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17 results
  • Rosa gallica L. Rosaceae Distribution: S & C Europe, Western Asia. Culpeper: “Red roses cool, bind, strengthen both vital and animal virtue, restores such as are in consumptions, strengthen. Notes: Rose water and distilled oil of roses have been used in herbal medicine for over a thousand years, and are still used in aromatherapy. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Plantago major (Greater plantain). Shows basal rosettes of long stalked ovate leaves and tall flower spikes. The aqueous extracts have been used a great deal in the cosmetic industry. Crushed plaintain has also been used to stop bleeding in wound management. The stems and seeds have been used as cage-bird food; the distilled water as an eye lotion, and the tincture in home-made dental remedies.
  • Calendula officinalis L. Asteraceae. Pot marigold, common marigold, ruds or ruddles. Calendula, because it was said to flower most commonly at the first of each month - the 'calends' (Coles, 1657). officinalis indicates that it was used in the 'offices' - the clinics - of the monks in medieval times. Annual herb. Distribution: Southern Europe. The Doctrine of Signatures, indicated that as the flowers resembled the pupil of the eye (along with Arnica, Inula and the ox-eye daisy), it was good for eye disorders (Porta, 1588). Coles (1658) writes '... the distilled water ... helpeth red and watery eyes, being washed therewith, which it does by Signature, as Crollius saith'. Culpeper writes: [recommending the leaves] '... loosen the belly, the juice held in the mouth helps the toothache and takes away any inflammation, or hot swelling being bathed with it mixed with a little vinegar.' The petals are used as a saffron substitute - ‘formerly much employed as a carminative
  • Dr. Normandy's water-distilling apparatus, at Aden. Wood engraving.
  • The accomplished ladies rich closet of rarities: or, the ingenius gentlewoman and servant-maids delightful companion. Containing many excellent things for the accomplishment of the female sex ... (1.) The art of distilling. (2.) Making artificial wines. (3.) Making syrups. ... (8) To make beautifying-waters, oyls, pomatums musk-balls, perfumes, &c. (9) Physical and chyrurgical receipts. (10.) The duty of a wet nurse; and to know and cure diseases in children, &c. ... (14.) The accomplished dairy-maids directions, &c. (15.) The judicious midwives directions, how women in travail before and after delivery ought to be used; as also the child; and what relates to the preservation of them both. To which is added a second part, containing directions for the guidance of a young gentlewomen. As to her behavior & seemly deportment / [J.S. (John Shirley)].
  • The accomplished ladies rich closet of rarities: or, the ingenius gentlewoman and servant-maids delightful companion. Containing many excellent things for the accomplishment of the female sex ... (1.) The art of distilling. (2.) Making artificial wines. (3.) Making syrups. ... (8) To make beautifying-waters, oyls, pomatums musk-balls, perfumes, &c. (9) Physical and chyrurgical receipts. (10.) The duty of a wet nurse; and to know and cure diseases in children, &c. ... (14.) The accomplished dairy-maids directions, &c. (15.) The judicious midwives directions, how women in travail before and after delivery ought to be used; as also the child; and what relates to the preservation of them both. To which is added a second part, containing directions for the guidance of a young gentlewomen. As to her behavior & seemly deportment / [J.S. (John Shirley)].
  • A man and a woman demonstrating the process of fermentation and distillation in alchemy. Etching, ca. 17th century.
  • Three-tiered symbolic diagram of the art of alchemy: top level, symbols of the states of matter; middle level, cabalistic diagrams; lower level, the two techniques of alchemy: distillation and calcination. Engraving by R. Custos, 1616.
  • Three-tiered symbolic diagram of the art of alchemy: top level, symbols of the states of matter; middle level, cabalistic diagrams; lower level, the two techniques of alchemy: distillation and calcination. Engraving by R. Custos, 1616.
  • Three-tiered symbolic diagram of the art of alchemy: top level, symbols of the states of matter; middle level, cabalistic diagrams; lower level, the two techniques of alchemy: distillation and calcination. Engraving by R. Custos, 1616.
  • An alchemist in his study, discovering phosphorus; a young man and a boy in the background. Mezzotint by W. Pether, 1775, after J. Wright of Derby, 1771.
  • Early C20 Chinese Lithograph: 'Fan' diseases
  • Potentilla thurberi 'Monarch's Velvet'
  • The island of Stromboli. Coloured aquatint, 1809, after Luigi Mayer.
  • A dying unscrupulous medical practitioner confesses the errors of his ways to a nurse. Coloured etching by W. Heath.
  • A dying unscrupulous medical practitioner confesses the errors of his ways to a nurse. Coloured etching by W. Heath.
  • Interior of a pharmaceutical laboratory with people at work; the shop is visible through a doorway. Engraving, 1747.