CHAP. 46.—THE CESTROS, PSYCHOTROPHON, VETTONICA, OR SERRATULA: FORTY-EIGHT REMEDIES.
The Vettones, a people of Spain, were the original discoverers of the plant known as the “vettonica”700 in Gaul, the “serratula”701 in Italy, and the “cestros” or “psychotrophon”702 in Greece. This is a plant more highly esteemed than any other: it puts forth an angular stem two cubits in height, and throws out leaves from the root, with serrated edges, and closely resembling those of lapathum.703 The seed of it is purple: the leaves are dried and powdered, and used for numerous purposes. There is a wine also prepared from it, and a vinegar, remarkably beneficial to the stomach and the eyesight. Indeed, this plant enjoys so extraordinary a reputation, that it is a common belief even that the house which contains it is insured against misfortunes of every kind.