If its leaves are applied externally as a poultice, they will relieve the pain of gout, and will mollify angry [269] boils. In Gotha the plant is valued for curing chronic skin diseases, particularly of a fungoid character, such as ringworm; also for diseases of cattle. "This," says Meyrick "is one of those neglected English herbs which are possessed of great virtues, though they are but little known, and still less regarded. It is superior to most things as a remedy in hysteria, and for low spirits." Drayton said (_Polybion_, 1613):-- "For comforting the spleen and liver--get for juice, Pale Horehound." The Water Horehound (_Lycopus_), or Gipsy wort, which grows frequently in our damp meadows and on the sides of streams, yields a black dye used for wool, or silk, and with which gipsies stain their skins, as well as with Walnut juice. "This is called Gipsy Wort," says Lyte, "because the rogues and runagates, which name themselves Egyptians, do colour themselves black with this herbe." Each of the Horehounds is a labiate plant; and this, the water variety, bears flesh coloured flowers, whilst containing a volatile oil, a resin, a bitter principle, and tannin. Its medicinal action is astringent, with a reduced frequency of the pulse, and some gentle sedative effects, so that any tendency to coughing, etc., will be allayed. Half-an-ounce of the plant to a pint of boiling water will make the infusion. HORSE RADISH (_Radix_, a Root). The Horse Radish of our gardens is a cultivated cruciferous plant of which the fresh root is eaten, when scraped, as a condiment to correct the richness of our national roast beef. This plant grows wild in many parts of the country, particularly about rubbish, and the sides of ditches; yet it is probably an introduction, [270] and not a native. Its botanical name, _Cochlearia armoracia_, implies a resemblance between its leaves and an old-fashioned spoon, _cochleare_; also that the most common place of its growth is _ar_, near, _mor_, the sea. Our English vernacular styles the plant "a coarse root," or a "Horse radish," as distinguished from the eatable radish (root), the _Raphanus sativus_. Formerly it was named Mountain Radish, and Great Raifort. This is said to be one of the five bitter herbs ordered to be eaten by the Jews during the Feast of the Passover, the other four being Coriander, Horehound, Lettuce, and Nettle.