The Vse of Raspis.
The leaues of Raspis may be vsed for want of Bramble leaues in gargles, and other decoctions that are cooling and drying, although not fully to that effect.
The Conserue or Syrupe made of the berries, is effectuall to coole an hot stomacke, helping to refresh and quicken vp those that are ouercome with faintnesse.
The berries are eaten in the Summer time, as an afternoones dish, to please the taste of the sicke as well as the sound.
The iuyce and the distilled water of the berries are verie comfortable and cordiall.
It is generally held of many, but how true I know not, that the red wine that is vsually sold at the Vintners, is made of the berries of Raspis that grow in colder countries, which giueth it a kinde of harshnesse: And also that of the same berries growing in hotter climates, which giueth vnto the wine a more pleasant sweetnesse, is made that wine which the Vintners call Alligant: but we haue a Vine or Grape come to vs vnder the name of the Alligant Grape, as you shall finde it set downe hereafter among the Grapes; and therefore it is likely to be but an opinion, and no truth in this, as it may be also in the other.
Chap. II.
Ribes rubra, alba, nigra. Currans red, white, and blacke.
The bushes that beare those berries, which are vsually called red Currans, are not those Currans either blew or red, that are sold at the Grocers, nor any kind thereof; for that they are the grapes of a certaine Vine, as shall be shewed by and by: but a farre differing kinde of berry, whereof there are three sorts, red, white, and blacke.