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Herbs of the Signs and Planets

The following brief anonymous tract, dating at least circa 1400, is translated from Erfurt, Universitätsbibliothek, cod. CA. 4° 356, f. 177v (link). We give the names of the herbs in both Latin and English.


Herbe planetarum et signorum—Herbs of the Signs and Planets

[Sign or Planet] [Herba] [Herb]
Aries Salvia Sage
Taurus Colubrina Adderwort
Gemini Peristeron que spargitur super terram Vervain, which is scattered upon the earth
Cancer Symphicum Comfrey
Leo Cyclamen Cyclamen
Virgo Calamintum Calamint
Libra Elytropia Heliotrope
Scorpio Arthemisia Mugwort
Sagittarius Anagallis Pimpernel
Capricorn Lapacium Dock
Aquarius Draguntea Dragonwort
Pisces Aristologia Birthwort
Saturn Semperviva, item Affodillus Houseleek, also Asphodel
Jupiter Eupatorium, item Poligonia Agrimony, also Knotgrass
Mars Peucedanum, item Cicuta, item Cinosbatos Brimstonewort, also Hemlock, also Bramble
The Sun Elitropia, item Arnoglossa Heliotrope, also Plantain
Venus Gallitritum, item Penthaphilon Maidenhair, also Cinquefoil
Mercury Capsus Barbatus, item Jusquiamus Mullein, also Henbane
The Moon Pyonia, item Peristeron, et Celidonia Peony, also Vervain, and Celandine

Predictas herbas quando colligis—When thou gatherest the aforesaid herbs, make mention and name its effect. And when thou gatherest one, take it back and place it over the corn and barley: thus wilt thou preserve it till thy use.