ACONITE   ACONITUM ANTHORA
A decoction of the root is a good lotion to wash the parts bitten by venomous creatures.
We have many poisonous Aconites growing in the fields, of which we ought to be cautious; but there is a medicinal one kept in the shop. This is called Anthora, the Wholesome Aconite, or Wholesome Wolf’s bane. It is a small plant, about a foot (30 cm) high with pale, divided green leaves and yellow flowers. The stem is firm, angular and hairy. The flowers, large and hooded, grow on top of the branches in spikes. The root is tuberous.
Where to find it: I t is a native of the Alps, but it is planted in gardens.
Flowering time. The seeds ripen towards the end of the summer.
Astrology: The plant is under the government of Saturn.
Medicinal virtues: The shoot only is used, and that not often. However, it is said to be very serviceable against vegetable poisons. A decoction of the root is a good lotion to wash the parts bitten by venomous creatures, but it is not much regarded at this time, and should be cautiously kept out of children's way., for there is a farina in the flower, which is very dangerous if blown in the eyes; the leaves also, if rubbed on the skin, will irritate and cause soreness.
Modern uses: All species of Aconite should he regarded as being poisonous and, on no account, used medicinally by the unqualified. Modern herbalists make use only of the root of Aconitum napellum in the form of a lotion, but this also has restricted applications. Homoeopathic physicians use a specially made tincture of the whole plant of Aconitum napellum. The dose given, however, is so minute that no danger arises.

ADDER'S TONGUE   ( OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM )
It is given with good success unto those that are troubled with casting, vomiting, or bleeding at the mouth and nose, or otherwise downwards.
This herb has but one leaf which grows with the stalk a finger's length above the ground. Its appearance resembles the tongue of an adder serpent.
Where to find it: It grows in moist meadows.

Flowering time: It flowers not, being a fern, but it appears in mid to late spring. It quickly perishes in warm weather.
Astrology: It is under the dominion of the Moon and Cancer, and therefore, if the weakness of the retentive faculty be caused by an evil influence in any part of the body governed by the Moon, or under the dominion of cancer, this herb cures it by sympathy. It cures these diseases after specified, in any part of the body under the influence of   Saturn, by antipathy.
Medicinal virtues: The juice of the leaves drank with the distilled water of Horsetail, is a singular remedy of all manner of wounds in the breasts, bowels or other parts of the body. The said juice given in the distilled water of oaken buds, is very good for women who have their usual courses, or whites flowing down too abundantly. It helps sore eyes. Of the leaves infused or boiled in oil, omphacine, or unripe olives, set in the sun for certain days, or the green leaves sufficiently boiled in the said oil, is made an excellent green balsam, not only for green and fresh wounds, but also for old and inveterate ulcers. It also stayeth and refresheth all inflammations that arise upon pains by hurts and wounds.
Modern uses: Its main use is as a remedy for wounds, but it is not in general use these days. More popular today is the homoeopathic medicine Arnica which is taken for shock in drop doses or in tablet form, or St John's Wort which has an affinity for nerve endings and will alleviate pain. The tincture is available from herbalists. Adder's Tongue can be infused in oil to make an application for burns, ulcers and cuts. The infusion - 1 OZ (28 g) dried herbs to 1 pt (568 ml) of boiling water - is taken in doses Of 2 fl OZ (56 ml).

AGARIC   AGARICUS
It evacuates phlegm, and is given in defluxions and disorders of the chest, but that only to strong people.
This is a fungus which may grow from the size of a man's fist to the size of his head. There are a great variety of these excrescences and they differ both in virtue and the substance on which they grow.
Where to find it: One kind grows at the foot of Oak trees and is pleasant to cat, tasting like the meat of a lobster's claw. Touchwood, or Spunk, is made from another kind of fungus growing on Willows. A third kind grows on the trunks of Larch trees.
Astrology: It is under the government of Mercury in the sign of Leo.
Medicinal virtues: It evacuates phlegm, and is given in defluxions and disorders of the breast, but that only to strong people. It is reckoned a useless medicine, or rather noxious, for it loads the stomach, distends the viscera, creates a nausea, and causes vomiting. Its powder has been prescribed from half a dram (890 mg) to two drams (3.5 g).
Modern uses: There are several species of Agaricus, some being poisonous, some being edible mushrooms. Homoeopaths make use of Amanita musearia, Agaricus emeticus, and Amanita phalloides. It is employed as a remedy for acute sensitiveness to cold and damp when there is itching and redness and a burning sensation in the hands and feet. In days gone by it was in constant use during the winter months, but less now since the advent of central heating.

