Piper, Pepper; its root resembles the costus in power. But the fruit of it, while yet germinating, forms the long pepper, being more humid and hot. But that which is as it were the unripe fruit is the white pepper, being more acrid than the black, because it is over-heated. Both are heating and desiccative.
Commentary. Solinus gives the following account of it: “Quod incorruptum est Piper album. Quorum cutem rugosam et torridam calor fecerit, Piper nigrum. Qui demum caducus torretur fervido sole, vocamen trahit de colore. At quod ex ipsa arbore stringitur, ut est, album Piper dicitur.” (Polyhist. 65.). This is not quite a correct account of the matter. Black pepper is the fruit gathered before it is ripe, and dried in the sun. White pepper is the fruit of the same plant, gathered after it is fully ripe and freed of its external coat by maceration in water. Isidorus says further, “quod immaturum est piper longum vocatur.” (Orig. xviii, 8.) It is now ascertained that the Piper longum is a distinct species. Frequent mention of the peppers is made in the Hippocratic treatises. (De Morb. Mul., &c.) Dioscorides gives an excellent account of the pepper, and on the whole a very correct one, except that he does not recognize the P. longum as a distinct kind from the black and white varieties. He says of it in general terms, that it is calefacient, diuretic, digestive, and detergent of obscurities of the cornea, and recommends it in a great variety of cases, beginning with its use as a remedy in intermittent fevers. (ii, 188.) The use of peppers for the cure of intermittents is strongly recommended by Stephanus in his commentary on Galen. (Therap. ad Glauc.) Celsus prescribes pepper for a great many purposes, as being calefacient, diuretic, opening the pores, &c. (v, 4, &c.) Galen, in treating of the pepper in his work on Simples, merely says of its medicinal powers, that it is strongly calefacient and desiccative. Aëtius and the other Greek authorities copy from Galen. Avicenna treats separately of the Piper and the Piper longum, and although in one place he quotes Galen as saying that the latter is a variety of the former, he speaks of them as if he held them to be distinct plants. He says of the former, that it increases the appetite, promotes digestion; and of the other, that it is aphrodisiac. He says the white kind is the most stomachic; but the long the most laxative. On the whole, he agrees with Dioscorides and Galen as to its medicinal uses. (ii, 2, 549, 550.) See further Serapion (c. 357), Rhases (Cont. l. ult. i, 556), Averrhoes (Collig. v, 42.)
Πέπων,
Pepo, Pompion, is possessed of detergent powers. Hence that part which is as it were the flesh of it, cleanses away freckles and the like. But the seed of it removes obstructions of the kidneys.
Commentary. It appears to be the Cucurbita Pepo, L. See [Book First, sect. 80]. Alexander mentions that the seed of the pepo is possessed of an emetic quality. (vii, 14.) Dioscorides and Avicenna agree in ascribing the same property to its root. The Arabians treat of this article at considerable length, recommending it externally as an application to obstinate diseases of the skin; and internally as an excellent diuretic and laxative medicine. See Avicenna (ii, 2, 89), Rhases (Cont. l. ult, iii, 20), and Serapion (De Simpl. 251.) It is clear from Avicenna’s section on the Pepo, that the term was also applied to the melon. Indeed, as we have stated more than once before, it is difficult to distinguish the summer fruits of the ancients from one another.
Περικλύμενον,
Periclymenon, Woodbine; the leaves and fruit are possessed at the same time of incisive and heating powers, so as to occasion a discharge of blood by urine when drunk for seven days. The seed is desiccative, and if drunk for forty days, relieves affections of the spleen and dyspnœa.
Commentary. There can be no doubt that it is either the Lonicera periclymenum, or the L. caprifolium, that is to say, either the Woodbine or the Honeysuckle. Sprengel decides in favour of the latter. Dioscorides recommends it in nearly the same cases as our author, and also says of it, that it accelerates delivery in labour. (iv, 14.) Our author’s account of it is condensed from Galen. It is not found in the works of Celsus. The Arabians give rather a confused account along with other climbing plants. See Serapion (c. 41.)