CHAP. XVII.Of the Water of Dill-seed.
Dillgreatly resembles Fennel both in Root, Stalk, or Leaf, but rarely grows so tall, or is so much branched; it bears the same kind of yellow Umbels of Flowers, after which come Seeds rounder, broader,and flatter than those of Fennel. The whole Plant is of a strong Scent, less pleasant than Fennel. It grows in Gardens, and flowers and seeds inJulyandAugust. The Water drawn from the Seeds is heating and carminative, good in Cholics, and all Disorders arising from Wind.
Take of Dill-seed one Pound, Water three Gallons; distil off by the Alembic one Gallon, with a pretty brisk Fire.
The Waters we have enumerated in this Part are those now commonly in use; though there are many other Herbs, from whence Waters of great Use may be drawn; but as the Method of Distillation is the same in all, it would be of no Use to extend these Instructions to a greater length; we shall therefore only observe, that when unfavourable Seasons have prevented the Herbs from attaining a proper Degree of Perfection, it will be necessary to increase their Proportion in extracting the several Waters ordered to be drawn by the Alembic.