Description. Common orpine riseth up with divers round brittle stalks, thick set with fat and fleshy leaves, without any order, and very little dented about the edges, of a pale green colour; the flowers are white, or whitish, growing in tufts, after which come small chafflike husks, with seed like dust in them. The roots are various in their shape and size, and the plant does not grow so large in some places as in others.
Place. It is to be found in almost every part of this kingdom, but most commonly in gardens, where it groweth to a larger size than that which is wild; it is also to be found in the shadowy sides of fields and woods.
Time. It flowereth about July, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues. The Moon owns this herb. Orpine is seldom used in inward medicines with us, although Tragus saith, from experience in Germany, that the distilled water thereof is profitable for gnawings or excoriations in the stomach and bowels, and for ulcers in the lungs, liver, or other inward parts; as also in the matrix; being drunk for several days successively, it helpeth all those diseases; he also says it stayeth the sharpness of the humours in the bloody flux, and other fluxes of the body, or in wounds; the root thereof hath also the same effect. It is used outwardly to cool any heat or inflammation upon any hurt or wound, and easeth the pains of them; as also to heal scalds or burns. The juice thereof beaten with some salad-oil, and therewith anointing the parts; or the leaf bruised and laid to any green wounds in the hands and legs, doth quickly heal them; and, being bound to the throat, much helpeth the quinsy; it is likewise found serviceable in ruptures.
The juice thereof, made into a syrup with honey or sugar, may be safely taken, a spoonful or two at a time, and with good effect, for a quinsy; and will be found more speedy in operation, as well as pleasant in taste, than some other medicines prescribed for that disorder.