Pharmacopœia Londinensis, or, The London dispensatory further adorned by the studies and collections of the Fellows, now living of the said colledg ... / by Nich. Culpeper, Gent.

CHYMICAL OYLS, AND OTHER CHYMICAL LIQUORS.

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.

Oyl of Wormwood.

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.

After the same manner are made Oyl of dryed Barks.

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.

Oyl or fat of Roses, commonly called Spirit of Roses.

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.

OYL of SEEDS.

Oyl of Dill. Seeds.

The Colledg] Take of Dill seeds bruised two

pound, spring Water twenty pound, steep them twenty 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them in a Copper Stil, or an Allembick with his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, seperate the Oyl from the Water with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and keep the water for a new distillation.

So also is prepared Oyl of the seeds of Annis, Lara∣way, Cummin, Carrots, Fennel, Parsly, Saxifrage, &c.

Culpeper] A. Oyl of Annls seeds although it be often given and happily with good success in verti∣goes or dissiness in the head, yet its chief operation is upon the breast and lungues, it helps narrowness of the breast, rawness and wind in the stomach, all in∣firmities there, coming of cold and wind, strengthens the nerves; six drops is enough at a time, taken in broath or any other convenient liquor.

〈◊〉〈◊〉. As Annis seeds are apropriated to the breast, so are Fennel seeds to the head, the Oyl of which clenseth the brain of cold infirmities, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, iudis∣position of the body, numbness, want of motion, also it helps the stomach and expels wind.

A. Cummin seeds, the Oyl of them is a great ex∣peller of wind, nothing better; it also wonderfully caseth pains of the spleen, pains in the reins and blad∣der, stopping of urine especially if it come of wind, and is a present remedy for the chollick; for the way of taking of them see Annis seeds.

The Colledg] So also are made Oyl of Spices, as of Cinnamon, Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs, Pepper &c.

Culpeper] A. One or two drops of Oyl of Cinna∣mon is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to take at a time, and is exceeding good for such as are in consumptions. See [Cinna∣mon] among the Simples.

A. Oyl of Maco is excellent good for Rhewms in the head: and Oyl of Pepper for the Chollick.

The Colledg] Also Oyls of Aromatical woods, as of Sassafras, and Rhodium, &c.

OYL of BERRIES.

Oyl of Juniper Berries.

The Colledg] Take of fresh Juniper berries fifty pound, bruise them and part them in a wooden Vessel, with twenty four pound of spring water, sharp leaven one pound, keep them in a Cellar three months, the vessel being close stopped, then distill them in an Allem∣bick, with a sufficient quantity of Simple water, after the Oyl is separated, keep the water for a new distil∣lation.

After the same manner is made Oyl of Bay berries, Ivy berries &c.

Or you may draw Oyl from the aforenamed berries bruised and steeped twenty four hours in warm wa∣ter, adding six pound of water, or if the berries be ve∣ry dry, ten pound of water to each pound of berries, and stilling them as before.

Culpeper] A. Oyl of Juniper berries, prevails wonderfully in pains of the yard, and running of the reins, the falling sickness, it is a mighty preservative against the pestilence, and all evil airs, it purgeth the reins, provokes urine, breaks the stone, helps the drop∣sie: the quantity to be taken at a time in any conve∣nient liquor, is three or four drops; outwardly by unction it helps the gout; two or three drops dropped upon the navil helps the Chollick.

A. Oyl of Bay berries helps the Chollick and Il∣liack passion.

A. Oyl of Ivy berries helps cold 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the joynts, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one, and provokes the terms 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. Use them as Juniper Oyl.

Oyl of Turpentine.

The Colledg] Take of Venis Turpentine as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as you will, put it into an Allembick, with four times its waight in common Water, still it with a conveni∣ent fire, and draw off a white thin Oyl like water, the Colophonia will remain in the bottom of the vessel, this Oyl 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be drawn into a bath, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 from bur∣ning in a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 still.

