Tinctures

[Guest guest]

Geoff,

First of all, we have to distinguish between liquid extracts and

tinctures. Tinctures are alcohol-only macerations of herbs, usually

best for single herbs, especially in raw form, such as echinacea.

Liquid extracts are both alcohol and water decocted, at low temperatures

in closed vessels (if done correctly). They tend to be quite potent as

well. As far as aggravating dampness, that certainly is not my

experience (or anyone else I know who uses them) over the last fifteen

years. . . .the amount of alcohol is quite small, and you'd have to have

huge doses in order for them to aggravate dampness. Putting in hot

water does eliminate some or most of the alcohol.

 

As far as using granules, there is variance in potency with different

companies.. . . .and this will effect clinical efficacy. KPC and Blue

Poppy herbs, among others, I find have excellent potency. The most

potent method remains decoctions, but the variance in cooking by

patients, amount of water, herbs, tea drunk, etc. effects the clinical

results.

 

 

On Monday, May 20, 2002, at 10:50 AM, dahuang1 wrote:

 

> I am exploring various types of herbal delivery systems and would

> like to know what kind of experiences practitioners here have had

> with tincture products.  I had some teachers who told me to avoid

> them and some teachers who love them.  In particular, my mentor told

> me that tinctures will tend to aggrivate dampness in the body - but

> if you put the tincture into hot water for the etoh to evaporate,

> would that negate the damp (and heat) effects of the etoh?  I'm

> interested in exploring this route since I believe that my

> experience with granules has not been that much better than using

> patents.

>

> Thanks,

> Geoff

>

>

[Guest guest]

wrote:

 

> the amount of alcohol is quite small, and you'd have to have huge doses in

order for them to aggravate dampness. Putting in hot water does eliminate some

or most of the alcohol.

 

To clarify,

 

Placing the small bottle of a alcohol based tincture with the lid off in

some hot water, will raise the temperature of the tincture enough to

cause the alcohol to evaporate out of the bottle leaving the rest of the

liquid volume relatively unchanged. After this is done, its a good idea

to keep the tincture in the refridgerator though since the alcohol

serves as a preservative.

 

Instead of placing the bottle in hot water for a few minutes, you can

also just leave the cap off for 24 hours. This will cause the alcohol to

evaporate out as well.

 

--

Al Stone L.Ac.

<AlStone

http://www.BeyondWellBeing.com

 

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

[Guest guest]

...., " " <zrosenbe@s...>

 

Tinctures are alcohol-only macerations of herbs

 

This is not quite accurate, as I understand things. while

tinctures are made from a solvent that is typically about 40%

alcohol, the other 60% is water. So tinctures do extract both

alcohol and water soluble constituents. the main difference

between extracts has to do with concentration and heat

processing.

 

The presence of any alcohol does distort the proportions of

constituents compared to a decoction, making any extract that

involves alcohol essentially a processed medicinal with new

properties not described in the ancient texts. So any use of such

products is at least somewhat experimental, just like using

western herbs " energetically " , IMO.

 

I still prefer a water based extract, though I do make use of a

number of products that use other solvents in the extraction

process.

 

[Guest guest]

, Al Stone <alstone@b...> wrote:

>

>

> wrote:

Putting in hot water does eliminate some or most of the alcohol.

>

 

Al and Z'ev

 

I believe Karen Vaughn explained recently why this is not true. I

can't seem to find her post, though.

 

I do however agree that the small amount of alcohol probably

does not contribute to the function of formula itself. However, the

nature of the formula is indeed changed by using any % of

alcohol instead of pure water.

 

[Guest guest]

If you tried to evaporate the alcohol beforehand (before dosing),

would you not also loose some of the volatile oils in the herbs (ie,

bo he, huo xiang, etc)?

 

Geoff

 

 

, Al Stone <alstone@b...> wrote:

>

 

>

> To clarify,

>

> Placing the small bottle of a alcohol based tincture with the lid

off in

> some hot water, will raise the temperature of the tincture enough

to

> cause the alcohol to evaporate out of the bottle leaving the rest

of theal.

[Guest guest]

Lisa,

See Message 56166 . We just had some discussion on this.

SuziLisa Carter <randasmommy2003 wrote:

Hello,My name is Lisa. I've been lurking for about a month now and I'm amazed at everything that can be done by natural means. I had a question about tinctures, though. Can vinegar be used in place of alcohol? Thanks.LisaFederal 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 toprescribe 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 ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

[Guest guest]

Thanks Suzi. That's helpful. We are in recovery and having alcohol

around would NOT be a smart choice for us )

Lisa

 

 

herbal remedies , Suzanne <suziesgoats>

wrote:

> Lisa,

> See Message 56166 . We just had some discussion on this.

