Acatia .

OF this , there are two kinds , one growing in Egypt , the other about Pontus .

Descript. ] The first kind is a thorny tree , set full of sharp prickles amongst which do arise the leaves set full of other small leaves , the flowers are white , the seed is broad like Lupines , inclosed in long Cods , out of which they draw a juice or black liquor ; which is called Acatia .

The second kind is also a thorny plant , set with long shary prickles , and the leaves be almost like the leaves of Common Rue ; the fruit is likewise inclosed in Cods like that of the first kind , there is a gum issueth out of this tree which is called Gum-Arabick , very well known here , but the liquor or Juice , is hardly known ; for instead of this true Acatia , they use in shops the Juice of Sloes .

Place . ] The place I have told you already .

Nature and Vertues . ] Acatia , especially the Juice , is dry in the third degree and cold in the first , and under the planet Saturn .

The Juice stoppeth the Lask , Lask and the superfluous course of womens flowers , and reduceth the Matrix to its proper place , Mother being fallen down , and stayeth and keepeth it in is natural place , the Juice being drunk with red wine , It is good outwardly to be applyed to hot Tumors or inflamations , Tumors Serpigo or wildfire ; wildfire and also good to be laid to wheals or hot blisters of the mouth ; it is excellent to heal inflamations of the eyes , Eyes being applied thereunto .

Aconitum .

OF this are two sorts : the one bearing blew flowers the other yellow , it is also called Wolfs-bane , and the blew , is generally known by the name of Monks-hood .

Descript. ] The Wolfs-bane which beareth the blew flower is small but groweth up a cubit high , the leaves be split and jagged , the flowers in long rows towards the tops of the stalks , gaping like hoods , on the hoary root groweth as it were a little knop , wherewith it spreadeth it self abroad , and multiplyeth .

Place . ] The Monks-hood or blew Wolfs-bane is very common in many Gardens , the other rarely found but in the Gardens of some curious herbarists ; but groweth in Forrests and dark low woods and Valleys in some parts of Germany and France .

Time . ] They flower in April , May , and June .

Government and danger . ] These plants are hot and dry in the fourth degree of a Martial venemous quality , if it be inwardly taken , it inflameth the heart burneth the inward parts and killeth the body ;

Dodonaeus reporteth of some men at Antwerp , who unawares did eat some of the Monks-hood in a sallad , instead of some herb , and dyed forthwith ; this I write that people who have it in their Gurdens might beware of it .

Agnus Castus , the chast-tree .

Names . ] IT is called of some Piper Agreste , or wild pepper , in shops and of Herbarists , Agnus Castus ; it is also called hemp-tree , or Chast-tree .

Descript. ] Agnus Castus is a shrubby bush or tree , with many pleasant branches , the leaves are much like the leaves of hemp ; the flowers grow at the tops of the branches , in clustering spikes of a purple colour ; and sometimes light purple mixed with white ; the seed much like pepper cornes ( I mean the common black pepper ; ) but softer and of a very strong ( and to me unsavory ) sent.

Place . ] This chastity-procuring plant , groweth not of its own nature in our Horizon , our cold climate not so much standing in need thereof as the hotter countries of Italy , Spain , and the Southern parts of France , where it groweth plentifully , in rough untilled grounds , and by the banks of lakes , Rivers and water courses ; It is not to be found growing in our Country , unless by chance procured and nourished , with care , as a great rarity , in the Gardens of curious Herbarists .

Time . ] It naturally flowers about July and August .

Government and Vertues . ] There is a great antipathy between this plant and the benevolent and sociable Venus ; Mars , rules him ; and makes use of him to check the too much salacious entertainments of Venus .

Of temperature it is hot and dry , in the third degree ; and of a very astringent quality .

Agnus Castus , is a singular remedy , for those whose nature prompts their desires to Venereal sports ; a procurer of chastity , and singular for such who desire to live and preserve themselves in that condition ; it takes away and abates so much lecherous desires , Lust abates as it extinguisheth the thoughts thereof ; the reason is , it dryeth and consumeth the seed of generation in what sort soever it be taken , whether in powder or in decoction , or ( as some write ) the leaves alone laid upon the bed to sleep upon , putteth away all unchast thoughts and desires .

A decoction of the seed being drunk , driveth away and dissolveth all windiness in the bowels , Wind stomack , Stomack mother , or any part of the body .

