Oil of Ben′zoin. From gum benzoin, 7 dr.; oil, 1 pint; by infusion.
Oils for the Hair. Syn. Huiles antiques, Fr. These are numerous. All those scented with the simple perfumes are prepared in the way explained under class 1 (above). The selection depends entirely upon the judgment of the operator or the fancy of the purchaser. In general, a mixture of two or three perfumes is preferred in these countries to the pure fragrance of any single flower, and a grossness of taste is exhibited in these matters which surprises our Continental neighbours, and the inhabitants of Italy more particularly. Some of these oils are coloured. A red tinge is given to them by allowing the oil to stand for a few hours over a little alkanet root (2 dr. to the pint) before scenting it. The application of a gentle heat facilitates the process. Yellow and orange are given by a little annotta or palm oil; and green, by steeping a little green parsley or lavender in them for a few days; or by dissolving 2 or 3 dr. of gum guaiacum in each pint by the aid of heat, and, when cold, decanting the clear portion. Huile antique au jasmin, Huile antique à la fleurs d’oranges, Huile antique à la rose, Huile antique à la tuberose, Huile antique à la violette, &c., are simple oils flavoured with the respective perfumes or their preparations.—Huile antique rouge à la rose is the ordinary oil of roses coloured with alkanet root.—Huile antique verte is simple oil coloured green, as above, and scented.—Huile antique aux millefleurs is so scented with several perfumes that none predominate. A mixture of bergamotte, lemons, lavender, neroli, pimento, and ambergris or musk, is commonly employed for the purpose.
Oil, Macas′sar. Syn. Huile de macassar. Prep. 1. (Rowland’s.) Oil of ben or almonds (reddened by alkanet root), 1 pint; oils of rosemary and origanum (white), of each 1 dr.; oil of nutmeg and attar of roses, of each 15 drops; neroli, 6 drops; essence of musk, 3 or 4 drops.
2. (De Naquet.) Oil of ben, 1 quart; nut oil, 1 pint; rectified spirit, 1⁄4 pint; essence of bergamotte, 31⁄2 dr.; tincture of musk and esprit de Portugal, of each 2 dr.; attar of roses, 1⁄2 dr.; alkanet root, q. s. to colour.
Oil, Mar′row (Perfumed). 1. Simple marrow oil, scented at will.
2. (Fluide de Java.) Marrow oil, coloured with a little palm oil and scented.
3. (Huile comogene.) Marrow oil, 4 oz.; spirit of rosemary, 11⁄2 oz.; oil of nutmeg, 12 drops.
4. (Huile philocome d’Aubril.) Cold-drawn
nut oil and marrow oil, equal parts; scent at will, q. s.
5. (Huile de phénix.) Clarified beef marrow, lard, pale nut oil, and expressed oil of mace, of each 4 oz.; melt together by the heat of hot water, strain through linen into a warm stone mortar, add, of oils of cloves, lavender, mint, rosemary, sage, and thyme, of each 1⁄2 dr.; rectified spirit, 1 oz., in which has been dissolved by a gentle heat balsam of tolu, 4 dr.; camphor, 1 dr.; triturate until the whole is cold, and then put it into bottles. All the above are used to make the hair grow, and to prevent it falling off.