147 / 244
Essences,
8fc.
147
bitter
almonds
in
spirit,
or
mis
2
oz.
of
spirit
with
1
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