A dram of the seed in powder drunk in wine , cureth hardness and stoppings in the Liver and spleen , Liver Spleen . and is good in the beginnings of Dropsies .

It provoketh the Termes , Termes being taken by it self or with Penny-royal , or used in manner of a Pessary .

It is profitable to be mixed amongst Oyles or oyntments , to heat and mollifie stiff and benummed members ; Dead members and cures clift or rifts of the great Gut , being applied with water .

Agnus Castus is good against Venemous creatures , Venemous bittings it driveth away Serpents , and all other Venemous beasts from the place where it is strewed or burned , and healeth bitings and stingings of the same , if it be laid upon the greived place , and the seed therof being drunk with wine .

A decoction therof is good for women to sit in to help hardness , stoppings , apostumations , and Ulcers of the matrix . Vlcers Matrix

A Cataplasm made with the leaves thereof and fresh butter and applied , doth dissolve and asswage swellings of the Cods and Stones . Cods Stones

The Almond-tree .

Names . ] THere are two kinds , the bitter and the sweet ; the fruit of both is called Almonds , distinguished by the Epithets sweet or bitter .

Descript. ] The Almond-tree is in growth and leaves much like unto the peach tree ; but it groweth to bee much bigger and stronger , and is of a longer lasting or continuance .

Time . ] The Almond-tree floureth betimes in the Spring and the fruit is ripe in June and July .

Government and Vertues . ] The sweet Almonds are under the dominion of Venus ; and are temperatly hot , the bitter are claimed by Mars : and are not only hot , but also dry , and of a clensing and cutting faculty .

Almonds eaten before meat , stop fluxes of the belly , Flux and nourish , especially being blanched ; the sweet oyle new pressed out of them , is of a gentle healing quality for any inward sorenesse , fretting of the Guts , Guts or soreness of the Reines , Kidneys or sharpness of Urine ; Bladder and is good for them that spit bloud , Spitting bloud . so is the fruit .

Bitter Almonds do open obstructions of the Liver , Liver Lungs , Lungs Spleen , Spleen Kidneys , Kidneys and other inward parts , and are good against the Cough , Cough and shortnes●e of Breath ; Breath inflamation , and exulceration of the Lungs , being made into a lohoch with Turpentine and licked in ; as writeth Dioscorides .

The bitter Almonds taken with sweet wine , provoke Urine , Vrine and cure difficulty and pain in making water ; and are good for them that are troubled with Gravel and Stone . Stone ,

Five or six bitter Almonds eaten in the morning fasting preserve from Drunkenness all that day , Drunkenness , and being applied to the forehead with oyle of Roses and Vinegar , they take away Head-ach , Headach they are with great profit applied with hony upon corrupt and foul spreading sores , and the bitings of mad dogs ; they clense the skin and face from spots and pimples .

Ammoniacum .

Name . ] AMmoniacum is the only name it hath in shops and is generally known by .

Descript. ] This is a Gum or liquor of a tree called by Dioscorides , Agasyllis , and of some Ferula growing in Cyrene , and nigh unto the place where was the oracle Ammon in Lybia ; whereof it is supposed to be called Ammoniacum ; the best sort is that which is close firm and pure , free from Gravel or drosse , of a bitter tast , smelling somewhat neer unto the sent of C●storeum , and is almost like the true Frankincense .

Government and Virtues . ] It is under the planetary influence of Mars hot and dry in the second degree , the quantity of a dram thereof taken inwardly looseth the Belly , Belly and purgeth away cold Slimy flegm , ●legm drawing the same unto it self from remote parts of the body : it is also good against Asthma , Asthma shortness of breath , & Stoppings of the breast , Breast falling sickness , Gout , pain of the haunch or huckle-bone , called the Sciatica , Sciatica against the old head-ach , Head ach and diseases of the brain , Brain sinews and extream parts : Sinewes it may be taken in a lohoch with hony or in the decoction of French barley to mundifie and cleanse the breast , Breast and ripen flegm , Flegm causing the same easily to be spit out .

