The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 5 (of 6)

Chapter 177: CHAP. 58.—THE ECHIOS; THREE VARIETIES OF IT: TWO REMEDIES.

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

History - Ancient Nature/Gardening/Animals Science - Biology

About This Book

This volume catalogs remedies derived from forest trees and wild plants, presenting systematic entries for dozens of species with prescribed treatments and applications. It enumerates specific uses for resins, barks, leaves, berries, and sap, and gives instructions on preparation, dosage, and testing of potency. The text also records variations among species, regional observations on growth and harvesting, and anecdotes on how certain plants were discovered or associated with animals and human practices. Overall it functions as a practical herbal compendium combining botanical description with medicinal recipes and empirical notes.

CHAP. 58.—THE ECHIOS; THREE VARIETIES OF IT: TWO REMEDIES.

Of the echios there are two kinds; one 753 of which resembles pennyroyal in appearance, and has a concave leaf. It is administered, in doses of two drachmæ, in four cyathi of wine. The other 754 kind is distinguished by a prickly down, and bears small heads resembling those of vipers: it is usually taken in wine and vinegar. Some persons give the name of “echios personata”755 to a kind of echios with larger leaves than the others, and burrs of considerable size, resembling that of the lappa.756 The root of this plant is boiled and administered in vinegar. Henbane, pounded with the leaves on, is taken in wine, for the sting of the asp in particular.