Gerard's Herbal
Fig. 1475. Candy Carrots
The Description.
This Daucus cretensis, being the true Daucus of Dioscorides, doth not grow in Candy only, but is found upon the mountains of Germany, and upon the hills and rocks of Jura about Geneva, from whence it hath been sent and conveyed by one friendly herbarist unto another, into sundry regions: it beareth leaves which are small, and very finely jagged, resembling either Fennel or Wild Carrot: among which riseth up a stalk of a cubit high, having at the top white spoky tufts, and the flowers of Dill: which being past, there come great plenty of long seed, well smelling, not unlike the seed of Cumin, save that it is whitish, with a certain mossiness, and a sharp taste, and is in greater use than any part of the plant. The root also is right good in medicine, being lesser than the root of a Parsnip, but hotter in taste, and of a fragrant smell.
The Time.
This flowers in June and July, his seed is ripe in August.
The Names.
There is sufficient spoken in the description as touching the name.
The Nature.
These plants are hot and dry, especially the seed of Daucus creticus, which is hot and dry in the third degree: but the seed of the wild Carrot is hot and dry in the second degree.
The Virtues.
A. The seed of Daucus drunken is good against the strangury, and painful making of water, it prevaileth against the gravel and stone, and provoketh urine.
B. It asssuageth the torments and gripings of the belly, dissolveth windiness, cureth the colic, and ripeneth an old cough.
C. The same being taken in wine, is very good against the bitings of beasts, and expelleth poison.
D. The seed of Daucus creticus is of great efficacy and virtue being put into treacle, mithridate, or any antidotes, against poison or pestilence.
E. The root thereof drunk in wine stoppeth the lask, and is also a sovereign remedy against venom and poison.