It is also good against hardness and stoppings of the Spleen , Spleen it provokes Urine , expells the dead child , Dead Child but then must be but little of it taken at once , for if it be tak●n in too great a quantity or too often , it will cause one to pis●e bloud , it cures swellings , Swelling and hardness , and abates pain of the Liver and Spleen , Liver Spleen if it be steeped in Vinegar and layd upon the place , being mingled with hony and pitch and applied , it dis●olveth hard swellings and Tumors , Tumors in the joynts and extream parts ; and consumes all cold Tumors , and Scirrhus matter , being layd thereon ; and is good to he put into all oyntments and plaisters that are made to warm , mollifie , and to asswage pain .

Being mixed with the oyl of Cyprus and Nitre , it is good to be applied to the hip for the Sciatica or hip-gout , Sciatica Hip-gout and to be laid upon any part to asswage pain , and weariness .

It is excellent to be put into Collyries and all medecins that are made to cleer the sight , and to take away dimness and the web of the eyes . Eyes

Amber .

Names . ] IT is called Yellow Amber , Ambra Citrina ; but in Latin more generally Succinum .

Descript. ] It is of sundry colours , some peeces whitish , some yellow , paler , or deeper , and some of a very deep red colour and dark , all the other being cleer , and transparent , but much more , being polished . It is by some taken to be a vegetable , as Corall is ; but more generally to be a kind of liquid Bitumen , issuing from springs and fountains , in the German Seas ; and running into peeces , greater or lesser is taken up by Iron hooks , being soft under water , but by the Air is hardned as Coral is : the white which is the lighter and sweeter is best for Medicine , the yellow serveth more to Mechanick uses ; and being rubbed it will draw strawes and other small things unto it , as the Loadstone doth I●on ; and it will burn like Rozen or Bitumen , with a strong heady sent : the powder thereof cast into the flame of a Candle , or other light , will make a sudden flash like Nitre : by being distilled in a retort it will yeeld an oyle which at the first is very red , and smelleth very strong and almost odious , but being several times Rectified , both colour and sent will be amended , and the oyle fit for medicinal use .

Government and Virtues . ] Amber is of a moderate hot and day temperature , and under the particular influence of Mars ; if it be burned on Coals , and the fumes therof received into the head , Head , it doth much help the moyst distillations thereof on the Eyes , Eyes Teeth , Teeth Nose , Nose or Stomack , Stomack and is good for those that have the falling sickness ; Falling-sickness It provokes womens courses and is very good for to help the fits of the Mother , Courses Mother it prevents miscarriage , and procures Easie delivery ; to take half a dram of the powder , in a teare Egg , or in Wine , three or four mornings together , which also helpeth the whites , and men that have the running of the Reins , it stayeth fluxes , and strengthneth the parts , it provokes Urine plentifully being taken in saxifrage-water ; It is very good for those that are troubled with old Coughs , or are fallen into Consumptions , to take the powder therof mixed with conserve of red Roses , and taken in the mornings fasting ; and is also profitable for Joynt-Aches , and the Running Gout : the chymical oyl of Amber being taken inwardly three or four drops , in a little Muscadine doth wonderfully help the Stone , and the stopping of Urine , Strangury , or pissing by drops ; Two or three drops used outwardly to the Temples , and the nape of the Neck , or behind the Eares , doth warm and dry a cold moist brain , discusseth wind in the Eares , and head , strengthneth the memory , and is good in all diseases of the head or brain .

Ambergrease .

Names . ] Descript. IT is called Ambra Grisea in Latin , and Ambergrise in English ; But what it is or from what it cometh , there are various opinions , yet none certain ; some suppose it be the spawn of a Whale ; others affirm it to bee the excrement which hath long continued in the belly of the whale ; which being cast forth is by the motion of the Seas cast on shore ; some others think it to be the excrement of certain great fishes , and some take it to be the Foam of the Sea , but all these opinions are vulgar Errors , and Erroneous ; The most certain received opinion of the most Judicious is ; That it is a kind of Bitumen whose springs are in the Rocks of the Sea , or as some ( and with good reason ) affirm that it groweth on the Rocks as Mushrooms do on Trees , condensate into that f●rm and substance we observe it in ; oily and unctuous originally , and being light is carried by the waves of the Sea , unto the shores of sundry Countries and climates ; There is much variety in the colour thereof and some in the substance ; as white more or less , or gray , lighter or darker , or inclining to redness or darkness : that which is not very white , as being usually very dry ▪ and inclining to a grayish colour more or lesse , and either with spots , and veines or without , so as it be fat , that is upon a knives point heated will shew oyly , is accounted the best , and the black sort is the worst .

