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MACERATION of TINCTURES
Most tinctures made from dry plants are [1:5] strength with one part of the dried weight
represented in five parts (by volume) of the tincture. A few stronger plants (Aconitum,
Veratrum, etc.) are properly [1:10]. Many herbs are best tinctured fresh, and the usual
strength is [1:2]. Dry herb tinctures (the majority) are best prepared as a percolation
(described in any Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences edition), although maceration was and
is considered a proper alternative. Fresh herb tinctures should only be done as a
macerationTinctures are easier to use than many other forms of botanicals, and often are
the preferred media for maximum efficacy. Some herbs such as Trillium are only truly effective
fresh, and a fresh plant tincture retains these properties. Some herbs, such as Scutellaria,
degrade rapidly after drying, and a tincture of the recent plant preserves the constituents far
longer than would be possible otherwise. Still other plants have a high portion of oleoresins,
only completely soluble in higher proportions of alcohol. An herb such as Hydrastis may have a
highly soluble alkaloid (berberine) and a poorly soluble one (hydrastine); a tea will present only
[water] soluble constituents, the tincture will present the complete plant. Further, the shelf
life of tinctures is years. -- Michael Moore Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1/1/96
TOOLS NEEDED
Mason Jars (wide mouth preferred)
Canning Funnel (stainless steel preferred)
Scale (measuring down to at least 1/10th ounces helpful if it also reads grams)
Measuring Cup (minimum 16 oz. and heat resistant glass preferred)
Menstruums (Alcohol, Water, Glycerine, Apple Cider Vinegar)
Spatula and Chopstick
Knife and Cutting Board, Pruners, Kitchen Shears, etc.
Grinder, Blender, etc.
Bowl (Stainless preferred)
Calculator
Notebook to keep medicine making records
Labels
RESOURCES
The Herbal Medicine-Makers Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green
Making Herbal Medicine by Richo Cech
Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistry by Lisa Ganora
Herbal Materia Medica by Michael Moore
www.Herbalista.org - Downloadable Forms, instructions, etc.
TINCTURE EXTRACTS
LORNA MAUNEY-BRODEK
www.HERBALISTA.org
TINCTURE EXTRACTS
LORNA MAUNEY-BRODEK
www.HERBALISTA.org
TINCTURE EXTRACTS
LORNA MAUNEY-BRODEK
www.HERBALISTA.org
oz. Alcohol
=
oz. H2O
Example : You want to make 16 ounces of 60% alcohol
16
x
0.6 (%60)
=
9.6 oz pure Alcohol
16
9.6
=
6.4 oz H2O
Check yourself: 9.6 + 6.4 = 16
oz Alcohol
=
oz. H2O
Example : You want to make 16 ounces of 60% Alcohol menstruum from 95% Alcohol
95%
60%
=
1.583
16
1.583
=
10.11 oz. Alcohol
16
10.11
=
5.89 oz. H2O
I would round these number to 10 oz. Alcohol and 6 oz. Water.
SOLVENTS
ALCOHOL (ETHANOL / EtOH)
WATER
An excellent solvent with a wide range of extraction protential. Also pretty darn
available. The other part of diluted alcohol menstruums.
Use clean water. If from a well, have it tested regularly and if from a municiple
source, make sure to filter.
Excellent at extracting sugars, gums, mucilage, polysaccharides, some
alkalids such as berberine, allantoin, tannins, to name a few.
TINCTURE EXTRACTS
LORNA MAUNEY-BRODEK
www.HERBALISTA.org
TINCTURE EXTRACTS
LORNA MAUNEY-BRODEK
www.HERBALISTA.org