GENTIAN

original: "GENTIANE"

The botanical illustration in the margin shows a plant with broad, lanceolate leaves and clusters of small orange-red berries/flowers, which may depict a specific variety of the Gentian family known to the author.

It has a few leaves near the ground, somewhat long, shaggy?, greenish-black, and reddish?. The middle parts of the leaves are veined?, spreading toward the tip, very prominent and whitish—having a white smoothness toward the edge of the leaf. It grows low? at intervals from the same root. It has the root surrounded [by the foliage], but it has no fruit nor a stalk; rather, the root is chaff-like at the point of the joint original: "sphondylou," referring to the crown or node where the leaves meet the root. It has a long, somewhat black root that is entirely astringent. In eating, it is bitter and weak, yet somewhat sweet at the head? and to the taste. For this reason, its activity comes from?...

power

It has a root that is warming and astringent original: "styptike," a substance that shrinks or constricts body tissues.

for periods

It helps with periods original: "periodois," likely referring to recurring fevers or the menstrual cycle; it imparts a sharp power to those in the body.

hairiness

By nature, it is burning to the skin; an extract

power

of the spine original: "rhachel" diverts its power

hairiness

and for all cleansings original: "ryptomasin," soaps or detergent-like washes for the skin.

sprains

It is effective for ruptures, tensions, and sprains.

griping pains

And for those suffering? with dropsy original: "hydropikos," an old term for edema or swelling due to fluid retention when it is drunk.

gripings

The root, when cut into pieces and applied, expels embryos original: "embrya"; the plant was used as an abortifacient or to assist in difficult births.

fetuses

It is applied along with soothing? [salves]

hairiness

and for those [ailments] caused by exhaustion?.

cleansings

It also cuts through foulness and hardness [of the skin].
The parts near the root are similar.

poultices for the eyes

It is also applied to the eyes for cataracts original: "hypochynetai," literally "poured under," referring to the clouded lens of the eye and for darkness of vision.
It is sharp against daily [fevers] and for the weak.

leaves

The leaves are also astringent for the breath original: "pneuma," which can mean breath, spirit, or the vital force.
Even down to the root, they are juiced together.
They are also used in the preparation of waters, according to
the secret [methods] in water, both
in moderate amounts and as a diffusive agent.