Take two quarts of White Wine Vinegar, three ounces of Isinglass, two ounces of bruised Nutmegs, and six ounces of Honey; distil with a gentle fire, and add to the distilled Water a small quantity of Red Sanders, in order to colour it. Before the Tincture is used, a Lady should wash herself with Elder-flower Water, and then the cheeks will become of a fine lively vermillion, that cannot be distinguished from the natural bloom of youth.
Take three Aron Roots minced small, three Melons of a middling size, three Cucumbers, four new laid Eggs, a slice of a Pumkin, two Lemons, a pint of Whey, a gallon of Rose-water, a quart of Water-lily-water, a pint of Plantain, as much White Tansy-water, and half an ounce of Borax. Distil the whole together in a vapour-bath.
92. A Water, christened, The Fountain of Youth.
Take an ounce of Sulphur Vivum; Olibanum and Myrrh, each two ounces; six drachms of Amber; a quart of Rose-water; distil the whole in a vapour-bath, and wash yourself with the Water every night going to rest: the next morning wash yourself with weak Barley-water, and your complexion will have a youthful air.
It is asserted also that the distilled Water of green Pine-apples takes away wrinkles, and gives the complexion an air of youth.
93. A Water to preserve the Complexion.
Mix together Water-lily Water, Bean-flower Water, Melon Water, Cucumber Water, and Lemon Juice, of each an ounce; to which add, of Bryony, Wild Succory, White Lilies, Borrage and Bean Flowers, each a handful. Take seven or eight White Pigeons, pick them, and cut off their heads and pinions, mince the rest of them small, and put them into an alembic with the other ingredients. To these add four ounces of Sugar Candy in powder, as much Camphor, and the Crumb of three small Wheaten Loaves, each weighing about half a pound; digest the whole eighteen or twenty days in an alembic, then distil, and keep the Water that is drawn off in proper vessels for use. Before washing with it, carefully observe to cleanse the face with the following composition.
Take a quarter of a pound of the Crumb of Rye Bread hot from the oven, the Whites of four new laid Eggs, and a pint of White Wine Vinegar; beat the whole well together, and strain through a linen rag. The use of these two preparations perfectly cleanses and clears the skin, preserves its freshness, and prevents wrinkles.