Some Plants, particularly Balm, require to have the Water drawn from them cohobated, or poured several times on a fresh Parcel of the Herb, in order to give it a proper Degree of Strength or Richness. Others, on the contrary, abound too much with an essential Oil that floats on the distilled Water; in this case all the Oil should be carefully taken off. Lastly, those that contain a more fixed Oil, should be imperfectly fermented, in the manner laid down in the preceding Chapter, before they are distilled; of this Kind are Carduus, Chamomile, &c.
The simple Waters now commonly made, are Orange-flower-water, Rose-water, Cinnamon-water, Fennel-water, Pepper-mint-water, Spear-mint-water, Balm-water, Penny-royal-water, Jamaica Pepper-water, Castor-water, Simple-water of Orange-peel, and of Dill seed.
CHAP. VI.
Of Orange flower-water.
The Orange-tree grows plentifully in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and bears Flowers and Fruit all the Year; but the Fruit is gathered chiefly in October and November.
The Flowers grow on the younger Shoots among the Leaves: They are white, and consist of a single cup-fashioned Leaf, cut into five Parts, with several yellow Stamina in the middle, and of a fragrant odoriferous Smell.
Some Degree of Attention is requisite to draw a simple and odoriferous Water for the Orange Flowers; the Fire must be carefully regulated; for too small a Degree will not bring over the essential Oil of the Flowers, in which their odoriferous Flavour consists: and, on the contrary, too strong a Fire destroys the Fragrancy of the Water, and is very apt to scorch the Flowers, and give the Water an empyreumatic Smell. Care should also be taken to fasten the Receiver to the End of the Worm with a Bladder, to prevent the volatile Parts from evaporating. The Quantity of Water, also, should be carefully attended to, if you hope to succeed in the Operation. The following Receipts will answer the Intention.
Receipt for Orange-flower-water.
Take twelve Pounds of Orange-flowers, and twenty-four Quarts of Water, and draw over three Pints.
Or,
Take twelve Pounds of Orange Flowers, and sixteen Quarts of Water; draw over fifteen Quarts, carefully observing what has been observed at the beginning of the Chapter with regard to the Regulation of the Fire.