Hungary Water

Hungary water (sometimes called "the Queen of Hungary's Water") was the first (European) alcohol-based perfume, claimed to date to about the late 1300s. According to legend it was first formulated at the command of a Queen of Hungary, sometimes identified as Isabella but usually as Elisabeth, or in one document "Saint Elisabeth, Queen of Hungary" (this may be a conflation of multiple individuals). These legends, and the documented references to this preparation, mostly date to the early to mid-1600s, so the details may have become confused in the intervening centuries.

The queen in question is frequently assumed to be Elisabeth of Poland (1305-1380), although the particulars of her life do not match those in the more common legends; it is even more unlikely that it could be Saint Elisabeth of Hungary (1207-1231), who is additionally too early and not a queen (note that the technique of distillation only became well known in Europe between about 1150 and 1250). The only plausible Queen Isabella (late 1200s) likewise seems to be too early to be a strong candidate.

The exact date of the invention of Hungary water is lost to history. It is equally unclear who in particular created it. Some sources say it that a monk-recluse who first gave it to Elizabeth, though most likely it was made by court alchemist (who could also have been a monk, thus reconciling the two traditions). The oldest surviving recipes call for distilling fresh rosemary (and possibly thyme) with strong brandy, while later formulations contain lavender, mint, sage, marjoram, costus, orange blossom and lemon.

According to these same legends Hungary water first appeared outside of Hungary in 1370 when the French Charles V le Sage, who was famous for his love of fragrances, received some.

Hungary water was known across Europe for many centuries, and until eau de Cologne appeared in the 18th century, it was the number one fragrance and remedy applied in the world. Similar to other herb and flower-based products, Hungary water was not merely (or even mainly) a fragrance, but also a valuable remedy; the early recipes advise the user to both wash with it and drink it in order to receive the most benefit.

The most valuable description of its attributes is in the "Pharmacopeia Londoniensis" (1683) by Nicholas Culpeper:

"The water (containing an infusion of spirits) is 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."