This Oil is extracted by an Iron Press, in the same manner as Oil
of Almonds. It is excellent for Chaps in either the lips or hands,
tetterous eruptions, and rigidity of the skin.
140. _Compound Oil, or Essence of Fennel._
Take five pints of the best French Brandy, and the same quantity of
White-Wine; three quarters of a pound of bruised Fennel Seeds, and half
an ounce of Liquorice Root sliced and bruised. Put the whole into an
alembic, close the mouth with Parchment, and set it in a hot house,
or in hot ashes, two days; then distil off the Liquor with an uniform
middling fire. What remains after the distillation of the Essence, and
is called the White Drops, is only fit to wash the hands with.
141. _To make Oil of Tuberoses and Jasmine._
Bruise a little the Tuberoses or Jasmine Flowers in a marble mortar
with a wooden pestle; put them into a proper vessel, with a sufficient
quantity of Oil of Olives, and let them stand in the sun in a close
stopped vessel twelve or fifteen days to infuse; at the expiration of
which time, squeeze the Oil from the Flowers. Let the Oil stand in
the sun to settle, then pour it clear off the dregs. This Oil is very
fragrant, and well impregnated with the Essential Oil of these Flowers.
Infuse a fresh parcel of Flowers, newly gathered, in the same Oil, and
proceed as before: repeat this operation twelve or fourteen times, or
even oftener if necessary, till the Oil is fully impregnated with the
flavour of the Flowers. Some people use Oil of Ben instead of Sallad
Oil, which in our opinion is preferable, being infinitely less apt to
grow rancid. The Oils of Tuberoses, and Jasmine Flowers are of use for
the Toilet on account of their fragrancy. There are cases in which they
may be successfully used externally by way of friction, to comfort and
strengthen the nerves, and brace up the skin when too much relaxed.
142. _An Oil scented with Flowers for the Hair._
Sallad Oil, Oil of Sweet Almonds, and Oil of Nuts, are the only ones
used for scenting the hair.
Blanch your Almonds in Hot Water, and when dry, reduce them to powder;
sift them through a fine sieve, strewing a thin layer of Almond-powder,
and one of Flowers, over the bottom of the Box lined with Tin. When
the box is full, leave them in this situation about twelve hours;
then throw away the Flowers, and add fresh ones in the same manner as
before, repeating the operation every day for eight successive days.
When the Almond-powder is thoroughly impregnated with the scent of the
Flower made choice of, put it into a new clean Linen Cloth, and with
an Iron Press extract the Oil, which will be strongly scented with the
fragrant perfume of the Flower.
ESSENTIAL OILS, OR QUINTESSENCES.
143. _Essential Oil, commonly called Quintessence of Lavender._
Fill a cucurbit two thirds full with unwashed Lavender Flowers, pour
upon them as much clear Water as will float about two inches above the
Flowers. Fit to the cucurbit a head with a short neck, and lute on the
refrigeratory vessel. Distil in the common manner with a fire of such
a degree of strength as will cause the distilled water to run off in a
thick thread. The phlegm and spirit will come over in a considerable
quantity, and the Essential Oil, with which Lavender greatly abounds,
will soon appear floating on the surface of the Water in the receiver;
which is to be separated according to the rules of art. As soon as you
perceive that no more Oil drops into the receiver, which generally
happens to be the case a good while before the phlegm is entirely
drawn off, finish your distillation. If you want a larger quantity of
Quintessence, empty the still, put fresh Flowers, and adding the phlegm
and spirit drawn off by the former distillation, instead of so much
common Water, distil as before, till you have obtained a sufficient
quantity. This Quintessence possesses great medicinal virtues, and is
particularly serviceable in vapourish and hysteric disorders.
144. _To make Essence of Cinnamon._
Take half a pound of Cinnamon, reduce it in a mortar to an impalpable
powder, put it into a very long necked matrass, pour on it as much
highly rectified Spirit of Wine as will cover the powder about an inch.
