We have already said,[1348] that there is also a wild radish.[1349] The most esteemed is that of Arcadia, though it is also found growing in other countries as well. It is only efficacious as a diuretic, being in other respects of a heating nature. In Italy, it is known also by the name of “armoracia.”
CHAP. 13.—THE CULTIVATED RADISH: FORTY-THREE REMEDIES.
The cultivated radish, too, in addition to what we have already said[1350] of it, purges the stomach, attenuates the phlegm, acts as a diuretic, and detaches the bilious secretions. A decoction of the rind of radishes in wine, taken in the morning in doses of three cyathi, has the effect of breaking and expelling calculi of the bladder. A decoction, too, of this rind in vinegar and water, is employed as a liniment for the stings of serpents. Taken fasting in the morning with honey, radishes are good[1351] for a cough. Parched radish-seed, as well as radishes themselves, chewed, is useful for pains in the sides.[1352] A decoction of the leaves, taken in drink, or else the juice of the plant taken in doses of two cyathi, is an excellent remedy for phthiriasis. Pounded radishes, too, are employed as a liniment for inflammations[1353] under the skin, and the rind, mixed with honey, for bruises of recent date. Lethargic persons[1354] are recommended to eat them as hot as possible, and the seed, parched and then pounded with honey, will give relief to asthmatic patients.
Radishes, too, are useful as a remedy for poisons, and are employed to counteract the effects of the sting of the cerastes[1355] and the scorpion: indeed, after having rubbed the hands with radishes or radish-seed, we may handle[1356] those reptiles with impunity. If a radish is placed upon a scorpion, it will cause its death. Radishes are useful, too, in cases of poisoning by fungi[1357] or henbane; and according to Nicander,[1358] they are salutary against the effects of bullock’s blood,[1359] when drunk. The two physicians of the name of Apollodorus, prescribe radishes to be given in cases of poisoning by mistletoe; but whereas Apollodorus of Citium recommends radish-seed pounded in water, Apollodorus of Tarentum speaks of the juice. Radishes diminish the volume of the spleen, and are beneficial for maladies of the liver and pains in the loins: taken, too, with vinegar or mustard, they are good for dropsy and lethargy, as well as epilepsy[1360] and melancholy.[1361] Praxagoras recommends that radishes should be given for the iliac passion, and Plistonicus for the cœliac[1362] disease.
Radishes are good, too, for curing ulcerations of the intestines and suppurations of the thoracic organs,[1363] if eaten with honey. Some persons say, however, that for this purpose they should be boiled in earth and water; a decoction which, according to them, promotes the menstrual discharge. Taken with vinegar or honey, radishes expel worms from the intestines; and a decoction of them boiled down to one-third, taken in wine, is good for intestinal hernia.[1364] Employed in this way, too, they have the effect of drawing off the superfluous blood. Medius recommends them to be given boiled to persons troubled with spitting of blood, and to women who are suckling, for the purpose of increasing the milk. Hippocrates[1365] recommends females whose hair falls off, to rub the head with radishes, and he says that for pains of the uterus, they should be applied to the navel.
Radishes have the effect, too, of restoring the skin, when scarred, to its proper colour; and the seed, steeped in water, and applied topically, arrests the progress of ulcers known as phagedænic.[1366] Democritus regards them, taken with the food, as an aphrodisiac; and it is for this reason, perhaps, that some persons have spoken of them as being injurious to the voice. The leaves, but only those of the long radish, are said to have the effect of improving the eye-sight.
When radishes, employed as a remedy, act too powerfully, it is recommended that hyssop should be given immediately; there being an antipathy[1367] between these two plants. For dulness of hearing, too, radish-juice is injected into the ear. To promote vomiting, it is extremely beneficial to eat radishes fasting.
CHAP. 14.—THE PARSNIP: FIVE REMEDIES. THE HIBISCUM, WILD MALLOW, OR PLISTOLOCHIA: ELEVEN REMEDIES.
The hibiscum, by some persons known as the wild mallow,[1368] and by others as the “plistolochia,” bears a strong resemblance to the parsnip;[1369] it is good for ulcerations of the cartilages, and is employed for the cure of fractured bones. The leaves of it, taken in water, relax the stomach; they have the effect, also, of keeping away serpents, and, employed as a liniment, are a cure for the stings of bees, wasps, and hornets. The root, pulled up before sunrise, and wrapped in wool of the colour known as “native,”[1370] taken from a sheep which has just dropped a ewe lamb, is employed as a bandage for scrofulous swellings, even after they have suppurated. Some persons are of opinion, that for this purpose the root should be dug up with an implement of gold, and that care should be taken not to let it touch the ground.
Celsus,[1371] too, recommends this root to be boiled in wine, and applied in cases of gout unattended with swelling.