نوشادراً

Ingredients

نوشادراً, ماء, لبان

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Take sal ammoniac and soak it in a small amount of water until it completely dissolves and becomes liquid. Write with this solution on paper (qartas/kaghad) or parchment (raq). Allow it to dry until it becomes invisible. To reveal the writing, expose it to the smoke of frankincense (luban) or heat, which will cause the writing to appear (p. 135).

Evidence

"خذ نوشادراً فانقعه في الماء ولا تكثر ماءه ، ودعه حتى ينحل . فإذا انحل وصار ماء كله فاكتب به إن شئت في قرطاس أو في كاغد أو في رق ، ودعه حتى يجف ثم بخره بلبان فإنه إذا أصابه الدخان ظهرت تلك الكتابة"

Remarks

This is a recipe for 'invisible' or sympathetic ink. The sal ammoniac solution is transparent when dry, but undergoes a chemical reaction or absorbs carbon particles from smoke to reveal the hidden text (p. 135).