non-alcoholic herbal remedies and education

[Guest guest]

hi, i just found this group - i'm very interested in the use of herbs,

but notice that " western herbalism " the kind that is most popular in

North America use alcohol as a menstruum - and many of the books that

i've looked at mostly give remedies based on using alcohol as a

solvent. I've taken a class also, where the focus has been on alcohol,

with very little information given on alcohol free alternatives, or

non-alcohol ways of preparing herbal remedies -

 

I'm wondering if folks here know of a herbal remedy book , or a web

site, that would give alcohol free alternatives ? - I would assume the

use of glycerin, and cider vinegar are the two other more popular

mesntruums? - However, different herbs might need to be used - if

alcohol is not used as a solvent? -

 

Second i was also wondering if anyone here might know of a teacher or

a school in the san francisco bay area that would be more sensitive to

this issue - I've come accross many folks now who will refuse to take

herbal remedies because of alcohol content, maybe 'cause they are

recovery alcoholics, religious/spiritual reasons - or just not being

comfortable with the use of alcohol (even in small amounts, the proof

of the alcohol used is very high, and so is the % content - )-And if

I'm to further my studies of herbs, I'd like to do so along

alcohol-free lines - unless there are just no other options availaible.

 

Thank you for any suggestions

[Guest guest]

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 for 5 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.

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!

Suzi

 

 

[Guest guest]

that is normal ... sediment will set on bottom... just shake it before using.

Suzilaura_e25 <laura_e23 wrote:

 

yes i strained it after two weeks but in the brown bottle the sediment separates from the the cider (or that's what i'm guessing)--does this not happen for other people?. it's done this all along but the taste is a little different now...not bad necessarily...but i didn't know how long it should keep?herbal remedies , Suzanne wrote:> WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT SEPARATES?? Sediment settles on bottom or what?? Did you strain it? give more info.> Suzi> > laura_e25 wrote:> i actually had a question about that. i made a single batch of the > total tonic and have been taking it everyday...it always > separates...but i shake it before taking it...does this go bad > though??? the taste seems to have changed slightly so i began to > wonder if

it had gone bad... just wondering how long it is ok to > take the same batch?> luv laura > > > One draw back to vinegar tinctures is that their shelf live is not > nearly so long. - Free, easy-to-use web site design software> > > > Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. > 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and to> prescribe for your own health. > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as > they behave themselves. > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person > following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. > It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or

products from list members, you are agreeing to > be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. > > Dr. Ian Shillington> Doctor of Naturopathy> Dr.IanShillington@G... > >