Huiles Antiques
The Druggists General Receipt Book
1872
Compiled and Edited
By
Ivor Hughes
Introduction:
With regard to these oils, the recipes given here are from the Druggists
General Receipt Book by Henry Beasley 1872. The student�s attention is drawn
to the Pharmageddon Herbal. Module 10B sections 57, 58, and 59, plus the
monographs on the fixed and essential oils.
Although Beasley has called some of the oils mentioned �Huiles Antiques� they would be of poor quality, a commercial number of 10 is the minimum standard to produce good quality Antique oil. The finest oils were made by maceration at a temperature not exceeding 37�C. Commercially they were produced by means of frames and expressed under hydraulic pressure.
The Aroma therapist must pay particular attention to such matters and their attention is drawn to Module 11B Table 11.22A. Remember the oils are being used for a therapeutic purpose. Oil of Ben is expressed from the seeds of Moringa aptera (Horse radish tree) and not to be confused with Oil of Benne which is expressed from Sesame seed. Oil of Ben is used as a fixative in the arts and will have a weak diuretic property. Its inclusion by Beasley will undoubtedly be for its fixative properties. Olive, Sesame and Almond oil are nutritive. However the carrier oil to be preferred is Almond oil which does not offend the olfactory sense.
HUILES ANTIQUES. Perfumed Oils for the Hair
The basis of these oils is either almond oil, olive oil, or oil of Ben;
whichever is used should be perfectly fresh, and of the finest quality. The
perfume is communicated in three ways : by infusing the flowers in the oil
at a gentle heat; by placing layers of flowers alternately with folded
cotton soaked in the oil, in proper frames, and pressing out the oil when
sufficiently imbued with the odour of the flowers; or simply by adding
essential oils, &c., to the fixed oil. An example or two of each method will
be sufficient.
OIL OF ROSES, BY INFUSION. Heat in a water-bath 1 pt of virgin oil, and add 1 pt of picked fresh petals of Provence roses. Let these remain together in a water-bath for half an hour, then remove from the bath, and leave them together for 24 hours, stirring them twice during the time. Strain through a cloth, and express all the oil. To this oil add fresh roses, and proceed as before; repeating this for 5, 6, or 7 times, till the oil is sufficiently perfumed.
OIL OF JESSAMINE, PERFUMED WITH THE FLOWERS. Fold pieces of white cotton cloth twice or four times; moisten them with fine olive oil, slightly pressing them, and place them in proper frames. Then place on the cloths a rather thick layer of fresh-gathered and dry Jessamine flowers, carefully deprived of all green parts. In 24 hours carefully remove the flowers, and replace them by fresh ones, till the oil is sufficiently perfumed. The oil is then expressed. The same method is employed in preparing oils from other delicate flowers; as violet, lily of the valley, &c.
OIL OF ROSES, COMMON. Pine olive or almond oil a pint, Otto of roses 16 drops. If required red, colour the oil with alkanet root, and strain before adding the Otto. for common sale, essence of bergamot or of lemon is often substituted, wholly or in part, for the more expensive Otto.
PERFUMED OIL OF BERGAMOT, LEMON, ORANGE, &c. To oil of Ben, or finest almond or olive oil, add essential oil of bergamot, lemon, &c., q.s. For common purposes a drachm of the essential oil may be added to 16 oz. of oil. Some recipes, however, direct as much as l oz. or 2 oz.
OIL OF AMBERGRIS AND MUSK. Ambergris 2 dr., musk � dr.; grind them together in a mortar, then with a small quantity of oil; add more oil to make up a pint, and let them stand together for 12 days, stirring them occasionally. Then decant or filter. Add half a pint of oil to the residue for an oil of second quality.
COMMON OIL OF MUSK, OIL OF BENZOIN, OIL OF STORAX, &c., may be obtained by mixing a strong tincture of these drugs with fine oil, agitating them frequently together, and after remaining some hours at rest, decanting the clear oil.
HUILE COMOGENE. Mix equal parts of oil and spirit of rosemary with a few drops of oil of nutmeg. To be used daily.
HUILE DE PHENIX. Clarified beef marrow 4 oz., lard 2 oz., oil of mace 4 oz.; melt together, and strain through linen into a warm mortar; stir, and when it begins to cool add the following solution, and stir constantly till it is quite cold: oil of cloves, lavender, mint, rosemary, sage, and thyme, of each � dr.; balsam of Tolu 4 dr., camphor 1 dr., rectified spirit 1 oz. Put the spirit and balsam in a phial, and place it in warm water till the solution is complete, then add the camphor and essential oils.
HUILE PHILICOME D'AUBRIL. Triturate together, without heat, equal parts of cold-drawn nut oil, almond oil, and prepared beef marrow, adding any essential oil as a perfume.
HUILE VERTE. Macerate 1 dr. of guaiacum with 1 lb of olive oil; strain, and add any essential oil to perfume it.
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