Fig. 1459. Mountain Parsley

The Description.

            The stalk of Mountain Parsley, as Dioscorides writeth, is a span high, growing from a slender root; upon which are branches and little heads like those of Hemlock, yet much slenderer: on which stalks do grow the seed, which is long, of a sharp or biting taste, slender, and of a strong smell, like unto Cumin: but we cannot find that this kind of Mountain Parsley is known in our age: the leaves of this we here give are like those of Common Parsley, but greater and broader, consisting of many slender footstalks fastened unto them; the stalk is short, the flowers on the spoked tufts be white; the seed small: the root is white, and of a mean length or bigness, in taste somewhat biting and bitterish, and of a sweet smell.

The Place.

            Dioscorides writeth, that mountain Parsley groweth upon rocks and mountains. And Dodonæus affirmeth that this herb described grows on the hills which divide Silesia from Moravia, called in times past the country of the Marcomans: also it is said to be found on other mountains and hills in the North parts of England.

The Names.

            The Latins do call it Apium montanum, and Montapium: in English Mountain Parsley: but Dioscorides maketh Petroselinum or Stone Parsley to differ from Mountain Parsley; for, saith he, we must not be deceived, taking Mountain Parsley to be that which groweth on rocks: for Rock Parsley is another plant, of some it is called, Veelgutta: in Latin, Multibona, (in English, much good:) for it is so named because it is good, and profitable for many things: and this is not altogether unproperly termed Oreoselinum, or Mountain Parsley; for it groweth as we have said on mountains, and is not unlike to Stone Parsley: the seed is not like to that of Cumin, for if were so, who would deny it to be Oreoselinum, or Dioscorides his Mountain Parsley.

The Temperature and Virtues.

            A. Oreoselinum, or Mountain Parsley is, as Galen saith, like in faculty unto Smallage, but more effectual; Dioscorides writeth that the seed and root being drunk in wine provoke urine, bring down the menses, and that they are mixed with counterpoisons, diuretic medicines, and medicines that are hot.

            B. The root of Veelgutta, or Much Good, is also hot and dry, and that in the later end of the second degree, it maketh thin, it cureth, openeth, provoketh, breaketh the stone and expelleth it, openeth the stoppings of the liver and spleen, and cureth the yellow jaundice: being chewed it helpeth the toothache, and bringeth much water out of the mouth.