Medicinal Essences. The usual rule for making essences, is to mix 1 ounce of the essential oil with 1 quart of alcohol; although much is sold that contains only 1/2 ounce, and even 1/4 ounce of the oil to the quart. A strong essence would consist of 1 ounce of oil to 1 pint of alcohol; from 10 to 30 drops of this would make a dose.

4609. To Color Medicinal Essences

4609. To Color Medicinal Essences. Essence of peppermint is generally colored with tincture of turmeric; essence of cinnamon with tincture of red sandal wood; win-tergreen with tincture of kino. The best way of coloring an essence is to steep for 12 hours the green leaf or other substance from which the oil is made, and then filter. The coloring is merely a matter of appearance; the essences are just as good without it.

4610. Essence of Peppermint

4610.     Essence of Peppermint. Oil of peppermint, 1 ounce; herb peppermint, 1/2 ounce; spirit of wine, 1 pint. Digest for a week, or until sufficiently colored. Palish-green, and very strong of the peppermint. Essence of peppermint is not conceived to be good by the ignorant unless it has a pale tint of green, which they presume is a proof of its being genuine. The most harmless way is to steep a little of the green peppermint in the spirit for this purpose (as above), or if this is not at hand, a little parsley will do equally as well, and in fact improve the flavor.

4611. Essence of Camphor, also called Liquor of Camphor; Concentrated Tincture of Camphor; Camphor-Drops

4611.       Essence of Camphor, also called Liquor of Camphor; Concentrated Tincture of Camphor; Camphor-Drops. Dissolve 41/2 drachms (avoirdupois) clear camphor, in 1 imperial pint rectified spirit. This forms the ordinary essence of camphor and the best spirit of camphor of the stores. Added to 15 times its bulk of pure cold water, it forms (by agitation) a transparent solution exactly resembling the camphor-julep, camphor-water, or camphor-mixture used in medicine, and which, either alone or with a little more water, forms an excellent wash for the teeth and mouth, as noticed elsewhere. (See No. 1335 (Wash to Beautify the Teeth).)

Dissolve 1 avoirdupois ounce camphor in 10 ounces rectified spirit. This forms the Concentrated Essence of Camphor of the druggists. 10 or 12 drops added to 1 fluid ounce of pure cold water form the transparent camphor-julep or camphor-water before noticed.

4612. Essence of Coltsfoot

4612.    Essence of Coltsfoot. Balsam of tolu, 1 ounce ; compound tincture of benzoin and rectified spirit of wine, of each 2 ounces; dissolve.

4613. Essence of Chamomile

4613. Essence of Chamomile. Essential oil of chamomile, 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce; spirit of wine, 1 pint; mix. White. Or: Gentian root, sliced or bruised, 1 pound; dried orange peel, 1/4 pound; spirit of wine, 1 gallon; essential oil of chamomile, 5 ounces; macerate a week. Slightly colored. Some persons use J pound of quassia wood, instead of the gentian and orange peel. Both the above are stomachic and tonic.