The Power of Herbs for Preppers Series “Making Tinctures”

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

The power of Herbs for Preppers Series "GARLIC"

The power of herbs for Preppers Series “Garlic”

Read our other post "Antibiotic resistant Modifiers"

  Garlic another amazing miracle herb dating back to the time of pharaohs in Egypt. it was garlic that was given to the laborers and slaves who were building the great pyramids in order to increase their stamina and strength and protect them from diseases. dating back to 1300 bc. Garlic is to be considered a food as well as a super herb possessing  powerful antiviral properties that can obliviate most forms of viruses and drive out worms and parasites. 

Garlic is one of the earth's greatest health tonics and does indeed have scientifically proven medicinal properties. It contains a substance called Allicin, which has anti-bacterial properties that are equivalent to a weak penicillin. It is a natural antibiotic and is useful in treating everything from allergies to tonsillitis. Garlic contains many sulfur compounds which detoxify the body, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and improve circulation. Garlic has also demonstrated anti-cancer, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant effects.

Garlic can stimulate the production of glutathione, an amino acid which is known to be a very potent antioxidant and detoxifier and the smooth muscle relaxant adenosine, also found in the herb, will lower blood pressure.

Today people use garlic to help prevent atherosclerosis (plaque build up in the arteries causing blockage and possibly leading to heart attack or stroke), reduce colds, coughs and bronchitis.

Latin Name: **Allium sativum

**Common Names: **Allium, Garlic, Rustic Treacle, Stinking Rose

Properties: antibiotic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-viral, expectorant, fungicide, antihistamine

Uses: Lowers blood pressure and LDL Cholesterol. Prevents atherosclerotic buildup. Lowers or helps to regulate blood sugar. Helps to prevent blood clots from forming, thus reducing the possibility of strokes and thromboses. Removes heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body. Reduces yeast infections. Relief from rheumatism. Protects against heart disease and strokes. Wounds, ulcers, skin infections, flu, 

Garlic posses the enzyme allicin which interferes with the creation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in the stomach which makes it also good for lowering the incidence of cancer particularly in the gastrointestinal system.

Garlic is a good source of Sulphur and it possesses the Vitamins; A, C, B1 and the Minerals; Zinc, Tin, Calcium, Potassium, Aluminum, Sulphur, Selenium, and Germanium

Garlic can also be eaten raw with parsley to help eliminate the odor.
Garlic is also uses for the following:

• Colds, Flus’ and Virus'
• Hardening of the arteries
• Blood Circulatory issues
• Rheumatory arthritic Problems
• Gout
• Muscle pain
• High cholesterol
• Menstral irregularities
• lupus
• Snakebite
• Water retention
• Wound healing
• Staphylococcus, Streptococcus. E Coli, Salmonella, Candida Albicans,Herpes and Influenza.
• and much more..

Dosage:(Adults)
raw 1-3 cloves daily no more than 5.  1/2 to 1 teaspoon of fresh garlic juice daily, or 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of garlic syrup daily.
A tincture of Garlic and apple cider vinegar can be taken 3 times daily (1/2 teaspoon to 6 ounces of warm filtered water.

Precautions : Garlic eaten in excess can cause anemia, may become nauseous, or get diarrhea.

Massive overdoses, more than 5 cloves a day  may cause dizziness, bloating, headache or profuse sweating and direct applications to sensitive skin may cause irritation.

Apple Cider Garlic Tincture Recipe

You will need:

2 cloves of Fresh Garlic
4 ounces of Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
Clean Glass Jar

This is great for the kids especially for common colds and or flus’ or fever.

Directions:

First, take 4 ounces of organic raw unfiltered apple cider Vinegar and add it to the Glass jar. 

Second, press 2 cloves of garlic in a garlic press

Add to clean glass jar and shake daily 

After 2 weeks strain in a cheesecloth and squeeze out all the concentrates from the soaked garlic( with a Potato Ricer) back into the Viniger and then put the garlic back in the Vinegar. You are done. Use as needed and safe for children dosing is above.

Making an Apple Cider Vinegar Garlic Tincture

The Power of Herbs for Preppers Series "Cayenne"

The Power of Herbs For Preppers “Cayenne”

Read Our other post on Cayenne here

Cayene is a Herb which blocks a body chemical transmission of pain impulses. It also possesses the properties of aspirin this is due the the salicylates pressent. 

Cayenne is to be said to be a miracle herb This herb has antispasmodic properties and works with many other herbs. Cayenne Tincture can also be used for emergency fist aid of a heart attack. a few drops on the patients tong will stop the heart attack. The photochemical capsaicin can be found in many peppers. a few good uses of this herb can be from Circulation issues such as arterial and vascular blockages, and it will even thin out coagulated blood build up within the entire circulatory system and increasing blood flow safely. and this is why it is also good for arthritic pains. and Neurophathy nerves pain Cayenne and Garlic are a WONDERFUL Combination for flus’ and overall health. In addition to all this it is a natural antispasmodic and will stop a spasm or convulsion before it begins. An example ow powerful this is for epilepsy is that if a combination of herbs such as Valerian, skullcap, chamomile, passionflower lemon balm, and black cohosh were pre shed then strained through cayenne pepper this would also stop a Grand Mal seizure in its tracks. These are only a few benefits of this amazing herb but they can also be used for the following but not limited to:

Other Uses:

• Rhuematory Arthritis
• Fever
• Cramps
• Muscle Pain
• Diabetes
• Hardening of the Arteries
• High Cholesterol
• High Tryglycerides
• Strains
• Stroke
• Malaria
• Headaches

Dosage:

 Adults 450 mg. capsule 3 times daily, 1/4 dropperful of tin cure in 6 ounces of warm filtered water you can of course eat the  organic peppers themselves or sprinkle it on your food the higher the heat content the more capsicum is present.

Precautions:

The worst effect is the oral inferno some others may experience. If used long term and excessive, may cause stomach, liver or kidney troubles. Also it may enhance the effects of blood pressure drugs. topically allergic reactions are rare.

The Power of Herbs Series "Licorice Root"

The power of Licorice Root:

Target: Respiratory System
Survival: Medicine

I will begin by saying that licorice root is a powerful healing herb internally as well as externally. Licorices' healing is usually  performed after an internal detox, but not necessary for the healing enzymes to work. however licorice root is also good for the respiratory system.

Other uses for Licorice Root are: bronchitis, coughing, mucus membrane inflammation, respiratory disease, stomach inflammations, ulcers.
licorice can be also used for canker sores, boils, epilepsy, earache, eye inflammation, snake bite , viral hepatitis and much more.
licorice's photo chemical components are among the best studied in all of herbal medicine. two major ingredients glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, but even without them the herb in the form of deglycyrrhizinated licorice , retains the healing powers of licooricone and related flavanoids.
licorice is also know will for aiding in inflammation, viral and bacterial infections, sex hormones, sugar metabolism, and also with Cayenne together will aid in the event of anaphalatic shock/attack.

Dosage: capsules 200 mg. daily, 1/2 teaspoon of liquid extract, or 1 eye dropper full of licorice tincture in a 6 ounce glass of warm filtered water. in the case of ulcers 380 mg.capsules are needed 3 times daily.

Precautions,   Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding, or have high blood pressure,hypertension, kidney or liver problems,diabetes or heart disease.

Some other herbs that work well with 
Licorice; Cayenne, Burdock root, Dandelion root, Chamomile

Licorice Root Tea Recipe:

1 tablespoon of dried herb steeped in 10 ounces of boiling water for 5-10 minutes especially if you are using roots. strain and drink no milk or sugar.