CHAP. V.Of Lavender Water.
Thereare two Sorts of Lavender Water, the Simple and Compound; the first is much used externally on Account of its Fragrancy, and cephalic Virtues; the latter internally in a great Number of Disorders.
Take fourteen Pounds of Lavender-flowers, ten Gallons and a Half of rectified Spirit of Wine, and one Gallon of Water; draw off ten Gallons with a gentle Fire; or, which is much better, in Balneum Mariæ.
Both the Hungary and Lavender Water, may be made at any Time of the Year without Distillation, by mixing the Oil of the Plant with highly rectified Spirit ofWine. In order to this, when the Plant is in Perfection, you should distill a large Quantity of it in Water with a very brisk Fire; placing under the Nose of the Worm the Separating-glass (described Page 31. Part I. of this Treatise) by which means you will obtain the essential Oil of the Plant, in which both its Fragrancy and Virtues reside. Having procured the essential Oil of the Plant, the Water may readily be made in the following Manner. Put the rectified Spirit into the Receiver (described Page 32. Fig. xii.) and let an Assistant shake it with a quick Motion; whilst the Spirit is thus agitated, drop in leisurely the essential Oil, and it will mix without any Foulness or Milkiness. The Oils of Lavender and Rosemary are imported cheaper from abroad, than they can be made here; but these Oils will not mix with the Spirit, without rendering it foul and milky; and therefore if you propose making Hungary or Lavender Water in this Manner; it will be necessary to extract the Oil yourself.
Take of Lavender Water above described two Gallons, of Hungary Water one Gallon, Cinnamon and Nutmegs of each three Ounces, and of red Saunders one Ounce;digest the whole three Days in a gentle Heat, and then filter it for use. Some add Saffron, Musk, and Ambergrease of each half a Scruple; but these are now generally omitted.
This compound Lavender Water has been long celebrated in all nervous Cases. In all Kinds of Palsies, and Loss of Memory it is of the greatest Service; and has been so much remarked for its Efficacy in these Complaints, as almost universally to obtain the Name ofPalsy Drops.