Infusing and Tincturing FAQ

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List mate Anya posted the wonderful article below in our group files

section the other day ..

 

Thanks Anya!

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

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0FAQ> Infusing and Tincturing FAQ

Many of us like to tincture of infuse our perfume bases. This means

placing flowers, seeds, wood, herbs, roots, beeswax or any fragrant

material into a liquid to extract the scent.

 

If you want to make alcohol-based perfumes, use alcohol; for oil-based

perfumes, or solid perfumes, use oil. They do not mix.

 

Much of what is found in this FAQ comes from my experience as an

herbalist, aromatherapist, and perfumer, and the archives of the Natural

Perfumery group on . Over time, we all discovered the joys of

making our perfume bases, and freely shared information on our

experiments. I hope you enjoy this information, and have fun with the

lovely new products that you develop via tincturing and infusing.

 

Terms:

 

Tincturing: the term used when placing scented materials in alcohol.

 

Infusing: the term used when placing scented materials in oil.

 

Maceration: the term for both tincturing and infusing; usually means

gently heating to aid in scent extraction. This FAQ *does not* recommend

heating alcohol *at all*; do not attempt that unless you are a chemist.

 

Menstrum: the term for the alcohol or oil. You place your material in

the appropriate menstrum. Typically, to get the strongest scent, the

materials are changed several times, poured or strained off, and new

materials placed back in the original menstrum.

 

Simpler's Method: This term and method come from herbalism. It means

that instead of measuring a part of material and placing it in a certain

amount of measured menstrum, you just place your material in a jar, and

pour in enough liquid to cover, with some extra. It's simple, see?

 

Materials Needed:

Sterile glass jar and lid - screw top or canning jar

Menstrum

Botanical material

Steel or ceramic spoon or object to push material under menstrum

cheese cloth, coffee filter or muslin

funnel - glass preferred (from lab supply)

Sterile receiving jar after for finished product

 

Tincturing

 

All alcohol has some water in it. For perfumery, since you want the end

product to be as clear as possible, use high proof alcohol. In some

states you can purchase Everclear at 190 proof. Otherwise, search out

distillers who will ship. It is rather expensive, and tightly controlled

by the government. You can purchase 151 proof alcohol in most states,

but be aware your final product may be cloudy.

 

Making A Tincture

 

If using fresh material, such as flowers or herbs, make sure that there

is as little water on the material as possible. Usually it is best to

pick the material early in the morning, before the sun has volatilized

the oils. An exception would be night-scented flowers, like Jasmine

sambac, brugmansias, etc. Avoid crushing the flowers or herbs as much as

possible. Allow herbs to wilt a little in a shady, cool place so that

they lose a little of their moisture. If tincturing dried materials,

seeds, wood and hard objects, chop or crumble it a bit, place them in

the jar, cover with alcohol, and tightly cap. Keep in a cool, dark

place.

 

Some like to put tinctures in the sun, or heat them in a bain marie

(water bath, aka double boiler), but this can be dangerous due to fumes,

which are explosive. DO NOT DO THIS. EVEN PUTTING THE ALCOHOLIC TINCTURE

IN THE SUN CAN CAUSE AN EXPLOSION.

 

It is recommended to shake the jar every day or so. With flowers, they

usually give up their volatile oils in a few days. You'll see they

become translucent. It may be up to two weeks for other materials. When

you think it is time, strain the material. You might find you have to

repeat this procedure three or four times before you get a

strongly-scented material.

 

At this point, filter the final tincture through a coffee filter, bottle

and store in a cool, dry place.

 

Making An Infusion

 

Follow the basic instructions for a tincture, including letting

fresh-cut herb wilt a bit. The main difference here is that you can

gently heat the mix to speed up the infusion. Many prefer just to place

the sealed jar in the sun. I like to use a double boiler, watching the

infusion carefully. Do NOT allow it to boil, or even simmer moderately.

It should simmer very gently, bubbles barely breaking the surface. A

crockpot is great for this.

 

If using fresh herbs, be very careful about the water that is left.

Filter and pour the infusion into a clean jar, as with a tincture. Cap.

Allow it to sit for several hours, or overnight, and you will see a bit

of water in the bottom of the jar. Carefully pour the oil out into a new

jar, because any water left will cause the infusion to go bad due to

microbiological growth.

 

Repeat the infusion in the original oil as often as you like to reach

the scent intensity you desire. Some botanicals, like allspice leave, or

ginger, may only need one infusion.

 

Most of all have fun and experiment. One member found that beehive

scrapings infused or tinctured makes a wonderful perfume base. She did

this to find an alternative to the very pricey beeswax absolute. It

doesn't smell exactly the same as the absolute, but it is wonderful.

 

Let your imagination and your desires guide you. Making fragrant

treasures for yourself, your family and loved ones, and others is a very

rewarding, lovely art.