1872 Cooling Cups and Dainty Drinks (Mixellany)

Essences y 147 bitter almonds in spirit, or mix 2 oz. of spirit with \ oz. essential oil of bitter almonds. Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a native of Italy and South of Europe. It has a weak aromatic taste, and lemon-like smell. It was formerly held in great estimation in all complaints appertaining to the nervous system, and was highly recom- mended in melancholic and hypochondriacal affec- tions. Like borage, however, it has lost its medi- cinal repute; but an infusion of its leaves is still used as a gentle aromatic and tonic. It makes an agreeable diluent drink in fevers, acidulated with lemon-juice or diluted citric acid. Balm yields an essential oil of a pale yellow colour. It is much used to impart an aromatic taste to beverages. Borage (Borage officinalis) is reputed to be a native of Aleppo. It was formerly much esteemed for supposed medicinal virtues. The old herbalists ranked it as one of the four cardinal flowers ; but it has neither smell, warmth, nor pungency. It is an annual plant, of somewhat coarse appearance, with thick stem, containing an insipid viscous juice, which, being subject to heat, forms crystals of nitre. Made into a clarified syrup, it is useful in pectoral affections and disorders requiring a cool treatment. The flowers and upper leaves are very 8fc.