> Suzi

>

> Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢

[Guest guest]

I understand... your welcome!

SuziLisa Carter <randasmommy2003 wrote:

Thanks Suzi. That's helpful. We are in recovery and having alcohol around would NOT be a smart choice for us )Lisaherbal remedies , Suzanne wrote:> Lisa, > See Message 56166 . We just had some discussion on this.> Suzi> > Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢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 toprescribe 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 ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

[Guest guest]

Yes they can hon. Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic and unfiltered. "Braggs" is a great brand as well as "Spectrum."

 

Zeb

 

-

Lisa Carter

herbal remedies

Saturday, April 24, 2004 3:34 PM

Herbal Remedies - Tinctures

Hello,My name is Lisa. I've been lurking for about a month now and I'm amazed at everything that can be done by natural means. I had a question about tinctures, though. Can vinegar be used in place of alcohol? Thanks.LisaFederal 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 toprescribe 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 ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/6/2004 8:33:34 AM US Mountain Standard Time, fyrespryte writes:

The liquid? And do you use it internaly or externaly?Thanks Liz

After pressing the tincture the liquid is the medicine. Most are used internally but some may also be used externally.

 

God Bless,

Jamie in Az

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jamie!

Liz

 

 

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[Guest guest]

It is great externally for fresh cuts, bites, scrapes, etc. I even use it on my posts before I put them in my ears (yes, I have pierced ears) to keep them from getting infected.

 

johnSpareRibOfAz wrote:

 

 

 

After pressing the tincture the liquid is the medicine. Most are used internally but some may also be used externally.

 

God Bless,

Jamie in Az

Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs

[Guest guest]

Hello Doug,

I am also new to this group and just want to say welcome aboard! I

found your post on the different tinctures very interesting and can't

wait to here Doc's response. I have been a fan of Devil's Claw for

joint pain for a couple of years now, but I have always used

capsules. Do you find that the tinture is more effective? Where do

you procure the roots or do you grow them yourself? Warm regards,

Lori

 

herbal remedies , " Doug Taylor " <taylords@s...>

wrote:

> Hello list and Doc,

>

> This question is for Doc, but all are asked for input. First

though, I'm

> new to this list and looking forward to the sharing and learning.

Hello, my

> name is Doug I work for a Bank in the Technical Services department

fixing

> and trouble shooting PCs, Printers and Networks. I'm 52 and 10

years ago my

> Doctor told me I had the body of a 70 year old. I often wonder

how old

> that makes my body now

>

> My question(s.) Doc, I read your post in the files area " How to

make a

> tincture " and I don't disagree with it although I'm not so sure

about the

> blender part (my blender would complain greatly with the Barberry

and

> Devil's claw root.) I ask why you recommend not using Glycerin. I

> currently use 76.5% alcohol to make my tinctures and am thinking

about using

> Glycerin instead. I have a crushed disc in my back along with

arthritis in

> my spine, neck and knees. I ONCE took some of my Devil's claw

tincture at

> work and found myself in a state that made me not want to talk to

anyone.

> The alcohol hit me hard and I was afraid my breath must have smelt

like I

> had Martini's for lunch. Glycerin wouldn't cause this condition.

I've come

> up with a harebrained idea on how to remove the alcohol, but my

wife doesn't

> want me to turn the kitchen into a lab. (It's my kitchen though

I'm the

> cook

>

> A question about Devil's claw tinctures. I've got about 2 years

experience

> making them. All previous batches of dried root were the secondary

tuber

> this last batch is of the primary tap root. It is not even close in

> effectiveness as the secondary tuber, but still better (if only

slightly)

> then aspirin. The difference comes in watching it develop so to

speak.

> After the first week of soaking they both look the same by the

second week

> the secondary tubers begin to produce a whitish precipitate that

falls to

> the bottom of the jar the primary tap still looks as the first

week. After

> 3 weeks the primary tap begins to produce the precipitate.

However, it does

> not fall to the bottom of the jar, but rather it sticks to the side

of the

> jar. When I am straining the root and rinse the jar with a little

alcohol

> the secondary tuber jar rinses clean. The alcohol rinse with the

primary

> tap doesn't rinse the jar clean the precipitate still clings to the

sides of

> the jar. When I rinse the primary tap jar with water it rinses

clean almost

> instantly.

>

> Do you have any idea why the one sticks to the jar and not the

other and why

> one is only soluble in water? And! What are they? They are

obviously

> different.

