Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
An Irish Materia Medica (Author: Tadhg Ó Cuinn)

subsection 8

8. Acedula, oxilapacium, rumei: i.e. the three names of the sorrel; the doctors say that this herb is cold in the first degree and dry in the second degree; it serves well against erysipelas if it be pounded with earthworms through it and it be applied as a poultice. Item, pound the same herb with apple juice through it and apply it to a wound which has festered and it will cure it. Item, pound the same herb with the white of an egg through it and it will help with swelling and inflammation of the eyes. Item, pound the same herb finely and apply it as a poultice to the member that has been burnt or scalded by fire or water and it will cure it. Item, mix the juice of this herb with the flour of barley grains and it will cure the podagra and arthritis that come from hotness. Item, mix the juice of the same


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herb with oil of roses and apply it as a poultice to the head and it will cure the pain if that comes from hotness. Item, boil the same herb with red wine and take it and it will cure the flux of the abdomen (diarrhoea). Item, to put the same herb in the female genitals or to drink its juice will cure the flux of menstruation. Item, Macer says to give the same herb against worms of the abdomen and it will kill them promptly. The same man says to take this herb against the vice and poison and evil of women and against every poison. He also says that it comforts and preserves the sight if it be taken antslí(?) and he says too that this herb serves against the harm and poison of bees and wasps and of mad dogs and against poison itself. Item, Macer says to put one drop of the juice of the same herb in the ear and it will help with all deafnesses.