Note E211 — 39.
Reading edition
"Nep," common Cat-mint. "Dronken with honied water is good for them that haue fallen from a lofte, and haue some bruse or squat, and bursting, for it digesteth the congeled and clotted bloud, and is good for the payne of the bowels, the shortnesse of breath, the oppillation or stopping of the breast, and against the Jaundice."—Lyte, p. 148. See also Gerard's Herbal, 1633. "Nepe, herbe, Coloquintida, cucurbita."—Prompt. Parv. "Neppe, an herbe, herbe du chat."—Palsgrave. Forby gives the Norfolk simile "as white as nep," in allusion to the white down which covers this plant.
The plant referred to in the quotation from the Prompt. Parv. is not that meant by Tusser.—Note by Mr. J. Britten, F.L.S.