Stop the matrass with a found cork coated with bees-wax, and expose
it to the sun for a whole month, observing to shake it well twice a
day. At the expiration of the month, uncork the matrass, using the
utmost precaution not to disturb the sediment; and gently pour off the
Tincture into a clean vial.
145. _To make Quintessence of Cloves._
Take a pound of Cloves, beat them in a mortar, put them into a glass
vessel, and pour on them a gallon of hot but not boiling water, cork
the bottle close with a waxed cork, placed in a warm place, and let the
Cloves infuse three weeks or a month; then empty the contents of the
bottle into a middling sized still, fit on a low head with a short
neck, and distil in the common manner, with a fire of such a degree
of fierceness as to make the distilled Water run off in a stream,
resembling a thick thread. The Quintessence will come over with the
Spirit, mixed with a large quantity of Phlegm; but being heavier than
either of those substances, will be found precipitated to the bottom
of the receiver. Separate it in the usual manner, and keep it for use
in a vial closely corked. Then unlute your still, and throw in the
spirituous Water that remains after the separation of the Quintessence;
distil it a second time, and you will obtain a small quantity more,
which may be added to the former.
146. _A Cosmetic Juice._
Make a hole in a Lemon, fill it with Sugar Candy, and close it nicely
with leaf Gold applied over the Rind that was cut out; then roast the
Lemon in hot ashes. When desirous of using the Juice, squeeze out a
little through the hole, and wash the face with a napkin wetted with
it. This Juice greatly cleanses the skin, and brightens the complexion.
VIRGIN's MILK.
147. _A safe and approved Cosmetic._
Take equal parts of Gum Benjamin, and Storax, and dissolve them in a
sufficient quantity of Spirit of Wine. The spirit will then become a
reddish Tincture, and exhale a very fragrant smell. Some people add a
little Balm of Gilead. Drop a few Drops into a glass of clear Water,
and the Water, by stirring, will instantly become milky. Ladies use
it successfully to clear the complexion, for which purpose nothing is
better, or indeed so innocent and safe.
148. _Another, very easily made._
Beat a quantity of Houseleek in a marble mortar, squeeze out the Juice
and clarify it. When you want to use it, pour a few drops of rectified
Spirit on the Juice, and it will instantly turn milky. It is a very
efficacious remedy for a pimpled face, and preserves the skin soft and
smooth.
149. _Another._
Take a half-gallon bottle, pour into it a quart of Spirit of Wine, and
a pint of clear Brandy; then add a quarter of a pound of the finest Gum
Benjamin, two ounces of Storax, half an ounce of Cinnamon, two drachms
of Cloves, and a Nutmeg, all bruised, and four drops of Quintessence of
Egyptian Ketmia. Carefully cork the bottle, and expose it to the sun a
month; but take it within doors in rainy weather. At the month's end,
gently draw off the clear Tincture; and you will have a fragrant Milk,
which is used by pouring a few drops on a wet napkin.
150. _A Liniment to destroy Vermin._
Take an ounce of Vinegar, the same quantity of Stavesacre, half an
ounce of Honey, and half an ounce of Sulphur; mix into the consistence
of a soft liniment, with two ounces of Sallad Oil.
LOTIONS.
151. _A Lotion to strengthen the Gums, and sweeten the Breath._
Take Mountain Wine, and the distilled Water of Bramble Leaves, of each
a pint; half an ounce of Cinnamon; a quarter of an ounce of Cloves;
the same quantity of Seville Orange-peel; Gum Lacque and Burnt Alum,
of each a drachm, all in fine powder. Having added two ounces of fine
Honey, put the whole into a glass bottle, and let them infuse on hot
ashes the space of four days. On the fifth day squeeze the Liquor
through a thick linen cloth, and preserve it in a bottle, well corked.
When the gums are relaxed, and want bracing, take a spoonful of this
Liquid, and pour it into a glass. First use one half to rince the
mouth; and after retaining it a little, spirt it out. Use the remainder
in the same way, rubbing the gums with one of your fingers; and
afterwards rince the mouth with warm-water. Repeat the operation every
morning, or twice a day, if occasion requires.
