Culpeper.] See the simple oil of St. John’s Wort, than which this is stronger.
Oleum Hyperici magis compositum.
Or, Oil of St. John’s Wort more compound.
College.] Take of white Wine three pounds, tops of St. John’s Wort ripe and gently bruised, four handfuls, steep them two days in a glass, close stopped, boil them in a bath, and strain them strongly, repeat the infusion three times, having strained it the third time, add to every pound of decoction, old Oil four pounds, Turpentine six ounces, oil of Wormwood three ounces, Dittany, Gentian, Carduus, Tormentil, Carline, or Cordus Maria, Calamus Aromaticus, all of them bruised, of each two drams, Earth-worms often washed in white Wine two ounces, set it in the sun five or six weeks, then keep it close stopped.
Culpeper.] Besides the virtue of the simple oil of St. John’s Wort, which this performs more effectually, it is an excellent remedy for old bruises, aches, and sprains.
Oleum Irinum,
Or, Oil of Orris.
College.] Take of the roots of Orris Florentine, three pounds four ounces, the flowers of purple Orris fifteen ounces, Cypress roots six ounces, of Elecampane three ounces, of Alkanet two ounces, Cinnamon, Spikenard, Benjamin, of each one ounce: let all of them, being bruised as they ought to be, be steeped in the sun, or other hot place, in fifteen pounds of old oil, and four pounds and an half of clear water, after the fourth day, boil them in Balneo Mariæ, the water being consumed, when it is cold, strain it and keep it.
Culpeper.] The effects are the same with the simple, only ’tis stronger.
Oleum Marjoranæ.
Or, Oil of Marjoram.
College.] Take of Marjoram four handfuls, Mother of Thyme two handfuls, the leaves and berries of Myrtles one handful, Southernwood, Water Mints, of each half an handful, being cut, bruised, and put in a glass, three pounds of Oil Omphacine being put to it, let it stand eight days in the sun, or in a bath, close stopped, then strain it out, in the oil put in fresh simples, do so the third time, the oil may be perfected according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps weariness and diseases of the brain and nerves, coming of cold; it helps the dead palsy, the back (viz. the region along the back bone) being anointed with it; being snuffed up in the nose, it helps Spasmus cynicus, which is a wrying the mouth aside; it helps noise in the ears being dropped into them, it provokes the menses, and helps the biting of venomous beasts; it is a most gallant oil to strengthen the body, the back being anointed with it; strengthens the muscles, they being chafed with it; helps head-ache, the forehead being rubbed with it.