Government and Vertues . ] It is governed by the Sun , and is hot and dry of temperature in the second degree ; it warmeth resolveth , and strengthneth ; what way soever it be taken , it easeth the paines in the head , being dissolved in a warm morter , and mixed with a little oyntment of Orenge flowers ; the Temples and forehead being anointed therwith . It likewise comforteth the brain warmeth and resolveth the cold defluxions of humors thereon , and on the Nerves and Sinews , it doth also comfort and strengthen the memory , and vital spirits : it is good for women troubled with the mother to be applied to the place , it helpeth barrenness proceeding from a cold cause , and is good for those to smell unto who are subject to the falling sickness : it doth well agree with aged persons , to warm comfort and strengthen their cold decayed spirits ; adding vigour unto them ; and is likewise accounted to have a property to stir and excite Venereous exercises .

Amomum .

Description . ] IT is a bunch or cluster of whitish round berries , somewhat like unto grapes for the outward form and bigness but else very like unto Cardamomes within , yet bigger and rounder , having within the outer whitish thin shell or skin many blackish brown seeds , close thrust together ; very like to the inner seeds of Cardamoms , but larger and of somewhat a hot peircing sent , smelling like unto oyle of spike , and of a sharpe , hot , and quick tast , as most Indian spices are .

Government and Vertues . ] Sol hath the peculiar Government hereof , it is of an heating , binding and drying quality , procuring rest , and sleep , Sleep , Rest and easing pains in the head ; Head-ach , Imposthumes , Scorpions . being applied to the forehead ; it digesteth and discusseth inflamations and Imposthumes , and helpeth those that are stung by Scorpions being used with Basil , it is good against the Gout , and Griping in the Guts , Gout , Gripings . to swallow three are four of the seeds , and for the fits of the mother , taken in the same manner ; or made into a pessary and so used , or else in a Bath ; It is convenient for the Liver and Reines , and is an ingredient of cheif account , in great Antidotes that are preservatives .

Annise .

Name . ] IT hath no other name , but Annise , and Anniseeds .

Descript. [ This plant hath leaves much like young parsly newly sprung up ; his stalks be round and hollow ; the leaves at first coming up , somwhat round but afterwards spring forth other leaves cut , and jagged , like those of Parsly ; but a great deal smaller and whiter ; at the top of the stalkes , grow divers fair tufts , or spikey Rundells , with white flowers , which being past cometh the seed , whitish , and sweet in smell and tast .

Place . ] Annise grows naturally in Syria and Candy , but may now be found in some gardens in England .

Time . ] It flowers in June and July .

Nature and Vertues . ] It is under the dominion of Jupiter , of temperature hot and dry in the third degree ; the seeds are only used in Physick which do much dissolve Wind , Wind , Stomack , Bow . Belly , lask Vrine , stone Hiccop , Flux Whites , dropsie , Liver Thirst , Lust , milk , Mouth breath flegm Cough , poyson Venemous Beasts , Fa ling-sickness Squinance Throat help belchings and blastings in the Stomack and bowels , Gripings and pains in the belly ; it stoppeth the Lask , and provoks Urine , and is good against the Stone , taken with wine and water . It removeth the hiccop , not only when it is taken inwardly but being smelled unto .

It cureth the bloudy flux , and stoppeth the whites in Women , and is very profitable to be given to such as have the dropsie , it opens the Liver , and stancheth thirst .

Anniseeds plentifully eaten stirre up lust , and causeth women to have plenty of milk , the seed chewed in the mouth amendeth the stench thereof and maketh the breath sweat .

The same beaten to powder , and taken with honey , cleanseth the brest from flegm , and cureth the old cough , having bitter Almonds mixed therewith , the same drunk with Wine is good against poyson , and bitings of Venemous beasts .

Dreams Sleep Head-ach , hearing It is singular to be given to Children to eat that be in danger of the falling-sicknes , being mixed with hony vinegar , and hysop , and the throat gargled therwith , it cureth the Squinancy and swellings of the Throat .

Anniseeds bound in a little bag , and kept at the nose to smell unto , keepeth men from dreaming and starting in their sleep , Dreams Sleep and causeth them to rest quietly , the perfume of it taken up into the nose cureth the headach , Head-ach , and being pounded with oyle of roses and laid to the Ears it cures inward hurts and wounds of the same which impedite the hearing . hearing

Anagyris or Arbor Inda .

