Spignel

I would gladly cõſẽt to thẽ yͭ holde yͭ yͤ herbe wich is called of the apothecaries feniculũ tortuoſum⸝ of yͤ Northẽ Engliſhe mẽ ſpiknel⸝ of the Duche mẽ berwurtz⸝ is yͤ true mew, if yͭ I could fynd any ſpicknel or berwurtz yͭ were of ij. cubites hygh. […] [W]here as the Mew of Mattiolus⸝ yͤ berwurtz of Germany & yͤ ſpiknel of Englãd (which peraduẽture was ones called Spiknard) haue a rough thyng like to the Iudiſh Spiknarde in the hygheſt parte of the root⸝ out of whiche the ſtalke cõmeth firſt furth⸝ the mew of Amatus hath yͤ ſame rough tuht lyke Spiknarde⸝ as he writeth in infirma parte⸝ in the loweſt parte of the roote⸝ which thyng if it be ſo⸝ neither Matthiolus nor I know the ryght mew; […]

The ſhops of the Low countries haue miſcalled it in times paſt by the name of Meum, & vſed it for the right Mew or Spiknell woort.

Meu or Spicknell is not found in Italy, unleſſe it be in ſome Phyſicians garden, and thoſe are very few that ſow or ſet it.

The Roots of common Spignel do ſpread much and deep in the ground, many ſtrings or branches growing from one Head which is hairy at the top, of a blackiſh brown colour on the outſide and white within, ſmelling well, and of an Aromatical taſt, from whence riſe ſundry long ſtalks of moſt fine cut Leaves like hairs, ſmaller than Dill, ſet thick on both ſides of the Stalks, and of a good ſcent. […] Galen ſaith, The Roots of Spignel are available to provoke Urine and Womans Courſes, but if too much thereof be taken it cauſeth Headach: […]

Mew, Spiknel, wild Dill, an Herb with a Stalk and Leaves like Anis: It is good to expel Wind, and to force Urine; as alſo for Mother-fits, Gripes, &c.

MEW, the Herb call'd alſo Spikenel and wild Dill.

The Root ſpreadeth divers long Strings, blackiſh without, like the Meum, or Spicknel, and abideth many Years.

MEUM, […] Spignel.