CHAP. XVIII.Of Wormwood Water.
Thereare two Sorts of Wormwood Water, distinguished by the Epithets ofgreaterandlesser.
Take of the Leaves of dried Wormwood five Pounds; of the lesser Cardamom-seeds five Ounces; of Coriander seeds one Pound; of clean Proof Spirit eleven Gallons; Water one Gallon; draw off ten Gallons, or till the Faints begin to rise, with a gentle Fire. It may be dulcified with Sugar, or not, at pleasure.
This is a good Stomachic and Carminative; and on that Account often called for.
Take of the common and Sea Wormwood, dried, of each ten Pounds; of Sage, Mint, and Baum dried, of each twenty Handfuls; of the Roots of Galangal, Ginger, Calamus Aromaticus, and Elecampane; of the Seed of sweet Fennel and Coriander, of each three Ounces; of Cinnamon, Cloves, and Nutmegs, the lesser Cardamoms and Cubebs, of each two Ounces. Cut and bruise the Ingredients as they require; digest them twenty-four Hours, in eleven Gallons of fine Proof Spirit, and two Gallons of Water, and draw off ten Gallons, or till the Faints begin to rise, with a pretty brisk Fire.
This is an excellent Composition, and good in all Diseases of the Stomach arising either from Wind or a bad Digestion. It is greatly in use in some Parts ofEngland, but comes too dear for the common Sort of People; on which account a Cordial Water is often sold under the Title ofthe greater Composition of Wormwood Water; drawn from the Leaves of Wormwood, Orange and Lemon-peel, Calamus Aromaticus, Pimento, and the Seeds of Anise and Caraway; which being all cheap Ingredients,the Composition may be sold at a moderate Price. A Water drawn in this manner is a good Carminative; but far inferior to that made by the above Recipe.