To render this remedy more efficacious, add to the whole quantity of
the Lotion half a pint of Cinnamon Water, distilled from White Wine.
The eastern nations, to procure a sweet breath, to render the teeth
beautifully white, and fasten the gums, frequently chew boiled Chio
Turpentine, or Gum Mastic. The Indians who live beyond the Ganges
chew it all day long, and are so used to this habit, that they cannot
without difficulty refrain from it.
The Spirituous Water of Guaiacum possesses the property of giving ease
in the tooth-ache, and fastening the teeth in their sockets. The mouth
is to be gargled with a quantity mixed in a glass of clear Water.
152. _Another Lotion to fasten the Teeth and sweeten the Breath._
Pour three pints of Water into an earthen or stone jar, dip in it four
different times a red hot poker, and then immediately add an ounce
of bruised Cinnamon, six grains of Burnt Alum, an ounce of powdered
Pomegranate Bark, three ounces of fine Honey; of Vulnerary Water, Rue
Water, and Myrtle Water, each a quarter of a pint; and of Brandy,
half a pint. The whole being well mixed, tie a wet bladder over the
mouth of the jar, and let it stand in the sun, or any warm place, for
twenty-four hours; then strain off the Liquor through a thick linen
cloth, or strong straining bag. Add to it two ounces of Spirit of
Scurvy-grass, and keep it in a bottle, well corked. It is used in the
same manner as the preceding Lotion.
153. _An admirable Lotion for the Complexion._
After having washed the face with Soap and Water, wash yourself with
the following lixivium. Take clear Lees prepared from Vine Ashes, and
to every pound of it, add an ounce of calcined Tartar, two drachms of
Gum Sandarach, and as much Gum Juniper. Let this Lotion dry on the
face without wiping it off, and afterwards wash yourself with Imperial
Water.
154. _An admirable Varnish for the Skin._
Take equal parts of Lemon Juice, and Whites of new laid Eggs, beat them
well together in a glazed earthen pan, which put on a slow fire, and
keep the mixture constantly stirring with a wooden spatula, till it
has acquired the consistence of soft butter. Keep it for use, and at
the time of applying it, add a few drops of any Essence you like best.
Before the face is rubbed with this varnish, it will be proper to wash
with the distilled Water of rice. This is one of the best methods of
rendering the complexion fair, and the skin smooth, soft, and shining.
155. _A Liniment to destroy Nits._
Take Oil of Bays, Oil of Sweet Almonds, and old Hogs Lard, of each two
ounces, powdered Stavesacre, and Tansy Juice, of each half an ounce;
Aloes, and Myrrh, of each a quarter of an ounce, the smaller Centaury
and Salt of Sulphur, of each a drachm; mix the whole into a liniment.
Before you use it, wash the hair with Vinegar.
156. _A Liniment to change the Beard and Hair black._
Take Oil of Costus, and Oil of Myrrh, of each an ounce and a half; mix
them well in a leaden mortar, adding of Tar, the expressed Juice of
Walnut Leaves, and Gum Labdanum, each half an ounce; Gall Nuts in fine
powder, and Black Lead, of each a drachm and a half; the same quantity
of Frankincense; and a sufficient quantity of Mucilage of Gum Arabic,
prepared with a decoction of Gall Nuts. Apply it to the head and chin
after being clean shaved.
157. _A Depilatory Liniment._
Take a quarter of a pound of Quick-lime, an ounce and a half of
Orpiment, an ounce of Florentine Orrice, half an ounce of Sulphur,
the same quantity of Nitre, and a pound or pint of a Lixivium made of
Bean-stalk Ashes; boil the whole to a proper consistence, which may
be known by dipping a wet feather into it. It is boiled enough when
the feathery part of the quill easily separates from the other. Then
add half an ounce of Oil of Lavender, or any aromatic Essence, and mix
into a Liniment, with which if you rub the hair that grows on any part
of the body, it will immediately drop off. When the hair is removed,
foment the part with Oil of Sweet Almonds, or Oil of Roses.
