Archangel |
ARCHANGEL (or
DEAD-NETTLE) LAMIUM To put a gloss on their practice, the physicians call a herb (which people vulgarly know by the name of the Dead-nettle) Archangel. The White, with the Red and Yellow Dead-nettles, are nettles that do not sting. Yet except their flowers they resemble the Stinging Nettle. Where to find them: They grow almost everywhere unless it be in the middle of the street. The Yellow is most usually found in the wet grounds of woods. Flowering time: From the beginning of spring and through the summer. Astrology: The chief use of them is for women, it being a herb of Venus. Medicinal virtues: The Archangels are somewhat hot and drier than the Stinging Nettles and better used for the stopping and hardness of the spleen. Flowers of the White Archangel are preserved or conserved to be used to stay the whites, and the flowers of the Red to stay the reds, in women. It makes the heart merry, drives away melancholy, quickens the spirits, is good against the quartan agues, stauncheth bleeding at the mouth and nose if it be stamped and applied to the nape of the neck. The herb bruised and with salt and vinegar and hog's-grease laid upon a hard tumour or swelling, or that vulgarly called the king's-evil, do help to dissolve or discuss them. In like manner applied, it doth much allay the pains and give ease to the gout, sciatica and other pains of the joints and sinews. It is also very effectual to heal green wounds and old ulcers. It draweth forth splinters and is very good against bruises and burnings. The Yellow Archangel is most commanded for old, filthy, corrupt sores and ulcers, although they be hollow, and to dissolve tumours. Modern uses: The flowering tips of the White Dead-nettles are prescribed for menstrual problems and leucorrhoea in women, and for prostatitis in men. 1t is also used for catarrhal conditions and where liver stimulation is required. It is given in the form of an infusion which is made by steeping 1 OZ (28 g) Of the dried flowers in 1 Pt (568 ml) of boiling water for 20 minutes, straining and administering in doses Of 2 fl OZ (56 ml) three times a day. |