Take of the Leaves, Flowers and Roots of Comfrey, Leaves of Mugwort, Sage, and Bugle, of each eight Handfuls; Leaves of Betony, Sanicle, or Ox-eye Daisy, the greater Figwort, Plantain, Agrimony, Vervain, Wormwood, and Fennel, of each four Handfuls; St. John’s-wort, Birth-wort, Orpine, Paul’s-betony, the lessor Centory, Yarrow, Tobacco, Mouse-ear, Mint, and Hyssop, of each two Handfuls: Cut them, bruise them well in a Mortar, and pour on them three Gallons of white Wine and two Gallons and a Half of Proof Spirit; digest the whole six Days with a gentle Heat, in a Vessel close stopped: after which distil off with gentle Fire, about five Gallons, or till it begins to run milky from the Worm.
This Water is of excellent Service in Contusions, Tumors attending Dislocations, Fractures and Mortifications, the Part affected being bathed with it. Some also use it to deterge foul Ulcers, and incarn Wounds; from whence it was called Vulnerary Water.
CHAP. XXXVII.
Of Cedrat Water.
The Fruit called Cedrat by the French is a Species of the Citron, called by Botanists Citratum Florentinum, fructu Mucronato & recurvo, Cortice verrucoso Odoratissimo, Florentine Citron, with a pointed Fruit, which is recurved, and a warted sweet smelling Rind. This Fruit is in so great Esteem, that they have been sold at Florence for two Shillings each, and are often sent as Presents to the Courts of Princes. It is only found in Perfection, in the Plain between Pisa and Leghorn; and tho’ the Trees which produce this Fruit have been transplanted into other Parts of Italy, yet they are found to lose much of that excellent Taste with which they abound in those Parts.
Recipe for a Gallon of Cedrat Water.
Take the yellow Rinds of five Cedrats, a Gallon of fine Proof Spirit, and two Quarts of Water: Digest the whole twenty-four Hours in a Vessel close stoped; after which draw off one Gallon in Balneum Mariæ, and dulcify with fine Loaf Sugar.
This is esteemed the finest Cordial yet known; but as it is very difficult to procure the Fruit here, I shall give the Method of making this celebrated Cordial, with the Essence or essential Oil of the Cedrat, which is often imported from Italy.
Recipe for a Gallon of Cedrat Water with the Essence of the Fruit.
Take of the finest Loaf Sugar reduced to Powder a Quarter of a Pound, put into it a Glass Mortar, with one Hundred and twenty Drops of the Essence of Cedrat, rub them together with a Glass Pestle, put them into a Glass Alembic with a Gallon of fine Proof Spirits and a Quart of Water. Place the Alembic in Balneum Mariæ, and draw off one Gallon, or till the Faints begin to rise; and dulcify with fine Sugar.
You may make this Water without Distillation, by mixing the Essence with the Sugar, as before directed, and dissolving it in the Spirit and Water directed as above. But the Water will be foul and milky, and therefore you must filtrate it thro’ Paper, which will restore its Brightness and Transparency.