OYL of HERBS and FLOWERS.
Culpeper] A. I Desire you to take notice before I begin, that Chymical Oyls gene∣rally are not to be taken alone by themselves by rea∣son of their vehement heat and burning, but mixed with other convenient medicines.
A. 2. They carry the very same vertues the Sim∣ples do, but are far more prevalent, as having far more spirit in them and far less earthly dross.
A. 3. The generall way of taking them, is to drop two or three drops of them in any convenient liquor or other medicine, which the last Table will fit you with, and so take it; for some of them are so hot (as Oyl of Cinnamon) that two or three drops will make a dish of pottage so hot of the Simple that you can hardly eat them.
The Colledg.] Take of dried Wormwood a pound, spring water twenty pound, steep them twenty four hours, and distill them in a great Alembick, with his refrigeratory, or a Copper one with a Worm, let the Oyl be separated from the Water with a Funnel, or sepera∣ting glass as they call it, and let the Water be kept for another distillation.
Let two or three of the first pounds of Water be kept for the Physitians use, both in this, and other Chymical Oyls drawn with Water.
Culpeper.] A. Your best way to learn to still Chymical Oyls, is to learn of an Alchymist: for I rest confident the greatest part of the Colledg had no more skill in Chymistry than I have in building hou∣ses, but having found out certain models in old ru∣sty Authors, tell people S O they must be done. I can teach a man S O, how to build a house: first he may lay the foundation, then rear up the sides, then joyn the rafters, then build the Chimneyes, tile the top, and plaister the walls; but how to do one jot of this I know not: And so play the Colledg here: for the Alchymists have a better way by far to draw them: the truth is, I am in a manner tied to their method here, from which I may not step aside; if my Coun∣try kindly accept this, (which is the beginning of my labors) I may happily put forth something else for the Ingenious to whet their wits upon; Only here I quote the Oyls in the Colledg order, and then quote the vertue of the chiefst of them, that so the Reader may know by a penny how a shilling is coy∣ned.
The Colledg] In the same manner are prepared Oyls of Hysop, Marjoram, Mints, garden water Cres∣ses, Origanum, Peny-royal, Rosemary, Rue, Savin, Sage, Savory, Time &c. the Flowers of Chamomel, Lavender &c.
Culpeper] A. I shall instance here only Oyl of Lavender, commonly called Oyl of Spike, which helps the running of the reins they being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with it; it expels worms, two drops of it being ta∣ken in Wine, the region of the back being anointed with it, it helps the Palsey. For all the rest see the vertues of the Herbs themselves.
The Colledg] Of Orrenges, Citrons, Lemmons; But it is better prepared of the Barks, being green and full of Juyce, seperated from the internal white part, bruised, and with a sufficient quantity of Simple di∣stilled water, so will the Oyl be drawn easter, and in greater plenty, and no less fitting for the Physitians use.
The Colledg] Take as many fresh Damask Roses as you will, infuse them twenty four hours, in a suffi∣cient quantity of warm water, after you have pressed them out, repeat the infusion certain times, till the Liquor be strong enough, which distill in an Allembick with his refrigeratory, or a Copper with his worm, seperate the Spirit from the water, and keep the wa∣ter for another infusion.
So may you draw Spirit from Damask Roses, pick∣led in Salt, as also Spirit of red Roses.
Culpeper] A. 'Tis a good perfume.