Culpeper] A. It is wonderful good in cold afflicti∣ons of the nerves, and all diseases coming of cold and wind, it corrects the cold afflictions of the lungues, as Asthmaes, difficulty of breathing &c. A drachm being taken in the morning: outwardly it adorns the body, takes away the prints of scabs, and the small pocks, chops in the skin and breasts of women, and deafness being dropped into the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Oyl of 〈◊〉〈◊〉

The Colledg] Take of Mirth bruised, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 of each six pound, dissolve them in sixty pound of spring water, and still them in a Copper still, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 bick.

Culpeper] It keeps wounds (and all things else 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fioravantus) from 〈◊〉〈◊〉, it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 and youthful, quickly cures wounds, and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 dropped into the ears.

Oyl of Guajacum.

The Colledg] Take of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in gross pouder, as much as you will, put it in a retort, and still it in Sand, the Oyl that cames first out, because 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 and sweeter keep it by its self, which by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with much water will yet be sweeter.

The same things are to be observed in the distilla∣tion of Box, and Oak, and other solid woods, as also Oyl of Tartar, with its 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spirit, which 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 be distilled out of Christal of Tartar in the same 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Oyl of Wax.

The Colledg] Take of yellow Wax melted one pound, with which mix three pound of Tiles in pou∣der, draw out the Oyl in Sand with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which rectifie with water.

Culpeper] A. I am of Opinion that Oyl of Wax, is as singular remedy for burns, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ulcers, as any is, or need to be.

The Colledg] After the same manner is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Oyl of Fats, and Gums, and Rosins, which cannot be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into pouder, as Ammoniacum, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Sagapen, Liquid Styrax, Tacha 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c.

Oleum Latericium Phylosophorum. Page 190. in L. B.

The Colledg] Take of Bricks broken in pieces, as big as an Hens egge, heat them red hot, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them in old Oyl, where let them lie till they be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then beat them into fine Pouder, and still them in a

glass retort, with a fit receiver, give fire to it by de∣grees, and keep the Oyl in a glass Close stopped.

Culpeper] A. The Oyl will quickly penetrate, and is a soveraign remedy for the gout, and all cold affli∣ons in the joynts or nerves, cramps, epilepsies, or falling sickness, palsies; it mollifies hard swellings, dissolves cold swellings, as also cold distempers of the spleen, reins and bladder.

Oleum Succini. Page 191. in the Latin Book. Or, Oyl of Amber.

The Colledg] Take of yellow Amber one part, burnt Flints, or pouder of Tiles two parts, distil them in a retort in Sand, keep the while cleer Oyl which comes out first by it self, then distil it on, till all come out, keep both Oyls severally, and rectifie them with water: gather the Salt of Amber which sticks to the neck of the retort, and being purged by Solution, Fil∣tration, and Coagulation, according to art keep it for use.

Culpeper] A. It speedily helps all afflictions of the nerves, and convulsions, falling sickness &c. Be∣ing given in convenient liquors, it is a singular reme∣dy against poyson and pestilent air, diseases of the reins and bladder, the fits of the mother; the nose being anointed with it, the chollick; it causeth spee∣dy labor to women in travail being taken in Vervain Water, it strengthens the body exceedingly, as also the brain and sences and is of an opening nature.

The Colledg] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is distilled oyl of* 1.1 Jet, and of Gums and Rosins, which may be poudered, as Benja∣min, Mastich, Frankinsence, &c.

Culpeper] A. Having perused these Oyls follow∣ing, I would willingly have left them quite 〈◊〉〈◊〉, I mean, the manner allotted by the Colledge to make them.

A. 1. Because I fear they and the truth are Separa∣tists.

A. 2. Because the Ignorant will know as well how to make them as they did before, when I have done what I can.

A. 3. As to Alchymists (to whose profession the making of them belongs) I shall seem like Phormio the Phylosopher, who never having seen 〈◊〉〈◊〉, un∣dertook to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Military 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who was one of the best Soldiers in the world; But I am in a manner forced to it. He that is able to understand the Receipt, is able to understand that the failings are not mine, but the Colledges.

