Guest guest Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2005 Report Share Posted March 22, 2005 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 <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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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