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Tincture advice

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Hello everyone,

 

I am enjoying all the info at this site. I have tackled our cold and

flu season with herbs this year and it seems to be going well. We

haven't had to go to the DR yet. There is so much info I just try

small steps and simple remedies first.

 

I wanted to make an allergy tincture for my toddler who has trouble

with them. I have my herbs picked out but, I'm having trouble

deciding what to make the tincture out of. I don't want to use

alcohol for obvious reasons. But, I do understand that alcohol

extracts componenets out of herbs the best. I think I'm left with

using glycerine. Is glycerine going to be strong enough? Maybe if I

used the sun, the added heat would do the trick?

 

Thank you very much, Icia

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Hi Icia,

 

That's very good that you're using herbs to keep your family healthy!!

Well done!

 

On your tincture question, I'm assuming that you don't want to use

alcohol simply because you don't want to give alcohol to a young child.

I do understand that, but I don't think it's really a problem. I have

given my daughter echinacea tincture (alcohol based) since she was an

infant with no problems. Since you adjust the dosage based on body

weight (see the 150 rule in the files) there's actually very little that

they're getting. I also mixed it with water for her so it was very

diluted. You could also put the tincture in a little bit of hot water to

evaporate off the alcohol then give it to your child once it's cooled

down.

 

I think it would be best to make the strongest tincture you possibly can

if there's a way to work around your alcohol concerns.

 

Just my thoughts.... :)

 

Kelli

 

|

| wyicia [icia_reed]

| Friday, March 18, 2005 11:25 AM

| herbal remedies

| Herbal Remedies - Tincture advice

|

| I don't want to use

| alcohol for obvious reasons. But, I do understand that alcohol

| extracts componenets out of herbs the best. I think I'm left with

| using glycerine. Is glycerine going to be strong enough?

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Speaking of tinctures ...

 

I was looking for a potato ricer at Linens & Things to press the

Total Tonic tincture I'm making, but passed because it was $19.99 -

I used have one that I'm sure I didn't pay more than $2.99 for -

okay so that was maybe the 70's, but still! <g>

 

Then, I went to " Tuesday Morning " . If you're not familiar with the

store they have high-end close-out merchandise and great sales- good

kitchen section. (Got the cutest baby clothes for an expecting

friend - got more than if I'd bought one outfit full-price. They

also let you return items within 45 days ... my personal plug for a

great store.)

 

Anyway, awhile back when shopping for juicers I had looked at a hand

press for citrus fruits and was stunned by the price of $50 or more

for a good press. I'm sorry, but it didn't seem versatile enough for

the price. Tuesday Morning had a good one " The Master of Life

Juicer " for $22 - regularly $54.99. I almost passed on this, but

realized it would do double duty - I don't have to peel my oranges

or lemons to juice them with the electric juicer and with a little

cheese cloth I can press tinctures. This juicer has a lot of

pressure!

 

If this idea appeal to you, then keep a look out for a sale on a

citrus press.

 

Karen

 

 

 

herbal remedies , " Kelli Bever " <kelli@c...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Icia,

>

> That's very good that you're using herbs to keep your family

healthy!!

> Well done!

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Hmm, hadn't thought of the hot water. I want to stay away from the

harmful effects that alcohol has. Do you believe the alcohol to be a

superior tincture extractor?

 

Oh, how about shelf life? How long can I expect dry herbs to stay

potent and how long will an alcohol tincture stay potent?

 

Thank you so much and thanks for the encouragement.

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<snip>

> Do you believe the alcohol to be a

> superior tincture extractor?

 

Some herbs release their properties better in alcohol than water.

Some herbs work better in Water.

Et cetera ...

 

Alcohol tinctures have a very long shelf life.

 

If you infuse a flower or leaf herb or decoct a root, bark or seed

herb into water, it has perhaps a 24 hour self life if kept in the

refrigerator.

 

If you add alcohol to that infusion or decoction to at least 20%, it

is preserved as a tincture.

 

As has been mentioned, try putting the tincture into very warm water.

The alcohol will leave.

The French have used this technique in their cooking for years. They

want the taste of wine's grape, not the taste of alcohol.

 

> Oh, how about shelf life? How long can I expect dry herbs to stay

> potent

 

Whole roots, barks, seeds; about 3 years

Whole flowers, leaves; about one year.

powdered anything; about 3-6 months.

 

I have no idea how commercial herb companies process their powdered

products to extend the shelf life.

I've heard that some freeze dry the herbs.

 

Growing, gathering, and processing conditions are a factor in how

potent an herb is.

 

> and how long will an alcohol tincture stay potent?

 

I've been told years and years and years under proper conditions.

 

Penel

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In a message dated 3/22/05 3:49:10 PM, icia_reed writes:

 

<< Hmm, hadn't thought of the hot water. I want to stay away from the

 

harmful effects that alcohol has. Do you believe the alcohol to be a

 

superior tincture extractor?

 

 

Oh, how about shelf life? How long can I expect dry herbs to stay

 

potent and how long will an alcohol tincture stay potent? >>

 

alcohol is far superior to any other type of extraction. alcohol mixes

better with water, and helps to eliminate any microbial or enzymatic growth in

your

preparations. there are a few herbs that extract better in water (like

marshmallow root for instance)

very few would i use in glycerin ... it also has a very short life, about a

year. i tried making it for clients and my kids, and they hate the taste -

it's sickingly sweet. it's only good for tannins.

generally, herbs should be in the 40-60% range of alcohol; resins are 90%.

a good book to help you would be 'the herbal medicine makers handbook' by

james green.

the life of an alcohol-based tincture is, by most literature, 10 years.

to make them the best way and provide continuity, consult a book for proper

ratios for the menstruum. some of my moms make things the 'home' way; and

that's okay too - but i suggest that they do it for a single herb, like

echinacea

root, and then they have to experiment with the dosage.

the life of herbs that you harvest depend on the herb and what part was

obtained.

roots, barks, seeds - if intact - are good anywhere from 1-2 years.

most aerial parts for 3 months to 1 year. herbs like lemon balm are 1-2

months. and some herbs you just can't dry because they don't have any

effectiveness dried - like shepherd's purse.

if you're concerned with the alcohol, not all the alcohol is 'burnt' off with

putting it in hot water (remember an irish coffee? hmmm... sounds good right

about now in 28 degree weather). in a dose of 20 drops 3 times a day, you

would get the equivalent of 1/30 of an ounce over 24 hours. (quoted from

green's book)

hope that helps!

diane

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