CHAP. XXII.
Compound Camomile-flower Water.
The Camomile-flowers generally used are the double Sort, consisting wholly of Petals or Flower Leaves, without any Appearance of Stamina or Pistil, or the other Parts of Fructification, which in the single Flowers shew themselves in the Middle in Form of yellow Threads. But tho’ the double Flowers are the Sort commonly used, they are not the best, or those which ought to be chosen. The single Flowers, or those which consist of only a single Series of Leaves, or Petals, in Form of Rays, surrounding a Cluster of yellow Threads or Stamina, have much more Virtue. It is indeed in these Stamina and their Apices, that great Part of the Virtue of the Flower resides, and these are wanting in the double Flowers.
Recipe for making ten Gallons of compound Camomile-flower Water.
Take of dried Camomile-flowers, five Pounds; of the outer Peel of Oranges, ten Ounces; of the Leaves of common Wormwood, and Penny-royal, of each twenty Handfuls; of the Seeds of Anise, Cummin, and sweet Fennel, the Berries of Bay and Juniper, of each five Ounces. Digest these Ingredients two Days in ten Gallons of Proof Spirit, and three Gallons of Water, and draw off ten Gallons with a gentle Fire.
This is a very good Carminative and Stomachic; good in all Cholics and other Disorders of the Bowels from Wind. It also provokes the Appetite and promotes a good Digestion. Its Virtues as a Stomachic will not be less when made from the double Flowers; but if intended as a Carminative it should be made with the single Flowers.
CHAP. XXIII.
Imperial Water.
This Cordial Water has its Name from the great Opinion conceived of it by its first Inventors; and tho’ their Opinion was, perhaps, justly founded, yet it is not at present so much in use as formerly.
Recipe for making ten Gallons of Imperial Water.
Take of the dried Peels of Citrons and Oranges, of Nutmegs, Cloves, and Cinnamon, of each one Pound; of the Roots of Cypress, Florintine Orrice, Calamus Aromaticus, of each eight Ounces; of Zedoary, Galangal and Ginger, of each four Ounces; of the Tops of Lavender and Rosemary, of each sixteen Handfuls; of the Leaves of Marjoram, Mint, and Thyme, of each eight Handfuls; of the Leaves of white and damask Roses, of each twelve Handfuls. Digest the whole two Days in ten Gallons of Proof Spirit, and four Gallons of damask Rose Water; after which draw off ten Gallons.
All the Ingredients in Composition coincide in one intention, and are such as will give their Virtues by Distillation; Circumstances that cannot be said of many other compound Waters. It is a very good Cephalic, and of great use in all nervous Cases. It is also a very pleasant Dram, especially if dulcified with fine Sugar, and good upon any sudden Sickness of the Stomach.