Culpeper.] ’Tis a mess altogether, it may be they intended it for an universal medicine.
Aqua Gentianæ compositæ.
Or Gentian Water compound.
College.] Take of Gentain roots sliced, one pound and a half, the leaves and flowers of Centaury the less, of each four ounces, steep them eight days in twelve pounds of white Wine, then distil them in an alembick.
Culpeper.] It conduces to preservation from ill air, and pestilential fevers: it opens obstructions of the liver, and helps such as they say are liver-grown; it eases pains in the stomach, helps digestion, and eases such as have pains in their bones by ill lodging abroad in the cold, it provokes appetite, and is exceeding good for the yellow jaundice, as also for prickings or stitches in the sides: it provokes the menses, and expels both birth and placenta: it is naught for pregnant women. If there be no fever, you may take a spoonful by itself; if there be, you may, if you please, mix it with some cooler medicine appropriated to the same use you would give it for.
Aqua Gilbertii.
Or Gilbert’s Water.
College.] Take of Scabious, Burnet, Dragons, Bawm, Angelica, Pimpernel, with purple flowers, Tormentil, roots and all, of each two handfuls, let all of them, being rightly gathered and prepared, be steeped in four gallons of Canary Wine, still off three gallons in an alembick, to which add three ounces of each of the cordial flowers, Clove-gilliflowers six ounces, Saffron half an ounce, Turmerick two ounces, Galanga, Bazil seeds, of each one dram, Citron pills one ounce, the seed of Citrons and Carduus, Cloves of each five ounces, Hart’s-horn four ounces, steep them twenty four hours and then distil them in Balneo Mariæ: to the distilled water add Pearls prepared, an ounce and a half, red Coral, Crabs eyes, white Amber, of each two drams, Crabs claws, six drams, Bezoar, Ambergrease, of each two scruples, steep them six weeks in the sun, in a vessel well stopped, often shaking it, then filter it, (you may keep the powders for Spicord. temp.) by mixing twelve ounces of Sugar candy, with six ounces of red Rose-water, and four ounces of spirit of Cinnamon with it.
Culpeper.] I suppose this was invented for a cordial to strengthen the heart, to relieve languishing nature. It is exceeding dear. I forbear the dose, they that have money enough to make it themselves, cannot want time to study both the virtues and dose: I would have gentlemen to be studious.
Aqua cordialis frigida Saxeniæ.
College.] Take of the juice of Borrage, Bugloss, Bawm, Bistort, Tormentil, Scordium, Vervain, sharp-pointed Dock, Sorrel, Goat’s Rue, Mirrhis, Blue Bottle great and small, Roses, Marigolds, Lemon, Citrons, of each three ounces, white Wine Vinegar one pound, Purslain seeds two ounces, Citron and Carduus seeds, of each half an ounce, Water Lily flowers two ounces, the flowers of Borrage, Bugloss, Violets, Clove-gilliflowers, of each one ounce, Diatrion Sentalon six drams: let all of them, being rightly prepared, be infused three days, then distilled in a glass still: to the distilled Liquor add earth of Lemnos, Siletia, and Samos, of each one ounce and an half, Pearls prepared with the juice of Citrons, three drams, mix them, and keep them together.
Culpeper.] It mightily cools the blood, and therefore profitable in fevers, and all diseases proceeding of heat of blood; it provokes sleep. You may take half an ounce at a time, or two drams if the party be weak.