AGRIMONY   AGRIMONIA EUPATORIA
It draweth forth thorns and splinters of wood, nails, or any other such thing gotten into the flesh.
This has long leaves, dented about the edges, green above and greyish underneath, and a little hairy; a strong, round, hairy brown stalk, two or three feet (60 to 90cm) high, and small yellow flowers one above another in long spikes.
Where to find it: It grows upon banks near the sides of hedges.
Flowering time: Midsummer, the seed being ripe shortly after.
Astrology: It is under Jupiter and the sign of Cancer. It strengthens those parts under the planet and sign, and removes diseases in them by sympathy; diseases under Saturn, Mars and Mercury are removed by antipathy if they happen in any part of the body governed by Jupiter, or under the signs Cancer, Sagittarius or Pisces, and therefore must be good for the gout, either used outwardly in oil or ointment, or inwardly in an electuary, or syrup, or concerted juice.
Medicinal virtues. It openeth and cleanseth the liver, helpeth the jaundice, and is very beneficial to the bowels, healing all inward wounds, bruises, hurts and other distempers. The decoction of the herb made with wine, and drank, is good against the biting and stinging of serpents, and helps them that make foul, troubled or bloody water, and makes them part with clear urine speedily. It also helpeth the colic, cleanseth the breast, and rids away the cough. A draught of the decoction taken warm before the fit, first removes, and in time rids away the tertian or quartan agues. The leaves and seeds taken in wine stays the bloody flux. Outwardly applied, being stamped with old swine's grease, it helpeth old sores, cancers and inveterate ulcers. The juice dropped in helpeth foul and imposthumed scars.
Modern uses: A valuable herb in modern practice used mainly as a gastro-intestinal tonic. It is also a useful remedy for coughs, skin eruptions and cystitis. As all the medicinal properties are fully soluble in water, the best way to administer it is as an infusion - 1 oz (28 g) of the dried herb to 1 pt (568 ml) of boiling water. Small doses are given frequently. A fluid extract is available from herbalists, the dose being from 10 to 4o drops.

AGRIMONY (Water) BIDENS TRIPARTITA
It kills worms and cleanseth the body of sharp humours which are the cause of itch and scab.
A common plant also known as Bur Marigold, Water Hemp, Bastard, Hemp and Bastard Agrimony; Eupatorium and Hipatorium because it strengthens the liver. This is a short to medium height annual, with dull, yellowish-brown flowers borne on erect stems.
Where to find it: Look for it by the sides of ponds and ditches and by running water.

Flowering time: Midsummer. The seed ripens shortly after.
Astrology: It is a plant of Jupiter and belongs to the sign of Cancer.
Medicinal virtues: It healeth and drieth, cutteth and cleanseth thick and tough humours of the breast, and for this 1 hold it inferior to few herbs that grow.It helps the cachexia or evil disposition of the body, the dropsy and yellow jaundice. It opens the obstructions of the liver and mollifies the hardness of the spleen, being applied outwardly. It breaks imposthumes taken inwardly. It provokes urine and the terms. It strengthens the lungs exceedingly.
Modern uses: A valuable herb with a wide range of properties and used for the treatment of fevers, urinary tract disorders and renal and respiratory diseases. The plant contains natural antiseptics. Some herbalists recommend it for menstrual problems, particularly where there is an excessive loss of blood. The way to take it is as an infusion - 1 oz (28 g) to 1 Pt (568 mi) of boiling water. The dose is 2-3 fl Oz (56-85 rnl) three to four times a day.