CHAP. 14.—THE LABRUSCA, OR WILD VINE: TWELVE REMEDIES.
The labrusca, too, produces an œnanthe, which has been described at sufficient length already:2876 by the Greeks the labrusca is known as the wild vine.2877 The leaves of it are thick and of a whitish colour, the stem is jointed, and the bark full of fissures: it bears grapes of a scarlet2878 hue, like the coccus, which are made use of by females for the purpose of improving the complexion, and removing spots upon the face. Pounded with the leaves and the juice extracted from the tree, these grapes are usefully employed for the treatment of lumbago and sciatica. A decoction of the root2879 in water, taken in two cyathi of Coan wine, promotes an alvine evacuation of aqueous secretions; for which reason it is prescribed for dropsy.
I am inclined to think that this is the plant that is commonly known as the “uva taminia;”2880 it is in great request as an amulet, and is employed, though as a gargle only, in cases of spitting blood; for which purpose, salt, thyme, and oxymel are added to it, care being taken not to swallow any of the mixture. It is generally looked upon as unsafe to employ it as a purgative.