levisticum 455 Blue Flower de Luce 1, 67 Apple of Earth 368 Blue Pimpernel 348 Cowbane 629 Glastum 359 Crinum asiaticum 59, 499 Gold Solder 795 Crinum toxicarium 59, 499 Greek Juniper 101 Crocus 29, 63 Borax 795 Ground Elder 727 Croton tiglium 37 Aristoloch 368 Branched Broomrape 299 Aristolochia longa 368 Brionia alba 731 Arsenic 803 Broomrape 299 Arsenic disulphide 803 Bryonia dioica 731 Artemisia absinthium 392 Bryony 731 Danewort 727 Arum dracunculus 327 Bupressedes 204 Deadly Carrot 431, 491 Asarabacca 13 Buttercup 343 Delphinium staphisagria Groundsel 621 Crowberry 730 H Crowfoot 343 D Hazelwort 13 Hedge Vine 732 Hellebore 698 Helleborus officinalis 698, Asarum europaeum 13 C Ash of Jerusalem 359 Cabaret 13 Abies cedrus 102 F Common Mandrake 622, Bitter Almond 38, 175 Anagallis arvensis 348 Euphorbia officinarum 479 Common Hemlock 629 almond 38 Asiatic Crowfoot 343 Empetrum nigrum 730 Common Dragon 327 Alkekengi officinarum 617 Arceuthinus 101 Elder 727 Cockroach 197 Common Bryony 731 Aconitum variable 626 Anemone 343 E Clematis vitalba 732 706 Deodar 102 Devil’s Apple 622, 777 777 Hemlock 517, 629 Hen Bell 42, 610 Henbane 42, 610 POISONOUS MATERIALS 926 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK Heracleum sphondylium 468 Herb Bennet 629 Himalayan Cedar 102 Lousewort 706 Lovage 455 Lysimachia adoensis 348 Papaver somniferum var album 605 M Malachite 795 Hyosciaminum 42 Mandragora officinarum 622, 777 Persian Buttercup 343 Mandragorites 622 Persian Lilac 109 Hyoscyamus niger 42, 610 I Mandrake 622, 777 Masterwort 698 Meadow Rue 427 Indian Cedar 102 Meadow Saffron 633 Indian Lilac 109 Medicinal Squill 336, 754, Iris germanica 1, 67 755 Melia azadirachta 109 J Melia indica 109 Juniper 101 Monk’s Hood 626 Juniperus communis 101 Monoxide of Lead 792 Juniperus excelsa 101 L Mountain Hemlock 455 Mushrooms 633 Larger Astrantia 698 Larix cedrus 102 N Nerium oleander 630 Larix deodara 102 O Lead 788, 789 Sambucus ebulus 727 Scarlet Pimpernel 348 Phellandrium aquaticum 517 Physalis halicacabum 617 Snake Plant 327 Pina deodara 102 Solanum nigrum 618 Pinus cedrus 102 Spanish Fly 204 Poison Bulb 59, 499 Sphondylium branca ursina Poison Hemlock 629 468 Poisonous Gum Thistle 479 Poor Man’s Weather Glass 348 Strawberry Tomato 617 Prunus amygdalus var amara 38, 175 T R Leopard’s Bane 621 Oil of Henbane 42 Ranunculus aquaticus 343 Lesser Broomrape 299 Oleander 630 Ranunculus aquatilius 343 Levisticum officinale 455 Opium Poppy 605 Ranunculus arvensis 343 Levisticum vulgare 455 Ornithogalum maritima 336, 754, 755 Ranunculus asiaticus 343 Liver of Mad Dog 199 Orpiment 803 Taxus baccata 629 Thalictrum aquilegifolium 427 Thapsia asclepium 431, 491 Traveller’s Joy 732 Turban 343 Ranunculus scleratus 343 U Realgar 803 Urginea maritima 336 Rhapontic 364 Urginea maritima 336, 754, 755 Rheum officinale 364 lizard 206 Rheum rhaponticum 364 Lords and Ladies 327 Rhubarb 364 river snail 186 POISONOUS MATERIALS Squill Vinegar 754 Stavesacre 706 Pride of India 109 Ranunculis acris 343 Orobanche ramosa 299 Squill 336, 754, 755 Squill Wine 755 Poppy 605 Oil of Crocus 63 Lily Asphodel 59, 499 Seps 206 Snake Bryony 731 Pie Rhubarb 364 Lead Stone 790 Orobanche minor 299 755 Senecio doronicum 621 Physalis francheti 617 517 Lily 59, 499 Scilla maritima 336, 754, Sea Onion 336, 754, 755 Physalis alkekengi 617 Lead Slag 790 Orobanche barbata 299 S Saffron 633 Peony 529 Oenanthe phellandrium Ligusticum levisticum 455 Ruta graveolens 423 Pedicularis palustris 706 Hound’s Berry 618 Hyoscyamus albus 42, 610 Round Aristoloch 368 Pastel 359 Horsebane 517 Hyoscyamus 42, 610 Rose Bay 630 P Urginea scilla 336, 754, 755 V Venemous Trefoil 621 Heracleum sphondylium 468 THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK 927 Veratrum nigrum 698, 777 Water Crowfoot 343 White Lily 59, 499 Winter Cherry 617 Viburnum gallorum 732 Water Dropwort 517 White Opium Poppy 605 Woad 359 Vitis nigra 732 Water Hemlock 517, 629, White Wild Vine 731 Wolf’s-bane 626 Wild Clematis 732 Wormwood 392 743 W Wall Rue 427 Water Anemone 343 Veratrum nigrum 698, 777 Water Pepper 320 White Henbane 610 White Lead 794 Wild Nard 13 Wild Rhubarb 364 Wild Vine 731 Y Yellow Arsenic 803 Yew 629 POISONOUS MATERIALS

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