Name . ] IT hath no other names in our shops .

Descript. ] There are three kinds hereof , the first Anagyris is a little low shrub , or bush , upon which grow small leaves alwayes three together , the flowers be yellow almost like broom flowers which being past , there succeed long huskes or Cods , which contain in it a flat seed hard and firm almost like a kidney leafe , but somewhat smaller : the whole plant is of a strong ilfavored stinking savor , as it were the smell of Gladwyn , or Spurge-wort .

2. Another shrub , somwhat resembling the former in leaves , and growing , but hath flowers very thick together , hanging by a fine slender stem , like to a spiky Ear , but yellow , almost like broom flowers : the Cods are rounder and smaller then those of the former , with a smaller fruit .

3. There is another kind producing long Cods also , which , well ordered in the growing up , waxeth to be a tall tree ; the branches are set with broad round leaves , the flowers be purple and red , like the flowers of garden pease , which grow about the lowest part of the great branches , producing afterwards long flat Cods ; of a wan blew colour , having therein a flat seed , hard like to a Lentil .

Place . ] These plants grow wild in several places of Italy , and Province , in woods , and upon the Mountains ,

Time . ] Anagyris flowreth in April , and May ; the second in May and June : the Arbor Inda in March , the fruit is ripe in September .

Government and Vertues . ] Both leaves and seed are hot and dry , yet partake of a Saturnine influence , a dram of the leaves boyled in wine , Terms drive down womens flowers and the afterbirth : the young leaves bruised and laid to , pultis wise , do allay , and dissolve swellings , Swellings the seeds eaten provoke violent vomiting . Vomiting

Aloe , or Aloes .

Names . ] BY the same name of Aloe or Aloes is the condensed juice of this plant called in all parts of Europe ; the plant is also called Sea-houseleek and Sea-Ay-green .

Descript. ] This plant hath very long leaves , thick and set round about with short points or crests , standing wide one from another , the root is thick and long , all the herb is of a strong savor , and bitter tast , out of this herb is drawn a Juice , which is dryed , and called Aloes in parts of the world .

Place . ] Aloe , groweth very plentiously in India , and from thence cometh the best juice ; It groweth also in many places of Asia and Arabia neer the sea side , but the juice thereof is not so good as that of India .

Government and Vertues . ] It is a martial plant , hot in the second degree , & dry in the third , of a very bitter tast , the juice being refined & clarified from its drosse , is of a cleer & blackish clean brown colour , it openeth the belly , and purgeth cold flegmatick and cholerick humors , Flegm Choler which over-burden and hurt the stomack , it is the basis in almost all pills , it comforteth cleanseth and dryeth up superfluous humors .

It may be taken with Cinnamon , Ginger , Mace , Galingal , or Anniseed , to asswage and drive away pain of the stomack ; Stomack and to comfort and warm the stomack and expell flegm ; the same is also good against the Jaundies and spitting of bloud . Jaundies spitting Bloud .

Aloe made into powder and strewn upon new bloudy wounds , stoppeth the bloud , and healeth the wound ; wounds likewise being applied upon old ulcers it closeth them up , and it is a soveraign medicine for Ulcers about the secret parts and fundament . Vlcers

The same boyled with w●ne and honey , healeth rifts and out-growings of the fundament , and stoppeth the flux of the Hemerrhoides , Hemrods and being applied with honey it taketh away black spots , Spots that come by stripes or bruises , bruises it is also good against inflamations hurts and scabs of the Eyes , Eyes and against running and dimness of the same .

Aloes mixed with oyl of roses and vinegar and laid to the forehead and temples asswageth head-ach , head-ach the head being often rubbed with Aloes mixed with wine keepeth the hair from falling off . Hair The same applied with wine cureth sores of the mouth and gums , the throat and kernels under the tongue ; and outwardly applied it is a good consolidative medicine ; stoppeth bleeding , and doth mundifie and cleanse all corruption .

Assa foetida .

Names . ] THis is a juice or liquor , got out of the stalkes and roots of a certain plant called Laser and Laserpitium , growing in Media and Persia and is of a very loathsome and stinking savor , so that it is called the Devil 's T —

There is another sort which groweth in Cyrene , which is of a pleasant savor and not very bad in tast .

