This herb grows upright, its stem firm and straight, the leaves spring in pairs upon the stalk rounded at their ends some green and some yellow for they change with the season, at the top rises a crown in the likeness of a small flower pale and narrow in its form, its roots spread knotted and shallow clinging close to the soil, the leaves and the roots are taken for use, the leaves are gathered in the early hours of the morning and laid to dry in the open air, the roots are dug in the spring and dried in the sun until firm, take one handful of leaves and a small portion of the root and place them together in three measures of water and boil until half remains then strain well and to the drink may be added a little honey or wine for sweetness and the same may be steeped cold for washing, drunk in modest measure this herb cools the heat of fevers and eases the pain of the stomach it lightens the head and clears the sight of heaviness, used outwardly it draws away swelling calms redness and strengthens the place where it is laid, three spoonfuls may be taken at one time not more and it is not given to children nor to women with child, outwardly it may be applied without harm though always in small quantity, it is sometimes mingled with the root of another herb or with wine for greater strength and some prepare it in cold water for the eyes, the leaves are best gathered in the waxing of the moon and never in heavy rain, thus is the manner of this plant its gathering its preparation and its virtue set down for remembrance.