CHAP. 88.—THE OSYRIS: FOUR REMEDIES.
The osyris [Note] bears small, swarthy, flexible branches, covered
with dark leaves like those of flax. The seed, which grows
upon the branches, is black at first, but afterwards changes its
colour and turns red. Cosmetics [Note] for females are prepared
from these branches. A decoction of the roots, taken in drink,
is curative of jaundice. The roots, cut in pieces before the
seed ripens, and dried in the sun, act astringently upon the
bowels: gathered after the seed has ripened, and boiled in
pottage, they are curative of defluxions of the abdomen: they
are taken also by themselves, bruised in rain water.
