Re: For Janet - Question on the Tinks...

[Guest guest]

Hi Janet,

I'm so glad my post helped you.

Okay, question #1 tincture (tink) can imply just how

strong or weak you wish it to be, especially if

this is for your own personal use...as to purchasing a

tink over the counter it depends on the manufacturer.

Read the label, I know that sounds so simple but it's

true. Take for example witch hazel...which is a must

if you work with essential oils since the two blend so

well together....some manufacturers use methylparabens to

the witch hazel which,imo, is a big no no for personal

natural perfumery and for personal natural care

products.

Other Witch Hazel manufacturers use a percentage

of alcohol for their preservative. However, I also prefer

to use a witch hazel distillate too. the distillate doesn't have

the tannins in it making it nearly harmless and safe for most

and you can make tinks from the witch hazel bark if desired.

Okay back to issue at hand...

You don't have to stop at the second application of

the infusion-maceration, you can repeat the process again,

and again...I don't know the maturation/saturation point

of the resin in dragon's blood? I have not worked with

this, like I said I've only worked with herbs. I have

triple processed herbs and they come out great for soaps.

There are some herbs that do take time to come out, in

other words you have to keep adding more herb and working

with it...like certain flowers when making floral waters.

Here is information I was given off one of my saved

files from an old herbal group I once belonged to...

maybe this can you help you?

STANDARD Solution:

Boil 32 parts of water, remove from heat, and steep one part (by

weight) of the herb in the water for 20-30 minutes. Strain, and pour

sufficient water through the herb in the strainer to return the

volume of tea to 32 parts.

STRONG Solution:

Combine 32 parts of water with one part of herb (by weight),bring

slowly to a boil, continue for ten minutes, cool until warm, and

strain. Pour additional water through the herb to return the volume

to 32.

WEAK Solution:

Is the same, but using half as much herb in the same volume of water.

FRESH PLANT TINK

One part by weight of the fresh, chopped herb is steeped for 7-10

days in two parts by volume of grain alcohol (190 proof or 95%

ethanol), and pressed or squeezed out. There is no reason to blend or

shake this maceration; the tincture is formed passively as a result

of dehydration. Ethanol draws out all plant constituents that contain

water, leaving only cellulose and dead tissue behind.

DRY PLANT TINK

Maceration method: If the Materia Medica calls for a [1:5, 60%

alcohol] tincture, it means this: your solvent is 60% alcohol and 40%

water (the water is presumed), and one part of herb by weight has

been invested in five parts of solvent by volume. Let me run you

through one. You have four ounces of dried Blue Cohosh roots, which

you then grind and sift down to a fairly consistent coarse powder.

The four ounces must be mixed with 20 ounces of solvent. The

solvent is 60% alcohol, the rest water, so you mix 12 ounces of

ethanol (don't use isopropyl) and 8 ounces of water to get the final

volume. Mix both together in a closed jar, and shake the mixture

vigorously for a couple of minutes twice each day. After 10-14 days

of this, let it set another day, pour off the clear tincture from the

top, and squeeze as much out of the sediment as your press or wrists

allow. The 20 ounces of solvent (the proper term for this is called

menstruum) and 4 ounces of herb, may yield up 13-14 ounces of

tincture (by the wrist) and up to 17 ounces (by a press); the

rest is immutably held in the sediment (called marc). This remnant

moisture is full strength tincture.

Now as to question #2, The tinks I make are for my own

personal use for formulations, meaning that I don't sell

my tinks. However, based on the pagan shops I;ve been to,

most will use either brandy or glycerin. Then if you were

to walk into a herbal shop or health food store you might

find another stabilizer and not always necessarily good.

The brandy, and glycerin is my preferred method for my own

blending and are strictly for use within my skin and body

care formulations.

Again, I am not an expert Janet. I am here to learn just like

you and others, as well to throw things out on our roundtable.

So, if anybody has other thoughts feel free to jump in.

Peace,

Kymeth