THE CHAMÆDAPHNE: FIVE REMEDIES

Latine · Mayhoff 1906

Chamaedrys herba est, quae Latine trixago dicitur. aliqui eam chamaeropem, alii Teucriam appellavere. folia habet magnitudine mentae, colore et divisura quercus — alii serrata et ab eo serram inventam esse dixerunt—, flore paene purpureo. carpitur praegnans suco in petrosis, adversus serpentium venena potu inlituque efficacissima, item stomacho, tussi vetustae, pituitae in gula cohaerescenti, ruptis, convulsis, lateris doloribus. lienem consumit, urinam et menses ciet, ob id incipientibus hydropicis efficax, manualibus scopis eius in II heminis aquae decoctis usque ad tertias. faciunt et pastillos terentes eam ex aqua ad supra dicta. sanat et vomicas et vetera ulcera vel sordida cum melle. fit et vinum ex ea pectoris vitiis. foliorum sucus cum oleo caligines oculorum discutit, ad splenem ex aceto sumitur. excalfacit perunctione.

Chamaedaphne unico ramulo est, cubitali ferme; folia tenuiora lauro; semen rubens adnexum foliis. inlinitur capitis doloribus recens, ardores refrigerat, ad tormina cum vino bibitur. menses sucus eius et urinam ciet potu partusque difficiles in lana adpositus.

Chamelaea similitudinem foliorum oleae habet — sunt> autem amara, odorata—, in petrosis, palmum altitudine non excedente. alvum purgat, detrahit pituitam, bilem foliis in II absinthii partibus decoctis, suco eo cum melle poto. foliis inpositis et ulcera purgantur. aiunt, si quis ante solis ortum eam capiat dicatque ad albugines oculorum se capere, adalligata discuti id vitium, quoquo modo vero collectam iumentorum pecorumque oculis salutarem esse.

Chamaesyce lentis folia habet nihil se adtollentia, in aridis, petrosis, claritati oculorum et contra subfusiones utilis sucoad cicatrices, caligines, nubeculas inuncto. vulvae dolores sedat adposita in linteolo. tollit et verrucas omnium generum inlita. prodest et orthopnoicis.

Chamaecissos spicata est tritici modo, ramulis quinis fere, foliosa—cum floret, existimari potest alba viola—, radice tenui. bibunt ischiadici folia III obolis in vini cyathis II septenis diebus, admodum amara potione.

Chamaeleucen apud nos farfarum sive farfugium vocant. nascitur secundum fluvios, folio populi, sed ampliore. radix eius inponitur carbonibus cupressi, atque is nidor per infundibulum bibitur inveteratae tussi.

Chamaepeuce, larici folio similis, lumborum et spinae doloribus propria est.—Chamaecyparissos herba ex vino pota contra venena serpentium omnium scorpionumque pollet.—Ampeloprason in vinetis nascitur, foliis porri, ructu gravis, contra serpentium ictus efficax. urinam et menses ciet, eruptiones sanguinis per genitale inhibet potum inpositumque. datur et a partu mulieribus et contra canis morsus.—Ea quoque, quae stachys vocatur, porri similitudinem habet, longioribus foliis pluribusque et odoris iucundi colorisque in luteum inclinati. pellit menstrua.

Clinopodium alii cleopiceton, alii zopyrontion, alii ocimoides appellant, serpyllo similem, surculosam, palmi altitudine, in petrosis, orbiculato foliorum ambitu speciem lecti pedum praebentem. bibitur ad convulsa, rupta, strangurias, serpentium ictus, item decoctae sucus.

Nunc subtexemus herbas mirabiles quidem, sed minus claras, nobilibus in sequentia volumina dilatis.

Centunculum vocant nostri, foliis ad similitudinem capitis paenularum, iacentem in arvis, Graeci clematidem, egregii effects ad sistendam alvum in vino austero. idem sanguinem sistit tritus oxymelitis aut aquae calidae cyathis v denarii unius pondere, sic et ad secundas mulierum efficax.— Sed Graeci clematidas et alias habent, unam quam aliqui aetiten vocant, alii laginen, nonnulli 5 tenuem scamoniam. ramos habet pedales, foliosos, non dissimiles scamoniae, nisi quod nigriora minoraque sunt folia. invenitur in vineis arvisque. estur ut olus cum oleo ac sale; alvum ciet. eadem dysintericis cum lini semine ex vino austero sorbetur. folia epiphoris inponuntur cum polenta subposito udo linteolo. strumas inposita ad suppurationem perducunt, deinde axungia adiecta percurant; item haemorrhoida cum oleo viridi, phthisicos iuvant cum melle. lactis quoque ubertatem faciunt in cibis et infantibus inlita capillum alunt, ex aceto edentium venerem stimulant. — Est alia clematis Aegyptia cognomine, quae ab aliis daphnoides, ab aliis polygonoides vocatur, folio lauri, longa tenuisque, adversus serpentes et privatim aspidas ex aceto pota efficax.

