The Complete Herbal / To which is now added, upwards of one hundred additional herbs, with a display of their medicinal and occult qualities physically applied to the cure of all disorders incident to mankind: to which are now first annexed, the English physician enlarged, and key to Physic.

by Nicholas Culpeper

To conclude then, Pectoral Medicines are such as either cut and cleanse out the compacted humours from the arteries of the lungs, or make thin defluxions thick, or temper those that are sharp, help the roughness of the wind-pipe, or are generally lenitive and softening, being outwardly applied to the breast.

CHAPTER III.
Of Medicines appropriated to the heart.

These are they which are generally given under the notion of Cordials; take them under that name here.

The heart is the seat of the vital spirit, the fountain of life, the original of infused heat, and of the natural affections of man.

So then these two things are proper to the heart.

1. By its heat to cherish life throughout the body.

2. To add vigour to the affections.

And if these be proper to the heart, you will easily grant me, that it is the property of cordials to administer to the heart in these particulars.

Of Cordials, some cheer the mind, some strengthen the heart, and refresh the spirits thereof, being decayed.