158. _Another._
Take a quarter of a pound of Gum Ivy dissolved in Vinegar, a drachm of
Orpiment, a drachm of Ant Eggs, and two drachms of Gum Arabic dissolved
in Juice of Henbane, in which half an ounce of Quick-lime has been
boiled. Make the whole into a liniment with a sufficient quantity of
Fowls Grease, and apply a little to the part where you would wish to
destroy the Hair, after being clean shaved.
159. _An excellent Lip-Salve._
Take an ounce of Myrrh, as much Litharge in fine powder, four ounces
of Honey, two ounces of Bees-wax, and six ounces of Oil of Roses; mix
them over a slow fire. Those who are inclined may add a few drops of
Oil of Rhodium, and some Leaf Gold.
160. _Or,_
Take Armenian Bole, Myrrh, and Ceruss in fine powder, of each an
ounce; mix with a sufficient quantity of Goose-grease into a proper
consistence. It presently cures chaps in any part of the body.
161. _A Liniment to promote the Growth and Regeneration of the Nails._
Take two drachms of Orpiment, a drachm of Manna, the same quantity of
Aloes and Frankincense, and six drachms of White Wax. Make them into a
liniment, which apply to the part with a thumb-stall.
NAILS.
162. _A certain Remedy for Whitlows; a Disorder that frequently affects
the Fingers._
Take Pellitory of the Wall, cut as small as possible, and mix it with
a proportionable Quantity of Hog's Lard; wrap it up in several papers,
one over the other, and place it in warm ashes, which though not hot
enough to burn the paper, yet retain sufficient heat to roast the
Pellitory of the Wall, and incorporate it thoroughly with the Lard.
Then spread this Liniment on a piece of brown paper, wrap it round the
Whitlow, and apply a fresh dressing, at least twice a day. That it may
give the speedier relief, spread the ointment thick.
163. _Another._
Take Vine Ashes, with which make a strong Lee; and in this, warmed, let
the finger soak a good while. To keep up an equal degree of warmth,
every minute pour into the vessel a little more hot lees. Repeat this
operation two or three times, and you will speedily find the good
effect of it.
PERFUMES.
164. _Scented Tables or Pastils._
Beat into a fine powder, and sift through a hair sieve, a pound of the
Marc or Residuum left in the still, after making Angelic Water; then
put it into a mortar, with a handful of fresh-gathered Rose Leaves,
and a small porringer full of Gum Tragacanth softened with Rose
Water. Beat the whole into a Paste; roll it out on a dresser with a
rolling-pin, and cut it into Lozenges with a knife.
To form scented Pastils, roll up bits of this Paste in the shape of a
cone, that they may stand upright, and set them by to dry. These kind
of Pastils are lighted in the same manner as a candle. They consume
entirely away; and, while burning, exhale a fragrant smoke.
165. _A pleasant Perfume._
Take a drachm of Musk, four Cloves, four ounces of Lavender-seed, a
drachm and a half of Civet, and half a drachm of Ambergrise; heat
your pestle and mortar, and rub the Musk, Cloves, and Lavender-seeds
together, with a lump of Loaf Sugar and a wine-glass full of Angelic
or Rose-water. Take a handful of powder, and incorporate it well with
this mixture, then sift it through a sieve; add two or three pounds
more powder, or even a larger quantity, till the perfume is brought
to a proper degree of strength. As to the Civet, put it on the end of
a hot pestle, and rub it well with a handful of powder; after which
add, by little and little, six pounds of powder; then sift the whole
through a hair sieve to incorporate it with the other perfumed powder.
The Ambergrise must be well rubbed in the mortar; and by degrees two
pounds of powder, either white or grey, must be added to it, till
the Ambergrise is thoroughly incorporated with the powder; then sift
through a hair sieve, and mix all the three powders together. This
perfume is to be kept in a Leather Bag, the seams of which are well
sewed with waxed thread.
