The Power of Herbs for Preppers Series
“Making Tinctures”
A tincture is a very concentrated extract and a little goes a long way.
There are a few common ways to make a herbal medicinal tincture. There are Alcohol based tinctures, Glycerine Based Tinctures, and Acid Based Tinctures for starters.
Alcohol Based Tinctures
Alcohol Based tinctures use alcohol to extract the vital elements from a herb, Primarily anywhere from 80 proof to 190 proof grain alcohol. When you se the number next to the proof content 50% of that number is water the other 50% is food grade alcohol.
Whenever working with Roots, Barks or Seeds and some other herbs such as cayenne, valerian, skunk cabbage to list a few it is better to use at least 100 proof to ensure a good extract of the vital element to make a good tincture. Also Alcohol tinctures
have a longer self life before they begin to loose their potency. (average 3-5 years)
Children, diabetics should be careful because of the alcohol and sugar content however if making a tea add a few drops of alcohol tincture to boiling water will evaporated the alcohol thus making it safe.
Make a simple alcohol tincture recipe:
1 part echinacea root dried ( if fresh, chop up and double the amount)
3 parts 100 proof good quality vodka or gran alcohol.
add all ingredients to a clean glass jar and shake well for 2 weeks continuously checking there is more than enough alcohol to cover all the herb always add if necessary.
Let stand for a min of 6 weeks the longer you let it sit the more potent it will be.
Strain the herbs and alcohol into another clean glass jar.
wrap the soaked herb in a cheesecloth and place it in a potato ricer and press. ( This is were the good stuff is.
Bottle and Use as needed per directions and dosage.
Glycerine Based Tinctures
Glycerine Based tinctures Use a food grade vegetable glycerine mixed with distilled water This is especially good when using herbs that are bitter or have a bad after taste example, mullen, horehound, oregano, vervain to name a few.
But also Food grade vegetable glycerine is safe for children and diabetics and it will not spike the glucose levels or effect them in any other way.
Making a simple Glycerine based tincture:
1 part dandelion leaves dried ( if fresh, chop up and double the amount)
3 parts of Vegetable glycerine (mixed with 60 percent of distilled water) This is known as the menstruum.
Add all ingredients to a clean glass jar and shake well for 2 weeks continuously checking there is more than enough glycerine to cover all the herb always add if necessary.
Let stand for a min of 4 weeks the longer you let it sit the more potent it will be.
Strain the herbs and alcohol into another clean glass jar.
wrap the soaked herb in a cheesecloth and place it in a potato ricer and press. ( This is were the good stuff is.
Bottle and Use as needed per directions and dosage.
Making a vegetable glycerine Mestruume: If for example you need 6 ounces to equal the 1 pat of your herb take 4 ounces of vegetable glycerin and 2 ounces of distilled water and mix well until it comes together and is clear you may want to make extra in case you have to add to your infusion. of douse you can always add strait food grade vegetable glycerine if you forgot to add the distilled water.
Acid Tinctures:
Acid tinctures are generally made with a vinegar most people use Apple Cider Vinigar. These Tinctures are quick easy and can be very effective even for children.
2 fresh pressed garlic cloves
4 ounces of organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
Add all ingredients to a clean glass jar and shake well for 1 weeks continuously checking there is more than enough Apple Cder Vinegar to cover all the herb always add if necessary.
Let stand for a min of 2weeks the longer you let it sit the more potent it will be.
Strain the herbs and alcohol into another clean glass jar.
wrap the soaked herb in a cheesecloth and place it in a potato ricer and press. ( This is were the good stuff is.
Bottle and Use as needed per directions and dosage.
"Tinctures can be used both Internally and Externally"
1. A good example an Alcohol based tincture of echinacea root can be used externally to treat ache
Why? simply because echinacea is a antibacterial and ache is a bacteria…
2. A glycerine based tincture of Callendula and cinnamon can be used for eczema
Why? Calendula has powerful healing properties for the skin Cinnamon is a natural antiseptic and can re stimulate surface veins.
3. An Acid based Tincture of Echinacea, Garlic and oregano can be used to treat wound infections. scraps, abrasions, minor cuts bruises,
Why?The Pectin in the Apple Cider Vinegar has Healing Properties, Garlic is antiviral and antibacterial.
4. An alcohol tincture of thyme, mint and lemongrass used externally is good to keep bugs, mosquitoes, nats away