>

> With our Lord's blessings,

>

> Doug

[Guest guest]

Hello Lori,

 

Generally speaking from my experience only not from grand knowledge

tinctures are better then pills. I've found with the herbs that I take teas

are better then tinctures, tinctures are better then pills. That is a

generalization and not a hard cast in concrete rule. I've taken the

powdered Devil's claw in capsules I can say that it is very close to the

tincture in effectiveness (better then my current batch) though, not as

fast.

 

I was getting my herbs from Herb Plenty; they are no longer doing business.

They were very slow to deliver and gave up the business. It is a shame they

had very good herb. It was worth the wait you just had to schedule your

purchases. My current batch that is not so good came from a company in

Oregon. I don't want to say who because one bad batch doesn't mean a bad

company. Michael Moore of The Southwest School of Botanical Medicine

published his list of sources http://www.swsbm.com/Resources/ResList.html.

I just made 2 purchases based on his recommendation one for herbs the other

for seeds. I will report back when they arrive.

 

I don't yet grow my own herbs, but as I mentions I am expecting seed. I

have read that many herbs are becoming rare or approaching extinction

through harvesting growing your own herbs does seem to be the next step.

Horizon herbs that I purchased the seeds from stated that " as far as they

know " the Devil's claw seed I purchased are among the first exported. I

have trepidation attempting to grow an African herb in the climate of

Northern California. I'll start them inside and see where it goes from

there. I purchased quite a Varity of seeds from them I am going to be very

busy.

 

With our Lord's blessings,

 

Doug

 

 

 

Lori [tootstl]

Sunday, January 09, 2005 4:30 PM

herbal remedies

Herbal Remedies - Re: Tinctures

 

Hello Doug,

I am also new to this group and just want to say welcome aboard! I

found your post on the different tinctures very interesting and can't

wait to here Doc's response. I have been a fan of Devil's Claw for

joint pain

[Guest guest]

Alright, I'm tapping into my recently learned knowledge on tinctures,

please anyone correct me if I am wrong :-)

 

Glycerine can also be used to make tinctures, but they are called

glycerites. They are not as effective at removing the active

constituents from the herbs as alcohol, and are high in sugars. They

have a better taste and are easier on the mucous lining, but alcohol

is the better menstrum.

 

Devils claw has glycosides and gum resin, which would affect the way

it sticks to the bottles.

 

Sunshine to everyone

[Guest guest]

Thanks, but I don't use distilled water for anything. My tinctures

came out fine but I might use boiled water next time.

 

>>Jackie,

when you cut the grain alcohol you want to use distilled water and not

filtered water. you do not know what is in the filtered water and distilled

water will pull the medicine from the herbs much better than filtered water

which is full of minerals that may be harmful and spoil your tincture.

 

Bonnie ><<

[Guest guest]

boiling it won't help, its the minerals in the water that you don't want

mixing with the minerals and components that you are extracting from the

herbs.

 

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

If you're in Canada, you must keep in mind that what the US calls 100 proof is the same as 50 proof in Canada. All you need us your everyday ordinary Schmirnoff (or any other brand) vodka or even rum if you like. Barb

 

-

E J Lanier

herbal remedies

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 4:56 PM

Herbal Remedies - tinctures

I was reading through the files, to get the directions for the kidneytea, and was reading on how to make your own Echenacea tincture. Herewhere I live, 100 proof vodka (Everclear) is illegal to buy, I believethe highest you can get is 70 or 80 proof. I am right on the border ofWindsor, Canada, and it's only a half hour drive to make for a funvisit, and I have been planning a day-trip for a while now anyway tobuy herbs I cannot get here either, but the border guards are verystrict on "importing" any types of alcohol or tobacco products I amtold. Any suggestions on what to do because of this?Thank you so much!Love to All Living,~Raaven***I'm standing on the edge of everything I've never been before***

[Guest guest]

I love making Tinctures but I make them from 1oz of dried herb (which is about 1 1/2 cups) and 1-1/2 - 2 cups of 100 proof vodka. The next day check and if the herb is over the top of the vodka if it is then add more vodka till its over the top of the herb. Let them steep for 6-8 weeks in a dark place and shake them every other day. Then strain them and bottle them. I take 20-60 drops depending on the herb and what I am taking it for. My Motherwort tincture for blood pressure I take 30 drops every 12 hours and it works better than the prescription from the Doctor, its cheaper and better for you. I also make Valerian root tincture for muscle aches and to help sleep when I can't sleep. I am taking the ABC Herbal Class from Susun Weed. She is a little out there but has lots of knowledge. Mary Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Plant roses and lavender for luck. Fall in love whenever you can.~ Practical Magic