The Book of Secrets

It also helps those suffering from frenzy original: "freneticos"; likely referring to delirium or high fever if it is applied to the affected areas, namely the chest. It helps those with lung disease original: "piplomonicos," a corruption of the Greek 'pleumonicos' and grants them good breathing; it also works against the flow of melancholic blood.

The third herb of the Moon is called Chynostates likely a variant of 'Cynostatos' or Dog-rose. Its juice purges irritations of the stomach and the chest, as well as the "castoreum" here referring to bodily secretions or perhaps a specific medicinal preparation, because it shows itself to be a herb of the Moon. Furthermore, the flower of this herb purges and cures enlarged spleens, because this plant grows and diminishes just like the Moon. It is effective against ophthalmia eye inflammation and sharpens the sight; it also works against blood in the eyes. If you place its crushed root upon the eye, it clarifies the vision wonderfully, because the light of the eyes is mystically related to the substance of the Moon. It also benefits those with a "bad stomach" who cannot digest food, by drinking its juice. Furthermore, it is effective for those having scrofula swelling of the lymph nodes, often associated with tuberculosis.

The fourth herb of Mars is called Arnoglossa Lamb's Tongue or Plantain. The root of this herb is wonderfully effective against headaches, because Aries—which is the head of the whole world—is thought to be the house of Mars. It also works against ailments of the testicles and putrid, foul ulcers; this is because Scorpio is also his house, and that part of the body retains the sperm (that is, the seed) which concerns the testicles. Its juice is also effective for those with dysentery, those spitting blood original: "emoptoicis", for the vice of hemorrhoids, and for stomach ailments when one drinks it.

The fifth herb of Mercury is called Pentaphilon Cinquefoil or Five-Leaved Grass; by some it is called Pentadactylus; by others it is often called Declinam; and by some Lalipentalo. The root of this herb, when crushed and applied as a plaster, heals wounds and hardness of the skin. Furthermore...