De Berbena.

And ailments of the breast: he asserts that it especially cures

conditions of the lungs and phthisis.

It represses parotid swellings mixed with old fat.

The herb to which they gave a name from a thousand leaves,

and betony, join in equal weight with vervain.

When these are drunk mixed with water, they believe no medicine

to be more useful for those whom the stone torments.

Pliny asserts that the magi praise this herb not a little:

they say that it opposes all diseases,

and whatever they seek, they obtain through anointing with it,

and thus the friendships of the powerful can be captured,

and it drives away fevers, and he feigns many such things,

which although powerful nature could grant them,

nevertheless seem to us, altogether, rightfully old wives' tales.

Vervain *gerobotinum* and *peristerion*

the Greeks call it: this is said to have

two species: the effect is almost the same for the two.

With wine, it cures the jaundiced if it is drunk often.

Crushed and applied on top, it cures pestilential bites.

Indeed, this medicine is to be renewed with wine for four

days: it cleanses wounds of the mouth well

if its warm juice is rolled about in the mouth.

A fresh decoction made of the herb also provides this.

By this, too, any putrefaction of the mouth is driven away

if, warmed, it is rolled about in the sounding throat for a long time.

The fresh herb, crushed and applied on top, glues together a wound.

Taken with wine, it counters all poisons.

The fever that rages, coming on alternate days,

is driven away by this, if three of its roots are taken

and it is drunk dissolved in water with as many leaves

by the patient before he feels any chill.

And in this manner it heals quartan fevers,

when four leaves with as many roots are swallowed.

If a decoction of it is made in wine,

sprinkled among banquets,

it is said to render the guests cheerful: just as already described for bugloss.

If, carrying this herb in your hand, you ask a sick person:

"Tell me, brother, how are you doing?" If the sick man answers "Well,"

he will live: if "Badly," then there is no hope of recovery for him.

Some have ordered a crown made from this

to be placed on a head aching for any reason whatever;

thus they say it brings a swift remedy.

Pliny affirms that this is wholesome for all

ulcers of the side, diseases, and complaints of the liver,