Latin Texts & Translations

The wild astaphis, otherwise called staphis, ^[Note] is by some persons erroneously called "uva taminia;" ^[Note] for it is altogether a distinct plant from the other. It has a black, upright stein, with leaves resembling those of the labrusca, ^[Note] and bears what we may call a pod, ^[Note] rather than a grape, green, similar to a chick-pea in appearance, and enclosing a kernel of triangular form. The fruit of it ripens with the vintage and turns black, while the berries of the taminia, ^[Note] as is well known, are red; this last, too, as we are aware, grows only in shaded spots, while the wild astaphis, on the other hand, loves a site that is exposed to the sun.

I would not recommend any one to use the kernels ^[Note] of the wild astaphis as a purgative, as it is very doubtful whether they might not choke the patient; nor would I advise them to be employed for the purpose of attenuating the phlegm, as they are extremely irritating to the throat. Beaten up, however, and applied topically, they kill vermin ^[Note] in the head and other parts of the body, more particularly if they are used with sandarach; they are very useful, too, for itch-scabs and prurigo. A decoction of the kernels is made with vinegar, for the cure of tooth-ache, diseases of the ears, cicatrices ^[Note] that are slow in healing, and running sores.

The blossoms of the plant are beaten up and taken in wine

for stings ^[Note] inflicted by serpents; but, as to the seed, I would strongly recommend its rejection, on account of its extremely pungent properties. Some persons give to this plant the name of "pituitaria," ^[Note] and use it as a common application for stings inflicted by serpents.