Burdock water compound.
Take Roots of Burdock, Avens, Tormentil, Hounds tongue fresh gathered, each 4 ounces; Herbs of Ragwort, Herb Robert, Plantain, Celandine, Agrimony, Speedwel, Groung Ivy, Housteek, each 2 handfuls; seeds of sweet Fennel, Coriander, each 2 ounces; Whey 2 gallons; distil in a cold Still as long as it runs good.
In distilling of Waters, its a very great (and perhaps common) Fault, to be over covetous; for a little bad that falls at last, will quite spoil all the good that came before. Let the Apothecary therefore leave off, as soon as ever it begins to tast sour, or burnt.
I mostly prefer Whey before Milk, for distillation; because the Cheesy part being taken away, its less apt to burn, and give an abominable Taste to tho Water. Yet I am of the Mind that for some uses Milk is to be preferr'd: My Reasons for which shall be hinted, when I speak of Scorbutic Snail water. Its use is, to make Juleps of in obstinate Distempers, that lye deep and remote: such as Cancer, Kings-Evil, etc. In three Ounces of it may be mashed, washed and squeezed out 40 or 50 Millepeds, for a Morning Dose, to be continued for an whole Month together.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710