Chap. LXI.
Solarium vesicarium, siue Alkakengi.
Winter Cherries.
The Winter Cherry hath a running or creeping roote in the ground, of the bignesse many times of ones little finger, shooting forth at seuerall ioynts in seuerall places, whereby it quickly spreadeth a great compasse of ground: the stalke riseth not aboue a yard high, whereon are set many broade and long greene leaues, somewhat like vnto the leaues of Nightshade, but larger: at the ioynts whereof come forth whitish flowers made of fiue leaues a peece, which after turne into green berries, inclosed with thin skins or bladders, which change to bee reddish when they grow ripe, the berry likewise being reddish, and as large as a Cherry, wherein are contained many flat and yellowish seed lying within the pulpe: which being gathered and strung vp, are kept all the yeare to be vsed vpon occasion.
The Vse of Winter Cherries.
The distilled water of the herbe and fruit together, is often taken of them that are troubled with the sharpnesse or difficultie of vrine, and with the stone in the kidneyes, or grauel in the bladder: but the berries themselues either greene or dryed boyled eyther in broth, in wine, or in water, is much more effectuall: It is likewise conducing to open obstructions of the liuer, &c. and thereby to helpe the yellow Iaundise.