166. _Common perfumed Powder._
Take Florentine Orrice, a pound, dried Rose Leaves, a pound; Gum
Benjamin, two ounces; Storax, an ounce; Yellow Sanders, an ounce and a
half; Cloves, two drachms; and a little Lemon Peel; reduce the whole to
a fine powder, and mix with it twenty pounds of Starch, or rather of
grey or white powder; incorporate them well, and sift them through a
lawn sieve.
167. _A Cassolette._
Incorporate the Powders of Florentine Orrice, Storax, Benjamin and
other aromatics, with Orange-flower Water; and put this Paste into a
little Silver or Copper Box lined with Tin. When you have a mind to use
this perfume, set the Box on a gentle fire, or on hot ashes, and it
will exhale a most delightful odour.
168. _To perfume a House, and purify the Air._
Take a root of Angelica, dry it in an oven, or before the fire, then
bruise it well and infuse it four or five days in White Wine Vinegar.
When you use it, lay it upon a brick made red hot, and repeat the
operation several times.
169. _A Perfume to scent Powder._
Take a drachm of Musk, four ounces of Lavender Seeds, a drachm and a
half of Civet, and half a drachm of Ambergrise. Beat the whole together
into powder, and sift through a hair sieve. Keep this perfume in a box
that shuts very close, to scent powder with, according to your fancy.
PASTILS.
170. _An excellent Composition to perfume a Room agreeably._
Take four ounces of Gum Benjamin, two ounces of Storax, and a quarter
of an ounce of Aloes-wood. When these ingredients have been well
bruised, simmer them about half an hour over a slow fire, in a glazed
earthen pipkin, with as much Rose-water as will cover them, and then
strain off the liquor for use. Dry the Residuum or Marc, and pulverize
it in a warm mortar with a pound of Charcoal. Dissolve some Gum
Tragacanth in the reserved Liquor, then add to your powder a drachm of
fine Oriental Musk dissolved in a little Rose-water, and form the whole
into a Paste, of which make pastils about the length and thickness
of the little finger, narrower at top than at bottom, that they may
stand firm and upright. When they are thoroughly dry, light them at
the narrow end, and let them burn till they are wholly consumed. While
burning they afford an exquisite perfume. To render the perfume still
higher, add six grains of Ambergrise.
171. _Or,_
Pulverize together two ounces of Gum Benjamin, half an ounce of Storax,
a drachm of Aloes-wood, twenty grains of fine Civet, a little Sea Coal,
and Loaf Sugar; boil the whole in a sufficient quantity of Rose-water,
to the consistence of a stiff paste. If you are desirous of having
your pastils higher flavoured, add twelve grains of Ambergrise just
before you take the composition off the fire; and the ingredients being
thoroughly mixed, form them into pastils.
172. _Fragrant Pastils made use of by way of Fumigation._
Take the purest Labdanum and Gum Benjamin, of each two ounces; Storax
and dry Balsam of Peru, of each three quarters of an ounce; choice
Myrrh, half a drachm; Gum Tacamahac, a quarter of an ounce; Olibanum, a
drachm; Liquid Balsam of Peru, half an ounce; Ambergrise, a quarter of
an ounce; Musk and Civet, of each a scruple; Essential Oil of Rhodium,
thirty drops; Essential Oils of Orange-flowers, Lemons, and Bergamot,
of each four drops; Gum Lacque, in fine powder, two ounces and a half;
Cascarilla, Aloes-wood, Rose-wood, St. Lucia-wood, Yellow Sanders, and
Cinnamon, all powdered, of each a drachm. With the assistance of a
vapour-bath reduce them to a mass, which form into pastils in the usual
way.
173. _Pastils of Roses._
Pulverize a pound of the Marc or Residuum left in the still after
making Angelica Water; likewise a large handful of Roses; and with a
sufficient quantity of Gum Tragacanth dissolved in Rose-water, beat
them into a stiff paste, which is to be rolled out upon a marble with a
rolling-pin, and cut into Lozenges, or formed into pastils. If you have
a mind to ornament them, cover them with Leaf Gold or Silver.
PASTES.
