A decoction of the root of the bitter almond3151 clears the complexion, and gives the face a brighter colour.3152 Bitter almonds are provocative of sleep,3153 and sharpen the appetite; they act, also, as a diuretic and as an emmenagogue. They are used topically for head-ache, when there is fever more particularly. Should the head-ache proceed from inebriation,3154 they are applied with vinegar, rose-oil, and one sextarius of water. Used in combination with amylum3155 and mint, they arrest hæmorrhage. They are useful, also, for lethargy and epilepsy, and the head is anointed with them for the cure of epinyctis. In combination with wine, they heal putrid ulcers of an inveterate nature, and, with honey, bites inflicted by dogs.3156 They are employed, also, for the cure of scaly eruptions of the face, the parts affected being fomented first.

Taken in water, or, as is often done, in an electuary, with resin of terebinth,3157 they remove pains in the liver and kidneys; used with raisin wine, they are good for calculus and strangury. Bruised in hydromel, they are useful for cleansing the skin; and taken in an electuary with the addition of a small proportion of elelisphacus,3158 they are good for diseases of the liver, cough, and colic, a piece about the size of a hazel-nut being taken in honey. It is said that if five bitter almonds are taken by a person before sitting down to drink, he will be proof against inebriation;3159 and that foxes, if they eat bitter almonds,3160 will be sure to die immediately, if they cannot find water to lap.

As to sweet almonds, their remedial properties are not3161 so extensive; still, however, they are of a purgative nature, and are diuretic. Eaten fresh, they are difficult3162 of digestion.