More from the Secretes, women's issues

[bunnyjadwiga]

The second part of Alexis, p. 20.

A verye profitable remedye for the hardenesse of wemens breast after they be brought a bed.
You must take Wheate Bran, and seeth it with the iuice of Rue, and laie it upon her breastes that be hardened after her lying downe, and they will waxe softe and supple. The like remedie is also verye good againste the bitting of Venimous beastes.

To make wemens milke encrease.
Take Fenell seed, and seeth it in barley water, and give the woman drinke of it, and her milke shall encrease abondantly. Also the broth or water that ciche peason be sodden in, is very good for the like thinge.

Rue can cause a dermatological reaction... not recommended.
Ciche peason would be chickpeas (garbanzos).

Comments

Re: "lying-in" remedy for hardnesse

[thealiwoman.livejournal.com]

What would you suggest in place of rue? Anything that reduces swelling?

Re: "lying-in" remedy for hardnesse

[bunnyjadwiga.livejournal.com]

What would you suggest in place of rue? Anything that reduces swelling?

Me, I would suggest going with just the Wheat Bran, cooked with a little water, since there are a bunch of different side effects for different herbs -- for instance, if one was trying to decrease milk flow, you might use sage, but sage should not be used if you're trying to increase or keep steady the milk flow. I think we're looking at an application of a warm poultice to reduce swelling; the alternative for engorgement would be the traditional cabbage leaf, which would be a cool poultice.

However, I can ask my apprentice what she would use, she's more of a hands-on herbalist than I and is training to be a lactation consultant.