Burdock, dandelion rt tincture

August 12, 2003

See answers belowElizabeth wrote: Hi,I am new to making tinctures ( I make infusions in my aromatherapy practice, but never an alcohol based tincture- YET!) and I want to make myself a tincture of Burdock rt and dandelion rt.1. Should I make them separate and then mix? Or can I make it as one? You can make them together..2. Vodka or brandy? VODKA OR EVERCLEAR (100% OR BETTER IS BEST)3. Should I use the dry chopped up burdock rt in bulk herbs or should I get the fresh whole herbs and dry them myself- if the latter...how is best? EIther way...4. Anyone ever make them selves a liver tincture such as this? Not a liver tincture but I've made a number of different tinctures....Anything else?5. Anyone use glycerin instead? NO... The reason to never use Glycerine is because it does not have very good catalytic qualities and therefore hinders absorbtion. Both alcohol and apple cider vinegar are excellent catalysts and get the biochemical properties of the herbs where they need to go FAST!

August 12, 2003

I've used Braggs before... as long as it is organic you'll be fine... some herbs respond better to acv and some to alcohol... Total tonic responds to acv.... it depends on what you are making... when I'm not sure I ask doc..

SuziElizabeth wrote:

Yes, that makes sense.Ahh...say more about the apple cider vinegar...I am very fond of it in general and would like to know how you think it compares as a base for a tincture? Would you use a raw one like Braggs?ElizabethOn Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at 12:45 PM, Suzanne wrote:> 5. Anyone use glycerin instead? NO...> The reason to never use Glycerine is because it does not have very good > catalytic qualities and therefore hinders absorbtion. Both alcohol and > apple cider vinegar are excellent catalysts and get the biochemical > properties of the herbs where they need to go FAST! >>

August 17, 2003

Sheila,

Some tinctures do fine either way... others work much better one way or the other...

Alcohol tinctures are considered the most potent and quick acting. If you want to use the best solvent, but don't want to ingest alcohol, you can place your dosage into boiling water or tea, remove from the stove and let it sit for5 minutes or so. The alcohol will evaporate rapidly and you will be left with only the herbal constituents that you had etracted.

Vinegar is actually preferable, in some instances to alcohol. It is not quite as good a solvent as alcohol, but has the advantage of being helpful to the digestive tract and tasting good. Vinegar will also help to regulate the acid/alkaline in the body. Vinegar is considered an excellent alternative to alcohol for tinctures especially if you are making tinctures for tonic purposes and plan to use then over a long course of time to strengthen and build your system. Vinegar is expecially good at extracting vitamins and minerals. It is important to use organic apple cider vinegar. One draw back to vinegar tinctures is that their shelf live is not nearly so long. It is also important to use thoroughly dried herbs. Any moisture can cause the tincture to prematurely begin

fermentation.

I use alcohol except like total tonic. as it is "food" items... but if you are going to use it fairly quickly i would guess it would be okay... I am waiting to here Doc's response to this for you.

Suzi

Sheila Burson <sburson wrote:

Okay, so I'm behind a little in reading my emails. Suze, gotta question on this answer.. Does this mean I could make my tincture with acv intead of the vodka? I REALLY hate the taste of the alcohol.

Sheila 1