Oleum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Butyrum Antimonii. Page 191. in Lat. B. Oyl or Butter of Antimony.

The Colledg] Take of crude Antimony, Mercury sublimate, of each one pound, beat them into pouder, and put them in a glass retort, with a large neck, give fire by degrees into a reverberatory, or else in Sand, the Fat will distil down into the receiver, that part of which that sticks to the neck of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be melted, by putting a gentle fire under it; let this fat be rectified in a small retort, and kept either in an open Phiol, or in a Celler or other moist place, that it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Oyl, which must be kept in a vessel close stopped.

Oleum Arsenici. Page 191. in Lat. Book. Or, Oyl of Arsenick.

The Colledg] Take of Christalline, Arsenick first sublimated with Colcother alone, mix it with an e∣qual part of Salt of Tartar, and Salt-peter, calcine it between two pots, the uppermost of which, hath a hole through, till no smoke 〈◊〉〈◊〉, dissolve the matter so calcined in warm water that you may draw out the salt, moisten the Pouder which resides at the bottom with Liquor Tartari, and dry it by the fire, do so three times, then dissolve the matter again that you may draw out the salt, and there will remain a white pou∣der and fixed, which being kept in a moist place will dissolve into a moist substance like Oyl or Butter.

Oleum Salis. Page 192. in the Latin Book. Or, Oyl of Salt.

The Colledg] Take of French, or Spanish Bay salt, as much as you will, dissolve it in water and filter it, and having then put it in a Copper vessel, mix with the Brine fine Pouder of tiles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bricks two or three times the weight of the Salt before it was dissolved, and set it upon hot coals, and let the water evaporate away (continually stirring it) till it be very dry, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put the Pouder into a glass Retort well luted, placed in a furnace with a fit receiver, giving fire by degrees, to the height, for the space of twelve hours, so shall you have an Oyl, or sharp spirit of Salt in the receiver, rectifie this by separating the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in a retort in sand, and keep it close stopped for use.

Culpeper] A. Being mixed with Turpentine and applied outwardly, it helps the gout; three drops ta∣ken every morning in convenient Liquor, preserves youth, consumes the dropsie, resists feavers, convulsi∣ons, and the falling-sickness; being mixed with Oyhtments, it is exceeding good in ruptures and dislocations.

Oleum Sulphuris. Page 192. in the Latin Book. Or, Oyl of Sulphur.

The Colledg] It is prepared in a Bell still by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 burning and consuming of Brimstone, by which a sharp spirit beating against the sides of the still, will turn into liquor, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 down like water or oyl, the orderly disposing of the still and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and other commodities belonging to this operation, we leave to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Artificer.

Culpeper] A. Prevails against diseases coming of cold, putrifaction or wind, feavers, ague, tertian, quartan or quotidian, pestilence; wounds and ulcers, affects of the brain, mouth, teeth, liver, stomach, spleen, matrix, bladder, entrails, and arteries coming of abun∣dance of humors or putrifaction; outwardly applied it helps 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ulcers of the mouth, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉; the way to take it inwardly is thus, dip the top of a feather in the Oyl, and wash it in the liquor or de∣coction you give it in; in quotidian agues, give it in wine, in which Rosemary or Mints or both have been 〈◊〉〈◊〉; in 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 in 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. Centaury hath been boyled; in quartan agues, in Bugloss water; in all of them a little before the fit come: in pestilences, in Wine in which Rha∣dishes have been boyled, mingled with a little Venice Treacle; in the falling-sickness, with deco∣ction

of Betony or Peony; in coughs with decoction of Nettle seed and Hysop, both of them made with Wine; for flegm in Wormwood Water; for the wind chollick, in Chamomel flower water; for drop∣sies and cold livers, in Selondine water and Honey; for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and stoppage of the spleen, in Tama∣maris Water: for the French pox, in Fumitory or Broom-flower water: against worms, in Grass or Wormwood water: for the fits of the mother, in de∣coction of Betony or Featherfew in Wine: for sup∣pression of Urine, in decoction of Garlick with Wine: for the gout, in decoction of Chamepitys Wine; in wounds and ulcers, the place is lightly to be touched with a feather wet in the Oyl: if a hol∣low toothach, put a drop into it, if all your teeth ach make a decoction of Mints in Wine and put a drop or two of this Oyl to it, and hold it warm in your mouth.

