volatil

Updated: May 16, 2025

I conceive, that bitter and strong herbs, as Rosemary, Bayes, Sweet-marjoram, Thyme, and the like, do conserve Meathe the better and longer, being as it were in stead of hops. But neither must they, no more than Clove-gilly-flowers, be too much boiled: For the Volatil pure Spirit flies away very quickly. Therefore rather infuse them. Glased earth is best.

Kenelm Digby - The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened

Especially in such Plants, Seeds, and Flowers, which consist of fine volatil parts, and even in drying and pounding, or the least boiling exhale and evaporate, and therefore in the common way of ordering them, lose their whole vertue or most of their efficacy, and alter in their properties.

Christopher Merret - A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries: As well in Relation to Patients, as Physicians: And Of the: only Remedy thereof by Physicians making their own: Medicines.