Herbal & Animal Medicines — Medieval Manuscript

The most famous of the herbs is the emerotes, for which Mercury assigns a hunt. Against it, [the plant] shows its benefit by order [of the gods], safe with a dark or "black" color, reaching a great height.
For pain of the womb, crush the herb ammiola and apply it; it soothes the pain of the womb.

The herb ammiola to be cleansed.

Two botanical illustrations are positioned side-by-side. On the left, a plant features a cluster of broad, green, lance-shaped leaves at the base and two thin stems ending in clusters of small white flowers. On the right, a taller plant appears with similar base leaves and a central stalk displaying small yellow flowers at regular intervals along its length.

• In Greek it is called eliotrou heliotrope.
• Others dialitrou.
• Others saypion.
• Others berndea.
• Others avovlavns.
• Aphete ematires.
• In Gaulish cuatscarps.
• Porxigoras nisene.
• Egyptians nertavmi.

Name of the herb heliotropia sun-turner.

It grows everywhere in cultivated and clean places, and in meadows. It is a diurnal herb; its flowers turn according to the course of the sun. When the sun sets, its flowers close, and when the sun rises again, its flowers open. It is effective for many remedies.

1

For the poison of a serpent, the herb heliotropia reduced to powder with balustanium pomegranate flower, and its juice given in a drink of old wine, miraculously dispels poisons.
4

For a flux discharge or flow, the herb, when crushed and applied, is said to heal effectively; gather it at any time.

In the upper right corner, a red oblong creature or object is depicted, possibly representing a marine animal or a root, with a segmented body and three thick black bristles or spikes at the tail end. It has two small circular marks resembling eyes on the front segment.

It is born on the seashore, adorned with a white color and four reddish [spots] it adheres to.

1

For sciatica, use it as a poultice so that it is applied to the knee as a soft plaster.
4

For all bodily pains, the root, when ground and applied, soothes all pains.

Name of the herb ipericon St. John’s wort

• In Greek it is called adianton.
• Others ipericon.
• Others evereuicon.
• Others tricomants.
• Egyptians ethuc.
• Others terre capillos maidenhair.
• Romans antinuus.
• Others supercilium veneris eyebrow of Venus.

An illustration of a plant (Hypericum) with many thin, branching stems and small leaves, growing from a dark, fibrous root bulb.

It grows on walls, in humid places, and in the earth around walls.

1

For neck pain, use the herb ipericon, which has what looks like a polished saw. Crush its leaves with nine grains of pepper and nine grains of fennel, and boil them together with excellent wine. Give this to drink; applied in a bath, it makes women's hair reddish.

Name of the herb hastula regia royal little spear/asphodel.

• In Greek it is called moloanagria.

An illustration of a plant (Hastula regia or Asphodel) with a tall, single stem featuring three clusters of dark-petaled flowers and a thick, tufted fibrous root.

1

For those suffering from dysentery, the root of the herb hastula regia crushed with wine and given as a drink will immediately provide the dysentery sufferer relief.
4

To restrict a flow hemorrhage or diarrhea, the seed of the herb hastula regia mixed with very sharp vinegar and given as a drink restricts the belly.