174. _Paste of dried Almonds to cleanse the Skin._
Beat any quantity you please, of Sweet and Bitter Almonds in a marble
mortar, and while beating, pour on them a little Vinegar in a small
stream to prevent their turning oily: then add two drachms of Storax
in fine powder, two ounces of White Honey, and two Yolks of Eggs boiled
hard; mix the whole into a paste.
175. _Soft Almond Paste._
Blanch in warm water any quantity of Bitter Almonds, leave them to grow
dry, and then beat them in a marble mortar with a little Milk, to form
them into a paste. To prevent their turning oily, afterwards add the
Crumb of a light White Loaf soaked in Milk. Beat it with the Almonds
till they are incorporated into an uniform mass; then put the whole
into a kettle, with some fresh Milk, and let them simmer over a gentle
fire; keeping the composition stirring, till it is boiled into a soft
paste.
176. _Paste for the Hands._
Take Sweet Almonds, half a pound; White Wine Vinegar, Brandy, and
Spring Water, of each two quarts; two ounces of Crumb of Bread, and
the Yolks of two Eggs. Blanch and beat the Almonds, moistening them
with the Vinegar; add the Crumb of Bread soaked in the Brandy, and
mix it with the Almonds and Yolks of Egg, by repeated Trituration.
Then pour in the Water, and simmer the whole over a slow fire, keeping
the composition continually stirring, till it has acquired a proper
consistence.
177. _Or,_
Take Bitter and Sweet Almonds blanched, of each two ounces; Pine-nuts,
and the four Cold Seeds, of each an ounce; beat the whole together in
a marble mortar with the Yolks of two Eggs, and the Crumb of a small
Wheaten Loaf. Moisten the mass with White Wine Vinegar, put it into
a deep pan, simmer it over a slow fire, and when the paste ceases
sticking to the pan, it is sufficiently boiled.
178. _Or,_
Take blanched Almonds, a pound; Pine-nuts, four ounces; beat them
together into a paste with the addition of two ounces of Loaf Sugar, an
ounce of the finest Honey, the same quantity of Bean Flower, and half a
gill of Brandy. This paste may be scented with the Essences of Cloves,
Lemons, Bergamot, Jasmine, Rhodium, Orange Flowers, &c. or with a few
grains of Musk, Civet, or a few drops of Essence of Ambergrise, for
persons who have no aversion to those perfumes.
179. _Or,_
Beat half a pound of blanched Almonds, with half an ounce of Yellow
Sanders, half an ounce of Florentine Orrice, and an ounce of Calamus
Aromaticus, in fine powder; pour on them gradually an ounce of
Rose-water, and then add half a Pippin sliced small, a quarter of a
pound of stale Crumb of White Bread sifted fine, and knead the whole
into a paste with two ounces of Gum Tragacanth dissolved in Rose-water.
180. _Or,_
Beat some peeled apples (having first taken out the Cores) in a marble
mortar, with Rose-water, and White Wine, of each equal parts. Add some
Crumb of Bread, blanched Almonds, and a little White Soap; and simmer
the whole over a slow fire till it acquires a proper consistence.
181. _Or,_
Infuse some blanched Almonds, two or three hours, in Goat's or Cow's
Milk, and beat them into a paste. Strain the infusion through a linen
cloth with a strong pressure, and add to the strained Liquor half a
pound of the Crumb of White Bread, a quarter of a pound of Borax, and
as much Burnt Roch Alum. Simmer the whole together, and when almost
boiled enough, add an ounce of Spermaceti. Stir the composition well
with a spatula to prevent it from burning to the bottom of the pan; and
let it simmer but very gently.
182. _Or,_
Dry, before the fire, half a pound of Bitter Almonds blanched, then
beat them in a marble mortar as fine as possible, and add a little
boiled Milk to prevent the Almonds from turning oily. Beat in the same
manner the Crumb of two French Bricks, with four Yolks of Eggs boiled
hard, and with the addition of some fresh Milk knead them into a paste,
which incorporate with that of the Almonds.
POMATUMS.
183. _Cold Cream, or Pomatum for the Complexion._