Simple Waters Distilled

being digested before-hand

Of the fresh Roots of Nettles

Of the leaves of Agrimony, wild Tansy, or Silverweed, Mugwort, Bettony, Marigolds, Chamomel, Chamepitys, Celandine, Pilewort, Scurvy-grass, Comfry the greater, Dandelyon, Ash-tree leaves, Eyebright, Fumitory, Alehoof, or ground Ivy, Horsetail, St. John's Wort, Yarrow, Moneywort, Restharrow, Solomon's Seal, Res solis, Rue, Savin, Saxifrage, Hart's tongue, Scordium, Tamarisk, Mullin, Vervain, Paul's Bettony, Mead- sweet, Nettles.

Of the Flowers of Mayweed, Broom, Cowslips, Butter-bur, Peony, Elder.

Of the berries of Broom, Elder.

Culpeper : Then the College gives you an admonition concerning these, which being converted into your native language, is as follows.

We give you warning that these common waters be better prepared for time to come, either in common stills, putting good store of ashes underneath, the roots and herbs being dryer, &c. or if they be full of Juice, by distilling the juice in a convenient bath, that so burning may be avoided, which hitherto hath seldom been. But let the other Herbs, Flowers, or Roots, be bruised, and by adding Tartar, common salt, or leven be digested, then putting spring water to them, distil them in an Alembick with its refrigeratory, or Worm, till the change of the taste shew the virtue to be drawn off; then let the oil (if any) be separated from the water according to art.

Into the number of these waters may be ascribed.

The Tears of Vines, the liquor of the Birch-tree, May dew.

Culpeper : That my country may receive the benefit of these waters, I shall first shew the temperatures, secondly, the virtues of the most usual and most easy to come by. If any should take exceptions that I mention not all, I answer first, I mention enough.

Secondly, who ever makes this objection, they shew extreme ingratitude, for had I mentioned but only one, I had revealed more to them than ever the College intended they should know, or give me thanks for doing.

The qualities and appropriation of the simple Distilled Waters

Simple distilled waters either cool or heat: such as cool, either cool the blood or choler.

Waters cooling the blood. Lettice, Purslain, Water Lilies, Violets, Sorrel Endive, Succory, Fumitory.

Waters cooling and repressing choleric humours, or vapours in the head

Nightshade, Lettice, Water Lilies, Plantain, Poppies, viz. The flowers both of white black and red Poppies, black Cherries.

The breast and lungs. Violets, Poppies all three sorts, Colt's-foot.

In the heart. Sorrel, Quinces, Water Lilies, Roses, Violets, green or unripe Walnuts.

In the stomach. Quinces, Roses, Violets, Nightshade, Houseleeks, or Sengreen, Lettice, Purslain.

In the liver. Endive, Succory, Night-shade, Purslain, Water Lilies.