Chestnut Tree

Chestnut tree grows on the ground, with long slender strings like strawberries, which take root again, and shoot forth many leaves made of five parts, and sometimes of seven, dented about the edges and somewhat hard. The stalks are slender, leaning downwards, and bear many small beautiful yellow flowers, with yellow threads in the middle. The root is of a blackish brown colour, growing long, with small strings, by which it soon spreads over the ground. It grows by wood sides, hedge sides, the pathway in fields, and in the borders and corners of them.

The root is to be used, which must be dug up in april, and the outer bark taken off and dried; the rest is not used. Few drugs have power equal to this root for all kinds of fluxes. As an astringent, it stops purgings, and profuse menstruation. A scruple of the powder in wine will cure the ague. It may be repeated once or twice when the complaint is obstinate. It stops bleeding of the lungs, or bronchial tubes, bleeding at the nose, and is useful in coughs, jaundice, and ulcers in the kidneys. By washing the eyes in a decoction of the root inflammations are removed.

The juice of the root is very efficacious. The juice and wheat bread boiled first is a good styptic. For the decoction, boil 11 ounce of the root in a quart of water down to a pint. The juice mixed with honey, relieves coughs, and hoarseness.