Descript. ] Laser is a plant that dyeth yearly ; it hath great thick stalks , having leaves like Parsly ; of a pleasant sent , the seed is broad as it were a little leaf ; It hath a great many roots growing out of one head , which is thick and covered with a black skin : from out of these roots , and stalk , being cut , floweth a strong liquor or Juice , which is dryed and usefull in Physick .

Place . ] The best groweth on the mountains of Cyrene , and yeeldeth a liquor of a pleasant smell ; the other kind groweth in Syria , Media , Armenia and Lybia , the Juice whereof is of a very loathsome smell ; which is our Assa foetida or devil's durt .

Government and Vertues . ] It is hot and dry in the third degree ; under the dominion of Saturn is the Juice , but the roots under the influence of Mars : the roots as say Dioscorides and Gallen are good against poyson ; Poyson , Breath Sweet . and a little of the same eaten with meat or taken with salt causeth a sweet breath .

The Roots stamped with oyle and applied , taketh away black and blew marks that come of bruses or stripes , Bruises cureth and dissolveth the Kings Evil and all hard swellings and botches , Kings-Evill Botches the parts being anointed or plastered therewith .

The same root made into powder , and made into a plaister with the oyle of Ireos and wax , doth asswage and cure the Sciatica or hip-Gout , Sciatica the same boyled with pomgranat-pills and vinegar , doth cure the hemorroids , and taketh away warts and superfluities about the fundamentor elswhere . Warts

They also mundifie and cleanse the breast , dissolve and ripen tough flegm , Flegm and are profitable against an old cough coming of cold , Cough being taken with honey in manner of an Electuary or Lohoch .

They provoke Urine , Vrine clense the Kidneys and bladder , break and drive forth the stone , Stone provoke womens flowers , Flowers and expulse the secondine and dead child . Secondine

Being chewed in the mouth they abate the tooth-ach , Toothach and draw superfluous humors from the brain .

The liquor or Gum of Laserpitium , especially of Cyrene , which is called in our shops Gummi Benzni or Benzoin dissolved in water , & drunk , driveth away hoarsness , Hoarsness that cometh suddenly & being supt up with a rear egg , it cureth the Cough , Cough & taken in some broth is good against the Pleurisie . Pleurisie

It is good against Cramps and shrinking of the sinewes , Cramp Sinews to be taken the quantity of a scruple ; and taken with Pepper and mirrhe , it provoketh the Terms , Terms and driveth forth the afterbirth and dead fruit , afterbirth to be taken with hony & vinegar or surrup of vinegar , it is good against the falling sicknes , Falling-Sickness it is good against the flux of the belly , Flux coming from weakness of the stomack being taken with raisins .

It driveth away the shaking fits of Agues being drunken with wine pepper and Frankincense : ther is an electuary made thereof , with pepper , Ginger , and the leaves of Rue , pounded together with hony , which is called Antidotum ex succo Cyreniaco , which is a singular medecine against Quartain Agues . Agues

It is good against the bitings of Venemous beasts , Venemous bittings poisonous shots of darts or Arrows , Shots bitings of mad dogs , being taken inwardly and applied outwardly upon the wounds . It quickneth the sight , and taketh away the haw or web in the Eyes , web in the Eyes at the first coming , if it be applied upon them with hony , being wrapped with Frankincense in a fine linnen Cloth , and holden upon the T●eth ; it cureth the Ach of the same , Toothach the decoction thereof with figs and hysop boyled together in water , and holden or kept in the mouth worketh the same effect .

Being applied with hony it stayeth the Wula falling down , Wula and with hydromel or mede it cureth the Squinance , being gargled with it . It breaketh pestilential Impostums , and Carbuncles , Carbuncle being laid thereto , with Rue , Nitre , and hony ; after the same manner it takes away Corns ; Corns being applied with Coperass and Verdigrease , it cureth the disease in the Nostrills called Polypus , Polypus and all scurvy manginess . Manginess Against kybed heeles , Kibed heeles first bath the heeles with wine , and then anoint the kibes with this gum boyled in oyle .

The stinking gum call Assa foetida , is good for all the purposes aforesaid , but it is not so good as the Laser of Cyrene , but it is very good to smell unto , or to be laid upon the Navel against the choking or rising up of the Mother . Benzoin is used for all the purposes aforesaid , instead of the sweet Laser ; but it is supposed not to be the true Laser Cyreniacum , but the gum of a certain tree to us unknown .