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

subsection 206

206. Napeum, sinapium: i.e. the two names of mustard; it is hot and dry in the fourth degree; its seed is of greater efficacy than the herb itself; it attenuates the gross humours in the chest and in the brain, it provokes the urine and menstruation, and it drives away sorrow and depression for a person. If a plaster of this seed, dry


p.592

figs, flour of white bread, honey and vinegar, all mixed together, be applied to the joints, it will help with any illness of the joints. The oil that is made from mustard is effective against every illness of the nerves and against paralysis. If the seed of this herb be held in the mouth, it will help with toothache caused by coldness. A plaster of mustard meal and pig lard will help with exudations and rash of the skin. If a plaster of mustard meal, dry figs, and honey be put on the head after it has been shaved, this will help with lithariga. Item, if a plaster of mustard meal, honey, and pig lard be put on the head, the hair will grow, and it will help with any baldness. If mustard be taken before the paroxysm of quotidian fever, it will help with it, as we have said.