If you live up north, hurry up and pick some rosemary from your garden before the frost zaps it. If you’re in a more temperate zone, like me, you’ve got all winter, but you won’t want to wait once you read about the special concoction I’ve got for you today.
Queen of Hungary water is rumored to be the first alcohol-based perfume in Europe. Its origins are a bit uncertain. Some sources say the queen received it as a gift from a monk, while others claim it came from a court alchemist. Still other sources attribute it to the Roma, who often sold herbal remedies. All of the oldest recipes vary in ingredients, but they all include rosemary, that most useful of herbs, and many are little more than rosemary water.
Hungary water was the most popular perfume and herbal remedy (topical and internal) in the world (my sources say the world, but I am reluctant to believe it got further than Europe and its colonies) until eau de Cologne was invented in Germany in the eighteenth century. (In fact, the latter’s creator, Giovanni Maria Farina opened in 1709 what is now known as the oldest fragrance factory in the world. The term “eau de Cologne” is now used generically.)
Seventeenth-century herbalist and physician Nicholas Culpepper called Hungary water an “admirable cure-all remedy of all kinds of cold and humidity-induced head ailments, apoplexies, epilepsies, dizziness, lethargy, crippleness, nerves diseases, rheumatism, flaws, spasms, loss of memory, coma, drowsiness, deafness, ear buzzing, derangement of vision, blood coagulation, mood-induced headaches headaches. Relieves toothache, useful for stomach cramps, pleuritis, lack of appetite, indigestion, obstruction of the liver, obstruction of the spleen, intestinal obstruction and contraction of the uterus. It receives and preserves natural heat, restores body functions and capabilities even at late age (saying has it). There are not many remedies producing that many good effects. Use internally in wine or vodka, rinse temples, breath in with your nose.”
I’ve seen a version of Queen of Hungary water sold at Neiman Marcus in tiny bottles for $86, so it’s definitely worth experimenting on your own. What follows is Rosemary Gladstar’s recipe. She’s a top-notch herbalist, so I tried hers first. And I like that she used vinegar instead of alcohol because it’s better for an astringent or toner. Alcohol can be drying. If you want to make a fragrance, substitute vodka or brandy. Either one could be ingested, but don’t forget that I’m not a professional. Please take responsibility for your own health.
Queen of Hungary water (vinegar base)
- 6 parts lemon balm
- 4 parts chamomile
- 1 part rosemary
- 3 parts calendula
- 4 parts roses
- 1 part lemon peel
- 1 part sage
- 3 parts comfrey leaf
- apple cider vinegar to cover
- rose water or witch hazel extract
Pour the herbs into a jar and cover with vinegar. I also added rosemary flowers since my plant was in bloom. Close the lid tightly and let sit in a warm spot for two to three weeks. Strain the herbs out as best you can. To each cup of herbal vinegar add 1/2 – 1 cup of rose water or witch hazel. I used a little of both. If the vinegar smell makes you wince, add a few drops of rose or lavender essential oil. Keep in a glass jar or bottle. It will last indefinitely. And don’t use it near your eyes!
Clockwise from dish: chamomile, calendula, comfrey root (couldn’t find leaves), rose petals
Rosemary flowers
Fresh sage, rosemary, rosemary flowers, and lemon balm
papaver 