Of Nauelwoort, or Penniwoort of the wall.
The description.
The great Nauelwoort hath round and thicke leaues, somewhat bluntly indented about the edges, and somewhat hollow in the midst on the vpper part, hauing a short tender stem fastened to the midst of the leafe, on the lower side vnderneath the stalke, whereon the flowers do grow, is small and hollow, an handfull high and more, beset with many small flowers of an ouerworne incarnate colour. The roote is round like an oliue of a white colour. The second kinde of Wall Pennywoort or Nauelwoort, hath broad thicke leaues, somewhat deeply indented about the edges, & are not so round as the leaues of the former, but somewhat long like toongs, spred vpon the ground in maner of a tuft, set about the tender stalke, like to Sengreene or Housleeke; among which riseth vp a tender stalke whereon do grow the like leaues. The flowers stand on the top consisting of fiue small leaues of a white colour. The root is small and threddie. 3 There is a kinde of Nauelwoort, that groweth in waterie places, which is called of the husbandman Sheepesbane, bicause it killeth sheepe that do eate thereof: it is not much vnlike the precedent, but the round edges of the leaues are not so euen as the other; and this creepeth vpon the ground, and the other vpon stone wals.
The place.
The first kinde of Pennywoort groweth plentifully in Northampton vpon euery stone wall about the towne, at Bristowe, Bathe, Wels; and most places of the west countrie vpon stone wals. It groweth vpon Westminster abbay, ouer the doore that leadeth from Chaucer his tombe to the olde palace. The second groweth vpon the Alpes neere Piedmont, and Bauier, and vpon the mountaines of Germany: I founde the same growing vpon Bieston castell in Cheshire.
The time.
They are greene and flourish especially in winter: they flowre in the beginning of sommer.
The names.
Nauelwoort is called in Greeke κοτυληδών: in Latine Umbilicus Veneris, and Acetabulum: of diuers Herba Coxendicum: Iacobus Manlius nameth it Scatum cali, and Scatellum: in Dutch Dauelcruyt: in Italian Cupertoiole: in French Escuelles: in Spanish Capadella: of some Hortus Veneris, or Venus garden, and Terra umbilicus, or the Nauell of the earth: in English Pennywoort, Wall-Pennywoort, Ladies nauell, and Hipwoort. Water Pennywoort is called in Latine Cotyledon palustris: in English Sheepes killing Pennygrasse, Penny rot, & in the north countrie White rot: for there is also Red rot, which is Rosa solis, in Norfolke it is called Flowkwoort.
The temperature.
Nauelwoort is of a moist substance and somewhat colde, and of a certaine obscure binding qualitie: it cooleth, repelleth, or driueth backe, scowreth and consumeth, or wasteth away, as Galen testifieth.
The vertues.
The iuice of Wall Pennywoort is a singular remedie against all inflammations and hot tumors, as Erysipelas, Saint Anthonies fire, and such like: and is good for kibed heeles, being bathed therewith, and one or more of the leaues laid vpon the heele. The leaues and rootes eaten do breake the stone, prouoke vrine, and preuaile much against the dropsie. The ignorant Apothecaries do vse the Water Pennywoort in steade of this of the wall, which they cannot do without great error, and much danger to the patient: for husbandmen know well, that it is noisome vnto sheepe, and other cattell that feede thereon, and for the most part bringeth death vnto them, much more to men, by a stronger reason.
Text in Gerard's own spelling (the long s is printed as s), transcribed by the Source Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). A chapter may run onto pages not yet transcribed. Gerard wrote within Galenic medicine; nothing here is advice.