Читать книгу The Toilet of Flora - Buc'hoz Pierre-Joseph - Страница 51

Take the best Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Ginger, Zedoary, Galangals, and White-Pepper, of each an ounce; six Lemon-peels, pared thin; two handfuls of Damascene Grapes; as much Jujebs; a handful of Pith of Dwarf-Elder; four handfuls of Juniper-berries perfectly ripe; Fennel-Seeds, Flowers of Sweet Basil, St. John's-wort, Rosemary, Marjoram, Pennyroyal, Stechas, Musk Roses, Rue, Scabious, Centaury, Fumitory, and Agrimony, of each a handful; Spikenard, Aloes-Wood, Grains of Paradise, Calamus Aromaticus, Mace, Gum Olibanum, and Yellow Sanders, of each two ounces; Hepatic Aloes, fine Amber and Rhubarb, of each two drachms. All these drugs being procured good in their kind, beat in a mortar those that ought to be pulverized, and put the whole, thoroughly mixed together, into a large strong glass alembic; pouring as much genuine brandy upon them as will rise at least three fingers breadth above the ingredients. Then having well closed the mouth of the alembic, bury the vessel fifteen days in warm horse-dung, and afterwards distil the Tincture in balneo Mariæ, the water almost boiling hot. When you perceive the water in the receiver change its colour, instantly stop the process, and separate the phlegm from the spirit, by another distillation conducted in the same manner. The liquor thus obtained is the genuine Celestial Water. Note, when you perceive this second water begin to lose its transparency, and incline to a reddish colour, put it by in a strong glass bottle closely stopped, and dissolve in the residue half a pound of the best Treacle, with as much Venice Turpentine and fresh Oil of Almonds. Place the alembic in a sand heat, and urge the fire to the first degree, to have the genuine Balsamic Oil, which ought to be of the consistence of clarified Honey.

If a person rubs himself in the morning with this water on the forehead, eyelids, back of the head, and nape of the neck, it renders him quick and easy of conception, strengthens the memory, enlivens the spirits, and greatly comforts the sight. By putting a few drops with a bit of cotton up the nostrils, it becomes a sovereign cephalic, and cleanses the brain of all superfluous cold and catarrhal humours. If a table spoonful is drank every third day, it tends to preserve the body in vigour. It is an excellent remedy against asthmatic complaints, and corrects an offensive breath.