English · Bostock & Riley 1855–57

The chamædrys is the same plant that in Latin is called “trixago;” some persons, however, call it “chamædrops,” and others “teucria.” The leaves of it are the size of those of mint, but in their colour and indentations they resemble those of the oak. According to some, the leaves are serrated, and it was these, they say, that first suggested the idea of the saw: the flower of it borders closely upon purple. This plant is gathered in rough craggy localities, when it is replete with juice; and, whether taken internally or applied topically, it is extremely efficacious for the stings of venomous serpents, diseases of the stomach, inveterate coughs, collections of phlegm in the throat, ruptures, convulsions, and pains in the sides. It diminishes the volume of the spleen, and acts as a diuretic and emmenagogue; for which reasons it is very useful in incipient dropsy, the usual dose being a handful of the sprigs boiled down to one third in three heminæ of water. Lozenges too are made of it for the above-named purposes, by bruising it in water. In combination with honey, it heals abscesses and inveterate or sordid ulcers: a wine too is prepared from it for diseases of the chest. The juice of the leaves, mixed with oil, disperses films on the eyes; it is taken also, in vinegar, for diseases of the spleen; employed as a friction, it is of a warming nature.

The chamædaphne consists of a single diminutive stem, about a cubit in height, the limbs of it being smaller than those of the laurel. These leaves * * * The seed, which is of a red colour, and attached to the leaves, is applied fresh for head-ache, is of a cooling nature for burning heats, and is taken for griping pains in the bowels, with wine. The juice of this plant, taken in wine, acts as an emmenagogue and diuretic; and applied as a pessary in wool, it facilitates laborious deliveries.

The leaves of the chamelæa resemble those of the olive; they are bitter, however, and odoriferous. This plant is found growing in craggy localities, and never exceeds a palm in height. It is of a purgative nature, and carries off phlegm and bile; for which purposes, the leaves are boiled with twice the quantity of wormwood, and the decoction taken with honey. The leaves, applied to ulcers, have a detergent effect. It is said, that if a person gathers it before sunrise, taking care to mention that he is gathering it for the cure of white specks in the eyes, and then wears it as an amulet, it will effect a cure: as also that, gathered in any way, it is beneficial for the eyes of beasts of burden and cattle.

The chamæsyce has leaves similar to those of the lentil, and lying close to the ground; it is found growing in dry, rocky, localities. A decoction of it in wine is remarkably useful as a liniment for improving the sight, and for dispersing cataract, cicatrizations, films, and cloudiness of the eyes. Applied in a pledget of linen, as a pessary, it allays pains in the uterus; and used topically it removes warts and excrescences of all kinds. It is very useful also for hardness of breathing.

The chamæcissos has ears like those of wheat, with numerous leaves, and small branches, about five in number. When in blossom it might almost be taken for the white violet: the root of it is diminutive. For sciatica, the leaves of it are taken, seven days consecutively, in doses of three oboli, in two cyathi of wine: this is a very bitter potion, however.

The chamæleuce is known among us as the “farfarum” or “farfugium:” it grows on the banks of rivers, and has a leaf like that of the poplar, only larger. The root of it is burnt upon cypress charcoal, and, by the aid of a funnel, the smoke inhaled, in cases of inveterate cough.

The chamæpeuce has a leaf which resembles that of the larch, and is useful more particularly for lumbago and pains in the back. The chamæcyparissos is a herb which, taken in wine, counteracts the venom of serpents of all kinds, and of scorpions.

The ampeloprason is found growing in vineyards; it has leaves like those of the leek, and produces offensive eructations. It is highly efficacious for the stings of serpents, and acts as an emmenagogue and diuretic. Taken in drink or applied externally, it arrests discharges of blood from the generative organs. It is prescribed also for females after delivery, and is used for bites inflicted by dogs.

The plant known as “stachys” bears a strong resemblance also to a leek, but the leaves of it are longer and more numerous. It has an agreeable smell, and in colour inclines to yellow. It promotes menstruation.

The clinopodion, cleonicion, zopyron, or ocimoïdes, resembles wild thyme in appearance. The stem of it is tough and ligneous, and it is a palm in height. It grows in stony soils, and the leaves are trained regularly around the stem, which resembles a bed-post in appearance. This plant is taken in drink, for convulsions, ruptures, strangury, and wounds inflicted by serpents: a decoction is also made of it, and the juice is similarly employed.

We shall now have to annex some plants, of a marvellous nature no doubt, but not so well known, reserving those of a higher reputation for the succeeding Books.

Our people give the name of “centunculus,” to a creeping plant that grows in the fields, the leaves of which bear a strong resemblance to the hoods attached to our cloaks. By the Greeks it is known as the “clematis.” Taken in astringent wine it is wonderfully effectual for arresting diarrhœa: beaten up, in doses of one denarius, in five cyathi of oxymel or of warm water, it arrests hæmorrhage, and facilitates the after-birth.

The Greeks have other varieties also of the clematis, one of which is known as “echites” or “lagine,” and by some as the “little scammony.” Its stems are about two feet in height, and covered with leaves: in general appearance it is not unlike scammony, were it not that the leaves are darker and more diminutive; it is found growing in vineyards and cultivated soils. It is eaten as a vegetable, with oil and salt, and acts as a laxative upon the bowels. It is taken also for dysentery, with linseed, in astringent wine. The leaves of this plant are applied with polenta for defluxions of the eyes, the part affected being first covered with a pledget of wet linen. Applied to scrofulous sores, they cause them to suppurate, and if some axle-grease is then applied, a perfect cure will be effected. They are applied also to piles, with green oil, and are good for phthisis, in combination with honey. Taken with the food, they increase the milk in nursing women, and, rubbed upon the heads of infants, they promote the rapid growth of the hair. Eaten with vinegar, they act as an aphrodisiac.

There is another kind also, known as the “Egyptian” clematis, otherwise as “daphnoïdes” or “polygonoïdes:” it has a leaf like that of the laurel, and is long and slender. Taken in vinegar, it is very useful for the stings of serpents, that of the asp in particular.