Oleum Vitrioli. Page 192. in the Latin Book. Or, Oyl of Vitriol.

The Colledg] Take Ungarick or English Vitriol of the best, as much as you will, melt it in an Earthen vessel glazed, and exhale away all the moisture, con∣tinually stirring it, and so bring it into a yellow pou∣der, which is to be put in earthen Retorts that will en∣dure the fire, placed in an open furnace, give fire by degrees, even to the height for three daies, till the re∣ceiver which before was full of smoke be cleer, recti∣fie the liquor from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in sand, and keep the strong and pouderous Oyl by it self.

Culpeper] A. It must be mixed with other medi∣cines, for it kills being taken alone; it asswageth thirst, allayeth the violent heat in feavers and pesti∣lences, and a few drops of it gives a pleasant grateful tast to any medicine.

Aqua fortis. Page 192. in the Latin Book.

The Colledg] Take of Vitriol prepared, as for Oyl of Vitriol two pound; Salt peter purged one pound; beat them together, and put them in a Retort well lu∣ted, place it in a furnace with a large receiver, and giving fire to it distill it by degrees for twenty four hours, rectifie the water in sand.

Aqua Mellis. Page 193. in Lat. Book. Or, Water of Honey.

The Colledg] Take of the best Honey sour pound; dry Sand two pound: distill it in a glass still, so ca∣pacious that the matter take up only the fist part of it, draw off the flegm in a bath, then encrease the fire, and draw off the yellowish water.

Culpeper.] A. Paracelsus adviseth it to be drawn five times over, and calls it Quintessence of Honey, and extols the vertues of it to the skies; saith, it will revive dying men: which Mr. Charls Butler of Ham∣shire also affirms.

Liquor seu Liquamen Tartari, seu Oleum Tartari Per Deliquium. Page 193. in Lat. Book. Or, Liquor of Tartar.

The Colledg] Take of Tartar of white Wine cal∣cined till it be white as much as you will, put it in Hy∣pocrates his sleeve, and hang it in a moist Celler that the Tartar may dissolve, putting a vessel under it to re∣ceive it, dissolve what remains in the sleeve in com∣mon water, filter it, and evaporate it away till it begin to be like Allum, then use that like the former.

Culpeper] A. This is common to be had at eve∣ry Apothecaries. Virgins buy it to take away the Sunburn and freckles from their faces. It takes off the rust from Iron, and preserves it bright a long time.

Oleum Mirrhae per Deliquium. Page 193. in L. B. Or, Oyl of Mirrh.

The Colledg] Boyl Hens Eggs till they be hard, then cut them through the middle of the length, take out the yolk and fill the Cavities half full of beaten Mirrh, joyn them again and bind them gently with a threed, place them between two dishes in a moist place, a grate being put between, so will the Liquor of the Mirrh distill down into the lower dish.

Culpeper] A. You had both it and its vertues be∣fore.

Only Oyl of Tartar Chymical is left out.

Oyl of Tartar.

The Colledg] Take of Tartar so much as you will, put it into a large Retort, with that proportion, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the third part of the vessel be fid distill it in Sand with a strong fire; afterwards (the Oyl being first separated from the water, or spirit, of Tartar) rectifie it with much water, to correct the smell of it; let it stand open a long time in the Sun.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hold learned Colledg do not go about to teach an Alchymist thus in your chy∣mical shop you have e∣rected in in your Colledge garden, if you do, you will break your brains, and so of fooles turn mad men.