A similar property belongs also to crethmos,[1249] a plant highly praised by Hippocrates.[1250] This is one of the wild plants that are commonly eaten—at all events, we find Callimachus mentioning it as one of the viands set on table by the peasant Hecale.[1251] It is a species of garden batis,[1252] with a stem a palm in height, and a hot seed, odoriferous like that of libanotis,[1253] and round. When dried, the seed bursts asunder, and discloses in the interior a white kernel, known as “cachry” to some. The leaf is unctuous and of a whitish colour, like that of the olive, only thicker and of a saltish taste. The roots are three or four in number, and about a finger in thickness: the plant grows in rocky localities, upon the sea-shore. It is eaten raw or else boiled with cabbage, and has a pleasant, aromatic flavour; it is preserved also in brine.
This plant is particularly useful for strangury, the leaves, stem, or root being taken in wine. It improves the complexion of the skin also, but if taken in excess is very apt to produce flatulency. Used in the form of a decoction it relaxes the bowels, has a diuretic effect, and carries off the humours from the kidneys. The same is the case also with alcea:[1254] dried and powdered and taken in wine, it removes strangury, and, with the addition of daucus,[1255] is still more efficacious: it is good too for the spleen, and is taken in drink as an antidote to the venom of serpents. Mixed with their barley it is remarkably beneficial for beasts of burden, when suffering from pituitous defluxions or strangury.
CHAP. 51.—THE ANTHYLLION; TWO REMEDIES. THE ANTHYLLIS: TWO REMEDIES.
The anthyllion[1256] is a plant very like the lentil. Taken in wine, it is remedial for diseases of the bladder, and arrests hæmorrhage, Another variety of it is the anthyllis, a plant resembling the chamæpitys,[1257] with a purple flower, a powerful smell, and a root like that of endive.
CHAP. 52.—CEPÆA: ONE REMEDY.
The plant known as “cepæa”[1258] is even more efficacious. It resembles purslain in appearance, but has a darker root, that is never used: it grows upon the sands of the sea-shore, and has a bitter taste. Taken in wine with root of asparagus, it is remarkably useful for diseases of the bladder.
CHAP. 53.—HYPERICON, CHAMÆPITYS, OR CORISON: NINE REMEDIES.
Hypericon,[1259] otherwise known as the “chamæpitys”[1260] or “corison,”[1261] is possessed of similar properties. It is a plant[1262] with a stem like that[1263] of a garden vegetable, thin, red, and a cubit in length. The leaf is similar to that of rue, and has an acrid smell: the seed is enclosed in a swarthy pod, and ripens at the same time as barley. This seed is of an astringent nature, arrests diarrhœa, and acts as a diuretic: it is taken also for diseases of the bladder, in wine.
CHAP. 54.—CAROS OR HYPERICON: TEN REMEDIES.
There is another hypericon also, known as “caros”[1264] by some. The leaves of it resemble those of the tamarix,[1265] beneath[1266] which it grows, but are more unctuous[1267] and not so red. It is an odoriferous plant, somewhat more than a palm[1268] in height, of a sweet flavour, and slightly pungent. The seed is of a warming nature, and is consequently productive of eructations; it is not, however, injurious to the stomach. This plant is particularly useful for strangury, provided the bladder be not ulcerated; taken in wine, it is curative of pleurisy also.