THE HERBAL ELIXIR

This is intended for those who have studied or read about Alchemy
and are now preparing themselves to commence work in the laboratory.
As this will prove to be a most interesting and enlightening task, it should
not be undertaken carelessly. First of all, the selection of a proper place
for the work about to begin is of importance. The space required is not
large. A corner in the basement, or in an attic, perhaps even a garage will
do, as long as a constant source of heat is available. Cold water should
also be close by for the cooling of the condenser tube. A few bottles and
flasks and a mortar and pestle are desirable, if not necessary.
A table and a chair complete the furnishings. The table or workbench
should be so located that the heat and water source are very close by, as
the gas flame or electric heat (whichever is used) is constantly needed.
For the gas flame, a Bunsen burner, or better still, a Fisher burner is
recommended. Erlenmeyer flasks, those with the flat bottoms, are the
type best for our purposes. As for stoppers, both the rubber and cork
types are needed. A small mixed assortment will last a long time. A
support to hold the flask over the flame, and to maintain it in a rigid
position when distillation is taking place is also required. It can either
be bought or made by the student, as long as it meets the requirements.
Since the most important implements are by now known to the begin-
ner, we shall now continue by preparing the substance with which we are
going to work alchemically. Let us choose an herb that is easily avail-
able—for example, Melissa (Melissa officinalis, or Lemonbalm). Since it
is an important herb and any supply house can furnish it, we shall use it
as an example in our first experiment.
As mentioned previously, it is preferable in the beginning to use
the dried herb. At this point we should ascertain if we have actually
selected the desired herb. This may seem unnecessary, but it is quite
important. There is, for instance, a difference between wild and garden
sage in our work. The flowers of the wild sage, again, will produce a
different medication than the leaves from the same plant. Therefore,

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