From the Grete Herbal 1529 edition. (this is a medieval herbal encyclopedia, I have altered this as little as possible because I like the feel of the old language.
De Mirto, Mirte is a lytell tre so called/ the which tree bereth a frutye that is named Myrtylles the which fruit is convenable (fitting, convenient) for medicines than ye leves and floures. Myrte is colde in the fyrst degre/ and moyst in the seconde/ and the newer that the leves and floures be the better they are. The fruyte ought to be gathred whan they be rype/ and may be kept two yeres. For vomyte and dyvers fluxes. .A. Agaynst vomyte and flux of the wombe and agaynst excedynge flux of menstrue. Eate the fruyte called Myrtylles/ or make syrope with the juce of them and sugre or with hony competently (sufficient or fit) for brennynge (burning)/ for that syrope made with hony is not so good as it that is made with sugre/ but it kepeth longer. (I don't quite understand that bit). Also playsters may be made of the newe fruyt/ or yf they be drye make powdre of them and confyct it with white of an egge/ and layde the sayd playster to the mouthe of the stomake ryght agaynste the bought of the brest. (the bay of the breast ie. solar plexus). To staunce flux. .B. And to staunce flux of the wombe lay it to the reynes (loins) benethe the bely/ and to the navyll/ and to staunce menstrue lay it to ye raynes/ and under the bely.. Also sethe the leves of this herbe in rayne water/ and bathe the lower partyes therytt (therewith). If ye wyll staunce the flux of the wombe or menstrue with the same water bathe the temples/ the foreheed and the fete. For the pose. C. (opposition) For the pose caused of heate. Receyve ye fume at the mouthe/ and bathe the temples and the foreheed. And yf they be layde to ye reynes in fever ague they appease the payne of the sharpnesse and heats therof. For the stenche of the mouthe. .C. Of the powdre of the fruyte and leves be taken in the mornynge it put away stenche of the mouthe that cometh of the stomake.
---Submitted by Christopher Hedley
Back To Bilberry Hill